Thursday 13th July 2017

Zenith Life Insurance in Landmark Partnership with UK’s Prudential Ebere Nwoji Zenith Life Insurance has redefined the Nigerian insurance sector with its landmark partnership with Prudential Plc, one of the oldest and most capitalised life insurance companies in the world.

The partnership, which will see Zenith Life trade

under Zenith-Prudential Life, also involves an exclusive bancassurance agreement with

Zenith Bank Plc in Nigeria and Ghana, a statement from Zenith Life said yesterday

after the unveiling of the partnership in Lagos.

Prudential Plc is a British multinational life insurance and financial services company headquartered in London and boasts of some 24 million customers.

According to the statement, the partnership and bancassurance agreement will allow Prudential access

to Nigeria’s huge 180 million market, the largest in Africa.

Jim Ovia, Founder of Zenith Bank, Zenith Life and now Chairman, Zenith-Prudential, said: “This landmark transaction is set to redefine the life insurance industry in Nigeria.

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most successful life insurers, we expect Zenith-Prudential Life to act as a significant catalyst within the sector.

“We anticipate creating thousands of employment opportunities in Nigeria by embarking on this transformational deal,” Ovia stated.

Continued on page 8

Thursday 13 July, 2017 Vol 22. No 8120. Price: N250

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PDP Leaders Jubilant as S’Court Silences Sheriff for Good Makarfi takes over Wadata Plaza, declares no victor, no vanquished after verdict on defectors to return Maiduguri residents celebrate ex-governor’s ouster Our Correspondents It was celebration galore

for the leadership of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

yesterday, following the Supreme Court ruling, which upheld the constitution

of the Senator Ahmed-led Caretaker Committee to lead the party, effectively

slamming the door against the former National Chairman of the PDP,

Jonathan calls Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff.

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Osinbajo: Buhari Will Return to Nigeria Sooner Than Expected Omololu Ogunmade and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently receiving treatment in London for an undisclosed ailment, will return to Nigeria much sooner than expected, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed yesterday.

Osinbajo made this disclosure while answering questions from State House correspondents, a few hours after he returned to Abuja from London, where he had visited the president on Tuesday.

Buhari left the shores of Nigeria for London on May 7. Ever since, he has not been sighted in the public, fueling speculations that the president might be in bad shape.

The speculations were given fillip recently when the governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, alleged that the president was critically ill and on life support in a London hospital.

However, Osinbajo, who said he had a meeting with Buhari for about an hour, said he had opted to visit the president just to see how he was faring and equally brief him on emerging developments in the country.

The acting president reported that his boss was in high spirits, recuperating well and was expected back in the country very soon.

Osinbajo, who said he could not delve deeply into the issues discussed, however, said issues bordering Continued on page 8

Kachikwu: Nigeria Will A PARTNERSHIP SET TO REDEFINE INSURANCE… Chairman Zenith-Prudential Life, Mr. Jim Ovia, and CEO Prudential Africa Holdings Limited, Matt Lilley, at the formal launch Voluntarily Join OPEC Cuts… Page 47 R-L: of Zenith-Prudential Life, held at the Civic Centre, Lagos… yesterday

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THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017 • T H I S D AY

PAGE EIGHT OSINBAJO: BUHARI WILL RETURN TO NIGERIA SOONER THAN EXPECTED on the swearing-in of ministersdesignate from Kogi and Gombe States were not discussed, but assured his audience that they would be sworn-in in no time.

The nominees were confirmed since April, days before Buhari left the country.

Below are excerpts of the interview: You just returned from London where you had gone to see the president. What did you discuss with him?

Well, first, as you know, I went to see him. I went to check up on him, to find out how he was doing.

I had of course been speaking with him on the phone and I thought it would be a good thing to go and see him and you know, generally check up on how he was doing and also to brief him on developments back at home. So, we had a very good time. We had a very good conversation on wide ranging issues and he is in very good spirits. He is recuperating very quickly and he is doing very well.

What is the state of Mr. President’s health?

Well, as I have said, he is in very high spirits. He is recuperating very well and we had a very long conversation. We spoke for well over an hour and his humour was all there. He is doing well and he is recuperating fast.

When is he expected to be back?

I think very, very shortly. Very shortly. I think we should really expect him back very shortly. Like I said, he is recuperating very fast and he is doing very, very well.

Was the report of the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General part of your conversation?

Wide ranging issues (were discussed). I really can’t go into the specifics of all of the discussions we had.

Was the swearing-in of the two ministers-designate part of the discussion?

No. We did not discuss swearing-in or anything like that.

When will they be sworn in?

Well, I’m not in a position to

say anything. I don’t have a date in mind but I’m sure very, very soon, we will do that.

Are we expecting Mr. President back within 90 days?

No, no. Deadlines aren’t very good things but as I said, he is recuperating fast. We are expecting him very shortly. Much sooner than you will expect.

Tell the Truth, Fayose Tells Osinbajo However, Fayose, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, has asked the acting president to be truthful about the president’s health, otherwise he (Fayose) might be forced to release 11 photographs depicting a bedridden Buhari.

Fayose said Osinbajo was not being truthful about the real health status of Buhari when he said that the ailing president was recuperating fast, threatening to release the 11 pictures of the president if the presidency fails to come clean

on the issue.

Addressing journalists yesterday at the Ekiti State Government Lodge in Abuja, Fayose stressed that the claim of the acting president that Buhari was recuperating and will return to the country soon, was not true.

“I’m not going to prove that to Nigerians. It is him who said he saw the president that needs to prove it to Nigerians. I have made the allegation and I have said it expressly that we are in the age of technology.

“How do we have an acting president of a nation that has visited his boss that cannot show evidence of the meeting. The pictures they are posting on the social media are pictures taken long time ago.

You will recall that I said this again on the Transcorp Hilton Hotel interview in 2015.

“We are talking about the president of about 170 million people. The acting president visiting the president that has left this country for about 60

days or more cannot show evidence of the meeting. It shows the president is in a critical condition,” he alleged.

Fayose was insistent that Buhari is critically sick, incapacitated and currently on life support.

He challenged Osinbajo to show Nigerians pictures and short videos of his meeting with Buhari in London on Tuesday, if indeed he was insisting that the president is fast recuperating.

He specifically described the visit of Osinbajo to London to see Buhari as nothing but diversionary.

According to Fayose, “We pray for his (Buhari’s) health and for him to come back in one piece. However, the claim of the acting president that Buhari is recuperating fast is not true.

The president is incapacitated and sick. There is no iota of truth that the president is in good condition.

“The acting president’s statement saying that Buhari is okay is not true, it is far from

the truth. President Buhari is very sick, critically sick. The president is critically ill.

“If they are not careful, I will release 11 pictures about the real health status of the president any moment from now,” he threatened.

Fayose further recalled that he warned Nigerians in 2015 before the elections about the precarious health of the president, noting with regret that his warning was ignored.

He stressed that whenever he asked about the health of the president, “they said you are asking too much”.

“But now, we have been able to establish that the president is on life support,” he added.

The governor repeated his call for Buhari to step aside and allow Nigeria to move on.

When asked if other governors had made efforts to visit the president in London, Fayose said that each time they had made attempts in that direction, they always met a brick wall.

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process that would be based on fairness, justice and legality.

Ojougboh, however, said that he had no comment to make yet until his side of the party meets to review the ruling.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters who gathered at the Wadata Plaza National Secretariat of the PDP yesterday, Makarfi said the reconciliation process would not translate to denying people positions that are legally theirs.

He said: “I am happy that the Supreme Court has brought this protracted leadership tussle to an end today. There is no victor and there is no vanquished, but a collective victory for our party and the nation’s democracy.

“No democracy can prosper in the absence of a virile opposition or under the extreme hardship Nigerians have faced over the past two years. Citizens deserve a viable alternative,” he pointed out.

Makarfi, who led a team of party leaders including Professor Jerry Gana, Fayose, Lamido, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and many others from the Supreme Court premises straight to the Wadata Plaza, added: “This victory is not just for PDP, it’s for democracy.

This affirms the powers of political parties. This affirms the powers of conventions of all political parties.

“We are open to reconciliation.

But for us, reconciliation does not mean we will take what belongs to Mr. A and give it to Mr. B. We will do the reconciliation based on equity and justice.

You cannot get what you did not earn.

“The battle we fought was not a battle for PDP alone. It

was a battle for democracy, it was a battle for the supremacy of party men and women to decide their destiny.

“And it was a battle to do away with dictatorship in political parties and this will never repeat itself.”

Makarfi also said that there will be a series of consultations in the space of three days, after which a larger meeting will be held to fix dates for the Caucus and Board of Trustees (BOT) meetings.

Also commenting on the Supreme Court judgment, former President Goodluck Jonathan echoed the position of the Makarfi-led committee, saying there was no victor, no vanquished after the ruling.

In a Facebook post, the former

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PDP LEADERS JUBILANT AS S’COURT SILENCES SHERIFF FOR GOOD The 14-month battle for the soul of the PDP led to the factionalisation of the party, thousands of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saw the party lose two crucial governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, and deprived the country of a strong opposition to keep the APC on its toes.

The celebration was not just limited to the party’s chieftains, as residents of Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State once governed by Sheriff also celebrated his ouster as the chairman of the PDP. With the victory, the Makarfiled caretaker committee was able to takeover the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.

The party’s secretariat had been sealed off for months by the police due to the leadership tussle between Makarfi and Sheriff.

But immediately after the ruling, jubilant supporters of the PDP stormed the party’s secretariat to rejoice over the verdict of the court.

The party faithful who trooped to the secretariat were particularly excited at the return of normalcy to the once vibrant premises, and chanted songs to celebrate the ruling in Makarfi’s favour.

In its ruling yesterday, the Supreme Court had declared the caretaker committee led by Makarfi as the organ that has the authority to direct the affairs of the PDP. The court, in a unanimous judgment, set aside the judgment of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, which in a spilt decision gave victory to the Sheriff-led leadership of

the party.

The Supreme Court’s decision finally resolved the multiplicity of cases filed by aggrieved party members in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt in their bid to take control of a party that lost power to the APC two years ago.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour held that the appeal by the Makarfi group was meritorious and allowed.

Two other justices of the court, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen who presided, agreed with him and also awarded a cost of N250,000 against the respondents.

The court held that the national convention of the party that was held on May 21, 2016 in Port Harcourt was validly convened and was in line with the PDP constitution.

The court further held that the dissolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) by the convention was in order since the national deputy chairman had presided, adding that the convention acted within the constitution of the party.

The court chided Sheriff for demonstrating what Justice Rhodes-Vivour described as “infantile desperation to lead the party”.

He said Sheriff was not within the category of an “unimpeachable leader” and that the party’s constitution did not make it mandatory to pass a vote of no confidence on Sheriff before removing him.

According to Justice RhodesVivour, there was no clause in the constitution of the party that made it mandatory for Sheriff to be removed using a vote of no confidence.

While condemning the multiplicity of applications filed

by Sheriff, Justice Rhodes-Vivour said: “He demonstrated an infantile desperation to lead the PDP by filing almost 10 different applications in various courts.

They shall forever gather dust in the judicial archives.”

He further held that by virtue of the constitution of the PDP, members of the party must respect the proceedings of the party’s national convention.

“The subject matter at issue is Articles 33; 35 and 47. There shall be a national convention.

All members of the party shall be bound by the decisions of leaders from the national convention.

Article 33 states the supremacy of the national convention.”

He also held that the PDP constitution allows the deputy national leader of the party to stand in for his principal, adding that “when Sheriff abandoned the national convention in May 2016, the party asked his deputy to stand in for him, making his attendance noted at the convention”.

The Supreme Court added that although the PDP constitution allows the party to remove the national leader after two years through a vote of no confidence, the word used to denote vote of no confidence was “may”, which Justice Rhodes-Vivour interpreted, did not signify compulsory adherence.

He said: “‘May’ is not the same thing as ‘shall’,” therefore “a national officer could be removed without a vote of no confidence.”

While recognising the enormous powers of the party’s national convention, Justice Rhodes-Vivour said the lower

courts were wrong in declaring the conduct of the national convention illegal.

The judgment was received with wild jubilation by the PDP supporters of the Makarfi group who were present in the court.

In court were the governors of Ekiti and Rivers States, Ayodele Fayose and Nyesom Wike, a former Vice-Chairman of the PDP (South West), Chief Bode George, the present occupant of the position in the faction, Chief Eddy Olafeso, and former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido.

Also in court were a former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, a former governor of Kano State and former Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, Senator Ben Obi, founder of African Independent Television, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Dayo Adeyeye, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, and a former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi.

As if he knew that the judgment would go against him, Sherrif was not in court.

The Deputy National Chairman of his faction, Cairo Ojougboh was the only bigwig on Sheriff’s side sighted in court.

Jonathan, Makarfi React Reacting to the ruling in its favour, the caretaker committee immediately declared that there was no victor, no vanquished, but a collective victory for the party, with Makarfi statng that efforts would be made to enthrone a true and genuine reconciliation

Continued on page 10

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 13, 2017

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PAGE TEN

23 Killed in Maiduguri Suicide Attacks Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Multiple suicide attacks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Tuesday claimed 23 lives, the state Police Commissioner, Damien Chukwu revealed yesterday.

Those killed were 19 persons, including 12 members of the Civilian JTF, and the four suicide bombers who carried out the attacks.

The commissioner, who briefed journalists at one of the scenes of the attacks, added that 23 other persons were injured.

He said most of the dead victims were members of the Civilian JTF who had been working in conjunction with the military and security agencies to ensure security in the troubled Borno State, the birthplace of Boko Haram.

Chukwu said: “Twelve Civilian JTF were killed in all the attacks and the rest were civilian victims.”

He lamented that the seven civilian residents who were killed in the attacks, died when they gathered to mourn the 12 Civilian JTF operatives.

He said: “The suicide

bombers attacked the crowd of mourners, seven of them were killed, leaving many others injured.”

The spokesman of the Civilian JTF, Danbatta Bello told journalists that the bombers specifically targeted his colleagues on duty.

Bello said: “A teenage female suicide bomber actually crept up to the sandbag post of our boys at Molai and before they could realise what was happening, she detonated the explosives on her body and killed three of our boys on guard duty.”

He said the incident

happened simultaneously with another suicide attack at the tea vendor’s joint where “seven of our members who took time off to eat their dinner were killed”.

He further revealed that another suicide bombing took place not too far off from where the first blast took place, killing one of his operatives who tried to stop the female bomber, while the fourth blast which occurred at Jiddumeri, also took the life of another of his operatives.

“We lost 12 of our operatives in all,” he said.

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima

PDP LEADERS JUBILANT AS S’COURT SILENCES SHERIFF FOR GOOD president said: “I thank God for this day of justice and may God bless Nigeria.

“Today’s verdict is a judgment where there are no winners or losers. It is a verdict that will bring our party together. We should all thank the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I believe in our jurists. We may have issues with some individuals but the Nigerian judiciary deserves our respect and commendation. They have served this country well.

“I congratulate my political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, on the successful resolution of its leadership crisis by the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Jonathan posted.

While urging truce and forgiveness for those that may have taken disagreeable positions, Jonathan noted that the PDP, which gave Nigeria the largest economy in Africa, is a party whose heart is large enough to find a place for all Nigerians.

“The PDP is an inclusive vehicle, not an exclusive one.

We see Nigerians as human beings deserving of the rule of law, separation of powers and a free market economy that provides a level playing ground for all.

“As a senior member of the party, I hereby call on all those who left the party because of its leadership issues to return to their natural home and build the PDP. “Thus, they must take inspiration from General Yakubu Gowon and declare a no victor and no vanquished.

“As I congratulate the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee, I want to strongly urge them not to see this as a victory of a section of the party, but as a moral victory of constitutionality over arbitrariness,” he added.

Govs, Obi, Ekweremadu, Others Hail Victory In addition, several governors, former governors, and serving and former legislators of the PDP who had stood firmly behind Makarfi’s committee fell over themselves yesterday to hail the verdict of the Supreme Court.

In his reaction, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu lauded the judgment, describing it as a development that has ushered in a new dawn of peace, reconciliation, and recovery for the party.

In a statement issued in reaction to the judgment, Ekweremadu called for

reconciliation in the party, saying that the victory was a collective one for the entire party faithful and the nation’s democracy.

“No democracy can prosper in the absence of a virile opposition or under the extreme hardship Nigerians have faced over the past two years. Citizens deserve a viable alternative,” Ekweremadu said.

“The ruling party has indeed profited from the prolonged power contest, not just in terms of defections, but also in the unchallenged degeneration of democratic values, rule of law, electoral practice, and the economy because the PDP has been too distracted to keep APC on its toes.

“But it is heartwarming that calm is returning after the storm.

I salute millions of our party faithful and Nigerians who stood firm to weather the storm for their courage and loyalty, and sincerely appeal to those who left for one reason or the other to return to our big political family,” Ekweremadu added.

He called on the leaders and elders of the party to immediately initiate an allinclusive peace, reconciliation, and rebuilding process to reunite members under one umbrella.

Similarly, the former President of the Senate and member of the PDP BOT, Senator David Mark, expressed happiness that the leadership tussle which had assailed the party was over.

He, however, noted that the legal battles could have been averted if some power brokers in the party had heeded “wise counsel”.

“The disagreement between both sides of the divide was a needed elixir for the unity of the party to face the challenges ahead. Now we know the authentic leader of our party.

“It is no longer in doubt that PDP still has the credible and defined road map for the sociopolitical and economic recovery of our nation,” Mark said.

“With this development, the change is truly on course,” he added.

He urged those who lost the case to stay and ensure that the party is moved forward.

The PDP caucus in the Senate said the judgment was a victory not just for the Makarfi-led executive, but for Nigeria’s democracy.

The caucus had collectively maintained its support for Makarfi.

Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, briefing newsmen yesterday, said the victory was a monumental event

due to the seeming intractable nature of the tussle.

Flanked by members of the caucus, Akpabio said Nigerians now have a vibrant alternative that would “change the change”.

“It was not unexpected in view of the fact that we believed strongly that the Supreme Court is a court of justice and that God is a God of justice and that justice was going to prevail.

“But on our part, we do not want to lose any member and so we are describing that victory as no victor, no vanquish,” he said.

Akpabio added that no member who backed the Sheriff faction would be penalised and urged them not to leave the party.

“It was a family quarrel and therefore the blood remains the same, the blood of the PDP remains in the veins of both sides and therefore we are saying we must come back together as a family and we have indeed come back together as a family.

“We are calling on all those who went on exile in the course of the struggle, in the course of the seeming problem of the chairmanship tussle, to return home, the doors are open,” Akpabio added.

Former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, expressed great joy over the judgment, saying the Almighty God had used the Supreme Court to heal the wounds of the PDP family.

He noted that the judgment would usher in an effective and capable opposition that would contribute meaningfully to governance and bring Nigeria out of the present recession and contain the various agitations in the country.

He further appealed to all party members to remain united as one family.

Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha also said: “This is a victory for and triumph of democracy. It is a celebration of the enthronement of light over the forces of darkness.

Long live Nigeria.”

On his part, Wike declared the judgment of the Supreme Court as a victory for democracy, adding that the nation would now have a viable opposition.

Wike said: “This judgment shows that there will be opposition in Nigeria. I am very happy. Rivers people are very happy because we have no other party aside the PDP. The governor was of the view that the PDP would emerge from the crisis stronger, because all stakeholders would work

hard to rebuild the party.

He urged Sheriff and his supporters to keep their word and work with other stakeholders in the interest of the party.

The governor disclosed that the former PDP chairman had called him last week to assure him that he would respect whatever decision reached by the Supreme Court.

“I urge them to keep their word. All of us will work together to re-position the party. The party will go back to the drawing board to move ahead,” Wike said.

He added: “I don’t see any reason why Sheriff will not be a part of the party. He spoke to me last week that whatever the situation he will remain in the party.”

The Rivers State chapter of the PDP also hailed the victory and said it was confident it would usher in a new era of growth for the party.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, the state chairman of the PDP, Felix Obuah, described the judgment as heart-warming and a step in the right direction.

He called on members of the party to work for the unity, peace and corporate existence of the party, using the judgment of the Supreme Court as an instrument of strength.

He stated that the judgment has ushered the party into a new dawn, stressing that the PDP would benefit more as a united party.

Fayose, in his reaction, described the verdict as a victory for democracy and for Nigerians who “have been suffering under APC’s misrule”.

He said in a statement: “With today’s judgment, PDP can now play its role as the opposition party and prepare to take over power in 2019.”

Fayose called on genuine members of the party to come together for its repositioning, repackaging and strengthening.

The governor, who maintained that there would be no victor, no vanquished after the ruling, added: “The ultimate winner is democracy which cannot survive without a virile opposition and the entire people of Nigeria who are already yearning for a return of the PDP, having been short-changed by the APC.” He also hailed the judiciary “for rising to the occasion at a time the ruling APC was almost succeeding in its plot to turn Nigeria to a one party state”.

The PDP Former Ministers’

Forum also described the judgment as “one of the most celebrated cases of our time”, adding that it was in tandem with the wishes of party members.

Speaking to newsmen after their meeting in Abuja yesterday, chairman of the forum and former Minister for Special Duties, Tanimu Kabir Turaki, thanked the Supreme Court for the judgment, saying it had established itself as being able to rise to any challenge in critical times.

“The judgment is hope for democracy. The opposition will continue to survive. Without the opposition, government won’t be able to sit up and do the work that is expected of it.

“We urge the committee to make the necessary arrangement to consolidate the gains. Bring all members back to the fold.

In our last press briefing, we said no matter the outcome of the judgment there will be no winner, no loser,” the forum said.

On what advise they would give to Sheriff, the forum advised the former chairman of the PDP to abide by his word to accept the verdict of the Supreme Court and work with other party members to usher in a new dawn for the PDP. Olisa Metuh called on the PDP to invite Jonathan to assist in navigating the waters.

“Indeed, his advice, goodwill, experience and democratic credentials are needed now, more than ever before, to help the party navigate through this very important period in its history.

Maiduguri Residents Celebrate Interestingly, residents of Maiduguri also celebrated the sacking of the former governor of Borno State by the Supreme Court.

When news of Sheriff’s removal filtered into the town, it became the issue of discussion in public gatherings.

At the popular Monday Market, many of the traders, apparently happy with the decision of the Supreme Court, gathered in groups discussing the verdict.

One of the traders, Bashir Marte who spoke to THISDAY, said: “This is a long expected decision and we are really happy about this. Sheriff supporters have been threatening fire and brimstone as the next political season comes close.

“And we know that the state is going to be in trouble with their desperation, the trouble they caused with Boko Haram we are still with it to date, and that could be child’s play had he remained the PDP chairman by 2019 general election, as he would have wanted to win at all cost to prove a point,” he said Another respondent, Bashir Ibrahim said: “Now is the time for the PDP to wake up from the grave and truly fight as a political party.

“After the 2015 elections, PDP was dead but when Sheriff was made the chairman of the party he put a nail in the coffin of the party and was about to push it into the grave.

“But with the decision of the Supreme Court, PDP can be taken from the grave by sincere party men and brought back to life. Perhaps it can still give the ruling APC a run for its money during the next election season,” he said.

The atmosphere at the state secretariat was no different, as many civil servants were seen in groups were discussing the verdict of the Supreme Court.

Many of them said that Borno State was the greatest beneficiary of the court’s verdict, as the blow to Sheriff would give the ruling party in the state (APC) an edge as it prepares for 2019.

A political analyst, Bukar Mustapha said: “It is a devastating blow to Sheriff’s attempt to hold firm to the leadership of the party and with the court’s verdict now not in his favour, it is like the cookie has crumbled for his followers who have to go back to the drawing board and do another political arithmetic.

“Mark you, if Sheriff chooses to stay in the party, he will definitely be more of an outsider because right from the outset, the Makarfi faction felt Sheriff was a mole and his continued stay will further plunge the party into troubled waters.

“In his home state of Borno, it is a fatal blow for the Sheriff camp in its bid to take control of the state. Already, it’s a mixture of sadness for loyalists of Sheriff and that of joy for those of the ruling party in the state because if Sheriff had won at the court, then the intensity of the rivalry would have been unprecedented,” he pointed out.

He, however, added that Sheriff should not be dismissed just yet for “he is a very crafty politician, so let’s keep our fingers crossed because you never can tell what he would be up to next”.

11

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 13, 2017

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THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017Ëž T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

FEC Approves Payment of N2.7tn Owed Contractors, Pensioners Gives nod for transformation of civil service Okays N2.5bn access road to Kabusa in FCT Omololu Ogunmade Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday put in motion the machinery for the payment of N2.7 trillion owed contractors, pensioners and state governments by the federal government in the past two decades. Briefing journalists at the end of the weekly FEC meeting

presided over by acting President Yemi Osinbajo in the State House, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said the council approved a process for the validation and payment of liabilities inherited by the federal government since 1994.

The minister gave the breakdown of the total verified N2.7 trillion liabilities to include:

INEC Meets to Decide on Anambra Senate Election Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will meet today to take definite decisions on the conduct of the outstanding re-run election for the Anambra Central senatorial district held up by legal tussle.

The commission would also use the opportunity of the management meeting to decide on what to do with the petition for the recall of the senator representing Kogi West district, Senator Dino Melaye.

Although the commission had rolled out plans to conduct the Senate re-run election in Anambra Central and has recently set in motion the process to verify the

signatures for the Kogi West senator’s recall but court litigations are stalling the move. THISDAY gathered from a reliable source at INEC yesterday that the Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has summoned a meeting of the INEC’s management today to deliberate on it and to consider the action to be taken on the two issues.

The Anambra Central Senate seat became vacant following the disqualification of Senator Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Appeal Court over post-election petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh.

discounted N1.93 trillion owed contractors and suppliers as well as N740 billion outstanding pensions and promotional salary arrears reconciled by a committee set up by the Ministry of Finance on the order of the acting president in March.

She said the arrears which had accumulated over the years would be paid through bonds and promissory notes issuance after a strict validation process, explaining that clearing the liabilities would go a long way in stimulating economic activities. “The FEC has today (yesterday) approved the Ministry of Finance’s proposed validation process and promissory note and debt issuance programme to resolve a number of inherited and long outstanding federal government obligations to contractors, state governments and employees. “This will be followed by a request to the National Assembly to approve the programme

ahead of implementation. “In March 2017, the Economic Management Team, under his leadership Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, mandated the Minister of Finance to chair a committee that would establish a process to confirm the validity of inherited federal government obligations, and propose a mechanism to resolve them. “These obligations largely consist of dues owed to state governments, oil marketers, power generation and distribution companies, suppliers and contractors by federal government parastatals and agencies, payments due under the export expansion grant (EEG), outstanding judgment balances as well as pension and other benefits to federal government employees. Some of the obligations date back to as far as 1994. The resolution of this will significantly enhance liquidity in critical sectors of the economy. “Following an exhaustive

process of reconciliation, the committee has been able to provisionally confirm a discounted total of N2.7 trillion of obligations, consisting of N740 billion of outstanding pensions and promotional salary arrears (not discounted) and N1.93 trillion (discounted) of other obligations including dues to federal government contractors and suppliers. These numbers are aligned with existing federal government estimates, and in some cases, are lower than previously estimated. “The supplier and contractor obligations will be resolved through a strict process of final validation, following which those confirmed will be settled through the issuance of liquid promissory notes (ten-year tenure) phased over a three-year period to minimise impact on liquidity and with preference given to those willing to offer the largest discounts. Obligations owed to individuals (for example pensions and employee benefits) will be resolved through the

issuance of specific bond instruments, again phased over the next three years. “These obligations will then be incorporated into the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning,� Adeosun said.

Also briefing the journalists, the Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, said FEC approved a four-year implementation plan for the transformation of the civil service. According to her, the plan would involve revamping the civil service through a strategic implementation work plan that would include infrastructure development, effective payment systems and digitisation of the civil service.

In the same vein, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Mohammed Bello, said FEC approvedmemorandaforinfrastructure provisioninFCTincludingN2.5billion access road to Kabusa, a project he said would open up the area for commercial value.Â

World Bank: We Did Not Audit Abacha’s Loot The World Bank has said it played a limited role in the spending of loots recovered from late General Sani Abacha, Nigeria’s military head of state from 1993 to 1998.

The bank, according to TheCable, stated that it could not comprehensively audit how it was spent, due to the structure of the programme adopted by the government at the time.

In a letter to Socio-Economic Rights and Accoundtability Project (SERAP), the World Bank said the recovered loots were channelled into Nigeria’s budget in line with President Olusegun Obasanjo’s National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS). “The funds were returned directly from Switzerland to the Nigerian government adding that it is committed to helping Nigeria account for the spending of the loots.� “They were programmed into the national budget and utilised by the Nigerian government in line with its National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS),� World Bank said.

The Bretton Wood institution added that the structure of the programme did not allow for the comprehensive audits like the bank would normally do with its own funded projects. “As agreed with the Nigerian and Swiss Governments, the bank’s role was limited to carrying out an ex-post analysis on their use with a particular focus on

their contribution to the NEEDS. “This was done as part of the public expenditure review carried out jointly by Nigerian government and the bank under the Country Partnership Strategy.

The monitoring and analysis of repatriated funds was undertaken at two levels through: (1) the bank-led analysis of general budget expenditure trends, and (2) a budget monitoring survey which was a limited field survey of sample projects funded under the budget program and randomly selected from a list of projects provided by the government. “The budget monitoring survey was conducted by joint teams representing both government agencies and Nigerian civil society organisations. The bank’s role in this particular case was limited by the design and different from the type of comprehensive audits we can do when funds are spent in projects supported by the bank. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to explain the bank’s role in this matter in the near future. “We do share your deep commitment to fighting corruption and promoting transparency and accountability. These are key ingredients to successful development and economic well-being. “We believe that the work organisations like SERAP are doing is critical to achieve our common goal of improving the lives of people in Nigeria and

OUR PARTY IS BACK ON COURSE

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State (left), and former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, jubilating after the Supreme Court affirmed Ahmed Makarfi as the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the Supreme Court premises in Abuja....yesterday

Immigration Commences Issuance of Temporary Work Permits Kuni Tyessi Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË As part of the ongoing automation of operational activities and in line with the ease of doing business in Nigeria, the Comptroller General (CG) of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede, has announced the commencement of the issuance of Temporary Work Permit (TWP) Visa by e-mail to enable experts invited by companies and organisations to come into the country for temporary work purposes. This,

he said, is an addition to visa on arrival facility applied through the same process.

In a statement made available to THISDAY and signed by the service spokesperson, Sunday James, the CG said applications for the facility (TWP) by e-mail are to be forwarded to a dedicated email address known as oa@nigeriaimmigration. gov.ng and addressed to the Comptroller General, adding that the requirements and how to apply are also on the service website.

The requirements include: “Formal application letter for the facility from the company/ employer accepting immigration responsibility on behalf of the beneficiary; certificate of incorporation of the company, (if applying for the first time)  and a brief profile of the company/ sponsor (if applying for the first time.�

Others are “copy of the data page of the international passport of the beneficiary; Indication of the Nigerian mission where the visa is to be issued and

evidence of existing contract or purchase/importation of machinery or  equipment.�

The statement also revealed that “TWP application when approved, usually within a timeline of 48 hours, is forwarded to the Nigerian Mission in the country indicated in the application for the issuance of the facility. The expatriate is expected to proceed to that particular Nigerian Mission with his/her passport for the issuance of the TWP. It must be stressed that the TWP is not issued at Port of Entry in Nigeria.�

13

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 13, 2017

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GROUP GENERAL SERVICES AND PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

OGUN STATE GOVERNMENT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FROM INDIVIDUAL NIGERIAN ARTISTS

OGUN STATE WATER CORPORATION

ARTWORK FOR BANK PERMANENT OFFICE IN ABUJA NIGERIA 1)

2)

3)

The African Development Bank was allocated a plot of land by the Nigerian government in order to construct its permanent office in Abuja. The construction works are almost completed and the Bank is currently seeking the services of qualified and reputable individual artist for the design and execution of artwork on parts of the building.

The assignment will be to produce exterior artwork design to reflect the Bank's multicultural nature, for approval by the Bank's management prior to executing of the works.

The African Development Bank now invites individual artist or group of artists, eligible in accordance with the Bank rules, to indicate their interest in providing the services.

Interested artists must provide a statement of capability and experience in the design and execution of artworks for office buildings and/or public buildings (museums, airports, congress halls, hotels, shopping malls, etc.) indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar assignments, etc.).

4)

The artist or group of artists selected from the shortlist will be required to register on-line in the Bank's consultants' data base named “DACON” (http://dacon.afdb.org/dacon).

5)

The artist or group of artists should meet the following minimum criteria: (i) be registered in accordance with the legislation of a Bank member country; (ii) have at least five (05) years of experience; (iii) have carried out at least two (2) similar assignments of the same nature and scale as above (brochure of designs should be included in the submission of expression of interest);

6)

7)

The information provided by the artist or group of artists will be used to prepare a shortlist of six artists or groups of artists who will be requested to submit technical and financial proposals. The Bank reserves the right to modify or cancel the request at any time during the process.

Written expressions of interest together with the relevant information must be delivered to the address below before 3:00 p.m. Abuja time, 27 July 2017.

Address:

E-Mail:

African Development Bank Nigeria Country Department 8, Lake Chad Crescent, Maïtama, Abuja Nigeria. tender@afdb.org

François MUSERUKA Division Manager Operations and maintenance - General Services and Procurement Department

SELECTION OF CONSULTANTS BY BENEFICIARIES OF FINANCING FROM THE FRENCH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST OGUN STATE URBAN WATER SECTOR PROJECT (OGUWASP) CNG 1027 01 N

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ƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌĞĚ ŝŶ ƚǁŽ ƉŚĂƐĞƐ͗ ĮƌƐƚ ƉŚĂƐĞ ǁŝůů ďĞ Ă ĚŝĂŐŶŽƐŝƐ ŽŶ ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ŚƵŵĂŶ ƌĞƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ͕ ǀĂůŝĚĂƟŶŐ ŬĞLJ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚŝĐĂƚŽƌƐ͕ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŝŶŐ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ /ŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ WůĂŶ ĂŶĚ Ă ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ WůĂŶ͘ ^ĞĐŽŶĚ ƉŚĂƐĞ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĂŶ ͞ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟǀĞ͟ ƚĞĐŚŶŝĐĂů ĂƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ ŵŝdžŝŶŐ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƟĂů ĂŶĚ ƐŚŽƌƚͲƚĞƌŵ ĞdžƉĞƌƟƐĞ͕ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ͞ĐŚĂŶŐĞ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ͟ ĂƉƉƌŽĂĐŚ͘ dŚĞ ĐŽŶƐƵůƚĂŶƚ ǁŝůů ŚĂǀĞ ĂĐĐĞƐƐ ƚŽ Ă ^ƉĞĐŝĂů &ƵŶĚ ĨŽƌ ĐƌŝƟĐĂů ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚ ;ƐƵĐŚ ĂƐ ƐŽŌǁĂƌĞ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ĨŽƌ ďŝůůŝŶŐ Žƌ '/^͕ ǁĂƚĞƌ ďƵůŬ ŵĞƚĞƌƐ͕ ƐƵƌǀĞLJƐ͕ ĞƚĐ͘Ϳ͕ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚ ŵĂLJ ŝŶĐůƵĚĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞͲďĂƐĞĚ ŝŶĐĞŶƟǀĞƐ͘ dŚĞ /ŵƉůĞŵĞŶƚĂƟŽŶ ƉĞƌŝŽĚ ƐŚĂůů ďĞ ƚŚƌĞĞ ;ϯͿ LJĞĂƌƐ͘ dŚĞ KŐƵŶ ^ƚĂƚĞ tĂƚĞƌ ŽƌƉŽƌĂƟŽŶ ŶŽǁ ŝŶǀŝƚĞƐ ĐŽŶƐƵůƚĂŶƚƐ ƚŽ ŝŶĚŝĐĂƚĞ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͘ ůŝŐŝďŝůŝƚLJ ĐƌŝƚĞƌŝĂ ƚŽ & ͛Ɛ ĮŶĂŶĐŝŶŐ ĂƌĞ ƐƉĞĐŝĮĞĚ ŝŶ ƐƵďͲĐůĂƵƐĞ ϭ͘ϯ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ͚​͚WƌŽĐƵƌĞŵĞŶƚ 'ƵŝĚĞůŝŶĞƐ ĨŽƌ & Ͳ&ŝŶĂŶĐĞĚ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ ŝŶ &ŽƌĞŝŐŶ ŽƵŶƚƌŝĞƐ͛​͕͛ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ŽŶůŝŶĞ ŽŶ & ͛Ɛ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ ǁǁǁ͘ĂĨĚ͘Ĩƌ͘ /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ĐŽŶƐƵůƚĂŶƚƐ ŵƵƐƚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ŝŶĚŝĐĂƟŶŐ ƚŚĂƚ ƚŚĞLJ ĂƌĞ ƋƵĂůŝĮĞĚ ƚŽ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵ ƚŚĞ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ;ďƌŽĐŚƵƌĞƐ͕ ĚĞƐĐƌŝƉƟŽŶ ŽĨ ƐŝŵŝůĂƌ ĂƐƐŝŐŶŵĞŶƚƐ͕ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƐŝŵŝůĂƌ ĐŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ͕ ĂǀĂŝůĂďŝůŝƚLJ ŽĨ ĂƉƉƌŽƉƌŝĂƚĞ ƐŬŝůůƐ ĂŵŽŶŐ ƐƚĂī͕ ĞƚĐ͘Ϳ͘ /Ĩ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵůƚĂŶƚ ŝƐ Ă :ŽŝŶƚ sĞŶƚƵƌĞ ;:sͿ͕ ƚŚĞ džƉƌĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ƐŚĂůů ŝŶĐůƵĚĞ Ă ĐŽƉLJ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ :s ŐƌĞĞŵĞŶƚ ĞŶƚĞƌĞĚ ŝŶƚŽ ďLJ Ăůů ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ͘ ůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞůLJ͕ Ă ůĞƩĞƌ ŽĨ ŝŶƚĞŶƚ ƚŽ ĞdžĞĐƵƚĞ Ă :s ĂŐƌĞĞŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĞǀĞŶƚ ŽĨ Ă ƐƵĐĐĞƐƐĨƵů ƉƌŽƉŽƐĂů ƐŚĂůů ďĞ ƐŝŐŶĞĚ ďLJ Ăůů ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ƐƵďŵŝƩĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ džƉƌĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ͕ ƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ĐŽƉLJ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽƉŽƐĞĚ ŐƌĞĞŵĞŶƚ͘ dŚĞ ůŝĞŶƚ ǁŝůů ƉƌĞƉĂƌĞ Ă ƐŚŽƌƚ ůŝƐƚ ŽĨ ĂďŽƵƚ Ɛŝdž ĐĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞƐ ƚŽ ďĞ ƉƌĞͲƐĞůĞĐƚĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂƐŝƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĞdžƉƌĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ŽĨ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞĚ ƚŽ ǁŚŽŵ ŚĞ ǁŝůů ƐĞŶĚ Ă ZĞƋƵĞƐƚ ĨŽƌ WƌŽƉŽƐĂůƐ ƚŽ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵ ƚŚĞ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͘ džƉƌĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ŽĨ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŵƵƐƚ ďĞ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐ ďĞůŽǁ ďLJ ΀ϰǁĞĞŬƐ ĂŌĞƌ ƉƵďůŝĐĂƟŽŶ΁ ͘ KŶĞ ;ϭͿ ŽƌŝŐŝŶĂů͕ ĨŽƵƌ ;ϮͿ ĐŽƉŝĞƐ ĂŶĚ KŶĞ ;ϭͿ ƐŽŌ ĐŽƉLJ ŽĨ džƉƌĞƐƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ƐƚĂƚĞŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ŝŶƚĞŐƌŝƚLJ͕ ĞůŝŐŝďŝůŝƚLJ ĂŶĚ ƐŽĐŝĂů ĂŶĚ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů ƌĞƐƉŽŶƐŝďŝůŝƚLJ ŵƵƐƚ ďĞ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌĞĚ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ ϰ ǁĞĞŬƐ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ĚĂƚĞ ŽĨ ƚŚŝƐ ĂĚǀĞƌƚ ďƵƚ ŶŽƚ ůĂƚĞƌ ƚŚĂŶ ϵƚŚ ƵŐƵƐƚ͕ ϮϬϭϳ ďLJ ϭϭ͘ϯϬĂŵ͘ /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ĐŽŶƐƵůƚĂŶƚƐ ŵĂLJ ŽďƚĂŝŶ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ƐƚĂƚĞŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ŝŶƚĞŐƌŝƚLJ͕ ĞůŝŐŝďŝůŝƚLJ ĂŶĚ ƐŽĐŝĂů ĂŶĚ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů ƌĞƐƉŽŶƐŝďŝůŝƚLJ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐ ďĞůŽǁ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ŽĸĐĞ ŚŽƵƌƐ͕ ϴ͘ϬϬ Ă͕ŵ ƚŽ ϯ͘ϯϬ Ɖ͘ŵ DŽŶĚĂLJƐͲ &ƌŝĚĂLJ͘

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14

T H I S D AY THURS DAY JULY 13, 2017

COMMENT

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

POOR BUDGETING AND A WEAK PRESIDENCY Nigeria needs economic and political restructuring, writes Oludayo Tade

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he battle of supremacy between the executive and legislative organs of government is functional to the survival of our system. I mean their cold-war exposes the loopholes in the way those ruling us view themselves (real Nigerians) and the rest of us (ordinary Nigerians). It also shows how they view what ‘they think we need and must be given’ as against what ‘we actually need’. To what extent are budget items inclusive of the needs of Nigerians and to what extent are they problemsolving? Obviously, our leaders just copy from elsewhere and that is why we have problems all the time. How then will Nigeria have solutions to her problems when they depend on copying from outside rather than soul-searching from within?

The inward search may be towards our universities for intellectual and research inputs. Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana at a reception organised for University dons appointed by the federal government from the University of Ibadan bemoaned the silence of the academic community concerning happenings in the country. He could not understand the silence of the academia on the myriads of problems confronting the country including bad governance, crime and other social problems.

No doubt the academic community has been docile. They are undoubtedly affected by the rent-seeking economy. But lately the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan has taken up the challenge by organising seminars on public discourse. The last of these seminars under the Head of Department of Economics, Professor Kassey Garba assembled four eminent scholars from Economics, Sociology, and Political Science. They focused their presentations on 2017 Budget and the gaps in it. They demonstrated how the present budgetary structure cannot lead Nigeria to any meaningful development. The structure is defective and deficient in citizens’ input, thus designed from the outset to fail or at best sustain the culture of corruption. The articulation of problems and the solutions offered were far-reaching but who are those to implement it? The policymakers did not attend the seminar. It is never in their culture to do that. It will not add dollars to their account. Although the seminar poster described it as public lecture, the presentation was only able to attract students and faculties from the premier university. This is why things would take time to work in Nigeria. But for their refusal to attend the seminar, let me share a few important highlights from Professor Ademola Ariyo of department of economics and the political scientist, Professor Adigun Agbaje. The thoughts of Professor Oka Obono, a sociologist on how to solve the farmer-herders’ conflict in Nigeria through budget capturing is one that Nigeria should tap into while Dr. Omor’s submissions on deficit budgeting shows misdirection of money by the occupiers of power centres in Nigeria.

The summary of all the presenters was that Nigeria needs economic and political restructuring. They anchored this on their researches and observations of the trends in government circle. According to Professor Ademola Ariyo, Nigeria cannot continue to borrow to fund budget describing such as ‘death warrant’. He observed the lack of wisdom of the federal government in their search for foreign direct investment (FDI) instead of local direct investment (LDI) which to him would hamper home grown development and growth of small and medium scale enterprises. While he noted that increasing internally generated revenue would have been the best way to get funds to finance the budget, the economist noted that such a policy would be catastrophic if implemented when the people are down economically. I cannot agree less with this submission. It is obvious that the inputs of Nigerians are not seen as

THE PRESENT BUDGETARY STRUCTURE CANNOT LEAD NIGERIA TO ANY MEANINGFUL DEVELOPMENT. THE STRUCTURE IS DEFECTIVE AND DEFICIENT IN CITIZENS’ INPUT, THUS DESIGNED FROM THE OUTSET TO FAIL OR AT BEST SUSTAIN THE CULTURE OF CORRUPTION.

‘necessary’. The political elites decide what is good for the people. This is why the budget is most of the time at variance with social reality.

Professor Ariyo who went spiritual by quoting from the Bible said Nigeria’s policies are externally influenced as a debtor nation by her creditors. Ariyo who was angry at the description of foreign countries as ‘development partners’ added that there is no partnership between a creditor and a debtor other than slavery. Using Proverbs 22:7, Ariyo noted that “the rich rule over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender”. It is even a paradox that when Nigeria borrows, the citizens suffer the more.

How has the current budget captured the pasture-needs of the herdsmen in order to stop them from traversing landed property and wreaking havoc? The sociologist, Oka Obono articulated that greening the northern part of the country will be a better approach. This idea developed from the fact that Lake Chad has shrunk from the original size causing livelihood challenges for those dependent on it.

The professor of political science, Adigun Agbaje who spoke on “2017 Budget: Matters Arising” noted that the process of budget making in Nigeria is the major driver of corruption “because items are deliberately written into the budget which is not meant for Nigerians but only for those who have access to governmental powers.” This is true as we are aware that on a yearly basis, new price money is earmarked to buy air-conditioners that are never replaced. The President is in the UK despite the fact that billions of naira is budgeted to equip health centre in the Villa. A government cannot budget for diesel if it desires to make power available; it cannot be at the front of health tourism yet claims the health of Nigerians is uppermost in her heart; or securitise the elite while children of the masses are raped, murdered and used for rituals. Instead of budgeting for the needs of the masses a minister considers a media fight with the National Assembly and describes water from borehole ‘small’ in favour of big projects like road construction. But we know that the highest kickbacks come from road construction contracts.

Professor Agbaje spoke also about our weak presidency; a presidency with a ‘very ailing’ president. A president battling to stay alive before the sickly nation can be healthy, if possible. President Buhari’s body language is not even doing any magic anymore. This is why the professor felt there is need to restructure politically and adjust our budgeting structure. An anti-corruption campaigner ought not to superintend over a budget that will allocate so much to cutleries that will not be changed eventually while education and health budgets drain yearly. Therefore, a judicial review is proposed to re-examine the powers of the legislature on budgeting to enhance democratic governance. Agbaje noted that Nigeria will not achieve much with her endless list of extremely weak institutions. “The personality and the vision of the president and those in the presidency are very important.

If the vision is parochial and laden with corruption, we are not going to get any meaningful budget or policy. There is also capacity gap in terms of willingness to do what is right in the area of budget implementation. There is a whole lot of shenanigans going on within the executive and the legislative arms. There is need for judicial review on the powers and functions of organs of government. We need to have efficient and functional institutions.” The take home for me is that a budget must derive from the people whom it is intended to serve if it must have impact on the people. A presidency must show democratic ethos and build capacity that can encourage the development of home-grown solutions to our problems.

Dr Tade, a criminologist sent this piece via dotad2003@yahoo.

COME ONE, COME ALL

Desmond Orjiakor urges voters in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State to make wise and intelligent choices

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nce again, it is the season of campaign in Anambra State (Home For All). With the expiration of the tenure of its ebullient governor, Willie Obiano, aspirants are springing up for various elective positions.

But the major question is: Who calls the shots at Government House, Awka? The issue of who occupies the driver’s seat in this gateway state in the Southeast and home to Nigeria’s erstwhile Governor-General, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Owelle of Onitsha, is in contention. In fact, there are more than 25 politicians (some contenders and others pretenders) angling for the slot of the state’s chief executive. Some of the names being dropped include Chief Godwin Ezeemo, Hon. Mrs. Stella Oduah, Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, Dr. Obinna Uzor, Senator Andy Ubah, Senator Chris Ngige, currently Minister of Labour and Productivity; Dr. Chike Obidigbo, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, Nze Akachukwu Nwakpo, Mr. Chinedu Idigo, Mr. John Emeka, Hon. Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, and many others.

Splendid is the current! Yet, only a few seem to be talking about issues; about what they would do that would add to what Willie Obiano has done. Much as Nigerians would appreciate a situation whereby people of varied

opinions and backgrounds are allowed to join the fray, what is really surprising is that most of our politicians are bereft of ideas. A critical study of the interviews granted and comments made by these Anambra gladiators shows that some of them are either bending on their self-aggrandisement or are simply galvanising avenues for cheap appointments or “settlements”. However, a few of this battalion of contenders are dead serious in their bid to lead Anambra State to a greater height.

In their deft political calculations and brilliant articulation of issues, it is glaring that they are not just out to pander to undue affectation to humour the public or create an unusual mileage on the hustings. One of such people who appear to be the darling of the Anambra youth and the teeming masses especially traders, is Senator Andy Uba, a serving senator of the Federal Republic who wants to serve his people with zeal. Given his background as one who had been governor and now a serving senator, Andy Uba has full grasp of the intricacies of power and statecraft. Alas, this cool, unassuming politician possesses the uncanny gift of understanding even the dark and the labyrinthine. He also comes across as not only possessing a profound appreciation of power but having its most penetrating insights as well.

What gladdens the heart about this warm and enterprising personality is that he knows what he intends to achieve for the people of his state. For instance, commenting on what better changes he would bring about in the burgeoning economy of the state, he started by reasoning that his intention is to correct the imbalance and non-mastery of governance inherent in the Willie Obiano-led administration in Anambra State. He has posited that first and foremost the state could only move forward in an atmosphere of peace and mutual trust. He has said that Anambra people deserve quality democracy dividends to justify their mandate to a governor. The APC governorship aspirant has promised to concentrate on infrastructure and empowerment of the people alleging that the present government of Chief Obiano lacks direction. Andy Uba has also thought of encouraging people to go into manufacturing to open up the economy of the state; establishment of an airport to make for easy movement of goods for businesses to thrive. Promising that he would also take security matters to a higher dimension, Senator Uba said that his good antecedents would guarantee him the APC ticket.

One of the things that make the people of the state to insist on this young man coming on board is his plan to tackle the ecological

crisis enveloping the state headlong. In the state, several communities have been washed away by gully erosion of a devastating variety.

Very recently, it was reported that the Federal Polytechnic, Oko and the entire community where Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria’s former Vice-President comes from, are under serious threat of being washed away by erosion. It is therefore heartwarming that Andy Uba has a holistic transformational agenda for the state if given opportunity to serve. Others might share similar vision with him. But what gives him an edge over and above his fellow contenders is his enormous reservoir of love for his people.

The man has a zeal which is tempered by disarming humility and generosity.

Above all, Andy Uba has age on his side. All over the world, opportunities are given to the youth to serve because they have the energy and drive to work for the people. He is set to run a bold government driven by a bold vision for the future of Anambra State. His plan to attack youth unemployment, combat the menace of crime and address the environmental degradation threatening the state, the housing issue and distribute infrastructural development across the state is commendable. The people of Anambra State should be encouraged to make wise and intelligent choices.

Orjiakor wrote in from Abuja

15

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

EDITORIAL CURBING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN The law prohibiting violence against children should be enforced

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hat the incidence of domestic violence across the country has extended to children is frightening just as the statistics of the prevalence are worrisome. While we urge the relevant authorities to pay attention to this malaise, it is also important for parents to be more alive to their

responsibilities.

In the latest survey by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), six out of every 10 Nigerian children suffer some forms of physical, emotional or sexual violence before attaining the age of 18. The survey, carried out by the National Population Commission (NPC) with support from UNICEF and the United States’ Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, revealed that violence against children has become so widespread: one in two children experienced physical violence; one in four girls and one in 10 boys experienced sexual violence; and one in six girls and one in ďŹ ve boys experienced emotional violence. Unfortunately, majority of these children did not speak to anyone about the NIGERIANS HAVE A CLEAR violence they suffered MORAL, LEGAL AND and fewer than ďŹ ve ECONOMIC IMPERATIVE TO per cent actually END VIOLENCE AGAINST received the help they CHILDREN needed to recover from the trauma.

We share the view of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Governor Akinwunmi Ambode that Nigerians have a clear moral, legal and economic imperative to end violence against children and that we cannot allow these ďŹ ndings and the priority actions needed to ďŹ ght it to remain on paper. We therefore urge the government, at all levels, as well as international donors and non-governmental organisations to begin to respond to this crushing incidence of violence against children. To start with, highlighting the true magnitude of the violence is crucial to drumming up public support and encouraging steady action towards its eradication.

The strategies for addressing this violence should

Letters to the Editor

also include provision for counselling services, engagement of parents and creating public awareness by involving all critical stakeholders in the campaign.

This is because a major concern from the UNICEF study was the lack of counselling unit and professional counsellors to manage cases of violence in many of our schools across the country. We believe that the consequences are enormous if the appropriate authorities refuse or fail to act urgently on this growing incidence as we may unwittingly be breeding an angry, psychologically traumatised, wayward and rebellious generation.

W

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WAITING TO MAKE THE PERFECT DECISION

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he outcome of every decision we make is not always guaranteed to measure up to our expectations, regardless of our well-thought-out plans, hard work or plausible calculations. It’s not entirely within our powers to influence the eventual result of our decisions to either turn out good or bad. One could make the seemingly perfect decision of settling for a prominent career after a thorough evaluation of his or her corresponding skill set, but still turn out woeful at it. Another, could make a somewhat terrible decision to settle for a poorly attractive profession but make a gold mine of it. The best decisions often come on strong as a gamble!

In our various leadership roles, the toughest part of our job lies with the unrealistic demands which require us to make perfect decisions that could get everyone nodding along in approval of our methods. Satisfying everyone is clearly unattainable, and sadly, we can’t always be right in every decision we make. However, decisions do not make themselves, so we must make them anyway. We must develop the courage to ward off pressure when making tough and ‘imperfect’ decisions. We need to train our minds to pay less attention to the bullying thoughts of whether our choices would turn out good or bad. A “bad decision� could seem quite tacky but eventually evolve into some good, while a “good decision� may give promising vibes but turn out to be silly in the course of time.

Having a moment of thought before making an informed choice is wise for decision-making, but what happens when we don’t have a moment? Decisions are made in different degrees. We may

hat is particularly disturbing is that the current trend of violence through child trafďŹ cking, forced marriages, sex exploitation and abduction, is a national malaise. According to the Oyo State State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, this was unacceptable as “the protection of the child and the promotion of their well-being are closely linked to development and well-being of the society.â€?

It is noteworthy that four days to the end of his administration on May 25, 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill into law. The act not only addresses emerging forms of violence, it provides commensurate penalties for offences as well as compensation for victims of violence which had never before constituted a part of our laws. Yet as commendable as the law is, available reports indicated that incidences of violence against these vulnerable groups had increased, rather than abate. The challenge of domesticating the law in many of the states as well as enforcing it where already domesticated is at the heart of what is necessary to tackle the menace.

What the foregoing suggests is that apart from creating awareness against this violence, government should also begin to formulate policy guidelines for addressing the problem in many of our schools.

But the society must also rise up to the challenge of all forms of abuse and violence against children in Nigeria.

be fortunate to make calculated choices most of the time, but there are moments we’re compelled to make a spontaneous decision without giving much thoughts to it. All we’re left with at that point is a quick intuition. Decisions born out of quick intuition are usually the bravest and the riskiest, but can also be rewarding. We must equip ourselves at all times for decision-making, whether or not we’re ready at the time it’s required. We’re either rooting for ‘Yes’ or we’re sticking with ‘No’. ‘Maybe’ is a glaring sign of indecision! A lot of people would rather not commit their savings to an investment opening for fear of incurring losses. Well, that could be a good decision, but some other people would zero in on the risk (a ‘bad decision’) and end up making tremendous gains. There’s never a perfect time to make a flawless decision on investments, because they’re never structured to be risk-free.

A lot of us have remained indecisive on emotional commitment. We’d rather be non-committal, pending the arrival of our imaginary ‘perfect’ soul-mate who seems to be our best and only choice for a partner. No emotional union is worthy of playing host to two perfect companions who are finely-tailored for each other as cleverly portrayed in some intimidating romance series. It’s funny how cranky we get when our interim partner in real life, doesn’t meet up with the required (fictional) wonder-lover skill set.

No other time is better than the present one at hand to begin the process of a new project, pursue a great ambition or develop a committal interest in your relationship. Make a decision full of expectations Nimi Princewill, Nigerian-born writer and social reformer

THE WISDOM OF EZEKIEL MPHALELE

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zekiel Mphalele was a South African journalist who aptly captured the vivid contrasts between Nigeria and South Africa. Writing sometime around 1982, Mr. Mphalele was struck with amazement, on his visit to Lagos, that luxury Mercedes and sundry cars were parked in the open by street kerbs because the owners of these automobiles were essentially one-room apartment tenants with no garages to park their cars. The contrast that was so amazingly glaring to Mr. Mphalele was that in South Africa the citizens would rather invest the huge sums of money used to purchase those cars in comfortable, hygienic, long-term apartment leasehold and simply get-by by public transportation. The poignancy in Mr. Mphalele’s wisdom just struck me recently when it occurred to me that the prevailing cost of the now-popular Toyota Corolla would pay for a decent three-bedroom apartment over here in Minna, Niger State, for eight years; yet this car does not have that eight-year wear-and-tear aesthetic tolerance and the folks who “cruise� around this car model in town are not much cool with three-bedroom decent apartments because for a semi-rural town like Minna a 300kper-annum three-bedroom flat can only be located in a plush part of town; a lot of these car model owners thoroughly “abuse� these cars because they live in rough-and-tumble neighbouhoods. Basically, the South Africans have a more refined sense of appreciation of order and beauty than us Nigerians however we may not like this fact.

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

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 13, 2017

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Ahmed: Councils Face Imminent Collapse In an interview with journalists, Kwara State governor,AbdulfataiAhmed, warned that except there is an increase in allocations to local government areas, the third tier of government risks imminent collapse. Hammed Shittu presents the excerpts:

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hat has Kwara got to celebrate at 50?

A young state was created in 1967 from two old provinces, Ilorin and Kabba.

Since its creation, we have moved substantially from being provinces to a well developed state today. For those who are witnesses to the trajectory of where we are today, Kwara state has gone through a lot and so we have a cause to celebrate. Looking through a list of past governors that manned the state in the last fifty years, including myself, we have 19. On the average, it means by the turnover, a governor does not spend more than two years or maximum, two and a half years on the throne. The turnover has not allowed for consistency or for any governor to involve in any long term plan. However, economic wise, Kwara state has moved from being a civil service driven environment that it was to an economic hub. Those of us here in early 90s till sometimes 2003/2004, you can count the number of commercial banks in Ilorin, not to talk of other areas.

The incursion of commercial banks tells you that there is a significant increase in the level of bankable businesses in this environment. In terms of infrastructure, you will see that a lot of communities are linked up through our new roads or the rehabilitation of old roads. Looking at the education sector, there is a significant increase in number of tertiary institutions in the state. Talking of even secondary schools, there is a significant increase in number of schools far more than we have in those days.

Most importantly, you will see the level that our health care systems have been brought to; in addition to rehabilitating some key ones in strategic locations, we have been able to torch quite a significant number of rural environments where we have either basic or primary health centres. We have built and renovated a lot of schools and lot more are coming. In terms of water supply, so many communities are having access to portable drinking water either through boreholes or surface channels. All in all, I would say Kwara state has appreciated tremendously economically, socially, politically and of course in terms of infrastructure. In the area of human capital development, we have significantly moved forward at fifty and that signals that we have done what we could within the trajectory of development and a lot more could still be done. Don’t forget, when the statistics were being read in the hall a few weeks ago the state was mentioned as having the least number of unemployed youths. This didn’t just happen by accident; it is by conscious effort in supporting our youths in accessing employment in one form or the other. These are some of the changes we see and it is worth celebrating as the state clocks fifty. Our prayer is that the next fifty years will be strategically approached in way and manner that people’s life will be better than where we are today.

Is it true that the state government spent about N2billion on a low key celebration?

How much was budgeted for the Kwara at 50 celebrations?

What was budgeted was appropriated, it’s there in the appropriation law. I am working within the budget. Those who criticize us need to see the public document, budget. How much we spent was in there, check you will see whether what we have done is appropriated. What we spent is less than 10 percent of what people are saying. When the SSG came in, the committee chairman, I hugged him because he had been judicious, we never expect that the amount will be enough, less than ten per cent.

Why is local governments not carried along

the people in the areas of water is a continuous process. We are still on the reticulation, which is about 95 percent completed. The need is growing, what the people need is far bigger than twenty five million gallons that was just completed because more people are coming in and that is what happens everywhere in the world except for populations that are not growing. Except where new children are not born; probably where there is war or something except that, population will keep growing and government will continue to work towards expansion, it is an ongoing process. In essence, there will continue to be pressure on power supply and on water. The same thing goes for health services and on infrastructures. Government will continue to put machinery in place not only to expand new ones but also to rehabilitate old ones. These are parts of the challenges that government business are faced with. For water, as we continue to maintain the old ones that are being put under pressure, we would ensure that new ones are also put in place. Within the available resources at our disposal, we are able to carry on to certain levels and we still have a lot more that we can get to.

Ahmed...local governments must be reformed

in this celebration?

There are about 774 local governments in Nigeria, most of which were created largely based on political exigencies. If you go through the constitution on criteria for creating local governments, you will see that quite a few fit into these criteria. Most of them were created

There is a need to alert the federal government that there is an imminent collapse in the local government administrative structure if the allocation continues to dwindle like this.

It is either the federal government increases the ratios that come to them or create a window where they can access additional money added to what comes into the local government purse

during military administrations. Currently, they are heavily reliant of federation allocation and the same allocation has been dwindling monthly as a result of dwindling price of crude oil.

So you cannot expect to see much from local government outside Lagos. Lagos is a purely commercial environment. Take a council like Isin Local Government, what kind of commercial activities go on there? What resources can you raise from that kind of a place? What sort of internal revenue can you raise from that place?

And ditto for other local governments in most of the states that are not in commercial environment. It’s a huge challenge. That is why even the payment of salaries, which is most critical, they are faced with today is not doable one hundred percent because their capacity to raise revenue is weak and they are presently reliant on the dwindling federation allocation account.

It is from this allocation that local government workers are serviced from, teachers at basic levels are serviced from it, so also local government pensioners. So it is difficult to see them get hundred percent of their emoluments. Their emoluments is a function of the federal allocation that comes in. This is a challenge and there is need for a reform to address the situation. Is either we increase allocation accruable to the local governments or create a level of flexibility that allows a stronger synergy with the states in such a way and manner that they too can tap into what the states are doing to improve their revenues. This is part of the challenges that local governments are faced with. A place to draw comparison from is not likely Lagos.

When you draw comparison with Niger state, Ekiti state and Osun states, then you are talking.

Lagos has been a federal capital; every structure is on ground to make things work. The Lagos environment has been made more enabling for those things to thrive.

Despite the money spent on water reticulation projects in the last six years now, residents still go through hell to get water. What exactly is the problem?

The number of people in Kwara yesterday are not the number today, so meeting the needs of

What are you doing about the case of unpaid retirees at the local government levels?

We need to understand how federal, state and local governments are run. The local governments as it were, have their allocation sent to them from the federation account and when it gets in, it comes into a joint allocation account, jointly owned among the sixteen local governments. The term ‘joint allocation account’ is not joint with states but amongst the sixteen local governments.

Let it be clearly understood. It is within this platform of joint allocation committee based on laws put together by the state’s house of assembly to guide them on how to allocate these resources. This is what the constitution stipulates that their money would enter into a joint allocation account, and the money will be disbursed in accordance with the laws of the houses of assembly, so each time the issue of shortfall come in, the ball is thrown back to the state governments. The state government does not share in that joint allocation; and it is within this platform of the joint allocation committee that they decide what goes into what they jointly fund for example, they jointly fund SUBEB, they jointly fund traditional rulers, they jointly fund the local government service commission. After all these, the funds are now appropriated to local government workers, pensioners and of cause SUBEB. So each time you hear of shortfall in allocation, it will affect what goes into these local governments and that is why in the last one year, it has been difficult to get hundred percent of their salaries because allocation had dropped significantly and local governments as you may know do not have the capacity to increase what comes in from as revenue unlike states that have other financial ways and means of increasing their revenue through revenue generating strategies. You all are aware of what we have done with the internally generated revenue of the state by increasing it from N500 million per month to N1.5 billion per month.

That is a significant increase for us at the state level; it is not the same at the local government level, local governments do not have the latitude to do such. This is because their environment is not robust enough to create this kind of revenue base. So it is a major challenge. They need to reform. It is reform that will enhance their capacity to access finance and increase revenue.

That is what local governments need.

The fact is that local government allocation is getting smaller and smaller and it cannot service the local government. Restructuring is CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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POLITICS

Ortom: Only Anti-open Grazing Bill Can Restore Peace After signing the Anti-open Grazing Bill into law, Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom is now advising states being terrorised by herdsmen to follow suit, saying that it is the only thing that can guarantee peace. George Okoh presents the excerpts:

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here is a claim that the N4.5billion UBA refund to state government was refunded by the immediate former governor Gabriel Suswam.

Is that true?

No. The whole issue is very clear.

The whole process was anchored on falsehood, forgery and lies. As you are aware, the funds were meant for specific projects In the case of Benue state, they were meant for another 13 projects; Daudu/Gbajimba road, Oshigbudu to Obagaji road, Tarka / Honor, Zakibiam/Afia, Oju Obusa Utonkon road, water projects in Otukpo and Katsina-Ala. All together, about 13 projects and when this money came, instead of using it for the specific projects that this bond was approved for, It was rather used for serving overdraft of N4.5 billion. That was where we have issues. So we engaged a consultant who approached the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and wrote a petition and SEC did an investigation and decided that this money should go back all together to the original use. That is what had been credited to our account. So we can go ahead and complete these projects that originally this bond was collected for.

Now the issue of overdraft and those documents that were written which was used to access the overdraft were forged by past administration . That is where we are having a case with them because there was no exco meeting on the day the extract given to the bank was purportedly issued. There was no exco meeting but minutes were generated. Of

I’m challenging anyone including the herdsmen and Miyetti Allah that if you have a superior policy that can restore peace other than ranching, to bring it up on the table and let us debate it. But for now, that is the way forward

Ortom...banking on anti-open grazing law for a lasting peace

course not just minutes but extracts. It was packaged and all those documents written to the bank on this matter were not in the file and all the reference numbers were forged.

This is where we have a case. But recall that the former governor, instead of looking at the main issue, bought a page in a newspaper of 8th June and denied that he didn’t collect this money. I’m not surprised, he denied that he did not sell Benue state’s shares in BCC, Julius Berger and they were sold and the evidence is there. So these are the issues. But actually they collected overdraft amounting to N4.5b.

This we have verified from the bank. And we agreed that we, we do not have the resources to talk of paying the overdraft within one month or 60 days as the case may be so we have to restructure. And we have agreed with the bank that we will restructure the overdraft to a period of four years which is about N136 million a month.

The Benue State University lecturers appear to have ignored your executive order to go back to work?

Nobody ignored my executive order. I sent it to the council and I’m yet to have a response

from them. I understand they are meeting this week. Nobody has ignored my orders to reopen the school. I’m bent on reopening it.

You are journalists you can confirm from other state universities or even federal universities including the one in Makurdi how they are faring. Check in Kogi, Plateau, Katsina, Ebonyi and check all over the states that have state universities whether what I’m doing is not better than all the universities.

Your Commissioner of Information had said that massive fraud has just been discovered in the process in that university. Is the state government planning to institute a probe to sanitize the place?

Of course, we have to sanitize the place. Because every month, out of the N2.5 billion I get from the federation account, I cough out 570 million to pay the state university alone. I compared notes with some of my colleagues in Ebonyi for instance and what they pay is just N200m, in Nasarawa, it’s 183m, in Plateau, it’s even less although I admit that BSU is a bigger and older university. But I think that is too much.

There are too many people hanging around without doing anything.

Recently some Benue youths stormed government house agitating for your return in 2019, but some members of the opposition were highly against it saying that for the past two years of your administration you have not done anything to warrant your seeking a second term. Sir do you think what you have done so far is enough to declare no vacancy in government house come 2019?

Well, I have told you, what do you expect the opposition to do? People who are still dreaming that Ortom is governor. And they will continue to criticize anything I do. When have you heard them praising me. Are you not enjoying security in Benue state? Are you not seeing the massive development of our primary schools? Have you not seen the construction of rural roads, bridges and all that? Have you not seen agricultural policies? You have seen it all and you are the best person to judge this, not me. But the truth of the matter like I told those people, I am a product of divine intervention. In 1992, I told the whole world that God said I was going to be governor. 2012 precisely 20 years, God told me that it is going to be realised in 2015 and by the grace of God, with all the hurdles and challenges that came, I overcame them. And I am governor and the same God, when that time comes, I will go back to him. Now, I don’t want to be distracted, I’m doing my work. When that time comes, when the programme is rolled out, I will go back to God on my knees and ask God if I should go back and if he says go, I will go and nobody will defeat me that I can assure you. But if God say relax my son, I am ready to go back to my farm and business. It’s as simple as that.

Recently you signed into law, the anti open grazing bill and other states are following suit. Will you say peace has finally come to Benue with this law?

Well, I want to say that I’m optimistic that peace has come. That is giving leadership.

That is what we did in Benue state. We have given leadership and we believe that this is the only thing that will restore peace in Benue state and any other state that wants peace in states where herdsmen are terrorising them, that is the way to go because globally, what is being practiced is ranching and not this nomad life of moving from one end to the other destroying people’s farms and all that.

But like I keep saying, I’m challenging anyone including the herdsmen and Miyetti Allah that if you have a superior policy that can restore peace other than ranching, to bring it up on the table and let us debate it. But for now, that is the way forward.

AHMED: COUNCILS FACE IMMINENT COLLAPSE the only way out. Like this month (May) for example, the allocation is reduced again, there is a shortfall and it means those depending on local government allocations will not have their salaries hundred percent. The states also have a shortfall but while we can augment our income from other sources, the local governments do not have such ways and means. And naturally you should understand that it is not easy for me to say am taking from states allocation to add up for local governments.

Those of you who checked my budget, the 2017 appropriation budget, you will see that there is no line of space for me to take money to add to any local government. There there is a need to alert the federal government that there is an imminent collapse in the local government administrative structure if the allocation continues to dwindle like this. It is either the federal government increases the ratios that come to them or create a window where they can access additional money added to what comes into the local government purse. Short of those two, it will be difficult for local governments to continue to rely on a federal allocation that also relies on the price of crude oil, which we also see as dwindling. It will continue like this

for a while until there is a reform. The state cannot reform local governments, it has to be a federally directed reform and it will also involve constitutional amendment.

All this bickering and passing the bulk at the state government; that we are not paying local governments workers and pensioners are refusing to face the facts as they are and we are being economical with the truth and we are not helping ourselves. Some politicians are playing politics with the situation as a platform to make the government look bad as if the state is owing local governments, we are not owing local governments, we have never owed them. At the state level we have been able to meet our obligations as and when due. So each time I come out, I will continue to say it that Kwara state government is not owing local government workers. Our pensioners, workers and all those who draw remuneration from the state government cannot say we owe them. I cannot say same with the issue of local government because I don’t generate the allocation it will be difficult to defend the problem of insufficiency. Since I don’t dictate what comes in; I cannot defend whether it is insufficient or not. So the reform is what will

change the revenue base of local government.

There are sixteen local governments and they are all owed at varying levels.’ Kaiama for example owes just one month and another local government owes just five or six months. In my honest opinion, the way local government is for now is not workable, that reform is essential.

How is your government supporting agriculture as a way of engaging the youths in the state?

I love these questions; you see, agriculture had been wrongly perceived by people as a government programme. Agric is a business and it has to be treated as such and that is why we have introduced the off taker demand driven agric scheme. It is designed to make the man who is starting at the primary level to be lifted up to the person who is going to off take whatever he is producing for value addition.

For example, the man who is producing maize is already linked up to a feed-mill and this feed-mill too is already linked up to a poultry farm. That is the kind of scheme we have put in place. You will see a place there at the Ministry of Agric called Agric Mall; It s designed to be a one-stop shop where intending farmers can access input requirements. The first one

you can access there is tractor hiring. A farmer is expected to hire tractor, government is not going to give it out free of charge and there are a thousand and one individuals that has tractors for hire. So if someone tells you he doesn’t see tractor, it must be that he doesn’t have money to hire one, they are available for hire. Currently, I also hire tractors to do my own farm. That is what we call agric, because it is business. Also to make funding easy, we have gone to the Central Bank of Nigeria to arrange for a credit scheme, Commercial Agric Credit Scheme, CACS, which is coming at 9 percent.

This has been deigned to be available to intending farmers to borrow, use and pay back. That is why there is a lot of noise going on about CACS. We have asked those who sell herbicides to register with agric mall. Agric mall is the go in between, the tractor owner on one side and the person who wants to hire tractor on the other side; between the chemical seller and the user of chemical; between the farmer and the seed seller, that is how agric is run.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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TUESDAY, JULY 13, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

The Sound of Music Solomon Elusoji writes about the recent re-enactment of the famous Broadway musical, The Sound of Music, by students of Lekki British School

The students of Lekki British Junior Secondary School during the presentation of a music adaptaion of The Sound of Music at the school premises…recently

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n late June, parents and staff of Lekki British School (Junior) gathered at the institution’s main auditorium to witness a dramatic adaptation of the Sound of Music, a musical based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, the step-mother and matriarch of the Trapp Family Singers, a famous Austrian troupe immortalised by Maria’s memoir. In 1949, Maria published a book ‘The Story of the Trapp Family Singers’ whose contents served as the inspiration for the 1956 West German film, ‘The Trapp Family’, which in turn inspired the Broadway musical, the Sound of Music (1959) and the 1965 film of the same name.

Set in Austria on the eve of the Anschluss, a term used to describe the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany on March 12, 1938, the musical tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family while she decides whether to become a nun. She falls in love with the children, and eventually their widowed father, Captain von Trapp. He is ordered to accept a commission in the German navy, but he opposes the Nazis. He and Maria decided on a plan to flee Austria with the children; many songs from the musical have become standards, such as ‘Edelweiss’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Climb Ev'ry Mountain’, ‘Do-Re-Mi’, and the title song ‘The Sound of Music’.

The original Broadway production, starring Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel, opened in 1959 and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, out of nine nominations. The first London production opened at the Palace Theatre in 1961. The show has enjoyed numerous productions and revivals since then.

In 1965, the Broadway musical was adapted into a film musical, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The film was released on March 2, 1965 in the United States, initially as a limited road-show

theatrical release. Although critical response to the film was widely mixed, the film was a major commercial success, becoming the number one box office movie after four weeks, and the highest-grossing film of 1965. By November 1966, The Sound of Music had become the highest-grossing film of all-time—surpassing Gone with the Wind—and held that distinction for five years. The film was just as popular throughout the world, breaking previous box-office records in 29 countries. Following

The Sound of Music, as performed by the Lekki British School junior students to mark the end of a school year, was a steaming family drama that emphasised the eternal magic that love can conjure. The children put up a good account of themselves. Specifically, Wangui Muchai, who played Maria, was effusive, brilliant and commanding in her lead role

an initial theatrical release that lasted four and a half years, and two successful rereleases, the film sold 283 million admissions worldwide and earned a total worldwide gross of $286,000,000.

The film received five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

The film also received two Golden Globe Awards, for Best Motion Picture and Best Actress, the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement, and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written American Musical.

In 1998, the American Film Institute (AFI) listed The Sound of Music as the fifty-fifth greatest American movie of all time, and the fourth greatest movie musical. In 2001, the United States Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry, finding it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

The Sound of Music, as performed by the Lekki British School junior students to mark the end of a school year, was a steaming family drama that emphasised the eternal magic that love can conjure.

The children put up a good account of themselves. Specifically, Wangui Muchai, who played Maria, was effusive, brilliant and commanding in her lead role. At the beginning, there were problems with the sound, but the children were master improvisers with spontaneous, creative reactions to technical glitches. As the presentation went along, the sound got better and the performance glistened. At the end, there was thunderous applause for the students from the audience, parents beamed with pride, ecstatic to view their kids on stage and relishing the golden memories. A parent, Barrister Njide Okeke, said she was excited about the rendition. “They performed very well,” she said, “and it was very interesting.

I am excited.”

It took about six weeks of planning for the students to learn their roles and put in

KOLAWOLE ALLI

a remarkable performance. “It was a lot of effort from the teachers and the children and we also have an extremely dedicated staff who put in their best to make this a reality. The children were enthusiastic and very excited to put it all together,” School Head, Lekki British School (Junior), Maryanne Maduekwe, said. “First, we watched the movie and then we gave it to them to take home and after that the children learnt all the songs and were assigned their individual roles.”

The adapted performance opens with a scene where nuns from Nonnberg Abbey sing the Dixit Dominus. One of the postulants, Maria Rainer, is on the nearby mountainside, regretting leaving the beautiful hills ("The Sound of Music") where she was brought up. She returns late. The Mother Abbess and the other nuns consider what to do about her. Maria explains her lateness, saying she was raised on that mountain, and apologises for singing in the garden without permission. The Mother Abbess joins her in song. The Mother Abbess tells her that she should spend some time outside the abbey to decide whether she is ready for the monastic life. She will act as the governess to the seven children of a widower, Austro-Hungarian Navy submarine Captain Georg von Trapp.

Maria arrives at the villa of Captain von Trapp. He explains her duties and summons the children with a boatswain's call. They march in, clad in uniforms. He teaches her their individual signals on the call, but she openly disapproves of this militaristic approach. Alone with them, she breaks through their wariness and teaches them the basics of music.

Rolf, a young messenger, delivers a telegram and then meets with the oldest child, Liesl, outside the villa. He claims he knows what is right for her because he is a year older than her ("Sixteen Going on Seventeen"). They kiss, and he runs off,

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FEATURES leaving her squealing with joy. Meanwhile, the housekeeper, Frau Schmidt, gives Maria material to make new clothes, as Maria had given all her possessions to the poor. Maria sees Liesl slipping in through the window, wet from a sudden thunderstorm, but agrees to keep her secret. The other children are frightened by the storm. Maria sings "The Lonely Goatherd" to distract them.

Captain von Trapp arrives a month later from Vienna with Baroness Elsa Schräder and Max Detweiler. Elsa tells Max that something is preventing the Captain from marrying her. He opines that only poor people have the time for great romances.

Rolf enters, looking for Liesl, and greets them with "Heil". The Captain orders him away, saying that he is Austrian, not German. Maria and the children leapfrog in, wearing play-clothes that she made from the old drapes in her room. Infuriated, the Captain sends them off to change. She tells him that they need him to love them, and he angrily orders her back to the abbey.

As she apologises, they hear the children singing "The Sound of Music", which she had taught them, to welcome Elsa Schräder.

He joins in and embraces them. Alone with Maria, he asks her to stay, thanking her for bringing music back into his house.

Elsa is suspicious of her until she explains that she will be returning to the abbey in September.

The Captain gives a party to introduce Elsa, and guests argue over the Anschluss.

Kurt asks Maria to teach him to dance the Ländler. When he is unable to negotiate a complicated figure, the Captain steps in to demonstrate. He and Maria dance until they come face-to-face; and she breaks away, embarrassed and confused. Discussing the expected marriage between Elsa and the Captain, Brigitta tells Maria that she thinks Maria and the Captain are really in love with each other. Elsa asks the Captain to allow the children to say goodnight to the guests with a song, "So Long, Farewell".

Max is amazed at their talent and wants them for the Kaltzberg Festival, which he is organizing. The guests leave for the dining room, and Maria slips out the front door with her luggage.

At the abbey, Maria says that she is ready to take her monastic vows; but Mother Abbess realises that she is running away from her feelings. She tells her to face the Captain and discover if they love each other, and tells her to search for and find the life she was meant to live. The Captain’s children go in search of Maria at the abbey, but they are denied permission to see her by the nuns. Meanwhile, the Captain tells his children that he has asked Elsa to marry him. They try to cheer themselves up by singing "My Favorite Things" but are unsuccessful until they hear Maria singing on her way to rejoin them. Learning of the wedding plans, she decides to stay only until the Captain can arrange for another governess. Max and Elsa argue with him about the imminent Anschluss, trying to convince him that it is inevitable. When he refuses to compromise, Elsa breaks off the engagement. Alone, the Captain and Maria finally admit their love.

The adaptation concluded with the marriage scene, a fitting end to a beautiful romance. “We did it because it’s an old classic and a story that everyone loves so much,” Maduekwe said.

Lekki British School was established

It was a lot of effort from the teachers and the children and we also have an extremely dedicated staff who put in their best to make this a reality. The children were enthusiastic and very excited to put it all together

The students of Lekki British Junior Secondary School during the presentation of a music adaptaion of The Sound of Music

L-R: School Head, Lekki British Junior Secondary School, Maryanne Maduekwe; Chairman\CEO, Ms. Abiodun Laja and Consultant to the school, Mr. Aknwale Rotimi, during the presentation of a music Adaptaion of The Sound of Music at the school premises

L-R: Principal, Lekki British Senior Secondary School, Mr. Ashish Gill; School Head, Lekki British Junior Secondary School, Maryanne Maduekwe and Chairman\CEO of the school, Ms. Abiodun Laja, during the presentation of a music Adaptation of The Sound of Music at the school premises

in September 2000 on a 25-acre campus within the Lekki Peninsula part of Lagos in South-western Nigeria. It is the first British Boarding school in Lagos and consists of the Lekki British Pre-School, Lekki British Junior School, and Lekki British High School.

The school’s aim is “to allow every child

discover and develop their unique talents within a disciplined and caring traditional British environment,” and works with a mission statement “to provide an environment in which each individual is assisted to discover his or her academic potential in study, sports and personal development.”

“We like to end the school term on a beautiful note,” the school’s Chief Executive Officer, Abiodun Laja, told THISDAY. “Sometimes we have Christmas carols if it’s the end of the year. The important thing is to ensure that the children go home with beautiful memories," he pointed out.

22

IMAGES

R-L: Head, Markets Operations, KPMG in Nigeria, Nike Oyewolu; Partner / Head, Board Advisory Services, KPMG, Tomi Adepoju; Regional Head, Policy Sub-Saharan Africa, ACCA Nigeria, Jane Ohadike; Senior Manager, Risk Consulting, KPMG in Nigeria, Gloria Ojo;and Business Relationship Manager, ACCA Nigeria, Kenny Oluwadare, at the Press Briefing and Launch of the ACCA/KPMG Corporate Governance Study Report in Lagos...recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R; Co-Campaigner Against Violent Extremism (CAVE), Dr Abiodun Adeniyi; Co-Campaighner (CAVE) Tunde Ashalu and Promoter of (CAVE), Chidiebere Onwumere during a press Conference on the Campaighn Against Violent Extremism in Abuja....recently JULIUS ATOI/THISDAY

L-R: Vice Chairman, Igbomina Project, North America, (IPNA) Chief Bode Ojeleye, Board Chairman, IPNA, Taiwo Salawu and Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdufatah Ahmed during a courtesy visit to the Governor

by IPNA at in Ilorin,..recently

L-R: Executive Director, Investments, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited (SIPML), Mr. Oladele Sotubo; Director Admin, Budget Office, Hajiya Rabi Badamosi; Head, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mrs. Nike Bajomo; and Representative of the Acting Director General, National Pension Commission, Mr. Babatunde Ogunniyi, during SIPMLís Employersí Forum in Abuja....recently

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͱ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

L-R: Acting Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, Prof. Ambrose Alikidon Voh; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh; and Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, during a town hall meeting by the minister with farmers, youths, women and other agric stakeholders, at the State Secretariat, Ibadan...recently Photo: Governor’s Office

L-R; Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enalamahl Chairman, Board of Bank of Industry, Alh. Aliyu Dikko and Managing Director of the Bank, Kayode Pitan during the inauguration of the Board in Abuja...recently

L-R: Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Chris Ngige; his counterpart in the Budget and National Plannng, Udoma Udo Udoma; and President, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Larry Ettah, during the 2016 Annual General Meeting of NECA and its 60th Anniiversary in Lagos... recently Yomi Akinyele

L-R: Chairman, Oyo State Steering Committee on Child Labour, Ayodele Olaniyi; ILO Consultant, Agatha Kolawole; Head of Leaf, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), Thomas Omofoye; and Area Head of Corporate Affairs BATN, Abimbola Okoya; at the one day seminar/symposium titled, ìThe Impact of Conflicts and Disasters on Child Labourî organized by the Oyo State Steering Committee on Child Labour in collaboration with other stakeholders in commemoration of the 2017 World Day Against Child Labour at the BATN

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

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Quick Takes NACOSS, Programos Seal Agreement Ă’Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă– Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ù×ÚĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă– åÓÞÒ ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁĚ™ Ěš Ă‹ĂœĂ— Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ú˛ Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă?Ă? ÚËÓÎ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ?Ă?ĂŁ Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ăž ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËŞĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ›Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÒÙÓĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ëœ Ă•Ă™ĂœĂ™ Ă—Ă?Ă•Ă‹ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă‹ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă? ÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă™Ă?Ëœ Ă‹ ÍŻÍŽÍŽ ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ëœ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂŽĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽË› ËŤ Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂŽĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?Ă–Ă™ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹ Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ÞÒ Ă?×ÚÙåĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ÞÖã ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™ ĂĄĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?Ăœ åÓÞÒ ĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™ ÞÒËÞ Ă‹Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă™Ă–ËœËŹ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË› Airtel Offers 100% Recharge Data Bonus

COURTESY CALL

L-R: Managing Director, e.Stream Networks, Mr. Muyiwa Ogungboye and the Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex Okoh, during a curtesy visit by e.Stream Networks to BPE in Abuja...recently

NgREN: FG Urged to Invest in Broadband for National Devt Stories by Emma Okonji Nigeria risks losing huge revenue strings, should the federal government completely abandon the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) project that was conceptualised in 2004, to provide broadband bandwidth to tertiary institutions for research and development.

Worried about the federal government’s recent withdrawal from financing the NgREN project, the drivers of the project, who are from the private sector, have called on the federal government to invest more in broadband across tertiary institutions, insisting it was the best alternative to expedite national development across

ECONOMY the country. They warned that should the federal government withdraw its financial support for the project, Nigeria would be losing huge sums of money that could have been generated through the project in the long term.

Being the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, the project, which boasts 465mbps of internet capacity, represented 20 times the average connectivity capacity leveraged by the universities.

This was a project conceptualised, deployed and managed by Nigerians under a consortium of indigenous companies including CWG Plc, Airtel, Medalion, Resourcery, and Phase 3, while

the federal government was meant to finance the broadband bandwidth that will be utilised by the NgREN project across Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education.

Although the idea of the NgREN was conceptualised as far back as 2004, it was however stalled, but later revived under the auspices of the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) and the Committee of Vice Chancellors (CVC) in January 2010.

The objective was for a Research and Education Network that will connect all higher institutions of learning together, and to the global Research and Education Network. The achievement made Nigeria the first in sub-Saharan Africa to

join the league of countries in Europe and America that had functional Research and Education Networks.

A catalytic fund was secured from the World Bank as grant, and counterpart funding by the Federal Government of Nigeria in mid-2012 for the first phase of the project, while the procurement cycle was concluded in February 2013.

The first phase of the project which connected 27 Universities, the CVC and the NUC, with over one million users, delivered 155mbps capacity to each university.

The second phase was planned to cover five more clusters of about 100 instituContinued on page 24

Nigeria Domain Name Registration Soars, Hits 90,696 The .ng domain name registration, the country code top level domain name (ccTLD), which is Nigeria’s identity in cyberspace, has recorded a quantum leap in the last two years, bringing the total number of active .ng domain name registrations in the country to 90,696 as at June this year.

A breakdown of the figure showed that third level domain name registration alone, recorded 74,177, while the second level domain name registration recorded 16,792, bringing it to a total of 90,969 active domain name registrations in the country.

The registration figures, which were released recently

ICT by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the body responsible for the management of Nigeria’s domain name, showed that Nigeria had more registrations in the last two years, following different strategies put in place by NiRA to populate the country’s domain name registration, which included reduction in the cost of second and third level domain name registration and the accreditation of more registrars for .ng domain name registration.

In technical parlance, domain name which could be ccTLD or generic top level domain (gTLD), is the

identity of individuals and organisations in cyberspace.

For anyone to have access to internet activities privately, the individual must register with a domain name that represents a country. For instance, Nigeria’s domain name in cyberspace has the suffix .ng, Canada is .ca, South Africa is .za, United Kingdom is .co.uk, among others.

Commenting on the growth of domain name registration in Nigeria in the last two years, the President of NiRA, Rev. Sunday Afolayan, said: “Within June 2017, the country recorded 5,831 fresh domain name registrations. This figure is more than the June 2016 registrations of 4,453, and also

far more than the June 2015 registrations of 3,301 for both fresh registrations and renewal of existing registrations. “This is a remarkable improvement in the year to year comparison. The total number of active domain names is on the increase. By 30th June 2017, Nigeria recorded 90,969 active .ng domain names. We have also noted the increase in the number of applicants who wish to become NiRA Accredited Registrars,�

Afolayan said.

According to the figures released by NiRA, the total domain name registrations were accumulation of fresh Continued on page 24

Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăž ÚËĂ?Ă•Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÍŻÍŽÍŽ ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœËŞĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă˘ĂžĂœĂ‹ ÎËÞË Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Íś ÞÓ×Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ™Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‘Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ë› ÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăž ÚËĂ?Ă•Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ™Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? ÎËÞË ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ÞÙÞËÖ Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹Ăœ Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă‘Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÞÓ×Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ÞÓ×Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă–ËŞĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂžËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?ĂŽ ËŠ Ă Ă‹Ă”Ă‹ĂœĂ‹ Ă˘ÍśËŞËœ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă–Ăž ĂšĂœĂ? ÚËÓÎ ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă–Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ–ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ?ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăž ÚËĂ?Ă•Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?×ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ Ă?ÞËã Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă—Ă‹Ă¤Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ăœ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽË› Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă’Ă—Ă‹ĂŽ ÙÕÒÖĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă? Ă?Ù××ÓÞÞĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă˜ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă? ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă“Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞãÖĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ?˛ˏ ËŤ ÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ?ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăž ÚËĂ?Ă•Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă“ĂœĂžĂ?Ă– Ă“Ă? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂžĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŽĂ™ Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ËÖÓäĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă?ËœËŹ ÙÕÒÖĂ?Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽË›

Creative Industry Summit Holds Monday Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ ͯ;ÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ ÍŻÍśĂžĂ’Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“Ăž Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ?ËÞÓà Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă•Ă™ ÙÞĂ?Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă•Ă?ĂŁĚ‹Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ ĂœĂ™Ă?Ë› Ă?Ă—Ă“ Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂŒĂ‹Ă”Ă™Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă—Ëœ ÖÒËÔÓ Ă‹Ă“ ÙÒË××Ă?ĂŽËœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ÙÚĂ?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ Ă?Ë› Ă‹Ă“ĂĄĂ™Ă˜ Ă–Ă&#x;Ă•Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă–Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ăš Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă– Ă–Ă‹Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ĚŽ âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ëž ĂœĂ‹Ă’Ă‹Ă— ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăœ ĚŽ Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ’Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂŁ Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ăœ ĚŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă’Ă“Ă?ĂĄĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă‹ĂœĂ• ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă™Ă?Ëž Ă‹Ă˜Ă”Ă‹ĂŁ Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă– Ě‹ Ă?ĂŽĂ“ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ&#x;Ëž Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜ ÔÙÕĂ&#x; Ě‹ ĂœĂ™Ă•Ă™ Ëž Ă–Ă?â Ă•Ă™Ă?Ă“ Ě‹ Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă‹Ă?Ù×

Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ë›

“With the increased adoption rate of renewable energy technologies across the country, Nigeria will likely surpass NEPAD’s target for Nigeria before 2020�

MD, Cloud Energy Limited, Mr. Theophilus Nweke

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

NGREN: FG URGED TO INVEST IN BROADBAND FOR NATIONAL DEVT

GMOs: NBMA Signs MoU with NAQS, NASC on Regulation

tions and five million users.

Subsequent phases were to cover all higher education institutes numbering over 600.

Delighted by the enormous gains that the NgREN project was bringing to the Nigerian education sector, the Founder of CWG Plc and Entrepreneur in Residence at Colombia Business School (CBS), New York, Mr. Austin Okere, who is one of the drivers of the NgREN project, however expressed his worries and that of other members of the consortium driving the project.

According to him, “This indeed would have afforded Nigerian Universities the opportunity to take a quantum leap in standards, and significantly improve their low ranking in quality of teaching and research output, and thereby bringing them closer to their global peers. “But this is not to be, as the much heralded NgREN has been shut down for over eleven months due to non-payment of the segment bandwidth fees. The consortium of local providers have however, left all the equipment intact in good faith, awaiting the provision of bandwidth to restore services.�

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

NIGERIA DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATION SOARS, HITS 90,696 registration and renewal of existing domain names for the second and third level domain name registrations.

The figures showed that in June 2015, Nigeria had fresh registration of 2,087 and renewal of 1,214. In June 2016, Nigeria had 2,767 fresh registrations and 1,686 renewals. In June 2017, the country recorded 3,947 fresh registrations and 1,884 renewals.

Transfers of registered domain names in June 2015 were 54 in June 2016, it was 96 and in June 2017, it was 58.

As at April this year, Nigeria recorded 87,290 domain name registrations; in May this year, the number increased to 87,184 and as at June 30th this year, the figure rose to 90,969.

Group Business Editor

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

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ?

Comms/e-Business Editor

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

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

Senior Correspondent

Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ ĂœĂ™Ă•Ă? (Labour) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) ÔÓÙĂ?Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? (Energy) Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă?ÔÙ (Nation’s Capital) ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹ (Money Mkt) Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ăœ (Energy) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă? (Money Market) Ă™Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;ÙÑÓĂ? (Cap Mkt)

In spite of the controversy surrounding the acceptance of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and its products in Nigeria, the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) as part of efforts to regulate the technology.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Director General of the agency, Dr. Rufus Ebegba.

He noted that the MoU presented the various agencies the needed platform for synergy and the opportunity to fast track the management of issues of genetic modification in a way to safeguard the health of Nigerians and the environment.

According to Ebegba, NBMA does not promote GMOs but promotes safety measures that would ensure the overall wellbeing of Nigerians.

He added: “The MoU remained a landmark development in the history of Biosafety in the country as it will ensure the agencies speak with one voice on issues of Biosafety in Nigeria. The controversy surrounding GMOs will not abate soon therefore, it is important for us, as government, to work together and be courageous to say the truth without fear or

favour.�

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Director, NAQS, Dr. Vincent Iselgbe, said that the MoU provided the necessary framework for his firm to collaborate with NBMA as far as import and export of GMOs are concerned.

He also acknowledged the vital role NBMA is playing

in safeguarding the health of Nigerians. “The existence of the NBMA is vital for our country.

The Agency is in the forefront of protecting the health of Nigerians, as well as the environment.

The country’s agriculture is currently saddled with challenges such as army worms and

other insect infestations, these developments reinforce the need for all to support the NBMA in carrying out its mandate,�

Iselgbe said.

On his part, the Director General of NASC, Dr. Phillip Ojo, said that the National Seed Policy recognises the place of GM seeds, hence, the need for

the council to work closely with NBMA in regulating the nation’s seed industry.

The MoU took into cognisance the mandates of the various agencies’ specified areas of partnership in the import and export of GM products, seed multiplication and commercialisation, and handling.

WE HONOUR YOU SIR

L-R: President/Chairman of Council, Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Dapo Adelegan, presenting a plaque of honour to the former Governor of Cross River State, Dr. Donald Duke, at the NBCC 40th Anniversary Dinner held in Lagos...recently

Ericsson Foresees Rapid Growth in Global Mobile Connectivity Emma Okonji The latest edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report has predicted continued rapid global growth in mobile connectivity.

According to the report, there would be additional 2.6 billion new mobile broadband subscribers by 2022, averaging to more than one million each day. Announcing the report in Lagos at a press conference in Lagos recently, the Managing Director, Ericsson Nigeria, Mr. Rutger Reman, said the dominant access technology that will drive the rapid growth, would be 4G LTE in 2018, making it the fastest-growing mobile technology in history. He said Africa added onine million new mobile subscriptions in the first quarter of 2017, reaching a total of 985 million.

The latest collection of statistics about the growth of subscribers and data traffic in mobile networks is presented in the June edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report. It shows the highest year-on-year mobile data growth globally since 2013, led by massive growth in India and Africa, and highlights the underlying need for mobile data.

According to the report, Nigeria is among the top five countries with over 3 million mobile subscriptions net additions in Q1 2017.

The use of smartphones and easy access to mobile internet services comprise a major part of the traffic numbers.

According to Reman, Ericsson analyses “smartphone mobile data traffic� within

“mobile data traffic� to illustrate this trend more clearly. “By the end of 2022, total smartphone mobile data traffic will have increased nine times, reaching 66 ExaBytes per month. The November 2016 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report shows that mobile data traffic continues to grow in sub-Saharan Africa, and is showing no signs of slowing down. It is forecast to grow by around 55 per cent annually between 2016 and 2022. The rapid increase in mobile data traffic in sub-Saharan Africa is driving operators to explore methods of optimising network capacity, one of which is complementing traffic on Wi-Fi networks. Operators are offering Wi-Fi to consumers either as stand-alone or bundled with existing packages, and are extending Wi-Fi calling services to subscribers with devices bearing this capability,� the report said.

Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Technology and Emerging Business, Ericsson, Niklas Heuveldop, said: “Based on measurements made in hundreds of mobile networks, the Ericsson Mobility Report data truly illustrates the tremendous underlying growth in the industry. 4G subscriptions are increasing faster than ever, Voice over LTE uptake is accelerating and traffic growth has reached levels we have not seen since 2013. “I am particularly excited to see the industry’s major steps to progress network evolution, including the approval of the Non-Standalone 5G New Radio (NR) that will

enable early 5G deployments.

According to our forecast, we anticipate that this will lead to more than half a billion 5G subscriptions and population coverage of 15 percent by 2022.�

The report further said test

in 2018, 4G LTE technology would overtake GSM as the largest access technology by number of subscriptions. The speed with which the technology has been rolled out and adopted is unprecedented. It has taken only five years for

LTE to cover 2.5 billion people, compared to eight years for WCDMA/HSPA, or 3G. In the first quarter of this year alone, 250 million new LTE subscriptions were added, the report said.

Ogungboye: Infrastructure Devt Bank Necessary for Telecoms Growth Emma Okonji The need for the establishment of a telecommunications infrastructure development bank for the information and communications technology (ICT) sector has been re-emphasised, just as the federal government has been urged to consider the setting up of such bank, to further boost telecoms growth and contribution to GDP. The Managing Director, e.Stream Networks, Mr. Muyiwa Ogungboye, who restated the need for telecommunications infrastructure development bank, said the move would not only enhance telecoms growth, but would also increase the contribution of the ICT sector to GDP. According to him, such bank would provide the necessary financial support for telecoms operators that would assist them in network expansion and upgrade, instead of relying on money deposit banks, whose interest rates are on the high side and inimical to business growth. Ogungboye spoke at the just concluded IPV6 training event held at

the Lagos City Chamber of Commerce, organised by the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and co- sponsored by e.Stream Networks.

He urged the government to look into setting up a Telecoms Infrastructure Development Bank where local ICT firms could access loans easily at minimal interest rate. “It has become quite a challenge to compete with foreign investors.

The establishment of the telecoms infrastructure development bank will also provide local Internet Service Providers (ISP) with special facilities to support the government’s broadband penetration vision through infrastructure expansion. “We will be glad to meet given terms and conditions as long as they are realistic and provides us the opportunity to compete with foreign investors. The government should remember that in every economy, there is a concept of protect-your-own but the current commercial bank interest rates do not encourage our own to thrive. This

Infrastructure development should be embraced, created and sustained.

President of ATCON, Mr. Olusola Teniola, also aligned with Ogungboye’s views for the establishment of telecommunications infrastructure bank, saying that Nigerians have become addicted to connectivity and things are becoming impossible without internet connectivity. “ICT is an integral part of the economy and one would think that there would be a bank to integrate and sustain the industry. Unfortunately, the facilities given by the commercial banks in Nigeria are short term and have proven harmful for the industry� he said at the IPv6 press conference. e.Stream Networks is a leading broadband connectivity solutions company located in Lagos, with over eleven years of connectivity provision in Nigeria, the Managing Director, lends his voice and registered his organisation’s commitment towards ensuring the government’s broadband penetration target is achieved under favorable conditions for the local ISPs.

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BUSINESSWORLD

Sustaining Reforms

ANALYSIS

Telecoms

Growth

through

The telecoms sector has played a critical role in empowering Nigerians and the economy, but several factors have emerged that could undermine the potential of the sector to drive economic growth, writes Emma Okonji There is no doubt that the telecommunications sector has transformed Nigeria’s economic landscape and impacted the lives of Nigerians immensely in so many ways. Over the years, mobile phone usage has advanced from basic mobile telephony to accommodate new cutting edge services, such as Uber and Twitter, which have enhanced several lives. Moreover, the industry enables the country to constantly innovate and has helped to introduce new technology within various sectors in the country.

It effectively offers a means of transforming banking services, creates access to e-learning platforms and provides healthcare facilities to all citizens. More importantly, it has contributed enormously to economic growth and is capable of getting the Nigerian economy back on its feet as it gradually recover from recession.

The set back Over the past few years, the telecoms sector had experienced rapid growth and in June 2016, constituted 9.8 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP. However, this growth has now been stalled with the sector at a strategic crossroad.

Several factors are threatening to telecoms industry and capable of undermining the its potential to drive growth and stimulate the Nigerian economy as a whole.

From a structural perspective, the current weakness in the local economy has resulted in relatively low consumer purchasing power and continues to place pressure on the industry and its operators. The weak naira has made the importation of much-needed telecom equipment into the country difficult, and the upgrading of towers and service capacity expansion too expensive to conduct on a large scale. Operators are now either deferring or delaying upgrades or the expansion of their networks and customers are starting to feel the impact. Signal quality has been affected, incidences of dropped calls have increased, and overall customer service quality has declined.

To compound matters, consumers continue to move away from traditional voice (cellular) services and are switching to data bundle packs, which allow them use over the top (OTT) service providers such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook to make cheaper phone calls over broadband connectivity. This switch requires massive investments in telecoms tower network densification, as new 3G and 4G technologies are rolled out. These network upgrades can only be done if there is adequate financing and a suitable business case.

Data price war There is now an ongoing data bundle “price war” among telecom operators and internet service providers with a frantic race to deliver cheap gigabytes of data, for rock bottom prices. On the surface, these prices appear good for the consumer in the short term, but in the long run, this price war will put many operators out of business, as the current bundled offerings are priced well below their actual costs to network operators. According to Research ICT Africa, the price of data has decreased by over 65 per cent over the past two years, squeezing margins and pushing smaller mobile network operators to the brink of collapse.

Industry Implications According to experts, artificially low data prices are designed to drive out competition, and this type of practice is called “predatory pricing” in respect of which there are restrictions in many parts of the world. These pricing wars never work out well for consumers in the long term, as they typically result in initial temporary low service prices, just long enough to force out the competition.

“Then, without warning, the few remaining players increase their market share and

Telecommunication masts

suddenly double, or even quadruple prices, as they are the only remaining game in town.

It’s easy to identify anticompetitive pricing, as we know what it costs the telecoms industry to secure internet bandwidth, an expert who preferred anonymity,” said.

According to the expert, a good example of healthy competition which has led to improved quality and product service offerings is mobile phones. The competition between Apple and Samsung and others has forced all parties to constantly launch new and improved products.

“Competition leads to fair market pricing which has enabled mobile phones to be purchased by the masses. The current problem in the telecoms sector is that we do not have fair market pricing - the price of data bundles in Nigeria is presently among the lowest in

Given the tremendous potential that telecommunication has to jump-start and stimulate the Nigerian economy at all levels, there is need for government and regulators to play the role of referee and establish a level playing field

sub-Saharan Africa. While market forces drive the industry, governments and regulators must shape the mobile economy by setting the policies and regulations that will deliver a healthy, competitive and sustainable mobile sector alongside consumer protection for all citizens,” the telecoms expert said.

The outlook Given the tremendous potential that telecommunication has to jump-start and stimulate the Nigerian economy at all levels, there is need for government and regulators to play the role of referee and establish a level playing field.

Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, explained that “Data floor price determination is meant for small operators, not for big operators who will still survive in the present situation. We are trying to avoid a situation where Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators die because of a price war. If a data price is determined, it will encourage small operators within the sector. We need to look at it beyond public sentiment, and emotions around the issue, and revisit the topic to ensure growth within the industry.”

Nobody doubts the importance of the free market principles of business and competition.

However, artificially-induced low prices are having a negative effect on investment and growth within the sector. Both large and small mobile network operators are currently working to try and mitigate the current challenges related to squeezed margins, and in other cases generating losses, and lack of direct access to foreign currencies, with the smaller firms struggling the most to compete. Reduced competition will be a lose-lose situation for all operators, and the public as a whole.

Industry stakeholders in the telecoms sector are of the view that the recent default status of Etisalat Nigeria is a prime example of how it can all go wrong. Etisalat is the fourth largest telecom operator in Nigeria, but as a direct result of the company’s razor thin margins on its current service offerings, and

against the backdrop of the devaluation of the Nigerian currency, the company failed to meet its obligations to its lenders. The result is the current crisis that has seen the appointment of a new chairman and CEO and a board reshuffle.

Stakeholders have insisted that regulatory efforts needed to be made to ensure that all sides survive and the quality of service levels continue to be enhanced by having the regulatory bodies insist the mobile network operators focus on additional customer metrics such as measuring their signal reach, network uptime and improved quality of data services.

According to stakeholders, a regulated minimum price level will help stop the downward spiral of the telecoms industry and allow all telecom players, big and small, to compete on network service and customer service quality.

They called on the telecoms industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to issue more spectrum licences and make up revenues when additional spectrum is auctioned and mobile network operators roll out into new rural areas.

“We also need to consider the telecom sector as critical to our nation’s economic development and, as such, place the sector on the critical national infrastructure list. This important designation will give operators priority access to much needed foreign exchange and the procurement and purchase of telecom upgrade equipment for the networks,” Adebayo said.

The stakeholders are therefore calling for new reforms that will enable mobile network operators serve millions of SMEs and multinationals dependent on internet access.

They are of the view that in order for Nigeria to consolidate its status as an African business hub and to boost investors’ confidence, the federal government, and other stakeholders in the telecommunications sector, must work to find strategies to boost growth and ensure the long-term sustainability of the telecommunications sector.

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Minister Commends TechPlus Initiative, Harps on ICT Varsities Stories by Emma Okonji The initiative of the 2017 edition of West Africa’s largest annual technology conference and exhibition, TechPlus, has been commended by the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, who insisted that the private sector must be at the forefront to drive technology innovation in the country.

Shittu, who gave the commendation while declaring TechPlus 2017 open in Lagos, also used the occa-

sion to assure Nigerians of government’s plan to invest in six ICT Universities in the country that would further spur technology development through ICT skills development. The three-day event, which ran from July 6-8 and witnessed the assemblage of leading experts in technology from different parts of the world coming under one roof to share insights in different areas of tech business, innovation, information and communications technology.

Speaking at the opening

ceremony, the minister commended the organisers for the initiative that has been consistent for three years.

He also lauded the efforts of TechPlus in providing a robust platform that allows companies, individuals and businesses in the tech space to bring together customers, clients, and stakeholders to showcase their products and services.

The minister also applauded the robust conference package that is meant to create practical opportunities for

stakeholders present to talk about technology and feel the impact that technology has on different facets of life, both from business and consumer perspectives.

Shittu used the opportunity to further highlight the objectives of the six new ICT Universities established by the federal government. He explained that the universities, which will start operations in September this year, would focus on adding value to the current level and pace of economic development

in Nigeria, diversifying our economy and positioning Nigeria as the leading ICT light in Africa.

He noted that the era of university graduates roaming the streets, looking for work after graduation would soon be over. “The ICT University will be the first of its kind in Africa. It will compete with similar institutions in India and South Korea. It will be the first of its kind in PublicPrivate sector partnership and private bodies, institutions and

organisations would be invited to adopt and take ownership of various departments and campuses and bring in all that is needed to create the desired ICT revolution in the country,� the minister said.

In his welcome speech, the General Manager of TechPlus, Taiwo Oyewole, said: “Over the past editions, TechPlus has become many things to different people. A place to learn, get the pulse of the market in the tech ecosystem, meet like minds, network, play games and of course also have fun.�

Smile’s New Device, Bonus Offers Excite Customers Smile, pioneer 4G LTE telecommunications service provider in West Africa, has announced its new device and bonus offers to reward customers.

The offers will make it easier and more affordable for Smile customers to enjoy the benefits of its reliable internet without worrying about high costs of data.

Through the offers recently introduced by Smile, customers will upon purchase of a SMiFi or Router Starter Pack get 50 per cent bonus data on recharge for three consecutive months.

Customers are at liberty to get 20GB/7GB plus SMiFi or UnlimitedPremium plan, which offer customers unlimited access to the internet, with a router to create their own hotspot, stream, download and connect with family and friends.

According to Smile Nigeria’s Head of Marketing, Lotanna Anajemba, “We recognise that the Internet is becoming more and more important for nearly everybody in their everyday lives, and as such, it is our goal to enable as many new connections as possible. These

offers are yet another step towards realising this goal.�

Emphasising further, he said the need to have instant continued access to the internet has resulted in a higher demand from customers for data to be easily accessible at an affordable rate. “The new device and bonus offers, give customers great value and rewards them for their usage. The offers can be accessed via online shop at smile.com.ng, Smile shops and authorised distributors spread across the cities that they operate. Applauding the offer, leading industry analysts opined that through these efforts, Smile Nigeria has championed the goal to extend Internet access to the majority of Nigerians who still don’t have access to the Internet.

Smile’s effort to get Nigerians on to the Internet is demonstrated by its aggressive investment in what is now the largest 4G LTE network in Nigeria, introduction of a wide and affordable bundle portfolio, affordable data enabled devices and now these offers.

OLX, Interswitch Partner to Enhance Customer Experience OLX, Nigeria’s number one online classifieds site has announced that users can now pay for its premium services, Do-It-For-Me and Top Ads using the Interswitch platform.

OLX partnered Interswitch to launch its paid products in order to enhance customer experience as it relates to security.

One of the products, Trust and Safety, which are both priorities for OLX and Interswitch, ensures that OLX users can continue to trade safely on the site whilst making payments using the Interswitch secure platform Enhancing Trade as both organisations help users trade conveniently online through the aid of technology.

The partnership will enhance OLX position as the market leader that is focussed on facilitating trade safely and expand Interswitch user base.

Speaking at a press conference where the partnership was announced, Senior Manager, Business Development OLX, Mayokun Fadeyibi said: “OLX is constantly re-inventing the wheel to ensure that OLX users can trade safely on the site and are able to use our services with minimal stress.�

Fadeyibi, also added that OLX recently launched an escrow service for its users. “The escrow service will provide a safety net for both the buyer and seller to ensure that they trade safely on the platform. The buyer will be able to pay the money into an OLX bank account while undergoing inspection and validity of the item before OLX transfers the funds to the seller once the item is approved by the buyer,�

Fadeyibe said.

Also speaking, Group Head, Retail and Chains, Interswitch, Paul Ohakim, said; “We are excited to partner to further deepen e-commerce in Nigeria by providing greater ease and more security for transactions done on OLX.�

Ohakim also added that through Interswitch’s reengineered payment gateway, which has seen successful Webpay solution further streamlined and enhanced to improve the user experience, Interswitch will continue to champion the growth and development of the e-commerce industry in Nigeria, particularly via partnerships such as this, with OLX.

UNVEILING OF MUTUAL HOUSE

L-R: Insurance OďŹƒcer, University of Ibadan, Mrs. Mojisola Alasiri; Executive Chairman, Bo & Co. Insurance Brokers Ltd., Chief Babajide Olatunde-Agbeja; Managing Director, Mutual BeneďŹ ts Assurance Plc, Mr. Segun Omosehin and Executive Director, Operations, Mutual BeneďŹ ts Assurance Plc, Mr. Biyi Ashiru-Mobolaji, during the unveiling of Mutual House Onireke, Ibadan ... recently

Glo Delights Customers with IBM Harps on Data Analytics, New Offers Cloud Innovation Globacom has again, launched a unique offer which rewards subscribers with free data to access the internet. Called Free Data Day, the new offer gives Glo customers free 200MB that can be used throughout the day when they meet the voice and/ or data usage threshold within seven days preceding the free data day. The offer is open to all Glo subscribers.

Globacom’s Zonal Business Coordinator, Lagos, Adebola Omoboya said at a press conference in Lagos that the offering would enable subscribers on the Glo network to do so much more on the internet by browsing free of charge for a whole day. “We appreciate the essence of the internet in today’s world.

We are through this product empowering our customers in an unprecedented way in their business, social and educational pursuits,� he stated.

To enjoy the Free Data Day, subscribers are required to spend N250 or more on calls in the preceding 7 days to a free data day, or spend at least N150 on voice calls. Also, subscribers are required to use a minimum of 100MB of data in the preceding 7 days to the free data day from any or a combination of methods such as Pay as you use, purchase of data plan, and usage from an existing data plan.

Omoboya further explained that subscribers would be notified when they have qualified

for the Free Data Day and that they do not need to dial any code to opt in or subscribe to any platform before enjoying the benefits. “When a subscriber qualifies for the offering, he would be able to enjoy free data usage throughout that day,� he said.

The company also announced the launch of Glo Welcome Back, an offer which gives subscribers that have not used the Glo network in 30 days free N6,000 credit when they recharge their lines. The credit can be used to browse, send SMS and make calls. Subscribers are required to make a recharge of between N100 and N5,000 to access the free N6,000 airtime.

Details of the offer show that subscribers can access the free airtime based on the amount of recharge made subject to a maximum of N6,000. “For example, a recharge of N100 gives the subscriber N600 bonus airtime which is deducted from the FREE N6,000.

The bonus N600 is made up of N500 for Voice and 50MB data worth N100. If the same subscriber makes a second recharge of N500, he gets a bonus credit of N3,000 made up of N2,500 Voice credit and 250MB data worth N500. This is deducted from the balance of N5,400 left of the N6,000 FREE Airtime. The subscriber will now have N2,400 left in the FREE Airtime account which can be accessed when the next recharge is made,� he said.

IBM, a technology solution provider, on Tuesday in Lagos, stressed the need for organisations to invest more in data analytics, using cloud as a platform, to innovate, grow their businesses and protect their businesses from all levels of security attacks.

Speaking at the IBM Innovation Forum in Lagos, the IBM Cloud Services Leader, Central and West Africa, Mr. Yusuf Assengee, said the IBM cloud technology had been used in several ways to create disruptions in the technology space and that many organisations have built their technology solutions on the IBM cloud, which he said, has been made simple and accessible by IBM. “Cloud is the next technology solution and IBM is available to help organisations and customers to leverage on the power of cloud technology,�

Assengee said.

IBM Big Data Leader, Mr. Zeeshion Mehdi, who spoke on ‘Accelerating Cloud Value Through Cognitive Analytics, advised organisations to always create data that meets the needs of the market place and could explore transformative model to greater value. He said IBM data analytics would help address key technology issues and reposition businesses. He therefore advised organisations to invest in data analytics that would help transform their businesses.

He described the various levels of IBM data analytics to include predictive analytics, descriptive analytics, prescriptive analytics and cognitive analytics. He explained that IBM has made all levels of its data analytics simple and accessible. Speaking on how organisations could benefit from the different layers of the IBM data analytics, the Chief Technology Officer, IBM Cloud for Middle East and Africa, Mr. Anthony Butler, said the descriptive analytics helps customers to understand the solution better and that all the various layers of data analytics are contained on the IBM platform, to further boost customer experience. He however explained that the nature and size of the data, determines the best form of analytics to be applied by the customer.

Addressing the cost effectiveness of deploying data analytics, the Country General Manager, IBM Nigeria, Mr. Dipo Faulkner said organisations must understand what cloud technology is all, about, and define how it wants to drive value, using the cloud platform.

The issue of security around the cloud was also discussed, and Butler dismissed fears of insecurity around cloud and data analytics. He explained that the IBM cloud comes with various layers of security that protects data from attacks.

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Saka: Technology has Changed the Face of Banking in Nigeria In this interview, Head, Information Technology at Wema Bank Plc, Adewale Saka, enumerates how technology has redefined and simplified banking, not only in Nigeria but across the globe How has technology changed the face of banking in Nigeria?

Technology has changed the face of banking forever in Nigeria and across the globe. Gone are those days when banking in Nigeria was confined to physical locations, specific time of the day and accessible/understandable to the upper, educated class of the society. Products and services available were primarily taking deposits and making loans and these were delivered via the branch and calling the officer, which was based on face-to-face contact with customers.

Technology has not only redefined and simplified banking, it has also brought banking to the doorsteps of almost every household in Nigeria and beyond. Opening and operating accounts can now be done without visiting a bank or physically interacting with human beings and from the comfort of your office, bedroom or even while in transit! Technology has practically revolutionised banking and every individual now has the capacity to have their banks with them everywhere and in their pockets. Banks are now empowered to reach customers and potential customers even in areas where they do not have physical presence.

The ease of creating banking products and services as well as making them available to customers is quite amazing and this is made possible through technology. Bank customers now have access to almost all banking services 24/7 including access to cash at odd hours through the ATMs, airtime recharge, bills payments, funds transfer, service subscriptions, online and offline shopping, lifestyle management and a host of others. Banks in Nigeria have leveraged technology to reposition banking in the minds of their customers.

All these have been achieved through technology-powered delivery channels such as mobile banking apps, online banking platforms, robust payment and collection platforms, etc.

In my own view, most banks have become technology service providers.

Do you think banks have effectively harnessed technology to improve services in Nigeria?

There is no doubt in my mind that banks have effectively harnessed technology to improve banking services even though there is still room for improvement. Everything in banking today is powered by technology to the extent that when there is a technology failure in any bank, it can cripple the entire operations of such bank with attendant financial losses and negative brand perception. Banks in Nigeria have over the last few years embarked on automation of backend processes to drive efficiency, improve productivity, innovate effortlessly and optimise risks. Banks have also developed and deployed innovative products and services for customer acquisition, risk management, transaction processing and ultimately improve bottom-line. Cash-lite policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been hinged on technology and so also is the Bank Verification Number (BVN) project.

Unlike before, customers can get instant value for both intra-bank and inter-bank transfers without having to fill forms, join a long queue or visit a bank branch. Customers are now able to have value on cheques deposited in their accounts within 24 hours and in some cases, customers do not need to visit a branch to present their cheques for clearing, since all banks started participating in the automated clearing house using Cheque Truncation Systems.

Significant successes have also been recorded around taking banking to the unbanked through the use of technology in driving Agency Banking processes. More and more in-branch banking services are getting digitised and made available to customers across multiple alternative channels to make customers less dependent on bank workers but rather serve themselves.

These have been achieved through effective use of technology in banking.

Improvement is still required around data

disruption in the banking industry. Certainly, all banks will gravitate towards digital and compete with technological innovations.

We are going to see more of partnerships between banks and FinTechs in the coming years. With technology, there are limitless opportunities for disruption provided the market is matured and ready for such disruptions.

Do you think blockchain technology has a future in banking in Nigeria?

My response is in the affirmative because the Nigerian Banking industry is transforming rapidly with the use of technology to meet ever-dynamic and sophisticated customers’ needs.

Since Blockchain provides opportunity for exchange of values across the internet without any intermediary, it thus presents banks and other organisations with a cost-efficient and highly secured alternative platform for consummating financial transactions or sharing information.

I am sure every organisation or market will like to benefit from such value to reduce their cost of providing services through highly secured platforms like the Blockchain. It is just a matter of time, stakeholders including the regulators will key into it and possibly regulate its use for the benefit of the industry.

Saka

analytics for determining specific needs of customers and various segments of the markets to develop products and services to meet those needs. Another area requiring more attention is eliminating the need for customers to come to the bank at all. Wema Bank is leading the rest of the industry in this area through the creation of our Digital Bank, ALAT. This is the next level of effective use of technology in Banking.

Analysts say although technology has many advantages, it has also affected the banking industry in many negative ways. What can you say about this?

Technology has undoubtedly brought positive transformation to the Nigerian banking industry but surely it hasn’t been without a couple of challenges. In the days of pure traditional manual or semi-manual banking, operational downtime was minimal and most times limited to the specific business unit or branch while a downtime on a centralised Core Banking Application or infrastructure can bring the entire operations of a bank to a halt. Banking industry has been experiencing new types of risks associated with the use of technology for banking services. These risks could be due to human error, systems failure, fraud and cybercrimes. Banks in Nigeria have lost a lot of money to various fraudulent practices perpetrated through electronic channels.

Fraud attempts, successful frauds, hacks and scams have steadily increased as banking takes center-stage in the digital world.

Count and volume of computer-related frauds has been on the upward trend. This has not only created image issues for banks and the industry, but has also impacted the bottom-line of impacted banks. Banks are now made to invest massively in technology infrastructure, implement & maintain technology standards and frameworks (e.g. PCIDSS, ISO27001, ISO 20000, COBIT, TOGAF, etc.) and compliance generally. Cost of maintaining and sustaining most of these standards and frameworks have become a burden to many banks.

How much of a bank’s technology infrastructure should be built and run in-house, considering security concerns that come with outsourcing?

Honestly speaking, I do not share a view that outsourcing or cloud computing or sharing a public infrastructure is less secured than on-premise deployment of infrastructure. All that is required for organisations is to go through a stringent process in selecting a cloud service provider and ensure a water-tight agreement is put in place to protect their businesses. The type of service to be hosted on a public cloud should

be determined by the Cloud strategy of various institutions and all conditions required to effectively protect information asset on-premise should be considered when outsourcing or migrating to the cloud. The benefits of outsourcing or cloud service are so enormous that a forward-looking organisation cannot ignore. Organisation should rather look for mitigants for the risks that are associated with the cloud rather than avoiding the cloud. Some of the benefits of cloud computing includes; Agility, Cost efficiency, Scalability, etc. In summary, it offers responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of IT services.

In summary, except for data, infrastructure or solutions that have been mandatorily confined to Bank’s datacenters by way of regulation or government policies, every service or infrastructure can be outsourced or run from a public cloud.

This will improve uptime and reduce cost significantly. It helps in managing cash flow by converting CAPEX to OPEX for organisations.

What big leaps has technology enabled Wema Bank to take?

It’s no more news, Wema is the bank to beat when it comes innovation using technology. As it stands today, Wema has made a bold statement with ALAT being the first TRULY Digital Bank in the country. What is also unique about this is the fact that our Digital Bank and all other digital channels provided for customers’ comfort are fully owned by Wema (developed, maintained, supported and owned end-to-end by Wema).

Our WemaMobile platform can be switched to SMS banking if you run out of data right from within the app. This is an amazing experience that is unique to Wema. Card Control integration to all our service points (ALAT, USSD Banking, WemaMobile, WemaOnline, etc) and giving customers of the bank absolute control over when, where and how their debit and credit cards are used without recourse to the bank is the first of its kind in the Nigerian Banking industry. We have also consistently provided very stable and reliable banking services through our digital channels. These have not only started changing customers and non-customers’ perception of the bank, they have also increased number of customers and volume of transactions across all our channels.

We have witnessed all kinds of technological disruption in the banking industry; what more can we expect?

There is no end to innovation and with the dynamic nature of technological advancement, it is certain that we have not seen the end of

What about Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

AI has to do with developing systems that learn, adapt and respond autonomously rather than simply execute predefined instructions. AI will be the battleground for technology vendors in 2018 and indeed over the next few years.

For every organisation in the banking industry, it has become increasingly important to keep up with competition, and increase their share of the market by being innovative.

In no distant future, the Nigerian banking industry will begin to deeply harness AI to enhance their data analytics capabilities to support their decision-making process. With the right AI and Big Data, banks are poised to provide systems that will engage customers and recommend appropriate product/services or investment opportunities based on customer’s historical data. Other areas where this can be of relevance to the industry include visual perception, speech recognition and language translation.

AI will also be applicable to banking in the areas of Fraud Detection, Trading, Chat robots and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Pattern Detection. In a nutshell, the Nigerian banking industry is very responsive to technological advancement and AI is surely one of the next to be leveraged for competitive advantage.

With the rate at which technology is permeating our lives, where do you see banking in the next five years?

Technology is a great enabler, making banking more accessible and reducing costs for consumers.

I don’t think bank branches are going away because people still need human contact.

However, it is expected that banks will shift competition to the digital space and de-emphasise competing based on number or size of branches.

Rate of branch expansion will go down paving way for channels and digital penetration. A lot more of digitally-powered unmanned service centers where customers can drive in and perform banking services (including seeking financial advises or solutions) on a self-service basis will take center-stage. This has started already but it’s going to continue and increase in the coming years. More and more banking processes will get digitised and a lot more services currently handled within banking halls or head offices of banks will become available via digital platforms.

Banks like ours (Wema) has invested in the bank of the future, ALAT and I believe that banks that fail to invest and take advantage of new technologies to reengineer their products and services may be losing customers to the better-quality or lower-cost products of smarter ones.

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Leaders Need to Inspire Innovation for Sustainable Competitive Advantage Clive Carpenter is the Vice Chairman, Business Council for Africa, UK. He is an international banker and company director with a proven track record in management at board level. He has specialist skills operating in Kenya and Nigeria, countries XJUI XIJDI IF NBJOUBJOT FYUFOTJWF DPOUBDUT BU BMM MFWFMT *O UIJT JOUFSWJFX IF TIBSFT actionable insights on how leaders can inspire innovation in their organisations to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. Excerpts: What is TEXEM? These Executive Minds (TEXEM), UK offers customised executive education programmes and executive sourcing for their clients and TEXEM has an impeccable track record off adding value to many clients across a wide range of sectors. Also, TEXEM and its world class faculty partners have a very good grasp of contextual realities of develop countries and (Africa vis-à -vis fragile institutions, resource dependence, limited infrastructure and the huge size of government)-Thus, these world renowned faculties could share insights of lessons learnt from the mistakes that organisations in developed countries made when they were experiencing similar contextual realities that African organisations are presently undergoing. The company has an impressive track record on customer satisfaction with 60% of her delegates being repeat customers-This is commendable for a company that offers an AJOUBOHJCMF TFSWJDF 5&9&. T GPSUIDPNJOH QSPHSBNNF PO *OTQJSJOH BO *OOPWBUJWF 0SHBOJTBUJPO GPS 4VTUBJOBCMF Competitive Advantage would be delivered by me and Professor Rodria Laline (Visiting 1SPGFTTPS PG )BSWBSE *OTFBE BOE *&4& BU the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence on the 26th and 27th of July. (For more information, please email exec@texem. co.uk or visit https://texem.co.uk) This training is very important for organisations to understand the many vista of innovation methodologies they can use to provide strategic repositioning of their organisations, especially in this critical time in terms of return on investment, staying afloat and forging ahead.

We look forward to having C-suite executives from various organisations as participants as they will be exposed to several contextually relevant case studies second to none.

Through this programme participants would be able to build a culture of creativity (structure, strategy, value chain and business model), lead successful innovation initiatives in different areas of their organisation and target areas that require strategic advancement to achieve breakthrough performance for sustainable competitive advantage.

deserved and discipline when it is needed; Be scrupulously fair in all dealings with employees, where necessary involving an independent third party to give an opinion; Accept that some employees are square pegs in round holes and have the courage to either move them to a more appropriate position or to disengage them, especially if they become a disruptive or negative influence.

far easier and less risky to just go with the status quo. Another drawback is the lack of dedicated budgets, teams, processes and skills.

What advice would you offer the head of public organisations to enable them create opportunities for innovation?

My advice draws on my foregoing response.

Put in place a reward and incentive system that will properly recognise good ideas for How can leaders develop culture that could improvement and change, and progress them. help position their organisations for sustainable Have a dedicated budget and team of people competitive advantage? (with the right skills) to process innovation *U JT PGUFO IFME UIBU B TUSPOH DPSQPSBUF DVMUVSF and remove blockages that prevent the sharing is actually the only sustainable competitive of innovative ideas. advantage because, unlike a product which can be copied by others, a culture cannot be What Strategies can encourage developing easily duplicated in another organisation. creativity?

This is because it relies on people to make Truly creative people do not copy what others it work and people cannot be duplicated. do. They create something unique and distance Each individual is unique. An organisation’s themselves from the competition rather than culture is driven by strategy and by social try to compete. and structural influences. Values, beliefs and They create something new and better. Various behaviours need to be clearly articulated and strategies can encourage creativity and these constantly monitored. include seeking to expand your knowledge The most fundamental element of corporate base (CPD); Seeking new experiences to culture is the attitude of those within a company. broaden your ideas; Not following the crowd; When executives, managers, and indeed all Learning to take time to reflect on various FNQMPZFFT BSF BMM APO UIF TBNF QBHF JU DSF- possible strategies and not to rush forward ates an inclusive environment, allowing free without adequate consideration first - deferring communication between everyone involved judgement; Redefining the real problem or in the business. challenge - then you can begin to solve it.

Carpenter

How can a leader sustain his / her advantage in the market?

Well, my answer to question 3. above goes some way to answering that. However, beyond developing the appropriate corporate culture, there is a constant need for strategic review and change in today’s world but within a business it is not something that should simply be dictated. The ideas and thoughts of all stakeholders should be taken into consideration. $IBOHF OFFET B ADBTU PG DIBSBDUFST B AHVJEJOH coalition’ and employees need to be empowered to implement the changes that are agreed.

Why does an executive need to attend TEXEM’s programme? organisation in times of uncertainty and TEXEM has a proven track record in executive limited resources? education and its alumni are vocal in confirming Leadership is leadership be it in good times or how TEXEM’s programmes have helped them. in bad, what is different is the speed of action All that participants need is the foresight and required of leaders in turbulent times. The Leader wisdom to know that they need professional needs to continuously monitor and maximise guidance to assist them in today’s highly cash, tightly manage credit, carefully manage competitive business environment. TEXEM working capital as well as review and reform can provide that professional guidance as so financial structure. Furthermore, in turbulent many have previously discovered. For this times, the leader needs to reduce costs, drive particular programme later this month, here efficiency via innovation and focus on the top are some reasons: line-e.g. customers. r -FBSO IPX UP JOTQJSF JOOPWBUJPO UIBU The leader should constantly review product/ How can innovation be developed following would help you successfully navigate this service mix and pricing and where possible the turbulent economic landscape? turbulent economic landscape and emerge Change and innovation go hand in hand in the stronger do things differently.

What sets TEXEM apart from the competition? *NQPSUBOUMZ UIF MFBEFST OFFE UP DPNNVOJDBUF creation of a sustainable and successful business r *NQSPWF ZPVS 4USBUFHJD RVPUJFOU BOE To answer your question, please allow me to investors that they are ready for the worst and, of course, become especially important in ability to make better decisions to share with you some of TEXEM’s unique case scenarios. Also, the leader should inform times of economic turbulence. No business can r *NQSPWF ZPVS PSHBOJTBUJPO T BCJMJUZ UP stakeholders that they have a view beyond ever stand still - even if it is highly successful achieve sustainable competitive advantage selling points: today, without change and innovation, it will r (PPE SFQVUBUJPO JO PGGFSJOH UBJMPSFE SFMFWBOU the horizon. r &OIBODF ZPVS BCJMJUZ UP JEFOUJGZ UIF PQFurthermore, it is critical that the leader not be successful tomorrow. To quote a far portunities inherent in the economic recession and context-rich executive education programmes which is relevant and has impact on the bottom has a clear vision of what the business is HSFBUFS FYQFSU UIBO NZTFMG A *OOPWBUJPO FNCPEJFT r -FBSO TPNF PG UIF NJTUBLFT PG QPPSMZ seeking to achieve, involving all employees the improvement of something that has come implemented innovation from faculty and line. r /FUXPSL PG LFZ TUBLFIPMEFST JO &VSPQF BOE and stakeholders in formulating that vision. before and is the evolution of convenience, over 700 years of combined experience of North America that TEXEM have worked with *U JT FTTFOUJBM UIBU FWFSZPOF XPSLT JO VOJTPO efficiency and effectiveness.� faculties and delegates *O GBDU JG ZPV BSF OPU JOOPWBUJOH ZPV BSF in the past, which the company could deploy to achieve the ultimate objective. r /FUXPSL XJUI PUIFS FYFDVUJWFT PO UIF The leader then needs to provide the in- just waiting for the expiration date of your programme, enhance social capital and develop towards delivery of executive development formation, knowledge and methods to realise business. There are a variety of different strate- partnerships programmes. r *NQSFTTJWF USBDL SFDPSE PO DVTUPNFS TBUJTGBD- the vision and, at the same time, manage gies that can be adopted for innovation and r 1PUFOUJBMMZ CVJME B SFMBUJPOTIJQ XJUI UIF tion with 60% of her delegates being repeat the conflicting interests of all the members me and Prof Rodria will be covering those British Deputy High Commissioner which customers-This is commendable for a company and stakeholders. These and more would be in my forthcoming presentations at TEXEM’s could possibly lead to synergies with UK firms. covered in TEXEM’s forthcoming programme forthcoming executive education programme that offers an intangible service.

PO *OTQJSJOH BO *OOPWBUJWF 0SHBOJTBUJPO GPS Do you think organisational challenges create r 6OEFSTUBOEJOH PG UIF DIBMMFOHFT UIBU PS- later this month.

Sustainable Competitive Advantage. ganisations face and committed, distinguished better leaders? advisory board, which have a passion for the How could organisational politics be properly Yes, certainly, challenges tend to bring out How could innovation help the public sector? the best in people if such people are a good managed for superlative results? growth of Africa. r (SFBU OFUXPSLJOH PQQPSUVOJUJFT XJUI WFSZ This subject commands a whole lecture but Public sector innovation relates to creating, fit to the requirements of the job in the first senior executives as participants have over six in brief : A leader must be totally honest and developing and implementing practical ideas place, i.e. you cannot make a silk purse out of hundred years of experience of participants and transparent using facts to support any argument that achieve a public benefit.

B TPX T FBS *G UIF MFBEFS JT AB TRVBSF QFH JO B faculties in every programme thus steepening and being willing to admit when he or she The ideas should be new ones, not simply round hole’ then he or she will not be attenthe learning curve of participants via peer to is wrong; Base all arguments on what is in JNQSPWFNFOUT UIBU BSF VTFGVM *OOPWBUJPO tive to developing problems. But for the right peer learning moderated by world renowned the best interests of the company; Agree to in the public sector is especially difficult to individual, challenges are a part of everyday disagree when necessary; Minimise e-mail achieve because public sector employees are management that require innovative solutions faculties. on sensitive matters and engage in face to not encouraged or rewarded for being innova- and serve to push the leader to constantly How can a leader successfully lead an face, open dialogue; Praise freely when it is UJWF JO GBDU JU NJHIU DPTU UIFN UIFJS KPC *U JT improve performance.

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AMAA Awards as Platform for Brand Positioning As stakeholders in the entertainment industry prepare for the 2017 edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards in Lagos, Raheem Akingbolu writes that the event will be a good opportunity for local and multinational brands to further deepen their presence in the market Brand owners and spin doctors are always out to achieve one thing –connecting their brands with the right audience. Until recently, advertising is the major platform being explored by them to reach out to their patrons but that has since changed. Today, with the rise of experiential leg of the marketing mix, handlers of brand strive to locate gatherings that would offer them opportunities to communicate with their brands.

Since the first quarter of the year, when it was announced that Lagos State, the heartbeat of Nigeria’s consumer activities, would host the 13th edition of the prestigious award, the media has been awash with the opportunities it would offer brands in the market. As the gathering of African movie stars, directors, producers and script writers, there is no gainsaying the fact that it will drive human traffic and influencers. AMAA, an annual awards event for creative minds within the African continent, has become the center stage for the recognition of talents and professionalism in the Africa film industry over the years.

The state government was quick to observe the opportunities it tended to provide for brands at the AMAA 2017 Sponsors’ Night, when its Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, called businesses and corporate Nigeria to come on board and support the awards through sponsorship. “We are using this Sponsors’ Night event to call on businesses and corporate Nigeria to come on board and support the awards through sponsorship and I am glad that the various marketing and branding opportunities which AMAA offers sponsors have been unveiled to us. We call on companies to buy into this and support this very successful continental award. Let me also state that we have in Lagos, a Governor who is committed to the development of the creative sector of our economy,’’ Ayorinde said.

In what looked like a subtle way to point out how brands that have in the past leveraged on the award fared in the market, the founder of the award, Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe pour encomium on promoters of brands like United Bank for Africa, Globacom, Sterling Bank, Airtel and other companies that had sponsored and supported AMAA in the past and charged them and others to come to take advantage of the brand activation opportunities that AMAA as a continental award platform offers sponsors. “Corporate Organisations especially those that have pan-African vision and targeting youths should partner with us and we take over the whole of Africa. Film and entertainment sector generally has become big business in Africa and major contributor to GDP. AMAA has the appeal and reach with over 680 films from all over African countries and Diaspora submitted for this year’s edition. Disney Studio in America submitted 4 films for consideration of AMAA this year and we are very happy about this and this goes to confirm the respect and acceptability of AMAA as the most credible awards for motion picture in Africa. We want more corporate support for AMAA and not only AMAA but for the entire creative industry in Nigeria and Africa. In the days ahead we will be knocking on your doors with our sponsorship proposal,’’ she said.

Lagos as home of businesses Over the years, AMAA has travelled far and near, either for the main event or nomination party as recently held in Kigali, in Rwanda.

For the event proper Bayelsa had consistently played host for the award until last year when it was hosted by Imo State. Despite these locations, some iconic brands moved with

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode with veteran Actress & Director, Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, Joke Silva (left); her husband &Actor, Olu Jacobs (2nd left) and the President, Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Peace Anyiam-Osigwe during the AMAA delegation courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja...recently

AMAA and they explored the opportunities therein.

Considering the strategic position of Lagos as home to many local and international companies, coupled with the city’s blossom population, this year’s edition may turn out to be the opportunities companies have been

Considering the strategic position of Lagos as home to many local and international companies, coupled with the city’s blossom population, this year’s edition may turn out to be the opportunities companies have been waiting for to make their strong positioning statement.

waiting for to make their strong positioning statement.

A brand management expert, Mr. Ganiyu Olowu, is of the opinion that the strategic importance of entertainment to brand building in today’s market may make the event a strong platform for brands willing to connect fast with their target audience.

He said; ‘’Lagos is a mega city with arrays of companies and it commands huge population to play with. Again, looking at the place of entertainment to brand building in today’s market, companies that ignore the event may do so at their own peril. Of course, I’m aware that some brands have already signed on to be part of the continental award and it is cheering news. We should not forget that if there is any product conceived and consume in Africa, it is the entertainment. Our artists command huge followers and they can easily strike the right cord in the market,’’ Global examples History and records have shown that brands like Coca Cola and other global brands became leading brands because of their consistent connection with entertainment icons. Though, producers of branded entertainment usually struggle with two things: not making their projects seem too much like marketing, and wanting audiences to discover the content on their own, effectively exploiting social-media platforms helped address the latter. .All this notwithstanding, content continues to be king, but collaboration proved key in making marketing entertaining in today’s market.

For instance, when a YouTube video, in which the effusively charming TJ Smith gets drivers stuck in L.A. traffic to sing along with him, went viral in 2013 and got Smith air time on national news shows, Nissan smartly brokered a deal to make the online talent its spokesman in a brilliant new campaign for

its Sentra in 2014. The carmaker remade the video, putting Smith inside the small car, integrated him into its sponsorship of NBC’s “The Voice,� and even had him drive the car in an ad for Lyft. The result is easily one of the best moves by an agency.

Also, American Express has long succeeded in pairing up with the music biz through its live Unstaged events. But with the Taylor Swift Experience, the credit card maker was able to use technology in new ways to breathe life into the music video. Only through American Express’ app could fans of the ubiquitous Swift experience her “Blank Space� single with a video shot using 360-degree cameras and featuring an interactive storyline. Whether it wound up selling more copies of Swift’s “1989� album didn’t necessarily matter in this case: As Swift was irritating Spotify by pulling her tunes from the streaming music service, American Express was suddenly looking pretty cool with what it was giving her young fans.

This was also the case with Samsung and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1�

It can be tough for anyone to get a lift at Comic-Con now that so many entertainment projects and consumer brands are competing for attention. But Samsung’s tie-in with Lionsgate’s latest “Hunger Games� sequel signaled just how a brand — that isn’t featured in the film, by the way — can take a promotional partnership to a whole new level. In this case, Samsung worked with Lionsgate to build an elaborate exhibit for the film that brought its world to life through costumes, props and experiences, but also put its new tablet into the hands of thousands of fans that wanted to watch the film’s teaser trailer. It’s often tough to get consumers to interact with your product at sponsored events, but Samsung showed just how to make it happen while seeming not crass but cool — and still fit into the franchise’s world.

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ExcitementGreetsVisionscape’sRoadmapforLagos For believing in Nigeria, the government and other stakeholders in Lagos have commended Visionscape for launching the first phase of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative to revolutionise solid waste management, Raheem Akingbolu reports In what looks like a complementary move towards consolidating the various works being done by the current administration in Lagos State to beautify the city, Visionscape, an innovative environmental utility group, at the center of the Cleaner LagosInitiative (CLI), recently rolled out the drum to celebrate the beginning of its operations in Lagos. At a well attended event, the management of the company announced that Visionscape Sanitation Solutions has successfully completed the development of their first waste management depot in Lagos State.

The depot, which is located in Ogudu, is the first of three 24-hour depots that the company will open in Lagos State.

To this end, the Lagos State Government commended the company for investing in Nigeria during at a period of economic recession and inflation when other investors had considered it unhealthy to invest in the country.

The State Governor, Mr. AkinwunmiAmbode, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Dr. BabatundeAdejare, stated this at the soft launch of the Cleaner LagosInitiative (CLI) and the commissioning of Nigeria’s first 24-hour waste management depot on Friday at Ogudu. He described the commissioning as a vote of confidence and expressed delight that Phase One of the CLI, a pet vision of Governor AkinwunmiAmbode, was finally taking off.“The soft launch of the new waste management policy is a dream comes true, and a demonstrable evidence of what determination and proper planning could bring into fruition,� he added.

The commissioner also averred that the Lagos State Government has its vote of confidence in Visionscape. “We believe in Visionscape.

We are standing by you. We know you can do it. With your capabilities and clout, Lagos State will be the cleanest city in the world.

We will work with you in every way and we will make it happen together. This is your Lagos, our Lagos�. He called on Lagosians to

L-R: Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Environment, Mr. BabatundeHumpe; Visionscape’s Executive Director, Harry Ackerman; the State’s Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. BabatundeAdejare; COO, Visionscape West Africa, Thomas Forgacs; and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye during the opening on Visionscape’s 24-hour Waste Management Depot in Ogudu, Lagos ...recently

embrace the Cleaner Lagos Initiative which will add value to the quality of life in the city and stressed that the Ambode government will not evade challenges but will rather face it head-on to deliver solutions. He also reiterated the commitment of the AkinwunmiAmbode administration to bequeath Lagos State with a functional, robust and sustainable waste management system that would transform the State into the cleanest city in the world. The commissioner stated that Governor Ambode’s dream all along had always been to positively affect the State as far as waste management is concerned, and that his commitment to follow it through was unwavering. “We are very glad and satisfied with the giant strides Visionscape is taking in ensuring that we achieve the aim that we have all sat down to set. I just want

to admonish members of staff of the firm that apart from what they would be paid, they should see this as their own contribution to making Lagos what we all want it to be, which is to become the cleanest city in the world.�

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Visionscape’s Executive Director, Mr. Harry Ackerman said the company was delighted to be part of the journey to make Lagos a clean State, assuring that modern techniques and technologies in waste management would be deployed to provide top class services for the people.

He said: “Our top priority is to ensure that the waste management needs of Lagos are met.

We will do this by implementing sustainable long-term solutions that are tailor-made for Lagos specifically. In addition to the Ogudu depot which was commissioned on Friday, two other depots

will be located inMushin and Lagos Island.The Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI) was established by the Lagos State Government to address, enforce and regulate the challenges in the solid waste management systems within Lagos State. The initiative is focused on improving the environment to make it cleaner, safer and healthier for all Lagos State residents, while also improving operational efficiency in waste management. Visionscape, currently in a public-private partnership with the Lagos State Government, is set to provide waste management services for the CLI, under the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

He added that as the group commences this historic journey with the state, it will strive to install a cohesive partnership allowing them to deliver best practices.

Nassar: We’re Committed to Govt’s Backward Integration Agenda Managing Director of Procter and Gamble Nigeria, George Nassar, in this interview with Raheem Akingbolu, speaks on the opportunities in the Nigerian market and the commitment of the multinational to meet the needs of consumers in the country and Africa. Excerpts: The recent inauguration of a new factory by Procter & Gamble was one investment that coincided with the trying period of the Nigeria nation, why did the organisation invest despite the economic hardship the country is facing at the moment?

Far above any reason, our desire is to meet the needs of our consumers in Nigeria and in Africa.

Also, we are confident that the investment will support the government’s backward integration agenda and will create new jobs and engage in business with hundreds of additional MSMEs. P&G is recognised as the number 1 multinational FMCG company that is touching and improving lives. We treat consumers with utmost importance because the consumer is at the center of what we do at P&G. The company has spent about $330m between 2014 and now.

What are the human capital development opportunities that this line would bring for Nigerians?

With this new investment, P&G would be creating more direct and indirect employment opportunities. The investment would also contribute to the creation of hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), who would be a part of the supply chain of the product.

Today, P&G employs about 5000 people

segments of the plant including our Greenfield Pampers diapers production line as well as the products we manufacture locally.

The plant is another way in which we are expanding our footprint in the country. It is our way of showing how committed we are to making Nigeria the production hub of West Africa. This facility will support our drive to continuously make the products available to girls and women.

Nassar

directly and indirectly with Nigerians making up over 98% of our managers locally and some on international assignments.

The new factory was a new line for the company’s Always brand; can you please shed more light on this investment?

The Always Ultra manufacturing line is a state of the art production facility which was commissioned by the acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

He also had an opportunity to go on a facility tour of the plant where we showcased various

What is the difference between the products of the old manufacturing line and the new one?

We are upgrading our production lines for backward integration and introducing the most advanced sanitary pad technology to Nigeria through the extension of our FEMCARE line.

Our innovation is based on extensive research to tap into insights from Nigerian ladies. The best of global technology is then applied to develop innovative products that address their needs.

This commitment to consumer-driven innovation has made Always the best-selling sanitary pad brand in the world.

P&G appears to specifically target girls and women, why is this so?

We believe that a gender-equal world is a better world for all. We believe in a world where

everyone sees equal; a world free from gender bias and there is equal representation, a world where the voices of women and men are heard equally.

Through our understanding of women and girls, we are leveraging our insights to uncover gender bias and taking actions to spark conversations and set new expectations that motivate change. We remove gender-biased barriers by educating girls and creating economic opportunities for women through our programs and public policy advocacy efforts.

Some of our efforts in Nigeria include our P&G Always partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to educate 50,000 Girls and Women on Information Communications Technology (ICTs) in Bauchi State; this is the second phase of the initiative. The first phase commenced in 2014, and over 60,000 girls were trained in literacy and numeracy. A total of 110,000 girls would be trained in both phases.

Recently, select Women Owned Business Entrepreneurs (WBEs) were trained in Ibadan, Oyo State. The programme is designed to improve the entrepreneurial potentials of women and expand the supplier development programmes through connections and trainings. This was done in partnership with WeConnect International.

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Umana: Capitalising on Our Diversity is Surest Way to Build the Nigeria Brand The immediate past Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom State, Aniekan Umana, was a consummate advertising practitioner before taking up the job of image maker for his state. In this interview with Raheem Akingbolu, he speaks on how best to build the Nigeria brand and the impact of the recession on the marketing communications industry. Excerpts: How do you see the advertising industry and the impact of recession on the industry?

I must say that the advertising and media industry like every other business in Nigeria got hit by the punch of recession. For a country that lost over 60% of revenue and income base, you can see that it was almost like hanging on a cliff. And it was compounded by dwindling oil prices at the time. Many things went wrong; our GDP went below expectation, oil prices went down, income erosion and all that. So the industrial and financial base of the country witnessed erosion.

When that happened; we saw an unstable foreign exchange regime which got to a point that Naira was exchange over N500 to a Dollar.

So for an industry like media and advertising, it became the first to be hit and hit worst because almost every impute that comes to it is foreign exchange based. So advertising like every other business plummeted but was hit worst because it’s the first budget that is cancelled when there are no sales. So rather than pup up advertising to see it could add to sales, different is always the case in a market like ours. When you are in trouble is when you tell your story more to find a rescue, but unfortunately, it’s the reverse here and this is something we must bring to the consciousness of budget operator for different sectors. For instance, in 2014 to 2015, the advertising spend stood at about N97billion and of course, you know clearly towards the end of 2015, it has started going down.

By mid-2016, we recorded less than half of that number. That throws up the challenge.

We can see clearly even it terms of TV, radio and outdoor, most global organisations down their outdoor size including the telcos that accounted for almost 60% of the spend at the time. 2014, we had N93.1billion, 2015 grew a little bit perhaps because of political activities. But again if the economy has no valve it couldn’t have been so even with the political activities. So that now calls for serious concern for industry operators who must now start to reinvent the processes.

Narrowing it down to the media, how will you say all these have impacted on the media?

Look at television, prime products running on prime time are coming down. You find like one insert staggered over a period not creating the desired impact. This means that the revenue base is not helping that. The return from sales is not helping investment.

It’s a double edge sword. So the question is where do we get money to invest in more advertising? It’s a tricky situation but there are several ways of doing it. So many companies have had to look at experiential marketing, unorthodox means, and digital platforms.

And with over 70 million Nigerians on the internet, we can also see that it’s providing a very strong platform that is cheaper. The industry is in comatose but we are happy that it is beginning to show signs of improvement.

And we hope that this will be sustainable.

If we can find a single regime that is stable for long time, that would help for planning and we would find stability. Every investor became very careful from the end of 2015 because it was like delving into the unknown. If you look at the over hundred known print titles, can we point at thirty today that are truly surviving? I’m not talking about the mushrooms that fill 16 pages once in a blue moon in the name of publishing.

How many televisions and radio stations today can truly say they are standing on their feet? Outside of the big ones, the others are just merely hanging in there. The radios are looking inwards into local content and local programming. I also know what NBC

Positioning brand Nigeria has always been difficult, how can we market the brand given all the disturbing signals?

I don’t know if I’m in a very good position to analyse Nigeria but I would say that clearly, we lost it and it has been more of a leadership problem. The day we get the leadership question right and begin to do things as a nation, not as captive group of people, not as hamlets.

When we begin to see our national interest from collective self point and understand that if it works in Oshogbo, Uyo, Maiduguri, the summation of it is that Nigeria works. If we see Nigeria from the stand point that if Ade is a successful medical practitioner and Usman is successful engineer, and Ekpo is a success doctor, and Ikenna is a successful businessman and we aggregate all and bring our diversity together in a pool, we would propel and grow Nigeria. Today, were not allowing our diversity to be our strength, we are allowing it to be a disuniting factor. The signals we are getting today from different parts of the country is not portending well for the unity of this country. That is why I must commend the acting president for the intervention in beginning the consultation that would stem the tide. Brand Nigeria can be better if we exclude nepotism. Brand Nigeria can be better if we invest in the collective goodwill of Nigerians and begin to see infrastructure and wellbeing of Nigerians as a must. How can a country with 180 million people and enormous resources not have power supply since 1960?

No rocket science in it. Others have achieved it, why haven’t we been able to achieve it?

Something is wrong with brand Nigeria. We must begin a surgical operation and will lead a cleansing process for us to beginning to see Nigeria as a proper brand. If we don’t, we would continue in this lackadaisical dance around the political space and at the end of the day not achieve anything.

Umana

has done with the segmentation to allow for city based radio which is now helping. The licensing is now more of city based radio so that people can begin to look at content within the locality to survive. For outdoor, it’s almost totally bad story. Everywhere you go across the country, the boards are empty.

Even the telcos are now very selective and many of them are not even paying. That brings us to the issue of debts. For the media to be able to survive, companies, agencies must pay the media what they owe them.

The days of trickery are gone. It must be doing what you can do and paying for what needs to be paid for. Why do we have to get people to borrow money from banks and buy space and air time, run advertising and owe them for six months or one year? That’s killing the industry. That’s why several media organisations can’t pay salaries as at when due which is not good. So agencies must be responsive to their bits and clients responsive to theirs. So when these relationships come together with truthfulness and sincerity, the media would survive.

Having worked with the former governor of Akwa Ibom and the present one, can you please compare brands Akpabio and Udom Emmanuel?

These are super brands. They are gentlemen with pedigree and zeal for development. And I started by telling you that Akpabio came with zeal and commitment to the development and transformation of Akwa Ibom Sate. And he did that under is uncommon transformation scheme in an unparallel manner in this country so far. That is one brand that pushed up a state and showed that it is possible for

states to work; to transform a state form infrastructure zero point to an enviable enclave where Nigerians and the global community can come into. He transformed the state in terms of infrastructure and even sports; the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium alone is an infrastructure that no state in Nigeria has dared to match in term of investment.

There’s no way you can talk about stadia even in Africa that you would not mention the stadium, medical infrastructure, roads and lots more.

He built an enviable brand for the state and himself. \To that extent, Akpabio is a super brand and he has taken that into the senate.

You can see the candour, professionalism and, maturity he has brought into it, creating stability and looking at governance and issues that will benefit Nigerians even as an opposition leader. Other would have thought that he would be about shouting down the government, but no. The development and growth of Nigeria is number one. When things are wrong, we say it and when it’s right we say it.

So he has now moved from an executive brand to a legislative brand which continues to tosh up his profile. For the incumbent governor, I also describe him as a super brand.

He has established himself as a super brand in the commercial sector: both his role in the International Finance Corporation as director of IFC, to his role as Executive Director in Zenith Bank and all of his strategic intervention in corporate governance at the time up to when he came in as a governor. He designed a programme that will sustain and add to the development that will leapfrog Akwa Ibom to the next level.

Can you shed more light on your newly established company - African Media Network?

It is basically about our plan to announce a new media optimisation interactive programme that will enable people understand how we can create the hybrid between the traditional and the new media. See the possibilities, challenges and how to curb the electronic vandalism that is raking organisations, families that are creating all sorts of problems. How do we cage this new form of terror within the cyber space? These are some of the discussions that will take centre focus in the discussion we would be holding sometime in July. That’s where we are going with the African Media Network.

What are other things that this network will be doing because especially as it concerns advertising?

The advertising business that we are in is a totally different thing. The Executive Option and the Billboard World are the advertising business. The African Media Network is a trusteeship with membership from different parts of Africa. We have members from South Africa, facilitators from Kenya, we have network partners from Ghana, from Cameroon, we have partners within Nigeria with the leadership of it coming from Abuja and coordinating the continental activities.

The key for us is stimulating growth and opportunities within the continental media.

And we would do that by driving synergies, building knowledge and closing skill gap for media people and organisations. And more importantly, stimulate and grow content for the continental media.

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Kwara IF-K: Relieving the Burden of Infrastructural Devt Hammed Shittu writes about an innovative measure that would help the administration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed overcome the challenges created by the overall national economic situation and the dwindling federal allocations to Kwara State The essence of good governance to the socio economic and political development of any society cannot be over-emphasised. Apart from the fact that it would allow dividends of democracy to get to the targeted audience, it would go a long way of bringing government to the doorsteps of the rural populace; thereby accelerating their socio economic development But, the desire of any government to realise the above objective to the society is being hindered due to the non-availability of funds in the purse of the government. This ugly situation is showcased in the dwindling federal allocations being accrued to the 36 states of the federation and thereby preventing government from fulfilling their programmes to the people.

Proactive Measure In Kwara, the State of Harmony is not an exception as the current leadership of the state under Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has adopted a proactive and innovative measure that would assist the administration to look beyond the challenges created by the economic quagmire and dwindling federal allocations to the state.

Towards this end, the administration in September, 2016 launched the Kwara Infrastructure Development Fund (IF-K) to serve as a sustainable means of funding major infrastructural projects in the State. IF-K is a contributory scheme designed to pool funds for high value infrastructure projects. Under the IF-K scheme, all ongoing and new developmental projects above N300 million will be funded to completion.

Among the objectives of creating IF-K is to ensure that project contractors are paid on time to deliver completed projects, thereby erasing the era of abandoned projects. IF-K is being financed through an initial N5billion seed fund, and a N500 million monthly contribution from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The Development Fund is being managed by a reputable investment company, ‘Investment One’, as a way of insulating the funds from political control and also to ensure accountability.

Under IF-K, contractors are paid by the State government on a quarterly basis. The implication is that contractors do not have to be mobilised before they commence projects since they are guaranteed payment at different milestones of the project, thereby giving no room for abandoned projects.

Since its establishment, the State government has released over N7billion to contractors handling various road projects across the State.

The government recently released another sum of N862, 605, 337.94 to contractors handling various ongoing infrastructural projects across the State.

Official Explanation The State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, who disclosed this in a statement issued recently in Ilorin, said the latest release represents 2017 second quarter’s payment for projects under the Kwara Infrastructure Development Fund (IF-K) payment grid.

He said, “Through IFK, the State government has been able to fund ongoing projects and initiate new ones across the State.�

He said the affected projects include the ongoing construction of Geri-Alimi split diamond underpass, the ongoing construction of KWASU campuses in Ekiti and Ilesha-Baruba, KWASU Post-Graduate School in Ilorin, ongoing dualisation of UITH - Sango road and the Light Up Kwara Project (LUK).

Other projects scheduled for implementation under IFK include a new State Secretariat for civil servants, renovation of Indoor sport hall of the Kwara State stadium among others.

Alhaji Banu also said, “In January, 2017, the State government released the sum of N2,163,367,825.19 to contractors handling various infrastructure projects across the state.

In furtherance of his commitment to ensure that all ongoing and new projects are completed, Banu added that, “Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in March this year released additional N900

Kwara Light Up Project, funded by the IF-K initiative million to the contractors.

The commissioner stressed that, “Some of the beneficiary projects include Gerewu road in Ilorin, rehabilitation of Oko bridge, Awolowo-BubuOke odo road, Ilorin, Agbabiaka road in Ilorin, Eiyenkorin-Afon road, construction of Igbesi Tanke road and Kokorokan-Isale Aluko road. “The payment also covers various ongoing projects across the State, which include construction of Arobadi-Megida road, Share-Oke Ode road (section 1 & 2), Arandun-Rore Ipetu Road, Eruku township road, Amule Saraki bridge in Ilorin, Obbo Ile-Isapa road, Erin Ile-Ilemona road, Oko Idofin-Odo Ase road, Idofian-Fufu-Lajiki road, Chikanda Kosubosu road, Offa-Ipee road, Ogbondoroko township road, Offa-Ira road, construction of Ilala Bridge and rehabilitation of Anilelerin-Ita Erin road, Offa�, he added.

Others include construction of a female hostel at College of Nursing, Oke-Ode, channelisation of Olaolu Offa Garage Ajase-Ipo, channelisation along Akerebiata road, and channelisation network of Ita-Alamu village.

Transportation Boost Under the IF- K review, the state government also ensured that the inter and intra state transportation improved through its agency, Harmony Holdings Limited, which procured 42 new buses for the State Transport Corporation,

now called Harmony Express with the cost of N275 million. The government has also intervened on different federal roads within the State to ease economic activities and reduce the hardship faced by motorists who ply the roads. Similarly, several state and rural roads, either inherited or initiated, have been completed or are at various stages of completion.

These include Ganmo-Afon Road, Fate-GSS Road, Ilorin, Babanloma Township road, Oloro Palace Road, Adualere Isale Koko road, Ilorin, Maigida-Arobadi road, Ilesha Baruba Gwanara road, Kishi-Kaiama Road, Airport-Egbejila Road, Ejiba road, Ilorin, Oke Opin Township Road, Oke Andi-Taoheed road, Basin Ilorin etc.

Promoting Agriculture However, at the flag-off of one of the projects under the IF-K, the School of Agriculture of the KWASU located at Ilesha-Baruba in Baruten local government council of the state, the state governor, Alhaji Ahmed said, “Indeed, the citing of the School of Agriculture at this location is no less strategic. Baruten Local Government and indeed Ilesha Baruba is well known for her agriculture practices. Here, we do not only have cattle international market but buoyant yam production alongside other crops�.

Ahmed said, “In the last three years, Nigeria’s economy went into recession because we failed

to save the proceeds from crude oil sales when the demand was high with good prices�.

He said, “The over-reliance on crude oil as the mainstay of the economy then led to massive unemployment because crude oil production is capital intensive with fewer hands required in the sector. “Arising from this bad experience of the economic recession, the need to look inward for recovery becomes expedient; this explains why our only option is to develop agriculture. To do this as a purposeful government, support to Kwara State University to promote knowledge in agricultural practices in all its ramifications becomes a task.� ‘This flag-off ceremony here today therefore is a testimony of my determination to promote a broad base knowledge in Agricultural development and practices. “As you are aware, subsistent agriculture using the traditional hoe and cutlass is not acceptable as it is not attractive to our young men and women and this would ruin our future.

Using this location for School of Agriculture to teach and research on modern approach to higher productivity in agriculture is therefore meant to drive mechanised agriculture to the grassroots�, the governor added.

NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

RANDOM THOTS Anti-corruption Crusaders

Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? ËŠĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?ËŞ ÞÙ ʨÑÒÞ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂœĂ™ĘĽĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜ ÙÚĂ?Ă˜ Ă Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Þ˛ ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?ĂŽ Ă?âÓĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ę¨Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŽĂ“ĘĽĂ?ĂœË› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă?Ă– Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ÞÙ Ę¨Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ™Ă™Ă• Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’ ĂŒĂŁ Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĘŽĂ‹Ă—ĂŒĂ™ĂŁĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;ÚÚĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ ÞÓÞÖĂ?ĂŽ ËŠ Ă˜ĂžĂ“ĂŽĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ËŞË› ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂŽĂœĂ?ĂĄ ÞÒĂ? ÞÙÚ×ÙĂ?Ăž ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ăœ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ăž

Ă‹ĂŽĂŁËœ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ”Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă˜Ă?ÑËÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă˜ĂŁËœ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ÞÓÚĂ? Ă?ÞÙÙÎ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă˜Ă? à ÓÞËÖ ÞÓÚ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ĂšĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ÚÞ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă—Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ÚÞ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĘŠĂ?Ă&#x;Ă–Ăž ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă&#x;Þ˛ Ă™ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?ĂœËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?ÓÚËÞĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă?Ă• Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ě™ Ěš ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Í“Í‘Í’Í“Ëœ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂ?ĘľĂ?Ăœ ÞÙ Ă˜Ă“Ăš Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŽ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă“Ăž Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ÒËÚÚĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă•Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÚÖËĂ?Ă? ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ÚÞ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëž ËÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ÚÞ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă?ÞÓÖÖ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽË› Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂšĂœĂ“-

Ă™ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ‹Ăœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?ÞÖĂ?ĂŒĂ–Ă™ĂĄĂ?Ăœ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁËž Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘ĂŁ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂšĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ùà Ă?Ăœ ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÖÙÙÞĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă—Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ? ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ě‹ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨Ă–Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ÚËĂ?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ËŤ Ă’Ă“Ă?ÞÖĂ?ĂŒĂ–Ă™ĂĄĂ?Ăœ ĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă–Ă‹ĂĄËœ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŁËŹËœ ÞÒĂ? ËŠĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ě‹Ă?ĘĽĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ËŞ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ăœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?âÓĂ?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Þã Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?ÞÖĂ?Ě‹ ĂŒĂ–Ă™ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžË› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ—Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? ×ËâÓ×Ă&#x;Ă— Ó×ÚËĂ?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ě‹Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœË&#x;Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ? ÖÙÑÓĂ?

-Abimbola Akosile

33

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

Ëš

There is joy in sharing, even in Nigeria

How Can Nigeria Tackle Marginalisation?

The new catchword in Nigeria appears to be marginalisation with nearly every ethnic group from all corners of the nation alleging marginalisation by others, even with quota system still in place in almost every sector or level of government. Aside from the efforts of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), how can such agitations be adequately addressed, to allow the country move forward in her development process?

Abimbola Akosile * Marginalisation is a vital word used by some Nigerian tribes and ethnic groups and it is being backed up with numerous factors as a result of poor distribution of resources, power sharing, leadership issues, school admission processes, resource control, and all this have to do with lack of sincerity and love for humanity and selflessness of individuals. Some will like to favour another person, because he or she is in power. Even in the agricultural sectors marginalisation occurs. Take for instance in the crop farming, some crops grow up and render other crops useless, stunted growth, because of the good soil nutrients, the viability of the seeds planted, nature or good management e.t.c.

While in the animal sector, some animals also face such, eat more and grow faster than the others. Marginalisation has to do with lack of sincerity and love among individuals. It takes God’s grace to tackle marginalisation. The best possible way to tackle this is to strengthen the various existing structure, institutions, like the Federal Character Commission (FCC) among others, and improve on assets declarations, good governance, leadership, transparency, and equitable distribution of wealth.

- Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder, Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Abuja * Real marginalisation should not be lumped together with perceived marginalisation - this only creates confusion. Yes, granted, lots of groups are screaming marginalisation; what do you say we give extra oomph to the Federal Character Commission (FCC) and ensure it does its work properly?

- Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R., Abuja * The first thing to do is for the federal government to harness all the views and recommendations on tackling marginalisation, which are contained in various reports from past relevant national conferences. That should form a sort of baseline survey on the issue and a template for further action and policy decisions. Marginalisation is a delicate and widespread issue; it would require tact and maturity to tackle satisfactorily. The struggle to eschew marginalisation can only be won when

THE FEEDBACK Top tip:

Strengthen the Federal Character Commission

Second:

Ensure equitable distribution of commonwealth

Third:

Adopt & implement previous recommendations

Radical tip:

Ground corruption first!

No of respondents:

10

Male:

8

Female:

2

Highest location:

Lagos (4)

there are enough resources to go round and equitable distribution of the revenue accruing from such resources. But at the root of the whole scenario is corruption and its offshoots of nepotism and favouritism. That also has to be tackled urgently, and in Nigeria, anything is possible, even that.

- Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * The simple truth of the matter is that whatever you do to please Nigerians, some groups must complain of marginalisation. So, Nigeria’s problem is in the hands of God to find lasting solution to our marginalisation. Whatever you do to carry everybody along in governance the issue of marginalisation must come up from some groups due to neglect. Nigeria is a complex nation with series of complaints and it is not helping matters over our economy.

- Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * Solutions include prudence, employment, power, mopping up small arms, de-centralising power from federal outwards, ensuring good governance from bottom to top, empowering states and local governments, totally grounding corruption, private partnership participation,

and tapping various solid minerals in their respective states. Others include pooling mutually agreed percentage of all revenues from local and state governments to fund federal projects, unity, security, love and peace e.t.c.

- Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * Marginalisation can only be tackled through peaceful restructuring as most past leaders and the general public and citizens are yearning for it.

- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna * Life is about survival and generational continuity. Elders, elites, leaders e.t.c must protect real youth patriotically to preserve our dear future.

Modesty is all we need while we eliminate selfishness, insincerity, avarice, unpatriotism etc.

Until we turn a new leaf, we may unfortunately gnash our teeth in avoidable trap of sorrow, tears and blood. It is apt time to invest in the youth to prevent marginalisation issues.

- Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * The people that introduced the quota system and later federal character into our constitution knew what they were doing. In a socio-politically mature society, merit and not quota would be the natural choice for sustainable development.

In Nigeria however, quota is absolutely essential to our existence as a country. Shelving merit in favour of quota system is not in line with global best practices but it ensures that we at least have a country. For example, if the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) scores were to be strictly based on merit, at the moment, it would be difficult for candidates of a particular region to gain admission into tertiary institutions. This applies to even those in the universities that are within their region. Fear of domination has always been an issue, even before independence and only strict adherence to our laws concerning quota system can end the agitations brought about by marginalisation at the moment.

- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * The unity of Nigeria would work perfectly well, if our so-called leaders would imbibe the spirit of carrying everybody along over

the affairs of the nation; irrespective of party difference, religion, tribe and whatever.

- Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State * I see marginalisation as even worse than colonialism in this generation. It is inhuman, barbaric, full of sectionalism, tribalism, lack of love for humanity and satanic. God has brought us together to love and care for one another but some feel the whole country belongs to them; if not them, then no one else. With that, how can there be development? As always, wrong people are put in all key positions because they are the majority. Enough of this wickedness!

Nigeria belongs to all of us!

- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna

Next Week: Should the Legislature be Made Part-time in Nigeria? Ă™ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁËœ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĚ‹ĂžĂ“Ă—Ă? Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?Ă–Ëž ĂŽĂ?Ă?ÚÓÞĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž ÙÚÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă–Ă‹ĂĄĂ—Ă‹Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă‘Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă™ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ëœ ÖÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă™ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? åÓÞÒ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?ÖËÞÓà Ă? Ă‹Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‹ĂžĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ĂšĂ‹ĂžĂœĂ“Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă?Ëœ åÓÞÒ Ă˜Ă™ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ëœ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĚ‹ĂžĂ“Ă—Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÍŻÍŽ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ě™ ÙÖÎ Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŒĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹ËŁ Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžËœ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ ÞÓÞÖĂ?Ëœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã Ě™ Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŁ ÍŻÍą Ęś Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŁ ͯ;̚ ÞÙ abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.comËœ abimbola. akosile@thisdaylive.comË› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž ĂžĂ?âÞ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ 08023117639 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™Ăœ 08188361766 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËš Ă™Ăœ 08114495306. ÙÖÖËÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŁ Í°ÍŽ

34

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͱ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Choosing career paths; pupils of Scholand School, Iju Ishaga, Lagos

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

CISLAC, PRAWA, Others Launch ‘No to War’ Campaign Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) are leading other local and international Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) towards peaceful resolution of ongoing ethno-religious and regional agitations in Nigeria.

The group and their partners launched the ‘No to War’ campaign at a recent one-day programme tagged ‘MultiStakeholders: No War Coalition Consultative Meeting Aimed at De-escalating the Ongoing Tension in the Country’, which took place in Abuja.

One of the conveners and the Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa aka Rafsanjani, traced the recent renewed agitations by some youths in the country to bad governance and looting of the public treasury by Nigeria’s

political class.

Ibrahim Rafsanjani said that government at all levels have failed in taking cognisance of early warnings so as to mitigate the tension that have now surfaced, regretting that there is no equity and justice in the country.

He noted that having failed the country, the political class is now using the youths for their selfish interests by prodding them to instigate violence and marginalise themselves through ethnicity and religious violence.

According to him, “the elite are playing up divisive tendencies because they want a reduction in the population of youths through war so that the present political class can remain in power to continue diverting public funds.

Lamenting that young Nigerians only have looters as role models to look up to, he said “the political class are now procuring arms for youths

to kill themselves as the 2019 general elections inch closer.

“We all know that the main reason why our young people are involved in this is simply because of the collapse of governance in the country and our young people have been abandoned, they have no decent livelihood, they have been denied access to education and jobs,” he said.

The CISLAC boss advised youths not to allow the “tiny political class” use their energy to destroy the country, adding that such politicians would never use their children and they have a ready aircraft to take them out of the country should war break out.

He continued: “Our young people are involved because of lack of livelihood. They don’t have access to job, education and health. This exposed them to being used by politicians who constitute themselves as agents of merchants of violence.

There is a calculated attempt by the political class to undermine the development of our youths, their engagement to democratic governance and meaningful livelihood.

“Since they want to use our youths, we want to redirect their energy to productive engagement. What we have is the oppressed and oppressors which cut across north and south, Christians or Muslims.

Therefore, no more will we allow this selfish political class to use our youths for war,” he added.

Also speaking, the Chair, Africa Security Sector Network, Prof. Abubakar Ndiaye commended the civil societies in Nigeria for being proactive in calling for adoption of peaceful measures in tackling the emerging threats.

“We are a pan-African think-tank and civil rights that aimed at reaching one goal – an African person that

is at peace within himself and with his neighbours; African communities that are at peace within themselves and with each other; African countries that are at peace within themselves and with each other, and an African continent that has peace and development,” Ndiaye said.

He also stressed that “there is nothing that happens in Nigeria that doesn’t affect the continent.”

In the same vein, the Coconvener and Coordinator of PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh, called for collective efforts to prevent outbreak of war.

Agomoh noted that while the citizens were free to air their views “but this must be done in an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence.

She re-echoed the fact that Nigerian challenges have potential ripple effect on the rest of Africa, warning that “war does not pay.”

She said: “We are one as one as Africans. And the chair made it known how important Nigeria is to Africa. This is an indication that no one should be indifferent from what is happening in Nigeria. So again we should work to prevent war from happening.

“My simple message is that war doesn’t pay. It causes bleeding, it causes pain and while we can air our views and grievances but never will we allow it lead to war. Why will we not go the path of peace?

Let’s mainstream this message in our programming.”

On her part, the Team Leader, PRAWA, Ogechi Ogu, said the government must not wait for violence to start before addressing the indicators.

Ogu noted that the stakeholders’ meeting was aimed at redirecting the thought of the people and raising awareness amongst the people in the de-escalation process.

Housing Deficit: Why Empty Estates Litter FCT, Says FCT Minister Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello has blamed the increasing number of empty estates that litter the nation’s capital on the failed accelerated mass housing scheme initiated by the previous FCT administration.

He said the scheme was intended to accommodate all strata of the society; low, medium and high income earners , before the vision was derailed.

To this end, the minister noted that the FCTA was putting measures in place to ensure that such infractions

do not occur in the future by ensuring strict adherence to laid-down guidelines.

The minister, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA), Engr. Umar Jibril disclosed this in Abuja at the recent unveiling of Crown Court golf estate.

According to him, “when the accelerated mass housing development was initiated by previous administrations in the FCT, it was intended to accommodate all strata of the society; low, medium and high income earners. Along the line however, a lot of things happened which derailed that

vision and if you move round the estates in the city today, you will discover that most of them are empty because many of us cannot afford the very high cost being charged by the developers. ” Bello added, “I am particularly happy to see that the whole estate was conceived with the lower income earners in mind, with an innovative programme called Lease-toOwn, which I was told would allow your clients to own a house by leasing or renting the property over a 15-year period. This is a good idea which I must say is highly commendable.” He called on

other prospective mass housing developers to emulate this model.

Earlier, the Chairman, Crown Realities Plc, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, said the company is the signature for good homes in Nigeria, adding that the estate was the first golf estate in Abuja, the most secured, and with a mini mart for purchase of everyday items.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Darl Uzu, said the estate when completed would house 81 units of single family residential units built in phase 1 and 2.

The estate, he noted, provides a 24/7 power supply and

supplemented with three synchronised 630 KVA each standby generating plants.

Uzu stressed that the estate was reasonably priced with flexible payment terms under its Lease-to-Own initiative programme which allows instalmental payment for fifteen years period.

He lamented that the ailing economy has affected the sector as people now struggle to buy houses built by developers unlike before when the sector was booming.

“The thing that happens with this business is that the way we buy houses. Unless people are stealing money you can’t

bring that whole big money to buy houses. Once you don’t have that stealing going on you have glut in the market; Abuja is much more hit, because the money that are coming into the system are all slush money.

If it was before buy now we would have sold these off.”

He said more than N3 billion was expended on the estate, noting that the land alone cost N630 million.

“You cannot build those kind of houses (affordable house) with the money we buy land. If we get allocation from government, yes we can, we can do something that is reasonable,” Uzu stated.

35

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͱ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Familyplanningarepersonaldecisions,whicharenotjustaboutsavinglife but empoweringpeopleanddevelopingnations.Thisyear’sWorld Population Daywith thetheme‘FamilyPlanning,BirthSpacing:Empowering People, DevelopingNations’ is targetedatusingfamilyplanningto ensurequalitypopulation in the country” - CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL POPULATION COMMISSION (NPC), CHIEF EZE DURUIHEOMA, IN AN ADDRESS ON THE WORLD POPULATION DAY (JULY 11) A’Ibom Govt Urged to Take Firm Action to Mitigate Disasters Okon Bassey in Uyo

UN Forum Focuses on Eradicating Poverty, Forming Partnerships Abimbola Akosile Senior government representatives have gathered at the United Nations for the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development to track progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), two years after they were adopted.

Opening this year’s political forum Monday, the President of Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Frederick Musiiwa Makamure Shava, said a successful session would “send a strong message of our collective commitment to leave no one behind as we pursue the timely implementation of the 2030 Agenda.”

This year’s meeting, the second since the adoption of the new development Agenda in 2015, has the theme, ‘Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world’, according to a UN release.

Shava noted that this year’s discussions would focus on eliminating poverty and hunger, ensuring healthy lives, achieving gender equality, building resilient infrastructure, implementing partnerships, and build on progress achieved at The Ocean Conference to conserve and sustainably use the oceans.

The High-Level Political Forum would be held from July 10 to 19 at the UN Headquarters in New York and would include a three-day Ministerial Segment, at which more than 70 ministers are expected, which would be held with the High-Level Segment of ECOSOC’s annual session. In addition, the session are expected to include discussions on the challenges and gaps in reaching the development agenda in 44 countries that volunteered to give progress reports, and more than 120 side events related to the SDGs. “The forum is the place to be when it comes to the global review of the SDGs,” said Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Wu Hongbo, briefing journalists about the upcoming two weeks.

He underscored the importance of all countries and a wide variety of stakeholders in taking ownership of the 2030 Agenda and working across borders to make them work for everyone, including the most vulnerable, such as people

The UN High-Level Forum ongoing in New York with disabilities.

“Have we been successful so far? Yes,” said Wu, pointing to the Secretary -General’s progress report on the 2030 Agenda which is being launched during the Forum. “Are we satisfied? No. That is the beauty of having the high-level political Forum. It is a global, central platform on which the countries can tell you where they stand, so this is very important.”

“The important point is that we should keep everyone on point. It [the 2030 Agenda] is not for one country or one region; it’s for all of us.

If you have a different point of view, that’s natural. But let’s keep everyone on board which is so important for mankind.”

In his opening speech earlier, Wu said he was “struck” by how far countries have come towards reaching the development goals, and how far they still have to go. For example, over 767 million people worldwide lived on less than $1.90 per day in 2013, despite nearly

IISD.EMB @ HLPF 2017

one billion people escaping poverty since 1999.

The maternal mortality ratio must more than double the current progress by 2030; women’s political participation must climb some 75 per cent to reach equality with me, and more efforts must be put into preventing and treating non-communicable diseases so people do not die prematurely, the release noted.

“I am also struck, once again, by the deeply interconnected nature of the different elements of the 2030 Agenda: both challenges and solutions connect different goals and targets,” Wu said. “This makes it imperative that we work together across silos, sectors, disciplines and individual roles or competencies.” To key to realising sustainable development “by all people and for all people” is revitalising and enhancing global partnerships, the senior UN official said, calling for all relevant people to come together and work together, and to mobilise the necessary resources to put their ideas into practice.

The Akwa Ibom state Government has been urged to take firm action to curb disaster issues such as flood, communal crises, fire outbreaks and accidents in the state.

In a communique issued at the end of a recent two-day workshop on ‘Enhancing Disaster Management in Akwa Ibom State’, participants at the forum frowned on the fact that most disasters in the state were avoidable if safety measures were strictly adhered to.

The workshop, which was attended by more than 250 participants drawn from across various sectors, tasked the state government to immediately close down all petrol filling stations erected and operating within residential areas in the state to avoid the dire consequences that may erupt in any event of fire outbreak.

The State Government was equally urged to update on regular basis and enforce building regulations to ensure safety of building structures used as offices, homes and meeting halls.

Also, the participants at the workshop drawn from both public and public sectors stressed that communal conflicts should be promptly resolved, and where they are land-related and intractable, government should take over the portions of land in dispute to mitigate conflict between and among the disputing communities.

The workshop posited that security agencies on the waterways and coastal regions should be strengthened and well equipped to check criminal activities of pirates.

Government was equally urged to enforce the use of buoys/life jackets by marine transporters and their passengers, to mitigate impacts of boat mishap.

The need for collaboration among critical stakeholders, such as the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other corporate bodies in disaster management to enable adequate and prompt response, recovery and rehabilitation in the event of any disaster in the state was stressed.

Stakeholders in the safety business, including the mass media, the workshop said should be more proactive than reactive, though the effective study of risk issues, hazard and disaster trends, in specific localities to be able to build requisite data base to enhance sustainable safety engagements.

The State government was asked to enforce the laws disallowing activities such as erecting structures, cutting down trees, quarrying of sand/gravels, dumping of refuse and farming close to erosion sites.

“Government should enforce the use of foot bridges, where available across roads, through arrests and prosecution in mobile courts to prevent avoidable losses of lives”, the communique stated.

Worried by disturbing incidents of such disasters as flood, communal crises, fire outbreaks and accidents, in the state; and determined to stem the ugly trends, the State Government in collaboration with Dejo Consultants Ltd organised the workshop.

The event, which was co-sponsored by Exxonmobil, drew more than 230 participants from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), members of State House of Assembly, Local Governments, the organised private sector, the military, NGOs, fishermen, as well as traditional leaders, etc.

36

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

WorryoverMaternal,ChildDeathsinNigeria Nigerian political leaders’ disdain for adequate funding of a healthcare delivery system continues to worry stakeholders involved in family planning, writes Ademola Babalola

T

he arrival of new born babies, are often greeted with fanfare but where the unexpected happens, the mood in such homes are better imagined than felt. Research says one out of the 13 pregnant women out there dies while giving birth to new born. More worrisome is another that says four women die at child birth per hour, making it more pathetic that 96 of our pregnant women die daily during delivery in Nigeria.

The fact that the infants also suffer similar fate in so many instances cannot be underestimated.

For instance, the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) of 2013 put the figure of children dying at birth or before they reach age five at 37 in every 1000 live births. The NDHS 2013 estimated its Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) as 37 per 1000 live births which constituted about 54 per cent of infant mortality in the country.

Aside all these, lie the unkindest cut of all- the rise in number of abandoned babies left to die at will by unprepared ‘mothers’. Till date, several hundreds of babies, especially ‘day-old’ have been abandoned in obscure places like gutters, dust bins, bush paths, road sides, riverbank, streams, and refuse dumb sites to mention but few. While some ended up in the hands of good Samaritans, others are fed to the animals as garbages.

Several reasons have been adduced for abandoned babies to include; waywardness of the pregnant mothers, lack of source of livelihood, rejection by a supposed father, fear of the parents who may think such pregnant girl may want to drag the family’s name in the mud, diseases or certain medical conditions like down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, hole in the heart and even HIV related issues among others.

Where some of the above are absent, a number of mothers with their irresponsible husbands opted for outright sales of their children, a development that reached an alarming rate of recent in Nigeria. The earliest time similar occurrence was reported were during ill-fated slave trade many centuries ago and till the famous 1948 episode in Chicago USA when “A mother, Lucille Chalifoux, 24, married to an unemployed man 16 years older, and pregnant with her fifth child in six years at the time put up her four children four sale” to the consternation of many. What appears infamous then is today a thriving business in many parts of the world.

What of the baby factories and so many other nefarious routes through which people of questionable characters denigrate what should be a bundle of joy and future of any nation?

And with Nigeria’s unimpressive ranking on health indicators (NDHS 2013), with newborn Mortality Rate of 37 deaths in 1,000 live births; Infant Mortality of 69 deaths in 1,000 live births; Under five Mortality Rate put at 128 deaths in 1,000 live births; and Maternal Mortality Rate of 576 in 100,000 live births, it behoves on all stakeholders to work assiduously in bailing the country out of these avoidable deaths of our mothers and children. Deaths of mothers and infants are said to be worst than the dreaded HIV/AIDS which our public officials are devoting more of their energies and resources.

It is in tackling this that the Nigerian Urban Reproductive and Health Initiative (NURHI) has continued to champion safe motherhood, as well as safeguarding the health of the nation in the face of leadership failure occasioned by the lack of clear cut blue print and policies geared towards tackling the aforementioned by our policy makers.

NURHI in conjunction with its Media Partners in Nigeria, Development Communications Network (DEVCOMS) had been shouldering the responsibility of removing Nigeria’s name from the log of never do well nations on issues relating to maternal and infant mortality in a way that Family Planning or child spacing can become a social norm.

From 2009 till date in Oyo State for instance, NURHI through its Team Leader, Mrs. Stella Akinso and team of family planning experts

Maternal, child deaths are preventable

and other resource persons have been working relentlessly in areas like advocacy workshops, seminars, media roundtables, partnership and coalition building, targeting decision makers to ignite and inspire them to have passion for the funding and use of family planning methods and commodities, building emotional attachments, strengthening networks, developing consensus messages, and correcting some issues, myths and misconceptions working against the successful implementation of goals and focus of the organisation being funded principally

by Bill and Melinda Gates.

Oyo State chapter of NURHI with 15 Local Governments areas of coverage has been combing the nooks and crannies of the state for the eighth year running with the goal to increase the Contraceptive Prevalence Rate at 37.4 per cent by at least 12.5 per cent points before long.

Other areas of its focus are the unmet needs for Family Planning 13.2 per cent. Infant Mortality Rate 69/1,000, maternal Mortality Ratio 262/100,000 live births.

NURHI is therefore requesting government officials action in approving the integration of Family Planning or Child Birth spacing into the recently launched State Health Insurance

by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

While also calling for increase and ensure prompt release of budgeted funds for family planning services including capacity building, supportive supervision, monitoring, demand creation, procurement of consumables and other logistics to adequate staffing, and implementation of the State Costed Implementation Plan (CIP) for the programmes, NURHI is also harping on

the recruitment of skilled service providers and engagement of legislative arm to approve and pass the Reproductive Health Bill and other enabling laws that would help in effective delivery of family planning.

The weak implementation of family planning programmes at the state and local governments levels, according to NURHI is largely due to inadequate funds as there is no specific budget line for the Child birth spacing. The avoidable deaths of pregnant mothers and their babies, can be averted through the religious implementation of the core initiatives of family planning in such a way that access to standard child spacing can avert high risk pregnancies, reduce morbidity and consequently reduce maternal deaths by above 40 per cent.

“The current implementation of the State Health Insurance Scheme under 5/MDG fund initiative in six LGAs (Atiba, Ibadan North East, Ibadan South East, Iseyin, Ogbomoso North and Saki East) should be expanded to cover the other LGAs of Oyo State through the State Insurance Agency,” NURHI remarked at a recent media roundtable.

Not done with its media Advocacy, just last month, NURHI in the state tops up its activities with the media champions to strengthen reporters’ work on family planning with an advanced module codenamed ‘Spitfire Advocacy Skills Training for Media’.

Anchored by a Kaduna State Team Leader of NURHI, Kabir Abdullahi, the two-day intensive coaching availed reporters the opportunity on how to report family planning from human angle perspective in a way to arouse policy

makers’ interest to their responsibility of better funding of the family planning to nib in the bud incidences of mothers and infants deaths and its corresponding related issues like abandonment of babies by unprepared mothers and baby mothers now advancing the population explosion which in the long run would not do the nation any good.

While the Spitfire training lasted, more media champions were either recruited or won over as new strategies were developed to structure communication in a manner targeted at specific audience and policy makers in a way that the goals can ultimately evolve a synergy and consensus where family planning advocacy can achieve far reaching successes to a rather commanding height than its current not too impressive state.

The ongoing NURHI tool is therefore a veritable means of making more of the nation’s policy makers to be more alive to their responsibility by increasing their participatory approach to the funding, budget monitoring, budget tracking and provision and procurement of more commodities because funding and right policies are key to achieving better results in child spacing.

Also, eradicating weak political commitment to invest in family planning and insensitive nature of policy makers to maternal health and child survival to the unmet needs of family planning are issues germane towards realising the aims of NURHI to accomplish the vision of increased Contraceptive Prevalence Rate in Family Planning in its implementation states through a positive shift in family planning norms at the structural, service and community levels.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, JULY 13 , 2017

NEWS

Infertility Can Affect Mental Osinbajo: FG to Release Two-year National Survey on Health, Says Ajayi Drug Use by December Martins Ifijeh A foremost fertility expert in Nigeria and Medical Director, Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, has called on couples with fertility issues to get appropriate help in order not to develop mental health issues.

He said mental health and infertility can be described as chicken and the egg, as there exist only a thin line between them. “We know infertile people are stressed, and this could lead to depression which is a mental disorder. So there is definitely an intercession between infertility and mental health.”

Stating this during the 14th Annual Scientific Conference of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, he said the pressure faced by Nigerian couples was because of the high premium this part of the world places on childbearing, a scenario that could cause mental health issues for infertile couples.

According to him, there is treatment for infertility.

“Couples in this category need to access treatment in the hospital. We are not saying they shouldn’t go to prayer houses as is often the case, but they should get appropriate treatment from the hospital.”

On balancing medical career and administration, he said the reason why many doctors do not excel in administration was because they don’t get the required training needed for administrative leadership.

“The average doctor has a high intelligent quotient, and therefore they are easily asked to head positions that require leading people. You can’t just wake up and be a professor of Microbiology and say you are an administrator. Come on what is the rationale? What we have been trained to do is look after that person (patient) in front of us. Administration is looking after so many people at the same time. So that mindset most of the time is difficult for the doctor unless he or she is adequately trained for it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Faculty of Clinical Science, CMUL, presented the Icon of Health Promotion Award to Dr. Ajayi for his immense contribution to the healthcare industry.

On his part, the Guest Speaker, and a Professor of Psychiatry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. J. Ohaeri called for psychiatric evaluation of intending political office holders in the country, so as to ascertain their mental capacity before they are elected into various positions in the country, as their type of leadership will in turn determine what Nigerians will get from the government.

Ohaeri, who spoke on Mental Health in a Recessed Economy, said the challenges the country has was not from persons with clinical cases of mental disorder and those with schizophrenia, but with those who looked okay but when they are given positions of leadership behave strangely.

UNICEF Donates Medical Equipment Worth N1.2bn Daji Sani in Yola Sequel to the high rate of maternal mortality in the North East brought on by the onslaught of the Boko Haram insurgency, the United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) has donated, medical equipment worth N1.2 billion to the Adamawa state government to save mothers and children at birth.

The UNICEF made the donations on Tuesday in Yola and noting that the project marks the commencement of the second phase of the Maternal, New-born and Child Health project in the state under the EU support The Chief Field Officer of UNICEF, Dr. Abdulahi Kaikai who made the donations, disclosed that the project was aimed at strengthening Primary Health Care and Community Resilience for Improved Maternal Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition Outcomes in Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi states.

He further explained that Project is being implemented in the 226 Primary Health Care facilities and catchment communities located at the ward headquarters in the 226 wards in the 21 local Government Areas of the state.”

Kaikai said, “This project will run from 2017 to 2020 and

build on the gains recorded in the first phase of the project in improved and Sustainable Primary Healthcare Center per Ward policy of the federal government.

“To ensure optimal functionality of the 226 PHC facilities in providing quality services, UNICEF with funding from the European Union has procured basic health equipment and supplies to be distributed to the primary healthcare facilities in Adamawa state.”

Kaikai explained that some of the equipment have arrived and much more is still expected. Among the 17 assorted items donated included, 226 baby dressing tables, 220 bed screens, 180 infusion stand, 226 microscope, 300 delivery kits, 200 stethoscope, 300 surgical kits, and 322 examination tables among other items.

The health specialist also solicited with the state governor to provide the necessary manpower to effectively utilize all the facilities in the 226 primary healthcare centers in the state.

The state Governor Muhammed Umaru Jibrilla who received the donations said the donation of the equipment

by UNICEF is consistent with the state government’s declaration of a state emergency on the health sector in the state

As NDLEA plans to build standard rehabilitation centre in Abuja Adedayo Akimwale in Abuja The Acting President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo said the federal government would release the first national household survey on drug use and health, as well as the national survey of problem of drug use in Nigeria

by December.

Osinbajo who was represented by the Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole gave the hint in Abuja at the grand finale for the commemoration of 2017 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, where he said the increasing number of illegal drug consumption and its impact on the state and society was not in doubt.

He noted that as part of national effort to reverse the trend, Nigeria joined member nations in April 2016 during the United Nations general assembly special session on drugs to confirm the 2009 policy documents on political declaration and plan of action on international cooperation

towards integrated and balanced strategy to counter the world drug problem.

The acting President stressed that it was gratifying to know that the country has in place a national drug control master plan 2015-2019 and five years strategic plan that offers both an integrated and comprehensive approach to address a range of drug related issue being implemented by all ministries, departments and agencies working on drug control.

He stated that, “according to WHO latest estimates for 2015, psychotic drug use cost more than 450,000 deaths every year.

The drug attributable disease but accounts for about 1.5 per cent of the global burden of disease and injecting drug accounts for an estimated 30 per cent of new HIV infection outside sub-Saharan Africa and contributes significantly to the epidemics of Hepatitis B and C in all regions of the world.”

Osinbajo stated: “At this juncture, I want to commend

the NDLEA, United Nations Office on Drug and Crime, the European Union who jointly supported the Government of Nigeria to conduct the first national household survey on drug use and health, as well as the national survey of problem of drug use in Nigeria .

“I’m told the report of the two-year survey would be out before the end of the year, and would provide evidence-based information on the quantum, pattern of drug use in the country, as well as the pattern of IUDs drug use including poly drug use, injective drug use and other risky behaviours for informed policy formulation and implementation, “These include; drug supply and drug demand reduction as well as control of illicit substances, based on international drug control convention and in line with principles of balance approach to drug control,” Osinbajo added.

He emphasised that government was committed to support-

ing efforts to preventing drug use and effective drug control.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Abdallah (rtd), said the agency would build a standard rehabilitation centre in Abuja. This he said would help in filling the yearning gap in rehabilitating youths that had fallen needlessly by the way side back into the society.

“At the moment, there isn’t a single standard rehab centre in Nigeria. Even as the youths make up between 60 and 70 per cent of its population and indeed constitute the vulnerable group, who after falling by the way side, must be rehabilitated and re-integrated into the larger society.

“It is to fill this yearning gap that the NDLEA is proposing to build a standard rehabilitation centre in Abuja for a start and other locations later. The Minister of Federal Capital Territory has assured that land will be made available,” he added.

RACING AGAINST CANCER

L-R: Ag. Head, Corporate Services Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Pai Gamde; Chairman, Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Oscar Onyema; and First Lady, Ondo State, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, at the 2017 NSE Corporate Challenge in Lagos ...recently

Lifestyle,Diet,RadiationIdentifiedasMajorCausesofLowSperm Count in Men Amby Uneze in Owerri The rate at which men are developing low sperm count making it difficult to impregnate their wives has reached an alarming stage, as experts have identified lifestyle, dietary, lack of exercise and radiation as major causes of such situation, in as much as the women have their numerous causes as well.

Male infertility has been described as infertility traceable solely to the male, which is on the increase as 50 per cent of infertility is related to it.

In his presentation, the Managing Director of Nordica Fertility Centre (Lagos, Asaba, Asokoro FCT) enumerated the benefits of NFC and urged Nigerians with issues of child birth to approach any of their facility for proper medical counseling and diagnosis.

He pointed out that their services include; comprehensive gynaecological assessment, endoscopic surgery, preimplantation genetic diagnosis

(PGD), sex selection, supermarket donation, counseling, in-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and many others.

An expert and Consultant at Nordica Fertility Centre, Dr. Happiness Aikuele delivering a lecture on male infertility at a presentation organised by Nordica Fertility Centre in Owerri, the Imo State capital, noted that low sperm count exist in one out of 20 men while one out of four men also suffer from one fertility problem or the other.

He added that other causes of infertility in men include undescended testes, infection, torsin (twisting of the testes in scrotum), medicines and chemicals, radiation damage, and other unknown causes such as retrograde ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, medical illness (diabetes).

In his remarks the Director of Fertility Awareness Advocate Initiative (FAAI), Omoz Evborokhai decried the level of secrecy people have on the

issue, adding that it was high time they started opening up

so that reprieve would come their way.

MedicalDoctorUrgentlyNeeds N25m to Treat Cancer For a public health physician, Dr. Donald Nwosu to stay alive, he urgently needs N25 million to treat non-hodgkins lymphoma, a type of cancer.

The treatment, which requires a bone marrow transplant, is said to be the definitive cure for his condition.

Six classmates of Nwosu have started a fundraising campaign for this transplant, as the resources in Donald’s circle of family and close friends have been exhausted in chemotherapy that has twice failed to resolve this cancer.

However, despite the estimated amount required to treat the condition is put at $86,700, his classmates, through a Go-Fund Me account they

opened for him, have so far been able to raise $25,000, but still require the sum of $61,700 (about N25m) for the entire procedure. Nwosu, who says his wish isn’t just to survive, but to live a dream of caring for others, is therefore calling on kindhearted persons to come to his aid so he can raise the remaining amount for his treatment.

Donations can be made into his GoFundMe account http:// bit.ly/SaveDonaldNWOSU; Paga for naira domiciled cards, http://bit.ly/SaveDonalDNwosu; or his direct bank account – Name: Nwosu Chinedu Donald, Account Number: 0028219856, Bank Name: GTB.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017

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HEALTH

Demographic Dividend: A Paradigm Shift for Proper Healthcare Provision The age-long saying that health is wealth has not been taken seriously. Consequently, this has plunged Nigeria into what might be referred to as massive population growth without adequate planning, especially in the provision of healthcare services which in turn affects the economy.

The continuity of this if not swiftly tackled, will only lead to demographic disaster. Kuni Tyessi writes

O

kon, an experienced bricklayer is 34 years and is married to Maryam, a petty trader who is 10 years younger. Together they have eight children between the ages of nine and 10 months with another on the way as Maryam is already five months gone. They live in a one-room apartment in a compound of 16 rooms which gives shelter to other families of the same or slightly different sizes. They all share one kitchen, one bathroom and one toilet, and will most times have to queue in a bid to answer nature’s call.

Okon leaves home in the morning whenever he is lucky to get a part-time job at building sites and returns by 7p.m. after he must have taken a bottle or two of beer alongside goat head pepper soup in order to calm his fatigued nerves. At midnight, when he suspects that all the children are asleep, he engages their mother in what he refers to as marital rights, a form of his own kind of recreation and a way of relieving stress and temporarily keeping his challenges at bay. Sadly enough and unfortunately too, it is a situation he lacks the will to change.

The stress is a blend of anger, disillusionment with its root in unemployment and its attendant consequences of inadequate food for the family, lack of sound education for his growing children and inaccessible primary healthcare facility to attend to his wife’s needs due to conflict in the neighbouring wards by restive youths and which has claimed lives and property as a result of a political feud.

Even if she could access the facility, there were hardly midwives, nurses, nor doctors on standby to attend to the hundreds of women in need of attention. The reason isn’t far-fetched as most of the medical personnel posted to the nearby facility have refused to resume work, claiming that social amenities and working tools have not been provided and their entitlements from all the tiers of government which are part of the national budget come only in trickles, thus affecting their overall output.

Further adding to his pain is his immediate environment which lacks good water, sanitation, and drainage system as broken sewages and gutters have made it a duty to constantly romance the atmosphere. Cases of child abuse and molestation were also growing at an alarming rate and of recent, a father; 30 years old man and father of six was arrested in the compound for constantly abusing his 12 years old daughter, while another, a 26-year-old was caught having sex with a goat in the general bathroom. The issue of theft, especially of basic needs such as food was an everyday scenario as body and soul must be kept together with the hope that situations might change for the better.

A glance at Maryam reveals that she is always

As Nigeria’s youth population grow, what is plan for their healthcare?

unhappy, absent minded and wasting despite her delicate state, while the children are all malnourished with visible signs of stunting in four of them. She has battled with the dreaded kwashiorkor to save the lives of three of them.

They don’t go to school, not even the public schools, because Okon cannot afford even stipends being required from time to time and as such, they stay at home and constitute a nuisance to their always-tired mother while the three eldest, all girls, are mandated to help their mother in her trade.

Maryam, from the look of things is overwhelmed with what seems to have befallen her. She considers herself too young to have the number of children she has.

She has heard about family planning from one of her neighbours, Mama Dimka, during one of their cooking sessions in the kitchen, but has continued to raise fears for its practice, claiming that her culture vehemently abhors women who use any form of birth control as children are gifts from God and should not be rejected. She claims that provision for the children’s upkeep, irrespective of their number is God-ordained and never manmade.

Okon’s family serves as an example of many families in Nigeria and unfortunately, most of them have accepted the existentialism way of life. In a country with a growing population of over 180 million and one-third are within the ages of 15-35, and is estimated to have 65 million more people come the year 2030 due

to high fertility rate and less than 17 per cent family planning compliance, its growth and development in terms of health, education, government services, women’s empowerment, socio-political stability, environment and most importantly, economy, leaves so much to be desired.

Arguably, Nigeria in the next 13 years will be the 5th most populous nation in the world after China, India, America, and Indonesia. While there is strength in numbers, how it is used and where it is channelled is of utmost importance.

However, physical and numerical strength will not achieve so much if the people’s creative and mental strengths to transform their cognitive abilities into useful and valuable resources are lacking, hence the need to tap, understand and appreciate demographic dividend.

At the national summit on Demographic Dividend and with the theme ‘Investing in Youth to Harness Demographic Dividend in Nigeria’, it was clearly stated that Nigeria is at an opportune moment and if it invests in meeting the needs of young people which include education, jobs, healthcare and voluntary family planning, it can access Demographic Dividend which has improved the development of many countries. This transition will definitely include a higher percentage of working-age people and a lower percentage of children and senior citizens who are mostly dependants. Interestingly, the youthful population of Nigeria will remain for a very long time to come.

Similarly, Demographic Dividend can serve as a boost to GDP per capita in growth rate from demographic change and decline in fertility level as well as investments in youth, health, education, infrastructure and job creation as experts have revealed that investing in Nigeria’s growing youth population could double its GDP per capita and produce significant health, educational and social outcomes.

In parts of the country with poor health indicators, there is also the need to make massive enlightenment and create awareness in the face of culture and religion. With this, fertility levels may begin to decline more significantly and children will be more likely to achieve better basic levels of health and education and the likes of Okon and his family will gradually phase out. With additional investments in the key sectors, Nigeria should be able to experience rapid economic growth.

Little wonder, the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who was represented by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma at the summit, was quoted to have said youths were the most viable resources Nigeria needs and not oil. They are no longer the leaders of tomorrow as their tomorrow has come and it starts today. He said, “According to a British report, from 2030, young people and not oil will be the country’s most valuable resource. Indeed, right now, young people and not oil are the country’s most viable resource.

“The implication of these demographic realities on our country’s development may have consequences too grave to be ignored.

Launching Nigeria into a new era of economic growth and prosperity must proceed on the basis of harnessing employment opportunities that our population has to offer,” he said.

It is important to note that family planning is beyond health. It is at the centre of development and that’s what brings about demographic dividend. Imagine if Okon and Maryam had just four children, not minding their gender.

It is possible to say that life would have been more easier and comfortable as what is used to feed 11 persons (the unborn baby inclusive) will be used to feed just six and the diet can be enriched with what is meant for the outstanding three. The diet of the remaining two can be converted to cash to take care of the children’s educational needs. With this, the children will not have to be malnourished and educationally stranded. On the other hand, their mother will be healthier and will be able to generate more in terms of income and services.

With the crusade of economic recovery and growth plan reaching its peak, as if it had never been discussed before, the onus lies with individuals, families and the government in the achievement and realisation of Demographic Dividend, a plus for every Nigerian.

Private Sector Can Contribute More to Healthcare with Right Regulation, Says Avon CEO Martins Ifijeh Private sector participation as well strong regulatory framework have been described as two factors that can help drive Universal Health Coverage in Africa.

Making this assertion was the MD/CEO, Avon HMO, Adesimbo Ukiri, during the inaugural edition of the Africa Health Forum organised by the World Health Organisation, WHO, African Region in Rwanda from 27-28 June, 2017.

The event, themed ‘Putting

People First: The Road to Universal Health Coverage in Africa’, was a platform for key players in Africa’s health ecosystem to discuss persistent challenges in public health as well as innovative strategies, partnerships and opportunities that can be leveraged in order to deliver Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ukiri, who was a prominent Nigerian voice as one of the speakers during the panel discussion on the topic: ‘Making

Universal Healthcare Work in Africa - How Can the Private Sector Contribute’ said: “The most significant contribution the private companies like HMOs make to the achievement of UHC is the ability to pool resources together from all segments of the population and widen coverage to ensure that when the time comes for people to access healthcare services, they aren’t hindered by financial constraints that may lead to the needless loss of lives or catastrophic financial ruin.”

Speaking on the Nigerian

experience, she stated that while health insurance was not yet mandatory in the country, stakeholders were advocating for a change in legislation to ensure that companies with up to five employees subscribe to a health insurance scheme for staff and their families.

She said: “The number of people contributing towards health insurance is still inadequate and almost insignificant – between 3 to 5 per cent according to the National Health Insurance Scheme. This is disappointing, in spite of

our country’s burgeoning middle income population.

Putting legislation in place that makes health insurance compulsory will do a great deal to unlock all the potentials and the opportunities that exist, to widen and deepen coverage. It would also ensure that there is consistent, regular and adequate healthcare financing available for the delivery side of the healthcare value chain,” she said.

HMOs are on a mission to ensure that people are sufficiently sensitised to realise

that their healthcare needs are important enough to set money aside for. Subscribing to a good health coverage plan enhances their overall lifestyle and improves quality of life.

Adesimbo added that beyond the enforceability of legal and regulatory frameworks, both the government and private sector organisations within the healthcare space must trust each other and work hand in hand in order to achieve significant success in the journey towards making Universal Health Coverage attainable.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2017

NEWS

GTB: Championing Awareness against Autism With about one million children and teenagers living with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank’s Orange Ribbon Initiative are raising awareness to bring more knowledge to tackling the scourge. Martins Ifijeh writes With a scary statistics showing that over one billion people around the world are living with neurological disorders, representing one in every seven people globally, it is no doubt a health emergency that needs priority by all stakeholders and the World Health Organisation.

Breaking down the various neurological disorders, a report revealed that 326 million people are suffering from migraine, 135 million people from autism, 62 million from cerebrovascular diseases, 50 million people from epilepsy, 24 million from alzheimer’s disease and several millions of people suffering from other forms of neurological disorders.

Of the 135 million established cases of autism globally, it is worrisome that over one million children and teenagers are suffering from the condition in Nigeria, with majority of them termed imbeciles, fools and even witches; an approach that makes medical and psycho-social help difficult.

Unfortunately for autistic persons in the country, Nigerians choose to believe in superstitions and myths, especially on issues that ordinarily require a fix. Diagnosis and management of the condition has been a major casualty due to the pathetic belief system of the citizens; hence it is one of the most ignored health issue in the country despite the high number of sufferers.

However, it is in tackling this condition that Guarantee Trust Bank, through its Orange Ribbon Initiative, an advocacy programme which seeks to support children living with Autism and other developmental disabilities, has decided to sparehead initiatives against the disability, by providing awareness on the condition, reawaken people’s social consciousness about the plight and requirements of children living with ASD, integrate centres for adults, then sponsor, support and lobby for legislation that protects the rights of people living with the challenges, among others.

Prior to 2009 when the initiative started, there was little or no information about autism in Nigeria, as knowledge of the situation was scarce among parents and medical practitioners.

In parents’ frustration, they found coping

methods which included locking up the children and not allowing any form of interaction with other children, since they were supposedly ‘abnormal’. Speaking at the Sixth Annual Autism Conference, organised by the bank, which was held about this time last year, tagged ‘Managing Autism: The Next Generation, Considerations and Resources’, the Executive Director, Blazing Trails International Centre (BTIC), Dr. Anna Lamikanra, said the forum was to create new ideas on how to manage autism, adding that autism was poorly managed because of inadequate knowledge of how to go about it.

Lamikanra said Autism appears in children about 24 months after their birth, saying that parents often think they have a normal child until the regression in their behaviour sets in,

noting that a medical test can reveal which child would develop Autism.

The main features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), she said, were problems with social communication and interaction. “Autistic children have unusual behaviours, such as failing to make eye contact, not responding to their names or playing with toys in unusual, repetitive ways.

These children may suddenly become withdrawn or aggressive or lose language skills they have already acquired,” she said.

According to the Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Segun Agbaje, considering the high number of children and teenagers going through the condition in the country, the initiative then decided to provide a one-on-one autism assessment sessions with ASD professionals from

the United States of America in partnership with the College of Medicine, University of Lagos and Neuropsychiatric Hospital Aro, Abeokuta, which has been going on for years.

“We have also used this platform to provide access to modern information and practical technology for Autism practitioners, special educators, teachers and parents through teachings on various subjects. We have facilitated the establishment of a standard system for diagnosing Autism in children, as well as provide an affordable platform for general teachers, therapists, physicians and special educators in Nigeria to obtain qualifications in Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Initiative has also provided training for teachers of children with special needs, among others,” he said.

He explained that GTBank has held the annual conference for six years and within the period, the participation of the Nigerian community has significantly increased. “The community is more aware, reducing stigmatisation and increasing the need for early diagnosis and intervention. In the past seven years also, we have been able to build a community of medical practitioners and caregivers who are willing to learn and teach others about autism and its management and has also encouraged parents to seek the necessary medical and educational help that will help their children.”

He said so far, special care units have been introduced in some schools, parents have learnt to understand and care for their children and some of them have been integrated into regular schools.

“Since the inception of the annual conference and consultation, we have seen a steady increase in the number of participants in the annual conference and one-on-one consultation sessions. This implies that the Orange Ribbon Initiative has played a major part in creating awareness for Autism. As awareness grows, there is a pronounced need for improvement in intervention schemes in Nigeria,” he added.

The 7th annual conference is billed to hold today, with the theme: Childhood to Adulthood: Communications and Social Development.

We Don’t Want Africa to be the Hub of Diseases, Says Minister Expert: Africa accounts for 0.2% of world patents Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said Africa should not be the hub of diseases as the continent has what it takes to improve on its health care delivery system.

The Minister stated this yesterday while playing host to the African Network for Drugs and Diagnostic Innovation (ANDI), in his office in Abuja.Onu said that the ministry would work

closely with ANDI to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria and by exyension to Africa and beyond, stressing that the federal government has the capacity to making sure that the objectives of ANDI is realised.

“Our aspiration is not just Nigeria and Africa, we want to influence the world market in respect to drugs of diseases that cannot be cured now. We will support whatever you are doing that is in the interest of the country. We want any

research we do to be of great relevance to the needs of the nation, be it pure, basic or applied research.

“ANDI is very important and very strategic to the need of Africa.

We don’t want Africa to be the hub of diseases. We don’t want it, we don’t want whenever you want the face of disease, then you bring an African face, or the face of hunger, then, you bring an African face. We must work to make sure that doesn’t happen.

We believe we have what it takes to achieve it,” Onu said.

Earlier, the Executive Director of ANDI, Mr. Solomon Nwaka, revealed that in spite of the diseases that are proportionally affecting Africa, the continent only accounts for 0.2 per cent of patents out of thousands coming out around the world.

This he said might be as a result of inappropriate patent regime currently in operation in the continent.

Nwaka stressed that the aim of his to the minister was to

present some ideas about what ANDI could do to support the country in the area of science, technology and innovation with particular focus on diagnostic research and innovation.

Nwaka noted that the vision of the organisation was to help create a sustainable platform for health innovation in Africa, by providing technical support to countries, by mainly working through Ministries of Science and technology and Health.

“We define analysis recently

around diseases that is proportionally affecting Africa and look at the number of patents that are coming out around the world, out of thousands of patent, about 0.2 per cent comes from Africa.

So this is a disturbing trend that there can be some explanation, maybe the current patent regime is not appropriate for the continent. I have also heard from scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs that patenting is very expensive on the continent.” Nwaka noted.

Medical Women Plan Big for 40th Anniversary Power Oil Preaches Fitness as Annual Health Walk Begins

Mary Ekah

As the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), clocks 40 this year, the group has come up with activities to make the anniversary a memorable one.

Speaking at the weekend during a press conference in Lagos to announce its forthcoming biennial general scientific meeting and 40th anniversary celebration scheduled to hold at the Sheraton Hotels

and Towers and the Medical Research Centre in LASUTH on November 23 and 24 respectively.

The Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr. Yemisi Kila said the scientific conference was established as part of the Annual General Meeting of the association where stakeholders and policymakers come together to look into current trends in health and preventive care in the health sector.

This year, the conference will run on the theme, ‘Women Health and Empowerment Tools for Sustainable Development in the Health Sector’.

The President of MWAN Lagos Chapter, Dr. Abiola Modupe, said the association was founded in Nigeria in 1976 in Ibadan, while Lagos State Chapter was founded in 1977, making MWAN Lagos chapter 40 years this year.

Adding that it was passionate about women and child health.

Omolabake Fashogbon Vegetable Oil Company, Power Oil has stressed that the essence of its annual health walk, tagged ‘Power Oil WalkHeartOn’ was to promote healthy lifestyle among Nigerians most especially through daily fitness routine.

The firm stated this at the kick off of the 3rd edition of its fitness campaign in Lagos where

over 2000 Lagosians participated in a 30 minutes walk which started and terminated at the National Stadium in Surulere.

Commenting on the activity, Brand Manager of Power Oil, Miss. Amisha Chawla said she was overwhelmed by the huge turn out of lagosians despite the heavy downpour which has not prevented the programme.

Programme Manager,

Nigerian Heart Foundation, Mr. Olatunde Ojo lauded the initiative and urged Nigeria to practice what the firm preaches.

The Power Oil WalkHeartOn 3.0 themed; “Walk for the heart” scheduled to hold across 5 major cities will continue on saturday in Enugu and Port Harcourt simultaneously while Abuja & Ibadan will follow by 22nd of July.”

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

40

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

DMO Raises N106bn through FGN Bond Auction The Debt Management Office (DMO) yesterday raised N106billion through the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Bonds. The funds raised will support the implementation of the federal government’s N7.44trillion 2017 budget, which has an allocation of N2.36 trillion to capital expenditure.

The funds were raised after the DMO, in line with its mandate, conducted an Auction of FGN Bonds to provide funds for the implementation of the budget.

The bonds, the DMO said, were offered in three tenors of 5, 10 and 20 years to meet the needs of various investors. The total subscription was N129billion, representing 96 per cent of the amount offered. The 10 and 20-

year Bonds were oversubscribed, showing investors preference for long-dated Bonds.

Based on the bids received at the Auction, the DMO allotted a total of N106 billion and the rates were 16.24 per cent for the 5-year, 16.25 per cent for the 10-year and 16.2514 per cent for the 20-year Bond.

The 2017 budget is an integral part of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). While there’s noticeable alignment between the Federal Government budget and the ERGP, full implementation of capital projects in the budget is critical to achieving the desired development and recovery.

Analysts said the budget is a catalyst for economic recovery

and is expected to help stimulate the economy, build infrastructure, deliver growth and will be implemented based on resources from government revenue and borrowing.

The highlight of the budget also showed that the Ministry of Power, Works & Housing got the highest vote of N586.54 billion. The Transport Ministry got N256.52 billion and Education and Health ministries were allocated N455.41 billion and N308.46 billion respectively.

Allocations to Power, Works & Housing and Transport show serious intention to develop infrastructure and the proceeds from the DMO-issued bonds is expected to help in achieving this objective.

Experts Highlight Dangers of Conicts Obinna Chima The Chairman of Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Mr. John Aboh has advised individuals and operators in business to always avoid conflict of interest in their organisations.

Aboh, who made this call in a keynote address he delivered at the 2017 Audit Committee Conference, organised by the Audit Committee Institute in Lagos recently, pointed out that conflict of interest wages cost on government, businesses and society. However, he noted that because such cost is latent and indeterminate, even researchers have not been able to objectively quantify it. “We only know that businesses have been collapsed by the weighty cost of conflicts of interest. “As investors and gatekeepers,

it behoves us to constantly think of how to prevent, detect, monitor, control and abate conflicts of interest. “Among managers, conflict of interest is not considered a serious problem because it is naturally low in organisational visibility with consequences that are managed by perpetrators so that it does not vibrate to get the attention of control elements,� he added. According to the former bank CEO, the evils of related party conflict of interest transactions manifest in the purchase of substandard materials during projects, because the insider used his internal connections to get system to condone and accept substandard materials.

He, therefore stressed that given the potential consequence of conflict of interest and the risk it poses to governance, assets, business continuity and

the risk to the economy, “our generation must now give it its deserved intellectual attention to properly characterise it and come out with solutions that captures all its contours.�

We have a responsibility to pass on to posterity an orderly rule-based society with a threshold of trust, he said.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chairman, Audit Committee Institute, Mr. Chiristian Ekeigwe, noted that conflict of interest had been an under-estimated problem that is denied in most societies because it naturally combines with related parties or parties with deep familiarity. “Conflict of interest is the most dangerous low-visibility governance vulnerability because it is primarily predatory and implacable.

CBN, NERDC Engage Teachers on Financial Inclusion Syllabus Ahead of the planned infusion of financial education into the curricula of basic and senior secondary schools in Nigeria, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have jointly organised a workshop for the development of teachers’ guide for the programme.

As part of measures to key into financial inclusion, the NERDC was given the mandate to infuse financial education into the curricula of basic and senior secondary schools in Nigeria

from the next academic session.

This was done in collaboration of the CBN and other financial institutions in the country.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the workshop, the Director, Consumer Protection, CBN, Hajiya Umma Dutse, restated the commitment of the central bank and other financial institutions and regulators to the project. She assured that funding to ensure that teachers to take up the task are adequately trained.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, NERDC, Prof. Ismail Junaidu, said the workshop was

organised to take a second look at what had been done at the planning/writing stage of the teachers’ guide development process.

Furthermore, he said the objective of the workshop was to critique the developed teachers’ guide for teaching financial education at the basic and secondary school levels as well as to fine tune what had been prepared. “It is our hope that the teachers’ guide will be used in training master trainers/teachers in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

Sterling Bank, DAAR Communication Sign Pact Sterling Bank Plc and DAAR Communication Plc have announced a strategic partnership aimed at keeping Nigeria clean and safe through mass awareness campaigns on environmental sustainability.

The objective of the strategic partnership is the amplification of Sterling Environment Makeover (STEM) message on sanitation through the Ray Power FM and AIT Television networks to influence uptake of sustainable living actions among Nigerians.

STEM is Sterling Bank’s corporate social responsibility initiative, which promotes practices that protect the environment for the benefit of humanity.

Announcing the partnership in

a statement, the Chief Marketing Officer, Sterling Bank, Mr. Henry Bassey said the bank was delighted to have DAAR Communication Plc throw its weight behind STEM as a media partner. “Sterling Bank and DAAR Communication have come together because we share a common passion for the environment - to keep it clean, safe and preserved for the future generation. “Through the Sterling Environmental Makeover programme, we hope to make a positive impact on our local communities across Nigeria using the extensive national and regional network of Raypower and AITto influ-

ence sustainable living actions which reduces dirt and improves hygiene. “DAAR Communication has partnered with us to enlighten Nigerians on the importance of sanitation and how its absence fouls the environment exposing thousands of children and adults to disease,� Bassey added.

Commenting on the partnership, Chairman of DAAR Communication, Chief Raymond Paul Dokpesi Jnr, said he was impressed by the goals and potential of the Sterling Environmental Makeover programme and the creative ways in which the bank have been tackling and addressing issues of environmental cleanliness.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

DECEMBER 2016 Broad Money (M2)

23,840,392.42

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,520,166.67

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,820,415.90

---- Demand Deposits

9,699,750.76

-- Quasi Money

12,320,225.75

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,353,504.03

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,486,888.39

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,774,684.47

---- Credit to Government (Net)

4,595,579.89

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

7,436,917.79

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-2,841,337.90

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,374,718.08

--Other Assets Net

-12,483,409.58

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,837,322.41

--Currency in Circulation

2,179,174.28

--Banks Reserves

3,318,344.71 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

MONEY MARKET INDICATORS (%) December 2016 Inter-Bank Call Rate

10.39

Monetary Policy Rate (MPR

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.96

Savings Deposit Rate

4.18

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.53

3 Months Deposit Rate

8.80

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.23

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.76

Prime Lending rate

17.09

Maximum Lending Rate

28.55

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OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY 11, JULY 2017

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $44.79 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $44.77 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela

41

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

12-July-17 11-July-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

01 Dangote Cement Plc

206.26

206.21

0.02%

3,514,775,057,355.30

10.95

18.72

5.68

3.90%

4.38

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

155.17

154.26

0.59%

1,230,358,584,790.96

3.58

44.29

4.01

2.27%

7.59

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

36.20

35.51

1.94%

1,065,408,687,908.80

4.49

7.94

2.53

4.96%

2.08

902.30

901.00

0.14%

715,213,736,179.60

10.00

91.02

3.97

3.19%

23.36

22.02

22.02

0.00%

691,350,793,167.72

4.13

5.06

1.29

8.61%

0.93

8.99

9.01

-0.22%

326,152,941,634.78

1.99

4.75

0.90

6.34%

0.77

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc 05 Zenith Bank Plc 06 United Bank for Africa Plc

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion) Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

30.26

30.26

0.00%

302,600,000,000.00

2.85

11.37

2.07

0.31%

2.30

9.95

9.80

1.53%

287,833,317,728.45

13.18

0.72

0.72

5.76%

0.61

470.00

465.00

1.08%

260,055,847,110.00 -82.02

-5.67

4.06

3.42%

0.68

10 Presco Plc

64.54

64.54

0.00%

256,254,588,484.30

0.03 2,496.60

4.06

1.78%

6.93

11 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

13.76

13.11

4.96%

252,489,824,718.40

0.68

19.68

0.42

4.66%

0.39

12 Lafarge Africa Plc

49.99

50.00

-0.02%

227,699,541,481.90

3.71

13.48

1.04

6.00%

0.91

13 FBN Holdings Plc

6.25

6.20

0.81%

224,345,579,950.00

0.21

29.88

0.42

2.42%

0.36

08 Access Bank Plc 09 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

14 Unilever Nigeria Plc

33.00

33.00

0.00%

124,848,776,250.00

0.81

50.31

2.21

0.12%

13.22

15 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

8.98

8.90

0.90%

107,760,000,000.00

1.20

7.50

0.64

5.56%

1.63

16 International Breweries Plc

29.97

29.97

0.00%

98,728,650,921.60

0.02 1,356.74

3.78

0.82%

9.18

8.15

8.40

-2.98%

98,082,143,986.10

0.29

25.94

0.20

9.96%

0.47

18 Guinness Nig Plc

60.00

60.00

0.00%

90,353,291,280.00

-3.06

-23.38

1.04

4.48%

2.73

19 Total Nigeria Plc

260.00

259.99

0.00%

88,275,677,620.00

43.58

6.24

0.32

5.15%

3.92

20 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

236.55

236.55

0.00%

85,298,809,226.10

22.61

11.06

0.96

2.88%

4.20

21 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

25.00

25.00

0.00%

65,605,929,675.00

-1.19

-23.46

0.17

7.15%

0.74

22 Forte Oil Plc.

50.00

48.70

2.67%

65,124,055,150.00

2.22

23.75

0.46

6.55%

1.58

23 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

89.23

82.00

8.82%

57,159,878,090.49

-0.05

0.63

2.42%

2.63

24 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

59.48

59.48

0.00%

56,738,566,800.00

5.15

11.36

3.88

0.17%

3.28

1.41

1.41

0.00%

54,596,606,369.25

-0.03

-50.16

0.95

0.00%

0.65

32.67

32.14

1.65%

43,124,400,000.00

-2.89

-13.64

0.37

3.80%

0.74

17 Oando Plc

25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 26 Julius Berger Nig. Plc 27 Fidelity Bank Plc

1.28

1.26

1.59%

37,072,109,685.76

0.39

3.41

0.25

12.12%

0.21

17.00

17.00

0.00%

32,654,694,579.00

3.37

5.34

0.46

5.56%

0.46

29 Sterling Bank Plc

1.04

1.04

0.00%

29,942,034,851.04

0.18

5.91

0.27

8.49%

0.36

30 Diamond Bank Plc

1.27

1.24

2.42%

29,413,693,989.36

-0.29

-4.43

0.14

0.00%

0.13

31 FCMB Group Plc

1.24

1.24

0.00%

24,555,361,368.44

0.72

1.77

0.14

7.81%

0.14

32 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

9.06

9.30

-2.58%

24,003,911,704.68

0.91

10.19

1.35

5.92%

3.06

33 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

20.00

20.00

0.00%

23,917,529,760.00

3.51

5.82

1.70

1.47%

1.43

34 Cap Plc

34.00

34.00

0.00%

23,800,000,000.00

2.29

13.97

3.29

3.59%

9.81

35 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.19

2.19

0.00%

22,995,000,000.00

0.25

8.53

1.08

2.34%

1.11

36 Wema Bank Plc

0.56

0.55

1.82%

21,601,701,005.36

0.07

8.19

0.39

0.00%

0.44

37 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

21.50

21.50

0.00%

21,500,000,000.00

5.69

4.04

1.60

0.44%

0.62

38 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

11.40

11.40

0.00%

21,411,503,256.00

-0.16

-86.50

0.86

9.52%

2.32

39 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.40

3.40

0.00%

19,998,338,263.00

0.91

4.04

0.56

3.83%

0.72

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.94

1.91

1.57%

15,384,583,456.52

-0.40

-4.35

0.29

9.09%

0.42

41 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.38

1.40

-1.43%

14,314,387,150.56

0.42

2.95

0.58

9.68%

0.69

42 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

9.70

9.70

0.00%

12,189,774,330.20

0.22

46.64

1.15

0.98%

1.19

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.60

0.59

1.69%

8,328,180,846.00

-2.93

-0.21

0.05

49.18%

0.08

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.66

0.66

0.00%

7,714,963,041.72

0.19

3.91

0.10

0.00%

0.10

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.18

2.89

0.89

5.77%

0.42

46 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

0.03

17.71

3.72

0.00%

1.94

47 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.90

2.90

0.00%

4,984,374,985.50

-0.90

-3.10

0.76

25.00%

0.14

48 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

2.90

2.85

1.75%

4,710,234,375.00

0.36

8.59

0.63

6.51%

0.77

49 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.60

0.60

0.00%

4,158,122,688.00

1.48

0.41

0.15

8.33%

0.48

50 Fidson Healthcare Plc

2.70

2.83

-4.59%

4,050,000,000.00

0.21

12.55

0.52

1.89%

0.60

28 U A C N Plc

TOTAL

10,811,292,020,542.90

TOTAL MARKET CAP

11,367,142,204,456.30

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

95.11%

32,827.98 11.31

32,981.63 11.37

0.47% 0.47%

138.14 10.76

138.85 10.81

0.52% 0.52%

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

07 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

Open Close Change % 11-July-17 12-July-17

Open Close Change % 11-July-17 12-July-17

7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc Ecobank Transnational Incorporated Forte Oil Plc. Diamond Bank Plc Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

82.00 13.11

89.23 13.76

8.82% 4.96%

48.70 1.24 35.51

50.00 1.27 36.20

2.67% 2.42% 1.94%

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change % 11-July-17 12-July-17

Fidson Healthcare Plc Oando Plc National Salt Co. Nig. Plc Continental Reinsurance Plc United Bank for Africa Plc

2.83 8.40 9.30 1.40 9.01

2.70 8.15 9.06 1.38 8.99

-4.59% -2.98% -2.58% -1.43% -0.22%

Market gains 0.47% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Wednesday, July 12th, 2017 again ended on a positive note as the stock market closed green. This was further highlighted by positive performance from the NSE Subsectors: Banking, Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas. Also, trading activities decreased in volume as 270.86m shares worth of N2.77 billion in 3,940 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from 218.76m shares worth of N2.11 billion in 4,991 deals which exchanged hands on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms are: United Bank for Africa Plc, Access Bank Plc and FBN Holdings Plc; Zenith Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

Brent crude oil futures price in an upward trajectory moved to US$48.09 per barrel while it closed $47.52 per barrel the previous day.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 0.47% (+153.65) increase to close at 32,981.63 from 32,827.98 the previous trading day. Market capitalization appreciated in tandem to N11.37 trillion from N11.31 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index closes with an increase of 0.52% to 138.85 from 138.14 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N10.81 trillion from N10.76 trillion of the previous trading day.

Market breath closed positive today as 29 stocks gained on the bourse while 15 stocks also declined leaving 67 stocks unchanged. Leading the pack was 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc with a gain of 8.82% to close at N89.20 per share. It was followed by Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc with a gain of 7.14% to close at N0.75 per share. Others on the gainers’ list include: Cap Plc, Linkage Assurance Plc and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated. On the decliners’ list, University Press Plc led with a loss of 9.60% to close at N2.92 share. It was followed by Champion Breweries Plc 7.55% to close at N2.57 per share. Others on the decliners list include: United Capital Plc, Conoil Plc and Capital Hotel Plc. Topping the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc as it emerged as the day’s toast of investors with a gain of 8.85% to close at N89.23 per share.

It was followed by Ecobank Transnational Incorporated with a gain of 4.96% to close at N13.76 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Forte Oil Plc, Diamond Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc; while on the decliners’ list, Fidson Healthcare Plc lead with a loss of 4.59% to close at N2.70 share. It was closely followed by Oando Plc with a loss of 4.92% to close at N11.40 per share. Others on the decliners list include: National Salt Co. Nig. Plc, Continental Reinsurance Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc.

REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͲ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

42

MARKET NEWS

Nigerian Bourse Gains N180bn in Three Days on Continuing Bullish Trading Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie The Nigerian bourse has gained N180 billion in market capitalisation in the last three days following persistent bull-run. The market, which closed on negative note last week, opened for trading positively last Monday on renewed demand by investors.

By the close of trading

yesterday, the market capitalisation had risen from N11.187 trillion on Monday to N11.367 trillion, while the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index rose from 32,459.17 to 32,981.63.

This showed a growth of 1.6 per cent in three days. Yesterday accounted for 0.47 p cent.

According to analysts at Meristem Securities Limited, “The gain in the market (yesterday) could be attributed

T H E

to the continued share price appreciation of some banking sector heavyweights, as well as the slight gains recorded on some other large cap counters.”

In all 29 stocks appreciated, while 15 depreciated. Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc recorded the highest price gain of 8.8 per cent close at 89.23, trailed

by Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals with 7.1 per cent.

CAP Plc and Linkage Assurance

N I G E R I A N

chalked up 5.0 per cent apiece, while Ecobank Transnational Incorporated garnered 4.9 per cent. N.E.M Insurance Plc and Avon Crowncaps Plc added 4.8 per cent and 4.6 per cent respectively. Learn Africa Plc, May & Baker Nigeria Plc and Eterna Oil Plc went up by 3.6 per cent, 3.1 per cent, and 2.6 per cent in that order.

Shareholders of Eterna Plc last week hailed the board and

STO C K

management of the petroleum marketing firm for its impressive performance in recent years and consistent dividend payment.

Meanwhile, on the bears’ side, University Press Plc led the price losers with 9.6 per cent to close at N2.92 per share.

Champion Breweries Plc trailed with 7.5 per cent, while United Capital Plc shed 7.2 per cent.

Conoil Plc and Capital Hotel Plc declined by 5.0 per cent

E XC H A N G E

and 4.8 per cent respectively.

Sectoral analysis of the trading showed that all sectors closed in green. The NSE Banking Index led with a growth of 1.3 per cent due to sustained buy interest in GTBank and ETI. Gains in Nigerian Breweries and Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc lifted the NSE Consumer Goods Index by 0.5 per cent.

Similarly, the NSE Insurance Index.

43

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Zenith Bank’s Directors Meet to Consider Interim Accounts, Dividend Goddy Egene Directors of Zenith Bank Plc will meet on July 26, to consider the bank’s audited half year results ended June 30, 2017.

In a notification to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, Zenith Bank said its board of directors will meet on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 to consider the audited interim financial statements.

“The board will also consider among others, the proposal

for the recommendation of the interim dividend for shareholders,” the bank said in the statement signed by the Company Secretary and General Counsel, Michael Otu. Zenith Bank had paid an interim dividend of 25 kobo for 2016 before paying a final dividend of 177 kobo bringing the total dividend for the year to 202 kobo.

Market operators said shareholders should not expect anything less this year considering the performance

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

of the bank and its directors’ assurance.

Addressing the shareholders at the annual general meeting (AGM) last March, Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia said that in line with the bank’s commitment to delivering superior returns to its much-valued shareholders, the bank ensured that a good chunk of the profit was set aside for shareholders.

“In this regard, we have declared and paid you an interim dividend of 25 kobo

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 11-July-2017, unless otherwise stated.

per share in the course of 2016 financial year. We hereby propose a final dividend of 177 kobo per share. This brings the total dividend for the year ended December 31, 2016 to 202 kobo per share as against 180 kobo per share paid the previous year,” Ovia said.

According to him, even in the face of a very challenging operating environment, Zenith Bank has maintained its culture of outstanding performance and industry leadership.

He added: “As a bank, we are

monitoring developments both in the local and global economy and applying pragmatism and dynamism as appropriate. Our strategy and approach to the pursuit of financial inclusion and sustainability gives us a lot of competitive advantage to explore even new frontiers in the market.”

Also speaking, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Mr. Peter Amangbo that although 2017 would be challenging, he expressed

confidence that their determination, resolve and rare commitment to customers as well as their adaptive ability will ensure resounding results.

According to him, as an institution of well-primed people, the bank relied on its pool of exceptional staff to make sound and timely decision and address issues in a manner that anticipated developments and demonstrated excellent understanding of the dynamics of the market and economy all the time.

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 162.96 163.09 28.11% Nigeria International Debt Fund 226.42 226.50 6.46% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.74 0.75 5.60% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.73% 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 15.53 16.00 25.78% ARM Discovery Fund 339.13 349.36 18.09% ARM Ethical Fund 24.23 24.96 8.46% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.39% 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 132.45 133.38 25.93% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 19.20% 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 10.85 11.13 15.93% Women's Investment Fund 91.79 94.15 8.51% 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 1,095.30 1,096.39 8.22% FBN Heritage Fund 131.37 132.46 17.82% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.95% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $108.70 $109.43 5.60% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $107.72 $108.45 5.38% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 141.77 143.63 25.83% 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 1.23 1.26 32.45% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.80 2.80 8.79% 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 16.41% 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 17.43% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.97 2.00 17.52% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.25%

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 8.64% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,045.08 1,045.08 6.16% 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 12.47 12.55 28.92% 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 1.16 14.50% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.67 10.73 2.65% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 17.14% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 119.36 120.49 17.31% 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 6.52% 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 2,063.83 2,075.37 12.70% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 162.87 162.87 5.79% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.91 0.93 19.48% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 202.95 202.95 8.59% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 155.13 157.21 19.51% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.51% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 8,838.69 8,938.00 16.53% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.27 1.28 6.45% United Capital Bond Fund 1.36 1.36 15.15% United Capital Equity Fund 0.79 0.81 -3.61% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.13 1.13 11.51% 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 11.73 11.91 20.98% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.53 12.66 14.51% Zenith Income Fund 18.24 18.24 10.32%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 128.42

1.01% 3.59%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.72 95.28

9.82 97.04

10.65% 25.72%

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

4.03 7.60 15.25 19.33 131.02

4.07 7.68 15.35 19.53 133.02

45.71% 8.06% 27.87% 21.06% 1.64%

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.

44

THURSDAY JULY 13, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Brazil’s Ex-President Lula Convicted of Corruption Former Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has been convicted of corruption charges and

sentenced to nine and a half years in prison.

The judge ruled he could remain free pending an

Chinese Nobel Laureate’s Breathing Fails – Hospital China’s cancer-stricken Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo suffered respiratory failure as his condition worsened on Wednesday, his hospital said, as Germany offered to host him and rights groups decried the lack of independent information.

The First Hospital of China Medical University in the northeastern city of Shenyang said Liu’s family declined to have him put on artificial ventilation, which was necessary “to maintain life”.

“The hospital has explained the necessity of tracheal intubation to the patient’s family, the family refused the tracheal intubation,” the hospital said on its website.

The hospital, which earlier reported that he had suffered organ failure, said the 61-year-old democracy advocate’s liver function had

deteriorated despite three days of anti-infection and blood treatment Liu, who has been held since 2008 for “subversion”, risks becoming the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate to die in custody since German pacifist Carl von Ossietzky, who passed away in a hospital under the Nazis in 1938.

German government spokesman Steffen Seibert called on China to free Liu and his wife, Liu Xia, saying Berlin “stands ready to host and medically” treat him.

The latest reports “raise the question of whether Mr Liu’s cancer should have been diagnosed and treated far earlier,” Seibert said.

The Chinese government has rebuffed international appeals to let Liu seek treatment abroad, saying he is getting the best possible care from top domestic doctors.

appeal.

Lula has rejected claims that he received an apartment as a bribe in a corruption scandal linked to state oil company Petrobras.

He says the trial is politically motivated and has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

The case is the first of five charges against him.

Lula served eight years as president until 2011 and has expressed interest in running again in next year’s elections for the left-wing Workers’ Party.

On Wednesday, a judge found him guilty of accepting bribes from engineering firm OAS in the form of

a beachfront apartment in return for his help in winning contracts with the state oil company.

The head of the Workers’ Party, Senator Gleisi Hoffmann, hit out at the ruling, saying it was designed to stop Lula standing for office.

She said the party would protest against the decision.

The BBC’s Katy Watson in Rio said Lula remains a popular politician and the sentence will deeply divide Brazil.

The charges Lula faces all relate to the Car Wash scandal, the nickname for Brazil’s biggest ever corruption probe.

Operation Car Wash was

launched three years ago amid escalating public anger over political corruption.

The investigation centres on firms that were allegedly offered deals with Petrobras in exchange for bribes, which were funnelled into politicians’ pockets and party slush funds.

Lula, a former steel worker turned union leader, came to office as the first left-wing leader in Brazil in nearly half a century.

He was Brazil’s most popular president during his tenure - former US President Barack Obama labelled him the most popular politician on Earth.

Unable to stand for a

third consecutive term, he was succeeded by close ally Dilma Rousseff, who was later impeached.

Lula

Japan ‘Black Widow’ Confesses to Killing Husband No. 4 A one-time millionairess dubbed the “Black Widow” over the untimely deaths of lovers and a husband, admitted poisoning her last partner at her trial this week in a multiple murder case that has gripped Japan.

Chisako Kakehi, 70, has become notorious over accusations she dispatched a number of elderly men she was involved with, drawing comparisons with the spider that kills its mate after copulation.

Kakehi is on trial for the murders of three men -- including a husband -- and the attempted murder of another, all to allow her to collect on insurance policies.

Prosecutors suspect she used cyanide to rid herself of her lovers, amassing a reported one billion yen ($8.8 million) in payouts over 10 years.

Her trial began in late June, but this week she stunned the court by telling judges it was true

she had murdered her fourth husband in 2013.

“I was waiting for the right timing as I wanted to kill him out of deep hatred,” the Asahi newspaper quoted her as saying on Monday.

The Fuji television network quoted her as saying on Monday that the crime was just“an issue of money.”

But on Wednesday, Kakehi appeared to step back from those statements.

“I don’t remember (what I said)”, she testified, according to the Mainichi daily.

Kakehi’s lawyers have argued she is not guilty of murdering Isao Kakehi on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Kyoto District Court said last year that medical examinations found that Kakehi had early-stage dementia but was fit to stand trial.

If convicted or murder she could face the death penalty.

Trillion-tonne Iceberg Breaks Off Antarctica A Delaware-sized iceberg, one of the largest ever seen, was set adrift after snapping from a West Antarctic ice shelf that will be closely watched for signs of collapse, scientists said Wednesday.

A crack in the Larsen C ice shelf, a drifting extension of the land-based ice sheet, finally broke through after inching its way across the frozen formation for years.

It created an iceberg of about 5,800 square kilometres (2,200 square miles), with a volume twice that of Lake Erie, one

of the North American Great Lakes.

“The iceberg weighs more than a trillion tonnes, but it was already floating before it calved away so has no immediate impact on sea level,”said a team of researchers from the MIDAS Antarctic research project.

The gargantuan ice cube will probably be named A68.

“The calving of this iceberg leaves the Larsen C ice shelf reduced in area by more than 12 percent, and the landscape of the Antarctic Peninsula changed forever,” the team added.

Trump-heads-to-France-for-Bastille-Day-celebrations-with-Macron

Brexit: EU Negotiator Barnier Firm on Citizens’ Rights The EU’s top Brexit negotiator has said there are still major differences between the EU and UK on the rights of EU citizens living in Britain.

“The British position does not allow those persons concerned to continue to live their lives as they do today,” Michel Barnier said.

Mr Barnier said the European Court of Justice (ECJ) must have jurisdiction

to guarantee citizens’ rights.

He also said it was essential that the UK recognise its financial obligations.

If Britain did not accept it had some financial obligations, there would be no basis to discuss other issues, he said.

Ahead of the second round of talks next week, Mr Barnier said the EU had made its stance on the issues clear

and was waiting on Britain to do the same.

“Our team is ready,” he said. “ I’m ready. I’m very prepared and willing to work on this very quickly - night and day, the weekend.”

“We want EU citizens in Britain to have the same rights as British citizens who live in the EU,” he told a news conference.

That would require the ECJ to be the “ultimate guarantor” of those rights, he said, because Britain could simply change its laws later, creating uncertainty.

UK law also imposes restrictions in areas such as reuniting families across borders, he said - something which was not applied to UK citizens living in Spain, for example.

US Democrats in New Bid to Push Russia and Iran Sanctions Bill U.S. House of Representatives Democrats said they would introduce a new version of a Russia and Iran sanctions bill on Wednesday, in a new bid to move legislation that has been mired in partisan squabbling for almost a month.

Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee plan to introduce in the House on Wednesday a Russia and Iran sanctions bill identical to one that passed the Senate 98-2 on June 15 but has not come up for a vote in the House.

“It’s identical to the Senate-

passed bill,” a Democratic committee aide said, but since it will be labeled as a House bill it would avoid a procedural issue that prompted House Republican leaders to send the measure back to the Senate.

Democrats accused House Republicans of stalling the bill in order to weaken it after the Trump administration expressed concern about provisions setting up a process for Congress to approve any of Trump’s efforts to ease sanctions on Moscow.

Separately, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan on

Wednesday said he wants to move a strong bill regarding sanctions on Russia as quickly as possible but that the legislation still faced procedural and policy hurdles.

“Right now, we have a procedural issue,”and Republicans are working with Democrats regarding sending the bill back to the Senate, Ryan told reporters at a news conference.“There are some policy issues with respect to making sure that we don’t actually inadvertently help Russian oligarchs and oil firms.”

There was no immediate

response from Republicans on the House Foreign Affairs Committee on whether they would support the Democratic effort.

The Russia sanctions legislation was written as an amendment to a bill imposing new sanctions on Iran over issues including its ballistic missile program. Besides establishing the review process, it puts into law sanctions previously imposed on Moscow via presidential executive order and introduces new sanctions.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 13, 2017

45

46

THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

ACF Kicks against Implementation of 2014 Confab Report Says it’s anti-democratic for anybody to canvass for a report of unelected delegates John Shiklam Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă‹ The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has kicked against the calls for the implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference.

In a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which held at its secretariat in Kaduna, the forum argued that it would be morally preposterous and anti-democratic for anybody or group to canvass for the implementation of the reports of a conference of unelected delegates.

The communique which was signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, maintained

that ACF’s opposition to the implementation of the confab report was borne out of the fact that the selection of delegates were skewed against the North. “The opposition of the North to the implementation of the recommendations in report of 2014 National Conference is not so much because of any legal consideration as to its legitimacy, but also because the selection of the conference delegates was skewed against the North in number considering its population. “For emphasis, there are contentious issues like the abolishment of the present local government councils, creation of 18 additional states that were not resolved in accordance with due process

of the conference proceedings. “ACF, therefore, is of the opinion that it would be morally preposterous and anti-democratic for anybody or group to canvass for the implementation of the reports by a conference of unelected delegates,� the forum said.

The forum further expressed disappointment over the increasing clamour for the restructuring of the country by some sections of the country, noting that those who are making such agitations were yet to define the concept and its application in the present

federalism’, while some group tout ‘resource control’. Yet we have those for ‘resource ownership’. “It is, therefore, the considered view of the ACF that any acceptable restructuring meant to improve the unity, stability, harmony and peaceful coexistence must be based on just, fair and equitable principles to all Nigerians that come with clarity of definition,� the communique said.

The ACF also frowned at the face-off between the executive and the National Assembly, particularly, the Senate, over

democratic setting.

The communique maintained that in most cases, the meaning of restructuring depends on which section of the country or the person advocating for it comes from. “ACF has observed with keen interest the current nationwide debate on the term ‘restructuring� being canvassed by some people, groups and even prominent citizens. The term, however, means different things to different people or groups. To some, it is ‘true federalism’, whatever that means, for others it is ‘fiscal

interpretations of certain sections of the constitution regarding confirmation of appointments of public officers and other contentious issues, pointing out that “these kind of disagreements are avoidable precisely because they are not helpful for good governance.�

The communique called on both parties to resolve their differences amicably in the interest of Nigeria or approach the Supreme Court and seek the correct interpretation of the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution.

Senate Gives NNPC, CBN, Others Seven Days to Submit Budgets Wants LAUTECH imbroglio resolved Damilola Oyedele Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Senate yesterday issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 38 other federal agencies to submit their 2017 budget proposals to the National Assembly for appropriation.

The lawmakers issued the directive to the agencies which also includes the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.

This followed a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, called on the agencies to abide by extant laws and submit their budgets as required.

Presiding, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said the lawmakers intend to scrutinise and pass the budgets of the agencies before they embark on their annual recess later this month. “The budget submission by these agencies must be done within a week, “he said. The affected agencies include Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), National Maritime Authority (NMA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerians Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerians Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Federal Mortgage Bank

(FMB) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Meanwhile, the Senate urged the federal government to find immediate solution to the funding crises at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) which has been closed for 10 months.

This followed a motion sponsored by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai (Oyo North) and 40 others who appealed for a swift intervention to save the future of the students.

Abdulfatai lamented that the institution, which used to be considered the best state owned university, now has nothing to its credit, other than the reputation of being the most strike ridden university in the country. “Worried by the fact that the university is currently in the middle of a strike which has crippled the activities of the university for more than a year due to the inability of the parent states to provide the sum of N4billion to pay the accumulated salaries and arrears of members of staff and thereby leaving over 3,000 members of staff of the university wallowing in economic hardship and poverty. “Saddened that the careers of over 34,000 students of the university are currently under jeopardy, turning them to social miscreants and leaving the parents who have labored to give their wards quality education languishing in pains and agonies for no fault of theirs,� he added.

The lawmaker called for review of the joint ownership of the institution, owned by Oyo and Osun States, in light of the pathetic management of its affairs by the parent states.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo responding to State House Correspondents after his return from London where he met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ...yesterday

Ë›

Dangote Unveils Plan to Replicate Cement Revolution in Rice Production Wole Ayodele Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă™

in the next two years.  Maintaining that he was The President of Dangote in the state to show his Group of Companies, Alhaji company’s seriousness in Aliko Dangote, has revealed terms of agriculture, he equally that the focal point of the added that he came to Taraba company is to replicate the to ensure the Lau Sugar project revolution it brought about becomes a reality. “Our coming to Taraba in cement production into agriculture particularly rice is to show our seriousness as a company in terms of and sugar. This is coming just as agriculture and to ensure that the Taraba State Governor, the Lau sugar project becomes Darius Ishaku, expressed a reality. We intend to do what optimism that the state has we did in cement when we the potential to produce the started from zero to 45 million local requirement for rice and tonnes within ten years and sugar as well as for exports. to 80 million in the next two Dangote, who stated this years. That is the trajectory in Jalingo yesterday when he we are looking�  He revealed that his paid a courtesy call on the governor, said his company company would take delivery is keen about revolutionising of 10 rice processing machines rice and sugar processing in each of which has the capacity the country the same way it to process 16 tonnes of rice achieved 45 million tonnes of per hour thereby totalling one cement within 10 years and million tonnes.

Dangote, who presented the hoping to hit 80 million tonnes

sum of N50 m to the governor as donation to the victims of the Mambilla crisis, further stated that his commitment is to create jobs saying he’s looking forward to creating hundreds of thousands of jobs through agriculture stressing that agriculture holds the key to job creation.  “Agriculture is key to job creation. In cement, a billion dollars investment cannot create more than 15,000 jobs but such investment in agriculture would create hundreds of thousands of job.�

He, however, assured the people of the state that he’s not investing in the state to  just enrich his pocket but also to empower the people of the community through its corporate social responsibility as well as create wealth among the people of the state.  In his response, Ishaku eulogised Dangote for always

living by every word he speaks and assured him that he is determined to do everything possible to ensure the success of his project in the state just as he promised to personally supervise the project.

To express his administration’s commitment to ensuring the success of the project,  he presented the site plan of the project to Dangote, just as he promised that he would provide the necessary infrastructure to fast track the project including the completion of Kona-Lau road which he promised to complete before the middle of next year. He equally noted that he is determined to turn the state around from a civil service state to an industrial hub, saying the state would soon commence the export of tea and coffee, including Beniseed and soya beans.

THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

47

NEWSXTRA

Kachikwu: Nigeria Will Voluntarily Join OPEC Cuts

Says uncertainty in oil market may affect 2017 budget implementation OPEC predicts lower demand for its oil in 2018

Ejiofor Alike ÓØ ËÑÙÝ ËØÎ Chineme Okafor ÓØ ÌßÔË The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources,Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has stated that Nigeria will in due time join in the crude oil production cut initiated by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC members led by Russia to stabilise the market, adding however, that the country’s production levels were still quite unpredictable as to guarantee when the country would join the pact.

The petroleum minister has also raised the alarm that the growing uncertainties in the global oil market would affect Nigeria’s execution of its 2017 budget, noting that the country had already come short of the projected oil production levels upon which the budget was predicated.

Kachikwu’s position is coming as the oil cartel has stated that its oil production jumped in June and that the world demand for its crude will decline next year as rivals pump more to create a market surplus in 2018, despite

the output cut.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja during a press briefing on developments in the oil market, the minister restated that Nigeria was committed to the OPEC deal, and would do whatever would be required to keep it intact.

He, however, pointed out that the country has to watch her oil production to get a predictive level of comfort to voluntarily join.

“We are fairly in consensus of what our position is, there is no disagreement on that, but just to set the record straight, the price of oil today is hovering around $44.70 cent per barrel, so there is a bit of upsurge trajectory which is good, which means the price for Nigeria is probably in the $46 type range. Definitely below the $50 mark which is where we’ll feel comfortable and a lot of the reasons for this are a lot of aggressive shale production, and obviously barrels coming out from Nigeria and Libya because of the exemption, but I needed to clarify this first, it is true that Nigeria has begun to recover but that recovery has

been gradual,” he said.

He noted that: “Over the last one and half months, we’ve basically began to recover some of our assets that were vandalised and we’ve been getting a lot more cooperation from the militants that they are letting us continue to try and grow those barrels, but that recovery is going to be gradual, we’ll still have below the benchmark set for us by OPEC and I think that over the next one or two months, hopefully we can get to that point when we can say the recovery has been tested, is systemic, and predictable.”

“We need to watch that for a couple of months so that we can get to a predictive comfort and then we voluntarily go to OPEC and see how we can contribute, but make no mistake about it, Nigeria is a very firm member of OPEC, we’ve been very active in this organisation for 46 years and we’ll continue to be very active. We’re some of the brain behind some of the cut analysis and strategies that was got from Saudi Arabia and the rest,” Kachikwu added.

Speaking on the 2017 budget, Kachikwu explained that a couple of capital projects in the budget may be affected by this development.

He, however, explained that the Ministry of Finance was working on measures to cushion the impacts of the shortfall from oil production on the budget.

The minister added that while the oil production benchmark in the budget was 2.2 million barrels per day (mbpd), the country is currently producing about 1.7mbpd of oil without condensate, and was still within the price band of $42.50 per barrel which the budget has.

“In terms of the budget impact, definitely, I mean, it is predicated on the number of 2.2 million barrels per day and a price index of $42.50. Within the price cap, I think we’re still reasonably within range, obviously we’ve lost quite a lot of months, some months, at least two or three in which we didn’t produce what the budget had projected, so there is definitely going to be differential,” said Kachikwu, in response to a question on the likely impact

of the uncertainties on Nigeria’s 2017 budget,” Kachikwu said.

He further clarified: “But like you know, the Ministry of Finance is aggressively looking for ways to cover some of these shortfalls, part of that is efficiency, how do we cut down our expenditure.

“Obviously, certain capital items will be affected, if we don’t have money, we can’t do certain capital projects that we have in the budget. There is no gain saying the fact that budget will be impacted but we are working hard with the Federal Executive Council to see how we can forecast or predict that sort of impact and see how we can recover,” Kachikwu added.

In a related development, OPEC said that the world demand for its crude will decline next year as rivals pump more to create a market surplus in 2018.

Giving its first 2018 forecasts in a monthly report, the OPEC said yesterday that the world will need 32.20 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude from its members next year, down 60,000 bpd from this year.

OPEC officials nonetheless remain upbeat on the outlook.

“We remain very optimistic ... (about) helping the market to rebalance itself,” OPEC Secretary-General, Mohammad Barkindo said at an industry conference in Istanbul.

Crude oil price rose above $48 per barrel yesterday as a US report of falling inventories in the United States raised hopes that the glut is easing.

Under the supply deal, OPEC is curbing output by about 1.2 million bpd, while Russia and other non-OPEC producers are cutting half as much, until March 2018.

The Nigerian and Libyan recovery has prompted talk among producers about asking them to join the supply deal.

Barkindo downplayed expectations this would be addressed soon, saying a meeting on July 24 in Russia of some OPEC and nonOPEC ministers would discuss Nigerian and Libyan output only at a technical level.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON CLIMATE CHANGE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX, THREE ARMS ZONE P.M.B 141, GARKI, ABUJA

SUBMISSION OF MEMORANDA/POSITION PAPERS & INVITATION TO A PUBLIC HEARING The House Committee on Climate Change is set to hold a one day public hearing on: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR THE MAINSTREAMING OF CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSES AND ACTIONS INTO GOVERNMENT POLICY FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND OTHER RELATED PURPOSES The Hearing is scheduled as follows: DATE:

Thursday 20, July 2017

VENUE:

Conference Room 028, House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja

TIME:

10am Prompt

All presentations should be submitted on or before 18th July 2017 in 30 copies and a soft copy attached, to the Clerk of the Committee (07083687280) in Room 309, White House, House of Representatives, National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.

Signed Rep Sam Onuigbo Chairman

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NEWSXTRA

APC Defeat was a Plebiscite against Aregbesola, Say Party Chieftains Gboyega Akinsanmi Chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday gave different reasons why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeated the ruling party in the by-election held in Osun West senatorial district on July 8, noting that the defeat was a plebiscite and not a by-election.

The chieftains, who are currently holding strategic political offices at the state and national levels, blamed the state Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, for the loss of the senatorial contest, which they said was avoidable if he had duly consulted stakeholders before taking some decisions.

They spoke in confidence with THISDAY yesterday, lamenting that the ruling party might be defeated in the 2018 gubernatorial election if the governor “fails to unite the party leaders across the state and if he continues some of his policies that stakeholders considers “obnoxious.”

After Senator Isiaka Adeleke passed away on April 24, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the by-election in which the younger brother of the late senator, Mr. Ademola Adeleke, emerged victorious last Saturday, polling about 61 per cent of the votes.

In the fiercely contested senatorial by-election, the PDP candidate clearly won with 97,480 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Senator Mudashiru Hussein, who only polled 66,116 votes to emerge second.

Disturbed by what he described as an avoidable defeat, one of the party chieftains admitted that the ruling party lost the by-election to the PDP totally, citing various issues bordering on Aregbesola’s interpersonal relationship; his policy initiatives and intra-party rift, among others.

He pointed out the concern of the people about the state debt burden, disclosing that no person “knows the state’s debt profile except Aregbesola the governor himself. Aside this, he appointed civil servants to manage local governments for years. He also funded the Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate in Ondo State.”

For these reasons, the chieftain revealed that a good number of party leaders, loyalists and members at the grassroots worked against the APC in protest against Aregbesola’s approach to governance.

He said the party leaders were not happy that the governor waited for two and half years before he finally

formed his cabinet, which he said, formed the core reason the APC lost the senatorial by-election and the earlier bye-election in Ile-Ife, Osun State in April 2016.

He also cited the new education policy that the Aregbesola administration “has been promoting against the will of critical stakeholders. Names of schools have been changed arbitrarily. Uniforms of schools have been changed without due consultation.

Schools have been merged against popular will.

“All these policies have caused disaffection among critical stakeholders in the education sectors. For

instance, Ilesha Grammar School has been changed to Ilesha High School. The old students are not happy at it. The owners of missionary schools are equally unhappy with him.”

The APC members also said the APC lost the contest due to what he described as Aregbesola’s poor culture of consultation, noting that the governor rarely consulted with the party leaders, federal lawmakers and past governors, who had been feeling disenchanted at his approach to governance.

The party chieftain noted that the governor seldom consult a former Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola,

before taking decision, noting that he never considered it appropriate “to carry federal lawmakers, party chieftains and community leaders along before taking important decisions.”

In all local government areas in the state, another party leader said the party executives were factionalised, accusing the governor of propping up his surrogates “to fuel crisis within the party. There is no local government in the state where the APC is not facing internal crisis.

“Some of us kept quiet.

But electorate did not quiet.

Election is an examination.

What happened in Osun last Saturday was a plebiscite. A lot of our people worked for

the PDP. Oyinlola has not left the APC. But his supporters worked against the APC. People are not happy.”

He pointed out the role Aregbesola played in the 2016 governorship election in Ondo State, alleging that he sponsored the AD candidate, Mr. Olusola Oke, against the candidate of the APC, which he said, was a grave case of anti-party activity.

After the Ondo State election, the party leader said Aregbesola appointed the Director-General of the Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation, Mr. Bola Ilori, into the State Executive Council, which the party faithful and supporters found intolerable and unacceptable.

Labour Unions Support Local Government Autonomy Senator Iroegbu ÓØ ÌßÔË

executive and legislature stated.

In furtherance of their requests, The leadership of three labour they prayed that primary school unions, National Union of education as a stepping stone and Local Government Employees the foundation of all forms of (NULGE), National Union of education deserves a national Teachers (NUT) and Medical and policy, and its funding should Health Workers Union of Nigeria be the responsibility of the federal, (MHWUN), rose from a meeting state and local governments; Ň r5IBU JO PSEFS UP FOTVSF with the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba guarantee and effect regular Wabba, yesterday to support the and timely payment of teachers’ ongoing agitation by NULGE for salaries, entitlements and benefits, local government autonomy in teachers’ salaries, shall be a first line charge on the Federation the country.

This decision arose after Account; Ň r5IBU UIF FYJTUJOH BHFODJFT exhaustive deliberations and proper understanding of the such as UBEC, SUBEBs, LGEAs issues at the Labour House in should be strengthened and Abuja, which was made available empowered to play their roles to journalists in a statement and discharge their functions; and, r 5IBU UIFSF TIPVME CF jointly signed by Wabba, Ibrahim establishment/ Khaleel, President, NULGE, unfettered Michael Alogba Olukoya, functionality of the primary health President, NUT and Biobelemoye care boards/authorities: including Joy Josiah, President, MHWUN, salaries, training, programme The unions agreed that the funding (i.e. immunisation etc.)

The bodies asked that the autonomy of local government councils shall be total, constitution should strengthen comprehensive with all the the Supreme Court judgment rights, structures, duties, functions, in the Attorney-General privileges and obligations clearly of the Federation versus spelt out as is the case with the Attorneys-General of the 36 federal and state governments. states, NWLR May 6, 2002, In view of this, the unions Part 764, (removing in the requested that Clauses 7, 8, 162 process every ambiguity, and any other clause in the 1999 lacuna or impediment), ceding Constitution that compromise the responsibility for payment of autonomy of local government teachers’ salaries to states should be deleted to give free wherein it is stated inter alia: and unfettered meaning to “In so far as primary education “autonomy” and make local is concerned, a local government governments function as third- council only participates with the tier governments; and that local state government. The function governments shall be directly obviously remains with the state funded and tenure of their government”

CONGRATULATIONS

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (left), during the swearing-in of the senator representing Osun West senatorial district, Senator Ademola Adeleke, at the Senate Chambers in Abuja ....yesterday.

Group Accuses Cattle Breeders’ Association of Supporting Killer Herdsmen John Shiklam ÓØ ËÎßØË The Patrotic Christian Youths of Nigeria (PCYN) has accused the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) for allegedly supporting the activities of murderous fulani herdsmen.

The group expressed disappointment with MACBAN over its stand on the recent crisis in Taraba state, which led to the killing of many people.

Addressing a news conference in Kaduna, President of PCYN, Timothy Nasso said MACBAN as an umbrella body for the fulanis has become the defender of murderous herdsmen whose activities have become a nightmare to every community in Nigeria.

The group also maintained that the federal government’s sudden interest in the

Taraba crisis and the immediate deployment of top government officials to the state when violence broke out between the natives and herdsmen in Sardauna local government area of the state smacks of bias.

According to Nasso, the action of the federal government in Taraba state has clearly shown that the government considers some people more important than others considering the fact that the government had never sent such a delegation to other communities that had been ravaged by herdsmen.

“We have no intention of joining issues with MACBAN, but the brazen approval by certain officials of the President Buhari administration has left much to be desired.

“Without mincing words, we want to state that MACBAN as an umbrella body for the fulanis has

suddenly become the defender of murderous herdsmen whose activities have become a nightmare to every community in Nigeria.

“These murderers have continued to unleash havoc and rendered many people homeless, their deadly activities have destroyed economic and commercial activities of communities. With their sophisticated weapons, they invade communities at will.

The manner in which they invade the communities and chase out the natives and subsequently occupied their land, is a clear indication that they are waging a jihad.

“For MACBAN to shamelessly accuse the Taraba state government for setting up a commission of inquiry to investigate the causes of the incessant attacks on the people as promoting genocide, to say the least, is shameful”

the group said.

“The sudden interest which the federal government showed by immediately deploying the minister of interior, Gen. Abdulrahaman Danbazau (rtd), minister of Women Affairs, Senator Jumai A’isha Alhassan, the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, the General Officer Commanding, 3rd Amoured Division (GOC), Maj. Gen Benjamin Ahanato and Senator Yusuf from Taraba Central Senatorial zone is an indication that the government has vested interest in the Taraba crisis.

“In spite of the massive killing of people by fulani herdsmen in Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Southern Kaduna, Enugu, Ebonyi among several others, the federal government had never shown this kind of interest, not even the deployment of security to the areas to fish out the bandits” the group observed.

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NEWSXTRA

House Asks Health Minister to Recall Suspended Executive Secretary of NHIS Alleges attack on lower chamber James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution requesting the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, to immediately recall the Executive Secretary (ES) of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, from suspension and allow him continue with his sanitisation programme in the agency.

The legislators also resolved to invite the minister to show cause why he should not be cited for contempt of the House as the suspension appeared to intimidate the ES and punish him for testifying before the House as well as silence him from further testifying before the lower chamber, in its constitutional duties of investigation of issues of corruption, inefficiency and waste in governance.

It further requested Adewole and the acting ES to stop henceforth, every process of HMOs reaccreditation pending the outcome of ongoing investigation mandated by the House.

The resolution of the green chamber followed a motion of urgent public importance which was moved by Hon. Chike Okafor (APC, Imo) and 35 others on the plight being suffered by the Executive Secretary of the NHIS who is allegedly being persecuted by the Health Ministry due to his revelations at a public hearing organised recently by the lower chamber.

The motion hinged on the need for immediate protection of witnesses who testify before House committees: the case of suspension of the executive secretary of NHIS. allegedly was Yusuf suspended for three months by the minister following his recent testimony before the House Committee on Healthcare under a false pretence that there are petitions pending against him.

Based on a resolution of the House to investigate the activities of the HMOs and the inhumane treatments given to the NHIS enrollees, the House Committee on Healthcare had commenced an investigative public hearing where relevant stakeholders made startling revelations and useful submissions.

The embattled ES had at the hearing spilled the beans about the fraud being perpetrated in

the scheme. He, particularly decried the corruption being perpetrated by the HMOs, which he likened to the fraud in the fuel subsidy scheme, stressing that they are padding figures of enrollees so they could get paid.

He also said that none of the 57 HMOs had a valid license as most of their accreditation has expired and vowed to ensure that any HMO owing health providers, would not be re-accredited.

According to him, a total of N60 billion has been paid to HMOs without commensurate results as they owe hospitals over N2.6 billion. He maintained that there is great corruption in the scheme adding that NHIS ICT department was used by HMOs to pad up to 23,000 enrollees.

Consequently, the House, which vehemently condemned his suspension at plenary, said he was being witch-hunted with intent to punish him administratively for speaking out.

House Majority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, said the suspension was an attack on public hearing and the House in general.

He highlighted the legal implication of the removal of Yusuf as it leaned towards tampering with evidence, coercing a witness and fighting against the whistle blowing policy of the government.

Hon. Tobi Okchukwu also decried the situation where a leader of an agency would be suspended through trivial allegations because he spoke against the corruption in the agency.

He wondered how others would be encouraged to do the right thing during public hearings of the National Assembly from which the Executive Secretary’s revelations for which he is being persecuted emanated from.

He sought a review to the way and manner heads of agencies could be sacked or suspended and urged the House to ensure the ES was not neglected for doing the right thing.

However, Okafor, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare, in his lead debate argued that the suspension was a witch-hunt on a man who “wants to work and expose corruption.”

He said the minister’s action tended to make people

Osinbajo Orders Release of N1.6bn Relief Aid for Flood Victims in 16 States Omololu Ogunmade ÓØ ÌßÔË Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday ordered the release of N1.6 billion to 16 states to cushion the biting effects of ravaging flood on victims in the affected states.

Briefing journalists at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, who stood in for the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, said the acting president had ordered the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi

Adeosun, to immediately release the amount to the affected states.

Adesina said the money would be released from federal government’s ecological fund account that is domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to him, the Minister of Finance will release the fund to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for onward distribution to the affected states.

He listed affected states to include: Ekiti, Kwara, Lagos, Bayelsa, Enugu, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Sokoto, Plateau, among others.

uncomfortable to give evidence at House public hearings, adding that the suspension would also jeopardise the outcome of ongoing probe of the scheme.

The lawmakers further questioned the powers of the minister to suspend an appointee of the president because of petitions which were yet to be established.

They argued that it was rare to have a chief executive of an agency come forth to expose underdealings in his agency and commended him.

The House stressed the importance of the NHIS scheme as crucial for the health of Nigerians and financing thereof

and highlighted the wellness of the enrollees and the dangers that the helpless enrollees will face in the light of the current situation of things.

It raise concern that if witnesses who testify before committees of the House are not offered some form of protection and are exposed to various administrative sanctions and intimidation, it will discourage witnesses from revealing the truth and weaken the Houses’ constitutional authority to expose corruption, inefficiency, fraud and waste in governance.

Legislators also expressed worry that the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges

Act only protects evidence of witnesses from being used against them in a civil or criminal proceeding but has no provisions for administrative sanctions or intimidation of witnesses and thus making it necessary that the House acts.

However, the House noted that even Adewole is currently under investigation, resulting from a petition that he allegedly he received car gifts from a former NHIS ES but has not been suspended by the presidency.

It cited an instance whereby “The minister wrote to the Executive Secretary, through the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Binta

Adamu Bello, Ref No: DFA/ CORR/001, and dated March 28, 2017, directing the ES to pay the sum of N197,072,500 only for rehabilitation works in some Federal Medical Centres, contract awarded by the ministry in 2016 and directed him to pay the money to the ministry’s account number: 0020155061015 in the CBN, when there is no budgetary provisions for this payment in the NHIS 2016 budget. The ES inquired from the CMDs as to whether there were such projects being executed, they all confirmed to the contrary.

“In another letter dated May 12, 2017, the Permanent Secretary

REACHING OUT

L-R: Presbyter, Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo, Lagos, Very Rev. John Olanrewaju Solubi; former Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof.

Grace Alele-Williams; Minister of the Cathedral, Rev. Sunday Afolabi; Presbyter’s wife, Mrs. Dorcas Solubi, Lagos Diocesan PRO, Methodist Church Nigeria, Bro. AramideTola Noibi; and Roda Johnston-Smith (on wheel chair) during the courtesy call on Johnston-Smith at her Ikeja GRA residence...recently

US Supports Nigerian Anti-corruption War with Report Yourself Shola Oyeyipo The United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria in collaboration with Budg, IT, a local NGO has launched Report Yourself, a web-based platform built to encourage citizen participation in fight against corruption in Nigeria.

Speaking yesterday at the official launch ceremony BudgIT, US Chargé d’ Affaires, David Young, said Report Yourself puts the power to report corruption in the hands of the Nigerian people.

At the event held at Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, religious leaders anti-corruption (RLAC) working group and Nigerian law enforcement agencies were also in attendance.

This anti-corruption initiative is funded by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, and was developed byBudgIT. According to Young, “I hope that Report Yourself starts a new movement in citizen engagement and I hope every Nigerian who is affected by corruption will feel empowered to share their

experiences.

“The tide will turn against the culture of corruption when Nigerians recognise that they must fight as one to stamp out this scourge that has hampered development and stifled prosperity.”

Young therefore urged Nigerians to demonstrate their commitment to the fight against corruption by making use of the innovative online platform which seeks to address the daily instances of corruption faced by millions of Nigerians.

Report Yourself offers Nigerians the means to instantaneously report corruption, bribery, and graft with the option of filing an official compliant with the Nigerian Police Force Public Complaints Rapid Response Unit.

“Through the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, we are working to increase the capacity of Nigerian law enforcement agencies and the justice sector,” Chargé Young remarkable.

During the event, participants received a guided demonstration

of the Report Yourself platform; in addition, religious leaders, members of law enforcement,

and civil society representatives renewed their commitment to fight against corruption.

Saraki Swears in Adeleke Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday swore in the senator representing Osun West senatorial district, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

Adeleke replaced his brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke who died last April.

Saraki in his comment after the oath was administered on the new lawmaker, expressed confidence that Adeleke would properly represent the senatorial district just like the late Adeleke had done.

He, however, lamented that the new senator was elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), unlike his late brother who was of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I am filled with emotions today (yesterday) as I swear in the brother of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke as senator representing

Osun West. I am sure that my late friend, his family, good people of Ede and Osun West senatorial district are delighted that the legacy of ‘Guv’ can continue. I am sure my departed colleague will, in his grave, be happy and filled with joy today and always.”

“My only sadness is that Senator Ademola Adeleke is not coming in as an APC member.

This is the result of mishandling of the pre-election matters by our party. I hope Senator Ademola Adeleke will very soon return to his natural fold, the APC, where he rightly belongs.

“I hope this development will serve as an eye opener to our party at all levels that the will of the people must always be respected. We all have a good lesson to learn from this,” Saraki said.

He expressed congratulations to Adeleke and urged him to live up to his brother’s expectations and further uplift the legacy

50

THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

N’Assembly to Curb Contract Breaches, Boost Steel Sector The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara yesterday

hinted that the legislature was working to address problems of outrageous

Saraki Appeals for Calm over New School Curriculum Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday urged all stakeholders in the education sector to remain calm on the new nine-year Basic Education Curriculum to enable the National Assembly look into the various issues involved.

Saraki, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Mohammed Isa, made the call while receiving a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He assured the delegation that the Senate Committee on Basic Education would investigate the complaints by the association against the new curriculum with a view to making it acceptable and satisfactory to all religions.

Explaining the background to the introduction of the policy, the Senate President said the process began in 2010, when the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan came up with a series of reforms to reduce the number of subjects in the school curriculum.

“As leaders, we must continue to seek and find solutions to problems. You will remember that in 2010,

the past administration came up with reforms on how to reduce the number of subjects at the basic education level.

“There were about 20 subjects at that time, and subsequently they were reduced to 12. In the process of implementing that reforms, we have this problem. Why I am saying this, is so we don’t leave here and believe that it was done to favour one religion over the other.

“Now the reform is clearly not working. So our responsibility is to look into that reform and make it work.

I am sure that there was no intention to make one group feel disadvantaged with this new school curriculum. This is why this Senate will direct our committee on education to look at the reform and find out why it is not working with the relevant stakeholders,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation, Prof. Charles Adeyinka Adisa, who represented the CAN National President, called for the intervention of the National Assembly to ensure genuine respect for the constitution, as well as, “abolition of obnoxious laws that infringe on the people’s rights?

Court of Appeal Achieves Extraordinary Feat, Delivers 232 Judgments in Two Weeks Alex Enumah ÓØ ÌßÔË

Ilorin, Yola, Ekiti and Sokoto to reduce the workload in Lagos, In what can be regarded as an Benin, Port Harcourt, Enugu extraordinary achievement, the and Abuja which are busier Court of Appeal has disclosed divisions.

At the end of the excise, a that it delivered a total of 232 judgments in a space of two total of 232 cases were however weeks in the various appeals disposed off by the team.

A document showing the pending before it across the different divisions of the court. breakdown of the figure shows The Media Officer of that in the Lagos Division, the the court, Sa’adatu Musa special taskforce from the Kachalla, who disclosed this Makurdi Division delivered to THISDAY yesterday, as the 85 judgments, while the special court prepares to proceed on taskforce from Ilorin Division its annual vacation, slated to which sat in Benin Division commence on July 17, 2017, delivered a total number of said the success was due to 57 judgments.

Similarly the taskforce the setting up of five task forces by the President of the Court, from Ekiti which sat in Enugu Division delivered Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa.

Kachalla hinted that the 38 judgments, while that of PCA, established the task Sokoto Division assigned to forces in order to ensure that Abuja Division gave judgments back log of pending appeals in 31 appeals and struck out before the various divisions two matters.

The justices of Yola Division of the court were disposed trashed out 21 pending appeals of expeditiously.

She added that Justice in Port Harcourt Division.

However, it was interesting Bulkachuwa in the letter of posting, gave the taskforce two to know that the Justices weeks each to move round of the various divisions to identifiable division and designated to cover the very preside over pending appeals. busy divisions also sat and The taskforce she noted delivered judgments in comprised of justices from less their divisions of primary busy divisions like Makurdi, posting.

taxes, lack of adherence to necessary laws, wrong attitude of concessionaires towards contractual terms and conditions, absence of a work programme as well as the political will of the government.

He said laws aimed at removing all impediments to harnessing the potential of the industrial sector would soon be passed.

He spoke while declaring open an investigative hearing organised by the House Joint Committees on Steel, Power, Petroleum Resources, Customs and Excise, Land Transport and Local Content on two motions including the lack of patronage of Nigerian Companies in the provision of steel products and services and the outrageous taxes and duties imposed on steel

product manufacturers and service providers and as well as call on the federal government to consider the original builders of Ajaokuta steel plant in the proposed negotiations for the completion, reactivation and operation of the project.

He said the hearing was aimed at eliciting necessary response and inputs from stakeholders and the public on how to address these pertinent issues that affects the well-being of the citizenry with the ultimate aim of formulating good laws for the sector.

The speaker reiterated the resolve of the House to ensure that democracy benefits the masses and also grows the nation’s economy.

He said: “I have

no doubt that the industrialisation of this nation is, to a large extent, dependent on our capacity to harness and utilise the enormous potential of the steel sector.

“We must note that the steel industry is a key sector in Nigeria’s economy that should have been the bedrock of the country’s industrialisation.

The sector is supposed to provide industrial items such as iron rods, barb wires and coils, as well as metal doors and windows.

It ought to be a sector to provide employment and empowerment to millions of Nigerians and directly improve our economy.

“It is a general perception that the failure of this sector to deliver maximum revenue and the desired industrialization is

due to several bottlenecks amongst which are; the outrageous taxes, lack of adherence to the necessary laws, wrong attitude of concessionaires towards contractual terms and conditions, absence of a work programme as well as the political will of the government.”

While noting that several efforts had been made to revive the sector, especially the Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASC) which was designed to be the largest integrated steel company in West Africa and the vibrant and fast growing Delta Steel Company (DSC) all to no avail.

He tasked stakeholders to make contributions to enrich the laws under consideration in order to extricate the sector from comatose.

NEW PRESIDENT FOR CIPM

L-R: Former President, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Mr. Solomon Oladunni; President, CIPM, Mr. Udom Uko Inoyo; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel; former President, CIPM, Mr. Anthony Arobome; and Mrs. Ntekpe Inoyo, at the investiture of Mr. Inoyo as the 18th president of CIPM in Lagos...recently

Africa Architecture Awards Extends Entry Deadline TMartins Ifijeh Due to continuous inflow of registered entries for the African Architecture Awards, the organisers of the recognition platform, Saint-Gobain, have extended the deadline for entries from June 30 to July 14, 2017, to accommodate more interested applicants.

The amended deadline applies to all categories except the People’s Choice Award, where public voting continues until August 18, 2017.

According to the organisers, over 300 registered entries have so far been received with entrants hailing from various part of the continent There are two steps to enter: the first is to register and the second is to submit documents, images and a film of the entered project.

The deadline extension to

July 14 is the final and no late entries will be accepted after this date.

“As the founders of the Africa Architecture Awards, we are naturally pleased to see that the first-ever iteration has been so well received by architects,” the Managing Director, SaintGobain Retail Business Development Initiative, Evan Lockhart-Barker, said, adding that more entries can be accommodated as they were aware of the vast number of significant projects from across Africa and how much they deserve to be highlighted.

The organisers say the inaugural Africa Architecture Awards was noteworthy as the first dedicated Pan-African awards programme of its kind, which aims to recognise and reward worthy projects from across

African continent, with one overall winner garnering a $10 000 grand prize.

The 2017 Africa Architecture Awards seek to acknowledge standout architectural projects that have been conceived of and/or built on the African continent, and invite entries and nominations from the industry. Anyone in the world meeting the entry criteria can enter or be entered into the awards, as long as the project pertains to Africa.

“Saint-Gobain very simply wants to be the catalyst that brings African architecture and its diaspora into the global conversation, in response to the clear need for such dialogue,” Lockhart-Barker explained.

The Master Jury will identify a shortlist of 20 projects, four trophy winners and one Grand Prix. The

official awards ceremony is set to take place on September 28, 2017, at Cape Town’s much-anticipated Zeitz MOCAA, designed

by British architect, Thomas Heatherwick, which opens to the public that same week.

“The Grand Prix winner will receive a $10 000 cash prize at the awards ceremony-that’s in addition to the recognition and prestige of being named as the overall winner from across the continent.

“The seven members of the Master Jury are Anna Abengowe (Nigeria); Patti Anahory (Cape Verde); Guillaume Koffi (Cote d’Ivoire); Phill Mashabane (South Africa); Professor Mark Olweny (Uga n d a ) ; Professor Edgar Pieterse (South Africa); and, Tanzeem Razak (South Africa),” he added.

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PDP RULING…

PDP RULING…

PDP Leaders Jubilate over Makarfi’s Victory It was jubilating galore yesterday for members of the Ahmed Makarkiled faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Supreme Court affirmed his leadership of the party.

As usual, the verdict by the apex court, elicited reactions from a cross-section of party faithful who hailed the decision and called on members of the party to come together in order to win the presidency in 2019.

Makarfi’s Victory, Reawakening for PDP, Says Okowa Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has described the victory of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Supreme Court as a reawakening for the party.

Okowa also said the judiciary has also, by this judgement, further vindicated its reliability and independence in the discharge of its statutory functions especially in upholding democracy in the country.

In a statement signed on behalf of the governor by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, the governor said the judgement by the five-man panel of Justices of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, is a victory for democracy in Nigeria.

Okowa lauded the apex court for the “sound ruling,” which has put to rest the protracted leadership crisis that has bedeviled the party, which he described as the biggest political party in sub-Saharan Africa.

The governor therefore urged members of the party to be accommodating to any Nigerian who wishes to join the party, noting: “The umbrella is large enough to accommodate any Nigerian; it is a party Nigerians are happy to identify with.”

Mimiko: Judgment’s Victory for Rule of Law Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, yesterday described the judgement of the Supreme Court on the leadership crisis that has rocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a victory for the rule of law. Mimiko, in a statement issued by his media aide, Eni Akinsola, congratulated leaders and members of the party across the country on the judgement.

According to him, “The judiciary must be commended for this judgement which is a victory for justice, rule of law and democracy.

“The judgement, to my mind, will strengthen our democracy and discourage political and judicial rascality of any sort as we move ahead as a nation.”

Imbibe The Spirit of True Reconciliation, Umahi Urges PDP Supporters

The National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-east zone, Chief Austin Umahi, has congratulated Senator Ahmed Makarfi for his victory on the Supreme Court judgement that affirmed him as the authentic national chairman of the party.

In a statement, Umahi described Makarfi’s victory as remarkable, but appealed to all members and supporters of the party in the South-east zone to embrace the victory with maturity and in the spirit of true reconciliation.

Umahi also commended the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party for their doggedness and belief in the Nigeria’s judiciary as the last hope of the common man, as he called on Alli Sheriff and other members of the party to unite with Makarfi leadership to regain the country and save it from imminent collapse.

He noted that the victory was a second chance given for the party to consolidate and put its house in order for the task of recovering its lost glory, urging other zonal leaders and stakeholders of the party to reconcile with any aggrieved members of the party.

Lagos PDP Congratulates Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by a former senatorial candidate, Mr. Segun Adewale, has congratulated the Senator Ahmed Markafi caretaker committee on his victory at the Supreme Court.

In a statement signed by the state Deputy Chairman, Hon. Kamal Owolabi Olorunoje, yesterday and sent to THISDAY, the party lauded the judgement of the apex court, and extolled the judiciary as the hope of the common man.

The party urged the Markafi group to make the PDP stronger and strengthen the grassroots by respecting the congresses held by the Sheriff faction, noting that there were no contentions at the state and local government and ward levels.

It added that the party at the national level should speedily organise a national convention that would usher in a more progressive executives that would operate as a formidable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

L-R: Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed MAkarfi; PDP National Secretary, Senator Ben Obi, during a meeting after the Supreme Court affirmed Makarfi as the Chairman of tthe PDP at the party’s headquarters in Abuja....yesterday

Disquiet in A’Ibom after Supreme Court Verdict Former Lawmaker Commends Ruling

There was disquiet in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, yesterday after the Supreme Court judgment that declared that Senator Ahmed Makarfi was the authentic National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), thus bringing to rest 14 months of internal legal tussle of the leadership of the party.

Carnival and drums often witnessed in the streets of the state capital including the road to the Government House along Wellington Bassey-way in celebration by party’s faithful in the event of this nature were completely absent by the time of filling in this report.

Reacting to the Supreme Court ruling, some prominent stakeholders of the party in the state described the court verdict as “victory for democracy and the rule of law” in the country.

In an interview, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko, said the ruling has put to rest the internal crisis between Makarfi and Senators Ali Modu Sheriff, which had almost cripple the entire structure of the party.

The judgment, he said would go a long way in setting the tone for the rebuilding process in the party and place it in good stead to reclaim its ruling party status in 2019.

Also speaking, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ini Ememobong, described the outcome of the ruling as “no victor, no vanquish but a victory for democracy and the rule of law.”

Let’s

Close Ranks to Wrest Power from APC, Says Kwara PDP Chairman

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Sunday Fagbemi, yesterday appealed to members of the party across the 36 states of the federation to close ranks and work together to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the 2019 general election.

Speaking in Ilorin on the sideline of the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the leadership of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction of the PDP, Fagbemi said the losing Senator Ali Modu Sheriff group should put the judgment behind it and work together to salvage the nation from her present economic doldrums and poverty currently affecting the people of the country.

According to him, “We should all come together irrespective of our affiliation and be more united so as to vote out the APC and bring in new lease of life to the people of the country. Members of the party should borrow a new leaf from the PDP in Osun State and defeat the incumbent APC government.”

A Victory

for All PDP Members, Says Oko

Senator Rose Oko, has said the victory is for all members of the PDP. Oko, in her reaction, described the ruling as victory for the soul of democracy and justice.

According to her, “Today, I join our party faithful and its teeming supporters to congratulate the chairman of the caretaker committee of our great party, Makarfi, and his team over today (yesterday’s) victory at the Supreme Court.

“With the victory, our hope and faith have been reawakened and our resolve for a stable polity has been guaranteed.

“I use this medium to call on all our party faithful and numerous supporters across the divide to use today’s verdict as a means to unify our bond towards strengthening the party.”

The only South-west Peoples Democratic Party senator in the 7th National Assembly, Senator Hosea Agboola, yesterday commended Nigeria’s judiciary, just as he urged party’s governors, former Senate President, David Mark, and incumbent Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to join Senator Ahmed Makarfi in leading the party’s rebuilding process.

Agboola, a leader of the party in Oyo State, commended judiciary for strengthening democracy in the country with the outcome of the Supreme Court verdict in favour of Senator Makarfi.

Agboola, who was also the Deputy Senate Whip, said the PDP would bounce back to its winning ways in 2019 as manifested in the recent Osun West by-election and the latest court’s verdict.

“This victory is for all Nigerians. It will assist the nation to have robust democratic dividends through virile opposition,” he stated.

We Were Sacrificial Lamb But No Regret, Says Jegede on Ruling The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the November 2016 gubernatorial election in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), yesterday said though his team was thrown up as a sacrificial lamb of the factional crisis that rocked the party, the group has no regret over the battle.

Jegede made the remarks in a statement circulated on social media yesterday over the judgment of the Supreme Court, which recognised Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi as the National Chairman of PDP. He said the judgment by the highest court in the land had again vindicated his team.

“Although we were thrown up as sacrificial lamb through the long and tortuous journey, nevertheless, we are glad that our fight and experience have since counted for institutional strength and wisdom for our party, so we have no regrets,” he said.

The candidate said the verdict would signal the beginning of a process of genuine reconciliation and self-cleansing, healing and rebirth that will usher in a new season of hope and refreshing for the people.

Abia PDP Chieftains Hail Verdict

The Supreme Court judgment delivered in favour of the Ahmed Makarfiled Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was received with joy by party chieftains in Abia State, which they described as “breath of fresh air.”

The immediate past state Chairman of PDP, Senator Emma Nwaka, said the verdict which has finally settled the leadership dispute was “a good forecasting for democracy.”

According to him, “With this judgment, all the efforts to muzzle credible opposition in Nigeria have, to the glory of God, crumbled,” adding that the opposition PDP would now be strengthened to play its role more effectively.

Nwaka said all party faithful deserve commendation “for their steadfastness in the face of all efforts to make them jump ship” as has become the fashion among politicians when there’s misunderstanding in the party.

He said with this victory, “PDP is primed to retake power at the centre in 2019” as the party would now move in unity devoid of distractions and internal rancour.

In his reaction, a chieftain of the party in the state, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, said he received the news of the verdict with joy, adding that he was grateful to God as the storm was now over and PDP is now breathing well.

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PDP RULING…

PDP RULING…

PDP will Return to Power in 2019, Says Wike Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the PDP will in 2019 return to power at the federal level because the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unleashed untold hardship on Nigerians.

Addressing thousands of PDP supporters at the Port Harcourt International Airport after the Supreme Court judgment that validated the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, Wike said the APC’s poor governance has led to mass insecurity across the country and the callapse of the standard of living.

He berated the federal government and APC for plotting to destroy the opposition, stressing that without opposition, there is no democracy.

“We have tested them for two years and Nigerians are suffering.

Nigerians are dying and there is insecurity everywhere. It has never been like this.This opposition will lead us to power in 2019.

“Now, we have a government and we have a party that says there will be no opposition. If there is no opposition, there will be no democracy,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to pray for the nation’s judiciary as it is facing its most perilous times as it is under threat and intimidation.

“We owe them the duty to pray for them. What the judiciary is going through, no other arm of government has ever gone through it. Without judiciary, Nigeria is gone, without judiciary, there is no democracy “, he said.

The governor said that Nigerians from all walks of life are celebrating the Supreme Court Judgment and thanking God that PDP is not dead.

“All Nigerians are thanking God that PDP is not dead. The PDP is the only hope for the people”, he said.

He urged PDP supporters to stand firm and continue to work for the growth of the party.

“God has come out to rescue Rivers State and PDP. Nobody can intimidate us,” the governor said.

Onuesoke: Markafi’s Victory Signifies Death of APC Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and Delta State governorship aspirant in 2007 general election, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has predicted that the Supreme Court declaration of Ahmed Markafi’s PDP faction as the authentic leader of the party signifies the death of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria.

Speaking to THISDAY in a telephone chat from Abuja yesterday where he witnessed the decision of the Supreme Court declaring Markafi’s faction as the authentic leader of the party, elated Onuesoke stated that members of APC must be in pains right now, adding that later or sooner their reign will be over.

He argued that considering the apparent failure of APC in governance and the recent judgment, it is glaring that PDP can rise from the ashes and win the 2019 general election.

“I love the Supreme Court decision. Shame APC and its stooge in the PDP-Ali Modu Sheriff! President Muhammadu Buhari must have descended into a deeper situation as a result of this judgment, and most people from the ‘buba’-wearing side must be gnashing their teeth by now. Come 2019, Nigerians are voting out APC, a poverty stricken party of never-do-wells,” he stated.

PDP will Not Pose Threat to APC in 2019, Says Vice Chairman The newly appointed Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for North-east, Mustapha Salihu, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not pose any danger to the APC in the next general election.

Salihu, who spoke with journalists yesterday when he came to assume duty at the APC secretariat, said despite the Supreme Court judgement which brought to an end the protracted leadership crisis rocking the party, the opposition party still has image crisis to battle with.

He also dismissed petitions against his nomination as the Northeast zonal chairman of the party, saying he had the full support of all stakeholders in the zone to represent them at the National Working Committee (NWC).

According to Salihu, although the judgement of the Supreme Court affirmed Senator Ahmed Makarfi as the National Chairman of the PDP, there are still a lot of issues relating to credibility crisis that PDP has to address He said what is important is not the persons leading the party, but the credibility of the party itself, pointing out that PDP lost credibility when it presided over the gradual destruction of the nation.

Kashamu Congratulates Makarfi, Calls for Unity, Reconciliation The Senator representing Ogun East senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Buruji Kashamu, has congratulated the Chairman, National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and members of

Supporters of the Peoples Democractic Party (PDP) jubilating over the Supreme Court’s judgment that sacked Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and declared Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi as the authentic leader of the party, in Abuja....yesterday the committee on the affirmation of their positions by the Supreme Court, saying: “The decision of the apex court is final and there is nothing anyone can do about it.”

In a statement he issued in Lagos yesterday, Kashamu said: “As a firm believer in the rule of law, I am bound to respect the decision of the final court in the land, no matter the reservations.”

The statement reads in part: “I thank the Almighty God for bringing us this far. There will always be disagreements and disputes in any human setting. At times, such disputes may end up in court. It does not mean the end of the world. You win some and lose some. And in this case, there is no victor, no vanquished.”

Salvador, Adewale Hail Judgment The factional leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State yesterday reacted to the Supreme Court verdict on the leadership crisis in the party, both Messrs Moshood Salvador and Segun Adewale, the two men claiming the chairmanship position hailed the judgment.

Salvador said: “This judgment goes beyond the PDP intra politics but actually a successful surgery on the political stability of Nigeria which has been very volatile as a result of the diabolical attempt by the APC to “kill” the PDP. “Now that the Supreme Court justices have resurrected the dying political scope, we admonish the APC to see the PDP as senior partner in politics and governance. The experience of PDP as immediate past party in power should be asset to the APC but the APC has remained very hostile to opposition thereby depriving Nigerians of virile opposition for good governance and development. Indeed the Supreme Court has saved the nation from being a one party state.”

On his part, Adewale said the party remains solid in Lagos.

“The verdict of the Supreme Court is to me a ‘no victor, no vanquished’ situation. It is a victory for democracy and for the Nigerian people. The fact that this great party stood through this most difficult and challenging times with the preponderance of its members and structures across the country still intact speaks volumes of the strong ideology that binds us together as a family.”

We will Deliver Party in 2019, Say Oborevwori, Agbadagba Following the victory of the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Supreme Court yesterday, the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday predicted landslide victory for the party in the state.

The Speaker, while playing host to members of the state PDP who stormed his official residence in Asaba to rejoice with him on the victory of the party at the Supreme Court, said: “We will deliver PDP in 2019. We have done it before and we will even do it better in the next general election.

“This victory we are celebrating today is a sign of good things to come for our great Party in 2019. The party is doing well and I am sure of landslide victory for the party in 2019. Delta is a PDP state,” he said.

According to him, “Governor Okowa is working, the Smart Agenda is a reality. The victory that we are going to get

in 2019 is going to be better than that of 2015. Now that we have won at the Supreme Court, let us remain united as one big family. We are sure of Victory in 2019, that is what I can assure you.

“Those that left the party for one reason or the other and those affected by the judgment of the Supreme Court should come back to our great party. I want to appeal to our governor who is the leader of the party in the state and the party chairman to accept those who left the party back. The party is big enough for everybody,” Speaker Oborevwori said.

The Vice Chairman, PDP Delta South, Emmanuel Agbadagba, while speaking during the visit described the judgment as a sweet victory for the party.

According to him, “We are all happy today because this is a welcome development for our party. The judgment is a victory for democracy in our country.”

Niger PDP Commends Judgment The Niger State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the judgement of the Supreme Court which affirmed the national leadership of the party on Senator Ahmed Makarifi faction of the party.

In a statement signed by the state Chairman, Tanko Beji, in Minna yesterday, he praised the courage of the Supreme Court Justices, saying: “they (Justices) have not allowed extraneous influence to determine their decision.

“The Supreme Court Justices have again confirmed that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man in this country.”

He also praised the teeming supporters of the party in the state for “remaining steadfast and focused while the legal battle lasted”.

He added “It is time for the rebuilding of our great party and as such all hands must be on deck.

“We must now come together and remain united because the battle ahead is tasking”.

He urged party faithful who went with Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to return home because the umbrella is big enough for everyone.

“As far as we are concerned, there is no victor no vanquish in this long drawn legal battle.”

Judgment will Deepen Democracy, Says Moro Former Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, has described yesterday’s Supreme Court judgment in favour of the Ahmed Makarfi-led Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) as a decision that will deepen democratic system in the country.

Moro, who said this in a telephone conversation with journalists, lauded the judiciary for proving to be the bastion of hope for the ordinary Nigerians.

He said the judgement represents the interest of Nigerians, maintaining that it is a victory for PDP. “It is a case of PDP against PDP, so it is a no victor, no vanquish judgement,” Moro said.

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THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017Ëž T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT Abducted Shangisha Baale Regains Freedom Chiemelie Ezeobi

Exactly one week he was abducted by a three-man gang along the Center for Management Development (CMD) Road, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), the Baale of Shangisha in Magodo in Lagos secured his freedom yesterday. This is just as the police are trying to crack the mystery behind the abduction and his release given the alleged inconsistencies in the statement by the chief and his brother.  He was reportedly released without any ransom paid days after his abduction given the fact that his abductors had remained incommunicado after they picked him up.

His release has doused the tension in the Shangisha/ Magodo area as the youths who were spoiling for war over his abduction, have all downed their tools.

On the day he was kidnapped, the  traditional ruler was in the company of his brother, Mohammed Adams,  when they were lured out of the palace by some unknown persons who claimed to be potential land buyers.  The buyers had claimed that they wanted to buy some plots of land in Shangisha and had lured him to follow their vehicle to inspect the said land, which he did, not knowing that they had sinister plans.

On getting to Domino’s Pizza Junction, along the CMD Road, Shangisha,  the men were said to have diverted the vehicle and threw off the brother from the car before taking the chief away to an unknown destination, while he rushed to the nearby police station to write his statement. Subsequent attempts to secure his release had proven difficult given that the kidnappers had switched off his phones and made no attempt whatsoever to contact the family.  His family were in despair until he was rescued by the RRS and he put a call to his brother to alert his family of his release.

On his release a senior police source who spoke on anonymity, said he was picked up around Alausa as he was seen walking around aimlessly.

He said: “RRS operatives were on patrol close to Alausa when they saw him walk up to the vehicle to introduce himself and they picked him up. “He was taken to RRS headquarters where he was debriefed. He was also allowed to call his brother.�

The source said it was the call that set off an alarm with the police operatives on ground, as the brother’s reaction to his release was not satisfactory enough.

He said: “We tried to interview him about his ordeal but there were several inconsistencies. He

Police Parade Adeyemi College Students,19 Others for Alleged Criminal Activities James Sowole Ă“Ă˜ Ă•Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?

Four students of the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, were among the 23 suspects paraded yesterday by the police command, Ondo State for various offences as rape, cultism, kidnapping and stealing.

The suspects were paraded at the police command headquarters on Igbatoro Road, Akure, the dad Tate capital.

Speaking with journalists, the Commissioner of Police for the Ondo State Command, Mr. Hilda Ibuforo-Harrison, the students along with one other still at large lured an 18-year-old History/English student of the same school and gang raped her.

The arrested students are Ajibola Timilehin, Olagbaju Tobi, Adetuyi Olakunle, Adeyemi Adebisi and Eric Wage.

The commissioner said the as the victim was being raped by the suspects, one of them, Olakunle recorded their heinous crime with a phone and later abandoned the girl to go with a threat that they shall use the charms on her if she ever reveals the incident to anyone.

Harrison said the case was reported at to the school authority saying that the phone and the charm used in perpetrating the act were recovered.

While stating that the victims was visited at Ile-Ife where she is receiving treatment, the commissioner said the statements of both victims and the suspects were recorded.

The commissioner said the suspected cultists were arrested in some locations within Akure following a tip-off.

She said the suspects on interrogation confessed to be members of different cult groups.

Harrison said some of the suspected cultists had also been alleged to have involved in recent murder of three young men and other violent crimes in the state.

The commissioner said the command had commenced investigation into the allegation that some policemen were members of cult groups.

She said the force would deal with any of its men found to be involved in the act.

She said the suspects would be arraigned in court very soon.Â

said he was neither beaten or interrogated neither did they ask him for contacts of the family members. “He also claimed that while in their captivity they

did not blind fold him rather they have him free access to move around. He said he was only blindfolded when they wanted to release him. “Meanwhile, we are

investigating because we are aware of a case involving a land matter in the area, which we think made him stage the incident.�

According to the policeman, they had to send him to the state command anti-kidnapping squad since they were the ones handling the case.Â

ANOTHER EFFORT TO TACKLING CORRUPTION

R-L: Charge d’ Affaires, US Mission to Nigeria, Mr. David Young; Religious Leader, Bishop Emmanuel lsong; Head, NPF, PCRRU, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Shogunle; US Consul General, Mr. John Bray; and lmam Shefiu, at the launch of ‘Report Yourself,’ a webbased platform that leverages citizen engagement to fight corruption in Nigeria by US Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria in collaboration with BudgIT, a local NGO in Lagos... yesterdayÂ

Taskforce Raids Ikorodu, Arrests 133 Suspected Cultists, Badoo Members Chiemelie Ezeobi A joint security taskforce yesterday raided four flashpoints at the Ikorodu area of Lagos State and arrested about 133 suspects in connection with their alleged involvement in cultism and the Badoo gang, a notorious ritual group.

The taskforce comprised of operatives of the Lagos State Police Command, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Department of State Services (DSS), Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), O’dua

Peoples Congress (OPC), as well as Onyabo and local vigilantes.

Led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations, Edgal Imohimi; RRS Commander,  Olatunji Disu, and the LNSC Chairman, Mr. Israel Ajao, a retired Deputy Inspector of Police (DIG), the taskforce set out to curb the increasing  Badoo menace and other cult-related activities. The raid, which began early in the morning and wound up in the afternoon, saw the taskforce comb blackspots and flashpoints known as hideouts for cultists and Badoo members.Â

 The combed areas include Bayekun, Ikorodu main town, Igbogbo and Majidun and it was the latter that yielded a good number of the arrested 133 suspects. Already, as at press time, the suspects have been moved to the Oshodi headquarters of the Lagos State taskforce for screening. When contacted, RRS Commander, ACP Disu, said they went on a raid of all cult known areas in conjunction with the state police command operatives, DSS, LSNC, OPC, Onyabo and local vigilantes.  He said: “After combing

several  criminal hideouts in Ikorodu and its suburbs, scores were nabbed. “Those arrested are suspects.

They are to be screened. Arrests were based on intelligence and in conjunction with local vigilantes. “We went on the raid of those communities because of the activities of Badoo and all cult related activities taking place in the area. “The first step is to screen all suspects and that is already being done at the taskforce office. All those found wanting will be charged to court while the innocent will be released.�

Customs Seizes Container Load of Fake Drugs from India Eromosele Abiodun The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, yesterday announced that it had arrested a 40-feet container loaded with fake drugs imported from India.

The Comptroller of FOU, Mohammed Uba Garba, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos, stated that the 1,442 cartons of drugs (Tramadol225/120mg) in container number MSKU 98895 1X40ft and a MAN Diesel truck with Reg no. RRU 513 XA, were intercepted along Apapa-Oshodi and Benin-Ijebu Ode expressways.

He said his anti-smuggling effort also led to the seizure of seven other containers that contravened customs law by

means of false declaration and breach of import prohibition list by trade. “While three of the containers carried 5,014 pieces of used tyres, used fridges, used double electric burner, the other containers carried 499 cartons of Eva soap as against poultry incubator declared in the SGD. This act of false declaration falls under section 46 (d),(e),(f) of CEMA Cap C45 LFN 2004, which tantamount to outright seizure. “You can see how clearly the Government loses revenue to these economic saboteurs. Just yesterday, we intercepted one DAF Truck with Reg No. DAL 543 ZX carrying 1,200 cartoons of smuggled poultry products along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

Similarly, container No. BOMU

588006/6 1X40ft conveying 400 bales of second hand clothing was also seized, “he said.

Garba disclosed that 15 suspects have been arrested in connection with these seizures.

He said the various contraband with a duty paid value (DPV) of N200.99 million were seized between June 13 and July 10, 2017. “In the same vein, the unit, through our interventions, recovered N28.95 million from duty payments and demand notices on general goods that tried to outsmart our officers at seaports, airport and border stations through wrong classification, transfer of value, and short-change in duty payment that are meant for the Federal Government of Nigeria, making a cumulative

of  N229.95 million from June 13 to July 10, 2017, making it another spectacular breakthrough in anti-smuggling operations under my watch. “Within this period, 40 different seizures were recorded comprising vegetable oil, foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, smuggled vehicles, medicaments, used tyres, and various general merchandise. You will agree with me that the fight against smuggling can only be won if all hands are on deck. The commitment, doggedness, resilience  and diligence of the officers and men of the FOU A for foiling the antics of smugglers who used different methods for concealment cannot be over emphasised,� Garba noted.

THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017 • T H I S D AY

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THURSDAYSPORTS LMC Lifts Ban on Kano Pillars’ Stadium

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Reprieve for Sunshine fans as Tornadoes miss boardroom points Duro Ikhazuagbe The League Management Company (LMC) yesterday lifted the four-month old ban slammed on the Sani Abacha Stadium, the home ground of Kano Pillars.

The Sai Masugida who have missed the massive support of their fanatical fans during their period of hibernation, are to have full house on Sunday when they host champions Rangers International of Enugu on Match-day 29 clash of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Similarly, Sunshine Stars of Akure who were banished to the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode due to crowd violence and have been playing behind closed gates are to have their fans back to the stands.

In communications with the two NPFL clubs yesterday, LMC said that the decisions to lift the stadium ban was sequel to a review of the conditions set out in the original order that suspended

the admission of spectators to their home matches.

The league body however insisted that it would during the next two home matches of the two clubs, assess the level of compliance with the revised safety and security measures put in place by them.

LMC However restated that Sunshine Stars banishment away from Akure Township Stadium to Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium subsists.

“The Akure Township Stadium would only be admitted to host Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches after confirming that the club has fully complied with the required measures,” observed the LMC in a statement yesterday.

Some of the conditions Kano Pillars was also issued to comply with include; Provision of revised match day security plan; evidence of prosecution of complicit individuals; and evidence of fans and supporters education workshops.

For both clubs, LMC warned

ZENITH WOMEN B’BALL LEAGUE

Dolphins, First Bank Remain Unbeaten in Ibadan The finalists in the last year’s edition of the Zenith Bank Women Basketball League, First Bank and Dolphins, both of Lagos, have done almost everything right to again meet in the final of the 2017 edition.

First Bank and Dolphins are the only two teams with unbeaten runs in the ongoing campaign that started in Abuja two months ago.

From the FCT to Kaduna (Phase Two), through Asaba (Phase Three) and now Ibadan (Phase Four), these two teams have maintained complete dominance and so, lovers of basketball are likely to see them in the final again in Lagos.

This also means First Bank and Dolphins will still be the country’s representatives in the African Club Championships later in the year.

Only on Wednesday, First bank defeated IGP Queens 119-86 at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan in continuation of the Phase Four stage. Dolphins also defeated Customs 72-48 to further boost their chances of picking one of the two continental tickets at stake.

In another match, Benue Princess defeated First Deepwater 63-49 but both sides will still have to record another win to avoid missing out of the Grand Finale.

Only eight teams will make it to Lagos for the Grand Finale out of the 14 teams competing in Ibadan. Six teams will be eliminated from this stage.

Meanwhile, the Phase Four of the competition sponsored

by Zenith Bank comes to a close today as some of the teams battle to make it to the final phase in Lagos.

Coerver Coaching Course Ends in Lagos The three-day professional development course delivered by Coerver Coaching Netherlands ended today in Lagos.

The course facilitated by Search and Groom Youth for Development Centre, had 80 young coaches from schools, churches and academies from both Lagos and Abuja go through an intensive football coaching courses in youth football development.

Instructors from Coerver Coaching Netherlannd used the last two days to drill the participants in both theory and practical sessions at the Lagos Preparatory School, Ikoyi, while the final day availed the participants the opportunity to put into practice what they learnt through the use of school children to create a game time situation to test their assimilation

and evaluate their understanding of the course.

One of the instructors who is the CEO and Technical Director of Coerver Coaching Netherlands, Rainel Woerdings, said he was impressed by the enthusiasm of the participants to learn.

“The participants showed enthusiasm to learn which was evident in the kind of questions they asked. Wednesday was used to know those among them that will do well in coaching as they put to use what they have learnt with the children during the practical session,” stressed the coordinator.

The youth football coaching diploma 1 course which began on Monday was tailored to take care of players between ages 7-16 years.

that full and final decisions would be announced after the two matches they would host.

Meanwhile, the LMC has also ruled that the result of the Match-day 28 fixture between Enyimba and Niger Tornadoes in Calabar stands as the petitioner; Niger Tornadoes could not provide evidence to support the application of Rule C5.

Tornadoes had filed a petition seeking to have three points and three goals awarded the club on the grounds that Enyimba fielded a player, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu that was suspended for the match following the accumulation of five yellow cards.

In their defence, Enyimba submitted that they did not intentionally field the player as the notice of suspension did not reach them. They also made references to similar incidences last season in which they alerted Nasarawa United in Makurdi that they were about to field a suspended Thomas Zenke and the player was dropped.

Similarly in Port Harcourt last season, Kano Pillars brought to the attention of Enyimba that they were about to field a suspended Nzube Anaezemba leading to Enyimba dropping him.

They therefore contended that Tornadoes did not play fair by withholding information only to turn to protest.

Christian Weli scored the only goal as Rivers United returned to the NPFL to beat MFM 1-0 in Port-Harcourt… yesterday

NPFL: Weli’s Strike Gives Rivers Utd Vital Win over MFM FC Christian Weli’s strike on the half hour was all Rivers United required to win 1-0 against highflying MFM FC in a tense Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game in Port Harcourt yesterday.

The midfielder turned home a loose ball from close range after the MFM defence failed to clear their lines following a throw in from the near side.

Rivers United should have taken the lead early in the game but Bernard Ovoke’s tamely-struck penalty was easily stopped by the MFM FC goalkeeper, Folarin

Abayomi in the fifth minute.

The home side refused to allow the setback deter them as they continually stepped on the accelerator and got due reward with Weli showing the instincts of a poacher from point blank range.

Stung into action, MFM almost got back on level terms straight from the restart but Stanley Okorom shot wide with just the Rivers United goalkeeper, Femi Thomas at his mercy following an exhilarating team move.

Thomas was required to make a brilliant save five minutes before

half time as Stephen Odey made a powerful run before shooting low and hard with the United defence in sixes and sevens.

The MFM Head Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, had surprised many by starting with a three-man backline and his team talk at the break seemed to have been hinged on getting his charges fired up to get an early equalizer in the second half.

They almost obliged as Adegboyega Adekunle, Odey, Okorom and Sikiru Olatubosun all came close in the opening 11 minutes of the second half.

United withstood the pressure and almost double their lead in the 72nd minute when Weli miscued his effort from the edge of the MFM penalty area after good work by substitute, Bolaji Sakin.

In the end, there was to be no more goals as the hosts closed out the win which sees them climb out of the relegation zone.

MFM remain in second place on the NPFL standings with 46 points from 28 matches while United now occupy 14th spot with 36 points from 26 matches.

66 Former Militants Bag Barcelona Sports Institute Scholarships Okon Bassey in Uyo No fewer than 66 former Niger Delta militants have been offered scholarships to study sports management fundamentals at the Johan Cruyff Institute in Barcelona.

The Chief Executive Officer, To-be Connected Nigeria, Alhaji Faruk Yabo, dropped the hint in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State during a media chat held by Sia-One Sports Academy.

He said, beneficiaries would combine their studies with training sessions, while in camps as well as have three hours lectures daily

adding that, participants would also be awarded certificates after the four months programme.

Yabo, who is the African coordinator of the programme said the sports management fundamental programme is being delivered in Africa for the first time by the University of Amsterdam to blend academic with sports.

Hear him: “Why we are introducing the course to young people is to give opportunity to blend academic with sports because, when you are exceptionally talented, most times there is the tendency to

disconnect from school.

“This course is providing opportunity for those players who wish to pursue formal education while being actively involved with soccer to combine academic and their football career.

It is a programme for all those who want to have a career in sports”.

He lauded the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta/ Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd) for providing the opportunity for youths in the Niger Delta to excel in sports and make it an alternative source of livelihood.

The CEO of Sia-One Sports Academy and former Super Eagles Head Coach, Samson Siasia, had earlier expressed confidence in the programme, acknowledging the role of Gen. Boroh in providing the platform for the youths to showcase their talents through the Sports for Peace Initiative in the Niger Delta.

On his part, Ezekiel Nya-Etok, commended the Akwa Ibom State government for providing the venue for the training of youths from the region while also expressing optimism for the state government support for the programme.

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017

THURSDAYSPORTS WIMBLEDON 2017

Murray Knocked out, Injured Djokovic Retires, Federer through to Semis

Murray Defending champion Andy Murray appeared hampered by injury as he was yesterday knocked out of Wimbledon 2017 in the quarter-finals by Sam Querrey on Centre Court.

Querrey, 29, won 3-6 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 6-1 to become the first American man to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Andy Roddick at Wimbledon in 2009.

The Briton, 30, led by a set and a break but lost 12 of the last 14 games as he struggled physically.

Elsewhere, Novak Djokovic who was expected to leapfrog Murray retired from the Wimbledon during his quarter-final clash against Tomas Berdych with an injury.

The former world number one lost the first set 7-6 (7-2) to the Czech, and was 2-0 down in the second when he had to retire.

Djokovic, 30, had treatment on a shoulder injury during his last-16 win over Adrian Mannarino and needed further attention against Berdych. The Serb would have returned to world number one if he had won Wimbledon.

Murray looked on course for an eighth win in nine matches against Querrey when he led by a set and a break, but less than two hours later he was out, after the American fired down his 27th ace.

Querrey took his chance superbly, hitting 70 winners, 30 of them from the net as he attacked at every opportunity.

Roger Federer on the other hand maintained his bid for a record eighth Wimbledon title as he moved into the last four with a 6-4 6-2 7-6 (7-4) win against Milos Raonic.

Federer, 35, made short work of beating last year’s runner-up with a trademark display on Centre Court as he won in his 100th singles match at Wimbledon.

He will now play Tomas Berdych in Friday’s semi-final.

Djokovic With Andy Murray also out, Federer is a huge favourite to take the title.

American Sam Querrey will play Croatia’s Marin Cilic in the other semi-final.

For Murray, it appeared that the hip injury that disrupted his build-up to Wimbledon had finally caught up with him.

After breaking serve to lead 4-3 in the second set, letting out a loud “come on!”, Murray dropped serve twice in a row, his opponent firing a brilliant

backhand to clinch the set.

Any thought that it was a momentary lapse from the champion disappeared when Murray was broken again serving for the third set, but he took the tie-break on his fourth set point and seemingly regained control.

In fact, it was Querrey who took command as Murray appeared underpowered and unable to move freely.

The Scot won just nine points on serve in each of the

Federer fourth and fifth sets, with an average serve speed down at just 108mph, allowing Querrey to tee off on the return.

The American played a magnificent point at the net to break for the eighth time, serving out the match after two hours and 41 minutes.

Querrey will now face seventh seed Marin Cilic in the semi-final after he beat Gilles Muller in five sets.

Muller - who beat Rafael Nadal in just under five hours

on Monday - took the first set but former US Open champion Cilic came through to win 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 5-7 7-5 1-6.

Murray was struggling with a hip injury in the build-up to Wimbledon, pulling out of two exhibition matches and missing three days of practice before his opening match.

But he would not tell the post-match news conference exactly what his injury was, only that he regretted a missed opportunity to add to his two

Wimbledon titles.

He said: “Throughout the tournament I’ve been a little bit sore but I tried my best, right to the end I gave everything I had, and I’m proud about that but it’s obviously disappointing to lose.

“There was an opportunity there so I’m sad that it’s over.

“Before the tournament it was very short-term solutions because you want to play Wimbledon.”

My Injury Hell is Over, Says Terry Envoh After two year of inaction occasioned by a persistent hip problem, former Nigeria Under-17 and Under-20 international, Terry Envoh, believes his injury hell is over and expects to be back in action within a year.

Terry first suffered a horrible hip injury in 2014 and missed the entire 2015 season through a hip impingement injury and even when he returned, he struggled to play at the high level that led football watchers to tip him for super stardom.

Hopes of a full return to fitness and resumption of his career however, emerged over the weekend via social media on Monday when pictures emerged of Terry undergoing surgery with a FIFA recognised Sports Medicine team led by Dr Sunday Onimisi Salami.

Dr Salami is a Sports Traumatologist and Arthroscopic Orthopedic Surgeon who is Member of the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS).

He leads the Kasi Health Sports Medicine team in Lagos Nigeria that now offers hope for many Nigerian athletes whose careers have stalled from injuries that have been poorly treated and sometimes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as in the case

with Terry Envoh.

“I had no idea about any of the Sports Medicine experts here in Nigeria and was referred by a former colleague whose career had also been saved by Dr Salami and is back in the league scoring goals,” Terry said when we put a call through to him. “Given how the operation went, I am certain my injury hell is over and I will follow through my recovery road map.”

Dr Salami who is the Chief of Surgery and Consultant Arthroscopic Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Traumatologist at Kasi Health, he said Terry required a very complex surgery to put hip joint back in playing condition — and get him back on the football field.

He performed the complex surgery with his team and confirmed that the injury has not ended the player’s career.

“Terry Envoh’s surgery was successful and we fully expect him to make a full recovery.

By no means should an injury like that truncate the career of such a talented young man,” Dr Salami said. “We are confident he will return to elite level of play even with the two years of injury as we have fully fixed the problem with the hip. It also helps incredibly that he is a very determined and positive

Dr. Salami (right) examining Envoh before the surgery young man and has already began rehabilitation under our care. In fact, I see him eventually earning a call up to the Super Eagles once he starts playing regularly again. That is his dream and we will make sure he gets all the help and support necessary to achieve it.”

Also corroborating Salami’s thesis on Envoh, Dr Dayo Osholowu, Director of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation at Kasi Healthcare, the team overseeing Envoh’s recovery

said the player’s positive mindset means he stands a good chance of full recovery.

“A patient’s mindset and disposition is extremely essential in recovery. It is that positive mindset that will mean that patients will follow through on all the recovery programmes we carefully design for them. To see him so determined and focused even after going through so much is refreshing and we envisage that he will be back on the pitch within nine months,” the director

assured the player.

Dr Osholowu is an alumnus of the prestigious FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence Johannesburg, South Africa where he earned a postgraduate certification in Football Medicine.

He has served with international teams including the Athens 2011 Special Olympics World Games Medical Team, South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cups. He is also a member of the international FIFA Medical Network.

Thursday, July 13, 2017

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Price: N250

MISSILE Kemi Adeosun to Nigerians “Our budget is the lowest in Sub-Sahara Africa and one of the lowest in the world.

Our budget size is too small and that means we can only pay salaries in some cases and we don’t have money to deliver essential services. I am sure you will say that is because people are stealing or because you are wasting money but I am saying even if you plug all the stealing and all the waste, the budget size is not big enough” —Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, on the state of Nigerian economy

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Of Lion King, Hyenas and Jackals T here is no better reflection of the state of our nation today than the Facebook exchange between the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari and the Senator of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani. It speaks to several issues: Nigeria is no better than a jungle where transgressing the boundaries of acceptable norms is standard practice for some people; the political actors care more about their personal interests than the welfare of citizens; and in the desperate struggle over spoils—which basically is what their rivalry boils down to—as it is in the animal kingdom, fear and brute force control the environment.

If we go by Senator Sani and Mrs Buhari’s Facebook narratives, we have an aging (and also ailing) “Lion King” who has to battle some ferocious “Hyenas and Jackals” to stay politically afloat. How the interest of the “Weaker Animals” features in such cold calculation I still do not understand but a word for Mrs Buhari here: Any confrontation between a solitary lion and a group of hyenas is usually very bloody. When you now throw jackals into the mix on the side of those hyenas, then what follows may be akin to Armageddon!

It all started when Senator Sani posted a message on Mrs Buhari’s Facebook wall, saying “prayer for the absent Lion King has waned. Until he’s back, then they will fall over each other to be on the front row of the palace temple. Now the hyenas and the jackals are scheming and talking to each other in whispers; still doubting whether the Lion King will be back or not. Now the Lion king is asleep and no other dare to confirm if he will wake up or not. It’s the wish of the Hyenas that the Lion King never wakes or come back so that they can be kings…”

In response, Mrs. Buhari—who is never shy of expressing strong, sometimes controversial political views—posted her own loaded message: “God has answered the prayers of the weaker animals. The hyenas and the jackals will soon be sent out of the kingdom.

We strongly believe in the prayers and support of the weaker animals.”

For those who may miss the essence of that political allegory, let me refresh their memories with something that happened 18 years ago. For a whole week in April 1999 in Ethiopia’s Gobele forest, fierce fighting was recorded between a pride of lions and a pack of hyenas, leading to several fatalities on both sides. According to reports by the Ethiopian News Agency at the time, the rival animal groups “would rest in their dens during the day but come out every sunset, roaring and howling, to continue their battle for supremacy”.

There was no explanation for that bloody clash which was described as mysterious by the Ethiopian authorities. “If drought had been the cause, the beasts would have attacked neighboring villages rather than butcher each other,” said Kemal Bedri of the Harrar State Agricultural Bureau. But

Mrs Buhari in a December 2014 piece, a writer named Eaglesong provided some rational explanations as to what usually causes a rift between the hyena and the lion.

In the vast Savannahs, according to Eaglesong, “two eternal enemies reside” which are lions and Hyenas and he explained why they fight: “Sometimes, it happens that lions get exhausted after killing a prey and so they decide to rest for a while and get back their breath before they enjoy their meal. But, in the meanwhile, the hyenas smell the fresh blood and spring into action to have it and for that they are ready to challenge the big cats as well. Generally, when the hyenas attack the lions, they do it in a huge group so that they can outnumber the lions.”

I hope readers are paying attention here.

The lion has captured its prey and when it is time to eat, the hyenas would suddenly arrive to partake in what they did not work for. When you have an old lion battling not only such opportunistic hyenas who come in numbers but also a large group of jackals, then there can only be one outcome which

then explains why Nigeria is in currently deep trouble. And talking about jackals and lions, a 20th February 2014 piece titled “Lions and jackal clash over kill”, published in ‘Wildlife’ magazine, provides interesting insights.

According to Corlette Wessels, who recounted an experience at the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, a large wildlife and conservation area between South Africa and Botswana, she woke up one morning to find four lions eating an animal they had hunted. “They were surrounded by jackals. I was amazed by the bravery of these jackals as they tried to steal meat from the kill while the big male lion was still eating. The way they strategised and changed tactics to get a piece of the kill was amazing. Then a very brave little jackal got in on the action, taking an entire leg and running off with it. However, one of the lionesses came over, chased the jackal and took back the leg. The jackals never gave up; they stayed around and kept on trying to take some from the kill…” wrote Wessels.

Before we proceed, it is important we put the latest statement of Mrs Buhari in context. In a BBC interview aired in October last year where she threatened not to back any re-election bid by her husband in 2019 if certain things remained the same, Mrs Buhari revealed that the president “does not know 45 out of 50, for example, of the people he appointed and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years,” before she added: “Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position.”

The significant point in that famous interview is that Mrs Buhari was not satisfied with the distribution of political spoils by the “Lion King” who, to her, had been tamed by a group of other animals—now identified as hyenas and jackals—who were not even involved in the game. The situation is now compounded by the distinguished Senator’s admission that nobody is sure of the health status of the

“Lion King” though Mrs Buhari has assured us that it will roar again to the detriment of “the hyenas and jackals”. Yesterday, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, who on Tuesday dashed in and out of London, said he had a “good conversation on wide-ranging issues” with the President whose return date remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the reduction of the nation to the status of a zoo, a wild jungle in which all of us—the civil populace and the APC political wheeler-dealers—are denominated in animal metaphor is rather unfortunate.

Besides, while lions are regarded as the king of the jungle and the fiercest hunters of prey, it has also been established that any single lion can easily be brought down by a small group of hyenas. It is therefore the height of Freudian suggestiveness to cast the ailing president as a Lion King surrounded by some ferocious predators.

It is, however, not surprising given the imperial distance between President Buhari and the people who voted him to power, even before he took ill and had to leave for the United Kingdom. The underlying condescension of his wife who has been fixated with distributing spoils, in the absence of any serious attempts by the administration to articulate coherent policies, can therefore be aptly captured in this revealing but naive allegorical exchange on Facebook. Ironically, because it sums up the character, essence and dramatic personae of Buhari’s troubled presidency, it also paints a pathetic picture of Nigeria as just another animal kingdom!

Olu Jacobs @ 75 One of Nigeria’s foremost thespians, Mr Olu Jacobs, a role model and distinguished professional in several respects, just clocked 75. I wish him many more years of active service to the country.

When Adeleke Jams Melaye…Gongo Aso!

A

few days before the Osun West senatorial by-election last Saturday, a video surfaced online of Mr (now Senator) Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, in a dancing duel with a fair-complexioned and well-endowed lady.

Considering how the man was digging it while also “holding something”, it just reminded me of a definition someone once gave of dancing as “vertical expression of horizontal desire”. And I was almost certain that Nigerians would hear from my friend, Dr Reuben Abati, who is perhaps the best authority when it comes to interpreting such matters. I was wrong as Reuben chose this week, of all weeks, to write on some ‘Britico’ lawmakers who—evidently wary of our “atan ina wa ebi” shamelessness—deny their Naija ancestry!

It is, however, not too late for Reuben to intervene on this matter of power-dancing,

both literally and figuratively. Following the election in which Adeleke—denied the APC ticket by some power brokers in his state who may forever regret their miscalculation—won by a wide margin, the Senator took to the dancing floor again, this time, solo. And the uncle of popular artiste, Davido (Omo Baba Olowo) proved conclusively that it is in the family.

While there are as many opinions on the video clips as there are commentators, immediate past Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Executive Chairman, Mrs Ifueko Omoigui Okauru, MFR, said that Adeleke should be free to do what he enjoys doing, which is dancing, as long as he does not betray public trust. “Adeleke obviously loves dancing and he dances quite well, if you ask me. The entertainer (not seen in the video) would be happy and he’s probably a member of his constituency. That may

also help the sales of his album, another gain for Adeleke’s people. Besides, it’s the Nigerian culture he is celebrating and we should be proud of him that he does so with such passion. If he was playing the violin or saxophone, would that make him more acceptable?” asked Mrs Omoigui Okauru in a post on a small WhatsApp chat group we both belong, which I reproduce with her permission.

However, with Adeleke following in the dance-steps of Senator Dino Melaye’s “Mo le jo lori agolo” (I can dance on the top of a tin) YouTube performance, the Senate of Nigeria is now blessed with great dancers.

In fact, the person who sent me Adeleke’s video clip titled it, “Dino delivers a twin brother”. The day the two lawmakers decide to try each other for dancing dexterity on the floor of the red chambers, Nigerians will know that indeed, Senate’s Got Talent!

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