Tuesday 25th July 2017

Nigeria Agrees to Cap Oil Output at 1.8mbpd Militancy returns, knocks off 150,000bpd Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

and non-OPEC producers, led

by Russia, have approved the decision of the federal government to cap Nigeria’s oil production at a sustainable

volume of 1.8 million barrels per day (mbpd).

The Joint OPEC and NonOPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) yesterday

held its fourth meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, where it reviewed the June 2017 report, and also listened to the presentations made by the

representatives of Libya and Nigeria on their production recovery plans, prospects and challenges.

But the decision of the

JMMC came on the heels of reports that Nigeria’s attempt to grow the volume of crude Continued on page 10

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NAF Apologises for Rann Bombing, Says It Remains Traumatic for Pilots… Page 41

Ekweremadu: Restructuring Must Be Done Incrementally, Not Just About Resource Control N’Assembly begins clause-by-clause consideration of constitution review Amendments include decongestion of Exclusive List, abrogation of joint state-LG accounts, ministerial representation for FCT Damilola Oyedele and James Emejo in Abuja The Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Joint Constitution Amendment Committee of the National Assembly, Senator

Ike Ekweremadu, has said the effective and comprehensive restructuring of Nigeria could only be done incrementally to ensure gradual acceptance of the thorny issues after adequate Continued on page 10

Okorocha: Buhari Could Be Back in Two Weeks Oyegun, govs sought president’s support for convention Omololu Ogunmade and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja with agency report Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, who was one of THE four All Progressives Congress (APC) governors that met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday in London, has said that he expects the president to return home from the United Kingdom (UK) within the next two weeks, confirming THISDAY’s report yesterday that Buhari may

return by August at the latest.

Speaking to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in London yesterday, Okorocha said Buhari was in high spirits and fully engaged in discussions about his home country.

The president, who is 74, left Nigeria on May 7 for treatment for an unspecified illness, and save for the photograph released by the State House on Sunday showing Buhari at lunch with Continued on page 40

Deputy Senate President and Chairman of the Joint Constitution Amendment Committee of the National Assembly, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, when he appeared on Arise News Network to speak on Nigeria’s restructuring… yesterday godwin omoigui

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PAGE TEN EKWEREMADU: RESTRUCTURING MUST BE DONE INCREMENTALLY, NOT JUST ABOUT RESOURCE CONTROL enlightenment of Nigerians.

He added that the clamour for restructuring was not just about devolution of powers to allow states the rights to explore and exploit the mineral resources located within their regions, but one that would also entrust states with the responsibilities to provide amenities which are currently the obligations of the federal government.

Speaking last night on Arise News Network, the broadcast arm of the THISDAY Newspaper Group, the deputy senate president said some of these responsibilities include the generation and transmission of electricity, provision of an efficient railway system, and the establishment and financing of state police for enhanced security.

Ekweremadu’s remarks came on the heels of the decision by the Senate and House of Representatives to begin the clause-by-clause consideration of the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution today, following the submission of the final report of the Adhoc Committee on Constitution Review last week.

Ekweremadu expressed his support for restructuring, but

advocated for the intensive enlightenment of Nigerians, so that citizens understand that restructuring would benefit the country and accelerate socioeconomic development, rather than harm the country.

Restructuring, he said, would ensure peace and stability, as there would be equitable distribution of resources and equal opportunities for all Nigerians.

He added that some of the issues being discussed in the restructuring discourse would be voted on by the Senate and House during the clause-by-clause consideration of the committee’s report, which begins today.

Ekweremadu disclosed that while the committee, in the course of its work in reviewing the 1999 Constitution, was able to build a consensus on the devolution of powers, which would move some of the over 60 items on the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List with only 16 items left, the committee was unable to build a consensus on fiscal federalism.

The pending amendments to the constitution, therefore, do not grant states the rights to exploit

their minerals resources, he said, adding that his committee went round the country to get the input of Nigerians, but because it was unable to build consensus on fiscal federalism, it was not introduced in the constitution amendment.

Lending some insight into how the issue of fiscal federalism could be addressed in subsequent constitution reviews, he said: “In terms of fiscal federalism, two things would happen, first we would look at Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, under which all monies go to the Federation Account.

“What we have done in the present exercise, we said if you put all the money in the Federation Account before you start distributing it, you have to take away 10 per cent of it, and save.

“That was not there before; then we now share the rest based on the agreed formula, one of which is that not less than 13 per cent would go to where derivation is coming.

“So we can now say less than 13 per cent should be given to the three tiers of government, we can also now say less than

50 per cent, we can also say lets remove that aspect and let everybody be in charge of their resources and pay a certain tax to the federal government for the common good.

“And then we can also have sufficient funds in the Federation Account that can also take care of the less endowed states like they do in Canada for equitable growth to ensure that everybody is on the same standard in terms of education, healthcare and all that. So everybody is benefitting.

“Don’t forget that it is not just oil, we also have solid minerals. We are talking about fiscal federalism, so it is not just about oil. What we need to do is to make sure there is opportunity for everyone; there are available resources to go round.

“We are going to create the enabling environment for states to be able to exploit what they have. I can say on good authority that every state in Nigeria can be viable because of the resources buried in the ground.”

Continuing, Ekweremadu stressed that though fiscal federalism was not touched during the constitution review, the committee was able to

build consensus on the issue of devolution of powers.

“We would take some of the items on the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List, that is the way to go.

“So if we are patient and we go about restructuring in an incremental manner, I give it three, four, five years, we will get to where we want to be,” he said.

Ekweremadu, who expressed full support for the restructuring of the country, was of view that the issue was not one that needed to be subjected to a referendum, but rather a “conversation”, so that Nigerians would understand that they would not be worse off as a result of restructuring.

“Restructuring would not happen as a bill because it would not succeed. There are some states that are less endowed than Rivers State, so they are worried. If you say let Rivers State take everything that comes to them, what happens to other the states?

“You need to reassure them that there is going to be a fund that takes care of them. If you do not explain that to them, they would never support you,” he

explained.

Ekweremadu also observed that the clamour for restructuring might be a major campaign issue during the 2019 general election, but added that most of the current conversations around the subject were elitist, noting that the debate needed to be taken to the grassroots.

“We need to explain to the people. Government has agencies and programmes for explaining programmes of government to the people. Part of the job of political parties is to educate the electorate.

“If you say you are going to form a quorum on a ticket that is supporting restructuring, and you tell them that we are going to remove the issue of resources from Section 162 of the constitution, so let everybody be a master of his own destiny, you would need to explain to them how that is going to work.

“If you tell them that you would move solid minerals away from the Exclusive List, you would need to explain how they would benefit from it.

“For instance, Zamfara has a lot of gold, they can make more

pipeline breach.

According to data from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the TransNiger Pipeline (TNP) crisscrosses the Ogala, Alakiri, Cawthorne Channel and Bonny areas of the western Niger Delta, transporting about 180,000bpd to the Bonny export terminal in Rivers State.

The pipeline is operated by SPDC under a joint venture with NNPC, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and Total E&P, and is part of the gas liquids evacuation infrastructure system critical to the Afam VI power plant and liquefied gas exports.

“Unfortunately, we have not been able to sustain it (oil production) because we got challenges. As I am talking to you this morning, the TransNiger pipeline has been breached in Ogoniland and that is 150,000 barrels of oil that have been knocked off. That has been an issue with that area,” said Baru.

He added that NNPC and its partners would continue to dialogue with the community and expressed hope that production would be restored.

Also speaking at the conference, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo warned that the days of crude oil as a coveted natural resource were fast coming to an end.

He advised Nigeria and other African oil producers to sit up to the reality and make swift efforts to use the oil revenues they generate today to plan for a future without oil or risk being taken unawares.

The acting president also said recent developments where countries such as Japan, China, France and the Scandinavian countries had set dates to produce and use only electric vehicles should be a source of worry for African countries with oil.

“This session holds at a very significant time for our continent and countries; at a time when we as a continent and indeed the rest of the world

are witnessing volatility in the oil market and by implication our local economies.

“Over the last three years or so, oil producing countries across the world have experienced the full impact of the drop in oil prices with significant negative impact on government revenues and budgets and on the value of national currencies.

“The reality of a future where demand for and revenues from oil drop sharply is already upon us and almost every major oil importing country today has embarked on an aggressive non-fossil fuel alternative,” said Osinbajo.

He added: “China, Japan, France and some Scandinavian states have already set dates within the next 10 to 15 years to produce and use only electric vehicles. The zero oil days are clearly around the corner.

“We know, of course, that the prosperity of Africa ultimately lies in its human resources and talents and not in anything that we extract from the earth.

“But as the world begins to move in the direction of alternative and clean energy, the reform of APPO should factor in these new realities and aim to reposition the organisation as a clear leader in this regard.”

He equally explained that there was a connection between rising acts of terrorism across the globe and illegal mining and sale of stolen crude oil, and asked the members of APPO to develop in their reform of the organisation, systems that track the volume of oil they produce and export.

“Permit me to mention a matter of immediate concern.

Around the world today we are increasingly seeing crude oil often of untraceable origins, funding the activities of terrorist groups and other purveyors of violence and conflict.

“Many of these groups constitute a threat or are a potential threat to the safety and security in many of our member states.

“APPO reforms, therefore,

need to build capacity to maintain a reliable statistical database and to deploy technology to track every molecule of crude oil extracted from our territories.

“This is an important step not only for global security, but also for fiscal transparency, sustainability and, of course, through the required levels of international collaboration,” Osinbajo stated.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had earlier in his address reiterated Osinbajo’s warning when he said that “crude oil was on the verge of being phased out as a result of improvements in technology”.

Kachikwu said: “Technology is moving at a fast pace. The oil world is fast disappearing and with current trends in technology and environmental concerns, it is clear that over the next 20 to 30 years, oil will become a fading if not a faded product.

“What this means is that most countries that harbour oil have only about 30 years to harness, explore, find and enjoy the full benefits of oil. Because after that, most consumers of oil would have moved on to a cleaner source of energy,” Kachikwu pointed out.

Continued on page 40

NIGERIA AGREES TO CAP OIL OUTPUT AT 1.8MBPD oil it produces every day has suffered a setback, following the attack by militants on the Trans-Niger crude oil pipeline in the western Niger Delta early yesterday, resulting in the shut in of 150,000bpd.

OPEC and non-OPEC producers led by Russia had agreed to cut oil output by a combined 1.8 million barrels per day from January 2017 until the end of March 2018.

However, Libya and Nigeria were exempt from the production cap to help their production to recover from destructions caused by internal strife.

But in a communiqué issued at the end of yesterday’s meeting, hosted by the Russian Federation, the JMMC said it welcomed the flexibility of Nigeria in this regard, “which despite its commitment to recover its pre-crisis production level, voluntarily agreed to implement similar OPEC production adjustments as soon as its recovery reaches a sustainable production volume of 1.8 million barrels per day”.

The JMMC, however, did not back capping Libyan output, saying its production was unlikely to exceed 1mbpd in the near future, compared to its capacity of 1.4m-1.6mbpd before unrest erupted in 2011 and plunged the nation into chaos.

The meeting reviewed the June 2017 report as well as the first six months of the Declaration of Cooperation, as submitted by the Joint OPEC and Non-OPEC Technical Committee (JTC).

Having reviewed the report of the JTC, including the presentations made by the representatives of Libya and Nigeria on their production recovery plans, prospects, and challenges, OPEC and Non-OPEC producers said they acknowledged the upside limitations of both countries beyond their current production levels.

“Once their production levels

stabilise, participating producing countries should further cooperate in a manner that contributes to the stabilisation of the market.

“The JMMC will continue to monitor and recommend further actions including the holding of an extraordinary conference of the 24 producing countries if needed,” said the communiqué.

The committee noted that the oil market was making steady and significant progress towards rebalancing.

According to the communiqué, this assertion was based on the report of the JTC for the month of June 2017, which reviewed market developments and the results of the first six months of progress made according to OPEC’s 171st Ministerial Conference Decision and the respective voluntary adjustments in line with the Declaration of Cooperation.

The meeting further stated that the continued strengthening of the global recovery was underway, with stability in the oil market remaining a key determinant, stressing that market volatility had been lower in recent weeks and investment flows had visibly started to improve in the industry.

According to the JTC report, there are several positive indicators going forward.

Oil demand is expected to increase significantly in the second half of 2017 compared to first half of 2017, with the growth reaching a level of 2mbpd, which should sustain the inventory draws.

Furthermore, the participating OPEC and Non-OPEC producing countries achieved a conformity level of 98 per cent in June 2017.

In addition, the same level of high conformity was observed for the first six months of January to June 2017. Between January and June 2017, the participating producing countries adjusted their production downwards by an estimated volume of 351 million barrels, the communiqué explained.

The JMMC added that it

would continue to engage with all participating countries individually, in particular, those that were yet to achieve 100 per cent conformity for the remaining period of the Declaration of Cooperation.

Also commenting at the opening of the JMMC, OPEC Secretary General, Mohammed Barkindo assured other producers that Nigeria had no intention of going beyond its oil production target of 1.8mbpd until the end of March 2018.

He also said Libya has an output target of 1.25 million bpd

by December, but it remains a target given the challenges the country faces.

Brent oil prices rose about 1 per cent to $48.50, helped by news of a cap on Nigeria and by comments from Saudi Energy Minister, Khalid al-Falih, that the Kingdom’s exports would fall to 6.6mbpd in August as demand at home was rising, effectively representing a cut of 1mbpd year-on-year.

Oil Militancy Knocks off 150,000bpd But as news of Nigeria’s acceptance to cap output at a sustainable 1.8mbpd was announced, the country’s target to grow daily production to 2.2mbpd as provided in the 2017 budget, suffered a setback following the attack on the TransNiger crude oil pipeline in the western Niger Delta in the early hours of yesterday, resulting in the shut in of 150,000bpd.

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru disclosed this yesterday on the sidelines of the extraordinary session of the council of ministers of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) in Abuja.

He said a fresh militant attack on the Trans-Niger crude oil pipeline in the Niger Delta area was recorded by the country in the early hours of yesterday, adding that up to 150,000bpd would be shut in from the

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COMMENT

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

WOMEN DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY REDUCTION Femi Ogun writes that the Lagos State Government is empowering women through various development measures

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n Nigeria, effort to give women a better deal has always been on the front burner. Generally, the Nigerian woman is industrious and strives as hard as the man. Sadly, she is rarely acknowledged as a significant contributor to society’s sustenance. It has, therefore, become essential to give much thought and attention to the state of women in the country, especially considering our present socio- economic realities.

Taking into account its cosmopolitan nature as well as its dynamic economic and commercial status, Lagos State has the largest mixture of women in the country. At the inception of his administration, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode pledged to run an all-inclusive government in which no one or any segment will be left behind. It is in fulfilment of this sacred pledge that the state government has intensified efforts to ensure that the right of every woman, irrespective of tribe and religious affiliations is not in any way trampled upon in the state.

In a bid to improve the living standard of women in the state, the state government has embarked upon a variety of empowerment programmes aimed at advancing the potential of women to earn a decent living.

The ultimate goal is to make them economically secure. One of such programmes was undertaken in partnership with Dangote Foundation and the end result was the launch of the Dangote Micro Grants scheme for Women in the state. Through this scheme, a total of 40,000 (2,000 per local government) women were provided with necessary support that could facilitate their micro enterprise.

Recently, over 3200 women and men including widows, vulnerable women, graduates of skill acquisition centres and senior citizens were also empowered through the state government mega empowerment programme. Similarly, through the various skill acquisition centre (SAC), numerous regular short term skill acquisition programmes have been held across the state. The total number of students that graduated from the ministry’s SACs in 2016 was 6,105. Presently; over 6,000 students are undergoing various training programmes in many centres across the state.

Similarly, the state government has equally done much to improve the medical wellbeing of women in the state. This is because better health is central to human happiness and well-being. Healthy population makes an important contribution to economic progress, as healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and save more. Hence, in collaboration with several other stakeholders, the state government has conducted vital health screenings for women across the state.

In addition to this, various enlightenment and awareness campaigns on health issues such as breast cancer, HIV / AIDS, cervical cancer and breast feeding have been conducted so that women could be more enlightened on issues relating to these diseases. Also, various seminars and workshops were organised to sensitise women on maternal mortality rate.

The womenfolk have also been supported in tackling gender- based violence which is a human rights violation, a public health challenge,

RECENTLY OVER 3200 WOMEN AND MEN INCLUDING WIDOWS, VULNERABLE WOMEN, GRADUATES OF SKILL ACQUISITION CENTRES AND SENIOR CITIZENS WERE ALSO EMPOWERED THROUGH THE STATE GOVERNMENT MEGA EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME.

and a barrier to civic, social, political and economic participation. It undermines not only the safety, dignity, overall health status, and human rights of the millions of individuals who experience it, but also the public health, economic stability, and security of nations. It cuts across ethnicity, race, class, religion, education level, and international borders. Although statistics on the prevalence of violence vary, the scale is tremendous, the scope is vast, and the consequences for individuals, families, communities, and countries are devastating.

In Lagos, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) had been inaugurated and it is saddled with the responsibility of rescuing and rehabilitating victims of domestic violence. Also, the state government has launched the State’s Guidelines Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. It is called the Domestic Violence Protocol for Responder Agencies and it is aimed at providing guidelines and establishing standards for relevant agencies.

These agencies include the police, judiciary officials, health care providers, social workers, counselors, educators, etc. The state government also approved the procurement of rescue vehicles and also established more shelter and transit homes for victims and would be survivors of domestic violence in addition to the procurement of rape kits and training for sexual assault examiners at primary health care centres across the state.

Similarly, the maiden edition of WAPA (Women Development and Poverty Alleviation) Alert, an online interactive social media), where issues concerning women are discussed was held at the Prestige Hotel, Ikeja. In the same vein, several sensitisation programmes for Lagos State women on gender -based violence were held across the state.

These include, among others, the one held in partnership with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on 16 Days Activism Against Gender – Based Violence Campaign, mentoring of public secondary school councilors on management of gender-based violence (GBV) , partnership with EWURO PROJECT for command performance to further sensitise the public on the issue of violence against women and plight of widows through the use of irresistible hybrid of drama, poetry, music and dance at the National Theatre , Iganmu, Lagos.

Considering current state of the country’s economy and its subsequent effects on food security, the state government is also offering training programmes for women who desire to engage in agriculture related ventures. Through this, they would not only be able to feed their respective families, but also be able to create wealth. Vital areas where the women were trained include agro processing, fishery, snail and grass cutter rearing. Others are cultivation of arable crops such as cassava, maize, leafy and fruit vegetables that serve as demonstration plots for agricultural trainees. The promotion of the formation of cooperative societies among female farmers in the state was also encouraged. The goal is to ensure they benefit from federal and state government’s agricultural interventions initiatives.

Ogun is of the Public Affairs Unit, Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation, Alausa, Lagos

APDA AND DIGITAL DEMOCRACY The newly registered political party will give attention to the welfare of the masses, writes Timothy Samson

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rom all indications the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) will be the party to watch in the run up to the 2019 elections.

It was the first party to have the courage of the collective conviction of its members to make a pre-emptive debut on the sterile political arena even before Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the new parties after unnecessary delay. Since it had met all the conditions of INEC for registration it took the plunge into the political arena with confidence, shaking off speculations of PDP-offshoot with a parade of new faces on the frontline. But it also had in attendance several bigwigs from PDP and other registered parties who were disillusioned and desirous of new platforms, lending credence to APDA’s posture as the alternative new coalition of youth-driven political initiatives for a fresh push for a new dispensation.

While the other new parties were still in limbo, the APDA was already discharging some internal combustion sparked by the restless jostling for its reins from within and without, but contained admirably by its interim leadership spearheaded by the chairman, Mohammed Shittu, himself a “youthful veteran of Nigerian politics”. Having officially collected the APDA registration certificate from INEC, Shittu secured it firmly even as the jostle for influence pitched the contenders in a battle of nerves.

In the final analysis, there was acknowledgement of the indispensible position of Mohammed Shittu in the formative process

for APDA as its primary advocate who coordinated and facilitated the successful emergence of the party on the national scene. The resolution of the power equation by principled recognition of its youthdriven, new generation resolve to take their rightful places in enhancing the democratic dispensation with more dynamism and patriotism, neutralised attempts to redefine the parameters of influence. The reality of generation shift in Nigerian politics made a powerful outing as the live wire of APDA. With the executive equations amicably balanced, the APDA has since moved on with the arduous but achievable task of mobilisation and entrenchment of the party across the land, notwithstanding the obvious tension of proximity to 2019 transition year.

Flaunting the ideological identity of social democrats, APDA, according to Shittu is all about giving overdue attention to the welfare of the youths and masses. ‘We intend to put food on the table of Nigerians, we intend to improve on our social security and housing and also to focus on states as hubs for our industrialisation programme drawing from the area of economic advantage of each state”, he told newsmen recently , capturing precisely and convincingly its priorities for human welfare and socioeconomic development. It is also concerned about the growing agitations and restiveness of teeming population of unemployed and frustrated youth which intends to address by diverse economic empowerment programmes. With the harrowing impact of the All Progressives Congress/Buhari

Presidency’s recession-oriented governance ravaging Nigerians at all levels, APDA sure has the right recipe to rekindle dashed hopes of positive change.

Arguably, the greatest challenge awaiting APDA after successfully reining in the forces of “capital cabals” jostling for “ownership” is the assemblage of a new generation of party supporters, members and the faithful to take zealous possession of the party structures across the country and spread the new political culture of “digital democracy” where E-registration/membership, e-payment of fees and dues and e-voting for party offices combine to put political party power firmly in the grasp of ordinary members on a modern, transparent and accountable platform. With this strategic innovation of party administration and processes, APDA is determined to offer the best alternative to the notorious analogue rigging anomalies of old parties, especially the godfathers, moneybags, imposition of candidates and governor-takes-all election congresses.

Alhaji Mohammed Shittu explained it this way: “We are saying, don’t bring a billion to us, just go back to the ward level and start from there to win the hearts of the members at all levels. That way we are filtering them because if you start from your ward, you get a sense of belonging and the members know their powers over you as shareholders not mere joiners and when you get to Abuja you know you must be accountable to them.” In fact Shittu’s APDA is so determined to fight money politics

and corruption in democracy that he has unveiled a draft bill that will be sent to the National Assembly by an APDA Presidency to criminalise the distribution of “essential commodities” during electioneering !

There is a lot more about APDA that sets it far apart from the business as usual analogue parties which is evident in the giant strides it has already made by operating the electronic-systems modules for registration, membership and payment of dues and popularising other revolutionary innovations which also distinguish its constitution and manifesto from the recycled compilations of analogue parties currently waiting for ambitious billionaires to launder ill-gotten funds through “donations” and “sponsorships”. Its biggest potential stems from the massive response of the majority of youthful E-Nigerians who are more endeared to the digital world and have confidence in the insulation of electronic systems from the corruptive and crude manipulation of oppressive moneybags and powerful elected officials of party and government.

Mohammed Shittu (MON) has a vast experience and deep insight into Nigerian politics in which he has been involved at influential levels for decades before adopting Abuja as his coordination point since clinching the party FCT chairmanship. The APDA is a product of frank analysis and sincere commitment to righting the wrongs of our democracy and party culture by like-minded patriotic politicians willing to actualise a new era with a new generation.

Samson wrote from Abuja

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EDITORIAL TACKLING JUDICIAL RASCALITY Judicial authorities must clarify urgently legal issues involving the recall process of elected members

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he decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to report a serving judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) over the recall process on the senator representing the Kogi West Senatorial District is another reminder of the challenge of justice administration in Nigeria. INEC Commissioner, Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, said the commission decided to draw the attention of the CJN to the order of Justice John Tsoho to prevent a precedent in which politicians would resort to using the court to derail legitimate electoral process.

Coming at a period the conďŹ dence of the public has been badly shaken by the antics of several of the men and women on the bench, this is one issue the CJN must deal with expeditiously. “Whereas, the court adjourned hearing of the Motion on Notice to 29th September 2017, it should be noted that Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of the IT IS ALL THE MORE Federal Republic of UNFORTUNATE THAT Nigeria (as amendTHOSE BRINGING SHAME ed) sets a limit of 90 UPON THE INSTITUTION days from the date ARE THE SAME of the presentation CUSTODIANS CHARGED of the petition (21st June, 2017) for WITH MAINTAINING ITS INTEGRITY AND PRESTIGE the exercise to be completedâ€?, said Obeanu who explained the implication of the ruling that was ostensibly orchestrated to render INEC power ineffectual.

Even though INEC has asked the judge of the Federal High Court Abuja, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba to vacate the order that had stopped it from proceeding with Senator Dino Melaye’s recall process, many questions still beg for answers.

Why would the Judge grant such an order without hearing from INEC, thus denying an elementary canon of law which is fair hearing? Or is it that

Letters to the Editor

the judge is ignorant of the law on recall process?

It is unfortunate that in Nigeria today, there are two different laws: one for the rich and another for the poor. What worries is that it is a pervasive problem. While justice administration should ordinarily be about the protection of the rights and liberties of citizens and the promotion of the rule of law and public good, justice is no longer for the weak in Nigeria. Yet a system where politicians can easily procure “justice�, where some senior lawyers are known to write judgments for some judges to adopt, is only one step away from anarchy.

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he crisis of credibility aficting the judiciary has taken a serious toll on the institution whose image in the eyes of many Nigerians is now severely battered.

It is all the more unfortunate that those bringing shame upon the institution are the same custodians charged with maintaining its integrity and prestige. So bad is the situation that there have lately been investigation of some men and women on the bench, including Supreme Court Justices, allegedly linked with corrupt practices. Some judges are also currently under trial. Restoring credibility has therefore become the task of all the relevant stakeholders but more that of Justice Walter Onnoghen as the CJN and chair of the National Judicial Commission (NJC).

The judiciary, it is worth repeating, is not just any institution: it is an important arm of government that knits human society together. Yet the function of law as instrument of social engineering is made difďŹ cult in Nigeria by the corruption of judges. From the delays in the administration of justice which are most often deliberate acts to the culture of tardiness and corruption which robs the institution of its impartiality, fairness and independence, there is an urgent need to restore integrity to the bar and the bench in Nigeria, beginning with the INEC case in the recall process for Senator Melaye.

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

PDP: HOW TO RECAPTURE THE NORTH

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is making some frantic efforts to reposition itself and recapture its lost fortunes and supporters in northern Nigeria. After losing the 2015 elections, without proper analysis of the situation, the PDP, in haste, asked its then National Chairman, Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu to resign. The PDP failed to see that its woeful performance in the north during the 2015 elections was strongly due to the unprecedented Buhari ‘tsunami’, the failure of the then central government to effectively tackle the Boko Haram insurgency, and the name, Goodluck Jonathan.

PDP’s first priority should be Northern Nigeria; the party’s resurrection, re-imaging and a ‘restart’ must begin from the north. The PDP must bring on board bigwigs from the north to help the party to ‘come to life’ in the north and the country in general. Most of the party’s fortunes in the north are lost. Thus, the party needs people who understand how politics play out in the north. Apart from having a chairman who has such capacity, the PDP also needs its founding members who understand the fundamentals of northern politics. People like Sule Lamido, who is a product of the Aminu Kano radical politics of the north. Lamido is from the core Hausa-Fulani states and has large followers. Furthermore, his ‘cousins’ in the northeast will have nothing against him. The Middle Belt and many northern minorities share his politics of radicalism. Lamido’s greatest shortcoming is the corruption case hanging on his neck. But with his excellent performance as governor of Jigawa State and he is known throughout the country, just some ‘little packaging’ is what he needs.

Hate him or love him, Ali Modu Sheriff is one of those adventurous politicians in the north who have grabbed the nitty-gritty of the politics

in the north and have connections in the south. The ‘amnesty’ purported to have been granted Sheriff and his bloc was a mistake. The victor; no vanquished declaration made by Ahmed Makarfi should be marched with real action. The PDP truly needs Ali Modu Sheriff. Though he is not a presidential material, but he is an astute politician.

Looking at his style of politics, the love for adventures in politics and opportunistic tendencies former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar cannot resist an offer from the PDP and the PDP cannot also resist an Atiku in its ‘house’. Because, Atiku has immense war chest that easily scares off his opponents and vast political network and connections.

Former Vice-President Muhammad Namadi Sambo appears so jittery to play active role in the PDP. But Namadi has no option than to play active role if he is still a member of the PDP. Though, PDP’s presidential ticket may not fit him now.

One man that can pull crowd and make impact in the politics of PDP’s presidential ticket is Gombe State governor, Ibrahim Hassan DanKwambo.

Dankwambo is one of the highflyers governors with massive youth’s support. For the PDP to really begin a new start, it must take advantage of some of its bigwigs in the north who have adept understanding of the nexus of Hausa-Fulani and the minority politics in the north. Late MKO Abiola’s inroad in the north was ‘motorised’ on the basis of utilisation of the experience of individuals who understand that nexus. PDP’s future depends on whether it recaptures its lost fortunes in the north and how well it takes advantage of its experienced members who have gone through mills of the politics of the north.

Zayyad I. Muhammad Jimeta, Adamawa State

WHY HANDSHAKES SHOULD BE BANNED

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f practices that are considered acceptable social norms become the means by which societies are harmed then such practices should be de-emphasised or taken down, as it were. The seemingly harmless custom of handshaking is actually the route by which microbes are transferred from one person to another in Nigeria because of the prevailing near-zero personal hygiene profile of especially the Nigerian male: folks sneeze into their clasp hands rather than into handkerchiefs if they care to stifle the sneeze at all, folks do not care to wash their hands with soap or detergent after using the toilet or doing open-air defecation because they cannot afford to buy these items; folks handle putrid and vermin-infested stuffs too easily with bare hands and then do not bother to wash up afterwards because they are not “white men� who are too obsessed with antiseptic surroundings, etc. With a right-hand palm full of microbes these folks would consider it a snub or disrespect or social faux pas if the other party does not accept their offer for handshake in a rather hearty, African-style that most often involves rubbing of palms together and holding on to sweaty palms for long periods of time. It is no wonder that the common cold is the plight of many a Nigerian male. Thus, for the long-term protection of the health of the wider population, handshakes should be banned as a matter of national hygiene.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2017

POLITICS

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

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING

Has FG Lost the Initiative on Marauding Herdsmen?

As more states scramble to enact anti-open grazing laws to stop rampaging herdsmen from attacking innocent communities across the country, the federal government may have lost the capacity to holistically address the problem, writes Tobi Soniyi

B

efore President Muhammadu Buhari took office on May 29, 2015, herdsmen were already on rampage. The point must be made, the problem was not created by him.

However, as soon as Buhari was sworn in, herdsmen became more daring. They became uncontrollable. As Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka would put it, they started exhibiting conqueror mentality. Unfortunately for the country, the authority exhibited lack of political will to stop the menace. The federal government was found wanting when it was supposed to show leadership. At a time the country was under siege.

In Benue alone, not less than one hundred people had been killed while properties and means of livelihood valued at hundreds of millions were destroyed. The psychological effect on the people could not be valued as they live under fear overwhelmed with trepidation.

The story was not very different in Plateau.

In 2016, a first-class traditional ruler, the Saf Ron Kulere and Chairman of Bokkos Traditional Council, Sir Lazarus Agai, was killed with his driver while returning from his farm.

In the south-east, the herdsmen invaded Ukpabi Nimbo in the Uzo-Uwani Local Government of Enugu state killing about 20 persons. In Ondo State, herdsmen invaded the farm of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae. The security guard at the farm was killed during the attack.

Other attacks did not attract the attention of the media and went unreported.

A government that is quick to issue a statement condemning terrorist attacks in other countries had in the past refused to react to these atrocities by herdsmen and when it did, the reaction did not go far enough. At a time, when concluded that the herdsmen were enjoying a tactical support from those in authority. But the government rejected such insinuation.

The whole country expected the federal government to tackle the herdsmen head on especially when their activities threatened agriculture, a major plank upon which this administration planned to rely on to diversify the economy.

As the attacks intensified, governors came under heavy pressure by their people to protect them. But the governors were helpless since security apparatuses were in the hands of the federal government. The fact that Buhari had chosen to appoint only his kins men and those who share the same religion belief with him as security chiefs did not help matter.

Several times, Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom was at the Aso Rock Villa seeking federal intervention to stop the killings of his people by herdsmen. The fact that he also had to sign an anti-open grazing bill into law implied that he had to find a solution to the challenge by himself.

When it became obvious that the government at the centre would not come to their aid, the governors looked inward for a solution.

The Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, a fierce critic of the president fired the first salvo. He got his state’s house of assembly to pass a bill, ‘Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing in Ekiti, 2016’ which he quickly signed into law. He was widely applauded.

When he did not get the help he wanted from the federal government, Ortom also signed a somewhat similar bill into law in

Buhari... couldn’t come up with a solution

Benue state. In his reaction to the new law, the governor said: 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 practised 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

A government that is quick to issue statements condemning terrorist attacks in other countries had in the past refused to react to these atrocities by herdsmen and when it did, the reaction did not go far enough

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.”

Taraba and Edo states also working on a similar law.

Recently, the Speaker of the Taraba House of Assembly, Abel Diah, said that an executive bill seeking to prohibit open grazing, would be beneficial to both herdsmen and farmers in the state. According to him, the bill was meant to improve the lives of livestock and herders.

He said: “This is a revolution government is bringing to better the life of grazers, create jobs and harmonious co-existence between farmers and herders. It is high time we stopped killings associated with open grazing.

“When passed and signed into law, the bill will check the activities of criminals hiding under the guise of grazing to perpetrate all forms of crimes.”

“Those (grazers) coming outside the state will be given temporary permit for the purpose of identifying livestock owners,” he said.

Diah said the law would also enable the government have information about grazers at its finger tips and know how to plan for their welfare.

Also in Edo state, a bill for a law to establish the Edo State Cattle Rearing and Grazing Agency had already passed second reading on the floor of the Edo House of Assembly.

Bright Osayande (APC-Ovia North East 11), who led the debate for the passage of the bill, said the incessant killing of defenceless farmers and the needless destruction of crops by herdsmen had become a call for concern.

“The criminal activities of these herdsmen have earned the group the reputation of being the fourth most dreaded group, according to the Global Index for Terrorism (GIT).

“Their activities have taken a different

dimension as the herdsmen now take their cattle to school premises for grazing,’’ he said.

He drew the attention of the house to a newspaper publication, which drew global attention to the herdsmen’s invasion of Ohovbe primary school in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the state.

He called on the lawmakers to make deliberate efforts at giving members of the public a feeling of protection by regulating the activities and menace of herdsmen through stiff penalties.

There are indications that many more states will join the race to address the challenges posed by the marauding herdsmen. Since the federal government would not do anything, the states should not be blamed for seizing the initiative.

However, attempt by these states to solve the problems is likely to create more confusion. Apart from the facts that some of the offences created and those that are likely to be created are already taken care by existing laws, enforcing the new laws would pose challenges and is likely to result in chaos.

For instance, who will arrest herdsmen when they run foul of the Ekiti law? Is it the federal government-controlled police? If the federal government is not interested in bringing herdsmen to justice, then enforcing states’ laws will be a tough challenge.

There are also concerns that some of the provisions of the laws violate the constitution and are likely to be declared null and void by the courts.

As it is, it is not too late for the federal government to rise to the occasion and show leadership by working with states and security agencies to come up with a workable solution to the challenges posed to the nation by herdsmen. It only needs to muster the necessary political will.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2017

POLITICS

CanAnythingGoodComefromEl-Rufai’sC’ttee?

Davidson Iriekpen queries the choice of the Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, who has openly castigated those clamouring for the country to be restructured, as Chairman of the All Progressives Congress’ committee to define its concept of restructuring

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fter much pressure , the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) last week finally accepted to join the discussion on restructuring by setting up a 10-man committee to articulate its position on the issue.

The party, which has restructuring of the country in its manifesto, had been silent on the issue in the face of outcries from across the country.

The clamour has become so strong that prominent political leaders have joined the campaign.

Those leading the campaign include two former vice-presidents, Dr Alex Ekwueme and Atiku Abubakar, a former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Gbonigi (rtd), former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Alani Akinriade (rtd), Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Senator Femi Okunronmu, Chief Albert Horsefall, Chief Edwin Clark, Pastor Tunde Bakare, National Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin and President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Chief John Nwodo and many others.

But to their consternation last week, APC appointed Kaduna State governor, Nasir elRufai, who has never hidden his contempt for those calling for restructuring the chairman of the 10-man committee. In fact, last month, the governor had appeared on national television where he lambasted those clamouring for restructuring, describing them as political opportunists. He noted that they opposed restructuring when they were in power at the federal level, wondering why they now joined the calls if not for political reasons.

When the governor was asked why restructuring was jettisoned by the APC government even though, it is contained in the party’s manifesto, he stated: “It was not jettisoned. I think, in fact, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has done more in practical terms about federalism than the previous administrations put together.

Those who talk about restructuring see it as largely political opportunism, in my opinion, rather than practical reality.

“I will give you examples. State governments are now much more involved in economic policies at the national level than ever before.

We meet every month under the auspices of the National Economic Council; and working together with the federal government, we chart direction for our economic policy. That is part of shifting the federal-states balance. As you said, it (restructuring) is in our manifesto and it is specifically stated there that we are going to look at the exclusive (legislative) list and do something about it. But what I’m trying to say is that there are three schools (of thought) calling for restructuring: there are those who are just political opportunists.

They are people who, when in power, did not believe in restructuring. When they were at the federal level, they did not believe in restructuring but they have now moved out and are calling for restructuring.

“There are those who genuinely believe that there is the need for us to look at the exclusive list and drop many of the items that are there. There is the need for us to know that even the states, in an ideal situation, the state government should not be involved in primary education; it is a local government matter. Primary education is better managed at the community level.”

When asked what restructuring meant to the Progressives Governors’ Forum, el-Rufai said, “For us, restructuring means to first look at the federal-state balance. We will look at the balance between responsibility and power; between the two tiers of government and ensure that what is best done at state and local level is devolved to the states and what is best done by the federal government stays with the federal government. That is the first step.

“Once that is agreed, the necessary steps

El-Rufai...APC has not jettisoned restructuring

for constitution amendment should kick in.

For instance, in our APC manifesto, we have committed to ensuring that we have state police because we believe that a centralised police system is inappropriate for a county as large and diverse as Nigeria.

“We can have federal police just as we have it in the United States, dealing with particular kinds of intra-state and inter-state crimes. But most of the criminal laws should be under the control of the states. There are arguments that in the First Republic that some regional governments abused the police but I would say that even today, state governments are in the position to use the police to abuse political opponents because state governments carry the substantial burden of running the police in their states. The third step is to look at the revenue allocation formula and try to inject some kind of balance and equity tied to the responsibilities that each tier of government is going to share. This is our conception; this is how we see it and it is all articulated in our manifesto.”

El-Rufai is not alone in this line of thought.

If they don’t understand the word, they should get the Chamber’s Dictionary and look at the meaning of restructuring rather than setting up a comical committee to divert the attention of Nigerians

His party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, had once disclosed that the federal government was yet to give restructuring a priority. He said: “It is contentious and lot of people talk about restructuring without any commonality.

We have stated clearly what we want to do; devolution, true federalism. We really avoided the word restructuring because it means so many things to so many people.

So, yes (is the) short answer to your question.

We are coming to that but our priority for now, for today, is to fix the economy and restore hope, provide jobs to the teaming millions of our youths all over the country.”

After describing those calling for restructuring opportunists, many now wonder why APC appointed El-Rufai the head of that committee.

This has made the Igbo umbrella group, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere; and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, to criticise the committee. While Afenifere and two civil rights groups berated the APC for reneging on its promise after it had been voted into power.

The spokesperson for Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, said the party was playing cheap political game by setting up a comical committee, stressing that the APC was insensitive to the mood of the country. He stated that a party that was committed to the well-being of the country would not take the people’s agitation with levity, wondering why the party promised to ensure true federalism in its manifesto when it had no plan to do so.

He added: “They put in their manifesto that they would ensure true federalism, what did they understand by that? If they don’t understand the word, they should get the Chamber’s Dictionary and look at the meaning of restructuring rather than setting up a comical committee to divert the attention of Nigerians.

“It is unfortunate that while the country is sliding and going under, right before our eyes, the APC is playing cheap political games with the people of Nigeria. This shows they don’t understand the season that we are.

They lack the capacity to understand what is going on in the country. When the country is stressed, when there is discontent here

and there, a party that is committed to the well-being of Nigeria will not be playing this kind of game.”

Also, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and the Campaign for Democracy (CD) described the APC panel on restructuring definition as laughable, arguing that it was an attempt to “take Nigerians for a ride.”

The group said apart from the “strange mandate” given to the panel to define restructuring, the composition was not representative. CDHR President, Malachy Ugwummadu, said: “I learnt of that panel with serious bewilderment. It is a joke taken too far. The APC rose to power on the crest of its manifesto and one of its cardinal points is the clear promise to restructure the country.

“It is an idea that is conceived in treachery, nurtured in perfidy and delivered to us with mischief. I believe the APC should sit up. The patience and the indulgence of the Nigerian people have everything to do with the failure of the PDP but that does not mean that our memory is short. The real alternative we needed is what we have not yet got after two years. How would you explain that kind of reckless statement that the APC is just setting up a panel to define what it means by restructuring?”

The CD President, Usman Abdul, said: “I think the APC’s attempt to begin its work on restructuring without bringing the major stakeholders (outside the governors’ forum) into it is laughable. The panel is simply to make a caricature of what we have been saying.

“Some governors in this panel were part of the writing of this manifesto. When elections were near, they advocated and promised restructuring, but now in power, they are dragging their feet on their promises. There are people who have mechanisms for restructuring and should be brought into any constituted panel, not just governors whose antecedents cannot even be trusted.”

A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, described the setting up of the panel as irreconcilable. In a tweet, he said: “The APC setting up a committee on restructuring Nigeria is like Satan setting up a committee on reconciliation with God. They (APC members) do not want it.”

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TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Celebrating Ogidi Culture The Ogidi community in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State recently celebrated the Ogidi Day Cultural and Yam Festival where various groups performed and some eminent persons were honoured, writes Yekini Jimoh

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ccording to history, Ogidi community in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi West senatorial district of Kogi State is a Yoruba town and is known for its formations of igneous rock mountains and a traditional art industry.

It was believed that they migrated from Ile-Ife to settle down in present Ogidi.

It shares boundaries with Kabba in Kabba/ Bunnu Local Government Area, and three towns in Ijumu Local Government Council namely, Ayere, Iyara the headquarters of Ijumu Local Government Council and Ogale.

The language spoken in Ogidi is the Okun dialect of Yoruba. The men are traditionally farmers and hunters, and the women are renowned for arts, craft and trading.

The traditional ruler of Ogidi community is His Royal Majesty Oba Rafiu Oladimeji Sule, the Ologidi of Ogidi Kogi State.

The vegetation is a mix of forest and savannah. Coffee, cocoa, cassava, cashew, yam, maize, sweet potato, groundnut and kola are some of the popular produce from the town. Livestock–cattle, goats, sheep, poultry and their products–are also available in Ogidi.

The town is traditionally ruled by an Oba like other communities in Ijumu Local Government on a rotational basis between the two ruling houses of Itaji and Okelare.

The current Oba, Alhaji Rabiu Oladimeji Sule, is from the Okelare Ruling House in accordance with the tradition of the forebears, which is duly recognised by the government of the country.

In line with this, it is known that the next king would be from Itaji Ruling House.

Notable personalities came from Ogidi community such as Chief S. A. Ajayi (OFR) JP a renowned polyglot and a former minister in the First Republic and an associate of Late Ahmadu Bello.

It is also the home town of Nike Davies Okundaye, the renowned batik artist. The late Police officer, Sunday Bada, an Olympic gold medalist, hails from the town.

However, recently, the rocky community came alive as it celebrated the Ogidi-Ela Day Cultural/Yam Festival with glitz and glamour.

The Ogidi Day Cultural/Yam Festival is a week-long event celebrated annually with cultural performances, presentation of new yam, chieftaincy investitures, and awards amongst others.

Other activities featured also include

L-R: Chief Executive Officer of Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos, Mrs. Nike Okundaye presenting a tuber of yam to Ologidi of Ogidi,Oba Rabiu Oladimeji Sule, during the Ogidi Day Cultural and Yam Festival...recently

The Ologidi of Ogidi, Oba Rabiu Oladimeji Sule (middle) and his subjects dancing during the Ogidi Day Cultural and Yam Festival

This colourful and big cultural annual event normally takes place in the month of June as it attracts large turnout of illustrious sons and daughters from Ogidi community both at home and in the Diaspora; members of the diplomatic corps, tourists, high profile personalities and cultural enthusiasts

free medical outreach, novelty match, Jumat service, expedition to the Oroke Oda mountain and a bonfire.

According to Ologidi of Ogidi, Oba Alhaji Rabiu Oladimeji Sule, the celebration of New Yam Festival started many years ago.

He told THISDAY that some group of elders one day came together and said there was need to celebrate New Yam Festival in Ogidi.

According to the traditional ruler, yam is a miraculous plant considering that it germinates when planted and because of that they decided to celebrate New Yam Festival annually.

This colourful and big cultural annual event normally takes place in the month of June as it attracts large turnout of illustrious sons and daughters from Ogidi community both at home and in the Diaspora; members of the diplomatic corps, tourists, high profile

personalities and cultural enthusiasts.

During this year’s New Yam Festival, an array of troupes from Calabar, Efik dancers, Edo dancers, Swange dancers from Benue, Aduni and Neferetiti, dancers from Ondo, Osun, Nike Davies Okundaye group and Olaga dancers and other home-based cultural groups were on ground to add colour and glamour to the celebration.

During the festival, people trooped out in their hundreds as early as 7a.m. to the palace of the paramount ruler, the Ologidi of Ogidi to pay him homage before heading for the venue. However, boys and girls, men and women, the elderly people, traditional rulers, cultural enthusiasts and various groups mostly in colourful cultural attires, began early to file out to the venue of the fiesta.

Before the proper commencement of the festival, the entire community was already

agog in celebration, as various cultural groups in ecstatic mood moved round the streets dancing to the tunes of their local drums and gongs, to the admiration of the people. The arrival of the King to the venue signalled the commencement of the festival as the paramount ruler of Ogidi, Ologidi of Ogidi land, Oba Rabiu Oladimeji Sule, arrived the venue of the cultural fiesta amidst rousing ovation and ululations from the mammoth crowd.

All the traditional chiefs, titled women of Ogidi, farmers, hunters and the Elegbejegbe groups amongst others, led the King to the venue in a colourful way.

At the venue, all groups paid homage to the Oba. They include, the Olokoro/ Olu-Otun group, the Orotas, various women and men groups in the community, the Ebira community in Ogidi and also Iyamoye group.

19

˾ T H I S D AY TUESDAY˜ Ͱͳ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

FEATURES These groups sang and danced in a procession to the point where the Oba was seated and prostrated before him as a mark of allegiance and honour.

While on their procession to pay homage to the Oba, the hunters, who were all armed with guns and other hunting weapons, demonstrated their hunting prowess and shot intermittently into the air as a mark of honour for their paramount ruler.

The Oba, on the occasion prayed for blessing, peace, progress and development of Ogidiland as he called on illustrious sons and daughters of the land to continue to give their quota for the overall development of Ogidi.

He also appealed to the state government to come to their need, particularly on the road leading to the community from Kabba which needs rehabilitation. The revered traditional ruler also called on the state government to partner with various interested organisations towards making the Ogidi Yam Festival an international one.

Speaking at the event, the President of Ogidi Development Union, Mr. Kayode Eniolorunda, said the concept of Ogidi Day as the biggest cultural event in the country in the month of June has come to stay. According to him, it is hoped that in the nearest future, the fame and glamor will go far beyond the shores of the country as he urged all the sons and daughters to come together, bury their differences, bond in unity and join this progressive train already firmly in motion, the destination of which no power can anymore resist.

The President also used the occasion to thank the royal father, the Ologidi of Ogidi and all Chiefs present at the occasion including the former President of ODU, Mr. Tunde Ipin!isho. Also speaking at the occasion, the Onigboho of Igboho, Oba John Bolarinwa Oyetola, Olubiyi 11, said the significance of the festival cannot be over emphasised because of its importance in the annals of Yoruba history.

The Oba noted that there is no ambiguity in relation to the origin of this great Kingdom stressing that Ogidi, the founding father of Ogidi Kingdom migrated from Ile-Ife to settle at the present day Ogidi Kingdom and has his roots firmly rooted in Ile-Ife, hence, a son of Oduduwa and by extension a significant part of Yoruba nation.

"It is therefore significant that no Ifa divination can be completed without mentioning Ogidi, Ogidi malaja, awo Ile-Ife," he said.

He noted that he has come to realise that the people of Ogidi Kingdom have existed in unity and peace over the years, which has contributed to the development of Ogidi town.

He therefore urged all sons and daughters of Ogidi to continue to live in harmony to give room for further development of Ogidi Kingdom. The former running mate to late Prince Abubakar Audu in the last governorship election, Chief James Faleke, in his goodwill message commended the organisers of this year’s Ogidi Day Yam festival. According to him, the festival has reached a climax in terms of international recognition as he called on sons and daughters of Ogidi to come home and develop the town.

Faleke, a member at the House of Representatives also commended the Ologidi of Ogidi and other Chiefs in the Kingdom

The Oba, on the occasion prayed for blessing, peace, progress and development of Ogidiland as he called on illustrious sons and daughters of the land to continue to give their quota for the overall development of Ogidi

The Ologidi of Ogidi, Oba Rabiu Oladimeji Sule (middle), his two Olories and other personalities at the occasion

A masquerade performing at the event

Women dancing during the New Yam Festival

for moving the community forward.

Those who received chieftaincy title

include Chief Oscar Yao Doe from Ghana as Obatoyinbo, Engr. Abubakar Ohere as

Bamigboye, Hon. Victor Adewale Omofaiye as Alara of Ogidi land.

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T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

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Quick Takes Babington-Ashaye Elected CIIN President

GATHERING OF PROFESSIONALS

L-R: Legal OďŹƒcer, Seven Up Bottling Company Plc, Mr. Chima Obinna; Legal Adviser, Seven Up Bottling Company Plc, Mrs. Ngozi Giwa-Amu; and Zonal Coordinator, Consumer Protection Agency, Alhaji Garba Shittu Hammad, during the inaugural conference of the Association of Company Secretaries and Legal Advisers (ACSLA, Manufacturing Sector) at Oriental Hotel Lagos‌recently

Operators Want FG to Subject Oil and Gas Dividends to Withholding Tax Seek review of asset divestments Ejiofor Alike Stakeholders in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry have urged the federal government to subject the dividends earned in the oil and gas sector by international oil companies (IOCs) to withholding tax, stressing that Nigeria is the only oil-producing country where dividends in the oil and gas sector are not subjected to withholding tax.

Speaking to THISDAY on the recent revelation by the Nigerian

ENERGY exploration and production (E & P) companies that the country lost an estimated $6 billion in the asset sales by the IOCs, some of the stakeholders also want the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to set up a technical team with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) as a member to review the divestments of assets by the IOCs. They argued that the IOCs paid little amount as signature

bonuses for the oil blocks in the 1950s and 1960s and raked in billions of dollars from the sale of the assets at the expense of the federal government.

One of the operators told THISDAY on condition of anonymity that the IOCs paid very little amount in the 1960s for the oil blocks and after making billions of dollars of profit, still went ahead to sell the assets and rake in billions of dollars when their licenses were about to expire and the assets relinquished to the federal

government. “When an IOC comes in here to invest its money, it produces oil and natural gas and exports it. There is no restriction whatsoever on what it does; what it brings and the revenue it earns. It is only in the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry that dividends are not subject to withholding tax,� he said.

Another operator, who spoke off the record, also argued that Angola subjects all the revenues earned by the operators to Continued on page 22

Methodology for Future Electricity Tariffs Will Be Clear to Consumers, Says Fashola Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has said that the methodology for the future review of tariffs in Nigeria’s electricity market would be made clear to customers to end the prevalent suspicion about tariffs in the country.

Speaking at the recent presidential Quarterly Business Forum (QBF) in Abuja, Fashola, said there were misunderstandings about electricity tariff issues by consumers, adding that consumers do not really understand why tariffs should be cost- reflective.

He noted that the government has decided to make the

ENERGY processes simpler to enable consumers understand how the tariffs they pay for electricity consumption was arrived at, as well as a justification for them. “There are issues about whether they are cost reflective.

Tariff issues have also been subject to the vicissitudes of the larger economy; what was supposed to be tariff gains have been wiped out by exchange rate depreciations. And so, one of the things we are trying to do now is to re-evaluate the tariff regime in a way to see first that the methodology must be simpler; those who pay must understand how they arrived at the price and

all of us must be able to say this is what the tariff is saying and it is a little complex at this moment,� Fashola said.

He also stated that the government decided to work with the World Bank to create the Power Sector Recovery Programme because it needed the support of the Bank to clear up existing operational challenges in the sector.

According to him: “It is really a series of carefully thought out policies and actions that have emanated from government’s interactions with all the players in the industry, not only as a result of my monthly meetings but also meetings at the higher levels of government which have come as feedback to

us as issues challenging the industry.�

He said the programme was developed to activate and achieve the energy supplies needed to meet the economic objectives of the government which were articulated in its Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). “We have developed this document in collaboration with the World Bank to whom we will be looking for support, not only in terms of technical areas, but also in particular the financial support they can offer to the government side and also to the few Operators that may need financing support Continued on page 22

The Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has elected Mrs. Funmi Babington-Ashaye as its 48th President. The new President, a former Managing Director of Cornerstone Insurance and NICON, is the sixth female president of the Institute. Her investiture comes up on today (Tuesday, July 25) at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

An accomplished practitioner and seasoned underwriter with over 30 years cognate experience in the insurance industry, Babington-Ashaye started her insurance career with Royal Exchange Assurance Plc as an Insurance Superintendent in 1987 and later joined Cornerstone Insurance Plc as a pioneer staff in 1991.

Through dint of hard work and exceptional performance, she rose through the ranks and became the MD/CEO of the company within 15 years. In that capacity, she brought her wealth of experience and creativity to bear on the performance of the company, which easily became the reference point in the industry. Through her sterling leadership qualities, she grew the turnover of the company by over 80 percent within one year and also successfully recapitalised Babington-Ashaye the company.

Winner of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London’s JC Lepine Prize Award, she is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London and Nigeria. She is also a Fellow of Chartered Insurance Brokers and Institute of Directors, Nigeria.

SON Tasks Tyre Dealers on Quality Worried about the alarming rate of road accidents caused by substandard tyres, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has taken the gospel of standardisation to the heart of the tyre industry in Nigeria.

The Director General, SON, Osita Aboloma, during one day workshop on safety and quality requirements of tyres at the Africa tyre village, trade fair complex in Lagos, explained that the forum was part of efforts to promote the economic well-being of residents of the state. He said that the workshop is apt considering the proliferation of substandard tyres in the country which has caused preventable loss of lives and property in recent times. The SON chief executive who was represented by the Director, Management Systems and Certification, SON, Oluremi Ayeni, said the agency’s vision is to improve life through standardisation and quality assurance to promote consumer confidence and global confidence and competitiveness of Nigerian products and services through standardisation and quality assurance.

In her words, “What we are out here to do today is part of our stakeholder engagement to educate the distributors and dealers in the tyre industry.

We have said over the years that educating stakeholders on issues that pertain to their aspect in the economy would go a long way in having a buy-in. we have been in discussion with the leadership of this market and you will know they are all excited to be part of it.

So to that effect, we are having technical sessions to educate them on the peculiarities of the product they are dealing with, because the key issue is about safety for road users.

As we ply our roads with tyres, we need to have a proper knowledge of what tyres can be when not properly used.

This is just the starting point because they are the main entry point of tyres into the country.�

“We have 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�

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͳ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

BUSINESSWORLD OPERATORS WANT FG TO SUBJECT OIL AND GAS DIVIDENDS TO WITHHOLDING TAX

withholding tax.

“When Angola gives 30 or 40 per cent stake to an IOC, the IOC also pays signature bonus. Then when the IOC drills the well, it pays withholding tax on every barrel of crude it lifts,” he added.

Also in an emailed statement to THISDAY, Mr. Dan Kunle, who is an energy consultant and former Technical Assistant to a former Minister of Energy (Gas), Mr. Emmanuel Odusina, insisted that the acting President should set up a technical team with BPE as a member to review the asset sales.

He alleged that the Ministry of Petroleum and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) were operating in defiance of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) and BPE Act. Kunle wondered why the deals involving the outright sales of Nigerian assets were consummated without the involvement of NCP, stressing that the Ministry of Petroleum and DPR must be made to account for what happened and how all the assets were transferred.

METHODOLOGY FOR FUTURE ELECTRICITY TARIFFS WILL BE CLEAR TO CONSUMERS, SAYS FASHOLA

from the Private Sector arm of the World Bank which is the IFC,” he said.

He explained that the issues of the market debts, tariff and World Bank funding would be some of the big issues that the programme would take up.

The minister also alleged that the reversal of the tariff in 2015 by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had partly contributed to the huge debts of the market.

“You will all recall that at the time government directed that tariffs be reversed somebody was already producing power; somebody was producing gas, and somebody was transporting it. Who was going to carry that Can?” he asked.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Cap Mkt)

NEWS

NNPCReclaimsCrudeOilPipelinestoImproveRefineries’Operations Stories by Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it has regained full access to the pipelines that supply crude oil to its three refineries in Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt, thus making it possible for the refineries to produce up to six million litres of petrol and diesel, respectively.

The corporation also plans to adopt a new model for commercialising Nigeria’s gas resources, in which exploration and production (E&P) companies could be allowed to only produce gas but not process it.

Speaking at the recent Sustainability in the Extractive Industry (SITEI) conference in Abuja, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, who was represented

by NNPC’s Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, Mr. Seidu Muhammad, said the three crude oil supply lines have been recovered after years of inactivity owing to vandalism.

The lines the NNPC said it reclaimed include the EscravosWarri crude pipeline and the Bonny-Port Harcourt refinery crude pipelines.

“Slowly we are reclaiming products pipelines, we have reclaimed all the three main lines that supply crude oil to the refineries, we have reclaimed some of the products

lines – Port Harcourt to Aba is an example, as well as the Atlas to Mosimi line, and for the first time in five years we have been able to move products from Kaduna to Kano,” Baru said at the conference.

On the corporation’s planned review of its commercialisation plan for its gas, he said: “The key issue here, what we are

trying to do now these days is to say: ‘look we have to look inwards, local capacity has to be built and that is why we have delineated the processing of gas from the E&P companies”.

“Henceforth, processing would be done by Nigerians with willing investors to assist us. In other words, the E&P companies will only produce the

gas to the surface and leave it to Nigerian companies to process and possibly transport it to the ultimate users,” Baru added.

He further explained: “That is our drive and the model we are adopting so that we have these seven critical projects come in and fill the gaps within the next few years.”

“Value addition is key to the

development of gas, we don’t just want to pipe and export it as LNG, but then we have to add value, and to that end we are encouraging industrial parks to make sure that we convert the gas into usable forms and more value added products either as intermediary or finished products of the petrochemicals,” he said.

REGAL DRY GIN RELAUNCH

L-R: Managing Director, Grand Oak Limited, Fatai Odesile; Chairman, Nigeria Distilleries Limited, Chief Akin Delano; Veteran actor, Femi Adebayo; Chairman, Lexcel Group, Mr. Ola Rosiji and Group Finance Director, Lexcel Group, Mr. Wale Majolagbe, during the relaunch of Regal Dry Gin in Abeokuta ... recently

UK to Bankroll Upgrade of Lagos CP Seeks Collaborative Approach to Nigeria’sPipelineInfrastructure, Tackle Apapa Gridlock Others Urges AP Moller to address the traffic ‘madness’ The British Government has said it would invest in major upgrade of Nigeria’s pipeline infrastructure, renewable energy, gas, and power.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright, disclosed this to the Group General Manager in charge of the Group Public Affairs of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, when the latter paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Arkwright, according to a statement from Ughamadu, said the British government was genuinely interested in the investing in Nigeria’s downstream; midstream; and upstream petroleum sectors, using the British Department for International Trade.

To amplify the potential investment interests in Nigeria’s energy sector by British investors, Arkwright, also urged the NNPC to organise a road show in London to create awareness on the possible investment opportunities available in the country’s hydrocarbon industry.

He disclosed that so many British investors had funds which they were willing to invest in Nigeria, stressing, however, that the process of obtaining Nigerian visa in the United Kingdom was cumbersome with three different levels of visa procurement fees as well as Nigeria’s postal order system.

Ughamadu, who spoke on behalf of the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, however told Arkwright that the NNPC would sustain its relationship with the high commission.

He also condoled with the British government over the recent terror attacks in the UK, adding the NNPC was grateful to Britain for its prompt issuance of entry visas to its officials on official functions.

Meanwhile, the NNPC has disclosed that it supplied an average of 64 per cent of the gas used to generate electricity in Nigeria every day in May. It said its monthly financial and operations report for May 2017 which was recently released, indicated that it supplied an average of 729 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd) in May 2017 to the power plants, adding that it was 63.74 per cent higher than 446mmscfd that was supplied in the previous month.

The report said the average national daily gas production for May 2017 stood at 242.70 billion cubic feet (BCF) or an average of 7,829.11mmscfd, representing a slight increase when compared with April gas production of 672mmscfd.

It also stated that NNPC, within the period under review, activated plans to build 500 million standard cubic feet of gas-per-day metering plant to serve the planned capacity expansion of Egbin Power Plant.

Ejiofor Alike The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni has called on all relevant stakeholders that transact business around Apapa area of the state to carry out their respective obligations to ease the traffic situation in the area.

Speaking to THISDAY after a recent violent protest against the killing of a truck driver by a policeman attached to one of the banks in the area, Owoseni also charged AP Moller to address what he described as the traffic ‘madness’ in the area, stressing that there is a consensus among the truck drivers that the company is the cause of the gridlock.

The Lagos police boss also appealed to business operators not to go to that axis of Apapa to transact business unless it is absolutely necessary, promising that the Police will continue to carry out their obligations to control the “appalling” traffic situation.

“The trucks are not parked because they like to park like these. The whole of Apapa is more or less not motorable.

It is a big challenge. You can see that if you move from here towards Surulere, all the roads have been taken over by the trucks, weakening the bridges as well. Of course, in the course of interacting with them, they have told

everybody here that AP Moller is the cause of the problem and that if the system of AP Moller is working as it should work, there shouldn’t be this madness. Both sides of the road have been taken over; they have turned this place to their houses,” Owoseni explained.

He noted that the traffic situation at Apapa also posed a security threat, pointing out that in the event of any emergency, it will be difficult for emergency-response organisations to access the area.

The police boss added that it is unfortunate that the police have to bear the brunt of this “irresponsibility.”

“Of course, the organisation (AP Moller) will be hearing this; everybody should play his part. Everyone has an obligation. The police will not carry the obligation of the other person. This is appalling and of course, one of the things we will want to even say is that if it is not absolutely necessary for people to come and run business in this place, this place is not advisable for anybody to come and use, especially in the night, because if you have emergency, it is a challenge for emergencyresponse institutions. We hope that that organisation and the company that is responsible for this will see what they can do in order to make sure that they ease this madness. This

is madness,” Owoseni added.

Speaking on the fate of the policeman that killed a driver, Owoseni stated that the killer cop is not part of the police the Inspector General of Police is building for the country.

According to him, the position of the Inspector General of Police is that everything a policeman does should be in conformity with the rule of law and in tandem with democratic policing, stressing that “the policeman that is said to have committed this offence is not one of us.”

“I want to tell you that that is not the police that the leadership of the police is trying to build.

He is not of us. He has done that unilaterally on his own and we will make sure that he pays the supreme price. I have been told that he was also wounded to an extent and he is in the hospital now. I don’t know what is going to be his position but you can be sure that necessary disciplinary measures will commence immediately and he will be made to face the full wrath of the law. But I want to emphasize that he is not of us. He is not part of the police that Nigeria wants; he is not part of the police that the Inspector General of Police is building for this country. He has betrayed the trust reposed in him and he will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Owoseni explained.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ENERGY

Linc Oil’s Fire Exposes Regulatory Weakness The recent fire at the Linc Oil and Gas tank farm in Calabar, which claimed 10 lives, and the deafening silence of the Department of Petroleum Resources over the incident has again exposed its weaknesses in enforcing Health Safety and Environment regulations in the oil industry.

Ejiofor Alike reports One of the key qualities that determine the corporate survival of any oil and gas company is Health Safety and Environment (HSE) policy, which measures the extent to which a company conducts its activities in a manner that promotes the health and safety of its employees, assets and the public, as well as protection of the environment.

Speaking in Lagos recently at an oil and gas event, the Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Mr. Austin Avuru identified HSE as one of the six pillars holding any exploration and production (E & P) company.

Avuru argued that apart from the debt owed the banks by a company, another problem, which can kill a company overnight is HSE issue.

According to him, one dangerous oil spill that results in $200 million compensation is capable of killing an oil company.

The Seplat boss cited the 2010 Macondo incident in the Gulf of Mexico, which led to 27 per cent drop in the share price of BP within five days.

The incident occurred on April 20, 2010 when the Deepwater Horizon semi-submersible Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU), owned and operated by Transocean, which was drilling for BP in the Macondo oil field located 60 kilometres off the coast of Louisiana, exploded and caught fire. The Deepwater Horizon sank, killing 11 offshore oil workers and injuring 17 others.

The blowout, which caused the explosion of the rig, also caused what was regarded as the Linc Oil fire incident largest oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Avuru recalled that what arrested the share price drop was BP’s prompt announcement that it had set aside $20 billion to pay compensation.

“If your best-performing staff will put you into HSE problem, fire him because he can kill the company overnight,” Avuru told the industry operators.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), which is the apex regulator of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, is also responsible for formulation of practical HSE policies and guidelines in line with industry best practice.

The agency formulates HSE policy and enforces a company’s timely and comprehensive compliance, while maintaining effective service delivery for the protection of staff, assets and the environment.

It is the responsibility of the agency to ensure that oil and gas companies operating in the country conduct all HSE activities with utmost degree of competence in accordance with the DPR’s Modecai Ladan petroleum laws and industry standards for the Island area of Apapa. benefit of the country.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that four people were injured.

HSE breaches In early 2016, MRS filling station located near However, weak enforcement of HSE guidelines by the DPR has resulted in several incidents Oando Station in Lawanson area of Surulere of rig fire and other offshore accidents in the in Lagos, was razed by fire, when a tanker upstream segment of the oil and gas industry. was discharging petrol into the station.

In January this year, two persons were Apart from bad roads, which have resulted in accidents involving tankers carrying petroleum confirmed dead and seven others injured products, regulatory failure, which has encouraged when a petrol station belonging to Rabeng fuel marketers to use tankers that lack road Petroleum located in Adigbe area of Abeokuta worthiness to lift products at the depots, has also went up in flames. The inferno started from caused accidents on the roads and tank farms. a generator which had caught fire when an Despite the presence of DPR officials in all the artisan was welding a pumping machine depots, leaking tankers and other non-worthy beside the gas base in the petrol station. vehicles are allowed by compromised officials For an artisan to be welding steel near a of the agency to lift products from the depots, filling station was an evidence of failure on thus endangering lives and property both in the part of DPR and the owners of the fuel retail outlet to enforce HSE measures. the depots and the highways.

Also in January this year, a filling station For instance, few years ago, a non-road worthy truck carrying petrol caught fire on Kayode owned by Strive Energy Limited caught fire Street Apapa, which is the road leading into in Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

The fire, which started when a leaking Total’s Apapa depot, NNPC’s LPG Gas Plant, tanker discharging petrol spilled its contents, Honeywell, and Oando Depots.

It took the combined efforts of staff of Total, reportedly razed 24 shops. A Total filling station Honeywell, Oando, NIPCO, Nigerian fire service, at Ikosi-ketu area of Lagos was also razed Petrol Tanker Drivers (PTD), Tego barracks of by fire in April this year.

Also recently, RICHBAM filling Station Nigerian Army, Police and the Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy to extinguish located along Petro Road Bariga in Lagos, was gutted by fire. All these accidents were the fire.

Also a few years ago, an oil vessel owned by caused by weak enforcement of HSE regulations MRS Oil and Gas caught fire while discharging by both the marketers and the regulator.

While some cases of weak enforcement of petrol into the company’s depot at Tin Can

Linc Oil fire incident

HSE policy are as a result of outright negligence on the part of DPR, the agency also seems to be intimated by some politically-exposed persons backing some of these oil companies that flout HSE regulations.

For instance, a former acting Director of DPR was once ordered by a Minister of Petroleum Resources to unseal a Lagos depot, shortly after the depot was sealed by the agency for violating relevant regulations.

“If you can seal a depot in your acting capacity, it means that when you are confirmed, you can shut down an oil field,” the minister was said to have told the director in a telephone conversation.

Calabar depot fire The Cross River Police Command recently confirmed that 10 people died in a fire outbreak

Despite the presence of DPR officials in all the depots, leaking tankers and other non-worthy vehicles are allowed by compromised officials of the agency to lift products from the depots, thus endangering lives and property both in the depots and the highways

that occurred at Linc Oil and Gas tank farm.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, who gave the figure, added that several other persons sustained injuries.

Unfortunately, neither the DPR nor the company has issued an official statement on the explosion. Also to demonstrate the audacity of some of these oil firms that are backed by powerful individuals, Inuwa had also stated that the manager of the depot did not brief the police on the cause of the incident.

“Up until now, nobody has come out to tell us that this is what caused the fire outbreak. We have gone round, we have done what we can do but investigation will later reveal what actually led to the explosion,” the police commissioner reportedly said.

The depot manager also reportedly refused to speak with journalists, claiming that he was not authorised to speak.

A marketer who spoke to THISDAY at the weekend on the Linc Oil and Gas Tank Farm fire incident argued that in other climes where law is above every individual, the depot manager of such facility that claimed many lives should be cooling his heels in police custody, rather than being begged for interview by journalists.

It was reported that the fire outbreak occurred when the workers of the station were discharging the old product in the tanks to allow a vessel that berthed to discharge its content, which was a strong indication of the failure of the company to abide by standard safety procedures.

To arrest the flagrant violation of safety guidelines by the operators, the DPR should up the ante by sanctioning the affected companies, irrespective of the positions of their backers in the society.

When the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sneezes, the banks catch cold; the same is applicable to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

But even the smallest filling station can flout DPR regulations and go scot-free because of the politically-exposed persons backing such retail outlet.

The apex regulator of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry should bite more than it barks to enforce HSE policies and prevent needless loss of human lives and destruction of assets through frequent incidents.

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T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

A

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

‘NIGERIA’S CONSTITUTION HAS MANY GENDER GAPS’

25.07.2017

Professor Ayo Atsenuwa

2/DASHBOARD

25.07.2017

Terminating Contract of Service Governed

by Regulations, Rules or Statutory Instrument: Effect PAGE 4

Restructuring Nigeria Must be Both Political and Economic PAGE 5

OAU Law Faculty Proffers Solutions to National Problems PAGE 5

Bar Forum Election: NBA Urged Others to Emulate EBF PAGE 6

QUOTABLES 'Between Babangida and Abacha, they created 17 out of 36 States, some just to satisfy restive officers and placate them with States, so that they could superintend over States, not because people really needed those States.'

– Jiti Ogunye, Legal Practitioner, Lagos

'That serves as a warning to lawyers who easily yield to the yearnings of the politicians to file multiple applications. The effect of what Honourable Justice Rhodes Vivour said, is that sometimes people file frivolous applications in a desperate bid to sustain their action, and the Court has actually frowned upon that.'

– Daniel Bwala, Legal Practitioner, Abuja

COLUMNIST ABUBAKAR D. SANI Abubakar D. Sani holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Maiduguri, and has been in active private legal practice since he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987.He is the Principal of Abubakar D. Sani & Co., which has offices in Abuja and Kano. " INSIGHT" aims to unravel, analyse and proffer solutions to numerous anomalies in Nigerian law and practice, particularly statutes, vis-a-vis the Constitution, International Treaties and Conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory, Judicial Precedent and other relevant statutes and issues.

‘Pro Bono Cases do not Make a Lawyer Poor’ PAGE 6

Power of the People: The Recall Process PAGE 7

Grave Implications of the Linus Okorie Amnesty for Looters Bill PAGE 12

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE EDITOR JUDE IGBANOI DEPUTY EDITOR AKINWALE AKINTUNDE REPORTER TUNDE BUSARI GROUP HEAD OCHI OGBUAKU II ART DIRECTOR

/3

.....And Nigeria Kills Elijah

M

y deepest condolences go to my friend, Kayode, and his wife, Mercy, on the untimely death of their beloved son, Elijah, whose life was cruelly cut short by one X (I choose not to mention the name of the accused person).

The Events of 17/7/2017 On the evening of Monday, 17/7/2017, there was an altercation between Elijah and his friend on one hand, and a ‘Danfo’ driver, on the other, over where Elijah’s friend had parked his car while visiting.

This resulted in the Driver dealing Elijah a slap, which he promptly returned.

Kayode happened to be around. He intervened, pacified the parties and ordered Elijah to get into the house. Sometime later, Elijah exited the building. As he was walking down the road, totally unsuspecting and oblivious, X, the Conductor of the Danfo, attacked him from behind with some sort of ‘gbongbo’ (big stick or rod), and hit him hard on the head. Instantly, Elijah collapsed into unconsciousness, on the road. The incident occurred at about 8pm.

An alarm was raised. Immediately, Kayode and Mercy rushed to the scene to convey their son to the hospital, with the assistance of sympathisers. Kayode and his family reside in Mushin, so Elijah was rushed to the nearest hospital, Oliyide General Hospital. The so-called General Hospital did not have even basic medical facilities, and could therefore, only administer first aid to Elijah. They were then referred to LUTH (Lagos University Teaching Hospital).

LUTH, the Death Camp?

LUTH was a disaster! Elijah’s time was wasted, even though he was in an emergency situation. Kayode was first of all, asked to buy all sorts of drugs. Of course, he was told that the drugs were not available in the Hospital Pharmacy, and he was referred to a ‘Private Pharmacy’, where he had to pay through his nose to purchase the drugs. By this time, Elijah was bleeding through his ear.

Kayode telephoned me at exactly 10.39pm.

He told me that Elijah had been hit on the head, he was unconscious, and required a CT Scan. He informed me that LUTH said that their CT Scan machine was out of order, and again, referred them to a Private Hospital in Gbagada, to do the scan.

Kayode was informed that Elijah needed to be put on oxygen when being conveyed to Gbagada. The ambulance was to cost N50,000 for the trip. After some crying and begging, the ambulance agreed to accept N40,000. About 3 hours or more had already been wasted.

"I THOUGHT TO MYSELF AS I EXITED MERCY’S BEDROOM, WOULD THE OUTCOME HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT, IF WE WERE IN A COUNTRY THAT HAD DECENT MEDICAL CARE AND FACILITIES?"

The scan was done at a cost of N50,000, and Elijah was returned to LUTH, where he died at 3am on Tuesday, 18/7/2017, about a week to his 24th birthday.

Kayode and I had agreed over the phone the night before, that I would meet them at home the next morning, so I telephoned him at about 6am on 18/7/17, telling him that I would get dressed quickly, and meet him at home to accompany him to the hospital to see Elijah. To which he responded “we lost the boy this morning”. I could hear Mercy wailing in the background. I rushed over to their residence. Kayode was devastated, while Mercy was inconsolable. She had to be sedated.

Questions I thought to myself as I exited Mercy’s bedroom, would the outcome have been different, if we were in a country that had decent medical care and facilities?

Between Oliyide General and LUTH, they had wasted more than 4 or 5 hours of Elijah’s precious time. Had it been in Dubai or UK, where Elijah’s treatment would have been immediate, would he have survived? Or was the blow struck

by X so severe that, no matter where, nothing could have saved Elijah? After all, he fell unconscious immediately he was hit on the head, and he never regained consciousness.

A Harrowing Experience Kayode told me that the LUTH staff were a rather insensitive lot, who seemed to lack compassion and the milk of human kindness. He said that their experience there was a harrowing one, one he would never wish upon his worst enemy. Even the person who cleaned Elijah as he bled, collected N500 for his services. Those that were rushed in as emergencies, were not attended to. Kayode said he heard the LUTH staff, when they were called to attend to an emergency, saying things like “e ma duro ni o, awon kan ti saju yin de bi” (you will have to wait, there are other people that have come before you), while in actual fact, they were not doing very much.

He recounted the story of a heavily pregnant woman who was brought in by her husband on an okada. Kayode said

Lagos University Teaching Hospital

she was obviously in severe pain and distress. She had to lean on her husband for support. It was an emergency. Maybe she required a caesarean section, to be delivered of the baby. Of course, she was ignored. After a while, she collapsed. She seemed to have given up the ghost right there. Another person who was brought to the hospital in an ambulance, was simply left in the ambulance unattended to.

When did we become so callous as a people? What happened to the ‘Hippocratic Oath’ that doctors take “one of the oldest binding documents in history, the Oath written by Hippocrates, which is still held sacred by physicians: to treat the ill to the best of one’s ability, (upholding ethical standards) and so on”? or the ‘Nightingale Pledge’, “a statement of the ethics and principles of the nursing profession”, named in honour of Florence Nightingale, for nurses? Or is that the LUTH staff have simply lost all sense of motivation and job satisfaction, having to work in harsh conditions, receiving poor remuneration?

Release of Elijah’s Corpse I was constrained to ask Kayode about Elijah’s funeral arrangements. I told him that it was imperative that an autopsy was performed on him, before his burial, not just because of the violent circumstances in which Elijah died, but because of the pending murder case against X. Kayode confirmed that the autopsy had been completed. He then mumbled something about someone saying that they may have to write a letter, stating that they were not interested in the murder case being pursued, in order for Elijah’s corpse to be released to them.

Remember my friend, the Lagos State Official who rescued me from the VIO? I immediately put a call through to him. He took down the details and got someone from LUTH to contact Kayode, and ensure that there were no problems in getting Elijah’s corpse released.

The Law My people, for the avoidance of doubt, murder is a criminal offence, and it is the State, and not the family of the deceased, that proceeds against the accused person(s).

Whether accused persons can connive

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

THE ADVOCATE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com with bad elements in the Police Force to make a case disappear, or convince the family of the deceased not to give evidence at the trial etc, is another matter.

Section 211 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 (CLLS) states: “Subject to other provisions of this law, any person who causes the death of another, directly or indirectly, by any means whatsoever, is deemed to have killed the other person”.

X, clearly caused Elijah’s death by the fatal blow that he dealt on him. Section 220(1) of the CLLS also provides thus: “Subject to the provisions of this law, a person who unlawfully kills another (a) with the intention to kill that person or some other person; or (b) with intention to do grievous bodily harm to the person killed or to some other person is guilty of a felony called murder.

Section 221 of the CLLS provides the punishment for murder thus: “Subject to the provisions of any other Law, a person who commits the offence of murder shall be sentenced to death.”

Sections 217 and 218 of the CLLS, still hold the accused person in circumstances like X, guilty, if death results from the medical treatment, provided that the medical treatment was reasonably proper under the circumstances, and was applied in good faith.

Police Custody X was initially detained at a Police Station in Mushin, and has now been transferred to Panti. By virtue of Section 161(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, a suspect arrested for an offence punishable by death, shall only be admitted to bail by a Judge of the High Court, under exceptional circumstances. The grant of such bail, is discretionary, and this discretion must be exercised judicially and judiciously. Some of the factors which the court must consider in the grant or refusal of a bail application, are the likelihood of the person admitted to bail interfering with the investigation, the seriousness of the offence and the severity of the penalty, the likelihood of the accused person committing another offence while on bail, whether the accused person is likely to jump bail, how common that type of offence is in the particular jurisdiction, etc.

I hope we will not be told tomorrow that the Police let X go or go on bail. The Police does not have the power to do so.

It is my hope that X is not granted bail, and is made to face the consequences of his crime. It was a deliberate unprovoked act on his part. It was also a cowardly act, as he attacked Elijah from behind, totally surprising him and making it impossible for him to defend himself. He cut the life of a promising young man short, for no reason at all. Prosecuting X to the fullest extent of the law, will serve as a lesson to violent motor park touts like him, that you cannot get away with murder.

Sleep Well, Elijah. God loves you more.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. Amen.

4/LAW REPORT

25.07.2017

Terminating Contract of Service Governed by Regulations, Rules or Statutory Instrument: Effect

T

office by the premature retirement.

Facts

he Respondent and a certain Comptroller A.A. Ahmed, were Comptrollers of Customs in the Nigeria Custom Service. On 21st December, 2009, without notice to them, they were discourteously and capriciously locked out of their respective offices by the representatives of the 1st and 2nd Appellants, on the ground that they had been purportedly retired from the service of the 2nd Appellant on the instruction of the 3rd Appellant. They made several attempts to have the matter resolved out of Court and their retirements rescinded, all to no avail. They therefore, instituted an action at the Federal High Court against the Appellants, to challenge their purported retirement.

At the trial Court, the Respondent contended that, pursuant to Section 8 Paragraph 020810(i) of the Public Service Rules, he can only be compulsorily retired upon attaining the prescribed retirement age of 60 (sixty) years or after 35 (thirty-five) years in service. The Appellants, on the other hand, contended that the 4th Appellant is empowered to compulsorily retire the Respondent, by virtue of a Policy Guideline on Nigeria Customs Service Reform (Exhibit 24) it issued, in accordance with its powers under the Nigeria Custom Service Act. At the conclusion of the trial, the Court found that the Respondent’s retirement was premature; however, it dismissed the suit on the ground that the 4th Appellant was empowered to compulsorily dismiss the Respondent by virtue of Exhibit 24. The Respondent successfully appealed to the Court of Appeal. Dissatisfied with the decision of the Court of Appeal, the Appellants appealed to the Supreme Court.

Issue for Determination The sole issue formulated for determination of the Court by the Appellants and adopted by the Respondent was: Whether the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal were right in setting aside the judgement of the trial Court and re-instating the Respondent to the service of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The Supreme Court posed the question below as germane for resolution of the appeal: “As between the Public Service Rules and the Policy Guidelines on Nigeria Customs Service Reforms, which of the two instruments guide the compulsory retirement age of the 2nd Plaintiff/Respondent from the Public Service?”

Closely related to the question is: - “In the event of conflict between the two, which of these instruments takes precedence over the other?”

Arguments The Appellants relied on the provisions of Section 8 Rule 020206(ii) of the Public Service Rules, 2008 which provides that an officer shall be required to leave office if his service is no longer required in the event of abolition of office, re-organisation of the office or redundancy, in arguing that they could lawfully effect the Respondent’s compulsory retirement from service.

They submitted also that pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Nigeria Customs Service Board Act, the 4th Appellant is empowered to issue Policy Guidelines for the reform of Nigeria Customs Service, and that the Respondent’s retirement was proper and in line with the Policy Guideline (Exhibit 24) issued by the 4th Appellant. The Appellants argued further that the Respondent had served as Comptroller of Customs for 10 (ten) years, and was due for compulsory retirement in accordance with the Policy Guidelines for the reform of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The Respondent on the other hand relied on the provisions of Section 8 Paragraph 020810(i) of the Public Service Rules to argue that he was required to retire mandatorily either upon attaining 60 (sixty) years of age or after 35 (thirty-five) years in service, whichever was earlier. He relied on the computation based on Exhibit B3 (his Service Information Print out) from his record of service kept by the Appellants, and stated that he would have attained the compulsory retirement age of 60 (sixty) on 19th December, 2016 or completed his 35 (thirty-five) years in service on 9th September, 2018. He contended that his records put him out as a worthy and dedicated officer, entitled to be “decorated with national honours”, rather than the shoddy manner in which he was shoved out of

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 7th Day of April, 2017 Before Their Lordships Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen (CJN) Musa Dattijo Muhammad Kudirat Olatokunbo Motonmori Kekere-Ekun Ejembi Eko Sidi Dauda Bage Justices, Supreme Court SC.491/2014 Between 1. ComptrollerGeneralofCustoms 2. NigeriaCustomsService 3. Hon.MinisterofFinance 4. Nigeria Customs Service Board....... Appellants And Comptroller Abdullahi B. Gusau........Respondent Lead Judgement delivered by Hon. Ejembi Eko, JSC

"THE RESPONDENT, LIKE ANY OTHER STAFF IN THE NIGERIA CUSTOM SERVICE, HOLDING A PENSIONABLE EMPLOYMENT, HOLDS THE EMPLOYMENT WITH STATUTORY FLAVOUR. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RESPONDENT AND THE BOARD IS NOT, NOR WAS IT INTENDED TO BE THAT OF AN ORDINARY MASTER-SERVANT, IN WHICH THE EMPLOYEE HOLDS THE EMPLOYMENT AT THE PLEASURE OF THE MASTER. THE PUBLIC SERVICE RULES, HAS ESTABLISHED AN AUTHORITATIVE STANDARD OR PRINCIPLE OF DETERMINING APPOINTMENTS OR EMPLOYMENTS REGULATED THEREBY, WHICH NEGATE THE USE OF BRUTAL FORCE OR STRONG ARMS"

Court’s Judgement and Rationale The Supreme Court held that the 4th Appellant was established by the Nigerian Customs Service Board Act and by Section 3 of the Act, it is vested with the responsibility for formulating the general policy guidelines for the Nigeria Customs Service, subject to the approval of the Minister of Finance. Also, Section 9 of the Act empowers the 4th Appellant to make regulations relating generally to the conditions of service in the 2nd Appellant, subject to the approval of the Minister of Finance. In this case, there was no evidence before the Court that the Policy Guidelines (Exhibit 24), issued by the 4th Appellant, was approved by the Minister of Finance. There was also no evidence before the Court, that the 4th Appellant has made any rules or regulations relating to retirement or compulsory retirement of Officers in the Nigeria Customs Service, pursuant to Section 9 of the Act. On Section 8 Rule 020206(ii) of the Public Service Rules, 2008 relied on by the Appellant, the Supreme Court held that, it was not their case or defence that they were constrained to retire or terminate the employment of the Respondent prematurely, because his office has been abolished or his office has been re-organised or that he has become redundant. The Appellants, did not plead any facts in this regard.

Further, the Court opined that the 4th Respondent is a parastatal established by Section 1(1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2004, and that by Chapter 16 Rule 160103 of the Public Service Rules, clearly, parastatals are to retain and improve existing rules, procedures and practices in their establishments.

They are also to ensure that, there are no deviations from the general principles contained in the Public Service Rules. However, in the absence of internal rules and regulations on any matter, the relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules shall apply.

The Court held that it is certain that the Respondent, like any other staff in the Nigeria Custom Service, holding a pensionable employment, holds the employment with statutory flavour. The relationship between the Respondent and the Board is not, nor was it intended to be that of an ordinary master-servant, in which the employee holds the employment at the pleasure of the master. The Public Service Rules has established an authoritative standard or principle of determining appointments or employments regulated thereby, which negate the use of brutal force or strong arms. The conduct of the Appellants is antithetic to the rule of law.

Further, policy documents commonly referred to as guidelines, are not subsidiary legislations. Section 9 of the Act intends that the regulations relating generally to the conditions of service with regard to appointments, retirement or disciplinary control of staff of the Board and of the Service, shall be a subsidiary legislation or by law made by the Board with approval of the Minister. Exhibit 24 does not fall into the category of subsidiary legislations.

Their Lordships concluded that, the compulsory retirement of the Respondent is governed by the Public Service Rules, particularly Section 8 Rule 020810(i). The particular provision of Exhibit 24 on which the Appellants relied on to compulsorily retire the Respondent, on the ground that he had served on the duty post of Comptroller for 10 years, is a mere statement of policy intent. It has no force of law and it is in conflict with the provisions of Section 8 Rule 020810(i) or Section 8 Rule 020810(ii), read together with Chapter 16 Rule 160103, of the Public Service Rules, 2008. “A statement of policy, general or otherwise by the 4th Appellant, cannot overrule or wipe away the specific provisions of the Public Service Rules made by the Federal Service Commission, which are written into the terms of pensionable contract of an officer in the Public Service.”

Based on the foregoing, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, and affirmed the reinstatement of the Respondent into the service of the 2nd Appellant.

Representation: C. I. Okpoko, Esq. (Asst. Director, FMOJ) with Mrs. Habiba U. Chime (Asst. CSC, FMOJ), Mrs. Ricamoris M. Shittu (PSC, FMOJ), Mrs. Ikemhe Ekwere Bello (SSC, FMOJ) for Appellant G. T. Afolabi, Esq. for Respondent Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited (Publishers of Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR))

25.07.2017

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OAU Law Faculty Proffers Solutions to National Problems Jude Igbanoi

10TH ANNIVERSARY L-R: Communication Consultant, Mr. Olukayade Olusope, Managing Director, Law Pvilion, Mr. Ope Olugasa, Chairman, NBA Lawyer in the Media, Theodora Lawson, Partner OO& E, Mrs. Titilola Ayotunde Rotifa and Assitant Head Client Service, Law Pavilion, Mr. Samuel Oseh at Law Pavilion the 10th Year Anniversary Media Launch Press Brieng at Ikeja, Lagos last week Photo: Kola Alli

No Committal Order for Rock Foundation, Adefarasin The Rock Foundation (the Church), in reaction to the publication titled “Court Asked to Commit Pastor Adefarasin, Church to Prison for Contempt”, featured on pages 5 and 13 of “LAWYER” on Tuesday, 18th July, 2017, as well as in other print and online media platforms, has found it imperative to present the actual state of affairs regarding the issues in the said publication as follows: 1. By virtue of a Deed of Assignment dated August of 2015, the Church lawfully acquired all that property lying, known and situate at Plots 15, 16, 17 and 18 in TPAO992 Layout at Ikate, Eti-Osa, Lagos from Diamond Bank Plc (the Bank), as a bonafide purchase for value.

2. The sale of the property by the Bank was done in exercise of the power/right of sale vested in the Bank by Germaine Logistics Limited and Germaine Auto Care Limited (the Companies), pursuant to a Deed of Third Party Legal Mortgage dated 5th March, 2012 executed by the Companies in favour of the Bank as security for a loan obtained by the Companies from the Bank (the Loan).

In full appreciation of this fact and the exercise of the power of sale conferred on the Bank, the Companies have not challenged the Bank’s right of sale till date.

3. After the sale, the title documents were registered and perfected with the Lagos Lands Registry, and the Church was put into possession, and equally enjoys the right of ownership over the property, by making use of it for several purposes including regularly making it available to its congregants to park their cars, while worshipping at the church.

4. During routine inspection of the buildings on the property for further development, disturbing cracks were observed in some of the structural members of the office building. This led to the Church engaging the services of a most reputable and certified engineering firm, to carry out a comprehensive structural audit and integrity tests on the buildings on the aforesaid property. Their recommendation was to demolish the office building attached to the warehouse, as it was found to have failed basic structural integrity requirements. Based

on this recommendation, and in furtherance of the right of ownership as vested by the duly registered Deed of Assignment, the Church applied to the Ministry of Physical Planning, Lagos State to obtain the relevant permit to pull down the defective office portion of the property. The said permit was issued by the Lagos State Government on 19th June, 2017 and demolition commenced on 7th July, 2017.

5. Regarding the bogus claim that the Church stormed the said property with police and bulldozers, the contrary is the case.

We did not anticipate any interference in exercising our rights as legal owners of the land, and as such did not engage the services of any security apparatus while the demolition was being carried out. This turned out to be a mistake.

The contracted workers had almost completed the demolition of the defective structure, when officers of the police command in Elomoro, Ajah stormed the premises, stopped the work, arrested the workers and

illegally detained five of the them from Friday, 7th July, 2017 till Tuesday, 12th July, 2017 during which time they meted out inhuman treatment on them.

6. Contrary to the allegation that the Church and/ or Pastor Paul Adefarasin violated an order of Hon. Justice Akinlade of the Lagos High Court, there is no order restraining the Church from exercising its right of ownership or possession, which were vested in her before the commencement of the suit. Furthermore, the case before the High Court of Lagos State had been stayed on 5th May, 2017 following the appeal pending at the Court of Appeal, by which the Church is challenging the jurisdiction of the High Court of Lagos State to hear and determine the case.

As a law-abiding organisation, the Church has resisted any attempt at litigating the issues in this case in the court of public opinion whilst the proceedings are before the courts, and will continue to uphold her long-standing integrity and highest regard for the justice system and law and order.

the differences? Malaysia has a 20-year development plan, spanning from 2005 to 2025 plus 5-year medium-term plans, that focus on specific sectors.

"It is therefore, clear that the solution to solving our structural, political, and economic problems, is dependent on putting in place a strategy and structures that ensure that ethnic tensions and rivalries are doused. This can only happen if the subnational units have sufficient autonomy

recurring decimals, and they are doing us proud everywhere. Each batch has been particularly encouraging, and that is what has been sustaining the current generation of our lecturers.

“We are going to document the proceedings and make them available to even to policy makers. We are certainly going to get them to government through the office of the Vice-President, who is now Acting President”, Prof. Poopola stated.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Prof.

Babafemi Odunsi said: “Faculty of Law and, by extension, Obafemi Awolowo University, is committed to important developments at national and international levels, and ever set to make inputs as considered apposite.

"This is what informed the theme of this particular conference. As we all know, with recession, inflation, increasing rates of poverty, widening gaps between rich and poor, disillusionment with political leadership and so on, Nigeria is presently faced with fundamental and confounding socio-economic issues."

Chairman of the occasion, Prof. J. O. Fabunmi, said that “There is infrastructural decay, crisis in energy, health, education, and transportation sectors, impunity by pubic officers and endemic corruption in the system.

All these vitiating factors, almost render the economy comatose".

Mr. George Etomi whose good will massage was presented at the occasion by the Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Prof. Deji Adekunle, said “I have been impressed by reports of the successes recorded by OAU Law students at many international competitions on Arbitration, Human Rights, Space Law and Taxation among others, and I must urge as many of us who can to lend our hand of fellowship to the Faculty, to sustain such achievements.

“I believe the OAU Law Faculty, will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the legal profession, through the high quality graduates it produces! The roll call of the faculty alumni in influential positions around the world, with outstanding accomplishments in different areas of law practice, and at the various levels of the Bench in Nigeria and beyond, is very impressive. It is something to be proud of, and we must appreciate our law lecturers for their efforts. I must therefore, urge all members of the OAU Law alumni to do more at identifying with initiatives like this and give back to the institution that moulded and prepared us for life” Etomi stated.

The Attorney-General

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

As the Law Faculty of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife marked its 55th anniversary last week, participants at the four-day programme of events recommended practical solutions to the nation’s myriad of challenges.

The Moot Court, ended with a call for the contribution of all professionals and disciplines in seeking solutions to multitude of problems facing the country.

The theme of the conference, which had participants from different disciplines and professional groups in the country, was “ Law and Socio-Economic Change in Nigeria: Issues, Contexts and Perspectives”. It also had several sub-themes, that affect almost all aspects of our national life.

In a chat with a cross session of the media, Dean Faculty of Law OAU, Ile-Ife Professor Demola Popoola said, "The challenges that law is facing, cannot be meaningfully addressed with the instrumentality of law alone. That was the basis or the rationale, for our decision to give the theme of the anniversary national conference, an interdisciplinary dimension. If you go through the programme, you will find out that we have invited historians, social scientists, economists, and even accountants, to give perspectives on the theme of the lecture. This is because we appreciate that the problem that faces any society, can hardly be resolved through the instrumentality of just one discipline".

On the performance of University graduates in the country, Prof. Popoola said: “We thank God for what we have been able to achieve, we might not, like other institutions, be where we actually would have liked to be, but I think that in terms of our products, their quality and so on, we can beat our chest and give all glory to God for all the landmark achievements we have recorded, as I said in the judiciary, we have Senior Advocates of Nigeria, in the civil service, in the corporate world, in actual practice of law, our products are

Restructuring Nigeria Must be Both Political and Economic Jude Igbanoi A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, has recommended both political and economic restructuring for Nigeria.

Adekoya rook this position last Wednesday, as she delivered this year’s Annual Professor A.B. Kasunmu Lecture at the University of Lagos, with the theme “Restructuring Nigeria: Pros, Cons and Matters Arising”.

While condemning the

“Kaduna Declaration” by a coalition of Northern Nigeria youth groups in Kaduna, in which they demanded that all Igbos residing in the North, should leave the area within three months, she said it has brought the topic back onto the front burner.

She posited that the clamour for ‘restructuring’ is a response to the feeling that the current arrangement is either deficient in some form, or does not work for all.

That 'in spite of ‘the need to restructure Nigeria’ become

the latest topic for discussion, it is not clear whether all contributors to the debate, mean the same thing when they talk about the need to ‘restructure’ Nigeria. After all, as seen from the calls above, ensuring that each geo-political zone is ethnically homogenous is one way of restructuring the country'.

Amongst her several recommendations, she said ‘For any restructuring exercise to be sustainable, the subnational units must be able to sustain their administrative overheads,

and also have the financial wherewithal to implement any development objectives that they embark upon, without recourse to the centre.

She compared compare Nigeria’s current state of development, with that of Indonesia and held that "Like Nigeria, Indonesia is a multi-ethnic/religious country with 300 ethnic groups and 650 local languages. At 257 million, its population is larger than that of Nigeria and it is the largest economy in Southeast Asia. Where are

6/

25.07.2017

Bar Forum Election: NBA Urged Others to Emulate EBF Akinwale Akintunde The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has endorsed the election of new officers of the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF), describing it as a model for others to follow.

Also, the Arewa Lawyers Forum and Egbe Amofin, have commended the EBF for the election of the new Exco.

The EBF penultimate week Tuesday in Calabar, elected new members of its governing council to run the affairs of the forum for the next two years.

The newly elected members are Chairman of the Governing Council, Chief Arthur Elvis Chukwu, Vice-Chairman, Mr. Anthony E. Okorodas, Secretary, Mr. Paul S.T. Ubom, Treasurer Mr. Egbunonu Emmanuel, Financial Secretary Mr. Joe K. Berebon, Publicity Secretary Georde l.

Fortune, Asst. Secretary, Mr. Damian O. Nosike while Mr. Ogunji. C. Kingsley and Augustine I. Owo, are members Speaking on the election, NBA President, A. B. Mahmoud, SAN said EBF has been and remains at the forefront NBA fora.

Mahmoud, who was represented at the event by NBA 3rd Vice President, Mr. Ben Oji said, “The EBF has been and remains at the forefront our fora. It is the most organised NBA forum; that is why EBF was the first to be consulted, when the Mid-West Bar Forum was nurtured.

“This is a model for others to follow, it is good in structure, and almost everybody is here, and every other forum is represented here. We must not always agree, but as lawyers, we must always show leadership”.

In his good will massage, the Assistant Secretary of the Arewa Lawyers Forum, Mr. T. T. Hyndu said: “This is the best election I have ever seen. We have a lot to learn from the EBF and if you sustain this practice, then sky will be your limit.

Secretary of Egbe Amofin, Mr. Ranti Ajeleti said: “We bring greetings from our members Egbe Amofin. And we thank

L-R: EBF Chief Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN, Mrs. Banke Olagbemi and Mr. Ranti Ajeleti at the meeting

you, for the honour and respect done to our Chairman, Chief Bandele Aiku, SAN, when he changed from mortality to immortality. Ironically, it is at death that he would answer his name, because Aiku in Yoruba language means immortality, thus he had all along borrowed the name.

“The import of your invitation to us at this trying time of the Nation’s history is germane, and we can derive much utility value from the meeting,even more than it is intended, in solving our problems as a country. Initially we had one national body, and along the line, our elders thought that the centre would find it difficult to man our growth.

“As we now have 100 branches of

the NBA and if a branch is on fire, it would have burnt to ashes before Abuja could bring in its fire fighters. Our elders therefore, formed the regional bodies to take care of our peculiarities. The Eastern Bar Forum to take care of the East. The Arewa Lawyers Forum, takes care of the North and the Egbe Amofin, takes care of the West.

“In fact, it is the peculiarity of the West that it calls itself Egbe in Yoruba language.

Egbe means a group union or better still league (League of Nations), while Amofin means Lawyer. Thus, Egbe Amofin is the Union of Lawyers or League of Lawyers.

In our own little way, Egbe Amofin has succeeded in resolving many local

problems, without necessarily involving the national body.

“The idea behind the formation of Regional bodies, is reminiscent of creating a federal union where all the federating states and regions, will have equal stake and each federating state will have the opportunity to develop along her peculiarities, values and socio-economic needs.

“Thus the current divided opinion on the future of Nigeria, would not have arisen if we had followed the principle of federalism as propounded by Prof. K. C. Wheare, and as further amplified by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, SAN, in his celebrated Book ‘’Path to Nigerian Freedom”, Ajeleti said.

Legal Personality of the Week Moses Bamisaiye

‘Pro Bono Cases do not Make a Lawyer Poor’ However, others have also influenced me greatly, to which I am grateful till date.

Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, helped me with logical thinking. Dr Kayode Olatoke, SAN helped me with the need to be passionate in the profession. Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN and Mr Olawale Fapounda helped me in the area of the enforcement of human rights.

My name is Moses Bamisaiye, I attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, for my Interim Joint Matriculation Board (I.J.M.B) or “A” Level examination in 1988. After that, I attended Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U) Zaria for my Bachelors of Law Degree. I then went on to the Nigeria Law School, where I was call to the Nigeria Bar. I am presently in private practice Have you had any challenges in your career as a lawyer, and if so, what are the main challenges?

The challenges that I have faced, include paucity of materials sourced inexpensively, in order to be adequately prepared for litigation. There is also the challenge of poaching, by some lawyers. The lack of a standardised fee makes this easy. Getting competent and willing junior lawyers, is also a challenge, as some are not willing to put in their best. The cost of running a law firm coupled with the lack of electricity, is another great challenge, running a generator throughout the day, is certainly a daunting task.

What was your worst day as a Lawyer?

My worst day as a lawyer, was coming to court to represent a client (a big client), only to discover that another lawyer had been briefed to handle the matter What has been your most memorable experience as a Lawyer?

My most memorable experience as a

Moses Bamisaiye

Lawyer, was engaging in a protracted suit that seemed to be lost. The day of judgement gave me some concern. The trial judge delivered judgement in my favour, and it was a victory that I have savoured again and again.

Who has been most influential in your life?

My parents contributed in no small measure, and influenced me greatly. My Mother, Mrs R.B. Bamisaiye gave me the platform, an English lecturer and ardent reader. She laid the foundation and my Father, Mr J.O. Bamisaiye, helped with the ethics and culture of the profession.

Why did you become a Lawyer?

Actually, nearly all who have had a brush with the legal system, wants a son or daughter to have the same.

Since this career prides itself as the hub of others, my father decided I should become one. It was not difficult for me to switch from Business Administration, for I knew that I had an inclination for speaking. Also, there is this part of me, that dislikes injustice and oppression.

While in secondary school, I was the voice of the voiceless and I spoke out loud and clear, for all to hear in the face off illegality and unwholesome practices. This actually earned me the appellation “the law” among some of my colleagues. Using the machinery of the Press Club and the Literary and Debating Society, both of which I was President of.

What would be your advice to anyone wanting to be a Lawyer?

The advice I have for would-be lawyers is to be passionate, focused and determined. They should ensure that they take one step in, then the other. They should be studious and inquisitive, and

to the young lawyers they should be ready and willing to help people, even when they do not have much money to pay. If you do more pro-bono cases, it will not make you poor. They should be ready and willing to learn and be mentored, the age of the teacher or mentor notwithstanding, you can learn a great deal from an experienced and knowledgeable young person, than from an old and inexperienced person. They all should work hard, make friends and pray more.

If you had not been a Lawyer, what career would you have chosen?

I was going to study Business Administration, as I have stated earlier, but I could have been a teacher or a motivational speaker. I discovered early in life after I was cured of stammering, that I like to think deeply and speak, and anything that would enable me put the two to good use, I was ready and willing to do.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

In ten years’ time, I would like to continue with my private practice, mentoring young lawyers and contributing my little quota to the development of our noble profession. I should have paid my dues in defending clients, and working assiduously should have attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (S.A.N), that represents the zenith of my career; or the Bench may also not be a bad idea.

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Power of the People: The Recall Process This article by learned Senior Advocate, Mike Ozekhome, examines the pros and cons of the 'Recall Process', that is, the power of the people to unseat a serving law maker before the end of his or her tenure, emphasising on it in terms of the Nigerian context, in relation to the recent initiation of the process to recall Senator Dino Melaye by the people of Kogi West

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recall, is the power of voters to unseat a serving lawmaker before the person’s tenure is up. It shows that the sovereign power lies with the people, and they have the right to recall their representatives, whether the representatives are legislators or high officials, if they fail to perform their functions in a proper manner.

According to Leacock, “the system means that all persons who hold office must do so only as long as their tenure of office is sanctioned by the will of the people. At any time when a majority of the voters desire it, the office- holder is removed from his office”.

Prevalence of Recall Process in other Climes The system of recall is prevalent in some of the American States like Arkansas, Kikhoma, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Arizona, Louisiana, Nevada, California and Washington.

In Washington, judges cannot be removed in this manner but in Oregon, even the judges themselves are recalled. In six states of America, both the judges and the officials can be recalled and in ten states, only officials can be recalled.

The system of recall is also seen in Communist China. In China, Deputies to the Local People’s Congress, are elected by the people from the age of 18 years or above. The voters can recall the members of the Local People’s Congress at will. This system is not in practice in India, and there is no mention of it in the Indian Constitution.

Advantages of the Recall System (1) Real Control of the masses over Officials and Representatives: The people can exercise their sovereign power, only when they are given the right to recall their elected representatives, if they fail to perform their responsibilities in a proper manner. If the people are not given this right, they are apt to act arbitrarily, and they will have no control whatsoever over their elected representatives.

(2) Important method to end Bribery and Corruption: The officials will not indulge in corrupt practices, because of the fear of recall.

(3) Symbol of Direct Democracy: Recall, is the best system of the preservation of direct democracy. If the people have no control over their elected representatives or officials, democracy will become meaningless, and the representatives and the officials will act arbitrarily.

(4) Good method to curb Political Corruption: In democracy, it is observed that public office holders become corrupt, and they favour their relatives and friends. But for fear of recall, they will hesitate to engage in cronyism, nepotism

and tribalism. Ministers usually indulge in corrupt practices, because the people have no control over them.

Disadvantages of the Recall System (1) Possibility of wrong judgement: In the system of recall, there is possibility of a big leader indulging in creating a misunderstanding among the people against any official, with whom the leader is not on good terms. Mostly, the people are not aware of the diplomatic tactics of the political leaders, and sometimes wrong decisions are made against honest and sincere officials. This appears to be the Senator Dino Melaye case, that is currently playing out in Kogi State.

(2) Pollution of the atmosphere by recall of Officers and the Representatives: When an official or a representative is recalled, charges are levelled against him. Such an official, in turn, levels counter-charges against his complainants. With charges and countercharges, the entire atmosphere is poisoned. Kogi State in focus.

(3) Independence of the Officers is Curtailed: Because of the fear of charges and countercharges, some intelligent able and honest persons, hesitate to accept high positions. This is harmful for the administration. Because of the fear of recall, officers do not take decisions that may displease political leaders. Where they do, they face severe criticism and adverse propaganda.

Thus, such officers invariably flatter political leaders. This curtails their freedom of action.

(4) Serious consequences may occur if Judges are recalled: The system of recall of judges, destroys the liberty of the judiciary, as judges are not be able to take decisions independently and fearlessly, for fear of being recalled.

(5) Independence of Judgement of the Representatives is lost: Because of the fear of recall, representatives do not take unpopular, but right decisions. This mars their independence.

The Nigerian Situation The world now appears to be making good use of direct democracy, to throw out political dictators, and incompetent politicians out of office, as it enables the electorate to hold politicians accountable for their actions. The story is however, different in Nigeria. Although there is a constitutional provision for recall in Nigerian

Senator Dino Melaye

politics, there is absence of full-blown direct democracy (initiative and referendum provision).

Worse still, the recall process has never been effective in Nigeria, despite the horde of corrupt politicians (Presidents, Governors, Legislators and Councillors), that are stealing and mismanaging the resources of the country. If Nigerians were politically mature and educated, and if the society had strong political institutions, our political prostitutes who are forever shifting like quick sand from one party to another, could have been recalled by their constituents. Those who have bastardised Nigeria, do not deserve to remain in power; but Nigeria’s dysfunctional institutions make social change difficult, nay impossible. The Nigerian electorate should control its voting process. I call this “Peoplecracy. We should practice democracy which is government of the people and for the people (Abraham Lincoln) in his 1863 Gettysbury address).

The above stated disadvantages of the recall process, appear to be playing out in the present stalled recall process of the Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye.

Baron de Montesqueu (1748), rightly theorised that, there are checks and balances and broad separation of powers under the Constitution. organ of government, i.e. the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary, must respect the others, and not encroach onto each other's domain.

A Constitution defines and limits the powers of the government it creates. It follows, therefore, as the night, the day, that no government exercises any power not authorised by the Constitution.

Such is an assumed power, and therefore illegal.

As the people of Kogi West Senatorial district geared up towards the recalling of Melaye, a strenuous power tussle between the different arms of government played out.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as an arm of the Executive, initially was adamant in not obeying the clear Federal High Court injunctive exparte order, secured by me, for maintaining the status quo.

However, the 1999 Constitution, as altered, strict senso, involves the three arms of government in the recall process: the Executive (INEC), the Legislature, (NASS), and the judiciary. This was the argument of the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, that the legislators have a role to play in the recall of their members.

Ekweremadu and other lawmakers rightly maintained that the fate of Melaye, would ultimately be determined in the Senate as stipulated by Section 68(1)(h) and (2) of the Constitution of the FRN, 1999 (as amended).

Senator Ekweremadu, had faulted the arguments contained in an advertorial sponsored by Kogi State Government on the subject-matter, a step that unmasked its deep involvement in the recall saga. The advertorial had argued

"IT FOLLOWS THEREFORE, AS A CONDITION PRECEDENT TO GIVING EFFECT TO INEC’S CERTIFICATE, THAT SECTION 69 HAS BEEN COMPLIED WITH, THAT, THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE, MUST FIRST BE SATISFIED WITH THE WHOLE PROCEDURE, BEFORE THE PROCESS FOR RECALL, CAN BE SAID TO BE COMPLETED"

that, the Senate has no role to play in Melaye’s recall process.

It maintained that “by the provisions of the INEC regulations for the recall of a legislator, a legislator stands recalled upon INEC’s confirmation of a majority vote in favour of the recall.” Not quite so. The Senate is not only deeply involved, it actually has the final say.

“Section 68(1h) reads: “The President of the Senate or, as the case may be, the Speaker of the House of Representatives receives a certificate under the hand of the Chairman of the INEC stating that the provisions of Section 69 of this Constitution have been complied with, in respect of the recall of that member, Section 68 (2) however provides: “The Senate President or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, shall give effect to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, “so however that the Senate President, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives or a member, shall first present evidence satisfactory to the House concerned that any of the provisions of that subsection has become applicable in respect of that member”.

Senate President Intervenes Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, presiding, over the issue, said the position of the Kogi State AG, confirms that the recall bid was being orchestrated by the State Government.

He also expressed serious reservations at the argument of the Kogi State Attorney-General, arguing that: “There is a need for people appointed or elected to positions, to show some level of responsibility. This is a very simple matter in the Constitution. You did not write it, neither did you invent it. The Deputy Senate President, only read it as it is. As you said, it is very unfortunate for the people of Kogi State.”

I respectfully agree with the arguments of Senator Ekweremadu. Section 68(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, clearly states that it is the Senate President that shall give effect to Section 69 of the Constitution. But, in doing this, he must first present “satisfactory evidence” to the House, that any of the provisions of the subsection has become applicable in respect of the member to be recalled. This is after receiving a certificate from INEC that Section 69 has been duly complied with.

It follows therefore, as a condition precedent to giving effect to INEC’s certificate, that section 69 has been complied with, that, the members of the Senate, must first be satisfied with the whole procedure, before the process for recall, can be said to be completed. It is not just the Senate President, or Speaker of the House of Representatives that can raise this issue of “satisfactory evidence”, but any member of both Houses. And some people are still saying the Senate has no role to play? I am always amused as to how people can allow sheer political expediency and partisanship, becloud their true and honest sense of judgement. Nigeria, we hail thee.

Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, OFR, FCIArb, LL.D, Constitutional Lawyer and Human Rights Activist

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25.07.2017

Professor Ayo Atsenuwa PHOTOS: Kolawole Alli

‘Nigeria’s Constitution Has Many Gender Gaps’ Has the Nigerian Constitution and the society, been biased and insensitive against women? This has been an age-long debate which the jury is still out on. In the academia, the perception may not be different, but the University of Lagos Law Faculty has in its 50 decade history, been able to produce only two female Deans, Professor Ayo Atsenuwa being the second and current one. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi sought her views on a myriad of issues, including the rising incidence of domestic violence, child marriage, perceived gender disparity and imbalance in Nigeria’s social strata, the vexed issue of child marriage, and her vision as Dean of one of Nigeria’s most sought-after law faculties

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n over 50 years of the existence of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, you are only the 2nd female to be elected as the Dean of the Faculty, out of at least 20 Deans.

Why is that? Was it a case of gender discrimination? Did you face any challenges in attaining that position?

I will not want to suggest that it is a conscious or calculated case of gender discrimination. I will rather say, it is the inevitable consequence of a long history of institutionalised exclusion of women from formal education, in the first millennium of introduction of modern education. When finally women were allowed broader access to education by the end of the 18th century, they were denied equal access to higher education until the mid-19th century, and certainly not in fields such as law that were perceived as inherently incompatible with female-ness.

Let me note that as recently as 1920, women who successfully completed the academic requirements of the same degree programmes in University of Oxford, were not admitted to the Bachelors degree, but were only granted a diploma. With women as late entrants into higher education, women are disproportionately underrepresented. In that kind of situation, the odds that a woman is thrown up as a Dean is probably 1 in every 10 men.

It is from that angle that I readily agree that, the fact that I am only the 2nd female Dean is the result of gender discrimination. For the first ten years of the Faculty’s existence, there was only 1 female lecturer and over the next 25 years, only 4 other women joined the Faculty.

The first female lecturer, who was the renowned Professor Jadesola Akande, however, left for another institution, and later became the ViceChancellor of Lagos State University. My senior

"MY SENIOR FEMALE COLLEAGUES, HAVE NARRATED ENCOUNTERS IN THE COURSE OF INTERACTIONS WITH COLLEAGUES, THAT BETRAYED GENDER-BASED PREJUDICES, BUT I CAN’T RECALL ANYONE NARRATING AN EXPERIENCE OF GENDERBASED DISCRIMINATION IN APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS OR OTHER ENTITLEMENTS"

female colleagues have narrated encounters in the course of interactions with colleagues that betrayed entrenched gender-based prejudices, but I can’t recall them narrating an experience of gender-based discrimination in appointments and promotions or other entitlements. Like them, I would say that I have not faced any form of gender discrimination in rising through the ranks in my Faculty and University, and I did not face any gender-based discrimination challenge in the electoral process that led to my emergence as the current Dean. However, I will not say that gender- related factors such as role expectations related to being a wife, a mother, a woman in an African society, etc, have not affected my progress in the career. I will also be the last to suggest that my workplace environment is perfect or even near-perfect. No, there have been many instances when sexism and other forms of gender-bias, pervade the air

25.07.2017 during interactions with colleagues. Colleagues within and outside the Faculty, have on many occasions also, reflected gender insensitivity and outright ignorance of gender issues in discourses and even in handling matters.

How would you rate the University of Lagos' LL.B Program with that of say the University of Ghana, Legon, especially as quite a few of our students seem to be opting for University in countries like Ghana and the Republic of Benin. Are their standards of education higher than ours? Or is it the problem of cultism on the Nigerian campuses and strikes, that are driving our children to those countries?

At the risk of it being said that one is blowing one’s trumpet, I would say that our LL.B. degree programme, ranks even higher than that of University of Ghana. Different factors account for why people go abroad and I dare say, it is not always for the reason of higher academic standards. I make bold to say that, when it comes to pursuing higher education in Ghana and Republic of Benin, often it is not that reason. Enough of those who go to these places, are people who failed to secure admission under our extremely competitive process. By this, I do not mean that they are not intelligent or brilliant. They may well be, but when it comes to admission applications, University of Lagos is over- subscribed and every year, we are unable to meet the aspirations of many of those who would like to come to our institution. When that happens, those who can afford it, try elsewhere. Trying Ghana and Benin is also the outcome of an admissions process via JAMB, that limits the opportunity for trying for many universities within Nigeria simultaneously.

That said, I would also like to note that we do not focus on the disruptions in academic calendar (which all too often, is all that many critics cite to indicate lower standards in Nigerian universities), but on content; referring to curriculum content and pedagogy, I will say our LL.B. degree programme ranks very high, and is globally competitive. I must state that, our students graduate and go on to top their classes even when they go abroad for postgraduate studies. I would like to note that it must be in recognition of our comparable standards, that some highly reputable law faculties in the UK, provide various opportunities for our students and graduates. For example, the Faculty of Law of Queen Mary College, London, offers every year, a scholarship (free tuition) to 1 graduate of our LL.B. degree programme with a minimum of a Second Class Upper Division. I believe this scholarship is in its fourth year, which suggests that they must be quite satisfied with the academic standard with which our graduates come to their LL.M. programme. In addition, I must note that, our Faculty is part of the interfaculty LL.M. (in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa) degree programme offered by the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria. Some students from the programme, spend their 2nd semester of the programme in the Faculty writing their dissertation under the direct supervision of a lecturer in our Faculty. I should note that the Faculty has received students on this programme for more than 5 sessions, and in 2014, I think, the student supervised by one of us and using our facilities, received the award for Best Dissertation. I think such a result could only be from the combination of effort of the teacher, the environment of study, and the quality of the student.

What parents and potential students may have to say and rightly so about us, is the vulnerability of our academic calendar to disruptions, which means that a lot of uncertainty is introduced to how long a student may expect to spend for his or her course of study. But I would say that in the case of University of Lagos, we make serious effort to ensure that the impact of the strikes and closures are minimal on the quality of education we provide. I can speak very well for the Faculty of Law, where I have spent about 27 years now. We do not snip off topics from the curriculum, because of a break. The University would usually ensure that the revised calendar, accounts for the outstanding number of weeks prior to the strike. Many times, people wrongly assert that we condense the outstanding weeks, may be when they are informed that students return to school and are scheduled to start exams soon thereafter. If, for example, a semester is in its 12th week when a strike or protest breaks out, the students have only 3 weeks of lectures left before examinations. If the revised calendar schedules exams for them 1 month after the re- commencement of lectures, many people will think the whole semester

COVER/9 has been crammed into that 1 month. No, the 3 weeks of lectures and 1 lecture free week students are entitled to, have been accounted for in such a calendar. Now, this explanation is not to suggest that the disruption of the flow of studies comes with no negative impact for the students and even the lecturers. Surely, it does; but I am only just trying to show that, it is not as arbitrary as many people are wont to believe.

When it comes to curriculum and pedagogy, I agree that there is room for improvement, but we have come a long way from what was the situation when I joined legal academics more than 25 years ago. The legal education which we offer through our Faculty of Law now, is very robust in content and approach.

The breadth of courses, the richness of the content, is comparable to what you would have elsewhere. We place pretty high premium on student-directed co-curricular learning, and at the last count, we have more than 13 student platforms which allow our students to place their learning in practical context. These include the student–led initiatives such as the Mooting Society, the Lagos Model United Nations Club, Tax Club, Oil and Gas Bar, Maritime Forum, Wills Clinic, ADR Society, Book Club as well as the 5 student law chambers.

I must also note that, when it comes to standards, we must not forget that we are at the end of the production line. We are forced to work with students, who have not been adequately groomed through the primary and post-primary stages of education. This limits how impactful what we have to offer, can be What would you say have been your major achievements since you assumed your tenure as Dean? What further programs do you intend to implement to improve your Faculty?

My immediate priority was to improve the state of physical facilities – academic and recreational - in the Faculty to ensure that students are provided an environment equipped with resources conducive to learning. Students are in the Faculty, primarily for academic purposes.

Lecturers, in turn, have their careers hinged on the volume and quality of their research output, and I have tried to ensure that facilities such as library resources, uninterrupted access to the power supply, and internet that are imperatives in a research environment, are available to our lecturers.

These improvements, have started to yield impact on the research output of Faculty members. We have also prioritised providing our colleagues with opportunities for academic exchanges, which is crucial to giving visibility to our Faculty, and improving our rankings.

I was also concerned, to ensure we restore academic standards where we had observed some slack. We have striven to consolidate a culture of excellence in teaching and research.

Research is being repositioned as priority and we are providing our early career researchers with opportunities for capacity development.

We are at a stage where, we need our Alumni to play a greater role in our life as a Faculty. I strongly believe that a Faculty stands on a tripod of its academic staff (researchers), its students, and

its alumni. Our alumni lend a lot of reputation to us even now, but our desire, is to see them play a greater role in the development of the Faculty. Our goal, therefore, is to mobilise our alumni for greater involvement and we are in the process of inaugurating our Unilag Law Alumni Group.

However, my ultimate goal is mobilising the resources needed, to put up a new Faculty Building that can adequately meet our needs fifty years after. Our present Faculty building, was built more than 40 years ago, and our expansion has surpassed what the available facilities can be stretched to meet. With a student (undergraduate and postgraduate) population of about 2,000, and in a time where learning is increasingly inclined towards experiential learning, we need more than large lecture rooms, we need adequate moot court rooms that allow students to participate and engage in diverse clinical activities, and international- standard meeting rooms.

Are there any gender gaps in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? Have they affected the female gender adversely, especially as regards participation in Government and other relevant positions? For instance, it seems that the highest position in the State Government that women seem to get to, is Deputy Governor, which is by appointment. How can Nigeria overcome this?

There are huge gender gaps in our Constitution. Although, the Constitution includes an anti-discrimination clause, which suggests that it is gender-responsive and has the aspiration of elimination of discrimination, the document’s approach which predominantly is liberal, ends up being “hand-offish” (if I may be allowed to create that word). Our reality is that gender-based discrimination, is both traditional and embedded, that the liberal approach cannot serve to correct the ills. In addition to an anti-discriminatory legislation, there is need for constitutional provisions that are directed towards positive steps to leverage women and break down the barriers.

We need the constitutional affirmative action

"I MUST STATE THAT OUR STUDENTS GRADUATE AND GO ON TO TOP THEIR CLASSES, EVEN WHEN THEY GO ABROAD FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES. I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT, IT MUST BE IN RECOGNITION OF OUR COMPARABLE STANDARDS, THAT SOME HIGHLY REPUTABLE LAW FACULTIES IN THE UK, PROVIDE VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS AND GRADUATES"

provisions (federal character), to be expanded to include women, even as it should, people with disability.

In my view, we must applaud that we have female Deputy Governors at all, and even females in the leadership of the State and Federal legislature. There was a time, when it would not have been possible to contemplate such a reality. The facts of a female Deputy-Governor or a female Speaker, have continued to weaken the myth that women cannot. This is where an affirmative action clause in the Constitution would have served a very useful purpose. By failing to specify some benchmark for affirmative action, the Constitution fails to seize an opportunity to create alternative realities, that will serve well to burst myths and also dismantle stereotypes that reinforce such myths.

The Constitution’s accommodation of the concept of indigeneship, and its silence on how to mediate the conflicting ideologies of how married women lose and acquire indigenship, makes it less of an ally of women in the face of marginalisation. The Nigerian Constitution, even compounds things by the conflicting provisions on citizenship of a married women. Painfully, the Constitution actually gives tacit acknowledgment to child-marriages, and subjects a girl-child’s citizenship status to the decision of her husband.

Can you imagine that?

In my view also, the failure of the Constitution to affirm the rights to education and health as enforceable rights, also limits its potential to serve as an instrument for securing human rights and promoting social justice for women and indeed, other vulnerable groups in society. We can learn much in this regard from the Kenyan and Ghanaian Constitutions.

The Gender Equality Bill was thrown out by the Senate. What was the Bill asking for? Do you believe that there were cogent reasons for the Bill's rejection by the Senate?

The Gender Equality Bill, is simply trying to give effect to the human rights of women. It simply asks that women should have human rights spheres that the Constitution already guarantees.

There was not one single cogent reason for the rejection. The strong resistance was only the result of ignorance, fear and egoism. You know, when I listened to some of the things said by some of the male legislators in opposing the Bill, I felt shame and pity. I did, because I could not imagine that anyone on such pedestal, could be at such level of thinking. The statements made, reminded me of things I had read about what fears were expressed, when it was first mooted that women should be allowed access to education and granting women franchise. In the mid-19th century (that's about 150 years ago), fears were expressed that the world would be thrown into chaos, if women were allowed to pursue higher education.

I noted that, most of them were concerned about what I would call “the perceived threats”, to the absolutism in their rulership at home. I note also that a very vocal opponent of the Bill, was a legislator who was alleged to have married a child under 14 years ( there is some uncertainty as her age), and who publicly defended his act on the ground that, it did not offend his religion Essentially, what this shows, is that even when we have tried to liberate women in other contexts, there are men who still think they should hold feudal lordship over their wives, in their homes. So the Bill says, women should have room to participate in decision-making in their homes, and some legislators forswear that this will be over their dead body. Let me say that even in traditional society, women participated in decision-making, even in the home. I could cite instances from both the Bible and Quran, which showed that women had a voice even in the home, so I do not know where our legislators got the impression that this provision is ungodly.

There were and there are, still enough homes and families in which women have participated in decision-making, and these homes have been the better for it. The resistance we saw is not hinged on evidence, but on selfish self-preservation which does not even serve menfolk as a group, or even the families they purport to want to protect. Many of our legislators have educated wives, from whom they benefit through joint decision-making, but they come out to pose as “macho men”, who are Lord and Master. It is so painful that many of our men, who rode on the back of oppressed mothers to make it in life, and who witnessed the pain and suffering that these mothers went through as they were cheated, violated and abused, think there is a macho image they have to preserve, and they

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25.07.2017

‘NIGERIA’S CONSTITUTION HAS MANY GENDER GAPS’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

"I HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY I HAVE, TO CLARIFY THAT THE DETERRENCE THEORY OF PUNISHMENT WHICH IS OFTEN CITED TO JUSTIFY SEVERE PUNISHMENT SUCH AS THE DEATH PENALTY, DID NOT STATE THAT SEVERE PUNISHMENT WITHOUT MORE WILL DETER CRIME"

betray these mothers by failing to cease the opportunity to make sure another woman, another mother, another grandmother, another aunt, another daughter, does not have to go through life this way.

I must also state that, I remain surprised that the legislators still think they can refuse to legislate women’s equal rights, when it comes to inheritance and access to property.

The Supreme Court has made clear that the provisions in section 42 of the Constitution, clearly guarantee women equality in inheritance and access to property. Their constitutional duty, is to give effect to the judicial interpretation. In any case, regardless of their opposition, women already have equal inheritance rights and access to property in law.

6) As a Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, do you believe that the death penalty serves any useful purpose in Nigeria? Should it be abolished here, as it has been in many other countries, or do you believe that it could be the solution to curbing the rise of kidnapping in Nigeria?

I have always tried to use every opportunity that I have, to clarify that the deterrence theory of punishment which is often cited to justify severe punishments such as death penalty, did not state that severe punishment without more will deter crime.

In deterrence theory, there is the assumption that law enforcement is certain and consistent.

People are deterred not only by threat of punishment, but by the likelihood of apprehension and certainty of punishment. The problem of increasing incidence of crime in Nigeria, rests on the facts that likelihood of apprehension is low and punishment is not certain, as an offender easily avoids punishment through corruption and/or systemic failure.

So we introduced death penalty for armed robbery in the 1970s. Even at the peak of use of death penalty by means of execution by a firing squad, armed robbery increased. Why, you might ask? Because arms were readily accessible, and because armed robbers had access to superior firearms over the police. The weakness of the police, means that likelihood of apprehension is low, so when the potential criminal weighs the odds of the death penalty being carried out, it is very low and so he/she chooses to take a risk.

Crime is reduced only when 2 things are seriously worked at simultaneously – first, planning and implementing programmes of crime prevention and second, strengthening the policing and justice system to send the message of the high likelihood of apprehension, and certainty of punishment. Since about 2009 when states started to introduce the death penalty for kidnapping, how many kidnappers have been apprehended, successfully prosecuted and sentenced? In the face of these failures, the law is mocked. Criminals are not deterred when a successful kidnap yields a ransom of millions of naira, and nothing happens in terms of apprehension.

But how does the option of resort to crime come about at all. Merton’s anomie theory, may help us understand what we are experiencing.

In a society where a lot of premium is placed on attainment of riches, and this becomes the pursuit of almost all in the society, it can be said that this is the shared cultural goal of that society. Now, where the means of accessing the wealth or riches is not well distributed, and some are denied legitimate access by denial of opportunities, they resort to deviant adaptations such as innovation, rebellion, ritualism and retreatism.

Kidnapping, like armed robbery and trafficking, are deviant adaptations in a situation of anomie. Not having access to legitimate means of reaching the cultural goal, they innovate il-

legitimate (deviant) means. Government owes the duty to reduce or mitigate the factors that strain individuals towards deviant adaptations.

The fight against corruption is critical, if we seriously want to address the problem of crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery and drug trafficking in Nigeria. Wealth illegally obtained through corruption, reinforces a cultural goal that is not legitimately attainable by the majority of people, hence the decision to adapt, by innovating means that are illegitimate to accrue wealth.

What should Government do to decongest the Prisons which are grossly overcrowded all over the country?

I would say government should do 2 things simultaneously and urgently. First, is build more prisons or expand capacity in existing prisons and second, is address the causes of congestion which are related to unlawful arrests and arbitrary detentions/remands.

The causes of prison congestion are many and these must be clearly identified and isolated, for us to articulate an adequate response. The statistics indicate that Nigerian prisons are severely overcrowded, but what compounds the problem, is that more than 70% of prison inmates are awaiting trial persons, that is un-convicted or yet-to-be-convicted offenders. Now among these un-convicted offenders, a significantly high majority are individuals whose trials are not, in fact, proceeding in court, who have been granted bail, but the bail conditions are too stringent for them to fulfil. The new legislative framework that has replaced the old Criminal Procedure legislation, that is the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and the various State versions which share much with the Federal Act, are designed to address some of these problems.

For example, it prescribes the obligation on the Court to review its own remand orders within some specified time latitude, to ensure that where it is not satisfied that a case is being diligently prosecuted as to justify continued remand, it can revoke the remand order, after some steps have been taken. If the ACJA and ACJLs are diligently enforced, the problem of prison overcrowding will be addressed to a significant extent.

However, beyond enacting and enforcing the legislation, the government cannot run away from the imperative of expanding prison capacity, by building more prisons and providing infrastructure and other resources to make the prisons habitable and meet international standards.

While no- one is advocating the expansion of prison capacity, just to the end of having space to lock-up some more people, the nature of crime is that its incidence level is not static. Although imprecise, it is well possible to estimate crime rates, by reference to increases in population and various other developments. Simply put, incidence of crime is on the increase. Crime correlates with development for many reasons, so that increased incidence of crime is to be expected as a society grows in number and experiences various forms of development. The

number of criminals arraigned daily before criminal courts throughout the country, and who the exigencies of their case might compel remand, is on the increase and we must plan for this, no matter how unpalatable the thought may be.

What are your views on restructuring Nigeria? Is there a need for it? How would you advice Government to go about restructuring?

There is definitely a need for restructuring, although we must always remind ourselves that the clamour for restructuring is an outcome of failed governance. There, however, seems to be too much placed on the notion that, restructuring will necessarily bring good governance.

I say, not necessarily. Nigerians have been ruled and oppressed by a class of Nigerians, who include people from all the geographical zones around which we want to build the restructured Nigeria. This suggests that bad leadership is not the attribute of one ethnicity, as some of the present clamour suggests and that merely getting rid of the other will rid us of bad leadership.

I am a federalist to the core, and I think we must decentralise government to the States, as contemplated when the idea of Nigeria as a federal state was first accepted. Military rule, is what introduced the kind of over-centralisation that we know today, and what restructuring will do, is take us back to where we first began.

Now that is not radical change by any means.

I, however, think the present 36 States, should remain as they are, as I think that there will be too much rumpus if any change to that is proposed. Let's not over-rock the boat. True, there has been some politicising in the states creation exercises we have had, but I also know that the states creation were themselves responses to outcries of over concentration of power in some centres. The Federal Government, has to take its hands off many aspects of life, especially those that touch on commerce, trade and other aspects of the economy, such as exploitation of natural resources, tax. We need constitutional reform that supports more devolution of power to States, and reduces the concentration of power at a centre that is more difficult to control, because of its distance. This is what we can have with less rancour. The States are more or less united, in the demand for devolution of more powers.

The Federal Government, should negotiate for time for that to be implemented, and its implementation evaluated after a period of, say 7 years. A union of more than 57 years is not easily dissolved. The de- unionising, if it must be, has to be carefully undertaken.

Lessons can be learnt from the clauses in the EU Treaties, which make exit of the union, something that must be negotiated over a minimum of 3 years, as we can see from the case of Brexit. In the Brexit situation, we see as much a divided country and challenge to

government stability.

There is an increasing wave of sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions, and complaints by students of being sexually harassed by lecturers, doesn’t appear to be receiving the desired attention. As one who has been in the University system for many years and a mentor to many students, what panacea would you proffer to this worrisome societal problem?

I am happy you asking me this question at this time because I can happily provide an answer, that does not shame me. I am happy to note that the University of Lagos has been in the process of developing a Comprehensive policy to address the problem of sexual harassment, and it also addresses challenges posed by romantic relationship between students and staff. I am aware that the process is far gone, and the policy should be place and in force in a very short while.

This draft policy, which has gone through many stages of consultative reviews and revision, defines sexual harassment of students by any employee of the University as a misconduct, for which sanctions including termination of employment, follows. The draft policy also addresses sexual harassment between staff and even by staff or student or a visitor to the university.

First, I believe that the fact that the policy is being developed, is indicative that we are a long way from a time when sexual harassment was even denied to be a problem, and when it was acknowledged at all, it was more in jest. I must note that, I have no reason to believe that this policy is being developed because of any external pressure, say a government directive or a requirement of an international collaboration.

Hence, I believe that this is a genuine response by the University, to what it itself, acknowledges to be the social problem Second, from what I know of the content of the policy, I believe that it will clarify the boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable conduct or interactions. It will also set out the procedure for dealing with complaints and when adopted, it will definitely will bolster student confidence to report and provide a framework for University action.

The proposed SH policy of the University of Lagos, is not the first. I am aware that there are some other Nigerian Universities, that have adopted similar policies e.g. UI and Covenant University. I am also aware that the UI policy, has been applied in one case and resulted in the dismissal of a lecturer, although the lecturer’s dismissal was ruled as wrongful by the court.

What the case, which was reported by the media, clearly shows, is that in implementing and enforcing a Sexual Harassment Policy, we cannot afford to be emotional and presumptuous.

You have run the Legal Research and Development Centre or over two decades; such is rare in Nigeria. How have you been

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‘NIGERIA’S CONSTITUTION HAS MANY GENDER GAPS’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 able sustain such an audacious initiative, given the challenges of funding and what has been its impact so far?

Yes, I ran LRRDC for about 20 years. Although we have not folded up, we are not in business in the way that we used to be. Right now, we are more of a research consultancy, than we are of an NGO implementing interventions in the community. It was truly an audacious initiative.

LRRDC was established at a very difficult time in the life of Nigeria. Government was hostile to the idea of human rights and was intolerant of human rights organisations. Indeed, the name Legal Research and Resource Development was carefully chosen.

Again at the risk of it being said that I am blowing my own trumpet, LRRDC was a leading human rights organisation in Nigeria established in 1990. It was founded by Mrs. Olatokunbo Ige, who is currently with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-OHCHR). I served on its Board from inception, and took over as Executive Director in 1995. LRRDC complemented the work of other human rights NGOs such as CLO, CRP, CDHR and NADL. It focused more on providing human rights education to build a society with understanding of human rights, to foster respect for human rights and build individual and institutional capacity for promotion and protection of human rights. Aside the pictorial pamphlets produced in English, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and pidgin languages on various law and human rights topics, which were widely distributed in and outside Nigeria, the Centre also introduced and implemented school based interventions, such as the Street Law Club and the Good Governance Club, all of which aimed at creating awareness and fostering knowledge of human rights and democratic governance.

LRRDC also, was the first Nigerian NGO, to introduce a legal aid clinic and paralegal services scheme, towards enhancing Today, human rights education has even become formalised.

Your Inaugural Lecture delivered as a Professor of Law at the University of Lagos in 2014 titled ‘In Search Of Transformative Justice: The Proselytism Of Legal Feminism’ came across to some as a battle cry for women to take up arms and assert their feminist rights. Can you shed some more light on the import of that lecture?

I doubt that anyone can really say the lecture was a battle cry, to take up any arms. You may say that of some of my other publications, but definitely not of that. In that lecture, my mission was to use the platform to clarify to the public what feminism, indeed legal feminism, is all about.

I explained the aspiration of feminism which, in summary, is the pursuit of transformative justice.

I want not about a battle cry, but rather I was on a “soul-winning mission”. Note that a key word in the title of the lecture is proselytism.

Proselytism simply means evangelisation. I thought that feminism and indeed, legal feminism, had been too misunderstood.

Too many people think that feminism is about hating men, or displacing men. That is not correct. True, there are some women who are men- haters, as there are men who are women haters. All of us know how much some men hate women that they are serial killers of women, the type they hate.

Feminism is of different strands, straddling the wide berth between liberal feminists and the radical feminists, the cultural feminists and the Marxist feminist, etc. What all share in common, is a desire to assist society to interrogate its (mis)

"I RECALL THAT THE FORMER GOVERNOR OF ZAMFARA STATE, WHO, INCIDENTALLY IS NOW A SENATOR, DARED ANYONE TO SAY THAT HE HAD DONE ANYTHING WRONG, WHEN HE TOOK A CHILD BRIDE, CITING RELIGIOUS LAW IN HIS SUPPORT, AND CLAIMING THAT HE WOULD WILLINGLY BREACH THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA WHERE, IN HIS VIEW, IT CONFLICTED WITH HIS RELIGIOUS BELIEF"

conceptions about men and women in society, and identify the positive and negative role. I then tried to demonstrate how legal feminism has been progressively deployed to bring about transformative justice since the 18th century.

The feedback I have consistently received on the lecture, is that it was most enlightening and for many, it was the first time they were helped to gain a correct insight into what feminism is all about.

Plagiarism has been the bane of publishing in Nigeria. You have authored many books and there are findings that law publications are special targets of pirates. What has been your experience?

There is a difference between plagiarism and piracy. Both are really bad, and both undermine academic excellence. Plagiarism entails stealing someone’s original work, and passing it off as your original work. It is an integrity issue. That happens when a student, a researcher, a writer, a lecturer passes off someone else’s work as his or her own original work. For instance, a lecturer takes a student’s or another person’s submitted project work, and publishes it as his or her own. It is stealing. It is also fraud.

Piracy, in turn, is simply reproducing a person’s book or other form of publication and selling them. Piracy usually deprives the publisher, the opportunity of return on investments made in publishing. For example, a book is reprinted, often at an extremely poor quality level, so that it is relatively cheaper to acquire so that no-one or few buy the original copies.

For me, plagiarism and piracy are worse, when we as teachers are the victims of our students. Can you imagine that you avail your students some materials in the course of teaching them and the next thing, one of them goes on to produce this in one form of publication or another, and sells to others, especially other students in subsequent years. It just discourages you from providing materials, especially where this is original work that is not yet published.

It's also irritating, because this discourages the students in the latter years, from being serious about attending classes because they think, they have the materials they need.

I haven't been a victim of piracy, but I have been plagiarised by my students many times over, but in most of these times, I think they have done so, because most of them are not as aware of what constitutes plagiarism, and I

have seized the opportunity to correct them.

I have also been a victim of plagiarism by a colleague, but I would not want to talk about the incident.

Plagiarism is quite difficult to detect in our climes, because we do not have most of our academic materials in depositories that are accessible to the anti-plagiarism softwares. We are, however, taking the challenge seriously in the Faculty of Law. Domestic violence and incest, are now so common in urbane families and the authorities do not appear to have any solution to these problems. As a criminologist, what strategies can we adopt to tackle these hydra-headed problems?

I am not sure if domestic violence and incest, are now more common or they are more reported. It may well be that they are, but as we do not have reliable statistics from the past or present that can be compared, I do not want to dwell on that. Suffice it to say, I am glad that we are talking more openly about this, and acknowledge that these are social problems that we must tackle. I think the understanding that we gain from various learning theories of crime, can help us forge some way forward here.

With domestic violence, the rationalisations are learnt. The rationalisations are embedded in our cultural norms, which justify or excuse domestic violence. Such rationalisations are: He made me angry, so I was justified to use violence to communicate my anger. This is the definition of respect for a man, or Criminologists will tell you that criminals often have to rationalise Defective socialisation, means that too many people do not have skills for living harmoniously in social relations. Some people cannot tolerate opposition to their perspectives, especially from anyone they consider inferior.

There is the learning theory which states that you pick your conduct norms and values from the subculture that you are disproportionately exposed ((what is called differential association).

There is also the learning theory of imitation. In sum these theories are saying that using violence is learnt. You grow up watching your father use violence on your mother, your mother use physical or verbal violence on the domestic servant, the military or police officer publicly use physical violence on someone who wrongs them. They use the violence and successfully

subdue the other, and you learn that this is a way of getting what you want.

We must use our educational process –formal and informal, to address the high tolerance for violence in our cultural systems and promote a culture of respect for others. Beyond transmission of conduct norms, government and civil society organisations, need to offer platforms and opportunities for those who need help to reform.

If, for example, someone today knows she/he has anger issues, where can they go for therapy?

There is no doubt that the messages we pass about conduct norms through our educational system, must be reinforced by consistent law enforcement. States must adopt a zero tolerance policy for DV, within which they specify interventions such as mandatory reporting for certain institutions, mandatory prosecution, etc.

Now, mandatory prosecution, does not mean that everything will end in imprisonment as punishment. For example, I am aware that in Canada, a person who is charged to court for partner assault is required to go for 15 weeks mandatory Group Therapy. Breach of this court order will result in court sanction. The institutions that provide such counselling support, are non- governmental organisations who receive funding from government to provide such services for citizens.

Some of the points I have just made, will be relevant for addressing incest, but I need to add that, we need to document and undertake some in-depth analyses that can give us more detailed information, such as the pattern and trend of incest. We need to know more about the rationalisations or other aetiolgical explanations, so that we can understand its nature as it is currently manifesting and then address it.

While much of incest is exploitative, some are not e.g. sex between siblings of more proximate ages. With respect to the latter, some have alluded to the fact that we are living in a highly sexualised environment that conduces to learning explanations. In such an environment, if people are exposed to incorrect knowledge, they are more vulnerable to being abused or even being abusers. Suffice it to say that, we cannot solve a social problem, simply by acknowledging that the problem exists. Rather, we need thorough diagnosis of the problem, which entails looking beyond how the problem presents.

Despite the continuous advocacy, child marriage appears to defy all solutions as the trend doesn’t appear to have abated, especially in the North. What further steps can be taken to stem this tide?

Clearly, there isn’t genuine political will on the part of many of those who make up our government at the State and Federal levels, to eradicating child marriage, and they do not mince words about it. In fact, they are publicly pitched against such eradication. I recall that the former Governor of Zamfara who, incidentally is now a Senator, dared anyone to say he had done anything wrong, when he took a child bride citing religious law in his support, and claiming that he would willingly breach the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where, in his view, it conflicted with his religious belief (note that I choose to say religious belief rather than religious law because I’m told there is jurisprudence that indicates that the religious law, which he lays claim to, does not in fact, support child marriage. Hence, there is little or no effort to enforce the many laws prohibiting child marriage. Let me say also that, it would appear in Nigeria that government’s strategy is to allow the passage of some laws so that it can claim that appropriate laws are in place and get credit for being committed to the needed reform when in fact, it is not.

That said, I would say that two critical factors contribute to child marriage – poverty and cultural/religious beliefs. Address poverty and give qualitative education that broadens the mind.

The gate keepers of religion, are better able to manipulate/control people who are poorer and less educated. Poor families are more likely to give their girl-child away, to get some resources in the name of bride-price or at least reduce the number of mouths to feed. Address poverty, provide access to education which does not add more costs to the families, provide education which offers a real prospect of yielding a decent employment, and fewer people will give off their children in marriage. Qualitative liberal education empowers individuals, by opening their minds and makes them less susceptible to manipulation. Provide counter-narratives to the stereotypes on which religious gate-keepers thrive, by showcasing that it is the children of the poor who are married off early and not the so-called political and religious leaders.

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Grave Implications of the Linus Okorie Amnesty for Looters Bill

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he Bill being promoted

by Mr. Linus Okorie of the House of Representative, is a sign that brazen impunity no longer has any significance in Nigeria. That a Nigerian Legislator (a Law Maker), can have the effrontery to promote a Bill, which if enacted into law, will enable Looters of our treasury and national patrimony to keep the loot, if only they can acknowledge it as looted, provided they undertake to spend it in Nigeria, is breath taking.

In summary, what Mr. Linus Okorie is encouraging, is free plundering of State funds without consequences.

Simply put, it is the legitimation of treasury plundering. It is clear that if such a Bill becomes Law, the anti- corruption war is doomed.

In spite of the steep decline in the sense of morality and values in Nigeria in the last 16 years, particularly since this 8th Session of the National Assembly was inaugurated, Okorie’s blatant and brazen advocacy of free looting, is nevertheless still shocking to the senses.

How do we punish this man for his

"IN SUMMARY, WHAT MR. LINUS OKORIE IS ENCOURAGING, IS FREE PLUNDERING OF STATE FUNDS WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES. SIMPLY PUT, IT IS THE LEGITIMATION OF TREASURY PLUNDERING. IT IS CLEAR THAT IF SUCH A BILL BECOMES LAW, THE ANTI-CORRUPTION WAR IS DOOMED"

Professor Itse Sagay, SAN

total lack of morality, and his heedless, headlong promotion of looting without adverse consequences? Soon armed robbers, kidnapers, extortionists, 419ners, thieves, money launderers, embezzlers, etc, etc. will line up before the Attorney-General, with applications compelling him to grant them amnesty and never ever again to question the source, the real amount or any other information, on the looted funds.

I think people who come up with such shocking assaults on our common morality and sense of decency, deserve a sharp rebuke coupled with sanctions.

Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution

OAU LAW FACULTY PROFFERS SOLUTIONS TO NATIONAL PROBLEMS and Commissioner for Justice State of Osun, Dr. Basiru, said: “Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola during his electioneering campaign published the Green Book titled, “My pact with the people of Osun”, in which he made a documented promise as follows: “Government....Will ensure speedy

access to justice by all individuals in Osun State, by reforming the courts system and procedural rules, introducing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms and free legal services”.

"The legal reform initiatives cut across key sectorial areas including: public finance

RESTRUCTURING NIGERIA MUST BE BOTH POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC and financial independence, to enable them implement plans and programmes specific to their constituents' development needs.

"Some have argued that, the current six geo-political zones should be reconstituted into the federating units of the country. I find attractive, the thinking that Nigeria should devolve more power and responsibilities from the centre to the subnational units.

These units can be organised on a zonal basis, to reflect the existing six geopolitical zones, with each zone having its own government, and responsible for its own development, very much after the pattern of the regional system of the First Republic. In that sense, there will be six zones, each developing at

its own pace, and making contributions to a central government, whose functions will be limited to defence, foreign affairs, national security, management of national youth service, national currency, and whatever other functions are assigned to it under the new Constitution. Internal fiscal autonomy within the geo-political zones, will ensure that each area will reap the economic benefits of the resources in its area, such that “domination” and “minority” issues will be minimised, if not totally done away with.

"The current downturn in federally generated revenue coupled with the renewed agitation from various ethnic ‘youth groups’, makes this an ideal time for the country to take the bull

of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), provides that “The State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power”. Should a legislator, a ranking public officer, be seen committing a breach of the Constitution, which at the same time constitutes an assault on our sensibilities, with relish?

I can only recall one instance in which such boldness and brazen impunity was demonstrated, albeit, in the pleadings before a LAW COURT, rather than a Bill before a LEGISLATIVE HOUSE, as in this case.

In the case of Everet v. Williams, (1725) (see Lindley, Law of Partnership

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 management, revenue generation, education and human capacity development, urban renewal and environment, governance and security, judicial sector reform, health and safety, agriculture, food security and institutionalisation of social welfare Schemes", Ajibola said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 by the horns, and commence both political and economic restructuring."

Professor Alfred Bandele Kasunmu, SAN, in whose honour the annual event is held, recently marked his 83rd birthday. He was called to the English Bar in 1960. He was a pioneer lecturer at the law faculties of the then University of Ife and the University of Lagos.

Prof Kadunmu, SAN was Attorney-General of Lagos State from 1975-78, and was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1979. He is still in active legal practice at his A.B. Kasunmu’s Chambers in Lagos.

The event was chaired by the former Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Chief (Dr) Kole Abayomi, SAN.

11th ed., 1950, p. 123), a 17th Century English case, heard in the Court of Exchequer, the plaintiff, an armed robber, acting through his solicitor, sued the defendant, his partner in numerous armed robberies, for refusing to produce the numerous booties realised from their robberies, like gold watches, rings, saddles, horses, swords, etc., valued at over £2,000, or the proceeds of the sale of these items, for sharing between the partners, as stipulated in their partnership agreement.

As reported by Megarry J., as he then was: “The sad consequences of bringing the Bill were that the court held it to be scandalous and impertinent. The plaintiff’s solicitors were attached for contempt and each fined £50, and counsel who had signed the Bill, was ordered to pay the costs as taxed by the Deputy, who was “not to consider the scandal in the taxation.” Matters did not rest there, for the defendant was executed at Maidstone in 1727, the plaintiff at Tyburn in 1730, and in 1735 one of the plaintiff’s solicitors, was convicted of robbery and transported.”

Transportation, in 19th Century England, meant conviction and permanent exile to Australia, where the convict would be engaged in what amounted to forced labour, for most or the rest of his life.

Now what shall we do with Linus Okorie? I propose that the House of Representatives should regard Linus’s Bill to be so impertinent and scandalous, as to earn him a suspension from the House, for the rest of the 8th session, i.e., until July 2019. That should serve notice that, Nigeria will no longer tolerate such brazen impunity and corruption or its promotion thereof.

Prof Itse Sagay, SAN, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption

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INSIGHT ABUBAKAR D. SANI

xL4sure@yahoo.com

Tackling Police Corruption & Indiscipline: Are Orderly Room Trials Valid?

T

Introduction

he noticeable drive of the current leadership of the Police, to rebrand the Force, was graphically illustrated by the recent dismissal, following an Orderly Room Trial, of four officers of its Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State Command, on charges of corruption (bribery) and discreditable conduct under the Nigerian Police Regulations 1968, a subsidiary instrument made pursuant to the Nigeria Police Act, Cap P19, LFN 2010. Coming on the heels of the recent successes of the Force in bursting two notorious self-confessed criminals, ‘Vampire’ and ‘Evans’, the dismissals were broadly welcomed by the public as signposting the dawn of a brave new Police Force.

Before we shout ‘Hurrah’, however, we must pause to reflect on the procedure under which the ‘Ijebu-Ode Four’, were sanctioned.

This is because of the legal and constitutional implications, of the combination of their status as public officers, and the fact that their alleged offences (along with at least half of the offences under the Police Regulations), are also criminal offences under general criminal laws such as the Criminal Code, the Penal Code, the ICPC Act, etc.

Discipline of Police Officers in Nigeria By virtue of Paragraph 30(b) of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, the discipline of police officers in Nigeria - with the exception of the Inspector General of Police - is the responsibility of the Police Service Commission.

Contrary to this provision, however, Regulation 372 of the Regulations provides that “the competent authority for the exercise of disciplinary control shall be the Nigeria Police Council” This provision is obviously invalid, as it is inconsistent with the foregoing provision of the Constitution.

Both the Police Council and the Police Commission are established by and conferred with different functions under Paragraphs 27 – 30 the Third Schedule and Section 153(1)(l) & (m) of the Constitution.

For the purposes of discipline, different provisions are applicable to superior police officers and junior police officers, as defined in Section 2 of the Police Act and Regulation 370 of the Police Regulations respectively. The former defines a “superior police officer” as “any police officer above the rank of a Cadet Assistant Superintendent”, whilst the latter defines junior police officers as “Inspectors, Non-commissioned Officers or Constables”. By this definition, the ‘Ijebu-Ode Four’ were junior police officers; this is the only category of officers, who are subject to the Orderly Room provisions of the Police Regulations.

Orderly Room Procedure Regulations 381 – 383 of the Police Regulations provide for the Summary Investigations of and Orderly Room Procedure, in respect of offences against service discipline committed by junior police officers, as specified in the Regulations. Such investigations are initiated whenever a suspect denies a written charge of committing a disciplinary offence.

I believe that the validity of the Orderly Room Procedure, depends in turn on the validity of the offence or offences in the Regulations with which an officer may be charged in any given case. This is because of the glaring similarity, in my view, between at least half of the disciplinary offences in the Police Regulations and certain provisions of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers in the Constitution on one hand, and the Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Act/the Penal Code/the Criminal Code, on the other.

One of the key provisions of the Regulations is Paragraph C titled Corrupt Practice, which includes demanding and receiving bribe, one of the two offences which cost the ‘Ijebu-Ode

Policemen at Check point

Four’ their 2 careers in the Force. I believe its provisions are synonymous with Sections 8, 9, 10 and 18 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission Act 2000, as well as Sections 115 – 199 and 122 of the Penal Code in force in the nineteen Northern States, as well as Abuja.

Similar provisions exist in the Criminal Code in force across the seventeen Southern States.

Apart from bribery and corruption, the following offences in the Regulations, in my view, are synonymous with the provisions of the Penal Code indicated against them, viz: (i) Paragraph N(i),(iv)&(vii) of the Regulations (Neglect of Duty) - Sections 129 and 150 of the Penal Code: abandonment of duty by public servant and failing to assist public servant when bound to assist him/her. (ii) Paragraph B(i)(ii)(iii)&(iv) of the Regulations (Breach of Confidence) - Sections 98, 99 and 135 of the Penal Code: Breach of Official Trust: preventing service or publication of summons, orders, notices, etc (iii) Paragraph E(ii) of the Regulations (Discreditable Conduct) such as assaulting a member of the Force - Sections 240 – 253 of the Penal Code: causing hurt (iv) Paragraph D(i) of the Regulations: damage to article supplied to and officer – Section 166 of the Penal Code: Destruction of document to prevent its production in evidence (v) Paragraph K(i)&(ii) of the Regulations (Falsehood or Prevarication) - Section 178 of the Penal Code: giving false information in respect of an offence To the extent that the foregoing and other disciplinary offences in the Police Regulations, are also criminal offences triable in the regular courts, I believe that they are anomalous, because they are inconsistent with the Section 36(4) of the 3 1999

Constitution which provides that anyone accused of committing a criminal offence, is entitled to fair hearing in a court or tribunal constituted in such a manner as to ensure its independence and impartiality.

This provision was construed in SOFEKUN v AKINYEMI (1980) 5 S.C. 1 where the apex court laid down the principle that, once a person is charged with a criminal offence, “he must be tried in a court of law and no other tribunal, investigating panel or committee will do”. This principle was reiterated in F.C.S.C v LAOYE (1989) 2 NWLR pt. 154 pg. 652 @ 680A where the apex court held that “Conduct amounting to crime must first be a matter for the criminal tribunal before disciplinary issues could be raised”.

The relevance of these dicta, is underscored by the fact that Regulations 383(5) & (6) expressly provide that not only are Orderly Room proceedings closed to members of the public, the officer on trial “shall not be entitled to be represented by any person whatsoever.”

The Police As Public Officers A further reason why the Orderly Room Procedure is invalid, is because police officers, are public officers. By virtue of Paragraph 9 of Part II of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution, all police officers, are bound by the Code of Conduct for Public Officers in the Constitution. The implication of this is that, where a police officer is accused of conduct which contravenes the Code, the only authority which is competent to investigate it, is the Code of Conduct Bureau established under Section 153(1)(a) of the Constitution. If necessary, the Bureau can refer the complaint to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for prosecution: Paragraphs 1 & 3(d)&(e) of the Third Schedule to the Constitution.

"A FURTHER REASON WHY THE ORDERLY ROOM PROCEDURE IS INVALID, IS BECAUSE POLICE OFFICERS, ARE PUBLIC OFFICERS. BY VIRTUE OF PARAGRAPH 9 OF PART II OF THE FIFTH SCHEDULE TO THE CONSTITUTION, ALL POLICE OFFICERS, ARE BOUND BY THE CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS IN THE CONSTITUTION"

Only the Tribunal is competent to try a public officer charged with contravening the Code: Paragraphs 12, 15(1)&(2) of the Code in the Constitution.

I believe that Paragraphs 1 , 2(b), 8 & 9 of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers are synonymous with relevant provisions of the Police Regulations referred to above as follows:- Paragraph 1, which precludes a public officer from putting himself in a position where his personal interest conflicts with his duties; - Paragraph 2(b), which precludes a public officer from engaging in any private business, profession or trade ; - Paragraph 8, which prohibits bribery of public officers; and - Paragraph 9, which prohibits a public officer from abusing his office.

It is trite that in such circumstances, the Constitution is deemed to have covered the field. Accordingly, any statute which makes similar or identical provisions - in this case, the said Police Regulations - will be otiose and inoperative, and if they are inconsistent with those of the Constitution, they will be invalid.

See ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF ABIA STATE v ATT-GEN. OF THE FEDERATION (2002) 6 NWLR pt. 764 pg. 542 per Uwais , CJN. Conclusion It is axiomatic that, discipline is a sine qua non for optimum service delivery and excellence.

This is particularly so, with security agencies such as the police and other branches of the armed forces. However, as the apex court held in NIGERIAN ARMY v AMINUN KANO (2010) All FWLR pt. 253 pg. 1805 @ 1839, “being a serving member of the armed forces does not exclude a citizen from the protection of the fundamental rights entrenched in the Constitution”. This is simply because a fundamental right cannot be waived: OGBA v THE STATE (1992) 2 NWLR pt. 222 pg. 164.

Accordingly, to the extent that the aforesaid provisions of the Police Regulations for dealing with disciplinary offences committed by junior police officers, are inconsistent with the fundamental right of fair hearing and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers under the Constitution, they are aberrations, which should be scrapped forthwith, in the interest of the rule of law and constitutional supremacy.

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Onagoruwa: Passage of a Legal Icon Jude Igbanoi writes on the life and times of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, who passed on to eternal glory last Friday. Nigeria has lost one of its most courageous Attorney-Generals and Ministers of Justice, Dr. Olu Onagoruwa, SAN. His brother Senior Advocates and Richard Akinnola also pay him tribute. May his soul rest in peace. Amen

O

nagoruwa who turned 80 recently, was a human rights activist and social crusader who ironically and against all advice from the human rights community, served the Sani Abacha administration as Attorney- General from 1993 - 1994.

The death of his son under questionable and suspicious circumstances, abruptly ended his tenure, when he suffered a stroke on hearing that his son may have been killed by the then military junta.

Ongoruwa’s sin as Attorney-General, was his effrontery in ordering the immediate release of Mr. Turner Ogboru, when the court granted him freedom, against the wishes of the military junta.

Olu Onagoruwa studied Law at the University of London where he obtained his LL.B, LL.M and PhD degrees. He thereafter, returned to Nigeria to attend the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in 1971.

Tradition at the Nigeria Bar, is that when a lawyer who is not yet a Senior Advocate of Nigeria gets appointed as Attorney-General of the Federation, he automatically gets elevated into the Inner Bar at the next investiture. But Onagoruwa’s case was an exception, as his award of SAN came only in 2015, over two decades after.

Tributes Asiwaju Solomon Awomolo, SAN – Former Osun State Attorney-General ‘We thank God for the life Dr. Olu Onagoruwa SAN. He was Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at perhaps the most trying period in the life of this country. It was a time when Olu had to wrestle with military dictatorship to protect the right of citizens, balance the rule of law with military exigencies. For me, he recorded success in preserving the integrity honour and independence of judiciary. He was not a pretender, but very bold advocate who was respected even by his adversary. His taking Silk, even though delayed, was most deserving and he never brought shame or radicle or brought dishonour to the rank. He deserves to rest in perfect peace in the Bosom Abraham.'

Mr. Sylva Ogwemoh, SAN ‘Dr. Gabriel Olu Onagoruwa SAN, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, was an activist lawyer, fearless and highly principled.

He fought for the cause of the common Man and ensured justice for all, even at the risk of losing his life. I recall his directive as AGF, for the immediate release of Mr. Turner Ogboru, who was held in custody on allegations of plotting a coup, following a High Court order for his release, against the position of his boss, late General Sani Abacha. It is only a highly principled and fearless appointee of government in Nigeria like the late Dr. Olu Onagoruwa, who could take such a decision under a military junta.

It is difficult to find the likes of late Dr. Onagoruwa, SAN, today, in Nigeria. May His soul Rest In Peace with our good Lord.’

Chief Layi Babatunde, SAN – Publisher Lawbreed

Dr. Olu Onagoruwa, SAN

‘Our late senior colleague, lived an eventful life. As a Legal Practitioner, he prosecuted and defended many worthy causes . As a Counsel in the Federal Ministry of Justice, long before he became AGF, I was involved in some cases, where he appeared as counsel. He was fair in his presentation and exhibited candor . Unfortunately, he became AGF in very trying times. The appointment proved extremely challenging for him, his friends and family members, but all of that is now history.

It was a difficult period in the life of our nation. I will say with respect, that he did his best for the profession and our Country. May His gentle soul Rest In Peace. May God comfort his family.’

Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN – Former Director General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies ‘Dr Olu Onaguruwa was my boss, my friend, mentor and role model. Besides being my birthday mate, he was one of the most principled Nigerians I have come across. I was privileged to work with him as his Special Assistant, when he was

"HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW WAS BREATHTAKINGLY UNPARALLELED, AND HIS COMMITMENT TO SERVICE OF HIS FATHERLAND, LEGENDARY....A DETRIBALISED NIGERIAN OF DISTINCTION, HE WAS NOT GIVEN TO FAVOURITISM BASED ON TRIBE, AND WAS NEVER CAUGHT IN THE ETHICAL DILEMMA OF PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT TO HIS PEOPLE"

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. His knowledge of the Law was breathtakingly unparalleled, and his commitment to service of his fatherland, legendary. He stood up to be counted, when matters of human rights came to the fore (even in a Military administration), and was prepared to risk his job in defence of the principles he lived his life to uphold. A detribalised Nigerian of distinction, he was not given to Favouritism based on tribe, and was never caught in the ethical dilemma of preferential treatment to his people. I have no doubt that history will be kind to him, and he will be remembered as a leading light of human rights advocacy and activism, and as a foremost constitutionalist.

Nigeria is undoubtedly diminished by his death. My condolences to his family .May his soul rest in perfect peace.’

Ode to Dr Olu Onagoruwa Richard Akinnola His intellectual fecundity was not in doubt, particularly on constitutional law.

For years, in conjunction with his then struggle soul- mate, Gani Fawehinmi, he was a thorn in the flesh of the various military governments.

Each time Gani was incarcerated, he stood as his lawyer, and vice versa. I recall that under the Babangida junta, it was a usual practice for him and Gani to have midnight phone conversations.

Then, there was no GSM, but land phones. Fully aware that their phones were wire tapped and their conversations being recorded by the security agencies, both Dr Onagoruwa and Gani would deliberately spew forth expletives against the government. It was their way of getting back at the government, which had incessantly harassed them. Dr Onagoruwa spoke truth to power.

But when the dark-goggled General Abacha came on board as the Head of State, he sent Dr Onagoruwa's Odogbolu kinsman, General Oladipo Diya to Ona-

goruwa. And his mission was to appoint Onagoruwa as the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. Onagoruwa informed his bossom friend Gani of this offer, and Gani sternly warned him to stay clear and reject the offer. But Onagoruwa was inclined to accept, trying to convince his friend of the need to use the opportunity, to correct what they had been clamouring.

But since Onagoruwa accepted the offer, that became the parting of ways of the two bossom friends, a situation that even led to bitter, acrimonious exchanges.

Unfortunately, during his tenure as the AGF, the military leopard refused to change its colours. It was business as usual with draconian Decrees. Onagoruwa found out too late. By the time he felt he wanted to opt out of the ship, the military showed him a "sample" by orchestrating the assassination of his son, who worked for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). A very brilliant boy with PhD. Dr Onagoruwa was totally devastated, so much so that he had stroke. He never fully recovered.

Their disagreement notwithstanding, Gani went to his house to commiserate with him over the murder of his son.

Eventually, Onagoruwa wrote a book on his experience in government, validating his reason for taking up the appointment and in the process, threw missiles at his erstwhile friend, Gani who he accused, though falsely, of supporting General Buhari as Head of State, because he allegedly gave him money to buy his house in London.

A livid Gani fired back, debunking the allegations as "wicked lies". In his response, via another book, Gani countered: "Dr Olu Onagoruwa, in his book, shamelessly lied against me that General Mohammadu Buhari, as Head of State, helped me acquire my house in London.

General Buhari's military administration lasted from Sunday, 1st January, 1984 to Monday, 26th August, 1985 when the military administration was toppled in another coup led by General Ibrahim Babangida...l did not buy any house or any landed property of any description or of any type in London between 1983 and 1985. In 1980, four years before Buhari military administration came to power, l bought an apartment in Croydon, London. It was 15 Willow Mount....Dr Olu Onagoruwa's wife, Mrs Titi Onagoruwa and her children visited my wife (Mrs. Ganiat Bukun Fawehinmi) and myself in this property in 1981. She wore a red skirt and blouse. That was three years before Buhari's military administration came to power. It is therefore surprising that Olu Onagoruwa could concoct a horrible falsehood as he shamelessly did in his book."

Despite the parting of ways of the two erstwhile friends over Abacha, because l was close to both friends, l refused to judge Dr Onagoruwa for serving Abacha, even when l had cause to criticise him in office. I believed he was entitled to his own personal conviction, even if some of us close to him, felt otherwise. He wrote the foreword to my first book SALUTE TO COURAGE: THE STORY OF JUSTICE. YAYA JINADU in 1988. I never judged him. And l always believed that nobody should judge him or anyone.

Sir, you have run your race. Fare thee well.

Richard Akinnola, Executive Director, Centre for Free Speech and a founding member of Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO)

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Okwuosa: Recession Provides Nigeria Opportunity to Retool Emeka Okwuosa is the Managing Director of Oilserv. In this interview with Peace Obi he opined that the economic downturn presents an opportunity for managers of the Nigerian economy to consider different approaches. Excerpts: What hope can come from the private sector towards Nigeria’s economic recovery?

What I can say is that government is in position to do better than what we see today. But again, let me point out clearly that the failure we see today is a foundational problem. It is not restricted to the current government. In fact, the current government inherited what I can call a mess according to the Americans.

For us to have gone through a regime of very high oil price averaging $100 a barrel which is unprecedented in the history of oil and gas industry in the world; and for five years and thereafter, we had the oil price dropping to the $20, $30 and $40 per barrel and we are shouting that we have a problem, it shows that we were never prepared for it. What did we do with the entire money that came our way all these years?

Why did we not deviate and build up agriculture?

Every day we shout agriculture; agriculture cannot build up itself. Someone has to diligently set up a strategy that will drive agriculture over years like 20 to 30 years. You don’t wake up and say in four years you will build up agriculture-based economy, it doesn’t work that way. It involves investment and change of culture.

Now, coming back to the oil industry, oil industry for me is not the problem of Nigeria.

The country’s problem is beyond that. Whatever we call recession today has nothing to do with oil industry in my own opinion because in our GDP today, oil industry does not contribute more than 30 to 40 per cent of that.

The fact that we are down economically shows that we have not managed our affairs properly.

Oil is an asset that is degrading every day because you use it on. If you are smart, you use whatever you get out of oil to develop other sectors of the economy. So, the bottom line is that the government system today still reflects what has been going on. My further talk on this, is yes, we have difficulty, but difficulties bring innovation, innovation creates productivity, productivity grows a system. So, this is a very good opportunity for Nigeria to retool the way we think, the way we act, the way we live our lives.

Like the National Chairman of APC mentioned, we have been wasting our time all these years living in squandermania. People live beyond their means; people try to do things the wrong way. You have to build before you can live in that building.

Let us go back and know that the reality is there, agriculture and even oil industry has to be retooled to create values. And the value you create is from services, from the ownership of the oil assets but in the proper way, not ownership that is more like rent-seeking. If you have rent-seeking economy, you will never build capacity.

What is Oilserv’s contribution in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector like?

My contribution is diverse, but my biggest contribution is the contribution that I diligently decided to do. Let me give you a bit of my background. I left university many years ago, precisely in 1982 as an Electrical/Electronics Engineer and I went on to work for Schlumberger, the biggest oil service company in the world. I worked in 12 different countries of the world.

I had the chance of remaining outside Nigeria, but I chose to come back to Nigeria in 1993 because I believe so much in Nigeria. At the height of the problems occasioned by June 12 issues of our late Moshood Abiola. Nigeria was boiling, but I still left overseas and came back to Nigeria to set up my businesses. And what I did was to slowly set up Oilserv. From oil well logging to becoming the biggest oil and gas pipeline and facility, EPC company – Engineering, Procurement and Construction.

And today, we build the largest gas pipelines

Okwuosa in Nigeria.

As a private sector operator, how has Oilserv’s operations affected the lives of the common people of this country?

Oilserv is the company distributing gas all over Nigeria. When you have gas, you are able to build your industry, you are able also to power your systems, you have power; when you have power, you can develop. Now, another thing we have done also is that we are in mining. We are employing a lot of people. Oilserv today has more than 500 direct employees and over 2,000 indirect employees. And then you have multitude of suppliers, sub-contractors. So, we are growing the families all around, providing jobs and affecting lives in different ways.

Also, we have developed a primary training that has been recognised by Nigerian universities which is what we call Graduate Training Programme. This is a situation where we take fresh graduates and make them productive.

We take them and train them in key facets of oil and gas industry for one year, after which we give them certificates that would enable them become employable. We graduate between 20 and 25 trainees every year. We also have skill acquisition system for the artisans, for the welders among others. The skills acquisition training also graduates about 30 trainees as well, every year. So, we build skills.

How would you assess the usefulness of the Local Content Act to Nigerians?

We, in Oilserv and not more than eight other oil companies started the setting up of local content in oil and gas industry in 1991 to 1992.

That is what ended up being made into a law.

We were there lobbying and pushed to have what we call the NOGIC Act of Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Act. And what we have achieved is to nationalise a few activities and make it

possible for Nigerians to be given opportunity to

Now, coming back to the oil industry, oil industry for me is not the problem of Nigeria. The country’s problem is beyond that. Whatever we call recession today has nothing to do with oil industry in my own opinion because in our GDP today, oil industry does not contribute more than 30 to 40 per cent of that

participate effectively and build capacity. That is exactly what I am doing now in countries where we are operating in outside Nigeria, like Uganda, Ghana, Benin Republic. What we have done in these places is to help them not go through the mistakes Nigeria made but also help them build capacity quickly. We are setting up a system in Uganda now that will enable the local industry to be able to grow very quickly in terms capacity, in terms of knowledge because the most important thing in oil gas industry is actually not that you are producing crude oil but the services that make you produce the oil. The services will make you employ people, develop skills and grow the economy of the country.

So, when is Oilserv starting full production in these other countries?

We have been there for the past two years and we have office there and we are working there. In Benin Republic, for the past two years, we have had ownership of Blocks one and three offshore and we are developing those fields now.

What is your expected capacity?

Capacity is a question of opportunity. We are about to start building both an oil pipeline and an oil product pipeline over there. And we are also looking at building the gas pipeline that will interlink Uganda to Tanzania. But at the height of the project, we probably may be employing more than a thousand people.

What will be the impact of these investments on Africa?

The impact is to develop Africa. The impact is for us to understand that Africa has a very strong stake in the world and we shouldn’t take ourselves as the backyard of the world and what it takes is to work hard, learn, develop and build local capacity.

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BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Enelamah: Feeling the Pulse of Local Manufacturers The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah recently embarked on an industry tour of some select companies in the southwest to gain firsthand experience of what their challenges are and how government can intervene to keep them afloat. Jonathan Eze reports The two-day industry tour of Ogun and Lagos state was an eye-opener, a revealing and worthwhile adventure and it afforded the dynamic Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, a unique opportunity to interact and interface with local manufacturers.

The organisations visited were Fidson pharmaceutical Plc, May & Baker, Kimberly Clark Nigeria, PROFORCE and Standard Metallurgical Company Limited. The tour climaxed with a town hall meeting with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Ikeja, Lagos.

Fidson Healthcare Fidson Healthcare Plc is a Nigeria-based pharmaceutical manufacturing company. The principal activities of the Company are the manufacture and distribution of pharmaceutical products.

The train started from Fidson corporate head office in Obanikoro area of Lagos. The minister arrived before 9am and was received by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae and other management team, who conducted him round the premises. Shortly afterwards, the convoy moved swiftly to its factory situated at Km 38, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Sango-Ota, Ogun State.

Enelamah, was quickly introduced to the chains of produced drugs on display at the entrance both in tablets, syrups, drips-normal saline, dermatological drugs, water system sanitiser, among others.

The MD confidently told the minister that its infusion products are produced without any human intervention making its chances of contamination next to zero.

Ayebae added that it is a company policy to source for raw materials for their drugs locally and packaging materials as long as they are found in Nigeria.

Mr. Imokha Ayebae of Corporate Finance ran the minister through with the company’s presentation and profile. He noted that policies determine the future and direction of Fidson. The MD commended the minister and the federal government for the reforms being carrying out affirming that companies are no longer dying because the government is serious.

The minister, worried by the influx of fake drugs in the market, asked Ayebae how the issue of substandard drugs is affecting them. His response: “Locally manufactured drugs threat is zero but drugs that are fake are international brand and as we speak, it is huge between 20 and 25 per cent.

‘When we discovered this, we were very worried and as a professional group, we are taking the show up. Right now, we are in the process of engaging NAFDAC very aggressively.

The meeting will hold next week, we are worried because we know that life comes before business. For this, the long term solution for us is to make medicines locally; the medicines are more reliable when made locally. We are taking this fight up and we have informed our members that once we finish engaging NAFDAC, we will make this a public issue” he said.

As a way forward, he urged the federal government to appoint a substantive DG of NAFDAC. He added that they had met with the minister of health on the need to supply local manufactured drugs to all primary health centres, secondary and tertiary institution using the Essentials Medicine Access Programme (EMAD).

He argued further that local manufactured products are still the most affordable. The entourage was taken on a tour of its factory for almost three hours.

Enelamah commended Fidson and emphasised the need for partnership between government and local players and community. He added that one of the benefits of being a student of strategy is the knowledge that anything that is not long term or sustainable is cheating oneself.

MD/CEO of PROFORCE, Mr. Ade Ogundeyin, showcasing one of the armoured vehicles the company locally produced to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, during the minister’s tour of Industries at Ode Remo in Ogun State… recently May & Baker Nigeria PLC At May & Baker, the MD, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor received the minister. He said the pharmacentre was commissioned by former president Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. He listed all their achievements and the huge amount invested so far that led to their certification. He noted that Nigerian companies at a time were being denied tenders by international donors, hence the need to build something big according to World Health Organisation (WHO) standard.

Okafor added that he had issues sustaining the facilities because of funding. He commended the Bank of Industry (BoI) for supporting them and the federal government for ratifying the joint mutual agreement for the production of vaccines. Okafor, lauded government’s effort in improving the country’s business climate through policies and the Executive Orders.

“Your presence shows you want to get first-hand information on challenges impeding the pharmaceutical industry. I must commend BoI because without the bank, this company would be non-functional. We were able to access about one billion naira from the bank two years ago,” Okafor said.

He urged the government to resolve challenges delaying clearance of goods at the seaports, cost of gas and influx of imported substandard medicines and power challenges.

The minister commended the company and promised to look into some of their challenges.

His words; “My approach to problem solving is that I like you to first accept responsibility, you should be able to say what can we do to improve, these are issues on ground and how can we solve it. ‘’The most important legacy we have as a government is to deal with the issue of enabling environment and that means understanding that government wants to work with you to be able to solve it. The whole idea is to interact with the private sector, we can solve some of these issues, this year or next year, but we will solve them” he noted.

Kimberly Clark Lagos Mill Situated at Fatai Atere way in Matori area of Lagos, the company produces essential baby items like diapers, Huggies amongst others.

The management was pleased with the visit of the minister and used the opportunity to intimate him of their operational challenges.

The Senior Legal Counsel for sub-Saharan Africa, Mrs. Tayo Fagbamigbe disclosed that the company had invested more than $650

million in terms of talent development.

“Even in this difficult economic downturn, we have zero per cent redundancy till date.

We want to stay in Nigeria though we have not been making profit. She added that power and trading across borders are basically their problem.

Responding, Enelama said; “These problems are not unique to Kimberly Clark. We as a government want to work with the private sector in a sustainable, holistic way to create a better environment and we mean that in every sense.

On the issue of delays in the ports, Enelamah disclosed that Nigeria does not have the option of remaining the same and that Nigerians agree that the ports need to be reformed.

“We are coming up with the reform to make the ports better, we are committed and we will reform. The last meeting with the acting president was cut clear around trade borders, how do we eliminate all these check points and toll gates so that we will have a world class export facility that is why we want to work with companies in Nigeria and do everything possible to be able to export so you have a winning partner in us as a government. We want to see you exporting without tears,” he said ‘’I am fully convinced that in the next 12 months,18 months or two years, the trajectory of our reforms would pick up and pick up dramatically.

But a lot of these also depend on private sector players. Some of the reforms we have done in government, giving directives, like the Executive orders that we issued, we need the private sector to engage the government and make sure that they are implemented.

Proforce Limited Proforce Limited is a 100% wholly-owned Nigerian company with a vision to be a leading armouring and defence products provider in the world. Its armoured vehicle manufacturing plants are located in Ode-Remo, Ogun State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

The company’s Chief Operating Officer, Ayobami Omotoriogun, told the minister that PROFORCE has a long-standing pedigree and history in the development and design of world-class armoured/bulletproof cars and tactical vehicles with well-defined threat levels of protection.

The MD and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ade Ogundeyin narrated how the company and its subsidiaries started and attributed its

growth to grace of God. According to him, Proforce has developed a large portfolio of products for the military and civilian markets. ‘’We are able to customise solutions to fit clients’ needs, while maintaining the industry’s highest levels for quality and performance.

Enelamah disclosed that the main thrust of the Buhari’s government is basically to diversify this economy in a way that increases their local production” he said.

He said the only way to achieve this is to partner with industries, manufacturers, players in the private sector, adding that, federal government just don’t want to pay lip service but wants to understand the problem and be able to solve them.

According to him, government wants to work with the private sector in a sustainable and holistic way, as their vision is to make Nigeria the right place to do business.

“I believe it will happen but it will only happen with partnership, so we are interested in solving individual cases. Systematically, we will work together to create a better environment, create more jobs and services and we want industries to grow. If you look at the size of the country, you will always come back to the need to invest in local industries and support them in a way that is a long term sustainable,” he stated.

Standard Metallurgical Company Ltd SMC is a steel manufacturing company with mission to continually produce steel products for both the construction and industrial sectors.

According to the MD, Dr. Mohammed Saade, the project is multi-phased, adding that it has started manufacturing a high quality reinforced rebar and wire rod in coils of various sizes.

The minister was taking round its Sagamu factory seated on 90 hectares of land. The company’s production capacity is 300,000 tonnes annually.

Enelamah commended the team and assured them of government support at all times.

The minister concluded his southwest tour with a town hall meeting with the manufacturers association of Nigeria at Ikeja.

The president, Dr. Frank Jacobs commended the federal government for meeting their needs through relevant policies that have largely assuaged their burdens.

Enelamah urged the association not to always speak about their challenges alone but to suggest solutions on how to best handle them.

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Making Smallholder Chicken Production Viable Renowned professor of animal husbandry at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile –Ife, Professor Funsho Sonaiya, was in Lagos recently for a two-day summit on how to boost smallholder chicken production. Jonathan Eze, who was in attendance, highlights the gains of the summit The African Chicken Genetic Gains (ACGG) has expressed its readiness to transform smallholder chicken production into commercially viable enterprise with active private sector engagement that empowers rural women and youths as well as increases income and nutrition of families through delivery of more productive locally adaptable chicken, production inputs and services to rural communities.

Brief background The African Chicken Genetic Gains (ACCG) is a project which aims to enhance the food security and livelihoods of rural and peri-urban farming communities in sub-Sahara African countries.

This will be achieved through a transformational, comprehensive, and system-wide approach to the improvement of village poultry production systems at a scale that has the potential to impact millions of the poorest of the poor in three partner countries i.e. Ethiopia, Nigeria & Tanzania.

The project was launched in Nigeria on the 22nd July, 2015 at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Oyo State by the Honorable Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), ably represented by Dr. J.A. Aderiye of the Department of Animal Husbandry Services, FMARD, Abuja.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has sponsored, and supported the implementation of ACGG in Nigeria (ACGG-NG) as a collaborative research agreement between the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).

Addressing newsmen in Lagos recently, Prof. Funso Sonaiya, Illiya Duniya and Dr. Sam Mbaka said that a total of six genetics are being tested in two stations (Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta & Fol-Hope Farms, Ibadan) and in five zones (Kwara, Rivers, Imo, Nasarawa and Kebbi States) with 2,100 farmers.

The two most preferred breeds by farmers are then to be commercialised by private breeder farms to ensure reliable supply of day-old-chicks.

Some of the major achievements of ACGGNigeria in the past two years include: the conduction of an extensive baseline survey of smallholder poultry farmers in Nigeria, distribution of over 65,000 chicks to 2,100 smallholder chicken farmers ( 65% are women) in 60 villages across 5 main agro-ecological zones, facilitating the delivery of vaccination to smallholder chicken farmers, establishment of a data management system (ICT) for onfarm and on-station data collection, organised 2 national colloquiums with researchers & scholars in poultry breeding & genetics, and poultry nutrition (feed), establishment of national and community innovation platforms for smallholder chicken value chain, genomic sampling of local chicken populations across 6 agro-ecological zones, and launching of the smallholder chicken value chain (SHC VC) forum in partnership with the FMARD, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), and the World Poultry Science Association (WPSA).

In the area of capacity building, it was announced that the project has awarded postgraduate fellowships to 10 Nigerian students (5 PhDs & 5 MScs.) in 6 universities in the country, and provided full sponsorships to a total of 10 postgraduate students to attend three different international training workshops organised by ILRI & Wageningen University, The Netherlands. Also, chickens have been donated to tertiary institutions and secondary schools in Kebbi, Rivers, Nasarawa, and Imo States for training and educational purposes.

Poultry summit The theme of the 6th edition of the Nigeria International Poultry Summit, 2017 was: Policy, Science and Commerce to Optimise the Poultry

Prof. Funso Sonaiya (Middle), anked by Mr. Illiya Duniya (Right) and Dr. Sam Mbaka (left) at a press brieďŹ ng that heralded the African Chicken Genetic Gains (ACCG) meeting in Ikeja, Lagos ‌ recently Industry in Nigeria.

NIPS is a bi-ennial event of World Poultry Science Association (Nigeria Branch) taking place in Nigeria, Africa and involving the meeting of all local, international experts and other stakeholders in Poultry industry to exchange knowledge on the state of Poultry Industry Worldwide with special emphasis on Nigeria and Africa.

For the first time, the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) and the World’s Poultry Science Association (WPSA), Nigeria Branch, are collaborating to sponsor the 2017 Poultry Summit.

The Department of Animal Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is organising the Poultry Summit.

This event will attract major players in the Livestock feeds and feed additives, poultry equipment manufacturing, poultry breeding, supplies and distribution of poultry products, fast food industry, agricultural finance and insurance practitioners, veterinary/pharmaceutical industry, farmers, researchers and all other poultry related ventures.

Contributor to GDP The commercial poultry sector makes a significant contribution to Nigeria’s agricultural GDP. It is focussed on large scale, intensive use of inputs for large profits. The majority of households in the rural areas keep a few chickens using the extensive system of production. The African Chicken Genetic Gains Project in Nigeria has been using an innovation platform to find solutions to the problems and challenges of the SHP value chain (SHP VC).

ACGG-NG established innovation platforms at the both the national and community levels where stakeholders and actors in the SHP VC meet to co-create solutions to the challenges of the smallholder poultry production. Four national innovation platforms have been held since the inception of the project (twice a year).

After several months of consultations with the stakeholders (Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Poultry Association of Nigeria, PropCom Mai-karfi, Fowl sellers Association of Nigeria etc.), ACGG-NG is now

launching the SHC VC forum.

The Smallholder Poultry Production The smallholder poultry (SHP) production has been shown in various countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to have a great potential in poverty alleviation and wealth creation for the poorest of the poor.

To find solutions to the problems and challenges of the Smallholder Poultry value chain (SHP VC), it was agreed at the 3rd edition of the National IP that a self-sustaining forum be developed for the SHP VC in Nigeria PropCom Makarfi (an NGO), Amo Farms Sieberer Group (a sector 1 poultry farm), Federal Department of Animal Husbandry Services (of FMARD) and the Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University and Obafemi Awolowo University Departments of Animal Science were identified to promote the forum.

The forum is planned to be a self-sustaining decision making platform for sustained monitoring of the continuous demand and supply of required quantity and quality of standardised and competitively priced input and output of the SHP VC in Nigeria.

The stakeholders It is to involve all stakeholders – associations, networks, businesses, exchanges, while providing investment opportunities, appropriate credit options, high yielding science and technology products to facilitate production processes, quality standardisation, and other activities of mutual benefits to stakeholders all along the SHP VC. Entrepreneurs, scientists, researchers, government policy makers and project officers of non-governmental organisations .

SHP farming, chicken feeds/nutrition and feed milling, breeding, hatching, brooding, vaccination and deworming, egg, bird and manure marketing and processing, credit/insurance, training, youth and women empowerment, equipment fabrication etc.

Key strategic issues Conducive and supportive policy environment for the SHP VC in Nigeria, appropriate equipment

and machines for SHP production, Appropriate employment generation / jobs creation, Marketing contracts and supply orders, arrangements and agreements.

Risks assessment of SHP production and supplies ventures. Credit risks assessment, Financing/credits options and processes.

Sharing experiences from research and development; updates on appropriate science and technologies; and industrial product development: Product quality, standard, costing, demands, selling prices and supplies.

Core task of the forum Stimulate and sustain the commercial interests of stakeholders and commitment to the Nigeria SHP brand for mutual benefits by addressing problems with facts and experience.

Generate co-created solutions based on interactions in the forum. Identify gaps in skill sets and bridge gaps amongst stakeholders.

Establish a viable business negotiation and agreement system amongst stakeholders The objective of the meeting is to discuss the potential business opportunities with regards to the long term genetic gains of the introduced improved tropically adapted breeds (iTABs).

Expectations The primary outcome expected from the ACGG-NG project is that smallholder chicken producers have access to day-old chicks (DOC) of the 2 farmer-preferred, improved, more productive and adapted poultry lines from the private breeder farm(s).

It is expected that the breeder farm(s) selected shall: Develop stable multiplication lines (great grandparents, grandparents, and parent stock) of the farmer-preferred germplasm, and get the improved chicks into smallholder farmers’ hands through a profitable commercial process.

Use the data and samples collected from the on-station and on-farm testing to set up longer-term crossbreeding and chicken genetic gains programs, which may include the application of modern technologies for accelerating the rate of genetic gains.

28

T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

29

T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

ABUJA PROPERTIES SN PROPERTY ADDRESS

LAND SIZE

1 5, Madiana Close, Wuse II, FCT

2,033.45sqm

SN PROPERTY ADDRESS

LAND SIZE

1 No. 47 Challawa Industrial Layout, Kano

15,422.65sqm

SN PROPERTY ADDRESS 1 Plot 15 Block X11, Federal Government Layout (Udi Street), Osborne Road, Phase 1 Ikoyi Lagos 2 No.11/15, Nkencho Drive, Off Ajose Street, Mende Maryland, Ikeja Local Government, Lagos 3 36/38 Ojodu-Abiodun Road, off Ogunnusi Road Isheri Ojodu Lagos 4 Plot 10B Road A4 Close, Carlton Gate Estate Lagos State

LAND SIZE

PROPERTY DETAILS The subject property is a residential building of 12nos 3 bedroom flats on 4 floors with one room servant quarters attached to each flat. Other facilities are a security house and a car port that can accommodate up to 12 cars.The main building comprises 3 blocks identified as block A, B and C.

KANO PROPERTIES PROPERTY DETAILS The property comprises an Administrative Block, 2Nos.Warehouse, Toilet Blocks abandoned/Dilapidated Store, Generator Room, Security Room and a Mosque all enclosed within a perimeter wall fence with 2Nos wrought iron gate for ingress and egress.

LAGOS PROPERTIES 1,608sqm 2,477.52sqm 1,339.56sqm 545sqm

5 Plot 11A Road A4 Close, Carlton Gate Estate Lagos State 545sqm 6 Plot 182 Moshood Olugbani Street Victoria Island Lagos 1,174.43sqm 7 5, Paul Street Abule Egba

887.25sqm

8 Palm beach Estate, Elegushi

15.001Ha

PROPERTY DETAILS Development is a 7 -room detached bungalow used for commercial purpose with 2nos. security post within a fenced premise. Access into the premises is through its vehicular metallic gate.

Development on site is a building on four floors with a generator house and security house. Accommodation detail is an open plan factory work space having partitioned office space and toilets. The site area is approximately 2,477.52sqm Development on site consist of 4 structures, 2 identical blocks of Flats each comprising of 6nos 3bedroom flats, a bungalow used for commercial shop (purpose built) and a gatehouse.

The property is at Road A4 Close, Carlton Gate Estate, Lekki, Lagos State. The subject property is a purpose built residential 5-bedroom detached duplex with 2 Room Boys Quarters developed on three floors.

The property is at Road A4 Close, Carlton Gate Estate, Lekki, Lagos State. The subject property is a purpose built residential 5-bedroom detached duplex with 2 Room Boys Quarters developed on three floors.

This is a purpose built Terrace Duplex comprising three (3) units of 3 bedroom duplex. Two (2) units are separated from the other one (1) unit by a common wall fence at the front with two separate gates and are identified as house 1 and 2 respectively on site. It has a three (3) room boys quarters at the rear side of the duplex with each room attached to each unit of the duplex.

The development on site consists of a 5 bedroom duplex converted to a hospital, two (2) 3 bedroom flats, a generator shed and a shed.

The building is accessible through two vehicular metal gates with pedestrian access located at the front of the property.

15.001 Hectares of Sand-Filled Ocean View Land.

OGUN PROPERTIES SN PROPERTY ADDRESS

LAND SIZE

Property at Plot 5 & 7 Titus Abimbola Erinle Layout, 1 Oluwo Village, Ibara Abeokuta, Ogun State (4 Omolaja Sadiku Street, Oluwo Area, Obafemi Owode)

2,014.8sqm

PROPERTY DETAILS The development on site is a massive detached house on 2 floors paved in mass concrete, fenced with sandcrete blockwall and provided with a double leaf gate. The accommodation comprises the following: i. 7 nos ensuite rooms ii. 1 no family Lounge iii. 1 no waiting room iv. 1 no court yard v. 1 no kitchen vi. 1 no dinning

SOKOTO PROPERTIES SN PROPERTY ADDRESS Property along Birnin Kebbi express way opposite 1 Shehu Shagari college of Education in Badon Godabe Area, Wamako LGA, Sokoto

LAND SIZE 3.138Ha

PROPERTY DETAILS Development on site consists of five (5) Blocks tagged as Junior Block A,B, C D & E respectively. Each block comprises 8 units of 3-Bedroom Flats. Notable land marks within the neighborhood include amongst others: Government Technical College, Farfaru Jumu-at Mosque.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍłËœ 2017

30

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Jaiz Bank’s Capital Base Rises to N15bn Ibrahim Shuaibu Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă™ Jaiz Bank Plc, Nigeria`s leading non-interest bank has revealed that its capital base has grown from the initial N5 billion it started operations with five years ago, to over N15 billion presently.

The bank also said that it was growing at an annual rate of 30 per cent, which it said makes it one of the strong players in Nigeria’s banking industry. Jaiz Bank said it plans to be one of the leaders in the market in the next five years.

The Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Hassan Usman, made this disclosed this to journalists during his working visit to the Kano Area office of the bank.

Hassan also revealed that the bank was able to grow its

balance sheet to N100 billion in the last five years.

According to him, a breakdown of the balance sheet of the bank showed that it grew its deposit base from zero to over N60 billion, while its asset base increased from zero per cent to N40 billion, respectively, in the last five years. “It may interest you to know that we Jaiz Bank started operation precisely in the month of January 2012, as a regional bank from three locations in the country. “Today we have grown to become a national bank with 30 branches spread across the six geo-political zones of the country. “We have been able to make Jaiz a household name in the Nigerian banking industry, and

one of the reasons why we are having this interview today is to further create awareness among Nigerians for the bank,� he stated.

Usman noted that the bank had been involved in financing business prepositions relevant to the development of the real sector of the Nigerian economy.

He also pointed out that business and employment opportunities which the bank offers are always open to all Nigerians and foreigners alike, irrespective of creed. “We are proud of our success story as we have broken the world record of being the first Islamic bank in the world to start making profit in the first three years of operation, not any other bank has achieved this height before.

Fidelity Bank Debunks Alleged Sake of Drivers Fidelity Bank yesterday debunked allegation that some drivers in its employment were sacked without adequate compensation.

The bank said in a statement by its Divisional Head, Brand & Communications, Charles Aigbe, that the allegation was “untrue and was concocted to mislead the Advocate for People’s Human Rights and Justice in particular and the public in general.�

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to the planned picketing of Fidelity Bank over the alleged sacking of drivers without adequate compensation. This allegation is untrue and was concocted to mislead the Advocate for People’s Human Rights and Justice in particular and the public in general.

Fidelity Bank enjoys the

services of drivers provided by a vendor; FSL Limited. Such drivers are staff of FSL and may be recalled or reassigned by FSL from time to time. “Due to operational realignment and increased automation of our processes, there was a considerable reduction in the number of cars previously required for our business. Consequently we had to return 15 drivers in the Abuja area to their employer; FSL Limited, after several engagements/ sensitization and search for possible alternative placements.�

It added: “Even though Fidelity Bank had no contractual obligations, it considered the good relationship with FSL and the number of years of service of the affected drivers and magnanimously decided to make ex-gratis payment to the drivers, a reasonable amount for

each year of service provided to the bank.

This payment, made in good faith is now being exploited by the drivers to make additional and unreasonable demands for more, with the threat to picket the bank and disrupt services to its teeming customers.

Fidelity Bank is a law abiding institution, operating in Nigeria in the interest of the banking public.

Whilst we are not against the rights of people to constituted assembly, this action is unwarranted and obviously misdirected.

We urge the relevant authorities, including the Nigerian Police Force to note this threat to the conduct of our lawful business, just as we urge the affected drivers to engage FSL Limited for whatever grievances they may have.�

FirstBank Enhances Mobile Banking Application FirstBank of Nigeria Limited has implemented new and exciting features on its mobile banking application – FirstMobile to enhance security and customers’ digital banking experience.

The new features, according to a statement from the bank are the Card-in-Control functionality, the Quick Response (QR) Code, the Transaction receipt and Save beneficiary functions.

It explained that the Card –in – Control functionality on the FirstMobile App empowers customers to be in control of their accounts and prevent unauthorised usage of cards.

The Card –in – Control Service allows customers to determine

channels (ATM, POS and Online) and countries, where their cards can be used.

Customers are to go to the Card Management Service, under the ‘self- service’ menu on FirstMobile to disable or enable any of the features.

The Quick Response (QR) payment solution on FirstMobile App allows customers to pay for goods and services by using their phone cameras to scan QR codes at merchant locations or uploading a QR code on a smart phone via the FirstMobile App. With this, payment goes straight from the customer’s FirstBank account into the merchant’s account and provides real-time notification to both par-

ties. Also, the transaction receipt feature enables customers generate receipt after a transaction on the FirstMobile App. This feature overrides any concerns around the confirmation of transactions as receipts can either be saved to the mobile phone gallery for future reference or shared directly with recipients of each transaction via email, WhatsApp, etc.

Also incorporated into the FirstMobile App is the ‘Save Beneficiary’ feature, where customers can save beneficiary details for later transactions. This eliminates the arduous task of searching and importing beneficiaries’ details for every transaction.

UBA Foundation Expands ‘Read Africa Initiative’ The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, through its Corporate Social Responsibility arm, the UBA Foundation has said its quest is to educate and empower African youths.

To this end, the foundation visited Our Lady of Mercy Girls Secondary School in Nairobi to donate over 500 copies of the book The Fishermen (by Chigozie Obioma), under the UBA Foundation’s Read Africa Initiative.

The initiative which was launched in 2011 with the aim of encouraging students

to improve their vocabulary and communication skills through reading, has been changing the lives of African students across the continent for six years.

The bank explained that through the initiative, the UBA Foundation has been helping to rekindle the dwindling reading culture amongst African youths as they pursue their education.

Over a hundred thousand books and educational materials have been donated to various schools across Africa as UBA Foundation continues to traverse the continent, contributing

positively to the development of African youths.

Last week, the foundation visited Emma High School in Kampala, Uganda with its Read Africa initiative before going to Kenya to read to the students at Our Lady of our Mercy School.

Present at the drive were the CEO of the UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, UBA Kenya MD/ CEO Isaac Mwige, the school principle Mrs. Angwenyi and the students who got an opportunity to interact and read with the UBA Executives, share their future aspirations and ambitions.

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

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯͲϹ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT FRIDAY 21, JULY 2017

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $46.99 a barrel on Friday, compared with $47.48 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)

31

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͳ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

MARKET NEWS

Transcorp Records N4.2bn Profit After Tax in Half Year Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie The shares of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc led the price gainers yesterday as investors reacted to the improved results announced for the half year ended June 30, 2017.

The shares rose 8.1 per cent to close higher at N1.61 each following a profit after tax (PAT)

of N4.164 billion recorded in H1 of 2017, compared with a loss of N12.191 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2016. The company’s 2016 performance was impacted by the devaluation of the naira that led to foreign exchange loss of N13.8 billion.

However, the conglomerate, which has interest in hospitality, power, agriculture, oil and gas, has bounced back in the H1

T H E

of this year.

Going by the results released yesterday on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Transcorp Plc recorded revenue of N32.174 billion in 2017, up from N24.779 billion in 2016.

Cost of sale stood at N19.3 billion, as against N13.3 billion in 2016, while administrative expenses rose to N5.663 billion, compared with N5.265 billion in 2016. Net finance cost fell from

N I G E R I A N

N17.268 billion in 2016 to N4.988 billion in 2017. Consequently, Transcorp ended H1 2017 with PAT of N4.164 billion, a recovery from a loss of N12.191 billion in 2016. Mr. Emmanuel Nnorom, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp until June, 2017, had said: “Transcorp’s resilient performance is drawn from the diversity of our various business offerings. The closure of the Abuja Airport negatively

STO C K

affected occupancy for our hotel business, however, this was buoyed by top line year-on-year growth in our power business following improvements in gas supply.

“We expect to recover the lost ground brought on by the Abuja airport closure in Q2 2017. The reopening of the airport will pave the way for aggressive marketing that will improve traffic and occupancy

E XC H A N G E

at Transcorp Hotels. In addition we expect to see continued improvement in our power sector revenue as gas supply stabilises following the increased capacity of our plant arising from the recent commissioning of Gas Turbine 15.”

He had also added that the recent federal government’s guarantee of N700 billion to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET).

32

TUESDAY, ͺͽ˜ ͺ͸͹͵ ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Fidson Assures Shareholders of Better Returns, Pays N75m Dividend Nosa Alekhuogie Fidson Healthcare Plc has assured its shareholders that in spite of the current economic challenges, the company is in a very good position to remain a leading player in the pharmaceutical industry and deliver better returns.

The Chairman of the company, Mr. Felix Ohiwerei, who stated this at the company’s 18th annual general meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, said the directors recommended a dividend of N75 million, out of the N316.76 million

profit after tax (PAT) for the year ended December 31, 2016.

According to him, the company needed more funds, hence the N75 million dividend, which translated to five kobo per share. The shareholders approved the dividend and went ahead to grant the request of the directors to raise N6 billion in order to boost the working capital, realise full potential and utilise the full capacity of the company.

Ohiwerei commended shareholders and the management for the support over the years

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

stating that, “the board is confident that the company will continue to yield good returns to the shareholders.”

He added: “The completion of our new factory and the concentration of production on the site is an important milestone for the company.”

Ohiwerei said the new manufacturing facility is one of the five facilities shortlisted for World Health Organisation (WHO) certification in Nigeria, noting that it is an ultra-modern facility with high-tech machinery

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 21-July-2017, unless otherwise stated.

for manufacturing pharmaceutical products, in compliance with global standards and WHO certification. The plant boasts of an unprecedented capacity for drug production, equipped with six production lines comprising tablets, capsules, liquids, cream and ointments, dry powder and intravenous fluids.

He disclosed that the government reviewed the policy on Common External Tariff (CET) with the introduction of import Adjustment Tariff (IAT) to address the healthcare industry’s concern

over the implementation of the CET. “They also demonstrated commitment in the patronage of local manufacturers in the procurement of locally manufactured drugs. These developments served as a great encouragement to the industry and we hope more efforts would be made in the future,” he said.

The chairman also reassured shareholders that the company would continue to strengthen its value system around good corporate governance.

“We realised that our

shareholders are important and all efforts were made throughout the year to reach out to them in a bid to ensure amicable share-holder-management relationship. Our corporate governance strategy and initiatives are geared towards complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Corporate Governance Code,” he stated.

However, the chairman said that he would be resigning from the board of the company before the next AGM.

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 164.77 164.97 29.56% Nigeria International Debt Fund 227.27 227.43 6.87% 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 0.77 0.78 10.02% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.89% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 15.82 16.29 28.12% ARM Discovery Fund 342.89 353.23 19.40% ARM Ethical Fund 24.47 25.21 9.54% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.81% 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 135.34 136.30 28.68% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.38% 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 10.97 11.25 17.19% Women's Investment Fund 92.36 94.73 9.18% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.50% 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 1,099.20 1,100.29 8.58% FBN Heritage Fund 134.13 135.26 20.31% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.61% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $108.14 $109.14 5.19% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $107.42 $108.42 5.22% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 143.54 145.35 27.37% 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 1.25 1.28 34.57% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.80 2.80 8.94% 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 14.40% 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 17.55% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.99 2.01 18.30% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.31%

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 1.09 1.10 9.73% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,021.97 1,021.97 6.39% 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 12.91 12.99 33.46% 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 14.66% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.66 10.72 2.56% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 15.30% 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 121.10 124.52 20.13% 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 1.34 1.34 7.25% 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 2,094.04 2,106.04 14.36% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 163.21 163.21 6.01% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.93 0.95 22.08% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 203.79 203.79 9.04% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 160.16 162.35 23.41% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.60% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,003.81 9,106.25 18.72% 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 1.29 13.84% United Capital Bond Fund 1.37 1.37 11.88% United Capital Equity Fund 0.80 0.82 19.53% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.13 1.13 3.53% 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 11.92 12.12 22.94% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.61 12.75 15.29% Zenith Income Fund 18.30 18.30 10.72%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 128.61

1.01% 3.74%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.99 98.93

10.09 100.77

13.70% 30.54%

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

4.14 7.89 15.67 20.26 130.27

4.18 7.97 15.77 20.46 132.27

49.64% 12.16% 31.31% 26.85% 1.06%

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.

33

T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

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34

T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

35

T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

FEDERAL AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF NIGERIA INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR AUTOMATION OF FAAN-CONTROLLED AIRPORTS CAR PARKS I.

INTRODUCTION

Current Certificate of Compliance issued by the National Pension Commission as evidence of compliance with the Pension Reform Act 2004.

In compliance with the Public Procurement Act 2007, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) hereby invites competent, reputable and suitably qualified Firms/Agencies to submit bid documents for the Expression of Interest (EOI) for the “Automation of FAAN-Controlled Airports Car parks” under its 2017 financial year (IGR) budget.

II.

Current Certificate of Compliance issued by Industrial Training Fund (ITF), in compliance with Section 6(2) of the ITF Amendment Act 2011.

Evidence of current registration on the National Database of Contractors, Consultants and Service Providers” by submission of “Certificate” or “Interim Registration Report” issued by Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

SCOPE OF WORK

Sworn affidavit disclosing as follows:

The scope of “Automation of FAAN-Controlled Airports Car parks” shall include effective and efficient automation of car park(s) in each Airport.

That all documents submitted are not only correct but genuine.

That the Director(s) has / have never been convicted by any court of law.

That none of firm’s Director(s) or the Company is bankrupt.

III. THE LOTS: Lot 1 - Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

- Two (2) Car Parks

Lot 2 - Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja

- Five (5) Car Parks

Lot 3 - Port-Harcourt International Airport, Port-Harcourt

- One (1) Car Park

Lot 4 - Mallam Aminu-Kano International Airport, Kano

- Two (2) Car Parks

Lot 5 - Ilorin Airport, Ilorin,

- One (1) Car Park

Lot 6 - Benin Airport, Benin

- Two (2) Car Parks

Lot 7 - Ibadan Airport, Ibadan

- Two (2) Car Parks

Lot 8 - Sultan Saddik Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto - One (1) Car Park

IV.

Whether or not any of the officers of FAAN or BPP is a former or present Director of the company.

V.

SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS The documents are to be submitted in four (4) copies in A4 paper size and neatly bounded.

The document should be arranged in the order listed under expression of interest requirements above and clearly separated by dividers.

The documents must be sealed in an envelope, the Project Name clearly written at the top left corner of the envelope and the name of the bidding company boldly written at the back.

All documents must be submitted to the office of “The General Manager (Procurement)”, FAAN Headquarters, Ikeja – Lagos.

Lot 9 - Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu

- Two (2) Car Parks

Lot 10 - Minna Airport, Minna

- One (1) Car Park

Lot 11 - Margret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar

- One (1) Car Park

Lot 12 - Yola Airport, Yola

- One (1) Car Park

Lot 13 - Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri

- Two (2) Car Parks

VI. CLOSING AND OPENING OF SUBMISSIONS

Lot 14 - Kaduna International Airport, Kaduna

- One (1) Car Park

Lot 15 - Umaru Musa-Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina

- One (1) Car Park

Submission of tender document shall close at exactly 11.30 am on “Thursday, 7th of September 2017”. All submissions will be opened on the same day immediately after closing at the Procurement Conference Room, Maintenance Yard, FAAN Headquarters, Ikeja, Lagos.

Lot 16 - Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos

- One (1) Car Park

Lot 17 - Makurdi Airport, Makurdi

- One (1) Car Park

Lot 18 - Maiduguri Airport, Maiduguri

- One (1) Car Park

Contacts: - Phone Nos. 01-28000840; 01-2800833, 01-2800844 Ext. 3111; 08055352492; E-mail Address: procurement@faannigeria.org

VII. IMPORTANT INFORMATION No Company is allowed to submit bid documents for more THAN ONE {1} LOT.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) REQUIREMENTS

FAAN reserves the right to verify the authenticity of any claims made on the tender documents submitted by Companies.

Evidence of company registration [certificate of incorporation of the company]

FAAN reserves the right to reject any or all the tender documents.

Certified true copy of memorandum and article of association with CAC forms CAC02 & CAC07 inclusive (where applicable)

Original of all documents above must be produced for sighting at the opening and any other time requested.

Evidence of tax payments (current tax clearance certificate) for the last three years (2014, 2015 & 2016).

Tender documents submitted late shall not be opened in line with the Section 27 (5) of Public Procurement Act 2007.

VAT registration and evidence of remittance.

All submissions must be in English language.

Evidence of Financial capability to execute the project (Bank reference letter/bank guarantee will form part of the evaluation criteria).

Failure to comply with the instruction(s) and provide any required document(s) may automatically result in disqualification.

Copies of the audited account of the Company for the last three years (2014, 2015 & 2016).

This advert shall not be construed to be a commitment on the part of FAAN, nor shall it entail the Applicant to make any claim(s) whatsoever and/ or seek any indemnity from FAAN, by virtue of such applicant having responded to this publication.

Corporate profile with curriculum vitae showing evidence of professional qualifications of key personnel.

Verifiable evidence of similar works successfully completed / on- going (e.g. letter of award, certificate of completion, contract agreement and certified payment).

Signed MANAGEMENT

36

T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

37

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T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

39

40

TUESDAY, ͺͽ˜ ͺ͸͹͵ ˾ T H I S D AY

PAGE FORTY

Six Killed in Suicide Attacks on Two IDP Camps in Maiduguri Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Suicide bombers on Sunday night attacked two internally displaced persons’ camps in Maiduguri, Borno State, leaving six dead and several others injured.

According to the spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Abdulkadir Ibrahim, three suicide bombers, a male

and two females, attacked both Dalori 1 and Dalori 2 IDP camps, the two of the largest camps housing victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in Borno State.

Two of the suicide bombers successful detonated their explosive devices at the Dalori 1 camp, leading to their deaths and three others, with 17 others injured.

At the Dalori 2 camp, an attempt by a female suicide bomber to scale

the fence into the camp was foiled by security men on watch who shot at her and the subsequent detonation of the IED on her person left a hole on the wall.

According to NEMA, she died in the process and left many others injured.

Ibrahim said in a statement: “At about 11.20 pm yesterday (Sunday) night two suicide bombers (a male and female) detonated their improvised

explosive devices at Dalori 1 IDP camp leading to the deaths of three IDPs while seventeen others were injured.

“Another incident occurred at Dalori 2 IDP camp where a suicide bomber was intercepted leading to the death of the suicide bomber.

Injured persons have been administered with first aid and moved to hospitals in Maiduguri,” the statement read.

Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima

EKWEREMADU: RESTRUCTURING MUST BE DONE INCREMENTALLY, NOT JUST ABOUT RESOURCE CONTROL money than even Akwa Ibom if they have restructuring in such a way that solid minerals now moves to the Concurrent List.

“A lot of states in the Northwest are blessed with gold which is what is sustaining most economies in Central Africa.

“Also, if people are in control of their resources and are able to pay taxes, there would be more competition. Now everybody is falling back on oil, and we have become lazy.

“A country like Norway is not touching its oil money, they are saving it in what they call the generation equity fund (equivalent of a Sovereign Wealth Fund), Saudi Arabia invests its money and is using the return on the investments in infrastructure and development,” the deputy senate president said.

Constitution Review Meanwhile, the National Assembly would today begin the clause-by-clause consideration of the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution, following the submission of the final report of the Adhoc Committee on Constitution Review last week.

The Chairman of the Joint Constitution Amendment Committee, Senator Ekweremadu and Deputy Chairman, Deputy Speaker Yusuff Suleiman Lasun had presented the reports at their respective plenary sessions.

THISDAY gathered that the lawmakers plan to conclude

the consideration before they embarking on their six-week summer recess expected to start on Friday.

A member of the committee, who spoke with THISDAY, said the lawmakers in both chambers were determined to conclude the consideration this week and transmit the approved amendments to the state assemblies.

The senator, who preferred not to be named, said the committee was not expecting much opposition to most of the amendments from the state assemblies, as the principal officers from the state assemblies were part of the whole review process.

“They were with us when we had retreats and also at the House level. They were also with us when we harmonised our reports in Lagos two weeks ago. So they know what to expect.

“So by the time we resume in September, they would also be done. We expect to conclude this assignment by the end of this year,” he said.

Key areas of consideration in the Constitution Amendment Report, which includes 27 different bills, are a bill to decongest the Exclusive Legislative List by transferring certain items contained therein to the Concurrent List, thereby enabling the states to make laws in respect of those items; a bill to alter the constitution to abrogate

the joint state, local government accounts and empower each local government council to maintain its own special account; and a bill to provide the Independent National Electoral Commission with sufficient time to conduct byeelections and provide grounds for de-registration of the political parties.

Others are a bill that is seeking to alter the constitution to provide for the timely passage of bills; a bill that seeks to alter the constitution to provide a timeframe within which the president and governors shall forward to the Senate or the state Houses of Assembly names of nominees for confirmation as ministers or commissioners; and a bill to alter Section 147 of the constitution to provide for the appointment of a minister from the FCT, Abuja, to ensure that FCT is represented in the Executive Council of the Federation.

Another amendment includes one that seeks to bar a vicepresident or deputy governor who has been sworn-in to complete the tenure of a president or governor by reason of incapacitation, death or impeachment, from seeking a second term, after he might have completed the term of his predecessor and a first term in office.

The review committee also amended the constitution to provide immunity for

members of the legislature in respect of words spoken or written at plenary sessions or committee proceedings and to institutionalise legislative bureaucracy; it also seeks to grant financial autonomy to the state Houses of Assembly by ensuring that their funding comes from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federation; it further reduced the period within which the president or the governor of a state might authorise the withdrawal of money from the CRF in the absence of an Appropriation Act from six months to three months, in order to hasten the budget process.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, in a statement yesterday described the constitution review process as another promise kept by the eighth assembly.

“You will recall that when we first came into office, I made a promise that we will amend the constitution to reflect new realities that have arisen. Now, we are doing just that.

“With just under two years left to spare in this tenure, we are wrapping up this process, which will then be transmitted to the state assemblies for concurrence,” he said.

He added: “We will continue to ensure that all the promises that we have made to the Nigerian people will be kept.

It is also our hope that we can get this amendment sent

to the state assemblies quickly so that the new amendments can take effect by the new year and well clear of the political electioneering season.

“This is the first time ever that we are concluding the constitution amendment process long before the election year so that people can objectively participate in the process without looking at the partisan benefits.”

In the House, the deputy speaker also said that the lower legislative chamber would deliberate on the Constitution Amendment Report.

Addressing journalists on the 16th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC), which opens today at the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Lasun, however, assured that normal plenary proceedings would not be impeded during the four-day programme.

“Effective today, the House plenary sessions will have to be adjusted to commence after mid-day,” he said.

Lasun, who is the deputy chairman of the ad-hoc Committee on the Constitution Amendment said he cannot afford to be absent during consideration and voting on the amendment, hence the adjustment of the House’s plenary.

The deputy speaker said 10 out of the 12 speakers of the Commonwealth member

countries were already in the country for the speakers’ conference.

House Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara is the chairperson of CSPOC, having been elected in Accra, Ghana in November 2015 when the 15th conference approved the National Assembly or Nigeria as the host of the 16th edition.

CSPOC is a bi-annual conference, which brings together speakers and presiding officers of global parliaments, to exchange information and express views on matters of common concern.

This year’s speakers’ conference will be opened by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

Lasun also stated that the House would between tomorrow and Thursday consider the N135.64 billion virement request submitted by Osinbajo last week.

Osinbajo, in his letter to the parliament, had made reference to the initial agreement between the executive and the legislature prior to the signing of the 2017 Appropriation Act regarding some critical priority items for which adequate provisions had not been made.

The agreement paved the way for the executive to submit a virement proposal to the National Assembly for consideration.

The House is expected to consider the request and either approve it in whole or make amendments.

used the opportunity to secure his consent to proceed with plans for the party’s national convention.

Before the trip, the APC governors and party’s national leadership had met during the monthly interactive session where it was resolved that a team be sent to meet with Osinbajo to explore ways of conducting the convention and to get him to stand-in for the president.

THISDAY also gathered that the excuse over the paucity of funds was no longer tenable, as governors had pledged to engage with the national leadership to provide funding for the convention.

However, Osinbajo, according to a source, referred them back to Buhari to get his consent.

“The acting president declined

their suggestion to stand-in for Buhari so that the party can proceed with the convention.

“So it was after the meeting between the governors and the APC leadership and the subsequent one with Osinbajo, that the team sought for audience with Buhari, where the issue of the national convention of the party was brought up,” the source said.

When contacted on the issue, the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi said he was ignorant about what was discussed during the London visit since he was not part of the delegation.

“I do not know if such issue was discussed during the visit of Oyegun and the governors to London. But I don’t think there is anything about the convention to be discussed since we are

in the process of conducting congresses to elect delegates to the convention,” he said.

The APC yesterday also released its timetable for the conduct of its governorship primary in Anambra State slated for August 12.

So far, about 12 aspirants have picked up the governorship nomination forms.

According to the timetable released by the party, the aspirants would be screened from July 31 to August 4, while the Appeal Screening Committee would listen to appeals from August 5 to 8.

A source at the APC National Secretariat said that the National Working Committee was considering the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal as the chairman of the primary committee.

OKOROCHA: BUHARI COULD BE BACK IN TWO WEEKS the governors and other APC leaders, he had not been seen for 77 days.

A statement on Sunday from Buhari’s media aide, Femi Adesina had said Okorocha told him on the phone that the president was very cheerful and had not lost his sense of humour.

He said Okorocha also told him that the party’s delegation spent more than an hour with Buhari during lunch, and it was very clear from the discussions with him that he had followed developments at home very closely.

He said Okorocha disclosed that the president was delighted to receive the delegation and asked each governor about events in his state, while specifically asking the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi

about the state of the railways.

He listed those in the delegation to include Governors Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa; Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna; Yahaya Bello of Kogi; and the APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun.

It is the second time this year that Buhari has received treatment in London.

His absence has fuelled much speculation about his health.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has been acting as president while Buhari is away.

Adesina yesterday also explained why Buhari did not address Nigerians from the Abuja House, Nigerian High Commission in London.

Adesina, who spoke during an interview with Channels Television, said Nigerians should know by now that

not addressing them directly is Buhari’s personal style, adding that it is the way the president prefers to do things.

According to him, “It’s a matter of personal style, there is no style that you can call ‘the style’.

“The style of our president is what you have seen on display and by now two years after he came, I am sure that we should understand him.

“We should know the kind of person he is, we should know how he prefers to do things and that is how the president is.

“That just tells you that that is the way our president is, we elected him willingly and we have seen that this is the way he is.”

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that the delegation of the APC that met with Buhari

41

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2017Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Davidson Iriekpen Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

Fowler: Corporates, Individuals Making Enquiries on Amnesty Window to Pay Taxes Says 14 states have forwarded names of 20 wealthiest individuals in each of their state Ndubuisi Francis Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler, has expressed confidence in the viability of the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), which grants a nine months amnesty to Nigerians who have not paid their income taxes to come forward to do so without being penalised, saying several corporates and individuals have started to come forward to make enquiries on how they can pay their back taxes and regularise their status.

Speaking exclusively to THISDAY, Fowler said since Acting President Yemi Osinbajo signed the Executive Order on VAIDS almost four weeks ago, the FIRS has been besieged with enquiries from corporates and individuals for information on how they can pay their backlog of unpaid taxes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes, we have been receiving

a lot of requests from corporates and individuals who want to come forward and pay their taxes during the nine months window. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are also seeking to take advantage of the 29 per cent waiver they could get under the amnesty window, so they are asking for information on how they can get their assessment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think in the next 30 days, we will begin to see some of these individuals and corporates who may have sorted out their audits and assessment coming forward to pay their taxes through the banks,â&#x20AC;? he said.

In order to keep the Nigerian public informed on the progress made through VAIDS, Fowler added that his agency would issue monthly updates on the success of the scheme, but he was reluctant to state if the FIRS would publish the revenue that has been paid to the treasury. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We intend to publish monthly updates to keep the

public informed on VAIDS, but we have not yet worked out whether we will provide information on the monies that have been paid to the federal government.â&#x20AC;?

He further disclosed that a few corporates, which were already undergoing audits before the launch of VAIDS, had come forward to ask if they could take advantage of the nine months amnesty terminating on March 31, 2018, but the FIRS has informed them that they would not be accommodated under VAIDS. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are a few corporates that we decided to audit and we had already gone halfway through before VAIDS. Now they have asked to be accommodated under VAIDS but we said no, we told them that they lost the opportunity to get the waiver,â&#x20AC;? he explained.

The FIRS boss further disclosed that his agency was in possession of information from 14 states on the 20 wealthiest individuals and corporate bodies in each of their states and was waiting for them to come forward. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will recall that during the launch of VAIDS, the acting president had said Nigeria has a taxable class of no fewer than 69 million people, but only 14 million are currently in the tax net. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The acting president had also revealed that only 214 taxpayers, irrespective of status, pay N20 million or more annually, while about 900 taxpayers pay N10 million per annum, and that all the 214 that pay N20 million or more are based in Lagos, while out of the 900 paying N10 million, all but two are based outside Lagos.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;What this shows is that there are several high net worth companies and individuals nationwide that are not paying taxes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So 14 states have provided us with information on the 20 wealthiest individuals and companies in each of their states, and we expect these people to come forward. Should they fail to take advantage of the amnesty period, they will be made to face the music,â&#x20AC;? he said.

On the informal sector, Fowler acknowledged that there are several individuals and businesses in the informal sector that do not pay personal income taxes, noting that the FIRS intends to work back the assessment of such businesses or persons on the basis of their assets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The FIRS will simply work back the assessment of such individuals and businesses by

identifying their assets such as landed property, cars, plants and equipment, factories, etc, to get them into the tax net,â&#x20AC;? he explained.

Fowler added that Nigerians with assets overseas would also be targeted, recalling that the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, had said that the federal government already has in its possession the list of persons and corporates with holdings abroad. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There will be no hiding place for anyone and we are optimistic that we will meet the $1 billion revenue target through VAIDS. â&#x20AC;&#x153;On sustainability going forward, that is after the VAIDS, we are also very optimistic and do not envisage a problem because once persons or corporate entities are captured in the tax net, they can easily be called upon to pay their taxes annually,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Ishaku Signs Anti-Open Grazing Bill into Law Wole Ayodele Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122; Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State has signed the state Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Bill into law.  The bill, forwarded to the assembly by the governor as an executive bill, was passed by the lawmakers last Wednesday  following the adoption of the report of the ad-hoc committee that conducted public hearing on the bill across the three senatorial district of the state The signing of the bill, which was held at the executive chamber of the government house, Jalingo, was witnessed by the deputy governor, Speaker of the assembly and other principal officers including the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), commissioners, Commissioner of Police and other security chiefs.

Signing the bill into law, Ishaku stated that the introduction of the law was necessitated by the dangerous trend open grazing had assumed in the state and the entire country in recent years, saying the state has witnessed strange practices of grazing by herdsmen who are strangers to the state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The introduction of this executive bill was necessitated by the dangerous trend open grazing had assumed in Taraba State, and indeed the whole of Nigeria in recent years. Within the past two years, Nigerians have woken up to battle with a strange practice of grazing by herdsmen who are strangers to our state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These herdsmen have within this short period of time turned our traditional farmers-herdsmen complementary practices fatal and sorrowful. The activities

of these herdsmen have not only resulted in total destruction of farmlands, but also heartless killings of farmers using AK47 automatic guns and, in most cases, destruction of settlements, rustling of cattle belonging to our indigenous herdsmen and other cattle rearers,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The governor further noted that the activities of the killer herdsmen seem to have defied all solutions by security agencies nationwide adding that none of them has ever been arrested till date.

Ishaku further stated that even though the activities of the herdsmen seem to have defied solution and none of them ever arrested, it is not an excuse for the government to just sit back and resign to fate, stressing that the responsibility lies squarely on him to do all he can to find a lasting solution to the problem. Â He noted that with a high sense of responsibility and the burden in his heart, he felt the best the government needed to do was to enact a law that would regulate the movement of herdsmen and their cattle within the state which led to his decision to submit the executive bill to the state House of Assembly.

Describing the signing of the bill as a milestone in the history of his administration and the state in general, Ishaku commended the Speaker, Abel Peter Diah and all the members of the assembly for making it possible.

He said he is aware of the pressures and the media propaganda they endured in the course of passing the bill just as he assured them that their decision to stand  for common good  and welfare of the people will remain in the sands of time.

Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;WEST SEEKS INTEGRATIONâ&#x20AC;Ś

L-R: Governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, and Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, at the Southwest Governors' Forum hosted by the Ogun State Government in Abeokutaâ&#x20AC;Ś yesterday

NAF Apologises for Rann Bombing, Says It Remains Traumatic for Pilots Paul Obi Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday said the bombing of Rann and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Borno State has remained a traumatic incident to its pilots fighting Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east.

While tendering apologies to victims of the Rann bombing, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said authorities are working hard to prevent any future incident.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sequel to the official statement by the Defence Headquarters on the unfortunate Rann bombing incident on 17

January 2017, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), being the service directly involved in the incident, would once more like to convey its deepest regrets to all concerned. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is important to reiterate that no NAF pilot leaves his base with the intention of going to kill the same set of people that he greatly sacrifices day and night to protect. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The unfortunate bombing of innocent civilians in Rann, Borno State has, therefore, remained a traumatic incident for the NAF pilots involved and indeed, the entire NAF community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NAF and other stakeholders are already taking necessary measures to prevent a recurrence of the unfortunate

incident.â&#x20AC;?

Adesanya stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, they are engaging humanitarian organisations in the North-east with a view to understanding their programmes and locations of such programmes in order to prevent gaps in communication.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has directed appropriate NAF officials to intensify humanitarian intervention schemes for IDPs at Rann and other parts of the North-east.

Adesanya added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is an ongoing NAF medical outreach programme during which over 164 IDPs from various IDP Camps in Borno

State have undergone free surgical operations in the NAF medical facility in Maiduguri.

The programme is still ongoing and is scheduled to last for another three days. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NAF solicits the understanding and support of all Nigerians and members of the international community regarding the tragic incident. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More importantly, the NAF again extends its most sincere condolences to all the families of the victims of the incident. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NAF assures the general public that it remains resolute in its task of preserving the territorial integrity of Nigeria and ensuring the security of all Nigerians,â&#x20AC;? Adesanya stressed.Â

42

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

15 Parties to Field Joint Presidential Candidate in 2019 Describe Lagos council poll as a charade

Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË A new political group, Coalition for a New Nigeria (CNN), has emerged

with a common agenda to field a consensus candidate in the presidential election in 2019.

The coalition comprising of

CBN Injects $195m into Forex Market The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday boosted liquidity in various segments of the inter-bank foreign exchange (forex) market with the total of $195 million.

At yesterday’s forex trading, the CBN offered the sum of $100,000,000 as wholesale interventions and allocated the sum of $50,000,000 to the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) forex window. The invisibles segment comprising Business/ Personal Travel Allowances, tuition and medical fees, among others, received $45,000,000.

Confirming the figures, the bank’s Acting Director in charge of Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, said the bank continued to intervene in the inter-bank sector in order to ensure adequate liquidity in the market.

According to him, the CBN management was quite pleased with the performance of the

Naira against other major currencies around the world, particularly now that the forex rates at both the inter-bank and BDC segments neared convergence.

Okorafor expressed optimism that the bank’s intervention had put a check on the activities of speculators, just as he underscored the determination of the CBN in sustaining stability in the forex market through thorough monitoring of authorised dealers in order to reduce incidences of sharp practices.

Meanwhile, the naira maintained its steady rate against major currencies around the globe, exchanging for N363/$1 on both the BDC and parallel market segments respectively yesterday.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is expected to announce the outcome of its two-day meeting today.

House C’ttee Claims N15bn Lost in Power Privatisation James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The sub-committee of the three standing committees of the House of Representatives investigating the sale of Power Holding Company of Nigeria’s (PHCN) non-core assets yesterday said the country might have lost about N15 billion to the power privatisation programme.

The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Jonathan Gaza (PDP, Nasarawa), said the losses resulted from under-leasing, unauthorised sales, misappropriation of funds, abuses of process and outright negligence in the handling of non-core assets of the defunct PHCN. He said many of the PHCN non-core assets, transferred to the Nigeria Electricity Management Company (NELMCO) were leased at undervalued rates, while others were “gifted out to distribution companies and some even diverted.”

Speaking at an investigative hearing, Gaza said: “It will interest you to note that a conservative investigation has revealed monumental losses to the government and the people of Nigeria in excess of about N15 billion as a result of under leases, unauthorised sales, misappropriation of funds, abuse of process and outright negligence.

“In consideration of the present financial and economic times, when the country is facing harsh

realities caused by the recession, it has come of great concern to the House that on the transfer of assets, many of them are being leased at undervalued rates while others are gifted out to distribution companies and some even diverted.”

He said the panel would recover the lost revenues under the liquidation process and employ other measures to save the country from further financial losses.

He said: “In this regard, we shall in the course of the weeks ahead ensure that we diligently get through our action plan by critically looking into all issues pertaining the subject matte.”

Meanwhile, the Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Alex Okoh, told the panel that although the process for the sale of the non-core assets began sometime ago, it was put on hold due to nonapproval from the National Council on Privatisation (NCP).

He said all due processes were followed in engaging the valuers for the assets sale and even got the approval from the vice president, even though they could not continue.

Nevertheless, Gaza maintained that the House would ensure accountability to Nigerians during the exercise.

15 registered political parties in the country, described the just concluded local council elections in Lagos State as a charade which was characterised by massive irregularities and voting fixing by the election umpire.

The political parties include Labour Party, Alliance for Democracy (AD), Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC), Action Alliance (AA), Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA), Young Democratic Parry (YDP), Democratic Alternative (DA) and National Conscience Party (NCP).

Others are People for Democratic Change (PDC), United Democratic Party (UDP) and National Action Congress (NAC).

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja

yesterday, the Chairman of CNN and the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, said they would galvanise their energies and efforts to ensure that its common candidate emerge victorious at the election.

Regarding the coalition’s plan for the 2019 presidential election, Abdulsalam said they met and resolved to work together in order to chat a positive course for a new Nigeria.

“After several consultations and cordial discussions on the political and economic situation of the country, we the following political parties to be known and addressed as Coalition for a New Nigeria to chat a positive course for a new Nigeria,” he said.

Another member of the coalition and the National Chairman of the Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC), Mr. Olusegun Peters, said intention of the coalition is to field a consensus candidate for the next presidential election.

“This coalition have been working and strategising for three months to se how we can run a successful government in Nigeria to effect the real change in the country. We are working on how to present a credible presidential candidate for the 2019 general election.

So we sure not working in collaboration with either the APC or the PDP but this coalition will present a credible presidential candidate for Nigerians in the next election, “ he said.

On whether the coalition would later metamorphose into a merger, Abdulsalam said: “It will remain a coalition and we are not contemplating a merger, each party remains independent and autonomous and like I they are to come together collectives to support a new government in 2019 at the centre.”

He said coalition is committed to pursuing economic, political and internal restructuring of Nigeria, empowerment of youths, women and persons with disability.

He also stated that the body would strive to respect the rule of law, protection of democratic institutions so as to build a nation of great dreams “where equity and justice shall be the guiding principle.”

43

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

IMF: Nigeria’s Economic Growth to Overtake South Africa Next Year Obinna Chima

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday predicted that the Nigerian economy would expand by 1.9 per cent in 2018, higher than the 1.2 per cent it estimated for South Africa.

In addition, the multilateral institution projected that Nigeria would exit the biting economic recession this year with a slim economic growth of 0.8 per cent, just as it predicted that South Africa, would also record one per cent growth in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) this year.

The fund made the predictions in its World Economic Outlook (WEO) for July 2017, titled: ‘A Firming Recovery,’ that was obtained on its website.

The Nigerian economy sank into its worst economic recession in 29 years last year and has seen government pursuing expansionary fiscal policies to reflate the economy.

Similarly, South Africa entered recession for the first time in eight years in 2017; data from Statistics South Africa had shown last month.

But the latest WEO stated

that in sub-saharan Africa, the outlook remains challenging.

The report anticipated growth in the continent would rise in 2017 and 2018, but would barely return to positive territory in per capita terms this year for the region as a whole—and would remain negative for about a third of the countries in the region.

“The slight upward revision to 2017 growth relative to the April 2017 WEO forecast reflects a modest upgrading of growth prospects for South Africa, which is experiencing a bumper crop due to better rainfall and an increase in mining output prompted by a moderate rebound in commodity prices.

“However, the outlook for South Africa remains difficult, with elevated political uncertainty and weak consumer and business confidence, and the country’s growth forecast was consequently marked down for 2018,” it added.

It urged Nigeria and other commodity exporters to continue to adjust to lower revenues, while diversifying their sources of growth over time.

“Oil prices have receded, reflecting strong inventory levels in the United States and

a pickup in supply. Headline inflation also generally softened as the impact of the commodity price rebound of the second half of 2016 faded, and remains at levels well below central bank targets in most advanced economies.

“Core inflation has remained broadly stable. It has largely been stable in emerging economies as well, with a few, such as Brazil and Russia, witnessing strong declines.”

According to the report, capital flows to emerging economies have been resilient in the first few months of 2017, with a notable pickup in nonresident portfolio inflows.

It noted that while risks around the global growth forecast appeared broadly balanced in the near term, they remained skewed to the downside over the medium term.

“Projected global growth rates for 2017–18, though higher than the 3.2 per cent estimated for 2016, are below pre-crisis averages, especially for most advanced economies and for commodity-exporting emerging and developing economies.”

Adamawa PDP: Atiku is Under-utilised in APC Woos him to return Daji Sani ÓØ ÙÖË The Adamawa State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abdurrahman Bobboi, has said the party is making serious efforts to woo former Vice President Atiku Abubakar back to its fold.

Bobboi while addressing a press conference in Yola yesterday, revealed that the former vice - president with his wealth of experience was under utilised by the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that the PDP cannot afford to allow Atiku remain in the APC. The chairman further explained that the PDP at the national and state levels was making efforts to convince the former vice president and other founding fathers who know the tenets of the party and had left

the party for one reason or the other to return.

“The former vice president was a founding member, was vice president under the PDP for eight years and he is resourceful. He has a lot of political experience and he should not be abandoned. They are doing it at the national level and we will do it at the state and ward levels to convince the former vice-president and others to return,” he stated.

He said despite his resourcefulness and wealth of experience in managing government affairs, the APC refused the former vice president the chance to help them provide solution to the country’s problems.

“APC is not tapping his experience, we that know his resourcefulness will not give

him breathing space until he returns,” he stated.

Bobbo further announced that the reconciliation committee in the state would be headed by former Governor Boni Haruna, saying other committees are disciplinary committee, congress committee, convention ccommitee and contact committee.

He therefore congratulated the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee on its victory at the Supreme Court, calling on Nigerians to cooperate with the party leadership in moving the country forward.

Bobboi said the party had decided to resolve its crises from the national to the state level, adding that it would extend its hands of fellowship to every body interested in joining the party.

Osinbajo Visits Rivers Thursday, to Inaugurate Wike’s Projects Ernest Chinwo ÓØ ÙÜÞ ËÜÍÙßÜÞ Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has announced that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, will visit the state on Thursday to inaugurate key projects executed by his administration.

The governor also announced that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onoghen, would on Wednesday lay the foundation stone for the construction of judges’ quarters in the state.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Bishops of the Province of the Niger Delta

of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) yesterday, Wike listed the projects to be inaugurated by Osinbajo to include ChokochoUmuechem-Ozuzu Road in Etche Local Government Area, Igbo Etche-ChokochoRumuokwurusi Interchange Road, Rukpokwu Market Junction to Aluu Road in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, Rumuokoro Market and Park in Obio/Akpor and Ogbunabali Internal Roads in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.

Wike also explained that the judges’ quarters was necessary as

the state was working towards ensuring that the judiciary is positioned to resist the temptation to be corrupt.

“When judges retire, they will go with the houses. The state government is building these houses to ensure that they are comfortable to carry out their constitutional roles,” he said.

He thanked the Bishops of the Anglican Church Province of the Niger Delta for their support. He expressed happiness that he was meeting the bishops and their spouses collectively for the first time.

RC 611238

44

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

FG Unfolds North-east Reconstruction Initiative Proposes 3,000 new homes, others under Bama initiative scheme Omololu Ogunmade ÓØ ÌßÔË Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday met with service chiefs, Borno State Governor, Kassim Shettima and notable stakeholders in the State House on federal government’s reconstruction agenda for North-east destroyed by Boko Haram insurgency.

A statement last night by Osinbajo’s media aide, Laolu Akande, said although the agenda would be implemented in the entire region, it would be kick-started in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to him, the initiative would involve the construction of 3,000 housing units, 10 police stations, 18 primary and secondary schools, health centres, creation of Special Bama Squad for security operations and the recruitment of 1,500 local hunters to be known as Agro Rangers, among others.

Under the arrangement, Akande added that the federal government would contribute 67 per cent of the funds while Borno State would provide the balance of 33 per cent.

“Under the Bama Initiative, covering towns such as Bama,

Banki, Gulumba Gara and others, the federal government in partnership with the Borno State government is expected to carry out actual re-construction of houses for the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as provide infrastructure such as roads for Bama town and adjoining communities.

“The initiative will also see to the kitting and deployment of thousands of police officers and officers of the national security, civil defence corps who are expected to be trained for the special task.

“Equally, 20 doctors, 100 nurses and other relevant health officers are to be recruited to provide essential health services for the town, in addition to employment of teachers who will be deployed to 18 new schools to be constructed in the areas.

“Road re-construction projects are also featured under the Bama Initiative which is now under exploration, including the re-habilitation of Maiduguri-Bama-Daral Jamal-Banki road network.

“The welfare of returnees is also a major priority of the plan, ensuring a

comprehensive support programme for IDPs as they return. It is expected that the implementation of the plan will kick-off in weeks,” the statement stated.

Besides service chiefs and Shettima, also present at the meeting were the InspectorGeneral of Police, Ibrahim Idris; Ministers of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali; Interior, Abdulrahman

Dambazau; Budget and National Planning (State), Zainab Ahmed and the Power, Works and Housing (State), Mustapha Baba Shehuri.

Also present were the Chief

of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, National Security Adviser (NSA), Baba Munguno and Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA.)

NCC May Sanction Telcos over Call Masking, Summons Operators Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator, has warned telecoms operators to desist from getting involved with call masking and call refilling on their networks, or risk sanctions.

The NCC also summoned two of the telecoms operators to a meeting, suspected to be conniving with callers on their networks to mask their telephone numbers, while making calls.

The two operators are expected to meet with the NCC in Abuja on Thursday this week to explain their involvement in call masking, which the NCC said, amounted to national security risk and threat to the Nigerian economy.

NCC gave the telecoms

operators one week ultimatum to ensure that no call masking and refilling activity take place on their networks. They were given till Friday July 28, 2017 to clean up their networks of call masking and refilling activity.

In technical parlance, call masking is an attempt by callers to hide their numbers when making calls, especially international calls, which are not charged, because the caller’s identity is completely hidden on the network.

NCC’s investigation showed that most operators are in connivance with international callers to operate masked calls in Nigeria. NCC said such act could breach national security, if not addressed.

Part of the NCC’s letter dated July 24, 2017, and addressed to the two telecoms operators, read: “The

commission has been investigating this unwholesome practice of call masking and refilling in the telecoms industry before and after complaints, and our initial findings show that the practice is currently widespread. Due to serious security and economic implications of the practice, the commission is by this letter, giving your organisation a deadline of Friday, July 28, 2017, to ensure no call masking and call refilling activity takes place on your network.”

According to the letter, “The commission explicitly prohibits the practice and as such shall carry out robust compliance monitoring and enforcement actions after the expiration of the deadline, to ensure full compliance with the directive.

“The commission shall fully

apply relevant regulatory sanctions on your organisation if found to be in breach post the one week deadline. In addition, there may be additional actions carried out against your organisation if found in breach of the directive after the stated guideline, by relevant security agencies under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), due to national security implications.

“You are by this letter, invited to a meeting with the Commission at 11am on Thursday July 27, 2017 at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The Chief Technical Officer and other relevant members of your organisation are required to attend the meeting,” the NCC letter further directed.

45

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2017

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

E L E C T I O N FA L LO U T

Battle for Soul of National Basketball Teams Begins Kida and Umar factions claim legitimacy over players Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The battle for the control of the national basketball teams has began as the two factions claiming legitimacy have invited players to camp ahead of the Africa Women’s Basketball Championship scheduled to hold in Mali later in the year.

Last Friday at the National Stadium in Abuja, the board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) headed by Musa Kida was inaugurated by the Minister of Sport Solomon Dalung along with other 30 elected sports federation boards to steer the administration of sports in the country for the next four years.

The Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), conducted elections into the boards on June 13 in Abuja.

A day before the election in Abuja, immediate past President of the NBBF, Tijani Umar, was returned for another term at another election in Kano on June 12. Some stakeholders in Nigerian basketball were opposed to the guidelines released by the Sports Ministry.

But Kida who is determined to give the game a new face in the country hit ground

running as soon as his board was inaugurated. He directed the Secretary General of the federation, Chimezie Asiegbu to invite players to camp.

Interestingly, as early as Thursday, July 20, Umar’s faction had sent out invitation letters to the same players asking their various clubs to release them for camping. One Emmanuel Enejoh signed the letter in his capacity as Administrative Secretary.

However, to stem the tide of discordant tunes from the same basketball family, Kida’s NBBF yesterday issued a disclaimer on the so-called administrative secretary of the Umar board, insisting that such a position does not exist. Clubs were warned not to transact any business with him on behalf of Nigerian basketball.

NBBF’s Technical Committee of the Kida board yesterday released the list of 29 players called to camp in Nigeria and United States of America ahead of the Africa women’s championship.

The team is to be coached by Vincent James Samuel, appointed as the new head coach of the women senior national team

Umar

Kida

D’Tigress… participation in Africa Women’s Basketball Championship under threat in place of Scott Nnaji who is with Umar.

According to the release, signed by the NBBF scribe, the foreign-based players will converge on Orlando, Florida while the home-based players alongside with some of their foreign-based counterparts such as Sarah Ogoke, Uju Ugoka and Adaora Elonu holidaying in Nigeria will converge on Lagos for the preparations for the continental outing.

The Orlando camp will be led by D’Tigress Captain, Helen Ogunjimi alongside Ezinne Kalu, Promise Amukamara, Adaeze Alaeze, Ayoleka Sodade, Ndidi Madu, Cecilia Okoye, Aisha Mohammed, Patience Okpe, Sarah Imovbioh, Ugo Nwaigwe, Balogun Elizabeth,

Joyce Ekworomadu and Evelyn Akhator.

In Lagos, the 11 invited players will sweat it out under the watchful eyes of Peter Ahmedu and Okworogu Ochuko who were also named as part of the new technical crew.

National team regulars, Chioma Udeaja (First Bank), Nkechi Akashili (First Bank), Upe Atosu (First Bank) will have a tough battle in their hands with Akaraiwe Nkem (First Bank), Elawure Tina Odion – (First Bank), Ukato Igere Magdalene – (First Bank), Nwamaka Deborah Chidinma – (First Bank), Ulabo Queen Roseline – (Dolphins), Olaosebikan Tokunbo – (Dolphins), Ume Nwamaka Gloria – (Plateau Rocks), Okonkwo Grace – (IGP Queens)

and Isaac Christiana – (IGP Queens) all battle ready to book tickets to the tournament starting on August 18 in Bamako.

However, a basketball aficionado who does not want his name in print due to his position in Nigerian sports told THISDAY last night that the country was on the path of being banned by the world governing body of the game-FIBA. “What is going on in NBBF is a shame. What we are witnessing in basketball is almost a repeat of what happened in NFF when there were elections in Warri and Abuja respectively. We all saw how Nigeria narrowly escaped being banned. But as things stand now, unless well-meaning personalities in the country’s

sport intervene and get all the parties involved in the dispute to reach an agreement, Nigeria is going to throw into the waste basket all the gains made in the sport in the last four years,” observed the former sports administrator.

The Umar led board spearheaded the turnaround in the fortunes of Nigeria’s basketball as the national team broke the jinx of never qualifying for Olympic men’s basketball event with the D’Tigers debuting at the London 2012 Olympic Games as well as an encore at 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

D’Tigers also won the Afrobasket for the first time in Tunisia in 2015 after several heart breaking failures in the past.

ZENITH WOMEN B’BALL LEAGUE

TRANSFER NEWS

First Deepwater Pip GT 2000 in Opener

City Makes Mendy the MFM FC Defeats Katsina Most Expensive Defender Utd to Return to Second Spot

The Final Eight of the National Women’s Basketball League sponsored by Zenith Bank started yesterday at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

First Deepwater defeated GT 2000 73-69 in a keenly contested encounter that kept the fans at the edge of their seats.

Eight teams qualified for the Final Eight of the competition which started on April 10 in Abuja, Kaduna hosted the second phase while the third and fourth phases of the league took place in Asaba and Ibadan respectively.

Apart from First Deepwater and GT 2000, other teams that qualified for the Final Eight include defending champions First Bank Basketball Club of Lagos, IGP Queens of Lagos

and Plateau Rocks of Jos. Others who also qualified for the Final 8 are former champions Dolphins of Lagos, Customs of Lagos and Delta Force of Asaba.

The competition continues today with IGP Queens taking on Plateau Rocks, Customs vs GT 2000 while First Deepwater takes on First Bank in what could best be described as the match of the day.

Dolphins and Delta Force are billed to compete for honours in the last match of the day scheduled to start at 4pm.

The final Phase competition takes place all through the week while the All Star Game is expected to draw curtains on the event on July 28.

Pre-season: Inter Beats Lyon A bumpy pitch and hot weather took the shine off Inter Milan’s 1-0 victory over Lyon yesterday in a pre-season friendly held in China.

The match at Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre – home of Chinese Super League’s Jiangsu Suning – saw both sides struggle with the poor surface and humidity. The city’s weather bureau issued a red heatwave alert earlier in the day, ordering all outdoor work in the city to be stopped as temperatures hit 39 degrees Celsius, although the mercury dropped by the start of the match.

Benjamin Mendy has completed his £52m transfer from Monaco to Manchester City to become the world’s most expensive defender.

The 23-year-old France leftback has signed a five-year deal with the club.

Mendy is City’s fifth major signing of the summer and takes their spending to more than £200m.

“He is undoubtedly one of the world’s best full-backs, our number one target in this position,” said director of football Txiki Begiristain.

Mendy played 34 times for Monaco last season and helped them to their first Ligue 1 title in 17 years after joining them from Marseille last summer.

He is the Premier League club’s fifth major signing of the summer following the recruitment of England right-back Kyle Walker for £45m, plus a potential £5m of add-ons, Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva (£43m), Brazilian

NPFL

keeper Ederson Moraes (£35m) and defender Danilo from Real Madrid (£26.5m).

They have sold left-back Aleksandar Kolarov, 31, to Roma for £4.5m.

The arrival of Mendy leaves Manchester City with the most expensive defensive line-up in world football.

When Ederson moved to the club from Benfica earlier this summer, his move was a world record for a keeper in sterling, although not in euros.

Mendy and Walker have been added to a backline which also includes centreback John Stones, who was bought for £47.5m from Everton last summer,with the trio making up three of the world’s five most expensive defenders.

Central defenders Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala, who spent last season on loan at Valencia, also joined City for fees believed to be in the region of £32m.

Mountain of Fire Miracles Ministries (MFM) FC central defender, Monsuru Bashiru is quite thankful to God that his side won the five-goal thriller clash against newcomers, Katsina United.

The Olukoya Boys beat the Changi Boys 3-2 in Monday’s Nigeria Professional Football league (NPFL) Match day 31 clash at the Agege Township Stadium in Lagos.

The Lagos side gave away two first half goals by top-flight leading scorer, Stephen Odey and Sikiru Olatunbosun as the visitors came back strongly in the second half to even scores at two-goal apiece through midfielder, Destiny Ashadi and forward, Obinna Eleje before Chukwuka Onuwa grabbed the winner in the 78th minute for his side.

Bashiru said a careless mistake and loss of concentration almost caused them the match against the hard fighting visitors, Katsina United.

“A very little mistake gave the visitors, Katsina United the opportunity to come back from

two goals down to level scores before we went ahead with the winner through Chukwuka Onuwa.

“We almost suffered the same fate that befell FC IfeanyiUbah who went two goals up only to watch as the visitors, Gombe United came back strongly to cancel the goals to end tie at two goals apiece.

“We thanked God that we were able to rally round resolutely to win the match 3-2 at the end of the day.

“The hard fought victory has put us on strong path to still challenge for the league crown even though we are three points behind leaders, Plateau United.

“I think Plateau United have done very well for themselves going out to pick point on the road at Lobi Stars. “We want to work on our away performance to bring it to par with our home performances.”

The Lagos landlords are second on the 20-team top-flight log on 52 points three behind league leaders, Plateau United.

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T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

T H I S D AY TUESDAY JULY 25, 2017

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Tuesday July 25, 2017

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Price: N250

MISSILE Atiku to FG “But I believe we need to speak the truth. And the truth is this: our national wealth is being drained by a select few instead of building a country for all of us.

This has to end. “We need to return the resources and power back to the local level, and from the elite to the people.” – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar making a case for restructuring which would in turn put resources more at the disposal of the majority than the minority as it is the case today.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

Lunch in London, Anxiety in Nigeria

“W

hat’s gwan inna wa cwantry?”

“What language is that?”

“English of course.”

“Sounds like Creole to me. Why don’t you just talk straight?”

“Nobody talks straight in this country anymore.”

“I still talk straight. I can’t start twisting my tongue because some people have lost it.”

“Okay, I was asking what is going on in our country?”

“Is that a direct question or a sly comment?”

“Just answer the question” “What I know is that we are now truly, a country of hyenas, jackals and small animals. A big animal kingdom, but when the First Lady Aisha Buhari drew attention to this, recently, we all started screaming that she was rather condescending but right now, with what I am seeing and hearing, I believe she will be vindicated in the long run.”

“I see.”

“We, the people are obviously the small animals.

In an animal kingdom, the bigger animals do what they like with the smaller ones, and they dare not complain.”

“But you still haven’t answered my question” “My friend, why must I always be the one to tell you what is going on in this country? When you want to be mischievous, that is when you ask funny questions.

Are we not in this country together? Don’t you listen to the news like everyone else? So, why should I become your newspaper and internet combined. Stop it. But for just this last time, I will use my church mind to tell you that the latest development is photography as a tool of governance. Some APC Governors and party leaders just visited President Muhammadu Buhari in London. They had lunch with him and took photographs.”

“I know about that. I actually saw the photos too.

But the whole thing doesn’t look straight to me.”

“It doesn’t look crooked to me either. People have been complaining that the President of Nigeria is missing in action and they need to know that he is still alive.

So, they provide a photograph of him having lunch with his party members and loyalists. How is that a problem for you? We should be glad that the President is getting well.”

“Who took the photograph?”

“We are in a digital age. Anybody at all could have taken the photograph?”

“You can’t just ask anybody to take the President’s photograph. It is either you have a media crew on ground, who will take both still and motion pictures, that is photos and videos, or you invite the media, both local and foreign to capture the scene.”

“Who says that is the only way to cover a Presidential occasion?”

“Everything a President does is supposed to be properly documented.”

“What is your problem? They showed us the President having lunch with his guests. And there was another photograph taken by the guests.”

“Where are the establishment shots, and the video, and the audio?”

“Those people didn’t go there to establish anything.

They went to do eye-service!”

“You don’t get it. Rather than just show the President and his guests at the dining table, they should have shown us the President welcoming his guests, chatting with them, and NTA should have shown us an actual video as part of the nine o’clock Network News. And

President Muhammadu Buhari what kind of lunch was that? It looked like they just placed a bunch of banana in front of the President and some fruits in front of the guests. I checked the table carefully; every drink there is like anything from a Nigerian fridge. And not even a small stain of oil on the table.”

“You were looking for stains on the table as proof that the lunch actually took place? Did that look like a bukateria to you? Hen? Obviously, the only thing you are used to is gbegiri and amala kind of lunch.

When big men eat, they don’t litter and stain their clothes and the table the way small animals like you do. And their mouths don’t drop oil. If that happens, there would be stewards to clean things up.”

“You are assuming some big men have table manners.

You don’t know anything. They should show us the video then, and more useful photographs. And why didn’t the party leaders travel with the President’s media team and the Minister of Information? All these dem say, dem say, Okorocha told me. All of a sudden Okorocha has become the Minister of Information.

You think if they asked Alhaji Lai Mohammed to also come and eat in London, he will say he is busy?”

“I see your problem is that some people had lunch with the President.”

“Someone in fact told me that the picture looks very familiar.”

“You may need to prove that.”

“Okay, Mrs Buhari also went to London to visit her husband. Where are the photographs of her own visit? Why didn’t they show a picture of her sitting with the President?”

“You are a foolish man. You want photos of the President and his wife, sitting together in za ozza room? Candidly, tell me you are asking for photographs from the Presidential ozza room? You are sick. No President takes pictures in that other room.”

“Donald Trump will gladly take a picture anywhere.

You don’t get my point” “I get your point. You are just another wailing wailer, a merchant of lies and a mischief-maker. We know your type.”

“I am only trying to help. When you set out to tackle disinformation, you look out for pitfalls that can create doubt and you deliver a sucker-punch to shut people up. You don’t address an issue by creating more doubts. I am talking strategy. All of this would also have been more convincing if it was the picture of Acting President Osinbajo having dinner or breakfast with the President in London that they showed us.”

“The acting President didn’t go to London to eat.

He went for serious business to consult with his boss.

And what if he was fasting at the time?”

“He could have posed for a photo-op with his boss.”

“He was in a hurry. He rushed to London and rushed out to attend Council meeting on a Wednesday.”

“In a hurry to take a photograph to allay the anxiety of Nigerians?”

“People like you would still have said the photograph looked familiar.”

“Nigerians are not convinced. They would probably have given Mrs. Buhari and the Acting President the benefit of the doubt but they won’t believe what an APC Governor says. Okorocha ke?”.

“Oh ye descendants of Shimei!”

“Shimei? Who is Shimei?”

“You are a Christian and you have never heard of Shimei?”

“No” “Okay, just continue you hear. Just make sure you don’t lose your head in the process. Just because we are in a democracy, you think you can be questioning everything. Oh ye descendants of Shimei in Nigeria, beware…beware!”

“I have an idea.”

“Yes?” “See, I think the government can still score a master-stroke, if they arrange for Femi Fani-Kayode and Governor Ayo Fayose to also go to London and have lunch with the President. People are likely to believe the two of them. Fayose will then use his own mouth to inform Nigerians that he made a mistake when he said the President was on lifesupport and Fani-Kayode will recant and both of them will apologize.”

“Clap for yourself. I see you truly consider yourself a political strategist. So if you are working for President Buhari you will actually invite those two Yorubas to lunch with the President while he is on a medical vacation that is making everyone anxious.”

“Why not? The President is the President of everybody. He is the President of all Nigerians not 95%. And if you are concerned about those two being Yoruba, we can have a Federal character representation. They can invite Nnamdi Kanu from the East and Alhaji Balarabe Musa from the North.

Lunch in London with Baba, an organized event covered by the media.”

“Nnamdi Kanu! Did you say Nnamdi Kanu? Are you on some kind of medication?”

“If the objective is to prove to Nigerians that the President is not bed-ridden, he should have lunch with people Nigerians are likely to believe.”

“So if Fani-Kayode, Fayose and Nnamdi Kanu return from London and they decide to say something else, who will bear the risk? Or they turn down the invitation on the grounds that it is a calculated attempt by the Nigerian state to blackmail and poison them, who will defend the Nigerian state?”

“You are giving the dog a bad name” “Then it means you know nothing about politics.”

“I am not joking. I can even add one more person to the list, how about the Catholic priest, Ejike Mbaka who claims he has been hearing cries falling like rains in Aso Rock?”

“If Fr. Mbaka saw visions of cries and rains, he probably saw the floods that are now ravaging the country from South to North. But keep adding people.

You can even add Hushpuppi, Maheeda and Bobrisky.

But I bet you will also be the first to complain that they are using Nigerian or-yer-l money to have lunch in London.”

“In that case, let them just do a London edition of the Presidential Media Chat.”

“Nobody is going to do any media chat. Nigerians must learn to trust their government for once. When you go into government, people treat you anyhow.”

“It is our government. We have the right to ask questions. You can’t keep rejecting everything that I suggest. Okay, let the Nigerian High Commission in London organize a Town Hall meeting between President Buhari and Nigerians in the UK. That is a cost-effective way of correcting impressions. Nigerians want to be sure that their President is well, alive and fit. This thing is not rocket science and I trust our brothers and sisters in diaspora to report the truth. ” “You want to sabotage the President. You want him to interact with PDP members in diaspora.”

“I never mentioned PDP. There are APC members in the UK too and there are persons who have no political affiliation. Anyway, when is Baba coming back?”

“When his doctors say so or according to Governor Okorocha, in two weeks‘ time.”

“But the Constitution is very clear. It says…”

“Forget about the Constitution. This is national politics, stability and security. We don’t care what the Constitution says. Be careful, when Baba returns Insha Allah, something will definitely be done about all you hyenas, jackals and small, small animals disturbing this government. Insha Allah.”

“Stop bragging. There should be room in this your kingdom for all animals please. Nobody should intimidate anybody. That is why I am happy that the House of Representatives is now considering the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill. They have reduced the minimum age for eligibility for the office of President to 35.”

“Thirty-five. I don’t have a problem with that.”

“You shouldn’t. The only problem is that you are a fascist. But there should be other bills: a Too-OldTo-Run bill that will prevent Aso Rock from being turned into an Old People’s Home and a bill that says the minimum qualification for anybody seeking any office, from councilor to President should be a university degree or its equivalent.”

“What has a university degree got to do with politics and governance?”

“Everything” “Some of the worst people in this country are university graduates. So?” “You just keep disagreeing with everything. Okay, are you aware that some people are now saying Nigeria is now definitely on auto-pilot?”

“Nigeria is not on auto-pilot. Professor Osinbajo is in charge and all of you wishing us evil, just know that there will be serious consequences.”

“What consequences? Threats. Threats. Threats.

Government cannot continue to threaten the people.

It is just so sad that civil society and the Nigerian media have been badly compromised. Where are the intellectuals of old, the professional activists, the prodemocracy coalition; they are all so quiet. I believe they are quiet out of shame and regret.”

“Nobody is ashamed. That is strategy. I am surprised you can’t even identify strategy. You think this government will wait and fold its arms and allow all of you to start sounding like paid enemies?”

“You and your people should just realize that this is a democracy, and that someday, tomorrow will come and the people will remember.”

“Hey, sorry hen, wailing wailer. I see the thing is paining you. For your information, Baba will win again in 2019.”

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