Thursday 27th July 2017

FEC Caps FG’s Oil Revenue Expenditure, Portion to be Moved to SWF Policy proposes NNPC exits JVs by end of 2017, conversion to PSCs Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new National Petroleum Policy initiated by the Ministry of

Petroleum Resources, which would place a cap on the proportion of oil revenue that can be spent by the federal government.

A statement from the

petroleum ministry said that the policy was approved at yesterday’s FEC meeting, held in Abuja.

Key highlights of the policy showed that it seeks to limit

the amount of oil revenue that can be spent by the federal government, while a certain percentage would be swept into the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) for future

generations and funding of key infrastructure projects.

The policy also said the government may consider conversion of some oil Joint Venture (JV) operations to

Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) as part of its plan to exit the JVs by the end of 2017.

Continued on page 10

Why Osinbajo Swore-in Two New Ministers Without Portfolios… Page 10 Thursday 27 July, 2017 Vol 22. No 8134. Price: N250

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BUHARI ON THE MEND, RECEIVES MORE VISITORS…

President Muhammadu Buhari (fourth right), flanked left to right by Governors Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and Samuel Ortom of Benue State, when the seven governors visited the president, who is recuperating from a medical ailment, in London… yesterday

Restructuring Suffers Defeat in Senate Lawmakers back LG autonomy, new age floor for elective office, others Fear of resource control kills removal of Land Use Act from constitution Damilola Oyedele in Abuja In a major upset for the clamour for restructuring, the Senate yesterday rejected the constitution alteration bill seeking the devolution

of powers that would have moved some items from the bloated Exclusive List in the 1999 Constitution to the Concurrent List, which would have given more powers to the states.

The Land Use Act and affirmative action bills also suffered defeats in the upper legislative chamber during the electronic voting on the 33 bills presented to amend the 1999 Constitution.

Of the 33 bills, the lawmakers passed 29 and rejected four.

They voted overwhelmingly in favour of bills seeking to reduce executive powers by removing the power of the executive arm of government

to make laws, and provided procedures for overriding a presidential veto, in the event the president withholds assent to a legislation.

The devolution of powers bill, which sought to alter the

Second Schedule, Part I & II of the constitution, was defeated with 48 no votes.

Forty-six senators voted for it, with one abstention.

Continued on page 12

Abducted NNPC Contractors, Others Rescued from Boko Haram… Page 10

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Abducted NNPC Contractors, Others Rescued from Boko Haram Army loses nine personnel in rescue operation Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri The ten workers contracted by Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and security escorts who were abducted by Boko Haram during an oil exploration mission at the Lake Chad Basin on Tuesday have been rescued.

According to sources, the military, along with members of the Civilian JTJ, immediately swung into action on Tuesday upon hearing of their abduction.

The operation, they said, was successful as several insurgents were killed and four members of the Civilian JTF, one IDSL official and those of the Department of Geology, University of Maiduguri, were rescued from the insurgents.

The insurgents had laid ambush around Jilli and Bornoyesu villages between Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State on Tuesday, during which an

oil research team to the Lake Chad Basin was attacked and several persons were reported missing.

But the military after the news of the abduction, swung into action, deploying troops of 5 Brigade in Gubio into action.

The team, which worked in conjunction with the Civilian JTF, pursued the insurgents, killing scores of them and inflicting injuries on many others that fled.

It was learnt that the rescue team was led by the Brigade Commander, Brigadier Gen. Aminu Chinide and leader of the Civilian JTF in Gubio, Bulama Bukar Maradona.

They were given support by the Borno State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Usman Zanna and the Caretaker Chairman of Gubio LGA, Hon. Zanna Modu.

The rescue team was also able to recover several arms and ammunition and four vehicles belonging to the victims, which

were snatched by the insurgents.

Confirming the success of the rescue operation yesterday, Modu in a phone call expressed happiness that almost all the insurgents who partook in the attack were neutralised by the troops.

The chairman said although details of the number of casualties on the side of the terrorists was high, he would not want to preempt any statement which may be issued by the military, insisting that quite a number of the victims were rescued during the joint operation on Tuesday night.

He commended the Commissioner for Local Government for giving him the directive that was acted upon, which led to the immediate success recorded by the troops and Civilian JTF. He said: “I am happy to inform you that when the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs gave me a directive yesterday (Tuesday),

immediately after the incident, we swung into action by supporting our gallant troops and members of the Civilian JTF who jointly mobilised and pursued these terrorists.

“Although the incident took place in Bornoyesu village of Magumeri Local Government Area, following an intelligence report and gathering, the joint security operatives, with support from Gubio council area and members of the public, were able to apprehend, kill and overwhelm the fleeing insurgents around Jilli village.

“Already, the recovered vehicles, arms and ammunition, including some of the rescued victims have been brought into one of the security formations under 5 Brigade, even the driver of one of the recovered vehicles has since returned to Maiduguri this morning (Wednesday) to reunite with his loved ones, and we are expecting the safe return

of more victims who escaped from the incident,” Zanna said.

A statement by the army later yesterday said that it had rescued all 10 NNPC contractors kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Borno on Tuesday.

But the effort came with a huge price for the Nigerian military, as nine soldiers and a civilian died in the confrontation with the abductors.

The Director Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, who made this known in a statement, also said that the bodies of an officer, eight soldiers and a civilian who died in the incident had been recovered.

Usman said the bodies were evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.

Usman said: “On receipt of the information on the ambush, the Brigade mobilised and sent reinforcement, a search and rescue party that included the Armed

Forces Special Forces and guides that worked and pursued the terrorists throughout the night.

“So far, they have rescued all the NNPC contractors and recovered the corpses of the officer, eight soldiers and a civilian who have been evacuated to 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital.

“The team recovered four vehicles, one of which included a gun truck mounted with an anti-aircraft gun, two white Hilux vans taken away from NNPC contractors and one blue Hilux van belonging to Civilian JTF. “The team also recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition, several spare tyres, many jerry cans containing petroleum, oil and lubricant, assorted drugs, improvised explosive device-making materials, reflective jackets and a Motorola handheld radio, among others.

“The team also neutralised many of the terrorists.”

Why Osinbajo Swore-in Two New Ministers Without Portfolios Buhari to reshuffle cabinet himself Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja More than three months after the Senate confirmed the nominations of Professor Stephen Ocheni (Kogi) and Suleiman Hassan (Gombe) as ministers-designate, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday swore them in at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chambers in the State House, Abuja, without assigning them portfolios.

After swearing-in the ministers, Osinbajo had announced that portfolios would be assigned to them “shortly”.

After the meeting, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, also echoed Osinbajo stating that the new ministers would be assigned portfolios “shortly”.

However, THISDAY learnt late yesterday that Osinbajo’s decision not to assign the new ministers portfolios was deliberate, as the acting president was only acting on the instruction of President

Muhammadu Buhari who was said to have instructed him to only swear them in without assigning them portfolios.

It was learnt from a senior presidency source that when Osinbajo visited the president early this month in London, where he is receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment, he had sought Buhari’s permission to swear-in the two ministers, assign them their portfolios and reshuffle the cabinet.

However, Buhari, the source said, asked Osinbajo to tarry a while, because he hoped to assign the two new ministers their portfolios and use the opportunity to reshuffle the cabinet upon his return.

Buhari was said to have informed his deputy that if he assigned the portfolios to the ministers and reshuffled the cabinet, it might be impossible to reshuffle it again, given that the administration was already mid-way into its tenure.

While Ocheni replaced the former Minister of State for Labour, Mr. James Ocholi who lost his life

in a ghastly motor accident along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway on March 16, 2016, Hassan replaced Ms. Amina Mohammed who until her appointment as the United Nations (UN) Deputy SecretaryGeneral, was the Minister of Environment.

After taking the oaths of office, Osinbajo who welcomed the two men to the federal cabinet said they were not only expected to join other ministers in the federal government’s efforts to improve the living standards of Nigerians but also to live exemplary lives that befit their status as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to Osinbajo, FEC is a place where far-reaching economic decisions are taken, with a focus on key areas that will affect both the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.

The acting president said in accordance with the vision of the president, Ocheni and Hassan would join other ministers in FEC’s efforts to turn the economy around and make lives meaningful for

Nigerians.

He also enlightened the new ministers on the two primary campaign thrusts of Buhari during the electioneering.

He listed the two areas as security and the anti-corruption fight, noting that as FEC members, they were duty bound to support the fight against corruption in practice.

Submitting that the cabinet was founded on good governance, he said hard work was a requirement for effective membership of FEC. “The Federal Executive Council is one that is committed to the very far-reaching and reform programme of this government. That reform programme is contained in our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

“We have focused our attention on key areas of that economic recovery plan and we believe those key areas are things that need to be done to make a difference in the Nigerian economy and in the lives of Nigerians.

“Time and time again we have

continued to emphasise the need for ministers to pay particular attention to all the areas that we have highlighted in the economic plan.

“President Muhammadu Buhari decided to task ministers with specific functions and so we expect our new ministers to be part of this herculean task in turning around the Nigerian economy and making life better for the citizens.

“Of course, you know that aside from the economy, we have two key areas highlighted by the president during the course of the campaigns and have become centre pieces of our administration’s programme – security and the anti-corruption fight.

“We expect that members of the Federal Executive Council will focus on these key areas as well. We have of course made tremendous progress in security. We have issues and challenges here and there, but they are, in comparison to where we are coming from, very minor indeed and we are tackling them

on a day-by-day basis.

“On the anti-corruption fight, we are focused. We believe that the primary thing is for those of us who have the privilege of serving to ensure that by our own point and actions, we support the anticorruption fight and also that our conduct will be exemplary so that we will show by practice not just by words that we are determined to ensure that this country is run by a good government. And where there are honesty and integrity, service will be delivered.

“Even as I welcome you to this cabinet, I congratulate friends and family who are here and I can only say going by your antecedents as contained in your resume read out, it is evident that you are deserving of the positions held in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that you are capable of rendering all the tasks that will be given to you.

“The only reward is more hard work and I wish you the best as ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

marginal fields which it may be possible to develop in partnership with local communities; to explore mechanisms whereby local communities can be integrated into project developments; to explore models for communitybased trust funds; engaging local communities in projects in their local area; small equity holdings for communities in oil operations in their areas.”

In the statement, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu stated that the policy would guarantee Nigeria some fluidity in pricing and price uncertainty for crude oil, adding that the ministry was also looking to move Nigeria away from exporting crude oil to refining of petroleum products by guaranteeing a stable environment to support investments in refining.

He said the policy defined the strategy of the government with respect to Nigeria’s oil resources and establishes the medium to long-term targets

for oil reserves growth and utilisation, as well as strategies to be pursued to ensure the successful implementation of the policy in accordance with Nigeria’s national socio-economic development priorities.

FEC CAPS FG’S OIL REVENUE EXPENDITURE, PORTION TO BE MOVED TO SWF “Under the petroleum policy, the government will agree to a cap on the proportion of petroleum revenue that can be spent on current expenditure.

From the remainder, the government will put aside an agreed percentage of petroleum revenue to the Sovereign Wealth Fund, to be dedicated for capital items and for future generations.

“The government will explore mechanisms by which petroleum revenue can be managed for the benefit of future generations. The intention is for Nigeria to commit to two principles: To put a cap on the proportion of petroleum revenue that can be spent on current national expenditure; to put an agreed proportion of petroleum revenue into the Sovereign Wealth Fund, to be used for underpinning major infrastructure projects within Nigeria; put aside or invested for the benefit of future generations,” the policy states.

On the JV cash calls, it said the challenges of the Nigerian

National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with meeting its obligations would be addressed with the proper capitalisation of the state-run oil firm, with a structure that allows for project and balance sheet financing.

It equally stated that the government will participate less in financing operations in the sector, except on rare occasions where it would be required to make pioneer investments to enable private investors take up huge interests going forward.

“The difficulty of monitoring and checking the costs that the operator (IOCs or international partners) present is not unique to only the JVs but it is even more prevalent in the PSCs. “The solution may be incorporating the JVs and using fiscal tools to incentivise cost reduction. It must also be said that contracting cycles, government mandates and bureaucracy are also important factors in cost escalation in the Nigerian petroleum industry.

“An unincorporated JV does not have a legal presence (it is not incorporated) and so it cannot raise funds from the financial markets to finance activities, thus leading to the partners having to fund all operations and the cash call situation.

“Under the new petroleum policy, government’s interest in the upstream will consist of IJVs, PSCs currently under the 20-year production phases and PSCs at exploration phases.

“It is the intention of the petroleum policy to evaluate existing PSCs at the end of their exploration and production phases in order to determine the appropriate financing structure and risk reward matrix needed for any proposed renewals,” it explained.

It further noted: “Under the new petroleum policy, the government may consider the conversion of some JVs to Production Sharing Contracts.

However, such potential conversions need to meet the

requirement that the historical equity capital contributions to the resource must be recognised and the risk reward profile must be significantly beneficial to the state.

“Under the petroleum policy, all cash call arrangements under the NNPC JVs will be exited, with a target of exiting all of them by the end of 2017,” the document stated.

Also on the Niger Delta, it said the government recognises that the region has suffered from the petroleum exploration and production operations and that the region must share in the benefits from the hydrocarbons exploitation.

According to the policy, “The government will develop a Niger Delta-wide model with the intention of involving Niger Delta communities directly in infrastructure, social and petroleum developments in their local community area.

“Concepts can include, among others – to identify small and

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Doom for Nigeria, Britain Moves to Ban Petrol, Diesel Cars by 2040 Britain will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2040 in an attempt to reduce air pollution, a move that will spell doom for oil producers such as Nigeria.

The measure, 23 years away, could herald the end of over a century of the popular use of the fossil fuel-guzzling internal combustion engine.

Britain’s step, which follows France, amounts to a victory for electric cars that could eventually transform the wealth of major oil producers, car industry employment and one of the icons of 20th-century capitalism: the automobile itself.

The mayors of Paris, Madrid, Mexico City and Athens have said they plan to ban diesel vehicles from city centres by 2025, while the French government also aims to end the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2040.

The British government has been under pressure to take steps to reduce air pollution after losing legal cases brought by campaign groups, and in May set out proposals for a scrappage scheme to get rid of the most polluting vehicles.

“Today we are confirming that that means there should be no new diesel or petrol vehicles by 2040,” environment minister Michael Gove told BBC Radio.

Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservatives had pledged to make “almost every car and van” zero-emission by 2050. The Times newspaper said the supply of hybrid vehicles which have both an electric and petrol or diesel engine would also end.

There is a mountain to climb, however.

Electric cars currently account for less than 5 per cent of new

car registrations in Britain, with drivers concerned about the cost and limited availability of charging points and manufacturers worried about making expensive investments before the demand is there.

“We could undermine the UK’s successful automotive sector if we don’t allow enough time for the industry to adjust,” warned Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

While many automakers may find it hard to countenance the end of the combustion engine, some have embraced a future where electric vehicles, or perhaps even driverless vehicles, ultimately win the race.

Earlier this month, Volvo became the first major traditional automaker to set a date for phasing out vehicles powered solely by the internal combustion engine by saying all its car models launched after 2019 would be electric or hybrids.

Renault-Nissan in 2009 announced plans to spend 4 billion euros on electric car development.

But until Volkswagen admitted in 2015 to cheating on U.S. diesel emissions tests, most mainstream auto manufacturers had been slow to sink serious investment into battery cars.

The backlash against diesel, without which carmakers would struggle to meet CO2 targets, has since refocused minds and produced a flurry of new commitments.

Volkswagen (VW) itself unveiled ambitious plans last year to roll out 30 new batterypowered models that it expects to account for 2-3 million annual sales by 2025 – or as much as 25

Plug-ins and battery-powered cars will become more common 20 years from now per cent of its vehicle production.

Toyota, which pioneered gasoline-electric hybrids but had long resisted battery-only cars, changed tack last year and has since unveiled plans for a new range of pure-electric models.

In Europe, so called ‘green cars’ benefit from subsidies, tax breaks and other perks, while combustion engines face mounting penalties including driving and parking restrictions.

China, struggling with

catastrophic pollution levels in major cities, is pushing plug-in vehicles, though in the United States there is much less appetite so far.

Germany, the home of major carmakers such as VW, Daimler and BMW, should soon start phasing out petrol and diesel too, said Oliver Wittke, a transport expert in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU).

But there is likely to be

resistance in Europe’s biggest car market. More than 600,000 jobs could be at risk in Germany from a potential ban on combustion engine cars by 2030, the Ifo economic institute said earlier this month in a study commissioned

by Germany’s VDA car industry lobby.

Germany’s three major carmakers have also invested heavily in diesel technology, which offers more efficient fuel burn and lower carbon dioxide

emissions than gasoline-powered cars.

In response to the British decision, a German government spokeswoman said yesterday that Merkel had repeatedly warned against “demonising” diesel vehicles.

Yet Britain’s move will accelerate the decline of diesel cars, whose nitrogen oxide emissions have been blamed for causing respiratory diseases, in Europe’s second biggest market.

reaching reforms for Nigeria’s political, economic and social development.

“We have today, through the amendments, redefined our budget process. We have addressed issues that have held our country down for many years.

“We have addressed the issue of saving money earned by the federation which has always been an issue in this country for many years. The fact is that as a nation, we now have a constitution that makes it paramount for the country to save for the rainy day.

“We have also by the amendments shown our commitment to the fight against corruption by providing for the separation and financial autonomy for the Offices of the Accountant General, Auditor General and particularly, the Attorney General.

“More importantly also, we have opened the road for a new Nigeria where younger people can be elected into all the positions. Also, by the work we have done today, we have helped to improve administration at the local government level which will strengthen our democracy by and large and ensure more credible elections by some of the provisions that we have passed.

“More importantly, we have introduced constitutional provisions that would help our judiciary in the timely dispensation of justice.

“By these 29 bills, distinguished senators, I will say that we have laid a new foundation for a new Nigeria that will be more committed, create opportunities for our young people and place us firmly among the nations of the world that are really prepared for the years ahead.

“To be part of that history is a great honour for all of us and I want to thank you, my colleagues. May God Almighty bless Nigeria,” Saraki said.

Meanwhile, THISDAY gathered that concerns arising for the demand for resource control might have caused the overwhelming defeat of the bill seeking to expunge the Land Use Act from the constitution.

THISDAY had reported Tuesday of the strong opposition to the bill, which several senators had described as controversial and had argued that status quo be maintained.

In order to ensure that the Land Use Act was retained in the constitution, sources disclosed that there was intense lobbying Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, particularly by senators from the Northern region, who were of the view that the bill amounted to resource control.

“It is resource control sneaking through the backdoor. Northern senators mobilised heavily against it last night. They were calling around and were able to convince many, probably from the less endowed states that it

would be a disadvantage,” a source said.

He explained further that “if you delete the Land Use Act and remove the powers of the federal government over land, it would be easy for the South-South states that have been at the fore front for the control of their oil resources to achieve it”.

“The states would just legislate on the land in their territories and whatever natural resources lies below the ground belongs to them, instead of the federal government.

“They could even use individuals who would just claim that certain acres of land is their ancestral land and they can decide they will not allow exploration of the resources therein.

“So it would be a huge issue not just for the northerners, but also to less endowed states,” he added.

Another senator told THISDAY that even though the Senate passed bills granting autonomy to the local governments, the bills would likely suffer defeat at the state assemblies.

“If the House passes these bills tomorrow (Thursday), remember we still require two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly to effect the alterations. I do not see that happening, because the governors would mobilise heavily against the autonomy as they have done in the past,” he said.

RESTRUCTURING SUFFERS DEFEAT IN SENATE Ninety-seven senators were in attendance during the voting exercise. It requires a minimum of 73 yes votes or two-thirds of 109 votes in the Senate.

Also, the bill seeking to expunge the Land Use Act from the constitution and subject it to the regular process of legislative amendment was also defeated with 46 yes and 44 no votes.

The lawmakers also rejected bills seeking to enforce affirmative action that would have given women in the country at least 35 per cent of appointive positions in government.

It was defeated in the Senate with 49 yes to 43 no votes and three abstentions, and at the state level with 61 yes and 35 no votes.

Bill No. 22 seeking to alter Section 25 of the constitution and guarantee a married woman’s right to choose her indigeneship by either birth or by marriage, for the purpose of appointment or election, was also defeated.

THISDAY had reported that three of the bills – Land Use Act, Affirmative Action and Devolution of Powers – were doomed for defeat, as the lawmakers had banded along regional lines.

The Senate, however, passed the bill on authorisation of expenditure seeking to alter Sections 82 and 122 of the Constitution, to reduce the period within which the president or governor of a state may authorise the withdrawal of monies from the Consolidated

Revenue Fund in the absence of an Appropriation Act from six months to three months, and another to provide a timeframe within which the president or governor should lay the Appropriation Bill before the legislature.

It also passed the bill mandating the president or governor to forward names of nominees for confirmation as ministers or commissioners within 30 days of the inauguration of the administration and with portfolios of the nominees attached.

The bill including the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Council of State was also passed.

These were in addition to the passage of bills instituting an annual state of the nation address by the president to the National Assembly, and a bill providing for the appointment of a minister from the Federal Capital Territory.

The senators also voted overwhelmingly to restrict a person who was sworn-in as president or governor to complete the term of his predecessor from contesting for the same office more than once.

They also passed the bill on the procedure for passing a constitution alteration bill where the president withholds assent.

The amendment provides that in the event executive assent is not granted in 30 days, the bill

automatically becomes law and would eliminate the need for the legislature to activate the process for a veto.

Bills on financial and administrative autonomy for local governments, including the bill abolishing the State Independent Electoral Commission to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conduct LG council elections, were also passed.

Other bills passed included those seeking to reduce the age qualification for elective offices (#NotTooYoungtoRun Bill), independent candidacy, and separation of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation of State from that of the Minister or Commissioner of/for Justice.

Following the defeat of the affirmative action amendment, Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South) appealed that the clause be included in the Gender Equality and Opportunities (GEO) Bill currently before the Senate.

Earlier, before the vote on the bill, she had attempted to encourage the lawmakers not to reject it.

“As we vote on this provision, I want you to remember that this is a Distinguished Senate, we must respect affirmative action,” she said.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, at the end of the voting, said the Senate had made history and laid the foundation for far-

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NEWS

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

EFCC Recovers N328.9bn from Conoil, Total, Seven Others The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it had recovered a total of N328.9 billion from nine major oil marketers in

one year.

The spokesperson of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

Yoruba Elders Say 1963 Constitution, 2014 Confab Report, Good for Restructuring Ademola Babalola Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ‹ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜ Yoruba Council of Elders, also known as Igbimo Agba Yoruba, has advised the federal government to discard the 1999 Constitution and adopt the 1963 Constitution alongside the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference as a template for Nigeria’s political development and restructuring.

This position was made known yesterday in a communiquÊ released and signed by the association’s President General and Secretary-General; Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN) and Dr. Kunle Olajide, respectively at the end of its 19th national executive meeting in Ibadan.

According to the communiquĂŠ, “the 1999 Constitution which in fact is the old military decree 24, is a pseudo federal constitution, (a unitary constitution in disguise), it cannot work in a multi ethnic country like Nigeria. “A constitution that virtually neutralises the local government system which is nearest to the people has invariably consigned the people to irrelevance and put development at the grassroot in reverse gear. “A constitution and system

of government that continues to exploit natural resources to enrich the ruling class at the expense of the people cannot endure. This constitution compels corruption. “Our dear country is currently confronted with daunting challenges of increasing youth/ graduate unemployment fuelling insecurity, kidnapping, armed robbery and separatist agitations.

These challenges clearly show that Nigeria’s problems are foundational and structural and the unending piecemeal amendments of the 1999 constitution cannot work, it will merely be postponing the doomsday. “The constitution must be discarded, and the 1963 constitution with the resolutions of the 2014 national conference should be used as a template for the ground norm which will be submitted to the people in a referendum.�

This, the President-General of the YCE, Sofola, said the association is in full support of restructuring, calling on the Federal government to do the needful and chart a new course for the political emancipation of the country.

Uwujaren, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), identified the marketers as NNPC Retails, Conoil Plc, Total Plc, OVH Energy Plc, Oando Plc, Forte Oil and Gas Plc, Mobil Plc, MRS Oil Plc, and NIPCO Oil Plc. He said the recovery was made by the Kano office of the commission between July 2016 and July 2017.

According to him, the recovery followed a petition against the management of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and its subsidiary, Pipelines and

Product Marketing Company (PPMC).

He said the petition alleged that N40 billion had been diverted by the major oil marketers in connivance with the leadership of the NNPC and PPMC. “The EFCC, in a swift reaction, referred the petition to a special task force which swung into action by conducting discrete investigation. “Findings by the operatives of the EFCC revealed that the oil marketers were actually indebted to the federal

government of Nigeria to the tune of N91.5 billion between 2010 and 2016. “Further investigation into the allegation also revealed that the oil marketers had continued to obtain petroleum products from the government without proper payment, in violation of the NNPC/PPMC credit facility regulations. “A probe of which further led to the discovery of N258.9 billion.’’ Uwujaren explained that the total amount of debt stood at N349.8 billion following the latter discovery.

He further said upon conclusion of the preliminary investigation, officials of NNPC/PPMC and all the managing directors of the companies concerned were invited to the Kano zonal office of the commission.

There, he added, their statements were recorded following which the recovery process began. “So far, a sum of N328.9 billion has been recovered from the major oil marketers.

The outstanding debt now stands at N20.7 billion,� he said.

MAKERS Udoma, N’Assembly Begin DECISION L-R; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Heneiken Lokpobiri; and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Consultations over Chambers, Presidential Villa in Abuja ......yesterday

Ë› 2017–2020 MTEF 9Mobile: Olusanya Visits NCC, Seeks Concession on Representatives Majority Ndubuisi Francis Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila; Spectrum Allocation, Interconnect Rates The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, has begun consultations with the leadership and heads of relevant committees of the National Assembly on the draft 2018–2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

The consultations are in keeping with the determination of the executive to carry the National Assembly along on critical matters of governance.

On Tuesday, Udoma met with the committees and National Assembly leadership at the Senate Committee Room 402 and discussed the scenarios of the Medium Term Fiscal Framework for the next three years.

A statement issued by Udoma’s Media Adviser, Mr. Akpandem James, said the minister was at the session with his Minister of State counterpart, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, and Director General of the Budget Office, Mr. Ben Akabueze, while the National Assembly team was led by the Senate Leader, Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan.

Other members of the National Assembly at the session were the House of

Chairmen of both the Senate and House Committees on Finance; and Deputy Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation.

Consultations on the draft MTEF began last week Thursday when the minister briefed state governors at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on the key assumptions and macro-economic framework, the statement added.

At the meeting, he explained the basis for the projections for oil production levels, oil price benchmark, exchange rate, inflation rate, GDP growth rate, nominal GDP and nominal consumption rate, among others.

According to the statement, similar consultations are to be held subsequently with civil society organisations (CSOs), private sector operators (PSO), development partners and the media.

The MTEF outlines federal government’s fiscal policies and macroeconomic projections for 2018–2020 and provides broad framework for annual budget and fiscal management in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007.

Emma Okonji The Chief Executive Officer of 9Mobile, Mr. Boye Olusanya, on Monday led a team of senior management staff of 9mobile to visit the telecoms industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), where he demanded that special consideration be granted 9mobile in the areas of spectrum allocation, interconnect rates, data floor price, concessional foreign exchange access, among others.

According to Olusanya, the concession, if granted, would help the telecoms company to shore up its revenue and meet its financial obligations accordingly. “We are asking for concessions especially in the areas of spectrum assignment, revisit of data floor price, review of interconnect rates to asymmetric platform, concessional foreign exchange access, national

roaming and others, in order for 9mobile to shore up its revenue and meet its financial obligations accordingly,� Olusanya pleaded with NCC. The demand for concession is not unconnected with the financial crisis that rocked the operations of the telecoms company in recent times, which it is however making efforts to come out of.

9mobile had in 2013, under the old brand name, Etisalat Nigeria, obtained a bank loan of $1.2 billion for network upgrade and expansion, but ran into brick walls when it could not repay the loan, citing economic downturn of 20152016 and naira devaluation, which negatively impacted on the dollar-denominated component of the loan.

The former Etisalat Nigeria had to write its creditors informing them of its intention to halt the installment repayment of the loan until such a time

that it was able to raise more money.

Disturbed by its inability to repay the loan, the banks threatened to take over the operations of the telecoms company, which compelled the NCC to intervene in order to save the situation.

Commending 9mobile for surviving the storm, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, while also receiving the management team of the telecoms company, said NCC took the interest of investors, subscribers and employees of the telecoms company into consideration to align with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in order to resolve the issues of 9mobile and the consortium of 13 banks.

According to Danbatta, “The over $2 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), by Mubadala Investment Company of United Arab Emirates (UAE) was hanging, while 20 million subscribers

and over 2,000 workers would have been affected if we did not intervene in the matter with a view to finding an amicable resolution. “Resolving the issue was also partly to forestall any form of disincentive to the FDI. If the company had gone under, this would have created a social problem especially with the job of over 2,000 Nigerians on the line, and such a situation was capable of creating security challenges for the country,�

Danbatta said. He further stated that NCC collaborated with the CBN to avert a looming economic disaster, adding: “We want to see a viable and thriving 9mobile and we want to cooperate with you so that things can move seamlessly and be successful.�

Danbatta further assured the 9mobile team of the commission’s cooperation to grow its network.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 27, 2017

COMMENT

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

THE HIJACKED NIGERIAN PRESIDENCY (1) What ails Buhari? The Presidency has not helped the government by its methods, writes Nnanna Ijomah

For the past 60 plus days the refrain from Aso Rock as it relates to President Muhammadu Buhari’s illness and more recently by the “Coordinator/Acting President,” Prof.

Osibanjo has been that the president’s health had improved to the extent that he will be returning home soon. Not to be left out from the chorus of the president’s improving health hymn book, Pastor Tunde Bakare and Prof. Tam David- West, both APC stalwarts have claimed to be in regular contact with the president, with Prof. David-West going as far as predicting what the initial executive actions of Buhari will be as soon as he gets back to Aso Rock.

As usual, what they failed to reveal was how soon the President will return and more importantly, what ailment he was suffering from. It was most unfortunate that while the teeming supporters and detractors of the president, foremost amongst his detractors, Governor Fayose eagerly waited for Osibanjo to show them video recordings of his meeting with the president or even pictures, the acting president disappointed by only repeating the new mantra or talking point, which simply is that the president is doing well. As Governor Fayose gleefully stated when purported pictures of the meeting was released, the forgers could not even do a good job of their photo shop efforts hence it appeared the president was still wearing the same attire he wore in previous picture sessions.

As I read and listen to all the assertions by the Aso Rock cabal, APC loyalists, Lai Mohammed, Gov. Fayose and a host of other Nigerians on this issue of the president’s health and his continued absence, I begin to wonder who is telling the truth and what really constitutes the truth in this age of “alternative facts”. For starters, I believe the Presidency has not been upfront with the Nigerian people on this issue. There appears to be too many cooks stirring the pot of disinformation so much so that it has become difficult to evaluate the severity of every statement from Aso Rock while trying to give each lie an individual grade on a scale of absurdity. In my opinion, there is something insidious and corrosive about trying to repeat the same disinformation, over and over again` and believing that with time a majority of the populace will come to believe it as the ultimate truth.

What we have come to see from this bunch of political neophytes in Aso Rock is a blend of incompetence and cynicism, not to mention propaganda and sentimentality, so much so that every official statement they release is suspect and an offense on our sensibilities. With them, there seems to be a disconnect between what they say and the reality on the ground. With their lying habits and penchant for obfuscation, it will appear they hope on the

THERE IS SOMETHING INSIDIOUS AND CORROSIVE ABOUT TRYING TO REPEAT THE SAME DISINFORMATION, OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND BELIEVING THAT WITH TIME A MAJORITY OF THE POPULACE WILL COME TO BELIEVE IT AS THE ULTIMATE TRUTH

people’s fatigue. It will seem they are banking on the Nigerian people becoming overwhelmed by their never ending denials and untruths. They are counting on their capacity to wear down public inquiries by the sheer repetition of their lies. By continuing to downplay the consequences of the president’s absence as it relates to effective governance they define normalcy down and push forward the appearance of normality. But there is nothing normal about the president of a country being absent and unable to perform the duties of his office for over a hundred days. What foreign government or investor will want to deal or invest in a country whose political stability is uncertain? A country where the acting president is referred to as simply a “coordinator” with no inherent or delegated powers to make or take any major decision without the approval of a president on a sick bed. An acting president who does not command the respect of the president’s kitchen cabinet or the National Assembly. A man who is publicly challenged and disparaged by no less a person than the Attorney-General.

Sometimes I can’t help but feel sorry for Prof. Osibanjo as I keep wondering when he will reach that moment of self-awareness that he is not really the one in–charge and will never be allowed to be.

Nigeria today is experiencing not only a crisis but also an absence of leadership with the president’s illness and the situation has been compounded by the show of shifting standards, manufactured lies and hypocrisy.

Isn’t it ironic, that the same guys who cried Wolf and demanded for the resignation of the late President Umaru Yar Adua due to illness are now singing a different tune by normalising presidential absenteeism which may come back to haunt us in the future? Rather than continue with the impetuous and improvisational answers that are meant to deceive and hide, the cabal in Aso Rock should have practiced the first lesson in Crisis Management 101, which is to come clean and reveal everything about the president’s illness. They should have informed the Nigerian people what ails the president, adding also that due to the severity of his illness, he may have to undergo treatment for a couple of months abroad. I am sure most Nigerians would have been very understanding and would have prayed for his quick recovery. But no, they decided to keep everything secret thereby giving rise to the constant public request for more information. They failed to realise that a cover up is always worse than the crime, hence their sloppiness and arrogance frittered that opportunity away.

Ijomah is a New York City-based Political Science

A LETTER TO THE ACTING PRESIDENT Godwin Etakibuebu argues for the banning of generators My dear Professor Yemi Osinbajo,

I

t is with fervent respect and enthusiastic joy addressing this letter to you Sir, on a topic that has been over-flogged in recent times, which is restructuring of Nigeria. The topic, as framed here, is slightly different from how it has been used. It says that Nigerian restructuring can start with you.

It means that there are few things you can do, during this period while you are acting as the president, which could bring many benefits to Nigerians.

The beauty of what is being suggested hereunder is that you would not send any bill to the National Assembly to get it done. Nor will it be compelling on you to traverse the six geo-political zones to pull the feat. You don’t even need to consult any of the 36 governors of the federation to sail through this turbulent water of restructuring. Your own landlord Sir; the Minister of the Federal Capital, need not know when you will throw the winning dice. All that shall be required of you is just signing of executive orders, constitutionally and it is done. So, what are these executive orders you need to be signing?

Oh, lest l forget Sir, permit me to explain why l am deploying an “open letter system” in reaching you. Yes, it could have been better off if l were to hand-deliver this Memo to you personally – but security around you would not give life to such endeavour. In addition Sir, there is a very thin line between the

camp of the enemies and that of friends in today’s Nigeria that one has to be very careful when steps of acclimatisation to those in authority is being taken. More so when it is very difficult for the uninitiated to understand what makes the difference between conventional and unconventional approach in the present climes of our dear country.

For the reasons given so far, consider the approach of open letter as my most humble way of reaching you, with enough useful information for the benefit of our dear country without breaching any security protocol. It is all about the zeal for our fatherland. Discard the messenger [open letter] while concentrating on the message [the contents of this letter] please, or else you will miss the blessings of this exercise. We can now go ahead mentioning the executive orders you need to sign for the restructuring of Nigeria to commence.

The first thing to do Sir, is for you to sign an Executive Order banning the usage of generating plants as source of electricity supply in all federal government’s institutions throughout the country, except hospitals. The starting point of implementing this order [that is if you will have enough courage to sign it] is the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, where you operate from. This will be a very pragmatic step towards moving Nigeria to one direction only. It is either all Nigerians (180 million including those dealers parading themselves as leaders) live in total darkness

forever or remain there for such a time until reasons about revolution of what to do takes better side of the so-called dealers called leaders.

Signing such executive order can never pitch you in battle against any contending entity in Nigeria. The National Assembly cannot say that you lack constitutional power to do so as long as the order is not enforceable on that organ of government.

The states, even in their strictest display of conspiratorial prosecution of wicked intents, cannot stop you. I am sure that the judiciary would never have any constitutional law to interpret [more so when there shall be no one approaching the courts for interpretation], saying that what the president [sorry, acting president] did was wrong.

The executive order on this shall strictly cover your areas of exclusiveness, not more or less than the few executive orders; such as the one bordering on the ease of doing business in Nigeria you have signed within the last few days. There are more executive orders awaiting your signatures Sir, but we have to convince you on the justification and gains of this action first, that is if you will be having enough courage and guts to do it, before moving to others.

Nigerians have been forced to adopt a lifestyle of imbeciles on this electricity matter. There is the story of this young chap travelling to London for the very first time with his mother. Of course, the plane took off with light switched-off as per the

normal aviation regulation but this young man thought it was NEPA [as it was called then and l am afraid if the name has really changed because the functions and failures remain] that took the light.

So, when the pilot restored light to the cabin, the same chap shouted “up NEPA!” Is that not how much docile Nigerians have become on the issue of electricity?

Yet there are billions of America Dollars voted for electricity annually without two hours regulated supply of electricity for the citizenry.

Yet the homes and offices of these corrupt leaders, who have seriously and dangerously looted our commonwealth silly [and houses of their mistresses; houses built or hired with our money] are supplied with electricity 24/7 with Nigerians money, through provision of generating plants. Only just about 2% enjoy this looted privilege to the detriment of 98%. Something must be done to bring justice and equity to the land and this is what restructuring is all about.

So, when you sign such executive order Sir, you would have taken all Nigerians to the point of “levelism” [my own coinage] or back to the “jungle” where survival would wear a different definition. Any attempt of surviving from that “depth” would be a life in collectivism which will be tantamount to all coming to the wisdom of “together we stand”. China came via this route.

Etakibuebu, a veteran journalist, wrote from Lagos

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EDITORIAL BEYOND BOKO HARAM’S KILLING FIELDS The authorities should find a lasting solution to sectarian violence

I

n yet another wake-up call to the dangers still posed by Boko Haram, the Country Reports on Terrorism 2016 released last week put Nigeria among ďŹ ve countries that accounted for 75 per cent of deaths caused by terrorist attacks across the globe last year. The other countries are Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Pakistan. The report came amid claims by the military and defence authorities that Boko Haram has been defeated, even when the insurgents still kill innocent citizens, especially in Borno State almost on a daily basis.

However, beyond the death occasioned by terrorism, it must also worry the authorities that sectarian violence seems to be deďŹ ning this season in our country. The recent killings in Kaduna, Taraba, Zamfara and many other states were indeed dark testimony that the security services have more work to do. Therefore, beyond the deployment of more security agencies to contain the activities of some brutal bandits, there is need for the political and traditional leaders to ďŹ nd a solution to whatever may be pushing people THE RECENT KILLINGS who have been IN KADUNA, TARABA, living together for ZAMFARA AND MANY decades to suddenly OTHER STATES WERE be turning against DARK TESTIMONY THAT each other.

THE SECURITY SERVICES The immediate HAVE MORE WORK TO DO challenge of course is Boko Haram, given the report under consideration. For sure, the military authorities have whittled down the striking powers of the violent insurgent group that has, over the years, been responsible for the death of thousands of innocent Nigerians and the dislocation of millions. The military has recaptured much of the territory Boko Haram once controlled and the insurgents no longer operate as freely as they used to. Yet, the desperate insurgent group cannot be said to have been defeated, given the frequency of their atrocities especially in recent weeks.

Letters to the Editor

Indeed, the group still poses a grave danger and has been inicting mortal wounds on members of the armed forces as well as civilians. In the past few weeks, there have been increasing reports of police men and soldiers either missing or killed by the insurgents whose leader has for years remained elusive. Besides the spate of fatal attacks in the thick of battle, the series of brazen and suicide attacks and gruesome killings that are targeted at the University of Maiduguri, essentially to cripple the campus have shown that the insurgents are still very much in business.

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lthough security agencies have managed to foil some of these attacks, it is all the same somewhat bogus to hawk the impression that the war against the insurgents is “technically over�. It is not. Even if we admit that the extremist group must have by now banished the idea of carving for itself a caliphate, because it cannot hold on to any ground for long, it still constitutes mortal danger to several communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.

The authorities must therefore admit that the insurgents have returned fully to their largely asymmetrical warfare that was once their hallmark. The military pressure has made them to shift tactics to what is now a hit-and-run approach. But the increasing spate of suicide attacks is stoking unease in many communities and hampering the return of majority of the internally displaced persons living in the poorest of conditions in the camps.

While we must commend our military for the vigour with which they have recently taken the battle to Boko Haram and the victories recorded, there is still a lot to be done. And nobody should gloss over that fact. The task on hand therefore is to actually win the war so that the work of rehabilitation and reconstruction of the affected areas can proceed. And that will take not only concerted efforts from all the critical stakeholders but also admitting that the challenges ahead remain huge.

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.

CRIME AND APPLICATION OF INSTANT JUSTICE

N

igeria has successfully operated democracy as the official system of government for nearly two decades. A key aspect of democracy is the rule of law and constitutionalism.

The specific reason why democratic practice is anchored principally on the respect for the rule of law is basically to institutionalise order, justice and fairness. Also, the application of the supremacy of the rule of law takes away other prospect of the country returning to the state of nature.

Importantly, the constitution provides in Section 6 that: “The judicial powers of the Federation shall be vested in the courts established, subject as provided by this constitution, for a state�.

Nigerian laws have ample provisions for the establishment of law enforcement agencies. The reason for the setting up of these various law enforcement agencies is for them to enforce and implement all the laws that demand that the nation remains orderly and that the fundamental human rights of the citizenry as enshrined in chapter four of the constitution and all other international laws are respected.

These laws and institutional frameworks are put in place for the purposes of bringing alleged perpetrators of crime to criminal trial before the competent court of law for determination. It is therefore expected that these measures put in place are working optimally so as not to return Nigeria to that situation that can be described as the state of nature as adumbrated by Thomas Hobbes. It is therefore important that for the health and safety of the society, those who are in conflict with the law are made to face the full weight of the law so as to eliminate the chance of

Nigeria ever witnessing impunity band anarchy in the society.

Justice M.A. Owoade of the then Court of Appeal, Calabar division, had in a scholarly paper he presented at a forum on November 2007 listed out the essence of lawful punishment when meted out to convicted offenders in the society.

He had written that: “To appreciate the problem of sentencing and society, one has to bear in mind that the ultimate aim of the criminal law itself is the protection of the society and the citizens�.

The general purposes of provisions governing the definition of offences “in the American Law Institute’s Model Penal Code might be taken as a statement of the proper objectives of the substantive law of crime in a modern legal system.

The purposes are to forbid and prevent conduct that unjustifiably and inexcusably inflicts or threatens substantial harm to individual or public interest; to subject to public control persons whose conduct indicates that are disposed to commit crime; to safeguard conduct that is without fault from condemnation as criminal and to give fair warning of the nature of the conduct declared to be an offence. Another purpose of lawful punishment of crime is to differentiate on reasonable grounds between serious and minor offences.

The incessant application of mob attacks targeting crime suspects may have gained motivation from the criminal practices of extra-legal killings by virtually all the law enforcement agencies.

The police is principally most guilty of deploying such crude tactics as extra-legal execution of suspects of crime in their custody as a widely tolerated practice. Police cells across the

country are seen as killing fields.

Few years back Open Society Justice Initiative, a global body of non-governmental organisation issued a report whereby the Nigeria Police Force was accused of the use of extrajudicial killings of suspects on regular basis. Police in Nigeria, they wrote, commit extrajudicial killings, torture, rape, and extortion with relative impunity.

Nigeria Police Force personnel routinely carry out summary executions of persons accused or suspected of crime; rely on torture as a principal means of investigation; commit rape of both sexes, with a particular focus on sex workers; and engage in extortion at nearly every opportunity.

Nigeria’s government has previously acknowledged these problems and promised to address them. But as this report demonstrates, the government has allowed the abuse to continue.

It therefore appears that the people all across the Federation who have suffered one crime or the other have now accepted lynch mob ‘justice’ as the best model to extract revenge since the law enforcement agencies are not effective.

Recently, Ikorodu in Lagos saw a spike in the incidence of use of mob ‘justice’ with the ferocious attacks of innocent residents by some cultists known as ‘badoo’.

Apart from the illegality of inflicting extralegal execution of suspects, there is every likelihood of human error which may lead to the wrongful killing of innocent persons. This year alone, over four dozen Nigerians have been killed by mobs. Where are the Institutions that ought to enforce the laws?

Emmanuel Onwubiko, www.emmanuelonwubiko.com

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 27, 2017

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 27, 2017

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Agbaso: APGA’s Tickets No More for Highest Bidders The Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Martin Agbaso, spoke on new measures to reposition the party, saying the era of selling tickets to the highest bidders has gone. He spoke to Amby Uneze, who presents the excerpts: ticket will not be for sell. We are going to have open primaries. If you are very popular, go and test your popularity with the rank and file of APGA people. Our primaries will be done openly. Independent observers will be brought in. You don’t give me bribe and if anyone tries it I will report the person to EFCC. If you try to bribe any member of my NWC, it will earn you automatic disqualification. If you are popular and had worked hard for the party, go and appease your people. Help build and expand the structure of the party, then the party members will come up and line up behind you. That is the legacy I want to leave. I want to build an institution that will survive the test of time.

It appears APGA now has two factions?

There are no factions in APGA. What you are witnessing is a normal rancour associated with change of guard in a political party.

APGA is one big united family, you will see that in the coming weeks when we close ranks in preparation for the November 18th elections in Anambra.

But the former chairman, Dr. Victor Oye, is still claiming to be the party’s chairman?

You can only stop the bird from perching on your head, you can’t stop it from flying over your roof. The former chairman can claim anything but I tell you, he is running a risk of contempt of court. Oye convened a meeting of his NWC in Abuja on the 5th of October 2016 and during that meeting, 14 out of 19 members of his NWC, decided to suspend him and his two national deputies from their offices and other party activities on grounds of alleged violation of the party’s constitution, high-handedness and a few issues of integrity.

I was not there. It was after that exercise that other members of the NWC pleaded with me to lend my support and experience to move APGA forward. They contended that APGA is a party that I helped to build and that it would be regrettable if I sit on the fence and allow the party to die. At this point, the party had lost close to 90 percent of its membership due to poor leadership. They contended that Oye, who really doesn’t know who the members of the party are and what the party stands for, only became a member of APGA on the 6th of June 2015, the same day he was issued with APGA membership card. A seven-man committee was set up to look into these allegations in line with our party’s constitution and within the stipulated time returned an affirmation verdict on the suspension. The party subsequently went to the Federal High Court, Abuja to stop Oye from interfering with matters concerning the party and parading himself as the chairman.

Oye, in turn argued that, the court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter, but the court dismissed his objection. While this was going on, the Ozo Nwabueze-led NWC met with me severally to accept the role given to me to help stabilise and move the party forward.

Unfortunately, soon after my acceptance to be a member of NWC, Ozo Nwabueze, took ill and died on 8th of January, 2017 after a protracted illness. In line with our party’s constitution, I, as the Deputy National Chairman and the highest officer from the South-east zone, the zone where the late Nwabueze came from, ascended the position of acting national chairman.

We compiled all the processes, minutes, resolutions, etc. that resulted in my emergence as acting national chairman and forwarded to INEC hoping to get a quick reaction from them. However, INEC did not respond which resulted in our going to the high court in Enugu where all these took place to ask the court to compel INEC to recognise me as chairman.

On the 22nd of May, 2017 the court gave an order of mandamus compelling INEC to recognise me as the national chairman and subsequently the Court of Appeal affirmed the same decision by refusing to grant a stay of execution of the order. Surprisingly, INEC has refused to comply with the order of both courts. However, I believe that INEC, being a responsible organ of government, whose integrity and obedience to rule of law remains the anchor of our democracy, will do the needful very soon.

What is your reaction to the order of a high court sitting at Nnewi which ordered you not

Agbaso...working to improve APGA’s fortunes

to conduct the forthcoming party primaries in Anambra state?

It was an ex-parte with a short life span. Our lawyers are working on it. As much as we see the impunity and abuse here, we take every matter very seriously. We will get the court to discharge it. But I’m not losing any sleep. APGA is not losing any sleep. Our election will go on as planned.

What are you doing to bring former members back?

APGA is one family and my first task is to bring all those who feel offended and disenfranchised back. We have our governor who did very well for eight years, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi that actually laid the foundation for the holistic development you see in Anambra today. He is aggrieved, he had gone to PDP and my job is to bring him back. We have the indefatigable senator, Uche Ekwunife, who did very well in her constituency both as a

I will carry a message of hope and rejuvenation across the 774 local governments because we all face similar challenges, our pains are the same

congress woman and as a senator. Senator Chris Anyanwu, Hon. Emeka Nwagbo, Hon. Cyril Egwuatu, Hon. Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Hon. Chris Azugbogu, Hon. Eddy Mbadiwe, Hon Chris Ejike Uche, most of the commissioners and special advisers under Peter Obi. These people brought so much accolades to APGA and made us proud. My job is to bring them and other aggrieved people back. I will also carry our message of hope to Nigerians who are locked out of opportunities, who are trapped in the circle of poverty to join APGA as the only platform of hope redemption.

Oye alleged that you were not a member of APGA because you joined PDP and contested for governorship primaries there?

Oye was only in APGA for one year and four months before he was removed last October. So, what gave him the impetus to talk about Martin Agbaso for leaving APGA for a short while in protest over corruption that was associated with the 2015 governorship primaries?. How can a man who has not contributed anything, be it material or intellectual, to the development of APGA, talk about Papa APGA leaving the party?

Has he won one single vote for APGA? In fact, he is not competent enough to talk about APGA. I only joined PDP in protest because of the way I was treated despite my numerous contributions to the party. I have since rejoined APGA without the fun fare they expected.

How will you ensure that primaries election for Anambra governorship election is free and fair?

I don’t want to jump the gun, our convention is coming up next month. At the convention, some structural changes will be made. It is not going to be business as usual. Every aspirant will be treated equally irrespective of his or her status. The days of bringing in somebody through the back door for money is gone. APGA

As a regional party, is there any plan to extend the fortunes of the party to other regions?

I will carry a message of hope and rejuvenation across the 774 local governments because we all face similar challenges, our pains are the same. The woman, who cannot feed her children, who watches the children go to bed at night without food, feels the same pain.

The man, who is sick and cannot find N500 to buy malaria drug. The pain is the same. The woman who is in the university and cannot pay for her tuition fees and turns to prostitution, the pain is everywhere. The person, who is in civil service and is due for promotion but has been locked out of the opportunity, sees the same pain. These are the people that APGA represents. They are people that had been locked out of the loop of opportunities.

Whichever part of Nigeria you find them, I’m going out to look for them. They make up over 70 percent of Nigerians. They are members of APGA. Religion will not stop them, ethnicity will not stop them when they listen to me with our message of hope. We are going to do that in the next couple of weeks and it will yield results. They will not be looking at APGA as a party that is only functional in Anambra state. I have been reaching out to political leaders in the north and west. There are some of them who want to be governors with APGA platform. This is a new beginning for our great party.

How is APGA going to compete with the other two big parties in membership drive?

First of all we are fishing in different waters.

The two big parties; the APC, PDP are fishing among wealthy Nigerians. I’m going to the largest pond that has Nigerians who are disenfranchised, Nigerians who cannot take care of their families, those who have no hope of job, those crying for poor quality of education, those who are crying about poor quality of infrastructure, Nigerians who are looking for proper medical care, Nigerians who want better things of life like power, those are the people I’m going to look for and 70 percent of Nigerians make up this group.

Most Nigerians are clamouring for restructuring of the country, do you think that is the way forward?

What do you call restructuring? If every Nigerian had access to power, road infrastructure, employment, shelter, and those who don’t have employment have some kind of welfare package from government, have access to public health care, access to a free country where you can travel from one part of the country to another without fear of being molested by one hoodlum group or the other, if Nigerians find themselves in a country where one is not judged based on the geographical area that you come from but on merit, if Nigeria is a country where everyone is free to compete, nobody will be talking about restructuring.

So I’m all for restructuring.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017

POLITICS

Buhari: We Don’t Earn as Much as US Senators The Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and Communications Technology and Cyber-crime, Abdulfatai Buhari, described those saying that Nigerian senators earn more than their counterparts in the United States as ill-informed. He spoke to Ademola Babalola, who presents the excerpts: The National Assembly’s budget is more than what was budgeted for agriculture, which government is looking up to to lift the economy?

In most cases, journalists don’t do a thorough job. The National Assembly’s budget is N125 billion. We have 360 members in the House of Reps, who must be paid their salaries and allowances. We have 109 senators each with three aides. Their salaries, allowances including that of the National Assembly’s management and the National Institute of Legislative Studies will all draw their pay from the said budget.

Sometimes ago, it was published that we receive N35 million per month, and its untrue by showing it now, it has given us a mileage that N125 billion out of N7trillion vis a vis the United States of America that we say we are copying. Go and look at their National Assembly budget, with their executives and compare it what we are earning. We are always at the receiving end but the only reason is that we are many and appeared united, so the attention and the focus is on us. We are not the one that fixed our salaries, it was fixed by the National Revenue Mobilization Committee. If you now say National Assembly members are earning N36 million per month, no problem. How much is Mr. President of the Federal Republic earning?. How much are the governors earning? There are certain things that people say that do not make any sense, so president Buhari will be earning N2.7millions and National Assembly members will be earning N36millions, you don’t need to ask anybody before you conclude that something is fundamentally wrong. Let’s take for example, will Obasanjo as president from Ogun allow lawmaker from his state to earn salary more than him? Let us be honest with each other. I absolutely agree that the cost of governance is expensive and that is how it is all over the world. Democracy is expensive all over the world. My basic salary is less than N1million. It is N709,000 and oh you may ask me, what about the allowances?

It is not up to N10 million that you people are talking about. It is very painful. Some people in the National Assembly may be living flamboyant lifestyle and that is why many people think everybody is like that. There are some people among us that whose salaries could not meet their monthly constituency demand. In Oyo North where I represent, we have 13 local governments. And where people see you as the alpha and omega in terms of their needs, the money being paid to some of us is a far cry to the demand of the constituency we represent.

That notwithstanding, I am so happy the National Assembly leadership decided to publish it and since the publication, nobody is talking again including even you journalists.

And when you compare NASS budget with other sectors, don’t forget that agriculture is just a unit in the said N7trillions budget.

Why don’t you ask about what the judiciary which is the third arm of government and the executives are earning? Calculate it and compare with those of Britain and America that we are comparing the National Assembly’s budget with? All over the world, democracy is expensive, the best thing for us is to be able to deliver what is expected of us and take the country to where ordinarily we ought to be , where an average person will be happy that we have democracy that is working and meeting the demand of all and sundry.

The Cyber-crime Bill is at which stage now?

The truth of the matter is that it has just passed through the first reading and we are waiting for second reading. Bill takes a longer time before it is passed and if you want to excel you have to do a thorough job. We are not leaving anything to chance. It is receiving attention. We hope before long, it will see the light of the day.

Many people are already showing interest in becoming the governor of Oyo State. What is your take?

Buhari... zoning is not the best

Before you come out to seek election, you need to pray very well, you go spiritual and seek divine direction. Two, you have to assess yourself to determine if the people will accept you based on merit and as someone who has something to offer. What is the new thing that you are bringing to the table?

People believe that the people of Oke-Ogun deserve to produce the next governor for justice and equity....

I have been looking for a day when Nigerians will elect their leaders based on merit and not where you come from. And the time should come when where you come from should not matter to the electorate but what you can offer as president or governors. Assessment of individual based on what they can do for the masses is the key thing. The masses do not care where you come from, all they want is who can make their life better. I find

All over the world, democracy is very expensive. The best thing for us is to be able to deliver what is expected of us and take the country to where it ought to be .

in Lee Kuan Yew’ book titled ‘The Making of Singapore’ that power is not served a la carte, you don’t sit in your sitting room and be waiting for people to bring you power.

Mao of great China looked for it, Martin Luther, all of them aspired for it. May be in the olden days, leadership emerged but when leadership emerged, you must have shown enough capacity and potentials before people can come to you and make you their leader.

Having said this, Oke-Ogun and Ogbomoso in Oyo state, with 13 local governments areas cannot be pushed aside. They have people with great potentials. Look at former Registrar of JAMB, Professor Dibu Ojerinde. A former Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Professor Adeniyi. So also is Ahmed Raji, SAN. So there are great people like that from the area.

All the people I listed and many others are qualified to be governors and can compete with people fromother zone.

What is your take on zoning?

Zoning won’t work. Let’s assume a particular party decides to zone to a particular area, it does not apply to other parties. What we can do is to negotiate. People can always vote for a good candidate regardless of where he comes from.

If you decide to zone to one district, some other parties can take advantage and feature a better candidate. We need the best man for the job.

With due respect to my colleague from the north, who think that presidency is their birthright, if it’s a coup and the Yoruba man is sleeping or the Igbo man is sleeping, no problem but when it comes to democracy, it is better to negotiate. Since, 1999, it has been more or less negotiation produced the president.That is the essence of why power is not served a la carte; negotiate and come with your best, when you come with your best and people see it, your argument will

hold sway.

In Oyo, if it is a matter of zoning, Ibadan has done it, Ogbomoso has done it. And out of the five zones, it remains Ibarapa, Oyo and Oke Ogun, that their people have not done it. Unfortunately, based on number, Ibadan alone has 51-52 percent of electoral vote, the remaining zone Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun, Ibarapa and Oyo have the remaining 48, even if they united they can’t still not match Ibadan. However, when you have a very good candidate from either of the zones; people assess him and I bet you such an individual will get votes from Ibadan, especially from those who want good government. This is why am sponsoring a bill that we should start having political debates for candidates seeking to be president, vice president, governor and deputy governor.

Do you think APC deserves another term considering the economic hardship people are going through?

It depends on the side of the divides you are. Beginning from Oyo state which is my immediate constituency. To be frank, Governor Ajimobi has raised the bar of governance in the state in term of good governance. But unfortunately federal allocations have not been enough to take care of the needs of the people. When you compare Oyo with Ogun and Lagos where their IGR is enough to augment whatever they are getting from the federal government, you will see why they are able to do what they are doing. We need to do critical evaluation and be very sincere. At the national level, we might have not performed to expectation, people forgot one thing that democracy started 18 years ago and that at that time petrol was $140 even up till $150 per barrel, but oil today hovers between $27 -$40 per barrel. We are not earning enough to be able to tackle the challenges on ground.

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THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Facelift for Kwara Roads Hammed Shittu writes that Kwara State governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has embarked on road construction across the state as part of moves to boost the state’s transportation sector

Kwara State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed (3rd right) flagging off the IF-K funded dualisation of Zango-UITH Road, Ilorin, assisted by the Emir of Pategi, Alhaji Ibrahim Chatta Umar (4th right) and the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Aro Yahaya (2nd right), others…recently

T

ransportation system has remained one of the sectors of the economy that determines the socio economic development of the society. It has become a sector that touches the lives of the governed and this is reason every level of government be it local, state and federal always strives harder to ensure that the sector is developed so as to bring new lease of life to the populace. This sector comprises various strata like road, rail, water, and air and each has its role in advancing the economy of the country.

It is on this premise that, the present administration in Kwara State under governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has taken it as a priority to embark on the road construction across the three senatorial districts of the state as part of a move to boost the transportation sector of the state’s economy. Apart from the fact that, the development would ease the movement of residents of the state especially in the reduction of traffic jam along the major places across the state, it would also open up rural areas so that farm produce from the farmers can be transported to the nearby markets for sale.

In achieving this giant stride, the administration put up various road projects across the three senatorial districts of the state and backed up with a zeal to ensure its full completion as a way to bring more dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the populace especially to the rural communities in the state. This, the administration believes would reduce rural

and urban migration, it would also create a platform to boost the state’s economic growth as the farmers that have access to bring their farm produce to the markets would get more money to pay their various taxes and other social responsibility required of them and this will transform the state into economic prosperity.

We have told Kwarans that all our ongoing projects under IF-K are going to be completed before the end of this administration.

No project would be left uncompleted because we've made provision for it under our IF-K model of payment module. We are giving people what they've requested for

Although, the roads infrastructure is capital intensive, moreso, the dwindling federal allocations have continued to take a toll on the 36 states of the federation, but the administration decided to look out for another window so as to meet its financial obligations to those that may be given the roads contracts in order to ensure its completion and not to make the roads projects abandoned ones.

Hence, the window of the state infrastructure projects policy tagged ‘IF-K’ was used. Through this window certain percentage of funds realised from the state internal revenue service are taken into this window every month and thereby helping the administration to have enough funds to pursue all the road projects across the three senatorial districts of the state.

This development has assisted the administration to pay all the contractors handling road projects and by doing this, contractors have not been owed any kobo and the work is really moving on at all the roads projects awarded to various roads contractors in the various locations of the state.

It will be noted further that, this IF-K window being used by the administration is financed through an initial N5b seed fund, and a N500 million monthly contribution from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

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

to ensure accountability.

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

Since its establishment, the state government has released over N7 billion to contractors handling various road projects across the state. The government recently released another sum of N862, 605, 337.94 to contractors handling various ongoing infrastructural projects across the state.

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

Other projects scheduled for implementation under IF-K include a new state secretariat for civil servants, renovation of indoor sports hall of the Kwara State Stadium among others.

However, in order to ascertain the level of work across the road projects currently being handled by the various contractors, the state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Aro Yahaya, embarked on inspection visits to all the ongoing roads projects.

Speaking with journalists after the tour, Yahaya threatened to terminate any road projects being handled by contractors on

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˾ T H I S D AY THURSDAY˜ Ͱ͵˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

FEATURES

Completed Erin Ile-elemona Court Road in Kwara State

the various ongoing road contracts in parts of the state that fails to work in line with the approved specification of the projects.

This, the government believe would go a long wayi n delivering dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the rural populace and thereby opening up both intra and inter roads that would boost the socio economic development of the state.

Some of the ongoing road projects inspected include Chapel-Oke Odo-bubu Link Road, aimed at decongesting Tanke, University Road, Pipeline and Awolowo, Offa Garage, and Tipper Garage roads.

Others are completed 5km Offa- Irra rural road, 8 km Erin Ile-Elemona- Court road in Oyun Local Government Area, Ipe township and Ogbondoroko township roads.

He said that, the tea party was gone and that government was accountable to tax payers in the state.

The commissioner, who complained of slow pace of work done by some contractors despite assurances by government that they would be paid on completion of work under IF-K model, encouraged them to speed up work and improve on performance to access available fund being provided under the arrangement.

He summoned some contractors who had abandoned their sites to his office, threatening to take some others to public

Ogbondoroko Township Road with surface dressing

We want the government to extend the Offa -Irra Road from Inaja-Alaro where it ended for now to Oyo State boundary at Ogbomoso which is about 4 kilometres away. And the areas here are where we have high population of farmers that bring their produce to the town

opinion poll noting that, “There should not be sentiment here. This is public fund. This is a poor job at Ogbondoroko Township Road.”

He also charged contractors on right application of asphalt materials on the road projects, saying that the government would not compromise on standards.

Yahaya added, “We have told Kwarans that all our ongoing projects under IF-K are going to be completed before the end of this administration. No project would be left uncompleted because we've made provision for it under our IF-K model of payment module. We are giving people what they've requested for.

“We are also doing the rural roads so that our people would have benefits of democracy and we know that this governor is people's governor. That's why their mandate is very important to us. We would do our best under the platform of transparency

and accountability so that at the end of the day, everyone would be happy and enjoy good governance,” he explained.

On Offa roads, the commissioner said that the major road passing through Offa is federal government road.

He said that he had contacted the state controller of FERMA who had said that the road would be done in two weeks, pointing out that, “The first intervention from Ajase-Ipo to Ijagbo was done and stopped at Ijagbo. They jumped to Erin Ile. So he had promised that the Offa federal road that was left undone would be attended to soonest. The state government would do the Offa township roads.”

One of the residents, Prince Abdulfatah Olanrewaju Lakatabu in Oyun LGA commended the state government on the rural road being embarked upon and completed for the benefits of the residents as it will enhance the transportation of their farm

produce from farms to the hinterlands.

He said, “We want the government to extend the Offa -Irra Road from InajaAlaro where it ended for now to Oyo State boundary at Ogbomoso which is about 4 kilometres away. And the areas here are where we have high population of farmers that bring their produce to the town.

With this giant stride of the administration in the state in the area of improving the road transport system, there is no doubt that, there will be an improvement in the capital income of the residents and this would assist them to contribute their quota towards the socio economic development of the state. Also, there will be a great reduction in the traffic jam and there will be a great reduction in rural-urban migration and the people at the grassroots would be able to settle down for economic activities that would move their socio well-being forward.

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IMAGES

Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (right)presenting key of cars procured for judges in Abia state to the State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Uzokwe as other judges (behind), Deputy Governor, Sir Udeh Okochukwu (1st left) watches during the presentation in Umuahia...recently

L-R: Managing Director, ARM Life Plc, Stenphen Alangbo; Chairman, Dapo Oshinusi; and Company Secretary, Rotimi Aju, during the 19th Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos....recently YOMI AKINYELE

L-R: Secretary, Steering Committee, New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Anthony Ilobinso; Chief Executive Officer, Corona Schools Trust Council, Mrs. Adeyoyin Adesina; Principal, Corona Secondary School, Mrs. Chinedum Oluwadamilola; and Chairman, Steering Committee, NEASC, Mr. Paul Obah, at the media briefing announcing the accreditation of Corona Secondary School as member of NEASC in Lagos...recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Member of the Governing Council of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Prof.

Olaide Adedokun; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; and the Council Chairman/Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, during the inauguration of the council, at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan...recently .

OYO STATE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

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Organising Secretary of APC, Sen. Osita Izunaso (R) presenting a Governorship Nomination/Expression of Interest Form to a gubernatorial aspirant for the Anambra Governorship Election, Mr Nonso Madu in Abuja...recently

Ogun state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru(left) being presented with integrity stewardship award by the executive director, Center For Save and Serve Humanity Organisation, Comrade Oyibo Abraham in Abeokuta....recently

L- R; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Knowledge Exchange Centre, (KEC), Mr. Charles Nwodo Jnr.; KEC Award Recipient , Mr. Obiora Obasi; and the Executive Secretary Knowledge Exchange Centre, Maria Glover, at the KEC 2nd Annual Award ceremony, in Lagos...recently, SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R, Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Bala Ibn Na’alla; President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki; Hon Federal Commissioner, National Commission fo Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) Sadiya Umar Farouq and Director, Finance and Accounts Ahmed Bashir during a Courtesy Visit to the Senate President by National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons in Abuja....recently JULIUS ATOI/THISDAY/IMAGES

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Quick Takes Utomi to Speak at OAAN’s AGM Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂžËœ ĂœĂ™Ă?Ë› Ă‹ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• ÞÙ×Ó Ă“Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ÍąÍ°Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;ĂžĂŽĂ™Ă™Ăœ ĂŽĂ Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ Ěš ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÒÙÖÎ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂŒĂ‹Ëœ Ă?ÖÞË ÞËÞĂ? ÞÒÓĂ? ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœË› Ă?Ă—Ă“ Ă‘Ă‹Ă–Ă‹Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂŽĂ™Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ëœ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă•Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă–Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ͹ͯĂ?Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´ Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™ĂœËŞĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžË› ËŠËŞ Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă—Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÒÙÖÎ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂŒĂ‹Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ëœ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă•Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ˛ Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă–Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ™ĂœËŞĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžË›ËŞËŞ Ă‘Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË› Ă‘Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ëœ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?Ă– ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă?ÞËÞĂ&#x;Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂ—Ă“ĘľĂ?ĂŽË› Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ËŞĂ? Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă– ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?ÙÖà Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă– ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë›

Eagle-i Introduces HD CCTV Cameras

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Sunday Dare; Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, 9mobile, Mr. Boye Olusanya and Vice President, Regulatory and Compliance, Ibrahim Dikko, during a courtesy visit by the managements of 9mobile to the NCC, in Abuja‌recently

NCC, ALTON Kick against Bill on Emergency Toll Free Number Stories by Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) have advised the Senate to jettison the proposed bill on emergency toll free number, insisting it will amount to duplication of efforts, since emergency toll free number already exists in the country.

Their position was against the backdrop of the Senate’s plan to enact a law that would take care of emergency numbers in Nigeria, based on the rising incidences of crime.

Educating members of the Senate on the existing emergency toll free number

ECONOMY in the country, the NCC, at a recent public hearing on the National Emergency Toll Free Number Bill 2015, held at the Senate conference room in Abuja, insisted that there was no need to have a bill on the emergency toll free number since the existing one is working.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, had stated the need for enactment of law that would take care of emergency numbers in Nigeria in view of the current upsurge in crime.

He stated that this facility helps the nations where it is in place, when there are crises. He said: “It is important for Nigeria to

adopt the 191 as the emergency number�, adding thus the decision of the Senate Committee to get industry stakeholders’ inputs on the way forward.

But the NCC stated that the 112 toll free number is the globally recognised number and the ITU’s specific number for emergency calls all over the world.

After several debates on the issue, the Senate Committee Chairman on Communications insisted on dialing the 112 toll free line, just to be sure that the number is really functioning, but unfortunately, there was no response from the number.

Irked by the malfunctioning of the 112 toll free line, the Senate Committee requested to know from the NCC, what

happened to the budgetary allocation for the emergency numbers since this has always been included in the NCC’s budget every year and the number is not functioning.

In its submission, ALTON supported the NCC’s position that there was no need for the bill since 112 exist. Chairman of ALTON, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, told the Senate that what needed to be done was to make the number functional and not creating another one.

Adebayo said NCC should be supported by the Senate to make the 112 emergency toll free number work.

Although the security agencies present at the public Continued on page 24

‘Nigeria’s Broadband Penetration Hinged on Mobile Broadband’ Paradigm Initiative, a leading outfit on digital rights and inclusion, has said that the widely publicised growth of broadband penetration is not a true reflection of the actual broadband penetration in the country, since the growth is mainly driven by mobile broadband, occasioned by the rising demand for smartphones across the country.

The Chief Executive of Paradigm Initiative, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, who made the remark in Lagos recently, stated that the federal government would need to step up efforts in making broadband access a priority among Nigerians. This he said could be achieved by making

ICT broadband available at reduced cost for all Nigerians.

According to Sesan, “With a reported broadband penetration of approximately 21 per cent, Nigeria seems to have met her National Broadband Plan target of reaching a fivefold increase in broadband penetration by the end of 2017, over the 2012 penetration rate of between 4-6 per cent. “However, with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) putting fixed broadband penetration in Nigeria at 0.01 per cent, admittedly showed that the bulk of this broadband access has been

through mobile broadband, which does not reflect the true broadband penetration level of a country.�

He noted that internet penetration in Nigeria is put at 47 per cent, according to the ITU, but according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), there were just over 90 million active mobile internet subscriptions on GSM and CDMA networks as of April 2017.

Sesan explained that although Nigeria’s broadband plan envisaged that mobile broadband would be the most popular medium for the actualisation of the plan, perhaps it was overly optimistic in its plans for the

rollout of Terrestrial wireless networks, Fibre, Cable, Digital Subscriber Lines and Satellite Networks, given Nigeria’s historic challenges with infrastructure development.

He argued: “So the fixed broadband penetration is 0.01 per cent and infrastructural and policy challenges has limited the effectiveness of Nigeria’s only real claim to a national broadband network – mainly 3G and lately 4G mobile broadband, resulting in service quality issues.�

Insisting that broadband access in Nigeria is not broad enough, and not qualitative Continued on page 24

Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ě‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă“Ăž ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ Ěš ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ? Ě‹ Ă‹Ă‘Ă–Ă?Ě‹Ă“Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă‹Ă–ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ‹ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă’ Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ě‹ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ËŞĂ? ĂŒĂ“Ă‘Ă‘Ă?Ă?Ăž ÑËÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁË› Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă“ĂžĂŁ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËŞĂ? ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă? ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă‹Ă—Ăš Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš Ă?Ă™ĂœĂž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž ʨà Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă–Ă?Ě‹Ă“Ëœ ĂœË› ĂŒĂ‹ĂŁĂ™Ă—Ă“ Ă–Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă”Ă™ĂŁĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ åÓÞÒ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ě‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ? ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ?ĘľĂ?ĂœË› Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă‘Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? Ă–Ă&#x;âĂ&#x;ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’Ëœ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ ÞÙÎËã Ă‹Ă‘Ă–Ă?Ě‹Ă“ Ă“Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙÚ Ă›Ă&#x;ËÖÓÞã Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă Ă‹ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ Ă‹ĘĽĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ë›

Minister Commends NBA on ICT Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂŽĂ?ĂŒĂ‹ĂŁĂ™ Ă’Ă“ĘľĂ&#x; Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ Ěš Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‹Ă– ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ě™ ̚˛ Ă’Ă“Ă–Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ë› Ë› Ă‹Ă’Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă’Ă“Ă? ÙʊĂ?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ă˘ĂžĂœĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă–ĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?ÙÖà Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ę¨Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‹Ă– ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă?Ë› Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ËÚËĂ?ÓÞã ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă–Ă‹ĂĄĂŁĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă?ĘĽĂ?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĘŠĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă’Ă“ĘľĂ&#x; ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă• Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă? ÑÙÙÎ ÙʊĂ?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂŒĂ”Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ù××ÓĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ Ěš ÞÙ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă? ÖÙÑÓĂ?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ÍŻÍś Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Í°Í˛Ëœ Ă‹Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂĄĂŁĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÍŻÍŻ Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ËÞÓÖĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂĄĂŁĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ͹; Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă–Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă• Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÙÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁËœ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÙ ÑËÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄ Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;ÞÒ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ë›

Through a well deďŹ ned Corporate Social Responsibility, companies would be able to touch lives as well as standing tall as responsible corporate entities Chairman, MTN Foundation, Prince Adelusi Adeluyi

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍľËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

NCC, ALTON KICK AGAINST BILL ON EMERGENCY TOLL FREE NUMBER

Shittu: ICT Can Reduce Cost of Foreign Education

hearing were all in support of the bill, insisting that it will help in facilitating their work, the Senate Committee chairman however told them that there is still three weeks room for submission of presentation on emergency toll free number bill, and the hearing was later adjourned till further notice.

The bill, titled ‘A Bill for an Act to Establish a Nationwide Toll-Free Emergency Number for the Reporting of Emergencies Throughout the Federation of Nigeria’, seeks to establish a nationwide and uniform toll-free emergency number in Nigeria, which is designated as 191. It also seeks to implement a nationwide system for the reporting of emergencies to emergency service agencies.

Section 5 and 6 of the Bill seeks to grant the NCC with extensive supervisory and management powers and expects it to provide direction in respect of the bill, if passed into law.

The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu has said that the federal government’s commitment to the development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) can drastically reduce the N1.5 trillion being spent on Nigerian students studying in foreign educational institutions.

He expressed optimism that if the federal government succeeds in establishing the proposed ICT University of Nigeria, the country will not only develop world-class local capacity, but also reduce the strain on the naira through reduction of foreign currency sourced for the training of citizens outside the country.

The minister who made the disclosure at a lecture titled; Jobs Nowhere But Jobs Everywhere: ICT To The Rescue Of Unemployed Youths And Graduates, at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan recently, stated that the government is prepared to use ICT to foster youth empowerment and development through granting of loans, sponsorships and financial support among other innovative schemes to lucrative business ideas.

He disclosed that about 20 million youths and graduates are currently unemployed.

Stating the acknowledgement of the Buhari’s administration to use ICT as a critical pillar to leverage on job and

‘NIGERIA’S BROADBAND PENETRATION HINGED ON MOBILE BROADBAND’ enough, compared to what is obtainable in other countries, Sesan said government must put the necessary infrastructure in place and ensure adequate implementation of the country’s broadband policy in order to boost actual fixed and mobile broadband penetration in the country.

He described broadband as internet experience at speeds higher than obtainable in dial-up services.

According to him, all over the world, broadband internet delivers the high-speed communications, which drive the rapid transfer of data for applications in media, healthcare, government services, education, among others.

Broadband is now widely accepted to be an enabler of economic growth and development, according to a World Bank report finding that a that a 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration yields an additional 1.38 per cent increase in GDP growth for low to middle-income countries.

Group Business Editor

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

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ?

Comms/e-Business Editor

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

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

Senior Correspondent

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

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

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Emma Okonj

wealth creation as well as on economy and a critical tool in diversifying the Nigerian economy and recognising the role of ICT in making it a reality, he said, government established one form of ICT infrastructure or the other across the six geopolitical zones.

He disclosed that the plan to

build a national ICT Park and Exhibition Centre in Abuja, as part of the preparations for the 4th Industrial Revolution, is on course, adding, the plan to “build a $1 billion-dollar ICT company� to boost indigenous technology has been articulated.

Shittu said: �We already have the Digital Bridge In-

stitute (DBI), which is for short term training programmes, in six locations across the country and we will transform this Institute into the ICT University of Nigeria. This unique University would by God’s grace take off effectively in September 2017 and would be run as a Public Private Partnership with the best

business and entrepreneurship models. “I have engaged with several stakeholders at the international level, Facebook, Motorola, Ericson and am still talking to many more stakeholders. We are encouraging them to come and adopt the respective university campuses as their own.

PERFORMING LEGISLATIVE FUNCTION

L-R: Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Dr. Latif Busari; Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Industry, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari; Chairman, Dr. Sam Egwu; General Manager, Sugar ReďŹ nery, Bua Sugar ReďŹ nery, Sylvester Godspower; and Managing Director, BUA Sugar ReďŹ nery, Alhaji Ibrahim Yaro, during the Senate’s oversight function visit to BUA Sugar ReďŹ nery, Apapa, Lagos...recently

Enugu Disco Blames Youth Attack for Power Outage in Ugwuanyi’s LGA, Two Others Ejiofor Alike The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has explained the cause of the power outage in Governor Ifeanyi Ugwu’s local government, Udenu, as well as Isi-Uzo and Igbo-Eze Local Government Areas of Enugu State. All the communities in these three local government areas, including Eha-Amufu and Ikem in Isi-Uzo; Obollo –Eke, Obollo-Etiti, Obollo Afor and Orba in Udenu, as well as Enugu-Ezike in Igbo-Eze North have been in darkness for several weeks.

But in a statement at the weekend, EEDC’s Head of Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh clarified that the current power outage being experienced at Eha-Amufu, Ikem, Obollo-Afor, Orba, Enugu Ezike and other communities is as a result of electrical fault in Eha-Amufu.

Ezeh explained that the fault is yet to be cleared as a result of the insecurity and attack experienced by EEDC staff in charge of these areas.

According to the statement, EEDC staff going about their lawful duty were attacked and assaulted by over 300 youths of Eha-Amufu community on June 8, 2017.

Ezeh added that the mob destroyed equipment, furniture, as well as other work tools at the EEDC Service Centre in Eha-Amufu. “As a business, we value our staff, and their safety is our greatest concern. In this case, the environment is no longer safe for our men to

move in and clear the fault.�

It is important to note that prior to this incident, EhaAmufu community enjoyed good supply, as they are fortunate to be situated at the source of supply, which radiates from Nkalagu. Due to this unfortunate incident, other communities feeding from the same line have been out of supply. However, in a conscious effort to resolve the issue and restore supply to customers, representatives of EEDC have been meeting with Isi-Uzo Local Government Chairman, Benjamin Edeoga, some selected traditional rulers, the President General, as well as other critical stakeholders of the communities,� Ezeh explained. “At these meetings, EEDC made some demands, some of which are: an undertaking by the community, assuring and guaranteeing EEDC of the safety of its personnel to enable them move in and clear the fault; replacement of all the destroyed equipment and providing the youths that perpetrated the act,�

Ezeh said. “We are not happy about this development; we are in business and have lost millions of Naira as a result of this incident. We are committed to providing service to our customers and expect them to pay for service rendered.

If for any reason customers are aggrieved, there are established channels for them to channel their grievances.

There is no justification for this gruesome act, and we condemn it in its totality,�

he added.

Ezeh, however, stated that

it is expected that the issue will soon be resolved and

supply restored to all the affected communities.

NIRSAL Provides N1.6bn Bank Guarantees to Katsina for Purchase of 225 Tractors Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) and the Katsina State government have launched a landmark agricultural mechanisation financing programme in which the former is to provide 75 per cent bank guarantees for N1.6 billion to enable the state purchase 225 tractors for lease to farmers.

The partnership, which is in continuation of NISRAL’s mandate to boost agricultural production, stimulate inclusive growth and job creation in the sector will enable Access Bank provide the funds for the purchase of 225 tractors for lease to farmers at affordable rates.

Besides NISRAL and Katsina State, other key signatories to the partnership include Mahindra Tractor Manufacturing Company, an international farm equipment manufacture from India; Tractors Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN; Springfield Agro, a trail blazer in the field of agro input distribution; and Access Bank Plc. Under the terms of the partnership, NIRSAL is to provide 75 per cent bank guarantee for

N1.6 billion to be provided by Access Bank for the purchase of 225 tractors for lease to farmers at affordable rates.

The ground-breaking mechanisation project is projected to increase the tractor density in Katsina State by 1,000 additional tractors in the nearest future.

The target is to boost mechanised farming, lower per hectare cost of land preparation and increase food production as well as incomes for smallholder and medium-to-large scale agricultural farmers in the state.

Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director of NIRSAL, Mr. Aliyu Abbati Abdulhameed expressed delight at the take off of the project.

His words: “I am indeed very delighted to see the take-off of this project. This is again practical proof of the deployment of NIRSAL’s strategic mechanization finance framework which is designed to facilitate financing for the purchase of expensive farming equipment for lease to farmers at affordable rates so as to deepen commercial agriculture. “This is in line with the Buhari government’s policy focus to put agriculture in the driving seat of the Nigerian economy,� he stressed.

He commended the Katsina State government for providing the policy support, TOAN for organising themselves as a professional body and Access Bank for their willingness to provide the financing.

Abdulhameed added that NIRSAL’s mandate as a policy tool in the hand of the government was to boost agricultural productivity and help government achieve its objective of self-sufficiency in food production, job creation and economic diversification by increasing commercial bank lending to the sector.

Also speaking at the event, the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu said the mechanisation scheme is part of its policy to boost agricultural mechanisation in the state.

His words: “This project represents a key milestone in our government’s plan to increase mechanised farming in Katsina by at least 50%. Our goal is for a start to provide at least one tractor for each of the 361 wards in the state.

We are starting with 225 for now, but this will be scaled up pretty soon�.

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ANALYSIS

Boosting Telecoms Service with New Solutions The new measure adopted by telecoms operators to roll out innovative solutions will no doubt enhance subscribers’ experience in service offerings, writes Emma Okonji

L-R: Glo ambassador and songstress, Omawumi Megbele; Glo Senior Manager, Events and Sponsorships, Mr. Sola Mogaji, and Head, Enterprise Products and Innovations, Tega Agofure, at the launch of Glo innovative solutions in Lagos...recently

In order to cushion the effect of the difficult times that subscribers are currently passing through, occasioned by the harsh economic climate of the country, licensed telecoms operators have continued to introduce value added services (VAS), that will put smiles on the faces of subscribers.

Globacom for instance, recently launched its VAS solutions known as Sharp Sharp E-top-Up and Glo Café, designed to ease subscriber experience and to boost service delivery on its network.

About Glo Sharp Sharp E-top-Up The Glo Sharp Sharp E-top-Up is an offer which rewards Glo customers with eight times the value of their recharges when they recharge their lines through any electronic recharge channel like Glo Café, Online, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point of Sales (POS) terminals.

This offer is available to all new and existing prepaid customers, who top up or recharge their phones through electronic recharge channels.

The VAS solution is available from any of electronic channels such as Glo Café App, Online – Gloworld.com, Quickteller, Konga, banking apps, ATMs, Gloworld and authorised Glo dealer outlets, various bank mobile apps and short codes, POS terminals in select retail mega stores, among others.

The solution enables customers to get eight times the value of recharges made with any E-top up amounts such as N101, N201, N501, N1001, N1501, N2001, N2501, N3001, N5001, N10001, N20001 and N50001.

Glo Café The Glo Café is over the top technology application (OTT), which is made from the amalgamation utility, self empowerment and entertainment genres of music, video, live TV, games, among others. The Self-care application is a complete 360-degree solution, which empowers subscribers to manage account with ease and authority. It comes with real-time voice and data balance enquiry. Customer can recharge and view recharge history with option to migrate to a tariff plan of choice;

Option to buy and share data bundles and subscription of voice bundles; Subscription of all VAS products and services through a common window; All transaction details related to post-pay including bill amount due, last bill payments; Accessibility to contact call centre executives, raise service related requests, chat with agents, among others.

The solution is open to all Glo branded application available on iOS and Android, and it comes completely free.

The available payment channel for the solution is debit card and the application can work anywhere and on any network.

Developing new habits with new solutions The Glo solutions are designed to help customers drop old habit and develop new habits in line with modern trends. According to Globacom, the solutions would help many telephone users who are finding it difficult to drop the old habit of using physical recharge cards for the purpose of topping up their phone credits.

“They would either walk down the street to buy recharge cards, send an aide to buy for them or beckon on hawkers in traffic to purchase any denomination of the cards that they may desire. As convenient as this mode of recharge may seem to those who patronize it, the physical cards come with their own challenges. One is the issue of “over-scratching” which leaves the user facing some frustrations in a bid to get the missing digits of the recharge PIN from the network provider. The second one is the possibility of buying already used cards,” the telecoms company said.

However, it said that the electronic mode of recharge addresses these challenges and offers a very easy and convenient method of recharging phone lines.

“And if the subscriber needs extra incentive to try out the electronic recharge system, Globacom, has given the added enticement with the launch of its Glo Sharp Sharp ETop-Up,”it added.

Besides the convenience of electronic recharge, the network gives subscribers eight times more credit whenever they recharge through

electronic platforms.

“The product is not just exciting, it is also very competitive. Aside from Sharp Sharp ETop-Up being the company’s way of simplifying recharge processes for its teeming subscribers, the benefits of recharging via E-top up, are immense. They include convenience, speed of transfer as well as security of the transaction.

For example, customers can recharge at any time and from anywhere in the world. They can avoid cash transactions and hassles of looking for “change” as any amount can be purchased via E-top up whether for voice calls or data usage. Also, subscription can be made for any data package of a subscriber’s choice through the same avenue,” it said.

The offer is exclusively available to all new and existing prepaid customers who recharge their lines through electronic recharge channels like the Glo Café App and Quickteller, Automated Teller Machines, Gloworld outlets, authorized Glo dealer outlets, *805# Glo easy recharge solution, various banking mobile apps, POS terminals in select mega retail stores.

Speaking at the recent launch of the solutions, Senior Manager, Events and Sponsorships for Globacom, Sola Mogaji, said the exciting products would ensure that a subscriber who recharges via E-top up with specific amounts, would be credited with eight times the value recharged.

Mogaji said benefits of the product “include convenience, speed of transfer as well as security of the transaction. For example, customers can recharge at any time and from anywhere in the world. They can avoid cash transactions and hassles of looking for “change” as any amount can be purchased via E-top up whether for voice calls or data usage. Also, subscription can be made for any data package of a subscriber’s choice through the same avenue.”

He explained further that if the subscriber recharges with N201, he or she will get over N1,601 made up of N201 in his or her main account, N100 bonus airtime for calls to all networks and N900 bonus airtime to call other Glo subscribers. In addition, customers will receive 50MB data bonus for personal use and extra 25MB data, which can be transferred

as gift to another Glo customer.

The benefits Mogaji disclosed that the solutions are the greatest applications ever launched in the Nigerian market. “The key highlights include real-time voice and data balance enquiry; freedom to recharge and view recharge history with option to migrate to a tariff plan of choice; option to buy and share data bundles as well as purchase of voice bundles. Other features include access to all transaction details related to post-paid accounts such as bill amount due, last bill payments, easier access to call centre through live chat with agents without waiting in queues,” he said.

According to him, in addition to the self-service capabilities, Glo Café offers Africa’s largest digital content library for entertainment with world-class gaming on the go; thousands of high definition movies and videos, over two million songs, over 10,000 videos music videos, jokes, sports and entertainment.

He noted that the biggest attraction of Glo café is the Glo Live Cast, “where we proudly stamp our authority as the first operator in Nigeria to launch Mobile TV (Glo live cast). Now, our subscribers can watch live TV channels such as NTA, AIT, WAP TV and others with high definition quality streaming on their Glo mobile phones.”

The two new products offer a lot of opportunities and value for Glo subscribers. The Glo Sharp Sharp E-Top is not only in line with government’s effort towards entrenching a cashless society, but it is also richly rewarding for the subscriber. For just N201 recharge, the customer gets N1,608 credit plus 25MB of data.

“Similarly, besides the numerous benefits available on Glo Cafe, it is a convenient tool in the hands of subscribers,” Mogaji said.

Excited at the benefits of the two solutions, one of Globacom’s ambassadors, Olamide Badoo, said the product launch was a twin event with Glo Cafe, which offers customers instant access to all Glo products and services from a one-stop single application.

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Omotosho: Cyber-attacks Cannot be Completely Eliminated Managing Consultant of an information security company, Infoprive Services Limited, Mr. Adetokunbo Omotosho, speaks with Jonathan Eze on how cyber breaches affect businesses and the future of cyber security in Nigeria. Excerpts: that they can withstand targeted and repeated attacks.

May we meet you?

I am the managing Consultant of Infoprive, a business Information Security Company.

Infoprive was founded in 2011 with the sole focus of providing top notch and holistic services within the market to address the rising need for cyber protection delivered by skilled, knowledgeable and practical home-grown information security experts.

Many companies are yet to put in place effective cybercrime prevention plans. What is the implication to these companies, their customers and the economy?

The truth is that organisations have started to increase focus on cybercrime prevention and a good number within the financial services have invested considerable resources in this regard.

However, the return on security investment and information security maturity is not yet at optimum levels.

Outside the financial services, justifying security investments for the protection of corporate data is tough, especially within privately held companies and thus information security is mostly non-existent. If maturity levels for security is low in some sectors and almost non-existent in others, it means that the ability of these companies to respond to cybercrime or attacks is limited.

Also, a recent global threat impact index by Checkpoint Software, a leading cybersecurity firm, shows that Nigeria has been listed among the countries with the highest risk profile. This erodes the confidence of some customers in digital channels that organisations are increasingly providing to enhance service delivery and accessibility.

The good thing to note is that the recent spate of cyber-attacks has made organisations to increase the focus on cyber defence as top level executives have now seen the dangers of not having adequate information security programs in place.

As a PCI DSS expert, can you talk about the risk faced by non-compliant companies that houses cardholders’ data?

The greatest risk faced by non-compliant companies all over the world is reputational damage and the penalties associated with noncompliance. However, the impact of these, vary for different countries and regions. In Nigeria, PCIDSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance is driven mainly by CBN for financial institutions and the penalty for non-compliance is largely dictated by them.

For e-payment providers and processors, the risk of non-compliance is higher, as there are strict penalties from card brands and most times entities that require their services out rightly require they are PCIDSS compliant before they can do business together.

What do organisations need to be PCI DSS compliant and is this dependent on the size of the organisation or other salient factors?

All organisations that handle cardholder data or card payments in the following ways i.e. transmitting, processing and storing, are required to be PCIDSS Compliant. The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council which is the global body that maintains the standard has broken down different levels of compliance required for organisations based on factors such as number of card transactions processed and how the transactions are processed.

Locally, the Central Bank of Nigeria issued a mandate a few years back that requires financial service providers with an electronic payment bias to become and maintain PCIDSS compliance.

However, there is a grey area around that, which needs to be addressed in terms of who should become compliant.

Mostly, the focus has been on banks as they issue the debit and credit cards to customers and payment processors like Interswitch, UPSL,

What is your advice to individual and corporate organisations especially those that are more vulnerable to cyber-attack, as a result unsecure infrastructure?

All organisations that have IT systems in place and are connected to third parties or the internet should know that their systems are susceptible and might be vulnerable to cyber attack. However, it’s the level of vulnerability that will differ based on a number of factors such as, how well the underlying infrastructure and systems has been setup, ability to continuously maintain it, track events that occur within the infrastructure and the availability of knowledgeable security personnel to administer such infrastructure. Therefore, their starting point should be to ensure a solid foundation by setting up their IT infrastructure in a manner where security is built in from the very scratch in a defence-in-depth approach.

As for individuals, the more data that is shared online through social media, the more vulnerable you become as that information would be readily available to whoever is interested in it. It is advisable to reduce sharing to the barest minimum and ensure the use of antivirus/ antimalware that is updated continually on personal devices.

Omotosho

etranzact etc.

However, all web merchants or websites that allow consumers to use card details to transact on their websites or mobile applications need to be PCIDSS compliant.

As PCI DSS Compliance Consultant in Sub-Saharan Africa and as a certified Qualified Security Assessor (QSA), how has Infoprive helped her clients especially those in the financial sector to protect cardholders’ data and attain compliance.

Our focus is to help our clients that need to become PCIDSS compliant to do so in a cost effective and timely manner as well as guide them to remain compliant. From the very beginning, we ensure that all efforts and mind-sets are channelled towards security and data protection and not just compliance.

Thus makes it easier for our clients to imbibe a culture of security as a continuous initiative rather than a one-off project. This eventually leads to increased security posture and cyber protection levels.

Statistically, what is the average number of compliant companies and financial institutions to those that are not complaint in Nigeria and how is Infoprive helping to mitigate this?

70 per cent of organisations struggle to maintain their PCIDSS compliance for a whole year, hence, to mitigate this we instituted business as usual programs that provide a platform that alleviates the effort required to stay compliant all year long.

As for average compliance of financial institutions, Nigeria probably has the highest ratio of compliant to non-compliant banks in Africa if not globally; due to the CBN mandate that requires our banks to become compliant against a number of information security standards.

How helpful can a cyber-insurance policy be in mitigating the risk of cyber-crime?

Cybersecurity insurance in itself would not mitigate cybercrime, as it doesn’t replace the need for adequate data protection. It allows the insured party transfer the risk of losses to a third party in the event of a cyber incident.

Organisations can leverage cyber insurance as an integral part of their risk management strategy

as it would help with the cost associated with breaches or cyber-attacks.

Even though cyber insurance would not in itself prevent cybercrime, it might inadvertently reduce the occurrences of a cybersecurity incident as the insurer would require that certain minimum security controls are in put in place by the insured before the policy is underwritten.

Can cyber-attacks be completely eliminated The sad truth is that cyber-attack cannot be completed eliminated but can be mitigated and reduced to very minimal levels by concerted and continuously sustained efforts by stakeholders at various levels.

As the spate of cyber-attacks rises with increasing focus on large organisations, government and critical infrastructure, boards and executive management of firms need to respond actively to the reality that their firms are continuously at risk to cyber threats. A good start would include assigning the responsibility for information security to an executive level management who would ensure that the information security posture of the organisation gets to very mature levels and the establishment of security operations and intelligence departments to actively monitor and respond to cyber-threats facing their organisations.

Also at a national level, effort should be made to have a more active computer security incident response team that would analyse and respond to cyber threats facing us as a nation, facilitate sharing of critical cybersecurity information among critical industry segments of the Nigerian economy.

How would you assess our financial institutions especially with regards to its preparedness to mitigate risk and losses?

Most financial institutions have robust risk management practices that cover operational risk under which some of them classify Information security risk. They are mostly prepared and are able to recover from incidents that might affect the availability of their IT systems due to concerted efforts around business continuity and disaster recovery. What they now need to focus on and infuse is cyber resilience into their overall business continuity efforts to ensure

In summary, from an expert’s point of view what are the basic PCI DSS compliance requirements?

The high-level goals of PCIDSS can be termed the basic objectives and these are; Maintain and build a secure network, Protect Cardholder data, Maintain a vulnerability management program, Implement strong access control measures, Regularly monitor and test networks, Maintain an information security policy.

Even though there just seems to be six of them, collectively they come together to form over 200 requirements that make up the standard.

The six high level goals provide a good basis for an effective technical information security program that can be adapted way beyond the scope of the PCIDSS standard by any organisation. The trick is, instead of focusing on cardholder data, an organisation can focus on what it considers its own critical data in place of cardholder data.

What are the services Infoprive render and who are those in need of these services?

We offer services to organisations that have a need to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data and the protection of that critical assets.

This cuts across different industries. We presently have clients in banking, Fintech, telecom sectors as well as government across the West African subcontinent. Our services offering include: Security Advisory & Consulting which covers getting our clients prepared and assessed against standards such as Payment Card industry Data Security Standard (PCIDSS), Information Security Management Systems (ISO27001). We are one of the most technically sound and knowledgeable Qualified Security Assessors (QSA) in sub-Saharan Africa.

We also offer Implementation and integration services where we use our technical expertise to deliver on security projects and initiatives that improve our clients’ security posture. We do this without bringing expatriates in or foreign partners as we have staff who are adequately trained, certified and committed to the vision of being home-grown experts and who can compare favourably with the best in the world.

We help organisations architect and deploy secure IT infrastructure, maintain and continuously monitor IT systems for cyber-attacks and breaches. For organisations that have mobile applications, we help ensure that such applications are built in a secure manner and user data is secure and kept private.

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StarTimes Promises Job Opportunities, Youth Empowerment Stories by Emma Okonji StarTimes Group President, Pang Xinxing has said the company will provide more job opportunities for African young people.

He gave the assurance at the recent 2017 YouthConnekt Africa Summit, which held in Kigali. According to Xinxing, Africa has the youngest population in the world of 226 million people aged between 15 and 24 – and the highest youth unemployment rate of about 60 per cent in the world.

He noted that lack of employment opportunities, low levels of education and skills combined with limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, have resulted in a generation of young people with limited association to the formal job market. “Africa’s youths represent a significant asset for sustainable growth if the demographic transition, characterised by an increase in the working age population is appropriately harnessed,� Xinxing said.

He added: “Since StarTimes

entered African market in 2002, it has grown rapidly with creating a large amount of job opportunities for African locals, especially for young people.�

Xinxing said at the summit, with noting that StarTimes is to provide more job opportunities for African youths. “StarTimes adopts a localised human resource strategy with having engaged 4,000 Africans in various departments who are stationed in over 30 African countries. African local staff occupies 75 per cent of the company’s employments.

And the company is still in the process of employing more African members of staff as its business continues to roll out to other parts of the continent.�

He said StarTimes now serves nearly 10 million subscribers with a signal covering the whole continent and has established subsidiaries in more than 30 African countries with a massive distribution network of 200 brand halls, 3,000 convenience stores and 5,000 dealers.

More jobs are being created through the establishment of the dealer network which currently

stands at over 5000 dealers in towns and cities where StarTimes has signal covering.

This network is crucial to the growth of the economy as it will positively contribute to more job creation as StarTimes rolls out to more towns and cities across the continent.

He further said that StarTimes is empowering African young people by offering professional training programmes and learning opportunities so as to improve their overall professional qualities.

Last year, StarTimes Group

held the first Star TV Drama Dubbing Contest in Tanzania and invited 10 excellent contestants to Beijing, where they accepted professional dubbing training and got opportunities to work in StarTimes Headquarters, he said.

Hilder Edmund Malecela, who won the first prize of the dubbing contest said: “I am so happy to realise my dream and work on such a good platform.

Now, in addition to dubbing, I have learnt other skills in the TV field, such as editing and recording.�

Uber Improves Security with Real Time ID Check Rollout Uber has introduced Real-Time ID to Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, targeted at improving security across the three African countries.

The Real-Time ID is another intelligent feature that will address security issues around its operations and provide additional comfort and confidence for all Uber riders.

Earlier this year, the intelligent new safety feature was introduced to driver-partners in South Africa, and based on its success; it has been introduced to other markets in Africa. The technology works by prompting driver-partners to periodically share a selfie in the app before going online and accepting rides. Uber then compares this photo to the one corresponding to the account on file.

This feature works on facial recognition technology and begins by identifying the drivers face, then it builds a feature set by focussing on key features, and finally, compares the feature set to the validated photo Uber has on file. If the two photos don’t match, the account is temporarily blocked while Uber investigates the situation. This helps Uber to ensure, in real time, that the driver-partner using the app

matches the account it has on file. Given that verification takes only a few seconds to complete, this feature proactively and efficiently builds more security into the app.

General Manager for Uber sub-Saharan Africa, Alon Lits, said: “During our pilot of RealTime ID Check over the past few months in South Africa, we learned that more than 99 per cent of drivers were verified.

This new feature makes sense as a simple action of taking a selfie is a language that people all over the world understand. This extra security feature does not inconvenience driver-partners, which is extremely important for us.�

According to Lits, Real-time ID check assures riders that when they are picked up, the right person is behind the wheel. “This prevents fraud and protects drivers’ accounts from being compromised.

An important part of safety is verifying that the driver-partner who is picking up riders is the same person who underwent Uber’s screening process.

This software feature is a result of various cutting edge technical solutions being tried and tested in face, voice, and gesture recognition.

Motorola Returns, Unveils New Range of Smartphones Lenovo, through its subsidiary, Motorola Mobility, has relaunched the Motorola brand of mobile phones into the Nigerian market. Lenovo, last week in Lagos, unveiled a new range of Moto smartphones to core dealers.

The smartphone models, which include the Moto E4, Moto E4 plus, Moto C 3G, Moto C 4G and Moto C plus, boast of exciting new features and user-friendly applications.

Motorola’s range of innovative smartphones guarantees consumers the opportunity to experience high definition display and cutting edge design at value prices.

The Moto E, which also features the Moto E4 Plus in its range, provides exceptional value for an end user as it combines the things you need at a price you will love. The Moto E has a vibrant 5� HD display, elegantly wrapped in metal and thoughtfully designed to fit right in your hand. It also features a high definition camera which will enable consumers to shoot beautiful pictures with

advanced cameras even in low light with long lasting battery.

The new Moto E Plus gives you a huge 5.5� HD display and a massive 5000 mAh battery which can last up to 2 days, unlocks using the touch of your finger. Watch videos, play games, and more powered by a quad-core processor at 4G speed, the Moto E Plus is more of a good thing.

The Moto C Plus device is a super affordable and fully packed mobile with all the essentials required for any user.

It has 4000mAh battery that allows consumers use their device for hours after a single charge.

Its quad-core processor can handle multiple apps at once giving consumers the benefit of streaming music and videos smoothly. It also has a refined design featuring a vivid 5� HD display, and micro-textured back covers in several colors.

Moto C Plus gives you cameras that take stunning photos and selfies, even in low light and it also runs Android™ 7.0, an updated version of the world’s most popular operating system.

SHAREHOLDERS ON THEIR MINDS

L-R: Managing Director, ARM Life Plc, Stephen Alangbo; Chairman, Dapo Oshinusi; and Company Secretary, Rotimi Aju, during the 19th annual general meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos...recently

Samsung Supports Skills Devt, China Commences Free ICT Graduates 72 Technicians Training for 40 Nigerians Determined to boost skills development in the country and reduce the dearth of technical skills among Nigerian youths, the Samsung Engineering Academy in Lagos, last week graduated the fourth batch of trained technicians who passed through the academy.

At this year’s graduation, 72 technicians, comprising young boys and girls, graduated from its class of 2016. They joined the 257 graduates, who have passed through the institution over the last four years, and who are expected to deepen the pool of well-trained technicians in the country.

With over 170 million people and a high rate of population growth, the World Bank estimates that Nigeria needs to create an additional 40 to 50 million jobs between now and 2030 – a compelling reason for both the public and private sectors within the country to sit up and take notice.

It was with this challenge in mind that Samsung established the West Africa Engineering Academy in 2012, to create a pool of technically-skilled graduates who are either eligible for employment or are able to start their own businesses.

Training Manager, Samsung Engineering Academy, Mr. Dickinson Odikayo, said the students were trained for 21 months (18 months in school and three months intensive training at Samsung Engineering Academy).

“The training is grouped into categories: basic class, intermediary class and advanced class. We train them on how to repair and install consumer electronics, that ranges from refrigerator, fridge, washing mashing, air conditioners, deep fryer, microwave oven, mobile phones, among others,� Odikayo said. These new graduates are trained to become employees in repair centres, and assembly lines, or to become independent entrepreneurs. Some of Samsung’s service partners also help employ these graduates.

Head of Customer Service, Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), Mr. Raymond, Olatokun, said the training was borne out of the need to fill the technical skills gap in the country. “We train people who have some skills in technical courses and we train them to be more equipped with advanced technical skills that will help them find jobs or even set up their our business, offering technical services to customers. At the end if the training programme, Samsung employs some of them directly,� Olatokun said.

Managing Director for Samsung West Africa. Mr. Changwook Lee, said: “Samsung’s aim is to build successful partnerships in Nigeria to equip the country’s youth with the technical skills they need to transform their lives and contribute to the development of the country.�

Alex Enumah in Abuja The Peoples Republic of China has commenced free training on information and communications technologies (ICT) for 40 Nigerians as part of efforts to strengthen relations between China and Nigeria.

The move was hinged on the conviction that for Nigeria to effectively tackle the issue of development, her citizens must have adequate knowledge and ability to deploy ICT in all sectors of the Nigerian nation.

As part of the training, China is also pledging to help Nigeria realise her Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) target on ICT, a move believed would help fast track the overall development of the Nigerian economy.

The Consular of the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, Zhao Linxiang, gave China’s commitment at the opening ceremony of the 2017 overseas training course on telecommunication technologies for Nigeria.

He said China, long ago, realised that a vibrant telecommunications and ICT sector is required to drive and expand national production frontiers across all sector of the economy hence, his country is ready to assist Nigeria in this regard. “We are willing to help

Nigeria in the field of telecommunication and ICT industry and share the experience we have with Nigerians.

Also in the ERGP goals for telecommunication and ICT, Nigeria aims to increase the number of individuals using the internet from 47.4 to 75 percent by 2020 and provide adequate infrastructure (power, buildings) and fast track broadband internet implementation.

Chinese government and companies are willing to cooperate with Nigeria to achieve these goals,� Linxiang said.

The Abuja Managing Director, Huawei Technologies Company Nigeria Limited, Liteng Tank, a co-organiser of the training programme, emphasised the place of talent in the acquisition and deployment of ICT skills.

He said Huawei is set to use the training programme to impact necessary skills on Nigerians who in turn can now contribute to Nigeria’s digital change.

Similarly, Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Nigeria - China Relations, Yusuf Yakubu, while appreciating the government and people of China for the gesture, tasked participants to open up their minds to the training and acquire necessary skills that would help in moving the country forward.

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Ikpe: Technology Adoption Will Drive Ease of Online Business The CEO/Co-founder of CARS45, Mr. Etop Ikpe, spoke with Emma Okonji on how the adoption and application of technology solutions will enhance the ease of doing online shopping on the CARS45 platform, as well as boost technical skills, among other issues. Excerpts: What is CARS45 all about?

CARS45 is Nigeria’s number one online cars selling platform. Founded in July 2016, CARS45 has grown tremendously, offering online services for sellers and buyers of cars. It was founded to ease the stress associated with the auto industry.

People find it extremely difficult to sell their used vehicles to willing buyers and most times, it is difficult to get willing buyers and willing sellers.

But our platform has provided the opportunity for willing sellers to meet willing buyers and in few minutes, the buying and selling processes are completed.

Before the advent of CARS45, people buy and sell cars through three main channels; friends, driver and mechanic, and these channels do not bring any form of transparency and there is no guarantee on the value for money and most times, it is usually unsafe.

Since 2016 that you stared the online business, can you say you have achieved the focus of creating ease of doing online business when it comes to sales of cars?

Looking back from where we are coming from, I will confidently say that our dream has been achieved to a great extent even though we are not where we want to be. With our online platform, we have been able to create speed in the sales of cars, we have created security through our platform and we have also created transparency that has brought peace of mind to both the buyer and the seller.

Before the emergence of CARS45, people were ignorant of actual pricing of their used cars, and buyers were also oblivious of the value of the car they are buying. But we were able to create an online portal where sellers are able to upload the value of the car, based on our test report, and the buyer is able to see and know the value of cars he or she wants to buy. What we did was to create pricing algorithm that marks over 3000 brands of cars and their values from 1986 to 2016. Very soon we will release our 2017 model of price algorithm.

We advise people who want to buy cars to first visit our website to check the value of the choice of car, and we provide various range of prices, based on our evaluation of the cars.

This of course has helped buyers and sellers to have idea of the pricing of their cars. The website, www.cars45.com is free to visit and people can freely browse to know the value and pricing of their choice of cars.

We encourage families to visit our site and also come to our offline shops for inspection after booking online. We have over 20 offline shops spread across Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, where families could go for car inspection and we are constantly growing our locations.

How do evaluate a car that is put out for sale?

At CARS45, we carry out over 200 point checks on a car, looking at the condition of the car engine, its transmission system, the interior, the body and several other things that we look out for, before evaluating the car. At the end of our evaluation, we digitise the report about the condition of the car and we upload the details on our website for pre-verified buyers on our network, to get first-hand information about the car. So we offer opportunity for the buyer to have better information about the condition of the car and we present the offer of the buyer to the seller. When both parties agree on the price them we help them to receive money and present the money the seller before the car is released to the buyer.

How has technology helped CARS45 to successfully connect buyers to sellers via the online platform?

Technology has helped us to cut down on the time it takes to sell a car online and it has helped to simplify the whole exercise and making the

who will also rise to employ more hands to boost their business and by so doing, a lot of jobs will be created across strata.

What is the relationship between the kind of business you offer and the ones offered by some classified online platforms that also sell used items online?

There is a relationship in the kind of business offering that we do compared to what others offer, but the mode and channel of reaching out to customers is what makes the difference.

We are truly auto online business platform, but other classified websites that you mentioned, have their unique ways of reaching out to their customers, which are quite different from our kind of business.

The federal government is keen at boosting local content in online business. Is CARS45 in anyway complementing government’s efforts to drive local content?

Our technology is locally developed and we have 100 per cent Nigerian workforce, even though the name of the company looks foreign.

Ikpe

whole process very transparent. It has helped reduce time of purchase from one month or more to about 45 minutes, because we have a whole lot of verified buyers on our backend website ready to buy, having had access to the value of the car that we posted on our website.

How are you addressing the issue of financial insecurity of customers while shopping for cars online?

In terms of security and ease of business, we have made the online transaction easy to use with high layers of security, which enables customers to use their mobile phones to access our website.

At CARS45, we carry out over 200 point checks on a car, looking at the condition of the car engine, its transmission system, the interior, the body and several other things that we look out for, before evaluating the car. At the end of our evaluation, we digitise the report about the condition of the car and we upload the details on our website for pre-verified buyers on our network, to get first-hand information about the car

The site is fully optimised for mobile phone usage. We have high security measures put in place to protect all forms of online transaction, making consumer data and information to be well secured on our website.

CARS45 recently partnered Automedics. What value is the partnership bringing to your customers and your business?

The partnership was designed to add value to the business and to also boost customer experience.

The partnership will further create awareness of the online shopping platform among the consumers and it will also help promote the business. It will increase the overall value chain of the business. Automedics is known for its high standard in improving the auto industries through training and mentorship, and we believe that the partnership will address a whole lot of issues and reposition the customers and the business itself. Automedics had, in the past years, trained many technicians to acquire technical skills for self reliance and job creation. So, any technician that passes through us will have the opportunity to acquire standard training from Automedics, based on the curriculum that we operate with.

The federal government has acknowledged the dearth in technical skills in the country. Do you see your partnership with Automedics, boosting technical skills development across the country?

To a great extent, our partnership with Automedics will help in addressing the dearth in technical skills development in the country. In the first place, the reason why there is dearth of technical skill personnel in the county is because there is weak demand for technical skills in the country. If people are conscious of the standard of technical skills that they wanted, they will go all out for it and ensure that people are well trained to fill the gap in skill manpower. At CARS45, we have specific needs to deliver excellence, hence we partnered Automedics to help address the issue facing the auto industry in Nigeria.

How will the partnership with Automedics help in creating jobs for the Nigerian people?

We are sure that the partnership will help create jobs because more people will be trained and empowered in such a way that they will not be dependent on government for their survival.

The trained ones will in turn, train more people,

Your kind of business is largely driven by broadband internet access, which has slow penetration level in Nigeria. How has the challenge of broadband penetration affected your kind of online business?

We are aware of the challenges of broadband penetration in the county, hence we made out business in two folds; the online platform and the offline platform, thus giving customers varieties to choose from. People can go online and still get in touch with CARS45, while those that cannot pay for broadband services, could go offline for ease of overcoming bandwidth connectivity.

What do you think government should do concerning broadband penetration?

Nigeria needs more investment and more collaboration. Government at all levels should therefore create enabling environment to allow more players come on board. Government should make broadband internet access a necessity for all Nigerians, and make sure that 95 per cent of our youths are fully connected to the Internet. So government has to collaborate and consult widely to bring in more people and businesses on board.

How will you rate the adoption of e-Commerce in Nigeria?

E-commerce adoption in the country is still slow but we are getting there. It, however, portends huge opportunity for Nigerian businesses.

Government must support the growth of ecommerce, since so many people are coming on board to do online business. Government should be able to make some pronouncements that will drive online business. For instance, government can make it compulsory that all government business must be online, thereby reducing the cost of paper work that is even more expensive to practice.

So what kind of support do you think government should offer to drive the online business in Nigeria?

Government must focus more on the initiative of ease of doing business and ensure that it uses technology to drive its activities. Government has plans with ease of doing business, but government has to expedite action on such plans and ensure that businesses are done with ease in Nigeria at all levels by providing internet access, finance, infrastructure and other things that will facilitate ease of doing business across several sectors. Government needs to set clear milestones and ensure they are adequately met.

Targets should be set, policies implemented and monitored, to address all of that.

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MTN Foundation Takes CSR a Notch Higher Raheem Akingbolu, who has been following the sequence of the MTN Foundation’s ‘What Can We Do Together’ initiative, writes on its essence and how it has successfully touched the lives of about 10 million Nigerians Saka Tinubu Primary School in Orile Agege, a Lagos suburb, is like other public schools in Nigeria. Situated in a populous environment, the school accommodates pupils in their hundreds and teachers accordingly. As a result of the tall fence, built by government to protect the children from miscreants and external attacks, passerby might not notice the rot within.

Like most public institutions of learning, the school has for years been contending with shortage of infrastructures. But fortune smiled on the teachers and the pupils recently when MTN Foundation train reached their domain and donated chairs and desks for both pupils and the teachers. Today, the classrooms that once accommodate rickety chairs now parade beautiful and standard ones.

How it all began The story started changing months back, when one Mr. Bolaji Olawoyin, one of the leaders of the Community Development Association (CDA), in Orile Agege and Chairman Parents’ Forum of Saka Tinubu Primary School nominated the school in ‘What Can We Do Together’ initiative recently concluded by MTN Foundation.

According to Olawoyin, few weeks after the nomination, he got a feedback that his request had been granted. “Those who are close to me can attest to how passionate I am about children and this informed why I took the SMS I received from MTN Foundation serious. I saw it as a great Pupils enjoying the new chairs and desks opportunity for me to help the children. I nominated this school and I’m happy that my 10 million Nigerians.

The breakdown of the project embarked nomination scaled through. I discovered long ago that the school needed chairs and desks upon by the foundation showed that the and I applied for it. It was like a dream when I projects included delivery and installation of got feedback that my request had been granted. 40 Transformers, 40 Boreholes and 14, 200 School While appreciating MTN Foundation for the furniture. It was also stated that household items gesture, the community leader called on other have been donated to 66 orphanage homes organisations to tailor their Corporate Social as well as supply of medical equipment to 80 Responsibility initiatives toward touching lives. primary healthcare centres.

A community leader from Ilupeju Ekiti, Mrs. “Let me appreciate the foundation for following its CSR philosophy with sincerity. This is an Ayodeji Adewumi, whose community maternity intervention that will not only boost morale of centre got medical supplies worth millions of the children; it will also change their learning naira, said the initiative was well-received and environment. Other organisations should embark lauded by residents of Ilupeju. “It is a laudable on such initiative to help the public. I hate it when initiative that gladdened the heart of all beneficiary people pay lip service to the fact that children communities. From what we saw tonight, the are the future leaders without making practical foundation caters for educational needs through effort to impact on their lives. We should not the donation of school furniture; health needs wait until some of them have become stars in through the donation of medical supplies and their own rights before awarding scholarships economic empowerment intervention through the donation of transformers and boreholes across for further education. “Today, government at all levels are trying the different communities,�

Speaking on the initiative, the Executive but everybody wants to go to school and this has led to bloated population of pupils in Secretary, MTN Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, school. To this end, individuals and corporate said that all projects were selected from a pool organisations should support government to of thousands of nominations by members of the public in Phases 1 and 2, after rigorous provide essential needs,� he added.

Also speaking on the initiative, the Assistant screening and verification exercises. “At the end, 200 communities were chosen to Head Teacher of the school, Mrs. Abigael Titilayo Olude, commended the telecommunication benefit in Phase 1, another200 communities in company for the gesture, adding that parents, Phase 2 and announcements were made in the teachers and the pupils are happy for the donation. print, electronic and digital media platforms. We Though she pointed out that government is are pleased to report that all the 200 projects in doing a lot to solve infrastructural challenges Phase 1 have been successfully implemented, in various schools, she was quick to urge other while all the 200 projects in Phase 2 are at organisations to partner government to militate various stages of delivery and installation� Ms. Ugboma said. the challenges.

The ‘What Can We Do Together’ initiative Ogunmola Oluwasemilore, a basic six pupil, who spoke on behalf of other pupils in the school, that was launched in 2015 as part of the also commended MTN. However, the 14 year 10-year anniversary commemoration of the old girl advised her colleagues to make good MTN Foundation was conceived as an idea use of the facilities and handle them with care. to do something refreshingly different for our communities. In view of this, it is structured to allow Nigerians partner with the Foundation Overview of the initiative At a well attended event in Lagos, where by nominating their communities to benefit representatives of various communities that from select projects. benefitted from the campaign and stakeholders in MTN gathered to celebrate the success of the MTN and CSR initiative, it was stated that 400 communities, To put its contribution to the society in the right 347 LGAs had since benefited from it. It was perspective, MTN had cleverly conceptualised also discovered at the event that ‘What Can a television commercial to mark the 10 year We Do Together’ initiative has impacted over anniversary of its foundation two years ago.

The MTN classic tells a story. It is a story of a sojourn and an anecdote of a brand’s odyssey.

It tells the story of a brand’s navigation through the times. Those times when its patrons were not even sure of what it had to offer. Perhaps, some subscribers have not seen the advert which is currently running on television. May be a recap will do the reader a world of good. MTN reminds its patrons and Nigerians how it has always been there. When a road side card hawker became a big shop owner; when a love story told in hush tones led to both parties saying ‘I do’ with a walk down the aisle being the final culmination.

The advert also reminisces how MTN was there when hope of a man who thought he would never see again was rekindled and he could behold a child born to him when he could not make use of his sight. The telecommunications giants also reminds its patrons how it was also there when small ideas were supported by them to make it big and become a budding blue chip company and how the nation’s music became the “sound of Africa�.

Beyond the attempt to push the MTN brand in the market place, the TVC cleverly captured the contribution of the telecommunications company to the development of the country.

Through the MTN Foundation, which was instituted a decade ago, to intervene in some specific areas, MTN Nigeria has touched lives of many people.

At the 10th anniversary of the foundation in 2015, prominent Nigerians, including a former Lagos State governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola commended the company for its contribution to community development through the foundation.

While highlighting the important roles MTN had played in the past, the former governor specifically charged corporate organisations to intensify their efforts at supporting Nigeria in the area of sustainable development as the country seeks to achieve an enviable status in the areas socio-economic development among the comity of nations.

In line with many countries of the world, where a certain percentage of annual gross profit are voted towards the development of host communities, Nigeria government has continued to encourage corporate bodies to give 3.5 per cent of their annual profit after tax to add value to the development of the

economy.

At MTN, the belief is that CSR has several faces and should not be necessarily narrowed down to things like borehole, intervention in schools and stuffs like that. For instance, the CSR activity that was undertaken by the company has been able to give life meaningfully to not only its customers but everyone across board through its foundation (MTNF).

Its intervention in the health sector has been on the increase since the foundation started operation. The case of eight-year-old Oluwatosin Williams, who had problem with her heart valve, six-year old NgoziChijioke, who was discovered to have a hole in the heart and has a month to live, Great Nkor, the little cute boy that got his face burnt beyond recognition from a domestic accident and Mr. Akin Williams, who almost became a ‘vegetable’ owing to a ghastly car accident but MTNF came to their rescue. Most of them either did their operations in the country or flown to South Africa and India at the company’s expense.

Many other people have also benefited from MTNF dialysis centres, cancer centres, while higher institutions also benefited from standard digital libraries. The big question is what are other networks doing in terms of similar CSR?.

One of the recipients’ mothers, Mrs. Anita Chijioke, had during an event said: “In Nigeria, nobody cares for the survival of others. We live in an oligarchy and capitalists society. One does not need to know anyone in MTN or be a subscriber before it would lend a helping hand. Other telecommunication companies are doling out monies to their several brand ambassadors at the expense of dying people with several curable ailments that lack of money and help could send to early grave.�

In setting up the foundation, its chairman, Chief Adelusi Adeluyi said: “We agreed that we will engage people who had a molecule of virtues, who understood the principles of good governance and what it takes to be responsible�.

Perhaps, what better explains the company’s contribution to Nigeria development as illustrated by the TVC is the fact that by the time it clocked 10, MTNF has spent over N13 billion on 344 projects across the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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TruckIt Sets Innovative Path with App to Ease Deliveries Raheem Akingbolu Experts from diverse backgrounds and potential clients gathered recently at the unveiling of the TruckIt brand and the launch of the revolutionary U-TruckIt app designed to drive ease and convenience for the delivery and haulage sectors.

The event, which recorded an impressive attendance from broad based industries, including FMCG, Banking and Manufacturing, was organised to introduce new technologies that would be deplored by the promoters of the brand, to boost industry growth.

In his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Tom Roberts, introduced the company as an indigenous technology firm set up to revolutionise the delivery and haulage sector in Nigeria.

According to him, “TruckIt started as a dream that had been nursed for a very long time and today we unveil the brand and launch the new app that we hope will capture the core target market which cut across individuals and organisations and become a world class organisation. “Our new corporate name and the brand identity illustrate the deep and painstaking efforts we put over time in setting up this enterprise. As you shall see at some point tonight, our corporate logo is clean and contemporary, composed of strong distinctive lettering of the name TruckIt. The colour palette of the logo combines red and black to reflect the boldness and stability, which are our core driving forces. The overall brand elements speak to the ingenuity, dynamism and innovation that our organisation embodies.�

He pointed out that the new company would be delivering effective and efficient solutions in the transportation through

integrated modern mobile technology application described as ‘U TRUCKIT’, which the company also launched at the event. ‘’We have developed our processes in line with ISO guidelines and global standards.

Simplicity will be the key as we have mapped out easy steps that would leverage technology to deliver seamless haulage services just with any device on the hands,�

In his address, the keynote speaker, Dr. Doyin Salami of the Lagos Business School echoed the need for technology in driving the much-desired national development. He highlighted the quantum growth and scale that technology drives and emphasised the need to encourage technology innovation both at enterprise, state and national level.

According to Salami, “Technology has become arguably, the fastest growing sector in Nigeria. In 2016 alone, ICT accounted for 10% of total national revenue, the highest in a decade and half. By the year 2000, ICT in Nigeria contributed less than one quarter of 1% of GDP. Technology Innovations are therefore constantly brewed to revolutionise our life. More than ever before, prosperity depends on human ability to drive innovation and breakthrough that reaches every corner of the globe. This is what I believe TruckIT has done with this ground breaking innovative solution created to positively change the service delivery model in the logistics and haulage sector.�

Salami highlighted the impact of such breakthrough to overall productivity and economic growth. “Innovation is essential for sustainable growth and economic development.

Several core conditions enable innovation and encourage the drive towards sustainable growth and development. In

Dana Introduces ‘Buy Two, Get One Free’ Promo for Owerri Passengers Chinedu Eze Dana Air has announced a ‘Buy two, get one free’ promo for passengers on its Lagos – Owerri- Lagos route, as part of the benefits of its existing partnership with the Imo State Government.

According to the Communications Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa, “We are delighted to have introduced the ‘Buy two, get one free’ promo; which is not only for the hospital people of Imo state, but for business and leisure travelers on our Lagos – Owerri- Lagos routes.

This promo and many more initiatives to come are some of the benefits of the existing partnership that we have with the Imo state Government.’’ “As an airline committed to satisfying our guests, especially our Dana Miles Guests, this offer is also our way of encouraging people to fly more to the beautiful city of Owerri. This is definitely a good time for our Owerri

passengers, as all they need to do to get their free ticket is to visit our website www. flydanaair.com or any of our outlets in Lagos or Owerri, pay for two tickets on our Lagos – Owerri- Lagos route.�

Ezenwa therefore urged members of the airlines’ frequent flyer programme, to take advantage of the promo and expect more value added services in the coming months.

Only recently, the airline launched a customer–centric initiative called ‘Pay with Dana Miles’ which enables members of its frequent flyer program to use their miles as they desire to pay for excess baggage, upgrade from economy class to business class, exchange miles for tickets and lots more.

Dana Air recently partnered the Imo state government to launch Imo Air operated by Dana Air, as part of efforts by the state government to diversify the economy of the state, increase commercial activities, create employment and boost tourism in the state.

today’s economy, innovation is crucial for value creation, growth and employment. These innovation processes may take place at the enterprise level, at regional or at national level. At whatever level this happens, it usually would lead to new businesses, new employment opportunities, increased competitiveness, increased productivity and invariable a boost in the economy. We believe this is the opportunity that TruckIt is creating with this

new breakthrough in delivery and haulage services�, he said.

In demonstration of how the app works, the Director for Technology of the company, Damilola Bamiro, expatiated on the service throwing more light on the usage. “TruckIt provides a service for individuals and companies with cost effective and secured technology solutions for the transportation of goods/cargo including fast moving consumer goods through trusted transporters

via our platform. Independent transporters or carriers with credible goods-in-transit insurance sign up and register their vehicles to our platform�.

Using a regular hand held telephone device, Bamiro demonstrated the ease of acquisition and operation of the app showing how Individuals and companies wishing to move cargo of any shape or size can select from different vehicle sizes of their choice and complete their transac-

tion seamlessly online. “The client is linked via the user application to the driver of any chosen vehicle. We deploy Electronic Haulage Requests via an interactive IT platform and web based solution. This permits our different clients place their order requirements online, track the vehicles and view estimated fares. The client can also monitor the location of the driver and the cargo from the platform until it gets to its destination� he added.

CELEBRATING MOTOROLA PHONES

L-R: Business Operations and Development, Motorola Africa, Marcelle Van da das; CEO, SLOT Nigeria Limited, Nnamdi Eziegbo; and Business Leader, Motorola West and Central Africa, Manoj Rajasekharan, at the Motorola core dealer event, to announce the return of Motorola brand of smartphones to the Nigerian market, held in Lagos...recently

Lagos State Set to Welcome Diasporans Back Home

Media Group Berates Poor Social Media Practices

Raheem Akingbolu

Raheem Akingbolu

The 2017 Diaspora Badagry Festival themed; ‘the Voyage to Heritage’, is set to come to a spectacular highlight this year, as it will feature a very symbolic ceremony tagged ‘Door of Return ceremony’.

According to a statement issued by the organisers, the ceremony would be significant because for the first time, a door of return is opened for the Diasporans whose ancestors were historically taken away as slaves, through the point of no return in Badagry.

The statement further stated that the festival would be a fun filled and educative 3- day event organised jointly by the African Renaissance Foundation, Agile Communications Limited in partnership with the Lagos State Government and the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.

This event is slated to hold from the 23rd to 25th of August, while the upcoming weeks will witness a roll out of promotional activities introducing the lineup of events which include: Carnival Procession, Boat Regatta, Fishing competition, Dark Era Procession, Diaspora Dinner, Beauty Pageant, Fashion Show, Cultural displays, Heritage Visits, Heritage Night, The Festival Market, International Music Concert, and other fun and exciting activities.

The Campaign kicked

off with a logo launch last month, at the Baguda Kaltho Press Centre Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, with the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa alongside the Special Adviser to Lagos State Gorvernor on Oversees and Investments, Prof. Ademola Abass, in attendance.

Speaking on the event, Hon. Abike admitted that after attending past editions of the event, she was confident that with consistency and the support of the government and respective organisations, this would eventually be the biggest cultural event to come out of Africa.

She further expressed her delight at the concept of the door of return, celebrating the return of Diasporans and their connection to homeland, as well as the platform to showcase the beauty of Lagos State and Nigeria to the world, which will definitely enhance tourism.

On his part, Abass stated that he was very impressed by the standard of the festival and explained that this festival presented a unique opportunity for Diasporans and locals to revel history in a remarkable setting.

He especially emphasised on the fact that the event tallies with the objectives of Lagos State, which include tourism, hospitality, entertainment and the agenda to bring Badagry to fore as a tourism hub in Africa to be reckoned with.

The declining integrity and abuse of ethics by some media practitioners both in the digital and mainstream media space have attracted the attention of a group of senior media practitioners who have called for quick intervention to stem the trend. The call was made recently in Lagos at the maiden rendezvous of the Network for Media Excellence, NME, a group promoting professionalism in the Nigerian media.

The NME, consisting of seasoned media practitioners, frowned at the unprofessional conduct of some practitioners, especially on new media platforms, while advocating for an establishment of corrective processes to promptly redress the situation. “The continuous abuse by some media amateurs, especially bloggers who claim to practice citizen journalism, is creating growing ethical challenges in our beloved profession. There is the need for senior media managers to provide an ethical compass and promote professionalism in the media to arrest this dangerous trend,� said Femi AkintundeJohnson, seasoned journalist and convener of NME. Also speaking at the rendezvous, Dr. Kunle Hamilton, President, ShaddaiVille Ministries, called on practitioners not to allow their profession to be dragged in the mud by

charlatans masquerading as journalists. In his contribution, Mr. Gboyega Okegbenro, a sports journalism veteran and CEO of Peachtree Communications, called for concerted efforts towards rescuing the profession, while calling on NME to rise up to its vision of advancing the dictates of media law and ethics in Nigeria.

Other discussants at the rendezvous included Mr. Mayor Akinpelu, Publisher, Global Excellence; Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Director, International Press Centre; Mr. Akin Adeoya, Publisher, M2 & CEO, Marketing Mix; Mr. Tokunbo Modupe, CEO, TPT International and Actor/ Producer Patrick Doyle. Others are; Joe Dudun, foremost Scriptwriter; Yemi Akinbode, MD, Transnegotiation Inc; Tosin Ajirire, Group Entertainment Editor, The Sun and Nseobong Okon-Ekong, Editor, Glitterati (ThisDay).

The NME, at the rendezvous, assured that it will promote best media practices across traditional and social media platforms through open and covert engagements, advocacy and training where possible.

Meanwhile, the group took time out to recognise and fete two of its distinguished members; Tokunbo Modupe, for receiving the “PR Practitioner of the Decade� award recently, and Lanre Arogundade whose birthday coincided with the rendezvous.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 27, 2017

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Nigeria: Time to Cure the Addictive Aid Fix Abimbola Akosile writes on the need for Nigeria, which is classified as a lower-middle income nation, to ramp up local resource mobilisation to ensure continued socio-economic development as the aid tap from donor countries slowly runs dry; which was the focus of a retreat organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation in conjunction with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in Abuja recently Nigeria is hooked on aid, especially foreign aid.

And like a junkie who is hooked on both cheap and expensive dangerous drugs, the country is not willing to let go of the delicious thrill obtained from continuous free external support for her development process.

Right from the sixties till the present day, the country’s socio-economic progress in critical social sectors like health, education, poverty alleviation, and infrastructural development has largely been bolstered by billions of dollars from grants, soft loans and donor funding from abroad.

However, experts have also noted that Nigeria’s development indicators have not improved significantly despite four decades of continuous aid with nearly two-thirds of the population living on less than a dollar a day.

Foreign Assistance According to experts and research findings, although, Nigeria has continued to benefit from all sorts of foreign assistance and aid, yet socio-economic development has remained gloomy.

According to a joint research article by Tolulope Adetayo, Olatujoye Olawale and Adebusuyi AI of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, the total net aid flows from all donors that Nigeria received was $152 million in 1999; $185 million in 2000, which climbed to $573 million by 2004.

The report also noted that aid flows to Nigeria sharply increased following its return to civilian rule, which was manifested in the volume of foreign aid influx into the country covering the period 1999-2007. Also, according to the publication, Nigeria recorded $6.799 billion aid in 2005; $11.781 billion in 2006; $1.385 billion in 2007; $1.401 billion and $1.638 billion in 2008 and 2009.

Concerned Forum The House of Representatives Committees on Appropriation in conjunction with Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) organised a one-day retreat for National Assembly Members recently in Abuja, with a theme ‘Understanding Nigeria’s Lower Middle Income Status and Unlocking Potential for Local Resource Mobilisation for Social Sector Financing’.

The retreat was aimed at providing an enabling platform for the Members to interact in proffering holistic solutions to the current trend and challenges confronting adequate and sustainable social sector financing coupled with the need to harness and strengthen domestic resources for social sector financing in the face of dwindling donors’ funding.

The forum drew about 60 participants from the House of Representatives, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, civil society, and development partners. It featured presentations from experts and representative of Minister of Budget and National Planning.

Clarion Call While welcoming the participants at the retreat, the Executive Director of CISLAC, Mr. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani urged the Federal Government to seek and adopt new measures and strategies to ensure continuous funding for the country’s vital social sector; to provide a viable alternative to the dwindling funding from donor countries and international organisations.

Rafsanjani also enjoined members of the National Assembly and civil society organisations to partner the government in proffering holistic solutions to the current trend and challenges facing adequate and sustainable social sector financing, coupled with the need to harness and strengthen domestic resources for social sector financing in the face of dwindling donors’ funding.

The CISLAC boss noted that although donor resources play an integral role in complementing

The aid rain is drying up!

Nigerian governments’ efforts in social sector financing, however, “we must as well not lose sight to acknowledge the present reality and proffer holistic measures to avert the detrimental impacts dwindling donors’ resources may pose to our nation’s social sector investment and development.� Rafsanjani reiterated that while the fundamental purpose of humanitarian aid by any government is to support the efforts of a receiving nation at revitalising her social sector as well as uplifting the poor from extreme poverty, which renders them unable to attain self-reliance and effectively fight diseases, the present dwindling donors’ resources, if not matched with concrete legislative and policy measures will reverse existing achievements and backpedal development of the nation’s social sector. “The rebasing of Nigeria’s GDP has firmed up the nation’s position as an emerging market economy. However, Nigeria is fast witnessing a downward trend in donors’ resources, practically buttressed by the recent international decisions to withdraw funding for social sector

WWW.SPECTATOR.CO.UK like the European Union (EU) which specifically withdraws financial support for Nigeria, “saying the country has enough resources to meet her developmental needs. “There is also Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) which runs out by 2020 with potentially 7.5 million children losing access to live-saving vaccines annually; United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warning governments to take full responsibility of their respective nutrition financing while their refusal may lead to another 2.5 million severely acute malnourished children and child mortality in the country. “Against this backdrop the House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriation in partnership with CISLAC finds it essential to open critical deliberation on the developmental challenge at hand. It is hoped that a result oriented deliberation will be applied in developing holistic strategies and supporting legislative and policy processes towards domestic resource mobilisation for adequate and sustainable social sector financing in Nigeria�, he added.

Notable Observations

After exhaustive deliberations on various thematic issues, participants at the retreat made some crucial observations and recommendations.

They observed that adequate and sustainable financing for the social sectors of health, agriculture and education sectors, remains paramount to achieve a healthy, secured and developed society; and that delay and inadequate release of funds remain a systemic challenge to resource mobilisation, allocation and utilisation for the social sector development.

To them, the rebasing of Nigeria’s GDP has projected the nation as a middle income economy resulting in dwindling donors’ resources; and the effect is that by 2022 there would no reduced availability of grants and more external funds that can be accessed would be higher interest loans.

The forum, in a communiquÊ issued after the retreat, also noted that a Technical Committee constituted by the Budget and Planning Office would critically observe, analyse, and address the impacts of Nigeria’s transition from lower to middle income status.

The communiquĂŠ was jointly signed by the House Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki; House Committee Chairman on Finance, Hon. Babangida Ibrahim; House Committee Chairman on Sustainable Development Goals, Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe; and the Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani.

To the participants, the existing income measure in addition to social inequality does not commensurate with individual’s income level and has not adequately justified Nigeria’s transition from lower to middle income nation and the need for GDP rebasing. They added that with revenue to GDP which stands at approximately 6 per cent in 2016, Nigeria records the lowest revenue to GDP ratios in world. “Continued mono-economic practice and lack of innovation for resource mobilisation with particular focus on oil revenue discourages the internal capacity and efforts at effectively harnessing domestic resources for financing social sector. Also, high level inefficiency in tax legislation, collection and administration paves way for illegal/multiple taxation and grossly widens loopholes in governments’ revenue generation capacity�, the retreat attendees observed.

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

RANDOM THOTS All-powerful Governors Don’t mess with the Governors! In Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ÞËÞĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ě‹ ÚÙåĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă–Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ë› ÙÞ Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ ĘŠĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ě™ Ă?Ěš Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ States with power to hire and ďŹ re ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂœĂ&#x;Ă–Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ě‹ ĂžĂ™ĂŽĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă? ÚÙÖÓÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă– ĂĄĂ‹Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ à ÙÞĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă?ÙÖÙÑÓĂ?Ă‹Ă– Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– ĂžĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂŁË› Ăž Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ&#x;Ă— Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ&#x;Ă— Ě‹ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂžĂ–Ă? ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ Ě‹ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹ Ă?Ă“Ă˘Ě‹Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ù×̋ Ă—Ă“ĘľĂ?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ–Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ě‹ Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ÚÙÖÓĂ?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ù××ÓʾĂ?Ă?Ëœ åÓÞÒ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ě‹

ÞÓà Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? Ă?Óâ Ă‘Ă?Ù̋ÚÙÖÓÞÓĂ?Ă‹Ă– Ă¤Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁËœ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÚÙÖÓĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ ÞÙ ÞËĂ?Ă•Ă–Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă?Ëž Ă‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?ĂŽĚ‹ĂŽĂ™Ă™Ăœ Ă—Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă™Ă? ÙÖÓĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă‹Ë›

Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ě‹ ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÙʊĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ͔͙͑ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ͚͚͚͒ Ă™Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ě‹ Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ËÖÖÙåĂ? ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÓ×Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– ÑÙà ̋ Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÓ×Ă? ÞÙ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?âËĂ?Ăž ÒËäã Ă’Ă?ËÖÞÒ Ă?ÞËÞĂ&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜

Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ™Ă˜Ë› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?âĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă? ÚÙåĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă“Ă—Ě‹ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? Ě™ Ěš Ă“Ă˜ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÞËÞĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? âĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ăž Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă? Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŒ ĂŽĂ?ĂŒĂž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ? ÞÙ ÚËã ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂœĂ?ËŞ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë› ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁËœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ăž ÞÙ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ states into the images of those orĚ‹ Ă‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ÓÞÓĂ?Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă?Ă˜Ă”Ă™ĂŁ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂžĂœĂ“ĂšĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽË› Ă‹ĂŁĂŒĂ? ÒÙ×Ă?Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ˛˛˛ÔĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž wondering Ě‹Abimbola Akosile

33

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍľËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

Ëš

Taxation is a necessary burden

Is Taxation the Alternative to Vanishing Oil Revenue?

Fluctuations in international crude oil prices have direct impact on the foreign revenue accruing to Nigeria, which still largely depends on oil revenue. Although agriculture has been identified as a viable alternative revenue source, some analysts believe effective taxation would boost the coffers of the national treasury. Given the recent presidential directive to tax defaulters and reports that majority of citizens hardly pay direct taxes, can taxation help plug the yawning income gap arising from reduction in oil revenue, to ensure continuity in the country’s growth and development process?

Abimbola Akosile * Yes, of course, taxation is a great alternative to our freely vanishing oil revenue that we so heavily depended upon. The negative impact on our economy is devastating and better imagined. But with our huge human and natural resources, direct tax especially on corporate entrepreneurs will surely solve this puzzle of ours. In Europe e.t.c. it is the norm and saving grace ab initio. Lagos is doing great with tax laws and implementation.

Taxation must get serious now for this true panacea to work.

- Mr. Apeji Onesi. Lagos State * Taxation is not an alternative to downward revenue from oil, but it can be a viable alternative revenue source for government.

Agriculture is still the best alternative to vanishing oil revenue.

- Mr. Yusuf Muh’dbashir Omotayo, Nda-Aliu, Kwara State * Most of the developed countries use taxation as a means of development of the infrastructure with effective and good administration and collections, but here in Nigeria’s it is a different case because an average citizen of Nigeria hardly sees what the government does with the taxes they all claim they collect.

There should be taxes on various businesses, manufacturing, and vehicle importation, music and radio advertisements and high taxation on hospitality for people travelling abroad to seek for medical checkup and importations of luxury goods from outside the country; while re-introduction of toll gates on taxes payment for road users is necessary in this economic meltdown.

- Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Abuja

THE FEEDBACK Yes, it is:

9

No, it not:

2

Others:

1

Radical tip:

Jail defaulters!

No of respondents:

12

Male:

10

Female:

2

Highest location:

Lagos (5)

for their commitment to national growth and development progress. Not taxation; if taxation is introduced it is another window for corrupt looters.

- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna * Yes, taxation is the obvious and best alternative to our unfortunately vanishing oil revenue. Europe is an excellent example of a tax-based economy. The enormous results speak volumes. Lagos state is on the verge of breaking through with the tax regime. The population of Nigeria is a gigantic advantage still lying fallow. We must act fast and grab this opportunity to stop it from wasting. God bless Nigeria.

- Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State

* Yes, taxation can boost Nigeria’s revenue, but government should also consider other avenues, as this only cannot meet our national development and growth needs.

- Ms Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos

* The issue of taxation is one this country has to handle intelligently and we really need to adopt best practices obtainable elsewhere.

You hear corporate citizens of this country bemoaning multiple taxation on one hand, and on the other hand, we’re told only 14 million Nigerians pay tax. Yes, I agree, more Nigerians need to pay tax; however, proper records should be kept always and the money prudently expended.

- Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R., Apo, Abuja

* There should be general pay cut from top to bottom for government officials at state and federal levels, political office holders, the National Assembly and State Legislatures e.t.c, for a specific period of time as sacrifice

* I believe this government of APC is doing well in agriculture to boost our revenue growth since oil price is not stable globally to boost internal revenue drive for infrastructural development and other sundry. After all,

agriculture was the back-bone of internal revenue of this nation in early 50s and 60s before crude oil was recovered. Forcing us to pay tax, when we have enough resources to boost our internally generated revenue for development, is totally unacceptable.

- Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * Whether we like it or not, the answer is obvious. Even during the heydays of oil revenue, Nigeria was not supposed to banish taxation. Even without being an alternative to the vanishing oil revenue, it makes one feel like a true citizen as you contribute to the nation’s development. There is that competition so as not to be looked down upon as each person wants to outsmart the other in coming first. The lack of taxation revenue has made become like parasites. The earlier taxation is embraced, the less likelihood we have of vanishing as a nation.

- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * Definitely, taxation should be a major source of revenue for any serious country. In our clime, however, there is a large gap in trust between the citizens and the government (s), so citizens don’t see payment of taxes as a duty/obligation. They complain of government’s profligacy and inability to fulfill its duties. Once government starts showing more responsibility in its actions, the level of compliance in taxation will rise. Lagos is a good example. Government must also ensure that economic plans and actions lead to more productivity in every sector of the economy; economic growth that comes with gainful employment not one where there is growth and unemployment. The drive to plug holes, bring more people into the tax net and shore up government revenues should not be limited to the agricultural sector alone, it should span all sectors.

- Mr. Aiyegbusi Abiodun, Engineer, Lagos State * Taxation without productivity will not lead to sustainable development. States like Lagos and Ogun can generate good taxes because they have a productive economy. The real sector of the economy should never be relegated when it comes to revenue generation. In addition to creating the conducive environment required for the businesses to thrive, making sure that

existing companies remain in business should be a priority for government; especially if they desire improved revenue through taxes.

- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * Although I still prefer agriculture as the best revenue-generating alternative to dwindling crude oil revenue, taxation, if done in an innovative and people-friendly manner, is also ideal to boost our income for development purpose. Luxury items should attract higher taxes and the rich, who are more adept at tax avoidance and evasion, should be monitored strictly to ensure appropriate tax compliance.

And when the amnesty period for tax defaulters expires, serial offenders should be fined heavily and jailed for economic sabotage. That will be a good deterrent to other potential tax evaders.

- Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State

Next Week: Will State Police Improve Overall Security? ÞËÞĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹ Ă?Ù××ÓÞÞĂ?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ–Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ÚÙÖÓĂ?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?âÓĂ?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– ÙÖÓĂ?Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ëž Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?ĂŽĚ‹ĂŽĂ™Ă™Ăœ Ă—Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĚ‹ Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă™Ă? ÙÖÓĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ô˲ Ă’Ă“Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă“Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÙÖÓĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?ÞÞĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ùà Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁË› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ÚÙÖÓĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ ĂŒĂ? Ă—Ă“Ă?Ě‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ—Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ëœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ÚÙÖÓĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŁ Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžËœ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ ÞÓÞÖĂ?Ëœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã Ě™ Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŁ Í°Íľ Ęś Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŁ ͹ͯ̚ ÞÙ abimbolayi@yahoo.comËœ greatbimbo@gmail.comËœ Ă‹bimbola. akosile@thisdaylive.comË› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž ĂžĂ?âÞ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ 08023117639 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™Ăœ 08188361766 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËš Ă™Ăœ 08114495306Ë› ÙÖÖËÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Íą

34

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱ͵˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Sorting oranges for local consumption in Lagos; sign of a good harvest

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

New Statistics Reveal Huge Challenge on Water, Toilets for All in Nigeria Abimbola Akosile Recently released figures reveal the scale of the challenge ahead to bring universal access to water and sanitation in Nigeria by 2030, international development organisation, WaterAid has said.

WaterAid’s analysis of figures released in the new ‘Progress on Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: 2017 Update and SDG Baselines’ by the Joint Monitoring Programme -- a body set up by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation to collate data on water and sanitation coverage -- shows that Nigeria will only be able to deliver a community source of clean water within a 30-minute round trip to everyone by 2039.

However in a release issued

by Communications and Media Manager, WaterAid Nigeria, Oluseyi Abdulmalik, the agency noted that the picture for sanitation was bleak with current demographic changes outstripping the provision of toilets. At current rates of progress, the report states that Nigeria will never reach the

point where everyone has basic sanitation services, it added.

According to the release, this is by far the most comprehensive global assessment of WASH services produced to date, changing earlier definitions of access to water and sanitation and setting new ambitious standards for the road to universal access.

The number of sources in the JMP database (used to create the estimates) has more than doubled since the 2015 report, drawing on both household surveys and national administrative data. Currently, according to the new figures and measuring the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene at what the JMP refers to as basic service levels: 33% of people in Nigeria do not have clean water, 67% do not have a decent toilet and 26% practice open defecation.

Accessibility, availability and quality vary widely in countries such as Nigeria, with national averages masking significant inequalities between subnational regions.

Around 60,000 (specifically 59,552) children under the age

of five in Nigeria die from diarrhoeal diseases caused by the nation’s poor levels of access to water, sanitation and hygiene, according to the statistics.

Worldwide, the latest statistics show that 839 million people – or around 11 per cent of the global population - do not have access to clean water.

This number has risen from the previous 663 million figure, largely because the 264 million who have to spend over half an hour in their round-trip to collect clean water are now deemed to only have a “limited” water service. Also, about 2.3 billion still do not have a decent toilet – around one in three of the world’s population.

World leaders in 2015 committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including Goal 6, which aims to make sure by 2030 that every household in the world has its own tap and toilet delivering safe water and safe sanitation – a standard known as “safely managed”. This is a new level of ambition, building on the achievements of the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs).

The release noted that earlier definitions of access to clean water required only that a person would be deemed to have clean water if they had access to a water source that was built to protect the water from contamination, such as a pump or a covered well. With this new set of definitions, the United Nations has set the vision higher - for every household to have its own water source available when needed, and which is regularly tested to make sure it is safe.

Toilets will need to be private and part of a system that makes sure they are regularly emptied, as with an effective sewage system or latrine emptying scheme, the statistics revealed.

Currently only 19 per cent of people in Nigeria have a safely managed water supply whilst there is insufficient data currently available as to how many have that level of sanitation service, the organisation noted in its analysis.

WaterAid, the release noted, is fully behind the vision and ambition of the United Nations

to ensure that everyone achieves the human right of safe water and toilets. However, the organisation cautioned that achieving this standard of coverage would require a revolution in approach from decision-makers at grassroots level right through national governments and up to international organisations such as the United Nations and World Bank.

WaterAid Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Michael Ojo said: “The fact that so many of the world’s population still have to exist without access to the essentials of life – clean water and a decent toilet – is shameful. There is clear consensus on the transformative power of those services – we know for example that for every £1 spent, there is a £4 boost to the economy.

“We know for instance that women live more fulfilling and productive lives when they are freed from the daily burden of fetching water, water that is more often than not contaminated and will make their families sick and deprive them of yet more resources

– time and money. We know that children are more able to concentrate on their lessons when they can get a clean drink of water and go to the toilet. We know that if people are able to wash their hands, they help stop the spread of germs in their community.

“If the world galvanised to make sure that no one ever had to worry about where to get a drink, or go to the toilet or wash their hands, we could save the lives of so many of the 289,000 children under five who now die each year from diarrhoea linked to dirty water or lack of sanitation.

“The United Nation’s vision of working taps, toilets and hand basins for every household by 2030 is absolutely the right goal because it will truly transform lives. But we have only another 13 years to get there which means that all of us, across government, civil society, water and sanitation companies and in every community must work with passion, grit, generosity and vision to bring this historic moment to pass,” he added.

Sponsor, CSOs Seek Urgent Passage of Modified Gender Equality Bill Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The sponsor of the Gender Equality and Opportunities Bill, Senator Biodun Olujimi, Affirmative Action Coalition for Women, and Voices for Change (V4C), have called on the National Assembly to expedite passage of the modified version of the bill seeking an end to all forms of discrimination against women.

Olujimi, briefing newsmen in Abuja, also cleared some

misconceptions about the bill, which was reintroduced to the Senate in September 2016, with modifications from the initial version, which suffered defeat in March 2016.

She noted that the bill seeks to achieve equal opportunities to all citizens in all spheres of life, specifically in the fields of health, education, governance, employment, as well as social and economic fields.

“The GEO bill takes into cognizance the existing

provisions of religious books on inheritance as well as the discriminatory customary law position on the subject matter.

It does not call for equality in inheritance rather it provides in one of its sections for equitable share (and not equal share) in inheritance between sons and daughters.

“The use of the word equitable is in recognition of the fixed inheritance shares in the Qur’an which are based on the different needs, roles,

responsibilities and interests of males and females. Equitable share does not mean equal share but that which is fair and just, which is what the Qu’ran and the Bible preach.

The section does not dictate what is to be shared but envisages that the share must be fair for men and women.

This also takes care of areas in Nigeria where customary law excludes women completely from inheritance,” Olujimi said.

She added that the bill also

guarantees equal rights of women to conclude contracts and administer property and equal treatment of women in all stages of proceedings in courts and tribunals.

It also guarantees that nothing restricts, limits or discriminates against any person in terms of the legal capacity of women to undertake surety on behalf of any person, or prevents or deny any advantage or benefit due to any woman only on the basis that she is a woman.

The Co-founder of African Women Development Fund, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi said Nigeria can only advance if it provides equal economic opportunities for women, adding that the country would not achieve any of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) without empowering women.

She described as mischievous, conceptions that the bill would encourage abortion, homosexuality, and immorality among women.

35

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱ͵˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Wearetalkingaboutfiscalfederalism,so itisnotjustaboutoil.Whatwe need to do istomakesurethereisopportunityforeveryone;there are available resources to go round.Wearegoingtocreatetheenablingenvironmentfor states to be able to exploit whattheyhave.Icansayongoodauthoritythateverystate in Nigeria can be viable becauseoftheresourcesburiedinthe ground” - DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SENATOR IKE EKWEREMADU, SPEAKING IN ABUJA

Obaseki Expresses Determination to Reposition Basic Education in Edo State Temitope Omabegho

Orelope-Adefulire: Nigeria Has Defined Pathway to Attain the SDGs Abimbola Akosile The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has revealed that Nigeria has a clearly defined path towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda by the target date of 2030.

The presidential aide disclosed this while presenting Nigeria’s Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, at the ongoing United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York, USA. She, however, added that “strong commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders is necessary if the quest to bequeath to the ‘people a desired future in which no one is left behind’ as stated in the SDGs agenda is to be achieved.

“I wish to reaffirm that Nigeria has clearly defined her path to the 2030 Agenda. We count on the strong patriotism and goodwill of the citizenry, the commitment of the stakeholders as well as the support from the global fraternity of nations to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind,” the presidential aide said.

Orelope-Adefulire, in a release issued by her Media Assistant, Mr. Desmond Utomwen, noted that following the adoption of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, Nigeria has made significant progress in mainstreaming the SDGs into her national development plan.

The Nigerian government, she said, has remained resolute and undeterred in making the required progress in the face of economic recession, the humanitarian crisis in the North-east and the persistent militancy in the Niger Delta, which has threatened to further slow-down the drive at implementing the SDGs. She listed some of the pro-poor and pro-development programmes by the government targeted at achieving the SDGs to include: an ambitious Social Investment Scheme targeted at the extremely poor and vulnerable;

Orelope-Adefulire home-grown school feeding programme for public school children; government enterprise and empowerment programme for unemployed youths and women economic empowerment; N-Power Programme for job creation for the youths as well as Women’s Economic Empowerment Scheme, and the Conditional Grant Scheme, which has also continued to function as the social development project at the sub-national level.

“In addition, government has prioritised economic diversification, industrialisation, energy, agriculture, food security as well as a stable and inclusive macroeconomic environment in the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017-2020). The plan is designed to manage the economic transition from contracted GDP to the path of inclusive growth, sustainable development and a more assured trajectory of universal prosperity.

“We have also initiated the process for the establishment of a Presidential Council for the SDGs to provide high-level policy guidance and leadership as well as direction on

implementation of the SDGs. Furthermore, to enhance the legislative and oversight roles of the parliament, two standing committees on the SDGs have been established in both the Senate and the House of Representatives,” the SSAP-SDGs noted.

According to her “Beyond the very robust institutional arrangement for SDGs implementation, Nigeria has strengthened the national awareness around the global goals and put in place mechanisms for identifying and targeting the poor through a ‘National Social Register’ in order to ensure that ‘no one is left behind.”

“We have taken active steps to mainstream the 2030 Agenda into national, state and sectoral policies, plans and budgets. We have also commenced work on SDGs needs assessment, policy and scenario analysis, indicator capturing as well as tracking and reporting. In the same regard, we have finalised a SDGs Baseline Survey to address the lack of accurate and reliable data for planning and tracking performance across the three tiers of government,” she added.

Orelope-Adefulire also seized the opportunity to call on the Global North to fulfil their commitment on Official Development Assistance (ODA) in line with the Addis-Ababa Action Agenda to complement the country’s effort at expanding government revenue base and other reform measures aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s domestic resources mobilisation.

She revealed that Nigeria was willing to collaborate with other African countries to develop similar models and host the Secretariat for the Private Sector Advisory Group for the continent. This, she said, would help replicate the collaboration and partnership with the private sector in terms of commitment to resource mobilisation, which has been adjudged successful in Nigeria.

The UN High-Level Political Forum presents offers an opportunity for knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices in the implementation of the new global development agenda among countries.

In his quest to reposition basic education, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has assured of his administration’s determination to bring glory back to education, adding that the era of malpractice during examinations was over.

Obaseki, who made this known in Benin City recently, was accompanied by other government officials to inspect schools in the Benin metropolis, as part of measures to ascertain the level of sanity and orderliness during public examinations.

The governor made an unannounced stop at Ologbosere Primary School, Ugbekun area of Ikpoba Okha Local Government and expressed his displeasure over some unwholesome activities noticed in the school, in which an official and a private school teacher who accompanied his pupils to sit for the primary six examination seemed culpable. According to him, “We are bothered about the corruption and malpractices in the examination process.

As you can see, a lot of parents had to be kept out particularly those from the private schools who may have paid for their children to do well. They wanted access into the schools to be able to influence the process of the exams and they were stopped. I am happy that our officials have done well in ensuring that the standards we require and want to set are met.

“For the private school teachers who were caught trying to influence the examination, they would face the law as we are going to investigate them and l am sure that the Ministry of Education has its own rules on how to deal with such matters”, Obaseki added.

The governor who was also at Ivbiyeneva, Ivbiotor, Ebenezer and George Idah primary schools all in Benin City said the manner in which the pupils comported themselves was in compliance with the state government’s policy to improve education system.

He said: “We decided that we will have the examination for primary six pupils which is a standard exam properly monitored. As a policy, we have decided that this examination should be reorganised and made a lot better and professional.” He assured listeners of his administration’s readiness to improve the quality of basic education in the state, stressing that the process would be tedious and rigorous but the children in the long run would be better for it.

He, however, warned parents against examination malpractices while assuring them and other stakeholders of government’s policy to improve the quality of basic education, which would see them through life. In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Mrs. Osayuware Idahosa, said the challenge of shortage of examination materials was mitigated, noting also that the turnout was very impressive. She used the opportunity to commend the governor and his entourage for participating actively in the monitoring exercise. The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mallam Alli Suleiman, also expressed appreciation to the governor, who, with his collaboration, had helped the board to strengthen basic education.

36

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Giving Priority to Healthcare in Nigeria Relative to most countries, Nigeria is still lagging behind in areas of healthcare and mortality rates. But a recent recipient of the Lifetime Achievers Award of NHEA and a seasoned haematologist, Prof. Ibironke Akinsete, believes there can only be positive change if the citizens and the government give priority to healthcare. Martins Ifijeh writes

M

any citizens have added in no small measure to the level of poor healthcare due to their attitudes, lifestyles and beliefs. And experts have blamed past and present Nigerian leaders for the ravaging poor healthcare, high disease burden and shameful mortality rates being experienced in the country.

These were the thoughts of a seasoned Professor of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, and the Chairman, Board of Directors, PathCare Laboratories Nigeria, Prof. Ibironke Akinsete, who believed for every country’s healthcare to work, both government and the citizens must play active roles in the process.

She said while the Nigerian Government is not exonerated from the country’s poor health indices, the citizens should understand that government has several hats it’s wearing, hence everyone need to be patriotic, through approaches that reduce disease burdens.

“Do you know with simple hygiene from Nigerians, malaria can be eradicated? Malaria has been with us for a long time. When we clean our gutters, throw away stagnant waters, clean our environment, stop the attitude of dumping dirts in our drainage systems, there will no longer be breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Even if government spend a lot of money on prevention of mosquitoes, if we as citizens don’t do the basic things, efforts of the government will not yield much.

“Decades ago Lagos used to be very clean.

You would hardly see stagnated waters and blocked drainage systems. But these days, people don’t care what happens to their neigbhours or their immediate environment. Some even block gutters with dearths. How then will drainages work? Just look at the number of dirts coming out of the gutters since flooding started. That is a breeding ground for diseases,” she added.

Giving another example, Akinsete, who is 79 years old, and a 2017 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Awards of the prestigious Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award, said many women are still dying in the country during childbirth because of hemorrhage, adding that situations where Nigerians hardly imbibe the culture of voluntary donations would make it difficult for hospitals to have ready blood to give to bleeding women.

“I was once the Chairman, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, and at the time, getting people to voluntarily donate blood was a problem. Even till now that apathy is still there. We had so many campaigns on donor recruitments and the need for Nigerians to see it as patriotic to voluntarily donate blood. How many Nigerians see it as a civic duty to do that, yet we all complain that women are dying.

Patriotic efforts of citizens can go a long way in saving some of our women who suffer or die during childbirth, majorly because there is no blood available for them.

“If a woman needs blood and the hospital has no blood to give, what then can we expect, because there is no substitute to blood. You can’t give drugs to replace blood. It has to be blood that should be given. We can help the health indices of this country by playing our part,” she said.

Akinsete, who was the Senior Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on National Action Committee on AIDS, (now National Agency for the Control of AIDS), said the I-don’t-care attitudes of Nigerians on healthcare will continue to hamper progress until there is a new mindset.

“I believe for us to move forward, we need a new mindset, because what is happening now is that everyone is becoming too money conscious. Money is okay, but health is key. There are some communicable diseases we should have gotten rid of years ago, they are still with us. Has immunisation for polio succeeded? I

Akinsete

am a Rotarian and I know how much Rotary Club has contributed to eradication of polio in this country.

“But in some parts of Nigeria they don’t take it seriously. Nigeria is one of the three countries where polio is yet to be eradicated.

We should ask ourselves why? We have highly qualified people in this country. We seem to be moving backward.”

Prof., as she is fondly called, did not also leave governments at all levels out of the blame. She said Nigerian leaders are no

How many Nigerians see it as a civic duty to voluntarily donate blood, yet we complain that women are dying.

Patriotic efforts of citizens can go a long way in saving our women who die during childbirth due to hemorrhage...

Government should also give priority to our healthcare system by not starving the sector of funds

longer making healthcare a priority, adding that consciously making healthcare priority by both the government and the citizens was only what the country needs to surpass the present healthcare challenges.

She wondered why government continues to slash healthcare budgets, yet wants the country to be at par with nations with good healthcare system. “It can’t be possible that way. There is no magic in this thing. Go to Turkey, United States and some other countries and you will see that they invest so much in healthcare. Even countries not as developed as ours have good healthcare. Some African countries like Ghana and South Africa have it better than us. It’s about priority,” she stressed.

Akinsete was part of the committee that drafted paper work for the Abuja Declaration where African countries unanimously agreed to give a minimum of 15 per cent of their annual budget to healthcare. She said surprisingly, a country which hosted such a laudable agreement has till date refused to honour it.

“When I was the Chairman of NACA, we used to go to the National Assembly to defend our budgets, but it was worrisome for me anytime we go there, because they always end up slashing it. Other sectors have robust budgets than the health sector. But we have all forgotten that when a people are unhealthy, they cannot deliver on other sectors where more money has been allocated to. A healthy population will do the best for its country. If you don’t have a healthy population, you won’t be able to achieve much.”

Buttressing her point, Akinsete, who is a Scotland-trained Haematologist, and had championed causes on women’s health both nationally and globally, said when she came back to Nigeria from Canada in 1968, she went to College of Medicine, University of Lagos where she became a lecturer, adding that at the time, Lagos University Teaching Hospital was at par with hospitals where she was coming from.

“I even wrote to my colleagues back in Canada that our healthcare system was good. I also invited some of them to come here. I was excited taking them round the health institution

because the hospital was well funded. But go to LUTH and other health institutions in the country today. You will see that they are all deprived of funds. Governments no longer put required money into our healthcare sector. There is no reason our government can’t give basic healthcare to its population.”

She called for total reorientation from all stakeholders, including the executives, lawmakers and citizens, adding that the way forward was a change in mindset.

The former President, Society for Women and AIDS in Nigeria, while speaking with THISDAY on other sundry healthcare matters, said on Human Immuno Virus (HIV), it was unfortunate that the country has now made it a back burner, adding that continuous campaigns was still much necessary.

Giving a narrative of how she joined other patriots to fight HIV/AIDS in the country, she said, together with Prof. Ransome Kuti, she helped in developing strategies for prevention and control, adding that at the point HIV was fairly known in the country.

“So we started making noise about it, until we finally met a president (Obasanjo) who believed in us. Presidents before him did not believe there was a health challenge as HIV/ AIDS. Even Nigerians never believed until they started seeing real scenarios of people becoming emaciated and sickly as a result of the deadly virus. That was how the National Action Committee on AIDS started with a lot of awareness on prevention. That committee I chaired then is now an Agency,” she added.

She said at the time there was no medication, adding that she remembered the fight she had with traditional practitioners who said they could cure AIDS, as many came with their concoctions which were looked at and discarded because they could not have cured AIDS. “I remembered then, one of my medical colleagues who said he could cure AIDS. We invited him over to tell us how he could cure AIDS. But there was nothing convincing. Up till now, many have been coming out to say they have the medications, unfortunately some Nigerians have sold their properties just to get this cure, but they were never cured.”

She said it was the foundation she and her team laid down against HIV that has now translated into the reduction of the virus in the country, adding that it was unfortunate the campaigns were no longer on the front burner of the government.

Akinsete, who through her public health service to Nigerians earned for herself several accolades, was recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Awards by the prestigious Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award 2017 in recognition of her distinguished career and passionate commitment to excellence and quality healthcare.

She described the award as a reward for her relentless work in the field of healthcare, adding that the honour means a lot to her.

Akinsete has been involved in healthcare advocacy for the past 54 years, and she believes she will continue to give her quota despite being 79 years. “Medicine is my passion, so I won’t stop advocating good healthcare anytime soon,” the highly cerebral and eloquent professor said.

Incidentally, the organisation, PathCare Laboratories Nigeria, which she is the Chairman, Board of Directors, also won the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award in the Private Laboratory Service Provider of the Year category for the fourth time.

PathCare is the only internationally accredited laboratory with ISO 15189 in Nigeria.

She described the feat by PathCare as a combination of hard work from herself, board members, the Managing Director, and the entire staff. Adding that the organisation has built excellence for itself over the years, a decision, which she said was only being rewarded by Nigerians through the serial awards.

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NEWS

HMCAN to FG: To Curb Corruption in NHIS, Establish Governing Council, ICT Platform Martins Ifijeh The Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN) has called on the federal government to establish a governing council in the National Health Insurance Scheme ( NHIS), as well as an ICT platform, if it must curb corruption in the system.

It said corruption only thrived in NHIS because there was no governing council in place to checkmate excesses of those managing the scheme.

Stating this during a media interaction in Lagos, the National Chairman, HMCAN, Dr. Tunde Ladele said the establishment of the Council, as provided by the Law establishing NHIS, would make it possible for the Executive Secretary of the Scheme to be checkmated, adding that this was contained in the six fundamental solutions HMCAN had proffered, which the federal government requires for the growth of health insurance in the country.

Ladele, who was supported by the body’s Vice Chairman, Dr. Peter Oriavwote, Publicity Secretary, Lekan Ewenla and Executive Secretary, Barrister Ngozi Nduka-Uba, said the NHIS Act 35 of 1999 was obsolete and needed reviewing as indicated by the 2004 NHIS amendment Bill which made provision for a Council which is expected to oversee the day-to-day running of the Scheme, function as registering HMOs and Healthcare Providers, provide policy guidelines and administration for the scheme, determine after negotiation, capitation and other payments due to healthcare providers by HMOs among other functions in order to check the excesses of the ES as the sole administrator and sole signatory to the accounts of the Scheme.

“Unfortunately we are faced with a situation that was not created by Law in which an ES has become the sole authority to determine who is an HMO

or Care Provider and even disburses more than what the Law stipulates, simply because of the gaps created by non-existence of a governing council. “The situation has become an aberration in which even the excesses of some Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) could not be punished because there is no collaboration between the Regulator and the HMO Managers,” he said.

According to him, the federal government should standardise the process of recruitment and appointment of the leadership of the agency. “The health insurance scheme should be made mandatory for all Nigerians.

The federal government should create a National Health fund agency to handle the managing of public sector health insurance scheme with other schemes like the scheme for vulnerable

groups in the country.”

In his remarks, National Publicity Secretary, HMCAN, Mr. Lekan Ewenla, said the federal government must remove the NHIS as the managers of the scheme’s fund and establish a National Health Commission to manage it as was the case in the telecommunication industry.

“Government needs to take health sector appointments off the political radar and stop

playing politics with the health of Nigerians.

According to Ewenla, the suspended NHIS boss allegedly ran the scheme like his private enterprise as a result of what he described as poverty of knowledge, adding that many of the issues were not clear to him.He was going to remove HMOs and focus on paying hospitals instead of regulating the scheme”, he noted.

Senate Directs Health Committee to Investigate Orji’s Motion on Banned Anti-malaria Drugs NAFDAC says no killer antimalaria drugs in circulation

Martins Ifijeh The Senate at plenary recently directed its Committee on Health to as a matter of urgent national importance investigate Senator T.A.Orji’s motion on the sale and consumption in Nigeria of anti-malaria drugs banned by the European Union (EU).

Orji, who represents Abia Central at the Red Chamber, while presenting his motion revealed that the EU recently banned the sale and consumption of 42 anti-malaria drugs in all countries within the European Union.

He told the Senate that the banned drugs were still sold in Nigeria to unsuspecting members of the public thereby endangering their lives.

As part of its resolution, the Senate mandated its Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) chaired by Senator Lanre Tejuoso (APC, Ogun Central) to urgently carry out a holistic investigation into the matter and report back to the Senate for further action to save the lives of Nigerians.

Among banned anti-malaria drugs listed by Orji include: Alaxin 60mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine)B/8; Alaxin oral

Orji

suspension (dihydroartémisinine) FL/80ml; Amodiaquine 200mg compressed B/1000; Amodiaquine 200mg compressed B/1000; Arinate 100mg tablet (artésunate) B/6; Arinate 50mg tablet (artésunate) B/6; Arsumax 50mg tablet (artésunate) B/12; Artemax 60mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine) B/8; Meanwhile, the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) has said the claims of killer antimalaria drugs in the country were false, adding that the allegedly banned anti-malaria medicines were oral mono therapies containing single Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) such as; Artesunate as contained in Arinate Tablet, Amodiaquine as contained in Camoquine, Dihydroartemisinin contained in Alaxin Tablet and Pyrimethamine contained in Daraprim Tablet.

Speaking during a chat with the media, the Acting Director General of the Agency, Dr. Yetunde Oni, said: “These anti-malaria mono therapies are not recommended for treatment of malaria in Nigeria.

The recommended anti-malaria medicine for treatment of malaria in Nigeria are Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACTS).”

She said. She said there was no killer anti-malaria medicines in Nigeria, adding that it is important that this message is conveyed to the already agitated members of the public to avoid unnecessary panic”.

She warned that any antimalaria medicine that does not carry a scratch-and-call or scratch-and-text inscription is not not genuine and not recognize by NAFDAC. She also said the agency is working on a software that will be compatible with phone for easy access of medicines to confirm it expiration date and it originality.

FOR BETTER HEALTHCARE

Minister of Industry, Trade and Development, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah (l), being conducted on a tour of PHARMACENTRE by Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor, during the former’s visit to the facility at Ota, Ogun State...recently

Adewole: Nigeria to Achieve Below 100 Maternal Mortality Ratio by 2030 Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Minister of Health, Prof.

Isaac Adewole has said that despite Nigeria’s current rating as second to last country on the Maternal Mortality index scale in Africa, it is possible for the country to achieve a below 100 ratio by the year 2030 and 300 maternal mortality rate in 2018.

This, he said is possible if the government can strengthen the various social intervention programmes noting that there is a strong correlation between maternal mortality and level of social and economic development of any country.

Adewole stated this recently in Abuja, while inaugurating the Task Force on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Nigeria at the Conference Room of the Ministry.

According to him, a vivid analysis of the global and national trends in maternal mortality revealed that while the ratio is decreasing globally, the ratio in Nigeria is far below average, stressing that the rate has continued a downward turn and that Nigeria is ”next to the worst which is Chad.”

Lamenting the enormity of maternal mortality rate in Nigeria, he said while Nigeria contributed only 2.4 percent to the global population, it is unfortunate that the country contributes 14 percent to global maternal mortality, a trend which he said need to be reversed.

The minister said, the ministry

in an effort to reverse this trend in line with the global United Nations development goals has put together seasoned experts as members of the Task Force to achieve the Social Development Goal Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) target of 70 per 1000 live birth in 2030. And bring down maternal mortality ratio in Nigeria. He said currently statistics indicate that Nigeria’s Maternal Mortality Ratio is 576 per 1000 live births.

He added that current major causes of Maternal Mortality in Nigeria are Haemorrhage 22 per cent, Hypertensive diseases 12 per cent, Infections 15 per cent, Unsafe Abortion 13 per cenr, Obstructed labour 8 per cent, and Indirect causes 20 per cent, with Hypertensive disorders and Unsafe abortion assuming greater proportion.

Adewole said the six states in Nigeria with the worst maternal health indicators using the Skilled Birth Attendance Rate (SBAs) as proxy indicators and which will serve as the pilot states for the Task Force assignment are; Sokoto (5.4 per cent), Zamfara (6.1 per cent), Jigawa (7.6 per cent), Katsina (7.7 per cent), Kebbi (9.3 per cent), and Yobe (10.2 per cent), adding that Kaduna and Oyo States will serve as control role models. “Our target is that maternal mortality must be less than 100, it can’t be 1000. Anything less than two digit is unacceptable. We will love to see that in2018 we make 300 per 1000 as we move on with the intervention,” he said.

MDCN Inducts 164 Foreign Trained Medical, Dental Graduates Kasim Sumaina in Abuja Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) has inducted a total of 164 foreign trained medical and dental graduates, who sat and passed the April 2017 Assessment Examination set by the body.

A total of 334 medical and seven dental candidates registered for the 2017 assessment examination, out of which, 160 medical and four surgeons passed. This according to the council, represents 47 per cent success for the medical and 57 per cent success for the dental.

Overall, the success rate was 40 per cent it noted.

Reacting, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, disclosed that, it was worrisome that after spending much time and energy in foreign countries studying, some students still couldn’t meet up with the standard at home (Nigeria) and thus, advice parents to ask questions from relevant authorities before sending their wards to institutions that doesn’t meet up with the standard.

According to him, “A little over 50 per cent of you passed this exam. And to me, that is worrisome. To the parents, please ask questions before you send wards to overseas institutions. It is not everything that glitters that is gold. The fact that it’s foreign does not make it good.”

The minister, in his address, said, “this is the beginning, yet; the end of a process. The end because, you are completing

the formal basic training, that’s what it means. The beginning because, medicine, dentistry and allied profession, they constitutes lifelong training. There is no end to learning. In fact, every day, you will need to learn from your seniors, from your peers and from your younger ones.

Adewole while admonishing the graduands said, “we are like mechanics, when we fix vehicles and those vehicles develop problems, there are opportunities to make amends.

As doctors, there is little or no room for those mistakes. That’s why we want to be sure that, we can entrust ourselves, others into your hands.”

Let me re-echoe the words of our teacher, that, “the best doctor was not the one that can treat all ailments but, one that who knows his limitations.

You know when to say, I can’t go further. I need to ask for a second opinion or send you to another person. Do not be shy I do not know what is wrong with you. But, I know somebody else who can look after you. That person, who is somebody’s grandfather, father, mother, sister, brother will remain grateful to you out of honesty.”

Speaking earlier, the Acting Registrar, MDCN, Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, disclosed that the examination conducted was to assess candidates who were trained in countries outside Nigeria and obtained medical and dental qualifications recognised by the individual medical regulatory body of such countries.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017

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HEALTH

People with Leprosy Avoid Treatment Due to Stigma, Discrimination In this report, Odimegwu Onwumere reveals that fragile healthcare system culminated to dearth of technical know-how in diagnosis and treatment, sensitisation and high discrimination of people with leprosy in Nigeria, whereas the last leprosy hospital in Sweden closed in 1948

D

uring the January 29 2017 World Leprosy Day, the World Health Organisation’s Global Health Observatory Data showed that Nigeria had 2,893 new cases of leprosy sufferers in 2015, making the country one of the three countries in Africa the organisation said that had the highest level of victims.

According to the source, no fewer than 212,000 more sufferers were reported across the world in the year in quote. Correspondingly, other African countries that included Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia had 4,237 and 3,970 cases respectively.

Defining leprosy or Hansen’s disease, experts say “leprosy is caused by a type of bacteria otherwise known as mycobacterium leprae and is known to multiply very slowly. Its incubation period is said to be between five years while symptoms can take 20 years to appear and it mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves.”

It was revealed that Nigeria in 10 years recorded 43,179 cases.

However, in early 2016, the Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) warned that no fewer than 3,000 fresh cases of leprosy were emerging annually in Nigeria and narrow-mindedness against sufferers was skyrocketing. Checks revealed that when this revelation was made, the authorities barely listened nor moved against the malady with the appropriate measure that was required.

Because of lack of awareness and stigmatisation, many of the sufferers were said to hardly show themselves for treatment, thinking that the disease was a death sentence. This was confirmed at a seminar in Abuja, where Mr. Terver Anyor, the Funds Development Manager of TLMN, purportedly told newsmen, “Some sufferers hide due to lack of awareness or fear of stigma and discrimination, resulting in high number of cases of the disease. There is need for awareness. The last leprosy hospital in Sweden closed in 1948. It can also be eradicated in Nigeria.’’

There were data in 2015 showing that Anambra State had 14 cases of leprosy and about 3,800 Nigerians were sufferers. But in April 2014, experts had amplified their fear over stigma attached to sufferers, but the authorities were yet to live to the occasion in creating the much needed awareness in their defense. A chieftain of the Leprosy Mission-Nigeria (TLMN), Dr. Sunday Udo showed apprehension that he didn’t know from where some Nigerians got

Person living with leprosy

the information that leprosy was not curable; he however advised them on the contrary, saying, “The last fight against leprosy is the stigma.

It is a very deep issue that we need to find a way to break the reign of stigma.”

Notwithstanding, while observing the 64th Anniversary of World Leprosy Day this year dubbed ‘Zero Disability Among Children Affected by Leprosy’ the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole was befuddled, saying that leprosy still had a dangerous position in 16 states of the country owing to different high “endemicity” in those states.

Such states were given as Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Bauchi, Taraba, Niger, Kogi, Ebonyi, Abia, Cross River, Edo, Osun, Ogun and Lagos states. It was revealed that the 2,892 leprosy cases reported in the country, as according to the 2015 calculation, “nine per cent was made up of children, while victims with “grade II disability” accounted for 15 per cent.”

Statistics that was unrestricted by TLMN showed that “Grade-2 disability – the deformities that set in when leprosy is untreated – rose to 14 per cent in 2012, up from 12 per cent in 2010.

Also, the proportion of children affected rose to

nine out of every 10,” the source said. Despite this, a National Coordinator of the National TB, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme, Dr. Gabriel Akang had said in 2015 that as his agency was the custodian of the country’s data on leprosy, “We are saying that Nigeria was able to meet the target of 1/10,000 cases of leprosy. This is the elimination target.”

Albeit, given the new cases of leprosy patients in Nigeria, the WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh showed uneasiness that synergy between the authorities was supposed to be put in place in order to overcome.

His apprehension was hinged on the data, as according him, “Leprosy affected 212, 000 more people globally in 2015. Of them 60 per cent were in India. The other high-burden countries were Brazil and Indonesia. Of the new cases 8.9 per cent were children and 6.7 per cent presented with visible deformities.”

It was however experimental that in 1998, after the beginning of the Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT), Nigeria accomplished WHO’s eradication aim of less than one case per 10,000 population at the national level. But In spite of this, there

were indications from some quarters saying that the WHO informed that MDT was “made available free of charge to all patients worldwide since 1995.” Checks further revealed that the new leprosy cases in the country were as a result that many victims never went to health professionals to seek for advise, or that they went late thereby making the matter worse.

According to a national director of TLMN, Dr. Moses Onoh in 2016, “The deformities you see on persons affected by leprosy is a result of late treatment but it is not leprosy in itself.

Most of them do not come for treatment until they are faced with the deformities. It’s just a deformity which can also occur in other ailments.

It is not contagious and can be treated and the treatment is free.”

Based on poor sensitisation of the citizens, pundits were worried that many people believed that leprosy was hereditary or some super-natural powers’ way of punishing some persons. But as according News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), “Adewole said that this is very bad of such beliefs, adding that the Federal Government had launched a five-year National Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Strategic Plan (2016-2020) as part of its efforts to eliminate the disease in the endemic states.”

The source continued, “This document facilitates the implementation of appropriate strategies to increase case detection, improve treatment outcome, prevent disabilities and provide rehabilitation services to affected persons.” But many stakeholders were worried why the fresh leprosy cases owing to the fact that since 2000, the disease had been defeated headlong with the authorities providing multi-drug therapy, or MDT – which had been affordable in the 80s to date and was formulated to cure leprosy.

According to Onoh, “There are four organisations in Nigeria which oversee leprosy-related diseases and are committed to its total eradication.

They are based in Enugu, Enugu State, Jos, in Plateau State, Ibadan in Oyo State and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory which are situated in the South-east, South-west, North-central and the nation’s capital respectively.”

But Dr. Akang had a contrary view, saying, “The fight is not over especially as we have been able to identify cases of child leprosy and this means, we have transmission of the disease going on in some communities...”

It’s hoped that the authorities would close the last leprosy hospital soon as Sweden did in 1948; some 69 years ago.

Infertility: Six Couples to Benefit from Ali Baba, FSFT Free Treatment Martins Ifijeh As part of efforts to reduce infertility in Nigeria, six couples will begin free fertility treatment, courtesy of a veteran Comedian, Atunyota Akpobome, popularly known as Ali Baba and the Fertility Treatment Support Foundation (FTSF).

The free fertility treatment, which is an initiative of the FTSF, will be done at the Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos.

The six lucky couples are Mr. Okon and Mrs. Vivian Eshiet; Mr. Humphrey and Mrs. Precious Oghomienor; Mr. Celestine and Mrs. ChikaUdoji ; Mr. Jeffrey and Mrs. OmololaAnioye; and Mrs. Pat Harry; and Mr. Musibau and Mrs. Halima Akande.

Unveiling the couples in

Lagos recently, the Founder, FSTF, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi said Ali Baba’s involvement was due to his concern at the number of couples who are fertility challenged, adding that this will be an opportunity for poor Nigerian couples to undergo the treatment and enjoy the joy of parenthood like their fertile counterparts.

According to Ajayi, “It all started following a visit to Alibaba’s office and for the first time he realised the gravity of the situation faced by infertile couples and affordability of treatment.

“Ali Baba was moved by the fact that many of those who sought help could not afford the cost of treatment cycles. He then suggested as part of his Corporate Social Responsibility that he would like to sponsor some couples.

That was how an agreement was struck about partnership with FTSF. So, after thorough screening of potential couples, we arrived at the six who have qualified by all standards and can be treated.”

He believes with the criteria for selection of the eventual winners, the six couples were likely to become parents soon.

Ajayi noted that among criteria for selection is that there are no contra indications for Invitro Fertilisation.

According to him, “We are trying to look for the patients that would accept the treatment options and also have the best chances for success.”

Nordica Fertility Centre has been responsible for the screening exercise.

On lessons learnt, Ajayi noted: “What we are beginning to see is that a lot of Nigerians

are not exposed to good health facilities, so when they first come up a lot of things are

thrown at us that we probably do not see everyday and when they come up we now have

to make recommendations to those concerned about what to do first.”

Gavi Pledges Continued Support to Nigeria Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (Gavi) has pledged its continued support to Nigeria on routine immunisation, vaccine-preventable diseases and Primary Heathcare in general.

The Managing Director, Country Programmes of Gavi in Geneva, Ms Hind Khatib Othman, gave this assurance during an engagement with the top management of the National Primary Heathcare Development Agency in Abuja.

The GAVI MD acknowledged

the pool of experts and great strengths available in the Agency and gave assurance of GAVIs continued collaboration to make the agency stronger, credible and accountable.

In a short presentation to the Gavi team, the Executive Director, National Primary Heathcare Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib highlighted his 4 –point agenda to restore stakeholders’ confidence in the agency and to change the Primary healthcare landscape in Nigeria.

The agenda include strengthening governance and accountability, closing out on

polio, strengthening of routine immunisation and supply chain and PHC revitalisation.

He emphasised the need to reposition the agency for actualisation of efficient and effective delivery of its mandate which he has demonstrated by the engagement of two globally acclaimed firms; McKinsey and KPMG. Faisal assured the GAVI team that necessary structures and mechanism have been put in place to block possible financial loopholes and prevent mismanagement of resources in the agency.

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HEALTH

Okaro: Nigerians Don’t Need to Travel Abroad for Obesity, Diabetes Treatment A London-based Consultant Laparoscopic and bariatric Surgeon, Dr Abuchi Okaro and his team were recently in Euracare Multi Specialist Hospital, Lagos on a working visit where he successfully performed Nigeria’s first Single Anastomosis Gastric Bypass, a weight loss procedure. In this interview, with Martins Ifijeh and Ayodeji Ake, he spoke on challenges of laparoscopic surgery in Nigeria and options available to citizens What is Laparoscopic Surgery all about?

The term laparoscopy means looking in or visualising through small holes and telescopes the contents of the abdominal cavity.

It is an extension of that process, using various instruments inserted through small hole to perform surgical procedures that would have otherwise been performed through large cuts or incisions to allow the hand into the cavity to perform the surgery.

What are the benefits of the surgery?

The patient does not need large cuts in order to do the surgery, and this translates into less post-operative pain after the procedure. Another big advantage is that with less pain, the patient recovers faster and so can go home even on the day of the surgery. Another advantage is that the surgery is projected on a large TV screen so you get a bigger image or picture allowing those present in the theatre to follow and learn more about what is done via the video system.

Laparoscopic or keyhole surgery has been in Nigeria for longtime, in fact gynecologists were the first to use laparoscopic techniques in Nigeria as with other parts of the world. It’s only much later that we general surgeons got involved. What is relatively novel or new for us in Nigeria is performing highly complex and advanced laparoscopic upper gastro-intestinal procedures such bariatric or weight loss surgery The factors hampering the spread of intermediate and advanced laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery in our region are firstly the lack of adequate training and expertise of medical and nursing personnel up to a level of proficiency to permit independent practice, secondly the required laparoscopic equipment and other tools are very expensive and therefore require specific and sizable investment as part of the setup costs. Lastly, but not least is the significantly higher cost of performing the same procedure but with the laparoscopic or keyhole method.

Bariatric or metabolic surgery is a rapidly expanding branch of Upper Gastro-Intestinal surgery around the world. The ability to surgically adjust the upper digestive tract and cause over time significant weight losses for the patient has transformational impact on weight which affect diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, sleep apnea etc.

It is predicted that as high as 30 per cent of Nigerian adults are obese Can you share some of your personal experiences?

I performed my first bariatric surgical procedure which was

a Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy in Lagos in 2011. Since then I am pleased to say we have made significant progress over the years in terms of building the team and partnerships that have allowed us put together a fully functional service that comprises high quality infrastructure, personnel and system. The workload and referrals have slowly but steadily increased year on year. Our main challenges remains public awareness, this is not just limited to knowing that the service exists but also its potential benefits.

Another frequent challenge is the general apathy and fear of patients having any complex surgery performed in Nigeria.

We are confident that by creating the right awareness, and backed by the right positive messages that highly skilled medical services such as bariatric surgery will have a definite place and an exciting future in Nigeria.

The benefits of bariatric surgery can be both medical, like treating diabetes, improving fertility, and curing hypertension and psychological issues like improving self-confidence and overall productivity. The road towards healthy eating and living is more like a journey than a trip and requires all members of the team, surgeon, physician, anesthetist, dietitian and nurses working together on a multi-disciplinary platform for the benefit of the patient and community.

We would like to see our centre and other centres like it, to make patients planning to travel long distance overseas for medical treatment reconsider and re-evaluate such plans and consider visiting local units like ours where their healthcare needs can be assessed and treated locally. Particularly in bariatric surgery, continuity of care (follow up) delivered at international standards locally, offers the best long term outcomes and solutions for patients.

Don’t you feel cost or affordability is part of the reasons why metabolic surgery or gastric by-pass is not used broadly in Nigeria?

Everyone in healthcare globally must consider affordability of services if such services are to become sustainable. I am sure affordability has some impact on its wider acceptance in the short term, I however feel that the medium to long term benefits in terms of improving overall health, treating diabetes, preventing certain cancers to mention a few, will go a long way in further demonstrating the value of such services in our communities in Nigeria.

Are there other cost-effective solutions or options that

patients’ age, current weight, eating and overall lifestyle and let the patients choose what suits them. We are continuously striving to broaden the range of options available locally. For instance, in modern day cancer treatment you have options like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Something similar applies in treating obesity and there is a range of treatments, surgery is one of the options, probably the best option. However, the priority remains proper and effective counseling. Then the patient can pick the preferred choice.

Dr. Okaro

Nigerians can embrace to tackle obesity?

There are a number of procedure options we offer in the weight loss and metabolic surgery clinics. Our usual practice is upon full appraisal and patient assessment we base our recommendation on the

What exactly do you do in weight loss surgery? Is it to reduce the stomach or suppress appetite?

The principles of healthy weight reduction treatments are centered around sensible dieting, regular exercise, and portion control. Where diet is concerned, we analyse things in terms of calories consumed.

When trying to reduce that amount of calories a patient consumes, we take a lot of things into consideration. One is appetite, which is the desire to consume more; it is a physical, psychological and emotional process. Another key issue is the feeling of fullness during meals otherwise called Satiety.

You know that in Nigeria we have the culture of eating till we are full. In our culture we are made to believe that as a visitor, if you leave ‘left-over’ in the plate, it is disrespectful of your host. This is now an outdated belief and directly leads to overeating and obesity.

You also cannot talk about overeating without looking at how active we are. In the country now, we are compelled to live sedentary lives because of some factors including our culture. Our roads have no good walkways, no parks for people to walk around and we are always jumping in cars and buses. Obviously, we rarely

burn enough energy even as we consume food massively.

In metabolic surgery, the key thing is to make people feel full quicker, so the patient has a reduced appetite or is satisfied quicker. What is done to the stomach tends to reduce its volume (restrictive). Another thing is to change how the intestines and other parts of digestive system function. So that when you eat, the bulk of the food is not absorbed, so most things just pass along till they are excreted in the waste movement. This is called Malabsorption. These are the two major aspects of bariatric surgery. All these must be taken with good education on the best choice of food and drinks.

Regrettably our food culture is carbohydrate led and we eat big meals. Beer and juice consumption is on the increase. These things have consequences. The way one eats can kill gradually: diabetes, obesity, hypertension, infertility to mention a few.

NISONM, SarakiVow to Check Infant Mortality in Nigeria Nnaike Uche The Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine (NISONM) has said that it would continue to research and explore effective means of checking the current high rate of infant mortality in the country. The association said a situation where Nigeria loses over 240,000 babies in their first month of life annually was no longer acceptable.

Addressing the 10th Annual and Scientific Conference of the association inIbadan, Oyo State recently, the President,

NISONM, Prof. Chinyere Ezeaka, stated that the colossal waste of newborns was a major challenge to both government and stakeholders in the health sector. The theme for this year’s conference is ‘imperatives in Neonatal survival in Nigeria: The current state’.

Ezeaka, disclosed that since inception, the body had committed technical skills, promoted quality newborn care and facilitated national and international collaborations to strengthen the implementation process of reducing neonatal

morbidity and mortality inNigeria.

According to her, “these momentous strides are supported by our strategic objectives and operational plan which hinge on advocacy, capacity building, social mobilisation, dissemination of best practices approach, research, monitoring and evaluation.

She emphasised that NISONM’s vision was in line with the Nigerian Every Newborn Action Plan (NIENAP) “in which there is a Nigeria where there are no preventable

newborn deaths or still births, where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth celebrated and women, babies, children survive and thrive to reach their full potential.”

In her keynote speech, wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, who is the founder and president of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, praised NISONM for its great work and leadership it has provided towards the improvement of care for mothers and newborns, especially at the time of birth.

Orthopaedic Fidson’s Astymin Brilliance National Reward to Hold July 29 Hospital Set to Embrace a new and unique venue Urah Micellar Therapy Mary Ekah for converging the new set In its resolve to build on the success of previous editions and its impact on children’s academic development and performance in the last seven years, Fidson Healthcare Plc has announced that its flagship children academic reward programme will hold on Saturday, July 29, at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

As customary of the ABR programme, about 200 bestperforming kids from different public and private primary schools from across theSouthwest and South-eastern region, will once again be rewarded for their academic excellence, thereby enhancing their mental and academic performances.

However, this year’s edition will witness the use of

of best graduating pupils as well asparents, teachers and stakeholders in the Nigerian educational system.

The Marketing Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc., Mr. Friday Enaholo,said the choice of the new venue was an indication of the company’s persistence in its commitment to support the kids in all their academic endeavours, through its Astymin brand, in line with thecorporate brand promise of valuing lives.

“Ndubuisi Kanu Park is a bigger venue that offers a significantdistinction from the norm, with more childfriendly ambience that gives the children a unique experience.

The children will have more room for fun and there will be more games to play with”, Enaholo said.

The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, is set to embrace a new innovation therapy for management of degenerative diseases like Arthritis, rheumatism and osteoporosis, called Urah Micellar Glucosamine Therapy.

This will be presented to medical practitioners of the hospital as part of the activities planned to commemorate 2017 Annual Diaspora Day in Nigeria.

The drug, according to Okoro Nwaka of Neimeth Pharmaceuticals, is based on Urah transdermal technology patented in USA, Japan and Singapore, adding that it is a non-greasy, odourless, innovation delivered seamlessly across skin layers within minutes of the applications

with no placebo hot or cooling sensation.

“The clinical presentation on Urah Micellar Glucosamine will be delivered by the inventor, who is a Nigerian Scientist based in Singapore, Dr. Jonathan Obaje, in collaboration with Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc. Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc is a leading pharmaceutical company that manufactures and distributes ethical and consumer medicines in Nigeria.

Neimeth is the sole distributor of UrahMicellar Glucosamine in Nigeria,” he said.

The clinical presentation will hold on Thursday 27 July, 2017 at the Orthopaedic Conference Hall Igbobi Lagos.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍľËœ 2017

40

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Ettah Retires as UACN CEO, Bello Appointed Obinna Chima After 11 years as the Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer UAC of Nigeria Plc (UACN), Mr. Larry Ephraim Ettah will retire from the company on January 1, 2018.

The board of UACN that announced this in a statement yesterday, revealed that Ettah would proceed on his pre-retirement leave from same date.

To this end, the board announced the appointment of Abdul Akhor Bello to succeed Ettah as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, upon his retirement.

Ettah expressed gratitude to the board, management and shareholders of the company for the privilege and opportunity to have led UACN in the last 11years. He expressed confidence and optimism about the future of the company because of its rich culture, resilience, talents, assets and strong platform for growth.

“Abdul is an ideal and logical successor given his background in UACN and track record of achievement at various levels in the organisation. He has been a strategic partner since 2010 when he was appointed to the board as Chief Financial Officer. “A role that has acclimated him to understand the challenges, context and evaluate adequacy of response to the work that lies ahead. I believe that the company will be in more than capable hands,� he added, Commenting on the appointment, the Chairman of the board, Mr. Dan Agbor said: “It is on record that UAC of Nigeria Plc under Larry’s capable leadership has seen a decade of strong performance, growth and significant transformation. We are on course to becoming a N100 billion topline organisation by the end of this year. “We thank Larry for his invaluable contributions to the Group in almost 30years of service, half of which have

been on the Board. Larry will always have an honoured place in the memory of the Company and, on behalf of the Board, we offer him the respect and gratitude of UACN.�

According to him, in the board’s choice of Bello as a successor, the company demonstrated yet again the robustness of its succession planning. This, he said validates the depth of the leadership bench within the business. “We have every confidence that Abdul has the ability to ensure that, under his stewardship, the company will continue to build on its strong foundations, drive its strategic agenda, and generate competitive returns to our shareholders.�

Born on the 8th of November 1960, Bello joined Grand Cereals Limited (GCL), a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria PLC, on 23rd October 1989 as Chief Accountant. Prior to joining UACN, he started as Management Trainee in Inlaks Plc in August 1985.

Citibank, Others Collaborate to Train Journalists Nosa Alekhuogie Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Nume Ekeghe Citibank Nigeria in collaboration with the School of Media and Communication and Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) recently hosted the third edition of the Citi Financial Journalist Training (CFJT). The training was for 17 business and financial journalists.

According to a statement, the CFJT aligns with Citi’s commitment to building capacity and taking advantage of its global resources to strengthen the knowledge base in the financial industry across the globe.

Topics covered during the three-day training included Business Journalism in a Digital Age, Financial Skills for the Media, Ethics for the Media Practitioner, and the Media: Partners in Progress.

The facilitators included representatives of the School of Media and Communication (PAU), Mr. Tomi Vincent and Dr. Isah Momoh; the Managing Director, The Zone (a subsidiary of Workforce Management Centre), Ms. Bukola Oyinloye; Dr. Akintola,

from Lagos Business School; Executive Director, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), Mrs. Hansatu Adegbite; and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Citi Nigeria, Mr. Akin Dawodu.

Others included the Executive Director Citibank Nigeria,and Director with the Public Sector Group, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Mrs. Funmi Ogunlesi; Executive Director, Risk Management Citibank Nigeria, Mr. Chinedu Ikwudinma; the Country Treasurer and Markets Head, Citibank Nigeria, Mr Bayo Adeyemo; and Mrs. Salamatu Jubril-Adeniji of the Banking Supervision Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria also facilitated a session on Financial Crimes Reporting.

In her presentation, JubrilAdeniji: “This training is indeed very appropriate as the government cannot by themselves combat the menace of financial crime without the support of journalists, who are critical stakeholders in the dissemination of information on the effects of these crimes on our society, economic growth and development. The training

enhanced the capacity of the journalist on issues related to financial crimes.�

During her presentation entitled Journalism: Partners in Progress – an MSME perspective, the Managing Director, Accion Microfinance Bank Nigeria Limited, Ms. Bunmi Lawson, explained that the purpose of journalism is to provide citizens with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives, their communities, their societies, and their governments. She also emphasised the importance of journalism as a force for good for the industry’s effectiveness and progress of MSME. Dawodu thanked the School of Media and Communication, Pan – Atlantic university, for collaborating with Citi in ensuring that the 3-day training was informative and engaging.

According to him “The investing public relies on journalists to provide accurate, time sensitive information which allows them to make informed decisions. Performing this role will bring accountability and help strengthen the financial system.�

GCR, Agusto Assign InfraCredit ‘AAA’ National Scale Long-term Credit Rating InfraCredit has become the first local currency credit enhancement facility in sub-Saharan Africa to be accorded ‘AAA’ national scale credit rating. The ratings were assigned by Agusto & Co. and Global Credit Rating Co. (GCR), documents obtained

by THISDAY revealed.

InfraCredit was established by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority in collaboration with GuarantCo, with the key mandate of issuing guarantees to enhance the credit quality of local currency debt instruments issued to finance eligible infrastructure related assets in Nigeria, thereby acting as a catalyst to attract the investment interest from pension funds, insurance firms and other long-term investors.

It is expected that the suc-

cessful operation of InfraCredit will address the constraints particularly facing the Nigerian pension market and motivate their involvement in investing in long-term bonds to finance infrastructure assets.

According to industry analysts, the ‘AAA’ rating accorded by the two major domestic rating agencies is the highest credit quality, demonstrating risk factors that are negligible and reinforces InfraCredit’s credit strength as a financial guarantor, following a rigorous process of assessment and risk analysis which tested its robust capital structure and corporate governance. In announcing the ‘AAA’ rating, GCR said its decision was based on an assessment of InfraCredit’s envisioned business model, capital structure, financial projections and as-

sumptions, and risk mitigation mechanisms. GCR’s statement also noted in particular, that “GuarantCo’s participation in InfraCredit through provision of contingent capital, and technical support in key operational areas (credit and risk management), supports the rating.�

When contacted, the Chief Executive Officer, Chinua Azubike, who confirmed the rating, noted: “We are pleased with the confidence demonstrated in our credit standing by the rating agencies, we remain committed to maintaining our strong fundamentals by implementing global best practices and governance standards with the support of our sponsors which provides the solid foundation we need as we pursue the initial phase of our growth.�

Ettah

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 TUESDAY 25, JULY 2017

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $47.11 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $46.01 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)

˾ THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017

41

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

26-Jul-17

25-Jul-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

Open 25-Jul-17

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)

35,065.47 12.09

36,740.77 12.66

4.78% 4.78%

146.33 11.39

155.31 12.09

6.14% 6.14%

01 Dangote Cement Plc

245.00

222.60

10.06%

4,174,924,314,225.00

10.95

22.37

6.79

3.27%

5.24

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

165.90

155.60

6.62%

1,315,437,837,319.20

3.58

46.29

4.19

2.17%

7.93

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

39.58

37.60

5.27%

1,164,886,073,685.92

4.49

8.81

2.81

4.47%

2.31

04 Zenith Bank Plc

25.60

23.85

7.34%

803,750,240,921.60

4.13

6.20

1.58

7.03%

1.14

910.00

910.00

0.00%

721,317,189,320.00

10.00

91.02

3.97

3.19%

23.36

06 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

36.92

35.17

4.98%

369,200,000,000.00

2.85

12.95

2.36

0.27%

2.62

07 United Bank for Africa Plc

10.08

10.10

-0.20%

365,697,625,325.76

1.99

5.06

0.95

5.95%

0.82

08 Access Bank Plc

10.55

10.06

4.87%

305,190,100,707.05

13.18

0.80

0.80

5.21%

0.67

09 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

15.75

15.00

5.00%

289,005,431,636.25

0.68

23.28

0.49

3.94%

0.46

10 Lafarge Africa Plc

61.01

60.05

1.60%

277,894,559,428.10

3.71

16.44

1.26

4.92%

1.12

11 Presco Plc

68.50

64.05

6.95%

271,977,677,582.50

0.03 2,342.70

3.81

1.90%

6.50

Table 4 Top 5 Losers

485.00

485.00

0.00%

268,355,501,805.00 -82.02

-5.91

4.23

3.28%

0.71

Stock

5.88

6.02

-2.33%

211,064,321,616.96

0.21

28.34

0.40

2.55%

0.34

38.32

38.32

0.00%

144,975,912,300.00

0.81

47.19

2.08

0.13%

12.40

15 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

9.41

9.07

3.75%

112,920,000,000.00

1.20

7.84

0.67

5.31%

1.71

16 Oando Plc

8.40

7.85

7.01%

101,090,798,709.60

0.29

28.93

0.22

8.93%

0.53

17 International Breweries Plc

30.00

30.00

0.00%

98,827,478,400.00

0.02 1,331.44

3.71

0.83%

9.01

18 Guinness Nig Plc

63.00

63.00

0.00%

94,870,955,844.00

-3.06

-20.60

0.92

5.08%

2.41

19 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

253.00

254.50

-0.59%

91,230,601,286.00

22.61

11.19

0.97

2.85%

4.25

20 Total Nigeria Plc

268.00

256.99

4.28%

90,991,852,316.00

43.58

6.15

0.31

5.22%

3.86

21 Forte Oil Plc.

62.90

62.90

0.00%

81,926,061,378.70

2.22

28.34

0.55

5.48%

1.89

22 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

29.43

28.03

4.99%

77,231,300,413.41

-1.19

-24.67

0.18

6.80%

0.78

23 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

70.87

67.20

5.46%

67,603,601,700.00

5.15

13.77

4.71

0.14%

3.97

1.55

1.61

-3.73%

60,017,546,008.75

-0.03

-53.25

1.01

0.00%

0.69

25 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

90.21

90.21

0.00%

57,787,656,646.23

-0.05

0.62

2.44%

2.60

26 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

36.00

36.00

0.00%

47,520,000,000.00

-2.89

-12.45

0.34

4.17%

0.68

1.29

1.29

0.00%

37,361,735,542.68

0.39

3.33

0.25

12.40%

0.20

17.00

16.68

1.92%

32,654,694,579.00

3.37

5.04

0.43

5.88%

0.43

29 Diamond Bank Plc

1.26

1.26

0.00%

29,182,090,099.68

-0.29

-4.29

0.14

0.00%

0.13

30 Sterling Bank Plc

1.00

0.99

1.01%

28,790,418,126.00

0.18

5.58

0.26

9.00%

0.34

31 FCMB Group Plc

1.30

1.29

0.78%

25,743,524,015.30

0.72

1.80

0.15

7.69%

0.14

35.44

35.44

0.00%

24,808,000,000.00

2.29

15.47

3.64

3.24%

10.86

9.30

9.15

1.64%

24,639,776,915.40

0.91

10.20

1.35

5.91%

3.06

34 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

12.75

12.75

0.00%

23,947,076,010.00

-0.16

-80.79

0.80

10.20%

2.17

35 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

20.00

20.00

0.00%

23,917,529,760.00

3.51

5.69

1.66

1.50%

1.40

36 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

23.10

22.00

5.00%

23,100,000,000.00

5.69

4.06

1.61

0.43%

0.62

37 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.10

2.10

0.00%

22,050,000,000.00

0.25

8.37

1.06

2.38%

1.09

38 Wema Bank Plc

0.55

0.55

0.00%

21,215,956,344.55

0.07

8.19

0.39

0.00%

0.44

39 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.40

3.56

-4.49%

19,998,338,263.00

0.91

3.75

0.52

4.12%

0.66

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

2.00

1.97

1.52%

15,860,395,316.00

-0.40

-4.95

0.33

8.00%

0.48

41 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.31

1.25

4.80%

13,588,295,048.72

0.42

3.12

0.61

9.16%

0.73

42 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

9.70

9.70

0.00%

12,189,774,330.20

0.22

44.31

1.10

1.03%

1.13

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.75

0.71

5.63%

10,410,226,057.50

-2.93

-0.26

0.06

40.00%

0.10

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.59

0.61

-3.28%

6,896,709,385.78

0.19

3.16

0.08

0.00%

0.08

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.18

2.78

0.85

6.00%

0.41

46 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

0.03

17.71

3.72

0.00%

1.94

47 Fidson Healthcare Plc

3.39

3.08

10.06%

5,085,000,000.00

0.21

16.05

0.66

1.47%

0.77

48 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.93

3.00

-2.33%

5,035,937,485.35

-0.90

-3.25

0.79

23.89%

0.15

49 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

2.99

2.99

0.00%

4,856,414,062.50

0.36

8.36

0.61

6.69%

0.75

50 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.54

0.57

-5.26%

3,742,310,419.20

1.48

0.37

0.14

9.26%

0.43

05 Nestle Nigeria Plc

12 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd 13 FBN Holdings Plc 14 Unilever Nigeria Plc

24 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

27 Fidelity Bank Plc 28 U A C N Plc

32 Cap Plc 33 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

TOTAL

12,093,125,075,664.90

TOTAL MARKET CAP

12,662,732,404,641.10

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

95.50%

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Close 26-Jul-17

Change %

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open 25-Jul-17

Fidson Healthcare Plc Dangote Cement Plc Zenith Bank Plc Oando Plc Presco Plc

3.08 222.60 23.85 7.85 64.05 Open 25-Jul-17

AIICO Insurance Plc Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc Unity Bank Plc UACN Property Development Co. Limited

Close Change % 26-Jul-17 3.39 245.00 25.60 8.40 68.50

10.06% 10.06% 7.34% 7.01% 6.95%

Close Change % 26-Jul-17

0.57 3.56

0.54 3.40

-5.26% -4.49%

1.61

1.55

-3.73%

0.61 3.00

0.59 2.93

-3.28% -2.33%

NSE Index records a notable 4.78% appreciation as confidence grows Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today – Tuesday, July 26th, 2017 again ended on a positive note as the stock market closed green on the back of restored investors’ confidence which leads to growth in risk appetite. This was further highlighted by positive performance from the NSE Subsectors: Banking, Insurance, Consumer Goods and Oil & Gas. Also, trading activities increased in volume as 335.34m shares worth of N4.64 billion in 5,385 deals exchanged hands today.

This is an increase from 288.58m shares worth of N2.46 billion in 2,578 deals which exchanged hands on Tuesday.

Topping in volume terms are: FBN Holdings Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Zenith Bank Plc; Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. Brent crude oil price today shows downward signal as it dips to US$50.80 per barrel while it rose to $50.20 per barrel at its previous closing.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 4.78% (+1,675.30) increase to close at 36,740.77 from 35,065.47 the previous trading day. Market capitalization appreciated in tandem to N12.66 trillion from N12.09 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index closes with an increase of 6.14% to 155.31 from 146.33 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N12.09 trillion from N11.39 trillion of the previous trading day.

Market breath closed positive today as 31 stocks gained on the bourse while 17 stocks also declined leaving 52 stocks unchanged. Leading the pack was Conoil Plc with a gain of 10.21% to close at N33.04 per share. It was followed by Fidson Healthcare Plc with a gain of 10.06% to close at N3.39 per share. Others on the gainers’ list include: Dangote Cement Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Oando Plc. On the decliners’ list, AIICO Insurance Plc led with a loss of 5.26% to close at N0.54 share. It was followed by SCOA Nig. Plc with a loss of 4.77% to close at N3.59 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Union Bank of Nig. Plc, Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc and Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc. Topping the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list Fidson Healthcare Plc as it emerged as the day’s toast of investors with a gain of 10.06% to close at N3.39 per share. It was followed by Dangote Cement Plc with a gain of 10.06% to close at N245.00 per share. Others on the gainers list include: Zenith Bank Plc, Oando Plc and Presco Plc; while on the decliners’ list, AIICO Insurance Plc lead with a loss of 5.26% to close at N0.54 share. It was followed by Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc with a loss of 4.49% to close at N3.40 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc, Unity Bank Plc and UACN Property Development Co. Limited.

REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

42

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱ͵˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

MARKET NEWS

Equities Market Nears Three-year High, Gains N1.5tn in 15 Days Goddy Egene The Nigerian equities market yesterday moved closer to a three-year high after the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rose 3.4 per cent to hit 36,740.77, while market capitalisation closed higher at N12.662 trillion. This is a 32-month high and if the bullish trend continues for the week, the index would hit

37,000 point level, which was last attained in November 2014.

The growth followed 15 days of consecutive rally prompted by stability in foreign exchange (forex) market that has led to increase in the level of foreign portfolio investments (FPIs), release of improved half year corporate results and relative increase in number of domestic investors.

Year to date, the market has

T H E

recorded a growth of 36.7 per cent. The market has remained uptick since July 6, leading to a gain of N1.529 trillion in capitalisation, growing from N11.133 trillion on July 6 to N12.662 trillion yesterday.

The market, which underperformed its peers for three years, shrugged off the losses last April following the introduction of new foreign exchange window by the Central Bank of Nigeria

N I G E R I A N

(CBN). The new forex window stabilised the rate of the naira, a development that encouraged more FPIs to return to the stock market. Besides, the relatively stable exchange rate environment was expected to impact positively on the performance of companies for the second quarter of the year.

Hence, more investors decided to take position ahead of the announcement of the corporate results for the quarter that have

STO C K

started to trickle in showing increases in half-year profits.

Although the Tier-1 banks are yet to release their results, anticipation that the results would follow the same positive pattern in first quarter has triggered demand for the banking stocks, a situation that has shot the NSE Banking Index by 57.8 per cent.

Meanwhile, the level of FPIs between January and June 2017 stood at N430billion, showing

E XC H A N G E

an increase of 59.8 per cent from N269.22 billion invested in the corresponding period of 2016, according to data released by the NSE. Similarly, domestic investors increased their level of investments to N505.03 billion in 2017, up by 42.19 per cent compared to N355.19 billion in 2016. In all, total transactions at the nation’s bourse in H1 of 2017, increased by 47.7 per cent to N935 billion, from N624 billion in 2016.

43

˾ THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Caverton Records N595m Profit After Tax in Six Months Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc (COSG), a provider of marine, aviation and logistics services to local and international oil and gas companies in Nigeria has announced a profit after tax(PAT) of N595 million for the half year ended June 30, 2017. This is a recovery from a loss of N2.432 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2016 and an indication that shareholders will smile at the end of the year.

The unaudited results showed that COSG recorded revenue of N10.1billion, up from N9.1 billion in 2016.

Administrative expenses were reduced by 61 per cent from N5.031 billion to N1.953 billion. Finance cost increased marginally from N735 million to N759 million.

Consequently, COSG ended the year with PAT of N595 million, compared with a loss of N2.432 billion in 2016.

According to the

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

company, the increase in revenue during the quarter was due to increase in charter flights and vessel agency operations, which also affected its operating costs increasing by nine over last year’s result.

However, the company said on the other hand, it has been able to contain the administrative expenses during the period by about 61 per cent arising majorly from the impact of the government intervention in stabilising the foreign

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 25-July-2017, unless otherwise stated.

exchange rate.

As a result the earnings per share increased to 18 kobo from a negative 73 kobo same period last year.

Commenting on the results, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COSG Plc, Mr. Bode Makanjuola said its ability to post this impressive performance was a result of the shared will and determination of the company’s management with the support of its board of directors to manage its overall expenses while

maximizing company revenue potential.

“With the revenue increasing by 11 per cent and the profit before tax by 140per cent over 2016 half year result, we remain determined to ensure optimal use of the business resources,” Makanjuola said.

He added that the results further highlight the commitment of streamlining its operations in the face of challenging operating business environment, as well as its continued focus

on cost efficiency.

“The board is very optimistic that the Group is in a good position to cope with the tough operating business conditions,” he said.

Makanjuola recently said that when the company’s Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Lagos, is completed, it will herald a new age in the Nigerian aviation sector and better fortune for the company and industry at large.

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 173.03 173.25 36.06% Nigeria International Debt Fund 227.48 227.67 6.98% 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 16.08 16.56 30.22% ARM Discovery Fund 347.14 357.61 20.88% ARM Ethical Fund 24.64 25.39 10.30% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.76% 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 136.90 137.86 30.16% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.96% 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 18.61% 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 1,100.74 1,101.83 8.72% FBN Heritage Fund 136.76 137.94 22.68% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.09% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $108.87 $109.87 5.89% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $108.15 $109.14 5.92% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 148.11 149.98 31.42% 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 1.29 1.32 38.83% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.80 2.80 9.13% 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 14.45% 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 17.57% Vantage Balanced Fund 1.99 2.01 18.30% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.49%

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 1.11 10.05% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,023.52 1,023.52 6.54% 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 13.21 13.28 36.48% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 19.18% 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 1.14 1.16 14.89% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.67 10.73 2.65% 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 2,115.59 2,127.97 15.55% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 160.80 160.80 4.44% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.96 0.97 25.32% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 204.00 204.00 9.16% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 163.43 165.66 25.92% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.67% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,182.87 9,288.88 21.09% 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

10.12 101.04

10.22 102.94

15.18% 33.34%

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

4.27 7.84 16.18 21.76 129.79

4.29 7.92 16.23 21.96 131.79

53.93% 11.46% 35.29% 36.20% 0.70%

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

44

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 27, 2017

45

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Trump: Transgender People ‘Can’t Serve’ in US Military US President Donald Trump says transgender people cannot serve in “any capacity” in the military.

He tweeted that he had consulted with military experts and cited “tremendous medical costs and disruption”.

The Obama administration decided last year to allow transgender people to serve openly in the military.

But in June, Defence Secretary James Mattis agreed to a sixmonth delay in the recruitment of transgender people.

The Pentagon said this was to allow the different branches of the military to “review their accession plans and provide input on the impact to the readiness and lethality of our forces”.

Some Republicans have

voiced opposition to allowing transgender people to serve at all.

The independent Rand Corporation estimated in 2016 that 2,450 of the 1.2 million active-duty service members are transgender.

In a series of tweets, Mr Trump said: “After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be

advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.

“Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.”

Group Seeks Concrete Policies for Sustainable Devt in Africa Sunday Okobi African political leaders have been enjoined to put in place workable policies and programmes that would stimulate sustainable development on the continent.

This was the agreement of experts during the fifth quarterly summit Neo-Black Movement (NBM) of Africa Western Regional at the weekend in Accra, Ghana.

Opening the discourse with the theme: ‘Advocacy and Action, the Urgency of Now’, the Executive Chairperson, African Youth Union Commission (AYUC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Dr. Carl Oshodi, urged the political class to promote a meaningful economic development through financial assistance to the deprived populations to

commensurate with their needs.

In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, Oshodi, in a lecture titled: ‘Youth Development in Africa: Historical Perspective and Contemporary Challenges to Sustainable Development’, warned that failure to heed the appeal in the past had resulted in political upheavals as well as collapse of both the private sectors, among other unpleasant developments.

He noted that over 500 million African youths struggle daily for survival while their commonwealth is being pillaged by the political elite.

According to him, “Government, private sectors and citizens’ joint partnership can create outstanding results and hopes in community and organisational setting, where the stem of sustainable development

hangs.

“The only factor that attempts to eliminate ethnic, religious economic and cultural barriers is the fundamental change in policies of government and private sectors; a veritable instruments that fertilises social justice, economic advancement and security of people.”

Also speaking at the summit in Accra, an expert, Tom Imafidon, noted that poverty as a global phenomenon emanates partly from skewed international capitalist maneuverings which many policies of governments in the developing world help to further nurture through under-development.

He submitted that selfsufficiency and independence were key to poverty reduction

and sustainable development.

On his part, Dr. Anthony Orunkoya said in consonance with its vision to enthrone an egalitarian society, NBM was willing to partner with other advocacy groups to end human trafficking, prostitution, among other social ills through mass campaign, enlightenment and other non-violent means.

To underscore its seriousness, the movement birthed the nonviolent March for Justice and Peace.

In his remarks, according to the statement, the Regional Head, NBM West, Gerald Azonobo, said the peaceful protest was against mental slavery, neo-colonialism, nepotism, terrorism and societal ills as well as to reawaken Africans to black consciousness, civilisation, freedom and justice.

The US military’s ban on openly gay and lesbian servicemen and women known as “Don’t ask don’t tell” - was lifted in 2011.

Aaron Belkin, director of the Palm Centre, a leading think-tank which studies gender and sexuality in the military, told the BBC that Mr Trump’s decision would force transgender troops to in effect live as gays and lesbians did under

“Don’t ask, don’t tell”.

“Don’t ask, don’t tell was a disastrous policy that harmed the military for almost two decades,” Mr Belkin said.

“It’s not clear why the president would want to bring it back now for transgender troops, when all the evidence suggests that inclusive policy benefits the military and discrimination hurts the military.”

46

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 27, 2017

47

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Makarfi: PDP’s Reconciliation to Cover Pre-2015 Election Issues Says APC also has problem on its hands Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it is working to reconcile with not only the

former National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and his loyalists but all members who left the party before the 2015 general

RMAFC Unearths over N115bn Tax Liabilities against FG, States Wants states reimbursed for executed federal projects Ndubuisi Francis ÓØ ÌßÔË A tax recovery exercise carried out by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has uncovered a staggering N115 billion tax liabilities established against some federal and states’ ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as local government councils spread across 30 states of the federation.

This is coming on the heels of the recent launch of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) and the signing of an Executive Order by the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo.

With the scheme, taxpayers are granted a nine-month amnesty to voluntarily declare their assets and pay commensurate tax with a waiver of interest and penalty.

A statement issued yesterday by RMAFC’s spokesman, Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed, said the commission was able to establish a total sum of N115, 811, 884,454.01 as tax liabilities in the first phase of the exercise covering the period between 2005 and 2015 spread across 30 states of the federation.

Only six states, including Adamawa, Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Katsina and Kebbi States which were given a clean bill of health as they

are bereft of any tax liabilities.

RMAFC disclosed that at the end of the exercise which is ninety per cent completed, an additional sum of N40 billion is expected to be realised.

According to the statement, all the affected states, local governments and other agencies so far covered have passionately pleaded for waiver of penalty and interest totaling N24, 030,004,256.31 comprising N9,748,742,417.28 as penalty and N14,281,261,839.03 as interest respectively.

“In the course of the exercise, it was discovered that some federal government agencies domiciled in the states were not remitting Pay As You Earn (PAYE) to the state governments thus depleting their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base,” the statement added.

RMAFC has therefore called on the federal government to reimburse some of the state governments that executed federal government projects in their respective states so as to enhance their revenue profile.

“The commission also urged states like Bauchi, Cross River, Edo, Enugu and Rivers which are yet to participate in the exercise to do so in the spirit of equity and fair play since they continue to enjoy the proceeds of tax remitted by their counterparts,” the statement concluded.

Enugu Police Evacuates Unexploded Biafra War Bomb Christopher Isiguzo ÓØ ØßÑß The Enugu State Police Command of the Nigeria Police yesterday successfully evacuated an object suspected to be unexploded ordinance which was used during the Nigeria/Biafra Civil war, almost 50 years ago.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Ebere Amaraizu, in a statement made available to journalists in Enugu said the object which was found in the morning of July 21, 2017, at a farmland called Amaetiti in Oji River Local Government Area of the state was said to have been discovered on the ground during farming.

He said the Explosive Ordinance Unit of the command achieved the feat.

According to Amaraizu, expert analysis indicated that the civil war bomb/left over has not been detonated and was of high caliber. “The command to this end is advising members of the public not tamper with any of such object whenever they are seen or discovered either during farming, building or road constructions but to report promptly to the nearest police station or to call the commands control room number on 08032003702, 08075390883,08086671202 and 08098880172 for prompt and necessary action,” the statement noted.

election.

The Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who spoke when he received various groups on courtesy visits in Abuja yesterday, said the party would reconcile with many of its men and women who had either left or had developed cold feet towards the party.

“You can’t reconcile; you can’t expand if your policy would be exclusive in nature. As you reconcile, and expand, you accommodate different political interests which is rational, that is

reasonable, that is fair.

Otherwise, people have no reason to come in, otherwise, people have no reason to reconcile,” Makarfi said.

Makarfi told the women groups that the party has a lot of work ahead of it, adding: “We will embark on membership drive and bring in more members.”

He, however, said the party was not going to sacrifice those who have made some investments in the party.

“So, it is question of balancing of interests without forgetting the input, the contributions of men and women across the length

and breadth of this country to take this party to where we are at the moment in spite of all the difficulties,” he said.

Makarfi described the Supreme Court judgment that reinstated him as chairman of the party as a landmark judgment that has stabilised the polity.

“We know there is hunger, we know that there are difficulties and all kinds of problems in the country.

But as soon as this judgment came, it seemed to have brought down tempers.

“Why tempers have gone down is that people have seen the alternative they have been

waiting for. We will work together as always to make sure we don’t let the people down,” he added.

Makarfi stated that some APC governors threatened to leave the party after their meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

“The party in government wanted to copy us. They held a meeting with the acting president. They came out and some governors threatened to leave the party. This was the first meeting they were having in two years and some governors threatened to leave,” he said.

WELFARE FOR JUDGES

L-R: Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen; Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike; and Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Odili; during the flag off of the construction of the Rivers State Judges’ Quarters by the CJN in Port Harcourt .... yesterday.

FG May Probe Utilisation of Bailout Funds By States, Says Oni Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Segun Oni, has said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration may soon carry out a check on the utilisation of bailout funds by states to pay workers salary arrears.

The exercise which he said would be part of government’s efforts to ensure that salary arrears are eradicated, would try to assess the situation in order to know how much is left everywhere to be paid.

“We are doing something which people have not recognised as a cardinal signature of the progressives. We are trying to eradicate salary arrears. Past governments, particularly at the state levels owed salaries.

“This government has been trying to help them (states) pay the arrears and very soon we are going to have a check on how much is left everywhere to be paid. But substantially, a bulk of salary arrears is paid now,”

he said.

Oni who spoke when he received the United Kingdom Member of Parliament for Edmonton, Kate Osamor, at the APC National Secretariat late Tuesday evening, said the bulk of salary arrears owed workers in some states had been paid through bailout funds provided by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

He said the APC-led administration was working assiduously to totally eliminate salary arrears soon.

“The people who are owed salaries are mostly the downtrodden and when they are owed, you compound the poverty equation. We are working towards ensuring that in no distant future, arrears will be eliminated.

“The only way we can do it is through the bailout funds to states.

Because we cannot control what the governor would do because he is chief executive, but when there are bailout funds, we believe that they will apply it to settle salary arrears,” he said.

Speaking on APC’s plans ahead

of 2019 elections, Oni said the party is actively working to ensure that marginalised groups, particularly women and youth are mainstreamed in politics.

He called for greater participation of the youths and women in politics as a way to increase their representation in government and party structures.

“As politicians, we want to bring the youth in to become politicians early. When we encourage the young ones to be politicians early, in a few years, they will compete with anybody.

“They will equally boast of how long they have been in politics also and the men will know that they have to give way to them.

That is one of the programmes that we believe we can benefit from your experience,” he said.

Oni told the visiting UK MP that the President Buhari APC-led administration had initiated several pro-people initiatives including the Home Grown School Feeding Programme and N-Power scheme to alleviate poverty and provide gainful economic opportunities for the masses.

He said government was open to ideas and best practices to develop the country, reduce poverty and productively engage its young population.

In her remarks, the UK MP, Osamor, narrated the challenges faced by her political party, Labour Party in the build up to the June 8 snap general election in the UK. “One of the things which the Labour Party had to do to be successful in our last snap general election was to reach out to the people who are downtrodden, the people who are working for minimum wage or on contracts when they don’t know how often they will be paid.

“We had to look at all the issues and put a manifesto together which spoke to them.

Because when we went into the snap general elections, as far as the commentators were saying, as far as people in our own party were saying, we were going to be in the dustbin of history, we would have to start again,” he said.

48

THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

FG Borrows N3.38bn to Aid Potato Production in Plateau FEC ratifies N4.13bn for reconstruction of Apapa highway Omololu Ogunmade ÓØ ÌßÔË The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved N3.38 billion to boost the production of potatoes in Plateau State.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who made the disclosure said the money would be borrowed from Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) with one per cent interest rate and 25 years moratorium.

The minister who said the loan was not fresh, explained that it had previously been cancelled by the federal government with the intention to make a fresh request for the loan

on behalf of Plateau State which she said was responsible for 95 per cent of potato production in the country.

According to her, following ADB’s comprehensive programme on potato production in Plateau State, 100,000 families and 17 local government areas of Plateau State would benefit from the loan while 60,000 jobs would be created by the initiative.

“My approval was on behalf of Plateau State to support the potato value chain. There is a loan that we had previously cancelled from ADB. So, it is not a new loan. We cancelled

Restructuring: IG Distances Force from Governors’ Forum Committee on State Police

it and redirected the money to request on behalf of Plateau State Government to support the potato value chain.

“The rationale is that Plateau actually accounts for 95 per cent of Nigeria’s potato production and from Plateau, potatoes are actually exported to Ghana, Niger, Chad and other countries and despite that, there are huge profit losses because there is no enough storage and there is so much more we can do with Plateau’s potatoes.

“So, ADB has come up with a comprehensive programme that will affect over 100,000 families. It is expected to create 60,000 jobs in a potato value chain, from processing, storage, replacement of current inputs and indeed, export.

Now, the terms of the loan is 1 per cent per annum interest rate and it has 25 years moratorium. Plateau State will

provide counterpart funding and the balance will be borrowed.

It will affect 17 local government areas and we expect it to make significant job creation.

“The amount of the loan is N3.38 billion equivalent and Plateau State ought to contribute N595 million as their own counterpart funding. We have put a process in place to ensure adequate monitoring.

This is really an important economic development for the nation and for Plateau State in particular. We have real advantage in potato production.

We are really going to invest the money on roads. In some cases, the money will be used for roads to enable the products to come out. Sometimes, it is for storage. Sometimes, it is transportation. Sometimes, it is access to seedlings,” she said.

In his own briefing, the Minister of Power, Works

and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said FEC approved two memoranda by his ministry.

He said the approval bordered on the earlier anticipatory approval of N1.58 billion for the emergency repair of Abuja-Kaduna Expressway during the closure of Abuja airport in March and another N4.5 billion for the reconstruction of Apapa -Wharf road in Lagos in June.

“The two memoranda were ratification on road works that had to be done under emergency circumstances. The first was the Abuja-Kaduna highway which if you recall, we had to quickly do palliative work on in order to support the closure of Abuja airport runway which necessitated diversion of traffic to Kaduna.

“So, at that time, we didn’t have council approval. We just had anticipatory presidential

approval as prescribed under the law for emergency works.

“The second one was with respect to Apapa-Wharf Road.

Again, you will recall that there was a recent presidential order for a 24-hour port operation and that again put pressure on an already deteriorating road. If you might recall, I also went to hand over that road sometime in June under the public-private partnership structure between Messrs Julius Berger, Flour Mills, NPA and Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to start the construction of that first phase of the road.

The council also approved and ratified the works we had conducted on Kaduna - Abuja highway. Also, the terms and conditions upon which we handed over the road for Apapa were certified by Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP),” he said.

Urges CPs to be proactive on agitations, visibility policing Paul Obi ÓØ ÌßÔË The Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, yesterday distanced the Nigeria Police Force from the purported Committee on State Police set up by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) as part of the push to restructure the country to true federalism.

The NGF was said to have constituted the committee in response to the clamour for restructuring where the call for state police and true fiscal federalism have become paramount.

But speaking to top police hierarchy made up of Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), Idris debunked claims that the parley between the Nigeria Police and the NGF was to address the need for state police.

The IG told journalists that there was no time when the issue of state police was discussed, stating that “the committee set up is not on state police, so I was surprised with what I read in the newspapers.

“My understanding with that meeting is that the committee was set up to look into our proposals which we gave them, because we are trying to set up a radio and television station for the police.

“The committee was not centred on state police, so I was surprised when I read in the papers they said the committee was set up on state police that was not my understanding with that meeting.”

He further urged CPs across the country to remain vigilant and proactive on recent agitations and threats by some ethnic nationalities, adding: “We have to take seriously some of the agitations, where they are harassing law-abiding citizens, forcing them to relocate.

“I have sent some reinforcement to some states in the Southeast. We have to be proactive in some of these activities, visibility policing is one of the best approach.

“In many cities, seeing policemen will prevent anybody to intimidate or harass innocent citizens, it is a great measure which assures the people of their safety.

“Some of these people gave some datelines, some of these datelines have past, but that does not mean we should relax, we have to enhance our visibility policing so that the people can feel safe that nothing can happen.”

Idris also explained that the police would soon commence the probing of recent deployment of policemen to various locations, including politicians, celebrities among others.

Navy to Establish Naval War College in Cross River Bassey Inyang ÓØ ËÖËÌËÜ The Nigerian Navy has announced that it has decided to establish a Naval War College in Cross River State.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Victor Olugbemi Adedipe, made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy visit to the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade yesterday.

Adedipe, who assumed office recently at the naval command said “the Navy Board, in its wisdom, decided to choose Cross River State as the host for the prestigious Naval War College.”

The FOC therefore urged Ayade to “take a frontal role in ensuring that the land allocated to the navy for this project is officially given in line with the Land Use Act.”

COURTESY VISIT

Former President and Chairman Brenthrust Foundation, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (left), and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, during the Brenthrust Foundation’s visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja,....Tuesday

No Evidence of 282 Missing Vessels, Says NPA The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) yesterday reacted to the allegation that 282 vessels under its watch had gone missing, stating that after carrying out a thorough internal check, it has yet to find any evidence supporting the allegation.

In a statement titled: ‘Alleged 282 Missing Vessels: Our Position’ issued yesterday by the NPA and signed by its Principal Manager, Ibrahim Nasiru, the authority explained that following allegations that 282 vessels got missing under the watch of the NPA between 2010 and 2016 by the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff, the management of the NPA wishes to state that it has no evidence to support the allegation.

Nasiru pointed out that “On July 20, 2017, the Senate

Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff handed over documents containing a list of 29 items which are a combination of vessels and details of individual bill of ladings of consignments carried by different vessels to representatives of NPA for review.”

According to him, “On July 24, 2017, the NPA received another set of 10 volumes of items numbering 1-1252 alleged to have been transported by vessels said to have called at the NPA. This was delivered to the authority by the Nigerian Shippers Council on the instructions of the Senate committee.”

Giving a breakdown of the outcome of its own internal investigations, Nasiru said: “The NPA has reviewed the documents as requested by the committee and has discovered

that of the 29 items handed over to the NPA on July 20, 2017, only five vessels were identifiable.

“We discovered that the other 24 items are repetitions of the five vessels that were identified. A report to this effect with relevant supporting documents evidencing payment of all charges for the five vessels has been forwarded to the Senate committee as requested,” he explained.

Addressing the issues concerning the follow-up documents comprising the ten volumes of items numbering 1-1252 handed over to the NPA by the NSC, Nasiru stated that “the NPA was unable to conduct a meaningful review as the documents did not provide the data that will enable verification.”

Explaining why it was impossible to conduct a

meaningful review of the documents received, the authority said it was because the documents provided did not have vessel names and no dates of arrival of the vessels were given making it impossible to establish links with the manifest, bill of lading and consignee; no port of call and name of terminal where vessel berthed were provided and no rotation number of vessels was supplied.

While stating that the authority had conveyed these observations to the Senate Committee and looks forward to receiving the required information to enable full investigation, it also emphasised that the NPA remains committed to every single effort aimed at sanitising operations at the ports and will co-operate with all stakeholders and arms of government in the achievement of same.

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Sagay Seeks Punishment for SANs Frustrating Grand Corruption Cases Akinwale Akintunde Chairman Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), has called for “stiff punishment for counsel, particularly senior advocates, who have turned obstruction and frustration of proceedings on high-profile corruption cases into an art.”

Sagay said as punishment, such senior lawyers should be denied right of appearance in such high profile and grand corruption cases.

The professor made this recommendation in Lagos

yesterday at the media round-table organised by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

The round-table titled: ‘Strategies and Approaches for the Successful Completion and Effective Prosecution of Abandoned and Unresolved High Profile Cases of Corruption in Nigeria.

Combating Grand Corruption and Impunity in Nigeria was organised by SERAP in collaboration with TrustAfrica.

Sagay, who was unavoidably absent at the event but sent his paper presentation, also urged

Nigeria Customs Generates N486bn in Six Months The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated a revenue of N486 billion in the first half of the year, Mr. Joseph Attah, the Public Relations Officer of NCS, has said.

Attah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday that the amount realized is higher than N385 billion generated the same period of 2016.

Attah said the service also recorded 3,798 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N7 billion from January to June.

The spokesman said that the agency made a seizure of 3,106, with a DPV of over N4 billion within the same period in 2016.

Attah attributed the increase in revenue collection and seizure to the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs (CGC) zero tolerance on smuggling and the support given to officers and men to perform effectively.

“You will recall that around November 2016 to February, the CGC embarked on decisive reforms, and there was massive redeployment of officers and men.

“Also, there was the establishment of compliance team that is beefing up security at the borders, to block all non-revenue leakages.

“This is yielding result because when you block revenue leakages, when you effectively police the border, and deploy men and resources, what happens is that more smugglers are intercepted, more seizures are made.”

He said when there was an increase in the level of compliance, it would boost the revenue collection of the service.

The CGC of customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), had earlier disclosed that the service generated N720 billion in 2016.

He made this known while defending the budget of the service before the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff on Monday in Abuja.

It was a subsidiary budget defence for NCS as a revenue generating agency

of government.

Ali said that the approved revenue target for 2016 was N937 billion comprising of 862 billion for the federation and N75 billion for non-federation.

He added that the service, however, collected total revenue of N720.7 billion or 77 per cent during the period.

He stressed that the revenue collected was with a negative variance of N 216.6 billion or 23 per cent when compared with the target for the year.

The comptroller-general noted that the revenue performance of N720.7 billion in 2016 had a negative variance of N13.6 billion or 1.9 per cent when compared with N734 billion collected in 2015. ”During the period under review the service also collected the sum of N177.93 billion as VAT on imports thereby bringing the total collection to N898.67 billion. ”The shortfall in the performance is due to the fact that no revenue was collected on luxury items and polished rice levy because of lack of legal backing to enforce collection of luxury items and no importation of polished rice. ”Also responsible is restriction of 41 items from accessing foreign exchange at official window as well as high exchange rate of Naira against other foreign currencies increased the tax base of goods imported and reduced volume of trade. ”The scanners at the various customs scanning sites are not functioning. This factor has adversely contributed to the services inability to carry out effective examination for selected consignments. ”Presently, only two commodities, cigarette and alcoholic beverages are under excise control and this did not help in the achievement of the N63.8 billion excise revenue target in the 2016 budget.

“The porous nature of the nation’s borders encourage smuggling activities and this constitutes some reasonable setbacks in the 2016 revenue collected,” he said.

prosecuting counsel in grand corruption cases to apply to reinstate any case struck out for want of prosecution.

“In cases requiring appeal, the authorities must apply for leave to appeal out of time, and prepare evidence and legal arguments thoroughly, including inviting consultants to provide advice.

“Prosecuting authorities must insist on full application of Sections 306 and 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, namely: No stay of proceedings under any circumstances – S. 306.Any preliminary objection must be taken together with the substantive issue – S. 396(2), and hearings shall be on a daily basis, but in exceptional cases, adjournments not to be in excess of 14 working day, may be granted. Such adjournments not to exceed 5 in any proceedings – S. 396 (3) and (4),” he noted.

Sagay also recommended that a High Court judge who

is elevated while presiding over a criminal case should be allowed to conclude the case without any effect on his new status.

“The Head of various courts, namely: Chief Justice of Nigeria; President, Court of Appeal; Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and Chief Judges of State High Courts, should be sensitised about the very critical nature of the fight against high-level official corruption to Nigeria’s development and the welfare of its peoples.

“Pending the establishment of a special Crimes Court for the whole country, Criminal Divisions should be created in the Federal and State High Courts. Specially vetted and selected judges, known for integrity and self-discipline should be posted to man such courts.

“It is very important to deploy the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee and Civil Society

Groups to monitor all high profile corruption cases on a day to day basis (i) to ensure that corruption cases are heard speedily and in full compliance with Sections 306 and 396 of the ACJA, (ii) to report non-compliance by any judge to the National Judicial Council (NJC).

“All suspected proceeds of crime should be placed under temporary forfeiture during the trial of a high-profile person.

Prosecuting authorities should resort to Non-Conviction Based Asset forfeiture, where proof beyond reasonable doubt is difficult to achieve because of technicalities. Prosecuting authorities should also consider resorting frequently to the Plea Bargaining Provisions of ACJA in order to save time and state resources,” Sagay recommended.

The guest speaker, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), said the best way to rob a country is to buy its political system.

He decried that there are several high profile corruption cases that are stuck and unresolved- no acquittal, no conviction.

“The National Judicial Council (NJC) should be proactive in tackling corruption.

Judiciary must purge themselves of corruption so that they can avoid executive interference. We also need to leverage on e-recording of proceedings and put an end to writing in long hand by judges.”

According to AkinseyeGeorge, there is need for authentic and reliable source of information on corruption cases.

“Civil society organisation should be apolitical; they should focus on the issue and not the persons. SERAP is at the forefront of the campaign for the efficient prosecution of high corruption cases. Please sustain the advocacy,” he added.

FACILITY TOUR

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, May & Baker, Nnamdi Okafor; Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Olukayode Pitan; and Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, during the minister’s visit and tour of the Pharma Centre facility of May & Baker at Ota, Ogun State...recently.

House C’ttee Embargoes NHIS Budget Pending Appearance of Health Minister Threatens to issue bench warrant

James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health Services, Hon. Chike Okafor, yesterday disclosed the resolve of the committee and the position of the House to suspend budget consideration for the National Insurance Health Scheme (NHIS) pending the appearance of the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole.

Adewole was recently summoned by the lower chamber in respect of the controversial suspension of the erstwhile Executive Secretary of the NHIS, Prof. Usman Yusuf.

Okafor told THISDAY that until the minister appears before the committee as

mandated by the House and explain the reason for the suspension of the former Executive Secretary, there would be no consideration of the budget of the NHIS. The newly appointed acting Executive Secretary of the agency, Ibrahim Attahiru, was before the committee to defend its 2017 budget but was turned down by the committee.

He said the committee in a unanimous decision discharged Attahiru with the proviso that the lawmakers would treat the NHIS budget as soon as the minister appears before it to resolve the NHIS issue at hand.

Okafor said: “The House resolution was communicated to the health minister and

if you look through our proceedings, you will see that we were expecting the minister to come tomorrow (today) to give us an update on the crisis rocking the NHIS. “But incidentally, I got a letter from him about an hour ago, saying he will not be available to appear before this committee. He gave a couple of reasons, which I would still relate to the committee when we disolve into an executive session.

“Suffice to say, that the reasons are not acceptable to me. I was going to direct that we send a letter back to him as he claimed in his letter that he has engagements that will take him out of Abuja or that he is already out of

Abuja.”

After a closed door session, Okafor said members equally agreed that should Adewole fail to appear on a new date, the committee should issue a bench warrant to compel his appearance.

The lawmakers had invited Adewole “to show cause why he should not be cited for contempt of the House as the suspension of the Executive Secretary of NHIS, appears to be intended to intimidate him, punish him for testifying before the House and silence him for further testifying before the House in its constitutional duties of investigation of issues of corruption, inefficiency and waste in governance.”

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NAF Deploys Armed Helicopters, Personnel to Taraba, Kaduna to Maintain Peace Buratai commends Borno on fight against Boko Haram Paul Obi ÓØ ÌßÔË As tension continues to mount over the recent killings in Taraba State, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday deployed armed helicopters and its

personnel to checkmate the lingering crisis and maintain peace.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, said in Abuja

Ex-FCT Minister, Akinjide Regains Passport, Gets Permission for Treatment Overseas Davidson Iriekpen A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the release of the international passport of a former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide.

Akinjide is facing charges bordering on N650 million fraud before an Ibadan division of the court.

She had filed an application through her lawyer, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), urging the Lagos division of the court to grant a release of her passport for medical trip overseas.

Moving the application yesterday, Ayorinde told the court that the application which was dated July 12, was based on hospital recommendation, which had referred the accused for a medical check.

He sought an order of the court for the release of Akinjide’s passport to enable her foreign medical trip.

Her counsel also prayed the court to grant an order for a release of the passport at anytime when required.

Ayorinde added that the prosecution was not opposed to the application, adding that the ex-minister was not a flight risk.

In response, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes

Commission (EFCC), Mr. Mohammed Aliyu, confirmed service of the application, adding that the prosecution was not opposed to same.

In addition, counsel to the accused also made an undertaking and assured them of the accused’s return to stand her trial.

Consequently, Justice Chuka Obiozor ordered the release of the international passport of the accused.

Obiozor ordered that the duration must not exceed 30 days.

The judge, however, refused the second leg of the application seeking a release of the passport at any other time required.

The EFCC had on June 22 arraigned Akinjide and one Chief Olanrewaju Otiti before an Ibadan Federal High Court.

The ex-minister was accused of conspiring with Otiti to launder a sum of N650 million, which she allegedly collected out of the $115 million allegedly doled out by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezaani Alison-Madueke.

The EFCC said the act contravened the provisions of Section14, 15 and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Act, 2012.

They had however, pleaded not guilty to the 24-count charge levelled against them.

yesterday that the deployment of armed helicopters, NAF personnel and other materials would cover Takum and other parts of the state to give support to the ground forces in order to maintain peace in the area.

He said: “The deployment of the helicopter is also to deter warring communities within the area from further engaging in violent activities. The helicopter is already carrying out armed reconnaissance missions within the Mambilla Plateau and environs.

“It will be recalled that pockets of violence broke out recently

Some officials of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) in Festac Town in Lagos yesterday disconnected about 80 flats at 312 Road area of the town, from power supply, following the resistant of the residents that their power supply would not be disconnected over unbearable estimated bills they (residents) are forced to pay every month.

A resident and retiree, Mrs. Abinbola, who spoke with journalists, who arrived the area after what she was the resistance by the residence to their lights being disconnected over what they called “devilish crazy bills,” said, “About 9.30a.m., three EKEDC men came, first to Block 1 and started disconnecting light. The resident came out that they have hardly had light in the last three months and before you knew it, other residents who were yet to go to work came out.

“We tried explaining that refusing to give a resident

pre-paid metre only to impose N17,000 on the person, when he or she does not operate a bakery was robbery, wicked and exploitative, more so when the light has been problematic since the beginning of the year.

Before we knew it, they had already disconnected the 16 flats on the Block. This angered other residents, who insisted that they will not continue to beg or bribe, as they insisted on the pre-paid metres and reconnection of the disconnected flats.

“Tension rose and before you knew it, the EKEDC people called their colleagues from the Festac office. While we were still talking with them and insisting on the pre-paid metres as that will save us from their continues harassments, they disconnected the entire 80 flats. Is that not robbery?

They want to kill us with bills, but as God gives us the strength, we will resist them.

ground forces already working to maintain peace in the area.

“The helicopter will operate from a new NAF Forward Operating Base being established in Kafanchan, as part of the federal government efforts to ensure lasting peace in Southern Kaduna.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, commended Borno State Government and Governor Kashim Shettima for embarking on the renovation of Nigerian Army barracks in Bama.

He applauded Shettima

for his unrelenting support to Operation Lafiya Dole which assisted in the defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists and the kind gesture of the state government in providing land for the newly established Nigerian Army University in the state.

Buratai added that the commencement of renovation works in Bama barracks as timely as it would provide a more conducive environment for the troops to settle and discharge their duties of providing security for the entire Bama community and environs.

ENDORSEMENT

L-R: Enugu State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Transition Committee Chairman of Ezeagu Local Government Area, Hon. Fred Ezinwa, at the presentation of “Ofo” as a symbol of support and endorsement to the governor and his deputy for 2019 general election by the people of Ozom Aguobu Owa Community... yesterday.

CJN Commences Construction of Rivers Judges’ Quarters Ernest Chinwo ÓØ ÙÜÞ ËÜÍÙßÜÞ

EKEDC Disconnects 80 Flats in Festac over Protest for Pre-paid Meters

around the Mambilla Plateau resulting in the loss of lives and property. The communal unrest between grazers and farmers subsequently led to the imposition of a curfew.

“It therefore became necessary to deploy NAF air assets towards maintaining peace and providing air cover for ground troops. So far, members of the communities have been observed to be going about their business in peace.”

Adesanya also explained that “another NAF helicopter will soon be deployed in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, in support of the

that the project would help judicial officers focus on The Chief Justice of Nigeria their constitutional roles.

Onnoghen stated that the (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, has flagged off the construction project would give judicial of the Rivers State Judges officers a sense of belonging Quarters, with a call to other and the clear indication that state governments to emulate they are appreciated by the the Rivers State Government by society.

In his remarks, Rivers State embarking on similar projects.

Performing the Governor, Nyesom Wike, said groundbreaking rite of the the groundbreaking of the project yesterday, the CJN project exemplifies how his lauded the state government administration treasures the for initiating and embarking judicial branch of government and proves that the on the project.

He said: “To say that I administration is a covenantam very happy to be here fulfilling government.

He said: “Most of us can because the judiciary which is my primary constituency is still recollect the awful state being recognised and given of the state’s judiciary before its due by a government that we took over the levers of feels concerned about the governance. Apart from the heresy of closing down plight of judicial officers.

“I feel happy that this is the courts for nearly two a positive change which is years, the immediate past very much desired by all. administration never, for a I am here today because I moment, cared about the believe in the project. And well being of judicial officers.

“And so when we sought because I share in the dream.

Also because I equally have to replace that horrible the support of the federal regime, we promised to government to pursue similar rebuild and strengthen the projects for the federal state’s judiciary in all its nuances as well as improve judiciary.”

While expressing the working conditions of happiness to be associated our magistrates and judges with the event, he noted to enhance effective justice

delivery in the state.”

The governor stated that his administration is already achieving its goal of making Port Harcourt a judicial hub through the construction of a Federal High Court, ongoing construction of National Industrial Court and the total rehabilitation of the dilapidated Court of Appeal.

Wike emphasised that his administration remains committed to the welfare of judicial officers in the state. He noted that the state government has already provided judicial officers with vehicles and decent working environment.

He said: “Today, we have started the process of delivering on the first phase of our promise to provide decent residences for judicial officers with the construction of 20 purpose-built five-bedroom duplexes with service quarters and recreational facilities in this exclusive estate.

“The need for this project is self-evident. Providing houses for judges in a safe, secure and serene environment gives them the privacy and comfort that they need to effectively discharge their functions.”

The governor added: “In the allocation of official residence

for life in Port Harcourt, all the judicial officers of Rivers State origin serving with the federal judiciary will also be provided with cars just as we have done with the state’s judicial officers and magistrates.”

The governor urged the judiciary to be independentminded with the courage to act on the side of justice without any limitation, improper influence, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences from any entity or for any reason.

Also speaking, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Adama Iyayi-Laminkara, described the project as historic.

She said: “This demonstrates the commitment of the state Governor to the infrastructural development and welfare of judicial officers.”

The Rivers State Judges Quarters consists of 20 units fully detached five bedroom duplexes, service quarters in planned and landscaped serene environment, filled with lush vegetation and green.

The judges quarters will have sports facilities, energy centre, water treatment plant and it sits a total area 4.1 hectares.

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Gambari Urges FG to Prosecute Sponsors of Violent Crimes Alex Enumah ÓØ ÌßÔË A former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, yesterday urged the federal government to ensure that all those found culpable of sponsoring violent crimes in

the country must be brought to justice.

The former UN envoy also called for the review of the Nigeria’s justice system to ensure sustainable peace and conflict resolution in the country, noting that there can never be genuine peace without justice.

ASUU-KSU to Sanction Members Yekini Jimoh ÓØ ÙÕÙÔË

the university administration to allow the union meet on The Academic Staff Union the prescient of the university, of Universities, Kogi State as part of the implementation University (ASUU-KSU) of the purported proscription chapter, has resolved to of ASUU-KSU. “That the proscription of sanction any member who “violates the resolution of the ASUU-KSU by the state the congress by signing the governor is unconstitutional, register with the view to null, void and of no consequence whatsoever. resume work.”

“To continue with the The decision was taken yesterday at a congress strike action until the alleged held at the Conference Hall proscription order is reversed of the Harbour Bay Guest and all outstanding issues, House, Anyigba, outside the including payment of salaries university campus on the to all categories of staff and ongoing strike embarked EAA, are settled.”

The state Governor, upon by the ASSU members.

A resolution at the end Yahaya Bello, had last week of the congress which was Wednesday announced the signed by Prof. Suleiman proscription of the state Mohammed, Convener, chapter of ASUU with NEC Visitation Committee; immediate effect.

He made the announcement Dr. Daniel Aina, acting Chairperson, and Dr. M. A. after an emergency State Daikwo, Assistant Secretary, Executive Council meeting, a copy of which was made saying the decision to available to THISDAY, stated: proscribe the union became “That the holding of the necessary, as efforts to make congress meeting outside of members see reasons for the the university campus was discontinuance of their over consequent on the refusal of six months strike has failed.

Osinbajo Seeks N’Assembly Approval for N222.36bn FCT Budget James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday sought the approval of the House of Representatives for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 2017 statutory budget estimated at about N222.36 billion.

He said the budget was based in the 2017-2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and key assumptions of the federal government for 2017 budget.

In the letter dated July 20, and personally signed by the acting president, the sum of N52.57 billion or 23.64 per cent of the total is being earmarked for personnel costs while N41.29 billion or 18.57 per cent is proposed for overhead expenses.

Capital expenditure is to gulp N128.49 billion or 57.79 per cent of the total share.

The FCT budget ratio for capital and recurrent expenditure is put at 57.79 percent and 42.21 per cent respectively in line with the federal government emphasis on capital projects, Osinbajo noted.

However, he said the FCT

hopes to generate an estimated N139.98 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR) from major revenue generating agencies of the capital city.

It is further relying on the FCT shareof one per cent out of the federal government share from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) including Value Added Tax (VAT).

His letter, addressed to House Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and read on the House floor, recalled that N30.39 billion was appropriated for the FCT in the 2017 approved federal budget.

The statutory budget is usually presented to the National Assembly after passage of the Federal budget in order to enable the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) capture essential capital projects which are often removed from the federal budget.

The FCTA runs two budgets namely the national and statutory budgets-the former funded directly by the federal government while the latter is budged from the statutory allocations.

He was speaking at the fifth international Africa Peace and Conflict Resolution conference hosted by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in Abuja with the theme, ‘Restorative and community justice: challenges, lessons and prospects.’

Gambari, a former UN Special Adviser on the International Compact with Iraq and other Issues, also called for establishment of early warning mechanism as a means to end injustice in the country. “I think it is time we have to review our criminal justice system in Nigeria because it is due for reform. No one is happy about

our criminal justice except the criminals.

“And we have to restore that balance not in favour but against criminal. Justice is imperative in the way of peace; any one denied justice has no interest in peace”, he said.

“You cannot have peace where there is no justice because people must have the feeling of closure, a feeling where violation of human rights is brought to justice,” he added.

Gambari maintained that restorative justice was a very important tool for peace and conflict resolution adding that, statistics shows that more than 50 per cent of resolved conflicts

reoccurred due to injustice.

He therefore charged stakeholders and the international community to establish peace that will endure.

“In order words, once peace is established, it should be on solid foundation that will ensure that conflicts do not return.

According to Gambari, there must be a system that holds people accountable for their actions. He said sponsors of violence should not be given any form of amnesty but be made to pay for their crimes so as to serve as deterrent to others.

He noted that Nigeria has never been in short of

commissions of enquiry or idea but what has been lacking is the implementation of the recommendation from such commissions.

He said: “So we have no shortage of ideas but shortage of implementation of the recommendation and ideas that emanate from these commissions of enquiries and constitutional conferences”.

Also, the Minister of Foreign Affairs who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Olusola Enikanolaiye, appreciated the role of the IPCR for being in the fore front of promoting peace and conflict resolution in Nigeria.

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT.....

President of the African Media Network, Mr. Aniekan Umanah (left), and Executive Secretary, National Press Council, Mrs. Stella Jibrin (right), presenting certificate of attendance to the Special Assistant Media to Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, Mr. Jackson Udom, at the end of a two-day workshop on optimising new media opportunities and managing electronic vandalism organised in Lagos....yesterday

Building Collapse: Raise the Alarm on Suspicious Construction, Lagos Urges Residents

Warns developers, property owners against altering approved building plans The Lagos State Government yesterday urged Lagosians not to hesitate to raise the alarm if they suspect any discrepancy in the construction of any building within their vicinity.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Wasiu Anifowoshe, who spoke when he visited the site of the building which collapsed at No 3/5 Massey Street in Lagos Island on Tuesday, said Lagosians must join hands with the government and report property owners and developers where they sense any irregularity during construction.

“My advice for Lagosians especially the tenants that live in these houses, we have been saying this times without number, if you see your landlord doing anything dangerous to your safety, please be a whistle blower, make noise, tell us, let government know in advance.

We were informed that this mast was erected two weeks ago. If the mast had not been erected we might not have had this ugly situation. Please be on the look-out, let us be our

brothers’ keeper,” Anifowoshe said.

Anifowoshe, who commiserated with families of victims who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident, said the state’s emergency response team spent over 24 hours combing the rubbles to rescue trapped victims and convey them to the hospital, adding that a thorough investigation would be conducted to unravel the cause of the collapse.

“Presently, the site has been cordoned off and there will not be any development on this site because any site that collapses in Lagos State, the law says the state must seize the property,” he said.

Also speaking, General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr. Olalekan Shodeinde, alluded to the fact that government could not tackle the menace of building collapse alone, hence Lagosians must be willing to assist by raising alarm whenever they see any illegal development in any area of the state.

He said the spate of building collapse in the past years has reemphasised the fact that both

the government and the people need to collaborate more than ever, not only to stem building collapse but also ensure that people build in compliance with physical planning laws.

He said: “Dealing with illegal developments here and there in Lagos State should be a joint effort between Lagosians and government. We need information of such unlawful activities from responsible Lagosians so as to be able to curb the excesses of unscrupulous developers and owners of property in the state.”

Shodeinde also said the present administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was committed to achieving zero tolerance to incidences of collapsed buildings and therefore would not fold its arms and watch citizens die avoidable careless death without taking precautionary measure to nip it in the bud.

He also warned building owners and developers to desist from imposing additional floors to existing buildings without obtaining necessary approval, saying that such could lead to building collapse and loss of lives.

According to him, it was suicidal to engage in such act without carrying out a thorough engineering appraisal and integrity test on the structure.

Explaining what led to the collapse, the LASBCA boss said the building, a four floor structure which was built with bricks, caved in due to foundation failure when the bearing capacity of the soil could not sustain the structure due to the load being transferred from the additional imposed load of communication mast erected on the building about two weeks ago.

Shodeinde said the building after several inspection rounds in the past did not show any sign of distress even though the structural member were constructed with gravel as granite.

“The additional load imposed on the structure added to the design capacity and loading being transferred through the structural members made the building heavier than the capacity of the soil which is the ultimate load bearer,” he said.

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CRIME&PUNISHMENT EFCC Seals Multi-billion Naira Enugu Mall Christopher Isiguzo Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x; The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday sealed the multibillion naira Enugu Park and Shopping Mall, making it the second time the commission was carrying out such action in few months.  According to THISDAY checks, operatives of the commission were said to have come from Abuja headquarters, stormed the construction site and chased away all the workers. The project is almost due for inauguration.

The incident happened early morning as workers were settling down for the day’s work.

The Head of Public Affairs of EFCC in South East zone, Mr. Chris Oluka, confirmed the incident when contacted. Â He said the managers of the building flouted the directive of EFCC on the construction of the building. Â Accordingly, the officers from Abuja raided the mall and chased away workers who were recently recruited preparatory to the official opening of business

next Friday. “Yes, our men went there to disperse them because they flouted our instructions. We had sealed the premises and wrote ‘Under EFCC Investigation’, but they covered the write-up with paint,� he said.

Oluka recalled that the commission had earlier in the year sealed the mall, which is located beside the Enugu State House of Assembly, by writing the inscription ‘Under EFCC Investigation’.

However, that did not deter the managers as they continued with construction work at the site.

The Zonal Head of Operations in EFCC South East, Mr. Johnson Babalola, had during an interaction with journalists at Enugu Press Centre recently said it was not against any known law for the owners to go ahead with construction work.

Babalola had explained that since the property was not yet under permanent forfeiture to the government, “construction work can still go on while investigations continue.�

FG Promises to Hunt down, Punish Human TrafďŹ ckers Alex Enumah Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

The federal government yesterday reiterated its determination to stamp out the business of trafficking humans by promising to hunt down and ensure the successful prosecution of all alleged persons involved in the illicit trade.  The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), made the pledge yesterday at the National Stakeholders Consultative Forum (NSCF) organised by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

The event was in commemoration of the World Day of Dignity for Victims of human trafficking slated for July 30, 2017.

The minister who was represented by a Director in the Ministry of Justice, Francis Oni, also pledged government’s full support to the agency in routing the menace from the Nigerian society. According to Malami, the federal government’s decision was based on the international embarrassment and shame the activities of human trafficking has caused the country.  He lamented that human trafficking has deflected the population of the country by the large number of deaths recorded through the tortuous journey across the Sahara desserts and the Mediterranean Sea. “Whatever it takes to make NAPTIP succeed in this task, the federal government is ready to provide as no stone will be left unturned in this fight against human trafficking,�

Malami promised.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Director General

of NAPTIP, Julie Okah-Donli, disclosed that Nigeria was downgraded from Tier two to Tier two watch lists in June 2017 by the US Department of State Trafficking in persons report.  The implication, she said, is that government should be up and doing in the fight against trafficking in persons, as the downgrade  means that the Federal Government of Nigeria does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. “The report is not a reflection of the efforts of NAPTIP which has continued to set standards globally, but an appraisal of actions of all forms of government as well as civil society. Specifically, Nigeria was downgraded because of allegations that Nigeria Armed Forces are using children as child soldiers in the North-east,� she said.

Okah-Donli, however, expressed hope that the meeting will provide opportunity for extensive discussions and adoption of far-reaching measures to deepen the involvement of states and civil society organisations in the collective effort to rid the country of the scourge of human trafficking.

Other activities lined up to mark the event include a public lecture on human trafficking which will have in its attendance, the wife of the president, Hajia Aisha Buhari, AGF, Malami, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja who will be the keynote speaker and Sir Kelvin Hyland, UK’s Anti-Slavery Commissioner, will be the guest lecturer, and a Walk Against Human Trafficking scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 29, 2017.

 But speaking further on the matter, Oluka said allowing the business to operate in the building could jeopardise investigations.

“I do not have much to say about this because the officers that dispersed the workers this morning came from Abuja,�

Oluka said.

 On the invitation of the managers of the mall to the zonal office of the commission after the workers were dispersed, Oluka said it should not be

misconstrued as an arrest. “They were invited to come and explain why they did what we told them not to do,� he added.

CRIME BURSTERS L-R: Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris; Deputy Inspector General of Police ICT, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo; and Deputy Inspector General of Police, Finance and Administration, Mr. Miageri Dikko, during the IG’s conference with the state Commissioners of Police in Abuja...yesterday

38 Inmates Freed in Ebonyi Benjamin Nworie Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ‹Ă•Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă“ The Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, Justice Alloy Nwankwo, has freed 38 inmates serving in Abakaliki and Afikpo Federal Prisons during a jail delivery exercise.  Nwankwo said the jail delivery programme was in exercise of the constitutional rights conferred on the Chief Justice of the Federation and the Chief Judges of states by the Nigerian Constitution.  A total of 29 inmates were released from Abakaliki prisons while nine others were released from Afikpo prisons.  He said the exercise was to decongest the prison yard by

releasing awaiting trial inmates who have been in custody without trial over a period of time.

According to the chief judge, 11 inmates awaiting trial were discharged, nine were granted bail on self-recognition while the other nine were admitted to conditional bail in Abakaliki prisons. Â Also, in Afikpo prisons, five inmates were discharged without condition; three released on bail condition and one was freed on self-recognition.

He said the facility was built to accommodate 387 inmates but lamented that no fewer than 1,000 both awaiting trial and convicted inmates were

presently kept in the facility. “There are over 1,000 inmates in the prison yard built to accommodate 387 inmates hence the need for us to regularly visit the prisons to treat deserving cases in order to decongest the prisons in line with the prisons reform policy. “Our work as I said earlier does not include coming here to release all awaiting inmates, there are procedures, otherwise we will be disobeying the law and that is not our intention,� he stated.

Justice Nwankwo commended the prisons authority for compiling the case files in proper order, saying

by October, there would be a repeat of the exercise to further decongests the prison. Â He charged the freed inmates to be of good conduct and avoid engaging in further criminal activities that could throw them back to prison.

Meanwhile, the Prisons Controller, Emelia Adaobi Oputa , has handed over barbing saloon equipment to one of the freed prisoners, Chinonso Nwibo, as part of efforts to rehabilitate the prisoners serving various jails terms in the facility.

Handing over the equipment to Chinonso Nwibo, she advised him to be of good behavior and make good use of the equipment.

Police Arraign Odegbami’s Driver, Housekeeper for Alleged N150m Theft Akinwale Akintunde The driver and housekeeper to Mrs. Oyindamola Odegbami, the spouse of Chief Segun Odegbami, a Nigerian football legend, were yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for stealing N150 million worth of jewelry.

The 26-year-old driver, Mohammed Abdulazeez and the 25-year-old housekeeper, Rose Patrick were arraigned alongside 28-year-old Ester Pam, a friend of the housekeeper on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing before Magistrate Y.O Aje-Afunwa.

The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Peter Nwangwu told the court that the trio allegedly committed the offence on December 10, 2016 at Mrs. Odegbami’s residence at Bourdillon St., Ikoyi, Lagos. “The complainant, Mrs. Odegbami on December 10,

2016, discovered that jewellery as well as some personal effects were missing from her bedroom. “The missing personal effects are; a set of Roberto Coin Gold set valued at $15,000 (N7.5million) a set of Van Clef Diamond and Gold Butterfly Jewellery valued at $50,000 (N25million). “A dangling gold jewelry set valued at $50,000 (N25million), a set of black and white diamonds valued at $75,000 (N37.5million), a plain gold set valued at $15,000 (N7.5million). “A big set of gold and diamond encrusted pendant valued at $50,000 (N25million) as well as other valuable personal and household items such as an ipad, three blackberry mobile phones, six Ankara fabrics etc,� he said.

According to the prosecutor Mrs. Odegbami, after noticing that the items were missing, came to the

realisation that Patrick, her housekeeper who never returned from a holiday that ended over two weeks ago was responsible for the theft. “The complainant reported to the authorities and Patrick was apprehended at the home of her boyfriend, one Mathias Hussein, a mobile policeman of Mopol 43, Lion Building, Obalende, Lagos. “Police investigations also revealed that Abdulazeez, the complainant’s driver and Pam, Patrick’s friend also domestic staff in a neighbouring residence, had aided Patrick in carrying the allegedly stolen items in suitcases from the home. “On interrogation by the police, Patrick admitted stealing Mrs. Odegbami’s household items and personal effects but denied taking the jewellery. “The property she admitted stealing were recovered from the Mobile Police Barracks residence

of her boyfriend Hussein at Obalende, Lagos�, Nwangwu said.

According to him, the offences contravened Sections 278 (1)(2) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

Mrs. Odegbami’s counsel, Mr. Kennedy Osunwa told the court that Cpl. Hussein, is yet to be arraigned in court with the other accused. “The police is yet to charge and arraign Cpl. Mathias Hussein, for conspiracy and retention of stolen property in his official residence,� Osunwa said.

Magistrate Aje-Afunwa granted each of the accused N2 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

According to the magistrate, the sureties must be homeowners who must provide evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case till September 15 for trial.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017

THURSDAYSPORTS FIBA Gives NBBF Nov 30 Ultimatum to End ‘War’

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

E L E C T I O N FA L LO U T

May replace both Kida and Umar boards with a ‘Task Force’ Duro Ikhazuagbe The internal crisis rocking Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) after two separate elections ushered in two different boards for the sport, basketball world governing body-FIBA, yesterday issued Nigeria an ultimatum to resolve the matter before November 30 or face sanctions.

In a letter signed by FIBA Secretary General, Patrick Baumann, and addressed to the two boards led by Ahmadu Musa Kida and Tijani Umar respectively yesterday, it warned that in the event that an amicable solution is not reached before the date, NBBF is to be suspended while a Task Force is appointed to run the sport.

“In the event that a solution complying with the FIBA General Statutes is not found, the NBBF will be subject to the possibility of sanctions, including without limitation, a suspension of its membership with FIBA. “ In the event that a solution is not found, regardless of any sanctions, FIBA will appoint a task force that will take any appropriate measure(s) in the interests of basketball in Nigeria,” stressed the statement from FIBA also copied to the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC).

Although FIBA insisted that it was going to be communicating with the Kida led board of NBBF, it clarified that it should not be taken to mean that FIBA has stamped that faction as the legitimate NBBF. FIBA will communicate, as of now and until 30 November 2017 solely with the persons named as board members on 13 June 2017 namely Mr Ahmadu Musa Kida as NBBF President and Mr Babatunde Ogunade as Vice President using nigeriabballinfo@yahoo. com for official correspondence.

“It shall not be understood as a recognition by FIBA of the management elected on 13 June 2017,” FIBA further noted.

It expressed its displeasure with the conduct of two separate elections on June 12 and June 13 for the same board of the NBBF. “FIBA is not entirely satisfied that either election was carried out in accordance with the FIBA General Statues. Consequently, pursuant to Article 9.10 of the FIBA General Statutes, FIBA cannot recognise either election.”

FIBA therefore instructed the NBBF to resolve this current dispute internally, whether through new elections of (preferably) through an amicable solution under the auspices of the National Olympic Committee, before 30 November 2017.

FIBA made it known also that it will continue to study the allegations of government intervention and non-democratic elections at the NBBF. Apart from the NOC, FIBA Africa President, Hamane Niang; and FIBA Executive Director Africa, Alphonse Bile were also copied on the Nigerian situation and line of action taken so far.

When THISDAY contacted a member of the Kida led board, Col Sam Ahmedu (rtd) for his reaction, he admitted that the FIBA letter has been received at the NBBF secretariat and that his board was studying the situation and would take a decision soon.

“It is true FIBA has made contact with us and we are studying the letter from the world body. We are going to make our position known soon,” stressed the ex-international basketball star who is head of FIBA Africa Zone Three.

Soon after last Friday’s inauguration of all the 31 sports federations that were elected on June 13, the Kida led board issued a disclaimer on one Emmanuel Enejoh who had earlier sent out invitation letters to clubs to release their players for the African Women Basketball Championship scheduled for Bamako, Mali.

NPFL: Rivers Utd Hold Akwa Utd at Home Rivers United and Akwa United played out a 1-1 draw in a rescheduled Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) game in Port Harcourt yesterday.

In a cracking first half that produced fireworks, the home side dominated the early exchanges but failed to make any headway in the face of stoic Akwa defending.

Guy Keumian had the first crack at goal in the eighth minute but his effort flew wide with the Akwa United goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke, beaten.

The hosts were made to pay for the missed chances soon after as Akwa struck the first blow with their first real strike on goal.

Musa Newman got the goal in the 12th minute as he bundled home a cross from close range to send the home fans reeling.

Rivers United reacted gamely and were back on level terms moments later.

Emeka Ogbugh got the goal for the Port Harcourt club as he headed home Chiwendu Ali’s free kick off the crossbar beyond the reach of Ojo. Both sides traded chances but there was to be no more scoring until regulation time.

Akwa United stay in third place on the NPFL log with 51 points from 31 matches while Rivers United moved up one place to 12th with 41 points from 30 matches.

In the disclaimer signed

by NBBF Secretary General Chimezie Asiegbu, it warned the clubs and other stakeholders that there was no such position

as Administrative Secretary in the federation and as such, all correspondents from the Tijani Umar led board should be discountenanced.

Asiegbu then released a list of 29 players invited to the two camps here in Nigeria and Orlando, Florida in USA. The team is to be coached by

Vincent James Samuel, appointed as the new Head Coach of the women senior national team in place of Scott Nnaji who is with Umar faction.

Emeka Ogbugh saved Rivers United from home defeat… yesterday

Zenith B’ball League Star, Akashili, Relishes Football Stint Final Phase in semis Female basketball star, Nkechi Akashili, would have ended up lacing the boots for a top football club in the country or somewhere else in Europe.

But her love for the dunking game won her over from the wish of her father.

Nkechi’s father had wanted the player currently making waves at the ongoing Zenith Bank Women Basketball League to play soccer but her passion for basketball did not allow her.

Beautiful Nkechi started going to basketball courts by following her elder sister, Sunnychi Akashili who played the game years back

in the ancient city of Warri.

“I started playing the game in 2009 at Warri at the secondary school level, but did not get the approval of my father who wanted me to be a footballer.

“But when we won the All Nigeria Secondary School Milo title and came back home with cartons of Milo drinks and the ticket to represent the country at the World Secondary Championship in Argentina, my father changed his mind started supporting me,” she revealed.

On her return from South America, Akashili moved to Asaba to join the Delta State basketball

team, Delta Force.

She hardly played two seasons at Delta Force before the prying eyes of scouts from First Deepwater caught up with her and she moved to Lagos.

She won the Zenith Bank Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with Deepwater at her first outing before First Bank came for her signature.

The University of Lagos graduate says she is not in a hurry to be a mother.

Nkechi said she would be looking forward to win her sixth Zenith Bank Women Basketball League title this

weekend in Lagos.

“I have won it five times in the past and will be gunning for the sixth this weekend,” Nkechi who is aspiring to go abroad soon to continue with her exploits in the game said.

Meanwhile, the ongoing final phase of the 2017 Zenith Basketball League enters crucial stage today as finalists are expected to emerge after the semifinal matches this evening.

RESULTS First Bank 83-40 GT 2000 Dolphins 69-64 Plateau IGP Queens 61-60 Delta Force

Nigerian Tennis Players Round up Training with Spanish Coach Top Spanish tennis coach, Jose Velasco has rounded off his four-week coaching visit to Nigeria at the Lagos Country Club with a number of junior national players getting the latest techniques to step up their game.

Prominent among the players are Serena Teluwo and Reya Holmes who are using the programme as part of build up to the ITF/CAT 12 and Under African Junior Championship scheduled for Casablanca, Morocco in September.

While Serena is already assured of her place in the tournament which will feature about 80 players from 20 countries, Reya is an alternate player for Nigeria, having missed out of the qualifiers held in Lagos in April through injury while on preparation in London. Former junior national team invitees, Filippo Trombi, Lolade Holmes, Gideon and Olamide Aluko are the others that took part in the programme which include personal and group sessions.

Velasco, who was also at the VGC Club, is a revered ITF-certified coach noted for the nurturing of talents in Spain through his Grip 2 Tennis Academy in Vinaros, Spain. He is billed to resume work with the Saudi Arabia Tennis Federation this weekend, where he will take charge of the Gulf nation’s junior tennis programme for the next one year.

Having been in Nigeria for a similar programme two years ago, he submitted that Nigeria can produce tennis stars

calling for attention of the game especially at the grassroots.

“Its a good and bad news for Nigeria in tennis. The good news is that there are lots of potential. The country is having lots of talents. However, the bad news is there’s lack of information regarding the coaching aspect.

“They are paying so much attention to the kids such that they are overworking them on court. The pattern they are being put through is perhaps the toughest of all,” he submitted.

˜ ͺͿ˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ ˾ T H I S D AY

54

TUESDAYSPORTS TRANSFER NEWS

Mbappe: Monaco Insists No Real Deal Monaco said yesterday that no deal has been reached with Real Madrid for teenage French international striker Kylian Mbappe.

Monaco Vice-president Vadim Vasilyev also said in a press conference the principality club was in discussions with Mbappe over a new contract extension.

The 18-year-old has been the subject of intense transfer speculation linking him to a world-record €180-million move, with Spanish sports daily Marca reporting on Tuesday that a fee had been agreed between Real and the French Ligue 1 champions.

“I have read a lot of things in the press,” said Vasilyev.

“So far we have not signed any agreements with Real or any other club. All big clubs want him, he’s the great hope of European football.

“We are in discussions over a contract extension with

Kylian and we hope to reach an agreement.”

Mbappe burst onto the scene last season as he helped Leonardo Jardim’s side claim their first French league title since 2000 and reach the Champions League semifinals.

The pacy forward scored 15 Ligue 1 goals and six in as many starts in Europe, all of which came in the Champions League knock-out stages.

Having been linked with possible moves to a host of top clubs, Real had appeared to be on the brink of getting their man.

But Vasilyev insisted that Mbappe needed to be given time to make a decision of that magnitude at such a young age.

“There is too much media pressure around him,” he added.

“It’s not easy for him, but he handles it well... We want to take the time to chat quietly with the player and his family.”

TOP TEN EPL SUMMER SIGNINGS

WWE’s Raw and Smackdown Live on DStv & GOtv

WWE and SuperSport, Africa’s premier sport channels provider, yesterday announced a new multiyear agreement to broadcast WWE programming live for the first time in more than 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Starting August 28, DStv and GOtv customers will have access to the world’s biggest wrestling entertainment when SuperSport airs WWE’s flagship shows Raw and SmackDown as well as WWE specials, including WrestleMania and SummerSlam.

“WWE is a global phenomenon, so securing the broadcast rights for SuperSport is a terrific coup,” said Chief Executive of SuperSport, Gideon Khobane. “The athletes involved are larger than life figures who command huge followings.

At long last our DStv and GOtv viewers will get to share in this entertainment spectacle in high definition. I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with WWE.” “SuperSport is a best-in-class partner who shares our vision and passion for engaging with and entertaining our fans,” said Ed Wells, WWE Executive Vice President, International. “Televising WWE programming live in subSaharan Africa for the first time an important milestone for us, and we look forward to working with SuperSport to cultivate new fans in the region.”

DStv Premium, Compact+ and

Compact customers will enjoy their wrestling drama live while DStv Family and Access will also enjoy same-day rebroadcast of the events which will be available on SuperSport channels S7, S9 and SS10.

Viewers can look forward to Raw on Tuesdays and SmackDown on Wednesdays offering both live telecasts and same-day re-airs, as well as all WWE specials live, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Survivor Series and Royal Rumble.

GOtv viewers will have access to the wrestling action on Select 3, available to GOtv Plus customers.

“We’re delighted to bring our DStv and GOtv customers yet another sport that’s going to keep them glued to their TV and mobile screens. This addition to our sports offering will certainly bring more value for our customers and ensure that SuperSport remains their go-to World of Champion and home to the world’s biggest sports.

This is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that our platforms deliver only the best entertainment to our customers,” observed Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe.

To celebrate the new partnership, SuperSport has promised to televise the prior week’s episodes of Raw and SmackDown on Monday, August 28.

Mbappe… set to extend stay at Monaco

Spurs Boss Says Premier League Transfer Spending Not Sustainable Chairman Daniel Levy has defended Tottenham’s lack of transfer activity this summer and claimed the spending by other Premier League clubs is unsustainable.

More than £850m has been spent by top-flight sides in the transfer window, which ends on 31 August.

But Tottenham, who sold Kyle Walker to Manchester City for £45m this month, have not made any signings.

“We have a duty to manage the club appropriately,” said Levy.

“Some of the activity that is going on at the moment is just impossible for it to be sustainable.

“Somebody spending £200m more than they’re earning,

eventually it catches up with you. And you can’t keep doing it.”

Accountancy firm Deloitte said Premier League sides are on course to surpass the record £1.165bn they spent last summer.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said last week: “I’m used to clubs paying big for big players.

Now everybody pays big money for good players.”

Walker’s departure aside, Spurs have retained the same squad that finished second to Chelsea in the league last season.

The club are in the process of building a new 61,000-seat stadium, which is expected to cost £750m and is scheduled to open next year.

Speaking at a Nasdaq Q&A in New York, Levy said: “Obviously when you’re building a stadium of this magnitude and it all has to be privately financed - there’s no state help whatsoever - it is a challenge.

“We have to find the right balance but I can honestly say it is not impacting us on transfer activity because we are not yet in a place where we have found a player that we want to buy who we cannot afford to buy.”

Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who are in the United States on their pre-season tour, beat France’s Paris St-Germain 4-2 at the weekend, with 17-year-old midfielder Tashan Oakley-Boothe playing 45 minutes.

On Tuesday, a side beaten 3-2

by Roma featured three more academy products in the starting line-up - Cameron Carter-Vickers, Kyle Walker-Peters and Josh Onomah.

Levy said: “Our position on transfers is that we have a coach who very much believes in the academy, so unless we can find a player that makes a difference we would rather give one of our young academy players a chance.

“The academy is important because if we produce our own players we don’t have to spend £20m or £30m on a player.

“An academy player has that affinity with the club and that’s what the fans want to see.”

NPFL: Azeez, Abbani, Abiodun are Contenders for VAT Wonder Goal 9 Sand Eagles veteran, Abu Azeez made it to the shortlist for Match-day 28 VAT Wonder Goal award with his inside the box blast of the ball that earned Shooting Stars a 1-1 draw against Enugu Rangers in Ibadan.

Other contenders for the VAT Wonder Goal award are Sani Abbani of Gombe United and Sunshine Stars’ Joseph Abiodun.

Azeez, who returned to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) mid-season to play for Shooting Stars following the amicable

resolution of his issues with Enyimba benefited from a well laid pass by Najeem Olukokun to blast home a right-footed shot amidst a cluster of legs of Rangers defenders.

Abbani was at the end of a three-man passing orchestra that saw him shoot from outside the box in Gombe United’s 2-0 defeat of North East neighbours, ElKanemi Warriors. The beauty of the goal is seen in the move that began from the half line with Abbani and swung to the right wing before a pass by Mannir

Ubale was laid for Abbani who set up properly and took aim.

In Ilorin, where Sunshine Stars began their revival to remain in the NPFL with a 4-2 defeat of Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) FC, Abiodun turned his marker inside and out to have a clear sight at goal to score with a calculated left-footed shot.

The video of the goals are now on the NPFL website www.npfl.ng and the Twitter handle, @LMCNPFL for fans to vote their favourite of the goals. Voting will end at

11.59pm on Friday, July 28.

The VAT Wonder Goal award is corporate social investment of the League Management Company (LMC) and is supported by the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), using the league platform to promote its tax education campaign.

Winners of the award get a prize of N150,000 half of which is donated to a charity to be nominated by the player and situated within the state where the club is based.

Mbagwu Preaches New Dawn for Rugby The newly elected President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF), Kelechi Mbagwu has described his election as a new dawn for the survival of the sport in the country.

Mbagwu who defeated his opponent, Hamza Attah 28-10 to emerge president said his election was not victory for him alone but for the entire rugby family

in the country.

The philanthropist, who has personally been sponsoring Nigeria rugby in the past 20 years to both national and international championships, said he is out to run an all-inclusive administration for the benefit of the sport.

“And now that the elections are over, all stakeholders must come together in the interest of

the game so that together we can take Nigerian rugby to the next level.

Rugby is one united and indivisible family that no one can separate. We know ourselves by state, names and clubs and as such nothing can come inbetween us.

“My main agenda and mission is to put proper structure

in place for Nigeria rugby within the next few years and this I cannot do alone hence the need for everyone to come together to achieve this”, he pleaded.

Mbagwu successfully dislodged the immediate past president, Edward Pam, the man he mentored and installed as president, four years in the last dispensation before flooring Attah.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY JULY 27, 2017

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Thursday, July 27, 2017

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MISSILE Osinbajo to Saraki/Dogara A particularly intriguing report said ‘Acting President threatens National Assembly leadership’. Now, anyone who sees the combined size of the distinguished Senate President and the Rt. Hon. Speaker compared to mine must know that it would be a suicide mission to threaten either of these two gentlemen let alone both of them— Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, using humour to defuse the growing acrimonious relationship between the executive and the legislature

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

A Nation of Many Actors A

cting, according to Wkipedia, “is an activity in which a story is told by means of its enactment by an actor or actress who adopts a character” while an “actor (often actress for female) is a person who portrays a character in a performance.”

Again, according to Wikipedia, Acting can also mean “temporarily doing the duties of another person” and some of the examples cited are: Substitute, reserve, fill-in, stand-in, caretaker, surrogate, stopgap, transitional etc.

While we all know about Hollywood or to come back home, Nollywood, where Acting is the main profession, it would seem that under the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of ‘Change’, Acting has moved beyond the big screen to important government offices. That our country has been reduced to the world of make-believe can even be seen from the Aso Rock excitement over the photograph of President Muhammadu Buhari and some APC leaders at a lunch table in London. A Twitter post by my brother, Abubakar Ibrahim (an award winning writer and journalist, by the way), captures the drama: “When sighting your president becomes international headlines, you know you have issues.”

Meanwhile, a WhatsApp message I received last week reads: “Acting is the main job in Nigeria today. The man who runs the country is an Acting President ably supported by the Acting SGF. Then you have Acting EFCC Chairman, Acting NIA Director General, Acting NHIS Executive Secretary…”

The ‘WhatsApper’ took time to list several agencies of government that are currently being headed in acting capacity—from the NERC in the critical power sector to NAFDAC in food and drugs administration. Yet, there is an ironic twist to the metaphor of ‘acting’ in Nigeria that is not lost on discerning observers: most of the people in such positions, no matter how glorified, tend to actually ‘act’ or put up a show either to justify their role or impress on the approving authority/audience that they deserve the more substantive positions.

However, against the background that leadership is about having the authority and confidence to take tough decisions, the uncertainty created by holding a job in acting capacity will quite naturally affect judgement calls. In the particular case of Nigeria, it is very clear that Acting begets Acting and that perhaps explains why, in the federal government today, there are too many “Acting this” and “Acting that”, essentially because the president could not, for more than two years, appoint substantive heads to those positions.

Whatever the gloss being put on our current situation in Nigeria, it is difficult to vouch for both accountability and productivity when the person holding a job is doing so under an indeterminate Acting capacity. Anne Joseph Connell, a Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, captures the situation aptly when she argues that “agencies without confirmed officials in key roles will be less likely to address important problems and less equipped to handle crises”.

There are also legal dimensions to the issue of holding a critical appointment in acting capacity

that we have not even considered even when there are lessons to learn from other climes.

For instance, in March this year, the U.S. Supreme Court in a landmark ruling in the case, ‘National Labor Relations Board v. SW General Inc.’, held that the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 (FVRA) prevents a person who has been nominated to fill a vacant office requiring Presidential appointment and Senate confirmation from performing the duties of that office in an acting capacity. In his majority opinion, Chief Justice John Glover Roberts Jr. said the responsibilities of an office requiring Presidential appointment and Senate confirmation “may go unperformed if a vacancy arises and the President and Senate cannot promptly agree on a replacement.”

The drama leading to the case started in January 2011 when President Barack Obama nominated Mr Lafe Solomon to serve as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel and it was returned by the Senate in 2013 following expiration. But in May of the same year, Obama submitted the name again before withdrawing the nomination later in August.

SW General, a company that was deemed to be flouting labour laws, filed a suit that since Solomon himself was not holding the position of General Counsel in substantive capacity, any pronouncements and sanctions from his office should be void and of no effect.

Given the foregoing, I support the idea of the presidency seeking the intervention of the Supreme Court on the issue of executive appointments with specific reference to that of the EFCC Chairmanship as well as the question about whether the legislature can initiate projects in the appropriation bills. Such rulings by the Supreme Court will not only enrich our

democracy, it will settle the question of who has powers to do what and end the annual bickering that delays the passage of the national budget. There is also an urgent need to put a closure to the uncertainty at EFCC. But that will still not resolve the political logjam created by the long-term absence from the country of President Buhari.

In many ways, the country has been reduced to no better than a jungle which then explains why the Freudian suggestiveness of Senator Shehu Sani and Mrs Aisha Buhari (both of who described Nigerians in animal metaphor) is not without foundation. For days, a Minister and the Executive Secretary of an agency under him fought dirty in the public space and just yesterday, the Special Assistant to the President on Prosecutions, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, said anti-corruption agencies now whimsically defy the Attorney General of the Federation who ordinarily has Constitutional oversight over all prosecuting institutions of state.

Incidentally, while majority of ordinary Nigerians have abided by the essential African norm of praying for those in distress, and have genuinely been beseeching God to intervene on whatever ails President Buhari, I don’t think it is wise for his handlers to push their luck with provocative utterances laced with subtle threats. That some APC leaders and Governors now embark on pilgrimages to London for lunch-table photo-ops does not address the challenge of power vacuum in Nigeria despite the best efforts of the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo who, I must admit, has done very well under a most difficult circumstance.

Curiously, what obtains today is a laughable situation where President Buhari, cast in the mould of a medieval overlord, stays in London,

The 2017 Teens Conference

T

he second edition of the RCCG (TEAP Zone) Abuja Teens Career Conference will hold on 26th August, 2017 with the theme, “Life is a Stage”. The invited speakers are veteran actor, Mr Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD); former Education Minister, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili; wife of former Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Mrs Charity Shekari and the host, Pastor Eva Azodoh, a medical doctor (consultant urologist) and retired army colonel.

This year promises to be bigger than last year when the theme was “Your Life, Your Future: Not a Laughing Matter” and the speakers were: CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; former Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) chair, Mrs Ifueko Omoigui Okauru; the then PenCom Director General, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu and ace comedian, Mr Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome a.k.a Ali Baba.

The objectives of the conference, which brings together teenagers from Abuja and neighbouring states, include teaching the young men and women to take responsibility for their future; having their imagination fired through interaction with accomplished professionals in the society; making them realize that no matter the odds, they can reach their goals and getting them to understand that God still intervenes in the affairs of men. Attendance at this Conference—usually

RMD… To speak at Teens Conference a day of fun with music, food and drinks—is free but will be by online registration. Interested participants should visit www.rccgteapteens. org to register. Enquiries can also be sent to info@rccgteapteens.org.

where he takes photographs with selected politicians and public officials from Nigeria, while the acting head of our constitutional republic is marginally ruling from Abuja. Such is the level of systemic dysfunction and hypocrisy that one “descendant of Shimei” (evidently not mindful of his head) even asked me yesterday whether a photo-shoot in London for the consumption of Nigerians back home does not violate the recent “decree” on local content from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture!

Clearly, we cannot run an effective presidential system with so many vacant positions. Apart from the psychology of insecurity on the part of the acting incumbents, there is the more crucial fact that their actions in those positions can be legally questioned in future while the veracity of decisions taken under such circumstance would remain tentative. But on a more positive note, the implication could also be that perhaps our presidential system is overstaffed hence the need to leave so many positions either vacant or filled by some acting seat warmers. Maybe we should start with “restructuring” these positions if they can remain either unfilled or under acting leadership for so long without mortal damage to the system.

Finally, while I remain critical of the current situation in the country, I have issues with some of the opposition politicians who are using the ill-health of the president not only to mock him but also to make insensitive and incendiary statements. It is not right even as I call on such people to stop playing God. But to the extent that there is no Constitutional provision for dual-presidency, or for out-sourcing the job for which one was elected to another person, I do not know for how long the current situation in Nigeria can endure.

Ode to Adebayo Faleti

E

ven though I had been hearing the name ever since I was a child, I only came to encounter the late Adebayo Faleti in Tunde Kelani’s works, ‘Magun’ (Thunderbolt) and ‘Saworoide’, where he gave commanding performances. A thespian of the old school who promoted Yoruba culture, Faleti, a pioneer staff of Western Nigeria Television (first television station in Africa) was reputed for translating our national anthem from English into Yoruba. And there can be no better tribute to him than the one paid by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

He spoke for many of us in those few but powerful words: “So soon after Abiola Irele, another pillar of the Shrine of Letters succumbs to the exigencies of Time and leaves our horizon cloudy. Adebayo Faleti was a pioneer in virtually every genre of literary creativity, and its expansion. No one should have been surprised to watch him lift the level of acting in the flush of Nigerian films, with his studied, subtle character portrayals. Yoruba scholarship owes him much, and will honour him befittingly. More importantly is that he leaves for us memories of his unassuming presence which so richly embodied the expression: ‘Still waters run deep’.”

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