Thursday 10th August 2017

Pan Ocean’s Amukpe Pipeline to Boost Nigeria’s Crude Exports by 160,000bpd Davidson Iriekpen, Ejiofor Alike with agency report Pan Ocean’s Amukpe-Escravos Pipeline Project (AEPP) in Delta State, which is scheduled to come on stream before the end of the third quarter of 2017, will boost

Nigeria’s crude oil exports by 160,000 barrels per day and also serve as alternative to the much troubled Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP) for oil companies operating in the western Niger Delta, the company has said.

The Senior Pipeline Engineer

and Project Lead of AEPP, Mr. John Okusolubo, said in a statement yesterday that the objective of the pipeline project was to provide Pan Ocean Joint Venture and other producers such as Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Nigerian Petroleum

Development Company (NPDC), Conoil, Sahara, and others, an alternative export pipeline route to the existing TFP that had been a casualty of militant attacks.

Okusolubo said: “The primary objective of AEPP is to ensure that there is

no disruption to crude oil export like the scenario we experienced on the TFP over the past 16 months where there was a total collapse of crude export.

“Nigeria’s experience and history have shown that it is not wise to be highly

dependent on a particular source that is why we have AEPP as an alternative to TFP which has been our major means of exporting crude oil as a joint venture (JV) partner”, said Okusolubo said.

Continued on page 8

Court Strikes out FG’s Suit against Seven Banks over TSA…

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FG Restructures Debt Profile, To Issue Dollar-backed Treasury Bills Extends Maturity to Three Years Approves 2018-2020 MTEF, pegs oil benchmark at $45 Retains N305/$1 exchange rate External reserves hit $31.2bn Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Obinna Chima in Lagos Badly weighed down by the debilitating effect of Nigeria’s huge debts, the federal government yesterday sought a way out, approving the issuance of dollar-backed

Treasury bills even as it extended the maturity period from between 91 and 364 days to two and three years respectively.

The initiative according to an economic expert, who Continued on page 8

‘How Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan Squandered N11tn Electricity Fund’ Akinwale Akintunde The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has alleged that the administrations of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan squandered over N11 trillion meant to provide

regular electricity supply.

This figure was revealed in a new report titled "From Darkness to Darkness: How Nigerians are Paying the Price for Corruption in the Electricity Sector," presented to the public in Lagos yesterday by SERAP with Continued on page 10

ON THEIR MIND… Lassa Fever: Lagos Places 22 More ECONOMY L–R: Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chief Ngige; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; and Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; during the Persons under Surveillance… Page 59 Chris Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja… yesterday godwin omoigui

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PAGE EIGHT FG R ESTRUCTURES DEBT PR OFILE, TO I SSU E D OL L AR - B AC K ED T R EASU RY B I L L S spoke to THISDAY yesterday, is an impressive policy that would enable the government to restructure the country’s debt profile by borrowing less in naira but more in foreign currencies, explaining that it would bring down interest rate and facilitate the economy’s exit from recession.

The federal government also approved the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), pegging oil benchmark at $45 and retaining the prevailing N305/$ exchange rate.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the weekly FEC meeting yesterday, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said the MTEF targeted 3.5 per cent growth rate in 2018, 4.5 per cent in 2019 and 7 per cent in 2020, adding that government projected 2.3 million barrel per day production volume.

Throwing light on the shift from naira denomination of treasury bills to dollars, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said the council approved a memo restructuring the issuance of treasury bills using dollar instruments subject to the approval of the National Assembly.

According to her, the extension of the tenor of Treasury bill from the current 91 and 364 days to two and three year period would provide the government with relief from the pressure to repay the debt.

She also said the new initiative would reduce government borrowing to $3 billion, create more room for banks to lend money to private investors and consequently force down interest rates.

She explained that issuing the Treasury bills in dollar instrument was not synonymous with paying interest in dollars but would instead, provide the government with the opportunity to obtain a bond in the international capital market and pay the debt in a cheaper way.

She insisted that it should not be construed as transacting the Treasury bill in dollars.

Adeosun explained: "We are not issuing dollar denominating Treasury bills (TB). No, we are not.

What we are doing is that the naira Treasury bill, when it matures, we will then issue bonds in the capital

market, international capital market.

We are not issuing dollars' TB at all - erratic dollar bonds.

"You will recall that when we went to the capital market about three times this year, our average cost of borrowing was longer than 7 per cent. But with Treasury bills, we are paying up to 18 per cent.

So, what we are doing is simply substituting the maturing naira debt with cheaper dollar denominating debt. We are not dollarising the economy.

“In terms of the impact on naira, it's going to be positive because it means that $3 billion will be coming into our foreign reserve.

It will actually increase our foreign reserves.

"We are not issuing Treasury bills in dollars. Nigerian government doesn't transact in dollars at all. We are not paying anybody in dollars.

What we are simply doing is that as the Nigerian government treasury bills mature, we are now going to pay off by proceeds of dollar denominating bond, a three yearbond. Instead of the treasury bill of 91 to 364 days, we are taking short term money and we refer them to the Treasury bills because anytime we run out of cash to borrow with interest and we cannot pay back, we run to the capital market. It actually increases our debt.

"What we are saying is that in the long run because we are coming into recovery, we need a little bit more time to repay. Instead of saying we are paying back in 91 days, we say, 'let's be realistic, we need two to three years to pay off this money.' So, we are taking dollar denominating long term bonds. It is cheaper than the naira loans and we refer them to the Treasury bill.

We are not dollarising our economy in any way.

"Also, if you look at the debt profile, 80 per cent of them is in naira. That stretches a challenge to the economy. Because government borrows heavily, there is no room for the private sector to get loans.

Also, there is no incentive for the bank to lend to the private sector.

"What we think we need to do to create jobs and get the economy moving is for private sector lending to be commenced from this $3 billion dollars but we will not

take from the domestic market.

Our strategy is to restructure our debt in the international market.

“When the National Assembly resumes, we need a resolution to do this. We borrow less because it is cheaper to pay back. It makes it cheaper and we refer them to the economy.

“So, we are taking dollar denominating bond which is cheaper and we refer them to the Treasury bills."

Reacting to the move by the federal government, the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, described it as a good policy initiative that would help to lower interest rate and take the economy out of recession.

Rewane who spoke in a telephone interview with THISDAY last night explained: "Take the $3 billion and convert to naira and pay off the treasury bills. In all, it will give you about N1 trillion.

N1 trillion is about 20 per cent of our outstanding debt stock. If you retire N1 trillion of treasury bills, the demand for treasury bills will go down and interest will go down.

"And when the interest rate of treasury bills goes down, the interest rate on public debt would also go down and that would help reduce the cost of borrowing, for even the private sector."

Responding to question on the implication of the initiative of the FEC on the country's total debt stock, the economist clarified: "You are not increasing your debt. You are using $3 billion debt to pay off. So, the total debt stock will not increase. The structure is going to change. So, you are using debt, which is of lower cost and longer maturities to take out the short term debt. That is the best thing that can happen to Nigeria."

On the MTEF, Budget and National Planning Minister, Udoma, said the document was a product of extensive consultations with major stakeholders in the economy.

He said: “As we know, we have been having extensive consultations in the last few weeks with the governors, members of the public, the leadership of the National Assembly about the MTEF. So, we submitted it and

it was approved by the council.

The highlight of it is that we have committed to achieving a 7 per cent growth rate by 2020 at the end of the three-year plan in accordance with the economic recovery and growth plan (ERGP).

"MTEF is based on the economic recovery and growth plan and in terms of the trajectory of getting the 7 per cent. We have approved a slightly different trajectory in the sense that by next year, our target is 3.5 per cent in 2018; in 2019, it will be 4.5 per cent growth rate and of course, in 2020 it will be 7 per cent growth rate.

"In terms of crude oil production, our estimate projection for the next year is 2.3 million barrels per day.

We expect it to be broken down to 1.8 million barrels per day regular crude and 500,000 barrels per day in terms of condensate. The price we projected for next year is $45 (oil benchmark).

"We are also committed in the MTEF to explore ways of raising additional revenue to reduce debt service to revenue ratio. As the Minister of Finance said, that is part of the policy of this government to make sure that borrowing is controlled and to make sure to keep a reasonable debt service to revenue ratio which will, of course, help to bring down interest rates," he said.

Also, briefing, the Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, said the council approved a N100 billion ICT infrastructural backbone project in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector with a view to achieving service wide connectivity for all government agencies.

According to him, the project which is known as NIPTI 2 is the second phase of the initial NIPTI 1 project which he said was 80 per cent complete, explaining that it will ensure that the country is fully covered by fibre optics.

"Council considered and approved a memo for the national ICT infrastructural backbone project.

It is popularly called NIPTI 2 and it is domiciled within the galaxy backbone. Galaxy Backbone is a federal government owned agency which engages in service-wide connectivity of all government

offices, agencies, ministries and departments across the country.

There has been NIPTI 1 project which is 80 per cent complete.

Essentially, it covers most of the southern states and also has a data centre project.

"NIPTI 2 is the concluding component of it, to ensure the entire country is fully covered by fibre optics connectivity. Connecting the whole of the country by way of the federal government's ministries, agencies and departments. The China NEXIM Bank has graciously supported Nigeria. They funded phase one and they are funding this phase two. By this approval, the Ministry of Finance will enter into negotiations for the full implementation of the funding proposal with us. Essentially, the funding will cost $328 million, approximately N100 billion.

"When concluded, it will not only cover federal ministries, department, agencies and all of that but there will be enough for commercialisation to the private sector particularly GSM companies and other ICT industries. So, we hope that Nigeria will be making a lot of money from this particular facility when completed," he stated.

Nigeria's External Reserves Hit $31.2 Billion Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has put the latest figure of Nigeria's external reserves as at August 8, at $31.22 billion.

The latest value of the reserves, which is derived mainly from the proceeds of crude oil sales, shows that it has risen to a two-year high.

Nigeria's increased crude oil production, as well as the newly introduced Investors and Exporters' (I&E) foreign exchange window, have provided impetus to dollar inflows into the country.

The improved crude earnings reflected in the amount of funds disbursed by the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) which climbed to a total of N3.010 trillion to the three tiers of government between January and June this year; figures compiled

by THISDAY had shown. The amount shared by the three tiers

of government was significantly higher, compared with the N2 trillion allocated to them in the first half of 2016.

A breakdown of the disbursement gathered by THISDAY showed that the federal government received a total sum of N1.216 trillion as FAAC in the first half of 2017, higher than the N854 billion it was allocated to in the comparable period of 2016.

While the states received a total of N798 billion in the first six months of 2017, also higher than the N701 billion in the comparable period of 2016; local government got N599 billion in the first half of 2017 as FAAC, higher than the N429.4 billion they received between January and June this year.

On the other hand, the I & E currency window for investors and exporters has traded around $3.83 billion since it was established with the naira trading more strongly in the market. The window, where buyers and sellers are free to agree to an exchange rate, was introduced in April to try to attract foreign investors into the country and boost the supply of dollars.

"The new Investor and Exporter FX window has provided impetus to portfolio inflows, helped increase reserves above $30 billion, and contributed to reducing the parallel market premium," the International Monetary Fund, acknowledged in a report last week.

“The economic backdrop remains challenging, despite some signs of relief in the first half of 2017. Economic activity contracted in the first quarter of the year by 0.6 percent, mainly as maintenance stoppages reduced oil production.

"However, following four quarters of negative growth, the non-oil economy grew by 0.6 percent (year-on-year), on the back of a rebound in manufacturing and continued strong performance in agriculture. Various indicators suggest an uptick in activity in the second quarter of the year. Helped by favourable base effects, headline inflation decreased to 16.1 percent in June 2017, but remains high despite tight liquidity conditions," the IMF had added.

PAN OCEAN’S AMUKPE PIPELINE TO BOOST NIGERIA’S CRUDE EXPORTS BY 160,000BPD According to him, the construction of the AEPP entails the use of continuous Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) method to install the entire pipeline length for the purpose of security from the act of vandalism, which is prevalent in the area.

He stated that the AEPP is going to be a major export line that will give the opportunity for other injectors who may also be stalled by the erratic vandalism of the TFP to join in the transport of crude to Escravos.

“This great achievement means Pan Ocean has an alternative line to export its crude and has also created an opportunity for others who have been using TFP to also export their crude without disruption. This project will help the country to continue to flow their crude and keep the economy alive,” he added.

Attacks on oil and gas facilities by the Niger Delta militants have severely impacted exploration, production, and export of crude oil from the region.

Oil companies operating in the region have either cut back on their production or in some cases stopped production over attacks on their facilities.

The Trans Forcados Pipeline has a daily capacity of 240,000 bpd, with

average daily flows ranging between 200,000 bpd and 240,000 bpd.

Amid its shutdown, Nigeria’s crude oil production fell from 2 million bpd to as low as 1.27 million bpd, losing its position as Africa’s number one crude oil producer and falling behind Angola several times over the past year.

Pan Ocean, operator of the NNPC-Pan Ocean Joint Venture had responded to this threat, by awarding a contract for the construction of Amukpe-Escravos Pipelines Project (AEPP) to Fenog Nigeria Limited, an indigenous company in 2011.

The contract, which involved installation of 20-inch pipelines across the 67 kilometres route, will have the capacity to handle 160,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) with remote manifolds to accommodate third parties' crude oil evacuation to the Escravos Tank farm.

FG agencies Agree on Oil Revenue Management Meanwhile, key agencies of the federal government have agreed to partner in oil revenue savings and promotion of better attitude to public office.

They are Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and National Orientation Agency (NOA)

A statement by NEITI’s Director of Communications, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, yesterday said in Abuja that the agencies reached the agreement at separate meetings with NEITI Executive Secretary, Mr. Waziri Adio.

According to Adio, the meetings are focused on exploring areas of inter-agency mutual cooperation.

He explained that while NSIA managed the Sovereign Wealth Fund derived from extractive revenues, NOA led the national campaign for attitudinal change and ethical values in the country.

At the meeting with the management of NSIA, the NEITI executive secretary expressed regrets that “the nation’s paltry oil savings defeated the rationale for having such savings in the first place.

“Nigeria does not have enough oil savings to finance even the fifth of a year’s budget at the federal level, not to talk of having enough for investments or for the future generation,” he lamented.

Adio said the Occasional Paper recently released by NEITI, largely focused on the “Case for a Robust Oil Saving Fund for Nigeria.’’

He added that in the publication, NEITI drew public attention that Nigeria failed to save enough oil revenues when oil prices were quite

high in order to sustain economic activities “From the paper also problematic is the level of consumption relative to non-oil exports. Nigeria typically responds to high oil prices with equally high but manifestly unsustainable level of consumption.

“The absence of sufficient savings left Nigeria severely exposed when the price of oil, Nigeria’s main source of government revenues and foreign exchange, started to plunge in 2014,” Adio said.

He said the researched publication largely touched on the work of NSIA and the managers of Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Fund.

He explained that NEITI’s decision to alert the nation to the need to save for the rainy day was informed by the need for the country to prepare adequately for frequent price volatility, “depletion of non-renewable resources and for future generation.’’

Earlier, the Managing Director of NSIA, Dr. Uche Orji, commended NEITI for taking the initiative to produce the paper, adding that it helped NSIA to tell its own story in an independent manner.

According to him, “NEITI has a voice that resonates with policy makers and its other stakeholders.

We found the publication exceptional

and commendable.”

The NSIA boss said the report was produced without the inputs of his agency.

He described the recommendations in the publication as very succinct and apt.

“We are here to ask for closer collaboration between the NSIA and NEITI in the discharge of our individual mandates while working together for the common good of our country,’’ he added.

The NSIA managing director briefed the NEITI management on what his agency had achieved so far, the prospects of on-going projects and unfolding challenges.

He further explained that the NSIA established frameworks for good corporate governance, risk management, transparency, and accountability, adding that the solid governance structure had attracted credible partners, notable investors, and private equity funds.

He disclosed that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGE) which initially opposed its mandate, is one of its greatest supporters at the moment.

“The $250 million we invested in 2016 came from the state governments’ share of the NLNG dividend,” Orji hinted.

Meanwhile, NEITI and NOA are

to establish an effective platform for collaboration, especially in information sharing, public education, and enlightenment.

The Director-General, Dr. Garba Abari, announced this when NEITI’s executive secretary visited his office.

Abari announced that 813 offices of NOA would be made available to NEITI as a platform for dissemination of the organization’s reports to all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

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Maritime Workers Issue APM Terminal Ultimatum to Remove Containers on Apapa Road Eromosele Abiodun Following the chaotic traffic situation caused by empty containers blocking intra and inter-city roads in Apapa, maritime workers in the country have given a 14-day ultimatum to one of the leading terminal operators, APM Terminal to clear the roads of its empty containers.

In a letter addressed to the Managing Director of the company signed by the Deputy Secretary General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Mr. Edwin Sambo, the workers said the blocking of the roads with empty containers had caused untold hardship to maritime workers and Nigerians.

According to MWUN: “We are deeply concerned and seriously disturbed by the blockage of the

Apapa Port Access road with empty containers in the quest for delivery at your terminal. The situation renders movement inside and outside the Port impassable with traffic always at a standstill. Economic and social activities within the area are also negatively affected and with business at its lowest ebb.

“The security of lives and property in and around the environment has deteriorated so much so that rape and brigandage have become the order of the day. Workers, Port users and the public in general trek long distance for hours before accessing the Port and their work place. It has compounded or worsened the already existing Apapa gridlock which the Lagos State and Federal Agencies are still

battling to contain,” it stated.

The blockage, it stated, also impedes the executive order issued by the federal government on the ease of doing business at the nation’s seaports.

The statement added: “Consequently, your management is hereby given a 14 day Notice of Ultimatum from the date of this letter to put all the necessary arrangement in motion to ensure that the blockage caused by the empty containers are totally cleared at the end of this notice for business and other port related activities to resume at the Port. Please be informed that we shall not be held liable for whatever action we might deem fit to take in the event of your refusal to get your empty containers off the road.”

Menace of container laden trucks on Apapa road

Court Strikes out FG’s Suit against Seven Banks over TSA Davidson Iriekpen A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday struck out a suit filed by the federal government seeking to recover $793.2 million allegedly concealed by seven commercial banks in violation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy.

The defendants are: Diamond Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank, Skye Bank, Fidelity Bank, Sterling Bank and the defunct Keystone Bank (now Heritage Bank).

The vacation judge, Justice Chuka Obiozor, struck out the suit following a motion of discontinuance filed by the federal government.

Counsel to the government,

Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), had Tuesday informed the court that he had the instruction of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF) to discontinue the case in the “overall interest of the public.”

Consequently, he filed a motion of discontinuance in accordance with Order 50, Rule 2, Subsection 1, of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009, asking the court to strike out the suit.

The federal government had in the suit alleged that the banks connived with some government agencies to illegally conceal the $793.2 million meant to have been transferred to the TSA domiciled in the

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

But the banks, through their counsel, denied the allegation.

The banks were represented

by Dr. Ajibola Muraina (UBA), Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN), (Fidelity Bank); Mrs Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN), (Sterling Bank); Mr. N.A Oragwu (Diamond Bank); Mr. E.A Okorie (First Bank); and Mr. Babatunde Ogungbamila (Keystone Bank).

All the defendants on Tuesday in a reply to the federal government’s notice of discontinuance demanded between N10 million and N20 million as costs from the plaintiff.

While striking out the suit, Justice Obiozor ordered the

federal government to pay N200,000 as a cost to all the banks except Skye Bank, which had no representation in court.

Obiozor said: “I have considered the reason given for the discontinuance, the demand, as it were, of public interest.

“I have also considered the fact that when a notice of discontinuance is duly and validly filed, it cannot be recalled, as the suit ceases to exist, the moment it is effectively discontinued subject to the payment of costs.

“I find that as I have not adjudicated on claims in the action before me for a pronouncement on the merits of the issues arising therefrom.

“The proper order to make, with respect to this matter, is the one of striking out this suit and not of dismissal and I so hold.

“In the instant case before me, the matter is yet to proceed to trial, I do not find that the justice of this case demands that this matter should be dismissed,” the judge noted.

On costs, the judge ruled: “Nevertheless, I shall not turn a blind eye to the effect of the interim order on the defendants.

“This case cannot now go on, I find no reason not to compensate the defendants with costs at least to those of them who have appeared in this matter.

“I find the request for N10 million or N20 million as costs to the defendant not to be founded on with respect to established principles.

“The defendants deserve compensation, which I assess and put at N200,000 against and in favour of and to be paid to each of the first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh defendants.

“In the final analysis, the suit is hereby struck out and the plaintiff shall not re-list this suit without the prior leave of court.

“The interim order of this court made on the 20th of July 2017, is hereby set aside, truncated and discharged,” the judge declared.

efficient, decentralized sector governance by the Federal and State governments, as appropriate, in line with the provisions of the Second Schedule, paragraph 13 and 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

“The 36 state governments should wake up to their rights, duties, and obligations under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria relating to the power sector by working to promote and ensure access to regular and uninterrupted electricity supply for all residents within their states. The 36 state governments have been abdicating their duties to the power sector, bearing in mind that Power is an item on the Concurrent Legislative List under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended),” it pointed out.

Also speaking at the launch, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), who chaired the event charged the state governments to challenge the laws restricting them from generating electricity in their states.

He said state governments must begin to exercise their constitutional rights by challenging the control of electricity generation, distribution,

and transmission by the federal government.

He said Items 13 and 14 of the schedule to the constitution stipulated that state government "shall have the power to generate electricity outside the national grid."

He said: “It goes further to say that the House of Assembly of each state shall make a law for the establishment of electricity boards in all states–they are not there!–to provide electricity for the people outside the national grid.

“I generate electricity in my home, in my office. So why can the governor of Lagos State not generate electricity for all of us – about twenty million people?

“The power Reforms Act of 2005 is largely illegal because it has attempted to concentrate power and electricity on the federal government and private companies contrary to the provisions of the Constitution.

“That’s why we are challenging state governments to, ‘stop going to Abuja, stop begging federal government’ to give you the power to establish electricity companies in your state.

“You have the right. If individuals can do that, why should you go to Abuja to get a licence?” he queried.

‘HOW OBASANJO, YAR’ADUA, JONATHAN SQUANDERED N11TN ELECTRICITY FUND’ the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

According to the report researched and presented by Dr. Yemi Oke, an Associate Professor, Energy/Electricity Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, the squandering might reach N20 trillion in the next decade given the rate of government investment and funding in the power sector amidst dwindling fortune and recurrent revenue shortfalls.

He said: “The total estimated financial loss to Nigeria from corruption in the electricity sector starting from the return to democracy in 1999 to date is over Eleven Trillion Naira (N11 Trillion Naira).

"This represents public funds, private equity and social investment (or divestment) in the power sector. It is estimated that it may reach over Twenty Trillion Naira (N20 Trillion Naira) in the next decade given the rate of government investment and funding in the power sector amidst dwindling fortune and recurrent revenue shortfalls.

“The country has lost more megawatts in the post-privatisation era due to corruption, impunity, among other social challenges reflected in the report.

“The much-publicised power sector reforms in Nigeria under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 is yet to yield the desired and/or anticipated fruits largely due to corruption and impunity of perpetrators, regulatory lapses, and policy inconsistencies.

Ordinary Nigerians continue to pay the price for corruption in the electricity sector--staying in darkness, but still made to pay crazy electricity bills", the report stated.

The 65-page report also accused Dr. Ransom Owan-led board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) of allegedly settling officials with millions of naira as severance packages and for embarrassing them with alleged three billion naira fraud.

While urging the authorities to undertake a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the reasons why corruption charges in the electricity sector were withdrawn against the accused persons, the report also called for the reopening and effective prosecution of corruption allegations, including the alleged “looting of the benefits of families of the deceased employees of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) levelled against

a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Dr. Godknows Igali.”

According to him: “The Obasanjo administration spent $10 billion on NIPP with no results in terms of increase in power generation. $13.278,937,409.94 was expended on the power sector in eight years while unfunded commitments amounted to $12 billion.

“The Federal Government then budgeted a whopping N16 billion for the various reforms under Liyel Imoke (2003 to 2007) which went down the drains as it failed to generate the needed amount of electricity or meet the set goals. Imoke was alleged to have personally collected the sum of $7.8 million for the execution of the contract for the construction of the Jos-Yola Transmission Line, which was never executed. There were documented/reported allegations of corruption against Imoke that fizzled-out shortly thereafter.

“Professor Chinedu Nebo handed over the assets of the PHCN to private investors on November 1, 2013. Prof. Nebo is alleged to have corruptly funded the privatised power sector with over N200 billion despite privatisation. The allegation

of N200 billion funding of the privatised power sector during Prof Nebo’s tenure should be thoroughly and transparently investigated and anyone suspected to be responsible should be prosecuted. Any corrupt funds should be fully recovered.

“Our research revealed that the sum of N1.5 billion with which the vehicles were acquired was allegedly sourced from the diverted N27 billion insurance premium of deceased workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

“The National Assembly and members should desist from and avoid manipulating the award of electricity contracts or cite projects in their constituencies under the guise of “Constituency Project”. The National Assembly should publish and ensure the full implementation of the recommendations of all powerrelated investigations to date.

“The Federal Government should back-down from Rural Electrification initiatives and allow States to undertake rural electrification through their respective Local Governments and Development Areas. Federal Government should consider fully divesting its stakes in the power sector and allow for

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 10, 2017

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COMMENT

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

REQUIEM FOR I. O. D

Ajibola Ogunshola pays tribute to his friend, brother and colleague, Isaac Olusola Dada

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nviable is the life of Isaac Olusola Dada, “I.O.D”, MFR, pole and pillar of Obalero high chieftancy house of Aiyede-Ekiti, notable servant and stanchion of the Anglican Church, teacher, life member of Nigerian Economic Society, master of business administration and honorary doctor of the same, master mandarin, investment banker, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management, Distinguished Fellow and past president of the Institute of Directors, past president of Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce, president of Nigerian-Spanish Association, District 404 A1 Governor of Lions Clubs International, president of several social clubs and associations, Ishola, ògá ìlúmoká, olórí gbajúmu okunrin.

Owing to his consummate charm and affable personality, it was impossible not to like him except, perhaps, if you were in competition with him.

His physical features, fine and firm, invited instant recognition and, with his good nature and sweet temper, admiration.

Although he seemed to be always around, looked and acted as if he would for many more years remain around, he was never the type of person that would throw his weight around.

Once upon a time, there were three friends, all graduates in economics: Isaac Olusola Dada, Isaac Aluko–Olokun and Rasheed Gbadamosi.

Rasheed was, for about three decades, his closest friend until his demise late last year. Among them, Aluko-Olokun was the first to leave, in January, 2011 at the age of 66. At his funeral service in Ilesha, Rasheed, Olusola and I sat together. Rasheed died in November last year, as he approached the age of 73.

And now, this.

My earliest social recollections about Olusola were from Aluko-Olokun who had been my friend from the early 1980’s as he sometimes made references to him during our discussions. It was about the time that I became acquainted with “Aluko” that I met ‘Lola’ at a social event which my wife also attended.

Iyabo had, of course, known Olusola and Lola before then, as Olusola and herself were both members of the University of Ibadan Class of ‘67’, of which he was the foundation president, it was at the meetings of their associations that I first began to see more and more of him and our families developed a closer relationship.

Shortly before Rasheed’s death, Sola and I had jointly visited him and it was only three of us in his study, with Tinu, his wife, occasionally joining in the conversation while also supplying veggies and victuals. We were also together at the subsequent Eighth day special prayers in Ikorodu and also at the memorial concert held in his honour at Muson Centre in March.

Particularly during the last decade, both Olusola and I and our wives began to see more and more of each other, first at social events and then at interpersonal levels.

After closing from his office, the route to his residence was usually via Dolphin/Osborne area, which facilitated his visits to our residence on weekdays whenever he chose to do so. This encouraged our interaction, as his weekends were usually “full”, including the many occasions when we attended social events together. We frequently sat together in his own car while mine would follow or the other way round, if our wives were not with us.

Although Olusola’s father hailed from Aiyede-Ekiti and his mother had strong Aiyede roots, his mother’s father hailed from Supoto compound in Oke Oluokun area of Ibadan and he was buried there. Lola, though from Ede, has strong family roots in Ibadan and Lola often addressed me as “my brother”. Therefore, whenever I spoke to them in Yoruba, I fondly spoke in Ibadan-Oyo Yoruba and, for emphasis and humour, always pronounced Olusola in full, and with a soft “s”.

Whenever we were together, neither of us wanted the session to end.

We discussed about anything and everything, except political analysis, in which Sola did not show much interest. From talk on sartorial refinements and our respective vanities, we invariably moved on to money matters, especially the cost of living and the rising cost of giving.

Owing to his exceptional stamina, which enabled him to cope with his extensive business, church and social activities, I often “accused” him of possessing “superior genes” as his father had lived well beyond the age of 90 and his mother nearly so, while my own parents did not live nearly as long. Olusola also exercised frequently. We therefore did not discuss

OLUSOLA SERVED AND WAS RETAINED AS ‘SPECIAL ASSISTANT’, AT VARIOUS TIMES, TO THREE SECRETARIES TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT : ALHAJI SHEHU MUSA, MR. GREY LONGE AND CHIEF OLU FALAE, AN INDICATION I BELIEVE, OF THE TRUST IN HIS COMPETENCE, TRUSTWORTHINESS, RELIABILITY AND SPECIAL ABILITY TO RELATE WELL WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

personal health matters to the extent that friends of our age ought to have done.

In retrospect, we were probably mistaken.

Olusola’s early training and vocation was as a school teacher, from which he entered the University of Ibadan, graduating in1970. He joined Federal Civil Service in June 1971 and, through brilliance, hard work and wisdom, rose rapidly in the system.

This young man’s courageous demonstration of probity brought him to the special notice of both his immediate and upper superiors, particularly Mr. Ayida, his permanent secretary, who approved his sponsorship for an MBA degree at University of Lagos, even while his immediate boss was hesitant.

On his immaculate and solid Western dressing, “I developed a strong penchant for dressing as a result of my association with Alhaji Alhaji who always impressed me with his dress style – he was always impeccably dressed. Anytime I travelled overseas with him, he would settle my hotel bills to enable me use my estacode allowance to improve my wardrobe,” he wrote in his 70th birthday autobiography. He was then an alternate director to this permanent secretary on the board of NNPC. Olusola served and was retained as “special assistant”, at various times, to three Secretaries to the Federal Government : Alhaji Shehu Musa, Mr. Grey Longe (who combined the post with that of Head of Service) and Chief Olu Falae, an indication I believe, of the trust in his competence, trustworthiness, reliability and special ability to relate well with different people.

In 1988, he attained Grade Level 17, the highest grade for non-political appointments at the time, and held other posts in the system until he joined NAL merchant Bank as an executive director.

Meanwhile, he had decided to enter the field of stockbroking, not merely as an employer but as a chief executive officer, and went on to qualify as a stockbroker and an authorised clerk of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, following which he established Anchoria Investment and Securities Ltd. Olusola told me that his active social life was an important concomitant of his stockbroking and other businesses. He chose as chairman of Anchoria Chief Molade Okoya Thomas whom, to quote him “I have known since 1971 when he was the head of the Corporate Affairs Department of CFAO Nigeria, Plc. He often approached me, while in the Federal Ministry of Finance to follow-up on the foreign exchange applications of his company. He became a mentor who introduced me to the Lagos social life ....” The musical concert and fund-raising for a special organ for his church, Bishop Adelakun Howell’s Memorial Church (“BAHM”) which he sponsored and hosted last year on the eve of his 75th birthday was very well attended and a handsome amount was raised. Nevertheless the money was less than half of what was required to import the organ from shop to church, and he personally funded the balance. I know because we both discussed the figures.

He had also taken lead roles in fund-raising for church activities and infrastructure beyond BAHM in Lagos and at Oshogbo where he was born and raised; he single - handedly finance a new vicarage at Aiyede-Ekiti. He conducted me on a tour of the building.

On the first stay of my wife and I at his sprawling residence in Aiyede-Ekiti during the funeral obsequies of the mother of Mr. Ayo Ajayi (former chairman of U.A.C), Olusola shared his room with Prof. Kayode Odusote and I, while Lola also shared her room with our wives. They did not have to, as there were enough separate rooms to accommodate those who were there. On my second occasion, he and I also shared his room.

Iyabo and I will continue to cherish the life and times of our noble friend. I am missing already the voice in that perennial intro, slightly tilting his head to the left “Ajibola, do you know that....”, that voice is now forever silent.

We commiserate with Lola, his highly supportive wife whom he fondly describe as “sister that I never had” and their lovely children Olufunmilayo, Olufunmilola, Ayotunde and Babatunde.

As Olusola transits from clubs of life to the club of no return, may his friends and associates that are coming behind remain faithful to his family, his business interests and his memory while we are still around.

Chief Ogunshola is former Chairman of The Punch Newspapers

A WAR WITHOUT END The Boko Haram insurgency is increasingly becoming very expensive writes Victor C. Ariole

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or the tortoise of African legend, first time self -inflicted mess is pardonable but second time is unpardonable. Nigeria’s former National Security Adviser is still on trial and here again, $600 million is to be taken away for the purchase of “12 Embracer A – 29” fighter and bomber aircraft for a territory that bounds “Four African-Sister or Brother Nations or Countries”. That is, Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. At N350 a dollar, it amounts to N210 billion, an amount that can turn around 100 universities for the best and even provide a means to get a better localised security fighting gadgets. How do you spend $600 million to kill fellow Africans when the same Nigeria went to Sierra Leone and Liberia to fight Ghadaffi sponsored insurgents, squandering $6 billion, more than 10% of current rebased GDP of Nigeria, in a country where 11million children are out of school and where one million youths are not able to access university education?

From what happened in Liberia, Sierra Leone

and even Côte d’Ivoire, Africa ought to have learnt lessons; and those lessons are forces fighting Africans, the blacks; and they are enormous. Like the elephants of African legend, docility must not translate to stupidity. Since I was born till now, Congo D.R. (from Belgium Congo, Congo Knishasha, Zaire to Congo DR) change of name or re-structuring notwithstanding, has never known peace and it is said to be the richest soil in Africa, followed by Nigeria. So, why would Nigeria allow itself to succumb to decimation process? During the Obasanjo Presidency, intelligence reports had it that the Bakassi imbroglio was a window to invade Nigeria, and the smart OBJ knew how to parry it and it worked; not cowardice but getting ready to fight another time, may be through dialogue as both Cameroon and Nigeria are brother Africans.

Currently in Niger Republic and Chad, remnants of Ghadaffi loyalists are in the waiting corner “to fight another day”. In the same territory, African soil, diamond, oil and uranium are exploited by the great

powers of the planet, and they are still the powers that decided to map out the same territory as “Axis of Evil”. How do you map out a territory and term it evil axis and still see it as the most juicy place for wealth accumulation? What Nigerians seem not to know is that Boko Haram is a distraction that must be stopped by other means not by arms’ struggle.

Latest information from the axis says that “4x4 jeeps” are parked within the axis and the young population who are not well exposed to knowing the world beyond their local mindset are made to have them for any success they make in exploding bombs in Nigeria. On cost effectiveness of such operations for the powers that want to exploit the riches in the axis, one million “4 x 4 jeeps” could be made available to the youths and it could not amount to the $600 million Nigeria wants to spend on buying “fighter and bomber” aircraft that are operating on “chips” fixed in them that most Nigerian intelligence officers do not know how they were coupled. And you say it is not another penklemess in swindling

operation?

If it is reported that about $60 billion leave Africa as capital flight and that the Gulf of Guinea suffers from piracy to the tune of over $7 billion annually.

Why is Nigeria slumbering and getting distracted by the Boko Haram insurgency. I once argued with a colleague who said that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was right to align with Modibo Keita, Sekou Touré and other communist allies of USSR of then to go on arms’ struggle for the liberation of Africa, as quite weak in strategic planning. Nkrumah’s vision of one Africa was great and still remains great but the means to get there was un-African. Contrast that with how the “Elephant’s” strategy counters the “Lions” strategy in the animal kingdom. Nigeria cannot go on fighting Boko Haram on arms’ struggle basis and get it right.

Train one thousand dogs and unleash them in Boko Haram territory, the war will be over. (Quite amusing you would say but it has meaning.)

Ariole is a Professor of French and Francophone Studies, University of Lagos

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EDITORIAL SMOKING AND PUBLIC HEALTH The authorities may do well to implement the tobacco control act

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hat smoking is still a major public health issue in Nigeria was conďŹ rmed last week with the declaration by the Federal Ministry of Health that about 4.5 million Nigerians consume, on an annual basis, 20 billion sticks of cigarettes. Against the background that in May, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that tobacco kills more than seven million people each year, six million of them from direct use and the others due to exposure to smoking, the authorities in our country should be worried. The report said countries like Nigeria accounted for 80 per cent morbidity and mortality - a heavy strain on an already weak and fragile health system.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, highlighted the danger we face at a sensitisation workshop on the implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act 2015. According to Nigeria’s adult tobacco survey, some 4.1 million men and 500,000 women smoke in Nigeria, while 6.4 million adults were exposed to smokers. “We have to ďŹ ght this looming epidemic now,â€? said Adewole while pledging that the tobacco act will be implemented to prohibit smoking for UNTIL WE CAN CURTAIL persons below 18 years THE USE OF TOBACCO, of age.

OUR YOUNG PEOPLE Given Nigeria’s WILL CONTINUE TO GET demography in SICK, EFFICIENCY WILL which young people CONTINUE TO DECLINE constitute about 70 per cent of our population, AND OUR NATION WILL we hope the minister CONTINUE TO LOSE MANY OF ITS OTHERWISE will walk his talk to sensitise the youth on PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS the dangers of smoking. For instance, it has been established that for every tobacco-related death, two new young people under the age of 26 become regular smokers.

Tobacco has immediate adverse health consequences upon addiction, including accelerating the development of chronic health disease across full life course. The

Letters to the Editor

relationship between active smoking and both reduced lung function and impaired lung growth is also linked to a strong tobacco habit. Therefore, Nigeria needs to focus on protecting young people from starting to smoke.

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he incongruous branding of tobacco together with food and beverages at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) must be addressed, with the removal of tobacco from all such categorisation. Education policies, tools and programmes that highlight the dangers endemic in initiating the habit need to be developed and implemented. An increase in expenditure on sustained and comprehensive tobacco control programmes have proved effective in the reduction of youth and adult smoking rates in many countries. Our governments, at all levels, need to lend its ďŹ nancial support to these initiatives.

Studies showed that 80 per cent of adult smokers began smoking before the age of 18 years. Adolescents, in particular, have been found to be distinctively susceptible to social and environmental inuences. The tobacco industry invests heavily in research on how best to capture the imagination of youth; assured in the knowledge that nicotine (a heavily addictive drug found in cigarettes) would continue to ensure that the target group would persist in smoking into adulthood.

Studies have also conďŹ rmed that the younger the age, the heavier the addiction and thus the harder it is to drop the habit. The calculation, which has proved true, is that most of these young people never consider the long term risks.

Until we can curtail the use of tobacco, our young people will continue to get sick, efďŹ ciency will continue to decline and our nation will continue to lose many of its otherwise productive citizens. We must avail our young people the true perspective on smoking; we must aim at creating the environment that makes it difďŹ cult for smoking to thrive. We urgently need to prevent the needless suffering of premature disease caused by tobacco, the huge expenditure on health, as well as commit to save millions of lives.

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.

THE POLICE AND THE OZUBULU MASSACRE

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n recent history, the Nigeria Police has proven to be a weak force in terms of professionalism and the capacity of the personnel to effectively combat crimes and enforce the law.

Few years back, the police, due to the archaic policing standards, foisted on the nation one of the most devastating threats to national security and indeed the corporate existence of Nigeria - Boko Haram terrorism.

It was precisely the extra-legal execution of a hitherto unknown quantity called Sheikh Mohamed Yusuf whilst in police detention sometimes in the year 2009 under then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua that the almost five –yearold bombing campaign started.

The extrajudicial killing of the ideological founder of the deadly Islamic sect precipitated the launching of full blown violent armed attacks against public and private institutions by the Islamic extremists which has so far led to the death of over 20,000 innocent Nigerians.

Apart from cases of extra-legal executions of suspects in the custody of the police which are documented by the office of the United Nations High Commissioner on human rights, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch amongst others, the Nigeria police lacks most of the basic skills, facilities and 21st century compliant trainings necessary for proper, effective, efficient and comprehensive policing to comply with global best practices.

To compound the institutional inefficiency of the police is the clear lack of up-to -date enabling laws on the strategic engagement of the police in modern day crime prevention,

detection and enforcement of laws.

Perhaps, the backwardness of the police in effectively combating criminality was displayed clearly in the attack at the Catholic Church in Ozubulu, Anambra State, in which the police were caught napping and scampering for excuses.

This is because the police arrived at the scene of the shooting clearly one hour after the shooters who killed dozens of Nigerians had disappeared.

To even add salt to injury, the police made no attempt to deploy modern techniques to secure the crimes scene or to collect critical ingredients of forensic evidence from the scene of the crime. Is it that the police don’t have tapes or even ropes to blocking off the crime scene from persons seen on video moving up and down the bloodied scene?

The state Commissioner of Police in Anambra State was overtly interested in dishing out rumours as the police’s preliminary report and what was clear from all of these was the deliberate attempt to hide the clear failure of both intelligence and security competence on the side of the police.

The state governor also helped in spreading rumours.

How can a nation have a policing institution without modern facilities and the trained manpower to embark on criminal investigations using modern day skills, techniques and infrastructure?

Why do the police even under the extant archaic police act not have clearly enforceable response time? What are the duties, powers of the police even under the archaic crime prevention Manuel or statute?

The Police Act enacted on April 1, 1943 averred as follows:

“The police shall be employed for the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged, and shall perform such military duties within or without Nigeria as may be required by them by, or under the authority of, this or any other Act�.

As can be seen from their laxity in Ozubulu the police failed woefully.

Another probing issue is why the police do not seem to be amenable to adapting to emerging policing standards as practiced in civilised climes even when the heads of the different state and national branches of the police are frequently being sponsored to attend seminars on crime prevention in such places as United Kingdom, United States of America and Germany.

Not long ago the Inspector General of Police was seen travelling to meet with the Metropolitan Police of London and few days back officers from MET police were in Nigeria.

Do the Nigerian police officials visit United Kingdom on jamborees or what?

What then is the function of the training and manpower development department of the Nigeria Police if in the last five decades the Nigeria police had not upgraded her principles and practice of effective policing?

In the United Kingdom, the Metropolitan police which operate in London has kept bridging the time within which the operatives respond to distress calls and the last time I checked it was eight minutes.

Emmanuel Onwubiko, www.huriwa@blogspot.com

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ADVERTORIAL

T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 10, 2017

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POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Oshiomhole: The Restructuring Nigeria Needs In this interview with journalists, a former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, agrees that Nigeria needs restructuring, but not the one everyone is clamouring for. Adibe Emenyonu was there and presents the excerpts:

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our view on the ongoing constitutional amendment?

As members of the Governor’s Forum, we were all unanimous on the need for devolution of powers in favour of the state. The Governor’s Forum from 1999 to date, virtually at every meeting had cause to speak to the need for devolution of powers, in favour of the states and reduce the powers at the federal level.

As governors then, we were questioning why federal government is holding on to 52 per cent while states holding on to 28 per cent and local government 18 per cent. Now many of them are in the Senate and they tend to forget the issues. Which is why I was taken aback, when the Senate where we have former governors overwhelmingly voted against devolution of powers. The contradiction is that if you do not favour devolution of powers, what will be the foundation for making the argument for review of the revenue allocation formula? So we need both devolution of powers which will necessarily require the review of the revenue allocation formula in favour of the states to deal with the additional responsibility arising from such devolution of powers. It is not helpful that the Senate, can on one hand, vote against devolution and yet lament the none review of Revenue Allocation Formula. Another setback as regards more powers to the state is this decision by the Senate that local government elections should now be conducted by INEC. That position bothers on concentrating more powers on the centre at a time when everybody is asking for devolution. That for me, again, is part of the Nigeria paradox. When our people are in a position to make these changes they tend to abandon them for other issues. Why should it be Abuja’s business to conduct local government elections? We just need to remain consistent rather than beat about the bush, by ensuring that we give more resources to the states and less resources at the centre and challenge the states to take on board, additional responsibilities in line with the additional fund that will be put at their disposal.

What is your reaction to Governor Fayose’s criticism of the President’s health?

I don’t like to discuss Fayose because when he makes such statements, it reminds me of an Igbo proverb which says that if a responsible man is having his bath after a hard days work

What we need to restructure is attitude to governance, the issue of character, the issue of corruption, the issue of creative application of the resources and ensuring that governance is about delivering the greatest good to the greatest number

Oshiomhole.. wants states to take more responsibilities

and he removes his cloth in a local bathroom and a mad man carries his cloth and the man bathing seeing that the mad man has carried your cloth and you run out naked pursuing him. The people will see two naked people running and they will say two mad men. So sometimes you just allow the mad man to carry your cloths and go rather than joining him in his madness. That is my comment on Fayose. One of my very good friends wrote something in the papers criticising the pictures taken by the president and the APC governors.

He was saying that may be a broadcast would have been better. But I ask, if the head of a family is sick and some people went to see him, first there is nothing unusual about that to visit the sick in their sick bed or in their homes, to show that you care. I believe most Nigerians are praying for the quick recovery of the president, so if people go there and sat with the president and took a picture it shows that yes the president is sick but it is not as bad as what people are saying. Some were carrying rumours that he was on life support but people have seen that at least that is not true. As at the time he wrote that piece only APC governors visited but now some PDP governors also went and I hope he will write another article. For me, the president has been conscious of the provisions of the constitution and had complied in full with the extant provisions of the constitution by admitting to the fact that for now that he is ill, and he needs medication somewhere, that he has asked his deputy, in line with the provisions of the constitution to act on his behalf. I don’t see how the president can be much more transparent than that. I am happy that some PDP governors have also gone to see him. but what many of us do not know is that there have been governors who have been absent from their states for three months, even on health grounds in PDP that I know, and they came back from those long medical vacations to assume duties and today they are alive. So as they say the sick is not necessary next and for me we should

all continue in our honest prayers and pray for the quick recovery of our president and not inhuman comments by some persons. We had a president under the PDP who clearly was unable to even recognise people and they were debating whether he signed a budget or he did not sign a budget. But you know in this environment people have short memory.

Those who were very active then, purporting that the president signed a budget which he was not in a position to sign, and mimicking a voice in BBC, they are also talking now. Now we have a president who sat with both PDP and APC governors and I think that closes the issue of the health of the president.

Call for restructuring and secession agitation There is a huge level of under employment at the level of the political elite and once they are out of power they come up with all kinds of agenda. Once they are in power then they shut up. People say restructuring but they never speak to the specifics. Restructure how?

This is one word that can mean everything and one dubious word that can mean nothing.

For me, the only issue for Nigeria is devolution of powers. The problem now is that the National Assembly members once they get elected in Abuja, rather than deal with the issue of devolution of power they tend to want to defend the status quo. For me these are the issues. Then some are talking about implementing confab report, which of the confab report now? Obasanjo did a confab, the PDP did twice. Every PDP president except Late Yar Adua organized a confab. Whatt happened to Obasanjo’s confab report? What is the difference between the report of Obasanjo’s confab and that of Jonathan? And why did they not implement it or at least start the process of implementing it before they left office? it is a pity we do not sufficiently interrogate people such that our political elite will want to eat their cake and have it. It is this same people that said, many of them are still active now even at old age, that parliamentary system is not good for Nigeria, that Nigeria needed a strong

presidency. So that was how they empowered Rotimi Williams to introduce the presidential system of government. That we need to have a strong enter to keep the home together. This same people said: oh we have imbalances in the regions, Oh the north is big, we have to create more states in order to bring government closer to the people. These same elites. And as I speak if you check the archives of the National Assembly you will find their signatures on petitions to the National Assembly calling for creation of more states. Now this same people once they are out of power, they said these states are not viable. I think the media needs to do more investigative journalism, ask the leadership of the Senate and the House of Reps to bring all the petitions that have been forwarded to them over the last five years.

Particularly when they kick-started the process of creation of more states. It is unfortunate.

What we need to restructure is attitude to governance, the issue of character, the issue of corruption, the issue of creative application of the resources and ensuring that governance is about delivering the greatest good to the greatest number. Ensuring that we reorder our industrial policies in a way that emphasises job led the growth rather than jobless growth so that the level of poverty can be reduced to a tolerable level. We begin to get the private sector to create jobs and grow the economy and give everybody a basis to be loyal to the nation. If I look at what is going on, states are not able to pay salaries, if a state is not paying salary is the governor from a foreign area, he is part of the state. Some times when the elites are in trouble, they want to evade accountability. They play up these primordial sentiment, either they elevate religion to certain level or they elevate ethnicity to a level and they make it look as if it is these people who are our problem whereas you are the problem of your people. I have been to Sokoto state where Shagari comes from, I have been to Ogun state where Obasanjo comes from, I have been to Minna where IBB comes from, I have been to Katsina where Yar’Adua comes from, Otuoke, Bayelsa state where Jonathan comes from. At the level of vice presidents I have been to areas where they came from.

But there is no correlation between the level of poverty in any part of Nigeria in relation to the level of political office holders that come rom that part, whether elective or appointive.

And as we have seen from revelations, on corruption issues, when it comes to ganging up to pocket what belongs to all, ethnicity has no place. If the report of the oil sector is anything to go by, you will find that an Ijaw lady has no difficulty in doing business with a Kwara or Yoruba man because the dollar does not speak to ethnic origin. If you are looking at how defence money was used for other purposes other than defence you will find that there was no distinction between and Hausa -Fulani man or an Edo man who benefited from the internal transfers from money made for military procurement that ended up in private pockets.

Even when criminals are identifying themselves you also find that it cuts across the divides. So ethnicity is the least of our problem. When our leaders refused to account they just use ethnicity and religion to cover up for accountability and a gullible youth just queue in. I come from the South-south, I was in a forum when Ambassador Keshi spoke about the terrible state of the road in Yenagoa and reminded us that the road has been like that in the past five six years and it was getting worst.

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

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POLITICS

Longyen: Lalong Has Restored Peace to Plateau Plateau State used to be the hotbed of communal clashes in the north-central zone. But not any more.

Mark Longyen, the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the state governor, Simon Lalong, spoke to Tobi Soniyi on how the governor was able to persuade the warring communities to embrace peace. Excerpts: Governor Simon Lalong appeared to have found a solution to the crises that had hitherto bedevilled Plateau State for over a decade.

How did he achieve this feat?

The governor merely brought his political goodwill, sincerity of purpose, as well as his experience, knowledge and understanding of the state’s configuration to bare on the ethnoreligious crisis in the state. And that was it!

For instance, he declared zero tolerance for discrimination and marginalisation against any group within the state and embarked on an all-inclusive government by appointing people into his government from virtually all ethnic and religious divides. The governor has also succeeded in halting the orgy of bloodbath through collaboration with international expert groups that specialize in conflict management, such as the Humanitarian Dialogue. He is also co-operating with security agencies and providing them with the logistics to do their work. The governor is supporting security agencies like the state-owned security outfit tagged “Operation Rainbow,” and the federal government’s “Operation Safe Heaven.” The multiplier effect of this is that all interest groups and security agencies are carried along in the governance and peace processes. As a result of this, agitations based on certain sentiments have been effectively arrested and the people are happy. This explains the peace and security that we have today. This is clearly a departure from the approach adopted by past administration.

How sustainable is this approach?

It is very much sustainable because, apart from the aforementioned approach, the governor has put in place an institutional framework capable of detecting early warming signs of crises and how to nip them in the bud. This was done through the establishment of the Plateau State Peace Building Agency after the bill establishing the agency was passed into law by the state’s house of assembly early in the life of the administration. It is headed by a Director-General, Joseph Lengmang. It is noteworthy that this is the first of its kind in Nigeria and has become a model approach to peace, such that even some crisis-ridden states are already considering replicating same in their states.

Critics argue that apart from the peace and security that you flaunt as your principal’s major achievement, he has nothing else to show in infrastructural development, despite taken N42 billion loans?

The governor can be likened to the Biblical King Solomon, who decided to seek God’s wisdom and not only was divine wisdom given to him, but wealth, fame and other things he did not ask for were added to it. The governor first decided to seek for peace and not only has he got the peace which he sought but all other things were added. Having recognised that peace is the bedrock for any development to take place, he has in the last twenty-six months recorded unprecedented achievements that are visible to the blind and even audible to the deaf and dumb.

Yes, it is true that government has taken some loans worth about N40 billion since inception.

The loans were necessitated by his resolve to complete most of the projects he inherited from his predecessor. Those accusing the governor of taking loans have deliberately refused to tell the world that he inherited a suffocating debt burden of over N220 billion. The Lalong administration took the said loans basically for the completion of infrastructural projects for which the immediate past administration had already committed or even mortgaged the state. The criticism can be likened to someone who inflicts injuries on you and turns round to blame you for spending money to treat yourself!

For instance, shortly after losing the governorship election to the APC, the immediate past government hurriedly took a

Longyen....Lalong’s inclusive government has reduced ethnic tension

bond of about N30 billion from the capital market. That alone attracts a monthly debt repayment of over N600 million! The PDP government also left a debt of over N20 billion for its intervention projects on federal roads within the state capital, and part of the loan they are blabbing about was channelled to complete these projects since government is a continuum. The last administration also committed itself to a water loan which was later varied to about N12 billion, but it left us with dry taps and bursting pipelines, but we have to service that too with the loans. Most importantly, we inherited arrears of workers’ salaries, pensions and gratuities running into almost one year. The governor had no option but to clear this with loans. In a nutshell, the loans were judiciously used to augment the Paris Club refunds and pay workers’ salary arrears to date, pay pension and arrears of gratuity, as well as to complete the following projects: secretariat flyover, Plateau Hospital roundabout-Dogon Karfe Link Road, Plateau Geographical Information System (PLAGIS), Jos Metropolitan Roads project, Plateau State University (PLASU) Bokkos campus road network project and ultra-modern e-library. Other projects include College of Health Technology Zawan’s e-library, General Hospital Riyom, Kanke General Hospital, General Hospital Mabudi, Olympic size Zaria Road stadium, the governor’s lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, among numerous other projects at various stages of completion.

The loans were necessitated by the governor’s resolve to complete most of the projects he inherited from his predecessor

The Supreme Court has held that allowing caretaker committees to run council is illegal.

Why is the governor afraid of conducting council polls?

The opposition is already in court challenging the governor’s decision in court and the cases are still pending before the courts, so it is subjudice. Suffice to say that the governor is a lawyer with a masters degree in law and was once a lawmaker who rose to be speaker of the state’s house of assembly for seven years before. He follows rules of law in whatever he does.

However, it is very ridiculous for anybody to say that the governor is afraid of conducting council elections for fear of losing. The opposition is trying to stampede the governor into holding the election so that they can turn round to accuse him of conducting a sham election or rigging the polls. The governor knows better and will not fall into that trap.

In what other areas has the governor excelled?

The achievements are so many and cut across all the key sectors of the state’s economy, which include agriculture, mining, tourism, education, commerce and industry, but we don’t have the luxury of time and space to contain them. In education, the governo the Plateau State University, Bokkos, which was established over 10 years ago without graduating a single set of students, a lifeline.

This culminated in the building of physical infrastructures on campus, accreditation of about 17 courses, while for the first time, convocation was held for its first two sets of students.

In industry and commence, the administration revived state-owned moribund industries, as a means to diversify the state’s economy and bolster internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Thus, the Plateau State Fertilizer Blending Company, Bokkos has been fully revived and is now operating at optimal capacity.

The Plateau Bottling company, established in the 1980s but which became moribund about 25 years ago has been revived. The Panyam Fish, established in the 1950s and once West Africa’s largest fish farm, owned by the state government, but became moribund many decades ago, is being revived in partnership with a private foreign firm, Solbec, for large scale commercial fish production. Plateau Hotel, Jos, is being renovated. The popular

Jos Main Market, once West Africa’s commerce destination but burnt down during one of the Jos crises, is right now being repaired.

To boost agriculture, government is trying to repurchase Baric Famrs in order to embark on large scale commercial farming based on the Australian model, while the Jos International Breweries, is fast coming back to life. Some Chinese firms are also partnering with the the state government with a view to reviving the popular Pandam Game Reserve, mining ventures, and the building of housing estates, among others.

Government recently awarded contracts for roads construction across the state’s three Senatorial districts. Work is at advanced stage for others like the Kalong Road Bridge in Shendam, the Rantya-Rafiki Road, the Angwan-Rogo Road network, the Tudun Wada-Kabong Road, Miango Junction-State Low-Cost road, among many others that have been captured already in 2017 budget awaiting take-off. Recently, government awarded new road contracts for Jos metropolis alone worth about N5 billion.

Under healthcare, the state Primary Health Care Development Agency has fully taken off, the inherited new General Hospital projects in Riyom and Kanke have been completed, while that of Mabudi in Langtang South LG is awaiting completion.

The governor has also tackled the challenge of youth employment and entrepreneurship.

Right now, the Plateau United Football Club is topping the Nigerian Premier League table and is set to lift the trophy for the first time in nearly two decades since it last won it. The governor has also addressed the challenge of the rising number of unemployed youth and women by establishing the Small, Micro Finance and Medium Enterprises Agency, SMEDA. Within one year of its existence, no fewer than 4000 women and youths have been trained on entrepreneurship, financial literacy and skills acquisition.

The electorate cannot be fooled by opposition propaganda.

Above all, the Rescue Mission was a divine agenda to free the people from eight years of unprecedented impunity and nepotism in Plateau State politics, if the governor can achieve all these in two years, notwithstanding the challenging posed by chronic cash crunch, his achievements in four years will be unsurpassed.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

L-R: Professors Abuoye John, Samuel Ade-Ojo, Union Edebiri, Victor Ariole, Bola Akinterinwa, Stella Johnson, Ade Kukoyi and Executive Director, Operations and IT, Access Bank Plc, Ojini Olaghere, during the 2017 international conference organised by the Department of European Languages and Integration Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos…recently

The Power of Language Prof. Bola Akinterinwa and other professionals in international relations, at a recent conference organised by the Department of European Languages and Integration Studies of the University of Lagos, concurred that French is one language Nigeria should not ignore for the benefit of her citizens and the economy. Peace Obi reports

T

he 2017 international conference organised by the Department of European Languages and Integration Studies, Faculty of Arts in University Lagos, with the theme ‘The Francophonie and the Roadmap to Peace in Africa: The Contributions of Research Efforts in French Language and other Related Disciplines to Peace Efforts’, was a gathering of like-minded people. The Afe Babalola Hall of the University was filled with intellectuals, industry experts and veterans in international relations who assembled to promote and encourage the study of French in the country for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. For the organisers and their guests, Nigeria surrounded by French-speaking countries can no longer play the ostrich when it comes to giving the deserved attention to teaching and learning of French Language in the country. The team of speakers called on policymakers, educators and individuals to take the right steps to escape the prison of isolation.

In a presentation titled ‘Beyond French as an Imperium in International Relations: The Implication for Regional Peace and Security’,

Prof. Bola Akinterinwa said that French is a unique and powerful language, having succeeded Latin to become the language of diplomacy. And that French can be better appreciated when viewed as a language of communication, as a people, as a culture and as a civilisation. Considering French as a language of communication, the former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, said that French and English are the two official languages of the United Nations. According to him, in every United Nations assembly, whatever that is discussed generally must be documented officially in English and French.

"The place of French still remains quite important. At the level of communication, it is an official language of the United Nations.

Until the end of First World War, French was the first international diplomatic language while English Language was then the language of business. But over time, because of the introduction of other international languages like Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian, there has been competition with the French,” he pointed out.

Reaffirming the relevance of French in a

modern world, the Professor of International Relations insisted that even though French is not the leading language in business, he said that it remains the leading language of diplomacy. "So, the place of French is still there in terms of scientific consideration.

We have many inventions by the French and the language is written in French. So, it is still valid. There is also French in terms of theatrical entertainment, we have many French music, films. The romantic aspect of French life is borrowed all over the world; democracy in itself as well. We look at what the French sold to the world, la egalitarian, la libertarian. Hundred years ago, the statue was given to the Americans. When you look at the number of speakers of French world over, it will always remain relevant,” Akinterinwa insisted.

Observing that French Language is also on the path of decline, Akinterinwa attributed it to the French Government's attitude to non-Francophone sector and lovers of the language. Sharing an experience he had at the French Embassy, the Professor of International Relations said that the unfriendly attitude of the embassy staff discourages people who

would have loved to visit France for various reasons. Akinterinwa however counselled that nothing should discourage Nigerians from studying the language. According to him, the future of the la francophonie is brighter than ever before. And that no matter how developed, sophisticated or connected the world may appear to be, French remains a language of interaction at the international arena.

Speaking further, the NIIA former DG advised Nigerians to take the study of French seriously, stressing that it is in their own interest as it offers huge opportunities. "You have to learn French for selfish reasons; it is in your own interest. Now for me, I speak French; it is with me. I sit down quietly if I don't want to speak in French and nobody will know if I didn't tell you. As a research fellow for instance, it is to your advantage.

If you can only speak and write English, your research will be limited to only those materials written in English.

“For me when I am carrying out a research, I try to see what the Spanish authors say, what the French authors say, now add that one to the English author. So, it is very beautiful

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˾ T H I S D AY THURSDAY˜ ͯͮ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

FEATURES

In a presentation titled ‘Beyond French as an Imperium in International Relations: The Implication for Regional Peace and Security’, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa said that French is a unique and powerful language, having succeeded Latin to become the language of diplomacy.

And that French can be better appreciated when viewed as a language of communication, as a people, as a culture and as a civilisation

when you are a polyglot. You have access to different things and different opportunities.

Whether the French Government wants to close its door or not, it is not even the issue.

The only thing is that if there are more people speaking French, it is to their glory. It widens the base of French Influence, worldwide.

So, it is mutually rewarding. For instance, I was one of those people who said we will not take French as a bilingual but we must make the learning of French compulsory.

But my counsel is that let everybody speaks it, let public officials be compelled to learn French. So, if you are going to be in public service, within the two, three years before promotion, you must have proficiency in French Language, it is good for research purposes.

“It is now left for the French Government now to find a way of promoting its own interest by investing on people. I went on one year programme in the U.S., every time they send me newsletters of the people who came, they want us to be interacting, they want us to keep in touch, that that is how it should be,” Akinterinwa said.

In his earlier remarks, former Head, Department of Modern European Languages, Faculty of Arts UNILAG, Professor Samuel Ade-Ojo, said that the need for the country and individuals to be favourably disposed to bilingual or even multilingual cannot be overemphasised, especially as Nigeria is surrounded by francophone countries.

According to him, French and English Languages are the two languages that enjoy global acknowledgement as being transcontinental and transnational. He noted that the idea was not to turn English speaking countries to French-speaking countries, but that it is to make them bilingual and to

make of them polyglots. He stressed that the essence of francophonie is to emphasise the need to make French a language of peace, a language of cooperation and a language that can make life more meaningful and more fulfilling. “It is a language that has succeeded in working on the very essential elements of civilisation. French is a language of culture, it is a language of fashion, it is the language of good life; it is the language that makes human civilisation to have more impact.”

Speaking further, Ade-Ojo who is the first Nigerian academic to be honoured by the French Government with the ‘Chevaller de la Legion d’ Honneur’ (Knight of the Legion of Honour) for his exceptional qualities and commitment to the promotion of the French Language in Nigeria as well as France-Nigeria relations in general, hinted that French offers broader opportunities and that it has the power to free countries from the prison of isolation, warning that a monolingual may never be able to become a global citizen. "The minimum that you will need to have is two which will release you from the prison of isolation. You need at least two languages in this modern world. The world has become a global village made possible through the internet as well as through languages.

“One of the reasons for learning another language in addition to the lingua franca, generally referred to as national, official or legal language of a nation, it is to effectively respond to the need to be proficient in the language of the country’s immediate neighbours. For Nigeria, such a language is French, being the official language of all its neighbours, the reason for this necessity lies in the relevance of the language in facilitating the promotion of good neighbourliness, peaceful

coexistence as well as the enhancement of unity and mutual understanding.”

In his recommendation, Ade-Ojo said, “French has to be taught to learners and we have them more in school. My advice is that the initial proposal of December 15, 1996 by Abacha should be worked upon, at least to make French the second national language or make it compulsory in schools. We need French in this country.

It is indispensable for our being able to assert our greatness, our mightiness and the quality people that we have. And in a situation where most Nigerians who ought to be occupying the leading positions in the international organisations are not is because of their inability to speak French which is so minor. I am not sure whether we are really getting it right. Until and when we can recognise the impact that French can make to enable us conquer and virtually colonise our colonies, our neighbouring countries, economically in terms of making our weight felt, then we may not get things right,” Ade-Ojo said.

The Executive Director, Operations and IT, Access Bank Plc, Ojini Olaghere in her presentation said that the world is in a time when communication has become borderless with language as the key enabler. And that as business communities around the world rise to the demand for a globalised business operations, the power of language becomes eminent as a major tool for its accomplishment or otherwise. According to the executive director, business corporations need bilingual professionals to be in the international arena as well as towards achieving improved integration of the African economy for increased growth and development."The bilingual professional is beneficial to the integration of the African

economy in many important ways. They afford economies the opportunity to reach a wider range of stakeholders, creating more opportunities for the continent. Investors are always looking to Africa as the future for trade and industry.

“However, opportunities for investment and international partnerships are sometimes stifled as a result of the language barrier that exists between local entities and these international investors. The bilingual professionals break this barrier as they stand as the communication link between the continent and new and existing investment opportunities.”

Stressing that bilingual business approach increases networking opportunities, Olaghere said that it enable bilingual organisations tap into a larger pool of more qualified, culturally diverse workforce. “This creates opportunities for expatriates and employees with global experiences for further business improvement.

“At Access Bank, our bilingual business approach has opened our business up to a culturally diverse workforce with expatriate employees from Asia, Europe and from different countries across Africa. This has made our business adaptable, versatile and very dynamic providing limitless opportunities for growth. This is evident in our multi-national coverage and our cross-continental investment and business portfolio.

"We set-up our subsidiary in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to foster relationships with stakeholders in this market towards improved integration of the African economy for increased and equal growth and development in the continent. This required us to identify the importance of other languages to our business especially the French Language,” Olaghere said.

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IMAGES

R-L; Regional Director, Abuja & North of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Lukman Mustapha; Zonal Head, Wuse, Mr. Baldwin Onuigbo; Head, Parastatals & Ministries Team, Mr. Ali Haruna; Provost, Anti- Corruption Academy of the Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Professor Sola Akinrinade; Secretary to the Commission, Dr. Elvis Oglafa and others, during the commissioning and handover ceremony of computer systems donated by FCMB to the

L-R; CEO, ConsumerHalla Brand, Mr. Babatunde Shofowora; Head, Marketing & Relationship Services, Mrs Osayyame lgbinomwanhia and Head, Content Development & Business Planning, Mr. Sunkanmi Daramola at the official launch of ConsumerHalla Brand, the first consumer complaints resolution portal in Nigeria held in Lagos...recently Aiodun Ajala

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͮ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

L-R; Head, Human Resources, Nigeria and West Africa, Standard Chartered Bank, Rose Ebe- Arthur; Head, Group Human Resources, Access Bank Plc, Bolaji Agbede; Director, Group Human Resources, UBA Plc, Patricia Aderibigbe; and Head, Human Capital Stanbic IBTC, Olufunke Amobi; at the workshop on competence framework for lesds of human resources managers of banks organised by CIBN in Lagos... recently ETOP UKUTT

L-R;; President ,Employee Assistant Professional Association Nigeria (EAPA), Dr. Nwaogu Marcellinus; Chairperson, Local Organizing Committee 2017 EAPA Conference, Dr. Nwankwo Chinoye; and Vice President (EAPA),Venerable Adelowo Adesina, at a media briefing on (EAPA) 2017 Conference Theme; Productivity and Employee Wellbeing in Recession and Insurgency, held in LagosÖrecently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R; Former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musliu Smith; Fashola Step Mother, Mrs. Omolara Fashola; winner of Fashola Photographic Foundation, Vivian Nwobi; and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, at the Fashola Photographic Foundation Exhibition and Launch, held at City Hall in LagosÖrecently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Arch. Kayode Makanjuola, Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisra and Kwara State Head of Service, Hajia Zahra Omar during foundation laying ceremony of the construction of a new Kwara State Secretariat Complex in Ilorin..recently

L-R; Marketing Manager, Malta Guinness & Premium Nn-Alcoholic Drinks, Otome Oyo; Marketing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Adebola Adenike; Corporate Relations Director, Viola Graham-Douglas; Company Secretary/Legal Director, Rotimi Odusola and Brand Manager, Malta Guinness & Premium Non-Alcoholic Drinks, lfeoma Agu at the Launch of the Malta Guinness National Consumer Promo. in Lagos...recently

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (right) and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority, Mr. Uche Orji during the visit of the of Minister to the Corporate Headquarters of the Authority in Abuja...recently.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŽËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

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Quick Takes Spectranet Unveils Pebble MiďŹ Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ?ËŞ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ͳ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?ĂŒĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă“ Ă“ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ù×Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÎËÞË Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă? Ă?ĂŒĂŒĂ–Ă? Óʨ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ăž ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă–ĂŁËœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘Ă?Ăž Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ëž Ă‹ĘĽĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŒĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?ĂŒĂŒĂ–Ă? Óʨ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?ÞÓĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ù×Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ ͹͎ ÎËÞË Ă?Ă™Ăœ ͭͰ͎˜͎͎͎˛ Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ ÞÙ ×Ùà Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ™Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂŽĂ™Ă™Ăœ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂšĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ‹ĘľĂ?ĂœĂŁ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă˜Ă”Ă™ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă–Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă˜Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ĂŒĂœĂ™ĂĄĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÍŻĂ‹Ă— ̋;Ëײ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ͳ Ëœ ĂœË› Ă“Ă•Ă? Ă‘Ă™ĂœËœ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂŒĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă“ Ă“ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?Ăœ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽËŞĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› ËŤ Ă’Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?ĂŒĂŒĂ–Ă? Óʨ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÙʼĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ĘĽĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ ĘŽĂ™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ åÓÞÒ ÚÙĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?ËœËŹ Ă‘Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË›

Uduaghan for Titans of Tech Awards

BRIEFING THE PRESS

L-R: Lagos State Coordinator, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr. Adeniyi Olatunde; Director General, Aliyu Abubakar Aziz and Media Consultant to NIMC, Mr. Mkpe Abang, at a press conference in Lagos...recently

NIMC May Achieve Single Database Statistics By 2020 Stories by Emma Okonji Nigerians who are clamouring for the harmonisation of all databases into a single database that will enable industry players, academic researchers, and security agencies to obtain accurate statistics from a single source, may have to wait till 2020, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said.

NIMC was established by Act No. 23 of 2007, to register and maintain a unique national identity database, and to harmonise and integrate existing identification databases in Nigeria. The agency disclosed that it has commenced the process of harmonisation and integration of existing databases in the country, beginning with Bank Verification Number

ECONOMY (BVN) database. It however expressed concern that limited funding, occasioned by the current recession facing the country is slowing down the process.

The Director General of NIMC, Aliyu Abubakar Aziz, who gave insight into the process of data harmonisation, during a press conference in Lagos recently, said although the process of harmonisation had commenced, it would take another three years to complete because the process is slow due to paucity of fund.

He said the lack of fund has affected staff remuneration, which resulted in constant loss of strategic human resources at the Commission.

According to him, “Harmoni-

sation and data integration of existing database is in progress.

Data from bank BVN registration, SIM card registration, INEC registration and FRSC registration, among others, are all with us but we are harmonising them one after the other in order to get it right and we are currently handling that of BVN. We are hopeful that in the next three years, we could complete the whole exercise of harmonisation and integration.�

Nigerians have been clamouring for a single database, to avoid duplication of people’s identity with various agencies. Currently, the banks are registering bank customers for BVN, and the same data is provided by the same people in other agencies and government parastatals, where registration

is also going on like the FRSC for vehicle licence registration, and SIM card registration for telecoms subscribers. The registration exercise is becoming monotonous and time wasting, since the same data is being duplicated.

Nigerians are of the view that should there be a single database of all Nigerians; agencies will easily log on the single portal to get the desired data, instead of duplicating same data in different databases that operate in silos without the necessary integration.

Aside slowing down the process of harmonisation and integration of data, the NIMC boss said the paucity of fund was also affecting the speed of enrollment into the national Continued on page 24

Nigeria to Surpass 100,000 Domain Name Registration

By November There are indications that Nigeria will surpass the 100,000 mark domain name registration between October and November this year, following the monthon-month increase in the .ng domain name registration across the country.

As at June this year, Nigeria recorded 90,696 .ng domain name registrations, but the recent figures released by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), the body responsible for the country’s domain name registration and control, shows that Nigeria recorded additional 4,363 registrations in July, while the renewal for the same month was 2,143.

ICT According to NiRA President, Revd Sunday Folayan, the domain count for the Nigerian Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD), had continued to make impressive gains, month-on-month. “Going by the impressive monthly increase, which we can attribute to the increase in the number of accredited registrars, coupled with the preparations on ground to host the AfriNIC-27 meeting in November 2017, we are optimistic that between October and November this year, Nigeria will surpass the 100,000 mark registration.

“We are also convinced that the various workshops and conferences held within and outside the country, designed to push the .ng adoption, will also help to surpass the 100,000 mark,� Folayan said.

The .ng domain count continues to make impressive gains on monthly basis and it is heart-warming that the number of domains in the registry continues to grow in excess of 2,000 domains monthly. This is due to the hard work of the Registrars and the Resellers, in making sure that .ng continues to be the domain of choice for all Nigerians, Folayan added. “At the current growth

rate, the number of active .ng domains will surpass the 100,000 mark between October and November 2017.

It is a milestone that we will celebrate, and is worthy of being celebrated. “We need to get many more people on board, but some Nigerians still live in denial. They claim that the Nigerian string is too long, and sometimes expensive, but this is not true.

Government and Nigerian businesses should be proud to fly our identity, the .ng domain name,� Folayan advised.

According to him, part Continued on page 24

Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ăœ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?ÖÞË ÞËÞĂ?Ëœ ĂœË› Ă—Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă– ĂĄĂ?ÞË ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă‘Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ę¨ĂœĂ—Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ͯͰÞÒ Ă?ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ Ă˜Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÒÙÖÎ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă– ÙÞĂ?Ă–Ëœ Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă?Ă˜ĂŽË› âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă‹ĂœĂŽËœ Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĂŽĂœĂ™ Ă‘Ă‹Ă˜ĂŒĂ“Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ĂœË› ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă‘Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ËŞĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂšĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ăœ ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ăœ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœËŞĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;Ă— ÞÙ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ™Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁË› Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÚÙÞĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ă? ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁË›

Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă–Ă?ĘľĂ?ĂœËœ ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă‘Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ ÖÙÙÕ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ ÞÙ Ă—Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă•Ă?ĂŁ Ă?ÞËÕĂ?ÒÙÖÎĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă—ĂŁ ÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ÚÖËã Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž ĂŽĂ“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓʨĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĘĽĂ™ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžË›

ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă‹ Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă•Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã˪Ă? ÎÓÑÓÞËÖ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ùã ÞÙ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă?Ăž åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ–Ă‹Ă¤Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă? ÞÙ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă?Þã˛ˏ

Hubmart Stores Opens Ikeja Outlet Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’ Ă™Ă? ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă‹

Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂœĂ?ÞËÓÖ Ă‘Ă“Ă‹Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ—Ă‹ĂœĂž ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă“Ă? ÚÙÓĂ?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă•Ă?ÔË Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă? åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ÙÚĂ?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă™Ă&#x;ÞÖĂ?Ăž Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă‹Ă? Ă™Ă’Ă˜ ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă•Ă?ÔË Ë› Ë› Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ù×ÚÖĂ?â ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ Ă‹ ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ăž ËÚÚĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă?Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ÞÙ Ă?âĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ™Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂœĂ‹Ě‹Ă—Ă™ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ÓÖÓÞÓĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă—Ă‹Ă¤Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ—Ă‹ĂœĂž Ă?ÙÙÎ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžËœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ÚËĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë› ËŤ ÒÙÚÚĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂžĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?âÛĂ&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ? ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ÒÙÖÎ Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă—Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ‹Ă“ĂœĂŁËœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÙÓÖĂ?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?ĂœËœËŹ Ă“Ăž Ă?ÞËÞĂ?ĂŽË›

Rivers Tasks Outdoor Practitioners Ă’Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞËÞĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă’Ă&#x;Ă•ĂĄĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ“ Ă“Ă—Ă•ĂšĂ‹Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ÞËÕĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂŽĂ™Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă‹ĂšĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă? Ù×Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞËÞĂ?Ë› Ó×ÕÚË Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÓÞã Ă™Ă? Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĂĄĂ?Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ÖÙÙÕ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă™ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂžĂ’Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–ĂŒĂ™Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?âĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂŒĂ?Ă‘Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă“Ă–Ă? ÍŻËœ Ă•ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂœĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽËœ Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂž ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽËœ Ă‘ĂœĂ&#x;ĂĄĂ&#x;ĂžĂ‹Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă—Ă&#x;ÕÚÙÕåĂ&#x; Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă—Ă&#x;Ă™Ă•Ă™ĂœĂ™ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă?âÞĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽËœ Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂŽĂ“Ă–Ă“ ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽ ÕÚÙÑĂ&#x; Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜ ĂŒĂŁ Ă‹Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ë›

As the most important asset for any business, customers, when treated well can create powerful relationship that drive proďŹ tability CEO Kantar Nigeria, Aggrey Maposa

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŽËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

NIMC MAY ACHIEVE SINGLE DATABASE STATISTICS BY 2020

Minister Seeks Expeditious Passage of NIPOST Reform Bill Emma Okonji

identity database, as well as the production and issuance of national identity cards to those that have already enrolled and have their National Identity Number (NIN). According to him, the Commission has enrolled only 18.5 million Nigerians into the national identity database, out of the over 170 million Nigerian population, which he said, is less that 10 per cent registration, compared with the entire population of Nigerians.

He said NIMC currently has 809 NIN enrollment centres nationwide, insisting that all Nigerians, irrespective of their age, are expected to enroll and obtain their National Identity Number, through which the national identity card would be produced and issued. He however said identity cards would not be issued to minors until they attain the age of 18, but that it was necessary for them to enroll and obtain their NIN. Aziz disclosed that the commission has produced 1.2 million cards, but explained that not all the 1.2 million cards have been issued.

NIGERIA TO SURPASS 100,000 DOMAIN NAME REGISTRATION BY NOVEMBER of the planned agenda for AFRINIC-27 is to call on the international community to increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in developing countries. There will also be a strong call for the implementation of IPv6 in Africa.

In technical parlance, domain name which could be ccTLD or generic top level domain (gTLD) is the identity of individuals and organisations in cyberspace.

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

Group Business Editor

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

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ?

Comms/e-Business Editor

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

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

Senior Correspondent

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

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

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

The Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has called on the National Assembly to expedite action in deliberating and passing the Postal Reform Bill and other related bills pending before the legislators, aimed at restructuring the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).

The minister made the call at the launch of two documents - Restructuring and Modernising Nigerian Postal Service and NIPOST Vision 2020, in Abuja recently. He also used the occasion to inaugurate a steering committee for NIPOST reformation.

Shittu said the present administration needed the collaboration and synergy of the National Assembly to deliver on its campaign promises to Nigerians by expediting actions on bills targeted at social reformation of the Nigerian society, one of which is the services provided

by NIPOST. He charged the lawmakers to give the bill serious attention, saying, “we will appreciate that the bill is considered expeditiously important to the socio-economic policy thrust of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.�

The minister stated further that the Bill seeks the amendment of all the existing postal services laws to give effect to the recommendations of the NethPost Consultancy of The Netherlands and all other interest groups that worked with the ministry, NIPOST and other stakeholders in the postal services.

According to him, though NIPOST reformation was not part of the APC campaign promises, but he initiated moves

to reposition NIPOST, one of the oldest public institutions to be widely accepted in terms of efficient and effective postal services delivery, to be socially relevant, economically viable and internationally acceptable.

The objectives of the postal sector reform plan, he said, were premised on; establishing a low cost universal postal service that provides a solid communication medium and link nationwide; providing a safe and efficient postal service that is sustainable and keep space with developments in the rest of the world; introducing

private sector participation and the development of the postal service into a commercially viable entrepreneurial conglomerate and creating a convenient means of savings mobilisation and payment/ funds transfer system for the entire country through the postal network.

To operate on a commercial driven orientation, Shittu said the reform would unbundle NPOST to profit–driven subsidiaries such as; NIPOST Digital Financial Services Limited (PostBank); NIPOST Property & Development Company Limited; NIPOST

Transport and Logistics Limited; NIPOST Merchandising Limited (e-Commerce); and NIPOST General Services Support Limited (e-Government).

The Post Master General and Chief Executive Officer of NIPOST, Bisi Adegbuyi, commended the present administration for its determination to drive the reform process to a logical conclusion. He also commended the minister for his efforts to change the trajectory of NIPOST, adding that the management of NIPOST has in the interim took a step at tinkering with reformation

through certain restructuring steps taken so far. “It is in this spirit, therefore, that the new management of NIPOST crafted this four- year strategic plan (NIPOST Vision 2020, from 2017 -2020) to guide the implementation. In considering the contents of the various documents, however, it is obvious that there are programmes that can be implemented in the short term in accordance with government policy, while others can only be implemented in the long-run after the passage of the Postal Sector Reform Bill into law�, Adegbuyi said.

YOU ARE CERTIFIED

L-R: Regional Vice President, Africa and Middle East, the International Air Transport Association ( IATA), Mr. Albakri Mohammad Ali; Chief Operating OďŹƒcer Arik Air, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu; Receiver Manager, Arik Air, Oluseye Opasanya; Area Manager, South West Africa IATA, Dr. Fatokun Samson and Head, Regional Vice President, Africa and Middle East, IATA, Mr. Stancu Alexandru, during the presentation of the IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) CertiďŹ cate to Arik Air at the airline’s head oďŹƒce at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos...recently

Uber, Visa to Offer Digital GermanVarsitytoBoostCapacityBuilding Payment Platform to in Thompson & Grace Medical Varsity The proposed Thompson & Germany, signed on behalf well as healthcare management Africans Grace Medical University of his institution, Dr. Amos and administration,� Dr. Amos Emma Okonji

Uber and Visa have announced a multi-year strategic agreement that aims to grow digital commerce across Africa. The partnership leverages both technology platforms to encourage the use of electronic payments among consumers across the continent.

Under the agreement, Visa will work with its financial institution partners to set up their debit and credit portfolios for eCommerce. This will enable faster adoption of digital payments in the region, new revenue streams for banks and merchants, and create the platform for market leading digital companies like Uber to offer great app-based commercial experiences to more customers.

In parallel, Uber and Visa will offer new and existing riders across Nigeria special deals when paying with their Visa card. Uber constantly works towards ensuring a seamless and convenient app experience, and offering seamless and frictionless payment options to riders (1) is a big part of this. The Uber/Visa partnership will ensure riders have more flexibility to pay in the way they are most comfortable, while enjoying free rides when they

use their Visa card.

General Manager for Uber sub-Saharan Africa, Alon Lits, said: “Ensuring riders have access to simple and convenient payment options is crucial, which is why our partnership with Visa, makes a whole lot of sense. It’s a winwin for both riders, who have flexible payment options and will accumulate free rides, but also for driver-partners as this will increase demand which results in more trips.�

Group Country Manager, sub-Saharan Africa for Visa, Andrew Torre, said; “Visa’s purpose is to be the best way to pay and be paid, for everyone, everywhere. Everything we do as an organisation aims to live up to this promise. Visa is always looking to align with like-minded brands, who will help bring our cashless vision to life, and ensure that consumers have multiple payment options to best suit their everyday lives.�

During the promotion period, new riders will get discounts off their first two rides. Existing riders who choose to pay with Visa will get a complimentary trip every sixth ride. All riders need to do is link their Visa card in the payment option of their Uber app before they initiate their trip.

(TGMU), Nigeria may have taken off on a sound academic footing as a German institution, the University of Hamburg (UKE), Germany has confirmed its willingness, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to partner the university’s proprietors to “design and operate the medical facilities.�

Disclosing this on Friday at a seminar titled, ‘How Education, Health, and Medicine Can be Transformed to Benefit Nigeria and Africa’, held at the Le Meridien, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, President/Chief Executive Officer of Thompson & Grace Investment Limited, Dr. Isaac Thompson Amos said that his group of companies have earlier in the week signed MoU with the German University to partner to “consult in the design and operation� of Thompson & Grace Medical University, and Thompson & Grace Specialty Hospital (TGSH), which is sited at Afahan Obong, Uyo. The MoU was signed at the office of the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Bernhard Schlagheck on Monday in Abuja, he disclosed.

While Prof. Dr. Dr. med.

Uwe Koch-Gromus, Dean of the Medical Faculty of the UKE,

signed on behalf of his Group in the presence of Schlagheck; Prof. Dr. med. Ansgar Wilhelm Lohse, Vice Dean, Medical Faculty of the UKE; Prof. Dr. med. Frank Nobert Riedet, foremost Paediatrician and former Medical Director of the Altona Children’s Hospital, Hamburg, Germany; Mr. Armin Huttenlocher, CEO of RES Public Affairs, Corporate Affairs and Consultant to the project from Berlin, Germany; Mr. Ekemini Amos, Projects/ Technical Services of TGIL; and Dr. Emmanuel Umoh, PMP, President/CEO of XEQ Solutions, Plano, Texas, USA, among others.

The MoU document was formally presented to him at the seminar in Uyo by Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Uwe Koch-Gromus.

Amos disclosed that the partnership would enable both parties to jointly “develop and provide structure, curriculum and practical program as well as administrative and management processes for the Medical University and Specialty Hospital.� These medical facilities would also enjoy “training and support in capacity building in the areas of medical education, clinical research and healthcare delivery processes and procedures as

said.

He noted that the partnership would enable the health facilities to benefit from “increased number of highly trained and competent physicians, other healthcare professionals and facilities to meet the health needs of a rapidly changing Nigerian society.�

Also speaking at the seminar, Koch-Gromus noted that “the UKE, located in Hamburg, Germany and T&GIL, with head office located in Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria, signed the MoU for the development of academic cooperation in international education in areas of mutual interest and expertise.�

He noted that the “collaboration established by this MoU will enhance the intellectual life and cultural development at both institutions, and will contribute to increased international cooperation.�

In his presentation a Professor of Paediatrics, Prof. Emmanuel E. Ekanem, University of Calabar said at the seminar, that Nigeria, like many parts of the developing world, is undergoing epidemiological transition from predominantly infectious diseases to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͮ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Making Nigeria a Smartphone Hub The recent launch and re-launch of various brands of smartphones in the Nigerian market underscored the efforts of government in wooing foreign investors, writes Emma Okonji

L-R: Head, Business Development, West Africa, Freetel, Mr. Anantha Surendran; Managing Director TD Mobile, Mrs. Gozy Ijogun; Head, Business Development, Middle East and Africa, Global Sales Group, Freetel, Mr. Mathew Anish, and Executive Officer, Global Business Development, Freetel, Mr. Eugene Yoshioka, during media launch of Freetel mobile smartphones in Lagos...recently ETOP UKUTT

Efforts by the federal government to woo foreign investors to Nigeria and invest in various sectors of the economy, through various initiatives are beginning to yield results in the telecoms sector.

Penultimate week, Nigerians witnessed the launch and re-launch of different brands of smartphones from various vendors. This development is boosting market competition, price reduction and giving Nigerians the opportunity to make choices from a range of smartphones.

While Freetel, Japan’s largest selling smartphone mobile brand was launched for the first time into the Nigerian market, old brands like Motorola and Nokia that were once vibrant in the Nigerian telecoms market, but later went under for various reasons, also re-launched their mobile phones. This is an indication that the market is becoming more attractive to foreign investors.

Launch of Freetel smartphones Freetel, penultimate week, announced its partnership with TD Mobile to establish its presence in the Nigerian mobile market space.

Founded by a few enthusiastic telecom experts in 2012 in the city of Toyko, Japan with a clear vision to re-create the Japanese quality smartphones at affordable prices, Freetel said it had launched its smartphone in 20 countries, before Nigeria.

Freetel started its expansion programme since November 2015 in Asia, North America, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. The Freetel devices are currently available in 20 countries including two African markets of Egypt and Ghana respectively. The Japanese giant phone maker, penultimate week in Lagos, launched four different models of its Andriod smartphones into the Nigerian market with prices ranging from as low as N13, 000 to N38, 000.

Freetel smartphones are designed in the state of the art design centre in Tokyo, and the manufacturing is supervised by Japanese engineers with over 40 years’ experience and all of them are Google GMS certified. The GMS Certification is the confirmation that a specific device meets Googles’ performance requirements and properly runs the Google Apps.

Speaking at the media launch, Vice President, International Sales, Freetel, Mr. Eugene Yoshioka, said: “Nigeria is the market for Freetel and we are looking forward to reach out to Nigerian consumers with our latest smartphones. We

plan to invest in the country with a full-fledged subsidiary to support sales, marketing and after sales support. We are glad that we are partnering the most powerful and trusted partner of the region TD Africa.”

As a subsidiary of ICT distribution powerhouse, Technology Distribution Limited (TD Africa), will add the Freetel brand to a growing list of international brands represented in line with its status as the biggest mobile devices distributor in the West African sub-region.

Considering its wide reach, distribution network, massive retailer base and unmatched presence in major Nigerian cities and other West Africa capitals, the partnership will see the company deploy its latest capacity in taking the line-up of products from the Freetel stable to every action in the metropolis as well as every nook and cranny in the hinterlands.

Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director, TD Mobile, Mrs. GozyIjogun, said: “As a key driver of the technology revolution in Africa, TD Mobile has always strived to bring the latest and best of technology products to Nigeria and the West Africa region by extension.

In line with this, Freetel and TD Mobile have entered into an exclusive partnership to bring Japanese smartphones to Nigeria. We believe we can capture a major market share with the help of our extensive distribution reach and strategic partnership with operators, dealers and retailers.”

“For lovers of quality smartphones the good news is that Freetel will be availbale in the market across ten major cities in Nigeria to include; Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Ibadan, among others, from August this year,” Ijogun said.

Infinix Note 4, Note 4 Pro launched Another brand of smartphone that was launched within the same period is the Infinix Mobility smartphone. Infinix announced the launch of its new Note series smartphone ‘Infinix Note 4 and Note 4 Pro with a stylus ‘Xpen’.

The latest device from Infinix is the most anticipated smartphone yet to be released this year and it is themed ‘5 minutes charge 250 minutes talk’ As the Note series remains a game changer in its product market, the new Note 4 comes with the stylish stylus ‘Xpen’. The Xpen offers great functionality for Infinix Note users, it allows it

users to take down notes, create shortcuts and also sketch easily on the Xnote using the Xpen.

Infinix integrated other technology innovation in the new Note smartphone, it is pre-packed with Xcharge 4.0 which provides the quickest charge with low voltage and high efficiency, equipped with big battery life of 4300MAH – 4500MAH. These features allow the Note 4 to charge fast within 5 minutes to talk for 250 minutes.

The Infinix Note 4 and Note 4 PRO is also the first Infinix smartphone to be prepacked with the latest Android 7.0 OS infused with the Infinix UI ‘XOS 2.3’. The Note 4 also comes with other outstanding features such as 5.7FHD screen, 13MP AF back camera with dual color LED Flash, 8MP-mega pixels front camera, Octa-core 1.3GHz 64bits processor, Fingerprint recognition, 2.5 Touch panel, 16 & 32GB ROM, with expandable storage space to 128gb and 3GB RAM. Both devices are 4G enabled, according to the mobile phone company.

Nokia Re-launches Nokia, a one -time household name in the mobile phone space in Nigeria, made a fresh incursion into the Nigerian smartphone market.

HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, announced its first Nokia smartphone range, comprising the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6, available at selected operator and retail stores.

Launched in Lagos, the devices combine superior craftsmanship, distinctive design and powerful entertainment features with apure Android experience, giving customers the ability to use the phone in styles.

Vice President, Sub-Sahara Africa, HMD Global, Mr. Justin Maier said: “I believe that HMD Global will be able to offer something for everyone. From the new Nokia 3310 feature phone to our premium Nokia 6 smartphone, we are bringing phones to Nigeria that will entice and delight, while offering simplicity, reliability, quality and importantly, the human touch. I am looking forward to this new chapter in Africa for Nokia Phones.”

General Manager, West, East and Central Africa, HMD Global, Joseph Umunakwe, said: “Phones have become an extension of ourselves and are integral to so many aspects of our lives.”

Speaking on the features, he said the Nokia 6 combines superior craftsmanship and distinctive design with an immersive audio experience and a 5.5” full HD screen, and delivers a truly

premium smartphone experience.

Motorola Returns The Motorola brand of smartphone was also re-launched. Motorola, known for its 3310 brand of mobile phone, once took the centre stage in mobile phone market in Nigeria, but later went under, after selling out the mobile phone arm of it business. Several years after the brand was pulled out circulation, Lenovo, penultimate week, through its subsidiary, Motorola Mobility, re-launched the brand of mobile phones into the Nigerian market. Lenovo unveiled the new range of Moto smartphones to core dealers in Lagos.

The smartphone models which include the Moto E4, Moto E4 plus, Moto C 3G, Moto C 4G and Moto C plus, boasts of exciting new features and user friendly applications. Motorola’s range of innovative smartphones guarantee 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 customers 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.

Speaking at the re-launch event, Head of Marketing at Motorola, Shane Solomon, said: “It is indeed a great pleasure to be back in the Nigerian market to introduce these new smartphones. Nigeria is a huge market for mobile phones and it is a market for consumers who are constantly looking to more in terms of what they can achieve with their smartphones.”

The launch and re-launch of smartphones into the Nigerian market, will not only create competition for price reduction, but will also provide Nigerians the opportunity to make choice of mobile phones.

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Eleme Petrochemicals: The Poster Boy for Privatisation In this article, Sunday Jonathan and Ehis Nzewuji highlight the positive impact of the privatisation process on the economy, citing Eleme Petrochemicals Company as one of the projects that attest to the positive impact of the programme The narrative is alluring but few would have bet on that prospect in 2004 when the Bureau of Public Enterprises set in motion the privatisatisation process for Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals Limited (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited).

Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited (EPCL), located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is a petrochemicals complex originally fully-owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and commissioned in 1996. Although constructed to international standards, located to take advantage of Nigeria’s abundant supplies of natural gas, and designed to manufacture products for which there was consistently high demand, EPCL was never managed properly, at no time operated to its potential, and was a significant loss maker and drain on the State treasury.

The company operated for about nine years from 1996, never operated effectively, although it was technologically a state-of-the-art facility.

Severe management problems and continuing financial losses led to the Federal Government’s decision to privatise it. Some of the operating problems were identified as follows: r 1PPS QMBOU NBOBHFNFOU CVSFBVDSBUJD BQQSPBDI to business, and absence of international-standard management systems; r 1PPS DPOEJUJPO PG FTTFOUJBM FRVJQNFOU FYBDFSCBUFE CZ JOBEFRVBUF TVQQMZ PG TQBSFT and consumables; r *OBEFRVBUF QMBOU NBJOUFOBODF JODMVEJOH UIF total lack of turnaround maintenance; and r 4IPSUBHF PG XPSLJOH DBQJUBM EPCL was one of the most challenging enterprises the BPE has privatised in terms of the impediments, which had impinged on the company’s ability to achieve near-full capacity and which led to consistent losses .The impediments proved to be enormous challenges, which BPE faced and had to surmount in the course PG JUT RVFTU UP QSJWBUJTF &1$- 5IFZ JOWPMWFE colossal debt burden such as project finance debts: The major impediment to EPCL’s existence and privatisation was the huge project finance debt of US$ 53 million owed to a consortium of international financial institutions. The repayment of the debts was tied to total proceeds from export sales of all the company’s outputs. The DPOTFOU PG UIF DSFEJUPST XBT SFRVJSFE CFGPSF any transfer of ownership (via privatisation) could be effected on the company. This was because of the nature of the loan agreements, which Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (as EPCL’s parent and guarantor) entered into with the various consortia.

In order to commence the privatisation, the BPE sought and obtained the approval of the National Council on Privatisation to constitute a Federal Government team. The team negotiated with the creditors to release EPCL from its loan repayment obligations, as these debts were part of Nigerian’s debt stock to the Paris Club. The team also obtained the creditor’s consent to privatise EPCL. There was also the issue of trade debts and statutory debts. EPCL was also indebted to various trade creditors and to the Federal Government. These liabilities totalled US$ 259 million as at 30th June 2005. An analysis of the liabilities revealed that 63.6% of the total debt was due to FGN agencies namely the Federal Inland Revenue Service and NNPC. The main challenge that these liabilities posed on the privatisation was whether it was more expedient for the core investor or the FGN to assume the repayment of the liabilities. On the basis of the FGN being in a better position to negotiate the private and public sector aspect of the liabilities, the FGN approved for the FGN to assume the liabilities.

0UIFS DIBMMFOHFT JODMVEFE JOBEFRVBUF XPSLJOH capital caused by the restrictive clauses in the project finance loans, which denied the company access to export sales proceeds of its polyethylene and polypropylene products; and absence of the mandatory turn around maintenance (TAM. EPCL’s plants were terribly dilapidated because

Eleme Petrochemicals Complex it had not carried out the mandatory two-year TAM on its plants since it commenced operations in 1995.

In 2006, EPCL was privatised by the sale of 75% of its shares to a core investor through a competitive bidding process. Little international interest was attracted. The company was sold to Indorama Group for $225 million, without liabilities which were retained by the FGN. Much PG UIF BDRVJTJUJPO DPTU XBT Ă OBODFE XJUI EFCU with the IFC lending Indorama $150 million for UIF BDRVJTJUJPO DPTU BOE UIF OFX &MFNF CPSSPXJOH $130 million for its turnaround programme and working capital.

It is interesting to note that the available report on EPCL stated that “the absence of the two-year turnaround maintenance (TAM) of the company’s plants and facilities made it imposTJCMF GPS UIF DPNQBOZ UP BDIJFWF QSPĂ UBCJMJUZu and “the level of the company’s indebtedness... also greatly hampered the company’s ability to BDIJFWF QSPĂ UBCJMJUZu XIFSFBT BGUFS GPVS NPOUIT of turnaround maintenance, the company was operating at a healthy profit; for the first full year of operation earned a net profit margin of 36.1% after tax; and in the second full year of operation had increased its net profit margin to an astounding 43.4% after tax. The company was able to pay its owners a dividend of N9.5 billion (approximately $74 million) after only one year of operation.

The Share Sale and Purchase Agreement (SSPA) between Bureau of Public Enterprises and Indorama International Finance was signed on February 27, 2006 and the company was handed over to the Purchaser on October 26, 2006. Following the hand over, the core investor XBT SFRVJSFE UP DPNQMZ XJUI BMM UIF DPWFOBOUT of the SSPA including some specific clauses as described in clauses 8.2, and 8.4 of Annexure 1 for a continuous period of five (5) years after the handover date. Clause 8.2 states that “the purchaser shall within a period of five years continue to maintain and operate the existing business of the Company as a going concern and shall not take any steps or actions the effect of which may diminish the value of the Company, FYDFQU GPS BOZ EJNJOVUJPO BT B DPOTFRVFODF PG UIF PQFSBUJPOT JO UIF OPSNBM DPVSTF PG CVTJOFTT u Clause 8.4 states “that for a period of not less than five years after Handover Date, purchaser shall as far as possible adhere to and implement JO GVMM UIF 1PTU "DRVJTJUJPO 1MBO XIJDI JU IBT submitted to and agreed with BPE. The Post "DRVJTJUJPO 1MBO NBZ CF NPEJĂ FE GSPN UJNF UP time with the prior written consent of BPE (not to be unreasonably withheld). The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that BPE or its agents shall be entitled to undertake biennial monitoring of the Purchaser’s compliance with the Post

"DRVJTJUJPO 1MBO u On March 14, 2014, Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited’s management wrote to the BPE intimating her that the company had complied with all the covenants of the said SSPA, including its specific clauses 8.2, and 8.4 and that the Company has completed five years monitoring period as at 6th August, 2011 since the handover date of 7th August, 2006.

The Post Privatisation Monitoring (PPM) Department of the BPE consistently carried out performance evaluation of the Strategic Business Plans and monitored compliances of EPCL’s covenants as contained in the SSPA within the five year lock- in- period. The verdict was that the compliance status of EPCL is “highly outstanding and commendable as the company exceeded the projected production targets from UIF Ă STU ZFBS PG PQFSBUJPO UP EBUF u For instance, from the SSPA in the first year, the purchaser was to produce 85,200 MT of polymers, that is, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP) but produced 135,000 MT which exceeded what was contained JO UIF 1PTU "DRVJTJUJPO 1MBO 1"1 5IJT XBT NPSF than the sum total of what EPCL produced in its 10 years of operation before privatisation. The plants were fully revamped with the purchaser investing about US$170million for turnaround maintenance. BPE’s conclusion was that “the Company has therefore complied with all the DPWFOBOUT JO UIF 4IBSF 4BMF 1VSDIBTF "HSFFNFOU u It was that laudable achievement that made the acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo a guest of the company on Thursday, July 27, 2017 when he presented a Certificate of Discharge to the Chairman of Indorama Group, Mr. Sri Prakash Lohia and the Managing Director, Mr. Manish Mundra, for successfully accomplishing the post purchase agreement entered into with the Bureau of Public Enterprises on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

He said: “Following the 2006 handover, the BPE carried out routine monitoring on the enterprise to ensure that the core investor adhered to and JNQMFNFOUFE UIF QPTU BDRVJTJUJPO QMBO JU IBE MBJE out for the company. Today is the culmination of that process of monitoring and oversight by the BPE. I am delighted that it is taking place on an inspiring and hopeful note, and that we are all here today celebrating a thriving and promising company. We should not take this TUBUF PG BGGBJST GPS HSBOUFE u According to the acting President, the company has turned out to be a huge success story. “I am glad that we’re here today to see one of the success stories of the Federal Government’s privatisation programme, ’’ he pointed out. “We will continue to support Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited’s expansion ambitions.

Our commitment to the privatisation programme JT FRVBMMZ BTTVSFE BOE XF XJMM DPOUJOVF UP EP everything to support investors to maximise UIF QPUFOUJBM PG UIFJS BTTFUT u On that occasion, the Acting President inaugurated a giant world-class fertilizer plant built by Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited at the cost of $1.5 billion. The construction of the plant commenced in April 2013 and completed in December 2015—and commercial production started in June 2016.

The acting President used the opportunity to remind Nigerians that time has come for them to grow whatever they eat and produce whatever they consume. “What Indorama is accomplishing today is very much in line with President Buhari’s vision for a country that produces what it consumes and grows what it eats. If you had to sum up our vision for the Nigerian economy in a few words, these would suffice. Grow what we eat, produce XIBU XF DPOTVNF u IF TBJE Prof Osinbajo commended Indorama for keying into the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative which President Buhari launched last year to make fertilizers cheaper nationwide. “At the end of last year, the President launched a Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, to ensure the availability of cheaper fertilizer to our farmers, to support what we’re doing in agriculture, in the production of rice and wheat and other TUBQMFT u IF QPJOUFE PVU The fertilizer Initiative, now well underway, has created significant economic opportunities for companies like Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals Limited. Said Osinbajo: “I have been informed that Indorama will this year alone supply about 360,000 metric tonnes of urea to fertilizer blenders, which, in turn, will produce NPK fertilizer for the benefit of farmers across the country. This is the kind of economic progress we’re after, in which every unlocked opportunity proceeds to unlock several others, BDSPTT NVMUJQMF TFDUPST PG UIF FDPOPNZ u In his address, the Chairman of Indorama Corporation, Mr. Sri Prakash Lohia, said that the plant which has capacity to produce 1.5 million metric tons of fertilizer per annum is the largest single-train urea plant in the world.

The plant has a production capacity of 4000 metric tons (MT) of nitrogenous fertilizers per day or 1.5 MT per annum. The fertilizer plant is well supported by Port Terminal at the nearby Onne Port Complex, and a Gas Pipeline of 83.5KM for gas supply.

That said, the dismal performance of public enterprises is a direct result of many factors that make efficient operation difficult. Such factors JODMVEF MBDL PG BEFRVBUF JOWFTUNFOU DBQJUBM slow decision making process, bureaucratic CPUUMFOFDLT GSFRVFOU HPWFSONFOU JOUFSGFSFODF economic decisions based on political expediency and massive corruption of public enterprise managers in collaboration with officials of the supervising ministries.

The privatisation vision is encapsulated in the reform programme whose aim is the development of the entrepreneurial abilities of Nigerians, the widening of available economic opportunities and the creation of a judicious economic mix and intervention mechanisms that would bring about a conducive business environment. The overall aim is that investors, who demonstrate capacity to add value through efficient provision of goods and services, have the chance to do so. This involves putting back to effective use, public enterprises that are moribund PS OPU QSPWJEJOH UIF SFRVJSFE TFSWJDFT *U BMTP entails providing the opportunity for operators to participate competitively in the expanded business horizon leading to an enlarged and active private sector driven economy. Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited has been a prime case that projects the positive impact of privatisation on the economy.

- Jonathan and Nzewuji are of the Public Communications Unit of the BPE

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iConcepts Launches Mobile Marketing Platform Stories by Emma Okonji iConcepts, provider of mobile technology and value added services (VAS) in Africa, has launched a simple cloud-based mobile marketing platform, known as mGen.ng, that enables businesses and organisations of any size to harness SMS messaging capabilities to increase sales, customer engagement and marketing returns on investment (ROI).

mGen.ng uses shortcodes and unique keywords to build opted-in audiences, collect customer feedback and send auto-responses to these inbound messages. All that the customer needs to is to text ‘YES’ to 30380 and someone will call back or text ‘OFFER’ to 30380 to get the latest products and special offers. The platform then aggregates the data for processing through a robust dashboard generating detailed reports,

graphs and profiled databases that are extremely valuable and targeted for any company. With an mGen account, businesses can create lead generation campaigns, loyalty promotions, interactive surveys, polls, automated information services and customer care solutions.

Some of its key features include zero-rated shortcodes allowing customers to participate for free, self-service tools to customize the user experience for each

campaign or service, and API tools to enable integration with an existing management system. mGen.ng is ideal for both public and private sector organisations including finance, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), manufacturing, retail, education, health, government, IT, media, transport, travel, religion and service industries.

Innovation and Business Partnerships Lead at iConcepts, Mr. Bolaji Akerele, said: “The

platform will allow many companies create value through quality interactions they previously couldn’t access; and most importantly, it is very easy to set up an account at a very low price.�

The Chief Executive Officer of iConcepts, Ugo Okoye, also added that “technology and innovation are the key drivers for business growth especially in tough economic times. Businesses must adopt

a mobile first approach to stay competitive, drive sales and satisfy their customers in an ever-increasing tech savvy world.�

According to Okoye, the platform would serve as a marketing platform, where organisations can engage with their target customers and use the platform to drive traffic to organisations websites and promote their goods and services.

MartNetworksUnveilsDisruptive Solutions for SMEs, Others Mart Networks Nigeria Limited, a leading technology value added distributor has unveiled innovative enterprise solutions for data centres and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.

The company launched the disruptive solutions recently during its flagship partner event in Lagos, showcasing a range of solutions they currently distribute in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director, Mart Networks, Mr. Moiz Maloo, said the company strived on provide leading edge technology to its customers by partnering with vendors that are leaders in their areas of specialisation ranging from solutions for the enterprise market or even SMB solutions for smaller businesses.

According to him, Mart Networks prides itself in being a one stop for all IT solutions; distributing products for global tech giants like Sophos, Siemon, Arista networks who are leaders in Network Security, data centre cabling and data centre switching respectively. “In addition to these

solutions we also distribute other enterprise solutions from Edgecore (switching and wireless), 24 Online (internet management), Neox (IP PBX).

We also partner vendors such as Netgear, a leader in SME networking solutions for switching, wireless, routing and storage. Aside that, we have GIGANET (structured cabling, SME switches, CCTV), Zycoo (IP PBX) among other solutions that needed in the SME space,� Maloo said.

He further disclosed that Mart Networks would also consider launching a training centre in Nigeria through CLC Africa, a training entity owned by the Mart Networks Group to equip partners with training in all aspects of ICT. He stressed importance of educating the local market on the direction of where the industry is heading.

SOPHOS Product Manager for Mart Networks, Mr. Opeoluwa Ojumu, stressed that all network owners needed to pay additional attention to their network security both on premise and on the cloud.

Police, Tech Firms Partner on Crime Reporting App The Nigeria Police and leading technology firms have partnered to develop and deploy innovative mobile app, called Hawk Eye, designed to curb insecurity across the country.

Hawk Eye is a mobile app that will allow users to report crimes anonymously to the police by video, voice or text. It was developed by a Lagos based tech firm, Web Assets Nigeria Limited, in partnership with United States based tech firms, BBGN&K and Microsoft. The solution provides key technologies such as facial recognition and key performance indicators (KPIs).

The Chief Executive Officer, Web Assets, Mr. Kayode Aladesuyi, noted that security of life and property is an indispensable ingredient for national growth and development, hence the need for the mobile app. “Hawk Eye is a demonstration of the commitment of the Nigerian Police to work in partnership with communities and the Nigerian public to continue to improve the security situation across the country. The app is a revolutionary technology because of the enterprise tools it provides police to respond, address and manage crimes reported,� Aladesuyi said.

On the working of the app, he explained that while the solution would allow users to report crimes anonymously to the police by video, voice or text, the app is also part of a comprehensive security solution that involves the equipping of patrol vehicles with mobile device terminals, providing performance management, data as decision tools and the revamping of the police command and control centres. Essentially the Nigerian Police, provided with the right resources can now provide effective and efficient response to crimes reported by citizens.

He said that with Hawk Eye, citizens are empowered as source of human intelligence in the fight against crimes such as kidnapping, terrorism, robbery, human trafficking, among others. The system is expected to enhance the community policing plan recently announced by the government to improve security in the country. The project is managed by Deputy Inspector General, ICT, Foluso Adebanjo of the Nigeria Police Force.

Reporting with the app is anonymous and the app does not identify nor capture the information of person filing report.

SMART CONNECT LAUNCH

L-R: Ace Comedian, Mong Kalu; Vice President, Indirect Sales, Wole Abu; Senior Manager, Acquisitions, Pat Olutayo; Vice President, Direct Sales, Oladokun Oye, all of Airtel Nigeria, at the launch of Airtel Smart Connect 4.0 in Lagos...recently

Union Bank Brings Innovation to Banking Union Bank of Nigeria has unveiled some digital banking solutions for its esteem customers, which include the uber innovation. One of the solutions, according to the bank, is the ‘Locate an Agent’, which is a feature on the bank’s brand new mobile app.

The ‘Locate an Agent’ feature on the app, which borrows heavily from the Uber concept, allows customers to locate a Union Bank sales agent and request cash pick up or withdrawals. Agents can also open accounts and assist customers with other banking services at a location convenient for them.

Speaking about the products, Head, Alternative Channels, Union Bank, Folorunsho Orimoloye, stated the bank’s commitment to improving the lifestyle of customers by providing convenient, easy and secure banking. “As a customer centric bank, Union Bank is investing heavily in improving the lives of our customers through technology and easily-accessible platforms.

The introduction of digital services such as ‘Locate an Agent’

Uber Africa’s First Digital Content Distribution Platform Debuts

highlights our commitment to creating smart products and services that make banking simple for them,� he said. “The ‘Locate an Agent’ feature is especially targeted at small business owners who need to bank their revenue daily.

These customers have often expressed frustration about their inability to deposit daily cash or the challenge of having to rush to banks to ensure they make deposits before the end of banking hours.� “This new feature on the mobile app therefore combines digital banking and agency banking to create a solution that meets their needs for convenient banking at a location that suits them,� Orimoloye said.

Other features of the new mobile app include the ability to open a new Union Bank account, access to a mini account statement, lifestyle features like news updates and weather forecast and other standard transactions. Another first in the industry by Union Bank is the ATM locator which goes beyond the existing, standard ATM locator features.

Easypr.ng, an online marketing and media content distribution platform has been launched in Lagos. Through the platform, individual and corporate organisations in need of public relations and other marketing services can customise required service to suit their budget plans.

It provides access to hundreds of newspapers and online news publishing platforms across Africa. Companies and individuals looking to distribute press materials such as press releases, news features, interviews and photo news, can create the contents and distribute through the platform by paying a fee depending on the number of media platforms required.

Users can also, through the website, www.easypr.ng, buy other marketing services such as digital marketing solutions including social media, advertising services, content writing and consultancy services.

Speaking about the solution, Co-founder, Easypr.ng, Afam Anyika said: “Our intention is to make sure that we deepen

access to marketing services and at the same time make the process as seamless as possible. “Through our solution, companies and individuals especially those without an idea on how to start, could get everything that they require from the platform without leaving the comfort of their homes or business places. “For startups and individuals looking to get their word out there, there is dearth of marketing information available to make informed marketing decisions. That is the gap we have bridged with Easypr.ng. We understand the deep importance of SME’s to the nation and Africa’s economic growth.� “Put side by side the scarcely available marketing know-how for these businesses, our service aims to bridge the divide with a mission to significantly scale the SME sector in our part of the world, with success being the direct impact on varying economic/ market indicators,� he said.

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Cappa & D’Alberto to Build FG Promises Regular Dialogue Edo State Mulls Partnership with Atlantic Resort Worth over N40bn with NACCIMA for Better Business NDE on Job Creation are ongoing to engage critical Damilola Oyedele in Abuja stakeholders in and out of the Grenadines Homes, a member been carefully chosen because Environment of Palton Morgan Holdings has commissioned Cappa & D’Alberto contractors to build an ultramodern estate project worth over N40billion. The project is expected to attract both local and foreign direct investments while also providing numerous employment opportunities.

At a brief ceremony in Lagos recently, Chairman, Palton Morgan Holdings, Femi Banwo said: “To remain ahead in the game, we chose to align with partners that share our vision, passion and commitment to advancing lives and excellent delivery.�

According to Banwo, “This project is being handled by the best in class consultants and professionals and each contractor and partner has

the objective is to construct to the highest quality.

Hence, we are using Cappa & D’Alberto, a firm with experience, having been here since 1932, whose tenacity for excellent delivery has earned a high reputation for breathing life into complex architectural designs with high levels of comfort and safety guaranteed.�

The Atlantic Resort is conceived not just to redefine the Nigerian skyline but to confer on it a uniquely dignifying identity and boost the quest for megacity status by Lagos State, hence “we opted for HOK Architects, famous for their work on The Emirates Stadium among other edifices across the world to create a unique design.

Jonathan Eze Acting President, Prof. YemiOsinbajohas pledged that the federal government will continue to dialogue with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) for improved business environment in Nigeria. He made the promise when the new leadership led by the National President, IyalodeAlaba Lawson, paid a courtesy visit to him recently.

The visit afforded the association the opportunity to appreciate the various economic initiatives of the government such as the PEBEC Initiative on Ease of Doing Business, the self Sufficiency in Rice Production, Economic Recovery

Growth Plan(ERGP), N-Power programme, Foreign Exchange Policy and the National Social Investment Programme.

The decision of the federal government to allocate 30% of the 2017 budget to capital expenditure was also applauded.

The association reiterated its call for the federal government to stay committed to its promise of achieving an early passage of the 2018 Budget through strict adherence to the budget calendar.

It also expressed concern on the frequent public disagreements between the executives and legislative arms of the government and advised that a lasting solution to the recurrence be adopted, so as to ensure that the nation move forward on the path of sustainable development.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has disclosed that his administration is currently working out modalities for collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) for job creation purposes in the state. Obaseki, disclosed during a visit to the headquarters of the agency in Abuja.

He noted that the proposed partnership is part of efforts to fulfill his pledge to ensure the creation of at least 200,000 jobs over the next four years in Edo state.

He was received at the agency by the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Dr. Nasiru Mohammed. The governor disclosed that over 10,000 jobs have already been created by his administration, while plans

state, to attracts investments which are necessary for job creation. “Edo State is very unique.

We are positioned in such a way that for you to go any part of the country, you need to pass through the state. There are also critical federal government infrastructure located in many parts of the state. “When I was campaigning, one of my cardinal promises was the creation of jobs. In fact, I promised to create two hundred thousand jobs within a period of four and I am going to do that.

As I speak, we have already created over ten thousand jobs.

That is part of the reasons why I am here (NDE office), to see how your agency can help us provide the requisite training,�

Obaseki said.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 10, 2017

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FMBN: Delivering Houses in Time of Recession

Despite the recession, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria under its new leadership, has come up with innovative ways to deliver on its mandate, writes Olu Tayo At a time when public confidence in many government institutions is probably at its lowest ebb, one institution that stands out for its commitment to service is the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). Set up since 1956 when it was known as the Nigerian Building Society, the bank has continued to deliver on its mandate of supplying the mortgage markets with sustainable liquidity for the advancement of home ownership among Nigerians through mortgage financing.

Very few Nigerians are familiar with the mandate of the bank beyond being a mortgage loan institution. But the bank does far more than just lending money to Nigerians to build houses.

The FMBN Act 82 (1993) and the Mortgage Institutions Act 53 [1989] stipulates among others, that the institution will also provide long-term credit facilities to mortgage institutions in Nigeria; encourage the emergence and growth of viable primary and secondary mortgage institutions to service the need of housing delivery in all parts of Nigeria and mobilise both domestic and offshore funds into the housing sector.

Other functions include linking the capital market with the housing industry, establish and operate a viable secondary mortgage market; collect and administer the National Housing Fund in accordance with the provisions of the NHF Act; and do anything and enter into any transaction which in the opinion of the Board is necessary to ensure the proper performance of its functions under the FMBN Act. In the second quarter of this year alone, the bank has surpassed all expectations in service delivery. NHF collections for the second quarter alone, was N10 billion out of a set target of N11.25 billion, which represents 73.7 per cent of target. The sum of N1.75 billion was paid as NHF Refund for 12.190 beneficiaries while N1.12 billion was disbursed as mortgage loans to 150 mortgagors.

All these were achieved without compromising the integrity of the process as the management ensured a high level of compliance to International Financial Reporting Standard.

To enhance the execution of its mandate, the management of the bank initiated a robust stakeholder engagement with such groups as FISH, MBAN, REDAN, NECA, CNN etc It was not all disbursement as the bank also ensured that loans due were recovered.

A total debt of N227million was recovered.

The new Management team is led by Ahmed Musa Dangiwa who graduated from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with a B.Sc in Architecture (1985) and an M.Sc in the same field in 1987. He also holds an MBA from the same university, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa is a consummate, innovative and professional Architect with over 30 years of real estate, infrastructure development, banking and managerial experience spanning private and public practices as well as the academia.

Prior to his appointment as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Dangiwa has been serving since 1996 as the Managing Partner of AM Consults, a leading Architects and Real Estate Development Consulting firm, where he supervised the design and delivery of several outstanding projects in diverse areas and sectors across the country, mainly in the real estate and housing development sector.

Dangiwa excelled as a mortgage finance practitioner, rising from serving as Property Manager in the Sahel Mortgage Finance Ltd through the position of Manager, Credit Control, to becoming the Head, Mortgage Banking Division of the Institution. He was involved in the design and construction of a wide variety of mortgage and real estate projects that provided housing solutions to a number of stakeholders, especially in the social mass housing end.

Dangiwa is a professional Architect and mortgage banker. He is a Member of the

Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola

Nigerian Institute of Architects (MNIA) and a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Executives of Nigeria. He has attended numerous training programmes on Computer Aided Designs, Design and Build Workshops and Project Management in addition to several other professional and leadership training programmes both within and outside the country.

The new Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the FMBN was until his appointment, the Managing Partner of AM Consults since 1996, an architecture and real estate development consultancy firm, and Jarlo International Nig. Ltd, a Construction Company, where he supervised the delivery of several outstanding projects in diverse areas and sectors across the

At a time of economic recession, the FMBN has found innovative ways to deliver on its mandate. It grants NHF Mortgage Loans at four per cent interest to accredited PMIs for on-lending at six per cent to NHF contributors over a maximum tenor of 30 years, which is secured by the mortgaged property

country, mainly in real estate development.

Dangiwa leads a team of dynamic professionals that include Melville Ebo, Executive Director [Finance and Corporate Services], Rahimatu Aminu-Aliyu – Executive Director (Loans & Mortgage Services) and Dankane Umar Abdullahi - Executive Director (Business Development & Treasury Services).

Ebo has built a highly successful career for over 25 years in Political Planning, Public Relations and Entrepreneurship circles and civil societies both locally and internationally.

Before his appointment, Ebo worked with United Bank for Africa Plc and had undertaken a wide range of projects at both Local and National levels.

Mrs Aminu-Aliyu holds a Bachelor of Law Degree (LLB) from the University of Maiduguri and an LL.M in International Law. She has a reputation as a versatile Legal practitioner with specialty in Finance, Property and International Law. Abdullahi is a Financial and General Management expert with over two decades of cognate experience. He obtained his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.

At a time of economic recession, the FMBN has found innovative ways to deliver on its mandate. It grants NHF Mortgage Loans at four per cent interest to accredited PMIs for on-lending at six per cent to NHF contributors over a maximum tenor of 30 years, which is secured by the mortgaged property. A contributor can access up to N15million from the Fund through an accredited PMI as a mortgage loan to build, buy, improve or renovate own home after 6 (six) months of continuous contributions.

This lending conditions make the NHF unequalled as a vehicle for affordable housing delivery in Nigeria. It is also granting Estate Development loans to private developers, State housing corporations and housing cooperatives to bridge the housing deficit through mass production of houses for ownership by NHF contributors. The facility is granted at 10 per

cent interest with a maximum repayment period of 24 months. It is a facility devised to facilitate large scale production of houses for sale to contributors at affordable prices and thereby, expand the availability of affordable housing in Nigeria.

As a general policy of the Bank, houses produced through the EDL window should not exceed N15 million in price and must be sold only to NHF contributors.

It also grants loans to Cooperative Societies to enable them acquired land to develop houses for allocation to members. Eligible Cooperative Societies/cooperators can access the Cooperative National Housing Fund Loan (CNL) to purchase housing units developed through the CHDL scheme. In order to qualify to access NHF resources, individual members of a Cooperative Society are required to register with the NHF through their Cooperative Societies and make a minimum monthly contribution of 450 Naira over a minimum period of six months. Furthermore, cooperative members are required to make an equity contribution of 15% of the cost of the house when taking the mortgage.

Another innovative product offered by the bank is the Home Renovation Loan which affords contributors an opportunity to access mortgage loans for the renovation or improvement of their existing homes which are personally owned by them or through family ownership. With a maximum tenor of five years, contributors can access up to 1million Naira at an interest rate of six per cent for the duration of the loan.

FMBN also funds Capital Market Window through liquidity generated from the capital market and other local and offshore funding sources. Though yet to be fully realised, this window will form the fulcrum of the Banks’ mortgage and housing finance operations in the near future. The pricing of products from this window would be driven by the market.

- Tayo wrote in from Abuja

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DEVELOPMENT

Addressing Inequalities to Spur National Devt Abimbola Akosile looks at how Nigeria can reduce inequality, the 10th goal of the global Sustainable Development Goals and the focus of a briefing session organised by the Joint Committee on the SDGs of the National Assembly in partnership with the United Nations SDG Action Campaign, which took place in Abuja recently Global Phenomenon In an interview on the sidelines of the landmark 70th United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2015, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, Prof.

Babatunde Osotimehin (now late) gave this reporter an inkling of how global the challenge of inequality was and still is.

While responding to a question on how Nigeria can best tackle inequality, a major factor inhibiting national development, the late erudite don, who was also Nigeria’s former Minister of Health, said “Inequality is everywhere, in the South in the North, it is everywhere. We cannot speak of an equitable country where some people have such conspicuous consumption and there are people who cannot even get access. And that is not a Northern phenomenon, that is a Nigerian and an African phenomenon. It is a global phenomenon. In this country you go to the streets you see it. “Inequality is a major issue, so this agenda seeks to be inclusive, seeks also to provide equity. It is difficult but we have to do it. So what I expect is that if there one big thing which we haven’t done well in the past it is about data. So even though Nigeria will say they have 174 million people, those are estimates, not everybody in Nigeria is registered, not everybody in Nigeria can be traced. We have to solve that problem, when we solve that problem, it would be easy to disaggregate data�, he added.

Vital Forum Nearly two years after that landmark event in New York, inequality has not abated in Nigeria; if anything, it has worsened and this is best showcased in the brazen display of wealth and opulence alongside abject poverty and squalor in major cities in Nigeria.

This same divide has spurred many analysts to cry out against increasing inequalities in the country, and the strident calls from various stakeholders echoed around the hallowed chambers and venue of the briefing session at the National Assembly. The meeting had in attendance, high-level stakeholders including policy makers, civil society leaders, the United Nations System, international development community, the academia and media amongst others, who gathered to discuss the challenges posed by multi-dimensional inequalities and the roles Parliaments and other stakeholders can play in addressing them under the SDGs framework.

The dialogue, which focused on Goal 10 – Reduced Inequality, sought to address the imperative of reducing inequality in Nigeria by redirecting the attention of policy makers and implementers of the SDGs to the core principles of strategic development.

Setting the Tone In her goodwill message at the event, SSA to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, represented by Dr. Ifeolu Falegan, disagreed with the positions held by many experts who laid emphasis on Goal 1 (No Poverty) as the most significant of the 17 SDGs. She argued that Goal 10 – Reduce Inequality – was the most significant due to its cross-cutting nature which makes it crucial to the overall attainment of all the SDGs. According to her, the inclusion of a stand-alone goal on addressing inequalities means that the SDGs understand the multi-dimensional implications of inequalities as a major development challenge of the 21st Century.

She added that addressing inequality was a major step towards eradicating poverty, hunger, diseases and creating equal access to education, healthcare and inclusive development for every human person.

She pledged the resolve of the SDGs Office at the Presidency to continue to be at the centre of coordinating efforts at strengthening the policy, institutional and financial arrangements needed for the successful implementation of the Agenda in Nigeria.

the drivers of inequalities and their various manifestations; current policy, legislative, institutional and other mechanisms aimed at addressing these inequalities in Nigeria; and proposals for legislative mechanisms and support necessary for addressing the identified and other forms of inequalities.

In his briefing, the United Nations Global Director of SDGs Action Campaign, Mitchell Toomey, commended Nigerian parliamentarians for their outstanding leadership role exhibited in the African continent and efforts towards domestication of SDGs despite the challenges of insecurity faced in the country. “The Nigerian National Assembly has become a shining light in the engagement of efforts to achieve the SDGs in the world�, Toomey declared.

He appreciated the efforts of the Nigerian Government in identifying inequalities as a key challenge in achieving the SDGs and setting agenda in motion to address the challenge.

The world is blighted by inequality Also, in his welcome address, Chairman, House Committee on SDGs and Chairman of the African Network of Parliamentarians on the SDGs, Hon. Tijani Abdulkadir Jobe, stated that members of the National Assembly Joint Committees were at the gathering to brief and be briefed on inequalities in Nigeria as seen and experienced from different perspectives and efforts being made to address it.

He leveraged on Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution which prohibits any form of discrimination on grounds of gender, disability or otherwise to elucidate Nigeria’s recognition of the inherent dangers of inequalities.

He noted however, that in spite of these constitutional provisions, other international conventions and protocols, the customary practices and religious laws in some climes continue to affect women’s rights. He expressed optimism that given the array of experts and practitioners at the interactive forum, more light would be thrown on international best practices towards addressing inequalities in all its ramifications in Nigeria.

Earlier in his opening statement, Chairman, Senate Committee on SDGs, Senator Attai Aidoko Ali Usman, described the parliamentary briefing

as a special tool which the National Assembly developed in partnership with the UN SDG Action Campaign to give Nigerian Parliamentary bodies, especially the Committees on the SDGs an opportunity to interact with experts and the Nigerian development community across sectors on the various aspects of the SDGs and understand the current status, challenges, opportunities and the legislative actions required from the Legislature as an arm of government to actualise the goals and targets of the SDGs. He expressed fear that inequalities which were gradually becoming a major development barrier, particularly in Nigeria, could hamper the achievement of all the SDGs if not checked. ‘From statistics available to our committees, Nigeria seems to be one of the most unequal societies in the world in terms of income, access to basic social services, life expectancy among others.

Across geo-political zones, states, population and age groups, we see clear manifestations of social, economic and political inequalities.

These should concern all Nigerians and must be addressed’, he stated.

Senator Usman said the briefing would give participants insight into: The general state of inequalities within given population or sector;

Stakeholders’ Views A representative of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), D. Shetimma Buka Abba, who spoke at the briefing, decried the huge gap between the rich few who sit on 80 per cent of the country’s wealth and the majority poor in Nigeria, and expressed fear that the consequences of such crass inequalities may spell doom for the country if not checked now.

He said within the window of its mandate to ensure equity and improve the quality of life for the poor and vulnerable, the Commission was already addressing socio-political and economic inequalities in the federation. He submitted that the achievement of the SDGs

by Nigeria would be difficult if inequality in all its ramifications was not addressed.

He said inequalities in the educational sector manifest in the form of male-female enrolment and urban-rural distribution of teachers, where more teachers are concentrated at the urban areas while most schools in the rural areas have little or no teachers.

Representative of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Oladimeji Olayinka averred that inequality cut across all the sectors in Nigeria and the health sector was not an exception. He suggested increase in budgetary allocation to NPHCDA to effectively carry out the national policy on immunisation programmes properly and effectively, noting that health was a key element in the achievement of the SDGs. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

RANDOM THOTS Dangerous Distraction Somebody deďŹ nitely hates Nigeria and does not want her progress.

The same progress that can only be Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ ËÞ×ÙĂ?ÚÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ëœ security and brotherhood is now being threatened by war-hawks and those elements who do not want a positive present or progressive fuĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ÚÙÚĂ&#x;Ă–Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜try (forget the 2014 largest rebased economy mantra).

The third line in the old national anthem states clearly that ‘Though tribe and tongue may dier; in brotherhood ĂĄĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽËŞËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž stanza of the current national anthem Ă?Ă‹ĂŁĂ? ËŠ Ă˜Ă? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂŽĂ™Ă—Ëœ ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁËŞË› Ă™ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂŽĂ?-

spite inter-marriages across religious Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂ’Ă˜Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂ‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂžĂœĂ“Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă˜ËŞĂž Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ÎÙÑÑĂ?ĂŽ persistence to tear the country asunder and put her development process on hold. ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ’Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ peace and tolerance for the sake of ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ religious intolerance and even pure envy have been doing the exact opÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă™ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ăœ Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂšËœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ë› The irony of the whole debacle is that

Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă“ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ expulsion of other citizens from ‘their ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă?ËŞ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ when this country ďŹ rst went through a Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă“Ă Ă“Ă– ĂĄĂ‹Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ? Í—Í‘Ă?Ë› Ă˜ĂŽ although the war-mongers may point at the present deplorable economic situation as justiďŹ cation for their Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? human and economic cost of any nationwide destabilisation. These antiprogressive elements must be called to order and muzzled before the situation spirals out of control. Nigeria cannot aord genocide or another civil war...frightening prospect -Abimbola Akosile

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DEVELOPMENT/ISSUESINBOX

Senate in session at the National Assembly

Your Top Constitutional Amendment Tips?

Although the National Assembly are currently in the process of reviewing and amending the standing 1999 Constitution, some analysts believe the national legislators have made some contentious decisions which do not bode well for the country e.g. immunity for legislators and non-acceptance of devolution of powers to states. From your own viewpoint, what should be added to or removed from the Constitution, to make it a better instrument for good governance and national development?

THE FEEDBACK

Abimbola Akosile * That suggestion of immunity for legislators should be removed forthwith from the amendments. Without immunity, some of them already have plenty skeletons in their closets; much less when they obtain immunity.

One can only imagine the spree of corrupt acts they will embark on if they eventually have their way.

- Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * My top constitutional amendment issue is something that concerns elections in this country. Independent candidates should be permitted to contest elections at all levels - this happens in other climes. In 1992 for instance, Ross Perot contested the US presidency as an Independent. This scenario helps the country get the best from all candidates - Bill Clinton got picked as the best in 1992 over George Bush Snr. and Ross Perot. The electorate is forced to concentrate and focus and better electoral choices will simply emerge.

- Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, Brainchild Academic Resources, Apo, Abuja * We need a new constitution to move Nigeria forward instead of amending the old constitution, which is always causing problem of agitation and marginalisation all over the nation. Immunity on the National Assembly must be rejected because it is an avenue for Senators to loot the treasury without check or probe because of immunity clause that covers them.

- Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * Restructuring is truly devolving political and social economic autonomy to states and local governments and is vital. Abolishing pension, gratuity e.t.c. to a former or serving political office holder with ended tenure of mere eight, four years or even a few months (unlike in civil service) before removal, sack, incapacitation etc. The electable-age debate is plausible; for the younger the better. Force depicts agility and is apt for the Nigeria Police Force as applied to Nigeria Air ‘Force’ too, colossal waste of scarce funds on hardly implemented conferences are a worrisome debacle. God bless Nigeria.

- Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State

Top tip:

Devolution of powers to States

Second:

Remove immunity for legislators

Third:

35% Affirmative Action for women

Radical tip:

Refund all double pensions

Number of respondents:

14

Male:

11

Female:

3

Highest location:

Lagos & Abuja (4 each)

* Remove immunity for legislators and add the devolution of powers to the States. It makes for a healthy balance between the Executive and Legislative arms on one hand and between the centre and the States.

- Mr. Utibe Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State * Some of the lawmakers’ votes are according to their self-interest not national interest. The lawmakers shot down state police and the 35 per cent affirmative action for women as ministers. The insensitive senators also rejected the scrapping of the Land Use Act, women’s rights to citizenship in the domain of their spouse among other critical issues.

But the following should be included; power devolution, resource control, revisit of the 35 per cent affirmative action in Gender Bill, women’s rights to citizenship, re-introduction of state police and restructuring of Nigeria and scrapping of the land use act.

- Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Abuja * A critical look should be made on corruption as it affects the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cum the Attorney General of the Federation, the supervisory minister. A similar issue occurred that led to the ouster of former chairman, Nuhu Ribadu.

Something went wrong that culminated in the creation of EFCC; hence they should be

given free hand devoid of interference, since it borders on high class corrupt officials and politicians.

- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State * Granting our legislators immunity clearly guarantees the abuse of power. This should be reviewed appropriately.

- Ms Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos * The best amendment would have been devolution of power and 35 per cent affirmative action for women fully entrenched in the constitution. Meanwhile, immunity for legislators is a catastrophe, we all know how dirty and corrupt they are without immunity, now that there is immunity, they will be untouchable. May God save this country.

- Mr. Akinwale A. A. Adeniyi, Abuja * Why is everything on the top-shots? Do they really care about the masses? Why are they making themselves untouchable? Well the constitution has been for them all along; nothing seems to be working for masses.

What a selfish set of people.

- Mrs. Adeyinka Lawal, London, UK * My top constitutional amendments tips are: full autonomy for the Vice President when acting, especially when the incumbent is sick. Why should he be denied some actions till the occupant returns? What if he never does? If he has power then let him never fall sick. Also, there shouldn’t be interference between the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. If everybody should be mindful and concentrate on his line of action, we shall see true democracy in action.

- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * There is only one major thing required concerning our constitution and that’s obeying and enforcing the laws spelt out in the document, especially concerning Federal character. To attain that, a bill to ensure the strict adherence to the constitution is really all we need at the moment.

- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * Today our politicians’ four, eight years or sometimes even few months in service cannot by any means qualify one for any pension whatsoever. All such criminal and corrupt

benefactors must return same back to the right government coffers or treasury immediately.

If a land belongs to a people, they should logically own all the minerals therein, and pay homage to the central government. Local government should be divorced from state and accorded full autonomy and not only financial.

- Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * Nigerians are looking in a forward direction of devolution of power to re-enact the monumental developments of the 1950-1960s.

Some National Assembly members desired the status quo; but nobody can stop the current agitation, because it is just, fair and egalitarian.

- Barrister D. Y. N., Maigari, Abuja

Next Week: Can Independent Candidates Improve Governance? Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? voted in by the legislators at the National Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž candidates during elections in Nigeria. ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? may be overwhelmed by established party Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? ÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ others believe such candidates will not carry excess baggage and party obligations into Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ÞÒĂ&#x;Ă? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ— optimally to ensure good governance and fulfil Ă?Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžËœ can independent candidates improve the governance process in Nigeria? Please make 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 and location. Responses should be sent ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã Ě™ Ă&#x;Ă‘ ÍŻÍŽ Ęś Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă&#x;Ă‘ ͯͲ̚ ÞÙ abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@ gmail.com, abimbola.akosile@ thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/ or 08188361766 and/or 08114495306.

Collated responses will be published on Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ÍŻÍľ

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Attempts to save Apapa, Lagos from the menace of flooding

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

Plateau State, BlackPace Sign $65m MoU to Increase Potato Production Abimbola Akosile BlackPace Africa, an Africa focused investment management and advisory firm and the Plateau State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards a joint development arrangement to upscale potato production in Plateau State and set up a potato processing facility in Jos, the state capital.

The facility, according to a release issued by the investment management firm, will produce French fries, potato flakes and potato crisps within the next eight months.

The agreement was executed

on July 24, after several meetings with the state executives, including the Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lynda Barau, and the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Ezekiel Daju.

According to Governor Lalong, “We are willing to provide the enabling environment to support this laudable project based on the fact that Plateau State accounts for over 90 per cent of potatoes produced in Nigeria. In addition we believe the projects (potato production and processing) are capable of boosting the

state’s economy and providing job opportunities especially to the teeming population of our youths.”

The Plateau State joint project with BlackPace Africa on the potato value chain in Nigeria is supported by leading global institutions including KfW Ipex Bank, EKN of Sweden, Elof Hansson International AB, Rosenqvists Food Technologies AB and Afrexim Bank, the release noted.

The processing facility, which will be of world-class state of the art standard, is expected to process 60,000 tonnes annually of Irish potatoes into French fries, flakes and crisps. This,

the release added, will provide a boost to the economy of Plateau state and increase jobs creation for the economy.

Potato production in Plateau State currently accounts for up to 90 per cent of potato production in Nigeria. The need to increase production capacity from current 800,000 metric tonnes to three million tonnes is achievable within the next 4-5 years.

“Bringing in new seed varieties and farming equipment to support local farmers are essential ingredients to achieving this goal. We are putting strategic framework in place whilst discussing

with local partners, ASTC and GIZ to provide both technical and training support to out-growers.

“Plateau State is keen to increase its potato production and its value chain to further create more jobs and boost its economy. The current economic situation in Nigeria calls for a complete shift of focus to Agriculture.

Our potato project will attract an additional $1 billion to the Plateau state economy in five years by increasing the potato output to two million tonnes of high quality potatoes and processing potatoes into French fries, potato flakes

and crisps,” added governor Lalong.

Executive Chairman, BlackPace Africa, Olusegun Paul Andrew, stated that: “We are pleased to advance this project with the Plateau State government and would sincerely thank HE Governor Simon Lalong for his foresight and determination to improve on the local economy of Plateau state with this project.

“Our potato project will certainly create close to 3,000 jobs whilst working with outgrowers and will also create 300 immediate jobs once the processing facility resumes operation,” Andrew added.

Centre Resumes Feeding of Inmates, Less-privileged across Nigeria Kasim Sumaina in Abuja In a quest to uphold the legacy of the late founder, Board of Trustees, (BoT), Marian Soup Kitchen, a N300 million skill acquisitions and humanitarian centre located in Gwagwalada, Abuja, has resumed the feeding of prisoners, the needy and the poor across the country.

The Centre, set up a year ago by late Father Willy Ojukwu, aimed at promoting inter-religious harmony from the grassroots, feeding of the hungry and counseling the downtrodden in the society has been a ghost of itself after the shock demise of the founder barely a year since its establishment.

Chairman, Board of Trustees, Marian Soup Kitchen, Sir

Emmanuel Ndubuisi Mbaka, while briefing newsmen at the sidelines of activities marking one year of the centre, said, “We are sober, however, today is the first anniversary of the founder of this congregation, Mariam Soup Kitchen, Late Rev father Willy Ojukwu. Thirty-four years ago, he was ordained a Catholic priest in Nigeria.

“Today, after all most nine months of his demise, we, the members of his Board of Trustees, we are his apostles.

He left us just the way Jesus left his disciples to continue his legacy as the founder of Mariam Soup Kitchen, which has a common goal to give food to the needy and to the poor while converting them or teaching them Christianity.”

Mbaka stated that it was the

first time the BoT would take it upon itself to continue from where the late Ojukwu stopped.

According to him, “Absolutely, this is the first time after his death that we are going back to continue from where he stopped and we will sustain it every week, feeding prisoners across Nigeria. Let me also use this opportunity to let Nigerians know that Mariam Soup Kitchen here in Gwagwalada is the first starting point for use. We intend to expand this very idea across Nigeria.”

The chairman, while speaking further, solicited the help of Nigerians to keep the late father’s dream alive by contributing their quota in order to feed the less privileged in the society.

“My message to Nigerians

is to emulate the gesture of father Ojukwu and to also support us who are his followers. Because we cannot do it alone; we need the support of all Nigerians because the people we invited to come and have access to Mariam Soup Kitchen are not restricted to any religion.

“Muslim and Christian alike, so, I want to appeal to all Nigerians to please, come to our aid. The church has always been a charity place, as far as the Mariam Soup Kitchen is concerned; it is a continuation of what the church knows how to do best,” he said.

Speaking in a similar vein, Member, BoT. Mr. Austin Ejire, said, “well, we have to keep this project running by expanding our scope to see

how we can reach as many good-spirited Nigerians as possible to make sure that they continue to assist us to feed the less privileged.”

According to him, “We are beggars for the beggars. So, that is how we are going to do it going forward. Yeah, it has been so difficult over the last one year because, we are shocked with the death of Father Ojukwu.

“Starting from where he stopped has been a difficult assignment. We could have continued immediately but, we needed to get over the shock, which we have done.

So, now, we are ready, we are determined to carry on with the feeding of the less privileged in our society most especially, the prisoners in the

FCT.” He said, “We are going to Kuje today where we intend to feed about 1,000 prisoners. After that, we will go to Suleja, and from there we go to Zuba. As far as this project is concerned, today, we have spent close to about N200,000, because a lot of logistics is involved.

“So, we are calling on Nigerians to key in and anyway they can support us to make sure that a place like this continues functioning so that we can enjoy the benefits of having a place like this. Well, my message to other members of the board of trustees is not to give up. We are not being paid; it’s just a service to humanity and our reward is in heaven,” he added.

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

ËŤ NJƽNJƿǔ DŽljǑǀǎÇ?ÇŽ LjNJljǀǔ DŽlj NJDŽLJ Ɵljƿ ǒƟDŽÇ?ÇŽ Ç ÇŠÇ? Ç Ç„Ç‘Ç€Ě‹Ç”Ç€ĆźÇ? ÇŠÇ? ΍Ϊ̋ǔǀƟÇ? Ç?Ç€Ç?Ç?Ç?ljǎ˛ ÇŠËœ Ç’Ç€ ĆźÇ?Ç€ ǂNJDŽljǂ Ç?ÇŠ LJNJNJdž ĆźÇ? Ç‘Ç€Ç?Ç” LJNJljǂ Ç?Ç€Ç?Lj NjNJLJDŽƞǔ ƿDŽÇ?ǀƞÇ?DŽNJljǎ˛ Ç€ LjÇ?ÇŽÇ? ƿǀƟLJ Ç’Ç„Ç?ǃ Ç?ǃǀ Ç„Ç‰Ç€Ç Ç Ç„ĆžÇ„Ç€Ç‰ĆžÇ„Ç€ÇŽ Ç’Ç„Ç?ǃDŽlj ÇŠÇ?Ç? ǎǔǎÇ?ǀLj˜ ǒǃǀÇ?ǃǀÇ? Ç„Ç? Ç„ÇŽ Ç€ÇˆĆ˝Ç€ĆżĆżÇ€Ćż Ç’Ç„Ç?ǃDŽlj ÇŠÇ?Ç? ljƟÇ?DŽNJljƟLJ NJDŽLJ ĆžÇŠÇˆÇ‹ĆźÇ‰Ç” Ɵljƿ Ç‹ĆźÇ?ƟǎÇ?ĆźÇ?ƟLJǎ ÇŠÇ? Ç?ǃǀ LjDŽljDŽǎÇ?Ç?DŽǀǎ˜ ÇŠÇ? Ç€ÇˆĆ˝Ç€ĆżĆżÇ€Ćż DŽlj Ç?ǃǀ Ç‹Ç?Ç„Ç‘ĆźÇ?Ç€ NJDŽLJ ĆžÇŠÇˆÇ‹ĆźÇ‰Ç„Ç€ÇŽËœ Ç?ǃǀ Ç?ǀƟLJDŽÇ?ǔ˜ ǒǃǀÇ?ǃǀÇ? Ç’Ç€ ƟƞƞǀNjÇ? Ç„Ç? ÇŠÇ? ljNJÇ?Ëœ Ç„ÇŽ Ç?ÇƒĆźÇ? ǀǑǀÇ?Ç” ǎDŽƿǀ ÇƒĆźÇŽ Ć˝Ç€Ç‰Ç€Ç Ç„Ç?Ç?ǀƿ Ç Ç?NJLj Ç?ǃDŽǎ LJƟƞdž ÇŠÇ Ç€Ç Ç Ç„ĆžÇ„Ç€Ç‰ĆžÇ„Ç€ÇŽËŹ - MINISTER OF STATE FOR PETROLEUM, DR. IBE KACHIKWU, SPEAKING AT THE 2017 CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN COUNCIL OF THE SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS (SPE) RECENTLY

Lumen Empowers Lagos Pupils with Rewards Peace Obi

UN Health Agency Boosts Malaria Prevention, Control in North-eastern Nigeria Abimbola Akosile The United Nations health agency has estimated that if more funds are secured, up to 10,000 lives in Nigeria could be saved by November through targeted steps in malaria prevention and control.

To manage malaria in Borno state of northeastern Nigeria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its partners are strengthening surveillance systems to monitor cases and outbreaks; increasing people’s access to care in clinics and to health facilities; spraying insecticides and distributing bed nets as part of vector control; and administering malaria drugs to children under five every month from July to October.

Following more than eight years of conflict in Borno, some 3.7 million people need humanitarian assistance – and all are at risk for malaria. WHO estimates that through October, 8,500 people are infected weekly – with more expected, according to a UN release. “The most effective way to reduce deaths in emergencies in fragile States, especially those facing malnutrition, is by boosting malaria prevention and control, however, this is often not viewed as the top priority during an emergency response. We are working with our WHO colleagues and many partners to change this,� said the Director of WHO’s Global Malaria Programme, Dr. Pedro Alonso, WHO estimates that over half of recorded deaths there are due to malaria – comprising more than all other diseases combined, including cholera, measles and hepatitis E. The vulnerable population, consisting of 58.8 per cent children, stands at risk of disease outbreaks.

With more than 60 per cent of health facilities only partially functioning, many people have no had access for years to regular health services, including vaccinations and basic medicines. In addition to security concerns, deadly malnutrition is rising in parts of the

Malaria treatment process in Nigeria state, the release noted. “Malaria, malnutrition, fragile States and civil strife often feed each other,� said Alonso, adding: “Wherever we have a humanitarian crisis in a malaria endemic country, we can almost always be sure that malaria is the number one killer.�

However, malaria is preventable and curable, and increased efforts over the last 15 years have drastically reduced related mortality rates by more than 60 per cent, averting six million deaths.

Following a visit, WHO malaria experts commissioned a modelling exercise, that concluded that joint actions could prevent up to 10,000 deaths in Borno state alone.

In early July, the first of four monthly rounds of mass drug administration reached more than 880,000 of the 1.1 million under-age-five children targeted, according to the UN release.

WHO hopes for $2.5 million to mobilise the emergency intervention and is relying on the

SOURCE: WHO Nigeria existing polio vaccinator infrastructure to carry out the operation, which faces Boko Haram security threats. “We will give one curative dose of antimalarial drugs to a defined population, in this case children under-five,� said Alonso. “In Borno state, we are giving an antimalarial drug to a child, whether they have malaria infection or not, to ensure they are cleared of parasites at that point and to protect them for four weeks.

It’s a necessary temporary fix to reduce malaria deaths for the next six months.�

WHO has trained community health workers to offer rapid and read diagnostic tests, provide treatment and advise on prevention. “We will not know the full impact of our efforts until November, but we are confident that taking these steps will go a long way in reducing deaths and suffering of people from malaria so they can get on with their lives,� said WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Wondi Alemu.

A non-profit organisation, Lumen10 Global, has rewarded 384 out of over 10,000 public primary school pupils in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State whose academic performance for 2015/2016 session was analysed for the purpose; through a project tagged ‘REACH’.

With a unique reward system, REACH, an acronym for ‘Rewarding, Encouraging Academic Champion’ gave its awards not just to pupils with excellent academic performance but also those at the bottom end of the class who have shown significant improvement in their performance.

Starting with Ikeja LGA where 26 out of 33 public primary schools that submitted their students’ 2015/2016 academic performance data for analysis, 15 awards recipients emerged from each school for different categories of awards.

Speaking during the prize giving ceremony, Head of Research and Development, Mr. Charles Woghiren, said the project was designed to promote continuous improvement in the standard of education in the country.

According to Woghiren, the NGO through data analysis seeks to identify top ranked government-owned primary schools in every LGA and reward the outstanding students for their excellent performance, and added that the prizes were awarded to schools with the overall best performance in English and Mathematics.

Enumerating the three different categories of awards available to students, Woghiren said, “Achievement prize goes to student with the overall best academic performance; form prize is awarded to students with best combined performance in English and Mathematics. It is aimed at encourage the development of numeracy and literacy skills amongst students given the relevance of these proficiencies for success in all future life endeavours. The last in the category is progress prize; it is awarded to the most academically improved student between 1st term and 3rd term. “So, we are trying to motivate both the children at the top end of the class and those at the bottom end of the class. We are starting with Ikeja LGA at the pilot phase, we hope to have covered the entire 20 LGA in Lagos State by 2019,� he said.

In words of encouragement, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afolabi Fashanu urged the pupils to remain focused and committed to their studies as well as listen to their teachers’ guidance. “Now you know that if you excel you are going to be rewarded.

But that should not be the end of your target’ your target should be to reach the pinnacle of whatever career you are likely to choose in the nearest future. And this is the time to start.

Fundamentally, listen to your teachers; they are there to guide you to the path of success and greatness,� Fashanu added.

Recalling his primary school days at Model Primary School Idioro, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon counselled the pupils never to see their being in public school as a limitation, rather as an opportunity to pursue their dreams in life. “Governor Ambode was once like you and he rose to become a governor. You can become the governor of this state, start now to follow your dream�, he advised.

Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin thanked Lumens10, their sponsors and collaborators for their kind gesture.

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Trains over

Gov. Ayade

2

NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2012 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Ëš

Senate in session at the National Assembly

Your Top Constitutional Amendment Tips?

Although the National Assembly are currently in the process of reviewing and amending the standing 1999 Constitution, some analysts believe the national legislators have made some contentious decisions which do not bode well for the country e.g. immunity for legislators and non-acceptance of devolution of powers to states. From your own viewpoint, what should be added to or removed from the Constitution, to make it a better instrument for good governance and national development?

THE FEEDBACK

Abimbola Akosile * That suggestion of immunity for legislators should be removed forthwith from the amendments. Without immunity, some of them already have plenty skeletons in their closets; much less when they obtain immunity.

One can only imagine the spree of corrupt acts they will embark on if they eventually have their way.

- Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * My top constitutional amendment issue is something that concerns elections in this country. Independent candidates should be permitted to contest elections at all levels - this happens in other climes. In 1992 for instance, Ross Perot contested the US presidency as an Independent. This scenario helps the country get the best from all candidates - Bill Clinton got picked as the best in 1992 over George Bush Snr. and Ross Perot. The electorate is forced to concentrate and focus and better electoral choices will simply emerge.

- Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, Brainchild Academic Resources, Apo, Abuja * We need a new constitution to move Nigeria forward instead of amending the old constitution, which is always causing problem of agitation and marginalisation all over the nation. Immunity on the National Assembly must be rejected because it is an avenue for Senators to loot the treasury without check or probe because of immunity clause that covers them.

- Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * Restructuring is truly devolving political and social economic autonomy to states and local governments and is vital. Abolishing pension, gratuity e.t.c. to a former or serving political office holder with ended tenure of mere eight, four years or even a few months (unlike in civil service) before removal, sack, incapacitation etc. The electable-age debate is plausible; for the younger the better. Force depicts agility and is apt for the Nigeria Police Force as applied to Nigeria Air ‘Force’ too, colossal waste of scarce funds on hardly implemented conferences are a worrisome debacle. God bless Nigeria.

- Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State

Top tip:

Devolution of powers to States

Second:

Remove immunity for legislators

Third:

35% Affirmative Action for women

Radical tip:

Refund all double pensions

Number of respondents:

14

Male:

11

Female:

3

Highest location:

Lagos & Abuja (4 each)

* Remove immunity for legislators and add the devolution of powers to the States. It makes for a healthy balance between the Executive and Legislative arms on one hand and between the centre and the States.

- Mr. Utibe Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State * Some of the lawmakers’ votes are according to their self-interest not national interest. The lawmakers shot down state police and the 35 per cent affirmative action for women as ministers. The insensitive senators also rejected the scrapping of the Land Use Act, women’s rights to citizenship in the domain of their spouse among other critical issues.

But the following should be included; power devolution, resource control, revisit of the 35 per cent affirmative action in Gender Bill, women’s rights to citizenship, re-introduction of state police and restructuring of Nigeria and scrapping of the land use act.

- Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Abuja * A critical look should be made on corruption as it affects the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cum the Attorney General of the Federation, the supervisory minister. A similar issue occurred that led to the ouster of former chairman, Nuhu Ribadu.

Something went wrong that culminated in the creation of EFCC; hence they should be

given free hand devoid of interference, since it borders on high class corrupt officials and politicians.

- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State * Granting our legislators immunity clearly guarantees the abuse of power. This should be reviewed appropriately.

- Ms Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos * The best amendment would have been devolution of power and 35 per cent affirmative action for women fully entrenched in the constitution. Meanwhile, immunity for legislators is a catastrophe, we all know how dirty and corrupt they are without immunity, now that there is immunity, they will be untouchable. May God save this country.

- Mr. Akinwale A. A. Adeniyi, Abuja * Why is everything on the top-shots? Do they really care about the masses? Why are they making themselves untouchable? Well the constitution has been for them all along; nothing seems to be working for masses.

What a selfish set of people.

- Mrs. Adeyinka Lawal, London, UK * My top constitutional amendments tips are: full autonomy for the Vice President when acting, especially when the incumbent is sick. Why should he be denied some actions till the occupant returns? What if he never does? If he has power then let him never fall sick. Also, there shouldn’t be interference between the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. If everybody should be mindful and concentrate on his line of action, we shall see true democracy in action.

- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * There is only one major thing required concerning our constitution and that’s obeying and enforcing the laws spelt out in the document, especially concerning Federal character. To attain that, a bill to ensure the strict adherence to the constitution is really all we need at the moment.

- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * Today our politicians’ four, eight years or sometimes even few months in service cannot by any means qualify one for any pension whatsoever. All such criminal and corrupt

benefactors must return same back to the right government coffers or treasury immediately.

If a land belongs to a people, they should logically own all the minerals therein, and pay homage to the central government. Local government should be divorced from state and accorded full autonomy and not only financial.

- Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * Nigerians are looking in a forward direction of devolution of power to re-enact the monumental developments of the 1950-1960s.

Some National Assembly members desired the status quo; but nobody can stop the current agitation, because it is just, fair and egalitarian.

- Barrister D. Y. N., Maigari, Abuja

Next Week: Can Independent Candidates Improve Governance? Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? à ÙÞĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ ĂŒĂ? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă–Ă—Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? ÚÙĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂŁ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ‹Ă‘Ă‘Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂŁ Ă™ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ÞÒĂ&#x;Ă? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ— ÙÚÞÓ×ËÖÖã ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÑÙÙÎ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă?Ă“Ă– Ă?Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? 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‘ ÍŻÍŽ Ęś Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă&#x;Ă‘ ͯͲ̚ ÞÙ abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@ gmail.com, abimbola.akosile@ thisdaylive.com. 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˜ĂŽËš Ă™Ăœ 08188361766 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™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 ÍŻÍľ

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͮ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Attempts to save Apapa, Lagos from the menace of flooding

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

Plateau State, BlackPace Sign $65m MoU to Increase Potato Production Abimbola Akosile BlackPace Africa, an Africa focused investment management and advisory firm and the Plateau State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards a joint development arrangement to upscale potato production in Plateau State and set up a potato processing facility in Jos, the state capital.

The facility, according to a release issued by the investment management firm, will produce French fries, potato flakes and potato crisps within the next eight months.

The agreement was executed

on July 24, after several meetings with the state executives, including the Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Lynda Barau, and the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Ezekiel Daju.

According to Governor Lalong, “We are willing to provide the enabling environment to support this laudable project based on the fact that Plateau State accounts for over 90 per cent of potatoes produced in Nigeria. In addition we believe the projects (potato production and processing) are capable of boosting the

state’s economy and providing job opportunities especially to the teeming population of our youths.”

The Plateau State joint project with BlackPace Africa on the potato value chain in Nigeria is supported by leading global institutions including KfW Ipex Bank, EKN of Sweden, Elof Hansson International AB, Rosenqvists Food Technologies AB and Afrexim Bank, the release noted.

The processing facility, which will be of world-class state of the art standard, is expected to process 60,000 tonnes annually of Irish potatoes into French fries, flakes and crisps. This,

the release added, will provide a boost to the economy of Plateau state and increase jobs creation for the economy.

Potato production in Plateau State currently accounts for up to 90 per cent of potato production in Nigeria. The need to increase production capacity from current 800,000 metric tonnes to three million tonnes is achievable within the next 4-5 years.

“Bringing in new seed varieties and farming equipment to support local farmers are essential ingredients to achieving this goal. We are putting strategic framework in place whilst discussing

with local partners, ASTC and GIZ to provide both technical and training support to out-growers.

“Plateau State is keen to increase its potato production and its value chain to further create more jobs and boost its economy. The current economic situation in Nigeria calls for a complete shift of focus to Agriculture.

Our potato project will attract an additional $1 billion to the Plateau state economy in five years by increasing the potato output to two million tonnes of high quality potatoes and processing potatoes into French fries, potato flakes

and crisps,” added governor Lalong.

Executive Chairman, BlackPace Africa, Olusegun Paul Andrew, stated that: “We are pleased to advance this project with the Plateau State government and would sincerely thank HE Governor Simon Lalong for his foresight and determination to improve on the local economy of Plateau state with this project.

“Our potato project will certainly create close to 3,000 jobs whilst working with outgrowers and will also create 300 immediate jobs once the processing facility resumes operation,” Andrew added.

Centre Resumes Feeding of Inmates, Less-privileged across Nigeria Kasim Sumaina in Abuja In a quest to uphold the legacy of the late founder, Board of Trustees, (BoT), Marian Soup Kitchen, a N300 million skill acquisitions and humanitarian centre located in Gwagwalada, Abuja, has resumed the feeding of prisoners, the needy and the poor across the country.

The Centre, set up a year ago by late Father Willy Ojukwu, aimed at promoting inter-religious harmony from the grassroots, feeding of the hungry and counseling the downtrodden in the society has been a ghost of itself after the shock demise of the founder barely a year since its establishment.

Chairman, Board of Trustees, Marian Soup Kitchen, Sir

Emmanuel Ndubuisi Mbaka, while briefing newsmen at the sidelines of activities marking one year of the centre, said, “We are sober, however, today is the first anniversary of the founder of this congregation, Mariam Soup Kitchen, Late Rev father Willy Ojukwu. Thirty-four years ago, he was ordained a Catholic priest in Nigeria.

“Today, after all most nine months of his demise, we, the members of his Board of Trustees, we are his apostles.

He left us just the way Jesus left his disciples to continue his legacy as the founder of Mariam Soup Kitchen, which has a common goal to give food to the needy and to the poor while converting them or teaching them Christianity.”

Mbaka stated that it was the

first time the BoT would take it upon itself to continue from where the late Ojukwu stopped.

According to him, “Absolutely, this is the first time after his death that we are going back to continue from where he stopped and we will sustain it every week, feeding prisoners across Nigeria. Let me also use this opportunity to let Nigerians know that Mariam Soup Kitchen here in Gwagwalada is the first starting point for use. We intend to expand this very idea across Nigeria.”

The chairman, while speaking further, solicited the help of Nigerians to keep the late father’s dream alive by contributing their quota in order to feed the less privileged in the society.

“My message to Nigerians

is to emulate the gesture of father Ojukwu and to also support us who are his followers. Because we cannot do it alone; we need the support of all Nigerians because the people we invited to come and have access to Mariam Soup Kitchen are not restricted to any religion.

“Muslim and Christian alike, so, I want to appeal to all Nigerians to please, come to our aid. The church has always been a charity place, as far as the Mariam Soup Kitchen is concerned; it is a continuation of what the church knows how to do best,” he said.

Speaking in a similar vein, Member, BoT. Mr. Austin Ejire, said, “well, we have to keep this project running by expanding our scope to see

how we can reach as many good-spirited Nigerians as possible to make sure that they continue to assist us to feed the less privileged.”

According to him, “We are beggars for the beggars. So, that is how we are going to do it going forward. Yeah, it has been so difficult over the last one year because, we are shocked with the death of Father Ojukwu.

“Starting from where he stopped has been a difficult assignment. We could have continued immediately but, we needed to get over the shock, which we have done.

So, now, we are ready, we are determined to carry on with the feeding of the less privileged in our society most especially, the prisoners in the

FCT.” He said, “We are going to Kuje today where we intend to feed about 1,000 prisoners. After that, we will go to Suleja, and from there we go to Zuba. As far as this project is concerned, today, we have spent close to about N200,000, because a lot of logistics is involved.

“So, we are calling on Nigerians to key in and anyway they can support us to make sure that a place like this continues functioning so that we can enjoy the benefits of having a place like this. Well, my message to other members of the board of trustees is not to give up. We are not being paid; it’s just a service to humanity and our reward is in heaven,” he added.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͮ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Nobodyinvestsmoneyinoilandwaitsforfive-yearor10-year returns. So, we are going tolook atverylongtermpolicydirections.Wemustdeal with the inefficiencies within our system,whetheritis embeddedwithinournationaloil companyand parastatals or theministries,orembeddedintheprivateoilcompanies,the reality, whether we acceptit ornot,isthateverysidehasbenefittedfromthis lackof efficiencies” - MINISTER OF STATE FOR PETROLEUM, DR. IBE KACHIKWU, SPEAKING AT THE 2017 CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN COUNCIL OF THE SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS (SPE) RECENTLY

Lumen Empowers Lagos Pupils with Rewards Peace Obi

UN Health Agency Boosts Malaria Prevention, Control in North-eastern Nigeria Abimbola Akosile The United Nations health agency has estimated that if more funds are secured, up to 10,000 lives in Nigeria could be saved by November through targeted steps in malaria prevention and control.

To manage malaria in Borno state of northeastern Nigeria, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its partners are strengthening surveillance systems to monitor cases and outbreaks; increasing people’s access to care in clinics and to health facilities; spraying insecticides and distributing bed nets as part of vector control; and administering malaria drugs to children under five every month from July to October.

Following more than eight years of conflict in Borno, some 3.7 million people need humanitarian assistance – and all are at risk for malaria. WHO estimates that through October, 8,500 people are infected weekly – with more expected, according to a UN release.

“The most effective way to reduce deaths in emergencies in fragile States, especially those facing malnutrition, is by boosting malaria prevention and control, however, this is often not viewed as the top priority during an emergency response. We are working with our WHO colleagues and many partners to change this,” said the Director of WHO’s Global Malaria Programme, Dr. Pedro Alonso, WHO estimates that over half of recorded deaths there are due to malaria – comprising more than all other diseases combined, including cholera, measles and hepatitis E. The vulnerable population, consisting of 58.8 per cent children, stands at risk of disease outbreaks.

With more than 60 per cent of health facilities only partially functioning, many people have no had access for years to regular health services, including vaccinations and basic medicines. In addition to security concerns, deadly malnutrition is rising in parts of the

Malaria treatment process in Nigeria state, the release noted.

“Malaria, malnutrition, fragile States and civil strife often feed each other,” said Alonso, adding: “Wherever we have a humanitarian crisis in a malaria endemic country, we can almost always be sure that malaria is the number one killer.”

However, malaria is preventable and curable, and increased efforts over the last 15 years have drastically reduced related mortality rates by more than 60 per cent, averting six million deaths.

Following a visit, WHO malaria experts commissioned a modelling exercise, that concluded that joint actions could prevent up to 10,000 deaths in Borno state alone.

In early July, the first of four monthly rounds of mass drug administration reached more than 880,000 of the 1.1 million under-age-five children targeted, according to the UN release.

WHO hopes for $2.5 million to mobilise the emergency intervention and is relying on the

SOURCE: WHO Nigeria existing polio vaccinator infrastructure to carry out the operation, which faces Boko Haram security threats.

“We will give one curative dose of antimalarial drugs to a defined population, in this case children under-five,” said Alonso. “In Borno state, we are giving an antimalarial drug to a child, whether they have malaria infection or not, to ensure they are cleared of parasites at that point and to protect them for four weeks.

It’s a necessary temporary fix to reduce malaria deaths for the next six months.”

WHO has trained community health workers to offer rapid and read diagnostic tests, provide treatment and advise on prevention.

“We will not know the full impact of our efforts until November, but we are confident that taking these steps will go a long way in reducing deaths and suffering of people from malaria so they can get on with their lives,” said WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Wondi Alemu.

A non-profit organisation, Lumen10 Global, has rewarded 384 out of over 10,000 public primary school pupils in Ikeja Local Government Area of Lagos State whose academic performance for 2015/2016 session was analysed for the purpose; through a project tagged ‘REACH’.

With a unique reward system, REACH, an acronym for ‘Rewarding, Encouraging Academic Champion’ gave its awards not just to pupils with excellent academic performance but also those at the bottom end of the class who have shown significant improvement in their performance.

Starting with Ikeja LGA where 26 out of 33 public primary schools that submitted their students’ 2015/2016 academic performance data for analysis, 15 awards recipients emerged from each school for different categories of awards.

Speaking during the prize giving ceremony, Head of Research and Development, Mr. Charles Woghiren, said the project was designed to promote continuous improvement in the standard of education in the country.

According to Woghiren, the NGO through data analysis seeks to identify top ranked government-owned primary schools in every LGA and reward the outstanding students for their excellent performance, and added that the prizes were awarded to schools with the overall best performance in English and Mathematics.

Enumerating the three different categories of awards available to students, Woghiren said, “Achievement prize goes to student with the overall best academic performance; form prize is awarded to students with best combined performance in English and Mathematics. It is aimed at encourage the development of numeracy and literacy skills amongst students given the relevance of these proficiencies for success in all future life endeavours. The last in the category is progress prize; it is awarded to the most academically improved student between 1st term and 3rd term.

“So, we are trying to motivate both the children at the top end of the class and those at the bottom end of the class. We are starting with Ikeja LGA at the pilot phase, we hope to have covered the entire 20 LGA in Lagos State by 2019,” he said.

In words of encouragement, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afolabi Fashanu urged the pupils to remain focused and committed to their studies as well as listen to their teachers’ guidance.

“Now you know that if you excel you are going to be rewarded.

But that should not be the end of your target’ your target should be to reach the pinnacle of whatever career you are likely to choose in the nearest future. And this is the time to start.

Fundamentally, listen to your teachers; they are there to guide you to the path of success and greatness,” Fashanu added.

Recalling his primary school days at Model Primary School Idioro, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon counselled the pupils never to see their being in public school as a limitation, rather as an opportunity to pursue their dreams in life.

“Governor Ambode was once like you and he rose to become a governor. You can become the governor of this state, start now to follow your dream”, he advised.

Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin thanked Lumens10, their sponsors and collaborators for their kind gesture.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Colostrum: A Child’s First Vaccine While some Nigerian women refuse to breastfeed their babies immediately after delivery, UNICEF says it is the first most important vaccine for newborns, as it is rich in antibodies, Martins Ifijeh writes

N

ene Igwe’s last trimester during her first pregnancy came with a lot of advice from friends, in-laws and her mother. Many of which were unsolicited. It was a time for everyone to remind her of how experienced they are in pregnancy and child bearing. After all, since they ‘successfully’ nursed their children out of infancy, they reasoned it won’t be out of place for her to tow the path they took during their own process.

While some of such advice were good for Nene, some went from the bizarre to the ridiculous. For instance, she was told to give certain concoctions to her baby few days after delivery, as that would strengthen the child’s immune system. She was told the first food her child must take should be a certain type of formulae, because his or her sugar level needs to be boosted with it before breast milk is introduced.

She was told once she has diarrhea or fever, she should not bother to breastfeed her baby. They told her to have an alternative standby food with her just in case. Nene had small breast, hence her friends told her not to think of giving her baby exclusive breast milk because she will not produce much of it since her breast is very small. In their minds, the size of the breast determines how much breast milk can be produced.

She was told by her mother to encourage the nurses to give her child little water immediately after delivery since water is life.

She was as well asked to include water to the baby’s food. Also, her advisers were almost unanimous in telling her not to give the first milk from her breast (colostrum) to her baby, stating that it is usually dirty and unhealthy, and that it could contribute to a child’s early death even before they leave the hospital.

Just as Nene couldn’t stop the advice from coming, she unconsciously also couldn’t stop absorbing some of them into her head. So immediately after delivery, some wrong information she had put in started playing out. First, she, her mother and even the health workers who took the delivery unanimously agreed that the child’s first food has to be formulae, adding that the child’s sugar level has to be ‘boosted’ by it; an approach they said would prepare the baby for breastfeeding.

About 30 minutes after delivery, her breast was heavy with colostrum. It was supposed to be a mother’s first gift to her child, “but I had to wash the thick and yellowish substance away. I had believed from the several advice that it is unhygienic, especially after seeing that it had the colour of pus. I couldn’t come to terms with the idea of giving such to my child,” Nene said.

“I started breastfeeding just after washing the colostrum off. Though I practiced ‘exclusive’ breastfeeding, I usually give water to the baby. I have heard on several occasions that water shouldn’t be given with breastfeeding, but since everyone around me gave water along with breastfeeding and their children are all grown up and ‘healthy’, why shouldn’t I give my child same, after all, nothing can ever be wrong with water. Water is life,” she confidently said.

Nene is not the only woman who has been stuffed with so much negative information about breastfeeding and child bearing in general.

Millions of Nigerian mothers, according to statistics have done one form of disservice or the other to their little infants during weaning, which on the long run, turns into the make up of the child’s life if he or she eventually survive infanthood.

No wonder this year, during the commemoration of breastfeeding week, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) repeatedly called on mothers and the society at large to do away with myths and misconceptions about

A mother breastfeeding her baby

breastfeeding and childbearing, and follow science proven approaches, which they say has helped reduce drastically infant mortality in countries where many of the myths and misconceptions have been downplayed.

For instance, a Nutrition Specialist with UNICEF, Mrs. Ada Ezeogu, during a Media Dialogue on Breastfeeding held in Ibadan last week, by UNICEF in partnership with the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), said one of the biggest gifts a mother can give her baby is feeding her child with the very first produced milk after delivery.

According to her, the thick and yellowish substance is rich in antibodies and highly nutritious, adding that it would not only boost the child’s immunity but would play a role in his or her health status and nutritional life afterwards.

She called on mothers to discard the myth that colostrum is not hygienic. “Most mothers are not aware of the importance of colostrum in the growth of their child. Colostrum is a major vaccine to an infant. It is the child’s first vaccine and immunisation. It does not only protect the infant against allergy and infections, it serves as a purgative which helps to clear meconium.

“It also aids the growth of a child. It helps intestine to mature and it reduces severity of infection,” she said.

Ezeogu said health workers can also help in circulating the important message of colostrum to pregnant women accessing their facilities.

“We know most of these things are not taught in medical schools, so stakeholders and the government should continue to train and retrain

health workers, as they are very important to pregnant women and nursing mothers.”

On other myths and misconceptions, like giving water to the infant just after delivery or along with breastfeeding during the first six months of life, she said the breast milk already contains enough water, noting that any extra water given would take the space of breast milk in the child’s stomach.

“The greatest barrier to achieving exclusive breastfeeding in Nigeria is water. If water can be taken out of the way, exclusive breastfeeding will record a huge success in the country,” she added.

According to a consultant, International Board Certified Lactation, Anne Smith, every mother should realise that colostrum is the first food available for babies immediately after birth.

“It contains lots of antibodies and helps protect the vulnerable newborn from infection by coating his or her intestines and protecting them from viruses and bacteria. It also has a laxative effect which helps the child to excrete meconium (the black tarry fetal stool he or she is born with).

“It reduces the incidence of jaundice and contains growth factors that help prepare the child’s digestive system for absorbing and digesting milk. It is very easy for the newborn baby to digest, and is exactly what the baby needs to eat during the first days after birth.”

While stating that colostrum is an all important first meal for a newborn, she said the thick yellowish food is different from mature milk in other ways as well. “It contains more salt and protein, and less sugar and fat

than mature milk. It even looks different. It ranges in appearance from clear and watery to thick, yellowish and sticky.

“Some expectant mothers find that they leak colostrum during pregnancy, while others are able to express only a drop or two. The amount of colostrum produced prenatally has no relationship to the amount of milk the mother will produce later on. Colostrum is very concentrated, and the volume produced is very small. It is just enough for the baby at the beginning of life before normal breast milk is given,” she added.

Smith explained that even after giving colostrum to the baby, the subsequent milk produced by the woman during the first few days after delivery also contain a quantity of colostrum, adding that as the volume of milk increases, the protein content decreases and the amount of sugar and fat increases.

“The milk at this stage is referred to as the transitional milk, and it may look yellowish due to the colostrum content. The mature milk will contain lots of valuable antibodies and immune factors, but no more colostrum.

That’s one reason that early breastfeeding is so important.”

She said If a mother starts nursing her baby for just shortly after birth, it means that the mother is giving her newborn a precious gift that won’t be available to him or her later on.

Nene’s narrative shows that close relations and friends can be a big influence to how much care an infant can get just after delivery.

The more everyone discourages the myths and misconceptions about colostrum and breastfeeding generally, the more infants in Nigeria get value for living.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 10, 2017

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017

38

HEALTH

HEALTH MATTERS

goketakinrogunde@gmail.com

By Goke T. Akinrogunde 07036777348; 07029126776

Lassa Fever: All at Risk Here

T

comes first is to save the mother, since the baby will almost certainly die. Hence, it is necessary to induce delivery for the mother to have a good chance of survival. The focus is always on saving the life of the mother.

Unlike other deadline hemorrhagic fever disease conditions e. g. Ebola virus, LASSA fever is curable if attacked in the early onset of the disease condition. The treatment of choice is intravenous Ribavirin, an antiviral drug which helps with reducing the fatality and morbidity rates. These are usually distributed free to areas where epidemics have been declared.

In the main, good personal hygiene and appropriate covering/securing of our food stores from rats as well as keeping rats away are the important steps at the household level to help curtail the spread the Lassa fever. This is a clear case of using preventive measures to curtail the spread of a merciless killer.

o put it mildly, Lassa fever is on the loose in the country with many states recording sporadic number of cases in recent weeks. Lagos state in particular has recorded scarring numbers of cases pointing at main suburbs where the disease can spread easily. I am limiting today’s discussion to the key issues of transmission, prevention and treatment options of Lassa fever Origin It is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused

by Lassa virus, first identified in 1969 in Nigeria.

It is endemic in Benin, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, with peaks in incidence closely related to seasonal patterns. However, because the rat species which carry the virus are found throughout West Africa, the actual geographic range of the disease may extend to other countries in the Transmission Lassa virus, the cause of Lassa fever, is transmitted to human beings from rodents, specifically from multi-mammate rats - Mastomys natalensis.

This is probably the most common rodent in equatorial Africa, common in households and eaten as a delicacy in some areas. The virus is shed in the rat’s excreta (urine and feces), which can also go out in fumes-like (aerosol) into the air.

Infection in humans occurs via exposure to animal excrement through the respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts. Inhalation of tiny particles of infective material (aerosol) is believed to be the most significant means of exposure. It is possible to acquire the infection through broken skin or mucous membranes that are directly exposed to infective material.

Transmission from person to person has also been established, meaning that there exists a disease risk for healthcare workers. It can be contracted by an airborne route or with direct contact with infected human blood, urine, semen, or breast milk.

Special precautionary measures As noted above, the name of the rat that harbours the virus that causes lassa fever is called multimammate rat (because it has many prominent nipples) We should avoid testing of dry garri by chewing them for starch in the market. All garri soakers should avoid these, especially now that there is Lassa Fever epidemic. The reason why eating “uncooked” garri poses danger is that most of garri sellers in the market buy their garri from rural markets. These garri

A multi-mammate rat being tested for lassa virus

are often fried half dry and are subsequently dried on polythene sheets on the tarred roads or compounds in the villages. Rat dive in at will, to feed their hungry bellies and in the process defecate and urinate on the garri, which dry up with it. If used for Eba, the virus may die because of high temperature of the hot water used to make the garri cake (EBA). But if soaked, the virus is directly ushered in as agent of death.

Similarly, fruits’ lovers should wash them with clean water or better still salt and warm water before eating them.

The disease can spread fast. So we should practice routine hand washing hygiene.

Precaution is better than cure. Take absolute care.

Symptoms In eight out of 10 cases of Lassa fever the disease is symptomless, but in the remaining 20% it takes a complicated course.

After an incubation period of six to twentyone days, an acute illness with many body organs’ involvement develops. Non-specific symptoms include fever, facial swelling, and muscle fatigue, as well as conjunctivitis and mucosal bleeding. The other symptoms arising from the affected organs are: Nausea, Vomiting (bloody), Diarrhea (bloody), Stomach ache Constipation Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), Hepatitis, Pericarditis, Hypertension,

Hypotension, Tachycardia (abnormally high heart rate), Cough, Chest pain, Dyspnoea, Pharyngitis, Meningitis, Unilateral or bilateral hearing deficit, Seizures Ordinarily, Lassa fever infections are difficult to distinguish from other viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola and Marburg, and from more common febrile illnesses such as malaria, except when confirmed by laboratory diagnosis.

The virus is excreted in urine for three to nine weeks and in semen for three months after disease onset. These can also act as focuses of infection Prevention The best forms of prevention, since it is not practicable to take the ‘vector’ rats out of existence, are measures limited to keeping rats out of homes and food supplies, as well as maintaining effective personal hygiene.

Gloves, masks, laboratory coats, and goggles are advised while in contact with an infected person.

Treatment Whereas some 15% of hospitalized Lassa fever patients may die from the illness, the mortality rate is greater than 80% when it occurs in pregnant women during the last three mouth of their pregnancy and the unborn baby death also occurs in nearly all those cases, so what

Lassa Fever on the loose in Lagos A clear warning on a possible head-on attack of LassA fever in Lagos is well captured in an urgent message sent to relevant health workers in Lagos state , it is reproduced below: A case of death had been reported to have occurred at LUTH in the morning of The cause of death was reported to be Lassa fever.

Unfortunately the body had been released for burial at a yet to be known address at lmota.

All HODs in lkorodu LGA and the 5Lcdas are hereby alerted to call the DSNO of lkorodu and swing into immediate action to line list all contacts with the body from the hospital to their destination. They should also prevent the body from being buried at home. The address would be posted as soon as it is confirmed.

Mainwhile, all officers in lmota are by this notice directed to mount surveillance in lmota town to know where a Woman died in LUTH today.

Such information should reach the Board,the MOH or any senior health worker in the Local Government for prompt response .

In addition, we should all note that on NO account should a patient suspected to have any of the viral hemorrhagic fevers be moved or transferred from where he/she is once that diagnosis is being entertained. The officer there should contact his superiors locally plus the State EpidemiologyUnit at Alausa and receive clear instructions on what to do next. Moving or transferring the suspect will only ignorantly expose more people and create unnecessary, irrational panic. Detain the patient there and make the call. We have two Lassa fever suspects admitted this night at Mainland Hospital Yaba.

Inside the Hospital LUTH in Lassa Crisis; Patients Died, Doctor Infected In a statement released on Tuesday 08-08-2017, the Chief Medical Director at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Chris Bode, admitted that the hospital is facing a LASSA Fever crisis with many of its workers facing possible infection; he said that already a resident doctor exposed to diagnosed cases of LASSA Fever has been confirmed affected and is now receiving treatment in the lately rebranded Isolation Ward in the hospital.

According to the statement, two patients treated for Lassa fever in LUTH have died within few days of admission in the past one week.

Each of these two patients presented very late and died in spite of efforts to salvage them. The first was a 32-year old pregnant lady with bleeding disorder who died after a stillbirth. Post-mortem examination had been conducted before her Lassa Fever status was eventually suspected and confirmed.

No less than 100 different hospital workers

exposed to this index case are currently being monitored.

A resident doctor from the Department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology who took part in the autopsy was later confirmed with the disease and is currently on admission and responding well to treatment at the Isolation Ward of LUTH. Prof Chris Bode, the Chief Medical Director of LUTH visited the Isolation Centre of LUTH yesterday in company of his Top Management staff and spoke with the doctor and staff to boost morale and assure them of the Hospital’s full support.

He enjoined all LUTH workers to maintain a heightened level of alert in the wake of this new outbreak and observe universal precautions in handling all suspected cases of this viral hemorrhagic fever.

LUTH has always worked closely with officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health in handling a number of diseases of public

importance such as rabies, cholera, Lassa fever and the recent diarrhoea disease at the Queen’s College.

Both the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Health have responded swiftly to contain this present Lassa fever outbreak by mobilising human and material resources to trace the sources and extent of the disease, follow up on potential contacts, identify early and test suspected cases.

The statement however assures that there are adequate materials for containment of the disease while drugs have been made available to treat anyone confirmed with the disease. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in Nigeria has also been contacted.

Two other suspected cases from Lagos state are also presently admitted and quarantined while undergoing confirmatory laboratory tests.

There is currently no vaccine that protects against Lassa fever.

Prevention of Lassa fever Prevention of Lassa fever relies on promoting good “community hygiene” to discourage rodents from entering homes. Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households In healthcare settings, prevention is by standard precautions where all blood and body fluids are considered potentially infectious. Standard precautions are applied to all patients at all times and in all health care settings. These include hand hygiene, use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), waste disposal, cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment and environment, safe injection practices.

In case of any suspected case of Lassa fever, notify the response team in LUTH on 08058019466, 08058744780, 07035521015 and 08023299445.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 10, 2017 ADVERTORIAL

39

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŻËœ 2017

40

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

IMF: Informal Economy Not Enough to Handle Africa’s Workforce Explosion Unemployment in Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa’s largest economy, is running at more than 14 percent and climbing; in South Africa, the second largest economy, it is over 27 percent.

For youth in both places, it is far more.

This may seem bad enough, but according to International Monetary Fund calculations the sub-Saharan Africa region’s jobs travails are in danger of reaching uncharted territory in less than two decades. That is, unless the economies can create jobs for their burgeoning, young population. “By 2035, sub-Saharan Africa will have more working-age people than the rest of the world’s regions combined,�

Reuters quoted the IMF to have written in a blog post. “This growing workforce will have to be met with jobs.�

This has major implications for the region’s economy, its security and wider immigration patterns. In the past, some of the jobs strain has been taken up by the so-called informal economy which is dominated by street vendors, household workers and off-the-radar cash jobbers. Typically, these workers pay no tax and do not come under regulation, but they do add to a country’s wealth.

The informal sector in subSaharan Africa was around

38 percent of gross domestic product in 2010-14, according to the IMF. This represented a steady decline from nearly 45 percent in 1991-99, possibly a reflection of more formal growth in some parts of Africa. But up to 90 percent of jobs outside agriculture are still in the informal sector. It is not generally by desire. The IMF found that a third of new entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa said they were doing what they were doing out of necessity. “Most would prefer a job in the formal sector, but don’t have that option,� it said. The International Labour Organization goes further. “Some of the characteristic features of informal employment are lack of protection in the event of non-payment of wages, compulsory overtime or extra shifts, lay-offs without notice or compensation, unsafe working conditions and the absence of social benefits,� it notes. “Women, migrants and other vulnerable groups of workers who are excluded from other opportunities have little choice but to take informal low-quality jobs.� For the economy, informal sector work can be both positive and negative for growth.

In some cases, for example, it represents entrepreneurship and start-up businesses.

But a lot of it is far from opportune for growth. The informal sector tends to be low productivity work, partly because it attracts lower skilled workers. “In a country where the informal sector is large, the rate of economic growth is reduced,� the IMF said.

This would suggest that countries such as Tanzania and Nigeria, where the informal economy is 50 to 65 percent of GDP, will fare worse than others such as Mauritius, South Africa and Namibia, where it ranges from between 20 to 25 percent. Africa is not alone, of course. Indeed at the moment the region where the informal sector plays the biggest role is Latin America and the Caribbean. It also amounts to around 15 percent of GDP in developed countries. But with the large working age population about to explode, the countries of the region are facing a crunch. “Countries need to adopt a balanced approach in the design of policies to grow the formal sector. This means focusing on ways to increase the productivity of the informal sector, while working to support the expansion of formal businesses,� the IMF said. It also called for improved access to finance to create the right kind of jobs.

Survey: Lagos Tax System Inimical to Informal Businesses’ Survival Peter Uzoho The report of a baseline study on ‘Informal Sector Tax Practices in Lagos State’ carried out by the Community Life Project, a civil society organisation, has shown that the system of taxation practised in the state was “burdensome and inimical� to the survival of businesses in the informal sector in the state.

Findings of the survey which was conducted in May, 2017 was presented in Lagos, at a one day Research Validation Workshop on Informal Sector Taxation in Lagos State, organised by Community Life Project, with support from USAID. According to the report, three Local Governments in Lagos State were selected for a pre-test while four Local Government Areas and four Local Council Development Areas were systematically selected for the main survey and a total of 1’ 387 questionnaires were randomly administered on selected

respondents.

The survey stated that the informal sector “is viable for taxation� in the state given the volume of people and businesses/ income in the sector, noting that quite a lot of people and businesses operate in the sector and generate substantial income which can better help the government generate tax revenue/resources.

It dispelled the belief that most people opted to be in the sector due to illiteracy and laziness, stressing that most of them were there because they wanted to be their own bosses; loved to be employers of labour; and wanted to gather money. It added that it was because the sector “is easy to enter; it is more flexible and dynamic; it is lucrative and because there are no jobs in the formal sector.�

The study further revealed that people in the informal sector were not averse to tax, noting that “they do not only believe that informal sector operatives

should pay tax, they believe everybody, irrespective of the sector, should pay tax. Hence, majority of informal sector operatives are of the view that government can generate substantial income from the sector to drive development in the LGAs/LCDAs.�

It also disclosed that most of the informal people perceived taxes as very uncertain and constantly changing and that, strategies of tax enforcement were “aggressive, abusive and violent.� According to the report, transparency and accountability were poor in the tax system, and the voices of the actors in the sector are also not heard and appropriated. It added that most of the people do not know how their tax exposures are calculated; that the sector’s players do not know how and where to find out about their tax exposures; and that the approved rates and levies are not conspicuously displayed.

FBN Merchant Bank Partners Oxford Business Group FBN Merchant Bank said it will team up with the global research and consultancy firm, Oxford Business Group (OBG) to produce the financial chapter of The Report: Nigeria 2017.

The report will highlight the pivotal part Nigeria’s banks are playing in the country’s broader diversification efforts by boosting lending to the private sector.

It would chart the performance that the nation’s financial sector continues to deliver at home, despite the challenging

economic climate, while also considering its role as a regional gateway.

In addition, OBG’s publication would analyse the impact that a tight monetary policy, implemented against a backdrop of lower hydrocarbons revenues and currency volatility, has had on Nigeria’s lenders. “This partnership comes under the three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) between FBN Merchant Bank and Oxford Business Group, which is now in its second year. The Report

will be a vital guide to the many facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments,� a statement from the bank added. The Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FBN Merchant Bank, Lolade Sasore, said she expects the bank’s partnership with OBG to explore the effect that the current economy and tight fiscal policy has had on both Nigeria’s lenders and borrowers.

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, 8 AUGUST 2017

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $50.49 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $50.04 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, AUGUST 10, 2017

41

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

9-Aug-17

8-Aug-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

Open 8-Aug-17

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)

37,999.56 13.10

38,144.02 13.15

0.38% 0.38%

160.73 12.51

161.32 12.56

0.37% 0.37%

01 Dangote Cement Plc

240.00

240.00

0.00%

4,089,721,777,200.00

10.95

21.91

6.65

3.33%

5.13

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

190.00

190.05

-0.03%

1,506,529,168,720.00

3.58

53.02

4.80

1.89%

9.08

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

40.53

40.20

0.82%

1,192,845,693,948.72

4.49

9.02

2.88

4.37%

2.36

1,200.00

1,154.93

3.90%

951,187,502,400.00

10.00

120.02

5.23

2.42%

30.80

05 Zenith Bank Plc

24.50

24.50

0.00%

769,214,097,757.00

4.13

5.93

1.51

7.35%

1.09

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers

06 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

38.50

38.50

0.00%

385,000,000,000.00

2.85

13.50

2.46

0.26%

2.73

Stock

07 United Bank for Africa Plc

9.49

9.56

-0.73%

344,292,704,795.78

1.99

4.76

0.90

6.32%

0.77

08 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

17.30

17.99

-3.84%

317,447,236,019.50

0.68

25.57

0.54

3.58%

0.51

09 Access Bank Plc

10.43

10.20

2.25%

301,718,744,111.33

13.18

0.79

0.79

5.27%

0.66

10 Presco Plc

71.98

70.78

1.70%

285,794,937,699.10

0.03 2,461.71

4.01

1.81%

6.83

11 Lafarge Africa Plc

60.00

60.00

0.00%

273,294,108,600.00

3.71

16.17

1.24

5.00%

1.10

470.10

470.10

0.00%

260,111,178,141.30 -82.02

-5.73

4.10

3.39%

0.69

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

12 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd 13 FBN Holdings Plc

6.02

6.17

-2.43%

216,089,662,607.84

0.21

29.01

0.41

2.49%

0.35

14 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

14.25

14.52

-1.86%

171,000,000,000.00

1.20

11.88

1.01

3.51%

2.58

15 Unilever Nigeria Plc

41.00

41.30

-0.73%

155,115,146,250.00

0.81

50.50

2.22

0.12%

13.27

16 Guinness Nig Plc

87.50

79.38

10.23%

131,765,216,450.00

-3.06

-28.61

1.28

3.66%

3.34

17 International Breweries Plc

34.00

34.00

0.00%

112,004,475,520.00

0.02 1,508.97

4.21

0.74%

10.21

7.60

7.50

1.33%

91,463,103,594.40

0.29

26.18

0.20

9.87%

0.48

19 Total Nigeria Plc

260.00

260.00

0.00%

88,275,677,620.00

43.58

5.97

0.30

5.38%

3.75

20 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

236.90

236.90

0.00%

85,425,017,567.80

22.61

10.48

0.91

3.04%

3.98

21 Forte Oil Plc.

59.54

59.54

0.00%

77,549,724,872.62

2.22

26.83

0.52

5.79%

1.79

22 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

29.00

28.97

0.10%

76,102,878,423.00

-1.19

-24.31

0.18

6.90%

0.76

23 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

72.72

72.72

0.00%

69,368,335,200.00

5.15

14.13

4.83

0.14%

4.08

24 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

98.00

98.00

0.00%

62,777,855,574.00

-0.05

0.67

2.24%

2.83

1.41

1.46

-3.42%

54,596,606,369.25

-0.03

-48.44

0.92

0.00%

0.63

35.99

35.99

0.00%

47,506,800,000.00

-2.89

-12.45

0.34

4.17%

0.68

1.30

1.30

0.00%

37,651,361,399.60

0.39

3.36

0.25

12.31%

0.20

28 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

13.23

12.74

3.85%

35,052,069,740.94

0.91

14.51

1.92

4.16%

4.36

29 U A C N Plc

17.00

16.95

0.29%

32,654,694,579.00

3.37

5.04

0.43

5.88%

0.43

30 Diamond Bank Plc

1.30

1.32

-1.52%

30,108,505,658.40

-0.29

-4.43

0.14

0.00%

0.13

31 Sterling Bank Plc

1.00

1.00

0.00%

28,790,418,126.00

0.18

5.58

0.26

9.00%

0.34

32 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

27.00

26.22

2.97%

27,000,000,000.00

5.69

4.75

1.88

0.37%

0.73

33 Cap Plc

34.99

34.99

0.00%

24,493,000,000.00

2.29

15.28

3.59

3.29%

10.73

1.22

1.22

0.00%

24,159,307,152.82

0.72

1.68

0.14

8.20%

0.14

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 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

12.70

12.57

1.03%

23,853,165,908.00

-0.16

-80.48

0.80

10.24%

2.16

37 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.12

2.02

4.95%

22,260,000,000.00

0.25

8.45

1.07

2.36%

1.10

38 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.50

3.42

2.34%

20,586,524,682.50

0.91

3.86

0.53

4.00%

0.68

39 Wema Bank Plc

0.51

0.53

-3.77%

19,672,977,701.31

0.07

7.59

0.37

0.00%

0.41

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

2.20

2.21

-0.45%

17,446,434,847.60

-0.40

-5.44

0.36

7.27%

0.53

41 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

10.71

10.82

-1.02%

13,459,018,873.86

0.22

48.92

1.21

0.93%

1.25

42 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.27

1.33

-4.51%

13,173,385,276.24

0.42

3.02

0.59

9.45%

0.70

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.71

0.71

0.00%

9,855,014,001.10

-2.93

-0.24

0.06

42.25%

0.09

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.64

0.64

0.00%

7,481,176,282.88

0.19

3.43

0.09

0.00%

0.09

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.54

0.54

0.00%

7,226,678,656.08

0.18

3.00

0.92

5.56%

0.44

46 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.75

3.41

9.97%

6,090,820,312.50

0.36

10.49

0.77

5.33%

0.94

47 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

48 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.98

2.98

0.00%

5,121,874,985.10

-0.90

-3.30

0.81

23.49%

0.15

49 Fidson Healthcare Plc

3.10

3.02

2.65%

4,650,000,000.00

0.21

14.68

0.61

1.61%

0.71

50 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.59

0.57

3.51%

4,088,820,643.20

1.48

0.40

0.15

8.47%

0.47

18 Oando Plc

25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 26 Julius Berger Nig. Plc 27 Fidelity Bank Plc

34 FCMB Group Plc

TOTAL

12,560,655,294,230.80

TOTAL MARKET CAP

13,147,204,389,996.00

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

95.54%

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Open 8-Aug-17

Guinness Nig Plc Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc Mansard Insurance Plc Nestle Nigeria Plc National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

Close 9-Aug-17

Change %

Close Change % 9-Aug-17

79.38 3.41

87.50 3.75

10.23% 9.97%

2.02 1,154.93 12.74

2.12 1,200.00 13.23

4.95% 3.90% 3.85%

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open 8-Aug-17

Continental Reinsurance Plc Ecobank Transnational Incorporated Wema Bank Plc Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc FBN Holdings Plc

Close Change % 9-Aug-17

1.33 17.99

1.27 17.30

-4.51% -3.84%

0.53 1.46

0.51 1.41

-3.77% -3.42%

6.17

6.02

-2.43%

NSE All Share Index appreciates with 0.38% Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today Wednesday, August 9th, 2017 ended bullish as the market closed green upon increased activity on the market. 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 328.65 million shares worth N6.10 billion in 4,983 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 218.22 million shares worth N5.07 billion in 5,336 trades carried out on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms are: Jaiz Bank Plc, FCMB Group Plc and FBN Holdings Plc; while Nestle Nigeria Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. Brent crude oil price today currently sells at US$52.44 per barrel while it stood at $52.14 per barrel at its previous day closing.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 0.38% (+144.46) increase to close at 38,144.02 from 37,999.56 the previous trading day. Market capitalization appreciated in tandem to N13.10 trillion from N12.93 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index closes with an increase of 0.37% to 161.32 from 160.73 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N12.56 trillion from N12.51 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 21 stocks gained on the bourse today while 23 stocks declined, leaving 59 stocks unchanged. Leading the pack was Guinness Nig. Plc with a gain of 10.23% to close at N87.50 per share. It was followed by Jaiz Bank Plc with a gain of 10.00% to close at N0.88 per share. Others on the gainers’ list include: Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, Dangote Flour Mills Plc and Vitafoam Nigeria Plc. On the decliners’ list, Champion Breweries Plc led with a loss of 9.32% to close at N2.53 share. It was followed by Livestock Feeds Plc with a loss of 5.00% to close at N0.95 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Conoil Plc, Continental Reinsurance Plc and Eterna Plc. Guinness Nig. Plc re-emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 10.23% to close at N87.50 per share. It was again followed by Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc with a gain of 9.97% to close at N3.75 per share. Others on the gainers chart include: Mansard Insurance Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc and National Salt Co. Nig. Plc. On the decliners’ list, Continental Reinsurance Plc led with a loss of 4.51% to close at N1.27 per share. It was followed

by Ecobank Transnational Incorporated with a loss of 3.84% to close at N17.30 per share. Others on the decliners’ list are: Wema Bank Plc, Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc and FBN Holdings Plc.

REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯ​ͯ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

MARKET NEWS

Market Maintains Positive Streak, Records 42%Year-to-Date Growth Goddy Egene The Nigerian stock market maintained its positive performance yesterday, surging further to record a year-to-date growth of 41.9 per cent. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) advanced by 0.38 per cent to close higher at 38,144.02, while market capitalisation added N49.8 billion to close at N13.147 trillion.

The market capitalisation had the N13 trillion mark on Tuesday, barely three weeks after crossing N12 trillion. Yesterday’s positive trend was driving by sustained interest in consumer goods and banking stocks such as Nestle Nigeria Plc, Guinness Nigeria Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. In all, 21 stocks appreciated compared with 23 stocks that depreciated. However, volume and value traded rose 50.6 per

T H E

cent and 20.3 per cent to 328.7 million shares and N6.1 billion respectively.

According to analysts at Meristem Securities Limited, “despite the profit taking activities on some stocks, the market’s gain recorded at the close of trades may be attributed to the sustained rally on some large cap tickers in the consumer goods space.”

Guinness Nigeria Plc led the

N I G E R I A N

price gainers, rising by 10.2 per cent to close at N87.50 per share, trailed by Jaiz Bank Plc, which advanced by 10 per cent.

Guinness Nigeria is currently raising N39.70 billion from existing shareholders through a Rights Issue. The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Peter Ndegwa recently told the capital market community that the money would optimise the company’s balance sheet for

STO C K

future growth and continue to deliver higher returns to investors. “The proceeds of the offer would help the company repay outstanding loan obligations, improving the operational and financial flexibility. It will also allow the company to deliver on its strategic objectives and give all our shareholders a unique opportunity to increase their shareholding in the company.

Our expectation is that funds

E XC H A N G E

raised will help mitigate the impact of increasing finance costs, optimize our balance sheet and improve the company’s financial flexibility,” Ndegwa said.

Meanwhile, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc closed as the third highest price gainer, chalking up 9.9 per cent. Dangote Flour Mills Plc appreciated by 9.5 per cent, while Vitafoam Nigeria Plc garnered 5.02 per cent.

43

˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Coronation Asset Management Explains Increased Patronage of Mutual Funds The increased patronage of mutual funds in Nigeria can partly be attributed to the fact that active portfolio management by experienced professionals offer investors better prospects on their investments especially in periods of market volatility and economic downturns as is being experienced in Nigeria, making mutual funds an optimal choice.

Senior Fund Manager and Head, Coronation Asset Management, Mr. Emeka Okolo stated this while speaking on

the increased patronage of mutual funds in the country.

Total assets under management (AUM) of mutual funds in Nigeria hit N300 billion for the first time ever last year, while N42 billion inflows in first quarter (Q1) of 2017 as against the N49 billion inflow recorded in the entire 2016.

According to Okolo, apart from the improving state of the economy, stock market and interest rate fluctuations as well as much improved mutual funds offerings, investors

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

are patronising mutual funds because of benefits they get from expertise of fund managers.

Okolo said Coronation Asset Management recently floated three mutual fundsCoronation Fixed Income Fund, Coronation Money Market, and Coronation Balanced Fund- so as the offer investors more opportunities to diversify and enjoy better returns on their investments.

He said: “No one can doubt the capacity and expertise of Coronation Asset Management

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 8-August-2017, unless otherwise stated.

to deliver competitive returns to investors in the Coronation Mutual Funds. The level of professionalism and quality of investments will be difficult to match by other mutual fund managers in Nigeria and the West African sub-region. This, coupled with the proposed investment mix and the fund structures, distinguish these mutual funds. The N1.5 billion Money Market Fund, N400 million Fixed Income Fund and the N200 million Balanced Fund, were all offered at par of N1 per unit.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Coronation Merchant Bank, Tunde Folawiyo, said that the funds offer all strata of investors, individual and corporate, an opportunity to diversify their investment portfolios backed by the strength of the Coronation brand and managed by a team of experienced professionals at Coronation Asset Management.

According to the Folawiyo, the Money Market Fund will exclusively invest in short-dated money market instruments, offering capital

preservation and liquidity to investors.

“The Fixed Income Fund will invest in Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and investment grade corporate bonds while the Balanced Fund will invest in a diversified portfolio of carefully chosen equity securities with strong fundamentals and prospects of delivering long term positive investment returns, while tactically investing in fixed income securities to actively manage short term volatility in its equities exposure,” he said.

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 178.09 178.46 40.10% Nigeria International Debt Fund 232.04 232.42 9.14% 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 0.80 0.81 14.38% 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 18.66% 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 17.58 18.11 42.42% ARM Discovery Fund 367.29 378.37 27.90% ARM Ethical Fund 25.95 26.73 16.13% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.17% 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 144.36 145.37 37.25% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.05% 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 19.58% Paramount Equity Fund 11.50 11.80 22.89% Women's Investment Fund 93.52 95.92 10.55% 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 18.81% 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 1,106.82 1,107.92 9.28% FBN Heritage Fund 140.48 141.71 26.02% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.34% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $109.51 $110.45 6.48% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $108.90 $109.84 6.62% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 157.55 159.80 39.91% 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 1.35 1.38 45.21% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.82 2.82 9.68% 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 2,881.21 2,933.36 30.83% Coral Income Fund 2,317.06 2,317.06 10.11% 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 14.09% 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 18.33% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.09 2.12 24.39% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.29%

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 1.12 1.14 13.04% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,033.90 1,033.90 7.57% 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 13.34 13.44 38.00% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 19.10% 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 1.17 15.60% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.70 10.77 3.00% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 17.51% 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 124.44 130.09 24.49% 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 7.97% 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 2,167.16 2,179.45 18.35% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 161.45 161.45 4.86% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.99 1.00 29.22% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 205.55 205.55 9.98% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 177.51 179.89 36.76% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.57% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,586.57 9,695.85 26.40% 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 1.28 1.30 14.83% United Capital Bond Fund 1.37 1.37 12.26% United Capital Equity Fund 0.81 0.83 20.94% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.14 1.14 3.51% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.55 12.77 29.28% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.20 13.37 20.61% Zenith Income Fund 18.45 18.45 11.60%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 129.43

1.01% 4.40%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.25 109.04

11.35 111.09

30.24% 43.89%

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

4.53 9.08 17.47 22.64 131.86

4.57 9.16 17.57 22.84 133.86

63.57% 29.00% 46.07% 41.68% 2.28%

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.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

China Warns against Stoking Korea Tensions after Trump ‘Fury’ China responded to US President Donald Trump’s apocalyptic “fire and fury” threat against North Korea by pointedly warning on Wednesday against any rhetoric that could inflame tensions over Pyongyang’s weapons programmes.

Calling the situation on the Korean Peninsula “complicated and sensitive”, China’s foreign ministry issued a statement warnin g that parties involved in the impasse should a v o i d “ w o rd s a n d a c tions that escalate the situation”.

The ministry had

been asked to respond to Trump’s comment on Tuesday that North Korea would “be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen” if it did not refrain from further bellicose threats against the United States.

Trump’s warning came as Pyongyang said it was considering a missile strike near the US territory of Guam and after US media reported North Korea may have successfully miniaturized a nuclear warhead, considered a key step in becoming a full nuclear power.

Trump’s words marked

a sharp intensification of Washington’s rhetoric over the North’s nuclear and missile programmes, which saw a seventh set of United Nations sanctions imposed on it at the weekend, and appeared to echo Pyongyang’s own trademark threats.

Trump’s tone was markedly different to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s assurances last week that Washington was not seeking regime change in Pyongyang.

North Korea raised the stakes just hours after Trump’s warning, saying it was considering missile strikes near US strategic

military installations on the Pacific island of Guam.

Once finalised, the plan could be put into action at “any moment” once leader Kim Jong-Un made a decision, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted a military statement as saying.

China, Pyongyang’s traditional ally and biggest trading partner, has long called for the United States and North Korea to exercise restraint in the impasse and seek a negotiated solution that would de-nuclearise its s e c r e t i v e n e i g h b o u r.

S. Africa’s Zuma Counts Cost after Surviving Vote South African opposition leaders piled pressure on President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday after a parliamentary vote of no confidence exposed deep rifts in his ANC party as it readies for a leadership battle.

Zuma survived the attempt to oust him, but he was weakened after at least 30 African National Congress lawmakers voted on

Tuesday for a motion that would have forced him to resign.

The 75-year-old is due to step down as head of the party in December, and as national president before the 2019 general election.

Whoever succeeds him as party leader would be likely to be the next South African president, and Tuesday’s vote

underlined the fierce struggle for control of the party once led by anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

Zuma is seen as favouring his ex-wife, former African Union chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to take over, ahead of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“The opposition will now step up its campaign against

Zuma -- he is the symbol that they use to scare voters (away from the ANC),” Achille Mbembe, political analyst at Wits University in Johannesburg, told AFP. “This is the end of the post-colonial story when the liberation movement comes to power but then loses its legitimacy.”

THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017Ëž T H I S D AY

58

NEWS

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

Presidency: There is No Basis for Buhari to Resign

President is holding Nigeria to ransom, say protesters Senate, NLC condemn police brutality

Goddy Egene Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Nume Ekeghe Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ Olawale Ajimotokan, Damilola Oyedele Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Senator Iroegbu Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The presidency yesterday restated that there was no basis for President Muhammadu Buhari, to resign from office, saying such calls are unlawful.

Following Buhari’s absence from the country on medical vacation for over 90 days, popular musician, Charlie Boy and his group, ‘Our-Mumu-DonDo,’ have since on Monday been embarking on a peaceful protest in Abuja, demanding his return from London or resign from office.

However, speaking on ARISE Television, a THISDAY Newspapers sister broadcast network, the Senior Special Assistant to president on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said Buhari has not violated any law and therefore there was no basis for the calls for his resignation. “Honestly speaking, if they have work to do, they should go and do their business. This is because there is no basis for the demand they are making in law. The president has done the needful. The constitution says he can take this kind of leave and handed over power and so long that he has handed over power to the vice president. The National Assembly was duly notified, the constitution does not say there is time limit as to when he should return and therefore to now say he should return or resign, what is your basis for making that request.

Are you backed by the law? The president has violated no law.

What he is doing is consistent with the constitution of this country. The country should be governed by laws and not by thuggery,� Shehu said.

Although the president’s

spokesman said there was no fixed date for Buhari to return, he expressed optimism that president would return “pretty soon.�

On why the president did not speak to Nigerians via technology instead of series of visits to London, he said: “They would still have denied it. There is a saying that one who is pretending to be asleep is harder to wake up than the one who is actually sleeping. So the people who are determined not to believe, even if they see the president they would still be in that doubt. So at the right time, the president would be speaking to Nigerians.�

Speaking on the audio recording sent to Nigerians during Muslim holiday, Shehu said the recording was a private message that leaked to the media, explaining that perhaps it was not intended for a larger audience. “However, good enough it was evidence that the president was alive at the time when some people were saying the president had died. So if I had the recording privately, I would have produced this recording myself but somehow we saw it and it did serve that purpose,� he said.

On why the ailment of the president is not fully disclosed, Shehu said the president was choosing his moment. “Without being asked the last time he opened up and said what he went through for the ailment he had. The thing is that since it is not a requirement of the law, well maybe, for politics or whatever that people are demanding this notwithstanding, the president is entitled to a level of privacy. “Let me say that in fairness to the president, I think he has said as much that needs to be known. In the past, we never knew Nigerian heads of state

had headache. So for the first time, we have a president who has come out to say I am not well and is doing something others have not done before.

Nigerian presidents usually go on vacation and not surrender power to the next in command.

The president has given the reins of power to the vice president while he takes care of his health.

Nigerians should be contented that he has been as forthright as he can be with the situation and at the appropriate time, he would come clean,� he declared.

Meanwhile, despite their manhandling by the police, the ‘resume or resign’ protesters, for the third day yesterday hit the streets of Abuja, accusing Buhari of holding the nation to ransom by his absence.

They stated that acting

President Yemi Osinbajo has been unable to take concrete decisions that could move the nation forward.

The group said Osinbajo could not allocate portfolios to ministerial nominees despite the transmission of power to him, stressing that this proved that Buhari’s absence was stagnating the nation.

The protesters who held a sit-out at the Unity Fountain, Maitama, Abuja, under the wary eyes of policemen, stressed that the president is not greater than the country.

The sit-out held 24 hours after the coalition members were attacked by policemen with water cannons and tear gas canisters at the same venue.

Ariyo Atoye of the Coalition in Defence Of Nigerian Democracy

said Buhari was being propped up in power by a cabal that wanted to continue using his name to loot the national treasury. “It is the cabal that wants him (Buhari) to continue in power so they could loot the treasury.

They said power has fully been transmitted to Osinbajo but he could not even allocate portfolio to ministers,� he said.

A member of the BringBackOurGirls movement, Aisha Yesufu, criticised the police harassment, noting that the operatives should be deployed in the North-east region to fight Boko Haram insurgents rather than assaulting harmless youths.

She said the nation must move forward with or without the president, stressing that the country cannot afford to be held

down by him.

Yesufu called on Nigerians to join the #resume or resign protests to compel the government to do the right thing.

She said: “Buhari is not greater than Nigeria and he cannot continue to hold the nation to ransom because he is ill. I once said he should resign and allow another person to take over, it is not as if we hate him, we love him and we pray for his quick recovery. It is not about a person, it is about the country; ‘our mumu don do.’ Popular artist, Charlie Boy, and Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke admonished Nigerian youths to join the campaign to demand Buhari’s return or resignation, noting that the issue is about the future and well-being of

Cont’d on Pg 61

WE ARE ON OUR BACK TO POWER

L-R: Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd); Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; and National Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Dayo Adeyeye, during the meeting of PDP Convention Planning Committee in Abuja....yesterday

PDP Set to Take over Power in 2019, Says Okowa Party boycotts ward congress over dissolution of state executive in Anambra Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ David-Chyddy Eleke Ă“Ă˜ ĂĄĂ•Ă‹ The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Special Non-Elective National Convention and Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has said the party is set to take over power at the national level in 2019.

Okowa who stated this yesterday at the meeting of the Convention Planning Committee at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja, affirmed that the convention would prove an acid test for PDP’s readiness for the election.

He said the party has realised areas they didn’t meet up with the expectations of Nigerians and is now determined to make corrections and provide Nigerians with good governance anchored on accountability, rule

of law and improved welfare of the citizenry. “Yesterday, we were inaugurated with the task of organising a successful national convention for our great party, it is our hope that the various committees will set out to work immediately as we have barely few days to go. “As an organised party, I have confidence in our leaders of the various sub-committees that we will be able to deliver a successful national convention that we can all be proud of. “I trust in your abilities because I have seen a good number of committed party members who are dedicated to the cause of ensuring we return back to power in 2019,� he said.

Speaking on the preparations for Saturday’s national convention, Okowa said a lot of grounds had already

been covered by the National Caretaker Committee, adding that the planning committee only has few days to conclude the arrangement. “Our party is back alive and with the national convention, PDP will send a very strong message that will make Nigerians realise that we are very much ready to take over power come 2019,� he said Members of the planning committee, including Mr. Kelechi Igwe; John Jonah, Deputy Governors of Ebonyi and Bayelsa States and Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen, Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries of all the sub-committees attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the disciplinary committee of the PDP was sworn in yesterday and urged to commence work.

The disciplinary committee has

seven members, including Chief Tom Ikimi (Chairman), Â Hon. Austin Opara, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Mr. Victor Kwom, Hajia Inna Ciroma, Col. Bala Mande and Eyitayo Jegede.

However, the ward congresses of the PDP in Anambra State has hit the rock over protest by members over the dissolution of the state executive of the party by the National Caretaker Committee (NCC).

THISDAY visited designated wards where the congresses were billed to hold but met empty spaces, without any member or official of the party in sight.

At Otolo ward 1, Nnewi North Local Government Area, not even a single member was seen at the congress venue.

The Chairman of the ward, Mr. Sam Ojukwu, who spoke to THISDAY, said the boycott of the congress was in protest

of the dissolution of the state executives.

He wondered why the state executive would be dissolved when they were elected in the same Port Harcourt convention that produced the national caretaker committee and other state executives. “What is different in Anambra that they are dissolving us? Is it because we are going into election? The only solution is for PDP to reinstate the state executive if it wants to make any impact in the election.�

Ojukwu said the ward has prominent PDP members like Chief ABC Nwosu, Sam Ben Nwosu, Olisa Metuh and others.

At Orsumenyi Ward 2, Mr. Marcel Okeke told THISDAY that it was the ward of a PDP chieftain, Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu. He repeated that the best way for the party to

make headway is for the national leadership to renounce its position.

An official of the party who identified himself simply as Andy, and chairman of all local government party chairmen in the state accused the national leadership of the party of plotting to trade PDP to other parties in the state because of the governorship election that is forthcoming.

He said, “Go and look at the history of PDP in this state, they always dissolve state executive once election is approaching.

They do this after collecting money from other party’s candidate just to sabotage their own party. “What they have done is a soft way of asking PDP not to participate in the forthcoming election. We know them too well, and that is too bad.�

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Anambra Attack: Death Toll Rises to 13 as Church Releases Full List of Victims Ohanaeze seeks probe of killings

Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË áÓÞÒ ËÑÏØÍã ÜÏÚÙÜÞ The Catholic Diocese of Nnewi has released the names of victims of the attack on St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, in Anambra State.

The church was attacked last Sunday by a lone gunman who killed 12 worshippers while 18 others were injured.

The attack was believed to be a fall out of a gang war between two indigenes of the community, which is in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement issued by Bishop of the diocese, Hilary

Odili Okeke, and obtained by The Cable, the church indicated that the death toll in the attack had risen to 13.

While soliciting for funds for the care of the victims, the diocese said it had opened a bank account in that regards.

“Anybody, parish, institution, company, society, association or group that would like to join the diocese in providing assistance to the victims and their families can send their contributions,” the statement read.

“We shall keep accurate records of contribution and distribution of the funds.”

It listed the 22 surviving

Kwara: All Pension Money Paid to Saraki Has Been Returned Hammed Shittu ÓØ ÖÙÜÓØ The Kwara State Government yesterday revealed that the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, had stopped collecting pension and returned all money paid to him as a former governor of the state.

It added that Saraki had stopped collecting the money since August 2015 and had returned all he collected prior to that time In a statement issued in Ilorin by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Gold, the state government said it was important to make the clarification against the backdrop of the controversy that greeted the payment and stoppage of pension of Saraki as a former governor of the state.

Gold said it was Saraki who considered the morality the situation would put him, “since he was still a serving senator and chose to abandon his legal rights,” adding that he should be commended for the decision.

The statement read: “The attention of Kwara State Government has been drawn to issues surrounding the payment of pensions to former governors of the state, especially the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki. As a result, the state government wishes to make the following clarifications: “That Saraki, as a twoterm governor, is entitled to pension as stipulated by the third schedule, Paragraph D (i) of the Governor and Deputy Governor ((payment of pension) Law, No. 12 of 2010 of Kwara State.

“That the said pension has been duly remitted to his account, like other former governors’, since he left office but via a letter dated August 20, 2015, addressed to the state government, Saraki requested that the payment of pension to his account be stopped and the amount already credited to the account be refunded to the government, the state government promptly complied.

“That the government not

only stopped the payment of the said pension, the amount already paid into Saraki’s account since he left office was deducted from the money owed to him as well as his other outstanding lawful entitlements.

“In view of the foregoing, it should be noted that neither the Kwara State Government nor Saraki violated the state pension law or any other law for that matter. The state pension law empowers the state government to pay pension to former governors of the state.

“That the state government will want to reiterate the fact that it was Saraki who on his own volition considered the morality of the situation in which the pension would put him since he is still a serving senator and chose to abandon his legal rights. We believe he should be commended for decision.

“That it is the hope of the state government that this clarification will end all the controversy about this issue.”

Meanwhile, an Ilorin-based socio-political group, Kwara Agenda, has accused a Lagosbased lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), of being in habit of accusing others while also covering his own deals.

In a statement issued in Ilorin, signed by its Coordinator, Mallam Yusuf Olatunji, and made available to journalists yesterday, the group said it noted that the legal luminary, Falana, had been very loud about the issue of payment of pension to former governors which the Senate President, is entitled to by law but he has on his volition abandoned the entitlement.

“It is easy for people like Falana to grandstand and play to the gallery by issuing statements accusing others and making demands on others. However, our position is that he who goes to equity must go with clean hands. You cannot demand probity and accountability from others while you hide some information about your transactions and financial dealings, particularly since a government agency or commission is being alleged to have been involved.”

victims as: Ikegwuonu Caroline, Nwakile Anthonia, Okoye Odinaka, Okoye Patricia, Isaac Chinedu, Ugochi Obiajulu, Chukwueloka Chineze, Oramadike Chioma, Azuka Basil, Oramadike Chiamaka, and Oramadike Chinagorom.

Others are Oramadike Chinecherem, Udegbunam Chidimma, Ndulue Samuel, Udegbunam Obiageli, Uchechukwu Chukwueloka, Nwanya Ngozi, Ngwuta Chinemelum, Asomba Chukwudum, Nnudule Leonard, Muomah Michael and Oramadike Favour.

Two of them have been discharged while others are in different wards in the hospital.

The church also released the names of those who died.

They are: Cyprian Ikegwuonu, Hyacinth Oramadike, Cecilia Ewin, Eunice Akanigbo, Rose Okoye, Anulika Obunadike and

Uchenna Obunadike.

Others are: Anthonia Ufondu, Oluchukwu Uhelu, Christiana Igbeja, Udeze Pauline, Victoria Uzokwe and Florence Nweke.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the apex socio-political organisation of the Igbo ethnic group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has demanded a thorough investigation of the massacre of innocent church worshippers.

The group described the attack as despicable and horrendous.

Ohanaeze said it would want the Catholic Church to be part of the investigation in order to get to the genesis of the incident in particular as well as locate the reason for such “strange sacrilegious” crime in Igboland According to a statement from its media office signed by its President-General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, the Igbo highest group said it was yet to come

out of the shock of the “mindless and appalling crime.”

The group leader said: “The variety of the angles emerging as the likely cause of the incident make thorough and unhindered investigation on the matter inevitable and imperative.”

Nwodo said getting to the root of the matter is the only way to nip this type of grievous crime in the bud.

“In Igboland and indeed the entire Christendom, the Church is known as the custodian of peace and reconciliation, and not for violence, therefore, this is why the August 6 devilish attack on the church remains shocking and strange,” he added.

While condoling with the bereaved and sympathising with the injured, Nwodo urged the people of Ozubulu particularly and the Catholic worshippers to remain calm and await the outcome of the investigations

and should avoid taking the law into their hands.

Also, Senator Annie Okonkwo has passionately charged the police and all security agencies of the state to solve the riddle of the attack quickly and comprehensively.

“This new zenith in criminal sacrilege must be crushed with vehemence, solved with speed and nipped without ceremony, so that confidence can tarry and anarchy kept at bay,” he cautioned.

Okonkwo who was reacting through his Adviser on Public Communications, Collins Steve Ugwu, said “because lamentations are not solutions, and tears are lame to justice, the real condolence to everybody that is hurt in this matter, is a swift apprehension of the culprits and their sponsors however remote, to be burnt by the fiery rage of our laws promptly and decisively.

SITE INSPECTION

R-L: Managing Director, Eko Atlantic, David Frame; Founder, CLG Securities, Niran Aderogba; Humphrey Nwugo; and Directors, Syndications, Afreximbank, Irfan Azal, at a site infrastructure inspection of Eko Atlantic City in Lagos...recently

Lassa Fever: Lagos Places 22 More Persons under Surveillance Martins Ifijeh The Lagos State Government swelled the number of persons placed under surveillance over the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state by 22 yesterday, stating though, that none of the 100 workers of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) under watch since Tuesday had tested positive for the deadly disease.

The fresh 22 were persons from Ikorodu who had contact with the index case and are currently under close observation, the Director of Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Eniola Eniosho, said.

He noted that the index case was originally being treated in Divine Grace Hospital, Imota, Ikorodu, where about 22 persons had direct contact with her, adding that such suspected cases had been put on close monitoring since the past two weeks.

Stating this during a press

briefing on updates of the outbreak in Lagos yesterday, he said so far, none of the 22, and the other 100 cases formerly reported in the media had come down with any sign or symptom of the virus.

Eniosho said: “Today makes it day 14 and none has come down with fever. By day 21, which is the last day of surveillance, we can then say we have contained the virus in the state.

“We gave all those under surveillance thermometers so they can record their temperatures, at least twice daily, by themselves. Those in LUTH have been reporting their results to the hospital management.

“Also, the three confirmed cases, including the resident doctor are in the surveillance unit in LUTH and they are responding well to treatment.

Their treatment is positive because they presented early, unlike the other two cases that died,” he explained.

On the two corpses, he

said that of the late pregnant woman had been taken out of LUTH for proper burial, while the remaining corpse in the hospital would be buried by the Lagos State government as a precautionary measure against spreading the virus.

The Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode, said the two persons who died in the hospital presented late, making it impossible for the hospital to successfully treat them.

Assuring that there was no reason for panic, he said the country had first-rate medical teams that were quite capable of effectively controlling the ongoing Lassa fever cases.

He said: “Nigeria overcame the dreaded Ebola virus, a viral disease that is 100 times deadlier than Lassa. So there is no reason for anyone to panic. However, we are taking the treatment of the suspected cases seriously. We even brought in a psychologist to talk to them.

“We want to assure Nigerians

that training has commenced among our workers, and additional space has been readied for any likely cases from within or without the hospital, and we are working closely with the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, and the Federal Ministry of Health as well,” he added.

He said the three confirmed cases were currently doing fine and responding to treatment.

Bode commended the selflessness of the hospital’s nurses, especially Moji Ayorinde, who according to him, remained resolute in the care of the patients.

“Doctors from various departments also rose up as one to care for their colleagues. I specifically also commend Dr. Opawoye and Dr. Akinbode, two gallant residents in training for their effectiveness in containing this outbreak,” he stated.

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N30tn: Senate C’ttee Claims Firms Admitted Complicity in Revenue Loss Meets CEOs behind closed doors Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË The Senate Joint Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff and Marine Transport has claimed that some companies invited in the course of its investigations into the alleged N30 trillion revenue leakages in the Nigerian Customs Services (NCS) and other agencies, have admitted to conniving with cabals in the agencies to commit fraud.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who made the claim at a press briefing yesterday, however did not mention the companies that have admitted complicity to defraud the federal government.

This is as the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of 11 companies met with the committee members behind closed doors yesterday, five days after the committee said it had ordered their arrests alongside 22 other CEOs, over their failure to appear at the probe despite invitations to

them.

The companies whose CEOs appeared are Dana Group, China Export, Emel Group, Halliburton, Bhojson Plc, Bharat Ventures Ltd, Bua International Ltd, Friesland Campina, Boulos Group, CFAO Group and British American Tobacco Company.

Journalists were not privy to the details of the proceedings yesterday, or several proceedings that have been held by the committee.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Uzodimma said the proceedings for the investigation have been holding behind closed doors, so as not to reveal trade secrets.

“You must have observed that we now decided to take the companies one after the other rather than the general group thing. The reason is that some of the companies approached the committee and have expressed their willingness to support our investigation because the

process of the investigation may require them revealing some of their trade secrets.

“In order not to breach the secrecy that has to do with their business modules, we agreed to their terms because our interest is to achieve result.

Some of the companies that appeared before us today have also committed to our success by way of making some admissions here and there. We don’t want to create unnecessary panic in the market.”

“Some of the companies are public quoted companies.

So our interest is to confront them with the infractions we identified that their companies are involved in, and to resolve issues going forward to ensure government collects necessary revenues that have not been collected before this time and then block the areas of leakages in such a manner that our national interest will

be protected.

“If there is anybody who is still in doubt whether there are recoverable revenues of government in the hands of these companies, by the admission of some of them, it means that the person should better wake up,” Uzodimma added.

According to him, “this investigation is a mandate from plenary and is ongoing but we will not disclose everything now because there things we will do or say that will mar the success of the investigation. We are not shrouding anything in secret.”

Uzodimma called on Nigerians to support the Senate, as it is working for the interest of Nigerians.

“This job seems to be a thankless one but for the interest of our country, it has become necessary that we make the sacrifice and that is what we are doing. What

we are doing and showing by this investigation is that the country can be better and that we can move from where we are now to where we expect the country to be,” he said.

The committee chairman added that the committee would not back down on its insistence that all the invited CEOs must appear before it to explain the roles of their companies in the alleged fraud.

“Initially, some of these agencies of government and some private companies were reluctant in attending or honouring the Senate invitation. With the threat and the support of the police, they have all responded. We have seen 11 of them today and we will continue until we have exhausted all the companies.

“The public is also interested in this investigation and you know the stock exchange is an important platform for trade in Nigeria. There is a signal we

will get to the market that will destroy the image and integrity of these companies.

“From what we are seeing from some of the infractions. even now that they are willing to make up their shortcomings were committed by some of the agents that were authorised to carry out some of these activities on their behalf,” he added.

Uzodimma gave the assurance that there would be a more comprehensive press conference at the end of the exercise to reveal the outcome of the probe.

The committee at its initial hearing, alleged that revenue worth over N30 billion has been lost to activities of a cabal at the ports, who connive with officials to carry out the infractions in daily transactions at the ports, commercial banks, shipping companies, terminal owners and operators.

Buhari’s 2015 Campaign Official in Kano Dumps APC for PDP Ibrahim Shuaibu ÓØ ËØÙ President Muhammadu Buhari active campaigner in Kano, Alhaji Ibrahim Al Amin, has dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State.

Ibrahim, who is also a former Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Kano, said he decided to dumped the APC for its inability to redeem all its campaign promises to the electorate.

He disclosed that the President Buhari administration has marginalised the northern part of the country despite the votes they gave to him in 2015 elections.

“Although I do not regret supporting and voting for Buhari, I cannot remain in the party because it is not running the country properly.

I hold Buhari in high esteem but he is not in control of the present government.

“President Buhari is not in control of his government since he fell ill, and some people have taken the advantage and control the government,” he said.

Speaking with journalists in Kano, Ibrahim said his defection to the PDP was borne out his conviction that APC had not been able to fulfilled all the promises it made to electorate.

“I am highly disappointed in the APC because it has reneged on the promises it made to Nigerians. What we have been accusing other political parties of doing, are

what APC is now doing. There is poverty everywhere and the APC is not doing anything to bail the masses out.

“I am in politics to serve my people directly or indirectly, and I am not comfortable with the way the ruling party is handling the affairs of Nigerians,” he further stated.

Ibrahim lamented that “our major problem is that our political parties are not based on ideologies.

“I am disappointed with the administration after all the votes provide to Buhari by North-west but the region is shortchanged in term of execution of developmental projects.

“My expectation is government will reciprocate the region with laudable projects but unfortunately, the government is being under the control of some southerners.

“My cross carpeting has been from the ruling parties to oppositions and on three occasions, I held a party to win election. I am not in politics to use political office to make financial gains but I am in politics to have the opportunity to serve the people.

“I have no reason to remain in the party that disappointed Nigerians and the party failed to improve the economic development of the people of the country rather contributed to hardship among the populace.”

Ibrahim assured his followers that he is in the politic for service to people either directly or indirectly.

BRIEFING THE PRESS

L-R: Representative of African Union (AU), Anjela Marthins; President/Producer, African Music Award (AFRIMA), Mike Dada; Jurists from South Africa, Chris Syren; Hadaja Kobele, from Cameroon and Bob Ekukole from Cote D’ Ivoire, during a world media briefing to announce the 2017 nominees for African Music Awards, in Lagos....yesterday

Enelamah: Customs, Agencies Must Obey Presidential Orders Apparently worried by the frustrations faced by industrialists in the hands of the Nigerian Customs, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah, has frowned at the unnecessary bureaucracy and bottlenecks enthroned by the agency in dealing with investors.

The minister, who was in Calabar on a one-day working visit to the Calabar Free Trade Zone (CFTZ), said the first thing is to make life easier for investors in terms of their operations, to ensure they are not unduly troubled.

Apparently not happy with the manner the officers

delayed opening of containers for the country’s digital switchover and Surface Mount Technology SMT lines belonging to Gospell Digital despite presidential directives, Enelamah said this does not augur well for business in the country as the customs are not independent of the federal government.

He said: “When I talk about presidential order on ease of doing business, it is all about implementation. It is a culture of service that we need. As a people, we are all guilty, in the sense that we have not had a culture of service to the degree that we should, and I think as a country, we should change.”

On his part, the Group Managing Director, Gospell Digital, Godfrey Ohuabuma, expressed happiness that the minister witnessed the discharge and opening of the multi billion naira factory equipment which is already providing jobs for over 800 fresh university graduates.

The equipment is the latest technology in the production and assembly of mobile phones, electricity meters, tablets, television sets and other electronic devices which were hitherto produced by the Asian tigers.

The equipment had earlier arrived Apapa Ports since late June and was cleared

to proceed to Calabar.

The eight trucks laden with the equipment did not arrive Calabar till last Thursday evening.

However, the offloading had to wait because of the customs delay.

A mild drama ensued with the arrival of the minister who directed them to open the containers without further delay.

The customs boss who was nowhere to be found suddenly emerged even as a junior officer had accompanied the equipment from Apapa to Calabar with all the documents but disappeared as soon as it arrived the zone.

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Tribal Threats Not Healthy for Nigeria, Says Rawlings Oyegun: Hate speeches fallout of 2015 presidential election

Chinedu Eze ÓØ ËÑÙÝ ËØÎ Onyebuichi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË Former Ghanaian President, Jerry John Rawlings, has advised Nigerians to stop threatening one another on tribal and ethnic grounds, saying such amounts to the invitation of warfare which is not only unhealthy for the country but a disincentive for national political development.

Rawlings said given Nigeria’s multi ethnic and tribal configuration, tribal or ethnic threats were a recipe for social disharmony.

Expressing his disdain for the build up of such threats, Rawlings said he is not comfortable with such negative development, rearing its ugly head in Nigeria urging agitators hiding under tribal and ethnic considerations to forthwith desist from such practices.

Rawlings spoke yesterday in Lagos after attending the 12th

Annual Lecture organised by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Ekiti State branch.

He urged Nigerians to stop the ethnic war and help one another so as to foster harmonious co-existence.

Rawlings advised Nigerians to consider electing people with leadership integrity into public offices.

He said as much as Nigerians desire performance based leadership, the people could sustain good leadership if they vote rightly.

Rawlings said the challenge of governance in Africa bothers on leadership without character.

He said: “By character, I mean distinctive qualities that overcome the challenges we have as constituencies and organisations. Let’s learn to be gracious. I am sad over the mean behaviour of my fellow black man. African countries are

AU, AFRIMA Jury Unveil AFRIMA 2017 Nominees List

plagued with several challenges such as agriculture, deforestation, bad economy, governance, education amongst others.”

He also said he is worried by the classification of Nigeria and Ghana in terms of high rate of corruption by Transparency International (TI).

Rawlings said: “Transparency International shows that countries in the South South region of Africa failed to address corruption and that Ghana and Nigeria rate high in corruption indices. However, some leaders have the will but not the character to fight corruption.

The fight against corruption in Nigeria calls for integrity and wise approach so that it will not conflict with the lives of the people.”

He said when Nigeria fights corruption rightly, it will not only do well for Nigeria but Africa and the world generally, because of its population.

“Nigeria has the pride and integrity. Most African countries cannot meddle with you people,” Rawlings said.

In his speech, the guest lecturer, Dr. Makanjuola Owolabi said Nigeria’s past till now can best be summarised as one of bad leadership with mediocrity.

Mediocre leadership, he said is the exact opposite of what Nigeria needs to urgently drive her progress and development.

Meanwhile, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said the rising wave of hate speech, negative religious and ethnic utterance and actions as is currently being experienced in the country is a fallout of the 2015 presidential election which should not be allowed to continue.

In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday, Oyegun described perpetrators of hatespeeches, images and songs currently circulating in part of the country as worst perpetrators of terrorist activity than Boko Haram insurgents.

Reacting to the audio recording which he described as “dangerous and despicable,”

the APC National Chairman called on security agencies to promptly apprehend those behind the recording and other similar acts, “no matter who they are.”

He said: “Every ethnic-based crises of whatever nature had started with hate speech. When people within the same country frame and define one another in the manner intended to set them up for violent attack, then they are setting themselves up for a major disaster.

“The ‘merchants of hate’ don’t know or just don’t care about the consequences of the fire they are stoking in the country. But they have the experiences of other countries to learn from. Rwanda remains a classic example on our continent. “However, even as terrible as Rwanda was, it would be nothing compared to what could happen if a huge country like Nigeria is allowed to fall into the disaster of hate-driven conflict. This is why we must all rise, regardless of our political differences and condemn these ugly and shameful acts with

one voice.”

Odigie-Oyegun observed that even though ethnic distrust is not new in the country, the rising wave of hate speech, negative religious and ethnic utterance and actions as is currently being experienced, is part of the fallouts of the 2015 presidential election.

“Anyone participating in an election knows that there could only be two outcomes, you win or you lose. When you lose, you prepare for the next election. What we have seen however is that since 2015, some politicians and political groups have carried on as if they wish the country itself to collapse just because they are no longer in power.

This is tragic indeed,” he said.

The APC chief appealed to the Acting President to direct the security agencies to ensure that those behind these odious acts are promptly arrested and swiftly brought to justice, saying “we cannot sit idle and watch a few disgruntled individuals destroy our democracy, and God forbids, the nation that we all fought hard to achieve and build.”

Public voting to commence on August 21 African Union Commission (AUC) and the 13-man jury of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has unveiled the nominees list for the 2017 edition of AFRIMA, the continent’s biggest music awards on August 8, 2017, in Ikeja, Lagos State The highly anticipated nominees list for the 2017 AFRIMA Awards which has the biggest acts on the continent was announced in the presence of officials of the AUC, members of the AFRIMA jury comprising of Charles Tabu (DRC), Robert E. Ekukole (Cameroun). Christian Syren (South Africa), David Tayorault (Cote de Voire), Olisa Adibua (Nigeria), Joett Namatta (Tanzania), Tabu Osusa (Kenya), Hadja Kobélé Keita (Guinea) and Omar Es Saidi (Morocco), members of the international committee of AFRIMA, past AFRIMA winners and nominees, media executives and other stakeholders in the creative and entertainment industries in Africa.

According to Cyren, the juror from Southern Africa, 4,816 entries from African music professionals and music artistes were received at the close of a two-month entry submission window on July 17.

He described the nominations process as rigorous and thorough, as he emphasised on the jury’s resolve to be fair and transparent in line with the AFRIMA values of fairness, authenticity, creativity, excellence, integrity, transparency (FACEIT).

Charles Tabu, AFRIMA’s juror from Democratic Republic of Congo, harped on the need for music lovers in Africa to explore different genre of music from all regions on the continent.

Commenting on a question of

the criteria of nominees, Ekukole from Cameroon, representing Central Africa, reiterated that “the nominees were picked based on production quality, talent and creativity, melody, originality and authenticity, composition and arrangement.

It has to do with the quality of music not on the number of views from any online video platform, some songs from certain regions have more than half a billion views and would have garnered the awards based on such sentiment, but it is not so. It has to do with quality.”

Head of Culture Division, AUC, Ms. Angela Martins, noted that the adjudication process was a comprehensive and superb work of the jurors.

She also observed the great improvement of the submissions this year, as it is more L-R: Managing Director AITEO, Chike Onyejekwe; C.E.O. Frontier Oil, Mr S.D. Thomas; CEO, SEPLAT, Austin Avuru; GM External Affairs & impressive than previous years. and Mineral Resources, Taofiq Tijani, Communications SEPLAT, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku; and former Lagos State, Commissioner for Energy “This robust submission at SEPLAT Stand at the recent Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) this year clearly shows the 2017 in Lagos....recently appreciation and recognition of the music awards,” as she noted that the AUC is geared PRESIDENCY: THERE IS NO BASIS FOR BUHARI TO RESIGN towards investing in the youths by involving them in the African the nation. for any reasons, despite its a manner as to disturb public relatively done well with Union 2063 Agenda, which Meanwhile, the Senate and condemnation of the aim of peace, it is not right for the regards to public protests in intends to make the youths the Nigeria Labour Congress the protest. police to brutalise the people as recent times, was to sit it out evolve a desire and expertise (NLC) have condemned the He also called on the they reportedly did yesterday with these protesters. in the needed developmental brutal use of force by the police to review its rule of (Tuesday),” According to him, “the resort facets of Africa in all areas. Ms. Nigeria Police last Tuesday, to engagement.

Also, the NLC has to violent dispersal is not only Martins also reiterated the AU disperse protesters who were Abdullahi said the protest condemned the use of water a violation of the rights of the and AFRIMA’s objectives of demanding the resumption or was intended to force the cannons, tear gas and other protesters and norms of civilised unity among African artistes resignation of President Buhari, president to resign or terminate offensive means by the police behaviour but a smirch on the and the need for continental following his prolonged medical his medical vacation. to disperse peacefully protesting record of Inspector General of integration while celebrating vacation in London.

The statement read further: citizens against the absence of our Police, Ibrahim Idris, who during its rich music and heritage. his oath of office had assured The Senate however “While we are opposed to president.

The best female artistes and maintained The General Secretary of NLC, Nigerians that the police under its stance the subject of the protest, best male artistes of the five opposing the calls for the the Senate acknowledges Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, in a statement his watch would police in line regions have been released president’s resignation by the the fact that the protesters yesterday, said the right to peaceful with democratic culture.” while the nominees in the #OurMumuDonDo protesters. have the constitutional right protest is guaranteed by the 1999 To this end, the NLC scribe continental categories will be advised the police to respect In a statement by its to gather and express their Constitution (as amended). announced onAugust 11,2017. spokesman, Senator Sabi views in a manner that will This right, Ozo-Eson noted, has this fundamental rights of Public voting for the nominees Abdullahi, yesterday, the Senate not breach public peace, order been affirmed by the courts citizens to freely assemble and in the different categories of the said it would not support any and tranquility. Since the ‘Our- of the land. peacefully protest, irrespective awards will open on August violation of the fundamental Mumu-Don-Do’ protesters did He said what was expected of the subject matter of such 21 on www.afrima.org. human rights of Nigerians not conduct themselves in such of the police, who have actions.

PETROLEUM MANAGERS

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THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Okagbare Leaps into Long Jump Final Brume fails to make the cut at first hurdle Duro Ikhazuagbe Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor last night proved she should not be written off yet from winning a medal at the ongoing 16th IAAF World Championships in London as she jumped her way into the final of the women’s Long Jump event.

After failing to find her form in the 100m where she failed to progress from the semi final, the double sprint champion at the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, leapt 6.51m in her second jump to book a place in the final slated for Friday night at the Olympic Stadium.

That jump was an improvement over the 6.21m with which she opened the qualifying race on a wet evening at the Championships.

She finished eight in the overall standing.

Now, Okagbare who won a World Championships silver at the same field event four years ago in Moscow, Russia will be gunning to add another medal to her collection in the final.

She is no stranger to the big stage of the long jump, having won a bronze in her first Olympic Games in Beijing, China in 2008. That bronze was later elevated to silver when the Russian girl, Tatyana Lebedeva, who won the silverware tested positive for dope.

Okagbare’s 6.51m mark is however the lowest qualifying mark by a Nigerian in the history of the championships, falling behind the 6.68m Christy Opara-Thompson jumped to qualify for the final of the event in 1991 in Tokyo, Japan.

Policewoman Chioma Ajunwa holds the best qualifying mark by a Nigerian with her 7.01m mark in Athens, Greece in 1997. It is also the second longest qualifying mark by a woman in the history of the championships after Fiona May’s 7.04m leap in 1999.

Okagbare’s compatriot, Ese Brume, failed to overcome her sloppy pre-championships form as she crashed out of the competition.

The Nigerian’s 6.38m third and final round leap was not enough as she finished 17th in the overall classification.

Also in fray for podium placement is three-time world champion Britney Reese, reigning world and Olympic champion Tatiana Bartoleta (USA), Darya Klishna (Russia competing as a neutral athlete), Lorraine Ugen (Britain) and Ivana Spanovic of Serbia.

They all came through the qualification test for places in the final as none of the 12 qualifiers failed to hit the 6.70m qualification mark under the atrocious condition at the Olympic stadium in London.

Meanwhile, Botswana’s Isaac Makwala who was stopped from racing the 400m final on Tuesday night placed second in the first semi final of the men’s 200m.

He remains very bitter over the IAAF decision to stop him from the quarter mile where he was a potential medalist. ““I put everything on God after what happened yesterday (the IAAF decision on Tuesday).

“I’m still running with my heart broken. I wish the IAAF had given me the decision to run the 400m first.

I was ready to run. I don’t know who made the decision. 400m is my reason for training. ““I’m running with anger. 400m is my race. But thanks to the crowd, they were amazing. Thanks to IAAF for letting me run today,” concludes Makwala on a note of sarcasm

Leicester Coach Tips Iheanacho, Vardy Perfect Striking Partners Leicester City boss, Craig Shakespeare, has insisted that new signing Kelechi Iheanacho, could be a perfect strike partner for fellow front man, Jamie Vardy.

The Foxes recently completed a £25m deal with Manchester City for the striker’s signature, leaving Iheanacho to provide an assist for Vardy during his first friendly appearance for the club against Borussia

Neymar’s Debut for PSG Suffers Another Delay Neymar’s Paris St-Germain debut could be delayed again as French football authorities have still not received clearance following his world record 222m euro (£200m) move from Barcelona.

The Spanish football federation has until tonight to send the necessary documents, according to the LFP which runs France’s Ligue 1.

If the deadline is missed, Neymar won’t play for PSG at Guingamp on Sunday.

LFP has told BBC Sport “an official procedure” is being launched with FIFA. But FIFA says it has not been contacted by French authorities about Neymar. The Spanish football federation is yet to comment.

Brazilian Neymar, 25, has already had to miss Saturday’s Ligue 1 win over Amiens.

Transfers between clubs in different countries must include FIFA’s International

Blessing Okagbare’s best jump of 6.51m qualified her for the final event of the women’s Long Jump at the ongoing 16th IAAF World Championships in London… yesterday

Transfer Certificate (CIT). It is this document that the French football authorities are yet to receive.

“The Spanish federation of football has until Thursday night to send the CIT to the French federation of football, who send it back to the French professional football league, and then Neymar can play with PSG this weekend”, an LFP statement said.

Neymar’s move to France has been troubled since the release clause in his contract was triggered.

Spain’s La Liga believes PSG are violating UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and Barcelona previously said they would report the French club to European football’s governing body, UEFA, for a FFP breach.

PSG believes La Liga is acting unlawfully, while the LFP said it was “surprised” and urged the Spanish federation to “abide by the FIFA rules”.

Monchengladbach last week.

“They can play together, most definitely. You’ve seen how they linked up, and good players can. I think having the depth in the squad is

important,” said Shakespeare.

“I thought he was really unselfish for a player making his debut. You would probably think he might take that chance himself, but to spot Jamie, to

play that in with the weight of pass he did for Jamie to finish it, it shows his awareness and his unselfishness.”

Iheanacho picked up a slight knock during Leicester’s 2-1

win over Monchengladbach, but could make an appearance off the bench when the Foxes open their Premier League campaign against Arsenal tomorrow night.

Western Union Becomes Liverpool FC Partner The Western Union Company and Liverpool FC yesterday announced a multi-year partnership that will see Western Union, a leader in global payment and money transfer services, become an Official Principal Partner and the Official Money Transfer Partner of Liverpool FC. They will also become the club’s first-ever official shirt sleeve sponsor - with the Western Union logo appearing on it.

As the official Money Transfer Partner of Liverpool FC, Western Union will use its global crossborder digital transfer and payments platform to provide money transfer capabilities to the club. Western Union will offer fast, easy digital payments and money transfers for Liverpool FC and its fans, linking them to their home communities or to virtually anywhere in the world.

President of Global Payments at Western Union, Jean-Claude Farah, stressed yesterday that the businesses of Western Union and Liverpool FC are both driven by passion in bringing communities together, whether through moving money or delivering the excitement of football experiences.

“This partnership goes far beyond a badge on a shirt, as we will be bringing our digital money transfer expertise to better

Liverpool FC’s Sadio Mané, James Milner, Georginio Wijanaldum and Jordan Henderson show off the club’s first ever shirt-sleeve sponsor, Western Union, at Anfield Stadium connect Liverpool FC and fans around the world,” observed Farah.

Billy Hogan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director at Liverpool FC said: “Western Union is an instantly recognisable brand with a truly global footprint and we are absolutely delighted to welcome them as our first ever Shirt Sleeve Sponsor and official Principal Partner.

“We are very much looking forward to working with Western Union through this partnership to create new experiences and

opportunities for our fans both in the UK and abroad.”

The two organisations mirror each other in their storied histories and truly global followings. Just as football powerfully transcends borders and brings people together, Western Union has a 160-year global brand history of connecting customers across more than 200 countries and territories.

The 125-year-old Liverpool football club has more than 700 million active followers globally across television, social and

traditional media.

The partnership will see Western Union benefit from a diverse range of LFC marketing and promotional rights, including digital and social media support, pitch side LED messaging, and branding across Anfield Stadium, its fan lounge and the club’s media channels. Also included are exclusive hospitality and conference opportunities, and access to International pre-season tours, Liverpool FC players and Legends.

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Thursday, August 10, 2017

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Price: N250

MISSILE Charley Boy to Senators It is disheartening for the Senators who ought to ask questions to be the very ones supporting such show of shame. Indeed, the feeling out here based on their position is that they are nothing but Buhari’s errand boys —Mr Charles Oputa (Charley Boy), leader of the civil society coalition demanding that the ailing President Muhammadu Buhari either return to the country from UK or resign from office

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Murder in the Cathedral F

irst performed in 1935, ‘Murder in the Cathedral’ is a play by the 20th century British playwright and social critic, T. S. Eliot which tells the story of the assassination in 1170 AD of Archbishop Thomas Beckett by loyalists of the then British monarch, Henry II. In writing the drama, Eliot was said to have drawn heavily from the account of Edward Grim, a clerk who witnessed the tragic event in Canterbury Cathedral and recorded it for posterity. Although the play dwells largely on a confrontation between the Church and State, with Archbishop Beckett willing to pay the supreme sacrifice, it also contains some embedded lessons which speak to contemporary times in Nigeria.

First, let me commiserate with the families that are now grieving as a result of the killings during an early morning mass at St Phillips Catholic Church, Ozubulu last Sunday. My thoughts and prayers are with them as I pray God to grant recovery to those that are still in the hospital. While I hope the security agencies will get to the root of the matter and bring all the culprits (including those outside the shores of the country) to book, the greater work will be how to heal and reconcile the people of Ozubulu community after what has just happened.

If, as Governor Willie Obiano said in his broadcast to the people of Anambra State on Monday, what happened was a “dangerous GANG WAR that has spilled over to Anambra State from another African country” then the authorities must be alert to the possibilities of reprisal attacks. That is also a challenge for the political and traditional authorities in Anambra State so the community does not continue to witness a spiral of violence and needless blood-letting. Even at that, the Ozubulu tragedy should not be treated as an isolated incident for it is in many respects a reflection of the state of our nation. Last Saturday, some suspected Badoo cult members, disguised as worshippers, reportedly smashed the head of a woman right inside a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Igbo Agbowa, Ibeshe in Ikorodu area of Lagos after a prayer night vigil.

However, it must be stated quickly that the star actor in the Ozubulu tragedy, an alleged South Africa-based drug baron who has reportedly built schools, churches and constructed roads evidently from proceeds of crime, is an antithesis of the martyred Canterbury Archbishop in Eliot’s play. In a nation where both justice and affordable healthcare have been priced beyond the reach of the poor, as Dr Chidi Odinkalu hinted in his Twitter post on Monday, the only place many Nigerians now find succour is in the House of God. That some criminally-minded persons would now turn such a place to their battleground demonstrates just how low we have sunk as a nation.

Given the way he dealt with the ‘Four Tempters’, the archbishop in T.S. Eliot’s play also teaches that there are certain compromises that are just unacceptable in God’s sanctuary.

The lesson here is that religious leaders should not only stand against the excesses of the state, they must also act as moral compass for the society such that people of questionable characters do not use places of worship to launder ill-gotten wealth. But that is not where I am going today. What particularly worries is the denial that has become part of our ideology as a society. When the news first broke, it was difficult for some people to accept that the killer was from their community, especially given

The Ozubulu Church frontage the location of the crime: a church. But it shouldn’t have been too difficult to accept given the growing nature of organized crime in many of our cities--the sort of things you watch on CNN and imagine can never happen in our country.

The late Chike Akabogu, one of the most gifted writers of his generation, once wrote about how Nigerians like to delude themselves that they are different; that bad things that occur elsewhere have no place in our country. Borrowing from Akabogu’s thesis, I once argued on this page that the philosophy of ‘it can never happen here’ is actually responsible for our state of unpreparedness for any eventuality.

Yet for us to develop, we must accept that anything can happen here, from criminality and violence to calamities like earthquake, Tsunami etc. as forces of nature rage everywhere in the world.

As pessimistic as it may sound, that is the way most serious countries now think by building negative scenarios and working to ensure they do not happen; while also planning towards mitigating such occurrences in the event that they do. But by living in denial of anything and everything, we prevent ourselves from learning useful lessons. That is why we were surprised that we now have suicide bombers in our midst. Because we never came to terms with the fact that if it could happen elsewhere, it can also happen in our country. And now we have a situation in which Nigerian drug barons who ply their trade outside our shores are bringing their fights home with the security agencies, as usual, left stranded.

Almost two years ago, I started working on a book, following my 2015 Platform Nigeria lecture, “If We Stay Here We Die” where I borrowed from the experience of my younger brother who wasted several years in “slavery” across several countries in the attempt to seek ‘greener pastures’ outside Nigeria. Tentatively titled “From Frying Pan to Fire: How Nigerian young men and women ruin their lives trying to cross to Europe”, I am hoping to complete the work by the first quarter of next year.

One of the things I have discovered, in the course

of interrogating the complex immigration problem, is that some Nigerians have not only morphed into the Mafia in Italy, they also have their own deadly “Families” with tentacles back home. Since my focus has been on Europe, South Africa did not even cross my mind until the Ozubulu tragedy and now I am hearing a lot of stories from that end.

What the foregoing says is that the security challenge we are dealing with in our country today requires much more than drafting in troops. To contain the activities of criminal cartels, especially those that specialise in drugs, human trafficking, kidnappings, prostitution, insurgency etc., you need close-to-theground intelligence gathering and partnerships at all levels. Meanwhile, the weakening of state capacities, due largely to corruption and ineptitude amid declining resources, has facilitated the emergence of these dangerous forms of crime with tremendous challenges to the rule of law.

Unfortunately, as things stand, the police that should ordinarily deal with this challenge lack the capacity, manpower and material resources to handle these new dimensions to organized crime that we now witness almost on a daily basis across the country. That then explains why foot soldiers of drug warlords who reside outside our shores would carry their battle to a place of worship in their own community with innocent citizens becoming cannon fodders for their madness.

In ‘Murder in the Cathedral’, there is something in the character of the assassinated archbishop of Canterbury that may be useful, especially in times

like this. In Eliot’s play, Beckett encountered four tempters and he acquitted himself most admirably.

The first came with the suggestion for the Archbishop to gratify the flesh in the form of “singing at nightfall” and enjoying “wit, wine, and wisdom.” Giving in to the pleasures of life, it was argued, would prevent the archbishop from coming into conflict with the king. He turned down the idea.

The second tempter came with the lure of political power and the words were as flowery as those used in Nigeria by our self-deceiving politicians: “Disarm the ruffian, strengthen the laws…Rule for the good of the better cause…” Having resolved that he had spiritual authority which was all he needed as a man of God, the archbishop would not “descend to desire a punier power.” The third tempter offered a “fight for liberty” to end the “tyrannous jurisdiction” of the king over the bishops and barons. In rejecting this, the archbishop said that “No one shall say that I betrayed the king.” The fourth tempter encouraged Beckett to pursue martyrdom so as to attain sainthood. Even when he accepted the fate that eventually befell him with equanimity, the archbishop nonetheless would not succumb to doing “the right deed for the wrong reason.”

The difficult choices that the man of God in ‘Murder in the Cathedral’ had to make were quite enlightened and well thought out. In contrast, the sociology of crime in our country is rooted in several dimensions: ugly business practices ranging from gun running, armed robbery and kidnapping on an industrial scale.

For the drug barons among them, the ability to fight dirty wars knows no distance or boundaries hence Ozubulu is well within their range even from as far off as Johannesburg.

The security requirement for containing the ability of these dangerous individuals to re-enact Ozubulu in other theatres across the country is therefore a cross-border challenge. The authorities must begin to gather intelligence on some of these criminally-minded Nigerians who reside in South Africa, Italy and other such destinations. Our religious leaders should also begin to exercise caution on those who think they can buy salvation with ill-gotten wealth.

In the end, what we are dealing with is a pan Nigerian problem and the viral elevation of cash to the status of king of all things such that every aspect of our national life has become transactional: religion, business, politics, sex, friendship etc. While the desperation for social recognition by these barely literate characters often takes the form of ostentatious displays of expensive vehicles, bogus mansions as well as donations of schools, churches, town halls etc. even the competition for meaningless chieftaincy titles can get bloody as rival factions plot violence and murder, including in the most sacred of places, just to gain the upper hand. That, in a nutshell, explains the Ozubulu tragedy.

2017 Teens Conference

T

he online registration for those who wish to attend the 2017 edition of the annual RCCG Teens Career Conference scheduled for 26th August is still on-going. All the details about speakers and the registration process as well

as the video clips for last year’s edition, are on the website, www.rccgteapteens.org.

Attendance is strictly by registration and once the portal closes, that will signify the end of registration with only those formally contacted by mail eligible to attend.

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