Friday 11th August 2017

CBN I&E FX Window Attracts $4bn in Three Months

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

The importers’ and exporters’ (I&E) foreign exchange (FX) window introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria about four months ago has attracted $4 billion from foreign investors between April and

now, the Bankers’ Committee disclosed yesterday.

This is a $1.8 billion growth over the $2.2 billion recorded in June.

The window also posted a single transaction of $240 million on August 1, 2017.

Addressing reporters in

Abuja yesterday at the end of its 34th meeting, the Bankers’ Committee said the economy was on the recovery path and on the verge of exiting the recession, going by various indicators.

The Director, Banking Supervision of the CBN,

Mr. Ahmed Abdullahi; Managing Director, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mr. Emeka Emuwa; Managing Director, FSDH, Mrs. Hamba Amba; and Executive Director, Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Mobola Faleye, addressed the press.

The committee noted that the FX market has continued to record positive gains, with the various exchange rates in the market nearing convergence.

Speaking on the I&E window, Amba recalled that the CBN set up the window

in April, adding: “And it was very interesting that when we were going through the meeting today (Thursday), the fact was given to us that so far the volume of the trading that had gone on in that window Continued on page 9

Presidency Hails Senate for Supporting Buhari’s Medical Vacation… Page 48 Friday 11 August, 2017 Vol 22. No 8149. Price: N250

www.thisdaylive.com TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

2018 Budget Will be Submitted to N'Assembly in Oct, FG Restates … Page 9

APC Moves to Claim Restructuring, Inaugurates El-Rufai Committee Panel to hold public hearing in 12 states Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja In an apparent bid to respond to the deafening clamour for the country’s restructuring, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that no individual or entity in the country can lay claim to being a stronger advocate of restructuring than itself.

The National Chairman of

the party, Chief John OdigieOyegun who made the remark yesterday while inaugurating the committee on restructuring headed by the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai, said right from the party’s constitution and the manifesto, there were very elaborate references to true Continued on page 9

Dambazau: Executive Bill to Curb Hate Speech Underway Says FG awaiting report on Ozubulu church massacre

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Minister of Interior, Lt.Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd.) has said that the federal government is taking proactive measures to end the hateful and divisive speeches currently threatening the peace and stability of the country.

In this regard, he disclosed that his ministry has submitted a draft bill to the Ministry of Justice, which will review it and submit to the National Assembly as an executive bill for passage into law.

The law, when passed, will Continued on page 9

Many Feared Killed, 60 Homes Burnt in Fresh Adamawa Attack... Page 48

A REINVIGORATED PDP ON THE MOVE...

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and Senator Ben Obi, during the inspection yesterday of the Eagle Square, Abuja, for the party’s non-elective convention slated for tomorrow

2

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

3

4

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

5

6

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

7

8

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

FRIDAY, ͹͹˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ ˾ T H I S D AY

9

PAGE NINE

2018 Budget Will be Submitted to N’Assembly in Oct, FG Restates Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The National Assembly will receive the 2018 budget in October, the federal government restated yesterday.

Reiterating its commitment to the October timeline while briefing State House correspondents during a ministerial retreat at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and 2018 budget preparation process, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said the retreat focused on the government’s effort to align the growth plan with the 2018 budget.

With the theme “Building Synergy for Effective ERGP Implementation”, the retreat, according to Udoma, provided his team with the opportunity to brief the cabinet on the link

between the ERGP and 2018 budget.

He also said the retreat provided the platform for the review of the plan’s implementation thus far, adding that the government was moving within the set goals.

The minister noted that in line with the agreement reached between the government and the National Assembly, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday will be submitted to the federal parliament in September, while the budget will follow a month after.

“It was basically about the ERGP and preparations for the 2018 budget and linking the plan with the budget, and we will be briefing cabinet members about the linkages between the plan and the budget.

“Basically, we have to keep on reviewing at every stage.

So this was a review on where we are, what needs to be done and what steps we need to take in areas that we need to fast track. This was the purpose of the meeting.

“We are moving ahead in terms of the modalities that have been defined. This is not the time to actually say what stage we are and so on. We will be giving briefings on that.

“The National Assembly is on break, so nearing the time they will resume in September, the MTEF will be sent.

“But our goal is to follow the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which stipulates the timelines and we are trying to keep strictly to those timelines.

“So the budget will get to the National Assembly

by October. That was our commitment. We will go all out to make that happen.

“We made a commitment that we will do that on our

part and we intend to deliver on that commitment. This is a government that delivers on its promises,” Udoma stated.

In his remarks during the retreat, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said the federal government would no longer accept excuses that progress was not achievable in the country.

Osinbajo, who was reacting to the address by the guest speaker at the retreat, Dr. Idris Jala, a former top official of the Malaysian government, however, acknowledged that he was himself challenged by Jala’s speech.

The acting president said the excuses often given that some programmes would not work in Nigeria because of the “Nigerian factor”, or an apparent admittance of failure, would no longer be tolerated.

According to him, the onus lies on government officials to reject failure and imbibe the culture of discipline, observing

that success and failure are two different entities, one of which individuals are duty bound to choose, pointing out that in the case of Nigeria, the only option was success.

“After listening to Dr. Idris Jala, all I can say is, as the opposition leader in Malaysia said, ‘This is what I have been saying for the past 50 years.’

“But seriously he is so right, the challenge is this: the discipline to be unreasonable on our targets and objectives; the discipline of attending the labs diligently and accepting to be locked in a room for as long as it takes to iron out what it is that needs to be done.

“I like the point also that Dr. Jala made that the excuse that it won’t work here because of the Nigerian factor, or some say exceptionalism, or the acceptance of failure before you even start, is certainly not tenable anymore.

“We simply have to accept

that there is nothing Nigerian about failure, because as we know in our personal lives, failure and success are commodities on offer to everyone all over the world and every individual and every country makes a choice of which to buy and I will say on our behalf that we will choose success.

“Dr. Jala, I have heard motivational speeches, but this is one I think that challenges our whole legitimacy as persons entrusted with leadership. I think it goes beyond a motivational speech.

“I think it really challenges the core of our relevance as leaders and I am challenged and I know that many of us here are and I think that we will do what we need to do to make sure that we see through the labs that we have to identify specific areas where we will do these labs.

We must see to it that this works,” he said.

having regard to the emotive nature of the national discourse on restructuring, to distil from our party’s constitution and manifesto the various ideas being canvassed in the different constitutional conferences that have been held in this country,” he said.

Responding, el-Rufai said part of the APC manifesto and campaign commitment was to ensure that Nigeria has a balanced federation.

“We believe in fiscal federalism. It is clearly written in our party manifesto. If there is any party that has moved towards trying to balance this federation, it is the APC government and this has been done in real practical terms.

“We can give examples as state governors of the level of participation of states in certain economic policy directions for the country. We meet every month and the

36 states now play a part in setting the economic direction for this country.

“This has never happened in this country. This government has also taken steps to devolve power and responsibility to states without any constitutional amendment.

“We have seen more cases of federal assets and roads being taken over by states willingly,” he said.

El-Rufai who described the 2014 National Conference as a mere political gathering, listed some of the contentious issues in the clamour for restructuring to include state creation, regionalism, revenue allocation, the land tenure system, and resource allocation.

On the mode of operations of the committee, the Kaduna governor said he and members of the committee would move round 12 states of the federation in the six

geopolitical zones to hold public hearings and to capture the positions of those who may share alternative opinions.

Members of the committee are el-Rufai – chairman, Olubunmi Adetunbi – secretary, Rauf Aregbesola – member, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu – member, Abdullahi Ganduje - member, Simon Lalong - member, Yahaya Bello – member, Mohammed Abubakar – member, Sullivan Chime - member, Kashim Ibrahim - member, Osita Izunaso member, Bolaji Abdullahi - member, Ogbonnaya Onu - member, Aisha AlHassan - member, Aisha Ismail – member, Sharon Ikeazor - member, Rachael Akpabio - member, Ismail Ahmed – member, Oserheimen Osunbor - member, Fati Bala – member, Jasper Azuatalem – member, Rinsola Abiola – member, and Stella Dorgu – member.

the state governor, Willie Obiano, on the incident and obtained a preliminary report of what happened, the federal government still needed to get a detailed report.

“I have spoken with the governor of the state and he told me that it was an issue that bordered on the relationship between two persons from the same village, resident somewhere in South Africa.

“As a result, one of them arranged the violent attack. I have not received the detailed report of that incident. But whether there is speculation

that those two persons are involved in drug trafficking or not, I am still awaiting the detailed report,” he said.

On the recruitment scandal that has trailed his ministry’s recruitment exercise since 2015, the minister said efforts had been made to correct the anomalies by starting the process afresh.

“We have started the process all over again and of the 2,000 reported, we recruited 888 that finally scaled through. So the balance of 1,112 is the vacant positions we advertised for recruitment,” he said.

“The Purchasing Managers’ Index is an indicator of the economic health of the manufacturing sector. The PMI is based on five major indicators: new orders, inventory levels, production, supplier deliveries, and the

employment environment month after.

“And most of these indicators have trended up in recent months, indicating that the economy is on the path of recovery and will

APC MOVES TO CLAIM RESTRUCTURING, INAUGURATES EL-RUFAI COMMITTEE federalism and devolution of powers.

“If any group can claim ownership of the principle and the need for true federalism, that group is the APC. From our constituent units, that was one of the principal points and when we sat down to negotiate the union, this great union called the APC, it was one of the principal issues that were almost like a no go item.

“We negotiated and agreed and as a result, the constitution of the party and the manifesto of the party were very elaborate in their references to true federalism and devolution of powers.

“It is therefore totally inconceivable for uninformed members of the public to jump on this bandwagon of restructuring of the federation to give the impression that the party was in any way against the principle of taking

a fresh look at the basis of our federalism,” he said.

Speaking further Oyegun said the idea of restructuring was almost like a mantra for the APC, adding that the party appreciated the fact that the current federal structure needed to be tinkered with.

Oyegun charged the 24-member committee to make use of all the available sources of information and ideas, in order to arrive at a more comprehensive and acceptable position for the APC. He also spoke on why the party refused to be part of the 2014 National Conference, saying: “As a principle, we refused to attend because it was a very political affair.

“That was the last gathering of the last administration.

But I expect you to look at whatever document is available on this subject.

“For us, it is already a

mantra. We know that there are things that need to be tinkered with, without in anyway sacrificing or jeopardising the fundamental unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Let me emphasise that your task is both critical and very sensitive, especially in the light of the clamour for restructuring, devolution of powers, fiscal federalism, resource control, and all other issues that describe the various forms of reforms that are being suggested for the restructuring of the current political architecture of our beloved nation.

“The APC constitution and manifesto vigorously canvass these issues and they are very elaborately provided for. The party’s position has been eloquently stated in the terms of references of this committee.

“It is your duty, especially

DAMBAZAU: EXECUTIVE BILL TO CURB HATE SPEECH UNDERWAY criminalise hate speech and subject culprits to persecution and punishment, he added.

Regarding the ugly gun violence on Sunday, leading to the deaths of 13 persons at St. Phillip’s Catholic Church in Ozubulu town in Anambra State, the minister said the government was yet to receive the detailed report of what happened.

Speaking to journalists late Wednesday evening shortly after a meeting with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dambazau said that as far as the government was

concerned every Nigerian was entitled to practice his or her religion, adding that no one can also choose the tribe into which he or she shall be born.

“What we have done now is to submit a draft bill to the Ministry of Justice on hate speech which will go as an executive bill after passing through the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation to the National Assembly. The draft contains the law and punishment for hate speeches.

“This should not be allowed in this country. Everybody

is entitled to belong to his or her religion and no one chooses the tribe into which he or she wants to be born.

“That is how God wants the person to be and there is absolutely no reason for hate speech. If the National Assembly passes the bill, certainly anybody who engages in hate speech will be prosecuted in accordance with the law of the country,” he said.

On the tragedy that befell the sprawling town of Ozubulu in Anambra State on Sunday, Dambazau said though he had spoken with

CBN I&E FX WINDOW ATTRACTS $4BN IN THREE MONTHS was about $4 billion and that is quite a good number.”

“It shows that the banks have done a lot of rallying.

It shows that the banks have been resilient. It shows that the banks have contributed largely in bringing in FDIs as much as possible into

the market.

“In fact, there was a single ticket that was done on August 1, a transaction of $240 million. So we think that things will be looking up and we are quite hopeful that things are going in the right direction,” the FSDH

chief executive stated.

She added that one of the areas that had also given the committee cause for optimism on the economy was the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which has consistently been over 50 in recent months.

Continued on page 10

TOP GAINERS GUINNESS JAIZBANK NAHCO DANGFLOUR VITAFOAM TOP LOSERS CHAMPBREW LIVESTOCK CONOIL

NGN NGN % 8.12 87.50 10.2 0.08 0.88 10.0 0.34 3.75 9.9 0.61 7.00 9.5 0.14 2.93 5.0 NGN NGN % 0.26 2.53 9.3 0.05 0.95 5.0 1.72 32.86 4.9 CONTINENTAL 0.06 1.27 4.5 ETERNA 0.17 3.61 4.5 HPE Nestle Nig Plc ₦ 1,216.01 Volume: 328.653 million shares Value: N6.101 billion Deals: 4,983 As at yesterday 10/8/17 See details on Page 44

FRIDAY, ͚͚˜ ͺ͸͚Ϳ Ëž T H I S D AY

10

STARTERS

Facebook Makes New Bid for TV Viewers

Facebook has made its biggest move to compete in the television market by expanding its video offerings with programming ranging from professional women’s basketball to a safari show and a parenting programme.

Media reports hinted yesterday that the redesigned product, called “Watch�, will be available initially to a limited group in the United States on Facebook’s mobile app, Website and television apps.

The company said the world’s largest social network added a video tab last year, and it has been dropping hints for months that it wanted to become a source of original and well-produced videos, rather than just shows made by users.

Media reported in May that Facebook had signed deals with millennial-focused news and entertainment creators Vox Media, BuzzFeed, ATTN, Group Nine Media and others to produce shows, both scripted and unscripted. “We’ve learned that people like the serendipity-of-discovering-videos in News-Feed, but they also want a dedicated place they can go to watch videos,� Daniel Danker, Facebook’s product director, said in a statement yesterday.

Chief Executive, Mark Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post that Watch would allow users to “chat and connect with people during an episode and join groups with people who like the same shows afterwards to build community�.

Facebook said the shows would include videos of the Women’s National Basketball Association, a parenting show from Time Inc and a safari show from National Geographic.

Facebook is already broadcasting some Major League Baseball games and that

Buhari’s Medical Vacation The presidency has commended the Senate for its stance that President Muhammadu Buhari has not violated the law.The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, said this in a statement signed by his spokesman... Page 48

NEWS

FRIDAY AUGUST

Presidency Hails Senate for Buhari’s Me dical Vacation Supporting Says protest a ploy to dera Email davidso

il war against

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu and Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja with agency report

News Editor

n.iriekpen@thi

11, 2017 Ëž T H

I S D AY

Davidson Iriekpe

sdaylive.com,

0811181308

n

1

corruption

stabilising statement and for the position they opportunity have to serve as minister it is the position taken because has N47.2 constitution,’’ of the law of the of public billion and $487.5 million added that his group would he stated. sustain Buhari’s the protest at The presidency resources in The presidentia the cash and has commended Abuja, for one Unity Fountain, vaccum return because there is no l aide said the property traced to her Senate for its the president stance that President month. by the that the president in governance Economic and was entitled Muhammadu “We under the constitution met all A group, ‘OurMuMu .

Buhari has constitutional Commission Financial Crimes August are saying from today, to go on medical violated the requirements the not vacation, DonDo,’led (EFCC), you 10, 2017, we will

by Mr. Charles law. before don’t expect saying be Oputa, popularly embarking on the trip The Senior Special already compliedBuhari had to allowthe beneficiaries of that order a rally/protest march here holding known as Charlie to the United Assistant to at Unity began Boy, on Monday Kingdom. the Buhari administrat Fountain for the President on with all relevant sections the next one National Assembly He said the ion and beyond month Unity an indefinite sit-out at the of the nation’s some peace. They want Matters (Senate), constitution. in order Fountain, Abuja, to distract redirect their protesters should us. But what and unambiguo to send clear Buhari’s this in a statementIta Enang, said demanding the presidency attention to “The us message National Assembly, resumption of president is wants agents the signed by his spokesman, Dr. to resignation entitled to, to assure patriotic citizens work or loan of chaos and under . proposal of $30 where a disunity Abuja yesterday.Sabi Abdullahi, in formal the constitution, transmit the government will not is that that Nigerians billion The Senate has are solidly behind bend. letter to the “As far the also denounced president to get the nation by the Senate and Enang, who the protest.

House of president is President Buhari’s administrat out recession has concerned, was Representatives fielding informing based on questions from he has ion been gathering of The Buhari Support describing the dust, by handing the done the needful entrustedour democratic mandate them of his an interactive journalists after and, Organisation protests against vacation reins of authority (BSO), to him until the 2015,� he said. on March 28, yesterdayEnugu State chapter, Buhari as needless. students from session with law another he returns and transmits to the vice president.

Since Akwa Ibom letter, law rose “We the of the are the country does in defence acting who visited State is still of whereas of the candid view that him in his not give hit Many youths yesterday President Buhari over in charge and president a time limit our brother office, vacuum described the there is no the for his long and return, it cannot the president’s marchedstreets of Abuja and medical vacation in in the seat his group have Charley Boy as commendab Senate’s position London, the inalienable to Unity Fountain insisting that the “So all actionsof power. le and a saber-rattlin be imposed by to president had rights to assemble and Enang made the constitutional. governmen denounce g musician.� of the not violated protest as provided by the statement while Shehu any known t like that group which Charlie Boy’s reacting to protests of the being commended the CCSJ The group therefore law. has been and the police 1999 Constitution, by a coalition executive, legislature for orderly in its of civil society have no and the berated judiciary demonstration on President M Buhari calling those behind the organisations to return protests resume-or-resign to attack them tear gas, business or resign. under nothing are going on and and urged them to the aegis of however, Resume or Resign, shun led by music provocations is affected Our Mumu star, Charley they should redirect their energy The placard adversely by opponents all Boy, and other by the don du, and appealing to the carrying in of Buhari others since vacation of the President government. who are demanding National Assembly protesters kicked pro- the aegis of celebrities under that there is no vacuum Speaking sat ‘Our Mumu that Buhari should resumes in the demonstra on behalf of the what they described as rentedagainst Do’, stressing Don billion for over one year on $29.9 country,’’ he added. that rather group which incapacitated. duty or resign if tors, than Buhari procured by President Also, the presidency Goodluck Obi, the convener, peace is trying to undermine the attack the president, the for the developme He maintained protesters yesterday in Nigeria. should redirect who said attempts our deficit critical nt of their protests to derail the group had absolute said his broken no law that Buhari had war They said those to the appropriate quarters. faith and against corruption as he complied trust in Buhari’s “Enugu State infrastructure. anti-Buhari with the provisions , using chapter of the administration, protesters were agents of subterfuge Chairman of BSO believes and bluff corruption BSO in the and had no reasons constitution which of the nation’s not sincerely that would succeed. to clamour for Chief Anike Nwoga, who state, hunger, gross the stipulateds that he must handover unemploym spoke to journalists The remark ent in Enugu declared and abject poverty to the vice was made when president and ravaging our members dear country two chambers duly inform the Society of the Centre for Civil of the legislature and Justice (CCSJ), about his medical a society civil coalition staged a counterAccording to vacation. protest Assembly is him, the National Do’ against ‘Our Mumu Don protesters led satisfied that president’s absence

by Charles the left no vacuum, Oputa, who have and therefore cautioned protesters for the return or been calling resignation of against creating unnecessary tension President Muhamma in the country. du Buhari at the precincts of “The stance of According to Aso Rock Villa. the Senior Special patriotic; very the Senate is very Assistant commendable to the President very constitution and Media on and Publicity, al. “The Senate Malam has always stood Garba Shehu, the upright on ‘return or matters of national resign’ agitation interest, and assembly stealthilywas an illegal whenever there objection or organised is deliver a to anything that Senate has objection the against body blow to the war corruption. to, we look at it maturely “It might be and taken for granted in this particular amicably and that the beneficiarie situation, as most other situations s of in order are fighting back. the old I commend the senate.

We have been warned that corruption “We thank the fight will back. In a country Senate for the where just one woman for having the

Many Feare d Burnt in FreshKilled, 60 Homes Adamawa Attack

EDITORIAL National Assembly’s Missed

Opportunity The timing could not have been more suspicious for the National Assembly to make an indelible mark in the quest for a new Nigeria anchored on productivity, equity and distributive justice...

Page 15

Ëœ ÍŻÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

NATIONAL

The devolution

T

EDITORIAL

15

ASSEMBLY’

of political power

has become

S MISSED

an imperative.

It is

OPPORTUNIT

Y

he timing could in the nation’ not have auspicious s interest the for the Nationalbeen more lawmakers make an indelible Assembly to revisit the bill mark in the a new Nigeria quest for anchored on equity and productivity, cavalier manner distributive by the federal justice. But against common We have clamoure much lawmakers. sense, both of the federal d for restructu chambers governance legislature ring of the structure of proposed amendm rejected a would ensure this country constitution ent in to of resources equitable development a manner that exclusive list devolve more powers to the 1999 . Uneven developm and better from the bloated to the use different modes The bill (Devoluticoncurrent list. ent is a which threaten of agitations across major cause for Second Schedule on of Powers) had the country, sought to alter the existence of the 1999 Endorsing some of give more legislative of Nigeria as Constitution, the the a single entity.

Part I & II, powers to the time would devolution of powers eates the extent to states. It also have therefore bill at to which the advancing delinassemblies been a crucial this critical federal legislatur the cause of can e and state good governan step towards to the concurre legislate on items that ce. have been nt legislative moved at restructu List.

It was owever, we ring certain have also taken aspects of our a move aimed impede developm ments that federation that note of argudevolution If passed, the ent and often lead to of powers cannot fair without bill would empower needless tension. a review of assembly to be the revenue formula. Granted legislate on state houses mate, the states land use and railways, health of that this excuse sharing management, have to realise is legititheir cause environment, care, agriculture, road that they with youth developm safety, governors treat the manner in which have not helped ent, and stamp pension, duties. ity. The questionissues of transparency many of the UNEVEN DEVELO Simply put, and accounta then is: If they PMENT it would for what their IS A MAJOR bilput the responsib states are currentlycannot properly account federation DIFFERENT CAUSE FOR getting of the developm ility account, what MODES OF would beneďŹ t is the guarante from the AGITATIONS some percentag ent of with more e that the people resources granted Meanwhile, TH THE COUNTRACROSS the listed sectorses of EDITOR I S D AY we agree that them?

DEPUTY

devolutio Y, EDITORS there

n without a states and reduce on the WHICH THREATSOME OF

MANAGING review of the can be no power

˜ formula. Under the EN THE DEPUTY MANAGINGDIRECTOR ENIOLA

powers of the revenue sharing EXISTENCE such an arrangem BELLO DIRECTOR no longer be CHAIRMAN federal OF NIGERIA

EDITORIAL ent, states would able A SINGLE ENTITY BOARD AS government. The idea EDITOR NATION’S federal governm to pass off their inefďŹ cien CAPITAL

was to accelerate ent. But all cies to the

clear that the competition. factors considere development d, it of Nigerian current system is not through Unfortunately, working for is very s and in the Senate majority necessary that cannot for long endure. minimum where it required of 73 votes the bill be revisited It is therefore (two-thirds Assembly. pass, the bill T H I S D AY by the National of 109 senators)a N E W S PA secured an EDITOR-IN-C PE while in the abysmal to We must also GROUP EXECUTIVE HIEF/CHAIRMAN R S L I M I T E D House of Represen 46 “Yes�, and 48

register our DIRECTORS

the pro-gend a minimum

“No� disappointment

tatives ˜

er of ˜ that GROUP FINANCE ˜

constitutional bills were defeated it secured 210 240 votes (two thirds where it needed DIRECTOR DIVISIONAL in this round all of 360 members

DIRECTORS for appointiv amendment. While afďŹ rmati of that the bill “Yesâ€?, and 71 “Noâ€?. Given

), e failed because ˜

ofďŹ ces

ve action DEPUTY DIVISIONAL failed in the ˜ Representatives

not broken its separate the excuses Senate, the DIRECTOR down components

House it. Both chambermade a meaningless misunderstood, into clauses, explanati ASSOCIATE SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR were

DIRECTORS show of passingof

ons and speculati CONTROLLE allow married s however rejected it is unfortun RS

˜ ons that it will that it was a bill

˜ ate that such

that would be revisited,

GENERAL by marriage women to choose their

a critical issue MANAGER ˜

or state of origin indigeneship

was treated

GROUP HEAD purposes.

DIRECTOR,

in a for appointiv PRINTING

e or elective PRODUCTION At the end,

TO SEND EMAIL:

what came ďŹ rst name.surnam sembly as constitut out from e@thisdayliv e.com ional amendm the National Asan elaborate ent was no charade. more than

H

Letters to the Editor

Letters in response to speciďŹ c readers may publications TO opinions on send such letters along in THISDAY OUR READERS topical local, should 1000 words). national and with their contact details be brief (150-200 They should internatio words) and to opinion@ be sent to opinion@nal issues provided straight to thisdayliv the point. Intereste thisdaylive.com they are well-writt e.com. We also welcome en and should along with the comments d also not be longer email address and and phone numbers than (950of the writer.

USAIN BOLT : END OF A

T

here is, perhaps, no other athlete the attention that has of Bolt. It is not the world in contempora so much caught just imposing frame. about his talent. Neitherry time as Usain is it about his trade that make Usain Bolts brings somethi f

POLITICS Amaechi and Wike’s Endless Feud

Not only did Bolt win the world record of 9.69 which 100m race, he did so by gr

N ERA

UST 11, 2017

POLITICS

17

Group Politic s Editor Tobi Soniyi Email tobi.so niyi@thisday live.com 0803314613 9 SMS ONLY

PERSON

t is no longer news that the feud between the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi and Governor NyesomWike, is getting I messier by the day. At every given op- portunity, they throw jabs at each other. Page 17

Amaechi an A L I T Y F O C U S d Wike’s En There seem s dless Feud Transportatioto be no end in sight to governor of n, Chibuike Amaechi the war of attrition betw and Rive een his rs State, Nye som Wike, writestranged former right the Minister for -han es Davidso n Iriekpen d man, now

MakarďŹ ...promised to be

t is no longer

magnanimo us in victory

news that

the former governor the feud between Minister of Transport, of Rivers State and of forging document s to implicate governor.

Chibuike and Governor the former Nyesom Wike, Amaechi it showed that “We call on messier by is getting the day. At should summonhe lied on oath and the institutions to the general public and all every given portunity, relevant disregard all Senate The governor documents tendered to do what he him. If he is being compelled Last week, theythey throw jabs at each op- by our organisatio said Amaechi had just done, n indicting be used as Amaechi raised were in the news again other. particularly admitted paying then he should $39 million for a non-existen an the so-called Amaechi including when the Mega Specialist Nigerians can example because he thinks t Justice Karibi forge document the alarm that Wike planned Omereji report subsequent Hospital. He be white paper that governor and to governme added that the Whyte statement issueds to prosecute him in However, Wike taken for a ride.� confessed nt as all document by the Rivers State court. In reacted to by his media state’s gas turbines, publicly that he former the minister alleged that s tendered were office, Amaechia politically fabricated was embarkingthe allegation, saying sold the the governor which the immediate all and forged government elaborately by the Wike to blackmail the judiciary on another journey administration diverted distorted and “wants to use the to achieve his past the funds. the documents his plan he stated. again but carefully most times unrighteous forged documents outright end,� Special would fail. In a statementand noted that are authentic. that proved Amaechi’sHe said: “All prosecute his As if to persecute Assistant on issued corrupt acts We never forged and the stateit was a good news it was Electronic Media, by his former governor the past coupleerstwhile benefactor in documents. waiting to hear, Nwakaudu, the governor chapter of the Simeon $39 court. In (APC) himself of days, Wike All and denied Progressive anyone who million to Clinotech,admitted that he paid The described has been quickly responded the allegations s Congress cares to listen, them without a single out , saying that certainly get “Our attention as unfounded and baseless. laid anywhere. bragging that telling had been vindicated Amaechi a conviction

by Wechie’s forged? Where Is that a document he claimsblock press statement has been drawn to Amaechi in - a judgment he will The Publicity testimony. a the is the Hospital? was Wike is forging credited to Amaechi to reckless in different interviews corruption usinglaw courts on spurious against Chris Finebone, Secretary of the APC, He has agreed the effect turbines in Rivers, charges of documents to rather than his forged said: he (Wike) is secure condemn Wechie, in a court of law. for $309 million.that he sold the state gas in control of documents because that “It is always our position This allegation his conviction naira Convert baseless and state and national the judiciary and you will every is unfounded in a figment of understand $309 million to level,� the statement at the lies and lie has an expiry date. Rivers APC former , Amaechi the imaginatio The minister the level governor,� left Today, falsehood only $204,000 of n all the perpetrated

by Wike and in the state fraud. “The bank ing that he has alleged that Wike had been said.

The statement the statement said. of the against Amaechi account. statements the PDP expired boast- No noted in his pocket; the judges in the state of the pattern better vessel with ignominy. went ahead to falsely that the minister also withdrawals from judiciary message that of that account would allege that Wike all to see. Can the state judiciary he was in full control of shame than have conveyed the that he has the judiciary that be forged? are there for and that been would always at the state andbragged amounts withdraw Wechie himself level in his judgment he The dates and the arrow-hea give him pocket to secure wanted against federal governor having n are clearly d of Wike and the apex court, his conviction his predecessoany self-appointed mission written.� berated the PDP on their charges of corruption “using his contorted on for engaging r at minister of transporta The , saying, “This to destroy the false allegation, He said: “Wike documents.� image of Amaechi.� impeccable is in tion is also telling governor to merely concocted by theanother Court because the blackmail of the listen that the But Supreme distract attention his appeal is Supreme Court anyone who cares to Senatethe state chapter of former apex he committed the PDP generally are pending before to summon not happy with (justices) and judges against Rivers from the crimes State court over the establishm the and prosecutecalled on the ing their the “lies.� The would easily people, Judicial Commissio ent of the Rivers resources.�

Wechie for convict him with Amaechi and so they state Publicity This statement by divert- time that n of Inquiry.

Amaechi is PDP, Mr. Samuel he presents in any forged docum Secretary of he loses a There is n issued b part of th court Wik N th

WEEKENDFILE Nollywood Diva, Omotola Returns

Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg would continue, the company said.

ATTN said yesterday that it had two original series coming to Facebook Watch, a health programme with actress Jessica Alba and a relationship advice show.

Eventually, the platform would be open to any show creator as a place

to distribute video, Facebook said.

The company, based in Menlo Park, California, faces a crowded market with not only traditional television networks but newer producers such as Netflix Inc and Alphabet Inc’s YouTube as well as Twitter Inc and Snap Inc. (Reuters/NAN)

traced to the former minister was a “far cry� from what she and others in the past governments pilfered from the treasury.

According to it, these monies stashed in foreign accounts plummeted the country into a recesion.

The group recalled that Mrs. Alison-Madueke and her associates, including Kola Aluko, Jide Omokore, were currently being tried by the U.S. government for allegedly laundering over $1.7 billion.

It urged Nigerians to have a collective resolve to fight what it described as “psychotic and mindless� type of looting exhibited by indicted government officials in their days in government.

This, it said, could halt the craving to loot the public treasury by government officials.

The group reminded Nigerians that though the fight against corruption was the foremost policy thrust of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, “the fight might not attain maximum result unless Nigerians willingly resolve to join in it�. “This synergy is necessary so as to fight the art of looting and other forms of mismanagement in government,� the group said.

It stated that all concerned Nigerians should be organising widespread protests to condemn the looting of government funds by officials, past

Fund that was launched late last year.

He said the Bankers’ Committee also inaugurated the board of the fund, comprising the chief executives of Zenith, Guaranty Trust, Access, First and Unity Banks.

The board, Emuwa added, would

WEEKEND WEEK LY

with Alter Ego You have been away from the movie scene for a while, so what have you been up to?

I have been around but I was building my business. I have been building, slowly but surely, a film village in Badagry and I had some things I needed to do also internationally... Page 27

Acting Feature s Editor: Charles

LIVIN G | P31

PULLOUT

FILE

Ajunwa Email: charles.ajunwa @thisdaylive.c om

COLL AGE

| P36

THIS LIFE

| P37

NOLLYWOO

BUSINESS FG Moves to Review Bilateral Relations

Ëœ ÍŻÍŻËœ 2

017

BUSINESSW

ORLD

19

Group Busine

ss Email chika.amEditor Chika Amanze-Nwa

anzenwachukw chuku

u@thisdaylive NIBOR

.com 0803329415 ÍŻ OVERNIGHT NIBOR 7 Íś Í° ÍŽ 21.3750% 1-MONTH NITTY 3-MONTH ÍŻ Íľ 22.5331% 21.0038 %

with Some African Countries The federal government is considering reviewing its bilateral relations with some African countries that have refused to approve the opera- tions of Nigerian airlines to destinations in their places... Page 19

6-MONTH

24.6856%

1-MONTH 3-MONTH 3-MONTH

20.1827% 19.3855% 16.2693%

6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

EXCHANGE RATE N305.35//1US DOLLAR* ĚŠ

21.3861% 21.5058% 22.4006%

Quick Takes

Air Peace

A WARM WELC OME

L-R: Ag. Head, Corporate Services Chairman, Economic Division, and Financial Crime The Nigerian Stock NSE‌recently Commission (EFCC), Exchange (NSE), Pai Gamde; Chief Ibrahim Magu Executive Officer, and Doyen of Stockbroke rs,Willie Sam NSE, Oscar N. Onyema; Ag. Ndata, at the EFCC’s visit to the

FG Moves to Review Bilatera l Relations with Some Afr ican Countries

Chinedu Eze

Nigeria’s leadingLaunches Akure Route AkurefromLagos.carrier, Air Peace has announced ight operations Managerofthe Astatementissuedbythe CorporateCommunica to airline, with the governor Mr.ChrisIwarahsaidthe tions airlinewouldcollaborate of Ondo state, access to the state by investors,Rotimi Akeredolu to guarantee travellers. The tourists and other easy inaugural Lagos-Aku categories of added, would re-Lagos air take Ikeja hub at 1pm o from the airline’s Murtalaight, the statement Friday.Thereturnand touch down at the Akure Muhammed Airport, at 2.10pm and ight,AirPeacesaid,would Airport at 1.40 pm on land at the Murtala depart 2.50pm. “We Muhammed theAkureAirport are delighted Airport in Lagos to announce Lagos-Akure-Lagos at service on Friday, the commencement been operating of our August the launch of from our main hub in Lagos 11, 2017. Air Peace has the natural progressiosecond route in the South State since 2014 and so West of Nigeria n. “Air Peace is add such an important is only a pleased to Akure lies geographicdestination as Akure have this opportunity to to ourlocal route ally on north by Ekiti network. and Kogi; east the tropical belt and is bordered

by Edo; west by of Nigeria’s most in the Oyo and Ogun. exciting destination Ondo is one s for leisure and business travel.

Boeing Takes $1.79B Air Lease US aircraft lessor Order order for 14 aircraftAir Lease and Boeing have agreed terms including 12 737 the Paris Air Show.Airwi for a ďŹ rm MAXs se.com reported previously announced MAX 7s and seven at that to 130.Air Lease MAX 8s, brings Air Lease’s rte 737 order, for ďŹ ve with an additionalalso added to previous orderstotal 737 MAX orders is worth USD$1.79two 787-9s.The combined for 787 Dreamliners order for the billion at Boeing reect ALC’s 14 aircraft highly successful list prices.“These additional 787 order book placements to orders date of our MAX experiencingfor and the need to fulďŹ l the incrementa and chief executive theseaircraftacrossbothexisting l demand we are andnewcustomers, 280 aircraft andJohn Plueger said.Air Lease â€? owns leases them to almost 90 airlines or manages over worldwide.

The federal AVIATI ON BA Cabin Recently a Nigerian considering government is British Airways Crew to Extend carrier, Air reviewing Peace threatened Strike cabin crew working provided everything bilateral relations its efforts to drag Togo terms have announced under ‘mixed to us to provide. they want African countries with some airlines to protect their own court over the refusal by eet’ employmen a two week Airwise reported.

Cote its civil it do not equally aviation authority t refused to approve that have Nigeria’s The additional extension to their current to us because d’Ivoire did reciprocate to allow August 16 to strike, strike days are Wednesday tions of Nigerian the opera- Nigerian gestures by allowing other Nigerian carriers to it and to protect Air they wanted from Wednesda August holiday weekend.

Cote operate the into the country airlines to also y airlines to destinations “Strike action 30, including the August Chairman and d’ivoire,� to reciprocate operate Bilateral to theirs. unless British public the airline, CEO of the Airways hammerswill continue until the end Air Service Agreemen while they in their places, Chief Allen dispute,� Unite According are allowed t said.

Onyema national oďŹƒcer out a deal with Unite to of August to air traffic (BASA) signed between to to Nigeria, resolve represents the Oliver the Nigerian fly regulations in Nigeria the Economic and Togo. mixed eet crew Richardson said.The Unite this Aviation Authority Civil Communi It was a similar the airline’s total who make up union “Nigeria gave experience ty of (NCAA) has disclosed. about 15 percent us right to fly with Arik Air few States (ECOWAS) West African into customers will cabin crew numbers. British of African countries be able to y , every country when it wanted years ago Over the years, Airways said in West Africa and extended to but we to all its are only doing to operate should have Nigeria’s strike days. The their destinations during diplomatic Angola, Ghana direct fight crew the current Gabon presently. extension will from philosophy will have been and other countries but been Afrocentri mean the mixed has headquarteits capital to Abuja, the Those other countries on strike for the British Airways while never and eet wanted to whole of July rs of the sub-regiona country gives c, whereby the body and August “forcing Gabon allowed Angola striking cabin to spend millions on ‘wet leasing’ l We had answer our emails. and also the Federal a lot of concesthe aircrew,â€? Unite said. line’s operations to send people sions to African aircraft to cover Capital Territory airline Unite there. to reinstate travel after years the described a recent making it easy countries by African of Nigeria, but some We went to them pleading. negotiations, concessions action as ‘half-hearte other countries of for workers who oer by the the sub-region the continent for airlines from Nigeriancountries refuse to give They see Air Peace as cabin crew sanctionedd’. The union is taking took a threat. never replied in to fly to Nigerian Senegal has airlines legal action on strike Nigerian destinations the not been here for striking. “ they request approval when two without hindrances behalf of since Nigeria airline’s requests, but years to see to connect these However, these .

Emirates’2016 approve us to our facilities to countriesgive airlines from these nations in the countries to Nigerian destinations come to Senegal.

Dubai CrashUpdate like Lagos and easy access An interim report We have written to the Abuja. on the crash them but they country’s airspace.

Released last year has have refused been released of an Emirates Boeing to come. We 777 on The777hitthe have runwayatDubai the ďŹ rst anniversary of the in Dubai Continued go-aroundafter Internationa accident. on page 20 aightfromThiruvanant lAirportwhileattempting inIndia.Theaircraft a hapuram’sTrivandrum Ëž Ă™ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x; Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă? toucheddownat0837U go-around d Airp t Ă’

Volume of Smug gledVehicles through

CITYSTRING Anambra’s Wasteful Burials

Alison-Madueke and present, as often revealed by the anti-graft agencies.

It also asked Nigerians to stop dissipating energies on attacking Buhari, “the main fighter of corruption� over his health challenges.

The group commended anti-graft agencies, particularly EFCC, for their sustained efforts in exposing corruption in Nigeria.

It appealed to the agencies not to give up but to ensure the prosecution of culprits caught in the looting of the nation’s treasury.

meet to choose its chairman and urged prospective beneficiaries to meet their banks for the disbursement guidelines.

He also said a project committee had been set up, adding that the fund would be disbursed to beneficiaries in the form of equity and not as loans.

L d

CITYSTRING S

T H I S D AY

• FRIDAY, AUGUST

Mrs. Magdalene Okonkwo (not real name) is a pretty trader in Eke Awka Market, she deals in tobacco, kolanut and alligator pepper. She is popular among consumers of tobacco because of the quality of tobacco she sells, but for a month, her shop has remained under lock, Anambra’s Wasteful Burials frustrating her customers’ quest to M buy tobacco. Page 40 Scene of a burial

CBN I&E FX WINDOW ATTRACTS $4BN IN THREE MONTHS exit the recession soon,� she said.

In his remarks, Emuwa disclosed that the Nigerian lenders would soon commence the disbursement of N26 billion pooled from banks’ profits after tax in 2015 for the Agricultural, Small and Medium Enterprises Equity

NEWS Presidency Hails Senate for Supporting

M

What Alison-Madueke’s Alleged Loot Can Fund The Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) yesterday in Abuja said the alleged stolen funds traced to former Petroleum Minister, Diezani AlisonMadueke, could fund infrastructure development in the country.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the group said in a statement by its Chairman, Austin Braimoh, and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, that government could build six world-class airports in each geopolitical zone with part of the funds.

It said that the recovered loot was also enough to fund agriculture projects that would have generated employment for Nigerian youths.

It erroneously added that the N47.2 billion and 487.5 million dollars in cash and property purportedly traced to Alison-Madueke by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were also enough to complete the Lagos-Kano and Lagos-Calabar rail lines.

The federal government has estimated that both rail projects, to be partly funded by the China Exim Bank, would cost an astronomical $19.42 billion.

The group recalled that the federal government was already seeking loans for the rail projects and called on Nigerians to join hands to condemn the massive looting of the nation’s treasury by officials of previous administrations.

It expressed the belief that the loot

Two-Minute BrieďŹ ng

ceremony with

an expensive casket and pallbearers

ready to lower

11, 2017

Acting Featur es Editor Charle s Ajunwa Email charles .ajunwa@thisd aylive.com

it to the grave

David-Chydd y Eleke write ceremonies s on the prog in Anambra ress in the fight

against expe nsive

rs. Magdalene (not real name) Okonkwo take care of her family is a petty trader in Eke Awka Market, months of mourning with. Through the three she deals in her husband, expected to tobacco, kolanut she is not visit and alligator gathering. She public places, markets pepper. She is of tobacco because popular among in most cases, will also wear the sameor social stood in strategic consumers I have it of the quality places in the sells, but for On the other is either white or blackclothe; was in excess seen familie of tobacco she compound. hand, Chief and in assortment Food under lock, a month, her shop has s sell real name) Lawson Nwubacloth. plaited casket too. The gold remained their real estates frustrating is in which his (not arrived to buy tobacco. her customers’ materials in a big time importer of mother’s , property, Just would Onitsha building building quest and person Her neighbour for death, but have made some peoplecorpse a week ago, material al the attraction wish provisions has in the market, a man his late mother’smarket. by the pall order to meet belongings, in in his hometownheinheld was the display who become tired bearers who burial display, Anambra numerous customers ceremony may of explaining sells up with throwing the engaged in acrobatic to her expect have come State. The burial and that Madam has just buried fellow businessme casket high ations of societythe and gone, Magdalene in the air her but his an catching it as it came n who were husband, demands she to sympathise down as if empty plastic as stays indoors and that custom regards funera with him have in his hometown it were box. Indeed and is als about N people ill for th not t l expe f f b l B

INTERNATIONAL NorthKoreaGuamMissileStrike Plan ‘Ready by Mid-August’ North Korea says a plan that could see it fire four missiles near the US territory of Guam will be ready in a matter of days. State media said Hwasong-12 rockets would pass over Japan... Page 47

SPORTS Eagles in Marginal Movement

burial

, 017 T H I S D AY

WORLD OF IS Edited by: MJO

LAM INTERNAT

Mustapha Email deji.mus tapha@thisdayl ive.com

Preparations Befo re Leaving for Hajj - 2 North Korea Gua

IslamiCity from last week)

IONAL

47

email:foreigndesk

@thisdaylive.com (Continued the 	rites and prayers of Hajj themselves consequently, Documents depend on professiona and, the performanc l mutawwifs audi Governmen e of these rites. for passport to be t regulations require your people performing the Tawaf You will find such valid for at least of these professiona under the leadership past the date six months ls, trying to of your departure. “leader� in the North not, have its milling throngs keep up with their see Korea says a plan that could validity extended If it is the Kabah, it fire four missiles of pilgrims around entities, and at new territory of Guam near the US Foreign including North Korea’s several weeks passport well ahead of time.or get a prayers intoned the same time, trying to repeat the for by Trade Bank, will be ready The governor in a matter of under normal a passport to be issued or It takes of effort, you can their mutawwif! With in line with fresh sanctions a little bit days. extended of circumstances. avoid the North’s of Guam addressed should have State media trying to follow the problems and frustrations Your local post UN Security approved by the Thursday, new statement on the necessary Council on Saturday. rockets would said Hwasong-12 forms and other office in a vast, moving some one else closely telling Reuters information.

The enough pass relevant intonations North first news agency that North crowd to listen over Japan and land announced 1. If you are a to and parrot Korea usually . likes to be unpredictab his (17 miles) in the sea about 30km on Wednesday that it had also needs to U.S. “green card� holder, your A female pilgrim drawing up been from be must travel in plans for a missile fired surprise missiles le and has was approved Guam, if the plan strike of your departure.valid for six months past passport husband or a mahram the company in the past. against Guam, by the date of her “They’re now Your travel agent i.e., a member a Pacific island advise you of It denounced Kim Jong-un. which of her immediate telegraphing will be able to family with whom her marriage is home to US any Donald Trump’s their punch, by the shariah military is expressly prohibited warnings of “fire 2. You will need additional requirements. e.g., father, and fury� and strategic bombers and about bases, they don’t wantwhich means a round-trip ticket for a Hajj visa 163,000 misunderst people. to have to Saudi Arabia A female pilgrim, who brother, son, uncle, etc. said the US leader was to be issued. “bereft of is forty five or older, may reason�. andings. I think any ask you for Your travel agent years A later statement a specific package be allowed a position of that’s to travel with of age carried by submitted with The US has warned fear,� said Governor of documents will of pilgrims without media said a group a mahram the military state Eddie Calvo. the North its actions could agent will take your visa application. Normally,to be group sponsors would her. Ask your if a family in the of mean the “end “finally complete the Meanwhile Japanese the of his services. care of the visa application its regime�. plan� by agent for details. mid-August government as a part spokesman and send it to Things To US Secretary 3.

Yoshihide leader said Your Take With of Defence Jim Kim Jong-un for his Suga Pyongyang Mattis said You for four to five travel agent will probably The “The Hwasong-1 approval.

Pyongyang passport-sized ask you things following is a fairly comprehen “provocative to ’s actions were would be other paper 2 “grossly pictures rockets to the region including you will need be launched for a visa and overmatched� sive list of work. Have Japan as well by the KPA to take with in any People’s an your journey, war against the copies of the as you to and photos made additional four to five US Army] will cross[Korean of the internationato the security safe, convenien subsequent stay in Saudi make and take them to Saudi Arabia.

The BBC’s Rupertand its allies. above the sky with you personal Shimane, Hiroshima t, and relatively Arabia “We can never l community�.

Wingfieldissued by your They may be needed for Koichi [Kochi] tolerate this,� needs and preference care-free. Since Hayes, who is in Guam, ID cards want muallim and Prefectures of and he added. says there is a sense that and procedures. other Saudi documents s vary, you to make Japan,� the North Korean state news agency Having spare may threat Defence Minister own requireme changes in this list to save you the KCNA pictures on hand is rhetorical, as suit your time, Itsunori nts. most people quoting army chief General said, Onodera told MPs will feel that if they in having them aggravation, and expense Ihram Rak Gyom.

Kim legally Japan really involved made in a foreign intercept a North could missiles it would did strike with The Ihram 4. land. “They will fly If you Korean unsewn and consists of two pieces 3,356.7km for the North Korean be suicidal for 1,065 required to have were born in the U.S.A., you of white, 	plain cloth, seconds and may be or hit the waters authority (e.g., a certificate issued by a Separately, the regime. light terry-cloth either 100% competent the Imam of your European Union 30-40km away from cotton said CHANGE OF . These are also provide that you are Guam.� it was freezing cool to wear The Hwasong NAME for better absorption a Muslim. Since local mosque) stating and the assets of missiles are North perspiration allowed in the I, formerly known non-muslims Korea’s domesticall of the heavy nine more people and you will holy cities of are not Hajj. and addressed four more as MISS IYIDOBI Mecca a document is y produced The sizes of inevitably experience during medium of crucial importanceand Medina, such and long-range weapons.

IFEOMA PRISCILLIA do not happen Bottom Part: the two pieces are as follows: CHANGE OF to have a typical , especially if you 45� (1 1/4 yd) known and now wish to be travel agent Top Part: 45�

NAME x 120� (3 1/3 Muslim name. addressed as or (1 1/4 yd) x CHIDUME IFEOMA yd) I, formerly known Your MRS about the detailsthe Saudi Embassy can Tear off two, 72� (2 yd) PRISCILLIA. addressed and All former two to three of the said certificate. advise you a sufficient documents as 5. inch wide BELINDA length from Prepare a Last valid. The general remain IBINA NWORI the same material. strips of Will and Testament as a belt to it properly notarized.

Public take note.

Use one be known and now wish to Consult an attorney and have Keep the secure the bottom portion complicated addressed as other as a spare. of the Ihram. will, or if you MGBABU JANET. I, formerly known An ordinary have concerns if it is a belt may assets and property All former and addressed in case of somethingabout your a strip also be used for the same belt or fanny documents remain as EZE HAPPINESS happening to of Ihram cloth valid. purpose, but general untoward you CHIOMA is a lot Public take note. The now wish to unobtrusive. a safety deposit during Hajj. Leave the It keeps the Ihram more practical, and I, formerly original in box accessible addressed as be known and unlike a fanny family. The executor/ex to a member belt or pouch, firmly in place and, as MISS known and addressed of your inspected ecutrix of your CHIOMA. All EZE CALISTER be given a copy, AKPA CHIDIEBER does not by the police former documents CORDELIA and your attorney will should also ash E at the entrance have to be remain valid. retain a copy Shareef. should probably to the Haram known and now wish to be The general also. Have him Public addressed take immediate members explain to you, Tear off an eight note. as MRS IFEANYICH UKWU and the length to ten inch wide of your family will, the probate CHIDIEBER E from the same CORDELIA. All strip of sufficient I, formerly affected known and as to the best laws of your state and adviseby the credit cards, airline material. Use it to secure remain valid. former documents addressed course of action money, take The general abroad.

Public TANIMU in case of your them under the Ihram. ticket, etc. around your note.

MOSES now as midriff Use death this General make-shift pouch a plastic sandwich bag known and wish to be inside I, formerly known to keep these addressed as secure. This You will be things MULIKI BOYI. and addressed is as exerting considerabl as AHMED a belt or fanny pilfer-proof as possible dry, and during Hajj. e physical documents remainAll former and,unlike All pouch, now wish to ATSAWOGH ENA I, NJONUSI require a great Hajj rites (Tawaf, Sai, Rummyeffort attention of pickpocketsdoes not attract the unwanted valid. The be known and general Public deal of strength CHINWE ABIGAIL addressed take constant crush and endurance. etc.) a fanny pouch to carry and thieves. You may still as I, formerly known note.

AHMEDU AFOLAYAN stated use The pen, other things ATSAWOGH ENA. pilgrims, each of hundreds of thousands that all as and addressed All former these four trying to perform of other for a handkerchief, and a small such as medication, AHMED ATSAWOGH documents (4) names are same time in remain valid.

ENA limited spaces the same rites at the the daily use. Your fanny pouch amount of money my now wish general Public The names. All former compounds the and very hot police at the will take note. documents addressed to be known and demands weather, Mecca entrance to Harambe inspected by remain valid. and mental toughness. on your physical conditioning as and Medina. ash Shareef I, AHMEDU formerly ATSAWOGH The known Be in general patient and unde as the police and addressed public sho ENA. All In order to b as ANIEZ a fo d t d ld l

Plan ‘Ready

S

FRIDAYSPOR TS

m Missile Stri ke

by Mid-Augus t’

T H I S D AY

Ëž FRIDAY, AUGUST 11,

2017

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ik hazuagbe@th isdaylive.com

Eagles in Mar gina in Latest FIFA l Movement Ranking

in Latest FIFA Ranking Super Eagles recorded a marginal movement in the latest FIFA ranking released yesterday.

The three-time African champions stepped up just one place from Without Inju red Sanchez, Op Ars Eyes on Okagba 39th to 38th spot in global ranking. en Season against LeicesterenaTonl Setightot Ano re for ther Long Jum Miracle Medal p Page 54 Duro Ikhazuag be maintained their stronghol Super Eagles d of fifth recorded a on African football marginal movemen having as they are t in the andranked 25th in the world two points indropped just latest FIFA their own the best in the yesterday. ranking released Congo continent. qualifiers as European DR is next The three-tim e African world ranking at 28th in the champions Senegal while stepped up one place from just ranked third in Africa is spot in global 39th to 38th is fourthat 31 globally. Tunisia in Africa and was also the ranking. It in 34th the world. same slight one spot movemen The biggest climbers t from ranking in the current 7th to 6th in the African in Africa are ranking. Eagles amassed Namibians who moved the 716.28 points 20 to maintain steps up to place their stand 136th.

At in the the current global level, ranking.

Paris Saint Germain new Interestingly, Nigeria’s next Neymar and his Sambastriker foe in the World Boys Cup 2018 from Brazil have knocked qualifiers, the Indomitable Germany down from Lions of Cameroo the top of the current FIFA rankings. one spot above n are just World champion Eagles in the 5th spot s Germany dropped 35th in worldin Africa and winning to second despite the Confeder The double-hegrading. ader World Cup last month after ations Cup clashes some between both rolling historical results countries devalued. were Yaounde onin Uyo and Lionel Messi’s and SeptembeSeptember 1 are Argentina in r third 4 are going Switzerla to play significan and modest nd, with both the ranking t roles in per a 100 for next Cup cent record in World month to September be released on whichqualifiers, are fourth, their march 14 as well as have is higher than they been since lone ticket to grabbing the 1994.

Poland, available in who Group B pairing. the Bayern Munich’s boasts The Pharaohs Robert of Egypt Lewandowski among ranks, are at their a historic high Arsenal

PREMIER

SHIP

Players in their

last warm up

champions Portugal dropped two places to fifth.

The CONCAC AF Gold

training session

before this evening’s

Cup was responsible some major for movemen further down the table, witht

Premier League

opening game

defeated finalists Jamaica (57th, up 19) most points accruing the over the month.

with Leicester

IAAF WOR LD CHAM PIO

City

NSHIPS

Arsenal stepped up their preparations on his account.

Thursday as in training The Mancheste to take on they get ready expected r City target is after a 1-1 draw during normal Where time. their PremierLeicester City in games to miss the first two do you Arsenal will raiser against League curtain Leicesterof the season against “I created, go?’ be hoping for Leicester City a strong with me not and Stoke with tonight. abdominal an which start to the season, deciding, a lack of clarity strain, would be a The Gunners the in marked is dressing room and there are without stomach will likely beand his difference the injured nothing worse from feeling the a little than that in All eyes last campaignthe end of the dressing for the game Alexis Sanchez the worse if he polishes will be on Blessing off . sizeable lunch. room.

The Gunners Stadium, but at the Emirates Okagbare-I “When you finished outside has been in Summer are not when she ghoteguonor tonight season spirits ahead looked in good Lacazette signing Alexandre the top four for the fine takes to the first time in completely in or the of the night and only last form this the Wenger era is set to make fixture. players jump pit of long feel you are June won - and the French full league debut his the Olympic the highly competiti not completel Sanchez may in, it is difficult for Arsene boss has admitted uncertainty y Stadium ve and Wenger’s side be around out to tell them for one in London to battle prestigious American collegiate after of game, but of the title that didn’t the the Community Shieldstarting in morale his future affected the we go (out to win). him from posting on offer at the three medals bestin a 12.57 seconds personal stop Chelsea amongst his time. players. tell“At some stage, I had on-going 16th at Wembley onwin over a video an impressiv to IAAF World Cham them ‘Look Sunday s “I had an impact on The north L The tim h e-looki l of th i

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

11

12

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

13

14

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯ​ͯ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

COMMENT

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

TWOYEARS ON

The Eighth Senate has performed remarkably well, writes Sanni Onogu

T

wo years in the life of any administration is significant.

This is especially so when the life span of that organisation is just four years. Any organisation that has successfully spent two years can no longer hide its goals, objectives, failures and successes. In a four- year tenure, two is equal to halftime. And half time in a game of football is a sure time to reflect on whether a team is getting it right and if not, to adopt new strategies to enable it up its game.

Fortunately, for the 8th Senate, the last two years has been like 10 considering the milestones it has attained through the laser-focused determination of its leadership to restore the legislature’s lost glory.

Presently, the 8th Senate has shown itself as a worthy and dependable partner in the drive to sustain democracy, develop the country, diversify the economy and squelch the locust of corruption.

Its President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, had clearly set the tone for the many innovative interventions by the Senate when he told his colleagues, during one of its plenary sessions, that the Senate would not abdicate its responsibility to government and the people under any guise.

“Let me also state clearly that we shall not hide under the cloak of partisan solidarity to abdicate our constitutional responsibility under the principles of checks and balances,” he said. “We shall make critical interventions whenever they become necessary and undertake emergency actions whenever they are required, within the confines of the constitution.”

While some may argue that legislation and oversight is the de facto mandate of any legislature, it can also be said that the use of motions and critical interventions to respond to emerging national emergencies is obligatory. Notwithstanding, the 8th Senate in the last two years has engaged motions and interventions as veritable instruments in aid of the government, prevent monumental loss of revenue, rally support for security and humanitarian emergencies, protect the people from exploitation, curb corruption and to ensure the economic viability of the country.

It must the said that the most lofty and people-friendly intervention of the 8th Senate has been its resolve to help uplift the economy through relevant legislations. In line with this, the Senate at inception fashioned a comprehensive agenda, which put the nation’s economy at the centre of its legislative business. To achieve this, the Senate commissioned a team of experts to work with the National Assembly to research and review all institutional, regulatory and legislative instruments operational in the country, identify their impact on the ease of doing business in the country and to come out with a way forward.

It must be noted that in a bid to quickly terminate the recession facing the country, the Senate President had in September last year, presented a 14-point plan to his colleagues for deliberation, adoption and subsequent transmission to the Executive to aid it in rebutting the economy. Saraki added that while the executive is working on the recommendations enumerated above, the National Assembly would support it with the necessary legislations and oversight activities.

While the Senate has kept its promise by passing major landmark legislations to support the economic revival strategies of the federal government like the PIGB, Ports and Harbours Bill, Railways Act amendment, Public Procurement Act amendment, Federal Competition Bill and the National Road Authority Bill, to mention but a few, the executive has since adopted some of the recommendations.

Also, most of the recommendations have been accommodated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan recently launched by the federal

THE 8TH SENATE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS HAS ENGAGED MOTIONS AND INTERVENTIONS AS VERITABLE INSTRUMENTS IN AID OF THE GOVERNMENT, PREVENT MONUMENTAL LOSS OF REVENUE, RALLY SUPPORT FOR SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCIES AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE FROM EXPLOITATION

government. President Muhammadu Buhari in his speech before presenting the 2017 budget, openly acknowledged and thanked the National Assembly for its resolutions on how to exit the recession and grow the economy.

“Let me, Mr. Senate President, Right Hon. Speaker, here acknowledge the concerns expressed by the National Assembly and, in particular, acknowledge your very helpful resolutions on the state of the economy, which were sent to me for my consideration,” Buhari said. “The resolutions contained many useful suggestions, many of which are in line with my thinking and have already been reflected in our plan. Let me emphasise that close cooperation between the executive and the legislature is vital to the success of our recovery and growth plans.”

In addition, the Senate through a motion, during its early days, exposed the fraud inherent in the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy of the federal government and through painstaking investigation, helped the country to prevent the theft of N20 billion - monies that were being siphoned through a skewed commission parameter in favour of the software company engaged to operate the scheme by government.

Senate intervention also led to the review of Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) forex policy to enable small business owners and individuals’ access required foreign exchange to keep their import businesses afloat and to meet the educational requirements of their wards in foreign academic institutions respectively. In this wise, many business that hitherto would have been asphyxiated were rejuvenated.

The parlous power situation in the country and the fleecing of the ordinary Nigerians by some power companies also witnessed the Senate’s immediate response. Through a motion, the Eighth Senate mandated the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC) to immediately abolish fixed electricity charges and bulk metering hitherto imposed on electricity consumers.

The Senate also investigated the failure to remit over $3.4billion revenue to the federal government by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) - with appropriate sanctions recommended. It halted the planned internet data tariff hike by telecommunications companies, despite the approval given to it by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), stopped the payment of retroactive duty on imported vehicles, initiated by the Nigeria Customs Service and the investigation of the fraud and anomalies uncovered by the 2013 audit report of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). This report revealed that Nigeria lost over $9 billion in stolen, unremitted oil money in 2013.

Interventions by the Senate have led to resolution of the crisis concerning the closure of Queens College, Lagos due to protests over the death of three students on account of the hygiene situation in the school, disagreement between Islamic and Christian groups over the merger of Islamic Religious Studies (IRK) and Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) in the curriculum of junior secondary schools, the LAUTECH impasse in which the university jointly owned by Oyo and Osun States have been shut continuously for two years and many more.

In summary, one can safely conclude that with the long list of achievements already recorded by this Senate, the two years will witness the cancellation of past poor records and setting of new enviable ones.

Onogu is Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President

MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR Dan Aibangbe writes that the airports are increasingly becoming user-friendly

I

n the civilized world, air travel remains by far, the most preferred means of transportation. It affords you comfort, speed, safety and all-round efficiency.

However, for many years until recently, the user-experience in Nigeria’s aviation had been a far cry from the expected norms.

A number of factors combined to deny air travellers the joys of flying. Unpredictable schedules, extended and uncomfortable check-in, exorbitant pricing, decrepit aircraft, ticketing challenges and generally poor services appeared to be the norm. At some point, international airlines shunned the nation’s airspace for reasons of poor safety and infrastructural standards.

Today, air travellers can now heave a sigh of relief as a new era emerges in which there is a general transformation both in infrastructure, services and above all, user-experience. Early this year, the government took a bold step to reconstruct the Abuja runway. This was completed on schedule. The feat was initially deemed impossible but has now become history. The feat also afforded an upgrade to the existing facilities as well as the general ambience of the Kaduna airport.

Then came the executive order by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo who mandated all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to up their game and improve ease of doing business across Nigeria. It appears this

was all that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had been waiting for to usher in a distinctive era of great user-experience in the Nigerian aviation industry.

Without any dint of contradiction, we have observed great improvement in passenger and luggage checking with the new centralised screening supported by automated digital screening machines which replaced the need for manual passengers and luggage processing.

The impact of this development is a drastic reduction in time spent and discomfort to passengers. The process has afforded the need for fewer security agencies to be directly involved, unlike in the past, where at least, seven sets of cumbersome checks were carried out per diem.

Apart from improving the ease of commuting for the ordinary traveller, the upgraded check-in technology, incidentally, translates to more trouble for the wayward wayfarers such as drug barons, drug couriers, smugglers and non-conformists who are sure to get more than they bargain for, especially with the precision with which the Astrophysics Baggage Scanner is reputed to operate and seamlessly detect hidden prohibited items such as narcotics and explosives.

Again, we have noticed a great improvement in the attitude of staff and personnel involved in passenger and luggage handling. This change in attitude, doubtless, results in very low level of corrupt practices in contrast to the

past experience.

On the side of the security agencies, the new era of centralised processing has forced greater cooperation and compliance to standard operating procedures. Touting which had been a major problem in all the airports across the country with its attendant side effects of loss of revenue to official operators, inconveniences to travellers, outright fraud and potential security breaches is now being tackled head-on.

This new era, no doubt, will go a long way in improving flight schedules, as fewer delays would only now be attributable to check- in challenges. Most of the bottlenecks have been removed and what had once seemed an elusive ease of doing business is fast becoming a reality. We can only hope this era will be sustained and possibly improved upon.

For airline operators, there is a need for cooperation, to develop local services in the area of maintenance, fuel availability and crew motivation. They will also do well to improve ticketing facilities and ensure compliance schedule. We believe that with all these in place, the aviation industry will certainly experience a surge in patronage both of domestic and international flyers and cargo.

The government, on its part, must continue to place premium on profitable development of the aviation sector. The aviation industry must be seen as critical to the development of the tourism industry which has the potential to be

the most profitable economic sector. This is also critical to sustaining investor – confidence in the economy towards attracting foreign direct investment on a sustainable basis.

In conclusion, efforts must not be spared in sustaining the current tempo in order to enhance a more efficient travel experience.

Nigeria’s reputation for poor maintenance culture should not be allowed to fester here.

As I have always insisted, there must be a new spirit of patriotism and national cohesion which can only evolve through a deliberate and consistent set of efforts at rekindling nationality instincts in the Nigerian people. A recession period is the best time to make judicious investment in infrastructure development within which the aviation industry plays a key role as the gateway to national development.

This period in the chronicles of development in the Nigerian aviation industry is the appropriate time for the re-establishment of a national carrier on a public–private partnership model. We are expecting and calling on FAAN to mid-wife this project based on its rich experience and high level manpower competence.

The benefits of a national carrier are too numerous and well known. Nigeria has the expertise, the facilities and the market to facilitate smooth delivery of this objective.

So, what are we waiting for?

Aibangbe, a Media Consultant, wrote from Lagos

15

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

EDITORIAL NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S MISSED OPPORTUNITY

The devolution of political power has become an imperative. It is in the nation’s interest the lawmakers revisit the bill

T

he timing could not have been more auspicious for the National Assembly to make an indelible mark in the quest for a new Nigeria anchored on productivity, equity and distributive justice. But much against common sense, both chambers of the federal legislature rejected a proposed amendment to the 1999 constitution to devolve more powers from the bloated exclusive list to the concurrent list.

The bill (Devolution of Powers) had sought to alter the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, Part I & II, to give more legislative powers to the states. It also delineates the extent to which the federal legislature and state assemblies can legislate on items that have been moved to the concurrent legislative List. It was a move aimed at restructuring certain aspects of our federation that impede development and often lead to needless tension.

If passed, the bill would empower state houses of assembly to legislate on land use and management, railways, health care, agriculture, road safety, pension, environment, youth development, and stamp duties.

Simply put, it would UNEVEN DEVELOPMENT put the responsibility of the development of IS A MAJOR CAUSE FOR some percentages of DIFFERENT MODES OF the listed sectors on the AGITATIONS ACROSS states and reduce the THE COUNTRY, SOME OF powers of the federal WHICH THREATEN THE EXISTENCE OF NIGERIA AS government. The idea was to accelerate A SINGLE ENTITY development through competition.

Unfortunately, in the Senate where it required a minimum of 73 votes (two-thirds of 109 senators) to pass, the bill secured an abysmal 46 “Yes�, and 48 “No� while in the House of Representatives where it needed a minimum of 240 votes (two thirds of 360 members), it secured 210 “Yes�, and 71 “No�. Given the excuses that the bill failed because its separate components were not broken down into clauses, explanations that it was misunderstood, and speculations that it will be revisited, it is unfortunate that such a critical issue was treated in a

Letters to the Editor

cavalier manner by the federal lawmakers.

We have clamoured for restructuring of the governance structure of this country in a manner that would ensure equitable development and better use of resources. Uneven development is a major cause for different modes of agitations across the country, some of which threaten the existence of Nigeria as a single entity.

Endorsing the devolution of powers bill at this critical time would have therefore been a crucial step towards advancing the cause of good governance.

H T H I S DAY

EDITOR

DEPUTY EDITORS

˜

MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ˜

˜

˜

GROUP FINANCE DIRECTOR

DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS ˜

˜

DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS ˜ CONTROLLERS

˜

˜

GENERAL MANAGER

GROUP HEAD

DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION

TO SEND EMAIL: ďŹ rst name.surname@thisdaylive.com

owever, we have also taken note of arguments that devolution of powers cannot be fair without a review of the revenue sharing formula. Granted that this excuse is legitimate, the states have to realise that they have not helped their cause with the manner in which many of the governors treat issues of transparency and accountability. The question then is: If they cannot properly account for what their states are currently getting from the federation account, what is the guarantee that the people would beneďŹ t with more resources granted them?

Meanwhile, we agree that there can be no power devolution without a review of the revenue sharing formula. Under such an arrangement, states would no longer be able to pass off their inefďŹ ciencies to the federal government. But all factors considered, it is very clear that the current system is not working for majority of Nigerians and cannot for long endure. It is therefore necessary that the bill be revisited by the National Assembly.

We must also register our disappointment that all the pro-gender bills were defeated in this round of constitutional amendment. While afďŹ rmative action for appointive ofďŹ ces failed in the Senate, the House of Representatives made a meaningless show of passing it. Both chambers however rejected a bill that would allow married women to choose their indigeneship by marriage or state of origin for appointive or elective purposes.

At the end, what came out from the National Assembly as constitutional amendment was no more than an elaborate charade.

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.

USAIN BOLT: END OF AN ERA

T

here is, perhaps, no other athlete that has so much caught the attention of the world in contemporary time as Usain Bolt. It is not just about his talent. Neither is it about his imposing frame. Usain Bolts brings something extra to his trade that makes fans enjoy watching him. He is an enigma who starts and ends a race in an unusual electrifying fashion. Bolt is a showman on the tracks and no doubt, the tracks, the fans and the sport immeasurably love him. The way he does his lap of honour at the end of each race is simply exhilarating.

Unlike other superstar sprinters like Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson, after winning a race, the drama has just begun for Bolt as he stops for every selfie, holding his now famous and iconic pose for every photographer. Sometimes he takes him an hour to complete a lap of honor when the race proper had taken him less than 10 seconds. For Bolt, it goes beyond winning. It is about how much of the ecstatic of winning he could savour. It is a combination of these that have made Bolt the most globally recognised sportsman since Muhammad Ali, with a greater global fan base than a Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan.

Like every good story, there is always a beginning. For Bolt, his real burst into global sporting reckoning began at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Except, perhaps, for die hard track and field enthusiasts, in Beijing the world knew very little about the 21- year rookie. Thus, much was not really expected from him. Indeed, his qualification for the final of the 100m race was considered as enough milestones. By the time the 100m race ended that summer night at the magnificent Beijing Olympics Stadium, the entire world was shocked to witness the arrival of a new track king.

Not only did Bolt win the 100m race, he did so by setting a new world record of 9.69 which remains valid till date. Since then, Bolt has grown to become a global sprint phenomenon. His Olympics record is, to say the least, awesome: three Olympics, three gold medals in each of the three races he competed for; a world record over 100m, a world record over 200m, a world record in the sprint 400m relay. Not only has Bolt created Olympic and athletics records, he has equally redeemed the sport from its numerous doping scandals.

For instance, at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Shawn Crawford who won the 100m race and was trained by disgraced Coach Trevor Graham, ended his career with a doping sanction. Close behind Crawford in bronze at Athens was Justin Gatlin (the man who ironically spoiled the party for Bolt at his last individual race as an athlete at the 2017 World Athletics Championship 100m final in London) who was another of Graham’s doping products. Gatlin had been banned for one year and four years respectively for dope-related offences. So, as the 2008 Beijing Olympics was approaching, almost every record-breaking sprinter - Justin Gatlin, Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery had been busted for drugs. This was the doping ravaged picture of athletics before Bolt came from the blue and gave the sport a clean new lease of life.

Throughout his reign from 2008-2017, as the sport numero uno, Bolt stood tall as the new symbol of athletics and an example that new generation of aspiring athletes could emulate. He showed the world that an athlete does not need to cut corners before becoming a global prodigy.

Through a dint of hard work and sheer determination, Bolt became a cult figure in the sporting fraternity. By the London 2012 Olympics, Bolt had so much elevated the status of the sport that over one million fans

across the world jostled to buy the available 80,000 tickets for the 100m final event. This is aside hundreds of millions others that were glued to the television just to catch a glimpse of a 10 -second event. Such was the thrilling power that the sport has had upon the world, thanks to Bolt’s captivating influence.

This much was attested to by no other athletic personality than the legendary Michael Johnson whose 200 metres record Bolt shattered. “Athletics is in such a poor shape before Bolt busted into the scene. It is difficult to really put into perspective his impact, because the sport has done such a poor job of promoting itself and policing itself that Bolt has stood apart from the sport. Good for him, otherwise, I think the sport would have dragged him down.� In a blemished period, Bolt has been unblemished. Putting on the now famous Jamaican yellow vest, Bolt has brought so much ecstasy to diverse people across the globe.

Though he lost his last individual race, the final of the 100m at the 2017 World Athletics Championship to dope-prone Justin Gatlin who won in a time of 9.92 secs, with his fellow American Christian Coleman second in 9.94secs and Bolt coming third with 9.95secs, to millions of his admirers and athletics enthusiasts all over the world, it doesn’t really matter anymore. Bolt has given his all to the sport that made him and which he also remade. Athletics now has only one golden boy. Usain Bolt is it! It doesn’t even matter anymore whatever happens at his very last race-the 400m relay race. Bolt would for a long while remain a colossus in the minds of sporting fans across the globe. He has done just enough to put his name in gold in the hearts of sports fans.

Tayo Ogunbiyi, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

16

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

17

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Amaechi and Wike’s Endless Feud There seems to be no end in sight to the war of attrition between the Minister for Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi and his estranged former right-hand man, now governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, writes Davidson Iriekpen

Makarfi...promised to be magnanimous in victory

I

t is no longer news that the feud between the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi and Governor Nyesom Wike, is getting messier by the day. At every given opportunity, they throw jabs at each other.

Last week, they were in the news again when Amaechi raised the alarm that Wike planned to forge documents to prosecute him in court. In a statement issued by his media office, Amaechi alleged that the governor “wants to use the elaborately distorted and most times outright but carefully forged documents to persecute and prosecute his erstwhile benefactor in court. In the past couple of days, Wike has been telling anyone who cares to listen, bragging that he will certainly get a conviction- a judgment against Amaechi in the law courts on spurious charges of corruption using his forged documents because he (Wike) is in control of the judiciary at the state and national level,” the statement said.

The minister alleged that Wike had been boasting that he has the judges in the state judiciary in his pocket; that he was in full control and that the state judiciary would always give him any judgment he wanted against his predecessor at the apex court, “using his contorted documents.”

He said: “Wike is also telling anyone who cares to listen that the Supreme Court (justices) and judges generally are not happy with Amaechi and so they would easily convict him with any forged document he presents in court. Wike is using the recent visit of the CJN to state as his bragging right to prove his ‘extreme’ closeness to the CJN.” Amaechi’s fear was sequel to the allegation by one Livinstone Wechie, who had earlier pressed for the prosecution of Amaechi for corruption, that the former governor was framed by Wike.

Wechie in a live programme “Focus Nigeria” on Africa Independent Television (AIT), accused Wike and the Rivers State government of fabricating documents with which it had discredited Amaechi for corruption. He said documents presented by the state government to the Justice Georege Omereji-led judicial commission of inquiry that indicted Amaechi of corruption were forged.

Wechie, as Executive Director of the Integrity Group, a non-governmental organisation, had in 2015 filed petitions against Amaechi to the National Assembly. In order to stop Amaechi the Senate from screening and confirming the former governor as a minister, he appeared before a Senate committee to defend the petition and allegations. But appearing on television, he said he had believed the documents then to be true but has now realised they were forged and fabricated to indict Amaechi. He accused Wike

of forging documents to implicate the former governor.

“We call on the general public and all relevant institutions to disregard all documents tendered by our organisation indicting Amaechi including particularly the so-called Omereji report and the subsequent white paper by the Rivers State government as all documents tendered were all politically fabricated and forged by the Wike government to achieve his unrighteous end,” he stated.

As if it was a good news it was waiting to hear, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) quickly responded, saying that Amaechi had been vindicated by Wechie’s testimony.

The Publicity Secretary of the APC, in Rivers, Chris Finebone, rather than condemn Wechie, said: “It is always our position in Rivers APC that every lie has an expiry date. Today, all the lies and falsehood perpetrated against Amaechi

by Wike and the PDP expired with ignominy.

No better vessel would have conveyed the message of shame than Wechie himself having been the arrow-head of Wike and PDP on their self-appointed mission to destroy the impeccable image of Amaechi.”

But the state chapter of the PDP called on the Senate to summon and prosecute Wechie for the “lies.” The state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Samuel Nwanosike, said “I want to state clearly that from what we have seen today, men who lack integrity and character ought not to be taken seriously. This same Wechie swore to an oath in 2015 before Senator Anya that he was not sponsored by anybody. That anything he had said was based on his investigation.

What happened today showed that when a man is hungry, he can be able to eat from the gutters. One of the issues he raised was the Karibe Whyte Hospital. Is it that there was no Clinotech that came in the name of building 1,000-bed hospital and nothing was built. The question we are asking is that did Clinotech not rip off the state in the contract?

“All he said today was aimed at laundering the image of Amaechi. I am calling on the Senate to know that the document he presented to them belongs to him. With the current development,

At every given opportunity, they throw jabs at each other

it showed that he lied on oath and the Senate should summon him. If he is being compelled to do what he had just done, then he should be used as an example because he thinks that Nigerians can be taken for a ride.”

However, Wike reacted to the allegation, saying the minister was embarking on another journey to blackmail the judiciary again and noted that his plan would fail. In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, the governor denied the allegations and described them as unfounded and baseless.

“Our attention has been drawn to a reckless press statement credited to Amaechi to the effect Wike is forging documents to secure his conviction in a court of law. This allegation is unfounded, baseless and a figment of the imagination of the former governor,” the statement said.

The statement noted that the minister also went ahead to falsely allege that Wike bragged that he has the judiciary at the state and federal level in his pocket to secure his conviction on charges of corruption, saying, “This is another false allegation, merely concocted by the former governor to distract attention from the crimes he committed against Rivers people, by diverting their resources.” This statement issued by Amaechi is part of the campaign of calumny launched by the former governor, following the foundation stone laid by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen for the construction of the Rivers State judges’ quarters.

He accused the former governor of sponsoring advertorials in the media through proxies some day to Justice Onnoghen’s visit for the flag-off of the construction of the Rivers State judges’ quarters stop the laudable project. He said it was because the advertorials did not yield his desired result that he resorted to falsehood and character assassination of the judiciary.

“We are not surprised by Amaechi’s antics to blackmail the judiciary. Ever since the Supreme Court victory that validated the election of Wike, Amaechi has never failed to malign the judiciary. The governor is a law abiding citizen, who believes in the rule of law. That is why he has followed due process in tackling the issues of high level corruption against the Minister of Transportation,” the statement said.

It did not end there. A day after, Wike while addressing the 106th quarterly meeting of the state Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt, declared that the state did not forge any documents to implicate Amaechi. He said evidence of corruption against former governor was so overwhelming that he (Amaechi) himself admitted to them publicly.

The governor said Amaechi admitted paying $39 million for a non-existent Justice Karibi Whyte Mega Specialist Hospital. He added that the former governor confessed publicly that he sold the state’s gas turbines, which the immediate past administration diverted the funds. He said: “All the documents that proved Amaechi’s corrupt acts are authentic. We never forged documents. The former governor himself admitted that he paid out $39 million to Clinotech, without a single block laid anywhere. Is that a document he claims was forged? Where is the Hospital? He has agreed in different interviews that he sold the state gas turbines for $309 million. Convert $309 million to naira and you will understand the level of fraud.

Amaechi left only $204,000 in the state account.

“The bank statements of the pattern of withdrawals from that account are there for all to see. Can that be forged? The dates and amounts withdrawn are clearly written.” The governor berated the minister of transportation for engaging in the blackmail of the Supreme Court because his appeal is pending before the apex court over the establishment of the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry. There is no time that he loses a case without blackmailing the judiciary. He feels that the only way he can do it is to blackmail the Supreme Court. You cannot play politics with everything,” Wike said.

But Amaechi in his response, insisted that the governor has no concrete evidence to prove his allegations of corruption against him. Amaechi maintained that he ran a transparent administration devoid of all the spurious acts and practices being attributing to him.

Many analysts are of the view that the feud between the governor and the minister is an indication of what is likely to play out in Rivers State in 2019. There is no doubt that since the APC under Amaechi lost the 2015 elections to the Wike-led PDP, the former governor is not happy. This was manifested during the December 2015 and March 2016 rerun elections in the state where the APC-led federal government flooded the state with security personnel in order to win a senatorial and some House of Representatives seats that were up for contest.

Since after the elections and with 2019 elections fast approaching, Amaechi who has lost political relevance in the state, is unrelenting in regaining it. While his main pre-occupation has largely been to discredit Wike as much as possible for him not to get a second term in office, the governor’s focus is how to deliver good governance in the state knowing that what will decide his future is to satisfy the people and provide them with infrastructural facilities.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

18

POLITICS

FOR THE RECORD

We Must Not Fail Our People James Ibori On behalf of the people and Government of Delta State, I welcome you most affectionately to Asaba as brothers and sisters united by a common vision and faith in one indivisible and dissoluble Sovereign Democratic Federal Republic of Nigeria and the aspirations of the South-south zone.

As political leaders of the people of the South-south zone, given the sad and long history of our marginalization, we should see and treat our various offices as held in sacred trust with corresponding obligations imposed by our conscience and oath of office in the overriding interest of our states and the nation.

This meeting thereof provides us with the unique opportunity to deliberate on several issues, which bother our people in their struggle for resource control. The solution to them will assist us to define the future and fortunes of the zone for the benefit of our peoples and the nation at large and also our place in history.

Succeed we must. Failure will be disastrous not only to the aspirations of our peoples but the nation as well. It is against this background that I wish to highlight and articulate the position of the people and government of Delta State on some national and local issues, which have characterized our 10-month-old democracy.

Principles of Derivation The economic objectives of the 1999 Constitution are founded on the control of the national economy in such a manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice, equality of status and opportunity.

Towards this end, Section 162(1) of the 1999 Constitution established a “Federation Account” to which all revenues collected by the federal government are paid. Section 162(2) then enacts the principles of allocation which include population density, equality of states, internal revenue generation, land mass and terrain, subject to an overriding proviso which states in part: “Provided that the principle of derivation shall be constantly reflected in any approved formula as being not less 13 percent of the revenue accruing to the Federation account directly from any natural resource.”

The people and government of Delta State are unequivocally unable to accept the view that the implementation of Section 162 (2) of the Constitution is a condition precedent to giving effect to the payment of the minimum 13 percent principle of derivation in the interim system of revenue allocation enshrined in section 313 of the Constitution for the allocation of Federation Account until an Act of the National Assembly is passed. The section states that as from the commencement of the Constitution on the 26th of May, 1999, the system of revenue allocation in existence for the financial year, beginning from 1st January, 1998 and ending 31st December, 1998, shall be the approved revenue allocation formula subject to the provisions of this Constitution.

On the contrary and to the chagrin of the people and government of Delta State, the principle of derivation has been pegged at one percent under a revenue allocation formula different from the 1998 system since the 29th of May to date, leaving an outstanding balance of 12 percent each month of the 10 months in favor of the recipient states. This is a flagrant violation of the provision of Sections 162(2) and 313 of the Constitution, which every key player in the new democracy swore to uphold.

Our call is justified even by the history of the principle of derivation, which is not a new factor in our fiscal federalism. In the 60s and early 70s the principle was fully recognized and in use and the percentage weight of the principle was as high as 60

As heads of governments and distinguished lawmakers, eminent sons and daughters of the South-south zone, we are their hope. If we fail, they fail. We should loathe seeing ourselves being counted among failures by history.

The Land Use Act must be reviewed through our concerted efforts and those of other patriots so that we will truly and fully enjoy the fruits of our land and environment for our sustenance and those of our children.

Ibori...Niger Delta deserves a better deal

percent. Our nation was not less federal or poorer for it.

The question of onshore/offshore dichotomy of oil and gas production The time has come for us to translate our patriotism, energy, talents, democratic wits and indeed all that is in us to free our people from every legislative shackle which is not in their socio-economic interest and aspirations. We must speak and must act. The dichotomy between onshore and offshore oil and gas deposit is artificial and not in the best interest of our people. It is artificial because it is unnatural and not unconnected with the expropriation intention behind the Exclusive Economic Zone Act. As we all may recall, the Act was passed in 1978, delimiting the Exclusive Economic zone of our country and extended it up to 200 nautical miles seawards from the coasts. It then proceeded to vest the federal government with the sovereign exclusive rights with respect to the exploration and exploitation of the natural resources of the sea bed, sub-oil and superjacent waters of the exclusive zone. This expropriation of our people and government of their riparian natural rights has since been given constitutional confirmation. The 1999 Constitution, like its immediate precursor, preserves the property rights of the individual against expropriation, save the entire property in and control of all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas in, under, or upon the territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria which are vested in the federal government.

The mission of law is not to rob Peter to pay Paul; it is, in the view of the people and government of Delta State, to create a stable polity founded on freedom, equity and justice; a polity where every subject dreams according to his power of vision and

The mission of law is not to rob Peter to pay Paul; it is, in the view of the people and government of Delta State, to create a stable polity founded on freedom, equity and justice

translates his dreams to reality according to his strength and endowments without being denied by forces external to him.

Therefore, any law which directly or indirectly frustrates the realization of our dreams for our state through a calculated scheme of expropriations of our natural resources should be seen as repressive and must be expunged from the statue books. But let me quickly add, that in making this charge, I am not less federalist. These objectives are to be pursued within the shared values of democracy and federalism.

Land and environmental question The land and environment are our natural patrimony. God, in His wisdom, has given to each people in this regard the type of land and environment that suit their circumstances to make for sustainable development. As Kwemena Bentsi-Enchili, an eminent scholar of land law, once stated, land matters a great deal to man as it is to the tree; the quality of the land that a man has determines largely his social statue in life as it is to the tree. Any legislation that is aimed at taking our land rights from us should matter to us at all times at least for the sake of our children and the generation unborn. It is against this note of serious concern that I humbly draw the attention of Your Excellencies and distinguished lawmakers to the Land Use Act, 1978 which vested ownership in the country in both the state and the federal governments.To the unwary or uniformed, it does not take away the right of the people to use and occupy land. But for the more informed, it is one of the instruments by which our people and states have been denied the right to their patrimony under and over land.

This is more serious because no attempt is made to remedy the damage done to our environment through the massive exploitation of our underground and undersea natural resources for almost 40 years. We are witnesses to the evils of environmental degradation, impoverishment and displacement of our people from their homesteads, farmlands and fishing streams, poor industrial base, youth restiveness, communal conflicts and violence, high rate of criminal activities, physical underdevelopment, mass unemployment and the associated problems of insecurity that oil and gas exploration have inflicted on our environment and people.

Remedial Institutions of the Region The neglect of the South-south region by successive governments of the federation has long been recognized and given expression to by the establishment of a number of administrative institutions aimed at harnessing resources for its development.

These efforts culminated in the Oil Mineral Producing Area Commission Act, OMPADEC. The Act was intended to channel funds for the development of the area but the funds released were not only grossly inadequate but also were not judiciously and transparently applied to create the enabling environment for a sustainable development.

While South-south zone states antagonized one another over the equitable sharing of the bones of the oil industry, others relished in the flesh. Consequently, OMPADEC failed woefully to meet the region’s developmental aspirations. It is against this background that the people and government of Delta State were indeed very amused at the scramble among the people and governments of South-south states over the headquarters and the appointment of the Chief Executive of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as if both were the end for which the commission was being set up.

At all times and in the true spirit of this movement, I thought we should work out equitable formula among ourselves with respect to both matters as well as the funding of the commission, but sadly, we were unable to speak with one voice and act with one mind. It was convenient for us to forget the principles used in the citing of the headquarters of OMPADEC. We also forget that justice is about treating like cases alike and different cases differently. We the people and Government of Delta State like to see the South-south movement as a forum for ensuring that the NDDC, when functional, is efficiently and transparently run as a truly remedial institution for equitable distribution of resources and creating employment opportunities within the region for our people based on oil production quota of the constituent states.

The Ethics of National Secularism Delta State believes in the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution and founded on the constitutional principle that the government of the federation or a state shall not adopt any religion as state religion. Therefore, all Deltans condemn any disturbance or attack on our people or any person in the country by any individual or group in the name of any religion, belief in worship or teaching. We believe that all Nigerians should pursue the goals of mutual co-existence, as well as religion and ethnic tolerance. There lies the strength of our nation.

Conclusion I do not claim monopoly of knowledge in respect of any of the issues. But you will concede to me as I would do to you, a measure of exclusive knowledge of the feeling of my people as the head of their government.

This speech was delivered by the former governor of Delta State, Chief James, Onanefe Ibori, at meeting of the governors and members of the National Assembly of the South-south zone, held in Asaba, Delta State in 2000

19

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŻËœ 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

G0000 B0000000E00000Chika Amanze-Nwachuku E0 00000000000 00000000000000 000000000000000 08033294157

ÍŻ Íś Í° ÍŽ ÍŻ Íľ NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

NIBOR 21.3750% 21.0038 %

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

22.5331% 24.6856%

NITTY 1-MONTH 3-MONTH 3-MONTH

20.1827% 19.3855% 16.2693%

6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

21.3861% 21.5058% 22.4006%

EXCHANGE RATE N305.35//1US DOLLAR* ĚŠ

Quick Takes Air Peace Launches Akure Route

Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace has announced ight operations to AkurefromLagos.AstatementissuedbytheCorporateCommunications Manageroftheairline,Mr.ChrisIwarahsaidtheairlinewouldcollaborate with the governor of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu to guarantee easy access to the state by investors, tourists and other categories of air travellers. The inaugural Lagos-Akure-Lagos ight, the statement added, would take o from the airline’s Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja hub at 1pm and touch down at the Akure Airport at 1.40 pm on Friday.Thereturnight,AirPeacesaid,woulddeparttheAkureAirport at 2.10pm and land at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos at 2.50pm. “We are delighted to announce the commencement of our Lagos-Akure-Lagos service on Friday, August 11, 2017. Air Peace has been operating from our main hub in Lagos State since 2014 and so the launch of the second route in the South West of Nigeria is only a natural progression. “Air Peace is pleased to have this opportunity to add such an important destination as Akure to ourlocal route network.

Akure lies geographically on the tropical belt and is bordered in the north by Ekiti and Kogi; east by Edo; west by Oyo and Ogun. Ondo is one of Nigeria’s most exciting destinations for leisure and business travel.

Boeing Takes $1.79B Air Lease Order

A WARM WELCOME

L-R: Ag. Head, Corporate Services Division, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Pai Gamde; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Oscar N. Onyema; Ag. Chairman, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and Doyen of Stockbrokers, Willie Sam Ndata, at the EFCC’s visit to the NSE‌recently

FG Moves to Review Bilateral Relations with Some African Countries Chinedu Eze The federal government is considering reviewing its bilateral relations with some African countries that have refused to approve the operations of Nigerian airlines to destinations in their places, while they are allowed to fly to Nigeria, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has disclosed.

Over the years, Nigeria’s diplomatic philosophy has been Afrocentric, whereby the country gives a lot of concessions to African countries by making it easy for airlines from the continent to fly to Nigerian destinations without hindrances.

However, these nations in the

AVIATION efforts to protect their own airlines do not equally reciprocate Nigeria’s gestures by allowing Nigerian airlines to also operate to theirs.

According to air traffic regulations in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), every country in West Africa should have direct fight from its capital to Abuja, the headquarters of the sub-regional body and also the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, but some African countries refuse to give Nigerian airlines approval when they request to connect these countries to Nigerian destinations like Lagos and Abuja.

Recently a Nigerian carrier, Air Peace threatened to drag Togo to court over the refusal by its civil aviation authority to allow it and other Nigerian carriers to operate into the country to reciprocate the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) signed between Nigeria and Togo. “Nigeria gave us right to fly into African countries but we are only doing Ghana presently.

Those other countries never wanted to answer our emails.

We had to send people there.

We went to them pleading.

They see Air Peace as a threat.

Senegal has not been here since two years to see our facilities to approve us to come to Senegal.

We have written them but they have refused to come. We have

provided everything they want us to provide. Cote d’Ivoire did it to us because they wanted to protect Air Cote d’ivoire,� the Chairman and CEO of the airline, Chief Allen Onyema said.

It was a similar experience with Arik Air few years ago when it wanted to operate to Angola, Gabon and other countries but while Angola and Gabon allowed the airline’s operations after years of negotiations, other countries in the sub-region never replied the Nigerian airline’s requests, but Nigeria give airlines from these countries easy access to the country’s airspace.

Continued on page 20

Volume of SmuggledVehicles through Land Borders on the Rise Ëž Ă™ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x; Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?

Eromosele Abiodun Despite the federal government’s ban on importation of vehicles through land border, the volume of cars smuggled into the country from Cotonou through Seme, Idiroko and other land borders has risen astronomically in the past four months.

The federal government had earlier in the year prohibited the importation of vehicles, new and old, through land borders.

THISDAY investigation revealed that the prohibition has not in any way hindered smugglers, who are running away from the prohibitive tariffs charged on new and old vehicles

MARITIME imported into Nigeria.

This is even as the government of Benin Republic last month approved the reduction of charges on transit vehicles by 27 per cent.

THISDAY findings revealed that the volume of cars imported through the Autonomous Port of Cotonou in transit to Nigeria has also recorded significant growth since March 2017.

While the importation of cars in Cotonou reached an all-time low of just 3,500 units in January 2017, the volume of cars discharged there last month was well over 10,000

units, according to data obtained from the Autonomous Port of Cotonou. “From all indications, this figure is going to grow in the next month, as the naira has revalued against the CFA and more and more traders are patronising the port of Cotonou,�

Elisee Dieudonne, a senior staff of a shipping line calling at the tiny West African country’s port said. “The trend we’re seeing is that the old and crashed vehicles, which are paying comparatively low level of duties, are discharged in Lagos while the newer and more expensive second hand cars are discharged in Cotonou,� she added.

THISDAY findings also revealed that as a way to attract more Nigerian business to the country, the Benin Republic Ministry of Transport has approved the reduction of the amount charged for the vehicles in transit. As a result of this reduction, the price to clear a car discharged in Cotonou in transit to Nigeria was slashed from CFA399,920 (N257,000) to CFA290,000 (N186,000) with effect from July 1, 2017. “We expect this reduction in prices in Cotonou will divert even more vehicles to Benin Republic, while the volumes in Lagos will remain stagnant,�

Continued on page 20

US aircraft lessor Air Lease and Boeing have agreed terms for a ďŹ rm order for 14 aircraft including 12 737 MAXs previously announced at the Paris Air Show.Airwise.com reported that rte 737 order, for ďŹ ve MAX 7s and seven MAX 8s, brings Air Lease’s total 737 MAX orders to 130.Air Lease also added to previous orders for 787 Dreamliners with an additional two 787-9s.The combined order for the 14 aircraft is worth USD$1.79 billion at Boeing list prices.“These additional orders reect ALC’s highly successful placements to date of our MAX and 787 order book and the need to fulďŹ l the incremental demand we are experiencingfortheseaircraftacrossbothexistingandnewcustomers,â€? chief executive John Plueger said.Air Lease owns or manages over 280 aircraft and leases them to almost 90 airlines worldwide.

BA Cabin Crew to Extend Strike

British Airways cabin crew working under ‘mixed eet’ employment terms have announced a two week extension to their current strike, Airwise reported. The additional strike days are from Wednesday August 16 to Wednesday August 30, including the August public holiday weekend. “Strike action will continue until the end of August unless British Airways hammers out a deal with Unite to resolve this dispute,â€? Unite national oďŹƒcer Oliver Richardson said.The Unite union represents the mixed eet crew who make up about 15 percent of the airline’s total cabin crew numbers. British Airways said all its customers will be able to y to their destinations during the current and extended strike days. The extension will mean the mixed eet crew will have been on strike for the whole of July and August “forcing British Airways to spend millions on ‘wet leasing’ aircraft to cover the striking cabin crew,â€? Unite said. Unite described a recent oer by the airline to reinstate travel concessions for workers who took strike action as ‘half-hearted’. The union is taking legal action on behalf of cabin crew sanctioned for striking. “

Emirates’2016 Dubai CrashUpdate Released

An interim report on the crash of an Emirates Boeing 777 in Dubai last year has been released on the ďŹ rst anniversary of the accident.

The777hittherunwayatDubaiInternationalAirportwhileattemptinga go-aroundafteraightfromThiruvananthapuram’sTrivandrumAirport inIndia.Theaircrafttoucheddownat08:37UTC,butthepilotinitiateda go-aroundandattemptedtobecomeairborneagain.Theplanereached analtitudeof85feetbeforesinkingbackontotherunwayandcatching ďŹ re. All three hundred people onboard, 282 passengers and 18 crew, evacuatedtheaircraftbyemergencyslides.Thirtypeoplewereinjured, four cabin crew members seriously, and 26 sustained minor injuries.

A ďŹ reďŹ ghter died later after a central fuel tank exploded.The interim report,fromtheAirAccidentInvestigationSectoroftheUAE’sGeneral Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said the investigation was looking at “human performance factors that inuenced ight crew actions during the landing and attempted go-around.â€?

“In the face of security and economic challenges, no responsible government will fold its hands while unpatriotic elements continue to engage in illegal activities that will further compromise national economic and security well-being of her people“ Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service

Col Hameed Ali (RTD.)

20

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD FG MOVES TO REVIEW BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH SOME AFRICAN COUNTRIES

THISDAY gathered that it was the refusal of these countries to allow Nigerian airlines operate into their countries, especially in West and Central Africa that gave rise to pseudo monopoly of some of the routes in the West Coast with the consequent high fares, as fares from Lagos to Senegal, which is about three hours could be as high as travelling from Lagos to Dubai, which is about eight hours.

The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman hinted that the federal government would review bilateral relations with these countries if they refuse to give Nigerian airlines approval in the spirit of reciprocity and noted that the regulatory authority in implementing government’s policy in aviation gives support to Nigerian carriers to operate to international and regional destinations.

VOLUME OF SMUGGLED VEHICLES THROUGH LAND BORDERS ON THE RISE Dieudonne said.

Unfortunately, Nigeria’s tariff on imported vehicles remains astronomically high at 35 per cent import duty and another 35 per cent surcharge amounting to a total of 70 per cent which is the highest in the world, thereby discouraging use of Nigerian ports.Just yesterday, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), announced the seizure of 37 assorted vehicles, 12, 081 of smuggled parboiled rice and other contraband with a duty paid value of N1.611 billion.

Comptroller General of the NCS, Col Hameed Ali (RTD.) who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Lagos said the goods were seized between 2nd and 3rd of this month by the CGC compliance team and the roving team of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A. Armed with credible information, he said the team trailed and evacuated the 37 assorted vehicles smuggled into the country through unapproved routs.The smuggled vehicles, he added, included eight Lexus Jeep LX570 (2017), 12 Land Cruiser Jeep (2017), 17 Toyota Hilux (2016, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively).

NEWS

NPA Has Never Had It This Bad, Group Tells Bala Usman The Nigerian Importers Integrity Association (NIIA) has scored the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman low in her first year in office.

The Group said in a release on Wednesday that no meaningful progress was recorded at the ports during Bala Usman’s first year in office, stating that Nigerian Ports Authority �never had it this bad�. “The roads are as bad as ever, port congestion is building because trucks cannot get into the port, rickety trucks still ply our ports, nothing has changed at the port, but most importantly, there has not been any investment at the port since she was appointed into that office because investors are being scared away by her utterances,� NIIA President, Mr. Godwin Onyekazi, stated in the press release.

He said Bala Usman’s “inexperience and reckless utterances� have denied the ports of much-needed investments, even as cargo volumes have continued to dwindle, leading to loss of jobs in the past one year.

Onyekazi said: “Here is someone who does not understand that in that position, reckless utterances and the castigation of investors on the pages of newspapers send wrong signals to the investing

and shipping community. Such utterances have a way of adding to the cost of doing business at the port. “Her tenure has created so much uncertainty in the system such that it will take several years to clean up and regain the confidence of investors. “Not a dollar inflow has been recorded under her tenure.

Forget the propaganda machine.

Even promoters of the deep seaport projects, which held so much hope for the country, are now foot-dragging because she has portrayed Nigeria as a country that has scant respect for the sanctity of contract.�

He argued that the NPA under Usman has not been able to implement the Executive Order issued by the acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s

months after it was handed out, adding past efforts by former NPA managements to build efficiency and investor confidence in the Nigerian maritime industry are being daily brought to naught by the present NPA management. “We hope that as she enters her second year in office, she will settle down, play less politics and seek less media

attention. She needs to face the job of administering the ports maturely. Unfortunately, that was not the case in her first year,� Onyekazi said, even as he advised the NPA boss to borrow a leaf from Osinbajo and Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi on how to handle issues that concern private investments and public interests should be handled.

UNVEILING WESTERN LOTTO

Brand Ambassadors- Tuface Idibia, Rob Lawson, Abiodun Akintaju, Elvis Krivokuca, Femi Badore and Olu Jacobs at the launch of Western Lotto in Lagos recently

$50m Ikwe-Onna Modular ReďŹ nery to Commence Operation 2018 Okon Bassey in Uyo There is an indication that the $50 million modular refinery, located in Ikwe, a sleepy community in Onna local government area of Akwa Ibom State is expected to commence full operation by 2018.

A ground breaking and location inspection for the historic refinery in the area was excitedly done by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and top executives in the oil and gas sector among the dignitaries in attendance. The multi-million dollars refinery called Ikwe-Onna Modular refinery, occupying a total of 50.1 hectars of land is said to be a model to boost modular refinery in the country with daily production capacity of 5,000 barrel of oil.

Onu, who was represented

by Mr. Ini Nya of the Technology Incubation Centre in the Ministry said the approval for the establishment of the refinery in the area was in line with government’s agenda to encourage local contents development in the oil and gas sector. He said: “The federal government will assist any entrepreneur, innovation, technology and partnership that the private sector has and they want to come in with the federal government, the government is very pleased about it and will support the initiative of the company. “There are always policies in place for the establishment of refineries in the country and except you have all these policies in place and pass through the due process before you start anything, the federal govern-

ment will be very angry with whatever you are doing. “For now the federal government is fighting hard to ensure that bunkering and militancy stops. They don’t have the licence or capacity to go into production and because they do not have that capacity, the federal government is doing everything to ensure that militancy comes to an end�, the Minister said in an interview. The Board Chairman of the company, Mr. Bassey Rex, said Ikwe-Onna Refinery “is prepared with the intention to show our support and active pursuance of the state government industrialisation plan for Akwa Ibom State�

The Managing Director of the Ikwe- Onna refinery, Mr. Daminago Ogaji, while shedding more light on the

project, said the “Ikwe Onna Rifinery is a modular which the federal government is looking at to showcase in all part of the Niger Delta because Ikwe-Onna Refinery is 100 percent a Niger Delta owned company.� “We are determined and ready to use our position to drive a unique industrial revolution, being one of the foremost local content refinery promoters in Nigeria and in West Africa to deepen refining capacity of Nigeria and indeed Africa According to him, on completion, the refinery will produce 5,000 barrels per day and will be beefed up to 20, 000 bpd in medium -term and is expected to hit 100,000 bpd in long term. “The Model is different as we bring in the community as co-partners of what we are

doing here. They share 10 percent of what we have. So we work symbiotically. “If you talk of militancy how do you address it without them being part of you and that is the way forward, getting the local community as part owners and we work together as a family, he said’. Speaking on engaging the host community in the project, he said: “We intend to also train the local boys because you will find out that there is going to be primarily local content developed company with everything more than 80 percent will be done locally. “Tank farms, pipelines and others will be done locally. The only thing that comes from outside is less than 30 of the cost. So we only do that for the first model.

BudgIT Launches Civic Tech Focused Platform 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˜ (Cap Mkt) 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) Chineme Okafor (Energy ) Reporters

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

Civic-tech organisation, BudgIT has announced the launch of its civic tech focused platform - Civic Hive.

The company said in a statement that the platform was established to create an intersection between the citizens and the government thereby closing up the gap and making citizens much more active in governance.

The lead Partner at BudgIT, Oluseun Onigbinde said: “Civic Hive is part of the 5-year plan for BudgIT to make the governance more open with more tech solutions. With this effort the program, has placed four resilient youths on a six month

fellowship to help them actualize their dreams. “The Civic Hive Fellows, who will be selected and groomed under the platform, are subsequently expected to form a pool of talented civic professionals equipped to creatively boost the standard of governance with their solutions, and by extension, the society.�

Onigbinde noted that civic engagement plays an important role in the work BudgIT does, “amplifying campaigns and reaching intended audience.

He indicated that fellowship is a way of building the capacity of people with transformational ideas to do more, and solidifying

our partnership with the society at large.�

Civic Hive, he added, currently has four fellows who are working on different thematic areas that improve civic engagement. “Amplify, by Dotun Olatoke, is a civic tech initiative that seeks to amplify the voices of the forgotten people of Nigeria and generate support for underserved communities. Through digital tools and platforms (website, social media), issues affecting people in these communities and the plight of the forgotten will be spotlighted and given adequate coverage, with the goal of generating awareness capable

of motivating government and active citizens to support for sustainable interventions. “Robert Ogbogu runs Locate, a platform that helps to track missing persons easily in Nigeria. In his own presentation, Robert said “people gets missing every minute in Lagos alone and every first four hours matter to locating the individual� with the rise of this platform missing people will reduce drastically, “he said.

He added: “Nelson Olanipekun runs Gavel, a platform that seeks to bring transparency to the justice sector in Nigeria.

Nelson stated that the platform will present citizens more access

to the justice system and be able to take action at all times. In his words “Gavel is building a justice clock that will track all court cases that are initiated by the masses. “Open Medic by Dennis Akagha is a civic engagement platform that seeks to have an Open Inventory platform that will enhance the accessibility of essential medical consumables in health facilities and other medical outlets in Nigeria at any given time. In addition, Civic Hive is also announcing a female cohort - this is an open call for ladies who have solutions that are strictly based on civic tech and has pulled traction.�

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

21

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NIPOST Revokes 11 Courier Licences, Seals Three Emma Okonji The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), through its Courier Regulatory Department (CRD), on Wednesday, revoked the operational licences of 11 courier operators for failure to renew their licences for upward of three to four years, despite several warnings from CRD to that effect.

According to NIPOST, the affected courier operators deliberately refused to renew their licences for up to three years and above, to enable them operate under dark cover and indulge in sharp practices of all kinds that are geared towards defrauding innocent customers who patronise them.

Apart from announcing the revocation of their operational licences, CRD also raided three unlicensed courier operators on Wednesday in Lagos, arrested their managers, confiscated some courier items and sealed their offices, for operating without courier licence.

The 11 operators include 21st

Century Courier with licence number 356; ABX Air Business Express with licence number 030; Concorde Express with licence number 302; Denca Global Courier with licence number 152; Glintz Express with licence number 321; Maxi Express and Logistics with licence number 194; Saferman Courier with licence number 344; Somadek Global Services with licence number 269; Souche Parcel with licence number 129; Starlite Courier Express with licence number 186 and Urban Rural Courier with licence number 329.

Majority of the operators have their head offices in Lagos, while some of them operate from outside Lagos.

But the three operators that were clamped down operate from Lagos, and they include On-Time Express, located at 14 Adenekan Street, off Oyebajo Street, Fadeyi, Lagos; Integrated Despatch Express (IDX), located at 39 Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos and Time Code Services, located at 27/33 Iyun Road,

off Western Avenue, Surulere, Lagos.

Assistant General Manager, Licensing and Renewal, CRD, Mr. Dotun Shonde, who led the team, said those raided were operating without licence, which he said, is an offence, punishable by law.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the clampdown, the General Manager, CRD, Mr. Ishaya Diwa said those whose licences have been revoked, cease to operate as courier company in Nigeria and advised Nigerians not to patronise them anymore. “The 11 operators whose licences were revoked, have been operating without renewal of their licences for more than three years and most of them are involved in shady deals that undermine the integrity of the courier sector.

For those that were raided, they were operating without licence and we have the mandate to clamp down on them and to sanitise the industry of quacks who bring disrepute to the courier sector,� Diwa said.

NAOC Engages 280 Youths on Seafarers Training Scheme Okon Bassey in Uyo Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited has commenced the training of no fewer than 280 youths on seafarers programme as part of capacity building for youths in its operational areas.

The youth drawn from the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) host communities of Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers States are being trained with 180 of them at the famous Maritime Academy of Nigerian (MAN), Oron, Akwa Ibom State and 100 youths at the Joemarine Nautical Institute, Warri, Delta state.

Flagging-off the seafarers training programme at MAN, Oron, the Vice-Chairman/ Managing Director of NAOC, Mr. Massimo Insulla described the scheme as a huge investment and significant being the first of its kind undertaken by any Joint Venture in the country.

Insulla represented by Dr. John Nweneneah of the oil company stressed that the seafarer training programme is tailored to bridge the manpower gap in the maritime sector of the Nigerian economy.

According to him, the scheme is dedicated to training young school graduates from the host communities to acquire skills ad certifications that would enable them gain employment at basic entry level positions in the maritime industry such as oilers, able seamen etc.

Pointing out the prgramme was in collaboration with the Joint Venture Partners, NAPIMSNNPC-and Oando, he urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously and be good

ambassadors their respective communities.

The Acting Rector of MAN, Oron, Dr. Mkpandiok A. Mkpandiok lauded the collaborative effort of the NAOC in training the youths in the premier maritime institution, saying the academy is the only one to date recognised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) “Our core mandate remains the development of manpower for the Nigerian maritime industry, and allied industry of which NAOC, Oando and indeed the NNPC are cardinal members. “It is our resolve to continue to provide these industries with qualitative manpower that is conversant with up-to-date technology, adheres to national and international standards with satisfying end-use expectations�, he declared. He listed the challenges of the Academy to include lack of training ship, simulators among others stating that the absence of the facilities have driven a good number of Nigerians to similar Maritime Training Institutions in the West Africa sub-region. “The academy must, as a matter of priority and urgency own a survival training pool for the practical training of cadets and other students of short course programmes. “There is need to equip the e-library facility with up-to-date books and journals of relevance to the maritime and even oil and gas industries�, he added Mkpandiok appealed to the oil company to assist in providing some the equipment which the academy is in dire need of to put the institution in a better position to continue to provide

quality maritime training and education for Nigerians.

The Akwa Ibom Controller of Labour, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs. Tonye Thom-Manuel commended the NAOC and the Joint Ventures for the training programme aimed at providing the youth with skills needed to function in the maritime sub-sector of the economy.

She also noted that the programme will creates employment opportunities and productively engages youths from the host communities thereby minimizing social vices in the communities such as armed robbery, looting, kidnapping and industrial unrest. “The Ministry hopes that this initiative will be sustained and the company will continue to engage in constructive dialogue with their host communities to ensure that industrial peace and harmony is maintained�, she posited. The Director General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Dr. Nasiru Ladan Mohammed Argungu also lauded NAOC for exercising their corporate social responsibility by accepting to train the unemployed youths in the host communities.

He said the present challenge of unemployment in the Nigerian economy makes it imperative that all hands must be on deck in order to provide an enduring panacea to job creation.

Available statistics, he said show that the public and private sector employers can only absorb 10 percent of about the 180,000 graduates of tertiary institutions produce annually.

RISK MANAGEMENT WATCH Robert Mbonu

Risk Response – Hit or Miss?

When faced with a threat, our natural response is fight or flight – whether to address a risk head on or to run away from it. Risk response is the implementation of actions to respond to risks, including decisions to ensure objectives are met with a high level of certainty. The federal government is currently in the process of developing a National Economic Recovery Growth Plan (NERGP) as a response to the threat of the current economic recession. The questions are: Will the plan succeed? What will the implementation of the plan portend for the Nigerian economy and its people?

The success of the NERGP being developed through the Ministry of Budget and National planning, will depend on how well Risk Management is integrated into the overall process. It must be applied with full commitment and attention. The decisions should be made with an understanding of the risks involved. Imagine we are driving along a busy express road and there is an oncoming vehicle in our lane. This presents a threat to which we need to quickly respond. What would you do? Having identified the risk, in the context of the objectives, and evaluated it on the basis of likelihood and impact, we have also to evaluate the risk against our risk appetite, which is the amount and type of risk we are willing to pursue or retain.

The oncoming car presents an immediate threat. Our objective is to arrive safely and on time at our destination. The imminent threat presents a major uncertainty in our ability to achieve our objectives. The likelihood and impact of an accident is likely to be high.

Traditional risk managers are taught the five ‘T’s of risk response; TERMINATE – stop the activity giving risk to the event. In the case of our driving dilemma (with the other car coming towards us in the road), we cannot just stop driving; this will not be a likely response in this case.

TAKE – increase the risk to which we are exposed, perhaps increasing our speed in order to maximise on an opportunity to overtake another car in front, or to get past the obstacle because there is a space on the

other side of the road.

TREAT – minimise either or both the likelihood and the impact of the risk by taking avoiding action, which might include applying the brakes, flashing our headlights, warning the passengers to brace themselves, or steering away from the danger.

TRANSFER – the usual risk transfer method for vehicles is insurance. Having a great insurance policy might give you small comfort in the next two or three seconds, but for sure you won’t have time to increase your coverage in the time allowed.

TOLERATE – this is an action that is used when the risk is within risk appetite.

So let’s look at some of the possible actions in turn; Can we TAKE more risk - is there an opportunity here?

Can we TREAT the risk by reducing the likelihood instead?

Or perhaps we can TREAT the risk by reducing the impact?

In business we are faced with many risks and if we were to put into place actions for all of them, we are likely to go bust. The key is to determine those risks that need the most attention and therefore the most investment. Thus our risk action planning needs to be business related and each expense subjected to a rigorous business case. There is no sense in spending N5m to deal with a risk that is only going to cost us N1m, but there might be some sense in spending N100k for that N1m risk.

Likewise for the NERGP to succeed, an independent Risk Management unit must be established reporting to the Presidents (CEO) office, to oversee its activities.

Historical evidence from other developed countries suggests that implementation of major reforms is better served with a small and efficient Risk Management team, staffed with the right professionals in this field. The Unit should submit regular reports to the President, and spearhead the reform process by identifying possible obstacles, and streamlining the implementation of the plan initiatives

by Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Whilst a welcome development, the planned NERGP must be successful. It cannot be hit or miss. It proposes several initiatives to identify and harness potential revenue sources that will address the growing fiscal budget deficit. It sets out goals to reform varying economic sectors that will not only take the country out of recession, but will foster long term sustainable growth.

For our imminent car accident, we don’t have the time to deal in business cases; we just have to respond on instinct and experience.

We tell everyone to brace, get down and check seat belts, while we firmly apply the brakes and take whatever avoiding action is open to us without exposing the car to an impact. If we can achieve all of that and live to tell the tale afterwards, then we will have done well.

In business we are faced with many risks and if we were to put into place actions for all of them, we are likely to go bust.

The key is to determine those risks that need the most attention and therefore the most investment. Thus our risk action planning needs to be business related and each expense subjected to a rigorous business .t.CPOV '&31 $*3. 6, )$*# case. There is no sense .T3. 4UFSO TUVEJFE &OHJOFFSJOH JT in spending N5m to deal BO FYQFSJFODFE #BOLFS BOE &OUFSQSJTF 3JTL .BOBHFNFOU QSPGFTTJPOBM &BSOFE with a risk that is only B QPTU HSBEVBUF EFHSFF JO 3JTL .BOBHFgoing to cost us N1m, NFOU GSPN /FX :PSL 6OJWFSTJUZ 4UFSO but there might be some 4DIPPM PG #VTJOFTT BOE JT B NFNCFS PG sense in spending N100k UIF *OTUJUVUF PG 3JTL .BOBHFNFOU 6, $BO CF SFBDIFE PO 4.4 0OMZ FNBJM SN SJTLNHU!HNBJM DPN for that N1m risk

22

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

International Aviation Agencies Certified with Safety of Major Airports Chinedu Eze The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma has said that the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and the ones in Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt have met recommended safety standards after they were assessed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Airport Council International (ACI).

The airports, which are due to be awarded certification for meeting international safety standard and recommended practices by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are expected to attract more mega carriers with their new status, especially MMIA. According to Dunoma, with the new safety rating of these airports, there is likelihood that aircraft insurers may reduce premium for Nigerian airlines.

“Certification is all about safety. We have by way of going through the process of certification achieved a lot of safety standards. Before this time, we had an assessment.

NCAA did an assessment on all the safety issues at the airports.

And then, ACI (Airport Council International) in conjunction with ICAO also did assessment. So, we combined the two assessments both the one done by ICAO/ACI and the one done by NCAA. “We put them together so that we can address them. We have been addressing issues raised by these agencies and NCAA is supervising us to confirm whether those issues have been closed. So, as soon as we close them, NCAA will tell us if it is properly closed.

If there are corrections, we will do the corrections. The assessment as far as we are concerned is the level of safety standard we have achieved, which is higher than what it

used to be before the certification process. This is what is important to us,� Dunoma said.

He confirmed that FAAN spent resources to achieve the given safety standards, noting, “there is no way you can achieve a level of safety without investing but what is important is the safety achievement.�

The FAAN boss said after the assessment these aviation agencies made recommendations and corrections, known as open items, which the agency is striving to close and it is after closing the items that NCAA could now certify the airports and the world would be notified about the new category of the airports.

Category rating of airports determines their level of safety and the kind of aircraft that could be allowed to operate at such airports and also the level of traffic that also could be allowed in such airports.

Operator Calls on FG to Privatise Nation’s Airports Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Managing Director of Medview Airline, Muneer Bankole has urged the federal government to carry out its promise of airports privatisation or concession the nation’s in order to attract local and international investment opportunities.

Bankole, who made the call in Ilorin recently while fielding questions from journalists on the state of the nation’s aviation industry said that presently, there are only four standard airports; Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Kaduna airports, out of 27 airports in the country, noting that this was not good for the nation’s economic growth. “With this development, I don’t think the nation needs

a national career but rather all efforts should be put on ground to privatise the nation’s airports so as to allow investors to contribute their quota towards the socio economic development of the country. “Nigeria government has grown beyond getting involved in certain business concerns.

We’ve grown beyond issue of government getting involved in certain things. I was in Nigeria Airways Limited for about 30 years. So, I can tell you why airlines fail. 80 per cent is government interference. When you own something and you’re not adding to it, it will collapse.

When you set up a business and there’s no professional or competent hands to run it, it will fail. The allegiance of people you put there are to those who put

them there. I put you there; you give me something in return and nothing for development of the project. That’s why business concerns collapse everyday�, Bankole observed.

He said that when investors take over the airports they would develop them in such a way that they would become attractive to tourism and begin to generate more revenues for themselves.

Bankole suggested that every airline stakeholder should aim to set certain standard when starting the business or when planning to stay in the business. “We should be able to comply with rules of the game and be committed effectively to operations, to be honest, sincere and prayerful.

Ahmed Explains Why Kwara Established Aviation College Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has explained that the state government established the International Aviation College (IAC), Ilorin, primarily to help the country save its hard earned foreign exchange, empower and improve capacity of stakeholders in the aviation industry.

Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the Coordinator, Nigerian Army Aviation, Major-General Johnson Olawumi at Government House, Ilorin, Ahmed said that the need to make Kwara a state of preference by investors and turn-around time of training regular pilots in the country was among the reasons for the establishment of the college.

“The last six years has witnessed an improved capacity building at the college as well as strengthening of assets to benchmark the college against best practices in the aviation industry,� the governor said.

Ahmed expressed happiness that the college facilities met the Armed Forces training standards, saying the state was at the level of increasing the number of aircraft and replacing old engines to ensure that the college met all the training needs of the military and the flying students.

He said the coming of the Nigerian Army Aviation Corps would give the State additional push to fast track all the necessary areas requiring added assets and equipment, stating that the state was poised to strengthening relationship with the Nigerian Army through

establishment of additional institutions like Command Secondary Schools.

Earlier, the Coordinator, Nigerian Army Aviation, Major-General Johnson Olawumi had said the facility and environment at the International Aviation College, Ilorin satisfied the requirements of the Nigerian Army Aviation, stating that the five pilots sponsored by the Nigerian Army to the college expressed preference to return to Ilorin for further training.

He however added that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai directed him to visit the State in order to ascertain the state of the college for training of its officers and “partner IAC as a way of strengthening local institutions and saving foreign exchange.�

W

AIR WATCH

Regulating Hajj Operations

H

ajj operation is the airlift of pilgrims to Mecca and Medina for the annual pilgrimage exercise. Pilgrims are usually airlifted from Nigeria to Prince MuhamĂ—Ă‹ĂŽ ĂŒĂ˜ ĂŒĂŽĂ&#x;Ă–Ě‹ äÓä Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžËœ Ă?ĂŽĂŽĂ‹Ă’Ëœ ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž åÓÞÒ the airline.

What is peculiar about airlifting pilgrims to the Holy Land is that most of the passengers ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ“Ăš Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ăœ åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă“Ăœ transport procedures; many of them may not be educated to take instructions in the Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă–Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? ÞÙ communicate to them in the languages they ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽË› Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă“Ă‹ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă“Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă?ÚËĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÓ×Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÍśÍŽËœÍŽÍŽÍŽ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“ ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ puts a strain on airport facilities and even the airlines that airlift them also operate under so much logistics pressure because of the nature of the operations. Ă?ĂĄ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ëœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ËÔÔ ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă’Ă?Ă˜ ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? airlifted to the Holy Land but the airlines that fly them to their destination usually abandon them or delay in bringing them back. Ă’Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ě‹Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ù××ÓÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Hajj operation; that after every pilgrimage to the Holy Land there used to be lamentation of families of those abandoned and others Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÙ bring all the passengers they airlifted back to their home destinations.

Ăž ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ăœ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă Ă“Ă– Ă Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂžĂ’Ă™ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ě™ ĚšËœ Dr. Harold Demuren that drastically reduced such incidents by ensuring that the airlines ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă? Ă—Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ăž safety measures; that they had the capacity to carry out the operations and that they ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÙ Ă‘Ă™ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ËÔÔ ÞÙ bring the pilgrims back. Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ ÞÓ×Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ the airlines and shortlisted those that could effectively do the airlift. That eventually brought to an end the abandonment of Nigerians in the Holy Land.

Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ăž Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ÞÒÓĂ? ÞÓ×Ă?Ëœ the regulatory authority no more select the airlines that do the airlift; the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) does and “they use the criteria they like to do that but ĂĄĂ? Ă?ÞÓÖÖ ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? airlines meet given regulatory conditions.â€? Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?ÚÙÕĂ? ÞÙ

said that part of the regulatory challenges

Ă“Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ for international operations are used for Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™ Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ that the plan for the Hajj operations start about Ă?Óâ Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ëž ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŒĂŁ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă? åÓÞÒ Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă“ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ? Ă&#x;ĂžĂ’Ă™ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“ĂœĂ?ÚËĂ?Ă?

Management Agency (NAMA) to ensure that there is hitch –free operation. “The preparation takes a lot of meetings ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă? and it is during this time that the airlines are selected. So before the short period for the airlift itself a lot of things happen and since Ă?Ă—Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă˜ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ĂĄĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ĂĄĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ™ ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă’Ě‹Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ĂĄĂ? ĂŽĂ™ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?Ăž the airlines; NAHCON does that. In the past ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă™Ă–Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?ËœËŹ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË› ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ëœ Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“ ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹ĂŽ joined in airlifting Nigerian pilgrims to the Holy Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ? ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă? ÞÙ ÖÙå Ă?ËÚËĂ?ÓÞã Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?ĂĄ Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? ĂšĂ–Ă‹ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă?Ëœ ÖÒËÔÓ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăœ Bankole said the domestic carriers have the Ă?ËÚËĂ?ÓÞã ÞÙ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ăž Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă• Ă“Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÍˇÍłËœ ÍŽÍŽÍŽ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂŽ that the market is open for others. “It is not correct that Nigerian airlines do not Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ËÚËĂ?ÓÞã˛ ÙÎËã ĂĄĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘ partner. Max Air has about three airplanes ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă–Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ͳ͎͎ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ë› Ă?ĂŽĚ‹ Ă“Ă?ĂĄ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÍŻÍŽÍŽÍŽ ĂšĂ?Ăœ ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁË› Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂšĂ&#x;Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? ÞÙÑĂ?ÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă&#x;ÖÞÓÚÖã ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ĂĄĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ăœriers can airlift. I repeat it; it is less for us to Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂŁË› Ă&#x;Ăž ĂĄĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ÙÚĂ?Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœËœ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŽĂ™Ă— Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“ ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă‹ËœËŹ Bankole said. Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă™Ă–Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂĄĂ’Ă?ÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ’Ă?ÞÒĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜ ĂžĂœĂ“Ăš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ explained that their return flights had already ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă—Ă?ĂŽËœ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?ĂĄ started airlifting pilgrims such incidents had never occurred in its operations.

On the possibility of some pilgrims missĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÙÖã Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?ĂĄ Ă™Ă?Ă? remarked that such incidents have drastically reduced and observed that the need for ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž because it helps to identify them and to foreclose the chance of such disappearance ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ“Ă–Ă‘ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? ÞÙ Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă– in groups.

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯ​ͯ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

23

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Ngoka: How FTAN Plans to Develop Tourism in S’East The CEO of Zigona Travel and Tours Limited, Ngozi Ngoka was recently elected the Vice President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria to take charge of the South East zone. She spoke to Chinedu Eze on how her administration would make the zone a tourism destination. Excerpts: execution of these FAM trips as a means of marketing the tourism potential of the region.

Government should also encourage the inclusion of courses related to tourism development from primary school level so that we prepare them to equip the younger generation with planning and management skills.

The government at local, state, and federal levels should seriously consider giving a tax year holiday to tourism practitioners if we are serious about growing inbound tourism. This will help practitioners focus on improving facilities and providing better service. Investment in the tourism industry is capital intensive and it takes a minimum of six years to start making profit on investment. With the numerous taxes currently imposed on practitioners, many initiatives are forced to fold up. Those that survive, do so by reducing standards so quality drops. FTAN is calling on government to seriously look into giving Tourism start-ups a tax break of six years and also low interest loans as our operations provide direct income to local communities.

Congratulations on your election. How do you intend to use this new platform to rebirth tourism in the South East?

Thank you. Well, luckily, in the South East, tourism is already thriving, but just as in other parts of Nigeria, tourism products have not yet been adequately identified and harnessed for us to start reaping the full benefits. My main job will be to work with the five state governments to advance ideas on how to improve on our member’s operational delivery; improve on and add to the experiences that visitors have when they visit the zone and device market development and marketing strategies for our members’ collective products and services.

FTAN, at the national level, already has a committee looking at national regulations and taxations in the travel and tourism industry that are adversely affecting our members’ operations and productivity. At the zonal level, we will also have these discussions with our state governments regarding state and local government taxes and regulations. When these three plans are put in place, I believe that you will see a surge in tourism activity in our zone.

I am grateful for the opportunity my colleagues have given me to contribute to my quota in this very key area.

People seem to assume that there is nothing attractive in the South East that could justify a leisure visit to the zone.

Do you share that view?

Understandably, from an informed standpoint, I do not share that view but I do understand why it appears so. The main challenge seems to be lack of marketing exposure of the amazing tourism products available in the area. There is a large influx of tourists to the South East every week but the visitors are mostly people from the area who are visiting family, attending social functions, or day visitor who cone to trade. We are putting measures in place to attract other tourists to come and experience our food, craft, industry, culture, and entertainment; stay longer, and enjoy the amazing hospitality of Ndi Igbo. We are also planning workshops geared at bringing together tourism providers, investors, and governments to highlight our tourism potential, parley, and exchange ideas on how to improve on infrastructure located around tourist attractions, grade and provide accommodations, restaurants, and transportation around tourism sites located within the region.

How prepared are you to take up the challenge of creating tourism market in the South East?

Sure, I am well prepared. My job is basically to coordinate the activities of tour providers, tour operators and all those in the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists in Abia, Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, and Enugu states, so we can channel a common course towards increasing inbound tourist to the region. Tourism is my area of expertise and I have been engaged in different aspects of the industry for the past 20 years. I believe that the best way to change or improve the current state of the industry is to actively get involved. We want a stable and sustainable business environment and in return we will provide jobs for local communities and pay our legitimate taxes.

Tourism is one industry that can create jobs with trickledown effect to all sectors of the economy which ensures everyone in the economic chain is catered for. Our South-East secretariat is already working with the tour operators, hoteliers, and transportation providers from the five states to compile and assess all our natural and man-made attractions so we can make presentations to the various governments on ways to improve infrastructure to and around

What is your projection or timeline for creating tourism market in the South East?

We should finish inspections by end of August, after which we’ll schedule another meeting with stakeholders to identify viable tour plans for the region. We hope to have all these ready by the time Tour Nigeria, an initiative of the Director General, NTDC, Mr. Fola Coker, comes to the South East. We will liaise with the DG’s office and ensure everything is in place when they get to our zone.

Ngoka

the natural attractions in their respective states.

We are also working with stakeholders to create packages for Travel Agents to sell.

The packages will be made up of products and services from all our members. We have set a target of 35,000 visitors per month with an average expenditure of about N60,000 per visitor for a three-night stay; you’re looking at about N2.8Billion taxable income coming into the region every month.

We also plan to engage the indigenes of the South East residing all over the world who have built mansions that they use for perhaps two weeks in a year, to consider handing them over to tourism investors who will generate income for the owners by renting them out for short stays and destination events. All our resources, human, artificial, and natural will be fully harnessed and their tourism potential will be made available for investors to key into. We invite all stakeholders to join us so that together, we can establish a sustainable and viable tourism industry.

There have always been stories about Ogbunike Cave, do you think that nature’s creation could attract local and international tourists?

Ogbunike cave is one of the attractions we’re currently assessing to determine ways to make it easier for tourists to visit and have a wonderful experience. For now, the town’s traditional ruler and the local community are managing the place as best as they can. We plan to engage the Anambra state government and private investors on ways to improve on the services around the cave and invest in curios shops, restaurants, and toilet facilities. These improvements will generate more income for the local community. We are also applying the same audit to all the natural attractions we have in all the states within the zone.

Federal and state governments should

embrace the expertise of FTAN. We are the practitioners; the people on ground; so to say.

State tourism boards should have a slot for FTAN just like the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOUTOUR) have at the national level.

What do you think the governors in the East should do to attract international and local visitors?

It does take a lot to convince travellers and tourists to spend time and money in your community especially now when there are so many destinations, accommodations and attractions competing for the same travellers.

Tourism boards should, therefore, up their ante, not just in the South East, but in all states of the federation. They should embrace the expertise of professionals to develop sustainable tourism. Each state should identify its brand-what aspects of the large tourism market they want to project and specialise in. They will then need to identify the type of tourists that their brand is likely to attract.

If these simple steps are followed, they will find it easier to determine the marketing strategies that will be aligned to their strategic positioning and specific goals. Ideally, they should market with a purpose, using the right tools, and embracing technology.

The social, economic, and environmental impact of tourism is just so huge that any government that is not exploring the full tourism potential needs to seriously have a rethink.

Tourism is the key to community development and empowerment and is the industry for the future. Infrastructure, especially road networks needs to be improved upon so that when we have our first FAM trip, the tourists we bring in will have good stories to tell about their experiences. I am hopeful that the South-East states tourism boards will get involved in the

What other potential tourist attractions do you have in the zone?

The South East is full of so many amazing cultural and man- made attractions. Anambra has the Ogbunike cave and Owelle Ezukala waterfalls and cave; We have the Ezeagu Tourism complex at Enugu which also has a cave and waterfall; The famous and beautiful lakeside communities around the Oguta lake in Imo; The Okposi/Uburu Salt lake and Amachor cave located in Ebonyi. And for folks interested in history, you must visit the “Ojukwu bunker” and war museum at Umuahia and see firsthand, the amazing inventions that were fabricated during the civil war.

You will see several monuments scattered all over the South East that will help you piece together, the past and recent history of the people of the South East. There are so many cultural festivals and “öfalas” that take place all over the zone. We plan to work with traditional rulers and local governments so that these festival can attract local and international tourists and become viable sources of income for the local communities. We plan to also work with the farmers and artisans to promote agro-tourism and of course we have our Nollywood and the best entertainers from the region. The local live music clubs and restaurants in Owerri should be in everyone’s bucket list. Oguta for instance, should be the place to go for destination weddings.

There are also several conferencing facilities scattered all over the South East which are currently under-utilised. We are excited at the prospect of showing them to Nigerians and the rest of the world and creating job opportunities.

Have you reviewed the hotels in the South East? What is your opinion about them?

We are going to start the process of the reviewing and grading not just the hotels after we are done with the tourism sites by early September. There are many world class hotels that have sprung up in recent times.

We are auditing ourselves to classify customer experiences for marketing purposes. We will match accommodation with transportation, entertainments, and meals to create tour packages.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

24

Osoba: Monopoly Creates Inefficiency Former governor of Ogun State and Director, African Circle Pollution Management Limited, Chief Olusegun Osoba shared his views on the ongoing reforms in the maritime sector and allegations by the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff that 282 Vessels got missing under the watch of the Nigerian Ports Authority between 2010 and 2016. Eromosele Abiodun presents the excerpts: you have competition in any sphere of life, you create efficiency and better practices. The only thing is that I know that it is not easy to want to do things right. We, Nigerians we are a country that was developed on falsehood, corruption and malpractices. I praise her courage; it is not easy to face established system. I can tell you confidently that recently I met with one of our governors and Hazida was on television and the governor was asking me as an operator how she was doing and I told him she was doing well and the governor jokingly said, “She would not be the true daughter of her father if she behaved otherwise.�

The launch of the Oily Water Separator Plant will transform the maritime sector, what informed your company’s decision to invest in this plant and what do you seek to achieve?

Our company, the African Circle Pollution Management Limited (ACPML) is involved in what we call marine pollution or MAPOL. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has an international convention that does not allow ships to dump waste into the ocean and water ways indiscriminately.

This is to protect the environment. What our company does is to collect waste from vessels plying Nigerian waterways, all kinds of waste, including oil waste which is called slug. We don’t just take these wastes and dump them in the dump site; we treat the waste and satisfy the international standard of marine waste management. These are some of the things that the equipment we have just acquired is supposed to do. We collect the waste through barges, vessels to the site and then from there, we recycle the waste.

What is the cost of this equipment?

The equipment is about $4.5million (N1.39 billion). It is from France and we have another one from The Netherlands. It is a highly technical and professionally functional.

The equipment in Port Harcourt is one of the most modern and I can proudly say that in the West Coast of Africa, if not the entire African continent, we are the most modern. We are the most modern because the IMO also does not allow the incineration of waste anymore. Previously, we incinerate some of these wastes but that is no longer allowed. You have to be really professional to operate in the industry and what the IMO requires now is recycling of waste in such a way that no harm is done to the waterways, ocean, lagoon, water life and human beings.

How do you get paid for this sensitive job that you are doing?

We are contractors to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), but must certify the vessels to ensure that they comply with international standards by allowing us onboard and collecting wastes. The vessel owners now pay the NPA. As you know, shipping and aviation business are denominated in United States Dollars, and because our expenses are mostly in Dollars, they pay us in Dollars.

Given the scarcity of foreign exchange in recent times, is the NPA indebted to your company?

Yes. Before the commencement of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and during the time of the immediate past management of the NPA, it was a herculean task to get our money released. That affected the performance of the functions that we are supposed to do and it affected our intention to be as effective as we wanted to be.

So what is the relationship between your company, other operators on one part and the current management of the NPA, which is now about one year on the saddle?

Without being hyperbolic and using exaggerated language, it has been most fantastic and most rewarding since. Before the appointment of the current MD, we had accumulated invoices that were not paid. When she came in, first of all what I noticed is that she has been able to reduce the bureaucracy in the NPA; the bureaucratic bottlenecks has been virtually wiped out. The result of this is more efficiency in the business transactions with the NPA. I don’t want to quote figures but we were pleasantly happy when we suddenly got paid about 70 per cent of the totality of accumulated invoices in the past.

Your company is a recycling company, what do you do with the recycled waste and what would you advise as to how we can clean our waterways in the country?

What we are doing with vessels complies with the IMO convention. We sell our recycled wastes. There are people who buy. I believe there should be cooperation between the NPA and the Lagos State Government to clean our waterways. We have proposals to that effect.

Some of the wastes we dump in drainages all over Lagos State go to the lagoon and water hyacinth is a major problem. We are still talking to see how we can manage the indiscipline of Nigerians who are dumping wastes in the drainage and the waterways that are taken to the lagoon.

Osoba

I can tell you that the payment helped in reinvesting that money in the modernisation of our equipment. For example, in Port Harcourt, we have incinerators that we had purchased that we were going to use there, but because the international law now does not encourage the incineration of wastes, we had to order this new equipment; and we were able to do so because the NPA did the needful, our accumulated funds were paid.

Recently, the NPA and some operators had disagreements over the NPA’s decision to introduce certain changes but the NPA says it wants to ensure that things are done according to international standards.

As an operator in the industry, what is your view on this?

I was actually surprised to hear about that. If any operator is complaining about the management of the NPA under Hadiza Bala-Usman, from our own perspective at African Circle Pollution Management Limited, it must be that such people are not transparent in their business.

That is my view. We, as a company, are very transparent; we present our invoices and the security agencies are involved in the inspection, supervision and verification in all that we do. If you are not complying with rules and regulations of course, you must run into trouble waters with her. I am saying this not because I have knowledge of her as a person or as party member. She was secretary of a committee that I belonged to when we were doing the merger and she showed a level of efficiency that I respected.

Secondly, I was very close to her father when he was alive. Balarabe Musa as Governor of old Kaduna State appointed her father as Secretary to the Government of the State then. The National Party of Nigeria (NPN) was giving the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) government a hell of a time and I virtually moved our newspaper regional office to Kaduna to give objective coverage to the event in Kaduna.

It was Balarabe Musa that then linked me and the late Bala-Usman together. He was

a prince of the North but he was a highly progressive minded person. I am saying this because I believe that Hadiza is not doing what she is doing just by accident.

She is acting through pedigree, through what she imbibed from the reputation of her father. I am not surprised but I am pleasantly happy. I do not believe that she would deliberately trample on anybody’s right or stop what is due to any company.

But she would be a stickler to transparency and in such situation, she will be in collusion with those who may not want to do things right or want to remain in the way of the past. And this is the kind of public service that we need in this country.

What is your position in the company and how many Nigerians are working there?

I am a director and I happened to be the chairman of the board management committee of the company and we have very intimate knowledge of what is happening there. We used to have expatriates but I can tell you that right now, we don’t have any now. We have staff strength of about 250 Nigerians.

Before now what was the relationship between your company and the NPA like?

I must confess to you that there have been changes. Before now, there was a lot of lobbying, manipulations, begging. Now I don’t need to bother my head or appeal or start lobbying the management of the NPA. Now, whatever is due to us is done in an efficient manner and fortunately, we also have a relationship with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who is the custodian of the TSA. Whenever our payment is approved, we get paid. That has created a situation where we can now be able to develop equipment and create high efficiency in the business.

How do you see the move by BalaUsman to stop monopoly in the maritime sector?

I totally support her. Monopoly anywhere in the world creates inefficiency but where

What do you think the NPA can do to move the maritime sector forward?

Like I said, the first thing is to lay a good foundation of efficiency. International business has a standard all over the world.

Hadiza is laying the foundation of efficiency, which is the first thing I will advise her to do. Sanitisation of the system itself, it can’t happen overnight, I cannot say that in one year, she has performed the magic of transforming the NPA in its entirety, but she has started well. You don’t have to queue in the office of the managing director before you get what is due to you. That is a good foundation and overtime, she will have the time to build a good foundation.

But those who may feel offended because they are losing out by making money for doing nothing and those who want to take advantage of the weak system and rip-off the government, will not be happy. But those days are gone. I am happy to say that after one year in office, she has gone through the most difficult period.

Sir, you must have read in the news of the allegations by the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff that 282 Vessels got missing under the watch of the NPA between 2010 and 2016; as an operator in the industry how plausible is this?

I can tell you that the problem in Nigeria is that we dwell on unnecessary things. For example, dredging of our waterways; the way we are approaching it is not the right thing. We have deep sea off-shore that is why we are losing to countries like Togo and Benin Republic. They are using the deep sea off-shore of their countries and a lot of ships prefer to go and berth there.

The more you dredge the more environmental problem you create for Lagos State.

Lagos itself is below sea level and that is why you have this flooding. Anytime the water rises, it creates problems for Lagos and the coaster areas. I can tell you that the NPA is doing forensic auditing of what anybody is claiming and when you do forensic audit and you insist on compliance to due process, you are abound to have head on collision with entrenched interest. Entrenched interests are the major problem that she is facing in the NPA.

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯ​ͯ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

25

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Sterling Bank Takes Environmental Sustainability to New Heights For some time now, it has become routine for businesses in Nigeria to embark on projects that help to uplift the living conditions of people based on the firm belief that their businesses cannot be successful when the environment around them is failing. This approach to doing business is driven by the understanding that making responsible decisions will reduce any negative impact that the business’ operation may have on the environment.

It is generally recognized today that the environment is under massive stress because of the use and or/misuse of man’s creative talents in his daily interaction with the environment. It is equally well accepted that the environment’s stressful condition, widely described as climate change, has engendered circumstances that put the continued existence of planet earth in peril and endanger man’s hope for survival.

This state of affairs has given rise to efforts by governments and businesses to establish practices that are environmentally friendly and sustainable in every way so that the world could be made a better place for everyone to live in.

Nigeria has also embraced the idea through the launch of several initiatives to ensure the propagation and realisation of a sustainable environment. Moreover, leading business entities in Nigeria have also sponsored major initiatives promoting sustainability in the way people generally interact with the environment.

Among these initiatives was the effort by MTN Nigeria, a leading telecommunications company, to assist the Nigerian government in fulfilling its mandate of providing adequate healthcare for the Nigerian people. The company built and equipped about 12 haemodialysis and six mammography centres as part of its medical support project.

Guinness Nigeria, a drinks company with global footprints, also played its part through its Water of Life project which helped to provide potable drinking water for people in communities without access to clean water. The beverage company has completed over 22 water projects across several states in Nigeria - serving over a million people in households across the nation.

They are in Abia, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Nassarawa, Edo, Benue, Oyo, Delta, Imo, Oyo, Ondo, Enugu, Ekiti, Kwara and Anambra states.

The Dangote Group, using the Dangote Foundation as a special purpose vehicle, has been active in disaster relief operations. The foundation whose mantra is touching lives donated $2.6m to flood victims, women in Kogi, N100m to Sokoto flood victims, N120m to fight famine in Niger and $2m to Pakistan’s floods victims.

Similarly, Sterling Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks, has been investing massively on the implementation of its environmental sustainability project tagged the Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM).

The initiative, which was launched in 2009, is the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative which aims to promote environmental sustainability, good sanitation and hygiene among residents in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Implemented in partnership with state governments, the initiative has reached 14 states across the country at the last count. It hopes to entrench the values of environmental sustainability, good sanitation and hygiene by the time it has gone around the country.

To raise awareness and inculcate the habit of environmental sustainability in people, Sterling bank periodically encourages members of staff to take a break from work and join street sweepers to clean major markets, highways, streets and motor parks in several states of the federation.

For instance, as part of activities to mark the last edition of the World Environmental Day, a day set aside by the United Nations to call attention to environmental issues, Sterling Bank mobilized its staff members on a STEM cleaning exercise across four states. The Bank partnered with Enugu, Rivers, Lagos and Ogun state governments to clean up streets, markets, highways and motor parks to the delight of residents and the state governments.

In addition to cleaning the environment, the Bank also presented reflective uniforms to

CEO Sterling Bank, Yemi Adeola

the waste management agencies in the selected states to kit their waste management personnel.

The reflective uniform helps to protect the lives of the sweepers and garbage collectors as the glare of the reflective strip on the uniform helps motorists to see them from the distance and avoid collision which could be fatal.

Commenting on Sterling Environment Makeover, Mr. Henry Bassey, Chief Marketing Officer, Sterling Bank, said it promotes environmental sustainability, good sanitation, hygiene and enriches lives in fulfilment of brand purpose of “Enriching Lives.”

He added that “We cannot live a healthy life, conduct business and create wealth amidst waste or in a toxic environment. Without clean air, water, land and energy, our collective humanity is endangered. This makes it necessary for us to keep our environment orderly and functional through sustainable living actions and regular cleaning.

“I think this intervention by Sterling Bank is quite timely as care for environment becomes increasingly topical all over the world. We can see the effects of environmental degradation, indiscriminate deposing of waste, the ozone layer depletion. Most of these things always sounded distant, but are now happening to us. We now are beginning to experience it in our localities and should take it as seriously as possible. We cannot afford to be reactive to these issues and most adopt a strategic proactive approach to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.

We are doing this as a bank to show that we remain committed to this country both in our business operations and in our corporate social responsibility.”

Remarkably, in 2017, Sterling Bank intensified its environmental sustainability campaign with the formal unveil of Olamide Adedeji, popularly called Baddosneh, as STEM Ambassador. Olamide is Nigeria’s foremost hip-hop artiste with large followership that cuts across socio-economic classes and age groups.

In his role as STEM Ambassador, Olamide will inspire Nigerians, both young and old to alter their lifestyle and adopt sustainable living actions which reduce impact on the environment

and makes planet earth a clean and safe place.

Olamide is expected to extend reach and impact of the Sterling Bank Environmental Makeover programme.

During his formal unveil by the bank as STEM Ambassador, an elated Olamide promised to live up to his role by promoting sustainable living actions and clean environment through his music, words and actions.

He said “The STEM Programme has been promoting sustainable living actions and clean environment across Nigeria for about eight years, solidly ensuring that Nigerians live and do business in a clean environment. My role as STEM Ambassador is to encourage more Nigerians to adopt sustainable living actions that will keep the environment safe thereby ensuring that we leave a safe planet for future generations.”

Over N500 million has been committed to the STEM programme by the bank in the last five years. This covers partnership with agencies responsible for waste management and the national cleaning exercises. Furthermore, the programme entails the planting of trees to discourage deforestation, remove carbon dioxide and enhance the environment, especially in the light of the impending reality of climate change and its impact on the environment.

Commending the bank, Mr. Segun Adeniji, General Manager of LAWMA, noted that the STEM programme is very dear to the government of Lagos State because it reinforces the saying that “environment is life and life is environment.”

Adeniji described STEM as apt and timely, saying the programme would remain relevant for many years to come because the environment would always be there. He commended Sterling Bank for supporting LAWMA with the provision of reflective uniforms to street sweepers employed by the agency.

Not restricted to Lagos State, the Bank has partnered with waste management agencies in 10 states including Kaduna, Abia, Delta, Ekiti, Adamawa, Bauchi, Katsina, Kwara, Plateau and Ondo states. It also plans to extend the programme beyond the 14 states which have benefitted from the exercise.

Also commending the bank, Chairman of DAAR Communication, Chief Raymond Paul Dokpesi Jnr., said he was impressed by the goals and potential of the Sterling Environmental Makeover programme and the creative ways in which the bank have been tackling and addressing issues of environmental cleanliness.

He added that “DAAR Communication is proud to be associated with Sterling Bank’s environmental sustainability programme. We believe in the cause of the environment and the STEM programme aligns with our values at DAAR Communication. This, for us, is a collaboration of like minds and we will amplify this programme through our network to ensure that Nigerians in urban and rural areas receive this important message. Nigerians need to know that lack of sanitation and its consequence – which is environmental degradation - directly affects human health. We are committed to this partnership which seeks to improve the quality of life of Nigerians by spreading the positive message of keeping the environment safe and clean.”

Through the Sterling Environmental Makeover programme, the bank has over the years reiterated its commitment to making a positive impact in the local communities in which it does business across Nigeria by influencing sustainable living actions which reduces dirt and improves hygiene. Sterling Bank is currently running campaigns to enlighten Nigerians on the importance of sanitation and how its absence fouls the environment exposing thousands of children and adults to disease.

Indeed, as massive rural-urban relocations continue to put additional pressure on existing infrastructure that is scarcely updated, the problems of congestion, noise pollution and sewage disposal, among others, will lead to unintended social upheavals. This is why initiatives such as the STEM Programme which seek to draw attention to environmental sustainability issues must be commended.

It is also expected that programmes such as STEM would help Nigeria to create sustainable development pathways, which will, ultimately, aid Nigerians to dwell in an environment declared sustainable for all.

26

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

LIVING | P31

COLLAGE | P36

THISLIFE | P37

NOLLYWOOD DIVA, OMOTOLA RETURNS WITH ALTER EGO

FILE

ACTING EDITOR CHARLES AJUNWA / charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com

28/COVER

11.08.2017

Nollywood Diva, Omotola Returns with Alter Ego Renowned Nigerian actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has been absent from the movies screen for a long while, but recently she made a comeback in Alter Ego, a movie directed by Moses Inwang. In this interview with Mary Ekah, she justified her choice for a role where she is featured in exceptionally rare and sensual scenes in the new movie 1995, I had to spend time with my co-star, Fred Amata. He was already a renowned director and in those days, directors were revered. So imagine, my director who had directed me in a movie prior now acting as my lover. I was really afraid but we broke the ice by spending time with each other. So, he demystified himself and we had chemistry and you could tell. So, I’m hoping all of these return to Nigerian movies.

So, as professionals, we need to ask ourselves if it is necessary for a movie to have a sex scene and when it is, it should be done well.

You have been away from the movie scene for a while, so what have you been up to?

I have been around but I was building my business. I have been building, slowly but surely, a film village in Badagry and I had some things I needed to do also internationally. I also used that period to creatively re-organise myself.

How far have you gone with the film village?

We have over 20 hectares of land in Badagry and my husband and I are operating different business there. On my own side, I have the Double Doors – the film village. I hope it will be ready next year hopefully. I also began another project on Mobolaji Bank Anthony, Lagos, which is supposed to be annex of the film village first called, Double Doors. So, these are some of the things I was busy putting together when I went off the scene. I have always said that what we need in Nollywood is infrastructure. So, I needed to go and start developing infrastructure.

How come you suddenly got drawn to Alter Ego? I have not featured in any movie for about three years now. I knew I was going to go on break so I starred in a few movies but by sheer luck – I don’t know if it’s bad or good luck, they were not released, so I have like four movies that are still not out. I shot Blood in the Lagoon with Teco Benson, and another one in London called Amina, which are yet to be released. So I thought I needed to go away because I was getting creatively siphoned. You know in the creative terrain, it gets to a point that you feel like there is nothing challenging you anymore and then you start to feel like you are dropping.

So I went through that period and knew that I needed to stay away and wait for the industry to catch up with some of our ideas. So I was away doing my business and other things and coming back, I was looking for something that will challenge me. I knew I had to be set – I was looking for something will excite me the same way ‘Mortal Inheritance’ excited me and something that will bring out some values in message, entertainment and reality. And so when I decided to return, I got a lot scripts but none of them excited me. I had to look for something that will really excite me and the truth of the matter is, ‘Alter Ego’ did it for me and I knew that was a project I had to take.

So what actually drew me to Alter Ego is the soul of the movie. It must come quickly in a movie and must also be emphasised throughout the film. Some come naturally while some don’t.

The movie got me on time because I switch very quickly; so if I read through the first 10 pages of a movie script and I don’t get the story, I get bored. I loved the film from the beginning, it was a diamond in the rough. I knew what was lacking in it. So, I called the director and told him we will have to tear the script apart and rebuild it and he gave me his nod. It takes a big mind to shoot ‘Alter Ego’.

Was your husband comfortable with you playing the role and are you ready for viewer’s criticisms, especially the way you got so vulgar with your co-star actor, Wale Ojo? Some of the sex scenes in Alter Ego were downplayed because I’m married. But I won’t play the sex scenes if it wasn’t necessary in the film. I know by starring in this movie that my fans would either hate me or love me forever because I knew we were getting involved in something quite risky but also I knew it was necessary for this film. There are several ways to shoot a sex scene tastefully. I’m all for playing a sex scene convincingly and my husband knows this. I tell my husband, ‘You know what darling, you married an actor’; and secondly, he is my biggest fan. I tell him, ‘Do you want me to be great or do you just want me to be good?’ He will say, ‘I want you to be great, sparklingly great’. Then I’ll say, ‘Ehen, we go love o’ and he’s fine with it. He understands but just like every other human being and the professional that he is, he too wants to be convinced that I played a sex scene because it was necessary. I know

Do you think the message in Alter Ego, which has to do with sexual abuse and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, will appeal to Nigerians?

We don’t talk about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that much in Nigeria, so, when you see someone that is mentally traumatised, the first thing that comes to your mind is, “this person is crazy!” We don’t talk about depression in Nigeria. We don’t talk about how it affects children, especially those that have been abused.

When you ask a lot of adults, you might find out that some people have been abused as children.

And if we want to tell ourselves the truth, how many of us were actually able to tell our parents about this? In Africa, it’s always a taboo to say, “uncle, somebody touched me”. They will practically ask you one million questions. “What did you say to him? How were you sitting? What were you wearing?” As if it’s your fault, you become the victim. Alter Ego sets out to address how sexual abuse affects victims as kids and as adults. Sometimes, you see people as adults behave in a certain way, but because we have not diagnosed this problem – because in Africa, you are either just crazy and should go to a psychiatric hospital; but we don’t think about the fact that people actually have psychological trauma and that PTSD actually affect Africans.

We think it’s a Whiteman’s disease.

Omotola

How have you managed to reinvent yourself year-in-year out?

I think it’s knowing what matters and being authentic and hoping that your authentic self makes sense. I am blessed that from a very tender age I was able to find God and my Christian values have shaped me. The real me is real; “I no dey form, I no dey do pass myself and what you see with me is what you get.” Somewhere along the line in my career, I deviated because of the distraction of money from our brothers that were bringing so much unnecessary money into the industry and were the ones dictating the pace. Thank God that I was able to find myself back.

Did your marrying early boost your career?

Absolutely, it’s one of the biggest blessings of my life because I look back now and I am like if I wasn’t married then, will I be married now?

I can understand that as a celebrity it is hard, really hard, to get people who really love you for who you are and not because of the image of you that they have in mind. So, I can understand what some of my colleagues are going through because it’s not easy. Having said that, marrying my friend, a very wonderful, powerful man, who is confident of himself, has helped me. It has allowed me have that stability and be able to go out and fly.

Omotola and her husband

when he watches movies sometimes he would say, ‘Did they have to kiss if they were not going to kiss well?’ And again, when I wasn’t even confident, I starred in a movie called A Prostitute, which was released 22 years ago.

If I didn’t die then, is it now? I’m ready.

Also, people would be wondering how you were able to build some kind of chemistry with Wale Ojo? I was working with Wale Ojo for the first

time, so we had to spend time together and we played very rough. I understand the power of being friends with your love interest in a movie so we became like a couple. We ate together and basically just broke down the walls to make sure we were both comfortable with each other and have each other’s backs and interest at heart.

So, it spilled into the movie without you even noticing. In Nigerian movies, we have downplayed chemistry. I hope we can bring that back. Back in the days when I shot Mortal Inheritance in

What is happening to your music career?

I want to get back to music so bad and I am coming out viciously and it’s not like I care about what people were saying when I launched my music career. I hope we can get to that place where we can find a balance. But, I want to do music in such a way that I can be in concert like Barbra Streisand. I want to fashion my career like hers; I won’t be a Tiwa Savage because music is her career. So, I can’t compete with her because of movies; but I’ve told people in the past that I almost love music more than movies. That is why I love to express myself a lot in music. I want to build my own place and be in concert and have people come watch me. That’s the way I think I’ll be able to do music.

29/INVESTIGATION

11.08.2017

How Nigeria’s Neighbours are Using Crude Oil Prospecting to Fuel Another Rise of Boko Haram Terrorism in Nigeria

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo

Reporter at large Fresh insights have emerged on why the Boko Haram terrorists have renewed their onslaught against the Nigerian Military.

Impeccable sources have revealed that crude oil refining exploration in the Lake Chad Basin might be the primary motive of the sponsors of the Boko Haram terrorists. Nigeria shares borders with francophone countries like Cameroon, Niger, and Chad. These boundaries are in the North-east where activities of the Boko Haram terrorists are carried out.

A source who pleaded anonymity admitted that the motive behind the operations of the Boko Haram terrorists is politically motivated with the aid of foreign sponsors who have their eyes on the crude oil deposit in the Lake Chad region. “Recent advances have given the militants two clusters of territory which form a strategic crescent around the Borno State capital Maiduguri, a swathe of land along the South-western shore of Lake Chad, a number of towns in Yobe and Adamawa in Nigeria and along the unmanned Cameroonian border, and Fokotol and surrounding areas in northern Cameroon,” says the source.

In some quarters, it is believed that the Chadian President, Idriss Deby is known to have fostered a cordial relationship with Boko Haram. Indeed, the Chadian Government has been criticised for its inaction against Boko Haram, only joining anti-insurgency operations in July 2014 after a suspected intervention by French President François Hollande.

Chad is also understood to be benefitting from the delayed commercial exploration of oil on the Nigerian side of Lake Chad, as it taps oil from shared underground reserves irrespective of geographical sovereignty. It is reported that some prominent Nigerian and Chadian politicians have personal business interests in the Chadian oil industry and consequently have a vested interest in ensuring the Boko Haram militancy continues to destabilise North-eastern Nigeria and prevent Nigerian commercial oil production.

Another source in the know of the happenings in the international arena stated that “due to the scale of potential revenues and the importance of these funds for the Chadian Government and investors, it is likely these oil fields will be rigorously protected from potential insecurity. A sustained Boko Haram attack on the Chadian capital, N’Djamena, is also unlikely, because of a 3000 strong French anti-Islamist force headquartered in the city.”

Security sources said they have established that Chadian citizens are serving as foot soldiers for Boko Haram, which is attempting a dramatic comeback with scores of pocket attacks and recently the killing of over 40

people that included staff of Nigeria's NNPC, the University of Maiduguri researching on the crude oil prospects in Lake Chad.

Oil reserves exist in the Chad Basin, which is centred in Lake Chad that is surrounded

by Niger, Cameroon, Chad, and Nigeria.

Chad is an exporter of oil which runs in 1070 km pipelines through Cameroon. The Boko Haram insurgency has conveniently provided Chad, under the government of Idriss Deby, unfettered access to oil under Nigeria’s soils through 3D oil drilling from within its territorial borders, which the country exports. According to investigations, the neighbouring Francophone colonies of France, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger without compensating Nigeria are now drilling off and selling significant quantities of Nigeria’s oil under partnerships with multinationals.

It was also discovered that big players have abandoned Nigeria and invested heavily in its neighbours. Billions of dollars have been spent by multinationals in the Lake Chad exploration in Chad, and this oil is tapped through Chad.

The over 2 billion oil reserves are flowing through the Chad-Cameroon pipeline leaving Nigeria out of the loop. A top staff of one of the International Oil Corporations based in Chad stated that “Currently, oil from Lake Chad being drilled by the Republic of Chad is transferred to a stationary FPSO –Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading vessel, which can store over 2 million barrels of oil and processed oil shipped through tankers to the international refineries at the Port of Le Havre in France.”

In 2000, The Chad–Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project was developed to increase the production capacity of oil fields near Doba in Southern Chad, and to create a 1,070-kilometre (660 mi) pipeline to transport the oil to a floating storage and offloading vessel (FSO), anchored off the coast of Cameroon, near the city of Kribi. France's export credit agency COFACE alongside some international financiers provided funding for the project. COFACE provided the sum of $200 million.

A staff of COFACE who pleaded anonymity said “Why are most Boko Haram Commanders French-Speaking nationals of Chad, Niger, and Cameroon? He further added that “The history of France and French colonies sponsoring Boko Haram terror did not first become publicly known in 2014. This has been commonly known information in global security circuits. It is no surprise that when Boko Haram abducted 234 girls from Chibok, the meeting to address the crises was immediately summoned at the behest of the French President and was held under his watch in Paris.”

According to a report by Reuters in 2013, it stated that “France was said to have sponsored

Boko Haram with a donation of a whopping sum of 3.15 million dollars which was supposedly paid as “ransom” for the release of a single abducted French family. In that transaction, France had Cameroon also release several top Boko Haram commanders who were in Cameroonian jails.

“Most Boko Haram leaders are Frenchspeaking nationals of Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, including Abu Mahjin, Mamman Nur, and Khalid al-Barnawi. Boko Haram propaganda messages are also almost exclusively broadcast and promoted through French/France media.”

It is believed in some quarters that exploring oil in Chad Basin by Nigeria is against French interest. Chad is a key country of the French presence in Africa, located in a strategic area. Chad belongs to the "French family" of Central Africa with Gabon and Congo. In 1976, France and Chad signed a technical military cooperation agreement.

It currently contributes to the stability of Chad and the sub region. The Hawk force provides two permanent missions: it can ensure, if necessary, the protection of French interests and, in particular, the security of French nationals residing in Chad: and by the technical cooperation agreement signed between France and Chad, it provides logistical support to the Chadian armed and security forces.

For example, during the Darfur crisis, France took many steps to support Chad, in order to find a political solution and address the regional dimension of this crisis, especially the security and humanitarian aspects, and to help the regions concerned: France initiated the Security Council resolution on the deployment of an international presence in Eastern Chad and the North-east of the Central African Republic, to which it was the main contributor.

In return for the support, Chad has reciprocated in a couple of ways. One of which is the three-year sponsorship deal with France’s FC Metz football team by the Chadian tourism office in 2016. The deal was organised on behalf of the Chadian government by panAfrican media group LC2, which has recently launched a television channel in Chad.

Another source in the know of the relationship between France and Chad said that “Since France failed to break-up Nigeria by supporting the Biafra rebels during the 1967-1970 civil war, how it could hope to succeed so many years after independence and generations of intermingling? The answer is that it comes well prepared and has been operating with silence and cynical diplomacy as a strategy.”

In a report entitled ‘Boko Haram’s antiaircraft training camp uncovered in Niger’ in the Punch newspaper of 19th February 2014, disclosed that 20 insurgents were arrested

at a camp located in Diffa, just across the Nigerian border which specialised in training for the use of long-range anti-tank and antiaircraft weapons. According to the report, “Security personnel believe new arms were being acquired with ransom money.”

Similarly, Professor Brimmy Olaghere, President of the United African Diaspora States (UADS) at a public lecture held at the National Women Centre, Abuja, accused France of providing finance, equipment, and training to the Boko Haram sect in a bid to continue with its destabilisation plot against Nigeria and Africa in general. “I want to use this platform to let Nigerians know that France is ready to come and invade Africa and Nigeria is the target. They are right now training Cameroon. France is fighting you, and it is going to throw you out of your home, and it is your duty to defend Nigeria at all costs,” he stated.

He further stated that “France has already deployed 60,000 troops to Africa, preparatory to invade the whole continent of Africa. This figure would include soldiers stationed in all the Francophone countries for decades and the thousands added during the recent surge achieved by engineering brand new crises in Mali, Libya, and the now balkanised Central African Republic.

“In 2006, the French completed their takeover of Chad when their troops saved the neck of President Idriss Deby after ferociously armed militia surrounded him inside the country’s capital in over 400 Hilux trucks mounted to the teeth. The mindless insurgency in Nigeria is, of course, being directly fuelled through the Algerian-Libyan-Malian-Nigerien terror trail,” he noted.

It is no longer news that Nigeria is surrounded by former French colonies, and with the narrative of the French Government towards ending insurgency with the presence of French troops in these countries, Boko Haram rebels still thrive unabated. For example, it was reported that hundreds of Boko Haram members stayed at training camps with Malian militants for months in Timbuktu, learning to fix Kalashnikovs and launch shoulder-fired weapons, under the full glare of Operation Barkhane.

A man who said he was hired to cook for the militants said the Boko Haram members trained for about 10 months at what is now a bombed-out customs-police building on Timbuktu’s desert fringe, intermingling with a local al Qaeda offshoot called Ansar Dine.

Commanders from Boko Haram and Ansar Dine gave newcomers 4,000 West African CFA, the local equivalent of N1, 250, to enlist, the cook said. After training, he said, recruits were given about N4, 700—their first taste of money following months of sharing bathrooms with scores of militants.

30/ NEWS

11.08.2017

NGOs Insist on Justice for 4000 Rape Victims Some Lagos-based Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) have expressed displeasure over incessant incidence of sexual molestation in the country, especially in Lagos State as they seek uncompromising justice for victims. Reacting to a recent report which revealed that Lagos alone contends with over 4000 rape and child abuse cases in one year, as well as a recent case involving a 14-year-old Obiamaka Orakwe, who was raped and killed, the NGOs want government to review the constitution and prescribe stricter punishment for perpetrators.

At a protest led by the NGOs in Alausa, Ikeja, recently, founder of Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative, Dr. Ama Onyerinma suggested that culprits should be placed on the public registry of sex offenders which should be made available to everyone.

"By recording their names in such register, they would fear not to appear on such list,” Onyerinma said. The issues of sexual defilement and domestic violence in the country is getting out of hand and it is necessary that government takes fast action.

The rape of a child is against the law and it is a violation of a child's right. The society must stand against it. Parents, guardians and government should speak up for children

A rape victim

who cannot voice out. It’s high time we stopped keeping quiet. I must say that 21 years jail term for rapists is not severe for such a grave offence, government should consider other stricter penalties that would scare perpetrators away."

Meanwhile, Onyerinma cautioned parents to protect their children as she insisted that the government and communities owed

everyone a duty of protecting them. She harped on awareness, education and advocacy as being necessary not only for children to differentiate between right and wrong but to contain the scourge.

Also speaking, foremost rights activist and Executive Director at ACTS, Laila St. Matthew-Daniel, worried that a day hardly passes without reports of defilement and domestic violence, yet none of the perpetrators have been brought to book.

Like in the case of kidnapping where the state has approved death sentence for culprits, she urged the authority to consider castration and death sentence for anyone found guilty of rape as she stated that such a penalty would discourage a potential rapist. She also implored parents to create enough time for their children while teaching them morals.

Representing Lagos State Government, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Lola Akande in her address to the protesters asked for the NGOs to forward a bill to the House of Assembly stating their demands as she promised that the government will treat it with urgency even though the present administration has not relented in its effort to put an end to the menace.

Trish ‘O’ Opens Luxury Interiors and Couture Plaza Mary Ekah It was an elegant gathering as friends, clients and fashionistas converged to view the latest in bespoke Italian furniture, furnishings and accessories as Trish ‘O’ threw open its doors to her new opulently designed Trish ‘O’ Luxury Interior Furniture and Couture plaza recently in Victoria Island Lagos.

The designs at the plaza depict royalty, luxury and exquisite craftsmanship, Patricia Onumonu a.k.a Trish O, who has been in the fashion business for over 10 years, explained she was inspired by the need to satisfy her craving for furniture and interior designs.

Guests were treated to canapés, cocktails and a fantastic fashion show, featuring the latest summer collection of the award-winning brand.

The Eponymous fashion brand enticed guests with super elegant pieces from its 2016/2017 ready to wear collection. There were detailed embellishments on structured and draped silhouettes architectural cuts on delicate fabrics such as lace, silk, Jacquard, leather, and Chiffon. The collection has a

Trish O boss, Onumonu with a guest at the event

rich use of colours and fabrics that work for different body types and reflect different style personalities.

Onumonu, popularly known by her label Trish O’ Couture, was also inspired by her mum who used to be a seamstress and learnt how to start beading from the age of 12. After graduating from the University of

Lagos with a degree in Philosophy, Onumonu decided to follow her passion in fashion and groom herself on the basics and details of female fashion. Having a keen eye for fabrics, Onumonu is able to select fabrics that pay distinct tribute to femininity. With the use of her vivid imagination, she is able to capture fairy-tale in modern day fashion. An idealist at heart, Onumonu is inspired by the feminine form, fairy tales and the concept of love and romance which she tries to infuse into her fashion and has successfully been able to satisfy a large clientele.

Trish ‘O’ Couture was successfully launched in 2007 as a luxury brand for women with finer taste in fabrics and style, and has focused on bespoke and ready to wear. Her collections are inspired by fairytales, romance, and feminine beauty with an African feel to it. The designer makes use of lace, velvet, sequins, feather, leather and Ankara prints on chiffon fabrics to portray both the sexiness yet softness of womanhood with the aim to have a global appeal to women across board.

Ogunbadejo Lauds Rotary Club of Lagos, Calls for Collaboration The Rotary Club of Lagos has been described as the flagship of Rotary International District 9110. The club has also been commended for upholding the ideals of Rotary International and urged to move beyond its comfort zones to impact other clubs in the district.

District Governor of District 9110, Nigeria, Dr. Adewale Ogunbadejo made the observation during his visit to the Club at Lagos Motor Boat Club, Ikoyi Lagos. He said he was impressed by the conduct of the club and urged them to continue to sustain its leadership position in the District. The DG was received by President of Rotary Club of Lagos, Rotarian Soboma Ajumogobia, President Elect, Mr. Ehi Braimah, board members and other members of the club.

Ogunbadejo commended the organisational skill displayed by the Rotary Club of Lagos during the meeting and called for collaboration between the clubs and other clubs in the district.

“Visitation to various clubs is one of my primary responsibilities as District Governor.

It is statutory. Through the visits, I will be able to get first-hand information about the state of various clubs and will know the advice to give and steps to take to address important issues. Today’s visit is particularly unique because of the status of the Rotary Club of Lagos as the flagship club of the district. I hereby advise them to continue sustaining the tempo and use their position to boost the image of Rotary

L-R: President Elect, Rotary Club of Lagos, Mr. Ehi Braimah, President, Rotarian Soboma Ajumogobia, District Governor of District 9110, Nigeria, Dr. Adewale Ogunbadejo, during a courtesy visit

Club by working in line with this year’s theme – Rotary: Making a Difference.”

Speaking on the legacy he would like to leave behind as District Governor during his tenure, Ogunbadejo again referred to the 2017 theme of Rotary Club, which is on making a difference. “In line with this year’s theme of Rotary International, by the time my tenure ends, I want to leave behind a legacy that will represent what Rotary is all about –humanitarianism. Again, in line with Rotary Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Rotary International that is concerned about doing good in our various countries under me would have impacted well on the society. I want to be remembered as a District Governor whose tenure witnessed developmental projects that touch the lives

of people in various communities.

“Rotary members throughout the world take action to make communities better.

They contribute their time, energy and passion to carry out impactful and sustainable projects in the areas of peace and conflict resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. In my own little way, I want Rotary to touch the society during my tenure in office.”

Reacting to the visit and its significance, the President, Rotary Club of Lagos, Rotarian Soboma Ajumogobia, admitted that the visit was statutorily required, and added that it was significant for the growth of the club.

First Nigeria Beer Festival Holds in Lagos

Beer festival to hold

Mary Ekah The Lagos State Government is collaborating with beer brewers in the country and their counterparts across the globe to create maximum excitement during a week-long fiesta that will climax with the Independence Day Mega Concert to commemorate Nigeria’s independence. The event, which is first of its kind in this part of the world and would be hosted by Lagos State, is tagged ‘Nigeria Beer Festival’ and is scheduled to hold from September 25 to October 1, 2017. Organisers of the Nigeria Beer Festival, On and One Event (001) Limited, said that the Lagos State Government, which is passionate about tourism, will provide massive institutional support, particularly security, transport and related logistics. The organisers believe the maiden edition of the Nigeria Beer Festival is not only capable of stimulating the state’s economic and tourism potentials, but will also promote responsible drinking among drinking-age consumers at all its touch points. The event, expected to be a gathering of the largest community of beer consumers from across the country and beyond, will be held at the Lagos Atlantic City to give it a carnival atmosphere from Day 1 to the very last second. The festival will see Nigeria enrol into the league of Beer Festivals around the world, and boost the country’s tourism opportunities. The Nigeria Beer Festival will provide a fitting ambience to showcase fashion and lifestyle, as well as culture in a carnival atmosphere with various beer brands and other alcoholic drinks in Nigeria connecting with their existing and potential consumers

Coventry University Open Days Begin August 11 Mary Ekah In a bid to highlight enterprise and energy sector opportunities available for Nigerian students as well as highlight the value a UK university education provides, particularly for those wanting to pursue a career in industries such as energy, or create their own jobs through a focus on innovation and enterprise, the Britain’s Coventry University has invited potential students to its open days which will run for three days across Nigeria, beginning from Lagos today, Friday August 11. A senior lecturer in Petroleum and Environmental Technology at Coventry University, Dr. Babatunde Anifowose, who believes the future belongs to “forward-looking” graduates with technical and soft skills, will be on hand to meet attendees.

“The global energy industry is at a critical stage where rising energy demand and the clamour for sustainable development have led to ambitious targets in nations around the world. The future, therefore, belongs to forward-looking 21st-century graduates with wide-ranging technical competencies and soft skills, and a ‘can do’ attitude. Our energy courses at Coventry University offer technical professional qualifications in addition to an academic degree, thereby offering the vital skills needed to start-up as entrepreneurs, or take-up advanced degree programmes or relevant job opportunities anywhere in the world,” Anifowose said.

Graduates returning to Nigeria having studied undergraduate or postgraduate degrees such as those offered by Coventry in areas like Oil and Gas, Engineering and Computing will be able to adapt to the ever-changing local and global economy. Attendees at the open days can also learn more about the enterprise and innovation activities in Coventry being taken forward through its International Centre for Transformational Entrepreneurship (ICTE), which offers courses in enterprise and runs workshops in-country with graduates and alumni.

The open days will begin in Lagos on Friday, August 11 at Protea Hotel; in Abuja at Newton Park Hotels Annex on Saturday 12 August; and in Port Harcourt at Golden Tulip Hotel on Sunday 13 August, with each event running from 3pm-6pm local time. Open day attendees will be able to find out about a range of Coventry University bachelor’s and master’s courses. In addition to the focus on enterprise and energy, the university will be providing insight into its UK work experience programme for overseas student, which sees a dedicated team support students to arrange work placements with local and regional organisations while they study in Coventry.

31/LIVING

11.08.2017

Ikpeazu Urged to Save Corps Members from Windstorm Menace Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has been urged to take urgent steps to save members of the National Youth Service Corps deployed to the state from the danger posed by windstorm at their permanent orientation camp located at Umunna in Bende Local Government Area.

The state Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. Francesca Ifon made the passionate appeal during the opening/swearing ceremony of 2017 Batch ‘A’ Stream II orientation course for 2,120 corps members deployed to Abia.

She appealed to Governor Ikpeazu who represented at the ceremony by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu that the threat of windstorm was greatly endangering the lives of corps members.

In what appeared to be a distress call the state coordinator specifically cited a particular

Ikpeazu

incident when a great windstorm uprooted the canopies during the closing ceremony of

2017 Batch ‘A’ Stream I orientation course .

“But for the intervention of the Almighty, this camp would have recorded an ugly incident,” she said, adding that the frightening incident occurred just as the governor’s address was being delivered by the deputy governor.

“May I therefore appeal at this juncture that something urgent be done to avert further danger to the lives of corps members and our guests during official ceremonies,” the state coordinator said.

While expressing NYSC appreciation for the “wonderful support” that Abia Government has given to the scheme, especially cash donations to augment the feeding of corps members and donation of a 100KVA power generating set, Ifon emphasised the urgent need to tackle the threat of windstorm.

She appealed to Governor Ikpeazu to consider the “urgent need” to rehabilitate the female

hostel and reconstruct the parade pavilion in view of the fact that “we are now experiencing heavy downpour and thunderstorm.”

Governor Ikpeazu, whose speech was read by the deputy governor, assured that his administration “is resolutely committed to the welfare of the scheme and the provision of enabling environment for corps members to thrive.

He said that aside from solving the power problem in that orientation camp with the provision of the 100KVA generator, “we are also determined to renovate some damaged structures in the camp and do more within the limits of available resources.”

The Abia governor informed corps members that a lot of opportunities abound in their host state waiting to be tapped hence they should endeavour to acquire any skill of their choice during their service year.

JAN Partners Sasol Energy to Empower Out-of-School Lagos Youths Peter Uzoho, Mabel Benson and Blessing Alaku As part of its efforts to support helpless youths to become business owners and self-sustaining, Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) in partnership with Sasol Energy is empowering 300 out-ofschool youths in Lagos through its programme, ‘Immersion Training Strategy: Targeting Young Marginalised Entrepreneurs (JA ITS TYME).

The programme structured to last for a period of one year, seeks to provide basic business education to selected youths in various entrepreneurial fields through a variety of hands-on activities.

According to the organisation, during the programme, participants will have the liberty to select any skill from a wide range of options provided by the Lagos State Skills Acquisition Centre, Mushin. Some of the programmes include catering, barbing, hairdressing, fashion designing, shoe making, bead making, and exclusively f or persons confirmed as resident of Lagos State.

Speaking at the launch of the programme recently in Lagos, Programme Director, Junior Achievement Nigeria, Ms Ade Sofolu, said the

Representives of Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN)_ Sacol Energy_ Lagos State Acquisition Centre, Mushin_ flanked by participants of the JAN's ITS TYME programme during the programme launch in Mushin, Lagos State...

organisation was excited to partner with Sasol to help develop the entrepreneurial skills of young people in Lagos through the programe.

According to her, Nigeria faces the challenge of economic development occurring on the macro level in gross domestic product (GDP) figures,

stressing that that does not translate to the micro level in reduction of poverty and better economic reality for her citizens.

“With this programme, we have created a tripod of support between Lagos State Government who have identified the young people that will benefit

from the program; Sasol who has kindly funded and supported the delivery of the programme, and we at JAN that will deliver our innovative JA ITS TYME training to the young people,” Sofolu said.

Commenting on the partnership, Country Manager, Sasol Energy, Mr. Mlandzem Boyce, said the company was always eager to collaborate with key foundations like Junior Achievement Nigeria, who according to him, are making a difference by helping to empower members of their host communities. He noted that the goal of the company was to help young people to get skills and be able to fend for themselves.

“Our target is to see all the 300 students that are in the programme graduate with something on their hand and to see them become useful to themselves and to the country at large. That to us is our mileage, and that is the goal of Sasol,” Boyce said.

He explained that entrepreneurship was a big part of the Nigerian system and something that was growing, adding that the company would always support through funding or other means to help develop the entrepreneurial skills of young Nigerian.

Mobos Fashion Launches New Outfit at Ikeja City Mall Sunday Okobi and Emmanuel Ella A lifestyle retail brand, Mobos Fashion Store, has launched its latest outlet at Ikeja City Mall, Alausa, Lagos State.

At the official launch of the outfit at the weekend in Lagos, Mobos Fashion Chief Executive Officer , Mrs. Omobowale Biobaku, noted that the brand, which has branches in strategic locations within the metropolis, came into existence in 2004.

According to her, “We have a brand called VR and is exclusively carried by Mobos Fashion.

And what we do is to dress women elegantly and decently. So, in Mobos, we are not limited to one thing. We give you your shoes, your bags, your clothes and other accessories, so you are not limited to one thing as we are actually like make over for lifestyle fashion.’’

Biobaku further stated that “we are distinct because as a Nigerian brand, we cater for all classes and ensure they look elegant, decent and confident.

On her an ideal fashion icon, Biobaku submit-

L-R: General Manager, Mobos Fashion, Odukoya Omobolayi; CEO Mobos Fashion, Omobowale Biobaku, and creative director, Hair We Are Nigeria, Olanike Idowu, at the official opening of Mobos Fashion city mall office in Lagos…

ted that the stylish woman combines well with her accessories beautifully irrespective of prices, adding that summarily, “we inspire confidence

in our women.

“I don’t really believe in price tag. Being fashionable doesn’t mean you break a bank.

You cut your coat according to your cloth.”

The Mobos CEO further stated that Nigerian women are best dressers globally to correct an age-long stereotype that westerners were more fashionable. “Nigerian women are the most fashionable in the world. Think about it, there is nowhere you go to and you see a Nigerian lady without seeing the traces of natural beauty and fashion in them. Nigerian woman always look cute and that is what Mobos has come to Ikeja to compliment,” Biobaku noted.

“Mobos is number one lifestyle retail brand in Nigeria. We have an online shop for easier access. And our accessories and products which address all, including casuals, are very affordable.

“We also cut our coat according to our size.

The most important thing is to know your source in your business, a lot of businesses these days don’t know about that; you must know what you are and find where your strength is and where your source is, then I believe the sky is only the beginning.”

Nasarawa Holds State-wide Census September 1 The Nasarawa State Government has ordered a state-wide enumeration exercise towards assessing infrastructural and developmental needs of citizens of the state for quick implementation.

A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Abdul- Hamid Y. Kwara, said the census would hold in the 13 local government areas of the state on September 1.

The exercise, ordered by Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, in line with his vision to usher in an era of inclusive development, will last for six weeks.

According to Kwara, in spite of government best efforts, many citizens and residents have continued to lament lack of basic social amenities in parts of the state.

“The objective is to obtain and secure demographic data that will guide the administration in the provision of social amenities, such as housing, roads and

rural infrastructure including water and electricity, that are lacking in some parts of the state.”

The statement said in the course of the exercise, enumerators will be visiting homes and offices across the state to administer questionnaires to residents and workers on their needs.

"The Nasarawa State Government is therefore using this medium to call on all residents of the state, to cooperate with the enumerators and respond appropriately in order to ensure that the objectives of the exercise are achieved.

In addition, the state government wishes to state unequivocally that this exercise is not just for the indigenes of Nasarawa State, but for non-indigenes and residents," said the statement.

“Despite being one of the least revenue earning states in the country, with a little over N7 billion being receipts from federal allocation in the first quarter of 2017 and an IGR estimates of about

N4 billion in the last four years, Al-Makura has through prudent and frugal deployment of resources implemented a number of laudable projects and programme envisioned by the administration.

“Some include the cargo airport project, special schools in each of the senatorial zones, construction of bridges, culverts, public health infrastructures, among others.

“The administration has also created the Nasarawa Geographic Information Services (NAGIS) to enhance even and structured development of the state in line with the state’s approved master plan. However, governor Al-Makura appreciates need for more to be done towards ensuring equitable distribution of social amenities to alleviate the plight of the citizens some of whom have downed tools in protest and a strike action,” the statement noted.

Al-Makura

32 / XTRA

11.08.2017

L-R: Chairperson, Anniversary Planning Committee, Lady Adenike Okudoh; Representative of Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Ngozi Opara; Historical Chairman, Pa Olagbaye Solomon; The Lord Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. James Olusola Odedeji; Bishop Egba West, Rt. Rev. Samuel Ogundeji and Vicar of Festac Archdeaconry, Ven. Isreal Omotunde Owoyele during the the event PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

A smart phone

The Power of Technology In the near future, you will be able to organise, plan your life, and take important decisions by simply speaking into your phone. How? Google has the answers. Ayodeji Rotinwa reports Time difference, like many others, is a science that’s hard to master.

Basically, it’s simple mathematics but that’s hard too, especially when you’ve been travelling endless hours, subject to questionable airline food and a passenger – neighbour who’s disturbing your rest, asking for movie recommendations.

I was visiting Nairobi, attending Google’s ‘Magic in the Machine’, a live demo presentation event about the company’s giant strides in artificial intelligence, its working tool: machine learning; in making our lives easier, smarter, and more convenient.

It was a tightly packed trip that lasted 48 hours in a city that was very chilly, in a hotel room that no windows and allowance for fresh air. I soon developed a chest infection, a wheezy cough and cold and a burning fever.

I was vaguely aware that my return flight to Lagos was at the crack of dawn. 7am.

But I wasn’t sure. 7am Nigerian time or Kenyan time? Kenya is two hours ahead.

I was too preoccupied with getting drugs for my fever to check for sure. The night before my flight, I would later open Google Now and come across a notification. The search service had parsed through my email, presenting my flight information as a notification. It highlighted and reminded me of my correct flight time per my location and pointed out a detail I had completely missed: my flight terminal.

I hadn’t realised that the Jomo Kenyatta Airport had different terminals (too used to Murtala Mohammed International) and I would have likely ended up at the wrong one had I not seen that notification.

Google Now had delivered two important

pieces of information: one I wasn’t certain of previously and one I didn’t know I needed, at a time when my physical discernment was impaired through being sick.

How did the application do this? Artificial Intelligence via machine learning, Google’s preferred approach to developing the former.

“Artificial intelligence would be the ultimate version of Google. The ultimate search engine that would understand everything on the Web. It would understand exactly what you wanted, and it would give you the right thing. We’re nowhere near doing that now. However, we can get incrementally closer to that, and that is basically what we work on,” Larry Page, cofounder of Google said in 2000.

Seventeen years later, the search engine has brought us all significantly closer to a smarter world in ways we might not even recognize.

Have you ever typed in search term and before you finish, it is completed for you?

Likely, yes. When you enter a certain location repeatedly as a destination on Google Maps, have you ever seen a suggestion that asks you to save as Home or Work, the software rightly estimating that a destination you go to that often would be so familiar. Likely, yes. When you shop online or search for certain times over a period of time, have you noticed you start to see advertisements, products pitching those things to you? If you use Google Now you start to see news about said search terms in your feed.

Artificial Intelligence is the science of making things smart, as clearly illustrated above.

Machine Learning, the tool which the former uses, is teaching a computer to recognize patterns by example such as repeated Maps

destinations, similar searches of similar things.

In Nairobi, before the fever got me, I got a sense of just how smart the future might be. The Google team consisting ofmachine learning expert and principal scientist at Google, Blaise Aguera y Arcas and Laura Scott, a communications manager, delivered a live demonstration and talk over the company’s latest advancements in machine learning.

Two of the demonstrated applications were experimental: the AI Duet, a piano that responds to you and the Quick Draw a doodle recognition game that predicts what you’re trying to draw. It was immediately apparent that the latter could be a hit in a children’s art class and a great way to introduce them to technology.

The most striking advancement was the Google Assistant. (you can download this via the Play Store on Android or Apple Store for iPhone) Think of every science fiction film you have watched where actors talked to robots and they talked back. They could tell the weather, take instruction to place calls, they might even recommend a cocktail pairing with your dinner.

With the Google Assistant, fiction has become real life.

The virtual companion, an app in your phone brought to life by your voice can carry on a natural conversation. Scott had a ‘chat’ with the app about when her next flight was, what airline she was flying and what terminal she was supposed to be at.

Eventually, machine learning will do more than just making sure you don’t pay an extra $100 for a new flight ticket.

According to Martian Herald, an online directory on unusual facts, machine learning

will play a huge role in our finances, health, and quite frankly, help preserve our lives.

Machine learning software will help protect consumers from fraud by spotting changes in spending, credit card use. Anything unusual, and you might receive alarms in your inbox.

There’s special software in development that can help detect heart attacks before they occur.

There are intelligent devices that can help distinguish between life-saving and fake drugs.

According to the World Health Organization, 10 – 25% of medicine in developing countries is counterfeit. In 2015, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) impounded 270 million worth of fake drugs. News reports of Nigerians dying due to expired or fake drugs are all too familiar. There’s software that also tracks changes in health records and can help doctors diagnose patients more efficiently.

In many Nigerian hospitals, every ailment is interpreted as Malaria. This stubborn misdiagnosis kills.

There’s machine learning software in the works too that may help us prepare better for adverse weather conditions like the flooding experienced across the country recently. Sure, it is not a substitute for availability of drainages or competent urban planning but if you knew a disturbing amount of rain was on its way, you could act with that information and get all your belongings and loved ones out of harm’s way.

It is comforting to know one company – Google - has literally made its business to think along these lines, to make all our lives: simpler, smarter, safer and more secure.

Machine Learning is definitely a science I will be studying.

33/ XTRA

11.08.2017

The Miracle Business How did Presco Plc achieve an incredible 772 per cent increase in its Profit After Tax earnings within just a year? Solomon Elusoji writes At its 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Benin, Edo State, recently, Presco Plc, the biggest player in Nigeria's oil palm sector, announced a 772 per cent increase of its annual Profit After Tax earnings, after recording N21,735,465 billion in 2016 against the N2,493,535 billion profit it gained in 2015.

The Chairman of the company, Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck, stated this while addressing the business’ shareholders.

This remarkable jump was achieved despite the fact that Nigeria's economy slipped into a recession in the second quarter of 2016, after the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced a decline in Gross Domestic Product by -2.06 per cent (year-on-year) in real terms.

"For three years running there has been increasing challenges in the Nigerian business environment and the economy contracted in 2016 for the first time in two decades," Vandebeeck said, adding: "In 2016, inflation rose to an 11-year high of 18.55 per cent in the last quarter of the year. There was no improvement in government revenue and monetary liquidity deteriorated. Forex availability worsened both in terms of scarcity and depreciation of the naira against major international currencies."

But none of these complex challenges could limit Presco's stellar year. During the period under review, the company recorded a turnover of N15.716 billion compared to N10.448 billion in 2015, resulting in Profit After Tax, after accounting for changes in fair value of biological assets, of N21.735 billion compared to N2.494 billion in 2015.

Subsequently, the company's Board of Directors proposed a dividend of N1.50 per share, which amounts to N1.500 billion to be paid to shareholders. This proposal was approved during the recent AGM. One of the company’s shareholders, Mr. Peter Okoh, told THISDAY he was particularly excited about the biological assets evaluation which shot up Presco’s final earnings. “It’s a fantastic result,” he said, “besides, N1.50 kobo is one of the highest they have ever paid as dividend, so we are very happy as shareholders.”

Presco's strong year can be partly explained by the aggressive determination of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to encourage locally-made products. In June 2015, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), issued a directive that banned importers of some 41 items, which includes Crude Palm Oil (CPO), from access foreign exchange at the interbank market due to dollar scarcity. The

Presco's investment in the CPO business is yielding results

Vandebeeck

rationale behind this ban, of course, was that domestic production of these items needed to be encouraged. Since then, importers of CPO have been forced to source their foreign exchange from alternative and more expensive channels, raising their costs and handing over competitive advantage to local producers like Presco, with CPO users, such as FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) companies, becoming addicted customers.

However, the company's success can also be attributed to its aggressive plantation policy.

Presco, which is a subsidiary of Siat s.a., a Belgian agro-industrial company, has three estates – Obaretin (7,000ha) and Ologbo (11,000ha) both in Edo State, and Cowan (2,800ha) in Delta State. The three estates achieved production of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) 176,477 tonnes in 2015, about 14,000 more than the previous year, and 164, 513 tonnes in 2016. The company recently started operations in Sakponba with the development of a nursery and is actively looking for new land to work with. The Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has stated his administration is ready to give

the company more land, after observing the business's positive impact on its peoples.

In addition, the company is looking to acquire plantations that are badly managed in other states. These plantations will be either bought out or leased.

Also, the company continues to invest in machinery, most of which are automated. In 2015, it successfully installed a new tilting steriliser unit which helps to reduce both sterilising time and the use of steam.

In 2014, the company installed a biogas plant which, according to Presco's management, saves the company $200,000 monthly since the project was completed. The thermopac, one of the machines used in the palm oil refinery process, previously utilised about 500-600 litres of kerosene daily but now runs 100 per cent with biogas.

According to an investment analysis carried out by FBN Quest in 2016, Presco’s fully integrated industrial facilities consist of a palm oil mill with a capacity of 60 tonnes FFB per hour, a palm kernel crushing plant with a capacity of 60 tonnes per day and a refinery fractionation plant with a capacity

of 100 tonnes per day.

The company is equally investing in research and development. It has over 600ha and 300 people dedicated to field research and trials.

The trials relate to the agronomic aspects of oil palm such as fertilisation, soil and land preparation, planting density and the use of organic mill waste to maintain or enhance soil fertility and production. Research work is also underway for cloning of high yielding trees.

"We are committed to research and development," Vandebeeck said at the 2017 AGM, "it is at the forefront of new planting material development and has been very successful in increasing the quantity of Fresh Fruit Bunches and Oil per hectare of plantation.

"We have collaborations with first class research organisations and national and international universities. Every year our research activities are increasing, bringing us to out ambition of establishing Presco as a Centre of Excellence for oil palm cultivation and research in the West Africa region." The company spent N101.4 million on research and development in 2016.

34/PERSPECTIVE

11.08.2017

Ayade's Cotton Revolution Set to Put Cross River in League of Global Producers Dare Olatokunbo writes that the birthing of a ten thousand hectare-cotton farm in Woda in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, is part of Governor Ben Ayade’s backward integration policy to ensure that the Calabar Garment Factory operates at optimum capacity For the people of Woda, a sleepy community in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, they could not have it any better than a bounteous gift of a cotton farm. Tucked away in the armpit of the northern part of the state with no access road and no electricity but with abjection as a defining narrative of their everyday existence, the euphoria that now greets the siting of a two thousand hectares of cotton farm in their domain could not be any more strident.

Though, endowed with a vast and fertile arable land, the community members could not stop wondering why past administrations never saw the need to utilise such act of kindness from God and nature to transform and make meaning out of their hitherto miserable lives.

Completely excised from modernity, a drive through the community on this day to inspect what will arguably be the largest cotton farm on the continent painted a graphic picture of a community not far removed from the state of nature.

Grinding poverty, thatched houses and lack of government presence stood out in bold relief. In fact, for the people of Woda community, essence holds no meaning than existence.

But on this day, there appeared a shimmering light on the horizon with the decision of the Governor Ben Ayade-led administration to site a ten thousandhectare cotton farm in Woda.

Indeed, as part of the backward integration policy of the governor, having established the biggest automated garment factory in Africa, his decision to complement this bold and howling initiative with the setting up of a cotton farm is no doubt a determination woven through to its precision.

Already, cultivation on the already acquired two out of ten thousand hectares of land has begun, with an expected roll out of 30 tons of cotton by November this year, with a spinoff effect on capacity building, employment generation and ultimately, urbanisation of the community.

When in full swing, a whopping 10,000 direct jobs for the teeming army of unemployed youths is guaranteed, ensuring unwittingly, that Woda is firmly on the world map.

With this project, a motorable pathway has been hewed from a track that once served as the only outlet into the semi city centre from their farms to ease the movement of people and farm produce to nearby markets.

The siting of this project in Woda, besides the urgent need to industrialise the state and ramp up its economy, is a clear demonstration of Governor Ayade's commitment to creating jobs and ensuring that "no child goes to bed hungry during my tenure as governor of Cross River State."

On this day, it was neither the sight nor sound of the governor's presence that elicited the endless chant of his moniker, but the euphoria that for the first time in the life of the community, government presence was beginning to creep into Woda and a new dawn is unfolding for the once forgotten people.

As is usual with eureka feeling, the old, the young, men and women, children, in sheer excitement of what was unraveling before their eyes, chorused: "Ayade, na you we know", "Ayade, no one like you," "With Ayade, Woda has come alive", "Carry go Ayade, no vacancy," "Ayade is God sent", "He is a miracle worker." Not done with praises, they streamed out in a long convoy of motorcycles to receive the Chinese investors and a team from Arewa

Director General, Cross River State Due Process and Price Intelligence Unit, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, (1st right), Cross River Cotton Project Facilitator, High chief Gabriel Umoden (1st left) with members of Chinese Textile Group and cotton farmers while inspecting the cotton farm in Woda community in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State

Cotton led by the Managing Director, Anibe Achimugu.

Addressing the youths, he said: "We will start by allocating parcels of land to you, the community farmers, train you and hope that you can now pass the knowledge to others.”

Continuing, he said: “As you can see, community members are already working with us in terms of the casual labour that we need. Also, we are collating the small holders’ farmers as outgrowers."

Assuring the community of the vast opportunities thrown up with the establishment of the cotton farm, Achimugu hinted that "the entire cotton value chain has the capacity to generate 10,000 jobs and a lot of vistas of opportunity will come from Cross River State."

According to him, "this is clearly in line with Governor Ayade’s backward integration policy and the only way to ensure that the Calabar Garment Factory operates at optimum capacity."

Maintaining that the farm is in line with the world best practices in agriculture as the team is led by an old staff of Institute of Agricultural Research, the MD affirmed that they were attracted by the automated garment factory in the state, the complete value chain and the quick cash flow generation as well as the receptive nature of the people to investors.

Also on tour of the farm, Nigeria Project Manager of a Chinese firm, Ruyi Science and Technology Group, Wu Xingtao, while speaking on behalf of his team, assured that they found in Cross River State Government a serious partner to do business with, accommodating and determined to develop the state garment factory with required raw materials, hence

the need for the partnership.

Xingtao revealed: "We have plans to build textile factory in Nigeria. That means we need plenty cotton. We want to get plenty cotton from Nigeria and not to import. So we are partnering with Cross River State Government to make our textile factory easy."

Affirming the Chinese firm's doggedness to deliver, Facilitator/Director of the cotton farm project, High Chief Gabriel Umodem, disclosed that "we saw their projection in Australia and Pakistan and that is what we want to repeat here. All of them don't have the market that we have as the Nigerian market is too much.

If you add that to the AGOA initiative, it means they come from China, produce in Nigeria and ship to America, so, Woda is going to be on the world map in terms of expansion.

"We promise that before the Carnival, a trailer load of a minimum of 30 tons of raw cotton will arrive the Calabar Garment Factory from our 2,000 hectares farm in Woda, Yala to show the world.

Our technical partners are proposing a textile industrial park in Calabar that will produce 300 million metres capacity of fabrics per annum and the idea is that, they are overloaded back home, so, the Nigerian quota from their factory will come from Cross River."

He also assured that "we are not just doing cotton, we will gin, weave and intend to take over the garment factory and run it internationally."

Speaking on behalf of the youths and on the community’s support for the project, a community leader and former National Assembly member, Christopher Inyila Eriba, said: "If we have land to offer, that

will be our little contribution towards the agricultural revolution. At a time like this, in order to cope with economic recession with a lot of young graduates who need skill acquisition, it is expected that going into this kind of venture will give us that leverage and training."

Eriba added that "the community leaders, women and youths are happy, ready and in support of this project that will tremendously touch our lives. We pray that government should accomplish this laudable programme."

Appreciating the seriousness and commitment of Governor Ayade to the cotton value chain, Head, CRS Project monitoring office of Nigeria Incentive Based Risk Sharing System, Mr. Uduzeli Progress, said that his group is ready to throw its weight be Woda cotton farm based on the type of model suitable for the program.

According to him, "We have two models. One is called “Farm Smart” where you open a farm with large hectares of land, bring youths together, open a farm for them and monitor them. We also have the “Anchors Borrowers Programme” of the CBN. In this case, we partner with CBN to access loans and give to farmers.

So, we are thinking of which model that will suit this program."

Initially conceived as a programme targeted at widows and the underprivileged women in the state, with the provision of 3,000 jobs, the Calabar Garment Factory is assuming a wider scope than earlier conceptualised with the birthing of a ten thousand hectare-cotton farm in Woda, ten thousand job opportunities as well as the proposed establishment of textile industrial park in the state by a consortium of Chinese firm.

35/ENTREPRENEUR

11.08.2017

Winning the Reputation Battle Emeka Onyekonwu, the Chief Executive Officer of Global Sentinel Limited, helps brands to manage their online reputation. Recently, he gave a talk on Online Crisis and Reputation Management at a workshop in Lagos. In this interview with Solomon Elusoji, he shares his thoughts on how social media is shaping the way brands interact with customers, among other issues

Onyekonwu

Why is social media important today?

Before the advent of the internet and social media, a lot of information was sent through the traditional media. But how many people or things does traditional media consider newsworthy? For example, if you go to a telecoms experience centre or a bank, and they treat you badly, you can’t possible go to a newspaper and complain. But with social media, you can go on a rant. With the click of a button, you get the attention of the world.

So these days, it is very easy to get heard and that’s why brands must make sure they improve customer service; you ignore people at your peril.

Is this a good thing for brands?

It is a good thing and it’s also a bad thing.

It’s good because you can tell your own side of the story, as quickly as possible and in the exact way you want it told. It is a bad thing because there is a lot of misinformation, a lot of fake stories. But on the whole, you need to balance the good and the bad.

How should brands use social media to tell their stories?

It depends on the story they want to tell. If you want to post a long video, you probably want to use YouTube. But it’s even advisable not to do long videos these days; nobody has the time and data to watch all that; social media has taught us to be concise – that’s

why a lot of people go to Twitter, which forces you to condense all you want to say in those few characters. Same thing goes for Instagram and Snapchat – with their one minute videos. But, basically, it depends on what you want to put out. If it’s a long post, you can do Facebook. But a lot of people are more active on Twitter – when people want to talk about serious stuffs, they go there – although Facebook has far more accounts. Still, if you are a big brand, people will actually see what you have to say, whichever platform you use.

What do you advise for social media growth.

Organic growth or paid growth?

Organic is always best. That’s where content management comes in. If you do it well, people will follow. But when you do paid growth, someone in Afghanistan comes and follows you and your market is here in Nigeria, how does that help you? Social media is about people who you can engage and interact with. So, for business purposes, organic is always the best.

What is the future of social media?

Right now, a lot of foreign brands use chatbots where programmes are built to answer your questions, and it feels, sometimes, like you are conversing with a fellow human being. It reminds me of one competition that Air France did. It takes the pressure off staff resources;

you can redirect manpower to do different things, because you know your customers are being attended to promptly. So, artificial intelligence is the next frontier and it is actually something that everybody should embrace, although with some restrictions; restrictions because, a few days ago, Facebook had to shut down one of its artificial intelligence projects because the robots developed their own language. We see things like these in movies, where robots take over the world and enslave humans. So, like Elon Musk, I think artificial intelligence should be regulated.

Is it is a good thing? Yes. But it needs to be regulated, because we have seen that it is possible for them to develop a mind of their own.

What is online reputation management?

Reputation management is basically the attempt to shape public perception of a brand by influencing information. It is about monitoring the conversations around the brand and being responsive; for example, someone tweets a message to the brand, you need to be quick to respond and you also need to be authentic. Also, you try to avoid saturation – drowning people in too much information. Then, of course, you can get certified stakeholders – people who have had good experience with your brand – to tell your story. You need to have a presence on all major social media, use crawlers to

monitor conversations, etc.

What are your best tips for dealing with an online crisis?

No two crises are the same. Each comes with its own peculiarities. But, most times, tackling these things come with careful thinking. If it is already a full blown crisis, you need to tell your own side of the story.

If it is a false story, you can just go ahead to talk to the website’s host or Google to de-index the purveyors. But if it is something that is true – if your staff did something awful – you cannot be caught lying. You might want to sack the offender(s) to regain public trust, and make steps to ensure that such a crisis does not repeat itself. But the key thing is that you get a chance to tell your own story.

How does someone become an online reputation manager?

I don’t know of any school in Nigeria that teach how to be an online reputation manager. But there are courses out there on social media management and all that, but reputation management goes beyond social media management; it also entails you being able to think outside the box, and that’s not something anybody can teach you. At the end of the day, it is about being about to set up strategies to deal with crises whenever they come up.

36/COLLAGE

L-R: Chairman, 31st Pacesetter President 2017/2018 Installation Committee, Rtn. Aderonke Jones-Adewale; Newly Installed President, Rotary Club of Okota, Rtn. Titilope Aleero Okubadejo; representative of wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Ashimi Oyinade and the Immediate past President, Rtn Oliyide Olanrewaju Ismaila, during the investiture ceremony of Rtn Aleero Okubadejo as the 31st President of the club, in Okota Lagos...recently

11.08.2017

L-R: Actress/Producer, Bikiya Graham-Douglas; Acting Commissioner for Tourism Culture and Arts, Lagos State, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola; Veteran Actor, Chief Olu Jacobs and Actress, Osas Ighodaro-Ajibade, during the Beeta Universal Arts foundation and presentation of the play wedding blues, in Lagos...recently KOLA OLASUPO

(2nd Left) Deputy Director TEPO (Teachers Establishment & Pensions OďŹƒce), Mrs. Abidemi Aloba; (3rd right) Human Resources Director, Unilever Nigeria/Ghana Miss Eniola Onimole, and (right) Daniel Emenahor, Programmes OďŹƒcer, LEAP Africa with some of the participants at the 2017 Unilever Secondary School Internship Programme in Lagos...recently

L-R: General overseer, The Lord's Chosen Christmatic Revival Ministries,( TLCCRM) Pastor Lazarus Muoka; Head, Media and Public Relations, Pastor Louis Chidi; and Assistant Administrator, Pastor Bolaji Folayan, during the the church crusade in Lagos... recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

L-R: Glo Subscribers, Chimatex Henry, Fatimah Ajebode, comedian, Mr. Patrick Onyeke; Glo subscribers, David Shodimu and Theresa Adjekegba, during the mega comedy show, Glo Laffta Fest, held at Jogor Centre, Ibadan... recently.

Ibrahim Raheem and Aminat Abiola during their wedding reception at the University of Ibadan International Conference Center, Ibadan...recently

L- R: Immediate Past President, Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) Lagos, Mr Tope Aladenusi; Commissioner of science and Technology, Lagos state, Mr Olufemi Odubiyi; and President, ISACA, Lagos, Chapter, Mr Adeola Willoughby, at the inauguration ceremony of the association in Lagos... recently

37/THISLIFE

11.08.2017

A Heart of Gold David-Chyddy Eleke writes that the spiritual director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, spends over N15 million annually on charities and another N15 million on hospital bills each year for poor people in various hospitals Friday, 24th February, 2017 will remain fresh in the minds of members of the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, and more so for those who were in attendance for the closing ceremony of a 33-day prayer march themed: ‘My Year of Divine Enthronement’.

The prayer march was initiated by the founder and spiritual Director of the ministry, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (Ebube Muonso). For many years, the sleepy community of Uke in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State has come to be known as a pilgrimage centre for the sole reason of the siting of the ministry in the community, as Catholic and non Catholic faithfuls throng the ministry for their weekly adoration.

The case of 24th February seemed different from the usual weekly programme as unusual human and vehicular movements in the area could not have gone unnoticed by anyone.

Though it was an all-night programme billed to commence at about 9pm, but as early as 2pm, members had started trooping into the venue to enable them secure choice sitting positions. The sea of heads pictured from the hilly location of the ministry was a sight to behold.

During testimony time, testifiers regaled members with beautiful miracles of God, which sounded like untrue tales, the testifiers were confident of what has happened in their lives.

The prayer march which lasted 33 days most of the members said were harvest of miracles for them as a blind man had regained his sight, and a cripple also walked around at the arena after Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma had commanded him to do so. The cheers generated by most of the healing would shake heaven if someone was to report from there a member quipped. At each testimony, the crowd went wild in cheers to the work of God, which Obimma latter said strengthened the faith of the people in God. The miracles of Mr. Paul Ukachukwu and Bernard Maduka who both received spiritual healing, regaining their power of hearing and speech were also some of the most astonishing as both men who are adults were said to be confirmed deaf and dumb by their family members.

Obimma performed miracles even as many more received prayers of breakthrough through the prayer march.

Obimma, a priest in his 30s has grown the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry to an enviable height, and has proven himself to be a chosen man of God. His strength in ministration is such that most people wonder how he copes with the voluminous job he has to do as he besides tending the ministry also works as the Parish Priest of Blessed Iwene Tansi Parish, Umudioka, Dunukofia. Just like every other day’s programme, Obimma mounted the stage and preached for a very long time, but unlike other days, a sermon he started as 9pm did not end until about 8am the next day, but what remained a surprise that the crowd was eager to hear more.

Some of the members of the ministry who spoke to THISDAY insist that Obimma is a man sent to liberate the poor and suffering masses. For Mrs. Toochi Mbah, Obimma is not just a priest who teaches you the way of salvation, he is a priest who offers assistance to his members to alleviate them from the sufferings occasioned by the country’s harsh economy. “He will not spare anything to ensure that he takes care of the needy. All these money that people come here to dash him, he still gives it back to the needy. You will be surprised how much he spends on taking care of poor people.”

Another member, Mr. Vincent Ezeugo said, “This is the only place that when I come for worship, no matter how big my problem is, once I am leaving this place, I see hope, I become happy and I feel very light. He is truly a man of God, and am not surprised that the Lord is using him to help people both spiritually and materially.”

As noted by some of his members, THISDAY gathered that his ministry spends over N15 million annually on charities, excluding

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (1st right) posing with a Chinese man who regained his health miraculously after doctors had confirmed he would die after that day

Awaiting mothers praying to God of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry

Onitsha Main Market traders praying at a crusade conducted by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma

another N15 million on hospital bills each year for poor people in various hospitals.

In 2016 alone, it was gathered that Obimma had spent about N15.7 million to procure

gift items which he splashed on widows, destitute and less-privileged ones. His businesses which include schools and factories are known to employ over 15,000 people, which

he said placates his members in the face of the hardship the Nigerian government has bestowed them with.

He told THISDAY after seeing over 600 people for counseling immediately after the prayer march programme that, “The Adoration Ministry has recorded unprecedented harvest of miracles. For me, I can say it is the most booming ministry around, because, when you come here, you see evidence of God’s presence, blessings and the power of the Holy Spirit in action. On weekly basis miracles are being recorded. My happiness is that nowadays, people from outside Nigeria visit here and share testimonies. Just recently, there was a man from China who was so sick that he had just one day to live. That day, I was in China to anchor a crusade. The coordinator of the crusade, Emeka, told me to wait behind and pray for a man who was diagnosed of cancer. His liver and kidney were damaged and he had only one day to live.

“When we got to the man’s house, I saw only a skeleton. I didn’t know what to say.

I told God to perform a miracle that would convert the entire Chinese country. I blessed the man, anointed him after singing praises, the next day, Emeka who took me to the sick man’s house, called me and said that China was in great jubilation. He told me that the man was healed and that he was removed from the life-supporting machine.

He reported that the man who could not pass urine went to the toilet and passed urine unaided and also ate food. Doctors were amazed.”

Obimma said his philanthropic spirit is solely to help alleviate the poor from suffering. “As you can see, there is hunger in the land. The president and others should remove hunger in the land. People are dying on a daily basis. Prices of goods are skyrocketing.

As a priest, I’m not happy when I see my flock suffer.” He further encouraged those under intimidation and abject poverty that God will uplift them and change their situations if only they believe in the anointing of Jesus Christ on them for accelerated promotion and elevation. He warned those suppressing the poor and depriving them of their rights for the simple reason that they were voted to power to desist.

38/OPINION

11.08.2017

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

The Private Citizen Who Belongs to Everybody “Hello, Commander-in-Chief, when are you going home?”

“My sister, I told my people soon so that they will stop to poke their noses into my life.

Nigerians want to know everything in Aso Villa and the other room. They just don’t understand the word privacy.”

“But you said you belong to everybody, you belong to all.”

“It was an overzealous speech I made that day.

I bowed to political pressure from people like the Burdillon man and El-kanemi of Kaduna so that people will stop looking at my background as a ruthless military man. You know the phrase, political correctness. The speech was given to me by politicians to make everyone feel important and happy.”

“So what has changed?”

“This long vacation has changed everything. I love it here. You have roads, you have electricity, you have hospitals, you have food. Now, I belong to you.”

“But all these agitation about resume or resign is not making me comfortable as your host.”

“Ahhhhh, Madam you worry too much, don’t you know my people, they like to shout. There’s no anger in that shouting. That’s how we do it since you people left us to ourselves in 1960.”

“Then I heard that you’re a private citizen.

Is that true?”

“My sister, that girl called Laurry is doing a fantastic job of Squealer in the animal farm.

Buhari (middle), Tinubu (1st left) and Akande (right), when the latter visited the President in London

Laurry can turn white into black. May God bless the soul of George Orwell. He has written what is coming to pass now many decades ago.”

“Madam, let’s talk about my strategy of continued stay here so that the Asiwaju boy, the professor, can continue to do the job and I get the credit. It’s my government not his own.

I cannot come and die. Do you think I can go to the Niger-Delta the way he’s doing. I’m not even popular among my people again.”

“But you cannot be a remote control president.

Besides, our parliament is not happy that you continue to be here. They are now looking into your record to be sure you are not using our

benefits.”

“Ahhhhh! That is an insult. If you know how much Nigeria is paying to your economy on this vacation, despite that our country is in recession, you will say continue, continue my brother.”

“Mr. President don’t be angry, British people are very frugal with resources, so they have the right to check, if you are taking our benefits since you’re not qualified for it.”

“I’m not angry, but it is unfair that they will not come to see me here, take photos, and wish me a continued stay the way Asiwaju, Bukky, Dogara, Amosun, Oyegun, Akande and my governors have done.”

“Haa! You’re carrying your luck too far Mr. President. These MPs are serious people. Besides, you didn’t even tell us what sickness kept you here since the beginning of the New Year.”

“Madam Mary, Look, don’t ask that question again. You’re getting on my nerve. It is not your fault. It is the fault of that Abeokuta man called Baba. He frustrated me from becoming the president when I had enough energy to carry through. Three times I wept, Baba laughed.

He has not even come to see me here. He’s probably thinking I will not make it back so that his kinsman can become president. But my people are watching.”

“Your people, you mean Nigerians?”

“In Nigeria, when you say my people, you’re referring to ethnicity. I trust that boy in Kaduna, he’s intelligent enough to frustrate the plan of the southerners.”

“So you want to be as old as Mugabe of Zimbabwe in power?”

“What concerns you? Nigerians deserve what they get, Zimbabweans deserve what they get, and Britons deserve what they get.”

“Wow, Mr. President I like your closing statement, but shouldn’t Nigerians learn from Britain about elections and governance? I don’t need your answer to this, but when are you going home. Her majesty, the Queen is no longer at ease with your stay.”

Follow me on twitter: @adeolaakinremi1

LEKANFATODU HEADS-UP

Email lekantodun@yahoo.com

Tel 07058069255

The Beauty in Democracy Just three days ago, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa survived a critical politicalaction that could have put an abrupt end to his presidency.

Many had predicted that Zuma, embroiled in massive allegations of corruption and abuse of position,would fall on a banana peel in the latest attempt to oust him from office via a secret poll in the parliament – a clear departure from the previous seven failed attempts to remove him from office.

But Zuma survived. At the end of the widely publicised and suspense-filled exercise, Zuma succeeded in polling 198 votes against the noconfidence motion while the opposition had 177 in favourof the motion.

Interestingly, in all of these democratic processes, a development that wouldn’t escape the eyes of many keen watchers is the level of maturity of the democracy being practiced in the rainbow nation.

Before the commencement of the real business of the day in the parliament – the vote on the no-confidence motion on the president – some politicians from both sides of the political divide – the parliamentarians from the ruling government and those on the side of the opposition – were given some minutes to address the parliament on the necessity and otherwise of the motion.

If the reason South Africa had acquired its Rainbow nation sobriquet was because of the immeasurable gains of diversity that were emphasised and promoted after the gory history of apartheid in South Africa, nothing validated the essence of the convergence of people of diverse backgrounds than the atmosphere of the South African parliament as presented live to the global audience during the no-confidence debate.

The South African legislative house showcases a fascinating assemblage of people of different political leanings, gender, ages and races who passionately argued in speeches and demonstrated, regardless of the side they favour in the government, their commitment towards the progress of their country.

Really, that people of diverse orientations, particularly the women, both old and young, can hold independent views within a democratic space without being heckled or faced with fierce

Senator Oluremi Tinubu

intimidation is a beautiful angle of democracy that needs to be sustained; and replicated by progressive, aspirational democracies like Nigeria’s.

It is also remarkable to observe that 36-year-old Julius Malema, the leader of budding Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was seen presenting his position freely, and sometimes recklessly, in the parliament without any harassment. Malema founded the EFF in 2013 after his expulsion from the ruling African National Congress (ANC), a political party foundedby late Nelson Mandela and his anti-apartheid comrades.

But in the few cases of violation of parliamentary rules, the young symbol of opposition in South Africa was instantly cautioned and asked to retract any unparliamentary language or risk being sent out of the parliament, a punishment he feared in the proceeding of the no-confidence motion of last Tuesday.

During the proceeding, Malema called an elderly female parliamentarian of the ruling ANC a liar, and the deputy speaker swiftly reacted saying such statement was against the rule and it should be retracted.

Understanding the consequence of his act, Malema promptly obeyed, and affirmed that he didn’t intend to be unruly towards the senior parliamentarian whom he respectfully addressed as “Mama” while adding that he wouldn’t want to be sent out of the parliament on an important

day like that.

In the same way, the beautiful appearance, comportment and speech of the female politician, who has been in the parliament since 1994 when South Africa elected a truly democratic government, was exemplary and desirous.

Seeing that proceeding in South Africa left me with a deep longing for same in Nigeria.

But we all know how far away we are from that ideal, don’t we?

Of course, it is trite to argue along the line of the long years of military domination in Nigeria’s socio-political life as the reason why the country still struggles to embrace basicand acceptable democratic principles and examples since its attainment of democracy in 1999.

But recall, South Africa also has a long and painful experience of apartheid that almost completely obliterated citizens’ sense of self worth and destroyed aspiration for higher personal and democratic goals.

Then it should be noted that South Africa didn’t get to this level by paying lip service to the ideals that will help in establishing decency in the lives of the citizens and promoting respect and values in the public life.

I mean such ideals that will make a young Malema reiterate his reverence for a female fellow parliamentarian of another party without making the woman feel uneasy on the relevance of her gender within amale-dominated lawmaking body. And a similar rule that punishes misconduct without any sentiment unlike what obtains in Nigeria.

We have witnessed, for instance in the Nigerian senate, recently the perceptions projected by some male senators over their female counterparts which are clearly out of the written and unwritten rules of simple decency. And these are aspects of our peculiar democracy that need to be changed.

In fact, the rejection by the Nigerian Senate and the interpretation given by some male senators to a bill that seeks to alter the constitution to provide for 35 percent affirmative action for women in federal and state cabinets is a true reflection of how male chauvinism permeates every aspect of our system, politics inclusive.

Though a few civil society organisations

have come out to condemn the decision of the senate, the reaction shouldn’t end on just the condemnation.

The democracy we see today in South Africa, and which is still undergoing improvement is a product of organised advocacy and leadership development for all genders.

And ours can be made better and beautiful in this manner. Essentially, this action towards desirable progress will include those with excellent experiences and unique encounters.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, one of the seven female senators out of a total 109 senators, is a leader who is presently looked up to help deepen the leadership in her sphere.

Mrs. Tinubu, wife of former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has had a fair share of raw politics with a male colleague in the senate, one of the reasons people often cite for their lack of interest politics.

But the courageous woman took her position firmly; and became emboldened by her commitment to development rather than being deterred by such a surmountable circumstance.

And beyond that situation, Mrs. Tinubu has consistently demonstrated her exemplary humanitarian and leadership credentials, particularly with her life-changing New Era Foundation, since her daysas the first lady of Lagos State till today.

As such whenever people say that Nigeria is bereft of role models in several aspects of human development, I usually don’t agree totally.

For I know that the country is still blessed with some illustrious individuals who can help ignite the fire for greater attainments in the minds of the younger ones.

Perhaps the missing links are the motivation by these individuals themselves against cynicism and structures and points for the commencement of process.

Meanwhile, to the leading lights like Mrs. Tinubu, there are promising younger ones in tertiary institutions, corporate environment and local community to mention just a few who are seriously yearning for that atmosphere of robust engagement and structure of leadership recruitment offered by someone like Tinubu which prepare them for better leadership.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

39

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

40

CITYSTRINGS

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

Scene of a burial ceremony with an expensive casket and pallbearers ready to lower it to the grave

Anambra’s Wasteful Burials David-Chyddy Eleke writes on the progress in the fight against expensive burial ceremonies in Anambra

M

rs. Magdalene Okonkwo (not real name) is a petty trader in Eke Awka Market, she deals in tobacco, kolanut and alligator pepper. She is popular among consumers of tobacco because of the quality of tobacco she sells, but for a month, her shop has remained under lock, frustrating her customers’ quest to buy tobacco.

Her neighbour in the market, a man who sells provisions has become tired of explaining to her numerous customers that Madam Magdalene has just buried her husband, and that custom demands she stays indoors for three months, and is also forbidden from engaging in any business throughout the period of her mourning.

Her neighbour however does not think that was a problem. His problem is that Madam Magdalene had six children, all of whom were still in school at various stages and were too young to carter for themselves. Her husband had died as a bricklayer, and did not leave much for her to take care of the children with.

The neighbour and her customers wondered how she would cope taking care of the children, but were more pained that the called tradition of her husband’s people have denied her the right to Be coming to the market to work for what to

take care of her family with. Through the three months of mourning her husband, she is not

I have seen families sell their real estates, property, and personal belongings, in order to meet up with the expectations of society as regards funeral expenses.

Businesses have folded up, marriages have broken down, children have been out of school, and sudden deaths have been recorded, simply because people could not wriggle out of the devastating effects of the huge expenses incurred during the funerals of their loved ones

expected to visit public places, markets or social gathering. She will also wear the same clothe; in most cases, it is either white or black cloth.

On the other hand, Chief Lawson Nwuba (not real name) is a big time importer of building materials in Onitsha building material market.

Just a week ago, he held his late mother’s burial in his hometown in Anambra State. The burial ceremony may have come and gone, but his fellow businessmen who were in his hometown to sympathise with him have not stopped talking about Nwuba’s influence in the state.

Chief as he is fondly called, did not leave any stone unturned in the preparation of his late mother’s burial. For himself and every member of his very large family, he settled for an expensive white lace material, which was sewed by one of the best tailors in Onitsha.

He also gave out uniformed pieces of cloth to all his friends, supporters and associates as the official uniform for the burial. That was not the end, Nwuba went to the governor’s lodge where he picked up the body measurement size of the governor and made him a tasteful up and down cloth using the official burial uniform, which he delivered to him with an invitation card.

Music was provided by the best highlife musicians, over four bands in all, while cooling vans stocked with assorted alcoholic beverages

stood in strategic places in the compound. Food was in excess and in assortment too. The gold plaited casket in which his mother’s corpse arrived would have made some people wish for death, but the attraction was the display by the pall bearers who engaged in acrobatic display, throwing the casket high in the air and catching it as it came down as if it were an empty plastic box. Indeed, for a long time, people will continue to remember that burial ceremony, and that was what Chief set out to achieve when he planned it.

Just a week after the burial, Chief is already in distress as his foreign partners were calling for him to remit the proceeds of the last shipment to him before a new consignment would be sent. Chief told them to be patient with him as he just finished the burial of his mother, while also urging them to send another consignment so he can pay double for the next batch. As he dropped the call, he turned to his neighbour in the market and said, “rapu ndiochaa, fa makwanu ife anako”, meaning; don’t mind these white people, do they know how much it costs to host a burial ceremony? His neighbour concurred that this aspect of their tradition was above the white man’s understanding, and proceeded to hail him over the success of the ceremony, saying “Chief, e bu Odogwu”, meaning Chief is a warrior.

T H I S D AY • FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

41

CITYSTRINGS

Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor (ist right), addressing members of Anambra State House of Assembly during a public hearing on a bill to curtail expensive burial ceremonies in the state

Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor and key campaigner for end to expensive burial ceremoniesState Commissioner for Gender, Hon. Nnaji and a recipient, Alexander, at the event

These and many more are some of the things the people of South-eastern Nigeria face in the burial of their loved ones. Burial ceremonies have become a test of one’s might, and these have left many families in pains as they will do anything to ensure that their relatives were buried amidst expensive ceremonies as a show of their wealth. While many borrow, others sell off assets that could form a shield for them in rainy days, just to conduct burials. Many others have at most times been caught and paraded for stealing, and they confessed to engaging in such acts to raise money to bury loved ones.

These may have been reasons for the recent fight for the abolition of expensive burials by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor. Ezeokafor, a modest clergyman has been in the forefront canvassing for the abolition of expensive burials, and has recently taken his campaign a notch higher.

Last year, the campaign led to the abolition of preparation of food, printing of invitation cards, brochures or distribution of souvenirs at burials of relatives of priests and other religious parishes in the diocese.

The Bishop may have found a willing ally as recently, the Anambra State House of Assembly had joined the campaign. A bill sponsored by the member representing Anaocha II State Constituency, Hon. Charles Ezeani had sought to regulate the expenses in burial ceremonies.

Ezeani said he was moved to sponsor the bill having carefully studied and found out that burial ceremonies now constitute 60-70 per cent of social gathering. He said he also found that 98 per cent of those who were given such expensive burials never enjoyed expensive outings from those who spent on the burial ceremony. He added that such ostentatious ceremonies have plunged many families into difficulty, hence the need to regulate them.

The bill which has passed it first and second

reading recently had a public hearing, where Anambra indigenes added their voices to the call. Ezeokafor, who was the key resource person at the public hearing supported the bill, and

Ezeokafor, while addressing the lawmakers expressed gratitude to the member representing Nnewi South 1 and the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Kingsley Iruba who convened the public hearing for appointing him as a key resource person on the public hearing on the above mentioned bill. He said the extravagance displayed by the people during funeral ceremonies in the state had reached a point that necessitated an effective legislation to control the excesses

gave reasons why it should be done away with.

Ezeokafor, while addressing the lawmakers expressed gratitude to the member representing Nnewi South 1 and the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Kingsley Iruba who convened the public hearing for appointing him as a key resource person on the public hearing on the above mentioned bill. He said the extravagance displayed by the people during funeral ceremonies in the state had reached a point that necessitated an effective legislation to control the excesses, noting that if it remained unchecked, it would lead people into pitiable situations and bondage.

“I have seen families sell their real estates, property, and personal belongings, in order to meet up with the expectations of society as regards funeral expenses. Businesses have folded up, marriages have broken down, children have been out of school, and sudden deaths have been recorded, simply because people could not wriggle out of the devastating effects of the huge expenses incurred during the funerals of their loved ones.”

The bishop said he had remained undaunted in the fight to salvage the poor from the stranglehold of the vicious circle of extravagant funeral ceremonies, noting that in 1996, his predecessor, Most Rev. Simon Okafor, undertook an extensive study of the issue which involved experts in the field, noting that since then, the Diocese had not relented in its effort. “I always seized any available opportunity to speak on the dangers of wasteful burials and funerals among our people. I have insisted that what we should be talking about is how to give our people decent and befitting living and not befitting funerals by which we mean mindless display of extravagance.

“Last year, I instituted a burial and funeral committee at the diocesan level charged with the responsibility of studying the way our people

Hon. Kingsley Iruba, Chairman House Committee on Information and convener of public sitting on a bill to end expensive burial ceremonies in Anambra

go about burial and funeral ceremonies in the diocese and bringing out recommendations aimed at curbing unnecessary wastes. I centred my Lenten Pastoral Letter of 2017 on the same issue.

I titled it, ‘Our True Home Is in Heaven (Phil 3:20): Befitting Burial and Funeral for the Dead’.

In the work, I dwelt so much on the theological, pastoral, moral, socio-cultural, psychological, and economic implications of expensive burial and funeral ceremonies,” he said.

The bishop had already banned the production of brochures in the Catholic Diocese of Awka, with effect from May 1, 2017. This is just as he had last year banned priests and religious faithful from cooking and sharing souvenirs during the burial of their relatives, all in a bid to reduce the cost of burial and funeral ceremonies. The money used for this he said could be better applied to helping the living. “Wearing of mourning dresses/Asoebi has turned into a practice used for display of wealth and importance. Surely, it is a sign of mourning, but the way it is abused has left much to be desired. I have always discouraged the faithful from this.”

In all, the campaign seems to have gained ground as the entire Assembly has thrown its weight behind it. Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Mrs.) Rita Maduagwu, assured that the bill would be given speedy passage, and that when passed, would be seriously implemented, noting that their duty was to make laws that would help the people. She called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to help in the dissemination of the information about the bill, noting that there was no need spending extravagantly during burials. The traditional ruler of Awka Kingdom Igwe Gibson Nwosu, aligned himself with all, noting that he would be the first to implement the bill in his domain when passed into law.

T H I S D AY Ëž , AUGUST 11, 2017

42

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Report: Nigeria’s Creditworthiness Improves on Positive Economic Outlook Nume Ekeghe The UBS Wealth Management’s Chief Investment Office (CIO) in a report has affirmed that with a stronger economic outlook, Nigeria creditworthiness has improved.

The firm said in a statement that after years of deterioration, the credit outlook of many African sovereign issuers was stabilisng or improving and that Nigeria was expected to recover from recession this year. But it pointed out that growth rates was unlikely to return to previous highs.

It stated that Africa’s sovereigns have been hit by a range of issues in recent years, including the end of the commodity super cycle, depreciating exchange rates and mounting public debt ratios. Energy exporters, such as Nigeria, were particularly affected. “Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has seen several

credit rating downgrades in recent quarters, but the recent recovery in energy prices and the potential for further moderate upside should bode well for the sovereign’s creditworthiness�, the report said, noting that macroeconomic prospects in the region was beginning to improve.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts real GDP growth to almost double this year in Sub-Saharan Africa, reaching 2.6 percent, while fiscal and current account deficits are expected to have peaked at 4.5 percent and 4 percent last year, respectively.

Key drivers supporting the outlook include rising global growth and trade, a modest recovery in energy and base metal prices, more competitive exchange rates for African currencies, and structural reforms in a range of countries.

Commenting further, the Head of Central and Eastern

Europe, Middle East and Africa, France and Belgium International at UBS Wealth Management, Mr. Ali Janoudi said: “The modest energy price recovery over the past 18 months has supported the growth potential of many African economies, but especially Nigeria. The more optimistic outlook for sub-Saharan Africa should also affect Nigeria’s economy going forward as the region embarks on a new phase of development.�

Also adding, the Head of Emerging Market Asset Allocation at UBS Wealth Management’s CIO, Mr. Michael Bolliger, said: “We expect Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, to recover from recession this year although it is unlikely that growth rates will return to previous highs.

A determining factor for the country’s growth outlook will be a successful continuation of the Naira’s exchange rate liberalisation.�

Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

MARKET INDICATORS

GroupMovestoBoostProductivityinOrganisations Obinna Chima Members of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) have stressed the need for employers and employees in the country to embrace Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in order to boost productivity in the country.

The President of Nigeria Branch of Employee Assistance Professionals Association, EAPA, Dr. Marcel Nwaogu said this in Lagos during a press briefing on the upcoming national conference of the association.

Founded in Los Angeles, USA, in 1971, EAPA is a workplace programme designed to assist work organisations in addressing productivity issues, and employees in identifying and resolving personal concerns, including health, marital, family, financial, alcohol, drug, legal, emotional, stress, or other personal issues that may affect job performance. Today, EAPA has branches in 40 countries of the world, including Nigeria, which began in 2012.

Nwaogu said the focus of EAP is to increase employ-

ees’ productivity, efficiency, stability, engagement, loyalty, financial awareness among many other benefits.

According to him, the EAP has grown over the years to become the world’s number one economic human resource tool and benefits. He, however, expressed dissatisfaction that a lot of firms in the country were yet to engage behavioral scientists. “In Nigeria, 99 per cent of the organisations do not have EAPA advisers. The less than one per cent that have EAPAs are multinationals. If there is no organisation that needs EAPA, the banking sector is one that really needs it. “In advanced countries, most corporations have Employee Assistants who are medical doctors, psychologists, social welfare workers, behavioural scientists and others, who provide the needed sociopsychological support to workers, in a confidential manner, enabling them to achieve fulfillment in the workplace, while giving their best to the organisation,� he added.

Nwaogu explained that while many countries across

the world have successfully used Employee Assistance Program to boost productivity of their workforce resulting into significant growth in national productivity, the situation was different in Nigeria.

He said that the conference, which has the theme, ‘Productivity and Employee Wellbeing in Recession and Insurgency,� which comes up in Lagos this month, will be addressed by notable personalities including the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington, who will deliver the keynote address; Minister of Employment, Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige; Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole; and international executive of EAPA to be led by the President, Lucy Henry.

Also speaking, the Chairperson of the 2017 Conference Organising Committee, Dr. Chinonye Nwankwo, said the conference was expected to host over 500 delegates drawn from various sectors of the economy, including Oil & Gas, Health, Banking & Finance, Telecoms, the academia and public sector.

‘Accountability By Govt Will Enhance Voluntary Tax Compliance’ The Chairman of the Lagos District Society of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (LDS-CITN), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Campbell has said that the federal government’s recently launched Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) would be more successful with proper accountability on the part of the three-tiers of government.

Campbell, who spoke when she led the executive committee of the Lagos District on a courtesy visit to Chief Cyril Ikemefuna Ede, the 13th President of CITN in his office in Lagos, said the visit was, among others, to further enhance the collaboration

with the Institute.

According to a statement, the visit was to strategically position its members in preparation of the recently VAIDS launched by the federal government, stressing the role of professionals in achieving this objective aimed at revenue generation to fund the yearly budgets.

The chairman said the LDS “has the highest number of council membership and can boast of seasoned professionals within the institute.

Responding, the CITN President assured that the institute is poised to also sensitise the public on the importance of the federal

government’s VAIDS, beginning with proper training of the institute’s members to appreciate and embrace the scheme, expressing hope that the project would succeed for the good of the nation.

The CITN President made presentations to the LDS teams, after which Campbell presented souvenirs of the District to her host.

Ede received the LDS team in company of the CITN Vice president, Mrs. Olajumoke Simplice; immediate past president, Prof. Mrs Teju Somorin; as well as the Registrar/Chief Executive of the Institute, Mr Adefisayo Awogbade, among other council members.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

Ě™

Ěš

DECEMBER 2016 Broad Money (M2)

23,840,392.42

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ™ĂĄ Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ ÍŻĚš

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

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ăž Ù×Ă?Ă?ÞÓĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž Ě™ Ěš

26,970,297.97

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ě™ Ă?Þ̚

4,595,579.89

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ă—Ă™Ë? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ Ùà Þ˛ Ě™ Ă?Þ̚ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?

7,436,917.79

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ă—Ă™Ë? Ă?ĂŽË› Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂœĂœĂ™Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ě™ Ěš

-2,841,337.90

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ ĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ě™ Ěš

22,374,718.08

--Other Assets Net

-12,483,409.58

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,837,322.41

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜

2,179,174.28

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?Ă?

3,318,344.71 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

MANAGED FUNDS Month Inter-Bank Call Rate

December 2016 10.39

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) 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‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, WED, 9 AUGUST 2017 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $50.47 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $50.49 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).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

43

˾ FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

10-Aug-17

9-Aug-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld Price/ Book Value

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

190.00

0.00%

1,506,529,168,720.00

3.58

53.02

4.80

1.89%

9.08

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

40.06

40.53

-1.16%

1,179,013,039,713.44

4.49

8.91

2.84

4.42%

2.34

1,216.01

1,200.00

1.33%

963,877,928,994.52

10.00

121.63

5.30

2.38%

31.22

05 Zenith Bank Plc

24.00

24.50

-2.04%

753,515,850,864.00

4.13

5.81

1.48

7.50%

1.07

06 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

40.00

38.50

3.90%

400,000,000,000.00

2.85

14.03

2.56

0.25%

2.84

07 United Bank for Africa Plc

9.51

9.49

0.21%

345,018,295,322.22

1.99

4.77

0.90

6.31%

0.77

08 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

17.28

17.30

-0.12%

317,080,244,995.20

0.68

25.55

0.54

3.59%

0.51

09 Access Bank Plc

10.25

10.43

-1.73%

296,511,709,217.75

13.18

0.78

0.78

5.37%

0.65

10 Presco Plc

71.98

71.98

0.00%

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

6.10

6.02

1.33%

218,961,286,031.20

0.21

29.40

0.41

2.46%

0.35

14 Unilever Nigeria Plc

43.05

41.00

5.00%

162,870,903,562.50

0.81

53.02

2.33

0.12%

13.93

15 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

13.56

14.25

-4.84%

162,720,000,000.00

1.20

11.30

0.96

3.69%

2.46

16 Guinness Nig Plc

91.00

87.50

4.00%

137,035,825,108.00

-3.06

-29.76

1.33

3.52%

3.48

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

7.22

7.60

-5.00%

86,889,948,414.68

0.29

24.87

0.19

10.39%

0.45

19 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

20 Total Nigeria Plc

249.00

260.00

-4.23%

84,540,937,413.00

43.58

5.71

0.29

5.62%

3.59

21 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

29.00

29.00

0.00%

76,102,878,423.00

-1.19

-24.31

0.18

6.90%

0.76

22 Forte Oil Plc.

53.76

59.54

-9.71%

70,021,384,097.28

2.22

24.23

0.47

6.42%

1.62

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 -2,145.59

0.67

2.24%

2.83

1.44

1.41

2.13%

55,758,236,292.00

-0.03

-49.48

0.94

0.00%

0.64

35.99

35.99

0.00%

47,506,800,000.00

-2.89

-12.45

0.34

4.17%

0.68

1.35

1.30

3.85%

39,099,490,684.20

0.39

3.49

0.26

11.85%

0.21

28 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

12.57

13.23

-4.99%

33,303,440,411.46

0.91

13.79

1.82

4.38%

4.14

29 U A C N Plc

16.99

17.00

-0.06%

32,635,485,935.13

3.37

5.04

0.43

5.89%

0.43

30 Diamond Bank Plc

1.31

1.30

0.77%

30,340,109,548.08

-0.29

-4.46

0.14

0.00%

0.13

31 Sterling Bank Plc

1.03

1.00

3.00%

29,654,130,669.78

0.18

5.74

0.27

8.74%

0.35

32 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

27.00

27.00

0.00%

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

12.70

0.00%

23,853,165,908.00

-0.16

-80.48

0.80

10.24%

2.16

37 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.10

2.12

-0.94%

22,050,000,000.00

0.25

8.37

1.06

2.38%

1.09

38 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.55

3.50

1.43%

20,880,617,892.25

0.91

3.92

0.54

3.94%

0.69

39 Wema Bank Plc

0.53

0.51

3.92%

20,444,467,022.93

0.07

7.89

0.38

0.00%

0.42

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

2.20

2.20

0.00%

17,446,434,847.60

-0.40

-5.44

0.36

7.27%

0.53

41 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

10.71

10.71

0.00%

13,459,018,873.86

0.22

48.92

1.21

0.93%

1.25

42 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.27

1.27

0.00%

13,173,385,276.24

0.42

3.02

0.59

9.45%

0.70

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.69

0.71

-2.82%

9,577,407,972.90

-2.93

-0.24

0.06

43.48%

0.09

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.61

0.64

-4.69%

7,130,496,144.62

0.19

3.27

0.08

0.00%

0.09

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.52

0.54

-3.70%

6,959,023,891.04

0.18

2.89

0.89

5.77%

0.42

46 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.74

3.75

-0.27%

6,074,578,125.00

0.36

10.46

0.76

5.35%

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

2.97

2.98

-0.34%

5,104,687,485.15

-0.90

-3.29

0.80

23.57%

0.15

49 Fidson Healthcare Plc

3.10

3.10

0.00%

4,650,000,000.00

0.21

14.68

0.61

1.61%

0.71

50 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.58

0.59

-1.69%

4,019,518,598.40

1.48

0.39

0.15

8.62%

0.46

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

12 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd 13 FBN Holdings Plc

18 Oando Plc

25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 26 Julius Berger Nig. Plc 27 Fidelity Bank Plc

34 FCMB Group Plc

TOTAL

12,547,542,285,072.40

TOTAL MARKET CAP

13,133,014,599,205.50

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

95.54%

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

Open 9-Aug-17

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)

38,144.02 13.15

38,102.85 13.13

-0.11 -0.11

161.32 12.56

161.15 12.55

-0.10 -0.10

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Close 10-Aug-17

Change %

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change % 9-Augy-17 10-Aug-17

Unilever Nigeria Plc Guinness Nig Plc Wema Bank Plc Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc Fidelity Bank Plc

41.00 87.50 0.51 38.50 1.30

43.05 91.00 0.53 40.00 1.35

5.00 4.00 3.92 3.90 3.85

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open 9-Aug-17

Forte Oil Plc. Oando Plc National Salt Co. Nig. Plc Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc Unity Bank Plc

59.54 7.60 13.23 14.25 0.64

Close Change % 10-Aug-17 53.76 7.22 12.57 13.56 0.61

-9.71 -5.00 -4.99 -4.84 -4.69

Market sheds 0.11% to end gaining streak Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today - Thursday, August 10th, 2017 ended bullish as the market closed red. This was further highlighted by positive performance from the NSE Subsectors: Banking, Insurance and Oil & Gas (Save Consumer Goods). Also, trading activities decreased in volume as 362.67 million shares worth N5.60 billion in 4,055 deals exchanged hands today. This is a decrease from the 328.65 million shares worth N6.10 billion in 4,983 trades carried out on Wednesday. Topping in volume terms are: Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and FCMB Group Plc; while Zenith Bank Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. Brent crude oil price today currently sells at US$52.13 per barrel while it rose to $52.70 per barrel at its previous day closing.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed negative with 0.11% (-41.17) decrease to close at 38,102.85 from 38,144.02 the previous trading day. Market capitalization depreciated in tandem to N13.13 trillion from N13.15 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index closes with a decrease of 0.10% to 161.15 from 161.32 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N12.55 trillion from N12.56 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 20 stocks gained on the bourse today while 27 stocks declined, leaving 50 stocks unchanged. Leading the pack was Unilever Nigeria Plc with a gain of 5.00% to close at N43.05 per share. It was followed by B.O.C. Gasses Plc with a gain of 4.94% to close at N3.61 per share. Others on the gainers’ list include: Conoil Plc, Guinness Nig Plc and Wema Bank Plc. On the decliners’ list, Forte Oil Plc led with a loss of 9.71% to close at N53.76 share. It was followed by Oando Plc with a loss of 5.00% to close at N7.22 per share. Others on the decliners list include: National Salt Co. Nig. Plc, Morrison Plc and Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. Unilever Nigeria Plc emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 5.00% to close at N43.05 per share. It was again followed by Guinness Nig Plc with a gain of 4.00% to close at N91.00 per share. Others on the gainers chart include: Wema Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc. On the decliners’ list, Forte Oil Plc led with a loss of 9.71% to close at N53.76 per share. It was followed by Oando Plc with a loss of 5.00% to close at N7.22 per share. Others on the decliners’ list are: National Salt Co. Nig. Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc and Unity Bank Plc. REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ , AUGUST 11, 2017

44

MARKET NEWS

Zenith Bank Records N75bn Profit, Declares N7.8bn Interim Dividend Jonathan Eze Shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc have reasons to smile as the bank yesterday announced an interim dividend of N7.8 billion for the half year ended June 30, 2017. The dividend, which translates to 25 kobo per share was declared following a profit after tax (PAT) of N75.317 billion reported for the period.

The audited results of Zenith Bank made available by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), show that the bank recorded gross earnings of N380.4 billion, up by 77 per cent from N214.8 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2016.Net interest income stood at N138.962 billion, as against N127 billion in 2016.

However, impairment charges

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

increased by 196 per cent from N14.2 billion to N42 billion.

But the bank got a boost from trading and other operating income.

While trading income, realised foreign exchange, jumped from negative N864 million to positive N65.318 billion, other operating income similarly soared from N3.567 billion to N15.112 billion in 2017.

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

STO C K

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Daily Summary as of 22/02/2016 Printed 22/02/2016 14:36:10.010

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

19 19 31

Consequently, Zenith Bank Plc ended the period with profit before tax of N92.183 billion, compared with N53.905 billion in 2016. PAT rose from N35.465 billion to N75.5.317 billion.

Hence, the directors recommended an interim dividend of 25 kobo per share, just like what was paid in the corresponding period of 2016. Market analysts said given the high level of

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

1.25

1,078,511 1,078,511 1,102,780

1,358,964.30 1,358,964.30 2,154,839.65

5 68 13 86 86

0.77 1.13 20.47

33,500 6,740,423 65,995 6,839,918 6,839,918

25,070.00 7,635,453.96 1,344,425.15 9,004,949.11 9,004,949.11

13 13

41.50

31,970 31,970

1,409,214.78 1,409,214.78

5 5 18

5.20

28,901 28,901 60,871

154,716.48 154,716.48 1,563,931.26

6 24 7 98 135

2.85 118.85 20.00 99.00

190,900 53,000 15,200 429,541 688,641

528,079.00 6,201,924.95 293,757.00 42,728,789.84 49,752,550.79

9 9

168.50

166,476 166,476

28,285,937.95 28,285,937.95

54 38 6 12 1 29 140

5.61 19.00 1.37 6.86 6.65 1.27

2,120,306 314,421 40,000 119,863 433 3,285,739,119 3,288,334,142

11,610,520.13 5,953,792.96 55,716.00 842,442.48 2,736.56 4,074,348,894.07 4,092,814,102.20

11 54 65

17.86 700.00

18,825 98,360 117,185

329,518.50 68,567,962.00 68,897,480.50

11 11

4.46

99,050 99,050

420,455.00 420,455.00

13 21 34 394

21.90 28.00

36,887 133,117 170,004 3,289,575,498

820,034.75 3,737,067.92 4,557,102.67 4,244,727,629.11

82 51 21 25 200 41 16 147 11 15 67 676

4.10 1.49 15.60 1.21 16.70 1.07 1.76 2.95 5.30 0.63 0.98

3,962,506 2,163,396 278,470 790,900 4,847,312 1,969,858 1,204,932 8,586,418 39,752 501,617 5,920,564 30,265,725

16,210,255.82 3,314,106.88 4,136,459.40 958,864.34 80,963,793.44 2,115,552.11 2,087,767.85 25,302,954.71 205,645.40 316,018.71 5,813,502.17 141,424,920.83

14 8 2 3 7 10 1 1 46

0.80 0.90 0.50 0.50 2.06 0.76 0.50 0.50

200,107 276,500 5,004,000 1,000,000 351,540 327,285 37,708,135 10 44,867,577

160,838.67 251,350.00 2,502,000.00 500,000.00 720,728.80 245,325.31 18,854,067.50 5.00 23,234,315.28

1 1

1.08

4,760 4,760

4,950.40 4,950.40

31 7 105 7 20 170 893

2.46 4.00 0.85 14.15 1.31

1,149,464 27,041 31,257,120 38,035 708,255 33,179,915 108,317,977

2,830,722.84 104,002.06 26,613,309.20 537,985.34 931,556.31 31,017,575.75 195,681,762.26

27

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

profitability, the bank would pay a final dividend higher than the N1.77 paid at the end of 2016.

The Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Jim Ovia had told shareholders last March that in line with its commitment to delivering superior returns to its much-valued shareholders, the bank ensured that a good chunk of the profit was set aside

for shareholders.

According to him, even in the face of a very challenging operating environment, Zenith Bank has maintained its culture of outstanding performance and industry leadership.

He said: “As a bank, we are monitoring developments both in the local and global economy and applying pragmatism and dynamism as appropriate.

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals ASeM Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals PREMIUM Board Totals Equity Activity Totals

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32 4 6 69 69

25.33 0.94 0.69

551,998 16,020 597,000 1,779,083 1,779,083

13,903,164.18 15,299.40 412,110.00 15,902,796.63 15,902,796.63

1 1 1

1.69

500 500 500

805.00 805.00 805.00

16 9 4 6 10 31 76

24.00 9.30 35.78 8.62 3.36 80.50

110,727 40,229 26,700 142,300 299,900 14,373,223 14,993,079

2,707,053.97 362,501.29 992,680.00 1,227,076.00 966,480.00 1,157,057,077.16 1,163,312,868.42

6 6

1.51

134,500 134,500

204,240.00 204,240.00

5 5 87

50.00

24,529 24,529 15,152,108

1,165,135.50 1,165,135.50 1,164,682,243.92

2 2

0.50

24,262 24,262

12,131.00 12,131.00

90 90

3.47

3,827,573 3,827,573

13,288,632.05 13,288,632.05

21 7 8 21 7 64

18.34 1.84 342.00 150.00 145.00

81,125 100,300 20,300 16,295 13,699 231,719

1,505,034.50 182,832.00 6,595,470.00 2,396,080.60 1,959,692.96 12,639,110.06

33 33 189

318.00

389,934 389,934 4,473,488

124,037,602.56 124,037,602.56 149,977,475.67

1 1

0.50

941 941

470.50 470.50

5 5

3.80

32,870 32,870

127,756.40 127,756.40

13 13

0.89

624,500 624,500

538,430.00 538,430.00

1 22 23

2.29 4.00

4,588 251,094 255,682

10,001.84 1,001,583.80 1,011,585.64

1 1 43 1,811

1.68

10,000 10,000 923,993 3,428,226,216

16,000.00 16,000.00 1,694,242.54 5,785,390,675.15

2 2 2 2

1.21

270,464 270,464 270,464 270,464

327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44

306 306

11.45

13,929,679 13,929,679

159,605,439.23 159,605,439.23

278 278 584

3.74

10,438,552 10,438,552 24,368,231

39,515,087.18 39,515,087.18 199,120,526.41

35 35 35 619 2,432

139.83

38,770 38,770 38,770 24,407,001 3,452,903,681

5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 204,425,192.41 5,990,143,129.00

2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10

2,330.00 2.33 6.02 11.09 18.07

3,000 20 20 20 15 3,075 3,075 3,075

6,986,000.00 46.70 120.20 221.80 270.65 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETF Board Totals ETP Activity Totals

45

˾ FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

MARKET NEWS

ASHON Equips Market Operators for Commodity, Futures Exchange Goddy Egene The Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON) has commenced strategic training of capital market professionals preparatory to the inauguration of its Commodity and Futures Exchange.

ASHON is about to float a commodity and futures exchange but no time frame has been announced due to the involvement of third parties in the process. However, as part of preparations, ASHON, in

collaboration with its Indianbased technical experts, has organised the first training session in Lagos to equip market professionals with the fundamentals of commodity and futures market.

Addressing the participants, Chairman of ASHON, Chief Patrick Ezeagu explained that the core objective of the training was to develop the much-needed capacity that would operate in the proposed commodity and futures exchange.

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

According to Ezeagu, every aspect of the capital market has been undergoing changes, hence the human capital that would operate in the new environment must have the skills required.

He said: “The market is expanding and the various kinds of market we are operating are equally changing as well. From the purely equities market, we are moving into bonds and from bonds we are thinking about commodities and derivatives.

There is lack of capacity and we have decided upon ourselves

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 09Aug-2017, unless otherwise stated.

that the best approach is to build capacity from within. We must key into these changes that are taking place land be able to play our role as intermediaries within the market space.” “ Therefore, this training which focuses on derivatives and commodities is to ensure that we sharpen the skills of our members to trade derivatives as well as commodities, futures, options and the rest of them.”

He explained that ASHON has an obligation to protect the businesses of its members

and help them to improve on service delivery to their customers in line with the global best practices.

He assured that every stakeholder would continue to work assiduously to ensure that the floatation of the exchange is achieved within the shortest possible time.

Speaking in the same vein, one of ASHON’s technical partners, Mr. Subbiah Rajagopa of Chella Private Limited explained that as ASHON would soon commence a

specialised exchange, it is necessary to expose its members to the rudiments of Commodity and Derivatives market.

According to him, now that Nigeria’s economy is looking up again, this is the right time to start investing in such products like derivatives and commodities because Nigeria has a large population which depends on farming and it is important that these farmers finally start benefiting from such marketing Institutions , automation and technology.

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 179.39 179.76 41.12% Nigeria International Debt Fund 232.07 232.46 9.15% 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 17.63 18.16 42.77% ARM Discovery Fund 368.27 379.37 28.24% ARM Ethical Fund 26.90 26.11 16.87% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.14% 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 144.26 145.28 37.16% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.22% 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 18.72% 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 1,107.73 1,108.83 9.36% FBN Heritage Fund 142.26 143.52 27.63% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.19% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $109.53 $110.48 6.50% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $108.80 $109.74 6.52% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 158.01 160.28 40.33% 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 1.36 1.39 46.28% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.82 2.82 9.74% 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 2,893.88 2,946.38 31.41% Coral Income Fund 2,318.10 2,318.10 10.16% 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 13.59% 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 24.58% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.39%

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 13.38% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,036.34 1,036.34 7.81% 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 13.37 13.47 38.26% 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 1.15 1.17 15.72% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.71 10.76 2.98% 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 2,171.57 2,183.92 18.59% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 161.66 161.66 5.00% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.99 1.01 29.87% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 205.66 205.66 10.04% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 178.36 180.74 37.41% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.49% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,642.34 9,752.73 27.14% 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 12.61 12.83 29.87% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.23 13.23 20.14% Zenith Income Fund 18.46 18.46 11.64%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 129.43

1.01% 4.40%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.38 109.50

11.48 111.57

31.71% 44.51%

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

4.44 9.33 17.74 22.34 131.71

4.48 9.41 17.84 22.54 133.71

60.36% 32.53% 48.28% 39.81% 2.16%

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.

46

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

47

FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

WORLD OF ISLAM INTERNATIONAL Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Preparations Before Leaving for Hajj - 2 North Korea Guam Missile Strike IslamiCity from last week)

(Continued

Documents audi Government regulations require your passport to be valid for at least six months past the date of your departure. If it is not, have its validity extended or get a new passport well ahead of time. It takes several weeks for a passport to be issued or extended under normal circumstances. Your local post office should have the necessary forms and other relevant information.

1. If you are a U.S. “green card” holder, your passport also needs to be valid for six months past the date of your departure. Your travel agent will be able to advise you of any additional requirements.

2. You will need a round-trip ticket to Saudi Arabia for a Hajj visa to be issued. Your travel agent will ask you for a specific package of documents to be submitted with your visa application. Normally, the agent will take care of the visa application as a part of his services.

3.

Your travel agent will probably ask you for four to five passport-sized pictures for a visa and other paper work. Have an additional four to five copies of the photos made and take them with you to Saudi Arabia. They may be needed for ID cards issued by your muallim and other Saudi documents and procedures. Having spare pictures on hand will save you the time, aggravation, and expense involved in having them made in a foreign land.

4.

If you were born in the U.S.A., you may be required to have a certificate issued by a competent authority (e.g., the Imam of your local mosque) stating that you are a Muslim. Since non-muslims are not allowed in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, such a document is of crucial importance, especially if you do not happen to have a typical Muslim name. Your travel agent or the Saudi Embassy can advise you about the details of the said certificate.

5.

Prepare a Last Will and Testament and have it properly notarized. Consult an attorney if it is a complicated will, or if you have concerns about your assets and property in case of something untoward happening to you during Hajj. Leave the original in a safety deposit box accessible to a member of your family. The executor/executrix of your will should also be given a copy, and your attorney should probably retain a copy also. Have him explain to you, and the immediate members of your family affected by the will, the probate laws of your state and advise them as to the best course of action in case of your death abroad.

General You will be exerting considerable physical effort during Hajj. All Hajj rites (Tawaf, Sai, Rummy etc.) require a great deal of strength and endurance. The constant crush of hundreds of thousands of other pilgrims, each trying to perform the same rites at the same time in limited spaces and very hot weather, compounds the demands on your physical conditioning and mental toughness.

In order to be prepared for the rigors expected of you, you must be in good physical shape. To achieve this, start a program of brisk walking and jogging for twenty to thirty minutes a day about three to four months before your departure. Gradually increase this regimen to an hour every day or every other day.

After a few days of walking/jogging start reciting audibly the Talbiyah and the prayers for Tawaf. This will keep your mind occupied during the monotony of the exercise, and will also help you get in a peaceful frame of mind. Concentrating on the meaning of the prayers will help you get ready for the actual Hajj as well.

Obtain and study books on Hajj and its rites if you wish to know more about its history and traditions.

Familiarize yourself with all aspects of the Hajj process.

Memorize the prayers you will be reciting and also learn their meaning. It requires very little effort to do so and it is so much more fulfilling and rewarding when you understand what you recite. It serves little purpose to recite prayers mindlessly with no comprehension of the words spoken.

The more you know about Hajj, its obligations, and 	prohibitions, the more comfortable and at peace you will feel during the whole process. You will be confident of what you are doing, and will also be independent of the advice and prompting of your friends or a mutawwif. Your prayers will bear the hallmark of the single-mindedness and devotion born of knowledge and confidence. You will also be able to help and guide your less knowledgeable companions, answer their questions, and allay their fears.

Some people do not take the trouble of learning

S

the 	rites and prayers of Hajj themselves and, consequently, depend on professional mutawwifs for the performance of these rites. You will find such people performing the Tawaf under the leadership of these professionals, trying to keep up with their “leader” in the milling throngs of pilgrims around the Kabah, and at the same time, trying to repeat the prayers intoned by their mutawwif! With a little bit of effort, you can avoid the problems and frustrations of trying to follow some one else closely enough in a vast, moving crowd to listen to and parrot his intonations.

A female pilgrim must travel in the company of her husband or a mahram i.e., a member of her immediate family with whom her marriage is expressly prohibited by the shariah e.g., father, brother, son, uncle, etc.

A female pilgrim, who is forty five years of age or older, may be allowed to travel with a group of pilgrims without a mahram if a family in the group sponsors her. Ask your agent for details.

Things To Take With You The following is a fairly comprehensive list of things you will need to take with you to make your journey, and subsequent stay in Saudi Arabia safe, convenient, and relatively care-free. Since personal needs and preferences vary, you may want to make changes in this list to suit your own requirements.

Ihram The Ihram consists of two pieces of white, unsewn and 	plain cloth, either 100% cotton or light terry-cloth. These are cool to wear and also provide for better absorption of the heavy perspiration you will inevitably experience during Hajj. The sizes of the two pieces are as follows: Bottom Part: 45” (1 1/4 yd) x 120” (3 1/3 yd) Top Part: 45” (1 1/4 yd) x 72” (2 yd) Tear off two, two to three inch wide strips of a sufficient length from the same material. Use one as a belt to secure the bottom portion of the Ihram.

Keep the other as a spare. An ordinary belt or fanny belt may also be used for the same purpose, but a strip of Ihram cloth is a lot more practical, and unobtrusive. It keeps the Ihram firmly in place and, unlike a fanny belt or pouch, does not have to be inspected by the police at the entrance to the Haram ash Shareef.

Tear off an eight to ten inch wide strip of sufficient length from the same material. Use it to secure money, credit cards, airline ticket, etc. around your midriff under the Ihram. Use a plastic sandwich bag inside this make-shift pouch to keep these things dry, and secure. This is as pilfer-proof as possible and,unlike a belt or fanny pouch, does not attract the unwanted attention of pickpockets and thieves. You may still use a fanny pouch to carry other things such as medication, pen, a handkerchief, and a small amount of money for daily use. Your fanny pouch will be inspected by the police at the entrance to Haram ash Shareef in Mecca and Medina. Be patient and understanding as the police are only doing their job.

Medication Gastrointestinal and respiratory infections are very common during Hajj . People from all over the world bring with them all kinds of infections, and the unavoidable closeness of the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims facilitates easy spread of these illnesses. Fatigue, and lack of sleep from the physically demanding regimen of Hajj rites as well as the overenthusiastic exertions in prayers and devotions, lower one’s immunity and resistance, thereby making one more vulnerable to disease. However, you can take elementary precautions to minimize your chances of becoming ill, and also to ensure that you will get back on your feet faster should you get sick. Getting and staying in good physical shape by regular exercise prior to your departure is a good first step. You can also carry certain medicines with you for use later.

1.

Ask your doctor to prescribe a broadspectrum antibiotic to be taken prophylactically (i.e., as a preventive measure) throughout your stay in Saudi Arabia. The writer’s doctor prescribed 250 mg of the antibiotic CIPRO to be taken daily. He found it to be very helpful and effective as he was about the only person in his group of approximately seventy five people who remained healthy and free of all infections during his stay. CIPRO is easily available in Saudi Arabia. Some people were prescribed AMOXICILLIN by Saudi doctors and pharmacists with good results. Most medicines are available over the counter in Saudi Arabia, and even pharmacists readily prescribe medication. However it is preferable to consult your doctor in the U.S.A. for your needs for obvious reasons.

To Be Continued

Plan ‘Ready by Mid-August’ North Korea says a plan that could see it fire four missiles near the US territory of Guam will be ready in a matter of days.

State media said Hwasong-12 rockets would pass over Japan and land in the sea about 30km (17 miles) from Guam, if the plan was approved by Kim Jong-un.

It denounced Donald Trump’s warnings of “fire and fury” and said the US leader was “bereft of reason”.

The US has warned the North its actions could mean the “end of its regime”.

US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis said Pyongyang would be “grossly overmatched” in any war against the US and its allies.

The BBC’s Rupert WingfieldHayes, who is in Guam, says there is a sense that the North Korean threat is rhetorical, as most people feel that if they really did strike with missiles it would be suicidal for the North Korean regime.

Separately, the European Union said it was freezing the assets of nine more people and four more

entities, including North Korea’s Foreign Trade Bank, in line with fresh sanctions approved by the UN Security Council on Saturday.

The North first announced on Wednesday that it had been drawing up plans for a missile strike against Guam, a Pacific island which is home to US military bases, strategic bombers and about 163,000 people.

A later statement carried by state media said the military would “finally complete the plan” by mid-August and send it to leader Kim Jong-un for his approval.

“The Hwasong-12 rockets to be launched by the KPA [Korean People’s Army] will cross the sky above Shimane, Hiroshima and Koichi [Kochi] Prefectures of Japan,” state news agency KCNA said, quoting army chief General Kim Rak Gyom.

“They will fly 3,356.7km for 1,065 seconds and hit the waters 30-40km away from Guam.”

The Hwasong missiles are North Korea’s domestically produced medium and long-range weapons.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as BELINDA IBINA NWORI now wish to be known and addressed as MGBABU JANET. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ANIEZE CHRISTRY NKIRUKA now wish to be known and addressed as NWANKWO CHRISTY NKIRUKA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKON ATAI BASSEY now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ADEMOLAͳ ADESINA ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IYIDOBI IFEOMA PRISCILLIA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHIDUME IFEOMA PRISCILLIA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EZE HAPPINESS CHIOMA now wish to be known and addressed as EZE CALISTER CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AKPA CHIDIEBERE CORDELIA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IFEANYICHUKWU CHIDIEBERE CORDELIA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AHMED ATSAWOGHENA now wish to be known and addressed as AHMEDU ATSAWOGHENA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

The governor of Guam addressed the North’s new statement on Thursday, telling Reuters news agency that North Korea usually likes to be unpredictable and has fired surprise missiles in the past.

“They’re now telegraphing their punch, which means they don’t want to have any misunderstandings. I think that’s a position of fear,” said Governor Eddie Calvo.

Meanwhile Japanese government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Pyongyang’s actions were “provocative to the region including Japan as well as to the security of the international community”.

“We can never tolerate this,” he added.

Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera told MPs Japan could legally intercept a North Korean

I, NJONUSI CHINWE ABIGAIL AFOLAYAN stated that all these four (4) names are my names. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MARY OZIENIGHAYE ASIKPATA, now wish to be known and addressed as MARY OZIENIGHAYE ONWUEGBULAM. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME I CLEMENTINA AUGUSTINE ISAIAH, my name was wrongly wriƩen as CLEMENTINA AUGUSTINE-ISAIAH instead of CLEMENTINA AUGUSTINE

ISAIAH . All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MUKAHILU MOHAMMED now wish to be known and addressed as MUSTAPHA MOHAMMED. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OWOLABI EMMANUEL MONDAY now wish to be known and addressed as GENESIS WONDER OWOLABI. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MRECY OWATE, now wish to be known and addressed as MERCY NKPE All former documents remain valid., Ecobank Nig Limited and the general should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IFEOMA ROSEMARY OJEH now wish to be known and addressed as MRS IFEOMA ROSEMARY WILLIAMS ͳJOEL. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS EVEREST UGONMA PERPETUAL, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS NWAOGWUGWU UGONMA PERPETUAL. All former documents remain valid. The general should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as OKITA MARTIN CHUKWUMA now wish to be known and addressed as OKITA MARTINS CHUKWUMA and the correcƟon of date of birth is 01/01/1973 All former documents remain valid. The general should please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as TANIMU MOSES now wish to be known and addressed as MULIKI BOYI. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AHMED ATSAWOGHENA now wish to be known and addressed as AHMEDU ATSAWOGHENA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OMOTUYOLE BABATUNDE ENOCH now wish to be known and addressed as OMOTUYOLE BABATUNDE ENOCH MOBOLORUNDURO. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as DOTUN KOFF. F now wish to be known and addressed as OBANJE FRIDAY KOFA. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGBOLU JULIET OGECHI now wish to be known and addressed as OLOWU JULIET OGECHUKWUKAMMA. All former documents remain valid.

The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ODIDI OLAJUMOKE TOLUWALOJU now wish to be known and addressed as ASEMOTA OLAJUMOKE TOLUWALOJU. All former documents remain valid.

The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EJECHI PEACE OSOKAM now wish to be known and addressed as EGEJURU PEACE OSOKAM. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

48

FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

News Editor Davidson Iriekpen Email davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

Presidency Hails Senate for Supporting Buhari’s Medical Vacation Says protest a ploy to derail war against corruption

Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu and Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja with agency report The presidency has commended the Senate for its stance that President Muhammadu Buhari has not violated the law.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, said this in a statement signed by his spokesman, Dr. Sabi Abdullahi, in Abuja yesterday.

Enang, who was fielding questions from journalists after an interactive session with law students from Akwa Ibom State who visited him in his office, described the Senate’s position as commendable and constitutional.

Enang made the statement while reacting to protests by a coalition of civil society organisations under the aegis of Resume or Resign, Our Mumu don du, and others who are demanding that Buhari should resumes duty or resign if incapacitated.

He maintained that Buhari had broken no law as he complied with the provisions of the nation’s constitution which stipulateds that he must handover to the vice president and duly inform the two chambers of the legislature about his medical vacation.

According to him, the National Assembly is satisfied that the president’s absence left no vacuum, and therefore cautioned protesters against creating unnecessary tension in the country.

“The stance of the Senate is very patriotic; very commendable and very constitutional.

“The Senate has always stood upright on matters of national interest, and whenever there is objection or anything that the Senate has objection to, we look at it maturely and amicably and in this particular situation, as in most other situations I commend the senate.

“We thank the Senate for the

stabilising statement and for the position they have taken because it is the position of the law of the constitution,’’ he stated.

The presidential aide said the president was entitled under the constitution to go on medical vacation, saying Buhari had already complied with all relevant sections of the nation’s constitution.

“The president is entitled to, under the constitution, transmit formal letter to the Senate and House of Representatives informing them of his vacation and, until he returns and transmits another letter, the acting president is still in charge and there is no vacuum in the seat of power.

“So all actions of the government like that of the executive, legislature and the judiciary are going on and nothing is affected adversely by the vacation of the President since there is no vacuum in the country,’’ he added.

Also, the presidency yesterday said attempts to derail the war against corruption, using subterfuge and bluff would not succeed.

The remark was made when members of the Centre for Civil Society and Justice (CCSJ), a civil society coalition staged a counterprotest against ‘Our Mumu Don Do’ protesters led by Charles Oputa, who have been calling for the return or resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari at the precincts of Aso Rock Villa.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the ‘return or resign’ agitation was an illegal assembly stealthily organised to deliver a body blow to the war against corruption.

“It might be taken for granted that the beneficiaries of the old order are fighting back. We have been warned that corruption will fight back. In a country where just one woman for having the

Many Feared Killed, 60 Homes Burnt in Fresh Adamawa Attack Many people were feared dead yesterday in a fresh attack by Boko Haram Islamists in Ghumbili community in the Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The attack came few days after a similar incident in a neighbouring village in Mildu Local Government Area where seven people were killed by the insurgents.

Confirming the attack, the Chairman of Madagali Local Government Council, Yusuf Muhammed, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the attack lasted from 11p.m. on Wednesday to 3a.m. on Thursday.

He said the Jihadists burnt no fewer than 60 houses and looted foodstuff.

“They looted foodstuff, killed livestock and burnt the village completely,” he stated.

Muhammed said the exact number of dead and injured

people had yet to be ascertained and that villagers who escaped the attack were currently taking refuge at Gulak, the headquarters of the council.

But the spokesman of the state police command Othman Abubakar, who also confirmed the attack, said no life was lost.

He said, however, that houses were destroyed in the attack–the latest in a string of deadly blows on mainly soft targets in Nigeria’s troubled North-east.

Speaking on the development, the Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Haruna Furo, said only one person was killed and that many houses were destroyed.

Boko Haram appears to have raised its onslaught in recent weeks in its eight-year bloody insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives.

opportunity to serve as minister has N47.2 billion and $487.5 million of public resources in cash and property traced to her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), you don’t expect the beneficiaries of that order to allow the Buhari administration some peace. They want to distract us. But what the presidency wants to assure patriotic citizens is that the government will not bend.

“As far the president is concerned, he has done the needful by handing the reins of authority to the vice president. Since the law of the country does not give a time limit for the president’s return, it cannot be imposed by a saber-rattling musician.”

Shehu commended the CCSJ for being orderly in its demonstration and urged them to shun all provocations by opponents of government.

Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, the convener, Goodluck Obi, who said his group had absolute faith and trust in Buhari’s administration,

added that his group would sustain the protest at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, for one month.

“We are saying from today, August 10, 2017, we will be holding a rally/protest march here at Unity Fountain for the next one month and beyond in order to send clear and unambiguous message to agents of chaos and disunity that Nigerians are solidly behind President Buhari’s administration based on our democratic mandate entrusted to him on March 28, 2015,” he said.

Many youths yesterday hit the streets of Abuja and marched to Unity Fountain to denounce Charlie Boy’s group which has been calling on President M Buhari to return or resign.

The placard carrying proBuhari protesters kicked against what they described as rented group which is trying to undermine the peace in Nigeria.

They said those anti-Buhari protesters were agents of corruption and had no reasons to clamour for

Buhari’s return because there is no vaccum in governance.

A group, ‘OurMuMuDonDo,’led

by Mr. Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charlie Boy, on Monday began an indefinite sit-out at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, demanding Buhari’s resumption of work or resignation.

The Senate has also denounced the protest.

The Buhari Support Organisation (BSO), Enugu State chapter, yesterday rose in defence of President Buhari over his long medical vacation in London, insisting that the president had not violated any known law.

The group therefore berated those behind the resume-or-resign protests led by music star, Charley Boy, and other celebrities under the aegis of ‘Our Mumu Don Do’, stressing that rather than attack the president, the protesters should redirect their protests to the appropriate quarters.

Chairman of BSO in the state, Chief Anike Nwoga, who spoke to journalists in Enugu declared

that the president met all the constitutional requirements before embarking on the trip to the United Kingdom.

He said the protesters should redirect their attention to the National Assembly, where a loan proposal of $30 billion by the president to get the nation out of recession has been gathering dust, describing the protests against the Buhari as needless.

“We are of the candid view that whereas our brother Charley Boy and his group have the inalienable rights to assemble and protest as provided by the 1999 Constitution, and the police have no business to attack them tear gas, however, they should redirect their energy in appealing to the National Assembly that sat for over one year on $29.9 billion procured by President Buhari for the development of our deficit critical infrastructure.

“Enugu State chapter of the BSO believes sincerely that the hunger, gross unemployment and abject poverty ravaging our dear country

INSPECTION TOUR

Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Umana Okon Umana (middle), introducing OGFZA management team to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (left), during a joint forum in Onne, Rivers State ....recently

Adeosun, Fashola, Dan Ali Shun Buharimeter Town Hall Meeting Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has explained why it cancelled the second edition of the Buharimeter town hall meeting which was scheduled to hold on August 7, 2017.

In a statement, signed yesterday by its Director, Idayat Hassan, it said the cancellation arose because some of the ministers expected to render account of their stewardship to Nigerians at the meeting played hard ball.

The ministers slated to attend the meeting with the theme: ‘The State of Security and Economy in Nigeria; Assessing President

Muhammadu Buhari’s Policies and Programmes in the last Two Years,’ were the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola; Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh; Minister of Steel and Mines Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and Minister of Defence Monsur Muhammed Dan. “The cancellation of the town hall meeting has become necessary due to several unwarranted rescheduling of the town hall meeting by the ministers, who were expected to give an account of their stewardship to Nigerians at the meeting,” Hassan said.

She said the centre would soon

unveil its new plan to facilitate robust discussion/conversation on policies and programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

The town hall meeting is aimed to create platform for robust discussion on the state of Nigeria’s economy and security between government representatives and Nigerians.

It also allows the citizens and their representatives to explore potential solutions to the current economic and security challenges, and discuss practical steps needed to ensure that progress is made in pursuing these solutions.

The CDD had in its mid-term report on the performance of the

Buhari administration released last month, said the president failed to fulfill five of his 222 campaign promises. The indices where he was scored low were medical tourism, human rights and inability to provide steady electricity.

He also perfromed below par in sectors comprising education, sports, culture, women and youth empowerment.

The report however, lauded the administration’s anti- corruption stance, the fight against terror in the North-east, introduction of the social insurance scheme, review of the structure of oil joint venture companies, and ensuring transparent tender processes not managed by federal ministers.

FRIDAY AUGUST 11 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

49

NEWS

PDP Kicks off Convention Activities Okowa: We’re set for a bold outing Clark advises Makarfi committee not to exceed three months NCC assures members of resolution of South-west crisis Onyebuchi Ezigbo Damilola Oyedele A The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will today commence activities marking its first national convention since the Supreme Court victory.

The National Caretaker Committee (NCC) headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi will today hold a press conference in Abuja to intimate its members on what to expect at tomorrow’s event which will take place at the Eagles Square pavilion.

However, ahead of the convention an elder statesman and an eminent leader of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, Chief Edwin Clark has suggested that the extension of the tenure of the NCC of the party by only three months to enable it organise a national convention to elect new national officers.

He said the party must insist that any member of the caretaker committee interested in running for the offices of the president, governor or senate in the 2019 general election should step down now.

Clark in a statement issued yesterday concerning Saturday’s non-elective national convention of the PDP, also advised the party to guard against the practice of relying on governors, government functionaries and candidates provides logistics and convey

delegates to convention venues.

“While in the party I paid my dues to its fullest until I retired from partisan politics in 2015.

Even though, I have retired from partisan politics, I have observed the PDP constitution and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and wish to state as follows: “Markarfi’s committee should be given at most another three months to allow new executives and other organs of the party to be elected and let the party move on. Any time longer than three months will not be in the interest of the party.

“I strongly recommend that direct Primaries should be adopted where delegates should be made to vote at their localities, where no one will take advantage and manipulate them “If presidential election is to take place in February 2019, the minimum time required by an elected executive needs more than 12 months to settle than.

“If there are interested members of the caretaker committee in elected positions, such as president, senator or governor. Such persons should not remain in office as members of the caretaker committee for more than three months,” he said.

Clark also said part of the Senator Ekweremadu Committee Report which zoned the presidency to the

North, and the national chairman to the South should be adopted.

Let all presidential aspirants from the 19 states of the North be subjected to one primaries; whereas, all national chairmanship candidates from the 17 states of the South also be subjected to one primary to contest together, so as to produce the best candidate, to practicalise democracy,” he added.

Meanwhile the party has screened its aspirants for the Nobember 8 governorship election in Anambra State” Among the governorship aspirants of the PDP who appeared before the screening committee yesterday include, Alex Obiogbolu, Oseloka Obazee, Patrick Ifeanyi Uba, Stelka Odua, Linda Ikpeaxu, John Okechukwu Emeka and Offordike Akolisa Meanwhile, ahead of the special convention, the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has said the party was ready to organise a successful

event. Okowa stated this yesterday while inspecting the Eagles Square, venue for the convention, assuring party members that every necessary arrangements have been taken care of.

“We just came to see what is on ground, I believe that our people will be safe because we have everything under control, we are not expecting any hitches at all, we are doing very well as a party and as a committee, in this kind of planning you will have some challenges here and there but there are solutions being proffered for every one of it and we are confident that we are on the right track and it shall be well on Saturday,” he said.

Okowa assured the party that high profile Nigerians will join the party within the next three weeks, stressing: “This is a new PDP and with the excitement we saw after the supreme court victory amongst Nigerians and not only PDP followers, I believe that a lot of people who thought that the

party was going to implode by itself will realise that we are back alive and ready to offer what it takes to better the lives of Nigerians.

“From the way things are going presently in this country, i believe Nigerians will realise that PDP is the only alternative that can bring Nigeria out of her present economic challenges,” he added.

Many of our members that left earlier due to one form of disagreement or the other will return back to their party because the National Caretaker Committee has constituted a Reconciliation Committee as well as a Contact and Mobilisation Committee to reach out to them.

In a related development, Makarfi has assured members of the party that the issues relating to the South-west zone of the party have been resolved.

According to Makarfi, “In politics there are always issues but what is important is that we sit down and resolve the issues in a civil manner.

“Yesterday, we had a prolong meeting with the leaders from the zone to resolve the issues and no matter what you are doing as a political party, you must lose some members and also gain others.

“As a party we will continue to work hard not to lose anybody, but will work much harder to bring in more members to the party,” he said.

In another development, former Senate President, Senator David Mark has called on the PDP to avoid mistakes in Saturday’s convention, and harped on the need for a hitch free convention.

In a statement issued yesterday, Mark again dismissed speculations that he would decamp from the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He appealed to the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa-led Convention Committee to ensure the conduct of a convention that would unite the party and provide

Saraki Lays off Unconfirmed Number of Staff Damilola Oyedele A The Office of the Senate President has laid off some staff in what it said was an exercise intended to better position the office for efficient service delivery.

The office however explained that while some were asked to go, several persons initially seconded from the National Assembly Service Commission were deployed back to the service.

Unconfirmed reports claimed that 98 persons were affected, but Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, declined to put a figure to those affected.

Briefing journalists on the development yesterday afternoon, Olaniyonu said the exercise was entirely at the discretion of the Senate President based on the judgement of a review committee.

Olaniyonu said the staff review is a culmination of an assessment exercise which started four months ago.

He explained further that staff were categorised into three; those determined as good enough to continue, those who needed to be

removed, and the fresh persons who need to be brought in.

“It is entirely his (Saraki’s) discretion to determine who works with him, those who are helping his agenda, and those areas where gaps need to be filled. This is important for the efficiency of the office.”

“It is not a negative thing. It is to ensure that the office is more invigorated, and better positioned.

It is possible some new people may also be joining, in areas lapses have been observed,” “It is good for a public official like the Senate President to have given everybody the opportunity to serve, the last 26 months are good enough to determine who would fits into his agenda for the next 22 months of the life span of this Senate,” Olaniyonu added.

He however did not give details of the number affected, how many staff are retained and how many new persons may be brought in.

The media aide also dispelled insinuations that the staff strenght was reduced to cut cost, insisting it was purely for efficient service delivery.

CORRECTION In our story titled, “In Ex Parte, Court Orders Seven Banks to Remit $793.2m to TSA, Banks Deny,” published in the Friday, July 21, 2017 edition of the paper and in a follow up story in the Saturday, July 22, 2017 edition of the paper, we erroneously referred to Keystone Bank as a defunct bank which had been acquired by Heritage Bank.

Keystone Bank is not defunct and was recently acquired by the Sigma Golf-Riverbank Consortium, while Heritage Bank acquired the defunct Enterprise Bank in 2014.

The mix up is most regretted.

-Editor

HONOURING A GREAT MAN

L-R: Chairman, Board of Trustees, Akintola Williams Foundation, Mrs. Olutoyin Olakunri; Doyen of Accounting profession, Mr. Akintola Williams; President, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Mallam Ismaila Muhammadu Zakari; and President, Nigeria Conservation Foundation Board of Trustees, Chief Phillips Asiodu, at the second Annual Lecture of Akintola Williams Foundation, held at Muson Centre in Lagos....yesterday Sunday Adigun

OPEC Predicts Higher Demand for Oil in 2018 Ejiofor Alike

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has predicted a higher demand for its crude oil in 2018, citing rising global demand, and pointing to strong indications that the glut in the oil market is easing.

In its monthly Oil Market Report (OMR) released yesterday, the cartel pointed to signs of a stronger oil market that suggested that the OPEC-led production cut is getting rid of price-sapping excess supply.

OPEC said the world would need 32.42 million barrels per day (bpd) of its oil next year, up 220,000 bpd from the previous forecast.

The report noted that physical oil markets in Europe and West Africa had firmed and that an increase in the price of Brent crude oil for immediate delivery compared to later supplies indicated the glut

was easing.

“The entire forward curve has flattened for Brent amid some bullish indicators in the physical market,” OPEC said.

“Crude differentials strengthened notably for a range of key grades in the Mediterranean, North Sea and West African markets,” the report said.

Reuters reported that oil rose to more than $53 per barrel yesterday, shrugging off data in the report showing another jump in OPEC output and suggesting the market will remain in surplus next year.

OPEC is curbing output by about 1.2 million bpd, while Russia and other non-OPEC producers cut half as much, until March 2018.

The deal is aimed at getting rid of excess stocks and in a sign it is working, OPEC said inventories in developed economies declined in June and have fallen by 87 million barrels compared to the five-year

average since the cut started in January.

“Further declines in U.S. crude stocks are likely, given the record rates at which U.S. refineries are running,” OPEC said.

With the use of the US refinery hitting a 12-year high, OPEC has also raised its forecasts for global oil demand growth in 2017 and 2018, saying consumption would rise by 1.28 million bpd next year.

It was also upbeat about the global economy.

“World economic growth has gained momentum,” OPEC said. “With the ongoing growth momentum and an expected continued dynamic in second-half 2017, there is still some room to the upside,” OPEC added.

But the report showed the 14-country group’s oil output in July came in above the demand forecast, led by gains in Libya and Nigeria, two members exempt from the cuts.

OPEC said its oil output rose by 173,000 bpd in July to 32.87 million bpd, led by the exempt producers plus top exporter Saudi Arabia, citing figures it collects from secondary sources.

Saudi Arabia told OPEC it cut output to 10.01 million bpd last month, from 10.07 million bpd in June, meaning its production fell back below its OPEC target of 10.058 million bpd.

The figures mean OPEC has complied 86 percent with its output-cutting pledge, according to a Reuters calculation, down from 96 percent initially reported for June but still high by OPEC standards.

Supply is rising outside the group as well, although not quite as fast as OPEC thought.

OPEC estimated supply from non-OPEC next year would rise by 1.10 million bpd, down 40,000 bpd from the previous forecast, citing downward revisions to the United States and Canada.

50

FRIDAY AUGUST 11 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Anyaoku to Buhari: Don’t Allow Morocco in ECOWAS Laments Nigeria’s loss of international influence Segun James L Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to allow Morocco to join the Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS).

Anyaoku made the call in Lagos yesterday while delivering the second annual Akintola Williams Foundation’s lecture titled: ‘Re-establishing Nigeria’s Leadership Position in the World’.

According to him, allowing Morocco to be a member of ECOWAS would further erode the influence of Nigeria in the sub-region.

He also said ECOWAS is a regional block established to cater for the interest of West African countries and that Morocco being in northern Africa did not qualify to be a member.

The former diplomat pointed out that Nigeria’s loss of grip in ECOWAS was dramatised by its inability to veto the ECOWAS’s decision in principle to admit into its fold Morocco, a North African nation and member of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU).

He noted that Nigeria helped to found and nourish ECOWAS for the past 42 years diplomatically, economically, financially and militarily at huge financial and human cost to itself.

According to Anyaoku, “Nigeria’s loss of grip in ECOWAS was dramatised by its inability to veto the ECOWAS’s decision in principle to admit into its fold Morocco, a North African nation and member of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU).

“With the prospect of Morocco joining the ECOWAS, Nigeria would be risking a diminished influence in the sub-region; it would also be opening itself

up to Morocco’s inevitable determination to get its pound of flesh following Nigeria’s role in the admission of Western Sahara into the OAU/AU. And this is not to talk about the adverse economic consequences for Nigeria from Morocco’s membership of ECOWAS. “I believe that for its effectiveness and benefits of the future integration of its members, ECOWAS must remain a strictly geopolitical regional organisation whose membership should be limited to only countries in the West Africa geographic space.

Besides, extending ECOWAS membership to the Mediterranean Sea will inevitably dilute the organisation’s integration movement.”

The former secretary general lamented that currently, all is not well with Nigeria both at home and abroad and that its standing among the comity of nation is bad, hence the people are no longer respected all over the world.

“Unfortunately, Nigeria’s leadership role in the world began to decline initially in the wake of the successive military intervention in the country’s governance in January 1966. I would like to mention some of the signs of the decline.

“Nigeria does not have a seat in the leadership organ of the AU-the ten-member commission. It was a matter of national embarrassment that the Nigerian candidate lost out in the election of the AU Commissioners during the AU summit meeting in February 2017.

“Secondly, a growing number of Nigerian citizens are now commonly badly treated and deported from many countries of the world including even African countries such as Libya and

Osinbajo Appoints 21 Federal Permanent Secretaries Olawale Ajimotokan A The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, has approved the immediate appointment of 21 new permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

The appointments were announced in a statement issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita (HoS).

The statement, signed by Imrana Haruna, the Director, Communications, on behalf of the HoS, said the portfolios of the new permanent officers would be announced in due course.

The new senior civil servants were drawn from the list of 300 candidates from ministries, departments and agencies (MDA), who vied for the written examinations meant to fill 20 vacant positions of federal permanent secretaries.

Majority of the candidates failed to scale through the three stages of the examination. They were grilled inside one week on Information and Communication Technology

(ICT), Public Policy/ Public Service and Assessment Test and Oral.

The successful federal permanent secretaries and their states of origin are as follows: Folayan Ayodele Olaniyi (Ekiti State); Osuji Ndubuisi Marcellinus (Imo); Mu’azu Abdulkadir (Kaduna); Sulaiman Mustapha Lawal (Kano); Abdullahi Abdulazeez Mashi (Katsina State); Adebiyi Bolaji Adekunle; (Lagos); Ibrahim Musa Wen; (Nasarawa State); Odewale Samson Olajide (Ogun) and Adesola Olusade (Ondo State).

Others are Ehuria Georgina Ekeoma (Abia State); Akpan Edet Sunday (Akwa Ibom); Anagbogu Ifeoma Nkiruka (Anambra); Walson-Jack Diirau Didi Esther (Bayelsa); Gekpe Grace Isu (Cross River); Aliboh Leon Lawrence (Delta) and Uwaifo Osarenoma Clement (Edo).

The list is complete by: Adekunle Olusegun Adeyemi; (Oyo state); Nabasu Bitrus Bako (Plateau); Ekaro Comfort Chukwumuebobo (Rivers); Umar Mohammed Bello, (Sokoto State) and Aduda Gabriel Tanimu from FCT.

South Africa. And only last week, Nigerian athletes who were due to participate in a Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas could not attend because they were denied transit visas by the governments of the United Kingdom and the United States,” Ayaoku stated.

He said the decline in Nigeria’s standing in the world prompted a former American ambassador to Nigeria, who many believe to be a good friend of Nigeria, at a colloquium in Brown University, US, to lament the de-industrialisation of the country and to warn that “Nigeria was fast becoming irrelevant in continental and global affairs owing to its unfocussed leadership and wrong choice of assessment parameters.”

Anyaoku stressed that

Ambassador Lyman went on to say that Nigeria’s habit of predicating its geopolitical relevance on its oil wealth and population is fast fading away not just because oil is losing its strategic relevance, but also because many countries in the West African sub-region have struck oil in commercial quantity.

“The plight of Nigerians in the waves of Afro-phobia in South Africa is particularly regrettable because, as observed earlier, Nigeria had played a very active and prominent role in the struggle that led to the dismantling of apartheid in that country.”

As part of efforts to revise this trend, Anyaoku suggested that there should be a nexus between nation’s foreign policy and domestic politics. “No country

can maintain a credible leadership position regionally, continentally or globally without a politically stable and sound socio-economic domestic background.

“And so for any country to be able to exert a credible influence and maintain a leadership position to be reckoned with in world affairs, it must achieve a reasonable balance between its domestic and foreign policies,” he said.

He insisted that every country’s standing in the world is to a large extent determined by its domestic situation, adding that “If Nigeria is to return to the golden age of the country’s foreign policy achievements and high global

standing, its domestic situation must be fixed.

At the lecture which was instituted in honour of Akintola Williams, the doyen of the accounting profession and Nigeria’s first chartered accountant, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who was Anyaoku’s successor as foreign minister said consensus all over the nation is that Nigeria as a country should continue to exist and also reestablished its position as the giant of Africa.

Gambari said that some people called the country a mere geographical expression, saying that the truth remains that countries the world over are mere geographical expression but the people who came worked to make it a nation.

PUTING HEADS TOGETHER

L–R: Minister of Information, and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Acting President Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah at the Cabinet Retreat on ERGP implementation and 2018 budget process held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja ....yesterday Godwin Omoigui

Corruption in Military Dangerous, Divisive, Wasteful, Fuels Insurgency,TITells Armed Forces CAS: We’ve reformed our procurement system Paul Obi oo Aoooo Transperancy International (TI) yesterday informed the Nigerian armed forces that corruption in the military is dangerous, divisive, wasteful and fuels insurgency.

It said where graft is entrenched among military establishment, was dangerous.

This was made known at a one-day Leadership Workshop organised by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in conjunction with Transparency International and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CSLAC).

Senior Advisor to TI, Ian Andrews, explained that high level of corruption in the military has the tendency to derail national growth, development and even stir up insurgencies and warfare.

He maintained that the problem of corruption in military establishments across the globe, adding that corruption in military procurement was not peculiar to

Nigeria, but a global challenge which undermines confidence in state institutions.

He said: “Corruption in military establishment is dangerous, divisive and wasteful with far reaching consequencies on the state, and fuels insurgency.

“Soldiers, sailors will die as a result of it, nations would fail as a consequence of it. It’s divisive because it undermines confidence and public trust in the institutions of the state and of officers.

“It’s wasteful because too much is spent on the wrong things which do not meet the needs of the armed forces.

“Corruption in the military is a tool for recruiting insurgents as civil society becomes delusion,” Andrews stated.

He rather expressed confidence that the standard raised by Nigerian military institutions based on the approaches adopted by the present leadership would bring about trust and position the nation’s military

for transparency and efficiency.

Andrew in his submission pointed out developments in military institutions in Indonesia, Columbia, Uganda, Iraq and other nations where corruption has taken deep root.

“There is need to build integrity, confidence and resilience as important tools to combat the monster of corruption.

This, of course will lead to operational effectiveness. In some countries I mentioned, this is being done and things have really improved.

“Corruption in the defence destroys the institution of the state and it is a huge global challenge that needs to be tackled. It is also a huge challenge facing the whole world,” Andrews stressed.

Speaking, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, explained that following the 2014-2015 Report of Transparency International on Government

Defence Procurement System, the present leadership of the NAF has carried out reforms to ensure transparency and integrity of the entire system.

Abubakar said: “I think it would be most appropriate to give a brief background on the reason why this NAF Leadership Day workshop is being organised and the expected benefit of the workshop to the NAF. “Sometime ago, Transparency International conducted an independent survey and came up with a “Government Defence Anti-Corruption Index (61).

“The survey was conducted between Year 2014 and 2015.

The report of the survey ranked Nigeria amongst the highest risk corruption categories in the defence and security sector.

“The document suggested ways forward, with one cardinal recommendation being the need for defence sector reforms, including an overhaul of the procurement process.”

FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

51

NEWSEXTRA

Report Faults Execution of Constituency Projects Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja A project assessment report conducted by a non-governmental organisation, Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE), has exposed corrupt practices in the award and execution of constituency projects being facilitated by federal lawmakers.

The group said it carried out a nationwide assessment study on the implementation of federal government projects in some selected states in the six geographical zones of the country with the assistance from the European Union through UNODC and the UNDP. The states are Imo, Jigawa, Ekiti, Cross Rivers, Benue and Gombe.

In all, ACE said it identified171 capital projects ranging from roads

construction, building of school laboratories, boreholes, youth and women empower schemes.

Speaking in an interview with journalists in Abuja yesterday, the acting General Secretary of ACE, Mma Odi, said the study has revealed a lot of sharp practices in the execution of federal government projects in the affected states, particularly constituency projects.

Odi said the report showed lack of proper adherence to the provisions of the Procurement Act in the award of contract for the execution of projects by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), a situation that has led shoddy project implementation and even outright abandonment.

“We were able to mobilise 899 citizens in these states and build a capacity of 1,232 stakeholders in

these six states; we have tracked a total of 171 capital projects; from our result, we found out that very few of the capital projects have been executed, some of them very poorly executed and many of them are still ongoing, but there are no contractors in the site,” she said.

For instance, the report stated that in the case of an empowerment project for youths and women meant for Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, the communities denied any such

intervention.

Similarly, a school rehabilitation project at Group of Schools in Mbutu, Abo Mnaise in Imo State, it was discovered that out of six classrooms listed for renovation under the 2015 federal budget, only five were executed.

“Five classrooms’ block were built instead of six as captured in 2015 federal budget. The community people agreed that the project has been completed and that it is serving them well. The ceilings of

most classrooms have fallen,” Odi further stated.

In Jigawa State, the report showed that a project for the drilling of an earth dam worth N38 million locate at Madaka village was abandoned by the contractors after collecting the money.

In Benue State, one of the project sites visited by the ACE team in Wunne Tarka where an earth dam worth N150 million was to be constructed, the team found nothing on ground in the site.

TheACE scribe who lamented the poor state of job delivery at most of the sites the group assessment team visited, said what was mind-boggling was the discovery that in some places there was nothing there even after full payment had been made.

“At many of the sites, we see equipment lying there and they have not been installed to be put into use. In some communities, we also see boreholes dug with generators there, but not being put into use,” she revealed.

Anti-Igbo Song: Ohanaeze Deplores Northern Leaders’ Silence Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the panIgbo socio-cultural organisation, has expressed worry over the silence of some northern leaders on the anti-Igbo song currently trending on the social media and around the country.

President General of Ohanaeze, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, said in a statement yesterday that the federal government appeared to have turned a blind eye to the danger this portends to the unity of the country.

According Nwodo, the current Hausa hate song in the social media is not only despicable but sad and disappointing.

“Ohanaeze is appalled that prominent leaders in the North (with the exception of a few), have allowed this development to flourish without reproach,” he regretted.

Nwodo further noted that the Arewa youths have stoked the embers of hatred by issuing a quit notice order to fellow Nigerians to leave their region, adding that “the toleration of their criminal conduct has portrayed the federal government as biased and unfair.

“Their quit notice to fellow

Nigerians to leave any part of Nigeria strikes at the fundamental rights of citizenship. It is a call for the dissolution of the country.”

The Ohanaeze president stated that the declaration for mob action after October 1 to deal with those who resist their quit notice order is a declaration of war.

“It is surprising that on top of all these a hate song calling for more hatred, despise and abortion has been allowed to fester. Yet no one is arrested.

“All the orders of arrest from Kaduna State and the IG seem to be ambivalent and unreal. The youths meet freely with governors of northern Nigeria and Nnorthern leaders showing that they enjoy their support.

“This development signals the beginning of a national catastrophe which if not nipped in the bud, will snowball into incalculable damage to our continued existence as one country.

“Ohanaeze gives notice to the federal government to deal with this situation decisively or forever be held responsible for the consequences this abdication of responsibility provoke,” he warned.

Governments Must Be Aggressive with Tax to Drive Economy Emma Okonji A renowned economist, Mr. Tope Fashoyin, has advised governments across all levels in the country to look inward and become more aggressive in generating money from tax to drive the economy.

Fashoyin who was monitored yesterday on ARISE Television, a sister broadcast station of THISDAY Newspapers, said Nigeria had in the past, depended so much on oil, but must begin to look inward in the area of tax to drive the economy, especially at a time when oil prices are dropping due to economic reforms and crises across globe.

He explained that although the federal government was making efforts to take Nigeria out of recession, with a projected 3.5 per cent growth in GDP by next year and seven per cent growth in GDP by 2020, he however said Nigeria could achieve 10 per cent growth in GDP, if government become more aggressive in its thinking and

focus more on money generation through taxes.

His view is however contrary to the United States President, Donald Trump’s view, who said yesterday that the US would come up with infrastructure reforms that will reduce taxes in the US. According to Trump, “Americans pay huge amount of taxes and the highest in the world and this has to be reviewed.”

Trump’s statement on huge taxes was captured by ARISE Television yesterday.

Citing recent crises across globe, Fashoyin said such crises are already affecting prices of oil negatively, the reason why Nigerian government must become aggressive in its thinking and look inwards in the area of taxes to generate more money to drive the Nigerian economy.

He said Nigeria must restructure in order to strengthen the naira to grow the economy.

I COME IN PEACE

Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Oscar N. Onyema (left), presenting a gong to the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, during the EFCC boss’ visit to the NSE in Lagos....yesterday.

Again, Nigeria Records Poor Outing as Only 23% of Children Get Immunised Kuni Tyessi in Abuja Only about 23 per cent of children in Nigeria have received all recommended vaccines between 2016 and 2017, the Multi Indicator Cluster Survey report, (MICS) has revealed.

The report also stated that though only one in four children received all recommended vaccines, more children are fully immunised in South-south, South-west and South-east zones.

The survey which was sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, was released yesterday in Abuja, during the MICS/NICS national dissemination meeting with stakeholders on revamping routine immunisation and primary healthcare system.

The MICS is a survey designed to provide estimates of vaccines

coverage for the country by zones and each of the 36 states.

In his presentation, the Acting Director Planning Research and statistics, Dr Abdullahi Garba, noted that the percentage of immunised children between 12 and 23 months of age is very low and below expectation.

He said: “Immunisation coverage varies across Nigeria but improvements are needed in every state.

“The immunisation coverage in Nigeria is below the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) goals, putting a substantial number of children at risk of vaccine preventable diseases,” he said.

He said more work could be done to ensure that at least 90 per cent of children in Nigeria receive all recommended vaccines, stating that the Nigerian government is

committed to the 100 per cent goals of the GVAP. In his response to questions, the Nigeria Country officer, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Yusuf Yusufari called on the federal government to take over the responsibility of immunisation in the country.

He said: “Nigeria government has to take over ownership of immunisation in the country.

“The government, health workers and partners must be held accountable for routine immunisation.

“By accountability, I mean the Nigeria government has procured 100 per cent of vaccines required to vaccinate our children but the result is telling us only a few have been vaccinated, what is happening to

other vaccines?

“This means that there is a lot of inefficiency in the system or a lot of inaccurate reporting, so we all need to be accountable,” he said.

In his remarks, the representative of European Union, Dr Ibrahim Lisa, commended the effort of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to conduct the national dissemination meeting to enlighten everyone on where we stand with routine immunisation.

He added that the results would serve as evidence that more resources and efforts are needed to put immunisation on a high spot in Nigeria.

He also pledged the continuous effort of the European Union to ensure that every child in Nigeria receives vaccines against preventable diseases.

Glo Declared Today Free Data Day As part of the company’s commitment towards giving more value to its subscribers, telecommunications provider, Globacom, has declared today as the first Free Data Day on the Glo network where eligible subscribers will get 200 MB free data to enjoy a free day of FREE browsing, chatting, streaming, downloading, uploading and lots more.

To qualify, subscribers should use 100MB plus N150 on voice calls OR N250 on voice calls between Friday, 4 to Thursday 10, August.

The Free Data Day was unveiled recently by Globacom to give allround comfort to the company’s subscribers and other Nigerians.

The company announced at the launch that the offer which is open to all prepaid subscribers gives Glo customers’ free data for a whole day when they meet the voice and/or data usage threshold within seven days which will qualify them to enjoy the Free Data Day. Globacom said the new product gives opportunity to subscribers on the Glo network to do so much more on the internet by browsing

free of charge for a whole day.

“We appreciate the essence of the internet in contemporary world. We are through this product empowering our customers in an unprecedented way in their business, social and educational pursuits,” he stated.

Globacom further explained that customers would be notified when they have qualified for the Free Data Day and that they do not need to dial any code to opt in or subscribe to any platform before enjoying the benefits.

“When a customer qualifies for

the offering, he would be able to enjoy free data usage throughout that day.”

The company disclosed that in line with its promise to change the face of telecoms services in Nigeria, the Globacom network had been reinvigorated to provide stronger data and voice services to its subscribers.

Globacom also assured subscribers that it had enhanced the quality of its network to accommodate the anticipated traffic that the exciting product would add.

52

FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AYA

NEWSEXTRA

Ambode: Patients Now Fly from Ghana to Use Our Hospitals To roll out 5,000 new buses in February Gboyega Akinsanmi Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday lamented the undue pressure on the state’s infrastructure, disclosing that people from Ghana“are now flying into the country to use our health facilities.”

Ambode also disclosed that the state government would roll out the first set of 5,000 brand new buses under the Bus Reform Initiative, a brain child of his administration, in the next six months.

He made the disclosure at the Lagos House, Alausa when he received students of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, United States, saying his administration was working hard to revolutionalise the state’s transportation system.

At the session, the governor identified urban migration as one of the major challenges facing the state, revealing that about 86 persons enter into Lagos on a daily basis without any plan to go back.

He lamented the attendant consequence of such migration, which he said, was more evident on the state’s healthcare system as well as the 13,000 tonnes of waste generated daily in the state on a daily basis.

In spite of what might be the state’s infrastructure deficit, the governor said the state government would continue “to think outside the box to provide solutions to such challenges and deficit.

“People now fly in from Ghana to come and use our hospitals in Lagos. We have to sit down beyond what we have learnt in school to look at the practical challenges of urban migration and good governance. We need to look at what we have to do to mitigate the population unaccounted for.”

On the bus reform initiative, Ambode said the first set of 5,000 new buses would be rolled out in the next six months, saying the initiative “will change the existing transportation system predominantly driven by yellow buses, popularly known as danfo.”

“In the last one year, we have decided that we must integrate rail, road, water and air transportation systems in such a way that the system of connectivity is improved upon. I would like to have a direct partnership on how that can actually be actualised.

“We are cleaning out all the yellow buses you see in the state. As we proceed in the next six months and a span of three years, we are introducing 5000 new buses of

European standard to actually clean up the city because if you want to grow the economy of Lagos.

“Transportation is key. It is a major infrastructure for tourism itself. Dependence on road transportation in the last two decades, as the major means of transportation in the state has given rise to a chaotic system

where about eight million Lagos residents commute across the state every minute.

“The question is how do you move 23 million people on a daily basis from point A to point B with ease and comfort? So, the way the city has been so designed in the last few years, the city has actually concentrated on only one mode

of transportation, which is road transportation.

“There has not been any comprehensive planning to integrate all the modes of transportation in a way that makes it easy. There are eight million people walking on the streets of Lagos every minute, did we create more points for them?

The answer is no. We have one-fifth of the state on water, are we doing effective water transportation, the answer is no.

“The rail system is still under construction in such a way that it can move mass number of people from one point to another. That is why we have a whole lot of congestion on the road.”

Military Commended for US Bomber Jets Purchase to Fight Terror Sunday Okobi and Emmanuel Ella Concerned Professionals Congress (CPC) has lauded the Nigerian military led by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, for securing the recent approval of the United States to sell 12 bomber jets worth $600 million to aid the Nigerian military’s current operations in the North-east.

CPC said the gesture would go a long way in driving the strategic defence mechanism to end the war against terror as well as tackle other security threats across the country.

The civil advocacy group in a statement issued yesterday by its

Chief Media Strategy, Mr. Emeka Nwankpa, and made available to THISDAY, said it was delightful with the news of the final approval by the US Department of State to sell 12 A-29 Super Tucano fighter planes with associated parts, training, facilities and weapons in aid of the fight Boko Haram terrorists.

The group said it was particularly impressed by the decision of US State Department to approve the sale to the Nigerian military despite what it called the “sustained hateful conspiracies and avalanche of deliberate, malicious and mischievous campaigns of calumny by certain anti-Nigerian interests whose main motives still remain shrouded in

mystery.”

CPC noted that notwithstanding the difficult situation, the Chief of Defence Staff-led military had tasked itself to devise creative, home-grown and fool-proof strategies anchored on its resolve and resilience to successfully protect the Nigerian sovereignty against territorial aggression such as attacks by terrorists and insurgents in the North-east, militants in the Niger Delta region and other national security threats.

Nwankpa, in the statement, contended that the gesture by the US would go a long way in boosting the morale of the Nigerian war commanders and the troops whose courage and gallantry he described as “incredible and

amazing,” pointing out that the Nigerian military’s current high global rating in counter-terrorism efforts might have swayed the U.S particularly against the backdrop of an alleged misinterpretation in certain quarters recently of a U.S Bureau on Counter-terrorism 2016 Country Report which lampooned Nigeria’s security forcesaslackinginco-ordination,among other complaints.

“It is therefore heart-warming to note that the US State Department chose to rise above these obviously false negative narratives against Nigeria to finallyapprove this sale of 12 bomber planes worth almost $600 million at a time that the days of terror in the North-east are numbered,’’ he said.

FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

53

CRIME&PUNISHMENT Army Arrests Suspected Militant for Alleged Involvement in Killing Two Soldiers Sylvester Idowu in Warri Operatives of the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Koko, Delta State, have arrested a suspected militant whose gang allegedly killed two soldiers along Oboh river in Sapele Local Government Area in the state and carted away their gun boat recently.

The militant gang had on July 9, this year, shot and killed the two soldiers at a military platform located along Oboh river while escaping with a kidnapped victim.

THISDAY investigations revealed that the militants, numbering about six, had kidnapped one Mrs. Owumi and moved her to the

riverside where a boat had been stationed for their escape.

Military sources disclosed that while escaping, the militants saw the two soldiers at the platform and opened fire killing them instantly.

It was gathered that because there was no resistance and convinced there were no other soldiers around, the militants stopped at the military platform, carted away their two AK 47 rifles, two fully loaded magazines as well as the military gun boat away.

THISDAY gathered that following a manhunt for the hoodlums, the operatives of 19 Battalion stationed in Sapele

apprehended the suspect, believed to be the supplier of food to the militant’s camp.

The suspect identified as Elias

Otutu was captured at about 10.45 p.m. penultimate Thursday at Otonyasere area of Sapele and was whisked to a military facility

in Koko.

Commanding Officer of 19 Battalion in Koko, Colonel M.A. Maaji, could not be reached for

confirmation of the arrest as he was said to have travelled out of the country but a top officer confirmed the development.

Pandemonium as Residents Uncover Another Ritualists’ Den We uncovered den of destitutes, say police Chiemelie Ezeobi Pandemonium yesterday erupted at the Ile-Zik area of Lagos on the Abeokuta Expressway, when another tunnel was uncovered by residents and some persons of questionable character were found there.

Owing to last Wednesday’s discovery of another tunnel where ritualists hide to perpetuate their nefarious activities at Obadeyi bus-stop, Ijaiye area of the state, yesterday’s discovery was a scare.

The news which first made the rounds on the social media had claimed that the tunnel was the hideout of ritualists, which had two suspects hidden inside.

Reports had also claimed that the two suspects arrested were in possession of an iPhone and looked sane until they were accosted by residents and they began to act like mentally deranged persons.

Almost re-enacting the Obadeyi scenario, where two of the suspects were burnt to death by an irate

crowd after two victims were recovered from the tunnel, the actions of the residents of Ile-Zik was foiled by the police.

The crowd who was baying for the blood of the two suspects found inside the tunnel, had set plans in motion to lynch them first and then set them ablaze.

Immediately the news broke out, the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), ACP Tunji Disu and other police officers stormed the area and arrested two of the suspected ritualists.

However, although their prompt response saved the suspects from being burnt alive, they were already seriously beaten.

Although he confirmed the arrests, the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said it was a case of a destitute living inside the tunnel, as against the case of ritual as was being touted.

He said: “We have to stop this culture of jungle justice and allow the law take its course. This matter is a pure case of destitute and not ritualists.”

Police Parade 70 Suspected Armed Robbers, Killers of NTA Reporter Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Edo State Police Command, yesterday disclosed that the killers of the Reporter of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in Benin City, Mr. Lawrence Okojie, last month have been arrested and are currently in prison, just as it paraded 70-suspected armed robbers, cultists and kidnappings.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Haliru Gwandu who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, also said the incessant robbery attacks along the Benin-Lagos express road has been checked, adding that the command is currently patrolling the area with Armoured Personal Carriers (APC) to check the activities of armed robbers.

Some of the items recovered from the suspects include three cut to size double barrel guns, one cut to size pistol, two locally made pistol guns, cutlasses, military uniform, military ID and booth, 4

vehicles and two cut to size double barrel guns.

On the killers of the NTA Reporter, CP Gwandu explained that “It was a cult related matter, the cultists were fighting around that area and unfortunately the NTA reporter ran into their shooting and he was killed while he was trekking back home after work. But very fortunately, we were able to arrest the guy who gunned him down. The guy is cooling in prison right now because it was a clear case of murder”.

Continuing he said, “We have seen enough peace here in the past two months and incessant attacks especially along the Benin-Ore express road, but today that is no longer there because of the measures we have put in place.

Our men are all over, we are using armoured Personal Carriers to supervise that high way and the Benin Auchi- Abuja road. We are not sleeping we are bursting crime every day and we will continue until we flush them out of the state.

HUNTER HUNTED

Three police sergeants, Nwankem Ebonzim; Michael Chima; and Christopher Onyegho, being paraded before journalists by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, at the state police headquarters in Asaba....yesterday.

Naval Personnel, Wife Arrested for Beating Man to Death Chiemelie Ezeobi A naval personnel, Uzochukwu Anyanwu and his wife, Victoria, have been arrested for allegedly beating a man, one Gambo Mohammed, to death at Berger, Suya bus stop area of the OshodiApapa expressway.

The naval personnel was said to have killed the deceased for trying to settle a rift between his wife and a yet-to-be identified commercial motorcyclist.

Though, Anyanwu has since been handed over to the Nigerian Navy (NN), his wife has been detained at the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba.

According to the police, although Anyanwu was handed over to the navy, the naval authority have refused to hand him back to the police to conclude their own investigation.

Based on that, the police said

they will arraign his wife if the navy continues to shield their personnel from paying for his crime.

According to eyewitness report, the crisis had started after the wife of the naval personnel had taken a commercial motorcycle from Wilmer bus stop, Olodi to Berger Suya on an agreed fee.

On arrival at the agreed destination, the said lady however refused to pay up, which caused

a violent argument between both parties.

When the naval officer’s wife started dragging the Okada rider by the collar of his shirt, the deceased decided to mediate.

Enraged at his interference, the lady had called her husband on the phone, who joined her minutes later to brutalise the deceased.

Given the circumstances, the police said they are waiting for the naval authority to hand over Anyanwu to them for trial

SON Challenges Electrical Dealers on Self-Regulation Jonathan Eze Newly elected Executives of the Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (EDAN), Alaba International Market have been challenged to embrace self-regulation as part of the fight against the dangers posed by substandard products to the nation.

Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Osita Aboloma who gave the challenge while receiving the executives in his office in Lagos, yesterday, stated that over 70 per cent of cables traded in Nigeria pass through the Alaba International Market.

According to him, if the

traders chose to stock and sell only quality cables and other electrical appliances, importers of substandard products would have no market for their nefarious activities.

The SON Director General urged the Alaba Electrical Dealers to be more patriotic by patronising certified made in Nigeria cables that have been attested among the best in the world and shun the stocking of imported substandard and cloned cables from abroad.

Mr. Aboloma advised the EDAN Executives to guide their members on the need to register all products with SON for traceability and confirmation of quality status

in the overall interest the nation and its citizens.

Also speaking at the occasion, SON Director of Compliance, Bede Obayi charged the electrical dealers to consciously work at developing a positive reputation for Alaba International Market.

He warned that Nigerians are becoming better informed by the day as many other outlets are providing healthy competition to the Alaba International Market on cables and other electrical appliances.

SON Head of Electrical Laboratory, Mr. Richard Adewumi advised EDAN members to pay greater attention to issues like

ratings, labels and product manuals in order to be in better position to guide their customers rightly.

Earlier, the President of EDAN, Chief Fabian Ezeorjika commended the SON DG for the renewed fight against substandard products in the Nigerian market and pledged the commitment of his Executive to SON in that regard.

He invited the SON DG and his management to bring the message of standardisation and quality assurance to EDAN members at the Alaba International Market in order to broaden their knowledge on electrical cables and appliances.

Fake Prophet Arrested over Suspected Murder of 13-year-old Girl Sheriff Balogun in Abeokuta The Ogun State Police Command yesterday arrested a 52-year-old fake prophet, Kehinde Onanuga of C&S Church, Sagamu for alleged killing of a kidnapped 13-year-old girl, Anuoluwapo Ajisafe.

While addressing journalists at the state command, the

Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, disclosed that the suspected fake prophet was arrested with charms along with his accomplice, Musiliu Jubril, who was contracted to kidnap the girl for ritual.

The suspect’s accomplice, who admitted to have committed the crime, said he kidnapped the girl on the request of the prophet for

rituals.

According to him, I am a bricklayer, I attend the church of this prophet. He has been sending me on errands before but this is the first time he will send me this kind of job. He told me to get a girl for him that he wants to use her to do ritual for some Yahoo boys.

“He promised to give me #20,

000 and that he will take me abroad.

I got a girl from one of the girls that use to play around my house, she is 13 years old and her name is Ajisafe Anuoluwapo.

“I told her that we want to go and get corn from the prophet’s church. I delivered the girl to the prophet and I don’t know what happened after then.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017

54

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Eagles in Marginal Movement in Latest FIFA Ranking Duro Ikhazuagbe Super Eagles recorded a marginal movement in the latest FIFA ranking released yesterday.

The three-time African champions stepped up just one place from 39th to 38th spot in global ranking. It was also the same slight one spot movement from 7th to 6th in the African ranking. Eagles amassed 716.28 points to maintain their stand in the current ranking.

Interestingly, Nigeria’s next foe in the World Cup 2018 qualifiers, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are just one spot above Eagles in the 5th spot in Africa and 35th in world grading.

The double-header World Cup clashes between both countries in Uyo and Yaounde on September 1 and September 4 are going to play significant roles in both the ranking for next month to be released on September 14 as well as their march to grabbing the lone ticket available in the Group B pairing.

The Pharaohs of Egypt

maintained their stronghold on African football as they are ranked 25th in the world and the best in the continent.

Congo DR is next in the world ranking at 28th while Senegal third in Africa is ranked at 31 globally. Tunisia is fourth in Africa and 34th in the world. The biggest climbers in the current ranking in Africa are the Namibians who moved 20 steps up to place 136th.

At the global level, new Paris Saint Germain striker Neymar and his Samba Boys from Brazil have knocked Germany down from the top of the current FIFA rankings.

World champions Germany dropped to second despite winning the Confederations Cup last month after some rolling historical results were devalued.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina are in third and modest Switzerland, with a 100 per cent record in World Cup qualifiers, are fourth, which is higher than they have been since 1994.

Poland, who boasts Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski among their ranks, are at a historic high

of fifth having dropped just two points in their own qualifiers as European

champions Portugal dropped two places to fifth.

The CONCACAF Gold

Cup was responsible for some major movement further down the table, with

defeated finalists Jamaica (57th, up 19) accruing the most points over the month.

Arsenal Players in their last warm up training session before this evening’s Premier League opening game with Leicester City

PREMIERSHIP

IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Without Injured Sanchez, Arsenal Set to Eyes on Okagbare for Open Season against Leicester Tonight Another Long Jump Miracle Medal

Arsenal stepped up their preparations in training Thursday as they get ready to take on Leicester City in their Premier League curtain raiser against Leicester City tonight.

The Gunners are without the injured Alexis Sanchez for the game at the Emirates Stadium, but looked in good spirits ahead of the night fixture.

Sanchez may be out of the game, but that didn’t stop him from posting a video of an impressive-looking lunch

on his account.

The Manchester City target is expected to miss the first two games of the season against Leicester and Stoke with an abdominal strain, and his stomach will likely be feeling a little worse if he polishes off the sizeable lunch.

Summer signing Alexandre Lacazette is set to make his full league debut for Arsene Wenger’s side after starting in the Community Shield win over Chelsea at Wembley on Sunday.

The north London side won that showdown 4-1 on penalties

after a 1-1 draw during normal time.

Arsenal will be hoping for a strong start to the season, which would be a marked difference from the end of the last campaign.

The Gunners finished outside the top four for the first time in the Wenger era - and the French boss has admitted uncertainty around his future affected the morale amongst his players.

“I had an impact on the season, because at some stage the players came to see me and said: ‘What’s going on boss?

Where do you go?’

“I created, with me not deciding, a lack of clarity in the dressing room and there is nothing worse than that in the dressing room.

“When you are not completely in or the players feel you are not completely in, it is difficult to tell them we go (out to win).

“At some stage, I had to tell them, ‘Look guys, I am with you, but we have to win games,” revealed the Frenchman to UK’s Daily Mail yesterday.

All eyes will be on Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor tonight when she takes to the long jump pit of the Olympic Stadium in London to battle for one of the three medals on offer at the on-going 16th IAAF World Championships.

Silver medallist four years ago at the championships’ 14th edition in Moscow, Russia, the pretty Nigerian will attempt to consolidate on her status as Nigeria’s most successful athlete in the history of the Championships by winning her third medal following her silver and bronze medal wins in 2013.

This will be Okagbare’s second long jump final appearance in three attempts and the Beijing Olympics silver medallist in the event qualified for Friday’s final following her 6.51m leap in the qualifying round to place eighth in the final semi-final classification.

Meanwhile, sprint hurdler Tobiloba Amusan will also today make her IAAF World Championships bow when she files out at 11.17am for the fifth and final first round heat of the women’s 100m hurdles.

Amusan, one of the two L-R: Brands & Marketing Director, StarTimes Nigeria; Qasim Elegbede, StarTimes Customer, Damilare Salami and Content Marketing athletes Nigerians are banking Manager, StarTimes Nigeria, Bose Adewara, during the presentation of the official Bundesliga football to Salami at the StarTimes on for at least an individual medal at these championships Bundesliga Super Cup Party to mark the 2017/2018 new season …last weekend

USHERING NEW BUNDESLIGA SEASON...

has been in fine form this season and only last June won the highly competitive and prestigious American collegiate title in a 12.57 seconds personal best time.

The time, the second fastest by a Nigerian nay African woman in history move the hurdler to seventh position in the pre-championships ranking and makes her one of the favourites to qualify for Saturday’s final.

The petite Nigerian will however needs to successfully scale the first round hurdles where she has been drawn to run from lane 8.She is however expected to stroll in to the semi-finals as she is the fastest of all the eight athletes that will battle for the four automatic slots on offer.

A win or top four finish for her will make her the fifth Nigerian athlete to qualify for the semi-finals of the event after Angela Atede (1997 and 2003), Glory Alozie (1999), Toyin Augustus (2009) and Seun Adigun (2011).

Only Alozie managed to make it to the final and Amusan is tipped to become the second Nigerian to make it to the final and probably the second to also make the podium.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 11, 2017

55

Friday, August 11, 2017

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE SERAP to N’Assembly

“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” – Associate Law Professor, Dr. Yemi Oke in his report titled: ‘From Darkness to Darkness,’ where he detailed how former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, late Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan reportedly squandered 11 trillion naira under the guise of providing electricity in Nigeria.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

Osinbajo: In Atiku’s Shoes P roceeding from the light hearted to the ponderous we begin the analogy with what can be cited as a thesis on Nigerian name calling. Atiku is the first name of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar while Osinbajo is the surname of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (as if I needed to remind anyone). Perhaps what I need to remind readers is the peculiarity (this peculiarity should have been spotted in the title above) of the normalisation of the name reference to Atiku Abubakar as simply Atiku not Abubakar in contrast to the incumbent Vice President who is more conventionally referenced by his surname.

The peculiarity bears tentative scrutiny.

I think it has to do with the penchant of conferring identity distinction on prominent public figures in the public imagination.

Abubakar, like Mohammed, is a rather iconic pan Islamic name hence its universal vintage and popularity among adherents of Islam whereas Atiku has a relatively obscure origin and purview in Hausa/Fulani antiquity. Its usage thereby benefits from this uniqueness and confers an element of distinction on the bearer.

This thesis is similarly applicable to the notable instance of the former head of state General Abdusalami Abubakar. Seldom will you hear anyone call the former head of state, Abubakar, without including his first name.

Quite often, it is just Abdusalami. You can go down memory lane and figure out the thesis in the identikit of Tafawa Balewa, Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi, Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Alex Ekwueme, Mohammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Ernest Shonekan, Sani Abacha, Umaru Yaradua, Goodluck Jonathan and Namadi Sambo.

Now to the more ponderous contemplationinherent in the office of the Nigerian presidency (the President and the Vice President) is the obligation of serving the role model of chief promoter of the national unity of Nigeria and the attendant politically correct behaviour (and just as it should be the case)-being the chief beneficiaries of the political status quo. This anticipated role and utility were integral to the recommendation of the Presidential system over the previous Parliamentary-Westminster model in the 1979 Constitution. Whereas the Prime Minister is elected from just a federal constituency (as Balewa was elected from the Bauchi federal constituency) the President is elected directly by the entire Nigerian electorate.

And the more contested and untenable the constitutional status quo, the more defensive the occupiers of the office tend to get. More than any other Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo exemplifies this role.

Whatever other appraisals may be given of Atiku Abubakar, there is an incipient nationalist-cosmopolitan flavour to his politics.

His contemporary advocacy of constitutional restructuring-which is somewhat at odds with the prevalent political position of his Moslem North pedigree, bears eloquent testimony to the point. More pointedly-with regards

Osinbajo

to the analogy of Osinbajo was the position Atiku was obliged to canvass in the testy early days of his stewardship as Vice President to President Olusegun Obasanjo. At the height of the Sharia crisis heralded (Moslem North) political revolt against Obasanjo, Atiku Abubakar was called out to play the federal government protagonist.

Addressing a press conference after a controversial National Council of State meeting, Atiku announced that the Council resolved that all parties to the Sharia crisis should revert to the status quo ante-to contrive momentary respite from the escalating conflict.

He was instantly controverted by no less a personality than General Mohammadu Buhari who conversely asserted that the Sharia crisis was neither on the agenda of the meeting nor discussed. In one of those Freudian slips, Atiku subsequently featured as a special guest at a nightclub reception in Lagos where he casually disavowed Sharia with the retort that in the spirit of the occasion, he was not Sharia compliant.

At any other time and political season in Nigeria this innocuous banter would have passed unnoticed and of no consequence but in the Sharia poisoned Nigeria of 1999 to 2001 it met with the equivalent of a fatwa on borderline apostasy by an erring symbolic adherent. In doubling down on this defiant ‘detribalised’ behaviour, Atiku was acting the pan Nigerian logic and obligation of his position as Vice President. This is a good precedence to situate and seek an explanation of the political behaviour of Yemi Osinbajo as Vice President.

Like Atiku, Osinbajo is obliged and it is in his enlightened self-interest to play Nigerian nationalist politics and for the most part, he has conducted himself with competence and panache in enacting the role. His obligation in this regard has been uniquely compounded by the inadvertent consequence of (his principal) Buhari’s protracted indisposition and the vacuum thus engendered. The irony of an acting President is that he is both President and Vice President. Officially he performs

the constitutionally assigned functions of both offices.

Politically and informally, the acting President responds and panders to the politics of the pressure/interest group that is individually specific to himself on one hand and his principal on the other hand. The degree to which Nigeria is steeped in identity politics is the extent to which he will labour to fill the gap created

by Buhari’s absence and reassure the ailing President’s primary political constituency.

And the more conflictual, the more zero-sum bounded the politics-as it is the case with Nigeria, the greater the acumen needed in playing the balancing act.

All this constraining ambience and atmospherics will serve as extenuation for Osinbajo as he grapples with the fragmentary and fraught Nigerian political situation. To the bargain, the acting President is a professor and certified preacher-a pedestal that entitles him to the presumption of a pundit-of which he has generously availed himself. But sometimes, as the wit punted, too much of a good thing can become bad. Context and the identity of a messenger can equally render a message problematic and questionable.

On the perennial debate on the political development of Nigeria and the advocacy of returning rhyme and reason to the constitutional structure of the country, Osinbajo has sent mixed and sometimes convoluted platform messages. There was the initial debacle of apportioning the relevance of restructuring to Nigeria as limited to the restructuring of the economy. In clearer and meaningful language he should be understood as talking economic diversification and this is perfectly in order so long as it is not conflated with the proper understanding of restructuring advocacy as drawing attention to the crying need to remedy a failed constitutional structure.

To his credit and unlike those who presume to be more Nigerian than the rest of us, for whom discussion on the unity of Nigeria is a no go area, he subsequently evolved to the position of concurring that there was nothing wrong with the citizenship right and privilege of debating the political future of their country. And then in a remarkable lapse into grossness, he superfluously zeroed in on a remark that was synonymous with the late Obafemi Awolowo-‘Nigeria is a mere geographical expression’.

My first observation was that Osinbajo could adequately canvass whatever point he wanted to make without reference to this otherwise valid remark (at least in 1948). Second is that more than other Nigerians, he has a personal reason not to do so - not in the critical light, he recalled the remark. Third, that he did so thrice within weeks was the height of indiscretion and insensitivity. And if he meant well, he should have qualified his recall with the fact that in 1948, this was a plausible description of Nigeria but more importantly, Awolowo did not proceed from this premise to recommend the dissolution of Nigeria. On the contrary, he employed this perspective to postulate federalism as the optimal political

ground norm for Nigeria and was proven prescient by the affirmation of this postulation in the Oliver Littleton constitution of 1951 and thereafter.

For that matter, Awolowo’s peers including, Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa, qualified Nigeria in worse abrasive verbiage which does not detract from the subsequent maturity of their views on Nigeria. If the originator (in Nigeria) of the expression did not intend it as a rationale for Nigeria’s dismemberment (which was quite logical in 1948 by the way) where is the compulsion to repeatedly falsify its applicability to Nigeria?

The Professor would go further to embarrass himself with his citation of other ‘false narratives’ when his own appraisal was the real false narrative. And thus he proceeded to proffer this Humpty Dumpty - “Most countries of the world came together by some accident of history, one way or the other; many were put together, many were forced together, but the wise have stayed together, the wise have remained united”.

Really, Professor?.

Would Georgia, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus and Russia and any enlightened observer of the international community deem the dissolution of the USSR an unwise decision? And to think that it was the leader of the Soviet Union himself, Mikhail Gorbachev, who took the initiative that it was no longer in the interest of the Soviet state to deny the obvious and the inevitable; and thence provided the necessary leadership to peacefully end the charade. What about Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia? Is there any suggestion that the successor states of Czech and Slovakia now regret their thriving separate independent existence? What about India and Pakistan?

What about Tanzania and Zanzibar?

I don’t know how objectively the acting President has been following the sequence and trend of political opinion in Nigeria.

Not even the Biafra warlord, Nnamdi Kanu, started his protestation with the Biafra battle cry. The discernable logic is that inherent in the foreclosure of remedial measures to rescue Nigeria from itself, is the potential for ultimate implosion. Rather than come to terms with this reality, Nigerian leaders are more comfortable with the hypocrisy and blackmail of seeing the ghosts of secession in any argument that adverts attention to the open secret that Nigeria will not long endure with the dead weight of the prevailing constitutional structure.

STOP PRESS Did Professor Itse Sagay say this? “The Northern elites are so used to proceeds of oil that they abandoned the things that make them great as a region. It is better for them to accept federalism and autonomy... The North will be the greatest beneficiary of autonomy.

They have a great means of revenue which they are ignoring. They should convince the cattle-rearers to build ranches instead of whipping cattle to the south”.

Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

All Correspondence to POBox 54749, Ikoyi, Lagos. EMAIL: editor@thisdaylive.com, info@thisdaylive.com. TELEPHONE Lagos: 0802 2924721-2, 08022924485. Abuja: Tel: 08155555292, 08155555929 24/7 ADVERTISING HOT LINES: 0811 181 3086, 0811 181 3087, 0811 181 3088, 0811 181 3089, 0811 181 3090. ENQUIRIES & BOOKING: adsbooking@thisdaylive.com