Friday 25th August 2017

Buhari Signs Extradition Treaty With UAE, Other Pacts to Check Graft, Boost Economy Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja signed nine international agreements, including an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aimed at strengthening the

anti-corruption war, boosting the economy and improving security in the country.

Buhari also expressed hope that signing the agreements would enable the country to pursue the war against corruption with vigour, check illicit flow of funds, boost the

tax regime, guarantee food security and improve living standards.

The president who signed the agreements in the Conference Hall of the First Lady’s office in the State House, Abuja, directed all relevant agencies to ensure

that they play their defined roles in the implementation and application of the treaties, with a view to providing Nigeria with the inherent benefits.

He said his action was in compliance with the powers conferred on him by Section

5(1) (a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution and Article 7 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 1969.

The agreements signed by the president were the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Agreement on Mutual

Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial Matters, Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, and an Extradition Treaty.

Others were: Charter for the Lake Chad Basin between Continued on page 10

38 Senior Army Officers Petition President over Wrongful Dismissal… Page 52 Friday 25 August, 2017 Vol 22. No 8163. Price: N250

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PULLING NIGERIA FROM THE BRINK…

Arewa Youths Rescind Quit Notice, Kanu Agrees to End Agitation If Nation is Restructured Nwabueze says N’Assembly lacks power to restructure, seeks new constitution Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Gboyega Akinsanmi in Lagos Nigeria was pulled from brink of conflagration yesterday, when the Coalition of Arewa Youths, which ordered Nigerians of Igbo extraction to vacate the North by October 1, rescinded the quit notice they issued on June 24.

The retraction of the quit notice came just as legal

luminary and Chairman of the Southern Leaders of Thought, Prof. Ben Nwabueze also disclosed yesterday that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu has agreed to suspend the agitation for the separatist Republic of Biafra, insofar as the campaign for restructuring is progressive.

The Arewa coalition, Continued on page 10

...NBC Directed to Sanction Stations Propagating Hate Speech Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction any radio or television station that broadcasts hate speech.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, issued the directive in Abuja yesterday at

the annual lecture series of the NBC and the 25th anniversary of the commission.

The minister said that the directive was part of efforts to stem the growing tide of hate speech in the country.

“As a matter of fact, the challenges facing the NBC have never become more Continued on page 10

NAF Instructor Dies in Kaduna Plane Crash.. Page 50

FUNDING FOR NIGERIAN OIL SERVICE PROVIDERS...

L-R: Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote; and Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mr. Olukayode Pitan, at the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of the $200 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund, in Abuja... yesterday

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PAGE TEN AREWA YOUTHS RESCIND QUIT NOTICE, KANU AGREES TO END AGITATION IF NATION IS RESTRUCTURED during a press briefing by its spokesman and Chairman of the Northern Emancipation Movement, Abdulaziz Suleiman, said the decision to recant their position was as a result of various interventions both by the federal government and notable and well-meaning Nigerians, adding that the group had resolved to suspend the quit notice forthwith.

“As a consequence of these vigorous engagements and as cultured people with a tradition of respect for our national values, concerned leaders and elders, we are today pleased to announce the immediate suspension of the relocation clause, otherwise referred to as the quit notice from the Kaduna Declaration,” the group said.

Explaining why it issued the divisive quit notice, Suleiman said they were forced to act due to IPOB’s arrogant attitude and continuing affront on Nigeria’s peace.

“The incessant threats, insults, open calls for violence and war on all other tribes and regions that had become the hallmark of IPOB’s Biafran agitation based on fake and exaggerated claims of marginalisation was what prompted the relocation clause,” he said.

Suleiman stressed that the decision to withdraw the quit notice was borne

out of the intense pressure mounted by concerned political, traditional and religious leaders.

“Most significant was our correspondence with the then Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and most recently our interface with the presidency through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojodu.

“As a consequence of these vigorous engagements and as cultured people with a tradition of respect for our national values, leaders and elders, we are today pleased to announce the immediate suspension of the relocation clause, otherwise referred to as the quit notice from the Kaduna Declaration,” Suleiman added.

He noted that the suspension was also a reaffirmation of the group’s allegiance to a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

The statement was signed by leaders of the 14 groups that make up the coalition, including Shettima Yerima, leader of the Youth Consultative Forum, who read the Kaduna Declaration.

Although the group announced the withdrawal of the quit notice, it said it would still pursue its petition at the United Nations and the call on the federal government to apply appropriate sanctions

against Kanu.

It also called for the rearrest of Kanu and for his prosecution, while calling on the Senate to demand that all senators who stood surety for him in court as part of his bail conditions, to rescind their bond or be suspended from the parliament.

The group pledged to remain available for further interactions with other groups, including those from the South-east with a view to building a greater united Nigeria.

Reacting, Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, who commended the group for suspending the quit notice, said the concern of the Northern governors was to prevent people from hiding under the notice to cause harm on other Nigerians.

“We are here to ensure that the quit notice was publicly withdrawn the same way it was made publicly,” the governor said.

According to the governor, the order would have been withdrawn earlier but was delayed to avoid any division within the group.

“I am a proud of Nigerians and I am also proud of the Igbos,” he said, noting that the hope of the black man rests on a united Nigeria.

Apart from Governor Shettima, other notable politicians at the press conference were Alhaji

Sani Zango Darau, a former minister, and Senator Kabiru Gaya from Kano State The group said it would henceforth dedicate its energy and resources to ensuring that never again shall the rights of Northerners be trampled upon.

In proffering suggestions on what should done to ensure lasting peace among the ethic nationalities in the country, the Northern group said the federal government should allow the Igbos to hold a referendum to determine their position on IPOB’s agitation for self-determination.

“By virtue of Nigeria being a signatory to the various international conventions that entrench the right of a people to self determination, we submit that it is only proper for the Nigerian authorities to reflect that right in the ongoing constitution review, or in the alternative, rescind its endorsement of the said conventions,” he said.

Kanu Agrees to End Agitation The decision of the Arewa youths to rescind the quit notice came on the heels of the revelation by Prof.

Ben Nwabueze yesterday that Kanu has agreed to suspend the agitation for the secession, insofar as the campaign for restructuring

was progressive.

Nwabueze, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and an expert on constitutional law, also rejected the declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari, in his nationwide broadcast on Monday, that the National Assembly and the National Council of State were the legitimate bodies to determine the nation’s restructuring.

He revealed Kanu’s readiness to drop the quest for the emergence of the Republic of Biafra at a news conference he addressed with some leaders of the Project Nigeria Movement, a socio-political group recently created to engage leaders of thought across all the geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

He addressed the news conference alongside the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; professor of International Law, Prof. Akin Oyebode; former President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Kimse Okoko; former Managing Director of Daily Times of Nigeria, Chief Tola Adeniyi; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Solomon Asemota; and Director of the Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), Prof. Anthony Kila.

Other included a chieftain of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; convener of the Yoruba Assembly, Gen.

Alani Akinrinade; former Cross River State governor, Mr. Donald Duke; former Akwa Ibom State governor, Victor Attah; and Chairman of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Admiral Ndubisi Kanu (rtd).

Nwabueze, who presented the position of the Southern Leaders of Thought on Nigeria’s restructuring, warned against an imminent crisis if Buhari failed to heed the yearnings of the people that Nigeria should be restructured in a manner that guarantees equity and fairness.

Nwabueze said Kanu had already committed to suspending the agitation for a separatist state, if the clamour for restructuring “makes appreciable progress”.

The legal icon said: “Let me announce to you that Nnamdi Kanu has authorised me to tell Nigerians that if restructuring is progressive, he will persuade his group to suspend the demand for the Republic of Biafra and the plan to disrupt the 2019 general election.

“But if the federal government refuses to fairly restructure in line with the people’s aspirations and yearnings, there will be trouble. Nnamdi Kanu will not be the one to cause the trouble. The trouble will be

food for school children and employing thousands of cooks; the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) initiative is providing N5,000 monthly to one million vulnerable and poorest Nigerians; while the microcredit scheme will provide over a million Nigerians with small loans at very low rates through the Bank of Industry,” Muhammed said.

He said figures recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had revealed a growth of 95 per cent in capital importation in the second quarter of 2017 over the first quarter, adding that this represented a year-on-year increased of 43.6 per cent over the Q2 figure in 2016.

Speaking earlier, the Director General of NBC, Ishaq Modibbo-Kawu said the commission was committed to carrying out its statutory mandate of regulating the broadcast industry.

He said the commission would also ensure that the digital switch over in TV broadcasting is achieved

to create a national digital economy.

He added that the commission had finished work on the review of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.

According to him, the code had incorporated three new innovations, comprising the protection of creative jobs in the economy, new regulations on advertising spend for the development of the Nigerian sports industry, and sanctions against hate and dangerous speech.

The pioneer director general of the commission, Chief Tom Adaba expressed satisfaction that the commission, which came into being 25 years ago with no guiding template, had become a reference point in broadcasting regulation in Africa.

Continued on page 49

…NBC DIRECTED TO SANCTION STATIONS PROPAGATING HATE SPEECH daunting, considering the increasing propensity of some radio and television stations across the country to turn over their platforms to the purveyors of hate speech.

“It is the responsibility of the NBC to put these broadcast stations in check before they set the country on fire.

“As the NBC celebrates what is a milestone in its existence, I urge the commission to redouble its efforts in discharging its mandate.

“The NBC must ensure strict adherence to the broadcasting code, and errant stations must be sanctioned accordingly to serve as a deterrent.

“The nation looks up to the NBC to restore sanity to the broadcast industry. The commission cannot afford to do any less at this critical time. It cannot afford to fail the nation,” he said.

He recalled that the Rwandan genocide of 1994, in which at least 800,000 people were killed in 100 days, was fueled by inflammatory

comments by a radio station – Radio Television Livres des Milles Collines (RTLMC).

He charged the NBC not to allow the purveyors of hate speech to lead Nigeria on the path of destruction.

“If you tune into many radio stations, for example, you will be shocked by the things being said, the careless incitement to violence and the level of insensitivity to the multi-religious, multi-ethnic nature of our country.

“Unfortunately, even some of the hosts of such radio programmes do little or nothing to stop such incitements.

“Oftentimes, they are willing collaborators of hate speech campaigners. This must not be allowed to continue because it is detrimental to the unity and well-being of our country,” he cautioned.

He said that in spite of efforts of hate campaigners, the Buhari administration had achieved so much despite operating with only 45 per cent of the funds available to the

immediate past administration, arising from the fall in oil prices and the failure to save for the rainy day.

Referring to Venezuela, Mohammed said the South American country, which produces more oil than Nigeria and despite having about one-sixth the Nigerian population, is today embroiled in the worst economic crisis in its history, with the attendant shortages of food, medicine and hyper-inflation because of the downturn in oil prices.

He said the Buhari administration had brought transparency to governance through the Treasury Single Account (TSA), modified tax system, improved food yields in the agriculture sector in excess of what obtained a year ago, and spending of N1.3 trillion on capital projects in the 2016 budget, the highest in the country’s history.

“Does anyone remember the scandalous fuel subsidies that failed to deliver fuel to filling stations? What about the fertilizer subsidies that never

guaranteed the availability of fertilizer to farmers?

“Today, fuel queues are gone with the phantom fuel subsidies. Also, thanks to the resuscitation of 11 of the country’s moribund fertilizer blending plants, fertilizer is now available to farmers nationwide.

“In fact, 6 million bags of fertilizer have been delivered at 30 per cent below the market price, 50,000 jobs created and the N50 billion saved with the termination of fertilizer subsidies, all because of the revival of those blending plants. Six more are expected to come on stream soon.

“The government is not done: despite the paucity of funds, the federal government’s Social Investment Programmes are being implemented.

The N-Power Volunteers Corps created 200,000 jobs in the first batch and 300,000 more will follow shortly; the Homegrown School Feeding is spreading from state to state, providing nutritious

BUHARI SIGNS EXTRADITION TREATY WITH UAE, OTHER PACTS TO CHECK GRAFT, BOOST ECONOMY Nigeria, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger and the Republic of Chad; African Tax Administration Forum Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Tax Matters; and World Intellectual Property Organisation Performances and Phonograms Treaty.

Also included were agreements on World Intellectual Property Organisation Treaty on AudioVisual Performances, and the Marrakesh Treaty targeted at facilitating access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise.

Describing the move as an important milestone in Nigeria’s sovereign capacity

to fulfil its international obligations, the president further said it was another step in the pursuit of improving security, the economy and anti-graft war by the country.

He explained that the implementation had hitherto been delayed by the ratification process, disclosing that the eventual signing of the agreements yesterday was the bye-product of the memorandum earlier presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

According to him, the signing, which had equally

been replicated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the relevant treaties, provides Nigeria with the full fledged opportunity to enjoy cooperation with foreign authorities in the anti-corruption campaign.

“Today’s ceremony marks a very important milestone in our demonstration of sovereign capacity to fulfill our international obligations and take important steps for the benefit of our economy, security and the anticorruption war within and outside Nigeria...

“The full implementation of the agreements has however been delayed due to the need by both sides to conclude

their respective ratification processes.

“I am happy to note therefore that pursuant to a memorandum presented to the Federal Executive Council by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, council has approved the ratification of the said agreements, thus paving the way for today’s ceremony.

“With this sovereign act, which has been replicated in the United Arab Emirates by their responsible authorities, we are now in a position to utilise these agreements fully to foster cooperation between our respective authorities, particularly for the purpose of prosecuting the anti-corruption

campaign of this government...

“It is my hope that these instruments which are signed today will reinvigorate the anticorruption war and check the illicit flow of funds out of our country to other jurisdictions, improve national security, food security, boost our economic and tax regimes, and improve the overall well-being of our creative community.

“All agencies of government with roles to play under the respective treaties now ratified are hereby directed to ensure that they play their anticipated roles in an effective and responsible manner in order to ensure that we reap the full benefits of these agreements,” Buhari stated.

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COMMENT

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

ACADEMIC ERUPTIONS IN AUGUST Okello Oculi reflects on some issues in the month of grandeur

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he month of August 2017 has been convulsive. On August 18, 1823, a rumour reaching African slaves in plantations owned

by Britons in the Caribbean islands regarding a campaign in England - to end of their nasty conditions - aroused protests by 10,000 slaves. They ‘’torched cane fields, imprisoned slave owners in their houses’’, but did not kill any. There were over 800,000 slaves ‘’spread over the British empire’’, and held by 46,000 Britons.

When the late businessman and presidential candidate, M.K.O. Abiola, assembled a galaxy of distinguished scholars in Africa and the African Diaspora to prepare a scholarly case for Africa to demand ‘’reparations’’ from Europeans and Americans (north and south) who had built their economic prosperity on the labour of African slaves, there was a counterprecedent for his brain wave. In the early 1820s, one George Herbert, a ‘’pro-slavery advocate’’, launched a campaign for protecting the interests of producers of sugar if slavery was abolished. He ‘’demanded compensation for the economic damage’’ it would inflict on their fortunes.

The British government established a ‘’Slave Compensation Commission’’ made up of only 10 officials. The gravity of their work was indicated by major British institutions which had been built on wealth earned from sugar production by slaves. These included: The Royal Society; the British Museum, the Grand Junction Railway line, etc.

The above information comes from a BBC documentary based on research by historians at University College, London. Professor Caroline Hall is a major participant in this historic research project. It is quoted here to draw attention to the fact that this scholarly work is NOT out of African universities; and comes at a time when silence has fallen over Abiola’s ‘’Reparations Project’’. Professor Jacob Ade Ajayi and Ali A. Mazrui, as members of the galaxy, have already joined Abiola in ‘’AfterAfrica’’. Academics among the African Diaspora have remained focused on reporting Africa to their hosts and employers rather than telling Africa historical records hidden from them. It is not clear if Africa’s universities and governments have made such demands on them.

That leads us to the very distressing revelation by the new Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Dr. Abdullahi Baffa. The institution is a worthy legacy of ASUU’s struggle under the presidency of Professor Attahiru Jega for adequate funds for Nigeria’s universities. TETFUND under Professor Mahmud Yakubu came up with a creative plan for replacing the world-class academic drained out of Nigeria. They fled from impoverishment by General Ibrahim Babangida’s devaluation of the country’s currency and other deprivation measures.

Scholarships went to young academics to pursue higher degrees in the best universities: ranging from Cuba and Brazil to Iceland and Russia and Japan across the globe.

ON AUGUST 8, 2017 PROFESSOR ABDULRAUFU MUSTAPHA DIED. WHAT DR. BAFFA DENOUNCED AS BUREAUCRATIC TYRANNY, COMBINED WITH WHAT STUDENTS LABELLED AS NFA (NO FUTURE AMBITION) COLLEAGUES, DROVE HIM AWAY INTO THE WILLING ARMS OF OXFORD SCHOLARS WORKING ON NIGERIAN POLITIC

On Monday 14, 2017, the Daily Trust newspaper reported Baffa fuming about his ‘’realisation that ...scholars given money to go to study abroad or even at home, refusing to go, collecting the money and staying at home’’. He did not mention if there were offenders either under interrogation by the EFCC or already in prison for committing fraud under the influence of brilliant academic brain waves. It is also not clear why TETFUND’s officials did not send funds directly to institutions of destination, thereby, protecting beneficiaries from Bernard Shaw’s dictum that ‘’when temptation comes, you walk right in’’.

These fraud incidents also draw attention to risks of employing persons not endowed with passion for acquiring and broadcasting knowledge. The loss of senior academic staff into the notorious ‘’brain drain’’ often opened gates for entries of third rate academic staff who came in for salaries rather than the excitement of building knowledge for national development. The problem spawned into “self publication’’ of low quality material to beat requirements for promotion to higher academic titles and emoluments. Professor Mahmud Yakubu’s staff development programme was bound to be seen by this clan of staff as yet another hurdle to be dodged.

The possible temptation for Dr. Baffa to cripple or, worse still, murder this project, must be vigorously resisted by him, those within TETFUND and friends of the revival of the quality of research and teaching in Nigeria’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. Americans are very proud of the dense capacity for research that they have created and continue to multiply. The creation of RAND Corporation by the post- World War Two Air Force branch of the Ministry of Defence as a citadel of creative research and birth of novel ideas, including Internet, fed on poaching brilliant brains from universities and elsewhere. Listening to interviews on China’s Global Television Network yields awareness of the extraordinary diversity of fields which engage her academics. It is this ‘brain army’ that TETFUND must compete with.

On August 8, 2017 Professor Abdulraufu Mustapha died. The Council for the Development of Social Science Research (CODESRIA) paid a tribute to his academic work and achievements. He went to Oxford to study British politics, while his mates were sent to study Energy policy and Communication policy in France. On return to the Department of Political Science at ABU, they would fill gaps in these areas. It was a progressive investment in the development of human resources. On his return, however, what Dr. Baffa denounced as ‘’bureaucratic tyranny’’, combined with what students labelled as ‘’NFA /No Future Ambition’’) colleagues, drove him away into the willing arms of Oxford scholars working on Nigerian politics. May he rest as a fulfilled academic.

STATE POLICE: NIGERIA’S SILENT ALBATROSS State police is a step backwards, argues Abayomi O. Akeremale

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he Nigeria Police Force is a creation of statute by virtue of Section 214 of the Nigeria Constitution of 1999, as amended which states that: There shall be established a force to be known as The Nigeria Police Force and subject to the provision of this section, no other Police Force shall be established for Nigeria, or any part thereof”.

The Constitution of Nigeria is a product of the collective will of the people of Nigeria. The preamble to the grundnorm also states: “We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having firmly and solemnly resolved: to live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation under God. And for the purpose of promoting the good government and the welfare of all persons in our country…do hereby make, enact, and give to ourselves the following Constitution.”

Therefore, the provisions of the constitution which is a reflection of the general will and a collective aspiration of the people of Nigeria is sacrosanct and upholding the spirit and intendment ought to be a religion. One of its intendments is that the Nigeria Police should be an institution to foster unity.

From its amalgamation into a national force on April 1, 1930 under the command of an InspectorGeneral of Police, the force has fostered and nurtured unity. It is pertinent to mention that Nigeria did not spontaneously declare a civil war in 1967. Rather, it trod with care and caution by taking police action to make room for peaceful negotiation.

It is also pertinent to advert our minds to the abuse of the native authority police in the 1960s that led to the Agbekoya uprising against the federal authority, the Andokas, a police local authority controlled by the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) which was misused against political rivals. This led to the Willinks Minorities Commissions that visited Nigeria from 1957-58 and reported to the Constitution Reform Committee in London. Thereafter, it was resolved that the control of the police should rest on federal hands.

When an existing law is to be amended, the

mischief to be cured must be identified. In the instant case, the fear of the absolute control of the police is allayed by Section 215 subsection (4) where it states that: subject to the Provisions of this section, the Governor of a state or such Commissioner of the state as he may authorise in that behalf, may give to the Commissioner of Police of that state such lawful directions with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and order.

The above express provision is adequate for the provision of security for the citizens of the state. It is adequate when the intention is with respect to the maintenance and security of public safety and public order. The above provision is powerful enough and sufficient to execute lawful duties, control crime and secure public safety and order, it is only inadequate when the executive has his own purpose to serve.

Let us analyse this provision a bit with reference to the interpretation of statutes. In his book, “Drafting Conveyances and Wills,” C. O. Adubi emphasises the deep difference between SHALL and MAY when he states: ‘The use of “SHALL” indicates that the legal subject is under an obligation to act in accordance with the terms of the provisions; if an obligation is not to be imposed, shall should not be used. The proper word to use is MAY. The use of MAY gives the legal subject authority to do the specified act; but the legal subject MAY or MAY not do so according to his discretion.”

It is doubtful if the absolute power being sought for now under State Police is for crime control, securing of public safety and public order within the state. The reason for this doubt is that before the chief executive of any state will decide that an act of commission or omission is a crime in a state, he is expected to have consulted his Council of Traditional Rulers, his security council and advisers, all of whom he has the power and access to consult before giving such order to the Commissioner of Police or “such Commissioner of the government of the state as he may authorise in that behalf.”

Assuming but not conceding that the consensus of all the levels of assessment and advisers is wrong, the commissioner of police is not to openly disobey the chief executive.

But the provision of section 215 (4) gives the commissioner an escape route. It states; “Provided that before carrying out any such directions under the fore-going provisions of this sub-section, the Commissioner of Police may request that the matter be referred to the President or such Minister of the Federation as may be authorised in that behalf by the President for his directions.”

It is reasonable to infer from the above that “such Minister of the government of the Federation” in this context is principally the Inspector-General of Police. It is pertinent to draw attention to the express provision of section 215 (5) which states: “The question whether any, and if so what, directions have been given under this section shall not be inquired into in any court. This is an ouster clause that denies the court jurisdiction in this executive decision.

Jurisdiction is at the threshold to any judicial enquiry.

It is fundamental.”

The second leg of the provision of section 215 (4) gives the commissioner of police an escape route to avoid disobeying the chief executive and protects him from carrying out unlawful or politically motivated directives. Hence, the use of the word MAY as opposed to the word SHALL in the first leg.

If the commissioner of police refers the matter to the Inspector-General of Police, and the IGP takes directions from the President after all due consultations, that decision is final.

In what circumstance can the spirit of this provision be invoked?

If some squads of criminals in Maiduguri are moving towards Government House to attack it, can the second leg be invoked for the commissioner of police to turn a blind eye, take transport to Abuja for consultation before stopping them, even when he knows this a crime? The answer is no. Also, if some criminals are about to rob a bank, should the commissioner of police standby and run to Abuja before he can prevent the crime? He will be guilty of ineptitude, act of omission, etc. Hence, these two provisions are adequate and sufficient to provide public safety and public order for the citizens of a state. The growth and development of Nigeria’s constitutional reforms have created an

enduring flexible constitution that can cope with the diversity of Nigeria’s cultural differences and thereby strengthen the unity needed for Nigeria as a strong member of the African comity of nations. This is without prejudice to the fact that we have to jointly and collectively confront and remove injustice by harnessing our collective will and iron determination, to evolve strategies and action to confront injustice in the polity. What is good is good and what is bad is bad. No other name for each.

Even now that the deployment of the Nigeria Police is still subject to constitutional provisions and processes, thugs sponsored by subterranean mentors still invade and scatter Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.

Even with the control provided by section 215 (4) as stated above, suspected agents of a state executive still invaded a court of law and disturbed judicial proceedings. Yet, some Nigerians are demanding for unfettered power for state executives. This is why Stephen F. Hayward in his book “Churchill on Leadership” says “health, intelligence and shrewdness are all good things in the abstract but they are bad things, in a bad person. Health, intelligence and shrewdness were bad things for Hitler because they enabled him to serve evil ends”.

We should not behave like the moth fly. The moth fly hated its husband and threatened to burn its pregnancy. Anywhere the moth fly sees light in the village; it would struggle to enter the flame and would get stuck to the lantern or the flame. The moth fly ends up destroying itself before destroying the pregnancy that belongs to the husband.

Do not make laws ad-hominiem – laws made with a particular person or group of persons are usually not objective.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the legend and apostle of Nigeria’s unity says: I would rather be on the side of unity than to be on the side of disunity. At present, more than 50 per cent of the population of the rank and file in a Police State Command is either indigenes of the state or of its neighbouring state and can speak the predominant language in the state.

Mr. Akeremale, a retired Commissioner of Police, practices Law in Abuja

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EDITORIAL BEYOND EDO SPEAKER’S REMOVAL Lawmakers must take their job seriously

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or a record fourth time within a period of two years, the Edo State House of Assembly produced a new Speaker last week following another free-for-all ďŹ ght that has become its tradition. Although the frequency of impeachment of speakers of Houses of Assembly may seem like a circus by some unserious political jesters, we are increasingly being marked down as a country where a constitutional instrument meant to enhance good governance is being abused and desecrated. These desperate moves have put the democratic experiment and our country at great risks and should be checkmated before we are tripped over the precipice by the inordinate ambition of a few.

At a session ďŹ lled with drama in Benin last week, 19 members of the state House of Assembly removed the speaker, Mr Justin Okonoboh; his deputy, Mrs Elizabeth Ativie and Majority Leader, Folly Ogedengbe, over alleged abuse of ofďŹ ce. The lawmakers accused the speaker of illegal award of contracts and THE MANNER IN WHICH high-handedness.

They consequently MANY SPEAKERS HAVE elected the former LOST THEIR JOBS CALLS Chief Whip of the TO QUESTION THE House, Mr Kabiru SERIOUSNESS WITH WHICH THE LAWMAKERS Adjoto as the new speaker while Victor PERCEIVE THEIR Edoror was elected ASSIGNMENT deputy speaker and Rolland Asoro became the new majority leader.

However, both the impeached speaker and his deputy are still ďŹ ghting on. “What they did was illegal,â€? said Mr.Justin Okonoboh. “Those who purportedly impeached me have been suspended.

This cannot happen at this time that we need peace in Edo State for development. All they said about me was rubbish. These people have been very ambitious; they are only after their selďŹ sh interest. I remain Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly.â€?

While we urge the Edo State House of As-

Letters to the Editor

sembly to put its house in order, we are nonetheless worried about what has become a national problem. With very little excuse and sometimes for pecuniary reasons, legislators have no qualms about impeaching their speakers. Yet behind most of the impeachments is the overbearing disposition of the executive in these states where the governors lord themselves over the legislative arm of government which they seek to emasculate as was, for instance, the case in Kogi before it was resolved. But our democracy cannot develop under such a situation.

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t is noteworthy that speakers do not have absolute powers of their own. They remain “executive headsâ€? of the legislative branch by virtue of being elected by their peers; in other words, they are ďŹ rst among equals. But the moment some of them are elevated to the ofďŹ ce, they begin to hobnob with the executive branch, sometimes turning themselves into errand boys of their governors at the expense of the legislature.

That has led to the undoing of some speakers. But the manner in which many have lost their jobs calls to question the seriousness with which the lawmakers perceive their assignment.

Although there are constitutional provisions for removing speakers and other erring public ofďŹ cers, assembly members most often invoke imsy excuses for seeking the ouster of the incumbent ofďŹ ce holder. Unfortunately more often than not at the bottom of the impeachment saga is the trust deďŹ cit between a speaker and his colleagues who often suspect that their leader may have been collecting ďŹ nancial inducements from the executive and failing to bring it to the table for fair sharing.

The immediate consequence of this interminable bickering in the legislative houses is its toll on the quality of debate and legislation for good governance in our country today. The ultimate victims of this unfortunate state of affairs are people of their states who are denied quality and effective representation. It is therefore time the lawmakers in the states put an end to the nonsense.

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.

NIGERIAN RATS AND AKWA IBOM NOISE MAKERS

W

hen did Nigeria get reduced to this comedy theatre where our pride and integrity as civilised people could be bastardised and traded for a few self seeking individuals’ ego to be massaged?

That a country where the President had been absent for several weeks could witness the president returning to put off all activities at the highest seat of power on a flimsy excuse of dancing to the tune of a rat? What did we do to deserve this?

How did we get here? If our number one citizen is now being chased around by rats, what happens when confronted with the myriad of problems confronting the average 180 million Nigerians? Obviously if a rat can chase the president out of Aso Rock, then obviously a snake will pursue him out of Abuja. And what happens when the much- talked about Hyenas and Jackals pop up? He runs to UK again?

All the handlers of Mr President and the seat of government do every day is to think of one lie or the other to cook and distract Nigerians from the basic question of poor governance that has bedevilled the populace. None of them thinks of the repercussions of these actions.

For example, in the international community, Nigeria is already losing it all with a tepid show to real essence of governance, indicating that the wellbeing of the people and the integrity of the nation are not important to its leaders. First it was the presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina calling all critics of the president, wailing wailers; then Alhaji Lai Mohammed described Senegalese and Ghanaian meals as the best in Africa. Now, it is Mallam Shehu Garba with rats’ conspiracy theory.

So many people are unable to recover from the shock that after three months of being away for undisclosed reasons, the president came back to narrate a conversation he had with a dead former Nigerian

military officer, who is no more around to confirm the story, and expects that to address the puzzles on the faces of Nigerians. Not now, we cannot resort to extra-mundane communication, we need physical and verifiable actions. Everyone knows that several sectors in the country have been crippled owing to his absence, and the lost time needs to be regained with a speed of light so that a bit of sanity could be restored in the polity. Alas, that has not happened, the president has gone further to put off the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, the first he ought to have, after a long period of absence. Is this what we had been waiting for? This means that all official engagements are put on hold.

If the rat fairy tale is being used in the work-from-home theory, then what anecdote will they publish for cancelling the meeting of the highest decision making body in the country which in the true sense of it, has not been held for three months? Is this what is applicable in sane climes, or will investors from those countries take us serious as a nation?

It is always said that money, or investments can only thrive in secure and sane environment. In our native parlance, it is said that “when a house owner labels his house as dilapidated or unworthy, he gives room for the neighbour to burn it down.� The actions of the present federal government have put Nigerians and Nigeria in a worse light among people across the face of earth. Investors, even those who would just love to play around with money, are reluctant to bring in their hardearned money into a country whose president says in bold terms that there is no good medical facility, and there is no intention of making any available. President Buhari has said this through his numerous foreign medical vacations. The labelling of Nigerians as corrupt means that for anyone to invest, he must bring double the amount he needs for the investment, and secondly, he must bring in trusted saints from outside

the country. Corruption is endemic to development the world over and no reasonable investor is willing to be conned in a country whose president admits everyone is corrupt yet no significant conviction has been recorded in more than two years.

Gen. Sani Abacha’s era may have been Nigeria’s most dreaded junta, but he had the most excellent professional brains surrounding his table, striving to ensure that even with the numerous international political and economic sanctions, the condition of living was bearable or seemingly bearable for the common man. They worked hard towards a good image for the country, and urged the people to hold their heads high in pride. This is now democracy and we are no more proud of our country. Why are the various advocates of good governance keeping quiet? Is it because we now have improved security in the country as we were promised or is it because there is remarkable power sector improvement?

Taking Akwa Ibom State into cognisance, the federal government said in the 2016 Appropriation Law that the Calabar -Uyo-Lagos Railway would commence. Then in June 2016 came the news that the federal government and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the execution of the $11.12 billion Lagos-Calabar railway project. The modern day activists took to the social media to malign and attack all the previous administrations in the country to score political points. More than a year later nothing has been seen on ground. Thereafter, earlier this year, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N54 billion for the reconstruction of popular but collapsed Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene federal highway to link Cross River with Akwa Ibom State.

Essien Ndueso, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

16

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY FOCUS

Still on the President’s Broadcast In his broadcast to the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari merely brushed aside the clamour for the country’s restructuring. He will have to do more to assuage the fears of ethnic nationalities, writes Tobi Soniyi

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari assumed the duty of his office even before he complied with Section 145 of the constitution which required him to transmit a notice of his resumption to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The president’s handlers should have drawn his attention to section 145 of the constitution which provides: “Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary such functions shall be discharged by the Vice-President as Acting President.”

He would not be the first to act in ignorance of the law though. Dr Goodluck Jonathan once changed the name of the University of Lagos to Moshood Abiola University without first sending an amendment bill to the National Assembly for an alteration of the University of Lagos Act. That gaffe apart, the president not only failed to douse the tension created by the clamour for restructuring, his decision to threaten those seeking to secede from Nigeria was ill-advised.

In his reaction, the Chairman of the National Conscience Party, Yunusa Tanko rightly described the president’s speech as ‘window dressing’. By brushing aside the clamour for the country to be restructured, the president failed to avail himself of the opportunity to first determine while the agitation has suddenly become more strident. Are there issues fuelling the agitation? Is there anything his government can do to address these issues? By seeking answers to these and other questions, the president would have been able to come up with solutions that will help to reduce tension in the country.

It is wrong to assume that answers to the agitation can not be found within the context of present arrangement in the country.

As observed by the NCP chairman, the president should take further steps to solve the problems on ground. He said: “It is not enough to say that people can live anywhere in the country. He needs to assure the people that their security is guaranteed wherever they are. He should summon a meeting of the Council of States, for instance.

“When people talk, the president must listen.

See how you can give them what they want and not what you think is good for them.”

He noted that it is not only the president that has chosen to ignore the people, the National Assembly, he stated, chose to give Nigerians what it thought the people wanted but not what the people asked for.

“We don’t need to waste further time. The president should summon a meeting of the Council of States”, he added.

The president indeed appeared to be taking further steps when the day after the broadcast, he summoned a national security meeting with service chiefs and other heads of security agencies. At the meeting, the president reportedly emphasised the need to keep Nigeria one.

Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin said the president “talked about the unity of the nation which is non-negotiable.

“We have all been fully instructed to ensure that that directive is carried out to the letter.”

Also at the meeting were the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, and

Buhari has to do more to unite the country

the Director-General, Department of State Security, Lawal Daura.

Olonisakin said that although other security issues such as Boko Haram, kidnapping and farmers-pastoralists clashes, were also mentioned, he however said that the threat posed by separatist groups was seen as urgent and serious.

The military chief also said that the president had ordered escalation of security measures to deal with all belligerent elements.

From all indications, the president has made it clear that he intended to use force to hold Nigeria together. Unfortunately, he may be making a tragic mistake. It is a route the country recently took and it has not yet recovered from the error.

In case the president has forgotten, not long ago, Boko Haram was not a threat to this country. If someone had listened to the leaders of the sect and tried to assuage their fears, perhaps we would not have been fighting an asymmetrical war in the north-east with its attendant human and material resources.

When members of the sect started, someone in authority thought that the best way to handle them was to unleash the military on them just like the president had decided to unleash the military against secessionists today. With better handling, empathy and pragmatic thinking, Boko Haram would have

If Boko Haram had been better handled, the nation would have been spared the orgy of violence and bloodshed the country was plunged into. If force did not stop Boko Haram, no one should be under the illusion that it will work now.

been nipped in the bud. With few millions of naira, we could have re-absorbed and re-integrated members of the sect into the larger society, today Nigeria is spending billions of naira to stop an avoidable war.

If Boko Haram had been better handled, the nation would have been spared the orgy of violence and bloodshed the country was plunged into. If force did not stop Boko Haram, no one shouldbe under the illusion that it will work now. At best, it can postpone the evil days.

If truly, “Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable,” as the president said in his broadcast why then is the clamour for secession?

Today, the president has a chance not to repeat the mistake of the past by engaging those who are dissatisfied with the present arrangement, listen to their grievances and look for genuine solutions. One of the first steps he can take is to give every Nigerian a sense of belonging. The other is to reduce the high level of unemployment in the country.

The president also needs to visit all the states of the federation, meet with the people and explain to them government’s commitment to their welfare. For too long, the president had ignored the people.

Other eminent Nigerians have made critical suggestions that the president will find useful if he endeavours to consider them.

While the president was away, some concerned Nigerians met and reviewed the tense situation in the country. They warned that except urgent steps were taken, the heat generated by rising hate and deepening division could easily get out of hands. Among others they suggested that: “Government at all levels, including federal, state and local government, must take urgent steps to address the prevailing economic situation and stem the growing patterns or perceptions of chronic inequity, alienation and discontent across the country.”

They also appealed to government at federal, state and local levels to secure public safety and wellbeing and show that Nigerian lives matter.

They therefore urged government to enlist the full support and participation of Nigerians

everywhere in confronting the underlying causes and growing incidents of violence, division and hate wherever these occur.

According to them, individuals or groups who by their words or other conduct constitute threats to lives and property of Nigerians or to our collective coexistence should be dealt with swiftly, firmly, lawfully and without discrimination on any grounds such as political or other opinion, origin, religion, gender or status.

They warned that the problems of national cohesion could easily spiral out of control “if we do not prepare adequately to meet the challenges of Nigeria’s rapidly growing population and the accompanying crisis of social exclusion among our youth population.”

They also advised that government at all levels prioritise effective investment in academic and vocational education, enlightenment, innovation and skills on a sustained basis.

They said: “For this purpose, Nigeria needs to urgently roll out an inclusive national plan on education, innovation and skills that is both fit for purpose and implemented effectively.

Such a plan should be built on partnership with private and voluntary sectors, with room for complementary investments from Nigeria’s international partners.

“None of this can be achieved unless we commit at all levels to zero-tolerance for impunity by improving the performance and credibility of the institutions and processes of accountability, including the police, judiciary and security agencies.

“At this time more than ever before, we urgently call all leaders, including elected, appointed, community, traditional, civic, and faith leaders, to show true leadership and transcend divides of partisan politics, religion, origins, geo-political zones, or hemispheres of north and south. Nigeria is our home and the only country we have. Every Nigerian owes it as a duty to work for the best interest of this country. Many of us already know first hand that Nigeria’s diversity is a valuable resource and source of strength but we need millions more to realise this and we can only do this if we are willing to constructively engage these issues that challenge us as a country.”

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 25, 2017

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

18

POLITICS

RIGHT OF REPLY

Why Otti Can’t Be Right on Abia Enyinnaya Appolos, the Chief Press Secretary to theAbia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, disputes claims by the All Progressives Grand Alliance’s gubernatorial candidate in the state, Alex Otti that the state is not being governed well

O

n Monday, February 16 2015, Mr. Alex Otti, as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), at one of his campaign meetings in Aba, told his audience, largely members of the Aba Chamber of Commerce, that he had attracted an International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) grant of $100 billion for an industrial park in Aba. He told the gathering that the grant from IFC was structured in such a way that it would not suffer depreciation as a result of the fluctuations in the exchange rate.

He thereafter promised to tackle the infrastructure deficit in Aba, especially the deplorable road condition, blocked drainages and environmental challenges, if elected governor.

He also promised that a special ministry would be created to re-design and rebuild Aba, adding that he had the international connection and integrity to access grants and investment from multinational organisations for the overall development of the state.

He said: “There are multinational organisations with grants and aids tied to developmental needs, such as water, electricity, rural development and agriculture. But such monies will only go to people who have a track record of credibility and transparency.”

The question then was whether it was possible for a private citizen to secure a $100b loan for a state?

On Wednesday 16, August 2017, the same Otti who had ‘secured’ a $100b loan to develop Aba, addressed the press in Lagos, where he said, among other things, that the National Assembly should withdraw or reverse approval for the $200 million loan to Abia State, because according to him, any money given to the Abia State government would disappear.

He also expressed worries that the capacity to repay the loan had not been demonstrated in any way.

Why should a man who said he had attracted a huge sum of $100b loan to develop an industrial park at Aba in 2015 kick against the grant of $200m loan to Abia State by the African Development Bank (AfDB) for infrastructure development?

Again, is it really possible for AfDB with all its expertise or any bank at all, to approve a loan facility without being satisfied with the repayment plan laid out before it?

Let me explain here that the negotiations for AfDB infrastructure development facility to Abia State preceded the current administration.

The initial contacts and discussions involved Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, World Bank President, AfDB officials and the then governor of Abia State.

As a result of the urgent need to renew upgrade infrastructure across the state to support the integrated development agenda of the current administration, the government decided to vigorously pursue the realization of the facility which has less than 1 per cent interest rate with 10 years moratorium and 20 years repayment period.

The facility proposal received the approval of the Federal Ministry of Finance as part of the national borrowing plan of the federal government and we are glad that regardless of the efforts of Otti and others who only think politics, the National Assembly approved the borrowing after reviewing the state’s presentation that included well stated repayment plans.

Contrary to Otti’s claims, AfDB will manage the allocation and disbursement of the funds through its accredited contractors that are expected to emerge via transparent international bidding processes. There is therefore zero chance of mismanagement of the fund by state officials as it will be fully devoted to road infrastructure, sanitation and erosion control projects across Abia State.

Such base less allegation by Otti, who is obviously suffering from the hangover of defeat in the 2015 governorship election, as

Ikpeazu... welcomes probe

evidenced in his press statement in Lagos, is a very poor way to start a campaign.

Ordinarily, such allegations do not deserve any response, but for the sake of members of the public, who may be misled, it is necessary to state the facts.

It is instructive to note that in 2016 Otti wrote an opinion piece on Debt Management Office’s proposal to borrow $30b for national infrastructure development that attracted a response from the Presidency titled “Dangerous Misinformation by Mr. Alex Otti: Re: $30billion Loan: Are You For Real?”

In his haste to attack the Ikpeazu administration and possibly stop new development projects in the state, he forgot his own words stated in his December 11 2016 rejoinder to the DMO where he stated as follows: “On infrastructure, I had been an unrepentant apostle of government spending massively to provide infrastructure for industrial production and good quality of life for the populace. I had argued in my two part series ‘Chop Your Money 1&2’ published on April 25, and May 9, 2016 respectively and another write-up titled ‘When and How to Spend the Money You Do Not have’, published on May 23, 2016, that we must spend a lot of money to deal with the present infrastructural decay. I had contended that it was more useful to spend our money on building roads, railways, refineries, power, hospitals and schools than save money in foreign bank accounts for which we do not get so much as interest, but also lose the benefits

Is it really possible for AfDB with all its expertise or any bank at all, to approve a loan facility without being satisfied with the repayment plan laid out before it?

of having the much required infrastructure in place. Even in the write-up in contention, if DMO had read through properly, it would have noticed that I had answered the ‘how big’ question thus ‘According to the IMF, Nigeria needs to spend no less than $140b in the next decade to bridge the infrastructure gap in the country” Given this position, no one can sustain the accusation that I did not say how big the required investment is.’”

If not for mischief why would Otti call a press conference to lampoon Ikpeazu for daring to borrow to develop infrastructure?

Ikpeazu is open to any probe of his administration’s management of the state’s financial resources by any constituted authority of the state or federal government. Otti is therefore enjoined to feel free to visit any relevant institution and offer information on the management of Abia resources.

At no point did the kpeazu’s administration publicly claim that it needed only N6b to clear salary, pensions and gratuities. Rather it is a matter of public record which can be verified at CBN and DMO that the documents submitted by Abia State Government in lieu of the request for bailout indicated a requirement of N38b to clear all the outstanding as at October 2015. Only N14.2b was approved for the state.

It is also public knowledge that when the facility was received the state government transparently set up a committee dominated by labour leaders in the state to allocate all the resources to the payment of some of the outstanding salaries and pensions.

Unlike other states, ICPC and labour leaders reviewed the application of the 2015 bailout and commended the Abia State government for prudently managing the facility without diverting any portion to competing needs.

To date, Abia State under Ikpeazu has not borrowed a kobo from any commercial bank in Nigeria. Otti could easily verify this fact from the CBN and DMO. In any case, states have long been stopped from borrowing from commercial banks at the prevailing double digits interest rates, especially for the purpose of paying salaries.

With regard to the approval from the Abia

State House of Assembly to borrow N30b, the Ikpeazu administration never accessed those funds to date. We challenge Otti to publish the name(s) of the local bank that availed the facility to the state government.

The effect of the current economic situation in the country is that revenue inflows to states from federal revenue receipts have fallen much below wage bill level for many states, including Abia State, for most of the past 22 months. At a particular period the state wage bill hovered around N2.7b with FAAC receipts at between N1.6b and N2b monthly.

When the state received the first tranche of Paris Club refunds totalling N10.6b, the governor approached the Abia State House of Assembly for approval to invest 50 per cent of the funds on outstanding salaries, as suggested by the Presidency while the remaining 50 per cent was allocated to infrastructure development projects. It was on that basis that the House approved the following expenditure in December 2016.

The details are as follows: N5.3 billion on salary arrears and pensions, N1.7 billion for road construction projects, N2.5 billion on bridges, N685 million on Hospital projects and N200 million for street lighting projects.

Labour leaders in the state later approached the governor to add N700m to the N5.3b to ensure that the available funds cover more units of the state’s civil service, and the governor graciously accepted. At no time did either Labour or the Commissioner for Finance claim that the N700m was what was needed to clear all outstanding.

When the state applied for the second tranche of Paris Club refunds, it was calculated that based on verifiable figures the state wwould receive a minimum of N15b. Given the available data that showed that outstanding salary and pensions stood at around N13b, the governor who was eager and committed to paying off all workers outstanding declared without prompting that once the inflows, expected before end of July 2017, is received his government will clear all the outstanding salaries and pensions.

Sadly, the Federal Government only released N5.715b to Abia State. Yet eager to do the greatest good to the greatest number of workers, Ikpeazu directed the labour-dominated committee to apply all the received money to payment of salary and pension arrears. Whereas the federal government recommended that states apply 70 per cent to salary/pension outstanding and 30 per cent to infrastructure development projects.

As at today, all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) in Abia State, constituting more than 70 per cent of the state workforce, have received July salaries. Given that we are currently in August, it should be noted that more than 70 per cent of the state’s workforce have been paid.

Yet there are still challenges that were not met with the received funds. The already issued payment mandates were not enough to cover the following salary arrears within the state workforce: primary school teachers still have 2 months salary outstanding while secondary schools teachers have 3 months.

Local Government workers have 2 months outstanding with 5 months for pensioners while state pensioners have 6 months outstanding.

While the governor is concerned about the yet to be cleared salary and pension backlogs, some of which originated from 1999-2002 period, he is also mindful of the need to avoid borrowing from commercial banks to clear the outstanding.

To date, Ikpeazu has commissioned 26 roads in the state within the last 24 months and is currently at 65 other road construction sites spread across the state. The government is speedily constructing the first interchange (flyover) at Osisioma Aba, while two bridges have been delivered with new hospitals, classroom blocks and buildings as well as other human capacity development projects.

19

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍłËœ 2017

BUSINESSWORLD

Group Business Editor Chika Amanze-Nwachuku Email chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157

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

NIBOR 21.3750% Ͱͯ˛͎͎͹͜ Ϲ

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

22.5331% ͰͲ˛ʹ͜ͳʹϹ

NITTY 1-MONTH 3-MONTH 3-MONTH

Ͱ͎˛ͯ͜Ͱ;Ϲ ͯ͡˛͹͜ͳͳϹ 16.2693%

6-MONTH 9-MONTH 12-MONTH

Ͱͯ˛͹͜ʹͯϹ Ͱͯ˛ͳ͎ͳ͜Ϲ 22.4006%

EXCHANGE RATE ͹͎ͳ˛͹ͳ˚˚ͯ ̊ ̊

Quick Takes 9mobile Apologises for Disruptions

Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd. (EMTS), trading as 9mobile, has apologised to its subscribers for the service disruptions currently being experienced by customers.

Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs at 9mobile, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko, in a statement, said the company was already managing the situation, and called for patience and understanding. According to him, 9mobile would like to inform the public of a network outage in one of its data centres which resulted in service disruption. We are aware that subscribers may be experiencing some disruption with voice, SMS and data services due to this technical issue. Our technical teams are currently working assiduously to resolve the issue within the shortest possible time. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused our subscribers and we thank them for their patience and understanding, Dikko said.

BRAINSTORMING ON RISK MANAGEMENT

R-L: Analyst, Coverage and Corporate Banking, FBN Merchant Bank, Sunkami Osho;Vice President, Risk Management, FBN Capital Limited, Muyiwa Olatunji; Director, Risk Management, CBN, Folakemi Fatogbe; President, Risk Managers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN), Jude Monye and ED/Chief Risk Officer, Heritage Bank Ltd; Tokunbo-Martins, Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD), CBN, at RIMAN’s 17th annual general conference, which held in Lagos ‌ recently

GHG Emissions: NIMASA to Axe Highly Exposed Ships from Nigerian Ports Eromosele Abiodun In a bid to ensure that ships plying the Nigerian waters comply with international standards, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) plans to monitor and control green house gas (GHG) emissions from shipping in line with the Kyoto protocol and under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

To this end, NIMASA has vowed to stop vessels with high amount of sulphur in fuel that allows for emission of carbon monoxide into the air from berth at the nation’s seaports.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside disclosed this at a one-day national stakeholders’ forum on Marpol Annex VI and other

MARITIME emerging issues on climate change in the Nigeria maritime sector.

Peterside said that IMO through Annex VI has put a cap to the amount of sulphur and nitrogen dioxide emitted into the air and the sulphur that is contained in the fuel ship used and emitted into the air.

Specifically, he said penalty for vessels that violate the latest convention is to bar them from calling at the nation’s seaports.

He said: “When vessels berth at our various ports, we take sample of fuel and so many other things we do to check the quality of fuels and emissions there off. But, the penalty for violation of Marpol Annex VI

would be not allowing such vessels to call in our territorial waters. “The principal reason is to raise awareness on impacts of climate change, especially the negative impacts of gas emissions from ships to climate change and the IMO has ratified Marpol Annex VI that deals with emissions of gas from ships.�

The NIMASA boss also noted that Nigeria must address the threat of climate change in other to effectively and efficiently maximise the abundant resources in the nation’s oceans and seas.

He said, according to statistics, Nigeria, Libya, Egypt and Morocco contributed a total of 46 per cent of greenhouse gasses in Africa, while South Africa unilaterally contributed 38 per cent.

“Ships contribute to emissions of carbon monoxide to the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change and if not checked overtime, it will have negative effect on the atmosphere and the environment.

The United Nations target is to reduce, per gross domestic product (GDP), emission from 0.873kg carbon dioxide in 2015 to 0.493kg by 2030,� he said.

He added that while the IMO is working to produce regulatory regimes for the international shipping industry, NIMASA has not been slow to understand its responsibilities with regards to GHG emissions from ships and other maritime sources. “And as such, the agency has been, among others, building capacity on issues of climate Continued on page 20

EU, Nigeria Collaborate to Upgrade Banned Exports Ëž ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă›Ă&#x;ËÖÓÞã Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The European Union (EU) has begun collaboration with Nigerian authorities to improve the quality of some exports from the country, which had been banned in Europe due to the products’ deficiency in meeting European specifications.

The banned export items included beans and some fish products.

The Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Nigeria & ECOWAS, Kurt Cornelis, who made the disclosure in Abuja on the sidelines of the enlarged regional steering committee meetings, West Africa Quality System Project (WAQSP), said although the exports were desir-

ECONOMY able, the EU needed to protect its consumers. “We are working with the Nigerian authorities in trying to improve the quality of exports that are concerned, i.e. beans and some fish products. “But we of course, need to protect our consumers in the European market and we have our standards. Unfortunately for some Nigerian exporters, these standards have to be met.

So, that means that they have to upgrade the quality of the Nigerian products. “There are some investments to be made and I hope that this will lead to better access to the European market in the

next months or years,�

Cornelis said.

He stated that the EU was quite pleased with what had been achieved so far in West Africa in terms of quality standards, which it has actively supported for close to two decades.

Cornelis said: “We will definitely continue supporting the West Africa quality infrastructure. We are in the process of approving a new important programmes aimed at developing some value chains in the West African states and the quality infrastructure will definitely be part of that.

He added: “Another big programme that we are developing is trade facilitation to ensure that exports within the west Africa

system and also to Europe will be smoother and that products can meet the quality that are required by our consumers so that we can have to develop better, the West Africa export and also the economy.�

The EU Head of Delegation stated that there was the desirability for member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to select a few value chains which they can develop processing industries. “We are in the process of selecting together the value chains and we will provide supports in our next programmes to improve competitiveness so that the value chains can be better developed and be supported.

Continued on page 20

NIWA Condoles with Boat Mishap Families

Management and Staff of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has condoled with the Onilase of Ilashe, Lagos and the good people of Ilashe Community, particularly the families of those who lost their loved ones in the recent boat mishap. NIWA said preliminary investigations by the Lagos Area Office revealed that 16 persons including the young and old boarded the private boat from the Ilashe Community Jetty to cross to the other side of the Badagry Creek on their way to Church. The Authority said it would like to seize this opportunity to renew its calls on all water users on the critical importance of wearing life jackets on board all boats no matter how short the distance may be and whether or not a person can swim.

Life jackets are mandatory on board at all times. “At times like this, responsible and accountable government agencies should be concerned about providing succor to victims and families, assisting in rescue operations and examining the cause(s) of the mishap with a view to curtailing possible future occurrences,�

NIWA said.

Dangote Rewards Customers

More winners have emerged in the on-going N500million ‘Dangote Cement Retailers Bonanza, Season Two’ promo. According to a statement, at the Isolo, Lagos depot of the Dangote cement, leading the pack of the star prize winners was a 90-year old retailer, Baba Hassan Shitta, who took delivery of his 600 bags and 20 ft. he won.

He explained that he has been in the business of cement retailing for years and that Dangote cement bonanza was the first time he was seeing a cement company running a promo to benefit the retailers. “I was more that excited when I received the phone call that I have won 600 bags of cement. It was my distributor who helped me filled the coupon that submitted. Ever since I started the business, I have never sold any other cement in my life. Dangote has been good to me and this is another opportunity for me again. We are being encouraged. “May God continue to bless Alhaji Dangote for his generosity, imagine how much the number of cement they are giving me will add to my business? It’s a lot. I will take story to Ikorodu and tell others who are not yet participating in the Bonanza that it is real,� Shitta stated.

Also, basking in the euphoria of their winning, Soyombo Rashidat of Morash Ventures, Ikorodu and Madam Khadijat Oluseun Rasheed of Kazeezat Enterprises, Ibafo said the company have strengthened their resolve to continue in the business and that Dangote had revolutionised the business to the level where they could pass it on to their children.

“I wish to use this opportunity to assure the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and our industry stakeholders here in Nigeria that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is committed to addressing the challenges posed by emissions from aviation and climate change in our region“ Director-General, NCAA, Captain

Muhtar Usman

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BUSINESSWORLD GHG EMISSIONS: NIMASA TO AXE HIGHLY EXPOSED SHIPS FROM NIGERIAN PORTS

change through participations at regional, international and national workshops, seminars as well as conferences, meetings, presentations,� he said.

On his part, the agency’s Executive Director Operations, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin said NIMASA through its Marine Environment Management Department (MEND) is spearheading the Nigerian maritime industry’s drive towards full compliance with the benchmark GHG emissions reduction stages. “We consider ourselves fortunate to labour under the umbrella of the Federal Ministry of Transportation. The director general of NIMASA has endeavoured, sometimes arguably beyond the call of duty, to maintain the placement of climate change on the front burner of the agency’s packed work plan for the year.

EU, NIGERIA COLLABORATE TO UPGRADE BANNED EXPORTS And in the end, we hope that this will lead to higher exportation, specific routes to other African countries,�

Cornelis said.

Also in an interview, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Industry & Private Sector Promotion, Mr. Kalilou thanked the EU for its vast support over the years, adding that the sub-regional body had been working with all the ECOWAS member states and Mauritania had supported each country to elaborate its own national quality policy and to start implementing same. “Our target is to have a regional quality infrastructure strong enough to support the economy, enable industrialisation and protect consumers and we have made a lot of progress but there are many challenges.

These challenges are about to make effective the function of regional structure. “We will set up a regional quality agency that will support all the member states that will support all the regional “We also want to encourage and sensitise consumers to request for better, higher quality when buying products from the market.�

NEWS

NAMA to Save 12.6million Litres of Fuel Monthly for Domestic Airlines Chinedu Eze The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency will save about 12, 600, 000 litres of fuel for Nigerian airlines monthly if they will migrate to Performance Based Navigation (PBN).

PBN is a navigational procedure that specifies aircraft required navigation performance (RNP) and area navigation (RNAV). It also provides clear guidance to the pilot in terms of accuracy, integrity, continuity and functionality in a particular airspace.

Performance Based Navigation enhances safety but most importantly it encourages fuel efficiency. According to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Captain Fola Akinkuotu, together with other navigational aids, the agency could save Nigerian airlines at least 10 litres of fuel for every flight. This means that an airline that operates minimum of seven flights a day would save 70,000 litres and in one month, would save about 2.1million a month.

So the six airlines that are currently in operation would be able to save minimum of 12, 600, 000 litres monthly if they migrate to PBN, which is a project that NAMA had since completed. But for airlines to migrate, they must have corresponding equipment in their aircraft and as of now it is only international airlines

and few domestic airlines, including Arik Air that have such equipment.

Akinkuotu told THISDAY that with PBN and Aeronautical Fixed Communication Network (AFTN), the nation’s airspace would not only be safer and efficient but would also help airlines to operate to destinations with the shortest possible time.

For example, it used to take one hour, 10 minutes to fly from Lagos to Abuja but

due to new development in airspace management, NAMA has reduced flight time to average 55 minutes, which saves a lot of fuel for the airlines. “We want to ensure that our radios deliver crisp and clear communications. We want to be able to provide more effective service and then study the provision of services to our customers. Because we have to not only deliver navigational services or approach facilities

to them but we want to use our radar to make them more efficient. We can save an airline, let’s say about10 litres on each of their flight every day and the airline does 70 flights a day, that means that you can save them 70,000 litres a day. If you multiply that by 30 days and multiply it by 365 days, that is profit. So these are the kind of things that we should be looking at,� Akinkuotu said.

The NAMA boss said that the

agency must have to continue with the multilateration project in order to secure the South East corridor, where low flying helicopters on oil and gas shuttle operate under the radar and therefore are not detected.

He noted that this could be dangerous for the country in terms of security and added that NAMA should be able to monitor, observe and document every movement in the airspace, including low flying helicopters.

CAPACITY BUILDING

L-R: Specialist, Investment and Technology Promotion Office, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, Ms. Ashley Bantelman; Chief Technical Adviser, UNIDO-ITPO, Mr. Stanislaw Pigon; and Head, UNIDO-ITPO Nigeria, Mrs. Adebisi Olumodimu, during a workshop on investment and technology promotion for players in Nigeria’s non-oil sector, in Abuja ‌ recently

Ship Owners Hail Implementation of Cabotage Act Eromosele Abiodun The recent moves by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to ensure full implementation of the Cabotage Act, 2003 through the New Cabotage Compliance Strategy (NCCS) has continued to receive commendation from stakeholders.

This is coming on the heels of the visit to the agency by the Nigerian Ship owners Association (NISA) led by the Lagos State Coordinator, Captain Taiwo Akinpelumi, who stated that the association was pleased with the direction NIMASA was heading

towards the full realisation of the cabotage regime.

He stated that NISA, as a body shares in the vision of the regulatory body to reposition the maritime sector for greater efficiency and productivity, hence the call for continuous partnership so that they, as professionals, can bring to the table their professional expertise in assisting NIMASA realise its full mandate. “Ship owners are the essence of NIMASA, without ship owners there will be no NIMASA and without NIMASA, there will be no ship owners. So we have a reason to interact even a

lot more than we are doing and that is why we are here,�

Taiwo stated.

Accordingly, he promised that the ship owners will always work together with the agency. “NIMASA is there for us and we are there for NIMASA. We are the two wings of the bird because no bird can fly with only one wing,� he averred.

Meanwhile, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside extolled the role of ship owners in the maritime sector, describing them as key players in the sustenance and survival of

the Nigerian maritime sector.

He further described the NISA delegation as a set of knowledgeable experts whose wealth of experience will be needed in helping the agency realise its mandates as regards Cabotage implementation as enshrined in the NIMASA Act. The DG stated that the agency will give the necessary support to the association and will continue to engage in fruitful collaborative meetings, geared towards realising a virile maritime industry.

He also assured the body that aside from Cabotage, the agency will look at areas

of having exclusivity for Nigerian ship owners such as lighterage and, noting that the agency is poised to put mechanisms in place to ensure that it works. “We will look at the MoU we had with NISA many years ago and review it and look at the possibility of revisiting it. We are pushing it back to you as a task and we believe that you will come with very useful suggestions on the way forward,� he said.

Other issues addressed include multiple charges in the industry among other salient matters which both parties have agreed to work on.

NCC, CAPDAN Seek Upgrade of Computer Village to ICT Hub Group Business Editor

Emma Okonji

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)

In order to build capacity in a knowledge-based economy that will boost local manufacturing and reduce capital flight through the importation of foreign technology products, the Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN), has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to consider upgrading the computer village market in Lagos to a technology hub, where people will be trained on local manufacturing of computer and allied products.

CAPDAN Chairman, Com-

rade Ojikutu Ahmed Adeniyi, who made the proposal during the visit of NCC to CAPDAN on Wednesday in Lagos, said there was need for collaboration between NCC and CAPDAN to train young and talented traders at the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) that is currently being managed by NCC across the country.

Pleased with the proposal, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, welcomed the idea and promised to collaborate with CAPDAN to upgrade the Lagos Computer Village

to technology hub, that will accommodate technology incubation and development, geared towards growing indigenous technology that will address national and global needs. “NCC should establish an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hub for computer village traders, a replica of what is obtainable at Silicon Valley in the US and India’s Bangalore, to enhance the development of mobile hardware technicians in the areas of phone assemblage, phone diagnosis, transmission, cell site connection, call centre operations, among others,�

Adeniyi said.

According to him, the computer village market has talented young traders who could be trained to begin manufacturing and distribution of technology solutions that will address societal needs. He said if achieved, the issue of faking products by Nigerians, would drastically reduce and Nigeria would experience a surge in genuine homegrown technology manufacturing products. The CAPDAN leader also called on NCC to include its members in the NCC work study groups of some initiatives.

Pleased with the contribution of ICT to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), Danbatta assured CAPDAN of the willingness of NCC to assist its members in the area of training and capacity building. He said the DBI would remain open for collaboration and training.

Adeniyi, however said CAPDAN would appreciate such gesture more, if NCC is willing to train CAPDAN members on modern software engineering like JAVA and other software skills that would help them gain mastery to become better software developers.

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NEWS

U.S Commercial Service Extols Nigerian Business Community, RISK Honours Partners MANAGEMENT United States Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) of Commerce, Seward L. Jones has expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic prospects as the country moves out of recession.

Hosting over 350 American and Nigerian firms at the U.S. Commercial Service’s annual Networking with the USA (NUSA) Appreciation Forum and International Partner Award Ceremony last week, Jones, who oversees the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, observed that the United States is confident that Nigeria’s economic outlook will remain positive, with further diversification from crude oil and increased

fiscal transparency. “We understand that the commodity super cycle and the precipitous drop in oil prices brought about a fiscal challenge for the Nigerian government, so we strongly support President Buhari’s drive to explore practical ways of fully diversifying the economy. Nigeria is the second largest destination in Africa for U.S. private direct investment, so we are ready and willing to support economic reform efforts.� Jones said.

In his remarks, U.S. Consul General, Mr. F. John Bray also affirmed the strong interest

by U.S. firms in Nigeria. He noted that “President Trump’s Business Advisory Council for Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) has made it clear that having success in the Nigerian market is foremost on their agendas.�

The NUSA forum is organised annually by the U.S. Commercial Service to honour Nigerian business owners, who promote U.S. products and services and who have contributed significantly to the achievement of the goals and objectives of the U.S. Commercial Service in Nigeria - expansion of trade and investment between the United States and Nigeria.

‘NADDC Not Responsible for Hike in Prices of Vehicles’ Eromosele Abiodun The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has said that the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP) policy is not responsible for the hike in prices of vehicles and the upsurge in smuggling of vehicles, as widely speculated.

The agency said it was shocked that the policy is being blamed for increased prices of imported used vehicles otherwise known as ‘tokunbo’ when the provision to levy them in the NAIDP has not yet been applied.

Director of Policy and Planning of the council, Mr. Luqman Mamudu explained that the agency is yet to impose levy on such vehicles and as such could not have been responsible for the hike in the price of ‘tokunbo’ vehicles.

Mamudu, who described the report as mischievous also said that on the contrary, the policy

is meant to give Nigerians access to buy cheap new vehicles through a gradual increase in volume and local content, adding that used vehicles can only fall in the NAIDP net when cushion programmes built into the strategic plan are implemented.

He said that the council is very concerned about the issue of smuggling because of the damage it could do to the ongoing investment in the automotive industry which government is desirous of consolidating for sustained growth.. “The NAIDP has not imposed levy on second hand vehicles, so it cannot be responsible for increase of their prices nor smuggling. Used vehicle import can only come into NAIDP net when we have built up enough local assembly capacity and put in place a credible credit purchase scheme. Let us not use words like ‘punitive’. The policy simply encourages us to assemble /

produce our new vehicles, grow our own Second hand market.

The practice of importing used vehicles and even Second-hand clothes is not just right in Nigeria and indeed Africa of the 21st century,� he said.

He added: “The technology for automotive is practically offthe shelf. Installed capacity for assembly has grown admirably from 60,000 in 2014 to over 360,000 today under the policy.

NADDC is working on growing operational capacity which has grown from a mere 1,200 vehicles in 2013 to 15,000 as at 2016. “Efforts are ongoing to improve on this within the limits of investment constraints. Council should not be distracted. However the Council is concerned about the menace of smuggling and it is collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service through the integration of our IT platform with its trade portal.�

MAN: LADOL Has Opportunities for Business Collaboration Eromosele Abiodun The President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs has described the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic (LADOL) Free Zone as a haven for investment and job creation opportunities.

The MAN boss stated this during a facility tour of LADOL base. “I wish to express my appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to my delegation and me during our visit to the LADOL Industrial Free Trade Zone. We commend you for the giant strides you have made towards the support of the industrialisation of the country,� MAN’s president said.

Jacobs added that his visit will create many opportunities for his members in terms of human capital development.

He added: “I am glad that I came to see this facility for myself, I am really inspired

and delighted with what I have witnessed and I know that cooperating with LADOL will be of great benefit to our members, looking to set up manufacturing in a world class Free Zone like LADOL. I want to assure you that MAN is ready and willing to explore all areas of collaboration with your organisation so that together we would improve the industrial landscape of Nigeria. “By receiving technical and vocational education and training in the LADOL Up-skilling Academy it is an opportunity for our members to equip their workers with the practical skills, knowledge and entrepreneurial tools that match labour market needs. I know that MAN and LADOL can work together on work integrated learning initiatives,� he said while urging LADOL to become a member of MAN. Commenting on the key role

manufacturers play in driving the local content initiative, Chairman MAN Local Content Group, Mr. Vassily Barberpoulos, said there should be more interaction and synergy between manufacturers and fabricators across Nigeria. “There needs to be more connectivity, MAN is able to assist manufacturers because lot of our manufacturers cannot see the opportunities in local content. So, we can help them see the possibilities and mentor them, acting a guide on the path to increased local content participation in the in the oil and gas sector of our economy,� he said.

According to him, the objective of local content is to develop “our industry in Nigeria and we have more and more people manufacturing products so that there is more competition and this will positively affect exports and be a catalyst for industrialisation.�

WATCH

Robert Mbonu

Risk Data – Information Is Power Data - its reliance and integrity ultimately drive risk management outcomes and decisions. It has been established from previous writings that Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is about timely scrutiny and proactive management of risk across businesses.

For an ERM framework to be deemed a success, it must be seen to deliver better informed and timely decision-making capabilities.

A top-down perspective on enterprise risk management (ERM) is what typically obtains. This approach underestimates the importance of data, which is the core bottom-up enabler for ERM, and compromises the bigger-picture requirements of a sound ERM framework, including the longer-term strategic advantages of a solid data foundation.

Obtaining the right information at the right time, which is appropriate to the business aspect, is at the very heart of risk management. This information might be in the form of data, specific stress situations, influences, judgement and assumptions. Data is not very useful on its own but it is at the very core of risk intelligence after it has been ordered into logical information using various means.

The starting point is to focus on the business aspect that is under scrutiny.

Then a list of possible data sources should be listed under external and internal headings before resources are allocated to the obtaining of the information. It is a mistake to narrow the field of possible areas of data too soon, because that can create bias. For example, just looking at past data to predict the performance of a particular risk is a bit like a pilot guessing the flight plan for an airplane. One degree of error at the commencement of the journey could result in a final destination that is several kilometres from the correct place.

Past data is useful, but it needs to be interrogated closely to look at where there are aberrations in the risk trends and to examine reasons for any changes.

Where there is little data to rely on, then other sources of information should be gathered which are relevant to the risk area under examination. With operational risk, there is usually the challenge of little internal data, such as incidents, accidents, near misses or recorded errors by which a good forecast of the future performance of the risk can be assessed.

Capturing the correct data can prove critical to ensuring that the right people discuss, monitor and manage the risks appropriate for consideration at each level of the organisation.

Deficiencies in raw data are not the only obstacle to achieving this objective.

When poor data is combined with the management of risk in silos, ERM is fundamentally undermined.

Silos are perhaps inevitable for dayto-day, local operational purposes, but this approach to management of risks is inadequate for the organisation as a whole.

Once a holistic view of key risk data has been achieved, material improvements in operational efficiency both at the local level as well as at the enterprise level can be achieved.

The source of data now brings to question. Incident reports, near misses and

insurance claims are grist to the mill for risk analysts who are looking for data upon which to analyse risk, but often the near misses are ignored, which is quite unfortunate as they are most useful for being able to predict how risk is performing.

Complaints from customers are also a rich source of information about risk performance, and trends from these complaints can be indicative of risk management improvement requirements. Care should be taken in order to encourage an open reporting environment so that people do not falsify the information provided if they fear punishment.

Key performance indicators, audit reports and management reports are also great areas for tracking risk changes. For that purpose, dashboards are more useful, particularly if trends can be tracked.

External information is most useful when trying to benchmark one organisation’s risk performance against another and being able to predict the way in which a risk might change.

To understand how limitations in data availability across the enterprise frustrates the holistic management of individual firms, one only needs look at the recent subprime crisis, which morphed into the liquidity crisis, and then the economic crisis, which in turn led to the wider contagion that we experienced post 2008.

Ultimately, banks did not have access to the data needed to enable the robust management of risk across the enterprise.

The federal government recently launched the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP), with the objective of restoring the country to a positive and sustained growth path, investing in the Nigerian people to improve their living standards, and building an economy that is globally competitive.

With little information on the number of initiatives being put in place to ensure effective implementation, the source and reliability of the data that will be employed is critical to its success. The task force constituted to drive the implementation will rely on a continuous supply of rich and reliable data from The National Bureau of Statistics. Any flaws in the source data will result in less than optimized achievement of this noble government objective.

Risk information is founded on getting the right source and type of data and manipulating it so that the data reveals the knowledge that leads to information.

The seeking of the right information to support the risk analysis is a process of hard work and deliberate strategy. Whilst short cuts can be made, assumptions jumped to, and gut feeling used, there is no substitute for solid supporting data which is relevant to the risk activity in hand. t.CPOV '&31 $*3. 6, )$*# .T3. 4UFSO TUVEJFE &OHJOFFSJOH JT BO FYQFSJFODFE #BOLFS BOE &OUFSQSJTF 3JTL .BOBHFNFOU QSPGFTTJPOBM &BSOFE B QPTU HSBEVBUF EFHSFF JO 3JTL .BOBHFNFOU GSPN /FX :PSL 6OJWFSTJUZ 4UFSO 4DIPPM PG #VTJOFTT BOE JT B NFNCFS PG UIF *OTUJUVUF PG 3JTL .BOBHFNFOU 6, $BO CF SFBDIFE PO 4.4 0OMZ FNBJM SN SJTLNHU!HNBJM DPN

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AVIATION

Nigeria Joins in Fight against CO2 Emission in Air Travel Stories by Chinedu Eze The federal government through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has joined the countries that have endorsed the implementation of the CO2 Emissions Mitigation Measures and Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

It is targeted that the full implementation would take place in 2021 and Nigeria has developed and submitted its State Action Plan to ICAO and has also voluntarily notified it that it will join CORSIA implementation from the outset during the pilot phase from 2021.

In June this year, the DirectorGeneral of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Alexander de Juniac described CORSIA as a landmark achievement and said: “CORSIA takes us

a giant step forward in meeting our sustainability commitments, particularly carbon-neutral growth from 2020. Although it will be voluntary until 2026, already 705 states are on board.

Together they represent at least 80per cent of anticipated growth.

And we encourage more states to join.� The Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman, who disclosed Nigeria’s endorsement and support while declaring open a seminar on the Development Of States’ Action Plans On CO2 Emissions Mitigation Measures And CORSIA for States Accredited to ICAO WACAF and the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) in Lagos on Wednesday, said the objective was for Nigeria to be in tandem with the rest of the world on emissions mitigation measures.

He said the rapid growth of air travel in recent years has contributed to an increase in total pollution attributable to

aviation, adding that ICAO decided to provide leadership to undertake efforts to reduce aviation’s contribution to climate change. “As we all may be aware, aviation plays an essential role in the economic growth and market access for the world economy. The rapid growth of air travel in recent years however contributes to an increase in total pollution attributable to aviation. “Thus, ICAO decided to provide leadership to undertake efforts to reduce aviation’s contribution to climate change. These efforts include the development of State Action Plans by member States, the development of basket of measures to address CO2 emissions from international aviation through aircraft technology; operational improvements; sustainable alternative fuel for aviation and a global scheme known today as the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

FG Promotes, Deploys Senior Staff in Aviation Sector The federal government recently announced the promotion and redeployment of some senior staff in the aviation agencies. Some staff of the agencies were also relieved of their duties.

Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who approved the massive clearance of promotion backlogs in the agencies said the approval was given in order to fill vacant positions which had been created as a result of earlier promotions, retirements and termination of appointments, as well as boost the morale of staff of the agencies who had stagnated over time.

Thirteen Assistant General Managers (GMs) in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were promoted to the rank of General Managers (GMs), while at the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET), three Assistant General Managers have been promoted to Deputy General Managers, with a Chief Meteorologist uplifted to the position of Assistant General Manager.

Similarly, the exercise has seen the promotion of nine Deputy General Managers at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to the position

of General Managers while a total of 36 Assistant General Managers were promoted to the rank of Deputy General Managers.

The federal government has also approved some reorganisations at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and inter-agency postings to ensure better productivity and efficiency.

In NAMA, the minister approved the appointment, promotion and redeployment of top management staff of the agency with immediate effect.

According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Transportation, Farouk A Umar was confirmed as substantive Director of Safety Electronics and Engineering Service just as Mr. Gabriel Akpen, who was until now the General Manager, Search and Rescue/ Civil Military Co-ordination was elevated to Director of Operations.

The Directorates of Human Resources and Administration have equally been merged, with former General Manager, Customer Services/Servicom, Barr. Maira Bashir now the Director of Human Resources and Administration.

In the same vein, Mr. Umoh

Aniefiok, formerly of the Finance and Accounts Department at FAAN, has been redeployed to NAMA as Director of Finance and Accounts while Mr. Khalid Udoh Emele is to head the Public Affairs Department of the agency as General Manager.

Also newly appointed are three Deputy General Managers to anchor some strategic units in the agency. These include Miss Kaosarat Fawehinmi, DGM, Project Management Office (PMO); Mr. Bajie F. Abang, DGM, Security Unit and Obioma Solomon, DGM, Industrial Relations and Discipline.

In a statement, the Managing Director of NAMA, Capt.

Fola Akinkuotu said the above postings by the Minister were to reposition and streamline NAMA towards enhanced productivity and to ensure that all projects and programmes of the agency are properly executed bearing in mind accountability and adherence to timelines.

Akinkuotu who held a brief session with the management team thanked all staff of the agency for their continued support just as he charged incoming appointees to ensure service excellence and efficiency within the system.

Delta to Launch Non-stop Service from Lagos to NewYork Delta Air Lines has announced the launching of a three weekly nonstop flights from Lagos to New York-JFK, effective March 25, 2018. When combined with the existing four-times a week nonstop service to Atlanta, Delta will offer a daily operation from Nigeria to its US hubs.

The announcement comes as the airline prepares to celebrate 10 years of service to Nigeria in December and remains the only carrier to offer nonstop service between Nigeria and

the United States. Delta will operate both its New YorkJFK and Atlanta routes using Airbus 330-200 aircraft, which are equipped with Wi-Fi and feature 34 fully flat-bed seats in the Delta One cabin. “Nigeria has been a strategically important market for Delta over the past 10 years and a mainstay in our African network,� said Dwight James, Delta’s Senior Vice President Transatlantic. “As we look ahead to the next decade, we are improving the product

offering with the A330 and increasing the number of seats from Lagos.�

Delta’s Lagos to New York-JFK flight would operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and the return on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Night-time departures from Lagos have been scheduled to offer customers easy connections to more than 60 onward destinations via Delta’s New York-JFK hub including Boston, Washington, Baltimore and Chicago.

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AIR WATCH

Why Nigerian Airlines Hire Expatriate Pilots

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ne of the major challenges in manpower development in aviation is industry is the cost of training. Many young people dream of becoming pilots in the future but when the cost of ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă? ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽËœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ won’t be able to aord it. ÙÞ Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˘Ă™ĂœĂŒĂ“ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂžËœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? another great huddle; how do you get the required number of ight hours required for the next level after you have obtained your Commercial Pilot Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?ËŁ Ă’Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÚÓÖÙÞ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă™ĂŒĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă’Ă? is expected to go for type rating; that is specialising in a particular aircraft type. It is after that time that he could be employed as a ight oďŹƒcer.

Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™ ÚÖËÞĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ— Ă?Ă™Ăœ the person who has a Commercial Pilot License to type-rate on any particular aircraft. Such platform ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“ĂœĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ actually trained most Nigerian pilots that operate today in dierent parts of the world. But with the ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ“Ă?ĂœËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹ ÚÖĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă‘Ă? to the valley in the area of manpower development in the aviation industry.

Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ëœ Ă™Ă&#x;ÞÒ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă“ĂœĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă˜ĂŁĂ‹ Ă“ĂœĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ?Ëœ ÞÒÓÙÚÓË Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÑãÚÞ Ă“Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ù×Ă? of the major national carriers in the continent that churn out trained pilots every year and also provide them the aircraft for type rating before they start ĘŽĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă? ĘŽĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÙʊĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? ÞÒÓÙÚÓË Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ

Ă?Ă˜ĂŁĂ‹ Ă?Ă&#x;ÚÚÖã ÞÒĂ? Ă“ĂŽĂŽĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ÚÓÖÙÞĂ? and other aviation personnel because they have successful training academy that have lasted Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă’ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ which provide the platform for the trained pilots to garner ight hours. Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“ĂœĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ?Ëœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ ÞÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ëœ Ă˜Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÙ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ă? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ high number of aviation personnel and because they could not train these pilots they resort to employing expatriate pilots who have acquired the needed training and certiďŹ cates to operate ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ę°Ë› Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÚÓÖÙÞĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? unemployedtodaybecausetheyhavenottype-rated on particular aircraft type so they cannot grow to become captains who are sought after all over the world.The airlines have argued that the times they engaged Nigerians with Commercial Pilot License and type rated them the beneďŹ ciaries left without Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ëž ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ’Ă?ĂœËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ go to Middle East where they are paid juicy salaries åÓÞÒ ÚË×ÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÚËĂ?Ă•Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă?Ă˜ Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒÓÙÚÓË ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă—ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă? ĂŒĂ‹ĂŒĂ‹ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ĘŠĂ?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă™Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă—ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? established to cater for Ethiopia and other people from dierent parts of Africa and today many students come to train the institution from other parts of the continent and parts of the Middle East. Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă—ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ÓÖÙÞĂ? ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă™Ă–Ëœ Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ę°

Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă™Ă–Ëœ Ă?ÒÙÙÖ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă˜ ĂœĂ?ĂĄ ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ÒÙÙÖ åÓÞÒ ×ÙÎĂ?ĂœĂ˜ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă• Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă“Ă—Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÍľÍąÍľËœ ;ͳ; Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÍľÍ´ÍľËœ ;͜; ;;; Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă—ĂŒĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ę°Ëœ Ͳ͎͎˛ Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă—ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ËÚËĂ?ÓÞã ÞÙ ÞËÕĂ? Í˛ËœÍŽÍŽÍŽ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ ÞÓ×Ă?Ë›

Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž modern and largest catering facilities in Africa with Ă‹ ĂŽĂ‹Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ËÚËĂ?ÓÞã Ă™Ă? ÍŻÍŽÍŽËœÍŽÍŽÍŽ Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ÓÖÓÞã ÞÙĂ&#x;Ăœ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă™ĂšĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă—ĂŁËœ ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă? ĂŒĂ‹ĂŒĂ‹Ëœ Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă– äĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ăœ ET-Holidays also disclosed that the airline has the Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÖÎĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ăœ Ă Ă?ĂœĂ’Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă–Ëœ Ě™ Ěš Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ë› Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Óâ Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ě™ Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ę° Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĚš Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ third party maintenance It is worth noting that the academy in Ethiopia was built at the same time at the Nigerian College of AviaĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ě™ Ëœ Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ÞÒËÞ Ă™Ă? ÞÒÓÙÚÓË has soared that it has garnered all the international aviationtrainingcertiďŹ cationfromrenownedaviation institutions such as the International Civil Aviation ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ ĚšËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ăœ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Þã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ manpower training in Nigeria is the failure to deepen the training locally because the national airline is not there to provide aircraft for type-rating. Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?Ăœ Ă?ĂšĂ&#x;Þã Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă• Ă“Ăœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™ Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? explained why Nigerian airlines employ seasoned pilots from outside the country. Sanusi said that Nigerian airlines go for expatriate pilots because of reliability and the fact that after training Nigerian pilotstheydon’toftenstaywiththeairlinethattrained them long enough to justify the resources expended on their training. Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ÞËÕĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ ÚÓÖÙÞ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁËœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?âË×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ Ͱͳ͎ ĘŽĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë› ËŤ Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ę¨Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă’ åÓÞÒ Ͱͳ͎ Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŽĂ™Ă˜ËŞĂž Ă‘Ă™ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‘Ă™ ÞÙ ĘŽĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?ÒÙÙÖ ÞÓÖÖ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‘Ă?Ăž ÍŻËœÍłÍŽÍŽ Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĘŽĂŁ for airlines. It is when you get Airline Pilot License (APL) before you even come to y for an airline. But ĂĄĂ? ÞËÕĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă— åÓÞÒ Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ÚÓÖÙÞ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ åÓÞÒ Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ÖÙå Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂŁ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă?Ù×Ă? ÞÙ Ă&#x;Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ÖÙå Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ͱͳ͎ Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ëœ ͹͎͎ Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë› ËŤ Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÚÓÖÙÞ with that number of hours will increase the airline’s insurance premium because the airline is putting an Ă“Ă˜Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽËœ ÖÙå ÞÓ×Ă? Ă?Ù̋ÚÓÖÙÞ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ëœ increasing the airline’s insurance premium and then putting a lot of stress on the aircraft because they are going to be doing training and everything. And ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÚÓÖÙÞ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ù×Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ Ă’Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă?Ă‹ĂŁĂ?

Ă‹Ă— ĂšĂ‹ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă“Ă— Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă?Ă?ËœËŹ Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË› Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ÚÓÖÙÞ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÚËãĂ? ÞÙ Ă‘Ă?Ăž ÞÒËÞ Ă•Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ “When you come in with low ying hours you pay the Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÙ ÍłÍŽÍŽËœ ÍŻÍŽÍŽÍŽ Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÞãÚĂ? Ă™Ă? the aircraft.

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 25, 2017

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Osasu Igbinedion: We Need to Interrogate Our Leaders’ Capacity to Drive New Economy Presenter of popular television talk show, ‘The Osasu Show’, Miss Osasu Igbinedion is organising a summit on the new economy. She spoke to Onyebuchi Ezigbo on what the summit is all about. Excerpts: You are bringing politicians, leaders of political parties to the summit, what are they going to be looking at, what are they going to tell Nigerians?

Politics if we care to admit it or not plays a huge role, an essential role in every decision; whether it be private or public that this country makes. So politics is at the centre, at the core of everything that unravels in the country. So the objective of the political panel is to look at how the role of politics comes in ending poverty. So we are going to discuss political accountability to the poor electorate. We are going to assess the crucial role of sub national actors, state actors and local government actors in eradicating poverty. We are going to review the need between capital and recurrent expenditure at national and international level. We are going to discuss the possibility of universal open budgeting at sub national level for inclusive tracking and accountability. We are going to highlight the need for gender and youth main stream in politics and decision making and as you can see all politicians cut across board; we have the PDP, the APC so if electorate are voting you in every four years they want to know ‘how are you going to change my decision?’ no more stomach infrastructure. No more give me five thousand naira during the campaign and the next four years all of a sudden you haven’t done anything and you give me another N5000 during a new campaign; we want that to stop. So politics, politicians play a huge role in ending poverty in Nigeria, they play a huge role in this new economy to ensure they carry their constituents along so that is where politicians play a role.

Have you also taken time to look at both parties manifesto; so which of them do you think in the aspect of manifesto aligns with what you are doing?

I have read the APC manifesto and I have read the PDP manifesto; both claim they want to create jobs for Nigerians but both of them from my experience, PDP 16 years, APC’s 2 years have failed to do that.

They blame it on the economy; they blame it on a number of factors which I believe is completely unacceptable. When you get into government, yes we understand that the issues of governance are not as clear as the masses would see it but in actuality, if you put your work and if you make creating jobs your main priority when you get into government you would do that. That is why we are having this conversation; no

The new economy simply means industrialisation, it means internet, it means globalisation.

In the new economy, things are moving at a fast pace; yes Nigeria is a developing country, yes we are a developing economy, however this new economy is an economy where you go on your phone and make an immediate transfer of one million Naira to your account

Osasu

more making excuses about the economic recession. No more making excuses about corruption. Corruption has existed since the beginning of time. On January 15, 1966 when the first military coup took place the masses were happy that the military coup took place because they were claiming the leaders then were so corrupt. So corruption has dated far back in our history so we are tired of you saying ‘oh because of corruption, because of no money, because of the prolonged economic recession we can’t create jobs’ the electorates are asking you now, we don’t care about all of these things, find a way because it is in your manifesto both PDP and APC. If you decide not to create jobs, then change your manifesto say ‘I will create jobs if I can’ don’t write otherwise so I think that is what needs to be done.

APC has been coming up with a project they call I think social empowerment programme N-power. How has that impacted if you look at it?

I interviewed the Minister of Information a couple of months ago and from my research during my interview at that time, I did see some impact of the N-power programme, so some people across the nation have been empowered but there can be more people. I strongly believe in teaching individuals how to fish and not giving them fish. We have found that we are running the Associate

Foundation, we send children to school, we empower women with start-up capitals.

Looking at the fundamental issues, how can we create a job society that you and I are privileged to attain good education? You can send your children to school. The children of the poor, the children of the boko haram ravaged society, we are not going to look at our children one day and think that because the country hasn’t been fair to them. So we are looking at how do we strike a balance between all these things? And is what we do at the Associate foundation and that is why it is a big scale to ensure that we can send more children to school be it from Kaduna, Kano, all cities from all six geo political zones. So last year I pledged before this birthday of mine which is on the 25th of August that I would send 10 additional children to school and I have done that.

We have built houses for women, we have built houses for IDPs. We have started small businesses for women in Agatu, in Markurdi, in Kafanchan, in Goska, in Gandoma, IDP camp in Karamajiji. We have done a lot of work and we want to expand what we are doing because there is a famous saying that goes ‘one day the poor wouldn’t have anything to eat but the rich’ so we all need to wake up, it is no longer okay to neglect the masses. It is no longer okay to neglect the less privileged in the society.

What is the nature of the symposium that you are packaging?

It is called the Osasu Show Symposium and it is a forum where stakeholders from the private and public sector come together to talk about issues bothering on national development, economy, politics, development.

So this summit this year is built towards the new economy and how does it impact the less privileged citizens meaning the market man that I have interviewed in Garki market Mr. Chidi, the IDP camps which we do a lot of work with; how does it impact them directly, the small and medium scale business owners how does this new economy impact them. So the theme of the event is ‘the new economy and its impact on less privileged citizens’ You talked about new economy; what does the word ‘new economy’ mean to an average Nigerian?

The new economy simply means industrialisation, it means internet, it means globalisation. In the new economy, things are moving at a fast pace; yes Nigeria is a developing country, yes we are a developing economy, however this new economy is an economy where you go on your phone and make an immediate transfer of one million Naira to your account. A new economy CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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OSASU IGBINEDION: WE NEED TO INTERROGATE OUR LEADERS’ CAPACITY TO DRIVE NEW ECONOMY

Imagine what we will do in the next ďŹ ve years, six, seven years so the sky is truly our limit.

We are already sending children to school from Edo state that is home, but as I tell everyone, ďŹ rst of all, I am a Nigerian before I am a Benin woman that is the way I see myself and that is the way I want all Nigerians to see themselves where we no longer need postmen to deliver mails because we have emails. It is a new economy where you no longer have to go to the shop to buy groceries because you have the internet. A new economy where everything is digitalised; the digital world is coming and taking over. So in this new Osasu economy how are you and I going to survive?

How would we retain our jobs as postmen, as conducive environment for businesses to excel vendors in the grocery stores, as sales clerks and do you really think they are going to be in the shopping mall? So this new economy; hiring people that they can’t pay salaries? globalisation, digitisation is going to take over So it all starts from the government. Yes the jobs of everyday individuals. So how is we need to cut down our dependence on the 80% of the Nigerian population who is government but the government also plays already struggling for jobs, the skills they a key role in policies. What is the Central have are not even going to enable them to Bank saying? You look at the Central Bank get the jobs that we have today, that this policy implemented almost a year back where new economy through digitisation is going they said international business owners, local to offer. So how are they going to survive businesses owners couldn’t take their money in this fast pace world? That is what we are out of the country, you couldn’t use your cards abroad; it is a stupid and senseless policy going to be talking about. that drive away investors. So you can’t tell The Ministry of Communication has them to hire five hundred more people or launched what it called smart city project, one thousand more people, they will tell you I don’t know if that has anything to do ‘no’, that your policies are not working for them. So on the business panel, what we are with what you are advocating for?

The smart city initiative is a brilliant idea looking to do is balancing profit maximisation, because it takes town planning to a whole poverty elimination and looking at the entire new level. So you look at all the mistakes Nigerian business place environment; how we have made so far; look at Abuja, look at do we want to do that? We want to assess Lagos, the waste management crisis that we the current climate created by the Nigerian had as a result of the flooding. So you look at government for businesses of all scales. We what hasn’t worked previously and how can want to look at the impact of tax on businesses we take digitisation into smart city planning. and all people. We want to look at how energy Of course it has to do with that as well. As I can be improved to boost the ease of doing said in this new economy, we are going to see business; electricity is a big deal. You can’t how we can create jobs. For example, giving tell me ‘no we don’t have power’ if I tell you a smart city; how can we create jobs for the how much I spend on diesel a month with less privileged, how can we ensure that yes that money I can hire four full time staff at technology will take care of arranging waste my organisation. So can you imagine if we into a more sustainable manner, how can we had the proper infrastructure that will help bring the human equation into that? That is small businesses like mine to expand? So we are also looking to see how energy, security, what we are trying to sustain. economic empowerment and environmental According to your plan you are to bring protection are in the best interest of the poor prominent personalities in business, economy Nigerians and Africa as we transit to this new and politics, who and who are you likely to global economy. Finally, the ideal balance bring on board and what do you expect from between the poor growth versus poor policies; how poor people can access loans without them at the summit? credit worthiness. These are the things we Those in the development sector include want to assess with our business panel. the country Director, ‘One Campaign’, Sarah You sound futuristic and ambitious, McCain. One Campaign is huge in women’s health, it is huge on education, and it is huge so how do you come up with funds to on grassroots issues, so she is going to bring carry on with your initiatives?

That is a very good question. So the her expertise. We are working with Bruno the internationally renowned musician, we Associate started in 2015, I moved back to are also partnering the United Nations, a Nigeria from the United States in August representative from the United Nations is 2014 and as soon as I moved back, I was going to be there, he is the equivocate of doing television advertisement for political the SDG campaign; Sustainable Development campaigns and you know how lucrative that Goals, which Nigeria has tapped into and business is for advertising. So the money I it is going to be achieved by 2030. We have got from that I decided to invest that into representatives from DFID, we have develop- my show and what is the show all about; I ment experts such as Hamza Lawal. So a lot never knew I would be on television talking of people from the development sector will to politicians, bridging the gap between them and the masses. As I was doing my charity be there and also adding their two cents. work, I realised that the state of the nation Do you see the private sector in Nigeria that I had left 8 – 10 years back was more deplorable than it was when I left so things taking the lead in job creation?

Absolutely not! You see the government got worse instead of getting better. So I said unfortunately I am very blunt, I am not okay, I am doing my charity work trying partisan and I am going to say it as it is; to put food on the table; that is why we the government still plays a huge role. You started building houses for the IDPs, they can’t say the private sector is going to take the had nowhere to stay, there was no camp, no lead in job creation if you are not creating a clean water, the camp at Area 1 and this was

meant to be a government run camp. It was a sorry situation, so I was taking the profit of what I was getting from the campaign and invested into that. We did a bore hole, we did houses, we did a school so if you go there, just mention the Associate they know us there because that is our constituent. We did a lot of work with them and I said these politicians I am helping get into office, I am helping get elected, where the problem, where the cause of the plight of the IDPs. Yes I know boko haram is a direct cause but politicians are too. So I said, how can I be a bridge between both classes? So I said this is the platform I am going to use; The Associate that is how it came about. So we take what is coming from the masses to the ears of the leaders and people were looking forward for interviews. People would come on the show and pay me xyz amount of money so I interviewed senatorial candidates, gubernatorial candidates, so we were sustaining ourselves, airtime on AIT, we were paying and we still had some money to take home after paying production cost and all that. So halfway through the year 2015 leading up to 2016, Nigeria went broke. So we said how are we going to fund this now, politicians are no longer paying, they don’t want to grant interviews they haven’t started any of their projects, they have nothing to show, so we said we have to digress, we have to look for other sources of income. So we started sourcing seriously for adverts, so we got a couple of strong buy-in from UBA, small businesses like Heritage bank. We got advertisements but we realised the economic recession isn’t letting these people stock the shop. They came and said take five million let me buy spots on ten episodes on your show’ that 60 seconds, 30 seconds ads on the 10 programmes but if you want to sponsor the entire programme, you buy the entire 52 spots. You can brand the show with your logo, you can do more

I don’t care if you are helping children that are Muslims, who are northerners, who are southerners, who are Christians as long as you are helping people and God sees your heart genuinely, you don’t have any ulterior motives the sky is the limit

things but people aren’t doing that because there is no money, so we said we have to further diversify so I launched the Associate TV network; which is an online TV network that covers business, politics, entertainment and development. So with that network we had variety of news that cover everywhere across the African continent. So the slogan is ‘News from Africa by Africans’ what is our mission? Our mission is to rebrand and reshape the way Africa is perceived by the outside world. The outside world perceive Africa as Kwashiorkor, starving, poor, black continent and we need to reshape that because we have people from Africa that are doing exceptionally well in all parts of the world.

So the TSTV network has been able to go into different state and make money off that.

So we go into Abia state for example, ‘Mr. Governor what are you doing here in Abia state?’ ‘oh look at the road I have done, Abia state has done fantastic work more than its predecessors, look at made in Aba, where do you think this shirt is made? You would say it is made in America but it is made in Aba. The people in Aba wouldn’t even put their logo on a shirt because no one wants to buy their shirt but now the government has changed that, he has proven that made in Nigeria is good, made in Aba is even better and people are rushing there now. I went to Aba, if you see what is going on there; people are so creative and innovative. So I am doing this for state government, I am doing this for the federal government as well. Showing highlights of what they have been able to accomplish so far, how are they impacting the lives of the less privileged citizens? This is how we have been able to diversify our resources and turn out something like this imposume because at the end of the day Associate Imposume is the Associate on steroids.

This spirit people would say, wouldn’t have come by accident. Is there any way you can relate this to your background?

I think the spirit of philanthropy is actually inmate because I remember back to when I was nine years old and we use to live in Lagos. We were driving to school and I saw a little girl. I think I had seen her before but now I think it just finally registered in my memory that this is what was happening. I saw a little girl of my age who was hawking food items on the street during school hours and I thought to myself ‘this is right’. This was the first time I consciously realised that this isn’t right. Every child should have a fair shot at success and how does every child have a fair shot at success? That is providing the basic that is by providing quality education and not just any education because there are schools that teachers don’t know what they are teaching; they are asked one plus one and they tell you it is five. So you can imagine what they are passing on to the children.

Every child should have a shot at quality education. I don’t think it is something I adopted halfway in life but that chord was stroke in me.

The philanthropy spirit, did it pass from your father or your grandfather?

Of course my entire family; all the way from my grandfather, to my father, my mother, my siblings we all look for ways we can give back to the society.

If you can trace it back to your parents, one will say charity begins at home and you are from Edo state are there no kids running the streets of Edo state and what have you done in Edo state?

We are sending two or three girls to school from Edo state and that is only the beginning because remember the foundation is just one year; the show is about two and a half years.

Imagine what we will do in the next five years, six, seven years so the sky is truly our limit. We are already sending children to school from Edo state that is home, but as I tell everyone, first of all, I am a Nigerian before I am a Benin woman that is the way I see myself and that is the way I want all Nigerians to see themselves. So I don’t care if you are helping children that are Muslims, who are northerners, who are southerners, who are Christians as long as you are helping people and God sees your heart genuinely, you don’t have any ulterior motives the sky is the limit.

WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

LIVING | P33

THISLIFE | P37

FILE

‘FAMILY MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME’

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

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 25, 2017

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 25, 2017

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25.08.2017

‘Family Means Everything to Me’ Her father, Frank Olize, the veteran broadcaster, used his popular TV magazine Sunday night show, Newsline, as an avenue to make a difference. Jennifer Olize, the Managing Director of Le Reve Pieces and Creative Director, Music Meets Runway, tells Adedayo Adejobi how she would love to use this springboard to contribute to Nigeria's future, why family means everything to her and the kind of men she is attracted to What does it feel like being Frank Olize’s daughter? How has the name Frank Olize inspired you as a person?

I think it feels very much the same. I consider my father to be a great man and one of the icons in Nigeria today. He truly made a difference and I am very proud to have him as a father. He contributed a lot to the media world in Nigeria. His TV show, Newsline, was very unique and was able to draw attention to a lot of shortcomings in Nigeria. He focused on the issues in Nigeria back then and he found himself setting agenda for the authorities and people in charge to address the issues. He was live every Sunday at 9p.m. to over 100 million Nigerians who tuned in every week to watch him and hear the news. He also gave a platform for people to share their very unique stories and he helped a lot of people in need. For this, he received many awards. I am extremely inspired by him and I love him very much.

country. There are so many resources here (great talents and opportunities) all we just need do is to harness and make great things happen.

Tell us, ideally who will Jennifer Olize be without the influence of your Dad, Frank Olize?

I can’t really say, I don’t know. But I’m happy and thankful to God to have a Dad like mine. He believes a lot in moral values and above all he saw quality education as the best legacy for any child that he gave my sister and I, and we are very grateful.

He has influenced me in every positive way possible and supported me all through.

What does success mean to you?

To me, success means having a goal, planning the steps to achieve the goal, implementing the plan, and finally attaining the goal. This simply means if you don’t set goals for yourself, you may not be in the position to establish whether or not one is succeeding in life.

What motivates you?

I am a very passionate person. I put all my strength and passion in everything I do.

I love setting goals for myself and working hard to achieve them. So I guess doing a good job and achieving the desired end result is my primary motivation.

Tell us about a time when you failed?

As an entrepreneur, you are likely to undergo a lot of challenges and disappointments; a lot of things may not work as you plan. Some businesses may succeed, while others simply will not. But for every time something goes wrong, I consider it to be a learning experience.

The key thing is to get back up, keep working hard, keep pushing and never give up.

If you were to meet a global figure, which would it be and why?

Michelle Obama! She is the epitome of grace and an example of a strong black woman. I aspire to be like her. She makes us women believe that anything is possible.

And it truly is!

How did you arrive at showbiz and entertainment?

I’ve always had a passion for events. I simply love fashion events, music concerts and lifestyle events. When I was in the UK studying Business Economics at the University of Reading, I realised I had a huge passion for lifestyle events. I started having mini events here and there, and I began earning money from my passion. After my studies in the UK, I decided to further my skills, so I moved to New York and did a post graduate in Events Management at New York University (NYU).

Today, I run an events company called Le Reve Events, which specialises in lifestyle events. Music Meets Runway (MMR) was the first major one in Nigeria we were able to achieve. We’ve done a couple more but not as big as MMR. Hopefully there will be many more.

You are the pioneer of the famous Music Meets Runway. It didn’t hold last year. Is that deliberate?

Well, it’s definitely not deliberate. Music Meets Runway (MMR) has been going on for five years. It wasn’t able to hold last year simply because of the state of the economy and the recession we are currently facing.

Music Meets Runway requires a huge budget for it to take place; the production costs are enormous! We were not able to raise the money for the event.

A show like Music Meets Runway, which is of international standard production, is an event that promotes fashion designers, music artistes, models, stylists, makeup artists and so on to exhibit their talent. Every single person that appears on the show becomes a huge deal after the event. It is not just for entertainment, it enables new careers and promotes existing careers in the creative industry.

The event pulls in about 5,000 guests, which consist the youth, fashion and music lovers, celebrities and the movers and shakers of Nigeria. We also have numerous guests from different African countries, plus international guests from the UK and U.S. So it is safe to say that the event promotes tourism in Nigeria. Events like this, need to be supported by the government and the corporate world to sustain it. Sponsorship is critical! We have

What do you do in your leisure time?

I’m an outgoing person, so I love to have fun and to be in good company. I love the process of getting dressed and looking fabulous to go out. I love traveling when I get the opportunity to get the time off and exploring new places.

You seem to have a strong eye for fashion.

What does fashion mean to you?

I’ve always loved fashion, ever since I was little, even more now, as I get older. Fashion is about expressing yourself and a glimpse into someone’s personality, it is self-expression.

What fashion brands do you love?

Wow! There are so many. I mostly love Nigerian brands and I’m a firm believer in supporting your own and buying Nigerian.

There are several fashion designers out there I adore, you can just pull out the list of all the designers that have showcased on Music Meets Runway, they are all my favorites.

Olize

contributed and supported the creative industry in everyway. It is about time we get that support to enable us continue giving back and help in nation building.

Besides Music Meets Runway, what else do you do for a living?

I own and run another business called Le Reve Pieces, which simply means ‘The Dream Pieces’ in French. It is a fashion store located in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. It stocks the best selection of jewellery and accessories you can find.

In March 2016, I launched my Sunglasses Line called LRP Shades, which I adore completely with a passion. They are affordable trendy fashion glasses, everyone should have. I have also launched a bridal line this year called Le Reve Bride (The Dream Bride), here we cater to all brides needs, from their neckpieces, to veils, to earrings, to lingerie to hair accessories and many others. We are dedicated to creating the dream bride.

Was there any time, the name frank Olize opened or slammed a door against you?

My father’s name definitely opens doors for me. I noticed he has a lot of people that admire him for the role he played in the country or in their lives. It is always nice to meet people like that, they are always willing to hear me out and help if possible.

In terms of slamming the door, this also happens! There are also some people who feel I shouldn’t be where I’m today. But I would say this, a million times; I thank God for my background, yes! But without using your brain, talent and passion, there’s a limit to what your family name can do for you.

I’m a hard worker in everyway possible, very determined, focused and extremely passionate in everything I do. I never look for the easy way out; I face the same challenges just like everyone else. So people should shut out that mentality.

What virtues do you think you would pass to your generation from Frank Olize?

My father used his voice through media as an avenue to make a difference. I’ll love to use this virtue into rebuilding Nigeria.

I believe strongly in the potential of this

What fashion accessories would I find on you always?

I love all accessories. They are truly everything. Accessories are the icing on the cake that make the outfit more beautiful. If I had to choose, I’ll choose Sunglasses. They are fabulous!

What kind of man would you like to marry?

Million dollar question! Whoever God has designed for me will be just perfect. But I desire a man who genuinely believes in the institution of marriage. My parents have been together for 34 years now, so I’ll definitely want a marriage that is sustainable. I am attracted to strong, hardworking go-getters with a drowning love for a great family and the fear of God to maintain that family.

Are we expecting marriage from you anytime soon?

Yes! By God’s special grace. I hope to be married soon to a wonderful man. I’ll love to have a beautiful family. Family means everything to me.

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25.08.2017

Ajumogobia: Negotiation and Dialogue Will End Niger Delta Crisis Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia, in this interview with select journalists in Lagos, spoke on the FG’s intervention in environmental remediation in parts of Niger Delta, government’s decision to transform illegal refineries in the Niger Delta into modular refineries, President Muhammadu Buhari’s foreign policy, among others. Mabel Benson and Blessing Alaku bring excerpts

Ajumogobia

FG’s intervention in environmental remediation in parts of Niger Delta The intervention, so far, has been more rhetorical than concrete. However, I would say that compared to what the order of the day was in the past, one can see that the federal government clearly acknowledges the obligation and appears committed to bringing about a paradigm shift in the attitude to environmental remediation. This is clearly still work in progress, but without implementation of remediation efforts, one cannot really speak of satisfaction. Levels of pollution have not been reduced in any noticeable way and there has been zero remediation so far.

How ordinary people can benefit from the nation’s oil wealth There is a Niger Delta Master Plan. The ordinary people would have derived some benefit from oil resources if that plan had been half implemented. The institutions such as OMPADEC (1996), NDDC (2000) and the Niger Delta Ministry (2008) set up as intervention vehicles have failed to make any real impact on the lives of ordinary people in the region due to a combination of corruption and lack of coordination.

Therefore, I wish to posit that one way the ordinary people can benefit from the nation’s oil wealth is to strengthen good governance and transparency particularly around financial and natural resource management. This is well-documented in the 12 precepts (particularly precepts 1, 2, 5, 7 and 11) of the Nigeria Natural Resource Charter.

Role of civil society organisations in helping

government exploit its natural resources There is widespread acknowledgement that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have a critical role to play in improving the governance of natural resources (as contributions towards poverty alleviation) by identifying, designing and implementing solutions to the root causes of these crisis and mismanagement.

In Nigeria and indeed, across the continent, there are talented, visionary and committed civil society leaders and organisatons playing key roles in the natural resource field - from the development of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in Nigeria, through the scaling-up of community conservation in Namibia and Kenya, to the design of sustainable community forestry models in Tanzania, and a wide range of land and forest policy reform initiatives and movements in countries from Liberia to Mozambique.

However, many CSOs have, and continue to struggle to get the support they need to play an effective role predominately as a result of the lack of an enabling environment for them to operate. If we, as a country, are to develop and scale up the solutions required to deal with the intensifying changes and new pressures surrounding the exploration and utilisation of our natural resources for the benefit of all Nigerians, creating a stronger enabling environment for leading civil society organisations to thrive and deliver impact must become a greater priority on the natural resources agenda.

Negotiation with the Niger Delta militants as panacea to the issues fuelling tension

in the region Negotiation and dialogue has been a recurring decimal in our national history since independence. Negotiation and dialogue is a viable and time-tested approach to resolve crisis and is a sure way to end the region’s crisis and it is appropriate for a democratic government to adopt this approach. Nigeria and Nigerians have come a long way together since 1914 and we must have the patience to talk and listen to one another.

However, the focus in this instance, must be on sincerity and commitment on the part of the government and the leadership in the Niger Delta to holistically address the issues that are well documented.

FG’s decision to transform illegal refineries in the Niger Delta into modular refineries I am not a technical person, so I cannot venture an opinion on the viability of that.

What I can say is that the crude distillation process that constitutes the illegal refineries across the Niger Delta have no similarity to a modular refinery, properly so-called, including a simple diesel production unit i.e a pre-fabricated processing plant that has been constructed on skid-mounted surfaces that contains a portion of the entire refining process that is connected to other portions by pipes that allow it to be easily transported.

Tackling alarming rate of unemployment in Nigeria In tackling unemployment, we essentially must convert to a producing economy. Today, we are a consuming nation that produces little. Government’s policies and initiatives

that encourage growth of all economic sectors inclusive of agriculture, IT, mining of natural minerals are required. The apprehensions and concerns of investors (domestic and foreign) who wish to invest to boost the economy as well as create more job opportunities must be holistically addressed. Jobs derive from production and services. This has to be enhanced to reduce unemployment to acceptable levels.

Nigeria’s foreign policy direction under Buhari’s administration It is not clear to me what the focus or thrust of our foreign policy under this current administration is beyond symbolism.

Nonetheless, "Trade still follows the flag"!

Our Embassies should, play a leading role in helping to secure much-needed investment, export promotion, broadening access to foreign markets for goods and services, and an overriding function in managing relations between states, and coordinating relationships between states and other foreign actors in addition to the "welfare, support and protection of one's citizens travelling through or living in the foreign country."

Happily our new foreign affairs minister, His Excellency Geoffrey Onyeama has articulated this very vision in announcing that his focus is to turn our Embassies "into hubs for our economic development programme."

But without the appointment and deployment of envoys in our 105 diplomatic missions across the globe, it is difficult to fathom how any adopted policy thrust can be implemented.

With the recent appointments, our policy focus may become clearer.

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25.08.2017

Foluke Daramola: Why I’m Campaigning against Domestic Violence Ayodeji Ake As an advocate and a warrior against domestic violence, Nollywood actress Foluke Daramola who is well known for her professionalism in the theatre world has revealed that she has been campaigning against domestic violence of women because her virginity was taken away in her teenage age by a rapist.

Foluke who is happily married with two kids, noted that there a lot of women who are from domestic violence but are keeping it to themselves so to hide way from public disgrace. But according to her, it's better to stay away from domestic violence than being buried in it. She stressed that, not until women are battered will they be regarded as domestic violence but it could be in form of , psychological, emotional and physical violence. "I run a foundation called FARA, Fashion Against Rape and Abuse in Africa. I was about the first person that started the revolution of campaign against rape because I was deflowered by a rapist when I was

Daramola

in my teenage age. A lot of people say why disclose that. An organisation came from France that they want to have a documentary on me and they asked if I have a foundation but I said no, so they suggest I start a foundation to preach the gospel. A lot of people don't speak out about rape, they keep it inside them. But the fact remains we have to speak out. "To

women, I will say silence is not golden. If your husband is abusing you in any form and you refuse to speak out because of what the society will say then you will be killing yourself and nobody will take care if your children," she said.

Lending her voice to how her colleague, Mercy Aigbe was seriously battered by her husband, she condemned the act saying her (Mercy) husband is her brother but she won't be on his side for he has committed a crime that deserves justice. "The truth of the matter is when Mercy was battered, Uncle Lanre is my brother, I know him very well because we are from the same town but I am against what he did to Mercy.

Assuming she has done anything wrong, she shouldn't be battered. If I see him I will tell him to his face that that what he did was wrong. I have been in a marriage that I have been abused, psychologically and emotionally abused and I know what it takes, it's just as good as the person is dead. So no matter how close you are to me, I will be against any man beating a woman," she said.

Queen Moremi Ajasoro Designs Dazzle in London Fashionistas and global audience in London were wowed with a sleek preview of the first collections of designs for Queen Moremi Ajasoro (QMA) beauty pageant during the Africa Fashion Week in London. The collections were by the headline designer for the beauty pageant, which is scheduled to hold in November, Larry Kay Ojomo of Mon’Ami Clothing.

The collections, said the designer, who is one of the designers for the event, was influenced by the rich history of the people of Ife, the personality and exploits of Queen Moremi. The designs portray womanhood and power, royalty and a little bit of modern feel, emphasising infusion of the old and new era as well as the use of colours to portray Africa prints.

Speaking on this development, the Heritage Ambassador, Legacy of Moremi, Princess Aderonke Ademuiluyi, who is the founder of Africa Fashion Week and the person spearheading the beauty pageant project, revealed that the veteran designer has in his designs underlined the reason for his choice as one of the designers for

Winfield Montessori School pupils displaying skills during the school's graduation ceremony

The graduation ceremony was well celebrated and will always be a day to remember by students of Winfield Montessori School most especially the graduating students.

The event which took place at the school's premises at Abijo lekki Lagos, witnessed a large turnout of parents and invited guests.

In his speech, the Director of the school, Mrs. Evelyn Chukujama, said, “As parents and teachers we do put a lot of time and energy into preparing our children for the future, there is a need to equip them with life-long skills to prepare them for adulthood. It is our collective responsibility as we guide and mould the leaders of tomorrow, for it is on them that the future depends.”

Chukujama called on parents to be security conscious as well as sensitise their children on security tips.

The graduation ceremony was interesting as pupils displayed skills in drama, choreography, cultural dance and many more. Winfield Montessori School is a community of children, parents, and administrators, working together to create a positive environment that lays the foundation for those habits of minds that support happiness and success both in school and in life.

Lagos Commends Fidson’s Support for Children’s Education Queen Moremi Ajasoro designs being displayed at the

the historical beauty pageant.

The beauty pageant, which is in its second year, is opened to young Nigerian ladies between the ages of 18 and 25 from across the country, with a minimum of school certificate and of five feet and five inches tall.

Auditions for the coveted crown are slated for Ife, Lagos and Ibadan while the

grand finale holds in Lagos. The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has already committed N5 million towards the purchase of 1, 000 application forms for contestants while corporate bodies and various institutions across the country are lining up support and sponsorship of the event.

Media Firm Slams PMAN’s Ownership Claims Over Creative Conference The firm responsible for the organisation of the recently-concluded Creative Industry Financing Conference in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture has condemned claims circulating in the media space that the initiative was conceived by Pretty Okafor, President of the Performing Musician Employers’ Association of Nigeria. The company, ThinkTank Media, in a statement, noted that Okafor’s claims that Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, plagiarised his idea of hosting such a conference, is totally off the mark.

“Our attention has been drawn to the letter of Messrs. I.C. Ejiofor & Co, written at the instruction of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) to the Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, with regard (to) the recently-concluded Creative Industry Financing Conference organised by our organisation.

“The claim that the Creative Nigeria Financing Conference is the brainchild of Pretty Okafor is unfounded and derisory at the least. The conference did not only speak to the Nigerian music industry but also addressed the film and television practitioners with the aim of creating a viable relationship with the finance industry.

This objective goes beyond the purview of Okafor (who heads) a not-for-profit labour union for musicians,” Managing Director of ThinkTank Media and Advertising Ltd, Taiwo Olukunle noted, while pointing out that the letter, widely circulated on various blogs and other electronic media platforms

Winfield Montessori School Students Shine

claiming that the Creative Industry Financing Conference was a brainchild of PMAN plagiarised by the minister from an idea and/or proposal submitted to him, Olukunle stated that: “It is not our practice to respond to every unguarded publication in the news media. However the dimensions of this publication in question and its calculated attempt to unjustifiably malign the person of the Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, makes it expedient that a response be made to put things in proper perspective in the public domain where we have been unwittingly and inadvertently drawn to; and for the court of public opinion to decipher and make an informed decision on this matter that has been brought to its domain.”

According to her, the conference is an original project solely conceptualised and fully developed by Think Tank Media and Advertising Ltd and borne out of the firm’s innate desire to find a solution to the problem of financing that has over the years hampered the development of the Nigeria Creative Industry. She noted further that having duly approached and secured its participation, as the custodian and ministry in charge of the Nigerian creative sector, the Ministry of Information and Culture accorded the firm of its full support towards the successful hosting of the conference.

“We wish to put on record, that the allegation against the person of the minister with regard to the conference is spurious, highly misplaced and borders on a sinister plan to intentionally malign his person and

put his good works into disrepute. The conference is the product of our creative effort and not that of the Minister or the Ministry.

“We believe that if PMAN had taken steps to conduct a due diligence on the Creative Industry Financing Conference, it would have discovered that the target and philosophy behind the conference is essentially different in form and substance to its allegedly proposed idea of ‘Implementation of Bar Coding Technology for the Creative Industry in Nigeria.’ For ease of reference, the Creative Industry Financing Conference was not aimed at generating revenue for the government as was projected by the idea expressed in the alleged proposal of PMAN, which is targeted at making N10.3 trillion for the government from the creative industry in Nigeria. The conference is principally aimed at identifying, addressing and proffering solutions to the financing needs of businesses in the creative industry as against the revenue generating adventure of PMAN’s proposed idea,” Olukunle added.

While directly addressing the petition by the legal adviser of PMAN, she submitted: “Think Tank Media and Advertising Ltd reiterates the ownership of the right in the literal works conceptualised and expressed through the Creative Nigeria Financing Conference and we intend to continue exercising the right to its fullest benefit,” she advised PMAN to direct all hostilities at the firm and not the person of the minister and his ministry if it wishes to go ahead with the threat of litigation.

Lagos State Government has commended Fidson Healthcare Plc for its commitment to the academic development of Nigerian children through its Astymin brand’s annual flagship programme, tagged ‘Astymin Brilliance Reward’. Speaking at the 7th edition of the Astymin children academic reward programme- Astymin Brilliance Reward- recently held at the Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa, Lagos, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, said the Astymin programme, which is an annual programme by Fidson Healthcare Plc, was a commendable initiative that will go a long way to enhance the academic performance of pupils and ultimately contribute to educational development.

Adebule, who was represented at the event by the Director of Special Duties, Mrs. Feyisayo Obadofin, said Fidson has done well in encouraging children to strive for excellence in their academics by rewarding the best-performing pupils in Nigeria. She emphasised that children’s education is a significant aspect of national development that must not be pushed aside and encouraged all stakeholders, including teachers, parents and other corporate bodies to support the government by playing their parts in supporting the education of Nigerian children.

The Astymin Brilliance Reward, which berthed in 2010, is the brand’s biggest and most prestigious event.

The programme is aimed at developing mental and academic performance, while rewarding hard work and academic excellence amongst primary school pupils, through special acknowledgment and provision of educational materials.

The Astymin brand recognised and rewarded the kids with certificates of excellence and valuable prizes including educational materials. These were presented by the Director of Special Duties, Mrs. Feyisayo Obadofin alongside the Sales and Marketing Director, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Olugbenga Olayeye; General Manager, Sales and Marketing, Fidson Healthcare Plc, Mr. Ola Ijimakin and Marketing Manager, Mr. Friday Enaholo.

Enaholo, said in his opening remarks at the event that Fidson is always proud to support Nigerian children in terms of education, health and general well-being.

“Like we have always emphasised, the ABR is our attempt to bring back the glory days of our education by throwing our weight behind the children's drive for academic excellence. This is another season of delight for the kids who have worked so hard and perform exceptionally in their academics; but for us as a brand, it is another day of celebrating excellence.”

He emphasised that the choice of the new venue for the event which was held outside the usual Grange school for the first time since the inception of the programme, is an indication of the company’s persistence in its commitment to support the kids in all their academic endeavours, through its Astymin brand.

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25.08.2017

Group Launches Landmark Forensic Interviewing Facility in Lagos Representatives of the child protection community in Lagos State gathered recently to attend the launch of the Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre’s state-of-the-art Forensic Suite for children who have experienced sexual abuse, in Lagos.

A forensic interview is a structured conversation between a Forensic Interviewer and a child with the objective of obtaining detailed information or accounts of events that the child may have experienced or witnessed. The interview is usually carried out in a child-friendly setting, at the beginning of a police or child protection investigation. It is especially valuable especially where there are no witnesses or physical evidence, and the outcome of the case depends on the victim’s verbal account of what happened. The child’s account is also digitally recorded.

In recent times, Nigeria has recorded an alarming rate of child sexual abuse more than ever in history. It is regrettable to know that only a minimal number of perpetrators are convicted or punished for this crime. Underreporting, improper interviewing, the inability of our community and law enforcement agents to react appropriately to disclosures of child sexual abuse, as well as the limited ways to assess the credibility of testimonies of victims, may have also contributed to the increasing number of unprosecuted cases.

At the launch, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Founder Trustee of the Cece Yara Foundation,

Stakeholders at the launch of the Forensic Interviewing Facility in Lagos by Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre

stated that the Forensic Interview Suite was in the forefront of technology and research-based investigation of child sexual abuse cases, and would be transformational in assisting the police to the carry out more thorough investigations and the discovery of high quality evidence. The Cece Yara Foundation, a child-centred non-profit organisation established to prevent child sexual abuse and to promote prevention awareness among adults and children, arranged for the successful training of 10 Forensic Interviewers, including

staff from the Nigerian Police, and the Ministry of Youth and Social Development on providing skillful child-friendly forensic interviews.

The team was trained by Dr. Princess OlufemiKayode, who has worked for nearly 20 years with sexual and gender based violence victims, started the first Rape Crisis Centre in Nigeria in 2005, and is the founder of Media Concern Initiative for Women and Children (MediaCon), a Non-Governmental Organisation committed to responding to issues of sexual violence against

women and children.

Forensic Interview is designed to eliminate obstacles during the investigation in the event that the perpetrator denies the abuse. Though the practice is relatively unknown in Nigeria, The Cece Yara Foundation intends to collaborate with the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Ministry of Justice and the Nigerian Police in driving the process of ensuring that child Forensic interview becomes best practice in Nigeria, similar to other developed countries. The Cece Yara Foundation is confident that forensic interviewing will aid in successful prosecutions, the conviction of perpetrators and reduction in child trauma. The Cece Yara Foundation is a child-centred non-profit organisation established in 2016 to prevent child sexual abuse and provide access to care, information, protection and emergency intervention for children who are sexually abused or at risk, and their family.

The Foundation provides the ideal response to children through a 24-hour free child telephone helpline (0800 800 8001) and its child-friendly Child Advocacy Centre based in Lagos, which provides provide professional counselling, medical, legal and psycho-social support, as well as referral services. The Foundation also conducts prevention programmes for children and adults to raise the awareness of sexual abuse, and to educate adults on how to protect children from sexual abuse.

Providing Relevant Foundation for SMEs in Nigeria Mary Ekah Determined to empower, coach and mentor Small and Medium Enterprises in Lagos State, on how to leverage their businesses on Digital Marketing, Adeyinka Igbinoba, Chief Executive Officer of AIG Media Pro, a digital marketing company recently held a digital marketing training in conjunction with Keshab Properties at Lekki where several SMEs were in attendance. During the training, Igbinoba engaged a number of SMEs and presented to them a practical digital marketing approach to business in general, which will help them establish relevant foundation for growth.

Igbinoba who said AIG Media Pro provides quality services to existing and prospective clients, delivering top notch expertise with experiences gathered over the years, added, ”We are a proven and successful social media and

digital marketing firm with expertise in project life cycles, planning, strategising, monitoring, controlling and executing all social media and digital marketing projects, delivering value and delighting clients and stakeholders.”

As a leading global digital marketing coach, she said her company’s priority is to ensure that its courses are designed to effectively help organisations that are going through digital transformation, stressing that small and medium scale enterprise (SMEs) have played and will continue to play a remarkable role in the growth, development and industrialisation of many economies in the world.

She noted however that in Nigeria, SMEs have performed below expectations due to a combination of factors which ranges from the attitude and habits of SMEs themselves through economic related factors, inconsistency in the policy of government, and somersaults. “We

OVL Foundation Calls for Mentoring of Women and Youths

discovered that year-in year-out, government at all levels through budgetary allocations, policies and pronouncements have signified interest and acknowledged the crucial role SMEs play in the sub-sector of the economy. Hence, they have made policies for energising the sector. In spite of the enormous effort put in by the government through various programmes and policies to revive and establish a relevant foundation for SMEs in Nigeria, there has yet been no substantial improvement realised from sector and this is basically because of lack of knowledge of application on so many tools at their disposal which for a long time now has remained grossly under deployed.”

She stressed further that no matter the input of the government in the SMEs sector, without the use of digital marketing it will be another effort in futility, adding, “The world is changing digitally, so should businesses that wish to move with the tides.

It will be worthy to note here that, many businesses are reaping the benefits of digital marketing leveraging advantages that traditional marketing strategies simply can't offer. Thanks to digital marketing, businesses can now have a bigger impact on the way consumers interact with their brands online.

Igbinoba noted further that digital marketing benefits allow businesses to evolve their marketing plans and stay competitive in the industry. She therefore called on all SMEs to deploy digital marketing tool in enhancing their various businesses, thereby encouraging the government to look towards the direction of empowering SMEs. She explained that the plan is to coach, train and mentor 50 youths on a monthly basis on how to be independent of families, friends, and government by simply learning to use digital marketing techniques in resolving their wants in all facets of life.

MTN Foundation Takes ‘Saro’ to London Funke Olaode

L-R: Abiola Osuniyi Business Devt Executive of Parallelpoint consult , Mr Adedayo Ojo CEO Caritas PR, Mrs Oyinlola COO OVL Foundation , Mr Victor Laniyan Chairman OVL Foundation, Rhoda Robinson Director of Gender Development programme, HACEY Health Initiative, Scott Igbene , Executive Director Scoale Consult

The OVL Foundation has called upon stakeholders in civil society organisations, corporate organisations as well as world leaders to provide empowerment, mentoring and guidance opportunities to women and youths in Nigeria and Africa. This will enable them lead economically productive lives and break free from the shackles of poverty, stagnation and retrogression. This call was made by the Director of the Foundation, Mr. Victor Laniyan, during a vision sharing session with stakeholders which included CSOs, CBOs, international NGOs, donor organisations, representatives of corporate organisations and media organisations in Lagos. He explained that women and youths in Nigeria and Africa are vulnerable, faced with unique issues and challenges specific to their gender and stage of life. This makes it necessary for them to be empowered, mentored and guided in all spheres of life and learning.

That way, they will be able to rise above these

challenges.

The Ag. Executive Secretary of the OVL Foundation, Mrs. Oyinlola Scott-Igbene, noted that the foundation is guided by the belief that every human being irrespective of socio-economic status should be entitled to and not alienated from equal opportunities, economic justice, accessible and prompt healthcare as well as the tools to carve and work out their economic freedom and independence. “For us at OVL Foundation, we visualize a nation in which all individuals and communities have the opportunity to achieve their goals. Our goal is to complement the effort of government organizations, nonprofits and private sector institutions to advance education, technology and health opportunities for those who need them most,” she noted. The OVL Foundation was established in 2013 and is duly registered with the corporate affairs commission as a movement to empower women and young people in Africa.

After it successfully wowed Nigerian audience through its superlative and electrifying stage theatre performance, Nigeria’s telecommunication giant, MTN Foundation in collaboration with Bolanle Austen Peter’s production has taken the Nigeria’s Biggest Broadway Theatre, “Saro the Musical” to the London audience. The stage play which kicked off recently at the Shaw Theatre, West End, London will run through Saturday August 29.

Boasting over 80 cast performing on a oneof-its-kind custom-built stage, Saro traces and pays homage to Nigeria’s rich musical history by beautifully rendering some the country’s greatest hits over the years, while also delivers its own ingeniously composed original music.

Masterfully combining this with the impeccably choreographed dance routines and unforgettably charged performances delivered by a talented and attractive cast, Saro is a theatrical joy that gallops swiftly through its 14 acts to tell the story of Lagos settlers; immigrants who come from all over the country and indeed the world, to create a new and hopefully successful life in this bustling and exciting melting-pot.

According to a release by the telecommunication office, supporting the indigenous production is part of MTN Foundation’s strategy of facilitating the renaissance of Arts and Culture in Nigeria, exporting local productions of international standards. That is why it has partnered with Bolanle Austen-Peters of BAP Productions and Terra Kulture to bring ‘Saro’, the musical, a stage place to audience in the United Kingdom.

The statement stated further that, “Basically, it is like showcasing the best of Nigeria to the international community. That is why after

MTN Nigeria CEO, Mr. Ferdinand Moolman

supporting ‘Saro’ in Nigeria we are exporting to London. It is going to run for about six days so that Nigerians in the Diaspora can view it. Obviously, the UK has one of the largest population of Nigerians. We are also looking at British audience as you know that London is a multi-cultural city and a melting pot for all cultures and citizens of the world. We are looking at all of them converging at Shaw Theatre in West London to come and watch Saro for six days. If you have seen Saro, it is very rich in promoting Nigerian culture, music, and the arts.

“This is MTN Foundation way of contributing to the positive image of Nigeria because we are exposing the cast to the international audience.

If anything happens there, film directors or producers can spot talents who may end up in Broadway. This may be a turning point in their career. Essentially, it like showcasing the best of Nigeria.,” the statement said.

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25.08.2017

Driving Transformation Through e-Payment Innovations in the electronic payment space will help drive Nigeria towards a cashless economy, writes Peter Uzoho

MD of FCMB, Mr. Adam Nuru

The dynamic nature of emerging markets creates challenges that have never confronted the developed world, but also opens up opportunities for innovation and growth.

According to a report by PwC titled: ‘Emerging Markets: Driving the payments transformation’, payment is an area where such dynamism is already well-established.

Therefore, the global professional services firm in the report, posited that over the next 10 years (and beyond), there would be faster changes in the payments landscape, building on the accelerating growth in electronic payments and the advent of new and disruptive market players.

And Nigeria and other emerging markets are expected to be at the forefront of this payment transformation. That is because emerging markets are home to 85 per cent of the global population and nearly 90 per cent of people under 30 reside within these countries.

Given the demographics, these markets are currently finding themselves at a ‘sweet spot’ where population trends favour the growth of online transactions, which are in turn curtailing the black economy and stimulating economic growth. To meet the need for financial inclusion, there has been a rapid expansion of new technologies and innovations, which are helping to make it more economically viable for banks to reach the ‘unbanked or ‘underbanked’ populations.

Clearly, the advent of information technology, as exemplified by computers, mobile phones and other communication devices, has significantly revolutionalised the financial system globally. And as the digital revolution catches-on with its ample opportunities, people now conveniently and successfully carry out financial transactions on the go or in the comfort of their homes by visiting secure websites and apps that have been developed and maintained by banks and other financial institutions.

Indeed, a large number of Nigerians, especially the youths who are becoming more technology savvy, have continued to adopt and prefer electronic banking (e-banking) and payment (e-payment) offerings, as their

Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

information technology knowledge and its value-addition grow. This development has no doubt, gone a long way to ensure the success of the cashless and financial inclusion policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). For instance, the recent results of the Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) survey, regarding access to financial services in Nigeria, reveal that the number of adults that operate one form of bank account or the other rose to 46.9 million, compared to 45.4 million in 2014.

One of the leading commercial banks, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), as an inclusive lender and leader in financial services delivery in Nigeria, has continued to dictate the pace and expand its service channels in the provision of world-class electronic banking offerings and solutions that align with the lifestyles of its existing and potential customers.

Over the years, the bank has developed cutting-edge and bespoke products and services for its customers at all touch points thereby enhancing their experience.

According to a report from the bank, by achieving this, FCMB has taken its franchise to greater heights.

"The bank is known for providing one of the best alternate channels banking services cutting across ATMs, mobile and internet banking. The bank is among the first to deliver on-the-spot ATM cards, including Visa and Mastercard, issuance in Nigeria.

"These achievements are due to the lender’s electronic banking platforms that ensure secure, convenient and seamless solutions, which have been deployed in driving its retail, corporate and commercial banking businesses," it added.

Last year, FCMB upgraded its information technology infrastructure to the new generation Finacle 10 Core Banking solution from the Finacle 7 version to further demonstrate its commitment to world-class banking services.

The advanced service-oriented architecture (SOA) of Finacle 10 has enabled the bank to optimise its processes, enhance system capability, scalability, security, service delivery, turn-around time and overall performance.

Rising use of electronic banking channels Also, FCMB’s mobile and online bank-

ing enrolment as well as number of active customers using both channels have been on a steady increase.

For instance, the number of active customers using its mobile banking platform, grew by 92 per cent between January and July 2017.

Similarly, active customers on FCMB online rose by 83 per cent within the period.

"In terms of Point of Sales (PoS) transactions, FCMB now ranks as the bank with the third highest transaction volume in Nigeria with an average monthly count of 1.4 million. With the mobile banking and internet banking alternate channels, customers of the bank now carry out banking transactions at anytime in a hassle-free manner without having to step into the banking hall.

"These include, checking account balance, funds transfer to loved ones and business associates easily within FCMB and other banks, purchase of airtime, payment of DSTV, GOTV and PHCN bills, viewing mini account statements, carrying out cardless ATM and other transactions round the clock.

"The FCMB online business version is another internet-based service of the bank designed for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and other corporate organisations. This is also an online real-time solution that allows such businesses, round the clock access to their FCMB accounts as well as the opportunity to manage their finances anywhere and anytime with the aid of an internet-enabled device," it added.

In another move to support the growth of small and medium scale enterprises and the success of the cashless policy initiative, the bank developed a virtual collection platform, known as MCash. This solution allows merchants to securely process payments in a seamless manner on a mobile phone via a unique identification code, called merchant Code, which is generated upon sign on and instantly mapped to the merchant’s account.

For instance, to make payment through the FCMB MCash platform, all that is required is to dial *402*Merchant Code*Amount#, choose the account to be debited from a displayed list and send to the beneficiary.

In the same vein recently, FCMB again raised the bar in e-banking by introducing

a new instant account opening platform, which can be completed within four minutes with the new customer’s account number immediately generated. To open the account, all a prospective customer is required to do is to visit the bank’s website through a computer or mobile phone, download the online account opening form, fill his or her details and submit.

To complement the internet and mobile banking offerings, FCMB equally has a suite of card (or plastic money) products designed to meet the lifestyle of users.

This array of branded electronic payment cards are used to make payments for goods/ services on point of sales terminals or merchants’ websites as well as cash withdrawals from ATMs. The bank issues both naira debit cards (which come in the form of MasterCard, Visa and Verve) and foreign currency cards.

The Visa and Mastercard, with the Personal Identification Number (PIN) of the customer, are issued instantly upon account opening at any of the Bank’s branches. This makes FCMB one of the few Banks that deliver on-the-spot cards issuance.

Assures to Deepen e-Payment Market Commenting on its performance in electronic banking, the Managing Director of FCMB, Mr. Adam Nuru, said that the bank will continue to make banking more exciting and rewarding.

He explained that the feat achieved so far was inspired by the bank’s quest to ensure that all segments of the population, especially the unbanked and the under-banked, embrace mainstream banking services.

"We are conscious of the needs of our target market and the evolving dynamics of the society with an increasing technology savvy population. We will continue to leverage on our robust e-banking platforms and opportunities provided by digital channels to bring greater convenience and consistency of experience to our customers. These will further consolidate our position as an inclusive lender," Nuru assured.

With a clear understanding of its market and environment, FCMB is well positioned to create more value for its growing customers and other stakeholders.

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Lagos Commissioner for Women Affairs Recommends Life Imprisonment for Rapists Peace Obi The Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mr. Lola Akande, has decried the spate of sexual violence in the country, saying that perpetrators can only be deterred by maximum punishment. And that life imprisonment may also be considered for perpetrators when found guilty by the court of law.

Addressing a group of protestors under the aegis of Alliance Against Domestic Violence and Abuse (AADVA) at the Governor's Office, Alausa-Ikeja, recently, the commissioner noted that the incidence of rape against young girls and babies in the society has risen to an embarrassing level. And that the ugly tide can be tamed through legislative process that will further strengthen the legal justice process in bringing rapists to book.

The commissioner who noted that the Lagos State Government has several programmes as well as established centres such Mirabel Centre where cases of rape and sexual assaults are handled, said government cannot do it alone.

The commissioner who blamed the rising case of sexual violence on the decay in the moral

Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mr. Lola Akande, addressing youths protesting against sexual violence, at Governor's Office, Alausa, Ikeja...recently

fabric of the society, called on parents to be alive to their duties. "Parents should give their children home training. We are lacking that now in our society. We don't follow the norms of the society again. It is a shame,” she said.

Calling on the civil society organisations as

well as non-governmental organisations to join force with the government in its effort to curb sexual violence in the state, Akande urged them to move a Bill to the State House of Assembly that would not only criminalise rape but for offenders to go for life imprisonment.

"Let us have a Bill sent to the House of Assembly. If kidnapping attracts the punishment of 21 years imprisonment, then that is not enough for rape. Why not life imprisonment for rape?

If one person is used as an examplet and it is shown to the whole world, then they will sit up. When this happens, you will realise that parents who ordinarily don't have time for their children will begin to call their children to order.

"When you see a suspicious movement, call your neighbour. Don't say it is not your business, it is your business. Let us nip it in the bud.

Government cannot do everything and the Lagos State Government is doing all it can to ensure that we stem the tide,” Akande said.

In a statement signed by Laila St. MatthewDaniel and Josephine Effa-Chukwuma on behalf of AADVA, the group commended the Lagos State Government for being responsive to the issue of sexual violence in the state. The group however said a lot needs to be done in the

area of response by the police, lack of diligent investigation and prosecution of cases, delay in court, inadequate sexual assault centres and lack of a good fostering system for children abused by one or both parents.

Presenting their demands, the group requested for "prompt professional response by the police, devoid of shaming and trivialising; diligent investigations and prosecution of offenders by the Police and the officials of the state Ministry of Justice, life skills development modules into the curricula of schools to equip the young children with values and morals, totally different from technical skills,” it said.

Calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to join in the fight against rape, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde said that anybody can be a victim of rape.

According to Ogunde, for the war to be won, there is need to find out the root cause of rape in the country. "We need to know why it did occur. Is it because of the influence of drugs? Is it because our education is not providing them with the stability that will make them know that you don't rape. We also need to addressed the reason why it has continued. Is it because people get away with it? Is it because rapist are not given maximum punishment,” she wondered.

Nestle CEO Urges Youths to Realise their Potentials Through Use of Technology Peter Uzoho The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestle Nigeria, Mr. Mauricio Alarcon, has charged Nigerian youths to make good use of opportunities available to them to realise their God-given potentials.

Alarcon said this at a programme organised by the organisation to mark the 2017 International Youth Day celebration at its Head office in Lagos.

He stated that today’s youths are better equipped to make positive impact in the present “fast-paced world’, adding they should be creative enough to harness the vast talents in them to create value for society.

“You can do so many things today. As I see the great advantages of being a young person today, I also understand the hard challenges of managing so many prospects that no other generation prior to you ever had. Therefore, I think it is a great opportunity to sit together today to discuss how to seize these opportunities to really make a difference. You make a difference when you are young. Your potential is there, your dreams are there. So celebrate the youth,

Youths in support of Peace Building at the IYD Employability Training at Nestlé Nigeria’s Agbara Factory Complex

but more importantly, grab that unique chance that you have today,” he said.

The programme which was also organised to boost entrepreneurship and employability among youth in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) eight, held concurrently at the company’s head office in

Lagos and its branch office at Agbara Factory Complex, and featured young entrepreneurs as speakers.

The MD stated that the company would continue to support young people by boosting youth entrepreneurship and inspiring talented youths, as well as providing training and job

Kid Star, Iseoluwa Unveils Maiden Album Ferdinand Ekechukwu Long after then child star, Benita Okojie went off the music scene leaving a space, another child singer, Iseoluwa Abidemi has emerged and is set to fill the void. Like Benita then, Iseoluwa is 12 and also in the gospel genre.

The child singer who has just released her first official single album and video to the delight of her listening audience says the self-titled song is the first of many to be released.

The single track album titled ‘Iseoluwa' is a work made possible by her supportive parents and her project manager and producer, Frank Harrison-Uke. Speaking at the unveiling of the single, the young star whose music talent was discovered at age five by her mum, said the reason why she has decided to do gospel is because she appreciates the wonderful works of God. And

Lufthansa

so would not be doing any other form of music.

The child artiste who favours Asa and Nathaniel Bassey as her role models aspires “to go far in music and I want to excel at my studies,” she said. “I want to use my song to influence my world positively. I also want to study Law though music is my passion.”

Her project manager and producer, Harrison-Uke at the press conference said, ‘Iseoluwa's work has been encouraging.” He observed that after the likes of Tosin Jegede and Benita Okojie, there has been no kid stars and this has made the children to adopt adult’s music. Adding that ‘Iseoluwa' is young and needs to be promoted.

To him, it is one thing for an artiste to bring out a work, but it is another thing for the work to be sustained. “We have been able to put things together and we have drawn a plan. She needs to be on the faces of the people therefore we want to ensure she is very busy with music we would work on different programs at different times.”

Also speaking, ‘Iseoluwa’s mother Mrs. Gloria Abidemi said that she discovered her child’s talent a very long time ago. “When she’s carried away, she starts scribbling and singing out what she is writing. Although music is her passion, it still has to be education first.”

NCC, Fidelity Bank, Nedcom Oaks, Stanbic IBTC, Energia LTD, Forttis MFB, Others to be Honoured Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Fidelity Bank, Nedcom Oaks, Stanbic IBTC, Energia LTD, Fortis MFB, will all be honoured at the 2017 African Entrepreneurs Merit Award, scheduled to hold on September 1, 2017, at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja.

According to a statement made available by the Executive Secretary of the organisation, Mrs. Rosemary Ifekam, since its inception, African Entrepreneurs Merit Award has recognised and celebrated top/emerging entrepreneurs and corporate organisations in Africa with exceptional long-term accomplishments.

Nominees and recipients of the award are

chosen through a rigorous selection process, starting with a call for nomination from the public through and public option poll.

She also hinted that the awards ceremony will be electrifying as a wide range of guest artistes and performances have been lined up to spice up the arena as government officials, dignitaries, distinguished personalities across Africa and Nigeria will be in attendance.

She said: “The African Entrepreneurs Merit Award is the biggest and most subscribed awards platform in Africa that celebrates and rewards African entrepreneurs, business executives and heads of government organisations contributing

to the growth of the African economy."

The African Entrepreneurs Foundation is the leading organisation that represents and promotes entrepreneurs in Africa.

The organisation has grown to earn significant recognition from both public and private sector institutions as the voice of African enterprise and professional excellence in Africa.

The organisation has a reach of well over three million strong African owned enterprises cutting across 15 countries with the largest population of young entrepreneurs in Africa making African Entrepreneurs Foundation a driving force in the development of African enterprise.

opportunities to ensure they gain the skills that will enable them make positive contributions towards building peace in the society.

Speaking at the panel session for youth entrepreneurship, Chief Executive Officer, of CDAtelier, Tosin Oshinowo, emphasised on the need for youths to be hard working and focused, saying that that helped her to achieve significant milestones at a young age. On his part, Digital Marketing Executive and Social Entrepreneur, Mr. Elijah Eniola, encouraged the participants not to limit themselves to a university interest.

Also speaking at the second arm of the programme at Agbara, FactoryManager, Mr. Walid Hbaika, urged them to take the lessons very seriously, noting that they were being sharpened to get prepared for a world of challenges and opportunities.

Lending his voice, Head, Human Resources, Nestle Nigeria, Mr. Adesola Akinyosoye, advised the youths to embrace the key elements of learning ability to enable them succeed in today’s highly competitive environment.

Lifemate Inaugurates Largest Showroom in Nigeria Mabel Benson One of the leading contemporary furniture companies in Nigeria, Lifemate has expanded its branch network in the country following the inauguration of its new showroom at Area 11, Ahmadu Bello Way, Abuja.

The ultra-modern office is prided as the biggest furniture showroom in the country. The complex on eight floors occupies the total space of 12,000 square metres. Its network strength in Nigeria has also expanded to 13 branches in six cities, to bring its total office space in the country to 40,000 square metres.

The company began operation in Nigeria 11 years ago and currently offers employment for more than 400 Nigerians in production, sales, transport, after service and outdoor activities.

Lifemate Managing Director, Dereck Dai, described the Chinese company as one-stop shop for all.

He said that apart from a robust network in Nigeria, Lifemate also operates in South Africa, Sudan, Benin, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana and Madagascar.

“Nigeria is a good market and the people are quite friendly. Many of our workers have been here for years, some for 14 years. It is like my second home and I have been here for eight good years and my son was born here. We promise to do more, because we invest, produce and pay custom duties here,” Dai said.

Lifemate used the grand opening to offer its value customers massive discounts and cash reward of N1.7 million through a raffle draw.

The lion-share of N500,000 cash was offered to one of the lucky customers.

36/ENTREPRENEUR

25.08.2017

‘Arts Should be Fully Explored to Advance Our Society’ Odafe Atogun is an Edo-born Nigerian writer and author of two outstanding novels, ‘Taduno’s Song’ and ‘Wake Me When I’m Gone’- both published in different languages including, Spanish, Turkish and Italian. Atogun spoke with Peter Uzoho at the maiden edition of Kaduna Book and Arts Festival held recently in Kaduna State

Atogun

Taduno’s Song, your first book, has featured in two book festivals. One was at the Ake Arts and Book Festival, last year in Abeokuta, and just recently, at the Kaduna Book and Arts Festival (KABAFEST). So tell us more about the book?

Taduno’s Song showcases the power of the Arts in society. It is the story of an iconic musician, who in the beginning sang about peaceful co-existence in society - about love, about peace. A time came when the country was under a ruthless dictatorship and he began to use his music as a weapon against the government. He used his music to condemn tyranny, corruption and many of the ills bedeviling his society. Of course, that got him into trouble with the government, so he goes into exile. In exile, he receives a letter from his girlfriend, telling him about the unwholesome state of things in the country – how things were sliding out of control. He comes back to the country where he is involved in a duel with the tyrant, the dictatorial President at the time.

So basically, it’s the struggle of this musician called Taduno to emancipate his country from a ruthless dictatorship.

What inspired the story?

The story was inspired by the life of the late Fela Kuti – what he did with music. I would say that Fela Kuti was a consistent campaigner for the rights of the downtrodden through his music. He attacked the government using his music as a weapon. I’ve come to realise that the place of the arts in our society is not being fully explored. It’s a very powerful tool that can help advance society; that can really move society forward. So I saw the need to write this story to create that awareness – that the power of the arts is something that we need to use more in trying to elevate ourselves as a people or society.

When and where was Taduno’s Song published?

It was published on August 4, 2016 by Canongate Books in the UK and has since been published in the U.S. by Penguin Random House – the biggest publisher in the world.

It has been translated into German, Italian, Turkish and other languages. The Nigerian edition was published late last year by Ouida Books.

At what point in your life did you start writing?

I’ve been writing all my life but I did not take writing seriously in the beginning. I would call myself a lazy writer – yes I’m a lazy writer.

I’ve been lazy most of the time and that’s why I’d not gotten a publishing deal before now. But at a point in my life, some years back, I decided to give it my all. I started writing seriously, finished my first book and, fortunately, got a publishing deal that secured the world rights. So at that point, I decided to go full-time. But writing has always been in me; even as a child I’ve always had this love for literature. However, it’s one thing to be talented and it’s another thing to be hard working. So, given the success I have achieved so far, I have resolved to be more focused.

How do you feel being a writer?

It liberates me because I’m able to express myself; I’m living my dream and it’s so good to be able to contribute your piece to society – to the elevation of society. Arts is about elevating society, it’s not just to entertain. So contributing my little bit through my art is something that is very joyful, and I’m deeply grateful for it.

How would you rate the reception of

‘Taduno’s Song’ by the readers?

That’s for the reviewers and critics to decide.

But for a book to have been published in over six countries, that tells you something.

Like I said earlier, it was published last year in the UK and has since been translated into three languages – German, Italian, Turkish, and other rights have been negotiated but three foreign languages are already out in the market. So that tells you the potentials of the book. You can’t be a full time writer if your book is not doing well. I mean, you need to survive; you need to pay your bills.

So for me to go full-time that tells you a story.

Writing is one art that is highly timeconsuming, and you are a family man – you have your wife and children needing your attention. So how do you juggle between them?

It’s like the normal person that goes to work every day. You go to work; you come back to your family. So it’s the same thing, you have to work. As a writer, the time you appropriate for your work is not different from a doctor, a teacher or an engineer. I’m just like every other normal human being.

What is your biggest challenge as a writer?

To be very candid, my biggest challenge now is the fact that I need to take my work more seriously. There are so many distractions in the world – from social, to family, to economic. You encounter so many distractions. But these are not peculiar to me as a writer. It’s something that affects everyone, and I just need to rise above the distractions to dedicate more time to my art.

Would you love to see your son or daughter wake up one day to say he or she wants to be a writer?

I don't see any problem with that. As a parent you encourage your children to aspire to be the best they can be. You encourage and support them.

Apart from Fela Kuti, who was of influence to you, what other influence do you have, particularly in the art of writing?

I have many influences. There is Milan Kundera, the Czech-born French writer, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a Columbian; John Maxwell “J.M.” Coetzee, a South African; our own Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, and so many other writers. But my biggest influence is society.

Every artist derives his or her inspiration from society. It’s the society that provides us with the materials we use for our art. Be you a painter, a musician, a writer, you get all your materials from society. So for me, society is my greatest influence because without society we will not have art in the first place.

Your second book ‘Wake Me When I’m Gone’ has just been published in the UK. Tell us about it?

To put it very simply, it is a story about grief, love, motherhood and breaking the rules. It is the story of the triumph of a single mother who stood up against evil traditions in a typical African village.

Finally, Book Buzz Foundation headed by Ms Lola Shoneyin has been consistent in organising Book and Art Festivals in Nigeria where established and budding artists across Africa and beyond converge to dissect societal issues. What is your take on this?

What we are witnessing is a revolution. And it is good that we all have the opportunity to be a part of it one way or the other. Initiatives such as this promote the collective development of our minds as a society.

37/THISLIFE

25.08.2017

Sir Joe Keshi: The Quintessential Educationist Bows Out at 91

Late Keshi

Charles Ike-Okoh Sir Jonathan Obiajulu Keshi was born in the early hours of June 6, 1926. It was in the then sleepy town of Onicha-Olona, north of the lower Niger. He was a child of old age; born to the late Pa Jeremiah Okoh Keshi and the late Rebecca Kikanwa Keshi of Umuozolumona, Ogbe-Obi Village. His middle name “Obiajulu” which means “now my heart is at peace” was only apt for a first male child who came late in a man’s life after girl children in a typical Enu-Ani family where Okeibuno (man is the rock of the homestead or family).

JOK as he was fondly called by his peers lived his early life with his father the late Pa Jeremiah Okoh Keshi a retired Catechist of the Anglican Communion, who had just returned from his last station of Obosi in the present day Anambra State. In 1942, he passed the entrance examination to the prestigious Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Onitsha. However, he could not take up the admission due to lack of funds.

His father had struck a deal with the then Diocesan Bishop Alphonsus Onyeabor whose son took his place in DMGS, in return for a teaching job.

Thus began his teaching career, first at the neighbouring Akwuku-Igbo, then Owa-Oyibo, Onicha-Ugbo and eventually Aba in present-day Abia State. Having seemingly lost the chance of attending a grammar school, the man had taken up the challenge. He was very bright in both science and arts subjects with passion for agricultural studies and history. He had sought knowledge in both. Hoping to get a job as a teacher of Agricultural Science, he had first attended in-service non-certificate programmes at The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru, Zaria. But his passion for history paid an early dividend. He soon

made all his requisite papers in arts subjects without going through a secondary school.

This earned him a place at the University of Ibadan for a degree course in History Education. JOK was thus to become the first, and arguably the only person in his home town and beyond to go through the University, without seeing the four walls of a secondary school.

In 1959 at the age of 33 he was appointed founding Vice Principal of The Provincial Teachers’ Training College, Igueben (now College of Education, Igueban) where Mr. Abraham Osunbor father of Senator (Prof.)

Oserheimen Osunbor, former Edo State Governor, was Principal. In 1963 following Osunbor’s incursion into politics as a parliamentarian and Education Minister in the then Midwest Region, Sir Jonathan was appointed Principal of the school, a position he held for a reasonably long time.

In January 1970 immediately after the civil war, he was appointed Principal, Osadebay High School (Osadennis), Asaba. His mission was to salvage the school from the detritus of the Biafran war. He had had a blueprint for the school named after Chief Dennis Osadebay a major founding father of the Midwestern Region and the First Head of Government of the Region; a man he revered so much. His persistence on certain deliverables and his tenacity in his insistence had cut short his salvation mission at Osaddenis. He was sent first to Martin College Issele-Uku, and next to the then St. Thomas’ Teachers’ College, Igbuzor (now Federal Government College, Igbuzor) before moving to Escravos to head Ogidigben Grammar School, another school he helped to rebuild, as Principal. From Escravos he was again sent to rebuild Ugbeka College Evbhoghae in today’s Edo State. Sir Jonathan retired meritoriously in August 1984 a Principal special grade. He was 58.

After his retirement, still full of energy, his uncommon skills in school administration earned him a contract in an arrangement between the Federal Government and the then Bauchi State Government. This saw him on another salvation mission at the Federal Teachers’ College Gombe, where he was Principal between 1985 and 1991.

In the latter year, his children had prevailed on him to decline a renewal of his contract and to return home. He obliged them and remained in full retirement until his transition in April this year.

In 1954, Sir Jonathan met the delectable Elfrida Ojeah of Ubulu Okiti who was also a young teacher. They courted for less than three years and got married at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Onicha-Olona on April 27, 1957. JOK’s friends used to remind him how he boasted in his early days of marriage that he went to Ubulu-Okiti to “snatch” their golden trophy as no one there was man enough to win her. His wife Ezinne Elfrida Nkeolisanyem Adaolie Keshi, Lady of Saint Mary was the first girl to attend a secondary school in her home town Ubulu-Okiti.

Their marriage which produced seven children (four boys; three girls) was unique in many ways. First, it lasted exactly 60 years as Sir Jonathan Obiajulu Keshi died on April 27, 2017 on the 60th Anniversary of his wedding.

Secondly no neighbour, no sibling of theirs, no friend, ever had to counsel them after a fight because they never heard of any. But there were fights. Further, in the 60 years of their marriage not one day, not one hour, not one minute did his wife move out of the house due to a quarrel, or for any other reason.

Sir Jonathan will be remembered for many things. He had a passion for helping the needy, and would continue to do so even for people that did not reciprocate with gratitude. Most of all, he will be remembered for his passion

for education, where he not only invested heavily in his children but on just about anyone who came to him, on the other. His seven children include Dr. Onochie Keshi (MBBS; MICOG; MRCPI-O&G), visiting consultant gynecologist, the Republic of Ireland, and resident consultant in Trinidad. Next is Mr. Ngozi Keshi (FCFIP; FCCFA; FCCI; CFE; FCA) an accountant and a certified forensic investigator with many fellowships. These include those of the International Institute of Certified Forensic Investigation Professionals, the International Institute of Certified Chartered Forensic Accountants, and the Institute of Certified Accountants of Nigeria ICAN, among others.

His immediate younger sibling Dr. Chuba Keshi (B.Sc; M.Sc; M.Phil; D.Phil, PhD) a veteran journalist, banker and one time Professor of Management, Monarch Business School, Switzerland; Ms. Joy Ugo Keshi (B.A; MBA;CPM & JD Candidate) a technocrat in the US. Next is Dr.(Mrs) Ifeoma Sylvester-Monye (MBBS; FRCGP; MRCGP; DCH; DRCOG; DFFP) founding Head of Family Medicine, National Hospital, Abuja where she is also a Principal Consultant; Mr. Ifeanyi Keshi (B.Sc), businessman, the UK, and Dr. (Mrs.) Chinye Keshi-Nwambuonwu (B.Sc; JD), an accountant and US Attorney.

Sir Jonathan Obiajulu Keshi, Knight of Saint Christopher died a fulfilled man of 91.

He was a devout Christian of the Anglican Communion where he was a Lay Reader. He particularly regaled copiously in hymns of old for which the Anglican Church is known.

He was the oldest man and Head among his kindred of Umuozolumona in Ogbe-Obi Village of Onicha-Olona. He will be buried in his home town Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State on September 1, 2017. May his great soul rest in peace!

38/OPINION

25.08.2017

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Now, No more Nightmares at NIMASA Really, I’m not sure why most Nigerians decide to concentrate energy on a man who is in a pickle. I can only think of one thing: human psyche.

Of course, the public’s right to know and the obligation of the Aso Villa to tell became a confluence of conflict in our political debates in recent time with President Muhammadu Buhari’s sickness and his resort to medical help in London, United Kingdom.

As common with a time like this one, facts and substance became the victims of the campaign on both sides.

Tellingly, the drums outside there have different sounds but they are being beaten for a single masquerade.

In his own case, President Buhari has said in his broadcast on Monday that the market noise can only pull him further into distress.

Unfortunately, the headlines have gone against him since he returned. From a speech considered by many as impotent and lacking in strategy to rat race inside his office that made him surrendered, President Buhari must be thinking why on earth is he back into a storming situation.

But for his sickness this is an auspicious time for Buhari to be preparing his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to retain power in 2019, either for him or for another candidate of his choice, in the case that he decides not to contest.

Naturally, this is the time for political rally from one state to another to showcase the good works of his administration as groundwork for 2019 elections. But that appears to be hamstring by his health condition and lack of unity among the party leaders.

Interestingly, the president’s scorecard is best looked at by reviewing the works of the president’s men.

Two agencies in a tinpot situation inherited

Dakuku

by Buhari are Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. The two agencies were drifting downwards before Buhari appointed a woman and a man to change the narrative.

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Nigeria’s maritime agency’s chief operating officer is amazing.

His life comes nothing short of that too.

Aged just 47, and arguably one of the most successful and fascinating popular progressives

in Nigeria, Peterside looks to have a very big future ahead of him. In a party desperately short of star power, he glitters all the more brightly.

The details of Dakuku’s profile in success are in NIMASA. Within 16 months of being under a new administration, NIMASA witnessed a remarkable turnaround that has catapulted Nigeria into Maritime Heaven.

From a digitized operation to harnessing international agreement for a reform, Peterside placed Nigeria under Buhari in global record of strong maritime administration.

Yes, after a recessionary period triggered by declining oil prices, Africa’s biggest economy has chosen an aggressive diversification route, to buoy up its economy. There have been huge speeches and policies devoted to reviving agriculture and local industry as parts of efforts to diversify government revenue, however, the key to the country’s diversification strategy is the maritime industry, where opportunities for growth are huge and diverse.

As at 2016, the Nigerian maritime Industry was estimated to exceed $153 billion, representing about 30 per cent of the country’s GDP. And with a vast coastline of over 850 kilometres, the possibilities are truly endless.

What more, Peterside has managed NIMASA to the extent that the agency that was once isolated by the world for its corruption and inefficiency is now the darling of several global maritime organizations.

For instance, Nigeria is set to benefit from deep sea mining through effective harnessing of the opportunities stemming from working with the International Seabed Authority (ISBA).

The ISBA, which is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United

Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, will help the country in the area of capacity building to survey deep sea and establish a database of mineral resources available for the benefit of all mankind.

At the moment, the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic office is undertaking hydrographic survey and charting of the country’s maritime area, while NIMASA cooperates with the Navy to effectively enforce the United Nations Convention on the law of the sea and other relevant international maritime instruments.

To be frank, opportunities for growth in Nigeria’s maritime administration are huge and diverse.

For a count, NIMASA operates a 24-hour surveillance system, which captures all vessels in the Nigerian maritime domain, irrespective of weather conditions. The agency can now achieve a complete profile analysis, which includes the flag, registered owner, operator, beneficial owner and movements over a specified period, capabilities which enables it to take swift decisions, real-time, on any targeted ship. Within ten months, NIMASA had reduced the rate of sea accidents by 51 per cent – a record that prompted countries like the United States to send envoys to the reinvigorated agency for partnership.

And this, under Peterside, Nigeria will soon take delivery of the fifth largest floating dock in Africa, which is expected to be delivered by the last quarter of the year.

Really, I am not surprised that Peterside surpassed his predecessors in less than a year following his appointment, I predicted it in an article headlined ’NIMASA’s silver lining is Peterside’s golden opportunity,” published in April 2016, a few days after his appointment.

Now, can Buhari’s scorecard be looked upon in Peterside’s achievements? Absolutely!

Senator T.A.Orji’s Timely Motion to Save Nigerians Eddie Onuzuruike The month of July has been a historic month to Nigerians since the counter coup d’etat of July 1966. Since then, most Nigerians cock their ears, clear their eyes waiting for anything, good or bad in what could be termed a July surprise.

July 19, 2017 in the National Assembly Abuja, turned to be a good one as it witnessed a resounding presentation in the Red Chamber of the upper house of the National Assembly, the Senate. Senator Theodore Orji who represents Abia Central senatorial district, shocked fellow colleagues with the motion titled ‘Anti-Malaria Drugs Banned By The European Union Still Being Sold And Consumed In Nigeria, Need For Senate To Investigate’.

It wasn’t surprising to many of us who are used to Senator T. A. Orji, who has through multiple means demonstrated his penchants in governance and legislation focused specifically on health, education and agriculture, all these aimed at improving the lot of humanity. I recollect with nostalgia in 2007, few days after being sworn-in as governor of Abia State when he remembered his civil service constituency and promoted the totality of the civil service workforce in Abia, pushing all to the next salary grade level among many pronouncements made to the relief of many who have been suffering due to unfriendly polices in governance.

Many of such elevating policies that characterised his tenure have been chronicled, especially through many books, newsletters and magazines at home and abroad.

A historic discovery was brought to fore by the good governance tour of 2013, a fact finding mission made by Labaran Maku as a Minister of Information in the President Goodluck Jonathan era.

Now in the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria, the highest legislative body,

Orji

it has been a track of good, soul lifting humanistic news. In one of their publications in 2016, The Daily Trust Newspaper acknowledged Senator Orji as one of those with the highest member of Bills in the Senate even as he was a rookie Senator.

The most recent bill raised our collective consciousness to an ugly trend that has afflicted many citizens.

In our print and electronic media, cases of organ failure and chronic diseases are on the rise. Kidney transplant is not a disease for the poor. But this illness hardly differentiates between the rich and poor, forcing family members and other loved ones into desperate appeals to the public, through multiple media, soliciting for funds to enable bedridden Nigerians to embark

on trips to India, Saudi Arabia, United States, UK, Germany and France. Many expert opinions suggest that the rise on such organ attacks are mostly as a result of toxic items consumed by human beings out of ignorance or just for their easy availability.

Hideously, many drugs banned in the U.S. and Europe due to their toxicity and adverse effects on ignorant citizens are seriously in use in Nigeria. This was the kernel and subject of Senator Orji’s motion on July 19, 2017 in the Senate. The drugs, as listed below are very shocking, considering the number, quite an unwholesome lot on the loose. They include: Alaxin 60mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine) B / 8, Alaxin oral suspension (dihydroartémisinine) FL / 80ml, Amodiaquine 200mg compressed B / 1000, Amodiaquine 200mg compressed B / 1000, Arinate 100mg tablet (artésunate) B / 6, Arinate 50 mg tablet (artésunate) B / 6, Arsumax 50 mg tablet (artésunate) B / 12, Artemax 60 mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine) B / 8, Artémédine 40 mg capsule (artemether) B / 12, Artémédine 50 mg tablet (artemether) B / 12, Artenam 50 mg tablet (artemether) B / 14, Artenam 60 mg tablet (artemether) B / 8, Artésiane 300 mg child powder oral suspension (artemether) FL / 38g,Artésunate 100mg compressed B / 120,Artésunate 50 mg tablet B / 12,Artexin 60 mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine) B / 8, Camoquin 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B / 9, Camoquin 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B / 25 blisters, Camoquin 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B / 55 blisters, Camoquin 200mg tablet (amodiquine) B / 24, Camoquin 600 mg tablet (amodiaquine) B / 3, Camoquin oral suspension 50mg / 5ml (amodiaquine) FL / 60ml, Cotecxin oral suspension (dihydroartémisinine) FL / 80ml, Cotecxin 60 mg tablet (dihydroartémisinine) B / 8, Daraprim tablet (pyriméthamine) B / 30, Falcinil 50mg tablet (artésunate) B / 12, Flavoquine oral suspension 50mg /

5ml (amodiaquine) FL / 90ml, Flavoquine 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B / 16, Flavoquine 200mg tablet (amodiaquine) B / 240, Gunate strong tablet (artésunate) B / 6 gvs labs, Tvitter powder oral suspension (artemether) FL / 100ml, Halfan 250mg tablet (halofantrine) B / 6, Halfan 250mg tablet (halofantrine) B / 120, Halfan oral suspension 5mg / 5ml (halofantrine) FL / 45ml, Malartin 200mg tablet (artésunate) B / 6, Malartin 50 mg tablet (artésunate) B / 12, mmh-malarex 450 mg capsule (peschiarafuchsiaefolia) B / 20, Paludrine 100mg tablet (proguanil) B / 56, Plasmotrim 200mg tablet (artésunate) B / 25 blisters / 6, Plasmotrim 200mg tablet (artésunate) B / 6, Plasmotrim 50 mg lactab (artésunate) B / 12, Plasmotrim 50 mg lactab (artésunate) B / 25 blisters / It is not surprising that Senator Orji knows these too well. In his days in Abia while hosting Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, then Minister of Health, he impressed that only healthy people can enjoy dividends of democracy. Recall that prior to his assumption as governor of Abia State dialysis patients in Abia travelled abroad or outside Abia for such ailments but Senator Orji’s multiple installations in the ultramodern Abia Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centres halted the expensive medical exodus.

Now he has taken a bold step to halt and thus attack the root cause of these blazing ailments that cannot be easily detected but very aggressively debilitating. The effects of this bold entreaty can only be imagined as it is V-shaped in action. Our Amazon Dora Akunyili is remembered today for her impenitent war on fake drugs, if she had been alive today, only God knows how furious she would have been for these toxic imports that are worst than fake drugs.

Obviously more of such healthy moves will mean more days of enhanced longevity for Nigerians.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 25, 2017

39

40

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 25, 2017

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 25, 2017

41

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍłËœ 2017

42

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN Introduces Two New Non-interest Banking Instruments Obinna Chima In a bid to aid liquidity management and deepen the financial system, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced two new financial instruments known as - Funding for Liquidity Facility (FfLF) and Intra-day Facility (IDF), at its window, for access by non-interest financial institutions (NIFIs) under its regulation. The central bank stated this in a circular signed by its Director, Financial Markets Department, Dr. Alvan Ikoku, a copy of which was posted on its website yesterday.

This central bank listed some of the features of the FfLF to include that it would provide liquidity facility on overnight basis only and to be terminated on next business day.

Some other features include:

“Authorised non-interest financial institutions to provide eligible securities to the CBN as collateral for the facility.

The value of the collateral to be maximum of 110 per cent of the value of the facility. For example, if a NIFI wishes to take a FfLF of N10 billion, it would be required to provide eligible security collateral worth N11 billion. “The CBN shall specify acceptable collaterals from time to time. These shall include, but not limited to the following securities: CBN safe custody account (CSCA) deposit, CBN non-interest note (CNIN), CBN Asset-backed security (CBN-ABS). Sukuk (that has received status from the CBN, warehouse receipts as provided in the CBN Act 2007, and any other collateral designated by the

CBN that does not contravene the CBN guidelines for NIFI’s operations. “The transaction shall be at zero per cent interest rate.

At maturity, the transaction unwinds and the CBN receives back its funding and returns the collateral to the NIFI. Failure to provide adequate funding in the account for the unwinding of transaction at maturity, the CBN shall rediscount the pledge securities at par and recover the facility amount and return the net value to the NIFI,� it explained. On the other hand, it listed some of the features of the IDF to include that the CBN would provide an IDF for settlement, on same day business while authorised NIFI are expected to provide eligible securities as collateral for the facility.

‘Nigeria’s Business EnvironmentYearning for Innovation’ A senior lecturer at the University of Lagos, Dr. Ayodele Shittu has said that Nigeria’s business environment is currently yearning for innovation in order to fulfil its potential of stimulating prosperity.

In view of this, he said there was need for reformulation of the business paradigm in the country.

Shittu made this call in a keynote address titled: “Transforming Business and Economy through Innovation,� at the Worldstage Economic Summit, organised by the online news platform in Lagos on Tuesday.

Hence, to transform the Nigerian business landscape, he urged operators as well as regulators to promote collaborative activities between the universities and industries. “We must develop smart focus for specific sectors and promote knowledge-sharing in

both the formal and informal sectors. Innovative financing option for both existing and new businesses must be prioritised.

Nigeria’s educational system, if not prioritised may see reduction in future human capital. “This is quite fascinating to me and that has actually inspired me the more to look into the potential in young people. It will interest you to know that Nigeria as we speak is an embodiment of youthful talents. The big question is, why are our policies not tailored towards promoting youth development? “Given these evidences, Nigeria’s business environment is yearning for prosperity and now is the time to take action.

Take action in this context does not conote the business as usual attitude. Instead, we need to rethink our business culture and create innovative approaches

to creating, nurturing and developing local businesses with global outlook. We must bear in mind that the process of transformation is a journey,� he advised. According to Shittu, there is a significant relationship between the business environment and the economy, saying that the business environment is essential for economic growth, poverty reduction and for the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

He also stressed the need for policy makers as well as private sector operators to focus on delivering quality services at all times, saying the increasing level of competitiveness requires quality delivery of services. “Businesses should pay attention to defects reduction.

This also requires that businesses in both the informal sectors should strive to attain quality certification�.

ACCA Partners Baze University The Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) and BAZE University, a Nigerian private university have entered into a collaborative partnership with the overarching objective of providing professional foundation for growing accounting graduates in Africa.

ACCA is an institution with over a century in experience of developing globally relevant finance professionals through innovative learning delivery.

A statement yesterday explained that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on behalf of Baze University by its Deputy Vice Chancellor, Registrar -Rtd Major Gen.

Inuwa Idris, as well as the Dean of Faculty of Business and social sciences, Prof. Emeka E. Ene; while ACCA was represented by its Head of Country; Thomas Isibor, Business Development Manager, heading the Norther Region of Nigeria; Mr Anthony Chukwuma and Evelyn Isioye; Key Account Manager.

Some of highlights of this collaborative partnership arrangement include: provision of learning support to the Baze University students and academics; integration and embedding of ACCA curriculum into Baze University curriculum; accreditation of Baze, Accounting department

and collaborating to enhance the curriculum; and capacity building to develop capability of the faculty to deliver ACCA tuition to fast track the students journey with the ACCA. In his remarks, Baze University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Mamman Tahir, commended ACCA for demonstrating a high level global professional accounting leadership position by its value offerings to the University.

Idris said the university had been repositioned to take a leadership role in providing academic and professional development in accounting in African sub-region.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

DECEMBER 2016 Broad Money (M2)

23,840,392.42

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,520,166.67

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,820,415.90

---- Demand Deposits

9,699,750.76

-- Quasi Money

12,320,225.75

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,353,504.03

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,486,888.39

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,774,684.47

---- Credit to Government (Net)

4,595,579.89

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

7,436,917.79

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

-2,841,337.90

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

22,374,718.08

--Other Assets Net

-12,483,409.58

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,837,322.41

--Currency in Circulation

2,179,174.28

--Banks Reserves

3,318,344.71 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

MONEY MARKET INDICATORS (%) December 2016 Inter-Bank Call Rate

10.39

Monetary Policy Rate (MPR

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.96

Savings Deposit Rate

4.18

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.53

3 Months Deposit Rate

8.80

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.23

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.76

Prime Lending rate

17.09

Maximum Lending Rate

28.55

Group Advocates Collaboration on Waste Recycling The Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) has called on various sectors of the economy to rise to the challenge of setting up sector specific platforms to drive the recovery and recycling of waste items in their respective packaging streams to ensure the success of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy of the federal government.

This call, according to a state-

ment, was made at the second National Waste Management Conference held recently in Lagos.

Speaking on behalf of the FBRA, the Public Affairs & Communication Director of Coca Cola West Africa, Clem Ugorji, said the organisation’s mission was to recover and recycle food and beverage packaging waste and thereby create a sustainable recycling

economy that will stimulate employment, innovation and wealth creation.

Ugorji said the FBRA evolved from a self-regulatory initiative that Coca-Cola began in 2005 when it worked with a private investor, Alkem Nigeria Limited, to set up a large scale recovery and buyback scheme for PET bottles which were recycled into synthetic fibre.

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯͲϹ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT WEDNESDAY, 23 AUGUST 2017

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $49.49 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $49.50 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).

43

˾ FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

23-Aug-17 22-Aug-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld Price/ Book Value

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

01 Dangote Cement Plc

224.90

224.90

0.00%

3,832,410,115,384.50

13.34

16.86

5.21

3.56%

4.66

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

185.02

183.01

1.10%

1,467,042,246,297.76

3.58

51.63

4.68

1.95%

8.84

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

40.80

40.71

0.22%

1,200,792,112,339.20

4.49

9.08

2.87

4.34%

2.23

1,220.00

1,220.20

-0.02%

967,040,627,440.00

10.00

122.02

5.32

2.38%

31.32

05 Zenith Bank Plc

23.50

23.05

1.95%

737,817,603,971.00

4.13

5.69

1.45

7.66%

1.05

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers

06 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

38.85

38.00

2.24%

388,500,000,000.00

2.85

13.62

2.48

0.26%

2.76

Stock

07 United Bank for Africa Plc

9.50

9.38

1.28%

344,655,500,059.00

1.99

4.77

0.90

6.32%

0.77

08 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

17.99

18.00

-0.06%

330,108,426,357.85

0.68

26.59

0.56

3.45%

0.53

09 Access Bank Plc

10.24

9.85

3.96%

296,222,429,501.44

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

482.00

482.00

0.00%

266,695,570,866.00 -82.02

-5.88

4.21

3.30%

0.71

12 Lafarge Africa Plc

57.01

58.50

-2.55%

259,674,952,188.10

3.71

15.37

1.18

5.26%

1.04

13 FBN Holdings Plc

5.99

6.00

-0.17%

215,012,803,824.08

0.16

36.60

0.36

2.50%

0.35

14 Unilever Nigeria Plc

45.00

45.55

-1.21%

170,248,331,250.00

0.81

55.42

2.44

0.11%

14.56

15 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

13.00

12.84

1.25%

156,000,000,000.00

2.01

6.47

0.72

3.85%

2.04

16 Guinness Nig Plc

84.50

84.50

0.00%

127,247,551,886.00

-3.06

-27.63

1.23

3.79%

3.23

17 International Breweries Plc

34.50

34.50

0.00%

113,651,600,160.00

0.02 1,531.16

4.27

0.72%

10.36

7.12

7.14

-0.28%

85,686,486,525.28

0.29

24.52

0.19

10.53%

0.45

19 Total Nigeria Plc

228.00

239.51

-4.81%

77,410,978,836.00

43.58

5.23

0.27

6.14%

3.28

20 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

213.81

213.81

0.00%

77,098,872,968.22

22.61

9.46

0.82

3.37%

3.59

21 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

28.52

29.85

-4.46%

74,843,244,573.24

3.71

7.69

0.14

7.01%

0.71

22 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

69.09

69.09

0.00%

65,905,641,900.00

5.15

13.42

4.59

0.14%

3.87

23 Forte Oil Plc.

50.00

50.50

-0.99%

65,124,055,150.00

3.66

13.66

0.50

6.90%

1.38

24 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

92.12

96.96

-4.99%

59,011,184,239.56 -21.86

-4.21

0.52

2.39%

5.48

1.33

1.39

-4.32%

51,498,926,575.25

-0.03

-45.70

0.87

0.00%

0.60

35.99

35.99

0.00%

47,506,800,000.00

-2.89

-12.45

0.34

4.17%

0.68

1.28

1.30

-1.54%

37,072,109,685.76

0.39

3.31

0.25

12.50%

0.20

28 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

13.50

13.50

0.00%

35,767,418,103.00

0.91

14.81

1.96

4.07%

4.45

29 U A C N Plc

15.70

15.70

0.00%

30,157,570,875.90

3.37

4.66

0.40

6.37%

0.40

30 Sterling Bank Plc

1.04

1.04

0.00%

29,942,034,851.04

0.18

5.80

0.27

8.65%

0.35

31 Diamond Bank Plc

1.21

1.22

-0.82%

28,024,070,651.28

-0.29

-4.12

0.13

0.00%

0.12

32 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

26.93

26.93

0.00%

26,930,000,000.00

5.69

4.74

1.88

0.37%

0.72

33 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

21.00

21.00

0.00%

25,113,406,248.00

3.02

6.95

1.67

1.43%

1.50

34 Cap Plc

34.50

34.50

0.00%

24,150,000,000.00

2.17

15.89

3.54

3.33%

16.77

1.17

1.18

-0.85%

23,169,171,613.77

0.09

13.71

0.14

8.55%

0.13

12.07

12.07

0.00%

22,669,898,622.80

-0.64

-18.74

0.70

10.77%

2.15

37 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.60

3.50

2.86%

21,174,711,102.00

1.06

3.39

0.51

3.89%

0.64

38 Wema Bank Plc

0.51

0.51

0.00%

19,672,977,701.31

0.07

7.59

0.37

0.00%

0.41

39 Mansard Insurance Plc

1.86

1.95

-4.62%

19,530,000,000.00

0.25

7.41

0.94

2.69%

0.97

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

2.10

2.10

0.00%

16,653,415,081.80

-0.40

-5.19

0.35

7.62%

0.50

41 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.30

1.30

0.00%

13,484,567,605.60

0.30

4.38

0.53

9.23%

0.66

42 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

9.20

9.20

0.00%

11,561,435,447.20

1.29

7.12

0.72

1.09%

0.92

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.62

0.67

-7.46%

8,605,786,874.20

-2.93

-0.21

0.05

48.39%

0.08

44 Unity Bank Plc

0.59

0.59

0.00%

6,896,709,385.78

0.19

3.16

0.08

0.00%

0.08

45 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.18

2.78

0.85

6.00%

0.41

46 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

0.03

17.71

3.72

0.00%

1.94

47 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.43

3.43

0.00%

5,571,070,312.50

0.36

9.59

0.70

5.83%

0.86

48 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.99

2.88

3.82%

5,139,062,485.05

-0.90

-3.32

0.81

23.41%

0.15

49 Fidson Healthcare Plc

3.29

3.20

2.81%

4,935,000,000.00

0.50

6.64

0.42

1.52%

0.71

50 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.55

0.57

-3.51%

3,811,612,464.00

1.48

0.37

0.14

9.09%

0.44

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

11 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

18 Oando Plc

25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 26 Julius Berger Nig. Plc 27 Fidelity Bank Plc

35 FCMB Group Plc 36 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

TOTAL

12,195,389,264,430.60

TOTAL MARKET CAP

12,773,301,464,781.00

% OF MARKET CAP Annotation - MA* = Simple Moving Average

95.48%

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion) Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Open 22-Aug-17

Close 23-Aug-17

Change %

36,962.48 12.74

37,059.21 12.77

0.26 0.26

156.20 12.16

156.63 12.20

0.28 0.28

Open Close Change % 22-Augy-17 23-Aug-17

Access Bank Plc UACN Property Development Co. Limited Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc Fidson Healthcare Plc Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

9.85 2.88

10.24 2.99

3.96 3.82

3.50

3.60

2.86

3.20 38.00

3.29 38.85

2.81 2.24

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change % 22-Aug-17 23-Aug-17

Skye Bank Plc 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc Total Nigeria Plc Mansard Insurance Plc Flour Mills Nig. Plc

0.67 96.96 239.51 1.95 29.85

0.62 92.12 228.00 1.86 28.52

-7.46 -4.99 -4.81 -4.62 -4.46

Market sustains bullish trend with 0.26% appreciation Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today - Wednesday, August 23rd 2017 ended positive as the market closed green. This was further highlighted by positive performance from the NSE Subsectors: Banking and Consumer Goods (Save Insurance and Oil & Gas). Also, trading activities increased in volume as 264.29 million shares worth N5.53 billion in 3,849 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 244.32 million shares worth N3.67 billion in 3,829 trades carried out on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms are: Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc; while Zenith Bank Plc and Nestle Nigeria Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. Brent crude oil price today currently sells at US$52.54 per barrel while it rose to $51.87 per barrel.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 0.26% (+96.73) increase to close at 37,059.21 from 36,962.48 the previous trading day. Market capitalization appreciated in tandem to N12.74 trillion from N12.61 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index closes with an increase of 0.28% to 156.63 from 156.20 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N12.20 trillion from N12.16 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 17 stocks gained on the bourse today while 21 stocks declined, leaving 50 stocks unchanged. Leading the pack was Caverton Offshore Support GRP Plc with a gain of 9.52% to close at N1.15 per share. It was closely followed by United Capital Plc with a gain of 5.00% to close at N3.15 per share. Others on the gainers’ list include: Livestock Nig. Plc, Access Bank Plc and Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc. On the decliners’ list, Skye Bank Plc led with a loss of 7.46% to close at N0.62 share. It was followed by 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc with a loss of 4.99% to close at N92.12 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Total Nigeria Plc, Mansard Insurance Plc and Flour Mills Nig. Plc. Access Bank Plc emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 3.96% to close at N10.24 per share. It was again followed by UACN Property Development Co. Limited with a gain of 3.82% to close at N2.99 per share. Others on the gainers chart include: Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc, Fidson Healthcare Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc. On the decliners’ list, Skye Bank Plc led with a loss of 7.46% to close at N0.62 per share. It was followed by 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc with a loss of 4.99% to close at N92.12 per share. Others on the decliners’ list are: Total Nigeria Plc, Mansard Insurance Plc and Flour Mills Nig. 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

44

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͱͳ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

MARKET NEWS

Ecobank Records Profit After Tax of N38bn in Six Months Goddy Egene Shareholders of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, the parent firm of Ecobank Group, should expect a faster return to dividend payment as the bank yesterday reported a profit for the half year (H1) ended June 31, 2017.

Due to the decision of the bank to clean up its loan books of non-performing risk assets,

it ended last year with a loss of N52 billion. But the board of directors had assured the shareholders that efforts were being made to return the bank to profitability.

The audited results released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday indicated that the strategies adopted by the bank are beginning to have positive impact.

Ecobank recorded gross earn-

T H E

ings of N389 billion for the H1 in 2017, up 41 per cent from N273 billion in the corresponding period of 2016. Profit before tax rose by 11 per cent to N46.2 billion in 2017, from N41.6 billion in 2016, while profit after tax moved from N31.1 billion in 2016 to N37.7 billion in 2017, show a growth of 21 per cent.

Customers’ deposits stood at N4.235 trillion, while loans and advances ended at N2.899

N I G E R I A N

trillion, compared with N2.82 trillion.

Commenting on the results, Group Chief Executive of ETI, Mr. Ade Ayeyemi, said: “Our audited half year results demonstrated the benefits of our diversified business model.

Despite a fragile macroeconomic backdrop in most of our markets, we still generated a 15.6 per cent return on tangible equity and further improved our cost-to-

STO C K

income ratio to 60.6 per cent, driven by our continued cost reduction initiatives across the network.”

According to him, revenues increased five in constant currency, and highlighted encouraging growth in our Trade and FICC, businesses, thanks to encouraging client activity and improving foreign-exchange markets.

He noted that overall, the

E XC H A N G E

bank is making good progress on its strategy and continue to serve our customers diligently.

We look forward to the second half of the year with excitement. ”We are also happy with the progress we are making on the digital front, particularly on our strategy to enable millions of unbanked Africans have access to financial solutions using our revolutionary Ecobank App and other digital channels.”

45

˾ FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

MARKET NEWS

UBA Grows H1 Profit to N58bn, Recommends 20k Interim Dividend Goddy Egene United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc yesterday announced its audited half year financial results ended June 30, 2017, showing improved growth across major performance indicators. The bank rewarded shareholders with an interim dividend of 20 kobo per share.

UBA grew its gross earnings by 34.5 per cent to N222.7 billion in 2017, from N165.6 billion recorded in corresponding period of 2016.

Net interest income rose by

58 per cent to N101.3 billion, compared with 64.1 billion posted in 2016.

Impairment charges were N9.44 billion, showing a rise of 38 per cent from N6.8 billion in 2016. The bank ended the H1 of 2017 with profit before tax (PBT) of N57.5 billion, showing a growth of 65.5 per cent over N34.8 billion recorded in the corresponding period of June 2016.

Similarly, profit after tax (PAT) rose by 56.2 per cent to N42.3 billion, as against N27.1 billion recorded in the

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

half-year of 2016.

UBA closed the H1 with total assets of N3.69 trillion, a growth of 5.3 percent, while gross loans stood at N1.6 trillion, showing a four per cent growth when compared to the N1.5 trillion recorded as at December 31, 2016.

Speaking on the on the result, the Group Managing Director/CEO of UBA, Kennedy Uzoka, said that “The results again demonstrate the strong momentum of the Bank, as we deliver continuous improvement

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 23Aug-2017, unless otherwise stated.

across our businesses and key performance metrics.”

He explained that unwavering focus on customer service excellence is translating to strong operational and financial efficiency gains.

“We have achieved better pricing on assets and liabilities, leading to continued improvement in the net interest margin to 7.3per cent. Leveraging our service-focused strategy and treasury management, we grew non-interest income by 17 per cent year-on-year,

reinforcing our transactionbanking-led approach towards deepening financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa,” he added.

Also commenting on the results, Group Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ugo Nwaghodoh said that the bank had a strong start in the year, despite protracted recession in Nigeria, our largest market.

“Our profit after tax of N42 billion translates to 18.2 per cent return on average equity, broadly in line with our 2017 full year guidance.”

He disclosed that the bank’s African subsidiaries (ex-Nigeria) contributed 32 per cent of the Group’s earnings, leveraging on digital offerings to gain market share across the different markets.

“We maintain our discipline of banking only quality and profitable assets, a conservative stance which reflects on our asset quality.

Notwithstanding consistent liquidity mop-up by the CBN, we maintained an average balance sheet liquidity ratio of 42 per cent,” he said.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 175.30 175.71 37.92% Nigeria International Debt Fund 230.16 230.65 8.78% 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 0.81 0.82 15.73% 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 18.52% 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 17.35 17.87 40.49% ARM Discovery Fund 364.33 375.32 26.87% ARM Ethical Fund 25.91 26.69 15.97% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.05% 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 142.41 143.41 35.40% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.59% 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 19.60% Paramount Equity Fund 11.50 11.80 22.89% Women's Investment Fund 93.23 95.62 10.21% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 19.15% 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 1,116.23 1,117.32 10.14% FBN Heritage Fund 141.47 142.72 26.92% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.25% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $109.73 $110.70 6.70% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $109.04 $110.02 6.77% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 154.94 157.17 37.60% 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 1.34 1.37 44.15% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.84 2.84 10.41% 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 2,853.66 2,897.24 29.40% Coral Income Fund 2,328.48 2,328.48 10.66% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.61% 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 18.39% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.08 2.10 23.65% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 17.93%

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 13.56% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,033.96 1,033.96 7.57% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 13.00 13.10 34.49% 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 1.13 1.16 14.44% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.74 10.79 3.28% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 17.43% 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 120.26 122.27 18.62% 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 1.35 1.35 8.69% 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 2,161.68 2,173.43 18.04% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 162.48 162.48 5.53% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.97 0.99 27.27% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 207.06 207.06 10.79% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 174.87 177.11 34.68% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.58% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,479.40 9,583.39 24.96% 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 1.30 1.29 15.14% United Capital Bond Fund 1.38 1.38 13.30% United Capital Equity Fund 0.86 0.84 25.17% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.10 1.10 16.39% 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 12.49 12.68 28.54% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.12 13.27 19.81% Zenith Income Fund 18.53 18.53 12.09%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 129.51

1.01% 4.54%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.03 107.04

11.13 109.06

27.75% 41.26%

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

4.38 9.33 17.36 21.36 132.18

4.42 9.41 17.46 21.56 134.18

58.21% 32.53% 45.16% 33.71% 2.52%

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 25, 2017

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 25, 2017

47

˜ Ͱͳ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵ ˾ T H I S D AY

48

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Virtues of the first Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah Onemuslimfamily Days of virtue and righteous deeds raise be to Allaah Who has created Time and has made some times better than others, some months and days and nights better than others, when rewards are multiplied many times, as a mercy towards His slaves.

This encourages them to do more righteous deeds and makes them more eager to worship Him, so that the Muslim renews his efforts to gain a greater share of reward, prepare himself for death and supply himself in readiness for the Day of Judgement.

This season of worship brings many benefits, such as the opportunity to correct one’s faults and make up for any shortcomings or anything that one might have missed. Every one of these special occasions involves some kind of worship through which the slaves may draw closer to Allaah, and some kind of blessing though which Allaah bestows His favour and mercy upon whomsoever He will.

The happy person is the one who makes the most of these special months, days and hours and draws nearer to his Lord during these times through acts of worship; he will most likely be touched by the blessing of Allaah and will feel the joy of knowing that he is safe from the flames of Hell. (Ibn Rajab, al-Lataa’if, p.8) The Muslim must understand the value of his life, increase his worship of Allaah and persist in doing good deeds until the moment of death. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty.” [al-Hijr 15:99] The mufassireen (commentators) said: “‘The certainty’ means death.”

Among the special seasons of worship are the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, which Allaah has preferred over all the other days of the year. Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings

P

of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these ten days.” The people asked, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?” He said, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 2/457).

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no deed more precious in the sight of Allaah, nor greater in reward, than a good deed done during the ten days of Sacrifice.” He was asked, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah?” He said, “Not even jihaad for the sake of Allaah, except in the case of a man who went out to fight giving himself and his wealth up for the cause, and came back with nothing.” (Reported by al-Daarimi, 1/357; its isnaad is hasan as stated in al-Irwaa’, 3/398).

These texts and others indicate that these ten days are better than all the other days of the year, with no exceptions, not even the last ten days of Ramadaan.

But the last ten nights of Ramadaan are better, because they include Laylat al-Qadr (“the Night of Power”), which is better than a thousand months. Thus the various reports may be reconciled. (See Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 5/412).

You should know, my brother in Islaam, that the virtue of these ten days is based on many things: Allaah swears an oath by them, and swearing an oath by something is indicative of its importance and great benefit. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “By the dawn; by the ten nights” [al-Fajr 89:1-2]. Ibn ‘Abbaas, Ibn al-Zubayr, Mujaahid and others of the earlier and later generations said that this refers to the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Ibn Katheer said: “This is the correct opinion.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 8/413) The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be

upon him) testified that these are the best days of this world, as we have already quoted above from saheeh ahaadeeth.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) encouraged people to do righteous deeds because of the virtue of this season for people throughout the world, and also because of the virtue of the place - for the Hujjaaj (pilgrims) to the Sacred House of Allaah.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded us to recite a lot of Tasbeeh(“SubhanAllaah”), Tahmeed (“Al-hamdu Lillaah”) and Takbeer (“Allaahu akbar”) during this time. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are no days greater in the sight of Allaah and in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Him than these ten days, so during this time recite a great deal of Tahleel (“La ilaaha ill-Allaah”), Takbeer and Tahmeed.” (Reported

by Ahmad, 7/224; Ahmad Shaakir stated that it is saheeh).

These ten days include Yawm ‘Arafaah (the Day of ‘Arafaah), on which Allaah perfected His Religion.

Fasting on this day will expiate for the sins of two years. These days also include Yawm al-Nahar (the Day of Sacrifice), the greatest day of the entire year and the greatest day of Hajj, which combines acts of worship in a way unlike any other day.

These ten days include the days of sacrifice and of Hajj.

Question: What must the Muslim avoid during these ten days if he wants to offer a sacrifice?

The Sunnah indicates that the one who wants to offer a sacrifice must stop cutting his hair and nails and removing anything from his skin, from the beginning of the ten days until after he has offered his sacrifice, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When you

see the new moon of Dhu’l-Hijjah, if any one of you wants to offer a sacrifice, then he should stop cutting his hair and nails until he has offered his sacrifice.” According to another report he said: “He should not remove (literally, touch) anything from his hair or skin.” (reported by Muslim with four isnaads, 13/146) The Prophet’s instruction here makes one thing obligatory and his prohibition makes another haraam, according to the soundest opinion, because these commands and prohibitions are unconditional and unavoidable. However, if a person does any of these things deliberately, he must seek Allaah’s forgiveness but is not required to offer (an extra) sacrifice in expiation; his sacrifice will be acceptable. Whoever needs to remove some hair, nails, etc. because it is harming him, such as having a broken nail or a wound in a site where there is hair, should do so, and there is nothing wrong with that. The state of ihraam is so important that it is permitted to cut one’s hair if leaving it will cause harm. There is nothing wrong with men or women washing their heads during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) only forbade cutting the hair, not washing it.

The wisdom behind this prohibition of the one who wants to offer a sacrifice from cutting his hair etc., is so that he may resemble those in ihraam in some aspects of the rituals performed, and so that he may draw closer to Allaah by offering the sacrifice.

So he leaves his hair and nails alone until the time when he has offered his sacrifice, in the hope that Allaah will save him in his entirety from the Fire.

And Allaah knows best.

If a person has cut his hair or nails during the first ten days of Dhu’l-Hijjah because he was not planning to offer a sacrifice, then he decides later, during the ten days, to offer a sacrifice, then he must refrain from cutting his hair and nails from the moment he makes this decision.

FRIDAY, ͺͽ˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ ˾ T H I S D AY

49

NEWS

Maiduguri-based Journalist Cries Out After His Dog is Shot Dead for Meat Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri The correspondent of The Daily Post in Borno State, James Bwala has cried out over the alleged killing of his dog by Nigerian Air Force personnel stationed at the Bakassi internally displaced persons’ camp in troubled Maiduguri, for want of meat.

Bwala said he was rudely awaken from sleep yesterday morning by the sound of gunshots which he initial thought was directed at a suicide bomber that might have tried to infiltrate the neighbouring IDP camp.

He said he was later to find out that the shots were at his dogs, Nchabla and Power.

Bwala said: “By the time I stepped out of my house,

my blood stained gate gave me a foreboding. One of my dogs, Nchabla, had been shot.

The other one, Power, was completely traumatised.

“There was no blood on Power but he was trying to communicate. So I patiently studied him and he ran towards the main road towards Bakassi camp and came back.

I knew he was trying to show me something and I followed him.

“Power led me to where the shooting took place. There was a stream of blood there. But Nchabla was not there. I ask the people around and was told that the air force personnel was responsible for the shooting.”

According to Bwala, one of the eyewitnesses said: “He (an air force official) shot the dog and the dog ran towards your

house, but he pursued him and shot again three times.”

He said this explained the gunshots that woke him from sleep.

He added: “I decided to approach the commander or rather the officer in charge at the Bakassi camp to lay a complaint, but I was told he had gone out.

“I explained the situation to the soldiers on guard. My instincts told me that they knew something about it, but were just trying to cover up for whomever amongst them had shot at my dogs.

“I was angry but there was nothing I could do. They have the guns, they shot and killed my dog, they could shoot anyone. So I went back home picked my phone and called Col. Kingsley Samuel,

the Deputy Director Army Public Relations.

“I explained the situation and he promised to do something about it.”

A visibly upset Bwala maintained that the issue at hand was not just about his dog, but about where the air force official got four bullets to waste on a dog that was neither aggressive, nor had it trespassed into the Bakassi camp where the soldiers were stationed.

“I as a journalist have attended many sittings at the military court holding in Maiduguri. I know the last one had to do with a soldier who stole ammunition.

“I think the military authorities need to rise up to check some of these excesses,” he said.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar

After Buhari Protests, Charly Boy’s Group Turns Its Sights on Alison-Madueke Wants her extradited ‘Our Mumu Don Do’, the group that organised the #ResumeorResign protests over the last medical vacation of President Muhammadu Buhari, has said it will begin another round of protests on Monday.

According to online news medium, Premium Times, this time, its demand is for the federal government to seek

extradition of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to Nigeria for prosecution over the corruption allegations made against her.

Alison-Madueke is in the United Kingdom where she is receiving treatment for cancer but is also being investigated for money laundering.

“Following recent mindboggling allegations of corruption and wanton looting of public funds and the collective patrimony of Nigerian citizens by the former Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, we call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to apply for her

extradition from the United Kingdom, to face prosecution in Nigeria,” the group said in a statement.

“Furthermore, a Federal High Court has ordered Mrs. Alison-Madueke to permanently forfeit several luxurious properties in several highbrow areas across the country to the federal

government.

“It is therefore unimaginable that the federal government is not pushing for Mrs. AlisonMadueke’s extradition to face punishment for her alleged crimes.

“In this light, we will be holding a two-day sit out in front of the EFCC headquarters to demand that the federal

government applies for her extradition and prosecution in Nigeria.”

The group, in the statement signed by its co-conveners, Charles Oputa, aka Charly Boy, and Deji Adeyanju, said it would hold the sit out from 9 to 10 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday in front of EFCC’s office in Abuja.

AREWA YOUTHS RESCIND QUIT NOTICE, KANU AGREES TO END AGITATION IF NATION IS RESTRUCTURED caused by those who are opposing the will of the sovereign people.”

On this basis, Nwabueze called for “negotiated restructuring to be implemented through a new constitution” which, according to him, was the best assurance for the realisation of the collective desire for one Nigeria.

He said: “We are a sovereign people. We have the right to govern ourselves.

We also have the right to determine what we want.

Any person who attempts to deprive us of such rights, wants to cause trouble. The National Assembly does not have the power to restructure Nigeria.

“As a sovereign people, we have to rise against such individuals. It is for Nigerians as sovereign people to react.

“Obviously, lawmakers are elected. They have certain powers. But the constituent powers belong to the people.

The National Assembly does not translate to a constituent assembly.

“If the constituent powers are now given to the National Assembly, they are simply asking for trouble.

The trouble will not happen because of you and me. The trouble will happen because the person to whom the political power is delegated is depriving the people of their rights.”

Referring to the president, Nwabueze added that those

at the federal level could no longer dictate what happens in the South-west, for instance.

“He can no longer dictate what happens in Ijaw land.

He cannot dictate what happens in Hausa/Fulani land. He can no longer dictate what happens in Igbo land,” he charged.

Nwabueze, however, stressed that the call for restructuring “does not translate to disintegration”.

“We want one Nigeria.

We want the constituents to manage themselves in all matters of localities. It is time to leave local matters to the local people. The ethnic nationalities want to govern themselves within one Nigeria,” he said.

He also called for a return to the federalism that existed under the 1960/1963 Constitutions, noting that the two legal instruments “were the central objects of restructuring”.

Nwabueze argued that restructuring would guarantee an optimal measure of self-determination or self-government, consistent with the territorial sovereignty of the country.

“In more explicit words, the essential purpose of re-structuring is to enable the component ethnic nationalities, grouped together by affinity of culture/language or territorial contiguity, to govern themselves in matters of internal concern,

leaving matters of common concern, not overwhelmingly extensive in their range, to be managed under a central government constituted in such manner as to ensure that it is not dominated by any one group or a combination of them, and above all, to ensure justice, fairness and equity to all in the management of matters of common concern.

“Self-determination connotes essentially, not an independent government, but the right of each group, within the territorial sovereignty of the country as a state, to govern itself in matters that concern it alone, as, for example, local government matters which is an example par excellence of a matter of local concern (local government in a village in Hause land should not be the business of an Igbo man); the election of elective public functionaries in a region or zone – governors and members of legislative assemblies and local government councils, etc.

“The term ‘selfgovernment’ expresses the essence of restructuring in our understanding of it. To reiterate, self government requires that the ethnic nationalities, grouped together by reference to culture/language and geographical contiguity, should be enabled to govern themselves in matters that concern them alone, within the sovereignty

of a central government common to all, with powers appropriately circumscribed.

Self-government connotes therefore true federalism.

“We highlight the factors that negate or impair the objective of true federalism in Nigeria, the most crushing of which is the overconcentration of political power and financial resources in the federal government far, far beyond what they were under the 1960/63 Constitutions.

“The result of the accretion of power to the centre, either by direct grant by the constitution or by perverse interpretation of its provisions, is to alter the power relations between it (the centre) and the states so significantly as to change the character of the system quite substantially from a federal to a unitary system.

The system remains federal largely in name,” he said.

Nwabueze also revisited the Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative Lists under the 1963 Constitution, noting that the powers of the federal government thereunder should be further reduced.

“The over-concentration of financial resources and relations in the federal government affronts true federalism in no less a grievous degree.

“An arrangement whereby every month officials of the state governments, including quite often the state governor himself, go

cap-in-hand, as it were, to Abuja for their share of the money in the Federation Account disbursed or paid out to them by officials of the federal government as paymaster is a negation of true federalism; it simply caricatures true federalism,” he explained.

Nwabueze also held the view that the argument that the 1999 Constitution could only be amended or altered, but could not be completely abolished and replaced by a new constitution was erroneous because it failed to take account of the fact that the 1999 Constitution is only a Schedule to Decree 24 of 1999.

He argued that the decree is an existing law under Section 315 of the 1999 Constitution and, like all existing laws within federal competence, can be repealed by the National Assembly.

Upon the repeal of the decree, the 1999 Constitution completely disappears from existence, he explained.

“Restructuring is not a matter that can be implemented by amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

It imperatively requires a new constitution adopted or approved by the people at a referendum.

“It is sad that, while the clamour for restructuring is reaching a crescendo and is sweeping across the country, the National Assembly is still regaling us with talks about constitution amendment, and

is buttressing its position on the erroneous assertion that the 1999 Constitution can only be amended or altered (Sections 8 and 9), but cannot be abolished and replaced by a new constitution.

“By taking this untenable position, the National Assembly makes itself a big obstacle in the way of restructuring.

“The view that the 1999 Constitution can only be amended or altered but cannot be completely abolished and replaced by a new constitution is erroneous because it fails to take account of the fact that the 1999 Constitution is only a Schedule to a Decree, Decree 24 of 1999.

“That decree is an existing law under Section 315 of the 1999 Constitution and, like all existing laws within federal competence, can be repealed by the National Assembly.

“Upon the repeal of the decree, the 1999 Constitution completely disappears from existence,” Nwabueze pointed out.

On the way forward, he said: “We think the way forward for Nigeria is for the people, in exercise of the power inherent in them as a sovereign people, through a referendum, a new constitution, constituting a new political order. The process must be led by a president, as the elected leader of the people imbued with an ardour for change.”

50

FRIDAY AUGUST 25, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

News Editor Davidson Iriekpen Email davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

IOCs Must Work to Produce Oil at $15 per Barrel, Kachikwu Insists NCDMB targets 100% fabrication of modular refineries in Nigeria Chineme Okafor and Nnenna Akuma in Abuja The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, yesterday said International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the Nigerian oil fields must work hard to cut down their cost of producing a barrel of oil from an average of $32 per barrel to $15, saying repeated excuses of militancy as part of reasons for high production costs were no longer tenable.

This is just as the Nigerian Content Development Management Board (NCDMB) has disclosed that in support of the federal government’s efforts to end importation of petrol in 2019, it would target to ensure that all the fabrication works for modular refineries for that purpose in the country would be done locally.

Kachikwu explained during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on $200 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCIF) for projects, programmes and activities directed at increasing Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry,

that Nigeria’s target to produce a barrel of oil at $15 was sacrosanct.

He noted that it was on the basis of that the country would be able to compete with other members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for market share in the global oil industry.

“A lot of debates about the cost production is on; $32 was the figure quoted from me, and $23 which the NNPC has quoted. The reality is that production in our offshore is in excess of $32 per barrel, no doubt about that, and production onshore was ranging about $28, NNPC has done a good job of bringing it down to $23, but that is not over yet. Where we are headed is $15 and not $18, we must bring back down production,” said Kachikwu.

He further explained: “We must be able to look at our OPEC brothers in the face and be able to compete favourably. If you look at today, the rundown is that we are the second or third country with the highest production cost figure.

“The issue of militancy among others, we can no longer explain

that. We have had militancy for so long that by now, we must have alternatives in defence of that. Oil companies must rise to the challenges of producing oil in this country, and we cannot produce oil in an environment we are unable to with certainty-say what the pricing is going to be and continue to run a high cost model - it will not work. We must drive those numbers down. So for clarity on this issue, the target is $15 per barrel.”

He stated that contracting cycle for projects in the industry must have to come down to within a six-month band to reflect on the production cost, adding: “I have been very frank from day one that there is no reason why this country should have a contracting cycle that is in excess of six months.

“Today, we have moved it from 18 to 24 months, down to 13 to 14 – it is still struggling, but we must put speed to this because it costs money and has a direct linkage with my philosophy that we must reduce the cost of production.”

Speaking on the relevance of the $200 million NCIF which the NCDMB signed a MoU on with the Bank of Industry (BoI), Kachikwu stated that he had a target to drive the fund to about $1 billion within a short time.

According to him, “I congratulate you; it is a huge milestone. It is our hope that this as small as it is - $200 million in the purview of a $16 billion type activities is very small-but that this will ginger everybody to begin to look at how to expand this fund.

“My goal for this fund is $1 billion, and once it is launched today, I will have to set up a team that will work internally to first of all get to BoI and ask what their counterpart support for this because the fund is not just going to sit in BoI. I expect the BoI to support as well as the oil industry.”

The petroleum minister also gave the government expectations from the fund, noting that it must aim to achieve geographic and sectoral spread, in addition to being used to fund projects that involve cutting-

edge technologies, among others.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, disclosed in his opening remarks that as part of efforts to support the government intention to end importation of petrol by 2019, NCDMB would seek to have all the fabrications for modular refineries for this purpose to be done in-country.

“We have also keyed into the drive of the Minister of States for Petroleum Resources to put a stop to the importation of petroleum products, for us in the NCDMB, our strategic initiative is to achieve 100 per cent local fabrication of our modular refineries.

“We have commenced discussions with OEMs and local fabricators to make this a reality. We have set aside areas in oil and gas back scheme for practical training on operations, maintenance and running of modular refineries as a sustainable business model and for fabrication of the units,” Wabote stated.

Following the enactment of the Local Content Act in 2010, Wabote noted that the country now retains

up to $5 billion of the monies spent in the industry; has four pipe mills established in-country; as well as growing Nigerians’ ownership and control of marine vessels in the sector to 36 per cent.

“We had no active dry docks.

Today we have our active dry dock facilities one each in Port Harcourt and Onne, and two in Lagos. Over 35,000 jobs had been created on the back of the implementation of the Act. In fabrication, today Nigerians can handle fabrication capacity of more than 60,000 metric tons per annum.

“We have moved the country’s value retention from less than five per cent before the Act to the current 26 per cent level.

Our goal is to progress to 70 per cent in-country value retention within the next 10 years. We target to retain $14 billion out of the $20 billion yearly spent, create 300,000 direct jobs covering upstream, midstream and downstream areas of our industry with linkages to key sectors of our economy,” he stated.

NAF Instructor Dies in Kaduna Plane Crash Paul Obi in Abuja A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilot yesterday died in an air crash during a mission in Kaduna State.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, explained that the cause of the crash remained unknown.

He said: “A NAF Beetle Aircraft today (yesterday) crashed in Kaduna while on a mission. The only soul on board the aircraft, one of the NAF’s experienced instructor

pilots, was unfortunately lost during the mishap.

“The cause of the incident is unknown but the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) has immediately directed the constitution of a board of inquiry to determine the causes of the crash.”

According to Adesanya, “The unfortunate incident is a tragic reminder of the hazards associated with the flying profession.

“The CAS and the entire NAF family commiserate with the relatives of the late instructor pilot.”

Umahi Condemns Arrest of 180 Ebonyi Hawkers in Lagos Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, yesterday condemned the arrest and imprisonment of 180 indigenes of the state based in Lagos for hawking in the state.

The governor however noted that his administration was doing everything possible to ensure the release of the arrested indigenes.

Umahi stated this while playing host to a delegation of indigenes of the state living in Anambra State at the governor’s conference room, Government House Abakaliki.

He said the 180 ebonyians were charged and convicted under a law that was promulgated after they were arrested.

Represented by his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, the governor said the leadershipofEbonyiStateDevelopment Association, Lagos branch, had on a courtesy call to the state government recently, painted a gory picture and story of how indigenes of the state living in Lagos were being hounded and humiliated.

“In some cases, they round up these boys who are hawking on

the streets, pack them to prison accusing them of contravening one offence or the other. A case in point was when about 180 persons of Ebonyi State extraction were held in prison in Lagos and their offence was street trading and the law they were charged with was a law that was promulgated after they were arrested and incarcerated in prison. While they were in prison custody which some of them have spent two years, a law was just enacted and they were charged under that law and sent to prison,” he said.

He directed the group to forward the names of 300 Ebonyians resident in Anambra State to be included in the ongoing youth and women empowerment of his administration with at least 20 persons from each of the 13 local government areas that make up the state.

The governor added that 130 tricycles would equally be procured and given to Ebonyi indigenes hawking in the streets of Anambra State as part of the government efforts to allocate the lives of Ebony people living in Anambra State.

AFRICAN AMBASSADORS

R-L: Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; President of Sierra Leone, President Ernest Koroma; Group Chairman, United Bank of Africa (UBA) and Founder, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Tony O. Elumelu, and during their visit to the survivors of the mudslides at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown and the donation of $500,000.00 by Elumelu .....Wednesday

NANS Rejects Revised JAMB Cut-off Marks Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned what it described as the backward review of the cut-off marks for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria The Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) in its latest meeting reduced the marks from 180 for universities and 165 polytechnics, to 120 and 100 respectively.

But the NANS President, Chinonso Obasi, in a statement yesterday, described the exercise as a gross misplacement of priority and exercise in futility According to Obasi, knowledge acquisition is a function of determination and hard work, adding that if over the years, students were able to work hard to meet cut-off points, it doesn’t

make any logical sense to now lower the standard.

He insisted that the inability of any student to meet the cut-off points is a function of outright indolence that should not be encouraged.

Obasi stressed that even at “the current status, the general phenomenon is that Nigerian graduates are not employable, and stated that lowering of standard will translate to a disastrous outcome in the future by churning out young people who cannot fit into the demands and expectations of the 21st century.”

He insisted that Nigerian youths are intelligent and willing to learn, arguing that because of the enabling environment provided by tertiary institutions abroad, Nigerian students who school abroad are known to study and come out with exemplary performance.

Obasi stated that the 21st century is driven by innovation and competitiveness, and so lowering the entering level into tertiary institution will only further contribute to reducing the productivity and peak performance of young people seeking admission into the country’s higher institutions of learning.

The NANS president argued that the challenge of the tertiary institutions in Nigeria is not in the prospects of entering but largely dependent on the numerous challenges within the various institutions ranging from the falling standard of education due to lack of modern day teaching facilities, low level of morale by the teaching staff, lack of adequate facilities and enabling environment that facilitates effective and efficient learning by the students.

He also decried the high

level of inconsistencies in policy formulation and implementation in the education sector, and call on the government to mainstream and benchmark global best practices in educational policy formulation and implementation concentrate more efforts to address germane issues bedeviling education in Nigeria rather than embarking on frivolous policies that would further compound the falling standard of education in Nigeria.

The NANS president stated that as critical stakeholders in the education sector, the student body would vehemently resist the review and call on the government to maintain the status quo and endeavour to conduct a comparative study and analysis of policies from other climes that support functional learning and production of young people that can compete with their peers globally.

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MAN Faults Threat to Arrest 30 CEOs over Non-appearance at Senate Hearing Jonathan Eze in Lagos and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has bemoaned threat to arrest 30 chief executive officers (CEOs) of some of its member companies by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff, Senator Hope Uzodimma, over their non-appearance at a public hearing of the National Assembly.

The committee is charged with investigating infractions by companies in connivance with officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other

agencieswhich have allegedly led to the loss of N30 trillion revenue.

Addressing journalists in Lagos yesterday, the President of MAN, Frank Udemba Jacobs, said maligning individuals whose activities have contributed immensely to the growth of the nation’s economy was unfortunate, inappropriate and inimical to the current effort of the federal government at pulling the economy out of the recession and placing it on the path of sustainable growth.

According to him, it also amounts to sending the wrong signal to prospective investors and casting a shadow on the safety of high

Mammoth Crowd Prays for Buhari in Kano Sokoto govt, sultanate council order special prayer for president Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano A large gathering of youths from seven states of the North-west geopolitical zone yesterday stormed the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano where they held a prayer and solidarity rally for President Muhammadu Buhari’s return from medical vacation in London .

They also had Rakaat prayer around 11: 45a.m. that was led by the Kano State Chairman of the Juma’at Mosques Committee, Sheik Fadhlu DanAlmajiri.

The event was organised by the Personal Assistant to President Buhari on Broadcast Media, Mr. Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada, and Conference of Patriotic Nigerians, supported by the coalition of civil society organisations from the zone.

Present at the prayer session were the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, and Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Alhaji Abdurrahman Kawu-Sumaila, as well as other members of the party and well-wishers.

Sharada said the prayer and rally were organised to appreciate God’s intervention and mercy in the life and administration of President Buhari. According to him, President Buhari is now healthy and fit to govern this country after medical trip to London.

“Buhari is now healthy and fit to govern this country. Nigerians always pray for him and God in His mercy answered the prayers of Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has declared total support for the administration of President Buhari.

Ganduje promised that in 2019, Kano will repeat the 2015 scenario where President Buhari got over two million votes to win the presidential election.

The governor spoke at Kano Golden Jubilee monument, while receiving a letter from the Conference of Patriotic Nigerians (CPN) on behalf of the seven governors of the North-west zone for onward transmission to President Buhari.

Ganduje further said within a space of two years, President Buhari has been able to tackle corruption, restore peace and order in the country.

According to him, the president has built a formidable economic

team that is set to revamp the economy and bring the country out of recession.

“President Buhari’s administration, like no other, has created job opportunities for millions of unemployed youths as well as reviving the education sector. ‘“He has been arresting those who stole our money and he will continue to arrest them. He has recovered billions of our common wealth stolen by thieves which have now been deposited in our treasury.”

Ganduje urged Nigerians to continue to pray for Buhari whom he described as a man of peace and equity who loves the country and promote the welfare of the common man.

However, presenting a letter on behalf of the Conference of Patriotic Nigerians signed by its Secretary-General, Mr. Ibrahim Waiya, it revealed that “We as patriotic Nigerians from the seven states of the North-west are gathered today in Kano for a solidarity walk in support of our dear President Muhammadu Buhari.”

He further condemned in strong terms what they described as anti-Buhari agents in the National Assembly who they accused of betray in the president.

Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Government in conjunction with the Sultanate Council, has fixed today for a special prayer session at all jumaat mosques across the state for the continued health of President Buhari.

A statement issued yesterday

by Malam Imam Imam, the spokesman of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said while Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and state Deputy Governor Ahmed Aliyu would attend the prayer at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Sokoto, all Imams had been directed to lead prayers in their localities for continued good health of President Buhari.

“In the same vein, Sokoto pilgrims have been informed of the need to use the occasion of the last 10 days of the Dhul Hajj in the Islamic calendar, which are holy days, to intensify prayers for the good health of the President and peace and stability of the nation.

“The government equally urged all individuals to privately pray for our beloved leader after his return to the country from medical vacation,” the statement added.

net worth individuals operating in our economic space.

The threat to arrest the CEOs by the Senate committee was the fallout of their inability to appear at a public hearing set up to investigate companies alleged to have been involved in the N30 trillion revenue leakage in the import and export value chain between 2006 and 2017.

Jacobs said: “In the first instance, this allegation is against respective companies and not the CEOs as individuals and so if the concerned companies in their wisdom choose to mandate a representative from the organisation who has adequate knowledge and responsibility for the issue in question to attend the inquest, we see no justification for the rejection of such a representative, not to talk of the threat of arrest of the CEOs for not attending the public hearing in person.

“Moreover, one would have expected that the logical and first thing to do was for the committee to channel its observations or inquest to the NCS, the statutory

organisation in charge of imports and exports.

“If not satisfied with the response from the NCS and after thorough investigation, the committee may then avail the companies concerned with the details of the alleged infractions and then invite them to make necessary clarifications or defend themselves.

All these could be done without the sensational involvement of the press which may result into unfair media trial.’’

He added that it had written the Chairman of the Senate committee and reiterated that the non-appearance of the CEOs of the affected companies was not intended to disrespect the Senate but arose from the short notice and unavoidable absence of some of the chief executives due to reasons beyond their control.

“Our findings from the CEOs of MAN-member affected companies revealed that most of them were not in the country the time of the meeting, which informed the deployment of very senior and competent officials from

their respective organisations to represent the companies.

“We therefore deplore this attempt to tarnish the image of the CEOs by publicly threatening them with arrest, when they have not been indicted for any wrong doing.

“Maligning individuals whose activities have contributed immensely to the growth of the nation’s economy is unfortunate, inappropriate and inimical to the current effort of the Nigerian government at pulling the economy completely out of the recession and placing it on the path of sustainable growth.

“At the same time, it amounts to sending the wrong signal to prospective investors and casting a shadow on the safety of high net worth individuals operating in our economic space.

“Besides, there is need to ensure that rights of individuals engaged in legitimate business ventures in Nigeria are respected and protected.

“The man-hours and resources expended in honouring such invitations should also be taken

into account, as these invitations have become more frequent, in some cases, such appointments have been cancelled after the CEOs arrived at the venue of the meetings, the busy CEOs are left waiting for hours before the meetings commence,’’ Jacobs stated.

Meanwhile, the Senate committee has called on the companies under investigation to be alert to the activities of some persons parading themselves as staff of the committee, with intention to extort money from the affected companies.

The committee, in a statement issued by Uzodimma yesterday, clarified that it did not mandate any agent to hold brief for it, in its assignment.

Any individual or individuals claiming to be staff of the committee and soliciting favours or asking companies to pay monies are nothing but impostors and criminals who should be promptly reported to the relevant security agencies and promptly arrested, the committee said.

PRESIDENTIAL ASSENT

President Muhammadu Buhari (left),signing instruments of ratification for international agreements between Nigeria and other countries at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ....yesterday. With him is the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) Godwin Omoigui

CSO Urges FG to Oppose Morocco’s Membership of ECOWAS Alex Enumah in Abuja A forum of critical stakeholders yesterday called on the federal government to resist the admission of Morocco into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the grounds that the admission of Morocco might likely create unnecessary tension in the region as well as impact negatively on the economy of member states, particularly, Nigeria.

The stakeholders gave the advice yesterday in Abuja, at a one-day High Level Policy Dialogue organised by Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in conjunction with the Freidrich Hebert Stiftung (FES).

The dialogue which has as its theme: ‘Morocco Ascension to ECOWAS: Opportunities and Threats,’ brought together an array of stakeholders from the academia, diplomatic corps, civil

society, ECOWAS, multilateral organisations, and government institutions and agencies to critically interrogate the economic, security and foreign policy implications of Morocco’s ascension to ECOWAS. The forum in a communique read at the end of its meeting by Senior Program Officer, Centre for Democracy and Development, Shamsudeen Yusuf, was of the position that ascension of Morocco would do more harm than good to the healthy relations that have existed among members over time.

“Nigeria has been playing “mother goose” role within the regional body for several years. Ascension of Morocco to ECOWAS might create tension between the country and Nigeria which may invariably affect effective operations of the regional blocs, particularly in facilitating the process of economic development and democratic deepening in West Africa,” Yusuf stated.

The forum also expressed concern over the current state of the Moroccan economy noting that it is been faced with serious challenges that may likely translate to more economic challenges for the region.

“Currently, the Kingdom of Morocco is plagued by high unemployment, public and foreign debt, and she is predominantly an agro-based economy which places it more as a burden to the regional body than stimulateeconomic growth and development,” the forum stated.

Another reason the forum gave for its call for the rejection of the ascension of Morocco into ECOWAS is the fact that the country has a multiplicity of membership, and is alleged to be a potential proxy for France’s neo-liberal preoccupation in West Africa, a situation the meeting agrees portend more danger than good to the political and economic development of West African countries.

In her keynote address, the Director of CDD, Idayat Hassan, stated that apart from the economic and political consideration listed above for the singular fact that Morocco’s system of government is not in tandem with ECOWAS principles makes the idea uncomfortable.

“Today, all the 15 States that makes up the ECOWASarepractising democracy so why allow a monarchy to come into play? So based on that alone, beyond the issue of economy, beyond the issue of the pride of place we occupy in history as the big power in West Africa and the world, we should actually oppose the ascension of Morocco into ECOWAS .

She disclosed that while most Nigerian experts believe that the ascension of Morocco into ECOWAS is not a positive development for the country, majority of ECOWAS members are favourably disposed to the move.

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38 Senior Army Officers Petition Buhari over Wrongful Dismissal Ejiofor Alike Thirty-eight senior army officers have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over what they described as wrongful dismissal from the Nigerian Army and accused the Minister of Defence, Brig-General Mansur Dan Ali (rtd), Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai of victimisation of innocent senior officers.

The retired officers alleged that Ali, Olonisakin and Bruatai abused their offices with impunity by maliciously punishing innocent officers.

In a petition dated August 22, 2017 and addressed to President Buhari by the law firm of Abdul Muhammed LP, the officers recalled that at the beginning of this administration, two panels were instituted to inquire into allegations of electoral malpractices by Nigerian Army personnel and allegations of corruption associated with arms procurement under the office of National Security Adviser (NSA).

The officers also noted that sometime in June 2016, the Nigeria Army under the leadership of the troika of Ali, Olonisakin and Buratai presided over an abrupt sitting of the Army Council that saw to the punishment by compulsory

Rivers Senatorial Tussle: Sekibo Loses Appeal, Abe Wins Ernest Chinwo inPortHarcourt and Alex Enumah in Abuja The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja yesterday dismissed the appeal filed before it by Senator George Thompson Sekibo, challenging the decision of the Rivers State National and State Election Petition tribunal which sat in Abuja.

The tribunal had in June returned Andrew Uchendu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected senator for Rivers East senatorial district.

Delivering judgment in the appeal of Sekibo, Justice Adamu Jauro held that the petition lacked merit and substance and consequently dismissed it.

However, in another judgment delivered by Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru, the court upheld the election of Senator Magnus Abe of Rivers South-east.

The appeal brought against Abe

by Oloka Johnson Nwogu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was dismissed for being baseless and lacking in merit.

Justice Abiru said the issues raised by Nwogu in his petition against Abe’s election were criminal in nature which could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

In the judgment in Sekibo’s appeal, the court held that the tribunal was correct in the removal of Sekibo from the Senate on the grounds that the provisions of the Electoral Act were violated in the conduct of the election.

The Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal had in a judgment delivered last June, ordered the removal of Sekibo as the senator representing the people of Rivers East senatorial district at the National Assembly.

The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Goddy Anunihu in the judgment also ordered the immediate replacement of Sekibo with Andrew Uchendu of the APC which the court held was the winner of the senatorial election.

The tribunal also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return it issued to Sekibo and issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Uchendu.

The tribunal’s decision was predicated on the grounds that Uchendu won the lawful majority vote cast during the Rivers Re-run legislative election.

Also the tribunal had sighted substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines for arriving at the decision to order the removal of Sekibo from office.

Not satisfied with the judgment of the tribunal, Sekibo approached the appellate court to upturn the decision of the tribunal.

The appeal with Appeal number: CA/A/EPT/487/2017, dated July 20, 2017 and filed same day by his counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) ,contained 23 grounds upon which the judgment of the tribunal was challenged.

But Justice Jauro refused to upturn the tribunal’s verdict on the grounds that the findings by the tribunal were accurate and correct in law.

The Appeal Court held that where an election has been found to have been conducted in breach of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines, such an election shall be liable to dismissal as rightly done by the tribunal.

In the third appeal on Rivers West senatorial district, the appellate court also upheld the election of Senator Osinachukwu Ideozu of the PDP. The court in the judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Mustapha dismissed the appeal brought against Ideozu by Otelemaba Amachree of the APC. With the judgment yesterday, the APC now has two senators while the PDP has one.

Reacting to the judgment, the state chapter of the APC said the victories recorded by Uchendu and Abe at the Court of Appeal as duly elected senators for Rivers East and Rivers South East senatorial districts of Rivers State were quit notice to Governor Nyesom Wike.

The state Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr. Chris Finebone, said in a statement he issued in Port Harcourt yesterday that the judgments were “a culmination of a long quest for justice by the individuals directly, the party collectively and our leader, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.”

He said the judgments also vindicated the party’s position that Uchendu was robbed of victory and attempts made to also rob Abe of his hard-earned victory.

“By this victories, we are serving notice to the PDP in Rivers State and Governor Nyesom Wike to start packing to vacate Government House, Port Harcourt come 2019,” he said.

retirement of the 38 senior officers of the Nigerian Army.

The petitioners also told President Buhari that after their unjust retirement, some of the officers wrote letters of redress for the president’s matured consideration of their individual cases, through the Chief of Defence Staff as provided by the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers) 2012 but the military authorities deliberately refused to show proof of transmitting the said letters to the president as required by regulations.

The petitioners argued that even though it was claimed that these officers were “retired”, they were actually dismissed going by the proper construction of their circumstances.

“I must point out that the very public nature of the declaration of compulsory retirement of the 38 officers has undermined the individual reputations of these senior army officers and frustrated their respective efforts as securing a livelihood for their families,” said Abdul Muhammed, who signed the petition.

The petitioners told President Buhari that 18 of the senior army officers that were dismissed did not at any time appear before any one of the two panels that were set up or any other inquiry or

investigation for that matter.

According to the petition, “the 18 officers were never investigated for any infraction, they were never indicted, they were never tried and they were never convicted of any disciplinary or criminal breaches whatsoever.

“Additionally, many of these officers have no relationship whatsoever with election duties or procurement office as falsely alleged by army leadership. Most importantly, Your Excellency, none of the 38 senior officers that were compulsorily retired was at any time ever charged or tried by a court martial or found guilty of any offence in line with due process of the armed forces extant rules and regulations, before they respectively heard of their retirement in the media. Interestingly, none of these officers has been informed of the particulars of any alleged offence till date,” the petitioners explained.

The affected officers also recalled that some of them had written to the army authority to furnish them with facts that constitute any alleged offence, but the army failed to respond to this simple request one year after.

“After the very public dismissal of the 38 senior army officers, the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Army Staff went to the

media with the narrative that the 38 army officers were professionally corrupt and that these officers were punished after due process. These are untrue statements because the dismissed officers were never indicted or found culpable at all as there was a complete failure to follow the due processes laid down by the Nigeria army with respect to these wrongful and illegal dismissals. Your Excellency, in fact records of the Army will confirm that at the relevant periods some of these 38 retired officers were actually in the frontline of North Eastern operations waging war against terror which earned them official commendations and accolades for their exploits, as against the narrative of participating in election duties. Several others in the list of petitioners were on Army posting outside the shores of Nigeria or civil studies during the period of the General elections and during the entire periods that the relevant panels were sitting in Kaduna and at Abuja,” the petitioners explained.

They accused Ali, Olonisakin and Buratai of gross act of abuse of office without any due process by punishing innocent officers and deliberately misleading the President.

The petitioners appealed to President Buhari to order an urgent

investigation and reinstatement of the innocent officers, alleging that the names of innocent officers were substituted in place of the guilty ones in a case of gross corruption and abuse of office.

The petitioners also disclosed that after one-year of persistent abuse and denial of justice to the 38 retired officers, one of them, Lt Col Baba-Ochankpa died of a heart attack while the military leadership deliberately refused to forward his appeal and that of others to the president for his matured consideration as stipulated by the Harmonised Terms and Condition of Service (Officers) 2012 which was the quoted basis for their retirement.

“Your Excellency, the 38 Senior Army Officers are crying for justice as promised to Nigerians by your administration. The widow of Lt. Col Baba-Ochankpa (Mrs. Ruth Baba-Ochanpka) deserves justice.

The children of the late Lt Col Baba- Ochanpka, Master Joshua Baba - Ochankpa, Miss Esther Baba-Ochankpa and Miss Abigail Baba-Ochankpa deserve our justice.

These beautiful children deserve to have removed the stain that the present Army leadership has put on the memory of their father the late Lt Col Baba-Ochanpka,” the petitioners added.

LEARNED COLLEAGUES

L-R: Mr. Akin Elegbede; Mr. Bayo Alabidun; Mrs. Mojoyin Osunfowora; Mr. Dele Alesinloye; Mr. Folorunso Ilori; and Mrs. Bosun Adekoya at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual general conference at Landmark Centre, Oniru, Lagos ... yesterday

Adeosun Canvasses Fiscal Discipline, Rational Resource Allocation Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has advised all tiers of government to strive for fiscal discipline, improved revenue generation, rational allocation and efficient use of resources if the economy is to move back to sustainable growth and development.

She also called for the refocusing of attention on quality investment in the real sectors of the economy, including agriculture, manufacturing, mines and steel, as well as the promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises as the critical contributors to the

growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Adeosun, in a keynote address at a retreat organised by her ministry in collaboration with the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) on the theme: ‘Enhancing the Effectiveness of FAAC,’ in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said the economic reforms of the federal government have been geared towards wealth creation, employment generation, poverty reduction, development of the non-oil sector and value re-orientation.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-

Dutse, she said: “Programmes like the promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES), the initiation of N-Power and a number of others were designed to empower the citizenry, encourage private enterprises and change the way government does business.”

A statement issued by the Director of Information in the ministry, Mr. Salish Na’Inah Dambatta, added: “It is my firm belief that the pursuit of economic diversification through promotion of private enterprises is one of the ways we can unlock the untapped socio-economic potentials for social progress, economic growth

and national development.

“I am happy to state here that the present government is intensifying efforts in this direction and very soon the multiplier effect will become obvious,” she noted.

The minister urged the three tiers of government to apply the best international practice in public financial management.

She added: “We must block all observed loopholes and strengthen public financial management. While making frantic efforts to realise this, there is urgent need to reposition FAAC for enhanced performance through efficient management of accrued scarce resources for national development.”

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Fashola: FG Building 2,736 New Housing Units in 33 States Plans speedy delivery of homes through co-operative societies

Chineme Okafor and Nnenna Akuma in Abuja The Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday disclosed that 2,736 fresh units of houses were being built by the federal government in 33 states, in a pilot phase to test-run the affordability and acceptability of its national housing programme.

Fashola also stated that the government would after its test-run of the programme, plan to deliver more housing units to Nigerians through co-operative societies.

He said the idea was to steadily build and plug the country’s

housing deficit which is often put at about 17 million.

He stated these at the sixth edition of the National Council on Land, Housing and Urban Development, in Abuja, where he explained that the 33 states benefitting from the pilot phase of housing programme were the ones that provided the ministry land with legally backed documentation.

He stated that within the project schedule, 54,680 jobs had been created while 653 contractors were engaged to build the units.

Although, he did not disclose how much the government had expended on the projects.

“At the time of the council meeting in August 2016, I reported that we were finalising designs to accommodate our cultural, climactic and other diversified, and that when the designs were completed we would commence construction to pilot the designs and test them for affordability and acceptability.

“I am pleased to report that construction has started in 33 states where land has been made available.

This is in fulfillment of another commitment made at last year’s council by at least 90 per cent. This must give a lot of hope to our people that this government will do what it says, and I want to thank all the states

IOCs, Others Responsible for Failure of Oil Sector Reforms, Says Ex-Presidential Aide Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja A former Adviser on Petroleum to one-time Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, has blamed the failure of petroleum sector reforms to the unwillingness of international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the country to break away from the status quo due to vested interest.

He also blamed other stakeholders, including government functionaries and representatives for the failure of the sector reforms.

Ibrahim, who delivered a keynote address in Abuja yesterday at a National Stakeholders’ Reform Dialogue on Governance Reforms, organised by the Partnerships to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), a governance programme funded by UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), said from April 2000 till date, Nigeria is yet to consummate the petroleum sector reforms, noting that the stalemate may not be broken in the foreseeable future due to entrenched interests.

In his address titled: ‘Making Reforms Work For Good Governance: The Role of Stakeholders,’ he stated that the stakeholders, particularly the IOCs understood quite well the consequences of allowing the

petroleum sector reforms to be carried through, and therefore had over the years subtly manipulated the process in order to continue to call the shots.

According to him, the reforms, if allowed to pull through, would put the operations of the sector more actively in the hands of indigenous players, and to a large extent strip the IOCs of their domineering status.

He argued that this was a situation the IOCs would least allow to occur, stressing that local stakeholders had also willy-nilly contributed to the stalemate Mohammed stated that the international oil companies in the joint venture (JV), including Shell, control over 90 per cent of the operations of the oil sector, adding that should the reforms work, it would not be a tea party for the IOCs. Mohammed, who is also a one-time Chairman of the Eleme Petrochemical Company, said it was a misnomer to describe Nigeria as an oil-producing country, noting that it is at best an oil exporter.

The mere fact that the IOCs are the ones who carry out oil production under the JV partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), he argued, consigns the country as an oil exporter and oil producer.

He stressed that until the means of production, particularly technology and personnel are in largely in the hands of indigenous players, Nigeria cannot claim to be an oil producer.

He regretted that the resolve of IOCs to allow the status quo remain, and the lack of commitment by stakeholders from the public sector had torpedoed the petroleum sector reforms over the years.

According to him, Nigeria carried out a plethora of reforms over the years, noting that some have been quite deep and significant, citing the telecommunications sector as an example Others, he lamented, have been deliberately and politically made irrelevant to “quiten some irritants” and “a few frustrated by stakeholders,” alluding to the petroleum sector.

Mohammed noted that it was the late president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who showed resolve to see through the petroleum sector reforms, but for his demise.

He recommended that the citizens, as primary stakeholders in good governance, must ensure that the Schedule 2 of the 1999 Constitution, which is the fundamental objective and directive principle of state policy has appropriate provisions for good governance is justiciable.

IDPs Protest Abduction of Four Nigerian Chiefs by Cameroonian Gendarmes Okon Bassey in Uyo Nigerians Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) of the Bakassi Peninsula yesterday protested the non-release of four Nigerian chiefs by the Cameroonian Gendarmes 12 days after their adoption.

The adoption of the local chiefs was said to have been the climax of untold hardship which Nigerians in the peninsula are being subjected to.

The protest was made by the National and International Coordinator, Bakassi IDPs and Liaison Officer, Prince Aston Joseph Inyang, at a press briefing in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital where he made public a protest letter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

He listed the names of those in the captivity of the gendarmes to include Bassey Ikoedem Utong,

Ndung Ekpenyong Ndung, Joseph Ekpenyong Isang and Asukwo Isuo Atteh.

The four chiefs, he said, were first detained at the Diamond security station and later taken to Abana, which is now renamed Jabanne, and finally transferred to Mudemba, the headquarters of Ndian Division.

Besides wanton abuse of their human rights, extortion and heavy taxation, Inyang lamented that the crises reached alarming point when the four community leaders were seized and taken to unknown destination for the past two weeks.

“They were arrested over 12 days ago, and till date, nobody knows their whereabouts,” Prince Inyang said.

He called on the federal and the Akwa Ibom State governments and other relevant authorities to intervene with a view to rescuing

the adopted community leaders alive However, to free the abducted chiefs, Inyang said they were requested by the Divisional Officer (DO) in-charge of Idabatu station to pay N594,000, after their crayfish, fish and other seafood were seized at Abunja area of Cameroon.

According to him, some natural boundaries have been falsified and Nigerian territories including Ataobong community have been renamed to bear Cameroonian names, while local Nigerian chiefs were replaced by Cameroonians.

He regretted that forceful eviction of Nigerians from their areas, extortion of monies in form of taxes and other inhuman treatments, had compelled them to report the matter to the United Nations (UN) and the Nigerian government to no avail.

who gave us land,” said Fashola.

He further stated: “653 contractors were engaged in the pilot scheme to deliver 2,736 units. A total of 54,680 people were employed in the process.”

The minister explained that the government had in its adopted approach for the housing programme, repositioned relevant agencies in the sector to effectively undertake their respective responsibilities.

He said: “While our national housing programme, is the first of its type on a national scale in many decades that seeks to respond to the deficit, government agencies such as the Federal Mortgage Bank, Federal Housing Authority are being repositioned to play their role more effectively to address the housing problem.

“For example, the Federal Housing Authority has been mandated by the ministry to reposition herself to be one of our champions of housing delivery based on her previous track record. Similarly, the Federal Mortgage Bank continues to deepen participation in the National Housing Fund which forms a reliable pool of funding from which she lends money to contributors by way of mortgage loans to acquire houses.

“In addition, the bank has granted loans to estate developers to build houses; and from their recent report to me, they currently have 3,823 housing units available for sale in various states of the federation,” Fashola added.

He said to accelerate government’s delivery of housing

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNYEMI OLUWATOSIN EMMANUEL now wish to be known and addressed as OLUWAYEMI OLUWATOSIN EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid.

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I, formerly known and addressed as OGUMS CHIDIMMA LOVELINE now wish to be known and addressed as SIMEON CHIDIMMA LOVELINE. All former documents remain valid. The general Public take note.

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units to Nigerians to cut down the country’s housing deficit, an initiative to engage co-operative societies in the programme would be worked out for adoption.

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

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FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

U E FA C H A M P I O N S L E AG U E

Real Madrid Draws Dortmund, Spurs in Group Stage Cup holders Real Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League group stage while five-time winners Barcelona were yesterday drawn with last season’s runners-up Juventus.

Zinedine Zidane’s side is chasing a third successive European title and fourth in five seasons after demolishing Italian champions Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff in June.

The record 12-time European champions also take on Apoel of Cyprus in a testing Group H that will see Gareth Bale face Spurs for the first time since leaving for Real in a then world record deal in 2013.

“We are the holders so there is always an extra motivation for the teams you face. It won’t be easy at all, we’ll need to play well and find our best form,” said Real spokesman and former striker Emilio Butragueno.

“We’ve played a lot of times against Borussia Dortmund recently and know how good they are. Tottenham have shown in the past years in the Premier League they are a very strong team.”

Tottenham forward Harry Kane said he was excited to line up against the defending champions.

“It’s a great draw. You expect to play the best in Europe in the Champions League and it’s exciting for us. We look

forward to these games. You want to test yourself against the best and Real Madrid are the best at the moment,” said Kane.

Barcelona beat Juventus 3-1 in the 2015 final but the Spanish club has endured a difficult month with Neymar departing for Paris Saint-Germain in a mammoth 222-million-euro ($261 million) deal.

They will also come up against Greek champions Olympiakos and Sporting Lisbon in a competitive Group D. “It is a high level group with four historic teams. We will be fighting against a well known rival in Juventus and the games against them will condition our chances in the group,” said Barca general manager Pep Segura.

Juventus Director General Beppe Marotta said Barca were a weaker side following the record-breaking sale of Neymar.

“Missing a player like Neymar weighs heavily. We’ll have to see how they intend to replace him. But Barcelona remain a top quality side with great individual players,” Marotta told Italia 1.

Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti will be reacquainted with old faces in Paris in a Group B that also features Celtic and Anderlecht.

“It’s an exciting group with some great teams and Paris at the top,” said the Italian.

GROUP A GROUP B GROUP C GROUP D GROUP E GROUP F GROUP G GROUP H Benfica Man Utd FC Basel CSKA

Bayern PSG Anderlecht Celtic

Chelsea Atletico AS Roma Qarabag

Juventus Barcelona Olympiakos Sporting Lis

It was a landmark achievement for United Kingdom’s WWE competitors late Wednesday night at the Barclays Center in New York when the pair of Pete Dunne and Wolfgang gave dominant pair of Tyler Bate and Trent Seven a bitter taste of defeat on the night other super stars thrilled the crowd.

In the five-star tag team showdown, all the four competitors put on a show that lived up to billing as crowd cheered endlessly to the jaw-dropping in ring display.

The turning point in

the back-and-forth Classic display came when Wolfgang shrewdly tagged himself into the contest but Bate not realising that Wolfgang was now the legal man hit his Tyler Driver ‘97 on Dunne.

But just as the first ever WWE United Kingdom was realising Dunne was not the legal man, the 250+ pound, Wolfgang nailed a huge Swanton bomb from the top to give victory to his side. The crowd erupted in jubilation just as the red and blue lights illuminated the stage.

In some of the other bouts of the night, Lars Sullivan destroyed No Way Jose in an NXT battle although the

Shakhtar Man City Napoli Feyenoord

Monaco Porto Besiktas RB Leipzig

Real Madrid Dortmund Tottenham Apoel Nicosia

Mayweather and McGregor at the press conference to herald the fight tonight

UK Superstars Dunne, Wolfgang, Shine in Tag-team Showdown Femi Solaja in New York courtesy MultiChoice

Spartak Sevilla Liverpool Maribor

loser was the favourite of the crowd.

Unfortunately, Lars Sullivan wasn’t a fan of the performance as he stormed down the entrance ramp, barreling over the fun-loving Superstar.

The monstrous Sullivan continued to lay waste to Jose as NXT fans looked on in horror. After slamming Jose face-first into the mat, Sullivan stomped out of the ring, leaving Jose to be attended to by WWE officials.

In the women contest, Peyton Royce returned to high profile competition by squaring off with Sarah Logan, who has yet to string together

enough in-ring performances in NXT. The former “Crazy” Mary Dobson sought that elusive victory that would turn her fortunes around.

Logan outwrestled her Aussie opponent to start, frustrating Royce. The villainess seized control, using her long legs to choke her opponent.

The underdog baby-face fought back, though, delivering a German suplex and rollup that nearly stunned her opponent.

A series of rollups followed and a fisherman suplex by Royce scored her the hardfought victory.

Ronaldo Named UEFA’s Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo was named UEFA Player of the Season for 2016-2017 yesterday after a campaign that saw the Portuguese superstar help Real Madrid to the La Liga and Champions League double.

It was the third time that Ronaldo had won the award which was presented on the sidelines of the Champions League group stage draw.

His great rival Lionel Messi has won the prize on two occasions and could pave the way for him to capture a fifth Ballon d’Or title.

“There are the same goals every year, to meet the same challenges, win everything if possible, qualify for the World Cup with my national team,” said Ronaldo.

“This trophy will give me

the motivation to keep working hard, never to give up. I am blessed and delighted to be with Real Madrid.”

Ronaldo won the UEFA award in 2013-2014 and 20152016 and in the Champions League last season, where Real defeated Juventus 4-1 in the final, he finished as top scorer with 12 goals.

Juventus goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon was second in the voting ahead of Messi.

Ronaldo

Mayweather vs McGregor Live on SuperSport The epic boxing bout between Floyd Mayweather and Connor McGregor will be offered as a pay-per-view event between $89.95 and $99.95 in the United States of America. In Nigeria, the fight will be aired live on SuperSport to Premium subscribers at no additional charge.

According to a statement from the pay tv satellite broadcast company yesterday, the highlights of

the fight will be available on DStv Catch Up in the hours after the event. DStv Catch Up Plus, available on connected Explora decoders, and Catch Up on DStv Now, will carry the full fight later in the day.

A pop-up channel, Channel 213, is available live to all DStv customers, from Premium to Access, from August 19 and broadcast daily from 4pm to midnight until the eve of the fight on

August 27.

While high-stake boxing events typically draw substantial viewers, this one has a novel twist.

Mayweather is 49-0 and came out of retirement to take on McGregor in his first-ever boxing match after nearly 10 years as a professional mixed martial arts fighter.

The Irish MMA star is also a decade younger than the boxer — but will have to

play by different rules than he’s used to and if he puts a toe out of bounds, he’ll be disqualified.

Mayweather will be aiming for a record 50th successive win as a professional. McGregor, for all the hype, will be engaging in just his first pro contest.

Yet this fight has more to do with marketing smoke and mirrors than boxing.

Both will cash in like never before with their superstar

status guaranteeing millions of eyeballs on televisions around the world.

Mayweather is a slick operator who fights by the maxim of hitting and not getting hit. He has fast hands and the best defence in the game, qualities he’ll need against McGregor.

The Irishman is bigger and stronger and will be unorthodox given his unfamiliarity with boxing.

He’s vowed to destroy

Mayweather inside four rounds, although that is the sort of boast Mayweather has heard many times before.

Forty-nine opponents have tried to beat him and 49 have failed.

With Hollywood stars scrambling for ringside tickets and regular fans trying to get their hands on tickets, which range in price from $500 to $10,000, it’s as big a fight as glitzy Las Vegas has ever seen.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY AUGUST 25, 2017

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Friday, August 25, 2017

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Odumakin to Military “They should go and bring Shekau; they declared him dead several times, but he is still alive on the social media. If the military wants to monitor the social media, they should go after Shekau” – The National Publicity Secretary of the Yoruba Socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin, taking a swipe at the military over its decision to commence the monitoring of t social media activities by Nigerians.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

From Washington to Abuja T he international background to the return of President Mohammadu Buhari to Abuja was the culmination of the tragic theatre of the absurd that the presidency of Donald Trump has come to represent for the United States. I crave your indulgence to wax metaphysical. Trump returned to Washington from his eventful seventeen days holiday on Monday August 21st stewing in a broiling crisis entirely of his own making. His return coincided with a unique astronomical phenomenon that had not been witnessed in America for over a century.

‘Hey, there’s a total solar eclipse happening Aug. 21, 2017. You might’ve heard about it.

It’ll be the United States’ first coast-to-coast total eclipse in almost 100 years… Total solar eclipses occur when the New Moon comes between the Sun and Earth and casts the darkest part of its shadow, the umbra, on Earth. A full solar eclipse, known as totality, is almost as dark as night’. As imageries go, few expressions can better capture the nightmare of Trump Presidency for America appropriately than ‘as dark as night’. Can it be a coincidence that the total eclipse darkness of Monday, August 21st has not occurred in the US since the precedence of another uniquely dark era-the First World War, 100 years ago?.

I had cause, earlier on in his Presidency to make the following remarks ‘America appears to have sleep walked into disaster and the resilience of its normative political order is being put to hard test by the new normless sheriff in town. The consolation is that America has an inbuilt sturdy mechanism of anticipating and containing a rogue President. How America manages to egg this bull out of its china shop is going to remain a classical case study in rogue leadership management. Of equal concern is how God’s own country descended from the Olympian heights of the noble exceptionalism of electing Barack Obama, its first African American President, to the valley of the base level perversion of electing a serial pathological liar, devious racist and sadistic philanderer as Obama’s successor; a dialectical reversal from progress to regression’.

Not long ago, former President Olusegun Obasanjo offered his own perspective ‘The fact that America can produce a Trump in this day and age, it means Americans are as human as we are, I am not justifying what African leaders are doing. If our leaders are doing wrong, we should say that they are doing wrong. Trump has come so that America can be humbled, and we can also learn that lesson,’ A recapitulation of the historic events as they transpired is best captured in the motion for censure (of Trump) by a coalition of members of the House of Representatives.

It reads as follows: ‘Whereas on August 11, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia, a gathering of white supremacists, including neo-Nazis,

Buhari

Ku Klux Klan (KKK) members, and other alt-Right, white nationalist groups, marched through the streets with torches as part of a coordinated ‘Unite the Right’ rally spewing racism, anti-Semitism, bigotry and hatred; Whereas on August 12, 2017, in Charlottesville, Virginia, a car driven by James Alex Fields, Jr. rammed into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring 20 others; Whereas President Donald Trump’s immediate public comments rebuked “many sides” for the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and failed to specifically condemn the ‘Unite the Right’ rally or cite the white supremacist, neoNazi gathering as responsible for actions of domestic terrorism; Whereas on August 15, 2017, President Donald Trump held a press conference at Trump Tower where he reasserted that “both sides” were to blame for the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and attempted to create a moral equivalency between white supremacist, KKK, neo-Nazi groups and those counter-protesting the ‘Unite the Right’ rally; Whereas President Donald Trump has surrounded himself with, and cultivated the influence of, senior advisers and spokespeople who have long histories of promoting white nationalist, alt-Right, racist and anti-Semitic principles and policies within the country; Whereas President Donald Trump has provided tacit encouragement and little to no denunciation of white supremacist groups and individuals who promote their bigoted, nationalist ideology and policies; Whereas President Donald Trump has failed to provide adequate condemnation and assure the American people of his resolve to opposing domestic terrorism: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— ‘Does hereby censure and condemn President Donald Trump for his inadequate response to the violence in Charlottesville,

Virginia, on August 12, 2017, his failure to immediately and specifically name and condemn the white supremacist groups responsible for actions of domestic terrorism, for reasserting that “both sides” were to blame and excusing the violent behaviour of participants in the ‘Unite the Right’ rally’.

Back in Nigeria and unlike Donald Trump who had been saying all the wrong things and wilfully fostering divisiveness amongst Americans, President Buhari has been politically correct in sternly rebuking separatist tendencies and laying down the law albeit in the overstatement that ‘the unity of Nigeria is settled and not open for negotiation’. On account of its brevity and the passion it has generated, Buhari’s speech is similarly reproduced hereunder.

‘I am very grateful to God and to all Nigerians for their prayers. I am pleased to be back on home soil among my brothers and sisters. In the course of my stay in the United Kingdom, I have been kept in daily touch with events at home. Nigerians are robust and lively in discussing their affairs, but I was distressed to notice that some of the comments, especially in the social media have crossed our national red lines by daring to question our collective existence as a nation. This is a step too far’.

‘In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analyzed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united.

Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable.

We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood’.

‘Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance. I believe the very vast majority of Nigerians share this view.

This is not to deny that there are legitimate concerns. Every group has a grievance. But the beauty and attraction of a federation is that it allows different groups to air their grievances and work out a mode of coexistence. The National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse.

The national consensus is that, it is better to live together than to live apart’.

‘Furthermore, I am charging the Security Agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months be a sign to relax.

Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety. Therefore we are going to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against; ‘Elements of Boko Haram which are attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets; kidnappings; farmers versus herdsmen clashes, in addition to ethnic violence fuelled by political mischief makers.

We shall tackle them all…

As a regular commentator and former presidential adviser on politics, it was the quality of the text of the speech that first struck me. It was a poor job and falls below par- as presidential speech writing goes.

Second was the accurate identification and prioritisation of the theme of national unity and believe me I have no problems with the President taking exception to the somewhat careless and casual resort to secessionist talks ‘especially in the social media’ Beyond semantics, the reiteration of the imperative of national unity is a noble message to which the justification of national consensus can be legitimately ascribed-as the president did. But in the end, national unity and patriotism cannot be assumed or taken for granted. It has to be tended, nurtured, cultivated and earned. Emphasising this transactional nature is the prerequisite qualification that a nation must, apriori, foster a sense of belonging and goodwill.

It is in the knowledge that national unity is aspirational (and not a given) that constitutions are incorporated and designed with the objective of fostering the greatest happiness of the greatest numbers, of making this mission ‘the fundamental objective and directive principles of state policy’.

Within this framework, it is a platitude to suggest that the leadership role of the national political elite in nation building is most crucial and decisive. And at the zenith of the political elite hierarchy is the President who is expected to personify this constitutional aspiration. And so then the question is-on the singular question of national unity, on which President Buhari is rhetorically uncompromising, how has he fared?

Partisanship notwithstanding, were the eligibility for the Presidency of Nigeria to be solely predicated on fidelity to national unity in deeds and precept, in and out of office, it is difficult to see General Buhari passing the smell test. Bearing this in mind, Wole Soyinka gave to candidate Buhari the qualified endorsement that ‘This persistent candidate seeks return, but let him understand that it can only be as a debtor to the past, and that the future cannot wait to collect.

If this collective leap of faith is derided, repudiated or betrayed under a RENEWED immersion in the ambiance of power or retrogressive championing, of a resumption of clearly repudiated social directions, we have no choice but to revoke an unspoken pact….’

Yet as recent as few months back in an unprecedented manner, Buhari divisively and discriminately made a broadcast to the nation in Hausa language from his sick bay in London. Is this how to promote national unity? And as we speak, no clarification has been made of his decision to address himself solely to speakers of Hausa language in a message of goodwill to Nigerian Moslems and the nation in general- presuming that this conduct is even recognised as an error requiring mitigation in the first place.

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