Thursday 14th September 2017

NNPC to Shutdown Refineries for Rehabilitation, Inaugurates C’ttees Receives 28 EoIs for private sector funding of repairs Chineme Okafor and Nnenna Akuma in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has disclosed that it will shortly close down its refineries in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt for

comprehensive rehabilitation aimed at bringing them back to their nameplate production capacities.

NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, told reporters yesterday in

Abuja that the closure of the refineries will allow the corporation to undertake the rehabilitation in ways that are different from what had been done in the past.

He noted that the refineries

would come back on stream as new facilities when NNPC concludes the rehabilitation project ahead of the country’s plan to end petroleum products importation in 2019.

Speaking on the sidelines

of the inaugural Nigerian Pipeline Security Conference and Exhibition organised by the Pipeline Association of Nigeria (PLAN), Baru said: “As you know, it has been the perception of the public that

Court Freezes Zamfara State Accounts in 20 Banks … Page 48

the repairs of the refineries are never done thoroughly, so this time our intention is to shutdown the refineries when we are ready, and then fully bring them back to what they should be as new refineries.”

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Lai Mohammed Emerges Vice-President of World Tourism Body… Page 51

Northern Govs Embark on Town Hall Meetings on Restructuring John Shiklam in Kaduna With the growing clamour for the restructuring of the country and rising tensions in the South-east and South-south arising from violent clashes between the military and members of the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a high powered committee set up by governors

and traditional rulers from Northern Nigeria to collate the views of their constituents on the country’s restructuring, among other burning national issues, will hold town hall meeting across the 19 states of the region.

The 12-man committee comprising six governors, a deputy governor and five Continued on page 8

APC, PDP, ACF, Others Call for Calm, Restraint in S’East

Police sergeant killed, 32 IPOB members arrested in Rivers Kanu cancels meeting with govs, curfew extended in Abia Our Correspondents Following the violent clashes this week between the military and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Abia and Rivers States, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples

Democratic Party and Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), among others, have called for calm and admonished all parties to exercise restraint.

However, further bloody skirmishes were recorded in Continued on page 8

In Another Blow to Patients, Health Workers to Embark on Strike Sept 20... Page48

WOMAN OF THE MOMENT...

Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Aisha Alhassan (left), and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, at the Federal Executive Council meeting held yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where she was unbowed and received warmly by her colleagues after she had recently said that she would support her mentor and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 election, not President Muhammadu Buhari

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PAGE EIGHT NORTHERN GOVS EMBARK ON TOWN HALL MEETINGS ON RESTRUCTURING traditional rulers was set up in July by the Northern Governors’ Forum and Northern Traditional Rulers Council to aggregate the views of Northerners on the restructuring debate.

Speaking after the inaugural meeting of the committee held in Sokoto yesterday, chairman of the committee and governor of Sokoto State Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, said the North was committed to the unity of the country.

Tambuwal urged all agitators and those beating the drumbeats of war across the country to be calm, stressing that even if Nigeria goes to

war, people would still have to come back to discuss the issues important to them, hence the need to stop the divisive actions and speeches.

He said the committee would take advantage of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly and see how best it can key in by presenting a common front as it affects the North in the Nigerian federation.

He explained that the committee had set up the modalities for collating the views of Northerners on the state of the nation, especially on the agitations for the

restructuring the country. “We have agreed to set up a technical committee to work on the previous documents, conferences and position papers sent back to us within three weeks. “Thereafter, every Northern state will conduct public hearings and we will meet on October 24, 2017, by the grace of God, to review all that. “So by the end of October, God willing, we shall be able to get back to the larger body of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Northern Traditional Leaders and Council,� he said.

According to him, all the

issues that will be brought up by a technical committee constituted by his committee would be critically looked into, “so that we can subject them to a very robust debate across the North and the outcome of that will be presented to Northern governors and traditional rulers�.

He added that those who are agitating for restructuring should know that “there is process going on in the country for engagement and I am sure the federal government is willing to listen to all these agitations at the end of the day�.

Also in his remarks, a

member of the committee and Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, stressed the need for a united and peaceful Nigeria. “I believe in the conversation.

We have just looked into three main items that stood out clearly... we are going to have a regional conversation to express the pressing issues that have been raised. “We have to look into constitutional reforms of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This is important because it will help us to answer questions like what exactly is the devolution of power, what exactly should be the role of local governments and

whether there should be an opportunity for different states to discuss issues around fiscal responsibility, sharing revenue and all that can be discussed,� he said.

Members of the committee who attended the meeting included the Governors Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa, Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe and the deputy governor of Plateau State, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, who is the secretary of the committee.

Others included the Emirs of Zazzau, Fika and Gumel as well as the Etsu Nupe and the Gbong Gwon Jos.

refineries.

Kragha said Nigeria would not suffer financially from the project and that the approved financial model would guarantee payment to partners only from incremental profits. “Payment is therefore hinged on performance, ensuring a win-win situation for Nigeria,�

Kragha said.

Baru, at the conference where he delivered the key note address, added that the incessant vandalism of critical crude oil pipelines such as the Trans Niger and Trans Forcados Pipelines, contributed to the economic downturn Nigeria has experienced.

He said at the height of militancy in the country in 2016, the TNP and Forcados pipeline collectively recorded breaks on their various segments, which resulted in the deferment of about 700,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd).

According to him, since oil is Nigeria’s major foreign exchange earner, the pipelines breaks and

production shut-ins contributed in some good measure to the economic recession. “In 2016, the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), with a capacity of 150,000bpd, was breached 39 times. Year-to-date, we have recorded 27 breaching incidents on the TNP. “For the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP), with a capacity of 300,000bpd, we recorded 17 breaches in 2016 while yearto-date, we have recorded at least 15 breaching incidents on the TFP. “On the average, in 2016 about 700,000 barrels of oil per day were deferred due to pipeline vandalism. “Towards the end of the first and second quarters of 2016, the attacks on pipelines reached the highest point when the two major crude oil export pipelines of Forcados Oil Terminal (FOT) and Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT) were lost due to sabotage. “Nigeria’s daily production during the period went down to as low as 1.3 million barrels

from 2.2 million barrels targeted during the same period. “Similarly, because of the inter-relationship between the crude pipeline and condensate evacuation from the gas plants, power generation in the country also dropped significantly as the gas plants had to shut down thereby resulting in shortages in gas supply to power. “At present, a huge amount of money is spent on protecting these pipelines which significantly add to the cost of production. The foregoing summarises the effect of pipeline vandalism and therefore underscores the importance of protecting our pipeline system and treating them as national assets. “The huge capital investment made in the pipeline network across the country should trigger more resolute determination to finding lasting solutions to the perennial challenges threatening the future of pipeline infrastructure in the country,� Baru stated.

harm.

The PDP also commended the government of Abia State for the mature way it has handling the delicate situation and urged people of the state to continue to support and cooperate with it.

On its part, the ACF also called for calm and commended Ikpeazu for imposing a dusk to dawn curfew on Aba, following the clash between supporters of IPOB and the Nigerian Army.

In a statement in Kaduna yesterday, the publicity secretary of ACF, Mohammed Ibrahim Biu said IPOB supporters and other agitators for whatever reason should pursue their cause within the confines of the law. The statement read: “The attention of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been drawn to the alleged reported clashes between troops of the Nigerian Army while on Operation Python Dance II and members of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Aba, Abia State. “ACF commends the prompt intervention of the Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who has imposed a three day dusk to dawn curfew on Aba town in order to douse the tension and bring the situation under control. “With the dusk to dawn curfew in place, the military and other security agencies should ensure that peace and harmony in the areas affected are not only restored but sustained. “ACF also commends the efforts of the South-east Governors’ Forum for setting up a probe committee to

investigate the clash in order to unravel its remote causes and to proffer an enduring solution to such problems. “Identified perpetrators of the crisis should be made to face the wrath of the law in order to serve as a deterrent to others. “In this regard, ACF urges the governors of the South-east and South-south regions to take adequate and necessary steps to protect the lives and properties of the innocent and law abiding citizens living in their states. “ACF appeals to members of IPOB and other agitators for whatever cause, to always pursue their concerns within the confines of the law and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution. “Furthermore, ACF wishes to praise the military for their professionalism in handling the security challenges and calls on the federal government to be firm and resolute in bringing such situations under control in favor of peaceful coexistence needed for meaningful socioeconomic development. “We therefore appeal for calm and urge citizens to appreciate the need to live in peace and harmony.�

Also towing the same path of the ACF, a Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) in Kano yesterday called on Northerners to resist anything that would lead to unnecessary provocation and that could lead to reprisal attacks over the unfolding events in the South-east.

The group, which was reacting to reports that some

Northerners resident in Oyigbo were molested and had to seek the protection of the police, called for calm and for Northerners to be law abiding.

Addressing journalists at the Kano Press Centre over the unfortunate situation in Abia, the spokesman of the group, Mr. Abdulazeez Suleiman, in the company of the chairman and co-chairman Ashir Shariff and Shetima Yerima, said: “As cultured people with a long history of tolerance and respect for constituted authority, we call on Northerners to resist the temptation of carrying out reprisals and playing to the gallery.�

Suleiman added that

NNPC TO SHUTDOWN REFINERIES FOR REHABILITATION, INAUGURATES C’TTEES He further explained: “Obviously, it is going to be a complex procedure and as such, we have to breakdown the various work packages to ensure that all the work force has sufficient focus. “This time we inaugurated eight committees on the refineries’ rehabilitation. “The work streams are composed of the general managers and those at the executive directors level and they will have a day-to-day look at it, while the steering committee is at my level and that of the chief operating officers all looking at the problems that the workstations have and they will proffer solutions immediately,� he explained.

He said NNPC would focus on the repairs of the refineries with all that is required to ensure that when the rehabilitation is concluded by 2019, they will be as good as new.

A statement from the Group

General Manager Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, stated that Baru, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s mandate to the corporation to rehabilitate the three refineries, inaugurated the eight committees charged with returning them to their nameplate capacities by 2019.

Baru, according to the statement, charged the committee which included workstations for rehabilitation, stakeholder management, financing, legal, procurement, pipeline and crude oil supply and security, and staffing and succession planning, to initiate and deploy ingenious solutions to their given responsibilities.

The statement said over 28 expressions of interest (EoIs) had been received so far by NNPC from private funding sources for the refineries’ rehabilitation project, adding that the corporation was expecting more EoIs by the end of the year.

Baru, according to the

statement, further said: “I am convinced that the teams we have selected will give the necessary direction towards returning the refineries back to their optimal levels of performance.�

He said the committees were expected to deliver well and within the scheduled because time was of the essence. “We want to show everyone that we can fully run the refineries. You must all work together to operate them at 100 per cent capacity, as this is the only way to ensure profitability. “We can fix the refineries but without the right people to operate them, they would go back to where they were or even worse,� he noted.

The statement quoted NNPC’s Chief Operating Officer, Refineries and Petrochemicals, Mr. Anibor Kragha as stating that the 2019 target was possible because the corporation has both the political will and the economic climate to ensure effective retrofitting of the

APC, PDP, ACF, OTHERS CALL FOR CALM, RESTRAINT IN S’EAST Oyigbo, Rivers State yesterday, leading to the death of a police sergeant and arrest of 32 IPOB agitators.

But in a bid to forestall a further breakdown of law and order in the neighbouring city of Aba in Abia State, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu extended the dusk to dawn curfew, which he imposed on the commercial nerve centre of the state on Tuesday, to Friday.

In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, APC, while calling for restraint, equally expressed regret over the incident at the NUJ Secretariat in Umuahia, the Abia State capital where journalists were assaulted by armed soldiers and their phones and other electronic devices destroyed on Tuesday.

APC, in the statement, further stressed that the security agencies must adhere to globally stipulated rules of engagements and laws governing their operations. “We must allow our security agencies to conduct their constitutional roles of securing lives and property without hindrance and provocation. “We also call on citizens, social commentators, media influencers and other stakeholders to be careful and mindful of their utterances on the clashes. “Stoking tensions by inciting utterances, hate speech and all other forms of awful propaganda will only push the country to the precipice. “When we see the devastation of the country’s North-east by Boko Haram, the 1966 Nigerian Civil War

and similar conflicts in other countries, we are reminded of the effects of internal strife. “We must not yield to elements beating the drumbeats of war. We owe the peace and unity of our dear country to the present and unborn generations. “We must speak and stand up for peaceful coexistence on our social media platforms, places of worship and all other public spaces we belong to,�

APC said.

The party reiterated its belief in a united Nigeria.

In its reaction to the situation in Abia, the opposition PDP also sued for caution and restraint in the handling the conflict that has erupted in the state between the military and elements of the IPOB. PDP noted that while it was committed to the continued corporate existence of Nigeria as one indivisible country, it at the same time expressed its respect for the rights of people anywhere to express their yearnings and aspirations within the confines of the laws of the land.

A statement by PDP spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye stated that at a time that “tempers seem to be flaring, dialogue rather than violence is the only viable option to resolve whatever problems are on ground in the South-east zone and indeed the entire country�.

It said at this critical juncture when the nation is grappling with numerous challenges in virtually all facets, Nigeria can ill-afford a further descent into anarchy in any of its constituent parts.

“What the country needs at this time is an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, without which no meaningful positive development in whatever sector can be attained, and the situation unfolding in the South-east, which is a very important component of the Nigerian family, is no doubt, inimical to our collective quest to take Nigeria higher. “It is therefore in our enlightened interest as a people and as a nation, to rise up to this challenge intelligently without undue egotism and with the best interest of the country at heart,� it said.

The party expressed the view that the situation was a family squabble which the country should be able to deal with without unnecessary bloodshed.

It also reminded both the federal government and the IPOB that a sit-down had become inevitable.

While acknowledging its constitutional mandate of ensuring the protection of the territorial integrity of the country, PDP appealed to the federal government to deploy constructive engagement, involving effective and efficient communication strategies that would allay all fears as well as assure all component parts of Nigeria of their assured place in the national scheme of things.

It also appealed to IPOB and its leadership to reciprocate such gesture where and when offered, reminding them that their continued recalcitrance would achieve nothing other than subjecting people of their area to untold hardship and

Continued on page 10

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

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NEWS

Omokri: Blame Buhari for Making Kanu a Celebrity, Giving Him Power Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on new media, has expressed the sentiments of several Nigerians who have blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for making Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a celebrity.

In a video, Omokri said until Buhari arrested Kanu, he was “a nobody�.

He explained that if Kanu had been ignored, his agitation would have died a

natural death, reported online news website The Cable.

The former presidential aide also said if Buhari had equitably distributed his appointments, he “would have just won the hearts and minds of people from the South-east�.

Omokri said in a Facebook Live video: “President Muhammadu Buhari actually created this mess, did you know who Nnamdi Kanu was before President Muhammadu Buhari had him arrested? He

was a nobody and I don’t mean that in a disrespectful manner, you IPOB people you are very good with the media. Don’t come after me, I don’t mean that in a bad way. “Until he was arrested by Muhammadu Buhari he was a nobody, the president actually created Nnamdi Kanu, made him a celebrity and gave him the power he has right now. “Right now you have empowered the young man to do a lot more damage to you,

what was he doing? Radio Biafra? How many people were listening? “I was watching somewhere and a Turkish diplomat had actually gone to Nnamdi Kanu’s house to pay a courtesy visit to him.

That is how big you have made him. “The president should try and contain that but by sending soldiers to Abia to surround his house, we could have avoided that controversy. If you want

this boy’s agitation to die a natural death ignore him. “Look at the NNPC, if you gave balanced appointments – look at the security chiefs (they) are overwhelmingly from the North and you are part of the North. If you had done equity, you would have just won the hearts and minds of people from the South-east.

They are agitating for Biafra because they feel they are not well treated by the current Nigerian government,�

Omokri pointed out.

mainstreaming human rights into its operations, especially with the emerging human rights challenges, adding that “they are expected to carry out their duties according to international best practices�.

order, at the end of which 23 IPOB members were arrested. “However, the command was awaken to yet another said incident today (yesterday) at about 0010 hours, where the same daredevil IPOB members regrouped and launched a surprise attack on the mobile policemen stationed at Oyigbo junction, killing a police sergeant identified as Sgt. Steven Daniel attached to 19 PMF, injuring two and setting a patrol vehicle ablaze as a result of which a Sterling SMG rifle belonging to the deceased sergeant was taken by the hoodlums. “They were however repelled by the police, where about nine of them were arrested bringing the total number of suspects arrested to 32. They are helping us with investigations and will be arraigned in court as soon as our investigation is concluded.�

Omokri

APC, PDP, ACF, OTHERS CALL FOR CALM, RESTRAINT IN S’EAST “Northerners, in line with their disciplined nature, must refuse at this point to be dragged into taking the law into their hands through unnecessary and unproductive confrontation with members of any sectional, ethnic or religious group�. “We must remain peacefully focused, mutually respectful, trusting and tolerant as we repose confidence in the ability and committed willingness of the Nigerian security agencies to handle the situation as well as protect the lives and properties of every Nigerian anywhere,� Suleiman said.

According to him, “In this situation, it is essential that the North and Northerners remain restrained and refuse to be provoked into reprisals which is the ultimate hope of the conflict instigators.�

The group said that their struggle will continue to remain intellectual, precautionary and essentially non-violent, pointing out that the agitation for separation and cry for Biafra in the South-east by the agitators, supported by politicians in order for them be heard louder, shall be resisted.

They further said that they were prepared to “set out an immediate circuit to all the 19 Northern states to prepare and sensitise the Northern people on the need for calm and peaceful approach to the various positions and scenarios as regard to the unfolding situation in the country�.

The group, however, accused IPOB of making the country ungovernable for President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to it, “The agitations and disturbances that have been ongoing ceaselessly since the coming to power of the Muhammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo administration in 2015, are aimed at rendering the country practically ungovernable and ushering in anarchy and instability, thereby occasioning a change of government by whatever means and tactics. “The targeting of President Buhari’s administration and singling him for attacks and irreverent treatment is aimed at causing inter-regional crisis possibly leading to general unrest.�

They added that the resurgence of separatist agitations, especially the violent brand by IPOB and its ilk in the South-east represents a much wider conspiracy to divide Nigeria along ethnic and religious fault lines as well as achieve the balkanisation of the North. “The current IPOB brand of agitation is a strategy employed to achieve the results that the coupist of the First Republic failed to realise, namely, increase the weight

and relevance of the regions to the detriment and expense of the central government. “Our stand on the current situation in Nigeria is that we will not fall to that instigation to allow a possible foreigner or a mad man to plunge us into this unnecessary madness. “We therefore will dedicate efforts at creating the right conditions for peaceful negotiations with other peace loving groups in every situation on the political dispensation that should emerge now or in the future,� the group added.

Also weighing in on the issue, Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje called on the federal government to urgently investigate the unfortunate skirmishes in the South-eastern part of the country.

Speaking while receiving the leadership of Coalition of Northern Groups at the Government House, Kano, he urged the federal government to also punish those disrupting the peace.

Ganduje told the group yesterday: “I am not surprised at your efforts because you have been and continue to demonstrate that your group believes in one Nigeria and also your disposition in the belief of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ability to stabilise the nation. “I consider the incident as very unfortunate and I commend your efforts to douse tensions, which I describe as patriotic.�

Ganduje expressed satisfaction that the situation had been brought under control by the security forces in the troubled areas of the South-east.

He maintained that if the perpetrators of the skirmishes in Oyigbo were not brought to book, it would continue to happen.

House Caucus Wants End of Militarisation Towing a different path, the South-east caucus of the House of Representatives yesterday condemned what it described as the military’s show of force in the South-east region.

In its reaction to the crisis in Abia State, it called for a deescalation of “internal military operations� in the state as well as the South-east in general and urged “our brothers and sisters at home to remain civil and law abiding�.

The group further threw its weight behind the setting up of a seven-man committee by the South-east governors to investigate the causes of the current conflict in the state.

The lawmakers, in a statement signed by the leader of the caucus who

is also the Deputy Minority Leader in the House, Hon. Chukwuka Onyema, said: “While we appreciate the right to discharge the core duties of the Nigeria Armed Forces as spelt out under Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution, there is no gainsaying that internal military operations can only be conducted without doing violence to the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights of citizens. “To conduct operations that frighten, maim or lead to the loss of lives of citizens and property are clearly unjustifiable and an offence to our democracy and the rule of law.�

The House caucus called for restraint and appealed to the federal government to end the militarisation of the South-east.

NHRC: Army Must Respect Human Rights Also joining the fray yesterday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) called on the military to desist from any acts capable of causing tension, public disturbance, fear and a sense of insecurity in the country.

A statement issued by NHRC’s Head of Media Relations, Mrs. Fatimah Agwai Mohammad, said the commission was highly concerned about the alleged invasion of parts of the Southeast and South-south by the military.

It called on the military to observe the rules of engagement when dealing with civilians.

The commission also asked the military to respect the fundamental rights of all citizens.

The statement quoted the acting executive secretary of the NHRC, Mrs. Oti Ovrawah as calling on both civilians and the security agencies to maintain the peace.

Ovrawah said the commission would collaborate with the Nigerian Police and other relevant authorities to “ensure a timely and thorough investigations into the allegations with a view to ensuring that informed decisions are made and appropriate steps taken to have culprits punished and victims redressed in accordance with the law�.

The commission commended the government of Abia for the steps taken so far to forestall a further breakdown of law and order, saying that it was important to reinforce people’s confidence in the ability of government to protect them.

The commission called on the military to leverage on the series of training the commission had offered it on

Police Sergeant Killed But despite the calls for restraint, the Rivers State Police Command announced yesterday that a police sergeant attached to the anti-riot police squad at Oyigbo junction in Rivers State was killed by a mob suspected to be members of the IPOB, just as the command also arrested 32 members of the separatist group.

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt, the Commissioner of Police Zaki Ahmed said irate members of IPOB set ablaze a patrol van stationed at Oyigbo junction took away a Sterling SMG rifle belonging to the slain policeman during an attack early yesterday.

Ahmed added that 23 IPOB members were arrested on Tuesday following the first attack and setting ablaze a police van that was moving from Police Training School, Nonwa to the Port Harcourt International Airport, while the driver of the vehicle, Inspector Emaikwu Ochochi, was badly injured.

The police commissioner said the hoodlums carted away from the police van, one AK-47 riffle with sixty rounds of live ammunition and one Berretta pistol with eight rounds of live ammunition.

He said: “I have called you to address you on the sad event of yesterday, 12/09/2017 at about 1400hours where members of the Indigenous People of Biafra without lawful authority blocked the entire Aba-Port Harcourt expressway and attacked some residents. “The said group who had no justification for their actin also attacked a police van from Training School, Nonwa en route Port Harcourt International Airport and burnt the police van to ashes. The driver, Inspector Emaikwu Ochochi was badly injured and is now on admission. “They also carted away one AK-47 rifle with sixty rounds of live ammunition, and one Berretta pistol with eight rounds of live ammunition.

At the end of the rampage, many vehicles were damaged and stores burnt. “The timely response of the police restored normalcy and brought the situation under control as I made adequate deployment to arrest the situation. The mob was dispersed with minimum force, thereby restoring law and

Curfew Extended With skirmishes yet to abate in neighbouring Oyigbo, the Abia State governor took the precaution yesterday to extend the three-day curfew he imposed on Aba Tuesday to Friday.

A statement from the chief press secretary to the governor, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos after a meeting between Ikpeazu and traditional in the state rulers, said: “The governor wishes to advice residents and visitors to fully co-operate with the security agencies to ensure continuing maintenance of law and order within the commercial city and environs.�

Ikpeazu was also quoted to have expressed “displeasure at the situation where people are compelled to raise their hands while passing through security checkpoints�.

He therefore called on the security forces and “all concerned to ensure that such acts and other forms of inhumane and barbaric treatment of people are discontinued immediately�.

Kanu Cancels Meeting Meanwhile, the Leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has cancelled his meeting with the South-east governors scheduled for Friday.

Kanu, in a press statement yesterday, said he had changed his mind and decided to refrain from attending the meeting which was to take place in Enugu, saying his reason was predicated on the recent attack on his members by military personnel and the alleged plan to assassinate him on his way to the meeting.

He added that he was attending to members of his group who were shot by

soldiers in Aba and Umuahia and that the date also coincided with the date IPOB had slated to meet in Germany to vote on the viability or otherwise of continuing the struggle in a non-violent manner.

According to him, “Before now, prominent leaders and groups had insisted that I tow the line of peaceful dialogue and meet with the governors to find a lasting solution to our grievances. “I conceded to that request which led to the 30th of August 2017 meeting with the South-east Governors’ Forum at the Government House in Enugu, in the company of the very eminent Prof. Ben Nwabueze and Evangelist Elliott Ugochukwu-Ukoh. “In view of the concerted efforts by the oppressive Nigerian state to shatter the peace and tranquility of the South-east and the rest of Biafraland through military intimidation, it has become necessary for me to clarify why, regrettably, I may not be able to attend Friday’s meeting with the South-East governors as earlier agreed.�

Kanu said it would be impossible to engage in any meaningful dialogue with the governors in the midst of so much bloodshed, abductions and military siege of towns and villages in the Southeast, and that he would not engage in any meeting with anybody until the atmosphere is conducive and peaceful for further dialogue.

He said the siren-blaring military convoys and armoured vehicles occupying the entire region were not only designed to intimidate the people but also deliberately positioned to scuttle the IPOB/South-east governors meeting on Friday.

The IPOB leader thanked all men and women of good conscience from all over the world that had condemned what he described as the “barbaric slaughter of innocent Biafrans by the Nigerian military�.

He also thanked IPOB members for remaining resolute and dedicated to the shared vision of freedom “regardless of the cost and visionless antics of the mindless oppressor�.

Irrespective of Kanu’s decision to boycott the meeting, THISDAY gathered that the South-east governors intend to go ahead with their meeting in Enugu, as Kanu was not the primary reason for the meeting.

Chief Emma Uzor, Chief Press Secretary to the Ebonyi State governor, told THISDAY that the Friday meeting was a routine meeting of the forum, and was not entirely convened because of Kanu and might go on as scheduled.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

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COMMENT

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

NIGERIA FOR A GREEN ECONOMY

The government must be committed to its decision to ban diesel and gasoline vehicles in the nearest future, writes Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku

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ecent reports from around the world indicate that soon, there’s going to be a shift from a fossil reliant economy to a green one. That shift promises to be asymmetrical. Countries like the UK and Germany, after having spent a lot of money on research and implementation, have already set 2030/2040 to stop relying on gasoline to run their cars and their economy. Other countries in the Gulf, realising the finiteness of an oil-dependent economy have already started the push to build another economy. We cannot say that for other countries like Venezuela and especially Nigeria, fossil-fuel dependent nations experiencing a recession despite the enormous accruals from oil exports.

Watchers of these developments have already begun to speculate that our federal government is likely to follow suit, and dump a fossil economy for a green one. Citing the plan by the United Kingdom, Germany, France and India to ban vehicles running on diesel and gasoline, and our being signatory to the Paris Treaty, The Guardian of Nigeria carried a report on its front page of August 28, 2017, titled Why Nigeria may phase out diesel, petrol vehicles. In the report, the paper believes that Nigeria may survive the shock that will arise from a European ban on vehicles run on fuel and diesel. It cited the fact that apart from oil, Nigeria is blessed with a lot of the materials with which Europe is building a green economy – lithium ore and graphite and other solid minerals in abundance in the North.

This is good talk but I believe that the federal government must carefully consider its decision to phase out diesel and gasoline vehicles within the next decade, circa 2030. But I must warn that we are far from ready. I believe that Nigeria should initiate a backup economic plan as soon as possible and focus on effecting low-sulphur standards that would reduce effects that the importation of dirty fuel and diesel exacts on health of Nigerians and their old cars. In a World Health Organisation report of 2016, four Nigerian cities – Onitsha, Kaduna, Umuahia and Aba made the list of the top four of the World’s most air polluted cities, validated by a World Bank Report that over 94% of Nigerians experience health difficulties from importing dirty fuels from Switzerland, and old cars from Europe It is in the light of this that I want to call on the federal government to consider that backup plan I mentioned a little while as a response to the radical shifts taking place around the world. Recall that in December 2016 CSOs came together to draw attention to the fact that fuel imported from Europe to Africa has the highest sulphur content in the world. That campaign to raise this awareness got the attention of the

I BELIEVE THAT AN INITIAL STEP FOR THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE TO ABIDE BY THE ABUJA RECOMMENDATION WHICH SUGGESTED THAT IT SHOULD FIRST BAN THE IMPORTATION OF DIRTY FUELS, AND OLD CARS BEING IMPORTED TO NIGERIA

World, and much later in that month several environment ministers in the ECOWAS sub-region, together with representatives of the African Refineries Association (ARA) converged on Abuja and set a July 1, 2017, as target date to enforce resolutions reached at the Abuja meeting.

Inter alia, the Abuja meeting noted that air pollution is a major public health concern with 3,000,000 deaths resulting, and that 92% of people live where limits exceed WHO limits, mostly from developing countries. In addition to this, the meeting considered that a switch to low sulphur diesel plus the use of cleaner vehicles would result in annual savings in health costs of about $6 billion in sub-Saharan Africa.

A reduction in the sulphur component of air pollutants in fuels will reduce direct emissions of both sulphur dioxide and sulphate particulate matter from all vehicles (old and new) leading to gains in health and the environment.

Arising from ongoing activities which included a study on regional fuel standards, a proposal for regional meetings to develop the regional strategy and coordinate the implementation of low sulphur fuel and emission standards, the Abuja meeting recommended that governments in the ECOWAS sub-region adopt that all imported diesel fuel should meet 50ppm max in line with AS-AFRI4 specification

by July 1, 2017. Even though the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) eventually released new fuel standards of fuel imported to Nigeria by April 2017, Nigerians were dismayed to learn that the Nigerian government eventually shifted the July 1, 2017 date.

I believe that an initial step for the government would be to abide by the Abuja recommendation which suggested that it first bans importation of dirty fuels, ban old cars being imported to Nigeria, work with environment ministers in the sub-region to introduce a uniform binding standards for refineries and vehicular emissions by 2020, provide funding for installation of desulphurisation plant for diesel production in refineries in the ECOWAS sub region to ensure compliance and monitor fuel markets to prevent production of low standard fuels.

In the next decade, the Buhari administration would not be there, to continue to pursue its anti-corruption resolve to rid Nigeria of corruption in all facets of our lives. What must be done must be done now, and that is why I urge Mr. President to consider suggestions that the initial step which would establish the grundnorm upon which to eventually phase out importation of old cars, and prepare for the introduction of an economy running on a green economy is now.

Etemiku wrote from ANEEJ, Benin City

TAMING THE MENACE OF SICKLE CELL Gideon Arinze argues that the government could do more in order to subdue the disease

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ickle cell is a global health issue that is not as well known as malaria. But every year, thousands of babies are born with the disorder. And the number is expected to increase by about 30 per cent globally by 2050 according to a study by Fred Piel, an evolutionary Biologist at Oxford University.

The study also reveals that the disorder is more in countries of sub-Saharan Africa, with the due countries of Nigerian and Democratic Republic of Congo having the highest number of sickle cell cases.

A disease that is got from inheriting two copies of a defective gene, one from each parent, sickle cell has no cure. But its deadly complications can be prevented by screening new born babies accompanied with vaccines and antibiotics as well as routine checks for adult who are with the disease.

Researches have shown that Nigeria has the highest burden of Sickle Cell in the whole of Africa. A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) reveals that Nigeria accounts for about 70 per cent of infant sickle cell cases in the continent with over 100,000 children dying from the disease every year.

Sadly, this is the highest burden in not just Africa where the disease is most prevalent, but the entire world. Most saddening however is the fact that the government in Nigeria has not made efforts towards improving the survival rate of people with the disease. There is no comprehensive

national policy for the control of people with the disorder.

According to a report by a national newspaper, a lot of carriers of SDC cannot afford the cost for medical treatment. As a result, they refuse to open up for fear of being stigmatised. The result of such increasing frustration and stigmatisation in the absence of a commensurate improvement services is the death of such carriers which continues to affect childhood mortality in the country.

A study by the Sickle Cell Aid foundation has further shown that only five per cent of the children with sickle cell disease live past the age of 10 in Nigeria as most of them die before their fifth birthday as a result of complications arising from SDC. Nigeria with a population of over 180 million has about 25 per cent of its adults representing over 40 million having sickle cell traits. One million persons also leave with the sickle cell disorder. According to the director, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centre in Ghana, Professor Kwaku Frempong, “there is no country in Africa that has a programme for new born screening�.

The Chairman of the Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria, Prof. Adekunle Adekile at a conference by SSCN remarked that the problem of sickle cell is so pervasive and many of the patients leave in the rural areas where they don’t have enough care in their health centres.

How then can the government and non-governmental organisations as well as other interested individuals help to tackle

the disorder?

Prior to the 1970s, the survival rate for sickle cell patients in the US was as low as it is in Nigeria. According to a Public Health Report on a study conducted on mortality rate and age at deaths from sickle cell disease in the US, a total of approximately 90,000-100,000 Americans died as a result of the sickle cell disease.

In 1971, the administration of Richard Nixon- the 37th president of the United States reversed the record of neglect of the disease through the signing of the National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act into law. In 1972, $10million was used to expand sickle cell programmes. In March 1972, President Nixon proposed that the funding level of SDC be raised to 15million.

In the last 50 years, survival rate has improved for people with SDC in the United States. Their average life expectancy in the 1970s was 20 years. By the early 1990s, the cooperative study of the disease estimated a median life expectancy of those with sickle cell anemia, the most severe form of the disease, of 42 years for males and 48 years for females�. Now, over 96% of children survive into adulthood in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The improvements have been attributed to several interventions including widespread newborn screening programmes and the use of Pneumococcal vaccination. In the last 15 years, Hydroxyurea- a medication that is used to reduce the number of painful crises caused by the disease and to reduce the

need for blood transfusion has also become available for the treatment of SDC. The United States was able to control the scourge of SDC because its government was committed. It is important to note that a child with sickle cell is not wasted.

The disease is not a death sentence except nothing is done to properly tackle it.

To begin with, measures aimed at enhancing the sensitisation of health practitioners, especially in the local communities and policy makers to the pertinent issues in the control of Sickle Cell Disease must be stepped up. The training of health workers for instance, will assist them in recognising the SCD, making diagnoses and doing health education as well as counseling and to also know when to give patients supplements to boost their blood.

The government should establish programmes for new born screening which involve appropriate identification of the trait in infants. And when such traits are discovered, the children should be taken to good health centres where they are treated.

When babies are routinely screened for the disorder and the right care given, they can live well into adulthood.

Couples also have a role to play in reducing the scourge of SDC. Irrespective of their love, they should always go for their genotype testing in hospitals before marriage to avoid giving birth to children who would leave with the trauma all through their lives. gideonarinze0@gmail.com

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EDITORIAL TAX REFORM, NOT THREATS PLEASE!

The federal government’s recent threats against tax defaulters will not help its tax reform policy

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n a country where government is alive to its responsibility by providing the basic needs for its citizens and maintaining the existing infrastructure, tax is an obligatory levy imposed on the citizens. Indeed, the sociopolitical and economic development of any country depends on the amount of revenue that is generated for the provision of infrastructure. And one way to generate such revenue for providing the needed infrastructure is through a well-structured tax system.

That is why we see the recent 90 days ultimatum by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun for the so-called tax evading wealthy Nigerians and corporate bodies to declare their taxable income and pay appropriate taxes or face the full wrath of the law as counter-productive. What is required as the country struggles to reposition the economy is a comprehensive tax reform policy and a serious campaign to get more Nigerians to pay tax.

According to Adeosun, tax defaulters in the country risk at least ďŹ ve-year jail and asset forfeiture. Her WHAT IS REQUIRED AS THE warning came even as Vice-President COUNTRY STRUGGLES Yemi Osinbajo TO REPOSITION launched the VolTHE ECONOMY IS A untary Asset and COMPREHENSIVE TAX Income Declaration REFORM POLICY AND A Scheme (VAIDS), SERIOUS CAMPAIGN TO a new tax reform GET MORE NIGERIANS TO programme of the federal government PAY TAX aimed at increasing tax awareness and compliance.

Punishment for evasion is severe, at least on paper, in a country where only the poor get convictions for crime: all tax evaders, when identiďŹ ed, are subject to the full force of Nigerian and international law, including imprisonment of up to ďŹ ve years. There are also extra severe penalties of up to 100 per cent of the outstanding tax due, compound interest at 21 per cent per annum and forfeiture of assets, the Minister of Finance had stated. Insisting that tax evasion leaves an unfair burden of payment on the poorest

Letters to the Editor

Nigerians, Adeosun further revealed that tax evaders who want to avoid the full force of the law have between July and December 2017 to regularise their tax status in exchange for immunity from prosecution of tax offences and a tax audit, and be absolved from penalty charges and interests.

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es, we agree that the number of taxpayers in Nigeria, relative to the size of the economy, is one of the lowest in the world—at only 6 per cent. Such underpayment of tax is unacceptable and hits the poor the hardest, and we must end it. But we hasten to say that the federal government is addressing the problem in a wrong way. The current system does not encourage people or businesses to subscribe and no amount of threat will work. Besides, this could easily become another political weapon, given the way this government is wired.

Like many experts have identiďŹ ed, workable enterprises that pay good taxes do not and cannot exist in a vacuum; all enterprises operate within a political, social and economic context and are subject to regulatory and institutional constraints. Therefore, while the federal government is planning to grow its tax base, it is also important for the authorities to support enterprise-speciďŹ c interventions for businesses. That will necessitate a complete overhaul of the current tax regime in Nigeria.

Without addressing the issues related to the overall business environment, the planned tax reform may not be able to achieve the sustainable development which the government is targeting. That is why the authorities should be committed to creating enabling environments that help entrepreneurs to expand their activities and create incentives for them to validate their businesses. This means inspiring them to innovate.

For sure, the impact of tax reforms on the economic growth of the country will be huge. Favourable tax reforms will improve the revenue generating capacity of government to undertake socially desirable activities that will translate to economic growth in real output and per capita basis.

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.

ANDY UBA AND ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP PRIMARIES

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y attention has been drawn to a petition written by Senator Andy Uba, addressed to the Anambra State Governorship primaries appeal committee of the All Progressives Congress.

I had earlier expressed disbelief when saharareporters made a publication, accusing Senator Andy Uba of putting pressure on members of the committee to annul the primary election.

I had doubted the authenticity of the report, due to the way Senator Andy Uba commended the entire process while voting was ongoing with all assurance that he was going to emerge victorious.

Having seen the petition, I must say that I am unimpressed that our distinguished senator would descend to this level to tarnish an exercise that was painstakingly organised by His Excellency, Governor Kassim Shettima-led electoral panel, adjudged to be the best so far conducted.

In the petition, Senator Andy Uba accused Dr. Tony Nwoye of bringing thugs/NANS members into the accreditation venue to chase away delegates. This is not true as the accreditation was conducted peacefully. Delegates were identified through the following meansPermanent voter card (PVC), National ID card, drivers’ licence or International passport. They also came with their party membership slip with photograph issued to them by the party during registration.

The party had already made the delegates list available to all aspirants, two weeks before the primaries. With the delegates known, there was little room for manipulation.

The Nigerian Police Force led by Anambra State Police Commissioner Umar Garba, the Department of State Services and other security agencies provided adequate security at the accreditation venue, making it nearly impossible for the venue to be infiltrated by thugs. Our dear Senator Uba even attested to this during his interview with pressmen at the accreditation venue.

The allegation that delegates were swapped is simply laughable. After accreditation, delegates were conveyed to the voting centre on marked buses with full police escort. There was no room for any manoeuvre as the delegates had no physical contacts with outsiders.

The road leading to the voting venue was not even accessible to commuters and other road users, as it was cordoned off by security agencies, making it impossible for any non-accredited person to gain entrance to the venue.

Most importantly, during voting proper, once a local government is called, the various ward chairmen are called to vote first, then line up in front of the hall to identify delegates from their ward who then proceed to cast votes. The allegation of presence of thugs at the venue is untrue, except if Senator Uba is now referring to genuine APC members as thugs simply because they did not vote for him.

Senator Andy Uba also alleged that some delegates have gone to court to depose affidavits on what transpired. The party should note that this is their usual tactics of scuttling elections once it doesn’t go their way. It is a Peoples Democratic Party tradition which they want to import to our peaceful APC and must be resisted. Our party

leaders should note that this tactic was used in 2013 to scuttle the ambitions of the same Tony Nwoye after he defeated the same people in a primary televised live on national TV. The litigation went all the way to the Supreme Court and by the time judgment was delivered Dr. Tony Nwoye had just 10 days to campaign. Despite the short time left for him to campaign, he still finished second in the general electio ns.

In conclusion, Senator Uba asked to be declared winner of an election he clearly lost. There is a popular saying among party members that with the margin of over 2,000 votes to Andy Uba’s 900, Tony Nwoye did not just come first, he came second and third while Uba finished fourth.

Senator Uba should spare us with the “capacity� statement which he has made a sing- song. He should know that the days of PDP abracadabra are over. He does not have the capacity to win any election that is free, fair and transparent in which votes are allowed to count hence he couldn’t win the APC primaries.

If Senator Andy Uba’s capacity could not win him the APC primaries, he does not have the capacity to win the November 18 election in which votes are expected to count. I urge the most distinguished Senator Uba to stop embarrassing himself and work for the party as earlier pledged. His actions are being seen by Anambra State members as anti-party and our national leadership should not fail to wield the big stick when necessary.

Nonso Madu, Anambra APC Governorship aspirant

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POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Kolade: We Consulted Stakeholders Before Appointing Obas As the controversy continues to trail the emergence of new Obas (kings) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bimbo Kolade mounted a strenuous defence for the decision to elevate the Baales (chiefs) to Obas, saying that all stakeholders including, the Olubadan of Ibadan, were consulted. He spoke with Tobi Soniyi who presents the excerpts:

W

hy did the Oyo State Government’s decide to reform the institution of Obaship?

In the last almost 30 years, there have been calls and agitations for the review of Ibadan chieftaincy law. In fact one of the notable Ibadan indigenes, Chief T. A. Akinyele wrote a book in which he posited the need for the Ibadan chieftaincy law to be reviewed. There have been several other books also written by Ibadan indigenes on the need to review the Ibadan chieftaincy law.

Between 1974 – 76, and as recent as 2003, there were several commissions of enquiry set up by government to look into chieftaincy matters in the state, during which there were constant calls for a review of the Ibadan chieftaincy law.

During the Adio Commission of 2003, some 33 Baales in Ibadan made a request through the respected lawyer Niyi Akintola, (SAN) for them to start wearing beaded crowns.

Out of the 33 Baales then, I think the Adio Commission recommended 16 of them for the title of Obas. Even though the immediate past administration of Chief Alao Akala in Oyo State did not set up a commission of enquiry, it actually made attempts to turnn some Baales into Obas in the state, and about 6 Baales were given approval to wear beaded crowns, although this was not implemented. So, the agitation for a review of the Chieftaincy law has been on for a very long time. Immediately this administration came in, there were several representations to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on the need to review the Ibadan Chieftaincy Law and other related chieftaincy laws in Ibadan land.

The Ibadan Elders Forum called for it. The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes called for it, and several others. It is not something that this administration just woke up to, but it was a call that had been there for decades.

How has the latest reform changed the customary mode of the chieftaincy institution in Ibadan land?

Reference is made to the announcement by the governor on Sunday August 27 when the new Obas were crowned in the state, and when all the senior chiefs in the Olubadan chieftaincy line (by the amendment of the Chieftaincy Declaration) were promoted to the level of Part Two recognised chieftaincy titles. And by Part Two recognised chieftaincy titles, what this means is that while the paramount rulers in an area are consenting authorities to the titles, the state governor is the one who has the final approving authority before anyone can be installed, either as a Part Two Oba or chief in the state. This is another level of elevation, in the ascendancy to the throne of Olubadan. As we all know, on Sunday August 27, the eleven high chiefs in the Olubadan-In-Council were decorated as Oba in their own rights. Yet, the ascendancy to the throne of Olubadan or the promotion line remains as established by the Ibadan traditional culture.

The only thing is that the eleven high chiefs, beginning with the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadan land, on the Otun Olubadan line,and the Ekarun Balogun of Ibadan land on the Balogun line, will no longer be addressed as high chiefs.

They will now be addressed as Obas.

The difference now is that the Baales will wear coronets, while the Obas on the Olubadan line will wear beaded crowns and the Olubadan remains the one that wears the traditional and original crown of the Olubadan.

What processes and consultations went into

Olubadan of Ibadan land, etc. It is only their nomenclatures that have changed.

How have the traditional domains of these Obas been decided, can they appoint chiefs of their own?

Their domains still remain their respective local governments, where they functioned administratively before as the heads of the traditional councils. But the consent for any chieftaincy still lies with the Olubadan of Ibadan land. The councils where they supervise had Baales that have been elevated as Obas, but who are still under them. Also, they still have the Mogaji’s under them. So, all these people who were under them when they were high chiefs are still under them now.

Explain how the reformation of the Obaship institution will deepen traditional governance in Ibadan land?

What has happened is really a welcome development. There are celebrations and jubilation all around the localities and the areas where the Baales have been turned into Obas. It shows wide acceptance of this by the people.

Kolade...insisted Olubadan was carried along

this before the event of Sunday August 27th?

The law gives the governor the right to seek for a review of a declaration. When he was approached by the opinion moulders, the elders of Ibadan land, he informed the Olubadan.

And, from the time the present Olubadan was installed, the governor has been mentioning to him what the people have been coming to discuss with him on the need for a review of the Olubadan chieftaincy declaration and other related chieftaincy laws in Ibadan land.

There were due consultations with all necessary people – leaders, elders, the youths of Ibadan land, etc. – on this matter.

Even then, to put it in proper perspective, the government of Oyo State did wide consultations, which predated the current Olubadan’s coming on the throne. It started largely with the immediate past Olubadan, when a few of the chiefs, including those who were in the Olubadan-In-Council, such as Chief Omowale Kuye, the late Otun Olubadan raised some issues relating to the low level of respect and dignity accorded to the high chiefs, especially when they go to public functions,and which needed to be corrected. For instance, during the coronation of the Ooni of Ife, they didn’t allow the representative of the Olubadan to sit where kings were seated,even though he had the staff of office with him. And this happens all the time. Also, as recent as during the launch of the N50 billion Health Endowment Fund on August 3, one could see that none of the high chiefs of Ibadan spoke, due to questions relating to status. So, these are some of the reasons why the government felt it was important for us to elevate the status of the high chiefs.

Second, what government has done is by the law. The government always follows due process. The law is clear on the matter.

Those in doubt can check a copy of the official gazette and read the relevant sections of the law. The judicial panel, which reviewed the chieftaincy declaration sat for 3 months, and received some 118 memoranda from so many different stakeholders. I believe that’s quite a

substantial amount of consultation in its own right. It is equally on record that the OlubadanIn-Council, including Olubadan himself, came to the governor’s office many times while the process was going on, and they knew what was happening.

How true is that with the reformation of the institution of the Obaship in Ibadan land, the Ajimobi administration has sought to modernise traditional governance in the city without distorting the hierarchical order?

If you see the report of the panel and the eventual gazette published by the government, you will see that the hierarchy to the throne is still being maintained. The present Otun Olubadan, even though he is now addressed as an Oba, still maintains his status as the Otun Olubadan.

Likewise every other person made oba and on the line to the throne.

Eventually any of them can and will still become Olubadan at the end of the day. The hierarchy of things that we have in Ibadan has not been distorted; the only thing we have now is that the line has been shortened. Instead of climbing 22 or 23 steps on each line before, now we have 11 or 12 on the line for you to climb, and due to this, it is expected that young people will now be able to make it to the throne of the Olubadan.

What are the new levels of Obaship in Ibadan land and what are the qualifications for this?

How will the Obas be distinguished from each other?

For the high chiefs who have now become Obas, they are wearing beaded crowns and each of them will be known and addressed as His Royal Majesty. The Olubadan has been elevated to the status of His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadan land. The high cchiefs that have been made Obas are still maintaining their traditional titles, however the initial prefix to their names as ‘High Chief’ has now been changed to ‘Oba’. They will now have their names as Oba Lekan Balogun, the Otun

There is this question that no rites were performed towards the coronation of the new Obas; how true is this?

The same place where they were coronated is the same place where the Olubadan was coronated, and a lot of the traditional rites that are done before an Oba can come on the throne were carried out.

Will this new level of Obaship not add to the expense of the government?

No way. It has not in any way increased the cost of managing these Obas in their respective localities. They would keep collecting their regular salaries in the traditional councils that they head.

Even those Baales that have become Obas have been and are still part of the councils of their respective local governments. The only thing is that they cannot become the chairmen of the traditional local council; that still remains the prerogative of government.

The reduction of the traditional chieftaincy lines implies that some of these will naturally go into extinction. Why is this so?

The Seriki line actually doesn’t ascend to the Olubadan line. So it’s a line that has been there in the middle. The Justice Akintunde-led panel on the review of the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration felt that it had no major reason to remain in the middle; hence it was good for it to just fizzle out on its own. The law is that anybody on the Seriki line who wants to join the Olubadan line can only do so at any point in time if there are vacancies in the Ekarun Olubadan and Ekarun Balogun Olubadan positions at the same time, which has not been so for a while.

As a result, the opinion of the panel was that the line should be removed.

Can you shed some light on what will e the relationship between the Mogajis and the Baales. Some Mogajis feel that the Baales have become their senior?

That cannot happen because almost all the areas where the Baales have been promoted to Obas, they only wear coronets. None of these areas also has a Mogaji in the town. According to the report of the committee, which the government accepted, you cannot be a Mogaji in the town and also remain a Baale in the village. So, you CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

POLITICS

Banire: You Can’t Bar Me from Holding Public Office The National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Muiz Banire (SAN), was recently barred from holding public office for ten years by his party. He spoke to Femi Ogbonnikan describing the suspension as an exercise in futility. Excerpts: There was no primary in the state. They were just hand-picking people. At least, in my own local government (Mushin), I can say this because I was one of the people who ought to have voted

T

here are reports that your ward has suspended you from being a member of the APC. You were also barred from holding any public office for ten years.

In the first instance, I am not aware of any such ban. Should you be referring to the pronouncement of some impostors masquerading as Ward ‘C’ APC leaders? Then, the position of not only the national headquarters of APC but that of the authentic Ward ‘C’ APC leaders as published should convince you that the pronouncement is an exercise in futility. Under APC constitution, there is no such provision enabling such clowns and their scavenging sponsors to suspend anyone. Secondly, by the APC constitution, a national officer once elected at the convention is responsible for 36 states, including the FCT, thereby ceasing immediately to be a local member. Thirdly, assuming without conceding that it is possible at the ward level, it must be the act of authentic ward executives as elected at the party’s congress. Finally, even by the Nigerian constitution, no panel except the court of law can bar anybody from holding public office. All these therefore show the level of ignorance of these characters whose fear of 2019 is beclouding their reasoning.

Will you go to court to challenge the decision?

Why would I go to court against an unrecognised group of charlatans?. I certainly won’t go to court.. APC up till now is not involved as the people involved are strangers to the party. I am still carrying out my work as the National Legal Adviser of the party, un impaired by anyone.

The position of the party, including myself is that silence is the best answer for fools. The party, as a whole, either at the national or local level, does not recognise the characters much less their actions. It is a sheer waste of time employed in the hope of distracting us from the challenges of the nation we are trying to solve. Therefore, we will not dignify them with any response.

Has the national body of your party reacted to the purported suspension?

I have said it earlier, it is regarded as an exercise in futility. Totally inconsequential.

Has the suspension affected the discharge of your duty as the National Legal Adviser of the APC? It has not affected my work as the National Legal Adviser. This further shows the folly in the said purported suspension. You claim to have suspended a person for ten years and he is still carrying on with his work presently. Is that not an absurdity?. Thank God, the rationale behind their rampage is now obvious. It is ‘banirephobia’ against 2019. I wish them luck.

Have you been served with any suspension letter from your ward over?

Well, I have not been served any letter. They can’t serve me any letter because they can’t even process suspension, anyway So, no disciplinary committee has been set up to look into all the allegations levelled against you?

No! But the question you should even ask yourself in the first place is, who are these people that we are talking about? You can go to Mushin yourself and ask for, who is the ward chairman

constitution. And so, if it is a suspension that I am reacting to, I will not feel it. People suspend themselves everyday all over Nigeria, in different chapters, in different organisations but of course, most of them will usually ignore it, particularly when it is not in tune with their constitution, they will ignore it. So, there is no need for them to bother.

Banire...Tinubu not behind imposition

and that of the executives, ask also for that of the local government, ask for the authentic ones. You can’t by motions and said, you are dissolving any organ of the party. Go and look at the APC constitution. In the first instance, they have no locus at all, to do anything, let alone discipline anybody.

Are you saying that as the National Legal Adviser you can not be suspended at ward level?

You ought to know, if you suspend somebody, it should be from the top. That is why national officers are insulated against units, because they are responsible for 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). So, even if a state does not like you and majority likes you, there is nothing anybody can do. So, you will have to go through the entire states.

What is the mood within your primary constituency, Mushin constituency, now?

Well, let me tell you this. They are very calm people because normally, before now that place used to be violent but through enlightenment and education, I have made them realised, that you don’t gain anything from violence. Democrats don’t even engage in violence. Democrats would make their points, stand by their points and try to convince others. So, they are very calm people.

On account of your closeness to the party’s National Leader, Bola Tinubu, has he intervened in this matter?

I know to the best of my knowledge, that he

is not involved in this shenanigan because, I realised the fact, that to even track down Asiwaju now, you will have to struggle. He is here and there, all over the whole place now.

To the best of my knowledge, I don’t think he is involved. The thing, I try to do as much as possible is that, let due process always takes place. Don’t treat things as family affairs. And this is what has brought us to where we are today as a country. Do things in accordance with the rule of law. It is simple.

Tinubu, being your benefactor, you ought not be criticising him in the public, even if he has done anything wrong. .

But what has he done, that I have not supported him? I am not aware. What has he done wrong?

That you have been criticising him over imposition of candidates within the party...

How? Where? Is he the one imposing candidates? Because to the best of my knowledge, I have said it consistently, that he is not the culprit. I have said it, consistently.

Who are the culprits?

The state executives of the party. They are responsible for the conduct of the primaries.

So, they are the ones you criticised?

To the best of my knowledge. That is it.

What has the national body done to save the situation from degenerating?

They have not bothered themselves because they know, it is not in accordance with our

So, you are unperturbed?

In fact, let me tell you, I am not bothered because it is not a job that, I am earning salary or allowance for. It is a free job. I am doing it free of charge for them. But they know me very well. That is what they thought, that once they make their noise all over the place, and in a normal sense, I would have resigned by now. But because I know that, that is their intention, that is why I said no, this time around, I would stay put till I finish the tenure.

What exactly is the issue you have with the last council elections in the state?

There was no primary in the state. They were just hand-picking people. That is how much I know. At least, in my own local government (Mushin), I can say this because I was one of the people who ought to have voted.

But it was alleged that you cried foul because your candidates were not favoured in the scheme of things.

Well, I have never had any candidate to start with. Let me tell you, If they want to be truthful to themselves, they should go and find out whether I have ever dabbled into the nomination of anybody, in that local government in the past, not to talk of now. In the last one and a half years, we have never had any candidate but we only have a sole administrator in that council. Even let me say there is a candidate, did I say go and impose a candidate on anybody?

I have always been saying, comply with the provisions of the constitution of the party, that is very simple.

Instead of going to court, why did you not draw the attention of the national leader to the malpractice?

I did.

What did he say?

Well, he has not responded. He said he would call me back and I have not heard from him.

KOLADE: WE CONSULTED STAKEHOLDERS BEFORE APPOINTING OBAS have to pick one or the other.

In all the 22 villages where the traditional rulers have been promoted, the unique thing is that all the Baales there do not have Mogajis in the city; and in all the villages that have Baales and equally have Mogajis in the city, none of them was promoted to a coronet wearing Oba. So, it is only the Baales who are within the villages that have been allowed to wear crowns, and they are not on the direct ascendancy line

to the Olubadan.

This is important for us to note and its even part of the gazette that the government released, showing that anyone who is a Baale in the village cannot hold the title of a Mogaji in the city at the same time. So, you are either one or the other, not both.

The other good thing is that the ascendancy line to the Olubadan stool has now been reduced from 22 levels on the Otun Olubadan line to

11, and from 23 on the Balogun line to 12. The government believes that the reduction of the ladder will help people become Olubadan at relatively younger ages; and with this, we are not immediately saying that those who are presently on the line now are going to be withdrawn automatically. What the gazette has proposed is that there will no longer be promotions to the Jagun Olubadan and Jagun Balogun of Ibadan land positions. All promotions to join the line

will be pegged until the present Jagun on the two sides become Ikolaba of Ibadan land, as either Ikolaba on the Otun line or Ikolaba on the Balogun line.

The gazette has equally stopped the Seriki line of the Ibadan chieftaincy title. No one will be on the Seriki line any longer. For those who have been installed on the Seriki line, the government will allow them to be there until the last person passes on.

20

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 Ëž T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

NAF Takes the Front Seat The repositioning of the Nigerian Air Force in securing the nation has elevated the force as a strategic partner and formidable ally in the nation's defence infrastructure, writes Paul Obi

Airmen from Nigerian Air Force ready for deployment

CAS AVM Sadique Abubakar (middle) on facilities tour

W

ithin Nigeria's defence and security circles, no one can dispute the current challenges facing the military. In all its flanks, the nation's military and security agencies are somehow overstretched, serving the people and securing its territories.

But within the last decade, internal strife, crime and arms conflicts have precipitated insecurity, stretching the military's line of duty in various fronts.

Granted, the Nigerian Army remains in the forefront of military engagements across board. But as Boko Haram insurgency holds sway in the North-east, militancy in the Niger Delta, the role of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in air power also becomes imminent. The drafting of the NAF into the nation's warfare in recent times has gone far to tame both internal and foreign insecurities

once threatening Nigeria's existence.

Although, Boko Haram terrorism, militancy, tribal wars and other internal communal clashes have, to a certain degree derailed the duty line of the military defending Nigeria from external aggression and invasion, the show of strength, particularly by the Air Force lay credence to Nigeria's military power. It is within this context, that NAF has continued to live up to its expectations in the face of daunting challenges.

In its new role, the Air Force has outlined innovation, creativity, engineering, maintenance, humanitarian services, collaboration with research institutes and universities and professionals as the bedrock of its operation. The focus then is to intervene in the nation's national security within the scope of the above listed template.

According to NAF’s Director of Public

Relations and Information, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar has remained committed to pursuing Nigeria's national security goals within the purview of modern military operations. Adesanya explained that this commitment by NAF top hierarchy has resulted in recent giant strides attained by the Nigerian Air Force.

Today, the Air Force is not only involved in the bombardment of Boko Haram terrorists, the force is also in defence of national assets like oil installations in the South-west and Niger Delta. The Air Force likewise carries out humanitarian services such as uplifting relief materials for flood victims in Benue and other parts of the North including free medical services for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps among others.

The strategic role by the NAF in ensuring that democracy is restored in Gambia and the winner of the presidential election, Adama Barrow was sworn-in cannot be forgotten in a haste. By joining the African Forces and preventing the former President, Yahya Jammeh who lost out in the presidential polls, NAF consciously expanded the democratic frontiers of the African continent.

Even in the midst of these lofty achievements, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Abubakar agreed that challenges still abound. According to him, "as you are aware, the Nigerian Air Force is faced with various various theatres of operations whether in the North-east, in the South-south or the North-west. We are no doubt on track with regards to the kind of structures we want for our Air Force, for better efficiency and effectiveness.

Despite the challenges and few setbacks we have had in the last few weeks, I believe

21

Ëž T H I S D AY THURSDAYËœ ÍŻÍ˛Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

FEATURES 18

Today, the Air Force is not only involved in the Acting Features Editor Charles Ajunw bombardment of Boko Email charles.ajunwa@thisdaylive.com Haram terrorists, the force is also in defence of national assets like oil installations in the SouthThe repositioning of the Nigerian Air Force in securing the nation has elevated the force as a west and Niger Delta. The Air Force likewise carries strategic partner and formidable ally in the nation's defence infrastructure, writes Paul Obi out humanitarian services such as uplifting relief materials for ood victims in Benue and other parts of the North including free medical services for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps among others THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 ˞ T H I S D A

FEATURES

NAF Takes the Front Seat

Airmen from Nigerian Air Force ready for deployment

The CAS AVM Sadique Abubakar

NAF medical oďŹƒcials attending to a patient

that we are on track in terms of making Nigeria a more secured country.

"Looking back from where we are coming from, I believe that I will be stating the obvious to say that we have made substantial progress and Nigeria today is more secured than before," Abubakar stated. The Chief of Air Staff held that NAF is "equally on track with regards to capacity building.

We have continued to train and retrain our pilots, engineers and technicians so that we can have a very effective service.

"We will continue to reevaluate our operations from time to time and we will not shy away from re-strategising if there is the need to do that. With what we had invested in the fight against terrorism, the helicopter gunships and from the 12 aircraft we helped reactivate to add to the fight and the number of pilots we have trained, as well as the number of air men and air

women we have recruited, I believe that we are on track to making this country a better place."

He said further: "We are equally on track in terms of reactivation of air planes. We are similarly on track in terms of providing for the welfare of our personnel. I want to urge you to continue to rededicate yourselves so that every Nigerian territory will be secured and so that every Nigerian will be secured."

Attesting to these great feats by NAF, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas, recently observed that without the deployment of air power by the Nigerian Air Force, the military would not have decimated the Boko Haram terrorists, taking over many of their occupied territories and blockading much of its operational activities in the North-east.

Ibas argued that the continual bombardment of Boko Haram through air power by

NAF accelerated the defeat of the terrorists in many of the battle fronts. The CNS stated this at the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Abuja, while featuring as guest of honour, at the occasion of winging of 10 new young pilots of the Nigerian Air Force.

He maintained that the contributions of NAF was a key factor in the advancement attained so far in national security and stability of the country. "I dare say that the course of the counter insurgency operations would not have been as promising without the indispensable and ubiquitous air support," he said.

Ibas also observed that "with profound appreciation to the impressive strides in the Nigerian Air Force's human capacity development through focused and resultoriented training for enhanced professional performance."

The CNS also commended the Nigerian

Air Force “for its operations in supporting capacity building as against the various illegalities in the nation’s maritime domain and participation in regional exercises.

"In this regard, I pay tribute to your contributions, which have been great enablers in the fight against such ills as piracy, crude oil theft and illegal bunkering, and your spectacular performance in Exercise Oban game, "he added. He also commended the Nigerian Air Force for its inspiring quest for an improved technical base to narrow the nation's Armed Forces' logistics gap, especially in the provision of hardware and weapon system.

He charged the newly inducted Nigerian Air Force pilots to appreciate their new status and expected role, saying it was instructive that their induction coincided with "a very challenging period where the Nigerian Air Force platforms were actively engaged in the combat air operations. You cannot but flow with the momentum established and stand ready for duty at all times. I therefore charge you to be courageous, hardworking and above all disciplined,� he said.

That said, NAF has had other challenges that tended to derail its performance. The Rann bombing where IDPs were killed comes in handy. Notwithstanding the exoneration of its officials, it is pertinent to avoid such catastrophe in the future. Good enough, the NAF out of shared discipline has commenced a self-cleansing approach, in ensuring that its operations and financial books are transparent. More need to be done in that regards.

Recent accusations labelled against CAS of lopsided recruitment in the force was really a bad omen and test for an institution like the Air Force. Having performed credibly well in the war against terrorism and other national security engagements, it is in the interest of NAF and Abubakar in particular to steer clear of such primordial controversies. The force should rather be to stay on top of its goals. The objective should be repositioning NAF for the better, continuing with its commitment to improving Nigeria's national security apparatus.

Complacency will be worst, and should not be contemplated.

22

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Photo Editor ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ ÔËÖË Email Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ë›Ă‹Ă”Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ù×

L R ; Chief Folake Solanke [SAN]; Kaduna State Governor,Nasir El-Rufai and Chairman Development Policy Centre, Prof.. Bimpe Aboyade at the 2017 FounderĂ­s Day Celebration of Development Policy Centre in Ibadan...recently FELIX ADEMOLA

L-R: Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; President, Nigerian Society of Engineers, (NSE), Mr. Otis Anyaeji and Chairman, Ilorin Branch, NSE, Mr. Joseph Adebayo during courtesy visit to the Governor by NSE at Government House, Ilorin recently

Managing Director of FCMB MicroďŹ nance Bank, Mr. Adetunji Lamidi(right) and a customer of the Bank, Mrs. Folake Oyelade, during the customers forum in Abuja...recently

L- R. The Ist Vice President of NGA, Mrs. Audrey Joe-Ezigbo; Managing Director, Seplat Petroleum Development Company. Plc, Mr. Austin Avuru; President of Nigerian Gas Association Engr. Dada Thomas ; General Manager(Gas),Seplat Petroleum Mrs. Yetunde Taiwo and Petroleum Engineer at Seplat Petroleum Mr. Collins Onyeukwu during the courtesy visit by the Council of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) to the Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc in Lagos...recently

L-R; Head, Publicity 20th Anniversary Planning Committee of Sunnydale School, Mrs Biyi Tunji-Olugbodi; Head of School, Mr. Adegboyega Fadare; Chairperson, Anniversary Planning Committee, Mrs Abisola Longe; Director of School, Mrs Folake Osisanya; Chairperson, PTA, Dr. Arinola Fetuga and Deputy Head of School, Mrs Ade Fakoya at the press conference to unfold the activities line up for the 20th anniversary of Sunnydale School in Lagos.....yesterday Abiodun Ajala

R-L: Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy,Mr Semiu Okanlawon; Executive Chairman, Osun Education Quality Assurance and Morality Enforcement, Dr. Isiaka Owoade and Commissioner for Health, Dr. RaďŹ u Isamotu, at an award of recognition on both Okanlawon and Dr Isamotu, during the 1st and 3rd OďŹƒcial Investiture Ceremony of Female President of GRA Osogbo Rotary Club at Osogbo, Osun

L-R: Former Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Prothrive Astute Height Ltd, Mrs Yemisi Obe; her husband Mr Sesan Obe; and wife of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Kemi Oni , at the oďŹƒcial launch of Grandios Pap and 40th birthday anniversary of Yemisi Obe in Lagos... recently

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Quick Takes Dell Celebrates Banner First Year Ă?Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽËŞĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă?Ăž ĂšĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁĚ‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËœ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă? Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ë›

Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ę¨Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ ÍœÍąÍł ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă– ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă— ÞÒËÞ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÍŻÍŽËœÍŽÍŽÍŽ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă–Ă– ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?ÙÖÓÙ˛

Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă–Ă– Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?âÚÖÙĂ?Ă“Ă Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĚ‹ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľËœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ě‹Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?ĂœËœ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă?Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ù×ÚÖÓĂ?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? ĂœĂ‹ĂšĂ“ĂŽĂ–ĂŁ ĂšĂ‹ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ™Ă˘Ă“Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁ ÍœÍˇË›Íł ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?ĂŒĂžËœ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ù×ÚÖĂ?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ“Ă Ă?Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă‘Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ?Ë›

Kaspersky Lab Introduces New Line-up

A NEW OFFERING

L-R Hon. Abdullahi Muslim, Hajia Aisha Abdulsalam, Ernest Obi, DH E-Business, Keystone Bank Ltd, Temitayo Olutoye, DH Products & Market Support, Aisha Mohammed, Ag. Head Of Directorate, Sulaiman Mohammed; DH Abuja, at the Launch of Keystone Bank’s USSD Code *533# in Abuja ‌recently

FG Backs Fight against Quackery in Computing Profession Stories by Emma Okonji The federal government, though the Ministry of Education, has promised to support the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) with logistics that will help the regulatory body effectively curb quackery in the computing profession.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who made the promise in Abuja while inaugurating the newly elected members of the Computer Profession Council in Abuja last week, said there was need to address the situation where Information Technology (IT) practitioners in Nigeria operate without being registered and regulated by

ICT CPN. This, he said, is giving rise to quackery, which he said has cost the federal government huge revenue losses, aside putting executable IT projects at risk.

The newly elected President of CPN and Chairman of Council, Prof. Charles Uwadia, told THISDAY after the Council inauguration that the issue of quackery had long existed in the IT profession in the country, with attendant loss of huge revenue through capital flight.

According to him, most IT professionals who execute big and small projects, are not registered with CPN are not being regulated by CPN,

whose mandate according to Decree 49 of 1993, is to monitor and regulate the practice of computing profession in the country.

Uwadia said every individual and organisation that is practicing computing profession in the country is supposed to register with CPN, but expressed deep dissatisfaction that majority of the big players were not registered with CPN, yet they practice the computing profession in Nigeria without paying their dues and service charges that are accruable to government, amounting to huge loss of revenue.

He listed three point agenda, which include enforcement of the Act setting up CPN,

in relation to revenue generation; expanding the value proposition for members; and sustainability of upon which CPN should operate no exercise its powers. “Quackery can be more devastating, because it leads to huge loss of revenue and I am happy that the minister has thrown his support for CPN to carry out its regulatory function and bring all computing organisations to get registered with CPN,�

Uwadia said.

Uwadia however assured those involved that the Council would first serve them with letters to remind them of their responsibility Continued on page 24

NITDA Faults MDA’s N42.5bn Proposed Expenditure on IT Projects The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the agency saddled with the responsibility of implementing the country’s Information Technology (IT) policy, has described as outrageous, the N42.5 billion presented by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government in the 2017 Appropriation Bill, for the execution of IT projects.

The Director General of NITDA, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, who made the observation in Abuja recently, said: “The Agency’s assessment of the 2017 Appropriation Bill revealed that MDAs proposed to spend approximately N42.5 billion on IT projects, which represents

IT 2.1 per cent of the total capital budget of N2.04 trillion.�

Pantami cautioned all MDAs of government to henceforth, stop executing IT projects without getting clearance and approval from the Agency.

He said the move became imperative to ensure that maximum value is derived from such huge investment of public funds, especially at a time when the need for accountable, transparent, efficient and effective public spending is high on the current administration’s agenda. “We are therefore calling on MDAs and other government establishments to ensure that

their IT projects in the 2017 Appropriation Act are put forward for clearance before implementation. It should be noted that a breach of the provision of NITDA Act and any other directive pursuant to the Act is an offence under Section 17 and punishable under Section 18 of the Act,�

Pantami said.

He stated that all MDAs as well as other government establishments, must seek clearance from the Agency before embarking on any IT project.

The caution is in line with Section 6 of the NITDA Act 2007, as well as Service-wide Circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government

of the Federation (SGF), which makes the Agency the clearing house for all IT procurement in the public sector.

Pantami listed the objectives of the clearance exercise to include ensuring transparency in IT procurement by MDAs and other government establishments; alignment of IT projects/investments with MDAs and other government establishments’ mandates and functions as well as government IT shared vision and policy; integration of IT systems and services to save costs, promote shared services, interoperability and improve efficiency.

Other objectives include Continued on page 24

Ă‹Ă?ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă•ĂŁ Ă‹ĂŒ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;ÚÎËÞĂ?ĂŽ Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?Ăœ ĘŽĂ‹Ă‘Ă?Ă’Ă“Ăš ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă&#x;ÚÎËÞĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă•ĂŁ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂŒĂ?ĘľĂ?Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ù×ÚĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă“Ě‹ Ă“ Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă?Ë›

Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ÙʼĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă˘ĂžĂœĂ‹ Ă–Ă‹ĂŁĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ Ă‹ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă?ÙÎĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă˜ĂŽĂœĂ™Ă“ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ÓʨĂ? ËÚÚĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă– Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂŒĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ ĂŒĂŁ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœËŞĂ? ĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ë›

Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ě‹Ă&#x;Ăš Ă“Ă? Ă?âÞĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă‹ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“Ă—Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ? ÒÙ×Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?ĂŁĂŒĂ?ĂœĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă?ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă•ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËŞĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ͱ͎ÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂŁË› Ă’Ă? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁË› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž Ă™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ ÞËÞĂ?Ëœ ĂŒĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ͹˛; ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽË› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă•ĂŁ ĂŁĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă˜ĂŽĂ?â Ă?ÒÙåĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ÖÓÑÒÞÖã Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë›

Nokia Facilitates IoT Market Entry ÙÕÓË Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ě™ Ă™ Ěš Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ÙʼĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă™ Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă‘Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă™ĂžĂšĂœĂ“Ă˜Ăž Ă‘Ă?Ă™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂšĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁË›

Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ù×ÚÖĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĚ‹ĂžĂ™Ě‹Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ ÙÕÓË Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;ĂŒËœ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?âË×ÚÖĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă™ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă&#x;ĂŽË› Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÙÕÓË Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂšĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă—Ă&#x;ÖÞÓà Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ™Ăœ ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ ÙÕÓË Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;ĂŒ ÞÙ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš ÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?âÞĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă–Ě‹Ă™Ă&#x;Þ˛ ËŤ Ă‹Ă–Ă“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂŒ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ʨĂ?Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă™ Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă&#x;ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Íł Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ë› ÙÕÓË Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ù×ÚÖĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ËÚÚÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ËœËŹ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË›

Events Industry’s Conference Holds Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹ĂœĂžĂŁ ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ě™ Ěš Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÙ Ă’Ă™Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁËŞĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ͯͲÞÒ ÞÙ ͯ;ÞÒ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–Ăž Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă? ËŠ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ–ĂŁ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ë&#x; Ă?ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?ËŞËœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙÑĂ?ÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă•Ă?ĂŁ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă— Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁË›

Ă?ĂŁĂ˜Ă™ĂžĂ? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ë› ĂŒĂ“Ă•Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ“ĂœĂ“Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă?ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœË› Ă™Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă˜ ÙÕĂ?ĂœË› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ åÓÞÒ ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ™ĂŽĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂŒĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă?ÙÖË ĂšĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ ×Óâ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ÚËĂ?Ăž ÍŻÍł ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ë›

“MDAs as well as other government establishments, must seek clearance from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) before embarking on any IT project�

Director General, NITDA, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ͯͲ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

FG BACKS FIGHT AGAINST QUACKERY IN COMPUTING PROFESSION with CPN, before carrying out the enforcement.

He appealed to those who had initially registered with CPN, but ceased to pay their dues, to regularise their registration with Council without further delay.

Allaying the fears of some computing professionals who felt their interests were not well taken care of by CPN, he said that the Council would hold a round table conference with chief executives of IT companies to address their complaints, and to seek further collaboration. “For some members who felt that CPN was not providing enough benefits to them, the round table conference will address all of that,� Uwadia said.

He further explained that even though Council has the mandate to fight against quackery in the profession, his administration would handle enforcement in such a way that it will reduce quackery to the nearest minimum, since it is absolutely impossible to completely eliminate quackery from the system.

NITDA FAULTS MDA’S N42.5BN PROPOSED EXPENDITURE ON IT PROJECTS establishing indigenous capacity for after-sales-service to sustain the project beyond the initial deployment; that the project promotes indigenous content and that preference is given to indigenous companies where capacity or the product or service exists; that the technology being implemented is up-to-date; that the technology and services being procured are suitable for the country from the point of view of security and the environment, among others.

According to Pantami, “The realisation that government’s investments in IT over the years were not commensurate with the value derived from such investments and had also failed to evolve a digitally-enabled public service that will advance the citizens’ yearnings of digital economy, made it necessary for strategic repositioning of IT procurement in the public sector.�

Group Business Editor

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

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ?

Comms/e-Business Editor

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

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?

Senior Correspondent

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

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

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

Crisis Brewing in MAN, Oron over Appointment of Interim Administrators Okon Bassey in Uyo The Presidency has been urged to wade into the tension now being mounted at the premier Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron in Akwa State over the replacement of the administration of the institution.

The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi had on September 6, 2017 in Abuja inaugurated a six-man Interim Management Committee (IMC) to oversee the running of the Academy.

Besides the Interim Management Committee, the Minister also appointed Commodore Duja Effedua, a Delta State indigene, as Rector for the Academy to replace the acting Rector, Dr. Mkpandiok Ante Mkpandiok, who hails from Oron, Akwa Ibom State and had acted in that capacity since July, 2016.

Since the appointment of the new administration, tension is mounting in the Academy as the development is generating controversy, ill-feelings and tension amongst stakeholders and members of the Academy’s host communities.

For peace to be achieved in the school, President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to direct the Minister of Transportation to suspend the “purported� Interim Management Committee as its composition is unfair, illogical, overbearing and unilateral and allow the status quo to remain.

Stakeholders under different groups yesterday held a joint press conference in Oron local government area of the state

and described the recent appointment of the administrators of the institution as political.

Among the groups that attended the briefing were the Oron Nation Patriotic Elders Forum, led by Chief Okwong Effiakedoho Antai and Offong Asukwo Ekpaha as Chairman and secretary respectively; Forum of Non-indigenes, led

by Yakubu Umar as President, Wale Adekunle as Secretary and Chukwuma Obiora as Director of Media.

Others that at the forum were Concerned Youth Ad-

vocacy Group of Oron, led by its President, Mr. Joseph Attah and Pastor Anthony Uweh as Secretary.

The protesters expressed their displeasure over the development and asked for immediate intervention of the presidency to avert crisis in the premier Academy.

They warned that the enduring patience and peaceful dispositions of stakeholders of the Academy should not be taken for granted, stressing that Oro person and by extension Akwa Ibom indigene deserves

the port-folio as Rector of the Academy at this time for justice and peace to prevail.

They expressed shock and dismay over what it described as “mischievous scheming, nepotism, politicking and highhandedness that saw the tactical humiliation of the acting Rector, Dr. Mkpandiok Mkpandiok.

The stakeholders described Mkpandiok administration as very creditably having addressed critical management issues as well as other grievances facing the general

development of the school.

They expressed regret that since the establishment of MAN, Oron in 1977, no Akwa Ibom indigene of Oro extraction had ever been appointed a substantive Rector of the Academy.

Worst still, it was observed that even those found in conditional capacities as Registrars had either been made to work in the worst conditions imaginable or forced out of office prematurely by cabals who never wished Oro Nation well.

PROMOTING TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

L-R: Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability (RIIS), South Africa, Davis Cook; Managing Director and Chief Executive OďŹƒcer of Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PHN) Dr. Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq and Executive Director, Nigeria Incubators and Innovators’ Network (NIIE), Bankole Oloruntoba, during a panel session at the Nigeria Innovation Summit (NIS) held in Lagos...recently

2017 Recorded Highest Hit in Cyber Stakeholders Urge FG to Enforce Mining Regulations Attacks, Says Report Emma Okonji Check Point Software Technologies Ltd, the largest network cyber security vendor globally, providing industry-leading solutions and protecting customers from cyber attacks, has released results of its recent study on global cyber attacks, which was carried out between January and June this year.

The result showed that 2017 recorded the highest number of cyber attacks globally, when compared with previous years.

According to the report, prominent malware and attack methods continue to evolve creatively, bypassing existing security solutions in 2017.

The report said In 2016, the globe witnessed sophisticated new malware emerging on a regular basis, exposing new capabilities, distribution methods, and attack services offered for sale through multiple platforms, but that in 2017 the frequency of attacks and the effects of the attacks were much more than previous years’ attacks, as highly effective malware families continue to cause rapid destruction globally.

So far, in 2017 cyber-attacks are occurring at a higher frequency than previous years.

Recent infiltrations have demonstrated the agility, scale and persistence of an attack

that criminals are capable of executing. All regions have suffered from these largescale attacks, reinforcing the need for proactive solutions.

Massive attack campaigns such as WannaCry, NotPetya and Fireball, showcase the nature of today’s threat landscape. As the year progressed, we were able to witness the reoccurring global trends, the report said.

It listed the reoccurring global trends to include; Nation-state cyber weapons; Adware and malware; Macro-based downloaders; Mobile bankers, among others. The report said Nation-state cyber weapons are now in the hands of criminals, and that data leakage incidents have significantly evolved in sophistication, frequency and volume of data being accessed.

As seen in several incidents throughout the first half of 2017, the theft and consequent availability of key nation-state hacking tools, combined with wide scale zero-day vulnerabilities, now enable unskilled hackers to carry out highly sophisticated attack campaigns.

It explained that the line between Adware and malware is fading, and mobile adware botnets are on the rise. Adware, which automatically displays or downloads advertising material on an infected machine, was until recently not among our

greatest concerns, as while sometimes annoying, its sole purpose is to generate revenue and not to cause actual damage. In parallel, mobile adware botnets continue to expand and dominate the mobile malware arena. In the first half of 2017, the globe witnessed a persistent rise in the spread and technical capabilities of mobile adware botnets.

The report further explained that Macro-based downloaders continue to evolve, as malware continues to evolve, the same is true for its delivery methods.

During the past six months, there were some new methods for exploiting Microsoft Office files, which no longer require victims to open the door for the attackers by enabling macros.

The report stated that a new wave of mobile bankers on GooglePlay, is also trending, whereby a new wave of mobile bankers, most of which belong to the BankBot family, managed to enter the play store undetected and infect users. This is an alarming development as the bankers malware harm users directly, and supposed to be easier to detect. However, the perpetrators combined open-sourced banking malware code with complex obfuscation techniques to successfully and repeatedly bypass Google’s protections.

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja Stakeholders in the mining sector, on Tuesday called on the federal government to focus more on strengthening the sector governance in order to fully realise its economic diversification plan through mining. The stakeholders have also kicked started discussion on the future of the industry.

They made the remarks during their presentations at the opening session of the inaugural edition of the National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development (NCMMRD), which started in Abuja on Tuesday.

Strengthening the sector governance, according to them, would enable government to manage the available mineral resources and compete favourably in the global mineral and mining market.

The opening session, which was chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mohammed Abass, was attended by state commissioners and permanent secretaries of mining ministries, officials of the federal ministries of Environment, Justice and Defence, scholars, operators and representatives of financial institutions and host communities.

The speakers laid the ground for discussion by participants at the event by identifying various obstacles bedevilling the growth of the sector. They also hailed the on going reform in the sector with its attendant growth.

Noting that the country has well structured mining laws, they are of the opinion that government needs to do more in the area of enforcement of existing laws and strengthening of institution in order to achieve excellent result.

They also urged government to tackle issues such as geoscience data, illegal and unauthorised exports of minerals, illegal issuance of mining licence by some state governments, defaulting in the payment of taxes and royalties and multiple taxes among others.

Garba, in his presentation, urged the federal government to ensure that MIRENCO was put to work.

Al-Amin, in his presentation said mining has not been able to contribute meaningfully to the GDP because a good percentage of export in the sector remained unrecorded. He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should be more involved in exportation of minerals, as it is done in other mineral-rich countries.

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍ˛Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Banking Made Easy In order to ease financial transactions, most banks are investing in diverse technology channels and solutions to enhance customer experience, writes Emma Okonji Driven by passion for financial technology in a cashless economy, most banks have opened up more technology channels that will enhance ease of financial transactions among bank customers.

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, for instance, has carefully studied the trends in the financial sector and has rolled out several technology channels and solutions to boost customer experience.

Recently, the bank created exciting new features on its FirstMobile application to enhance security and customers’ digital banking experience. The new features are: The Card-in-Control functionality, the Quick Response (QR) Code, the Transaction receipt and Save beneficiary functions.

The features, which are unique to First Bank, bring a lot of ease to financial transactions on the First Bank platform, making it a truly digital bank with focus on future technology that will shape financial transactions in the country.

Building on innovation Technology evolution has compelled financial institutions in the country to become more innovative in order to survive competition in the technology world. The innovation has, however, become more pronounced, following the emergence of Financial Technology (FinTech) players that are currently disrupting old ways of financial transactions across all financial platforms.

In order to expose its customers to new technology innovations in the banking sector, First Bank, in partnership with Visa, recently launched its mVisa mobile payments solution.

The solution allows customers pay for goods and services by scanning a QR code using a smart phone via the FirstMobile App. Payment goes straight from the consumer’s FirstBank account into the merchant’s account and provides real-time notification to both parties.

Customers with the FirstMobile app can make payments from their FirstBank accounts at merchants’ locations where mVisa logo is displayed.

Giving details of the app, the Group Head, E-Business, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Chuma Ezirim, said the bank would continue to put customers first by leading the industry in the use of technology to provide convenient and fast banking solutions. Partnering Visa to deliver mVisa is part of the First Bank’s strategy to deliver reliable, secure and convenient payment options to its esteemed customers.

It further promotes our digital approach by delivering omni-channel experience to all our customers, while enhancing our existing offerings,� Ezirim reiterated.

Speaking at the launch of mVisa, the President of Visa, sub-Saharan Africa, Andrew Torre, said: “We are thrilled to have FirstBank as one of our key partners in bringing mVisa to Nigeria.

Consumers and merchants will experience the speed, convenience and security that mVisa brings when making everyday purchases.�

The mVisa is a payment solution fully integrated into the Firstmobile app to support business transactions and lifestyles of FirstBank customers. Existing users of the Firstmobile application can update their banking app from Google Play store, Blackberry World and Apple store to enable them access the service, while FirstBank account holders who do not have the Firstmobile app yet can simply download the app and begin to enjoy the service instantly.

Aside the FirstMobile app, the bank also launched its website to further enhance its service delivery to customers.

The new website is adaptive and responsive and has a multi-real estate billboard homepage with one-click access to information.

The website is feature rich with mortgage and loan calculators, a currency converter and a Google maps integrated branch locator. Built for the digital age, it is easy to access and navigate for the average multi-screen user. Visitors to the website can find any information they seek on the website in few minutes simple clicks.

Its mobile enabled features make it perfect for the always on-the-move generation.

Multiple channels of electronic payment system Building on global technology evolution Satisfied with the innovative experience that the new website is creating for the bank customers, the bank said the new website is considered a unique evolution for the lender in terms of information and interactive services available for customers, investors, shareholders and the global community.

Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, announced that the site, which is a quantum leap from the old website, can be accessed via the new URL https://www. firstbanknigeria.com from any internet enabled

device with a functional browser. Speaking further, she said: “The launch of refreshed website comes in line with measures that the bank has taken to execute its digital banking strategy that aims to progress all facets of the its activities in line with global best practices.�

She further explained that FirstBank has benefited from modern technology tools to ensure a solid technical foundation for the new site, which would see continuous enhancements in the coming months to enhance the effectiveness of its operations and provide all key information needed by customers, investors and other visitors of the website to make investment decisions and have a better customer experience.

In order to expose its customers to new technology innovations in the banking sector, First Bank, in partnership with Visa, recently launched its mVisa mobile payments solution. The solution allows customers pay for goods and services by scanning a QR code using a smart phone via the FirstMobile App Payment goes straight from the consumer’s FirstBank account into the merchant’s account and provides real-time notiďŹ cation to both parties

Driving financial inclusion, convenience As the banking business evolves, First Bank has remained committed to empowering the Nigerian populace with the *894# Quick Banking service as part of its financial inclusion drive.

The service is set to deliver the power to bank anywhere and at anytime. It is quick, convenient and easy to use and beneficiary accounts are credited instantly with alert notifications. Built on the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) technology, the *894# quick banking service transmits information through GSM network channels via mobile phones.

USSD technology facilitates sessions of communication that can be used in various areas of life including banking. The *894# USSD service makes banking services available across all GSM networks, on any type of handset or device; iphone, Android, Blackberry and even simple feature phone famously referred to as ‘kpalasa’. It requires no internet service connection and can be used in remote locations across Nigeria. This USSD service is delivered on the customers’ registered phone numbers linked to their First Bank accounts.

With *894#, the mobile phone has become a mobile branch.

With the solution, customers can transfer money to First Bank and other banks in Nigeria; buy airtime for themselves and their loved ones, check account balance on their phones, and do lots more wherever they are.

With the solution, banking transactions can now be performed on the go irrespective of location or time as there is no worry of internet connectivity or a token device, but only a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Launching soon on the *894# Quick Banking

service bouquet are: the utility bill payment, payment for goods and services at any retail store in Nigeria, opening of savings account and linking customer BVN to the new accounts.

Financial solutions as enabler Speaking on the working principles of some of the bank’s latest solutions and payment channels, Ezirim said the Card–in– Control functionality on the FirstMobile App, empowers customers to be in control of their accounts and prevent unauthorised usage of cards. The Card–in–Control Service allows customers to determine alternative channels such as ATM, POS and Online. Customers are to go to the card management service, under the ‘self-service’ menu on First Mobile to disable or enable any of the features, Ezirim explained.

He described the Quick Response (QR) payment solution on the FirstMobile App as flexible payment system that allows customers to pay for goods and services by using their phone cameras to scan QR codes at merchant locations or uploading a QR code on a smart phone via the FirstMobile App. Payment goes straight from the customer’s First Bank account into the merchant’s account and provides real-time notification to both parties. “The transaction receipt feature enables customers generate receipt after a transaction on the FirstMobile App. The feature overrides any concerns around the confirmation of transactions as receipts can either be saved to the mobile phone gallery for future reference or shared directly with recipients of each transaction via email, WhatsApp, among others,� Ezirim said.

Also incorporated into the FirstMobile App is the ‘Save Beneficiary’ feature, where customers can save beneficiary details for later transactions. This eliminates the arduous task of searching and importing beneficiaries’ details for every transaction.

Other features on the FirstMobile App include the domestic funds transfers; airtime purchase for self and others on all mobile networks; bill payments; cheque services; flight booking; and quick account services such as account balance inquiry, statement view and much more.

The cashless initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria is driving banks to become more innovative, and First Bank is leaving no stone unturned in providing the right payment channels for its technology savvy customers.

26

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ˛Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

Ě“

As Police Go High-Tech The recent deployment of the latest technology tools by the Nigeria Police for community policing, will no doubt stem the upsurge in criminal activities in the country, writes Emma Okonji The world is currently going through crisis almost like no other time in history. Unrests rule across several cities. Every corner not occupied by terrorist groups is populated by secessionist organisations. Every patch of earth not controlled by criminal lords is under the heavy thumb of gang lords.

Worried by heightened insecurity, which has also reared its ugly head in Nigeria, the Nigeria Police recently installed latest technology tools that will aid them in combating insurgencies and criminal activities in the country. The tools are designed to bring relief to the citizens, when fully launched.

Ensuring security In this age, the task of ensuring security is one that necessarily involves every citizen.

However, the task of engaging the citizens in the effort to combat the rising incidence of crime must now extend beyond mere placing calls to 911,411, 112 or 767. Indeed, across the world, several countries today now rely on close circuit television (CCTV) camera to capture image of perpetrators or citizen journalist on mobile phones. For instance, the 911 hijackers in the United States, terrorists apprehended across Europe were identified not by 911 or 411 calls but by video captured by CCTV and increasingly by citizens on their mobile phones.

Nigeria, the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, unfortunately, has never successfully deployed CCTV in any part of the country.

Every effort to deploy CCTV has been stalled by bureaucracy, unscrupulous contractors. And where installed, the CCTVs are often vandalised.

Thus, Nigeria is unable to utilise this veritable tool for the security of lives and property.

The police undoubtedly need all the help it can get in its quest to fulfill its obligation to curb crime. Several suggestions have been proffered including deploying advanced policing technology, increasing the number of men and officers and providing improved package and better equipment.

Soft launch of iPolice Hawk Eye Last week in FCT, Abuja, the Police announced the soft launch of Hawk Eye Crime Reporter, demonstrating the seriousness of the organisation to employ communities in the fight against insurgency and other crimes. The iPolice Hawk

The Hawk Eye Crime Reporter for Citizen is a mobile app for users to report crime and it is downloadable free from Google and iTunes app store. It is a two-step reporting application, which allows citizens to select the type of crime they want to report, and the option to “Call for Help�, “Request Immediate Response� by capturing video/ image of the ongoing crime, or simply “File Report� all on the mobile app

Nigeria Police Force – Lagos State Crime Management and Control Command Centre, ready for launch in October 2017

Eye Crime Reporter is widely regarded as one of the most advanced crime reporting and management system in the world today. It is an end to end revolutionary security application that may well be the new and advanced generation of the 911, 411 or our local 211 system.

Launching the Hawk Eye Crime Reporting System is one of the smartest things the Nigeria Police have done in a long time. The application combines today’s advance technologies, human behaviour and practices into a crime reporting system. A very effective way to engage citizen in the fight against insurgency and other violent crimes.

According to the Police, the application has three parts - Hawk Eye Crime Reporter for Citizens, Solar Powered Police Command Centres and Mobile Device Terminal for patrol teams.

How it works The Hawk Eye Crime Reporter for Citizen is a mobile app for users to report crime and it is downloadable free from Google and iTunes app store. It is a two-step reporting application, which allows citizens to select the type of crime they want to report, and the option to “Call for Help,� “Request Immediate Response� by capturing video/image of the ongoing crime, or simply “File Report� all on the mobile app.

An important and critical feature that would help its success with citizens is that reporting is anonymous; the system does not capture the user’s information, phone number or any other or detail.

Solar powered Police command centres Once citizens begin to adopt and use the application, solar powered command and control centers are manned 24/7 to receive reports and for dispatching. The Command Centre has map view and location of all patrol vehicles within two kilometers of the crime report received.

The technology tool allows police to dispatch patrol teams efficiently and rapidly. Command and Control Centre dispatchers can view video or image of crimes reported by citizens and advise patrol teams appropriately.

Mobile device terminal According to Police authority, every patrol vehicle can now be equipped with mobile device terminal so that officers and patrol teams can receive dispatch and file crime reports from the field. Statement can be taken from suspects, complainants and witnesses. Officer can now capture photo of suspects, arrested criminal or collect photo evidence. The Nigeria

Police Force can begin to compile a criminal database. Officers in the field can conduct facial recognition search (provided by Microsoft) of criminals and to apprehend wanted persons especially those running across states. Every crime reported and dispatched are now digitally visible along the chain of command all the way to Force Headquarters. The Police assured that Nigerians could actually begin to develop confidence that any arrest or apprehension is now monitored across the chain of command, making accountability possible within the force.

Ensuring effective performance Interestingly, to ensure effective performance, the mobile device terminal, monitors power source and network strength of the device and alert command room to make sure officers are available at all times to respond to dispatched crimes. If the objective is community policing, the Nigeria Police said it is set to truly empower citizens with the launch of the Hawk Eye Crime Reporter.

Features of Police technology tools The system has an enterprise crime management tools such as global announcement that would allow police to communicate with the public in times of emergency or police action, sendinformation, images of wanted criminals, missing person or kidnapping suspects to the public for reporting.

A significant step that should be taken by Police at this point would be to integration the 112 emergency number currently provided by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) into the Hawk Eye Crime Reporter “Call for Help� feature. It would harmonise the entire emergency response system for the country.

This is the logical next step in the effort to curb crime, and the Nigeria Police should give this integration priority.

Integration of devices Pleased with the latest technology devices installed by the Police for community policing, Nigerians have called for the integration of such devices to make them more effective.

Like in most other advance countries, it will remove the burden of the cost of making such calls from the shoulders of the citizens. This is because as currently constituted Hawk Eye Mobile app does offer voice calls with “Call for Help� feature, but it will be at a cost to users.

The 211 is a toll-free call and when it is integrated with the Hawk Eye Crime Reporter mobile app, it will serve as a national emergency

number, ‘Call for Help’ on Hawk Eye Mobile app, which will become free to users.

The integration will result one of the most advanced Emergency Response System in the world. A major accomplishment for Nigeria Police Force and the first time an African nation, will be to lead the rest of the world on innovative technology solution, of well implemented.

Clearly, whatever else may be said about the Nigeria Police, the deployment of Hawk Eye is a demonstration of the commitment of the Force under the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to work in partnership with the public to continue to improve the security situation across the country.

Pleased with the successful installation of the security gadgets, Idris said: “This will help us fight kidnapping incidents that are happening across the country, when notified we can quickly close off escape routes to kidnappers when reports are received from citizens.�

The complete solution, which includes free app for citizens, solar powered command centres and mobile device terminal, were donated to the Police by Lagos based technology firm, Web Assets Nigeria Limited, in partnership with US based tech firms, BBGN&K and Microsoft, which provided the facial recognition technology to Web Assets.

Web Asset will be deploying the Hawk Eye Crime Reporter, the iPolice tablets with solar powered command and control centers to Nigeria Police State Command in all 36 states and the FCT. Support for Police Having done the soft launch of the installed technology devices for community policing, the Nigeria Police has called on Nigerians to take advantage of the devices, especially the app, to provide the necessary support that will enhance effective policing in the country.

According to Police IGP, unless citizens support police efforts and give it a chance, crime would continue to invade the quality of life of communities across the nation. “The strongest feature is that it engages citizens at an intimate level and empowers them to collaborate with the police. This is precisely what is required to counter insurgencies and criminal activities in this digital age,� IGP said.

The Hawk Eye mobile phone app is available for free download on Google App and IOS stores. It is also available in English and Native languages like Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin English.

27

T H I S D AY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

629(5(,*1 68.8. 2))(5 )25 68%6&5,37,21

Pursuant to the Local Loans (Registered Stock and Securities) Act, CAP. L17, LFN 2004 FBN MERCHANT BANK LIMITED & LOTUS FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED (the “Financial Advisers�) on the authority of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA Offers for Subscription through FGN ROADS SUKUK COMPANY 1 PLC (FGN RSC1) and is authorized to receive applications for the

1 <HDU ,MDUDK 6XNXN GXH 5HQWDO 5DWH Opening Date: Closing Date: Settlement Date:

September 14, 2017 September 20, 2017 September 22, 2017 (T+2)

SUMMARY OF THE OFFER

INSTRUMENT TYPE: Ijarah (Lease) Sukuk

REDEMPTION: Bullet repayment on the date of maturity.

STATUS: 1. Qualifies as securities in which trustees can invest under the Trustee Investment Act. 2. Qualifies as Government securities within the meaning of Company Income Tax Act (â&#x20AC;&#x153;CITAâ&#x20AC;?) and Personal Income Tax Act (â&#x20AC;&#x153;PITAâ&#x20AC;?) for Tax Exemption for Pension Funds, amongst other investors.

3. To be listed on The Nigerian Stock Exchange and FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange.

4. Classified as Liquid Asset by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

5. Certified by the Financial Regulatory Advisory Council of Experts (FRACE) of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

USE OF PROCEEDS: Proceeds will be used solely for the construction and rehabilitation of key roads across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

SECURITY: Backed by the full faith and credit of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

INSPECTION OF OFFER DOCUMENTS: Offer documents are available for inspection at the offices of the Debt

Office and the Financial Advisers.

Management

ISSUER: FGN Roads Sukuk Company 1 Plc. on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

OF SALE: UNITS N1,000 per unit subject to a minimum Subscription of N10,000 and

in multiples of N1,000 thereafter.

RENTAL PAYMENT:

Payable Half Yearly.

INTERESTED INVESTORS SHOULD CONTACT THE FINANCIAL ADVISERS TO THE ISSUE FBN Merchant Bank Ltd. 10, Keffi Street Off Awolowo Road S.W. Ikoyi, Lagos dÄ&#x17E;ĹŻ Ď­Í&#x2014; нώϯϰͲϭͲώϳϏ ώώϾϏͲϰ

First Bank Of Nigeria Ltd. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.

Lotus Financial Services Ltd. 1b, Udi Street Osborne Foreshore Estate Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos Tel 1: +234-1-291 4626 RECEIVING BANKS Jaiz Bank Plc. Sterling Bank Plc. Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc. Unity Bank Plc.

Or download the Prospectus and Application Form at: www.dmo.gov.ng www.fbnmerchantbank.com www.lotuscapitallimited.com

Zenith Bank Plc.

PLACEMENT AGENTS Access Bank Plc. Ecobank Nigeria Ltd. First City Monument Bank Plc Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc. United Bank For Citi Bank Nigeria Ltd. FBN Merchant Bank Ltd. FSDH Merchant Bank Ltd. Standard Chartered Africa Plc. Coronation Merchant Bank Ltd First Bank Nigeria Ltd. Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. Bank Nigeria Ltd. Zenith Bank Plc.

28

T H I S D AY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

NIGERIA INFRASTRUCTURE PPP SUMMIT TACKLING NIGERIA’S INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICIT THROUGH PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

ACCELERATING INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY THROUGH PPP IN NIGERIA FOR 4 CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: POWER, TRANSPORT, HEALTHCARE AND AGRICULTURE

THE MINISTRY OF BUDGET AND NATIONAL PLANNING (MBNP) AND THE NIGERIA INFRASTRUCTURE PPP SUMMIT GROUP (NIPPPSG) STAKEHOLDERS’ FORUM FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE PUBLIC PRIVATE DIALOGUE (PPD) ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA.

The Ministry of Budget and National Planning (MBNP) in partnership with the Nigeria Infrastructure Public Private Partnership Summit Group (NIPPPSG) hereby announce its stakeholders’ forum for the launch of the Public Private Dialogue (PPD) on infrastructure development and financing in Nigeria. This PPD is aimed at instituting a platform for constructive dialogue between public and private sector practitioners, with a focus on identifying and addressing the political, legal and institutional barriers to creating bankable infrastructure projects and to channel private sector finance and expertise towards the successful development and delivery of PPP projects in Nigeria.

14

DATE

6HSWHPEHU

STRICTLY

BY INVITATION ON For enquiries contact the secretariat on:

secretariat@ infrastructureppp.org or 08095442300

The forum will convene representatives from across Nigeria’s infrastructure delivery ecosystem, and work to provide a perspective on the prioritisation of projects for the Federal Government’s programme for infrastructure development in line with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the Nigeria Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP).

Signed Akin Ajibola Partner, Nigeria Infrastructure Public Private Partnership Summit Group

Ministry of Budget & National Planning

www.infrastructureppp.org

9 T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ͯͲË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

29

FCMB Partners Govt to Grow Economy As First City Monument Bank pushes its Agency Banking and Agribusiness agenda, Nosa Alekhuogie peeps into the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retail template to expound some of the directions currently being implemented through its partnership with government

Adam Nuru

The main task of governance all over the world is to provide social and economic infrastructure, protect life and property, and also create employment for the unemployed.

The government is still expected to manage the economy by strategically formulating and implementing specific policies that can create opportunities for sustainable economic activities for the citizenry.

The need for economic development, particularly in areas such as poverty reduction, employment generation and wealth creation focused on improving welfare and raising the general standard of living, has become a challenge that must be squarely guaranteed by government. But to what extent can this responsibility be left to government alone?

The 34-year old financial institution, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) says no, the responsibility, should not be left to government alone to shoulder. For the fact that Nigeria is a country blessed with favorable climatic conditions, ample arable land and fertile soils, some expert solution has been proffered. FCMB has taken a bold step towards empowering small holder farmers as well as micro, small and medium scale enterprises which industry watchers now define as the nucleus of developed economiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; action points. The same aspiration has been found in the heart of the present administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic agenda. The federal government is said to have concluded plans to align its fiscal, monetary and trade policies to stimulate economic growth.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director, FCMB, Mr. Adam Nuru has said that it is a conscious business objective of the Bank to partner the government in various clearly defined economic activities that directly impact positively on the people, particularly the micro, small and medium enterprise segment whose daily activities supply cohesion in the basic energy chain of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy.

In one of the economic outreaches championed

by FCMB, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Bank has designed a group lending programme, which aims at creating financial awareness and empowerment for financially active women through microcredits, procurement and deployment of POS and free mobile phones among these women. These women have been identified in self-organised and homogenous groups that provide support and peer pressure to reimburse loans. It is quite innovative in Nigeria. Our focus on this aspect with the accruing benefits, are the unbanked, under-banked and low income customer segments who are also being acquainted with financial inclusion.â&#x20AC;?

The key objectives of FCMB, it reiterated,

Audu Ogbe

include to bring financial services closer to both urban and rural small income earners. This is to enable them access loans in groups to be able to drive inclusion. The scheme also offers more flexible financial services to small income earners in the market especially women to increase their work capital. It is another opportunity that enables small income earners expand their asset base to finance their household needs.

FCMBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment in the partnership was responsible for the choice to make its operation simple when it comes to reaching out and giving access to the fund-deserving population.

For the upcoming, small and medium sized businesses to benefit, prospective participants must be 18 - 60 years of age and also belong to a group. The groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s size must be 5-25 members who enjoy mutual trust, confidence and respect, and live or work in close proximity to one another. The customer must have an income generating activity or business which has been in existence for at least 6 months. The borrower must exhibit the potential to save. And Group members are expected to be residing within a radius of 1km. FCMB is also offering free four weeks of training organised for borrowers before loansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; disbursement.

Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, gave some hints. According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort to restore growth depends very much on improved macroeconomic conditions. Accordingly, fiscal, monetary and trade policies are being aligned to stimulate the economy and support growth while preventing overheatingâ&#x20AC;?.

He confirmed that sectoral policies were being implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria to diversify the economy by boosting investments in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, construction and the digital economy. The Deposit Money Banks, Osinbajo noted, were vital to the implementation of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

At the donation of a robust Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) programme web portal developed by FCMB for deployment nationwide to the federal government, its Managing Director, Nuru informed the Vice President that the Bank, as one of the top lenders in Nigeria, is already providing financial and technical advisory support to several operators in various sectors. He listed these to include power sector projects, export trade, small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), among others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will continue to intervene and offer support as well as solutions in developmental areas that would fast-track the growth of the aspirations of individuals, businesses and the country in generalâ&#x20AC;?, he added.

FCMBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Microfinance project from inception,

set the pace for rural and semi-urban economic prosperity and the resultant effect, has been profound. The Microfinance Bank also developed a robust software application for online real time transaction and reporting. Establishing a centralised system of operations and loan review process, it has also commenced BVN registration for MFB clients with credit check on customers for improved loan assessment process. The Microfinanceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operation is already berthed in 53 branches covering 11 states in 5 geopolitical regions. The FCMB Group Lending and Agency Banking projects are a digitised credit and savings solution which facilitates instant account opening with debit card issuance for online real time transactions driven by point of sale (POS) and mobile devices.

The Group Chief Executive of FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Ladi Balogun is quoted to have said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s project is driving financial inclusion in Nigeria through the deployment of agents in communities without financial service providers.

The project is highly driven by technology to create a distinct offering from other existing micro lending businesses. The automation of loan processing, disbursement, and repayment via POS and/ or mobile solutions ensures an efficient and swift loan disbursement and collection process.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; In the area of agriculture, it is a concern however that as desirable as agriculture is to economic well-being, Nigeria is yet to maximise its potential. This is as a result of a combination of various factors, some of which include the relegation of agriculture to subsistence farming; non-prioritisation of agribusiness at different levels of governance; the state of infrastructure such as research and storage facilities, extension and disjointed value chains and of course, the distraction occasioned by oil.

Fully conscious of the important role of key stakeholders in the agribusiness chain and as a strong believer in the potential of agribusiness in Nigeria, FCMBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intervention in the sector has left a far-reaching impact on this crucial part of the economy. This has been attested to by the Chairman of Tractor Owners and Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria (TOHFAN), Alhaji Danladi Garba, when he commended FCMB for its support to the agric sector and farmers in Lagos. FCMB had provided funding worth N300 million to TOHFAN for the acquisition of tractors that were distributed to operators and benefiting farmers throughout Nigeria.

The Bank also collaborated with Doreo Partners, an impact investing firm with a proven track record of exclusively investing in profitable, high growth, early stage businesses that improve the livelihoods of Nigerian smallholder farmers,to

launch a support programme for farmers, known as BabbanGona (or â&#x20AC;&#x153;great farmâ&#x20AC;?). This is an agricultural franchise model, where farmers are trained, provided end-to-end support, and offered specially packaged loans to carry out their farming activities. In line with its commitment to financial inclusion which entails bringing the underbanked and unbanked population into the financial system, a drive which the CBN has been pursuing actively, FCMB selected a region with a high degree of financial exclusion, bringing on board farmers in the Gimba, Soba and Maigana communities. The franchise has about 18000 farmers, developed by Doreo Partners and has a vision of reaching in excess of a million farmers in the near future Another testimony associated with FCMB is the success of Psaltry International Farm in Ado-Awaye, Iseyin in Oyo State, whose achievements in cassava business and agric value chain management have assumed international dimension. Managed by Mrs. Yemisi Iranloye, a biochemist and agric entrepreneur, the business has a farming base of over 10,000 hectares of land with about 2,000 out-growers. It also has a factory that processes cassava to food grade starch for supplies to large corporates in the food and beverage industries.

FCMBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facilitation of nearly N1billion for Psaltry Farm under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funding schemes for the sector has given the Iseyinagriccommunity the much-needed economic boost. Apart from FCMBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship with Psaltry, the Bank partnered with the farm to provide basic agricultural training for its farmers to understand the technical details of growing their produce for higher yield and improved income.

FCMB distinguishes itself by its extraordinary people and culture, a customer-focused and performance-driven environment. Its unique retail lending capabilities enables it to offer valued services to millions of underserved Nigerians directly and indirectly, whilst supporting its portfolio diversification objectives to deliver sustainable growth. Its investment and transaction banking services further distinguish it as a bank for companies, doing business within and outside Nigeria, with customers in need of value-added solutions.

The Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s distinctive capabilities and culture provide it with the critical elements for sustained growth and the competitiveness to fulfil its mission. With these, among other economic activities, the Federal Government of Nigeria, has called other financial institutions as well as other patriotic individuals to join FCMB to add value for national empowerment and economic development.

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Rallying Support for Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Infrastructure Devt

Raheem Akingbolu writes on the significance of the SmartCities Summit recently held in Abuja, emphasising the need to leverage on technology solutions to improve efficiencies of cities

Modern technology, since the turn of the century, has and continues to have a rising effect across the world. The enormous development and subsequent adoption of this phenomenon has meant that technology has steered massive changes in the economic, political, scientific, and social aspects of human endeavours.

These changes have led to the rapid development of infrastructure, availability of large pool of information and knowledge, reduction of costs of production, improvement in the standard of living, and ease of communication, amongst other benefits needed to thrive in the 21st century.

However, despite this global upsurge in the use of technology, there still seems to be the challenge of how technology is utilised in third-world countries. Developing countries like Nigeria have acknowledged the huge benefit derivable from the adoption of technology.

Yet, there seems to be a deficiency of proper knowledge and understanding of technological innovations.

More importantly, what is of utmost concern is the reservations over the ability of countries like Nigeria to develop and attain a world-class industrial hub that can be proficient in the area of technology and well equipped with overall infrastructure. With the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population estimated currently estimated at 180 million persons and expected to reach over 400 million persons by 2050, it is evident that Nigeria has the market and population to actualise the realisation of a technological hub, but how would a conducive atmosphere be created for this hub to promote research, innovation and entrepreneurship?

These and other issues brought together stakeholders from the various sub-sectors of the Information and Communication Technology industry to convene for discussions in Abuja at the SmartCities Summit Nigeria recently. The summit, which held from August 8-9, 2017, under the theme; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Leveraging on Technology Solutions to Improve Efficiencies of Citiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, had participants deliberate on the potential of the digital revolution which smart cities have to transform urban services, modes of city governance and enhance the livability of Nigerian cities.

Unraveling the smart city The Smart City is a city in which technology is a principal infrastructure and the basis for providing essential services to residents. A smart city is an urban region that is highly advanced in terms of overall infrastructure, sustainable real estate, communications, transportation system, healthcare, waste management, eco-friendly housing and market viability.

Explaining the reason behind the 2-day summit, the Nigerian Smart Cities Initiative (NSCI), handlers of the event which was organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications in collaboration with AFRITEX Initiative, said the summit was aimed at ensuring that the Nigerian environment especially the urban centres, which are experiencing heavy migration, are transformed to smart cities.

According to the NSCI, â&#x20AC;&#x153;As we witness more urban migration from the rural areas, the pressure on scarce and limited infrastructure in our cities become apparent. Our actions now, or inaction, sadly, will shape how we interrelate with our environment. Transforming our environment to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;smart citiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; therefore is not a choice but a necessity.â&#x20AC;?

Declaring the summit open, Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (as he then was), said smart cities are important as the world is experiencing a shift from the traditional ways of doing things to a more ICT-driven approach.

Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Muhammed Bello, noted that government has now been forced to embrace technology to shape policies and must therefore ensure the smooth adoption and application of these

Osinbajo

new technologies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The existence of technological advancements is evident enough that the fourth industrial revolution is upon us. This is envisaged to contribute substantially to innovation and become the new driver of economic growth in Africa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Government has a role to play for the smooth sailing and the seamless adoption and application of these new technologies and ways of doing thingsâ&#x20AC;?, Osinbajo said.

Osinbajo, who noted that smart cities is key to building smart connections, inspire, empower people and deliver innovations in public services, said Nigeria must develop a comprehensive plan to utilise information technology for the betterment of her environment.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;At every turn, our cities and towns must think outside the box about making things work better where energy, transportation, water, and other key services are managed efficiently to support smooth operation of critical infrastructure while providing a clean, economic and safe environment for our citizens to live and work.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Opportunities for experts Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, said the summit sought to tap into the vast knowledge of experts in the smart city space.

While stating that the summit offered huge business opportunities for providers of smart city technologies to exhibit and pitch their solutions to government, Shittu called on participants to provide diverse input in developing a comprehensive framework to help public and private stakeholders to make informed decisions about smart cities investment strategies.

The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who chaired a session at the summit entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Building Innovative Public Private Partnerships for Achieving Nigerian Smart Cities Visionâ&#x20AC;?, said there is a need for the public and private sectors to synergise in order to attain smart cities in Nigeria. This, he said, was important in order to meet the National Broadband plan

Aladekomo

objectives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To ensure the deployment of required infrastructure towards meeting the national broadband plan objectives, as well as building the foundation for smart cities in Nigeria, there is the need for partnerships and collaborations between the public and private sectorsâ&#x20AC;?, he said.

Danbatta, who noted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Internet of Things (IoT) is the next big thing in the evolution of the information and communications technology spaceâ&#x20AC;?, however said the partnerships must aim at aligning the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s objectives of driving pervasive broadband infrastructure for socio-economic development in the country and the objective of private sector for business opportunities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This alignment of objectives requires innovative funding and financing mechanism as well as incentives that will provide the required impetus for the private sector to take lead in driving the attainment of smart cities in Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? he noted.

Importance to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s devt Delivering a paper entitled; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Framework and Models for Smart Cities Initiatives in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;?, Chairman, SmartCity Resorts Plc., Sir Demola Aladekomo, said smart cities are essential for the development of modern Nigeria as they facilitate efficiencies and productivity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Emerging technologies are poised to reshape our environment. Smart cities are becoming a reality all over the world and these cities have helped powered industrial and technological developments in countries where they have been established. Therefore, a smart city is essential for Nigeria to keep up with the pace of developments globallyâ&#x20AC;?, he said.

Aladekomo, who noted that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population is a positive precursor for the Smart City concept, said the rural-urban migration must not be viewed as a threat, rather should be accepted as a reality as Nigerians are constantly looking for opportunities to improve their fortune.

He added that â&#x20AC;&#x153;smart peopleâ&#x20AC;? are the most important infrastructure to build a smart city.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must not see rural depopulation as a threat, but rather an opportunity.

More Nigerians will continue to populate the urban cities because of the opportunities that abound there and they will, therefore, be an increase in demand for goods, services and social amenities. But while physical infrastructure would obviously be required for a city to become a smart city, smart people, in my humble opinion, are the most important infrastructure that will put it all together.â&#x20AC;?

The IT guru called on government and stakeholders in the ICT sector to take advantage of the relevant technological innovations in the areas of communication, energy (solar/wind), water and desalination, property technology and transportation. He also advocated for the utilisation of emerging and disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Blockchain, and Autonomous Vehicles/ Drone Technology.

Furthermore, the SmartCity Resorts boss emphasised the need for both public and private enterprises to adopt a polycentric approach to governance arising from agglomeration.

According to him, adopting this method, as used by his company, will lead to an enhanced development planning and make Nigerian cities more productive and efficient. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to adopt a polycentric approach, an all-encompassing method to development in Nigeria, just the way SmartCity Resorts Plc is doing. We need to diversify in developing our various economic, financial and technological interests around various centres in the country.

By diversifying our development and not just concentrating on Lagos and Abuja alone, it will immensely facilitate the emergence of technology and economic hubs across the country and ensure that our cities are efficient and productive. It will also, to a large extent, resolve the issues concerning sustainability, greenness and livability of our environmentâ&#x20AC;?, he said.

Aladekomo also called on the government to encourage private participation to invest in helping to develop smart cities. This, he said, would be possible if only the government provides the enabling environment, ensure that the principles of good governance and rule of law are promoted and adhered to and

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Azih: Access to Inputs Still a Challenge for Small Holder Farmers A member of the Executive Working Group of the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, Mr Innocent Azih, in this interview speaks on the new Agriculture Promotion Policy and how policy-enabling interventions by government can help ameliorate the challenges faced by small-scale farmers The federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restriction on rice importation last year was intended to protect the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s local industry and enhance national food security. Do you think farmers, especially smallholder farmers, can meet local demand for the staple?

They can, very well. It is the importation of foreign rice that has been discouraging them.

As we speak, demand for rice still outstrips local production of the crop. So, the gap still exists and is still huge. But they can meet it.

It is cheering that those who were involved in rice production last year are already counting their gains, because they have made a lot of money. However, the real challenge is in scaling up. The smallholder farmer should not remain at the same level of classification. He has to increase from two hectare to four, for example.

If he has made enough profit the previous year, then he is in a position to move to the next level. It means that if there is incremental scale up in the acreages that the smallholder farmer is engaged with, then it is going to accumulate to enable Nigeria close the demand gap.

Are you optimistic that the recommendations made at the NCARD will be incorporated into the APP? Yes, because I have seen imprints of the one we presented at the NCARD 2016 in Kano in the APP eventually. Of course, it is not necessary that you need to modify or redraft the APP every year or after this administration. What is essential is that in devising or designing implementation strategy, you get recommendations coming from stakeholders; and it is pro bono. If you know that it is going to work, incorporate it. The APP is a broad policy document, but in coming down to the details, which is in the implementation, all those things will come to play. So, I want to believe that we will see imprints of it in the APP. Fortunately, we have a Minister of Agriculture who has hit the ground running.

He understands the sector and is also a player himself being a farmer.

What is your assessment of the policy in terms of its applicability and suitability in addressing challenges confronting smallholder farmers and agriculture in the country?

The applicability is in implementation. Implementation will require that there is enough funding to create appropriate extension reach to smallholder farmers. It will also require that the policy creates a robust engagement with some national players such as the state and local governments. You know that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, recently created the Department of Extension, which was previously nonexistent.

So, the applicability will now be on how effectively they can engage agricultural business at the grassroots level. It depends on how they can engage the state governments and the extension system at the states to enable whatever vision that the Federal Government transmits to the smallholders.

How about the challenge of poor access to finance? Has the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) been able to address it?

Smallholder farmers are the main clientele and target of BOA. But over the years, it never really served that class of farmers. It was for obvious reasons such as the fact that smallholder farmers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have business skills and records as well as no formal guarantee for loans. Since BOA doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough money to loan out, it would rather target those who can provide collateral to be on the safer side. The problem still lingers. So credit is still a major challenge for smallholder farmers. That is why the strategy should be about enabling them to participate in intervention schemes.

How about private sector intervention in this?

The intervention of the private sector and donor agencies in building capacity of smallholder farmers is critical. What BATN Foundation is doing by providing technical and financial assistance as well as essential input for smallholder farmers is exemplary of that. If the methodology or mechanics of getting these things work out is reviewed, over time it will empower the smallholder farmers. So, the private sector should look at all the interventions that enable input to be available to small scale farmers.

Education is important, so that farmers can know how to organize and understand that what they are doing is business.

A major challenge for smallholder farmers is climate change. What intervention has been coming their way from government and the private sector?

Climate change is real. Smallholder farmers have been using native intelligence as a way around it but it is not working. BATN Foundation is in partnership with the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet) to provide accurate weather forecast to reduce harvest losses. With the forecast information, small holder farmers are guided on the best planting season in view of the climate change we are experiencing. I believe that when the legislation on climate change comes into effect, it will be able to encourage private sector intervention.

I am gladdened that the BATN Foundation has already taken the lead in this regard.

Mainly, farmers need to be taught on capacity for adaptation and resilience, in terms of the kind of crop you want to use, and the time you want to plant. You need to plan for an optimum time for harvest. For instance, you need to plant rice at a time that will not see you harvesting the crop during a heavy rain, otherwise it will spoil, especially if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a drier.

Azih

Is there a policy framework in place for government to address post-harvest losses?

How effective is the policy?

The policy is a broad vision of government.

The best way to address post-harvest losses is to get an efficient value chain system working.

From the farm gate to the aggregation stage down to the processing unit and the market, the value chain needs to be optimised and made effective. There may be a ready market for processed rice, but getting the produce to the last stage is a challenge. It is not the farmer that is supposed to get it to that stage, but that is what actually happens; the farmers are virtually involved in all the processing stages. An efficient producer offtake system in a value chain system can only work if the right infrastructures, such as power, good roads etc, are in place. Adequate infrastructure will bridge the distance between the value chain units.

The allocation for agriculture in the national budget was less than two per cent this year.

Does that give any cause for concern?

If the amount budgeted can even be put into use, then we can see the amount of impact it will have on the sector. We will be able to see the baseline. For instance, we will be able to document the multiplier involved in taking cassava from the farm gate to the next five kilometers and calculate the differential that has come from doing that. By so doing, we have a data of what accrues from spending so little.

You recently spoke at the 42nd National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development (NCARD) Conference held in Port Harcourt.

What is the significance of the conference?

The NCARD annual conference is the highest policy adoption body for the agriculture sector.

It is chaired by the Minister for Agriculture. It

was a great forum for the Executive Working Group of the BATN Foundation to make input into the agricultural policies of the country, especially as it affects smallholder farmers. It was indeed pleasant to have the opportunity to make a presentation that was well received at that conference. The presentation targeted smallholder producers; and the contribution of BATN Foundation in that aspect is well recognized.

In your presentation, you made some recommendations to address the identified gaps in the new Agriculture Promotion Policy (APP).

What are these gaps?

Before talking about the gaps, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll like to commend the improvement made from the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) to the Agriculture Promotion Policy (APP). The APP targets the smallholder farmers and producers in contrast to the ATA, which was focused on high net worth investors. However, challenges still exist.

For instance, access to input is a challenge that has not been solved. The Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t solve it effectively. The same thing applies to access to finance; the Nigeria Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t particularly make provision for farmers. It is a premium coverage meant for the high net worth producers. So, we found out that there has to be a policy that should be designed by NIRSAL targeting the smallholder farmers more directly.

The gaps also still exist in policy-enabling offtake of agricultural produce at the smallholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; farm gate. If there were effective, real-time offtake of agricultural produce, the smallholder farmers would benefit massively from this. And that is why you still find farmers recording 60 percent post-harvest losses by 2016.

The APP also seeks to encourage new generation farmers, especially the youth. How far has it gone in rekindling the interest of youths in agriculture?

Yes, but it is beyond the messages. Messages are good, but results are better. There are many young professionals out there who are into agriculture. It is their results that will attract the young people. The policy should enable good results, so that other youths could be attracted to it. I know quite a number of young men that are doing great innovative things in agriculture. Once the value chain is making money for young people it will begin to attract others.

Looking at the APP, it is designed to meet domestic food requirements. How can the smallholder farmers be made to avail themselves of this opportunity?

If the value chain is optimised, it will work for all stakeholders, especially producers, because the smallholder farmers are among the producers. So, once the offtake mechanism begins to work well, the smallholder farmers who are the producers will be the foremost beneficiaries. It is not as if this system does not operate. The question is how efficient has it been to the benefit of the producer? What obtains is that middlemen join the value chain at the farm gate and take the farm produce at giveaway prices and the farmer is running around again looking for credit for the next farming season. Most of the times, the middlemen make all the profit that is in every season. So, I believe that once all the visions in the policy document are optimised and implemented efficiently and engaged robustly with all the people who should be involved, it would trickle to down to the smallholder farmers

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

AGRF 2017: Elevating Agric, Food Security in Africa The Seventh African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) was held in Abidjan, CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire, from September 4 to 8 as a premier platform for global and African leaders to develop actionable plans to move African agriculture forward. Abimbola Akosile unveils the decisions and commitments from the Forum

C

all it agriculture on the go; call it agrarian week, but for five days in the first week of September, the issue of agriculture in Africa was firmly put on the front-burner in Abidjan, the capital of Cote

dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire.

The Seventh African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) was hosted by President Alassane Ouattara, a continental champion of inclusive agricultural transformation, and his team of senior government officials, including Vice President Daniel Kablan Duncan; Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mamadou Sangafowa Coulibaly, and several other key cabinet members.

The other co-hosts were the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and the 15 members of the AGRF Partners Group.

Additional resource and technical partnership was provided to the forum by another 10 partners who supported the cost of the forum and its sessions and content, according to the Abidjan communiquĂŠ, which contained 25 points.

The forum was attended by as many as 1,300 delegates and high level dignitaries, including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia; Prime Minister of Togo and Representative of President Faure Gnassingbe, Komi Selom Klassou; former President of Ghana, John Kufuor; former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and former President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete.

Other dignitaries included the President of ECOWAS, the African Union Commissioner for the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, eight ministers of agriculture and finance, business leaders, financial institutions, private agribusiness firms, farmers, NGOs, civil society, media, scientists, development partners, technical partners, and the next generation of African agripreneurs and leaders.

Apt Theme The theme of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forum was â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Accelerating the Path to Prosperity: Growing Inclusive Economies and Jobs through Agriculture.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; This served as the guiding framework for a total of 52 sessions and more than 300 speakers around related topics, particularly youth employment, women in agribusiness, strengthening access to inputs, market access, financial inclusion, the enabling policy environment, and other critical barriers to value chain development and unlocking private sector investment.

The forum was closely aligned with and built heavily upon key global and continental gatherings earlier in the year, including the African Development Bank Annual Meeting, the African Union Summit, the CAADP Partnership Platform Meeting, and the G20 and G7 Summits that have all focused heavily on the creation of jobs for the youth and driving rural development and prosperity through agriculture.

Foundation Report The 2017 African Agriculture Status Report (AASR), entitled The Business of Smallholder Agriculture, once again served to provide a technical foundation and set of key findings and recommendations for the forum.

The report acknowledged the importance of governments working with the free market to drive Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic growth from food production. It also emphasised the need to substitute imports with high value food made in Africa for a market forecast to be worth more than $1 trillion a year by 2030.

Vital Focus The AGRF 2017 looked at how governments, businesses, and other partners are delivering on the political, policy and financial commitments worth over $30 billion made at the AGRF 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya and the impact this is having on the lives and incomes of farmers and agribusinesses.

The forum benefitted from a series of six

Agriculture, still the backbone of Africa thematic working groups driven by the AGRF Partners throughout the year. These included youth, women, inputs, markets, mechanisation, and finance. Results of the year-long engagement included the launch of a toolkit on blended finance released at the forum, strengthened stakeholder communities for the youth and women working groups.

Assessing Progress The forum highlighted considerable progress over the last 12 months against the AGRF 2016 multi-year commitments guided by the nine priority action points contained in the Nairobi communiquĂŠ.

The African Union, NEPAD, and countries noted that seven countries have initiated the process of refreshing their investment plans to unlock 10 per cent of public expenditure in agriculture to leverage significant additional resources from the private sector and development partners.

Private sector partners made investments,

including OCPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $2.4 billion fertiliser plant in Ethiopia, with further plants planned in Rwanda, Cote dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire, Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria.

KCB working with the MasterCard Foundation launched a $30 million partnership to promote financial inclusion for at least two million smallholder farmers in Kenya and Rwanda.

Partners such as the African Development Bank, the Mastercard Foundation, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) advanced innovating financing mechanisms to develop SMEs and increase finance for the continents smallholder farmers. This included work on the Smallholder Agriculture Investment and Finance Network, SAFIN. Many countries are making progress in developing updated national agricultural strategies and investment plans aligned with expectations under the Malabo declaration. The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has provided support to a

number of countries in the course of the last year, including Kenya, Ghana and the AGRF host country of Cote dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire.

These and other countries are making progress in identifying and unlocking policy and regulatory bottlenecks critical to boosting agriculture sector growth. In Ethiopia, progress has been made on regulatory updates to enable contract farming, in the removal of a cereal export ban, and reduce restrictions around agricultural inputs and machinery.

In Ghana, the government moved to strengthen the import distribution and subsidy systems.

Malawi launched a fertiliser policy regulating fertiliser distribution. Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria strengthened their legal systems to enable private sector involvement in the seed and fertiliser sectors.

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

RANDOM THOTS Furious Climate Never take the climate for granted. Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Í&#x201C;Í&#x2122; ĂŁĂ?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă? Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă? aspects of Climatology in the DepartĂ&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2019;ĂŁ Ě&#x2122; Ë&#x203A; Ë&#x203A; Ë&#x203A;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ě&#x2039; Ă?Ă?Ě&#x161;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x2DC; ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă? ĘŽĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;ʨĂ?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122;ĂĄ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁË&#x203A; Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă? ʨĂ&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2022; and it is ďŹ ghting dirty. Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?ĘĽĂ?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Í&#x2019;Í&#x201C; Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ë&#x153; Í&#x201C;Í&#x2018;Í&#x2019;Í&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?

21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Frame-

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Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Í&#x2019;Í&#x2013; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; Í&#x201C;Í&#x2018;Í&#x2019;Í&#x2DC;Ë&#x203A; Ă?ĂŁĂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2DC;ËŞĂ&#x17E; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄ Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x152;ĂŁ ĘŽĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;ďŹ cation in the Northern region. The bottom line is that climate change is here Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?âĂ&#x161;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă? Ă?ĘĽĂ?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x203A;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ë&#x203A;Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2022; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ -Abimbola Akosile

33

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ͯͲË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

Ëš

Local government office, for grassroots development

Can Local Govts Fulfil Citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Aspirations?

Local government areas (LGAs) are the closest tiers of government to the general populace but the elected (selected?) council officials often bear the major brunt of anger and attacks from angry citizens. Analysts think this is because despite huge monthly allocations from the federation account to the local councils, development progress at the grassroots in both urban and rural areas is slow and erratic. To you, can the local councils help meet and fulfill citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; development aspirations? If yes, how?

THE FEEDBACK

Abimbola Akosile * Local governments seem to have lost their relevance over the years. When it comes to development their impact is barely felt. Most developmental projects within states are carried out by the state governments. For example, we have state governments resurfacing Federal and local government roads in addition to state government roads. I think greater resources and responsibilities should be given to the states from both the federal and local governmentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; allocations. Not only will development be fasttracked, but the agitations for secession and resource control would no longer be relevant.

State governments should get at least 50 per cent of federal allocations, plus 13 per cent derivation formula for solid minerals and oil producing states.

- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * The answer is yes; our general problem in the country is that there is flexibility in all our government organs. Nigerians are fearful people but when those who maintain fear in them are found wanting, the situation becomes worrisome. Local governments can fulfil citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; aspirations if the law agencies are tightened up and the right people are elected or appointed to be there.

- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * Yes, they aggressively generate huge revenue from vast human and natural resources still laying fallow amidst lack. Elected council officials often bear miscarriage of justice, unjust anger, villainy attacks e.t.c. as despite huge monthly allocations from Abuja, development progress in both urban and rural areas sadly remain slow and erratic e.g. bad federal roads, security facilities, education, health, food e.t.c. have left too much to be desired.

- Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * The role of Local Governments cannot be overemphasised. Nigeria has 774 local government areas (LGAs) and each is administered by a Council consisting of a chairman who is the Chief Executive of the LGA, and other elected members who are referred to as councilors.

They are grassroots community and oriented people. They are expected to foster economic

Yes, they can:

7

No, they cannot:

0

Others:

4

Radical tip:

Probe them!

Number of respondents:

11

Male:

10

Female:

1

Highest location:

Lagos & Abuja (3 each)

partnership and development across the grassroots positively affecting the lives of the rural dwellers. Yes, the local councils can help in the collections of taxes and maintenance and regulation of markets, motor parks and public conveniences; construction and maintenance of roads and cemeteries, burial grounds and homes for the destitute e.t.c. In this they can all help in fulfilling citizens aspirations if they are serious; with the State Governors allowing them to perform all these stipulated functions.

- Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder, Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Apo, Abuja * Every aspiration of citizens depends on the leadership of the local government areasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; focus on good governance. After all, these chairmen know where the shoe pinches the citizens on infrastructural development, but they refuse to act or develop the rural areas despite the allocations they are collecting from federal government. It is very sad and unfortunate.

Until accountability and probity become watchwords nothing will come out of the council chairmen to deliver good governance.

- Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * Yes, of course they can if and only if granted the much-desired full autonomy.

Over-dependence on states has enslaved and unjustly bled local governments of their huge economic potentials and resources. They also generate and pool in huge revenues variously.

Yet, despite regular federal allocations to states, workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; overdue salaries, pensions, gratuities are unfortunately owed, while several projects

are willfully abandoned here and there. When such workers vent or unleash their anger on these local government officials e.g. during protests, they sadly bear the full wrath therefrom all alone.

- Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * Local Councils constitute grassroots government and I think if the restructuring everyone is clamouring for is executed - Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m talking precisely of financial autonomy as per local governments - we should witness vertical improvement in development indices. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should beam searchlights on their finances to keep them on their toes, while local government chairmen or chairpersons who reside outside their LGAs should be censured, even prosecuted. This will help move the country forward.

- Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, Brainchild Academic Resources, Apo, Abuja * Each local government differs from the other. There are urban LGAs and rural ones. The developmental needs of each LGA differ and a centrally planned development agenda may miss the crucial point of local needs and aspirations. Local people deserve the right to determine their most pressing needs. To revive the economy, a robust, virile local government system is a must. We can get out of recession, depression, poverty and widening unemployment only when we return government to the local people and revive the local economy.

- Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Sahel Media Group, Abuja * Yes, if given autonomy. Most leaders do not show mercy towards their brothers. It is difficult for the rich to bring down his materialistic defence against those who need his help, with lack of concern for the poor, widows, orphans and the destitute. That is why there is no development, as funds are directed to governors. Council leaders have constructed mental fences around their lives in order to keep others out; it is wrong to enjoy such riches to the exclusion of others.

- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna * Local governments can fulfil the aspirations

of the citizens, if the council officials have a sense of obligation to the people. Even if they were selected into office in the first place, the council officials must also justify the huge funds they draw from the federation account on a monthly basis, despite the illegal deductions by the state governments. If rebellion has to occur, it will start from the grassroots and the council officials would be the first in the line of fire.

- Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * The essence of LGAs is to have government at the grassroots; it is the right thing in a democracy to have a grassroots government.

Local government areas can fulfill aspirations of the citizens by taking care of the needs of the citizens like market, schools, health centres e.t.c.

- Mr. Okechukwu Ikonne, Ogbor, Oke-Ovoro, Mbaise, Imo State

Next Week: Does Restructuring Require a National Referendum? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ?Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁĂ?Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122; ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x203A;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;ËŁ Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022;Ă? ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x203A; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x17E;ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁ Ě&#x2122; Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x153; ͯͲ Ęś Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E; ÍŻÍśĚ&#x161; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; abimbolayi@yahoo.comË&#x153; greatbimbo@gmail.comË&#x153; abimbola. akosile@thisdaylive.comË&#x203A; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă?âĂ&#x17E; Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; 08023117639 Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;ËšĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153; 08188361766 Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ëš Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; 08114495306Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x153; Í°ÍŻ

34

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ͯͲË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Promoting local content at a swampy furniture showroom in Ajegunle, Ikorodu, Lagos

CHIAMAKA OZULUMBA

CBN: Nigeriansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Inability to Access Funds Reason for Continued Economic Hardship Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has identified the inability of Nigerians to access funds as the major reason for the economic recession and hardship they are currently passing through.

The apex bank however noted that such crucial funds had already been made available to the citizens towards their living better lives.

The Head, Training and Entrepreneur Development Centre of the CBN, Ibadan office, Oyo state, Pastor Funsho Popoola made the assertion during an empowerment programme organised in Omupo in Ifelodun local government

area of Kwara state recently.

The programme was facilitated in conjunction with the Rafiu Ibrabim Bilal (RIB) Foundation of Senator Rafiu Ibrahim representing Kwara south, which was organised for 200 beneficiaries across the seven local government areas in the senatorial zone.

According to Popoola, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Though the economic recession is on its way out, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m shocked that up till now, many Nigerians are not interested in information like this that would have helped them out of economic problem.

They are rather interested in comedian jokes on the radio and watching movies on the television.â&#x20AC;?

The bank chieftain, who revealed that N200 billion had been released by the Federal government since nearly three years ago for this purpose, criticised the massesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; complacency to access the funds despite the fact that the conditions to obtain the funds had been largely relaxed for easier access.

He noted that the economic crisis would have been a serious one had the funds not been released, stressing that so far 45 per cent of the money had been released, adding that the population of the beneficiaries have largely reduced and cushioned the impact of the economic recession.

The CBN officer, who stressed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;all that is needed now

is a realistic business proposal and a civil service guarantor for the loan which is at 9 per cent interest rateâ&#x20AC;? said the conditions were merely provided to ensure that the money is judiciously spent and paid back for others to benefit. He therefore urged Nigerians with realistic and good business plans to contact the Bank of Industry (BoI), Bank of Agriculture (BoA) and other Microfinance banks in their locality, to access the funds and improve the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic well-being.

Popoola however urged the beneficiaries in Kwara south senatorial district to endeavour to attend a three-week entrepreneurial lecture by the officials of the CBN and the

RIB Foundation who would guide them on how best to use the funding in order for their businesses to grow and multiply.

The Senator representing Kwara South senatorial district at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim said acquisition of entrepreneurial skills has remained a tool for economic recovery.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;If our youths are allowed to acquire skills, they would be able to be agents of employment generation and this would reduce poverty among the society.â&#x20AC;?

Represented by the Head of RIB Foundation, Dr. Lawal Abdulazeez, Ibrahim

also said part of the vision of the foundation is to create an avenue for entrepreneurial development, educational support, empowerment, and enterprise development.

He noted that the participation had been overwhelming, stressing that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;After the sensitisation, we believe that the applicants will attend the training and after the training, they will be empowered with necessary funds that will make them establish and expand their businesses.â&#x20AC;?

He therefore advised the beneficiaries to concentrate on creating jobs rather than seeking for jobs, which are largely unavailable in the market.

Job Creation, Economic Prosperity Reasons for Our Expansion, Says Hubmart Gboyega Akinsanmi Hubmart Stores Limited has identified job creation, socio-economic prosperity and empowerment of Nigerians as the core reasons behind its expansion plan to all states of the federation.

Hubmart, a purely indigenous retail firm, thus said it would remain committed to adding values to the domestic economy of Nigeria by providing quality service to its customers and communities.

The Chairman of the retail firm, Dr. Chris Ogbeche disclosed the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expansion plan at an ultramodern shopping mall he recently unveiled at

Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos State.

Ogbeche unveiled the shopping mall alongside Hubmart Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Murat Bektaslar, Group Managing Director of GTB Plc., Mr. Segun Agbaje and Senior Adviser, Homeland Real Estate Company, Mr. Francis Atuche, among others.

After unveiling the shopping mall, Ogbeche said Hubmart would remain committed to empowering Nigerians, creating employment and adding value to the lives of its customers through fresh products and quality service.

He explained that Hubmart had started implemented a

strategic plan, which he said, was designed â&#x20AC;&#x153;to have strong presence in all states of the federation. Our expansion plan is guaranteed to ensure that the footprint of Hubmart will be seen in every state in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are known for fresh products. We are the leader in fresh products ranging from vegetables, fruits, seafood, and dairy food all at attractive prices. We have been able to maintain this standard because over 50 per cent of our business is not reliant on foreign exchange.â&#x20AC;?

Besides, Ogbeche noted that the other 40 per cent â&#x20AC;&#x153;is dependent on Nigerian busi-

nesses that produce here and only the last 5 to 10 per cent depend on imports. So, we run a business that supports domestic economy; depends less on foreign exchange and seeks to build local capacity.â&#x20AC;?

Likewise, Bektaslar disclosed that the shopping had provided employment to over 150 young Nigerians apart from hundreds of highly talented graduates, technicians and experts that had been engaged in other Hubmart stores.

He explained that 60 per cent of the employees were sourced from the local community, whom he said, would serve as a source of livelihood to many more via the extended

circle of influence on the local communities (suppliers, engaged vendors, etc.).

He, therefore, described the shopping mall as a customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delight, stating that the store â&#x20AC;&#x153;will serve as a one-stop shop for all customer grocery, cleaning, fresh and household needs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have created an environment where customers can find everything they want under one roof, get the best quality of ultra-fresh produce, and have a delightful, fulfilling and exciting shopping trip.â&#x20AC;?

Bektaslar stated that locating the mall in Ikeja was significant, noting that apart from being the capital of Lagos state, Ikeja is centrally located and easy

to access from various parts of Lagos.

He noted that apart from some of the community development efforts embarked upon, the business was poised to engage and positively impact the local community with the array of initiatives in the pipeline.

Bektaslar said the shopping mall was Hubmartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second outlet in Lagos, noting that it was designed â&#x20AC;&#x153;to serve all customers better. We have created an environment where customers can find everything they want under one roof, get the best quality of ultra-fresh produce, and have a delightful, fulfilling and exciting shopping trip.â&#x20AC;?

35

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ͯͲË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itdoesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tmatterwhatname you callit,we allknowthatNigeria was deconstructed and that whatweliveinrightnowas anation is notalong astructure thatexpresses the true will that weloveinNigeria.So,when people use words like restructuring, reconfiguring, you can call itreconfiguration.Youcan callitreturn tothe status quo.You can use a single word like restructuring,itdoesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tmatter;everybodyknows whatwe are talking aboutâ&#x20AC;?

-NOBEL LAUREATE, PROF. WOLE SOYINKA SPEAKING AT THE FREEDOM PARK IN LAGOS

Oyo Govt to Construct Rural Roads Chikodi Ozulumba

Outgoing President Stresses Sustainability, as UN 71st General Assembly Closes Abimbola Akosile The United Nations General Assembly has closed its 71st session with a focus on sustainable development, as outgoing president Peter Thomson handed over the gavel to his successor, Miroslav Laj ĂĄk.

In his final address in New York, US on Monday, September 11, Mr. Thomson summarised the achievements of his one-year tenure, and urged the international community to raise awareness about the behavioural changes needed to create a more sustainable way of life and to combat climate change, as agreed to in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). â&#x20AC;&#x153;We must embrace the power of innovation and technology to leverage SDG implementation and combat climate change at the speed and scale required,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are witnessing exponential change in multiple areas of technology and we must manage the risks and seize the opportunities for the common good of humanity and the planet.â&#x20AC;?

Thomson, in a release issued by the UN, also underlined the importance of partnerships and a change in how development is financed, as requirements for achieving the SDGs by the 2030 deadline. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have not come this far as a species only to be defeated by greed,â&#x20AC;? Thomson said, echoing what he told the press in his final press conference on Friday. In that press briefing, Thomson said he had written to all heads of government and to some 4,000 universities asking them to teach SDGs in school. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are stealing from our grandchildrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future if we continue to take more from the planetary ecosystem than it can sustainably grant,â&#x20AC;? Thomson said in his statement.

Ahead of his address, Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres lauded the outgoing official for overseeing a â&#x20AC;&#x153;productiveâ&#x20AC;? session that included the adoption of a landmark declaration on refugees and migrants, the establishment of a technology bank for the least developed countries, and a momentum

President of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly, Thomson (left), passes the gavel on to President of the 72nd session LajcĂĄk (right), as Secretary-General Guterres looks onâ&#x20AC;Śin New York, US SOURCE: UN Photo to save the oceans, among others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thank you for helping to steer the Member States to a solid record of achievement over the past year. Day in and day out, you brought us together,â&#x20AC;? said the Secretary-General.

Paying homage to the 16th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and other targets in Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., Mr. Guterres noted that this â&#x20AC;&#x153;spirit of unity has particular meaning today.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;This was an assault on the United States.

But so many of our Member States saw their citizens murdered that day,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know you join me in expressing our sorrow and solidarity on this day.â&#x20AC;?

Following the remarks, the General Assembly stood for one minute of silent prayer or meditation, as is the custom, after which

the incoming president, Mr. Laj ĂĄk, took the oath of office and received the symbolic gavel from Mr. Thomson.

Laj ĂĄk was billed to open the 72nd session of the General Assembly Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to address the UN General Assembly next week Thursday, September 21. According to reports, that would be the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first overseas official engagement since he travelled to London earlier in the year for a medical vacation.

The forum is also expected to examine the levels of realisation of the 17 SDGs and 165 targets adopted at the landmark 70th UNGA at the same venue in New York, which was witnessed by more than 190 member-countries and the Pope, among others.

Oyo State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government is set to embark on construction of 70 rural roads in the state, to make life more bearable for rural dwellers and enhance easy transportation of farm produce from the farm to the cities.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Prince Oyewole Oyewumi disclosed this at a stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meeting on prioritisation of rural roads, held recently, at Saki, Atiba and Ido Local Government Areas of the state.

Oyewole, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Victor Atilola, said 70 durable rural roads with total length of over 700 kilometres are to be constructed in 28 agrarian LGAs of the state based on priority and recommendation of community leaders under the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP III) project to further promote agricultural practices in identified areas and the state at large.

He appealed to stakeholders in the beneficiary communities to give the contractor in charge of the roads the needed support as the project progresses.

In his remarks, the National Project Coordinator, Rural Access and Mobility Project, Engr.

Ubandoma Ularamu said $60 million would be given to Oyo state to construct rural roads and river crossing in the needed localities, adding that compensation awaits families or individuals who may suffer damage or loss in the process of constructing the roads.

While responding to questions from participants, the State Project Coordinator, RAMP III, Dr. Yode Ayanlowo said the project was designed to ensure that farmers at rural areas have access to good road network to transport their farm produce to the market places with ease.

In his remarks, the consultant in charge of the project, Mr. Abiola Sappor, while describing the laudable project as personal programmes of members of the beneficiary communities, said the construction of the selected rural roads would commence immediately the World Bank and French Development Bank examine the report of the stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meeting to be presented to the two foreign partners by the State Rural Access and Mobility Project Implementation Unit and National Coordinating Office of Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) in Abuja.

He commended members of the community for the support given to his team while carrying out survey on selected rural roads and assured them of motorable roads that would stand the test of time.

In his address, the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who was represented by the Iba Abogunde of Surulere, Oyo State, Oba Tajudeen Abimbola, emphasised the need for the project consultant to construct standard roads and ensure that such roads have direct link with one or two neighbouring communities in order to serve its purpose.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Alhaji Ganiyu Adekunle and Motunrayo Adeleke appealed to governments at all levels to design programmes and policies that would be beneficial to small scale farmers in the country.

Other residents, Mr. Muritala Raji and Mrs. Bintu Iyadunni, who reside in one of the beneficiary communities, Akolo Inu Village, Mogaji Abogunrin, Alaafin Community in Oyo West Local Government area, expressed delight over the project, saying access to good road would increase their profit margin as the cost of transporting farm produce from their farms to point of sales would be reduced.

36

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

The Cost of Unending Health Sector Crisis As the unending conflict between doctors, health workers and the federal government continues, those most affected are patients whose taxes run the hospitals. Martins Ifijeh writes on the need for a holistic approach to resolving the myriad of industrial issues in the health sector

I

t is no longer news that every year, the Nigerian health sector undergoes an annual ritual simply referred to as strike action, in which case, medical doctors or health workers down tools and boycott attending to patients, as a way of pressing home their list of demands from the government or hospital management.

What seems to be the major worry is that this annual ritual won’t go away any time soon since the government, medical doctors and health workers have not come to an agreeable terms on how best to run the sector without crisis, just like what obtains in the Ministry of Health of developed countries.

Just last week, another bout of indefinite strike action was commenced by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARDs) across the country, following the rejection by its National Executive Council of a Memorandum of Understanding its leaders signed with the federal government towards the end of last month.

The union directed all its members to down tools until the federal government acceded to their demands, which they say have led to several engagements between them and the federal government wihout success.

It had demanded that all heads of tertiary health institutions that have received funding from the federal government for the payment of all outstanding financial obligations to its members should pay them immediately, adding that its members were demanding the resolution of persistent shortfalls and unpaid arrears of salaries earned in both federal and state tertiary health institutions.

Other issues in dispute include the demand for the enrollment of resident doctors into the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) since 2003 and non-implementation of adjusted House Officers’ Entry grade level equivalent since 2014.

The resident doctors are also asking for the resolution of the stagnation of promotion and non-promotion of members who had met requisite criteria despite all collective bargaining agreements and circulars.

Meanwhile, as a way of mitigating the impact of the strike action, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, directed heads of federal government hospitals to employ the services of doctors, who are currently undergoing the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, to ensure that there is no break in medical delivery.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mrs. Boade Akinola, the minister said federal government medical facilities would remain open throughout the striking period while the government would work to solve the problem.

“The minister assured all Nigerians that the federal government health facilities will be open and render services to the people while the government continues to dialogue with the resident doctors to return to work. He said arrangements are also on to make use of Armed Forces, police and federal road safety health facilities. The minister expressed optimism that the problem will be resolved soon,” he said.

Just as Nigerians were coming to terms with the consequences of the resident doctors’ strike, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) directed their members nationwide to shut down healthcare services come 30th September, 2017 if government refuses to also meet their own demands.

The directive, which was made known last week to all health workers, demands that its members, which are the largest hospital staff across the country down tools, an approach that will not only leave patients stranded, but might play a major role in high number of mortality rate.

Adewole

NUAHP and JOHESU are demanding the following: “Revamping the infrastructure in the tertiary health institutions, Report of the inter-ministerial sub-committee on critical matters in thehealth sector, Professional autonomy, Headship of departments/units in hospitals, Enhanced entry point (EEP) for medical laboratory scientists and Radiographers and Non- payment of backlog of arrears.”

NUAHP’s President, Dr. Obinna Ogbonna said other discriminatory attitudes by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) to other healthcare professionals are what they called introduction of partisan and discriminatory remuneration packages in favour of medical practitioners and the non–Circularisation and Implementation of Adjusted CONHESS Salary Structure as done for the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

Ogbonna said, “It is disheartening to note

Just as Nigerians were coming to terms with the consequences of the resident doctors’ strike, the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) directed their members nationwide to shut down healthcare services come 30th September, 2017 if government refuses to also meet their own demands

that the FMoH has been turned to the Federal Ministry of Medical Practitioners. It is highly vivid that the Minister of State for Health, Minister of Health and the Minister of Labour and Employment(FML&E) all being medical practitioners are biased in how they handle demands of other health care professionals under the aegis of NUAHP or JOHESU. “This was glaringly displayed in the way they negotiated and agreed on all issues presented by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARDs). This act of discrimination, double standard and preferential treatment of the medical practitioners in the health sector is highly discriminatory and lucid act of favoritism and injustice were all displayed during the process of negotiation,” he added.

Ogbonna however urged well-meaning Nigerians and the royal fathers to intervene and prevail on government to implement all agreements and memorandum of understanding reached with NUAHP/JOHESU on or before the expiration of the ultimatum to avert the looming industrial action.

Meanwhile, JOHESU and the NAHP have called on the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, to wade into the looming nationwide industrial action.

In a jointly signed letter, National Chairman, JOHESU, Comrade Biobelemoye Joy Josiah and National Secretary, Comrade Ekpebor Florence, urged the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to help save the situation.

The letter entitled, ‘Looming Nationwide Industrial Action: Request for Audience’, and dated September 5, 2017 reads: “We seek for your intervention in the protracted demands and agitations between JOHESU and the federal government since 2014 by granting us urgent audience on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 10.00a.m. or any other date not later than a week before September 30, 2017.

“We are compelled to seek for your intervention so as to avert indefinite industrial action in the health sector. We are aware of the sensitive and important nature of our service to human lives, hence our proactive measures in prevention rather than curative measure.”

Patients are the biggest losers But in all of this, the major casualty is the Nigerian patient, whose tax payer’s money run government hospitals. Many have lost

their lives due to the incessant strike action embarked upon by the medical doctors and other health workers; and also government’s insensitivity to the welfare of its employees in the health sector While a visit to some hospitals by our correspondent last weekend showed that skeletal work were still ongoing, patients have continued to feel the brunt of the strike, with some looking for alternative in private hospitals.

For instance, in the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, it was observed that while skeletal work was still ongoing, no new patient is admitted. Many who came for admission were turned back, while some patients already admitted were seen leaving the hospital.

Mr. Raheem Kola, who brought his son with fractured limb for admission in the hospital, was asked to return back next week (this week) so they can admit his son, with the hope that by then the strike would have been called off.

“So right now am contemplating taking him to a traditional bone setter in Ikorodu, because I can’t take him back home like this,” he said.

The former Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Oluronbi Odunubi, during an interview with THISDAY had earlier told Nigerians to be cautious of patronising traditional bone setters, as many of them end up doing more harms to the patients rather than healing them.

But the strike action embarked on by NARDs has once again given people like Mr. Kola the option of patronising traditional bone setters, which ordinarily he wouldn’t have used, according to him.

Also in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, new patients are not admitted. Those already on appointment for last Friday were also told to come back with the explanation that doctors are on strike.

A patient with kidney disease, Mojeed, while speaking with our correspondent, said he was given on appointment for that day, but that he has been in the hospital for hours without being attended to. “They said they will reschedule another appointment with me, as adequate hands were not on ground to attend to patients,” he said.

While doctors, health workers and government continue to prolong their disagreements year-in-year-out, stakeholders are of the opinion that for the purpose of patients, there should be a lasting solution to the various industrial issues in the sector.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

NEWS

MRTB Tasks FG on Policy Inclusion for Physically Challenged Ugo Aliogo, Christopher Ike and Chiamaka Akumka The Chief Executive Officer of Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Board of Nigeria (MRTB), Mrs. Olufunke Akanle, has called on the federal government to drive policy inclusion for the physically challenged in the society, in order to ensure that they are fully recognised.

She disclosed this recently at a media briefing in Lagos to announce the maiden edition of the International Conference for Medical Rehabilitation Professionals (ICMRP) which will be organised by the board from September 20-22 in Lagos.

The conference which will take place at Lagos Airport Hotel Ikeja, has the theme: ‘Medical Rehabilitation Service in Community and Primary Healthcare in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa’.

She called on government to build a one-stop centre to manage the critical disabilities such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, stroke and others, adding that this would assist victims with these disabilities to receive adequate treatment.

Akanle lamented that there is a low level of sensitisation about medical rehabilitation from government to the people, stating that there is need to increase the awareness level especially in rural communities where they concentrate on trado-medical solutions to cure disabilities.

The MRTB CEO further stated that the lack of manpower and inadequate facilities have affected the practice of the profession and treatment of patients

with disabilities.

She said: “Manpower is a big challenge for us.

We have only nine institutions running physiotherapy and these institutions sometimes produce 18 or 30 therapists.

We have 4,000 professionals meeting the needs of a population of 170 million people.

We don’t have enough equipment to carry out treatment for patients.

Rehabilitation is a multidimensional approach.

We need collaborative efforts in addressing the issue. In 2015, the board organised a policy development technical working group on the formulation of a disability policy and bill for its inclusion in the National Health Policy.

The good news is that a fraction of it appeared in the National Health Policy.

Our desire is that a Bill of Disability Concerns will have exhaustive pages wholly addressing matters as concerning Persons Living with Disabilities and their access to Health.”

Speaking on the conference, she noted that it would focus on planning towards the implementation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2014-2012 action plans for disability in Sub-Saharan Africa.

She maintained that it would also focus on developing relevant policies and regulations to drive disability and rehabilitation services in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, while devising multisectoral collaboration for the full implementation of the WHO Action Plan in the country and Sub-Sahara

Declare a State of Emergency on Hepatitis, Don Tells GF Eddy Uwoghiren Consultant Gastroenterologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Dr. Casmir Omuemu, has called on the federal government to declare a state of emergency on hepatitis in Nigeria.

Making the call in Benin during an interaction with Committee on Medical Outreaches and Public Health (COMOPH) of the University Of Benin Medical Students Association (UBEMSA), Dr. Omuemu, said over 20 million Nigerians are infected with hepatitis and at least one in 10 persons is suffering from a chronic form of the disease.

“Hepatitis is gradually becoming a National emergency in Nigeria because many people do not know about it, yet the disease is four times more deadly than HIV/AIDS. Hepatitis is caused

by Hepatitis Virus and there are different forms of the virus including A,B,C,D,E and Cytomegalovirus (CMV).

“However Hepatitis B is

very common and is the most deadly of them all. It is called the silent killer because infected individual look healthy, meanwhile gross damage is being done to their organs”, he said. Casmir added that the disease can be gotten through transmission from Mother-to-child, unprotected sexual intercourse and use of infected sharp objects.

He said although the disease can resolve on its own, but the long term damage to the liver can result in cirrhosis, cancer, failure and ultimately death.

He called on the government to declare a state of emergency on the disease while adding that treatment options were expensive and beyond the reach of average Nigerians.

On ways of preventing the disease, he outlined personal hygiene, sustained public health campaign, vaccination, early presentation for treatment and general management as key in preventing the disease.

Measles Campaign: Only Four States Have Released Counterpart Funding ... As number of outbreak multiplies Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The dream of total eradication of measles from Nigeria is still a far cry from reality as only four states, namely Kebbi, Borno, Nasarawa and Imo have released their counterpart funding into a dedicated account for measles immunisation despite a meeting with the Nigeria’s Governors Forum (NGF).

Also, the number of outbreaks has increased from 166 affecting 140 LGAs to 183 affecting 158 LGAs in 2015 and 2016 respectively, as surveillance data shows that there was a steady increase in measles incidence among children under

five years in the North from 190/million in 2014 to 527/ million in 2016.

The Executive Secretary of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, who revealed this in Abuja during a briefing on the 2018 measles vaccination campaign, said while only four states had released theirs, Kano was the only state that had partially released its counterpart funds for the activity.

For Kano State, Shuaib said “The total amount Kano State is to provide as counterpart funds (65,675,148), only nine million has been released. This

N9 million came from the state account. The balance is to come from the LGA account. The ministry of the local government chairman has been away to hajj and thus could not sign the release of the balance.”

The NPHCDA boss said states that do not release their funds by 15th September, 2017, would be stepped down from participating in the next measles campaign as the agency would not continue to record poor quality campaign.

“The trend of proportion of measles cases among children aged from 5 and 10 years in the North has been rising steadily since 2014, cumulating

in 79.4 per cent and 19.1 per cent respectively in 2016. The southern states, though the incidence decreased from 111/ million in 2014 to 11/ million in 2016, with the incidence rate still above the desired less than five per million population.

“The campaign will commence in all the North-west states from October 26 to 31 2017 while the North-east states will implement from November 30 to December 5, 2017. The North-central states will implement from February 1 to 6, 2018 while all Southern states will implement from 8th to 13th of March 2018. ”

L-R: Lecturer, University of Ibadan, Dr. Femi Jegede; Founder/Director, Paxherbals, Rev. Fr. Anselm Adodo; and Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Babatunde Salako, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between NIMR and Paxherbal in Lagos recently

Foundation Launches New Efforts against Childhood Cancer

Avon HMO Launches New Health Plans for Unserved Nigerians

Martins Ifijeh

Martins Ifijeh

The Dorcas Cancer Foundation has launched an initiative against the leading non-infectious disease related cause of death in developing countries, childhood cancer.

Stating this during a message to commemorate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, an oncologist and the Founder of the non-profit organisation, Dr. Adedayo Joseph, said the initiative was to assist children in coping with cancer in Nigeria and help create awareness on the disease.

“At least children die of cancer every day in developing countries such as Nigeria. We are determined to create awareness as well as procure, fund or directly provide treatment and social support to children made vulnerable by limited resources.

“We are dedicated to improving early cancer detection, ensuring accurate diagnosis and enabling prompt and proper treatment of childhood cancer.

We also carry out childhood cancer awareness programmes to educate the public and reduce the stigmatisation and supersti-

tion associated with cancer.

He said the good news about childhood cancer is that, it can be treated and the result can be seen in the number of survivors as a result of early presentation and subsequent treatments. “Like most cancers, the sooner childhood cancers are found and treated, the better,” he added. According to him, every year, millions of children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide; with more than 80 per cent of the children living in low and middle income countries such as Nigeria.

“In Nigeria, about four children die of cancer daily according to research and statistics and this calls for urgent intervention.

“Today, many Nigerian children are dying in their numbers due to cancer. These children are lost due to a number of reasons such as: late presentation as a result of ignorance, high cost of cancer treatment, superstitious beliefs, financial constraints and lack of access and inadequate treatment facilities. In the presence of these inadequacies, the child is left alone as all the decisions are made by the parents,” he added.

In a bid to ensure quality and affordable healthcare coverage for Nigerians hitherto unserved by existing Health Insurance models, Avon HMO, a leading Health Management Company in Nigeria, has announced the introduction of new bouquet of health subscription plans.

Speaking on the launch of the new health insurance plans, the MD/CEO of Avon HMO, Adesimbo Ukiri, stated that introduction of the new health plans was informed by the absence of products tailored to meet the needs of Nigerians who do not fit into the traditional HMO target market of large companies and multinationals.

She said, “Since Avon HMO commenced operations about four years ago, we have been at the forefront of offering innovative packages that provide Nigerians with access to quality healthcare services.

Our new plans provide options which address the needs of previously unserved consumers such as entrepreneurs, young adults, students, domestic staff, couples and families..

The plans include ‘Life Starter’, ‘Couples’ Plan’, ‘Life Plus’, ‘Premium Life’ and ‘The Boss Life’. She continued, “Avon HMO is synonymous with many firsts; and what we have done this time is to design a range of health plans that are specific in meeting healthcare needs at different phases of life. So, whether you are the parent of a young adult going off to the university or to NYSC, or a man and woman planning to get married and start a family, or even a homemaker looking for health plans for your domestic staff, Avon HMO has a plan just for you. There are also more exclusive health plans which cover extensive benefits and give access to select hospitals.”

Adesimbo stated, “Having a health plan with Avon HMO ensures that whenever you fall ill, suffer an accident or are diagnosed with a health condition, the HMO steps in to co-ordinate your care and pay the bills; ensuring and overseeing the delivery of quality healthcare services that will enable you to get better.”

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

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HEALTH

How WASH Improves Family Ties in Rural Niger Delta Communities The European Union, United Nations Children’s Fund and the Nigerian Government have tapped into the abilities of the world’s most important and yet cheapest liquid- water, and have invested handsomely into it through WASH with the aim to improve socio-economic stability, improvement of individuals and communities and most importantly, family ties. Kuni Tyessi writes “I will kill you before you infect me with the curse of another man” were the clear words from Okon, a palm wine tapper and village wrestler which could be heard some two kilometres away in the dead of that night.

“You think I don’t know about your escapades each time you go to fetch water? It’s either you tell me that your visitor has come or you are tired for doing nothing for the whole day and now this?” he added while fuming and after giving two resounding slaps to Eno, his wife and mother of four children. The slaps had initially blinded her even though her eyes were open, she could hardly see anything except the faint trace of light from a lantern in the room which gave her confidence that she wasn’t sightless after all.

She had confessed to experiencing some unpleasant changes in her body to Okon that faithful night when he had demanded for what is legitimately his within the confines of marriage.

“Papa Essien, please bear with me and use a condom” was the pleading statement from Eno which served as catalyst to the miserable slaps.

“I have been experiencing some unpleasant changes in my body for three days now and to confirm my fears, Mbok, the nurse at Ekot Nkpene Primary Healthcare Centre told me it’s a toilet infection,” she had earlier explained.

The slaps which had also sent shock waves down her spine, had sent her down to her knees and she cried hysterically and not being sure of Okons next move, she had unconsciously brought her palms together in a prayer mood and begging him still. He had forcefully had his way so many times when she complained of being tired or being a host to her visitor which he felt was a mere intruder as there was no rule to when a man can have access to his wife. But with a toilet infection, how could he do that? It was going to be penny wise and pounds foolish. It was frustrating and it could be seen all over him.

“I swear I have never cheated on you since the day I started bearing your name. God is my witness,” she stated as she continued to cry profusely. After giving her a long angry look, he hissed and left the scene. He dashed into the inner room where all the children were, with the two eldest being conscious of what had transpired between their parents. They both slept depressed even as all of them had continued to inhale the smell of both fresh and dry excreta which most times diffused into their room each time the night breeze blew the putrid smell to the direction of their small open window which must remain open and serving as the only means of ventilation.

So many people in the community had taken to the practice of open defecation for fear of the dreaded toilet disease whose victims were more of women. Besides, with open defecation, water wasn’t required for clean up as leaves or even stones could serve. Water was also not needed for the washing of hands as caution was the watch word.

That was one of Eno’s longest nights as it seemed as if two more days were added to it before dawn surfaced. So many rhetorical questions came to her mind and she recalled how as a teenager of 13 , she was initiated into the world of womanhood by nature, as after every 21 days, her monthly visitor was what she had been taught to expect by her aged mother who had instructed that on no account must the opposite sex sit close to her, hold her hands or any part of her body, let alone play with her. The result will be an unwanted pregnancy for which she will be disowned, as her body is responding to changes in growth.

Maintaining personal hygiene with the use of clean water was not left out of the sermon about the dos and don’ts of puberty.

Only 57 percent of Nigerians have access to water

She was required to cover lengthy kilometres which includes going to the next community to get water, not just for herself but for other members of her family who were all males, but for her mother. More so, she battled with a toilet infection she contacted as a result of the use of a public toilet which was used by over 30 adults and was rarely properly washed, as the use of excess water was regarded a sign of opulence, not to talk of being sanitised which was regarded luxury.

At 31, she was again walking the same path she trod on several years back. Then, she was not accused of any evil but now, the noose of infidelity had been tied round her neck by a man she has been loyal to. Hot tears ran down her face as she thought of her two daughters who are fast growing into women with all the visible signs of curviness at the appropriate places. The situation seemed like a vicious cycle with no hope in sight.

There was pain in her heart as she thought of the fact that her daughters will be exposed to the same treatment she is exposed to if heaven doesn’t smile at them and provide safe water.

She wished she could have triple portion of her strength and also some supernatural powers which will aid her in getting more water for the family and also to cover long distances within short periods of time so that she can be saved from Okon’s allegations. She gave a deep sigh and unconsciously travelled with sleep.

Eno’s story is not different from that of several women in the Niger Delta, who are going through the quagmire of non availability of water and the likely challenges it is set to pose.

It is no fault of theirs that their communities lack access to good water, but then they have to bear the consequences of the non availability of the commodity which is said to be life.

In an analysis published by the federal government with support from the European Union, UNICEF and UKAID, it was revealed that women’s empowerment is generally measured by their access to resources and their hold over decision making in household, society and community. It stated that viewed from this angle, women empowerment in Water, Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) sector could be

linked to their access to WASH services and their social, cultural and historic factors. Women and girls are the major carriers of water for households drinking, cooking, washing and cleaning purposes and meeting the demand of other household chores.

In a recently concluded programme with journalists in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, UNICEF in collaboration with the Child Rights Information Bureau of Akwa Ibom State’s Ministry of Information and Culture, unveiled a European Union-funded project implemented

by UNICEF in five states in the Niger Delta which include Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo. The discourse was organised to chart a course for improved water situation and understand the link between water and child survival, create visibility for water situation and interventions in the Niger Delta and the country. It was also aimed at understanding UNICEF and EU roles and efforts in WASH in Nigeria.

Also, the project was to increase water supply and quality in the aforementioned states as already, about 57.48 per cent the total population in Nigeria, have access to improved water supply (MICS 2013). Of this percentage, the Niger Delta region makes up of only 16.57 per cent (32 million) of Nigeria’s entire population (190 million) with access to improved water supply.

UNICEF WASH specialist, Mr. Moustpha Niang, during the programme, revealed that based on the water quality challenges in the region and in Nigeria as a whole, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources with the help of UNICEF have developed a Water Supply Plan (WSP) and Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Programme to support communities to have awareness of water quality issues and its relationship with water-related diseases.

The reason behind such an investment which has gulped 20 million Euros and is expected to be a five-year project, is to mitigate the conflict in the Niger Delta region by addressing the main causes, bringing lasting solutions, increase access to safe and sustainable water supply services in rural communities and the

self-selected local government areas as well as improve sanitation and proper hygiene practice in the rural communities and schools amongst others.

One of those villages is Ikot Nkepne in Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. It emerged centuries ago, precisely the 16th century and it consists currently of five smaller units called families and has 140 households with a total population of more than 1,474 people as at the end of 2014 household survey conducted by the WASH committee.

In an address read on behalf of the village head, the village council, the women and youths as well as the entire people of the community, Chief U.D. Udofa stated that when the idea of WASH was first brought to the community’s notice in 2013, it was accepted with all seriousness of purpose in all its ramifications and this led to the establishment of the WASH committee which is composed of 12 members, two females and 10 males with a woman occupying a sensitive office of the treasurer. In the same spirit, a WASH account was opened.

He added that “since the installation of these facilities (which includes borehole, running taps, well-built and structured toilets and basins among others), our health status has improved as evidenced in the reduction of water-related illnesses.”

WASH due to its impact on multiple sectors is very cost effective and globally, it has proven to yield between three dollars to seven dollars per every dollar invested, depending on the type of intervention and the programming context.

With such a peculiar project which has been designed t o address the challenges of access to safe water in the Niger Delta region, the likes of Eno can breathe a sigh of relief. It will enable them promote personal hygiene both in their homes and bodies especially as it relates to menstrual hygiene management.

The coverage of long distances in search of water for domestic use has been tackled and manpower preserved with visible inputs which will be witnessed in the home front.

Opportunities will abound as such projects that will reduce poverty and create jobs and reduce unemployment, protect an entire family, individuals and communities from diseases, as well as help in saving hard earned monies which would have been used for the treatment of illnesses which can now be avoided.

Others include increased health status, productivity and improvement in social bonding and promote quality family time, give women more time for child care and relaxation, mitigate conflicts through the improvement of WASH committees and their leadership in planning management, as well as capacitate and empower communities to depend on themselves.

Open defecation which has been adjudged not to be peculiar to only the poor in the society will reduce drastically as the excuse that supports it will no longer be viable and its continuous practice labelled as crime. With this, the likes of Eno’s family will not have to bear the brunt of non availability of properly built toilets with running water and will be free to report persons who will want to continually desecrate the space very close to their window.

Nigeria can put the challenge of access to clean water behind her if the government, corporate organisations and individuals can come together and speak with one voice for the common good of all.

Dramatic and sustained increase of funds is expected from the government; development partners should work with the government to ensure that monies provided are used for the purposes for which they were given and everyone carried along. The private sector should be included in a much structured manner for private sector participation.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

HEALTH

Addictive Alcohol Intake, Generator Noise, Poverty Can Trigger Mental Disorder Psychiatric Expert, Dr. Olawale Olagunjoye, is the Executive Director of the first private psychiatric hospital in Nigeria and West Africa, The Retreat. In this interview with Martins Ifijeh and Ayodeji Ake, he highlights causes of mental disorders including alcohol, poverty, stress and prescription drugs. He also talked on why he is starting the health facility Why do you have interest in mental health?

If you look at healthcare provision across Nigeria generally, you will discover the development and expansion in the sector, but it is much slower in the area of mental healthcare. This therefore highlights some of the societal challenges in terms of helping people to see mental illness when they see a mad man on the street. We all assume something has gone wrong with the mad man, but what we don’t know is that there are a whole means of mental health conditions like noise pollution, stress, sitting in traffic, noise pollution from generators , poverty, stress, among others contributing to the disorder.

Those things can manifest into mental illness, and a key challenge is that most people don’t know where to go to access healthcare timely.

And I want to emphasise the word ‘timely manner’ because that is very important in mental healthcare delivery. Timeliness is what we are after by providing quality psychological interventions alongside medical intervention.

But what actually brought me into this is that I developed mental disorder when I was in my first year in medical school which is a bit unusual but at a time, and I recognised that the challenge faced was stigmatisation.

You mentioned some of the factors that can trigger mental illness, can you give us instance of how they can affect individuals?

Talking about environmental factors which have to do with the quality of an individual, I like to emphasise that as an individual what is more important is the relationship with the external world and the relationship in a work environment.

For example, the sound of generators, noise population in particular, can affect the pattern of sleep, and the quality of sleep and that can impact an individual’s mental health condition.

Lifestyle in cosmopolitan region like Lagos for example can be a factor. We wake up by 4a.m., go to work by 6a.m., getting to work by 8a.m., and then return home at about 10p.m. or 11p.m., which causes some of the stress that we are talking about.

You are establishing a private psychiatric hospital, and we know that mental health treatment is quite expensive, how will your services be affordable, of what impact will it be to the general public?

One of the things that you will discover is that while coming here, you can’t hear noise and we got fresh air here, we purposely chose here because we were looking for a therapeutic environment that is serene where we can provide healthcare for patients in a dignified means that takes into account the emotional needs of the patient.

As regards the issue of affordability, we have what provides in the range of proximities.

We provide the opportunities for all shades of individual, for instance, we have the open wards and we have the executive facilities.

The key thing to remember is why this private hospital is purposely built, which is an important milestone when we look at the health standard across the country.

yes it’s a problem in the society, there are other substances like lexotan. When we talked about stress, people will take lexotan when they have headache, or probably husband and wife having issues and then they go take some alcohol. Often, it is not only the condition but the non intended consequences. That’s one of those things we need to be aware of in the society about illness but that tends to be neglected. Such illnesses impact on the immediate family, relatives or the economic potential of the individual which will in turn impact the society. What we really want to do is to bring the provision of global standard of care in the area of mental health treatment. We hope to serve as an anchor.

In the area of mental healthcare, what stands you out?

Our vision is to provide personalised private and dignified care in a therapeutic and serene environment.

How affordable is the treatment here?

It is extremely affordable. We provide all services for our different patients.

Olagunjoye

To a layman, can you tell some of the services you render in this place?

We provide a range of services. We offer screening for common mental condition, provide patient consultation assessment, provide treatment in terms of pharmacological support, that is provision of medication, and as well psychological support, which is the non pharmacological intervention, and it involves working with a therapist, psychologist and therapy assistance . Patients here are exposed to multitude of professionals.

We have other mental institutions around, do you have any partnership with any of them in terms of services collaboration?

We have a number of publicly run services, they are not adequate. We have a number of them, like that in Yaba, Aro, LASUTH , but we are here to compliment them and it is important to emphasise that the public services provide a good level of care for patients within the country and we also have a range of patients who require more than what they can get in the public sector.

Persons who want a bit more privacy, those who want to be placed in an appropriate setting, or want to be out of the general setting find their way here. That is something the public sector will not offer. We do work in collaboration with local psychiatrist and 98 per cent of our staff are locally based, they are trained in supporting our vision which is delivery of high quality evidence based therapeutic interventions which is part of our commitment.

How long have you been in operation?

We opened two months ago. When one is opening a new facility, part of what is to be done is training of staff, putting in place mechanism and system. So part of the initial opening is dedicated to induction of staff and providing packages and programmes for them and slowly, we have started to see that people

will take advantage of the facility we got here.

How can we reduce stigma attached to mental health?

Stigmatisation is actually a big issue worldwide.

I have been fortunate enough to work at local and international services. Stigma exists across all strata of the society.

In tackling stigma, you cannot have one approach, it needs various tactics from colleagues, government taking a systemic approach to help people understand the issue, as well as and educate the public. Those are key milestones which have to be an ongoing campaign making people aware that people get better, recover and work normally. With my years of experience, I have worked with professionals who are at the severe level of the spectrum. In terms of approaching stigmatisation, we need a collective system of approach. We are emphasising a therapeutic environment, psychological interventions treatment and recovery. These are the milestones that will contribute towards getting message on stigmatisation.

Nigerians often regard mad people on the streets as only those with mental disorder.

Are there other types of mental disorders?

The commonest mental disorder is anxiety, depression and stress related conditions. They tend to be the commonest. But there are others.

One is sleep disorder which people seem not aware of. The important thing is early identification and early treatment. We have got this big area that we have not talked about which is addictive disorders. That’s an area I’m quite passionate about.

Over the years, we got this unmentioned mental illness which is like the elephant in the room. We have got a range of addictive disorders in the society that are not paid much attention to. Alcohol use, prescription drugs like codeine, cough mixtures, people talk about cannabis but

Do you have programme to assist people of low class?

We are engage in the local communities. We will be seeking and working in collaboration with other organisations to do that. And importantly, we take issue of recovery seriously. When you look at recovery, I use the term recovery capital.

For anyone with mental illness, what should be asking is how are patients able to manage and maintain treatment. Yes, we are located in Ikorodu Lagos but our services cut across Nigeria.

What is your message to Nigerians in terms of taking care of their mental health?

The key message to Nigerians is that mental health conditions are quite common, majority of the mental health conditions are treatable and people should seek help at appropriate and competent places.

If you are to describe your hospital, what would you say?

‘The Retreat’ is really a retreat. It’s a retreat in the real sense of taking you into a therapeutic environment where you will be treated with dignity and compassion. Equally where you will meet with competent therapeutic experts. We use standardised therapeutic tools, and we use modern medication. Patients have access to our programmes. They have access to individual intervention, personalised treatment, and at the time of discharge they will have a discharge plan.

On security here, we have engaged local enforcement agents. We have a secure premises with a 24-hours security , and a CCTV coverage across the facilities.

Do you have partners you work with?

I have a partner Dr. Oluwafemi Oluwatayo, who is a colleague. He is a consultant in rehabilitation.

What we do is to merge unique operation to provide a coloration intervention.

NAFDAC Gains Global Recognition, Nominated to Lead RSSH Committee Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The consistent fight against fake and adulterated medicines and other regulated products by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has again gained global recognition.

This is even as the agency has been nominated to lead the Steering Committee for Regulatory System Strengthening and

Harmanisation in Africa.

This is the outcome of a two-day meeting which was held in South Africa. The meeting was put together by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

The Steering Committee for Regulatory System Strengthening and Harmanisation in Africa was established as a successor of the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) Advisory Committee.

The initiative is aimed at having a forum that will harmoniise all activities relating to medicines and medical products so as to have a uniform system in Africa.

The initiative is also aimed at regulating medical products so as to ensure a common goal of ensuring the safety, efficacy, quality of the medical products that are being administer to the citizenry for better health outcomes in Africa.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the Acting Director General of NAFDAC, Yetunde Oni, “NAFDAC Nigeria was made the chair of the two-day meeting and the first meeting of the AMRH on regulatory strengthening and harmonisation initiatives, regulatory system strengthening for medical products.

“The medical products covering drugs, medical devices, vaccines, blood and other

blood products.”

While explaining the terms of reference of the committee, Oni said: “We also intend to look at regulation and registration affairs such that we will harmonise all our process.

When these processes are harmonised, there will be ease in doing business because we can rely on another region to take a decision on the marketing authorisataion of a particular product that we

want to consider in Nigeria.

It is a gradual process, but surely, we will get there.”

On why NAFDAC was picked to chair such a sensitive committee, the NAFDAC acting DG said, “It is a plus that among five regional representatives to be seated and Nigeria is picked to head the committee. This is because Nigeria takes the lead in the fight against counterfeit and fake products.”

40

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ͯͲË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Emefiele: CBN to Ensure Growth-friendly Interest Rate Regime Chika Amanze-Nwachuku, Ndubuisi Francis Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Obinna Chima Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; ĂĄĂ&#x2022;Ă&#x2039; The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele has assured Nigerians that the central bank would continue to explore measures that would see that interest rates are supportive of domestic production.

According to him, the Bank would continue to fine tune measures to ensure and guarantee a stable exchange rate regime. Emefiele said this in a keynote address at the on-going 24th Seminar for Finance Correspondents and Business Editors, organised by the CBN in Awka, Anambra state.

The theme of the conference is: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Import Substitution and the Dynamics of Interest and Exchange Rates Management in Nigeria.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Emefiele was represented by the CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) last week revealed that the Nigerian economy exited recession by expanding marginally in the second quarter (Q2) of the year. The NBS figures showed that the economy grew by 0.55 per cent (year-on-year) in Q2 2017. To this end, Emefiele said with on-going recovery in economic performance, he was optimistic that improved outcomes would be recorded in the central bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work towards taming inflation, bringing down interest rates and guaranteeing exchange rate stability.

He disclosed that the CBN has been consistently devising ingenious approaches to solve peculiar challenges and would continue to learn from the experiences of other countries, particularly developing nations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By the early 1980s when

the country witnessed its first major economic crisis, further measures were enacted to curtail other imports and these were extended to all imported products by end-1983. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This was also a period when most developing countries set out to industrialise, irrespective of their comparative advantage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It culminated in the adoption of IMF-sponsored Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), with the major objective to reduce Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dependence on foreign produced goods. An evaluation of the performance of SAP may be beyond the scope of this presentation,â&#x20AC;? he added.

He, however, recognised that administrative measures to reduce imports may not be compatible with current trends in economic management that lean towards free markets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While these may not be completely dismissed, I would like to note that fundamentals of the domestic environment need to be promoted to support domestic production and invariably curtail imports. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The CBN recognises these challenges in its role provide economic advice and support the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aspirations economic growth and development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Within the core remit of formulating and implementing monetary policy, the interest and exchange rates serve as major instruments for CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support for import substitution,â&#x20AC;? he said.

According to Emefiele, interest rates are a major incentive (or disincentive) to carry on industrial production activities.

They are the key price for capital and largely determine the ability to engage in profitable domestic economic ventures. Economic theory dictates that low interest rate will boost incentives to procure loans to engage in production, and vice versa. He therefore noted that

it was imperative that authorities endeavour to keep interest rates at reasonably low levels.

More so, he stressed that the rate of inflation is a major determinant of the level of interest rates, adding inflation erodes the real returns on financial assets (denominated by interest rates) and it is necessarily required that such rates should be above the price index in other to guarantee real positive returns.

The CBN Governor pointed out that the lower the monetary authority is able to keep inflations rates using monetary policy, the lower it can force down interest rates and make it more attractive for users of funds to access credit.

In addition, he described exchange rate as another essential determinant that may support local production efforts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most domestically-produced goods have foreign substitutes, and the exchange rate serves to allocate the comparative prices of domestic and foreign goods. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It, therefore, determines the attractiveness of domestic production to support import substitution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Nigeria, the first attempt to deregulate the foreign exchange market was aimed at stimulating export and industrialisation through import substitution, during the implementation of SAP. It was a cardinal requirement for monetary management in Nigeria that required the removal of administrative controls and led to the emergence of a second-tier foreign exchange market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The foregoing presents quite useful references to the activities of the CBN in recent times. The Bank has consistently sought to formulate interest and exchange rate policies that are conducive to the development of domestic private industrial activities, while taking due cognizance of other macroeconomic variables,â&#x20AC;? he said.

FirstBank Drives Convenience with Lifestyle Offerings FirstBank of Nigeria Limited has assured its customers that it would continue to provide bespoke and accessible product offerings to its teeming customers.

The bank also restated its commitment to continue to provide the best financial solutions to its customers, saying that over the years it has demonstrated an understanding of its customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; modern lives, wants and needs.

A statement from the bank added that to support lifestyles and provide convenience, it had provided the *894# Quick Banking mobile solution, accessible through all types of mobile phones for airtime purchase, money transfers, bill payments, purchase of goods and services and lots more. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With Quick Banking, both

existing and new customers have the opportunity to perform a wide array of financial and value added services instantly, using their mobile phones in the convenience of their homes, places of work and on-the-go. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With *894#, the mobile phone has become a mobile branch and FirstBank customers can activate this service in three steps: dial *894*0#; enter a four digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) linked to the debit card; create a five digit PIN, and the registration is complete,â&#x20AC;? it added. Also the bank it has implemented new and exciting features on its mobile banking application â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FirstMobile â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to enhance security and customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; digital banking experience.

The new features include â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;card-in-controlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which makes it possible for customers to define

their card functionality on their mobile phone; a Quick Response (QR) Code that transforms your phone into a tap and pay device, riding on NFC technology; the transaction receipt and save beneficiary functions all of which make business transactions much more convenient and safe. Other features on the FirstMobile App include the domestic funds transfers; airtime purchase for self and others on all mobile networks; bill payments; cheque services; flight booking; and quick account services such as account balance inquiry, statement view and much more. According to FirstBankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spokesperson, Folake Ani-Mumuney, the bank would always put its customers and communities at the heart of its business.

Infinia Partners Access Bank Infinia Services and Solutions, a UAE-based loyalty management, and payment solutions company, said it has stepped up its global presence as it introduced its services to the African market.

To this end, the firm revealed that Infinia has entered into a partnership with Access Bank to launch the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s R.E.A.L ((Rewarding Every Act of Loyalty) loyalty program.

Access R.E.A.L is built as a

pan-bank program, with a unique scope of redemption. An Access Bank customer can earn R.E.A.L points upon using the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s credit/debit cards, ATMs, POS, mobile and online platforms.

The redemption suites was designed with multiple categories including travel, shopping, gift vouchers and more. Each category further includes a plethora of choices to redeem from leading partner

brands. The program aims to introduce enhanced redemption experiences in the market of Nigeria. A statement quoted the founder & Managing Director, Infinia Services & Solutions, Prashant Khattar, to have said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are proud to partner with Access Bank Plc for its R.E.A.L loyalty program. It supports our growth strategy to expand our presence in Africa with turnkey redemption solutions.

EmeďŹ ele

MARKET INDICATORS DECEMBER 2016 -- 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&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

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

10.39

Monetary Policy Rate (MPR

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.96

Savings Deposit Rate

4.18

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.53

3 Months Deposit Rate

8.80

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.23

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.76

Prime Lending rate

17.09

Maximum Lending Rate

28.55

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯͲϹ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT TUESDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2017

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $52.08 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $51.82 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).

41

˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

13-Sept-17 12-Sept-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld Price/ Book Value

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

01 Dangote Cement Plc

209.00

209.00

0.00%

3,561,466,047,645.00

13.34

15.95

4.93

3.76%

4.40

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

180.06

180.05

0.01%

1,427,713,905,893.28

3.58

51.23

4.64

1.96%

8.77

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

37.88

37.52

0.96%

1,114,853,069,005.12

4.49

8.79

2.78

4.48%

2.16

1,190.00

1,150.20

3.46%

943,260,939,880.00

10.00

122.02

5.32

2.38%

31.32

05 Zenith Bank Plc

22.75

22.86

-0.48%

714,270,233,631.50

4.13

5.52

1.41

7.89%

1.02

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers

06 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

40.01

41.20

-2.89%

400,100,000,000.00

2.85

14.20

2.59

0.25%

2.88

Stock

07 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated

18.00

18.00

0.00%

330,291,921,870.00

0.68

26.61

0.56

3.44%

0.53

08 United Bank for Africa Plc

8.90

8.90

0.00%

322,887,784,265.80

1.99

4.81

0.91

6.26%

0.78

09 Access Bank Plc

9.72

9.66

0.62%

281,179,884,253.32

13.18

0.76

0.76

5.50%

0.64

480.79

480.79

0.00%

266,026,065,387.27 -82.02

-5.88

4.21

3.30%

0.71

11 Presco Plc

60.80

63.99

-4.99%

241,405,004,336.00

0.03 2,338.93

3.81

1.90%

6.49

12 Lafarge Africa Plc

50.52

50.99

-0.92%

230,113,639,441.20

3.71

1.18

5.26%

1.04

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

10 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

13 FBN Holdings Plc

15.36

5.80

5.74

1.05%

208,192,698,193.60

0.16

35.99

0.35

2.55%

0.35

14 Unilever Nigeria Plc

44.00

42.00

4.76%

166,465,035,000.00

0.81

49.26

2.17

0.13%

12.95

15 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

13.75

13.58

1.25%

165,000,000,000.00

2.01

6.92

0.77

3.60%

2.19

16 Guinness Nig Plc

95.40

95.50

-0.10%

143,661,733,135.20

-3.06

-25.17

1.12

4.16%

2.94

17 International Breweries Plc

38.00

38.00

0.00%

125,181,472,640.00

0.02 1,642.11

4.58

0.68%

11.11

235.00

235.00

0.00%

79,787,631,695.00

43.58

5.43

0.28

5.92%

3.41

6.42

6.75

-4.89%

77,262,253,299.48

0.29

23.59

0.18

10.95%

0.43

20 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

26.50

27.55

-3.81%

69,542,285,455.50

3.71

7.82

0.14

6.90%

0.72

21 Forte Oil Plc.

48.80

49.61

-1.63%

63,561,077,826.40

3.66

13.66

0.50

6.90%

1.38

170.00

170.00

0.00%

61,301,194,540.00

22.61

7.69

0.67

4.14%

2.92

23 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

62.89

62.89

0.00%

59,991,399,900.00

5.15

12.75

4.36

0.15%

3.68

24 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

90.30

90.30

0.00%

57,845,309,778.90 -21.86

-4.21

0.52

2.39%

5.47

1.31

1.31

0.00%

50,724,506,626.75

-0.03

-43.98

0.83

0.00%

0.57

30.87

30.87

0.00%

40,748,400,000.00

-2.89

-11.83

0.32

4.39%

0.64

1.30

1.30

0.00%

37,651,361,399.60

0.39

3.54

0.26

11.68%

0.21

28 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

13.00

13.30

-2.26%

34,442,698,914.00

0.91

14.26

1.88

4.23%

4.28

29 U A C N Plc

15.02

15.02

0.00%

28,851,383,092.74

3.37

4.44

0.38

6.68%

0.38

30 Sterling Bank Plc

1.00

1.04

-3.85%

28,790,418,126.00

0.18

5.86

0.27

8.57%

0.35

31 Diamond Bank Plc

1.15

1.20

-4.17%

26,634,447,313.20

-0.29

-4.02

0.13

0.00%

0.12

32 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

25.99

25.99

0.00%

25,990,000,000.00

5.69

4.73

1.87

0.37%

0.72

33 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc

21.40

21.00

1.90%

25,591,756,843.20

3.02

6.95

1.67

1.43%

1.50

34 Cap Plc

33.00

33.00

0.00%

23,100,000,000.00

2.17

15.89

3.54

3.33%

16.77

35 FCMB Group Plc

1.10

1.08

1.85%

21,782,981,859.10

0.09

13.13

0.13

8.93%

0.12

36 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.60

3.60

0.00%

21,174,711,102.00

1.06

3.35

0.51

3.93%

0.64

11.00

10.95

0.46%

20,660,222,440.00

-0.64

-18.74

0.70

10.77%

2.15

38 Mansard Insurance Plc

1.90

1.90

0.00%

19,950,000,000.00

0.25

7.57

0.96

2.63%

0.99

39 Wema Bank Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

19,287,233,040.50

0.07

7.59

0.37

0.00%

0.41

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

2.10

2.11

-0.47%

16,653,415,081.80

-0.40

-5.19

0.35

7.62%

0.50

41 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.40

1.38

1.45%

14,521,842,036.80

0.30

4.51

0.54

8.96%

0.69

42 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

8.75

8.90

-1.69%

10,995,930,452.50

1.29

6.96

0.70

1.11%

0.90

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.53

0.55

-3.64%

7,356,559,747.30

-2.93

-0.21

0.05

49.18%

0.08

44 Wapic Insurance Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

6,691,369,126.00

0.18

2.78

0.85

6.00%

0.41

45 Unity Bank Plc

0.56

0.56

0.00%

6,546,029,247.52

0.19

3.16

0.08

0.00%

0.08

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

3.22

3.22

0.00%

5,229,984,375.00

0.36

9.51

0.69

5.88%

0.85

48 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.90

2.85

1.75%

4,984,374,985.50

-0.90

-3.23

0.79

24.05%

0.15

49 Fidson Healthcare Plc

3.20

3.20

0.00%

4,800,000,000.00

0.50

6.46

0.41

1.56%

0.69

50 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.57

0.55

3.64%

3,950,216,553.60

1.48

0.38

0.14

8.93%

0.45

18 Total Nigeria Plc 19 Oando Plc

22 Mobil Oil Nig Plc

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

37 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

TOTAL

11,624,135,295,637.70

TOTAL MARKET CAP

12,223,592,656,646.60

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

95.10%

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

Open Close Change % 12-Sept-17 13-Sept-17 35,397.52 12.20

35,464.34 12.22

0.19 0.19

149.09 11.61

149.29 11.62

0.13 0.13

Open Close Change % 12-Sept-17 13-Sept-17

Unilever Nigeria Plc AIICO Insurance Plc Nestle Nigeria Plc Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc FCMB Group Plc

42.00 0.55 1,150.20 21.00

44.00 0.57 1,190.00 21.40

4.76 3.64 3.46 1.90

1.08

1.10

1.85

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change % 12-Sept-17 13-Sept-17

Presco Plc Oando Plc Diamond Bank Plc Sterling Bank Plc Flour Mills Nig. Plc

63.99 6.75 1.20 1.04 27.55

60.80 6.42 1.15 1.00 26.50

-4.99 -4.89 -4.17 -3.85 -3.81

Market gains 0.19% to halts twoday loss Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today - Wednesday, September 13th, 2017 ended positive as the market closed green. This was further highlighted by positive performance from the NSE Subsectors: Banking, Insurance and Consumer Goods (Save Oil & Gas). However, trading activities decreased in volume as 119.90 million shares worth N1.74 billion in 3,015 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 373.50 million shares worth N5.77 billion in 4,193 trades were carried out on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms are: Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc; while Zenith Bank Plc and Nigerian Breweries Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. Brent crude oil price today currently sells at US$54.93 per barrel while it closed at $54.27 per barrel the previous Tuesday.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 0.19% (+66.82) decrease to close at 35,464.34 from 35,397.52 the previous trading day. Market capitalization depreciated in tandem to N12.22 trillion from N12.20 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index closes with a decrease of 0.13% to 149.29 from 149.09 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N11.62 trillion from N11.61 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 16 stocks gained on the bourse today while 21 stocks declined, leaving 5 3 stocks unchanged. Leading the pack again was N.E.M Insurance Co (Nig.) Plc led with a gain of 4.76% to close at N1.10 per share. It was followed by Unilever Nigeria Plc with a gain of .76% to close at N44.00 per share. Others on the gainers’ list include: C&I Leasing Plc, AIICO Insurance Plc and Nestle Nigeria Plc. On the decliners’ list, Presco Plc led with a loss of 4.99% to close at N60.80 per share. It was followed by Oando Plc with a loss of 4.89% to close at N6.42 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Eterna Oil Plc, May & Baker Nigeria Plc and Jaiz Bank Plc. Unilever Nigeria Plc emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 4.76% to close at N44.00 per share. It was followed by AIICO Insurance Plc with a gain of 3.64% to close at N0.57 per share. Others on the gainers chart include: Nestle Nigeria Plc, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nig. Plc and FCMB Group Plc. On the decliners’ list, Presco Plc led with a loss of 4.99% to close at N60.80 per share.

It was closely followed by Oando Plc with a loss of 4.89% to close at N6.42 per share. Others on the decliners’ list are: Diamond Bank Plc, Sterling Bank 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

42

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ͯͲË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

MARKET NEWS

Dangote Cement ConďŹ rms Bid for PPC of South Africa Goddy Egene Dangote Cement Plc, which is the most capitalised company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), yesterday confirmed that it plans to acquire the entire share capital of PPC Limited-South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading cement firm.

In a notification to the NSE, the board of directors of Dangote Cement disclosed it had communicated its interest to acquire

the entire share capital of PPC to the board of directors of the South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s firm.

However, the Dangote Cement explained that the acquisition talks are still at the preliminary stage and the transaction remains a potential transaction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Further details will be published subsequently, as appropriate,â&#x20AC;? Dangote Cement stated.Dangote Cement has embarked on expansion of

T H E

its operations to other African countries. The Chairman of the Dangote Cement, Alhaji Aliko Dangote last May told shareholders that the Pan-African diversification programme provided the essential foreign currency and streams of cash to operate the company despite the challenges that characterised 2016.

According to him, the Nigerian economy fell into recession in

N I G E R I A N

2016, inflation peaked at 18.6 per cent, while resurgence in attacks on oil and gas pipelines in South left Ibese and Obajana factories short of fuel.

He, however, noted that the results of strategic decisions taken a years ago enabled Dangote Cement to strengthen its business and consolidate its position in a year when many others in Nigeria and across the rest of Africa have struggled

STO C K

against economic downturn. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our Pan-African diversification has provided cash streams from countries such as Senegal, Cameroon and Zambia, which have provided us with essential foreign currency as foreign exchange controls made it difficult for us to obtain dollars for operations. Furthermore, we were able to borrow money in these countriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; local currencies, thus reducing our exposure to

E XC H A N G E

foreign currency shortages in Nigeria. In addition, we began to generate foreign currency sales from exports of cement from Nigeria to Ghana,â&#x20AC;? Dangote said.

Having delivered improved full-year results for 2016, Dangote Cement Plc recorded another improved performance for H1 of 2017, sending positive signals to investors to expect another bounteous harvest at the end of the year.

43

˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Agusto & Co Upgrades United Capital Credit Rating to AGoddy Egene United Capital Plc, one of Africa’s leading investment banking groups, has received an ‘A-’ Credit Rating from Pan African Credit Rating Agency, Agusto & Co, an upgrade from the firm’s ‘BBB+’ rating the previous year (2015).

According to the report, United Capital’s asset quality was categorised as ‘good’ with 27 per cent of its assets invested in low risk FGN instruments and 54 per cent held in investment

grade quality short term and fixed instruments as at 31st December 2016. The rating was further supported by the company’s capable and experienced management team, extensive network access, good asset quality, very good profitability and good liquidity and funding profile.

The report goes on to further support the rating with United Capital’s 2016 gross earnings of N9 billion compared to N6.2 billion in 2015. The income growth

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

was driven by increased investment income with low risk Federal Government of Nigeria instruments offering considerably decent yields.

Fees and commission income also witnessed an uptick on the back of the company’s continued strong market share in the debt capital market.

Other highlights of the reports are: United Capital’s adjusted capital to risk weighed assets ratio stood at 20 per cent, better than the benchmark; an improved cost to income ratio of 29.3

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 12Sept-2017, unless otherwise stated.

per cent due to increased income and a successful staff optimization programme; solid corporate governance framework includes a centralized and shared risk management system with various committees responsible for determining the risk objectives and strategies.

Commenting on the rating, Group Chief Executive Officer of United Capital, Oluwatoyin Sanni said: “We are pleased to receive our new Credit Rating of ‘A-’ from Agusto & Co, which is a step higher

than the ‘BBB+’ rating the previous year. It is a testament of not only our investment banking capabilities but of healthy assets quality, sound risk management and high corporate governance within our organization.

These are critical elements in building investor confidence domestically and internationally.”

United Capital prides itself on delivering superior investment banking solutions to corporate, government and individual clients. The

group structure operates four businesses - Investment Banking, Asset Management, Trusteeship and Securities Trading.

The company exists to empower Africans in the pursuit of their goals as individuals, companies, and governments. Despite economic challenges faced by domestic clients in recent times, United Capital’s investment banking solutions have ensured that clients achieve their financial objectives.

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 168.61 169.25 32.75% Nigeria International Debt Fund 230.68 231.41 9.08% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.80 0.81 14.26% 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 18.76% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 16.90 17.41 36.88% ARM Discovery Fund 357.96 368.75 24.65% ARM Ethical Fund 25.29 26.06 13.22% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.28% 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 141.26 142.25 34.30% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.82% 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 19.91% Paramount Equity Fund 11.56 11.85 23.47% Women's Investment Fund 95.00 97.43 12.30% 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 19.70% 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 1,125.15 1,126.25 10.96% FBN Heritage Fund 139.64 140.88 25.28% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.24% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $110.72 $111.72 7.66% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $110.05 $111.05 7.75% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 149.94 152.11 33.17% 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 1.31 1.34 40.96% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.86 2.86 11.39% 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 2,860.86 2,904.77 30.21% Coral Income Fund 2,353.31 2,353.31 12.94% 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 15.85% 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 0.00% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.05 2.08 22.15% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.02%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.12 1.14 13.04% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,041.26 1,041.26 8.29% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 12.58 12.69 30.23% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 18.96% 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 1.16 1.19 17.10% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.77 10.84 3.66% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 17.26% 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 118.44 120.59 16.91% 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 1.36 1.36 9.06% 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 2,136.28 2,147.75 16.65% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 163.29 163.29 6.06% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.94 0.95 22.73% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 209.14 209.14 11.91% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 165.83 167.93 27.71% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.64% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,207.67 9,307.82 21.37% 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 1.31 15.94% United Capital Bond Fund 1.39 1.39 14.02% United Capital Equity Fund 0.84 0.86 25.25% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.00% 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 12.23 12.41 25.95% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.95 13.09 18.29% Zenith Income Fund 18.42 18.42 11.42%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 129.68

1.01% 4.61%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.35 102.30

10.45 104.21

20.05% 34.99%

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

4.26 9.30 16.64 19.76 133.35

4.30 9.38 16.74 19.96 135.35

53.93% 32.11% 40.70% 23.74% 3.42%

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

44

T H I S D AY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

T H I S D AY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

45

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

47

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 Ëž T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Irma: Five Dead at Florida Nursing Home, Left without Power Five people at a Florida nursing home that was left without power for days after Hurricane Irma have died.

Police evacuated 115 residents on Wednesday from the facility, whose air conditioning was cut by the storm.

Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief said three were found dead at the nursing home

in the city of Hollywood. Two others died upon reaching hospital.

Ten million people are still without power in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas after Hurricane Irma.

The storm - which has claimed more than two dozen lives in the US - struck southwestern Florida on Sunday morning as a category

four hurricane before weakening to a tropical depression on Monday.

Irma earlier left a trail of destruction in the Caribbean, where nearly 40 people were killed.

Hollywood Police Chief Tomas Sanchez said the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills facility has been sealed off and police are conducting a criminal investigation.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It may be related to a loss of power in the storm,â&#x20AC;? he said, adding that officers were checking in on 42 other assisted living facilities and nursing homes throughout the city.

Hollywood Fire Rescue saw â&#x20AC;&#x153;a number of people in respiratory distressâ&#x20AC;? when they arrived at the Hollywood Hills facility on Wednesday morning, another

official said.

Some residents thereawokesick, the Miami Herald reported.

Kitchen worker Jean Lindor told the newspaper a generator allowed staff to cook but did not provide the facility with air conditioning.

Temperatures on Tuesday in Hollywood reached 32C (90F), according to the National Weather Service.

The facility is not the only Florida nursing home that has been left without power by Irma.

India Rape: Uncle Did Not Father Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Baby-DNA Test Police in India have reopened the case of a 10-year-old girl after forensic tests revealed that her babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DNA samples did not match those of her uncle who is charged with raping her.

After the Supreme Court denied her permission to abort, she gave birth to a baby girl last month.

The 10-year-old was not aware of her pregnancy. She was told her bulge was because she had a stone in her stomach.

She alleges she was raped several times in the past seven months by the uncle.

The accused, who is in his 40s, was arrested and is being tried in a special court dealing with crimes against children. He is in prison and has made no statement so far.

The BBCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Geeta Pandey in Delhi says the result of the DNA

test has now led to questions over whether the girl was abused by others.

The girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father had earlier told the BBC that the accused had not denied the charges against him.

Police said the uncle had admitted to the allegations, our correspondent reports. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So far no-one had thought of any other possibility. The girl had testified to the court on video conferencing and in her statement, she had very clearly named the uncle and revealed facts about her abuse,â&#x20AC;? an official involved with the investigation told the BBC on Wednesday.

The girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother has reportedly told the investigators that they do not suspect anyone else, so the case has taken a very strange turn, the official added.

On Tuesday, police and counsellors

visited the family again to speak to the 10-year-old.

A senior police official told BBC Punjabi that they would ask for a re-check of the forensic tests to ensure there had been no error in the DNA report.

Her pregnancy was discovered in mid-July when she complained of stomach ache and her parents took her to hospital.

Alocal court in Chandigarh turned down the abortion plea on the grounds that she was too far into her pregnancy after a doctorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; panel advised that termination of the pregnancy would be â&#x20AC;&#x153;too riskyâ&#x20AC;?. Later, the Supreme Court also refused to allow an abortion for her on similar grounds.

As her family refused to have anything to do with the newborn, the baby is in the care of child welfare personnel and will be

put up for adoption.

The landmark case dominated global headlines for weeks, with officials saying they had never heard of a mother so young giving birth in an Indian hospital.

Indian law does not allow terminations after 20 weeks unless doctors certify that the motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life is in danger.

But in recent years, the courts have received several petitions, many from child rape survivors, seeking to terminate pregnancies after 20 weeks.

In most cases, these pregnancies are discovered late because the children themselves are not aware of their condition.

Last Friday, a 13-year-old girl who was 32 weeks pregnant gave birth to a baby boy after the court allowed her to terminate her pregnancy.

The infant died two days later.

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48

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

News Editor Davidson Iriekpen Email davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

Court Freezes Zamfara State Accounts in 20 Banks Ejiofor Alike

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an order freezing the accounts of the Zamfara State Government in 20 banks in the suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/728/17, which was filed by the Asset Management Corporation (AMCON) against the state government, Prostar Electric Company Limited and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN. The order was sequel to the debts the state is oweing a number of banks in the country running into over N600million.

The court has also restrained the defendants from transferring or dealing with the monies belonging to the Zamfara State Government and Prostar Electric in the 20 banks.

The banks include: Access Bank Plc, Central Bank of Nigeria, Citibank Plc, Diamond Bank, Ecobank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, First City Monument

Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Heritage Bank, Keystone Bank and Stanbic IBTC Bank.

The other banks are: Standard Chartered Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria, United Bank of Africa, Unity Bank, Wema Bank, and Zenith Bank.

The court specifically granted an order “restraining the defendants jointly and severally, the directors, agents, servants, privies, subsidiaries, successors-in-title or otherwise any other person natural or artificial, howsoever called under the control of the first and second defendants from transferring or otherwise dealing with any and all of the monies standing to the first and second defendants credit in the 20 banks or anywhere else up to the amount of the claimants claim in the sums of $3,475,960.00 and N250 million, only pending the hearing and determination of this suit.”

The judge also granted an order restraining the 20 banks “whether

by themselves, agents, servants, privies, trustees, nominees, proxies or otherwise any person natural or artificial howsoever called from honouring any instruction authored by the first and second defendants individually and or in association with other persons and or allowing the first and second defendants in whatever form or description

with the said banks, pending the determination of the suit.”

The 20 banks are also prohibited by the court from making further payments to Zamfara State Government in respect of its share of the London/Paris Club debt refund maintained by the banks, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The banks were also directed to file and serve on the applicant’s counsel within seven days of services of the order on it, an affidavit disclosing the first and second defendants balance on accounts held with the said banks as at the date of the order.

All third parties that are

contractually obligated are directed to pay all or any sum outstanding for contracts and sale of goods already executed and for which payments are due to the first and second defendants into the honourable court to be deposited into an interest yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar of the court.

Northern Group Kicks against Reprisal over IPOB Activities in S’East Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) in Kano yesterday called on northerners to resist any attempt that will lead to unnecessary provocation in carrying out a reprisal on the unfolding event in the South-east.

Addressing journalists at the Kano Press Centre yesterday over the unpleasant scenario, the spokesman of the group, Mr. Abdulazeez Suleiman, in company of the Chairman and Co-chairman, Ashir Shariff and Shetima Yerima, said with the prevailing situation, the North and the northerners should remain calm and law-abiding.

“As cultured people with a long history of tolerance and respect for constituted authorities, we call on northerners to resist the temptation of carrying out reprisals and playing to the gallery,” Suleman said.

He added: “Northerners in line with their disciplined nature must refuse at this point to be dragged into taking the law in their hands through unnecessary and unproductive confrontation with members of any sectional, ethnic or religious group.

“We must remain peacefully focused, mutually respectful, trusting and tolerant as we repose confidence in the ability and committed willingness of the Nigerian security agencies to handle the situation as well as protect the lives and property of every Nigerian anywhere.”

According to him, “In this situation, it is essential that the North and the northerners remain restrained and refuse to be provoked into reprisal which is the ultimate hope of the conflict instigators.

The group said their struggle would continue to remain intellectual based, precautionary and essentially non-violent, pointing out that the agitation for separation and cry for Biafra in the South-east by the agitators supported by politicians in order for them be heard louder shall be resisted.

They further said they are prepared to “set out an immediate circuit to all the 19 northern states

to prepare and sensitise the northern people on the need for calm and peaceful approach to the various positions and scenarios as regards the unfolding situation in the country, and enabling the northern people to be less amenable to provocation by deliberate misinformation and incitement campaigns.”

The group, however, accused IPOB of making the country ungovernable for President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to them, “The agitations and disturbances that have been ongoing ceaselessly since the coming to power of the Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo administration in 2015, are aimed at rendering the country practically ungovernable, and ushering in of anarchy and instability, thereby occasioning a change of government by whatever means and tactics.

“The targeting of President Buhari’s administration and singling him for attacks and irrelevant treatment is aimed at causing inter-regional crisis possibly leading to general unrest.”

They added: “The resurgence of separatist agitations especially the violent brand by the IPOB and its ilk in the South-east represent a much wider conspiracy to divide Nigeria along ethnic and religious frontlines as well as achieve the balkanisation of the North.

“The current IPOB brand of agitation is a strategy employed to achieve the results that the coupist of the First Republic failed to realise, namely, increase the weight and relevance of the regions to the detriment and expense of the central government.”

The group explained that: “Our stand on the current situation in Nigeria is that we will not fall to that instigation to allow a possibly foreigner or a mad man to plunge us into this unnecessary madness.

“We, therefore, dedicate effort in creating the right conditions for peaceful negotiations with other peace-loving groups in every situation on the political dispensation that should emerge now or in the future.”

WHEN BRAND EXECUTIVES VISIT....

L-R: CEO/ Lead Consultant, Ladybird Limited and National Branding Conference Advisory Board Member, Bunmi Oke; Managing Partner, Brandzone Consulting LLC and Convener, National Branding Conference, Chizor Malize; Chairman, Board of Directors, First Bank, Nigeria and Chairperson, National Branding Conference, Ibukun Awosika; Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank, Nigeria and Chairperson, Conference Planning Committee, Folake Ani-Mumuney; Managing Director, Lucent Consulting Company and National Branding Conference Advisory Board Member, Lampe Omoyele; and Executive Director, Business Development , Centre for Values In Leadership, Isioma Utomi, during a courtesy visit to Awosika in Lagos... recently

In Another Blow to Patients, Health Workers to Embark on Strike Sept 20 Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Joint Health Sector Union s and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU) has threatened to shut down federal government hospitals as it plans to embark on a nationwide strike on September 20, 2017.

This is coming as the meeting of the executives of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to suspend the ongoing strike has been extended to continue midnight yesterday to this morning.

JOHESU in a letter titled: ‘Looming Nationwide Industrial Action: Request for Audience,’ and signed by its National Chairman, Joy Josiah, and the National Secretary, Florence Ekpebor, asked for audience with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, yesterday and today.

The group demanded that if the federal government refused to address its agitations earnestly,

it would have no option but to shut down health care facilities nationwide.

According to JOHESU, the industrial action was due to government failure to meet its demands, which include payment of arrears of specialist allowances and upgrade of their members due for promotion.

The group further threatened that planned strike tagged: ‘Operation Alligator Bite’, would be more severe than the controversial ‘Operation Python Dance’ that the Nigerian army launched in the South-east.

Part of the letter read: “We write on behalf of the leadership of Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals, a body which makes up about 95 per cent of health workers and health care providers, to seek for your intervention in the protracted demands and agitations between JOHESU and the federal government since 2014 by granting us urgent audience yesterday, at

10a.m. or any other date not later than a week before September 30.

“We are compelled to seek your intervention so as to avert indefinite industrial action in the health industry. We are aware of the sensitive and important nature of our service to human lives, hence our proactive measure in prevention rather than curative.

“JOHESU is aware of your recent laudable role in intervening and resolving of the issues of the medical doctors while they were on strike.

“While thanking you for your kind approval to meet with us on September 13, accept the assurances of our best wishes.

JOHESU makes over 95 per cent of health workers and health care providers in Nigeria, meaning that all government hospitals would be closed down should they carry out their threat.

In a related development, the meeting of the executives of NARD to review government’s offers to the striking doctors with a view to call off the strike at 11p.m. yesterday.

This is coming after Tuesday meeting that ended yesterday morning was deadlocked. The strike has continued despite marathon meeting and reaching agreement with the federal government.

Meaanwhile, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has appealed to the leadership of the JOHESU to prevail on their members to shelve their planned strike.

Adewole in a statement yesterday by the Head of Media and Public Relations, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Boade Akinola, said government has continued its negotiation with the union and hoped that issues in contention would be addressed through consensus.

He urged the union to consider the interest of Nigerians who are the ultimate victims of the strike.

The minister assured the JOHESU leadership of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the wellbeing of all Nigerians, including the welfare of stakeholders in the health sector.

IPOB Position on Self Rule is Childish, Says Okorocha George Okoh in Makurdi Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has stated that the agitation by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for a sovereign republic in the South-east is borne out of childish behaviour.

Okorocha who spoke yesterday after leading a delegation of the forum on a

sympathy visit to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and victims of the recent flood disaster in Benue State, said no reasonable Igbo man was backing the agitation.

“I have always said IPOB is an agitation group but the captioning is bad when you talk of sovereignty within a sovereign nation and also talking of secession “Let me assure you that

no Igbo person or man is in support of secession and people must see this as a childish act and we must stand up and address it before it becomes a national problem.

“As for us leaders in that area, it will be insane for anyone to think that the IPOB leader will ask us to follow him to seek secession. So Nigerians must learn to address it specifically.

If you are addressing IPOB you

should be specific and not to address it as if it’s an Igbo affair.

“So I must say unequivocally that no leader in Igbo land is in support of the IPOB activities.”

Okorocha who personally donated N10million to the victims, also sympathised with the state for the disaster, stressing that his team was a fact-finding mission to pave the way for a visit of the entire APC governors in the country.

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FG Generates N8bn from JAMB in Nine Months, Orders Probe of Past Registrars Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The federal government yesterday ordered a comprehensive probe of the past registrars of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) following the generation of N8 billion by the current management of the admissions body in nine months.

Making this disclosure while briefing State House correspondents at the end of yesterday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said this year alone, the body had remitted N5 billion into the federal account while it is again ready to remit another N3 billion.

Adeosun, who lamented that the highest amount ever remitted by JAMB into the federation coffers in the past was N3 million, pointed out that the generation of N8 billion into the federation account within only nine months by the current management, prompted the question by members of FEC on where the past revenues from JAMB had been diverted.

According to her, the discovery had led to a directive from the council to summon all past heads of JAMB to explain where past revenues of the organisation had been diverted, noting that the current generation by the body is not prompted by increase in JAMB fees as the fees remain the same.

She further said the situation had given FEC the encouragement to also beam its searchlight into

the activities of other agencies of government with a view to exposing leakages and shady deals that may be going on in such agencies.

“The highest amount that JAMB had ever remitted was N3 million.

This year, so far, they have brought N5 billion and the Minister of Education reported that they have additional N3 billion that they want to remit, which will take the figure in this year alone to N8 billion. Now, they have not increased their charges. They have not increased their fees. The question that FEC and council members were asking was where was this money before?

“So, a directive was given that we must call other past heads of those similar agencies to account and that’s the directive we have been given and that’s what we intend to do, and it is a similar story in other agencies.

These are the leakages we are blocking. This is the money in consolidated revenues fund that is now being applied to projects that get the economy moving. It is the looting that this administration has come to address,” she said.

The minister also said besides JAMB, the council discussed progress being recorded in the revenue generation of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) that is “recording significant progress,” adding: “We want to look into those agencies, the past management of those agencies and see where those revenues were leaking and to encourage

those agencies to continue with efficiencies.”

Adeosun also debunked beliefs that Nigeria exited recession because disruption of oil installations in the Niger Delta had stopped and oil production volume has consequently increased, saying the exit was not driven by increase in oil revenues only but also by investment in infrastructure such as road construction which she said facilitated the growth in agriculture and industry.

Adeosun also said the council approved a memo she presented which harped on the necessity of Nigeria to join African Trade Insurance Agency to provide risk guarantee for investment coming into Nigeria as well as export from the country.

She said joining the agency would provide risk guarantee,

sovereign guarantee and risk mitigation, disclosing that many African countries are already members of the agency.

“It has high stable rating and it is able to guarantee long term project. We are looking at increased level of investment,” she added.

The minister also said the council reviewed Nigeria’s recent exit from the recession and described it as an indication that the government is moving in the right direction.

According to her, the fiscal initiatives being pursued by the government include fiscal consolidation and cost efficiency adding that the integrated payroll system being implemented by the government has continued to show contraction which she said would be continued.

In his briefing, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, said FEC was encouraged by the economic growth rate of 0.55 per cent which aided Nigeria’s exit from recession.

According to him, it was the first time that the economy was growing after five quarters while the entire industry sector on the other hand was growing for the first time in nine quarters.

He, however, added that the growth was small and hence, not a growth that could impact the economy positively but only showed that the economy was moving in the right direction adding that the government would continue to implement the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) with the target growth of 3.5 per cent.

On his part, the Minister of

Water Resources, there was no cause for alarm on the issue of flooding, adding that why rainfall leading to flooding could not be stopped, the government would take preventive measures.

FEC also ordered a probe of former directors-general of NIMASA following the huge remittances being made by the current management of the agency when compared to situation in the past.

Information obtained from the Ministry of Finance last night showed that whereas paltry N4.95 billion was remitted to the federation account in 2015 by NIMASA, a whopping N24 billion was remitted in 2016.

Like the case of JAMB, former heads of NIMASA are to be investigated on the reason for poor remittances.

Uwazurike: Crisis in Abia, Ploy to Declare Emergency Rule Ejiofor Alike The President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, has raised the alarm that the present crisis in Abia State was simulated as a ploy for the federal government to declare emergency rule in the state.

Uwazurike has also called on the federal government to withdraw soldiers from the South-east as demanded by the apex Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

In a statement issued yesterday, Uwazurike stated that if the Nigerian Army was so powerful as to engage in arrogant display of weaponry, they should be deployed to fight Boko Haram in the North-east or even the armed herdsmen ravaging the southern part of the country and the Middle Belt.

He argued that it was well known fact that IPOB members do not carry weapons and are only known for holding rallies and punching the air with a black power salute.

“If any of these two actions is a crime, then they should tell us whether the constitution of Nigeria should be obeyed. Today, the people of Abia State and indeed the whole of Igboland is being provoked by the arrogant and callous display of weaponry by the Nigerian Army in a way that sane people will rightly interpret it as the action of an army of occupation. Are we already at war? If the army is so powerful, why can’t they be deployed to fight the Boko Haram in the North-east

or even the ubiquitous herdsmen who are ravaging the southern and middle belt parts of this country?

This is because soldiers in a battle mood must have enemies to fight,” Uwazurike explained.

He called on those who sent the soldiers to withdraw them as the Ohanaeze has demanded.

“It is a notorious fact that the governor of Abia State has spent the last two years in court trying to retain his post .This present simulated crisis is just a ploy to impose military rule in the state just to have a war commander in the government house. The people are not interested in military democracy. This government should not forget that progress can only be made in a time of peace and not in war time.

War is an evil wind that blows no one any good. The arrest of Nnamdi Kanu was a mistake but his rearrest will be a disaster,” he added.

Uwazurike noted that the federal government has charged Nnamdi Kanu to court but wants to take the extra judicial action of simulating a situation which will lead not only to a state of emergency but also violence.

“This was what it did the Elegant Zaki zaki case. I call on all men of good will to prevail on this government to learn from past governments on how to handle a civil situation. A word is enough for the wise. It is instructive to note that the last time we had this kind of scandalous action was when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo invaded Odi and Zaki Ibiam,” he added.

NORTHERN GOVERNORS MEET...

L-R: Governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State; Umar Tanko Al-Makura of Nassarawa State; Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto); and Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Sonni Tyoden, at the inaugural meeting of Northern Governors’ Forum/Northern Traditional Leaders’ Council committee on restructuring of Nigeria in Kaduna....yesterday

Nigeria to Ban Importation of Dirty Petrol, Diesel December 1 Ejiofor Alike with agency reports Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast and Benin Republic are expected to implement rules banning imports of petrol and other products with high sulphur content from December 1, 2017, after missing earlier deadlines.

The four West African countries had promised in late 2016 to ban the use of fuel packed with sulphur that is a major air pollutant, particularly in cities.

Precisely on December 1, 2016, Nigeria, Benin Republic Togo, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire agreed to introduce strict standards to ensure cleaner, low sulphur diesel fuels and vehicle emission standards, effectively cutting off Europe’s West African market to export its dirty fuels.

The Federal Ministry of Environment had initially set July 1, 2017 deadline to begin the enforcement of the ban but the deadline was missed.

“From July 1, 2017, we will commence the enforcement of the 50ppm sulphur in fuel. And the July deadline is on all fuels, diesel, petrol and kerosene. Everybody

knows that this is going to take some efforts, which is why we gave the six months’ notice. What is more important is that we are working with the refineries on a long-term approach,” said former Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed.

“Some of the new refineries that are coming into position in Nigeria are coming in at 10ppm; South Africa is 15ppm. But for us, it is a West African problem and we hope that we can lead in West Africa by reducing it. So, there is no reason why we can’t do that,” Mohammed, who is now Deputy Secretary of United Nations, added.

Reuters reported that while such fuel has long been illegal in Western nations and is increasingly outlawed in the developing world, the deadlines for bans in the four West African countries keep being pushed back.

According to reports, Ghana is the only regional state that has delivered on a pledge and codified rules preventing the import or transport of high sulphur gasoline or diesel.

After missing the July 1 deadline, Nigeria, the region’s biggest fuel

consumer, set up a task force to examine the issue.

ANigerian Environment Ministry official told Reuters yesterday that the task force aimed to advise the government on a new standard by late September, with new rules possible by December 1, 2017.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which has joined health campaigners pressing for change, said smaller nations Togo and Benin were waiting for Nigeria to act, while Ivory Coast had not progressed at all.

The five nations had promised cleaner fuel rules under pressure from campaign group ‘Public Eye,’ which criticised them and international trade houses for allowing cars, trucks and households to burn fuels banned in much of the rest of the world.

Ghana followed up by slashing sulphur content to 50 parts per million (ppm) for imported petrol and diesel, from 1,000 ppm and 3,000 ppm.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) was said to have proposed 50 ppm for diesel and 150 ppm for petrol.

The Nigerian National Petroleum

Corporation (NNPC) included prices for them in the Direct Sales, Direct Purchase (DSDP) deals with oil traders – at an extra cost of at least $25 per tonne.

But the country did not codify the standards in law, or issue new specifications to importers.

“As it stands, the status quo remains,” one Nigerian fuels importer said, adding “nothing at all” had come from government.

Campaigners are struggling to keep the issue on the public agenda.

David Ugolor, who worked with Public Eye, reportedly said the cause lacked “someone with a strong political position” to implement the rules. He said the group was looking for ways to put pressure on suppliers.

NNPC contracts showed 150 ppm gasoline would cost anywhere from $20-$30 per tonne more than fuel with higher sulphur, while lower sulphur diesel would add just $10-$15 a tonne, an analyst told Reuters.

It is expected that the federal government will increase the price of petrol or bear the extra cost.

Given the higher cost of cleaner gasoline, campaigners said Nigeria might only introduce stricter rules for diesel.

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Nigeria Records N2.4tn Crude Oil Exports, Total Trade Hits N5.7tn in Q2 Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja Nigeria recorded a total of N2.43 trillion crude oil exports in the second quarter (Q2) of 2017 as total trade hit N5.69 trillion.

The value of petrol imports also stood at N556.1 billion in the review period.

Of the N5.69 trillion trade posted in the quarter, total exports stood at N3.10 trillion while imports recorded N2.59 trillion.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the total export value of N3.10 trillion in Q2 2017 represented an increase of 3.2 per cent over Q1 2017 and 73.48 per cent over the first quarter of 2016.

Giving further insight into the trade figures, the total trade of N5.69 trillion in Q2 2017 was 7.7 per cent higher than the value recorded for Q1 2017 and 37.3 per cent higher than the value of trade in Q2 2016.

Trade balance, accordingly, stood at a surplus of N506.5 billion in Q2 2017 compared to a surplus of N719.4 billion recorded in the preceding quarter and a trade deficit of N572.12 billion in the corresponding quarter last year.

Non-crude oil exports was N676.81 billion while The NBS in its “Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics” for the

second quarter of 2017 said the country recorded a positive trade balance as merchandise trade grew marginally quarteron- quarter but significantly year-on-year.

Value of imported agricultural goods were 16.01 per cent higher than the value recorded in Q1,2017 but 61.02 per cent higher than Q 2 2016.

Value of raw material imports were 17.4 per cent more than Q1,2017 but 63.20 per cent higher than the value in Q2 2016.

Solid minerals imports in Q2 2017, increased by 1,527.44 per cent compared to Q1 2017 but was 1,947.52 per cent higher than Q2 2016.

Energy goods imports in Q2 2017 were 177.77 per cent higher than Q1 2017 and compared to Q2 2016 when no energy goods imports were recorded.

The value of manufactured goods imports was 9.5 per cent higher in Q2 2017 than the level in Q1 2017 but -18.33 per cent lower than Q1 2016.

Other oil products imports value was 6.4 per cent lower than in Q1 2017 and 18.48 per çent higher than Q2 2017.

Similarly, the value of agricultural goods export in Q2 2017 was -1.03 per cent lower than Q1 2017 but 94.05 per cent higher than Q2 2016.

The NBS’ report noted that

CJN: Judiciary Remains Committed to Fighting Corruption Alex Enumah in Abuja The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, has reaffirmed that the judiciary under his leadership remains committed to the ongoing fight against corruption and other social vices bedevilling the country.

To demonstrate the commitment, Justice Onnoghen said judges and judicial officers shall perform their statutory functions in line with their oath of office and constitutional provisions.

The CJN who spoke at the 33 Annual Judges Conference of the Federal High Court in Abuja, however, pleaded for adequate funding of the judiciary to enable it cope with the mounting challenges.

Onnoghen, whose address was read by President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, specifically called for greater attention to the Federal High Court being one of the most strategic and significant arms of the judiciary.

He disclosed that the judges conference was on avenue for judges to appraise past events and prepare for fresh challenges and that a new reform that will enhance the performance of the judiciary will soon be unfolded by his office.

Justice Onnoghen praised the outgoing Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for upholding and sustaining the tradition of the court rancour free.

He expressed optimism that the incoming Chief Judge that will take over from Justice Auta will sustain the achievements of the court.

Earlier, in his welcome address,

Justice Auta, said this year’s conference was held in Abuja because of its importance to him, being the last one he is attending in his capacity as the chief judge of the court.

Justice Auta told the gathering that the tradition of moving the conference round the country was not jettisoned due to financial or other factors but to afford him the opportunity of meeting his friends and well wishers who ordinarily will not wish to attend the conference outside Abuja.

“This year’s judges conference is a unique one to me as earlier stated as it will afford me the opportunity to bid you all farewell as I retire after a successful judicial career.

“My career in this court and my appointment as the chief judge has been roundly successful because of the caliber of people on the bench as well as the supporting staff,” he said.

Justice Auta used the occasion to thank the Chief Justice of Nigeria for his leadership qualities and for his love in particular to the Federal High Court.

He noted with joy that the CJN has not hidden his love for the Federal High Court since he assumed office as CJN and Chairman National Judicial Council (NJC).

Justice Auta appealed to judicial officers in the country and stakeholders in the judiciary sector to give their maximum support to the CJN to enable him carry the judiciary to its highest level of respect and independence.

The weeklong conference is been attended by all judges in the 37 divisions of the Federal High Court across the country.

Nigeria’s import trade of N2.59 trillion at the end of Q2, 2017, showed an increase of 13.5 per cent from the value (N2,286 trillion) recorded in the preceding quarter. The structure of Nigeria’s import trade by section was dominated by the imports of “Mineral products” which accounted for 34.7 per ceñt of the total value of import trade in Q2, 2017.

Other commodities which contributed noticeably to the value of import trade during the review period were “boilers, machinery and appliances; parts

thereof” (15.8 per cent).

Also, “products of the chemical and allied industries” accounted for 9.1 per cent, “prepared foodstuffs; beverages, spirits and vinegar; tobacco” (8.0 per cent) while “vegetable products” recorded 6.0 per cent.

The import trade classified by broad economic category, revealed that “Industrial Supplies”, ranked first with N785.6 billion or 30.3 per cent.

This was followed by “Fuels and lubricants” with a value of N694.6 billion or 26.8 per cent, and “Food and Beverage” with

N443.8 billion or 17.1 per cent.

Nigeria’s import trade by direction showed that the country imported goods mostly from China, Belgium, Netherlands, the United States and Italy, which respectively accounted for N414.7 billion or 16.0 per cent; N319.2 billion or 12.3 per cent; N250.8 billion or 9.7 per cent; N193.8 billion or 7.5 per cent, and N161.5 billion or 6.2 per cent.

These five countries accounted for 51.6 per cent of total imports, while all other countries of the world accounted for N1,255.4

billion or 48.4 per cent of the total value of goods imported during the quarter. Further analysis of Nigeria’s imports by çontinent revealed that the country consumed goods largely from Europe with import value of N1,432.0 billion or 55.2 per cent.

The country also imported goods valued at N733.3 billion or 28.3 per cent from Asia and N312.4 billion or 12.0 per cent from America. Import trade from Africa stood at N79.0 billion or 3.0 per cent while imports from the ECOWAS’ region amounted to N12.1 billion.

HONOURING OBASANJO

L-R: Executive Producer, Gula, Mr. Tunde Oduwole; Wife of the former President, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo; former President and Author, ‘The Story of Baba Ali’, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; and Veteran Actor/Comedian, acting as Obasanjo in Gula, Tunji Sotimirin, during the Gula on stage press conference in Lagos...yesterday Abiodun Ajala

Anambra Primary: APC’s NWC under Suffocating Pressure to Upturn Nwoye’sVictory Nwobodo: Don’t annul primary Iyobosa Uwugiaren and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Bitter feud that has enveloped the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), following the alleged insistence by some powerful political forces within the party that the governorship primaries, which produced Tony Nwoye, as its candidate for the November governorship election, should be nullified, has taken a new dimension.

A top source in the party, who was part of the team that conducted the primary last month, told some journalists yesterday that the party had been infiltrated by some powerful politicians with alleged inducement to drop Nwoye in favour of a former governor of the state.

Although the source, who spoke with some journalists in Abuja in confidence, did not name the beneficiaries of the alleged financial inducement, he however accused a former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is now in APC, as being the arrowheads of the alleged bribe to impose Senator Andy Uba on the party.

The source accused the former PDP member, who was part of

the team that conducted the election in Awka, of turning round to ‘’discredit the exercise for pecuniary’’ reasons.

The source described the attempt to drop the winner of the primary for the person who lost, as ‘’the height of injustice, which would also wreak its fortunes in the state during the main election, if allowed to stand.’’

“The Chairman of the election panel politely told those who approached him that he could not be bought with any price and would therefore conduct a free election by providing a level-playing field for all the candidates to test their popularity,” the source said.

“In fact, when we arrived Awka for the primaries, all of us had expected that Uba was going to sweep the polls because of his position as a former governor and a sitting senator but when the results came out, he lost by a wide margin to Nwoye and we could not change the decision of the electorate for whatever reason.”

The source dismissed the insinuations that the appeal panel was acting on the instruction of the presidency and security agencies to replace Nwoye with Uba, arguing that neither President Muhammadu Buhari

nor the DSS had any hand in ‘’the unholy bid’’ to change the winner of the election for the loser.

He added: “I can tell you that what is happening is that some powerful politicians in the PDP and the Senate, who are more comfortable with Uba want him to contest against Governor Willie Obiano with the hope that once he wins, he would return to the PDP, from where he crossed over to the APC early this year.”

However, former Governor of the old Anambra State and a chieftain of the APC Chief Jim Nwobodo, has said the party has not contemplated to cancel the governorship primaries for the November 18 Anambra election which he described as “transparent and credible”.

Speaking on the delay in upholding the primary election won by Nwoye, Nwobodo who is the Chairman of Anambra governorship election planning and strategy committee, said this would be the first time any political party would conduct such a transparent and rancour free primary in the state.

“That election was transparent, free and fair and everybody saw

it on television from start to finish and hence no one should dare to nullify that election” Nwobodo said in a telephone interview.

The former governor’s remark re-echoed his position which he made public the day the election result was announced

by Governor Kassim Shettima on live television on August 27 in Awka, Anambra State.

Nwobodo had in a widely circulated message he personally signed, said he had monitored every process of the primary election and from his experience, the August 26 primaries was the most transparent in the history of Anambra State.

“I watched with keen interest the live transmission of the 2017 APC governorship primary for Anambra State, where Nwoye was declared as the winner with a total of 2,146 votes.

“I wish to congratulate the National Chairman and NWC for making this possible. I also congratulate the Governor of Borno State, Shettima, and his committee for conducting a free, credible and rancour-free primary in the state, making it the first time any political party would conduct such a transparent and rancour free primary in the state,” Nwobodo said.

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Lai Mohammed Emerges Vice President of World Tourism Body The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) yesterday elected Nigeria as Vice President, Africa at its ongoing 22nd General Assembly in Chengdu, Sichuan Province of South-west China.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who led Nigeria’s delegation to the General Assembly assumed the seat on behalf of the country, for the next two years.

Cape Verde was also elected alongside Nigeria as vice president, Africa, of the global body charged with the responsibility of ensuring sustainable tourism development.

The 22nd biannual session of the UNWTO being attended by more than 1,300 delegates from 75 countries also elected Colombia and Mexico to represent the continent of America at the General Assembly.

Romania and Switzerland were elected as representative of Europe while Iraq was elected from Middle East and Srilanka from South Asia continent on the assembly.

All the elections to the seats were done by acclamation by delegates

as agreed by the General Assembly.

The Chairman of the UNWTO Executive Council, Li Jinzao, who conducted the elections and the General Assembly said the body suspended Rule 43 of its Statutes which stipulates secret balloting for the elections.

Jinzao is the Chairman, Chinese National Tourism Administration, the host of the UNWTO 22nd General Assembly.

Reacting to his election, Mohammed said the last time Nigeria occupied the position of UNWTO vice presidency was 20 years ago, and it was a great honour to the country and him.

“I feel quite honoured and humbled to be called upon to serve as the Vice President of the General Assembly of the UNWTO and it is a very big honour to Nigeria.

“It has proven one thing that in the last two years, the administration has succeeded in pushing tourism and creative industry as a whole from the back burner to the front burner, from the side issue to the main issue “This has also been noticed by

the global community and I feel highly gratified about it,” he said.

The minister said the position would propel him to do more in the development of the nation’s tourism and creative industry “When you are recognised on a global stage like this, it encourages and spurs you to do more.

“One thought he was doing this out of sheer commitment but not knowing that he was being noticed globally and this is what I think it is impressive about this.

“My contributions to UNWTO at various events held in Cote d’ Ivoire, Madrid and Ethiopia have

been borne out of conviction that, this is the way to go.

“But I was quite surprised when I got a call that I was being nominated to serve Africa as a Vice President of this General Assembly.

“What that means is that you are squarely in the saddle of driving the global agenda for tourism for the next two years,” he said.

Mohammed said he would leverage on the new position to positively affect tourism in Nigeria.

He said: “With this new appointment, you will begin to look at yourself not just as a Nigerian citizen but as a World citizen and

it means that a lot more will be expected from you.

“You cannot be serving as a Vice President of the UNWTO General Assembly and allow tourism and creative industry to lag behind in your country because it will be like, physician heals thyself first.

“It also gives one a closer access to the world tourism organisation and the way it works and it will be a good leverage for Nigeria.”

The outgoing Secretary General of UNWTO, Taleb Rifai, congratulated the new executives of the organisation and enjoined them to work towards bringing

more members to the fold.

He noted that tourism had recorded successive growth in the last six years and the new leaders should leverage on the development.

The election of the new SecretaryGeneral of the global tourism body is expected to be ratified by the executive council before the end of the five-day General Assembly.

The Conference of Africa Ministers of Tourism under the aegis of UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) had ratified Nigeria’s bid to host the CAF 61st meeting in Abuja from June 4 to June 6 next year.

Buhari Did Not Indict Governors over Use of Paris Club Refunds, Says NGF Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has said President Muhammadu Buhari did not threaten to expose state governors for allegedly misusing monies that accrued from the Paris Club refund.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday, had while reacting to a statement made by President Muhammadu Buhari to the nation’s traditional rulers, quoted him as having threatened to name and shame governors who did not apply “voted funds and borrowed funds” judiciously.

In a statement issued yesterday by its Head of Publicity, Abulrazque Abulrazque, NGF said: “So far, no investigation known to any governor on the Paris Club refunds regarding non-payment of salaries, talk less of any indictment.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there is, nowhere in President Buhari’s statement where he mentioned Paris Club and it is unfair for anyone to attempt to bring the state governors and the presidency on collision course.

“Moreover, there is, so far, no investigation known to any governor on the Paris Club refunds regarding non-payment of salaries, talk less of any indictment.

Furthermore, the Paris Club refund was not borrowed money but an over-deduction from states’ repayments of a loan which the federal government is repaying to states that were erroneously debited,” he said.

Abulrazque also said it was not only saddening but painful that the NLC, a very respectable union, was being misinformed into casting aspersions on the person of the Chairman of the NGF, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar.

According to him, the governor has respectfully fulfilled all promises he made to the Zamfara State workers.

“For example, the reference to the strike action currently going on in Zamfara State by the workforce

is not only misplaced but uncalled for because it has nothing to do with non-payment or non-judicious disbursement of the Paris Club refunds. It is important to state, without fear of contradiction, that the Zamfara State government is up-to-date on the payment of workers’ salaries.

“What the state workers are protesting, without prejudice to the Paris Club refunds, is the increment in wages to primary school teachers, local government workers and the increment of pensioners emoluments. Both demands, according to the Zamfara State Government are unrealistic in the current state of affairs.

“This, as has been reiterated, for the umpteenth time by the Zamfara State Government, that it is not in a position to meet those demands because of the dire state of not just Zamfara State but the nation’s economy in general.”

In the statement, NGF said governors are doing their best to mitigate poverty in the country but that some elements in society are working hard to obliterate this fact for selfish reasons. “ That is why the NLC, is being misled into a tirade on things that President Muhammadu Buhari never said “However, it is important to repeat here that the current euphoria over the efforts of the nation to free itself from recession would not have been achieved without the full cooperation of the states, where fiscal discipline and other reforms are being entrenched and institutionalised.

“Indeed, the relationship between the president and governors could not have been better than it is at the moment.

“The NGF therefore advises those who report the president’s activities to always report only what the president says and not put words in the president’s mouth as this could sometimes be counterproductive,” it said.

PARTNERSHIP

L-R: Head, Commercial and Institutional Banking, Sterling Bank, Mr. Abure Monday; General Manager, Commercial and Institutional Banking, South-south, South-east & Mid-West, Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim; Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Edo State, Hon. Reginald Okun; Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Executive Director, Commercial and Institutional Banking, Sterling Bank, Mr. Lanre Adesanya; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Akerele; and Commissioner for Finance, Edo State, Hon. Osagie Inegbedion during the handover of street sweeper uniforms to the state Waste Management Board by the bank in Government House, Benin City.... yesterday

Melaye Asks Appeal Court to Stop INEC from Proceeding with His Recall Process Alex Enumah in Abuja Senator Dino Melaye has asked the Court of Appeal in Abuja to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from going further with the process of his recall from the National Assembly.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had on September 11, 2017, in a judgment delivered by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, given INEC the permission to go ahead with its planned recall of Melaye.

Justice Dimgba gave the goahead after dismissing Melaye’s suit that sought to stop his recall

by INEC following a petition it said it received from the people of Kogi West senatorial district, whom Melaye represents at the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

However, in a notice of appeal dated September 13, 2017 and filed

same day by his counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the appellant is asking the appellate court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the first defendant/respondent or any of its agents from commencing or further continuing with the process or acting on the purported petition presented to it by the purported constituents of the plaintiff.

Melaye, who has expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment of Justice Dimgba, is asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the decision of the lower court on grounds that it erred in law in taking the decision to allow INEC to proceed with the recall process.

Among the eight grounds listed by the appellant are: That the lower court erred in law when it held that the petition presented to INEC before the court for the recall of the plaintiff was validly,

even when the petition exhibited

by INEC was not signed by more than half of the registered voters in the plaintiff’s constituency as is required by section 69 of the 1999 Constitution.

That the judge also erred in law when he held that the 90 days provided for by section 69 of the 1999 Constitution was paused since June 23, 2017 when the plaintiff commenced this action and subsequently ordered that the period would continue to run from September 11, 2017, the date of judgment of the lower court, subject to the final determination of the suit, even when no such relief was sought by any of the parties in the suit.

Another grounds on which the appeal was premised is that the judge erred in law when he failed to consider the notice to INEC to produce the petition for the recall

of the appellant and not invoking the provisions of section 167 (d) of the Evidence Act, in the face of failure of INEC to produce the purported petition allegedly signed by the plaintiff’s constituents despite service of a notice to produce it, and relying on mere statistical analysis prepared by INEC itself to validate a petition which was invalid on its face.

Melaye in the appeal is therefore asking the court to allow the appeal and set aside the judgment of the lower court and in its place declare that the petition purportedly presented to INEC for his recall was illegal, unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional, null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.

He is also asking the court to declare the recall process purportedly initiated against him on the basis of the petition as illegal, having been commenced and conducted on the basis of an invalid petition.

Minister Lauds FrieslandCampina WAMCO as Biggest Investor in Milk Production The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has donated a portable motorised milking machine to FrieslandCampina WAMCO, while lauding the company as the biggest investor in Nigeria’s dairy sector.

The machine has a capacity to milk 50 cows a day.

Ogbeh made the symbolic donation while declaring open

the national livestock conference organised by the ministry in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) taking place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The objective of the conference, which runs from September 11 to 15, 2017 is to proffer solutions to major challenges of livestock production in the country, including farmer-

herdsmen clashes.

According to the minister, the donation was part of FMARD’s commitment to public-private partnerships in improving dairy farming and “it is also in recognition of FrieslandCampina WAMCO as the biggest investor in local milk production in Nigeria.”

Ogbeh said he was satisfied at the peaceful co-existence of

Fulani herdsmen and indigenes of the local communities where FCWAMCO currently operates its Dairy Development Programme.

In his response, the Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Mr. Ben Langat, expressed gratitude at the minister’s gesture and re-affirmed the company’s commitment to improving dairy farming.

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Seeking Relevance, New Labour Union Threatens to Shutdown Country on Friday Solomon Elusoji The United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC), a new central labour organisation launched earlier this year, yesterday, issued a definitive warning to the federal government of its intention to

shut down the nation’s economy, starting from Friday, September 15, while advising Nigerians to “take precautions and stock up on basic necessities as the strike will be very effective.”

The ULC, led by Joe Ajearo, said it would cripple all modes

N’Assembly Postpones Resumption Date Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The National Assembly has announced the postponement of the resumption of senators and members of the House of Representatives from their six week annual recess by one week.

The lawmakers are now expected to resume on September 26, 2017 instead of September 19, 2017.

The announcement was contained in a notice issued by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Mohammed Sani Omolori, yesterday.

Although the notice did not give any official reason for the postponement, THISDAY gathered that it might not be unconnected with the massive renovation currently ongoing in the premises of the National Assembly.

THISDAY observed on Tuesday and yesterday that

major repairs of infrastructure and repainting of some sections were being undertaken.

Electrical wirings in dark corridors which connect office sections to each other, have been repaired to light up the areas.

Although THISDAY could not access either chambers, it was gathered that renovation works to fix leaking roofs are ongoing.

The notice obtained by THISDAY reads: “This is to inform all senators and members of the National Assembly that the resumption date of both Houses in plenary has been rescheduled from Tuesday, September 19, 2017 to Tuesday, September 26, 2017,” “All senators and members are by this notice requested to resume sitting in plenary on Tuesday, September, 26, 2017 at 10a.m. prompt please,” it read.

of transportation within the nation, cause total black out nationwide, cut off petroleum products supplies and disrupt banking operations.

An industry analyst who spoke with THISDAY said: “These people are very serious; I’m afraid that if the federal government does not engage them on their demands, they will make life very difficult for Nigerians.”

The imminent strike comes after the ULC issued a 14day ultimatum to the federal government last month, a warning which expired on September 8, 2017.

In a communiqué released by the National Administrative Committee (NAC) of the ULC, after its emergency joint meeting with members of the ULC Strike Committee in Yaba yesterday, the Congress said the federal government had largely failed

to adequately address the critical issues raised in “our demands.”

The ULC said it regrets the difficult consequences of the imminent strike on all Nigerians but hopes “that these measures will help us create a nation that is better governed for the benefits of Nigerian workers and Nigerian masses. This course of action though very painful to us at this time is the only alternative available to us as we have exhausted all known peaceful processes towards an amicable resolution of the dispute. We therefore call on all genuine patriots to join hands in solidarity with us to urge the federal government and state Governors to be kind enough to meet the demands of Nigerian workers and masses.”

One of these demands include that the federal government bans the stationing of the army and

police in workplaces and factory premises.

“This will stop employers who are now colluding with the army and other security agencies from setting up garrisons in our factories for the purposes of intimidating and harassing workers in order to deny them their rights and privileges,” the ULC said in the communiqué, which was signed by Ajaero.

“The army and the police should immediately withdraw their garrisons in the different workplaces where they are currently stationed.”

Another demand concerns the immediate review of the Privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) “to save Nigerians the agony of suffering under the suffocating darkness which the GENCOs and DISCOs have foisted on the nation.”

The ULC also wants the immediate payment of all the arrears of salaries owed Nigerian workers at all levels of government without exception and desires that the federal government honours its 2009 agreement with university lecturers under the umbrella of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) quickly and commence negotiations with them on new issues so that “our universities will re-open.”

Other demands, among others, include the repair of roads leading to all the petroleum refineries and depots nationwide, the discontinuance of the proposed bill against hate speech currently at the National Assembly and the immediate inauguration of the national minimum wage negotiating committee.

Kogi Workers to Embark on Indefinite Strike over Unpaid Salaries Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja Organised labour in Kogi State yesterday called on workers in the state to embark on indefinite strike starting from September 22, when a seven-day strike notice to the state government would lapse.

The organised labour threatened to resume their suspended strike over failure of the government to honour the agreement reached with them.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Ranti Ojo. According to the union, the strike would commence because of government failure to pay salaries and other entitlements of the workers. The unions noted that the strike notice was sequel to the expiration of the time given to the state government to pay the July 2017 salary and to reverse some of the newly introduced rules that were not in tandem with the civil service rules.

The workers demanded among other things, “that government should as a matter of urgency, rescind its decision on clocking in and out policy in the public service of the state, which aims at casualising the service on daily pay basis.

This negates the provisions of National Councils on Establishment’s principles and practices guiding the civil service in the country.

“In addition, workers of the state are not miners or workers

of close-shop companies like Dangote or Nasco Groups of Companies, whose workers clock in and out. We find it extremely difficult to comprehend the issue because government that could not fulfill its obligations to workers is out on a witchhunting mission on monitoring and compelling workers with a draconian policy of clock in and out.

“That government should as a matter of urgency, rescind its punitive policy of contributory pension scheme, as it will be difficult for government to pay its counterpart funding because salaries are not being paid regularly.”

The unions also wanted government to implement the collective agreement entered into with them on August 1, 2016, without any further delay, adding that government should pay the arrears of salaries to all pardoned workers in the state and local government, primary school teachers and local government education authority staff from January 2016 to August 2017.

The unions added: “That your excellency should as a matter of concern, make your words, your bond by ensuring that the clemency granted to various categories of workers comes to limelight, because we find it difficult to actually clarify the dictates of your words as we observed that someone somewhere is tinkering with your directive or rather moderating your directive.

Therefore, labour demands the immediate pay-rolling and payment of salaries and the arrears of the affected workers.”

COURTESY CALL

Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Muda Yusuf; President, LCCI, Mrs. Nike Akande; and President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Rotimi Oladele, during a courtesy visit to the Commerce House in Lagos... yesterday

Obi: I’ll be Fully Involved in Anambra Guber Poll to Ensure Victory for PDP Uba, Ekwueme, Nwoye others battle for deputy governorship slot David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has said his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will prosecute the state governorship election aggressively to ensure victory for the party.

Obi who spoke at a forum of stakeholders of the party yesterday in Awka said he would be involved in the prosecution of the election, and that failure would not be an option.

The former governor stated that he would not delegate responsibilities or sit back and make orders as most bigwig politicians are used to do, but would be involved in every aspect and also lead campaigns to all parts of the state.

He said: “I am a PDP person today, and I am committed to PDP project. I will be at the forefront of the governorship election, and we will prosecute it aggressively as never before.

“I have served this state and I know where we left it. So we are working to take her to the

deserved height. We have visited all the people who contested against Oseloka Obaze, and if you know more people we should visit, just tell me, and we will go there. I am free and will be fully involved in the election.”

Obi said the PDP has done its best by selecting the best candidate for the party-Obaze.

He described him as a diplomat who would bring his wealth of knowledge to bear in leading the state.

But a media aide to the state Governor, Willie Obiano, Oliver Okpala, who spoke to journalists described Obi’s description of Obaze as deceit. He wondered how the former governor who three years ago told the people of the state that Obiano possessed the best qualities among others in the contest to succeed him would now vilify his ‘best choice’.

“Obi cannot speak from two sides of his mouth. In 2013, he introduced Obiano to the people of the state and said

he (Obiano) had the best managerial acumen and political sagacity to take over from him.

Thus, he happily handed over to Obiano, and Obiano had proved to the people of the state what Obi said about him by his performance that everybody is testifying about.

So what is Obi talking about?

“There is no amount of lies Obi will tell about Obiano that will make the people to change their minds about the November 18 poll. They are all for Obiano,” Okpala stated.

Meanwhile, THISDAY has gathered that seven persons are already jostling to become deputy governorship candidate of the party’s standard bearer, Obaze.

A source told THISDAY that Senator Ugochukwu Uba, elder brother of erstwhile political godfather of the state, Chief Chris Uba, and a daughter of former vice president of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, are among those being considered for the deputy governorship position in PDP.

Others who have also been considered for the position are Hon. Tim Egboka; former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Chris Azubogu; member representing Ekwusigo, Nnewi North and South federal constituency at the national assembly, Prof. Stella Okunna, former commissioner under Mr. Peter Obi. Others are Ernest Nwoye, twin brother of Hon Tony Nwoye, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the election, and Hon. Ndubuisi Nwobu, a major stakeholder in the state PDP. The state caretaker chairman of the party, Prof ABC Nwosu, who spoke to THISDAY, however said the party has not settled on who would be the deputy governorship candidate of the party.

He however, assured that the party would not compromise, but will insist on the best for the job, having painstakingly elected Obaze who is deemed the best as the candidate of the party.

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NEWSEXTRA

Okorocha to Rename Douglas Road, Structure Built on Demolished Market Amby Uneze in Owerri It seems that Imo State Government has made a U-turn over the death of Somtochukwu Ibeanusi, the 10-yearold boy allegedly killed by soldiers during the demolition exercise of Owerri market at Douglas road as Governor Rochas Okorocha stated that the action was to honour the innocent soul.

Okorocha who spoke when traditional rulers and leaders of Owerri paid him a visit at the Government House, Owerri, yesterday, said he has been able to liberate the people of Owerri from a wicked clique made up of one or two families who had held Owerri people in bondage.

He said: “Government has decided to honour Somtochukwu although the boy’s death was confusing because an action can’t be taking place on Douglas road, and the person died at Mbaise road. No matter what happened, whatever be the case, since that boy died within that period of liberation, that boy must be honoured. And for the fact that the whole of Owerri leaders are mourning him, wore black even to Catholic and Anglican churches. And if Owerri leaders can mourn a boy from Nnewi, Anambra State, that shows that there is something great about that boy.”

According to him, “So for every activity in that Ekeukwu and Douglas road, the boy will be honoured, because he died on the day of the event. That boy is more important than any Eke or Afor, Ekeukwu or Ekenta. So both the Douglas road and project to be sited there will be named after the boy, Somtochukwu. The project will be named Somtochukwu and the road, Somtochukwu road in line with the way all of us are mourning that boy. I will not go back to deity again by naming it

Ekeukwu road. Imo State has gone past that level.

“They are fighting me because I have liberated you people. What do I benefit by building township school, rebuilding Emmanuel College, Akwakuma Girls, Government College, Government Technical College, building Owerri Girls, inland roads, ICC, trade and investment centre, two flyovers, two tunnels, heroes square, roads. What do I benefit as Rochas Okorocha if not for the development of Owerri.

No governor has done in the history of Owerri, what I have done for Owerri people? My crime is that I have liberated you people from bondage.”

The governor said: “I have a stake in Owerri, no governor has invested the way I have invested in Owerri and no Owerri son or daughter has invested more than me in Owerri, both the living and the dead, I stand to be challenged.

The worst of it is that when Eze Njemanze died, I offered to build a house for him but the same clique refused. When I came into office 2011, I had meeting with elders of Owerri of which Bob Njemanze was present, they advised me to remove Ekeukwu, that, it was bringing crime to the City. I refused but only to remove it five years interval. Just watch the development this will bring to Owerri people.”

“Ekeukwu has nothing to do with the identity of Owerri people.

Owerri cannot develop Owerri.

It will take people from outside Owerri to develop Owerri. You must open your doors for people to come in and develop it. It is not true that I am not preserving your identity, I preserved your identity by building Township School and other monumental structures in Owerri. If Ekeukwu means deity that does not want progress, that deity must go, but if it is Ekeukwu that brings progress fine.

“Believe me, if there is any man who loves Owerri people, it is Rochas Okorocha. If there is any man who cherishes Owerri, it is me, I make bold to say that. If there is another person who loves Owerri more than me, he should come and let’s check the facts available for public consumption.

“I have not seen such accommodating set of people like Owerri people. They are nice people. There is nothing wrong with Owerri but there is a clique in Owerri, a small clique that kept Owerri people in bondage for more than decades. That is the problem of Owerri. What I have come to do in Owerri is to set the captives free.

“Those people resist anything good coming to Owerri people unless it is coming to their family.

This is the truth and Owerri people are confused about the true situation. If not for me, you cannot have these traditional rulers now sitting in Owerri.

This clique doesn’t want Owerri to expand. The four autonomous communities in Owerri wouldn’t have existed because they fought it.

The majority leader in the House of Assembly wouldn’t have been a leader because he would have been mandated to carry cows to their homes and pledge to their deities before they can accept him,” the governor said.

He stressed: “I have rescued Owerri from bondage and Owerri is now free. You will see your children now prospering and growing but before now it was only one family in Owerri that grows, one family and one family alone. They produce the judges, lawyers, doctors and everything but you can’t see any other growth in Owerri. This group of people inside Owerri resist every good thing coming to Owerri. They resort to the courts to stop development coming to Owerri.”

Obiano Has Under-performed, Says Anambra AD Guber Candidate Ahead the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State, the candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Chief Valentine Ugo-Akpe Onwuka, has berated the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, describing him as a non-performer in spite of the huge resources accruable to the state.

He promised to turn around the fortunes of his people with policies and programmes that would promote economic prosperity if elected.

In a statement obtained yesterday, he stated that he is determined to harness the potential of Anambra people for the reengineering of their collective psyche and a reinvigoration of a desire to build a solid economically sustainable and prosperous land, where there is guaranteed right to life, freedom and justice.

According to Onwuka: “This shall form the root principles to which my government shall be dedicated to, in order to better lives, make property acquisition affordable, while protecting each and every citizen of the state.’’

The statement reads in parts: “I am on a rescue mission.

Governor Obiano has failed us.

Our beloved state is in crisis; a crisis created and sustained by the mismanagement, incompetence and corruption of the Obiano-led All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) government.

“While theatrics are promoted, economic conditions are worsening by the day and there is so much suffering in the land.

“The protection of the lives and properties of our people are no more a priority at this time, when extreme protection should be ensured.

“From herdsmen mayhem to

the tacit approval of the current administration to the murder and violent intimidation of our people, all we see is blood, tears and wailing, and a remorseless government.”

The Ogbunike born advertising and brands expert, who is also a kinsman of the late Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo, boasted to introduce a different kind of government, one that governs in the interest of ndi Anambra and not for private gains.

On the choice of AD as a party, Onwuka added that true and lasting progress cannot be made without a unified people.

Hence, his slogan is handshake across the Niger.

“Therefore, I am asking for your votes so that we can create an inclusive, united Anambra. It is this new and invigorated unity that will bring the rebirth of Anambra State.”

FUT Minna Gets New Vice Chancellor Laleye Dipo in Minna Professor Abdullahi Bala of the Department of Soil Science and Land Management, School of Agriculture, has been appointed the seventhVice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State.

Bala will be the second

indigenous Vice Chancellor in its 34 year history after the pioneer VC, Professor Jonathan Ndagi.

His appointment was approved by the institutions Governing Council on Tuesday. He will succeed Professor Musbau Adewunmi Akanji, who will complete his term in office on December 3 this year.

A letter signed by the ProChancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Femi Odekunle, confirmed the appointmet, adding that it is for a single term of five years which will take effect from Sunday, December 3, 2017.

Bala who hails from Suleja in Niger State was born on March 27, 1967.

TCN

TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF NIGERIA PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT Office Address: No. 7, Hombori Street,Web Site: Wuse II, Abuja.

Telephone: 234-808 028 8802-3 http//www.tcnpmu.ng

ADDENDUM NO.1 TO PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENT for Rehabilitation & Reinforcement of 330/132kV and 132/33kV Transmission Substations (Package 1) Prequalification Document No: NTP-TR1 Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP) Credit No.: …TBD…….

Project ID No: 146330-UNI (IDA Financed)

In accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulation for IPF Borrowers (July 2016), TCN-PMU hereby issue Addendum No. 1 to the Rehabilitation & Reinforcement of 330/132kV and 132/33kV Transmission Substations (Package 1): Prequalification No: NTP-TR1 under the proposed Nigeria Electricity Transmission Project (NETAP).

Presented below is an amendment to some clauses and subclauses contained in certain Sections of the Prequalification Document on the specified pages.

Prequalification Document 1.0

Section II: Prequalification Data Sheet (PDS):

1.1

Prequalification data Sheet, pages 23 to 26

1.1.1 The provision in items ITA 17.1 & 19.1: Submission Deadline/Opening: Shall now be amended to read.

Date: Time:

“Tuesday, 10th October, 2017” “12:00 Noon”

Please note that the Venue for the Opening remains unchanged at No. 7, Hombori Street, Off Freetown Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, Nigeria.

Transmission Company of Nigeria – Project Management Unit (TCN-PMU) PMU Auditorium, Ground Floor Attention: Engr. A. A. Gwadabe -Project Manager (World Bank Funded Projects) No. 7, Hombori Street, Wuse 2, Abuja 900288, NIGERIA 46 Tel: +234-808 028 8802, +234 808 028 8803 E-mail: tcnpmu@tcnpmu.ng & abugwadabe@tcnpmu.ng Website: www.tcnpmu.ng

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

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CRIME&PUNISHMENT Police Rescue 13 Kidnapped Persons as Boko Haram Members Surrender Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri The Nigeria Police has rescued 13 kidnapped persons from the den of kidnappers in Yobe State.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the Borno State Police Command and a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Victor Isuku, two hoodlums were killed during the rescue operation jointly carried out by police and men of

local vigilante group.

The statement read in part: “On the 19/8/2017, the Area Commander Biu, reported a case of abduction of six children, four males and two females.

“The command striking unit and team of investigators were promptly dispatched to the area.

The deployment and the use of undercover operatives led to the arrest of five persons who made confessional statements and revealed

...Arrest 41 Suspected Cultists in Kwara Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Kwara State Police Commissioner, Mr. Lawan Addo, yesterday said that no fewer than 41 suspected cultists had been arrested and charged to court since assumption of office three months ago in the state.

Addo disclosed this in Ilorin yesterday while parading six suspected cultists who have been terrorising the people of Ilorin and Offa in Offa Local Government Area of the state in the past few weeks.

He said that,: “On the 7/9/2017, acting on intelligence, a team of anti-cultism unit of the state police command’s criminal and intelligence department swop on the rendezvous of the notorious and dreaded Buccaneer secret cult fraternity at Zango area of Ilorin, arrested and confessed of being a member of the said secret cult”.

He also added that his men in

Offa accosted one Musa Umar, and when he was searched, a locally made pistol was recovered from him. ‘‘On interrogation, he confessed to be a member of Eiye confraternity and said to be taken part in many criminal activities in and around Offa while his partner, Jolayemi Gbenga, an ex-student of Federal Polytechnic, Offa escaped arrest” The police commissioner who was represented by the state police command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Okansanmi Ajayi, said that the police command has intensified effort to get the other cultists arrested and charged them to court.

He therefore, advised the people of the state to be law abiding in their day-to-day activities, saying that the state police command would not condone any act of violence as anyone caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

the location where the abducted children were kept.”

Isuku revealed that: “On 8/9/2017, through community policing partnership and networking, the command with local hunters and vigilante members dominated the hostage scene and after about an hour gun battle with the hoodlums in the forest, near Kumaya village in Buni Yadi area of Yobe State, the following arrests, rescues and recoveries were made: Two of the hoodlums died following injuries sustained in the gun battle, Two AK47 rifles used by the hoodlums were recovered, six earlier abducted victims were rescued, Seven other abducted persons were rescued, bringing the total number of persons rescued to 13.”

He lamented that two members of the search party were injured in

the course of the exchange.

He said they are responding to treatment and are in stable condition.

Isuku also disclosed that the rescued victims were formally handed over to the Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mamman Durkwa, at the Government House.

In a similar development, the counter terrorism efforts of the Nigerian military, code name “Operation Safe Corridor “ recorded another victory with the unconditional surrender to the police by high profile repentant Boko Haram terrorists.

Isuku, said: “On 10/9/2017, at about 2100hrs, the intelligence arm of the Special anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Borno State command, were able to negotiate a peaceful surrender of repentant Boko Haram terrorists with their

families.”

He said: “One Ibrahim Dala (alias Abu Ali), formerly of Kawar Mela ward, Maiduguri, an Amir (commander) of the Mamman Nur faction, along with Audu Mustapha Bukar, male, 20 years and Laminu Mustapha Modu, male, 25 years, all residing at Talala insurgents camp in Sambisa Forest surrendered themselves unconditionally to Borno State police command.

“Audu Mustapha Bukar and Laminu Mustapha Modu, both of whom are from Ngallamari village, claimed to have been held hostage by the sect some time ago and were conscripted.

Others include: Alhaji Ali, male, 25 years of Alagarno village, Abubakar Mele, male, 30 years of Yasko village, Modu Umar, male, 20 years of Bursum village, Modu Maina, male, 15 years of Bursum

village, Ali Kolo, male, 20 years of Alagarno village, Bintu Abubakar, female, 14 years of Yasko village, Falmata Abubakar, female, 15 years of Yasko village, Hauwa Ali, female, 15 years of Alagarno village, Husam Ali, female, 14 years, of Alagarno village, Mallam Modu, female, 16 years of Bursum village.

He said children numbering five, between the ages of one year to eight years old were also rescued.

Isuku said all the surrendered terrorists and the rescued victims “have since made useful statements that will assist in the counter Insurgency campaign of the military.”

He disclosed that they are presently undergoing preliminary profiling preparatory to transfer to the military.

Ekiti Judicial Panel to Evaluate Projects Executed by Fayemi Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti For the purpose of ascertaining whether there was massive corruption in the execution of projects executed by the administration of former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Justice Silas Oyewole-led judicial panel will today conduct a factfinding visit to projects inaugurated by the government.

At yesterday’s proceedings, Oyewole urged all the parties and their counsel to be part of the project inspection tour which he said would commence at 12 noon.

This assessment tour wasbasedon the testimony of a witness, Adedayo Ajobiewe, who told the Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing the management of the state funds between October 2010 and October 2014 that a total of 71 contracts were terminated during the period under review.

The panel is investigating how the immediate past administration led Fayemi spent the state allocations that accrued to the state and how same were spent on projects during his four-year tenure.

Ajobiewe, who is the Director of Cabinet Matters in the Cabinet and Special Services Department of the Governor’s Office, disclosed that a total of 55 contracts were either varied or reviewed within the period.

He told the panel that between the period under review, the state Tenders Board approved 1,035 briefs which include 909 contracts with 71

of them terminated and 55 varied or reviewed.

Ajobiewe said: “There are some reasons for terminating contracts, it may be because the contractor does a shoddy job, and a contract can be terminated if a contractor abandons the project.

“If this happens, joint measurement will be carried out by the representatives of the contractors, Bureau of Public Projects and the Client Ministries.

“Our office only approves and when joint measurement is done, legal advice will be sought from the Ministry of Justice. My office plays no role in the variation of contracts, state Tenders Board approves variations done by Client Ministries.”

Meanwhile, Access Bank and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), in their testimony, said the bank withdrew a sum of N852, 936,713.92 million from UBEC and not Fayemi as being claimed.

The fund was a counterpart fund to finance projects being carried out by the state government through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and was withdrawn by Access bank, alleged to have been mismanaged by Fayemi.

An official of the Access bank, Kayode Adejuyigbe, told the panel that the bank took the decision to withdraw the N852 million counterpart fund because government did not fulfill some terms in the loan.

BETTER WELFARE FOR PENSIONERS

Military pensioners protesting the review of their pension in Abuja.... yesterday

Lagos Bans Inter-State Buses,Vehicles Along Ikorodu Road The Lagos State Government yesterday announced the restriction of the operation of inter-state buses and vehicles operating along Ikorodu Road from going beyond Ojodu Berger and Ojota Motor Parks.

The state government has also issued a seven-day ultimatum to the operators to relocate to the designated inter-state motor parks at Ojodu Berger and Ojota, after which stiff sanction would apply to defaulters.

Speaking after embarking on a joint inspection tour of ongoing construction of Modern Bus Terminal at Yaba and the beautification project at Jibowu, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, said the decision of the government was in line with the determination of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration to free the city of avoidable nuisances and install sanity and civility in the environment.

He said the inspection was a follow-up to an earlier visit by

the governor to the area, adding that all the necessary quit notices have already been served on the affected operators.

He said: “This is a follow-up on the visit of Ambode to this axis last night and was very displeased with what he saw particularly in the manner with which long buses, inter-state buses are using the main town and what we have done so far is the initial announcement to say that henceforth, we will no longer allow inter-state buses to be along Ikorodu Road.

“Henceforth, they will have to go to Ojota and Ojodu Berger which are the two designated inter-state motor parks. The ones that we have here in Jibowu will have to move and there is a seven-day ultimatum for everyone of them beginning from the ones in this axis to move,” Ayorinde said.

Speaking on the reason for the ban, the commissioner said activities of the operators had not been tidy and decent despite repeated warnings, and that government could no longer sit and watch such

to continue in the overall interest of the people.

He said: “Take for instance, the new Jersey Barricades here are being destroyed and they are built with taxpayers money. Yes, the initial accident was caused by a vehicle but we have seen people showing disrespect to taxpayers money and that we can no longer allow.

“We have also see the way vegetal nuisance have taken over everything particularly areas that are being used by the operators of the inter-state buses in spite of the repeated warnings that this is no longer acceptable. Sometimes you come here late in the night and you encounter criminal elements and the government is saying we can no longer take this.

“In the overall interest of the public, what is tidy, what is decent and civilised is to move them where they really belong so that we can free the city and you know what we are doing in terms of the overall plans for the city. There are major bus terminals springing up. People have seen

what we are doing in Yaba which will be ready by December; they have seen what we have done in TBS and Ikeja, which are all part of the overall plan. And part of what the governor has said is that every area like that, we will add a beautification plan to it. So, what we have done is in the best interest of Lagosians, taxpayers and the public,” the commissioner said.

He, however, urged affected stakeholders to work with government, assuring that the development would not in any way affect their businesses and livelihood.

Also speaking, the state acting Commissioner for Transportation, PrinceAnofiuElegushisaidthebanwas part of the plan of the government to properly utilide spaces under flyovers and bridges.

He assured that government had already provided more than enough spaces for the affected operators at Ojodu Berger and Ojota, saying that a stakeholders’ meeting would also be held on this week to discuss and allocate spaces for operators at the said parks.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

House to Hold Public Hearing on NFF Act Next Week Duro Ikhazuagbe The Federal House of Representatives will next week hold a public hearing on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Act. The bill seeks to repeal the Nigeria Football Association Act 2004 CAP 110 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, to enact the Nigeria Football Federation Act 2016.

A member of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Danburam Abubakar Nuhu, said in Abuja yesterday that hearing will resume next week on the much awaited bill.

“We will be resuming next week and Nigerians will begin to see things unfold.

“There are some issues that the committee needs to address within, so we are hoping that by next week when we resume, we will also be doing a public hearing on the NFF Act,” said Nuhu to AOIFootball.com.

He also added that once the public hearing is concluded, the next step will be to submit the recommendations to House and that when the Act is passed, it would be sent to the President for his assent.

At its Annual General Assembly in Makurdi, Benue State on 24th July 2008, Congress approved the change of name to Nigeria Football Federation.

The Act of Parliament 2004 as the legal instrument for administering the game in Nigeria replaced the Decree 101 of 1992. The main objective

of this amendment is to bring the NFF law in line with international best practices.

In June this year, the upper chamber of the National Assembly, the Senate had passed the much-awaited NFF Bill following a third reading.

The key highlights of the NFF Bill sent to the President for his assent include legislations to ensure the entrenchment of the enabling environment for the development of football in Nigeria and to drive private sector participation and investment at all levels.

Fundamentally, the Bill has now domesticated the NFF Statutes, recognising its sanctity, as approved by the NFF Congress and endorsed by FIFA as the supreme laws for governance of the functioning, organisation, administration and operations of the federation, as well as recognition of football by the Federal Government as a national asset entitled to special privileges and concessions to foster its growth at all levels.

The Bill further provides for

special concessions and tax holidays by the government to sponsors of football in Nigeria and has clear financial reporting provisions to further entrench transparency in the activities of the NFF, such as publishing of accounts annually.

These will set the NFF on a path of sustainable growth and ensure it operates within international best practices and as a business to strengthen the social and economic impact of

football to the nation’s economy.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development, Senator Joseph Obinna Ogba, presented the report of his committee to the august body. It was followed by a clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill and a voice vote by the senators.

“All these court cases against football do not augur well for our country. It is important that we repeal the Act (2004) and

enact the NFF Bill to sanitise football administration in this country,” Ogba had stressed on the floor of the house while presenting his committee’s report.

The former NFF vice president went further: “It has become necessary to repeal the Extant Act. This is because it requires a lot of amendments to bring it into agreement with FIFA –required international best practices. It is to give it

the required boost.

“The Bill has no financial implication because it is only seeking for a change in the name of the football body in order to achieve greater and better results in the future. It seeks to ensure that only those who are actually involved in competitive football matches are members of the Federation and not just organizations and establishments as contained in the Extant Act.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Maribor 1-1 Spartak Moscow Tottenham 3-1 Dortmund RB Leipzig 1-1 Monaco Feyenoord 0-4 Man City Shakhtar 2-1 Napoli Liverpool 2-2 Sevilla Porto 1-3 Besiktas R’ Madrid 3-0 APOEL EUROPA TODAY (8pm) Arsenal v Cologne

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating his opening goal of the Real Madrid versus APOEL Nicosia UEFA Champions League clash at the Santiago Bernabeu…yesterday. Madrid won 3-0

Eagles to Get AITEO’s N50m When they Reconvene for Zambia

WAFU Cup: Nigeria, Mali to Kick off Group Stage Campaign in Cape Coast

The Technical partners of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the AITEO Group, has promised to redeem the N50million it pledged to boost Super Eagles’ World Cup 2018 qualifying clashes against Cameroon when the team reconvenes for its next game in October.

To boost Super Eagles against reigning African champions Cameroon, the management of Aiteo Group, Nigeria’s foremost oil and gas company, pledged to given to the team N10 Million for every goal scored against the Indomitable Lions in the double header matches in Uyo and Yaounde. John Mikel Obi and his teammates defeated the Lions 4-0 in Uyo before going to Yaounde to be held to a one-all draw game.

Speaking on how the N10million-per-goal pledge helped ginger Eagles to crush the Indomitable Lions in the ongoing Russia 2018 qualifiers, Executive Vice Chairman of the AITEO Group, Mr. Benedict Peters, expressed his happiness that the pledge spurred the senior national soccer team to consolidate its leadership of the Group B. “Our ambition is to boost the performance of the Nigerian teams and return the country to the position of dominance in African football,” stressed Mr Peters

The home-based Eagles are to begin their group stage campaign of the sub-regional WAFU Nations Cup this afternoon against the Aigions of Mali at the Cape Coast Stadium in Ghana. Kick off time is 4pm Nigerian time.

Coach Salisu Yusuf and his wards on Monday evening defeated Sierra Leone 2-0 to berth in the group stage while Mali overpowered Mauritania 3-1.

But the Nigerian gaffer is not underrating the Malians as he believes that the game may not be a walk in the park for the super Eagles.

Yusuf who watched Mali beat Mauritania admitted yesterday that he was

who watched both matches against Cameroon in Uyo and Yaounde live.

The N50million bonus to the team from the oil and gas giants, it was learnt may be donated by the players towards the treatment of the team’s first choice goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, who was diagnosed with acute leukaemia last July.

Mr. Peters added: “We are happy with the progress the Super Eagles are making, and are looking forward to having Ikeme return to action for the national team soon.

This is our way of showing support for the team and the goalkeeper in particular. As a company, we are interested in the things that integrate and unite Nigerians, and we know that football is at the core of our national pride and international diplomacy.”

The recent outstanding performances of the Super Eagles have been attributed to the financial stability the team now enjoys. Many of the team’s key financial needs are being addressed by the N2.7billion sponsorship deal between the NFF and the AITEO Group which is ensuring that major outings of both the senior men and women national football teams are extensively supported by the oil giant for the next five years.

impressed with their size, strength and aggression, but believes his players will use their intelligence to go past the Eagles of Bamako.

“We watched Mali beat Mauritania before our own game against Sierra Leone.

They have some tall, big players especially in the defence, they are also well organised and are aggressive,” he remarked to SCORENigeria.com “But I expect my team to use their intelligence to outwit them.

“It won’t be an easy game but we are now a lot more settled after how we rushed in for the game against a very confident Sierra Leone team, who wanted to shock us.

“We have since had two trainings and that will help us against Mali.”

Yusuf was forced to rely on the core of the CHAN Eagles for the playoff against Sierra Leone because his squad to the WAFU Cup had not trained together before they departed for Ghana.

“I have had some time to look at the other players here with us and we will see how they fit in for our subsequent matches.

“The important thing is that we are preparing for CHAN next year in earnest,” he stressed ahead of today’s group opening game.

Friday Ubong and Peter Eneji, who were not part of

the CHAN qualifiers, were introduced in the second half against Sierra Leone with Eneji from champions Plateau United catching the eye with a well-taken goal and great drive on the left side of the attack. Osas Okoro scored the other goal to lift Nigeria above the Leone Stars.

AITEO ROUND OF 16 (Results) FC Abuja 0-0 Niger Tornadoes Akwa Starlets 1-2 Plateau Utd Ngwa FC 1-3 Sunshine Stars Osun Utd 2-1 El-Kanemi Babes Unicem Rovers 0-1 ABS FC Akwa Utd 5-1 Shooting Stars Ekiti Utd 1-1 Katsina U-Feed IfeanyiUbah 3-1 Heartland FC

Monimichelle Confirms Enyimba’s Return to Aba For Enyimba fans who are eager to see their club’s return home next season, there is good news in the air.

The contractor handling the re-grassing of the Enyimba Stadium turf, Monimichelle confirmed yesterday that the place would be ready ahead of the 2018 soccer season.

The Chief Executive Officer of Monimichelle, Ebi Egbe, said yesterday that the laying of the geo-technology turf would commence any moment from

now.

“Some of the materials we need to complete the job are already on ground in Aba. In the next few weeks we would get the other consignments in from Europe and immediately that is done the experts that would install it will come into the country for the final phase of the job to begin.

“The good thing is that the governor has resolved to personally supervise the project and ensure its completion

without the involvement of any third party. Enyimba fans can be rest assured that the People’s Elephants would play their continental matches next season at home.

“I am happy Enyimba secured a continental ticket.

Courtesy of Gov Okezie Ikpeazu, Enyimba would be playing in a world-class turf that Nigerians would be proud of in their continental campaign next season,” observed the stadium turf expert.

He personally thanked the Abia State governor for his commitment to the realisation of the Enyimba Stadium project.

Enyimba last season played their NPFL home matches at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

Despite playing “away” in Calabar, the Gbenga Ogunbote tutored side still had a fine run and finished third on the NPFL log and secured a CAF Confederation Cup ticket.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

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MISSILE Ikpeazu to Fed Govt “While the Government of Abia State recognizes the right of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to perform their statutory duty of protection of lives and property of Nigerian citizens, such duties must be carried out within acclaimed Nigerian and international standards of engagement with the civil populace, with due respect to the human rights of citizens and sanctity of human lives” – Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on the military operation in his state.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

2019 and the Abuja Python Dance I

t was not enough for the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Aisha Alhassan, to say that she has pitched her political tent with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 presidential election race that has, for all practical purposes, been declared open; she also had to rub it in that even if President Muhammadu Buhari decides to seek re-election, he would not get her vote.

I cannot see a better vote of no confidence in a leader than that passed by the still-serving minister. But at least she has the courage of her conviction, given what many of her colleagues and other All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders say behind closed doors.

However, the real issue is not who ‘Mama Taraba’, as she is called by her supporters, prefers between Buhari (who has not indicated that he would seek re-election) and Atiku (who has never hidden his desire to occupy the number one office in the land). The real issue is that Alhassan has confirmed that the whole essence of political power struggle in Nigeria is not about the people. She would leave Buhari for Atiku not necessarily because she believes the latter has a better agenda for the country but rather because he is her “godfather.” So, in effect, it is personal. With most Nigerian politicians and public officials, it is always personal!

That then explains why the leadership recruitment process is never about ideas or ideals. We elect people, at practically all levels, because they speak the same language with us or share with us the same religious beliefs and such other considerations that have nothing to do with their vision to make our society better. Even now, those supporting Buhari’s yet-to-be-declared re-election bid are not telling us why he deserves a second term although I have read some comments about his legendary 12 million votes; which then means that the cold calculation of some politicians within the ruling APC is for Buhari to run so he could deliver to them those votes. Meanwhile, you need only to be on Twitter to recognize the challenge Atiku will face when the real game begins.

Like Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka said on Monday, it is still too early to begin a debate about the next president considering the enormous challenge at hand. From medical doctors to university lecturers to other workers, it would seem as if the only vocabulary in town is strike. And the response to this problem from the authorities is at best tepid. But one thing is now very clear: The 2019 presidential election will not be fought on the basis of dubious claims by some aspirants that they wore no shoes when they were young or that they had no money to buy presidential nomination forms! Nigerians are now wiser and for good reasons too.

Whether on the economic or political front, the prognosis does not look good.

Yet, while most of the current agitations can still be located in the desperation to control the ever-dwindling oil resources, the rest of the world is thinking and plotting for a future away from hydrocarbon which

Ikpeazu only goes to confirm a common refrain by my friend, Louis Odion, about the folly of those who enjoy presiding over the seating arrangements in a sinking Titanic. Nigerian politicians take a cake in that regard even when there is also a method to their madness: Most of them have appropriated to themselves more than enough “lifeboats” to take care of their spouses, children, concubines and those that will minister to their indulgences, just in case...

We will deal with the politics of 2019 when the time comes. But there are pressing issues that cannot wait. On Tuesday, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu imposed a three-day curfew in Abia State to de-escalate tension, following confrontation between soldiers and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) renegades. It was a wise and commendable move by the governor because the problem had been building up since the Nigerian Army declared Operation Python Dance II within the South-East geo-political region, apparently in response to the antics of Nnamdi Kanu. But I see no enduring solution in this approach that could trigger needless violence on a national scale.

Yesterday, following a post by a Diaspora Nigerian, Dr. Baba Adam, urging Governor Ikpeazu to call Kanu to order, he got a response that I want to reproduce (with minor editing) here because of its resonance: “There is a young Nigerian lady that I work with on one of my projects. She is from Imo State and married to a man from Kaduna State.

She said to me, ‘please do not include me on any of our project field visit to Kaduna, Kano and in fact anywhere in the North from October 1’. As far as she is concerned, the ‘quit notice’ issued by a faceless group from the North is a big threat and the federal government has done very little to allay her fears.”

The writer said he felt compelled to share the story because his reading of the situation in the South-east is that while majority may not be in support of Kanu, they also don’t feel protected enough by

the federal government. “Deploying military troops in Abia State will therefore not solve the problem. The government started on a sure footing by asking the Vice president to go round and consult within the region.

The report and recommendations from such consultation, if implemented, will be more useful. Meanwhile, as long as the high rate of inequality, poverty and unemployment continues in the country and young Nigerians feel that the government, in the states and the centre, is not responding to the challenges, men like Nnamdi Kanu will continue to attract a following” the writer concluded.

While advocacy of violence can be ascribed to Kanu on account of his self-deceiving ‘Biafra Marine’, ‘Biafra Navy Seal’, ‘Biafra Secret Service’ etc., the state cannot respond with brutality in the management of the crisis without getting hurt. Already, there are many disturbing videos in circulation. While some feature the application of jungle justice by the military, there are also others in which IPOB sympathizers target those they consider their enemies. I hope the political authorities are alert in these dangerous times that we are in. On top of what ails us as a nation, we do not need any inter-ethnic violence.

This is therefore a time that calls for leadership. Whatever may be the feeling of discontent in the South-east, it is something that President Buhari can easily respond to by holding sincere dialogue with critical

stakeholders within the region while applying equity in the distribution of opportunities. The police and other security agencies can then deal with the law and order component of the nuisance which Kanu’s IPOB represents.

Deploying military troops should be the last resort, after all other efforts at restoring order by the civil authorities must have failed.

In more ways than one, the choice of “Python Dance” as a response to the political problem in the South-east is wrong-headed. For those who may not understand the symbolism, “python dance” is a dangerous sport not only because many have been bitten by their own pythons but also because some of these reptiles have actually flown from their charmers into the audience with catastrophic consequences.

That is why there are several rules to python dancing, with the most important one being that the environment must be warm. Since python, like all snakes, are cold blooded, their body temperature also changes with the surrounding environment.

With leaders and critical institutions in Nigeria now being described in animal terms (lions, hyenas, alligators, jackals, pythons, cockroaches etc.) the pertinent question is, given the 5 per cent versus 97 per cent Abuja theorem of power and privileges that Kanu has exploited in pursuit of his own agenda, is the environment in the South-east today conducive for a military “python dance”?

I doubt!

A Time to Speak Tomorrow, I leave for Dunhuang, in Gansu Province of Western China, to participate in an international conference put together by ‘People’s Daily’, the biggest media group in the country and an official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party. The conference is expected to discuss the “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)”, a development strategy that more or less underlines the subtle but increasing power projection of China across the globe. Invited as one of the keynote speakers for the opening ceremony next Tuesday, I am to speak on the impacts that BRI “will bring to regional and global peace and development” while also sharing my thoughts “on the transformation of media industry brought by the emergence of new media and new technologies; from how the news is produced, how it is delivered to how it is consumed.”

When I return next Saturday, I will be giving a lecture three days later (on Tuesday, 26th September) at Baze University in Abuja. I will be speaking to the students on “Leadership and responsibility in the age of social media”. And six days later, on Monday 2nd October, I will be on the 2017 “Platform Nigeria” in Lagos to speak on “A Nation on the Edge: Which Way Nigeria?”

However, of the three public engagements within a period of 14 days, I am particularly looking forward to this year’s edition of

Platform which will mark my 6th time of participation. The ever gracious host and Senior Pastor of the Covenant Christian Centre, Pastor Poju Oyemade told me on Monday that this year’s edition is specially put together to address not only the current upheavals in our country but also to look at the endless possibilities for peace and prosperity. “Nigeria has witnessed military rule, insecurity, economic downturns, religious and ethnic unrests that have threatened its political unity but these have come as separate events in national history” said Pastor Poju who added: “We are now witnessing, perhaps for the first time in our 18-year democracy, a combination of these events which collectively threaten our national unity. The theme of this Platform comes from a firm belief that notwithstanding these threats, we are a resilient people with capacity to overcome our challenges.”

With the theme “Putting together the jigsaw pieces that form Nigeria”, the other speakers for this year include Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Mr Segun Odegbami, Prof Egbosa Osaghae and Mr Okey Enelamah. The venue remains ‘The Covenant Place’, Iganmu. As usual it will be Live on Channels television.

But for those who will like to personally attend, it is by online registration at www. theplatformnigeria.org/register.

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