Thursday 21st September 2017

Two MPC Members Raise Red Flag over NPLs of Four Banks CBN has provided ‘piggy bank’ services to FG through quantitative easing, Salami cautions Obinna Chima Two members of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) – Dr. Doyin Salami

and Hassan Balami – have expressed concern over the high level of non-performing loans in four banks in the country.

This was reflected in their

personal statements at the July MPC meeting posted on the CBN website yesterday, ahead of next week’s meeting.

Against the backdrop of low oil prices, dwindling

oil revenue, foreign exchange scarcity and a crippling recession, the last two years have seen an intense weakening of the macroeconomic environment,

resulting in a deterioration of asset quality and rising NPLs in the banking industry.

Indeed, several international rating agencies, the World Bank and

International Monetary Fund (IMF) have repeatedly raised concerns over rising NPLs in the banking industry.

Continued on page 8

Jordan Bolsters Nigeria’s Fight against Terrorism with Military Hardware… Page 8 Thursday 21 September, 2017 Vol 22. No 8190. Price: N250

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U.S. President Donald Trump; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyema; and President Muhammadu Buhari, when Trump hosted Buhari and other African leaders on the sidelines of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly in New York… yesterday

Court Formally Proscribes IPOB, Designates It Terrorist Organisation Adegboruwa: Order proscribing group is faulty IPOB’s financial HQs is in France, says FG Separatists demand whereabouts of Kanu and his parents Tobi Soniyi in Lagos, Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria, the Southeast separatist group which has been agitation for the

realisation of the Republic of Biafra.

The acting Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Abdul Adamu Kafarati granted the order proscribing the IPOB following an application filed and moved Continued on page 8

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, when Tambuwal met with Baru on the search for oil in the Sokoto Basin… yesterday

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Court Strikes Out Alison-Madueke’s Name from $1.6bn Fraud Trial Alex Enumah in Abuja Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court yesterday struck out the name of the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke in the ongoing trial of the Chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept (AEDC) Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jide Omokore and five others standing trial over their alleged involvement in a $1.6 billion crude oil fraud.

The trial judge struck out her name while delivering ruling on the former minister’s motion seeking to be joined as a defendant in the suit.

Omokore, AEDC, Atlantic Energy Brass Development (AEBD) Ltd., Victor Briggs, Abiye Membere and David Mbanefo are standing trial for their alleged involvement in

defrauding the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), the exploration and production subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), of $1.6 billion.

Omokore and his firms – AEDC and AEBD – had entered into a Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) in 2010 to provide funding for the development of six joint venture oil blocks operated by NPDC. The SAA allowed AEDC and AEBD to recover their investments in the oil acreages through crude oil lifting under an agreed sharing formula with NPDC. However, both firms were alleged to have diverted part of the proceeds from the sale of the crude oil which should have paid to NPDC. But sources close to AEDC and

AEBD have maintained that the amount due to NPDC stood at about $800 million as of 2015, and not $1.6 billion as alleged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which charged the parties to court for alleged fraud early this year.

Of the $800 million, they disclosed that $500 million had been repaid to the NPDC after a reconciliation process.

They have also maintained that the companies had not committed any fraud and the matter was a breach of contract which should have gone to arbitration as provided for in the SAA. At the resumed trial yesterday, Alison-Madueke had through her lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), applied to Justice Dimgba to be joined as one of the defendants

in the suit.

She predicated the request on the grounds that count eight of the nine-count charge proffered against the six defendants had mentioned her name, even though the prosecution did not make her one of the defendants.

In the motion argued before Justice Dimgba, Alison-Madueke maintained that her application would not prejudice the criminal trial but rather afford her the opportunity to be heard in the interest of fair hearing.

Ikpeazu said the applicant would be grossly prejudiced if the application was refused by the court, adding that the refusal would further compound the gross violation of her constitutional rights.

In opposing the application, counsel to the EFCC, Aliyu Yusuf,

urged the court to decline her request to be joined as a defendant.

Yusuf told the court that AlisonMadueke was currently under investigation by the Metropolitan Police, London, for several crimes and has been admitted to bail in the United Kindom but could not leave the country. “The applicant seeing that the investigations by the Metropolitan Police had reached advanced stage, and that trial in the instant charge before this honourable court is proceeding smoothly, had designed the instant application to distract and scuttle both her investigation and imminent prosecution in the United Kingdom and the trial before this court,� Yusuf argued.

He further claimed that AlisonMadueke knew she would not be able to leave the United Kingdom,

in view of ongoing investigation and imminent prosecution, and was therefore seeking the order to amend the charge for her name to be included on the face of the charge in order “to escapes investigation and prosecution in the United Kingdom under the guise that she is coming to face her trial before this court and also scuttle the trial�.

In a brief ruling, Justice Dimgba held that the EFCC could not eat its cake and have it because by including Alison-Madueke’s name in count eight of the charge, the commission ought to have made her one of the defendants.

The judge therefore struck out count eight where Alison-Madueke’s name was mentioned in the suit and adjourned trial of the substantive matter till October 5 and 6.

Jordan Bolsters Nigeria’s Fight against Terrorism with Military Hardware Pledges further donation of helicopters Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja King Abdullah II of Jordan yesterday in New York donated military hardware to Nigeria and pledged to supply additional helicopters to the country to bolster its fight against terrorism.

A statement by President Muhammadu Buhari’s chief spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina said Buhari thanked King Abdullah for the donations on Tuesday at the ongoing 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

He said Buhari described the donation of 200 armoured fighting vehicles to Nigeria by King Abdullah as a reflection of his kingdom’s “true concern for Nigeria’s security situation and genuine goodwill towards a friendly nation�.

Adesina added that Buhari reassured the Jordanian king of Nigeria’s commitment towards the “proposed Aqaba Process with countries in the Gulf, as well as Nigeria’s willingness to play a leading role in bringing together countries in the West African

sub-region into this collective security arrangement�.

He also said the president pledged Nigeria’s continued desire for enhanced bilateral ties with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, adding that the king told Buhari that his National Security Adviser would soon be working out the final details of the Aqaba Process with his Nigerian counterpart.

According to him, the Jordanian King had earlier informed Buhari that his kingdom would open an embassy in Abuja in the next few months, and expressed

appreciation to the Nigerian government for its support. “Soon after President Buhari took office in 2015, the Jordanian king had offered a hand of friendship, cooperation and support to Nigeria in its fight against terrorism and the insurgency. “This resulted in the National Security Adviser undertaking two visits to Jordan to follow up on issues previously discussed with the king, and the donation of military hardware and pledge of further support. “These gestures are aimed at

enhancing Nigeria’s operational capabilities in the fight against terror both within the country and the Lake Chad Basin which affects neighbouring Cameroun, Chad and Niger where the Multinational Joint Task Force is engaging the Boko Haram insurgents and terrorists. “The National Security Adviser’s second trip to Jordan on the invitation of the king in January 2016 to attend the Third Aqaba Process, also resulted in a renewed commitment between the two countries to consider multilateral

action in confronting the menace of terrorism by replicating the Aqaba arrangement which the Kingdom of Jordan has with East African countries battling protracted terrorist menace. “Nigeria has agreed to work with countries in the region on a similar arrangement with Jordan. It is anticipated that the First Aqaba Process for Nigeria and sister countries within the sub-region with Jordan will be held in late November or early December 2017,� the statement added.

The signing of the proclamation by Buhari marked the beginning of the formal process of proscribing IPOB in accordance with the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act. The court order obtained yesterday clothed the presidential proclamation with the legality that it required.

Section 2 (1) of the Terrorism Act states that “where two or more persons associate for the purpose of, or where an organisation engages in: (a) participating or collaborating in an act of terrorism; (b) promoting, encouraging or exhorting others to commit an act of terrorism; or (c) setting up or pursuing acts of terrorism, the judge in chambers may on an application made by the Attorney General, National Security Adviser or Inspector General

of Police on the approval of the President, declare any entity to be a proscribed organisation and the notice should be published in the official gazette�.

Sub-section 2 goes further to state: “An order made under sub-section (1) of this section shall be published in the official gazette, in two national newspapers and at such other places as the judge in chambers may determine.�

Before the commencement of the formal process to proscribe the group, the Nigerian Army had declared IPOB a terrorist organisation.

When criticised for not following due process in making the declaration, the army was forced

in April to 2.42 per cent in June 2017, respectively, partly due to the annualised effect. “The financial performance indicators showed that when the four outlier banks were removed, the CAR, the NPL ratio as well as the liquidity ratio are all above the prudential requirement of 10-15 per cent and maximum of five per cent ratio for NPLs,� he argued.

According to Balami, the way forward requires the restructuring of the economy. This, he said, would require diversification of the economy to be an export driven economy. “Both the federal and sub-national governments need to improve their revenue base and collection efforts and make all levels of government pro-active in promoting growth at all levels through less reliance on the oil and gas sector, he said. “The clamour for low interest rates cannot happen now because of the high level of inflation and rising operational cost in the

economy. Again, there is the need to encourage the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI), both real investment and hot money into the economy,� he added.

C O U RT FO RMAL LY PROSCRIBES IPOB, D E SI GN AT E S I T T E R R OR I ST OR GAN I SAT I ON yesterday by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The judge granted all the prayers brought before him by the justice minister.

THISDAY had on Tuesday exclusively reported that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Sunday signed a presidential proclamation proscribing IPOB, effectively initiating the formal process of banning the group in accordance with the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011.

It also paved the way for the AGF to head to court to give legal backing to the presidential proclamation.

In his application, Malami had asked the court for an order declaring that the activities of IPOB

in any part of Nigeria, especially the South-east and South-south of Nigeria, amounted to acts of terrorism and illegality.

He also asked the court for an order proscribing the existence of IPOB in any part of Nigeria, especially the South-east and South-south of Nigeria, either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called and publishing same in the official gazette and two national dailies.

Malami asked the court for an order restraining any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of IPOB under any other name or platform howsoever

called or described.

After the justice minister moved the application, the judge granted it as prayed.

The judge said: “Upon reading through the affidavit I support, certificate on compliance with Section 84 of the Evidence Act 2011 both sworn to by CPL Kolawole Mathew of the Nigerian Army and written address attached thereto all dated and filed at the court registry, Abuja. “It is hereby ordered as follows: That the application is granted as prayed. “That an order declaring that the activities of the respondent (IPOB) in any part of Nigeria, especially in the South-east and South-south regions of Nigeria, amount to acts of terrorism and illegality, is granted.

“That an order proscribing the existence of the IPOB in any part of Nigeria, especially in the South-east and South-south regions of Nigeria, either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called and publishing same in the official gazette and two national dailies is granted. “That an order restraining any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the respondent (IPOB) under any name of platform however called or destined, is granted,� the judge announced.

The order was signed by the court’s registrar Babatunde Ashada.

Continued on page 10

TW O MP C MEMBERS R AISE RED FLAG OVER N PL S OF F OU R B AN KS Salami, in his contribution during the meeting, expressed concern that “Four Outlier Banks� had NPLs of slightly over 15 per cent, which exceed the regulatory limit and continue to rise.

The regulatory threshold for banks is 5 per cent. Nigerian Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) are also expected to maintain a Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 10-15 per cent, depending on the size of the bank.

Systemically Important Banks (SIBs) are required to maintain a CAR of 15 per cent, while smaller banks are required to have a CAR of 10 per cent.

Salami referred to a Financial System Stability Report by the CBN that had highlighted “one of the biggest challenges with which the central bank must grapple�, saying that at slightly over 15 per cent, the portfolio of NPLs as a proportion of the total loan books of the four banks was above the regulatory

maximum and continues to rise. “Whilst Bank Staff continue to note that once the figure is discounted for the impact of ‘Four Outlier Banks’, the NPL ratio drops to 8.17 per cent. In another set of circumstances, I may be tempted to suspend my judgment and support their position. “However, I note that these ‘Four Outlier Banks’ cumulate in size to at least one Systemically Important Bank (SIB). “I take the view that since the failure of any of the SIBs is a source of concern; excluding these ‘Four Outlier Banks’ does not adequately take cognisance of the contagion effect which they could trigger,�

Salami opined.

He noted that perhaps the most challenging of the present characteristics of the economy in Nigeria was the adoption of a quantitative easing (QE) stance by the management of the central bank.

Salami said the CBN’s claims on

federal government at N814 billion was twentyfold higher, while the claims of commercial banks rose marginally by 0.4 per cent to N4.6 trillion; 30 per cent increase to N454 billion in CBN’s purchase of government treasury bills; five per cent increase in federal government’s overdrafts to N2.8 trillion; and an increase in the mirror account from N3 billion at the end of 2016 to N1.5 trillion in April 2017. “It is clear that the CBN has provided ‘piggy bank’ services to the federal government. To prevent the effect of continuous and massive injections of cash to fund the federal government showing up in sharply higher inflation and currency weakness, the central bank now applies ‘special auctions’. “We thus find ourselves at a point where government borrowing from the CBN is ‘neutralised’ by raising the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) of banks, thereby limiting private sector access to credit. In

other words, the private sector is deliberately ‘crowded-out’. “It is ironic that the government, in need of tax revenues – having in the first half of the year accumulated its full-year deficit – is constraining the private sector,� he added.

Balami, on the other hand, revealed that a stress test showed that the banks’ CAR weakened from 12.81 per cent in April to 11.51 per cent in June, with a slight improvement of the industry’s NPL ratio from 15.18 per cent to 15.07 per cent in June.

He said the banking sector liquidity ratio showed that all banks had liquidity above the minimum of 30 per cent, with the exception of the “Four Outlier Banks�. “The stress test therefore shows that the banks are less resilient to shocks. However, the Return on Equity (RoE) and Return on Assets (RoA) registered some improvement from 17.69 per cent to 22.44 per cent in June and 2.32 per cent

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Jim Ovia Recognised in America as Africa’s Business Leader Obinna Chima Endorsement and recognition have again come the way of Jim Ovia, Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, as he was on Tuesday night recognised as a leading entrepreneur in Africa by the African-American Institute (AAI).

Ovia, in what was clearly a reward for his business leadership and philanthropy, received the AAI 2017 Business Leader Award at a ceremony held on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

He was recognised for impacting hugely on enterprise and human resource development on the continent.

Ovia, the founding Group

Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria’s largest bank, was honoured along with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana (National Achievement); Nicole Amarteifio, (Leadership in African Media and Arts); and Bozoma Saint-John, Chief Brand Officer, UBER (Innovation & Technology), as Africa’s best.

The AAI was set up in 1953 to help increase Africa’s human capacity for development through training and education and recognises Africans who have demonstrated remarkable achievements in various fields, the objective being to present the award winners at the high profile stage of the UN General Assembly as representatives of the great work going on in

Ovia Africa.

The AAI awards, which is announced annually and showcases Africa’s best, have honored individuals who are working to fulfill AAI’s mission

of increasing Africa’s human capacity for development and promoting engagement between the African continent and America.

The awards are presented at a special gala night bringing together African heads of state and diplomats, international and senior U.S. government officials, business and civil society leaders, educators, journalists, philanthropists and other prominent figures who are working towards advancing economic and development progress in Africa.

Ovia was at the helm of affairs at Zenith Bank from inception for 20 years until his resignation in July 2010 but was reappointed the chairman of the bank in 2014.

He was a member of the National Economic Management Team of Nigeria and is a member of the Honorary International Investors’ Council.

Ovia is a philanthropist and founder and proprietor of James Hope College, Agbor, Delta State.

His foundation, the Jim Ovia Foundation, which focuses on providing scholarships to the less-privileged, has a number of beneficiaries that are now qualified medical doctors and engineers, among other professionals.

He is also the founder of several enterprises and philanthropic institutions including the Youth Empowerment & ICT Foundation, which focuses on

improving the socio-economic welfare of Nigerian youths by empowering them to embrace Information and Communication Technology.

In recognition of his achievements, particularly in support of the Nigerian economy, Ovia was conferred with the national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in November 2011.

He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Louisiana, Louisiana, USA (1979) and a B.Sc. degree in Business Administration from Southern University, Louisiana, USA (1977). He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School (OPM).

IPOB, Demands Kanu Parents’ Whereabouts

“Nnamdi Kanu has been using a non-violent approach for the realisation of Biafra since 2012 when the struggle for Biafra independence started. Okezie Ikpeazu who was mandated by the federal government and other South-eastern governors to lead the fight against Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB members in Abia State must be held responsible for this action in the distant time,�

IPOB said. “We are giving the federal government and South-east governors to produce or declare the condition of our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, if he is still alive or charge him to court within seven days, because if anything happens to him the South-east governors can never bear the consequences after the expiration of this notice. “Again, the federal government and South-east governors should hasten to build more prison yards and acquire more weapons that they will use to kill more Biafrans,� IPOB stated Also, the royal fathers of Ibeku clan in Umuahia North Local Government made their call for Kanu and his parents whereabouts after a meeting at the palace of their chairman and traditional ruler of Emede Ibeku autonomous community, Eze Henry Ezekwem.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Ezekwem said that the Ibeku royal fathers were unhappy over the “desecration of the throne� of Eze Kanu and his ofo, the symbol of authority of the traditional stool.

The royal fathers also disowned a group known as Umuahia Youth Movement, which had urged the Abia governor to dethrone Kanu’s father over his son’s activities as leader of the group agitating for the restoration of Biafra.

Describing the youth group as “amorphous�, the royal fathers of Ibeku commended the Abia governor for ignoring the non-existent youth movement.

The royal fathers, however, expressed concern that Kanu’s parents had not been seen since after the invasion of their palace, adding that the Nigerian Army owed them an explanation, adding that so many people were killed in the attack including the female cook of the Kanu’s. “The army should release our colleague Eze Israel Kanu because we have not seen him since his palace was invaded by soldiers. If they have killed him they should please release his corpse to us so we can give him a befitting burial,�

Ezekwem appealed, adding that “they (army) have to appease the gods� for desecrating the palace and ofo.

C O URT FO RMALLY PROSCRIBES IPOB, D ESI GN AT ES I T T ER R OR I ST OR GAN I SAT I ON to backtrack and stated that it had not declared the group a terrorist organisation.

Among those who cautioned against not following due process was the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki who insisted that due process should have been followed before the declaration of IPOB as a terrorist group by the army.

He, however, expressed confidence that the president would initiate steps to ensure that due process was followed, thus demonstrating to the world that Nigeria was guided by the rule of law whatever the circumstances are.

Adegboruwa: Order is Faulty But in a swift reaction to the order by the court, Lagos lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa yesterday said the order proscribing IPOB was faulty in law and should be challenged and set aside by all those affected or to be affected by it.

In a statement he issued in Lagos, he said there was no legal entity in law known and referred to as IPOB, because such entity did not exist in law.

He said: “The Attorney-General of the Federation cannot competently sue IPOB as a defendant in any court of law, the same being an entity unknown to law. “The court cannot make an order against a non-existing entity such as IPOB. Such order, if and when made, is at large and unenforceable,� he declared.

The legal practitioner said the Supreme Court had stated it time without number that the court could not proceed against a non-juristic person.

The statement continued: “The court, which is a creation of the law to interpret the law, cannot competently proscribe what does not exist in the eyes of the law. “If IPOB is registered in Nigeria at all, it can only sue and be sued in the corporate name of its incorporated trustees. The Hon Attorney-General, with all due respect, cannot file or maintain a suit in court against IPOB, in the manner formulated in this case,� he stated.

He urged Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, and all those concerned to proceed to challenge the competence of the suit itself and the jurisdiction of the court to make the order. “I verily believe that the federal government should follow the noble advice that General Muhammadu Buhari gave to the United Nations (on North Korea), to adopt dialogue in the resolution of the agitations

coming from the South-east,� he added.

IPOB’s Financial HQs in France But before the court granted the order proscribing IPOB, the federal government had earlier confirmed that the president had signed the proclamation proscribing IPOB as exclusively reported by THISDAY. The Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed who confirmed Buhari’s nod to the proscription, made the disclosure yesterday while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Mohammed, who restated that IPOB was being sponsored by some external forces, further revealed that IPOB’s financial base is located in France, while Radio Biafra operates from the United Kingdom.

He insisted that the proscription process was in order because IPOB had engaged in a number of terrorist activities.

He, however, acknowledged that any group or individual has the right to self-determination, but the agitation must not be violent or threatening, adding that anyone whose pursuit for self-determination is violent would be adequately dealt with.

He queried the rationale behind the opposition to the proscription of IPOB and the question of the legality of the action being raised by some Nigerians, arguing that no country in the world would condone the activities of IPOB. The minister listed the activities of the group to have included setting up parallel military and paramilitary organisations, among others, which he said had become intolerable.

He commended the South-east governors for announcing the proscription of IPOB, insisting that the separatist group was being sponsored by certain disgruntled elements and looters whose intention, he alleged, was to destabilise Buhari’s government. “But before I proceed, let me state clearly that it is within the rights of individuals or groups to seek self-determination. But this pursuit has to be non-violent. “Where any group crosses the line by engaging in violence, it risks being cut to size and that’s exactly what has happened to IPOB. “I am not interested in the semantics or legality of troops’ deployment or the proscription of IPOB. All I know is that IPOB has engaged in terrorist activities, viz: setting up parallel military

and paramilitary organisations, clashing with the national army and attempting to seize rifles from soldiers, using weapons such as machetes, Molotov cocktails and sticks, and mounting roadblocks to extort money from people, among others. “To those who have engaged in semantics or legality, I ask, which country in the world will tolerate those activities I have listed above?

Which national army will look the other way when it is being attacked by a band of thugs? “For those who are fixated with legality, I have good news for them: President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the process of proscribing IPOB, and the procedure is on as I speak. “But I ask, if the president had been overly concerned with legality, where would Nigeria have been today? If attacks in the South-east had attracted reprisals elsewhere in the country, what would have happened? “But for the quick action of state governors in the South-east and the North, there would have been a conflagration of immense proportions. “Permit me to especially commend the governors in the South-east for making it clear to IPOB that it has no support for its violent campaign. “By their action, the governors have cut off the oxygen that IPOB needs to survive. If the elected governors of all the states in the South-east have banned the activities of IPOB, who then is the organisation fighting for? “I did state during my earlier interactions that IPOB is a contraption against the Buhari administration, and that it is being sponsored by those I call the coalition of the politically disgruntled and the treasury looters. I stand by that statement despite the noise emanating from the usual suspects. “To quote the title of a James Hadley Chase novel, The Guilty Are Afraid. I will add: The guilty are always overly agitated. Good for them. “Finally, IPOB has decided to externalise its campaign. It has written to governments and parliaments in the West alleging genocide in the South-east. Even a dictionary definition of ‘genocide’ does not support that claim. “IPOB has also engaged in using highly-emotive videos of killings, which it harvested from other lands and were doctored to hoodwink the international community,� he submitted.

Asked why the government was swift to proscribe IPOB

while failing to take similar steps on the activities of violent Fulani herdsmen, Mohammed defended the government, saying farmers/ herdsmen clashes should not be viewed as a battle between the North and the South, arguing that herdsmen are nomads who move from one place to another for the survival of their cattle.

According to him, the clashes between herdsmen and farmers do not only take place in the South but also in some parts of the North such as Kebbi State, arguing further that even though the case of the herdsmen was different from that of IPOB, the government was doing a lot to bring the menace under control.

Before the briefing, the minister who has been working overtime to push the government’s narrative on the IPOB matter, had featured on “Embelembe� a phone-in radio programme on 101.1 Human Rights Radio, where he claimed that the separatists group was ignorant of the depth of unity in the diversity of Nigeria.

Mohammed faulted the group over hate and divisive speeches by its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, the violent attack on the military and extortion of innocent Nigerian at illegal roadblocks.

Giving instances, the minister said that the call by Kanu on the Igbo “not to attend any church where the pastor is a Yoruba man� was premised on ignorance on the diversity of the country.

Mohammed said that the Mountain of Fire Ministry established by an Igbo person, has a football club owned by a Yoruba man, with a coach of Igbo extraction and players across all the regions and tribes of the country.

He stressed that Nigerians were so interwoven and united, so a call for violent division would not succeed.

Mohammed added that the federal government was not adverse to agitations from any quarter provided they are carried out in a manner that would not lead to violence and war.

He commended the military, state governors particularly from the East and the North, traditional rulers and religious leaders for their timely intervention in nipping the crisis started by IPOB’s in the bud.

The information minister said the Buhari administration was passionate about the plight of Nigerians and would not rest until it makes life easier for everyone.

He said as a listening government, the administration was taking concrete steps to address the environmental degradation in the Niger Delta.

Meanwhile, the proscribed group and traditional rulers of Ibeku clan in Abia State yesterday demanded for an explanation from the federal authorities and military high command for the whereabouts of its leader, Kanu, his parents, Israel and Ugoeze Kanu.

Its anxiety stemmed from the belief that the worst might have happened to Kanu and his parents, following the invasion of their home last Thursday by the army.

A statement issued by the IPOB media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful, said that the group had “gone deep� in the search for its leader without any clue on his whereabouts as well as his parents, warning that information on their condition whether dead or alive should be made available within seven days to avoid dire consequences. “We are using this opportunity to inform the whole world, including the United Nations, that the Nigerian Army killed our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu during the attack and invasion of his compound in Umuahia, Abia State,� IPOB said.

The group explained that it had come to the conclusion that Kanu might have been eliminated “after going through the record of IPOB members in the compound on the day of this heinous attack and invasion�.

It said that it was discovered that about 38 members were arrested and up till now no one had seen or heard from them. “We also discovered that the Nigerian Army left the compound of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku with 22 dead bodies on the same day,� the separatists group alleged, adding that the fate of Kanu had become a puzzle. “We are once again raising the alarm for the United Nations and other relevant bodies across the globe to ask the Nigerian government and her security operatives to give details of the IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his parents, including those dead bodies and those picked up alive during the attack and invasion of our leader’s compound in Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku Umuahia,� the group said.

IPOB blamed the governors of the South-east zone for the fate that had befallen the leader of the separatist movement, saying that it could not fathom out why “the South-east governors would decide to collaborate with Hausa Fulani oligarchy to kill our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his parents�.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

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NEWS

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

Health Workers’ Union Directs Members to Begin Indefinite Strike As nurses join the frey, Adewole appeals to JOHESU to shelve strike Hammed Shittu Ă“Ă˜ Ă–Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Senator Iroegbu Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) in the teaching hospitals and medical centres across the country yesterday directed its members to begin an indefinite strike from today.

The JOHESU comprises five registered unions.

They are Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Associated Institutions (NASU), Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWU), Senior Staff Association of Research Institutes and Associated Institution (SSARIAI), Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) and National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).

The union said the decision to call out their members for strike was based on the alleged failure of the federal government to implement all agreements, memorandum of understandings (MoUs) and court judgements.

Addressing journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, National Chairman of the unions, Biobelemoye Josiah, asked the government to approve adjustment of CONHESS. Josiah, however, urged

members to hold rallies and meetings at all hospitals “everyday.�

He said: “We once again appeal to the federal government to tow the path of honour and implement all agreements, MoUs and court judgements while we urge our members at the tertiary health level to make the strike total and comprehensive. “In the event that no appreciable response is received from government within 15 days of the strike by the federal tertiary health institutions, all our members in the state and local governments nationwide are directed to join the action by September 28. “We call on well-meaning Nigerians to put pressure on the government to give into our demands, while we appeal to the Nigerian masses to bear with us in this struggle to improve health care services in country.�

The strike is tagged: ‘Operation alligator bite’.

Josiah added that “series of MoUs, agreements and court cases which JOHESU and its unions won at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria “were never implemented for our members while court judgements on skipping the medical doctors who were never a part of the struggle

nor proceedings were never obeyed. “JOHESU has been very patient with the federal government since 2012 and series of ultimatums were issued to draw the attention of the government to our plight but no commensurate attention was given, instead our demands were either jettisoned outright, treated with disdain, intimidated with court action or the quick application of no work no pay.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has expressed shock and surprise at planned industrial action.

Adewole in a statement by the Assistant Director, Media and Public Relations, Mr. Olajide Oshundun, said the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment have had series of meeting with the leadership of JOHESU of which most of their demands had been met.

The minister listed some of these demands to include payment of promotion arrears that pre-dated President Muhammad Buhari’s  administration. He said the other issues raised by JOHESU are still being deliberated upon with

the leadership of the union.

To this end, Adewole appealled to the group and their conscience not to embark on strike in the interest of the generality of Nigerians especially the less privileged that might not be able to afford healthcare services in the private hospitals.  He promised that the government of President Buhari would continue do everything humanly possible to guarantee quality and affordable healthcare delivery services to Nigerians.

However, the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), has

joined JOHESU on the strike afterTuesday’s meeting on issues bordering on Nigeria health care services, state of infrastructure, Nigeria health care policies and management, Nigeria security matters, and the nursing profession.

The leadership of NANNM in a communiquÊ signed by the President,  Abdrafiu Adeniji and General Secretary, T. A. Shetima, stated that it was in agreement with all JOHESU’s positions on the recent seven-day ultimatum given to the federal government to accede to all its lingering demands dated back to 2012.

NCC Remits N133.4bn to Federation Account in Two Years Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms regulatory body, has said in the last two years, it remitted a total sum of N133,426,062,786 to the consolidated revenue fund of the federal government.

Although the primary role of NCC is not to generate revenue for the government, but to nurture and regulate the industry, but figures obtained from the commission show impressive remittance of funds to the coffers of the consolidated revenue of the federal government, especially in the last two years.

According to the commission, the last remittance to the consolidated revenue fund, which was on June 30, 2017, was N12,705,154,120 and it came just less than 10 days after the NCC remitted the sum of N1,282,453,138 to the account.

In the same vein, the NCC last year, transferred N20,000,598,873 and another N15,000,000,000 in March before remitting N29,475,867,407 and N16,500,000,000 in December of the 2016.

In 2015, however, the commission remitted N23,512,316,450 in October after paying N6,856,182,132 in September of the same year.

The quarterly contribution of

telecoms sector to the GDP has been consistently impressive in the last two years.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, recently said the sector contributed N1.549 trillion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the second quarter of 2017, representing 6.68 per cent increase from the first quarter of the year (N1.452 trillion).

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report has confirmed that the telecommunications sector, during the second quarter of 2017, contributed 9.5 per cent to the GDP in contrast to 9.1 per cent contribution in the first quarter of the year. “We are very proud of the remarkable contribution the sector is making. Even at the recent times when the whole economy was facing challenges, the sector had remained resilient and stable,� NBS said in a statement.

Similarly, the nation’s quest for attainment of 30 per cent broadband penetration by 2018, has received a major boost as ITU-UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development confirmed last year announced that Nigeria had achieved 21 per cent level of penetration from less than 10 per cent, two years earlier.

TALKING RENEWABLE ENERGY

L-R: Operations Director, Banksome Global Renewable Energy Limited, Mr. Bunmi Balogun; Executive Chairman, Banksome Group, Mr. Babajide Somefun; Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Consultant to Banksome, Professor Kenneth Ife; and Managing Director, Banksome Global Renewable Energy Limited Mr. Bayo Fisher, during a courtesy visit to the vice president on renewable energy for Nigeria in Abuja...recently

Justice Ademola Prepares for Retirement Trial of Ohakim, Lamido to start afresh as judge returns files to CJ Tobi Soniyi Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court will in March 2018 proceed on retirement when he would have attained 65 years, the statutory retirement age of high court judges.

Section 291(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that: “A judicial officer appointed to any other court, other than those specified in subsection (1) (Supreme Court and Court of Appeal) of this section may retire when he attains the age of 60 years and he shall cease to hold office when he attains the age of 65 years.�

Sources at the court told THISDAY that in preparation for his retirement, the judge has returned most of the cases pending before him back to the acting Chief Judge of the court, Justice Abdu Kafarati, for re-assignment.

According to the source who prefers anonymity,  some  of the cases returned by Justice Ademola included  political and terrorism cases. “The judge will be 65 years

by March 2018. That is the constitutional age for judges of the Federal High Court to retire. In preparation for his retirement, the judge has returned most of the political and terrorism cases before to the acting CJ, so that they can be re-assigned. “Part of the files returned to the acting CJ involves that of  FRN V Ihedi Ohakim, FHC/ABJ/CR/292/15, FRN V Sule Lamido, FRN V Otu Muhammed, FRN V Ibrahim Abimael and seven others and FRN V Kelvin Oniarah Ezeigbe and three others,� he stated.

The trial of Ohakim and Lamido would have to start afresh before another judge.

Justice Ademola was one of the seven judges the

Department of State Services (DSS) launched a sting operation against on October 7 and 8, 2016.

The federal government consequently arraigned him alongside his wife, Olubowale, and a lawyer, Joe Agi (SAN), on an 18-count charge of alleged conspiracy, giving and receiving of gratification and illegal possession of fire arms before an Abuja High Court.

After the prosecution team led by Segun Jegede had presented about 18 witnesses, Justice Ademola through his counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, filed a no-case submission.

In his ruling on the nocase submission, the trial judge, Justice Jude Okeke dismissed all the charges and consequently discharged ad acquitted the defendants. Justice Okeke held that the prosecution had not in any way link the defendants with any of the 18 counts in the charge and

as such there was no basis to call on the defendants to open defence in the matter. After the dismissal of the case, the National Judicial Council (NJC) recalled him from the suspension it earlier handed over to him when the trial started.

The NJC took the decision to recall Justice Ademola at the end of its 82nd meeting which was held on May 31 and June 1, 2017. The council had stated then that its decision to recall Justice Ademola was based on the fact that his trial had been concluded, even as he was discharged and acquitted of all the 18-count corruption charges the federal government preferred against him. The judge consequently resumed sitting on June 7.

The federal government has filed an appeal against the judgment of Justice Okeke.

It asked the court to set aside the judgment.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

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COMMENT

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

A PYTHON DANCES TO THE RESCUE Nnamdi Ebo argues that the military ‘show of force’ in the southeast is in order

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python is all these: serpent, biblical satan in Genesis 3, Revelation 20, and the devil in Isaiah 27:1 (KJV). It is a computer programming language, has medicinal value, revered, worshiped, eaten, celebrated, a 2002 American sequel to the 2000 film Python, Israel’s air-to-air Python missile, and a large heavy-bodied nonvenomous constrictor snake occurring throughout the tropics of Europe, Asia, and Africa; which kills by crushing, asphyxiating to death before swallowing victims, and buried in a coffin with a short funeral, if killed.

The latter option is the python (the snake) that is now dancing in Igboland. The Nigerian army commenced a military exercise codenamed Python Dance II (Egwu Eke II) in the 82 Division Area of responsibility covering the five southeastern states of Nigeria, from September 15 to end on October 14, 2017. This is a sequel to Python Dance I (Egwu Eke I) conducted from November 27 to December 27, 2016.

This codename used by the Nigerian army is very strange because pythons don’t dance. Pythons twist and oscillate in a slithering motion. Only the king cobra can dance; undulating to flute music from the pungi (wind instrument) of the swaying Indian snake charmer. The Bible recorded the earliest known snake charming performance in Psalm 58:3–5 (KJV).

An army statement read, inter alia: “. . . Exercise Egwu Eke II has become more expedient due to the mindless assassinations (even in religious places), attacks on security personnel and theft of weapons, kidnappings, armed banditry and violent agitations by secessionist groups, amongst other crimes that have recently bedevilled the region. . .� Emphasis will be placed on raids, cordon and search operations, anti-kidnapping drills, road blocks, check points and show of force, as well as humanitarian activities such as medical outreach.

National security threats, tension and agitations spearheaded by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by separatist leader, Nnamdi Kanu, have continued unabated in this geopolitical zone, where the call for Biafra Republic appears to have gained some level of acceptance and momentum. To this end, military hardware and sophisticated weaponry were shifted to the South East to combat criminal activities and banditry prevalent and malignant, and for what appears to be preparations to confront the Kanu-led IPOB and other Biafra separatist agitators.

From the aforementioned, the mandate of the 82 Division headquartered in Enugu is crystal clear. It may not be clear to this motley crowd: Biafra separatists, their sponsors, collaborators, supporters, friends and others waiting to profit either politically or otherwise from the “new Biafra� project. There is crisis and a devil-may-care attitude pervading Igboland.

This shows that even if millions of innocent Igbos, who daily struggle to survive and fend for their families, who have no say, and who have not begged, appointed, selected, anointed or elected anybody or any group(s) to speak for them, for inclusion in an illusive country; these innocents must acquiesce in the

THE AGE-OLD IGBO-CLICHÉ: ‘MONEY HOUNDS’ IS NOW TRITE LANGUAGE, UNFORTUNATELY - BUT IGBO MUST AVOID BEING USED AS CANNON FODDER WHENEVER IT PLEASES IGBO IRREDENTISTS SEEKING NEW POLITICAL TURF AFTER LOSING ‘TURF-WARS’ IN NIGERIA. ‘NEW BIAFRA’ MUST NOT TAKE ROOT

“Biafra projectâ€?, whether they like it or not? The Igbo are peace-loving people and this new clichĂŠ: “troublesome and warlikeâ€?, which has been inflicted on Igbo by Igbo irredentists is not consonant with the Igbo policy of territorial economic expansion and disposition to expansionist trade. The age-old Igbo-clichĂŠ: “money houndsâ€? is now trite language, unfortunately - but Igbo must avoid being used as cannon fodder whenever it pleases Igbo irredentists seeking new political turf after losing “turf-warsâ€? in Nigeria. “New Biafraâ€? must not take root. The Nigerian state must not allow this to happen.

Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) states inter alia: “There shall be an armed forces for the Federation. . .for the purpose of - (c) suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President . . ..� There is insurrection in Igboland; a fire! The army must ignore calls by some self-acclaimed/appointed/unrepresentative pseudo-leaders and politicians of Igbo extraction who untruthfully say the army was sent to destabilise the peaceful southeast. Since the insurrection, Igboland lost peace. These “leaders� will flee Nigeria when the fire turns to a conflagration. The Southeast is not a Biafran enclave that Nigerian soldiers must not dare to enter. The southeast now qualifies for “Military Zone – Keep Off�. The streets of the cities/towns/villages in Igboland are not IPOB Zones or territory that the Nigerian state must concede to IPOB. The southeastern states are component states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The army and other security agencies must perform their statutorily mandated duty of protecting 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 human rights and sanctity of human lives. The Nigerian military declaration of IPOB as a “Militant Terrorist Organisation� is in order! It is a tragic irony that it took decisive action and the ‘terrorist label’ on IPOB for the southeast governors to proscribe IPOB. Did these five Igbo governors (chief security officers) and Ohanaeze Ndigbo think that IPOB is a kindergarten of children on a picnic in the millennium park?

There must not be a hiatus in operation Python Dance II in the southeast. A second civil war is staring Nigeria in the face.

It must be avoided. With hindsight, the first shot was fired at the dawn of July 6, 1967 in Garkem (in present Cross River state), when Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, ordered a “police action� to quell insurrection and belligerence in the Eastern Region. It failed to stymie Igbo insurrection. That insurrection metamorphosed to secession which created “Old Biafra� plunging Nigeria into a civil war. That failed ‘police action’ must be borne in mind as “a python dances to the rescue� of millions of innocent Igbo in landlocked Igboland, who are citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. www.nnamdiebo.com

CAN NIGERIA BECOME A NATION UNDER BUHARI? The president has to do more in nation-building, writes Steve Orji

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istening to, and probing deeper into the sentiments of Nigerians, tells you something ominous and it’s the fact that there are yet very deep cracks within the notion of Nigeria’s nationhood.

The ethnic sentiments often couched in speeches or responses to national issues, captured in the body language and emotional sensibilities of well-placed and common Nigerians, provides a gauge to touch and feel where we are in the march to becoming a nation.

Are we a nation? We have yet to be!

Some 45 years after the end of Nigeria’s civil war, here lies at the centre of the Nigeria psyche, a choreographed prototype of nationalism that is patently false. It’s clearly a foisted idealism to pronounce we are “one Nigeria�.

Native wisdom is there to guide any adult who have lived in Nigeria, since independence, that indeed the best way to be a “Nigerian� is to first be your tribe, and that keen sense of self-awareness, resonates even more loudly with our leaders, who have been at the forefront in promoting ethnicity and the nepotic mind-set both in their appointments and distribution of strategic national asset.

In the twilight of our fading nationalistic ethos as a budding nation, Buhari as head of state vitiates glaringly the notion of one Nigeria with the entrenchment of his Fulani mentality, a historical replay of the jihad expedition by his Fulani forbears in the past

centuries across Africa, brazenly demonstrated in his national appointments.

The notion of Nigeria nationhood seems to draw its traction from the narrative of tribal supremacy, one tribe, poised with all schemes and machinations available to it, to promote the welfare of his own kind, while intently working against even the mere survivability of the other tribes.

Ndigbo and the other minority tribes in Nigeria have since been the feudal tenants of a brutal Nigeria lord.

Buhari’s kinsmen, the Fulani herdsmen, are strident expression of Nigeria’s overkill of tribal selectiveness. With guns and assault rifles, they have marched down whole villages, sacked native farmers, raped their women and terrorise indigenes of whole states. Buhari and his cheery-picked state security chiefs, understates the scale and dastard nature of these acts, because the acts and authority of the Fulani herdsmen derives from a latent, mischievous sense of nationhood, where the north is the King and lord of all.

It would be a boring gist to dwell again on the historical misfortune of Nigeria’s amalgamation of 1914, which artificially brought together intrinsically disparate peoples who are almost, always divided on issues of religion and ethnicity.

To overlook these overarching differences, concealed under the false notion of nationalism poses a mortal danger to the idea of nationhood itself.

Buhari inherited a nation that has not

made much progress in resolving such underlining historical issues. For Instance, why is it a requirement for a Nigerian to identify his or her tribe of origin before he has eligibility to work outside his or her native place of origin, in public or private institutions and organisations? The federal character or quota system was schemed into our national life, for no other reason, than to offer gratis to some part of the country that never had the aptitude, learning or skills to compete on the pitch of national merit.

Northern Nigeria and its leaders may have been the brains behind the quota system and the federal character commission, a ploy meant to assert the inclusion of the north in strategic national undertakings.

The idea of putting ones tribe of origin ahead of one’s nationality imposes on people the obsessive awareness of their tribe rather than their sovereign sense of Nigerianationalism. The resurrection of ethnic consciousness and strife within the last 20 years, are livid expressions of irritations and frustrations within a nation that is falsely constituted.

A prominent northern leader once said: “An Igbo-man will never rule Nigeria again�. He obviously threw courtesy and gravitas to the wind, and his kinsmen applauded his laudatory speech.

We can plough deeper into the formal theatre of Nigeria’s rein.

What constitute Nigeria’s demographics in true terms? Do we have an ethically correct and well-corroborated census records?

What do Nigeria’s political and economic demographics depict? A thriving, well-run federation?

Bihari’s challenge and the biggest one for that matter would well be the opportunity to bring Nigerians into an honest dialogue, where Nigeria’s seemingly intractable problems, cleverly camouflaged as “nogo-areas�, simply because they are feared to be capable of upsetting the irrational but dubious tendencies of Nigeria’s ruling elites, are finely thrashed out and creative, pragmatic solutions proffered. Being a nation transcends the geographic parameters that defines, or accord legitimacy to the 200 million people living in the carved up space, called Nigeria. It cuts deeper into the social, cultural and spiritual consciousness that binds the people inextricably as one people, who are aspiring to a solid, common, yet intangible vision of national greatness and glory.

At the moment, Nigeria is devoid of any such genuine collective aspirations; only occasionally do we espouse such unity, and for it to soon splinter in collision with the impregnable wall of ethnicity.

Buhari may well build Nigeria’s economy to become the best and biggest in the world, if he could, and make corruption a thing of the past.

It’s only when we are a nation, live as one people, and think as one nation, would these achievements and legacies truly endure.

Orji wrote from the United Kingdom

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EDITORIAL THE CHALLENGE OF LAKE CHAD BASIN Lake Chad should be helped to survive

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f the $2.2 billion needed for humanitarian assistance in the Lake Chad region spanning Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, only $460 million has been delivered, according to Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council.

But beyond the funding gap, the bigger challenge is that the lake, once famous for being one of the largest water bodies in Africa, has become a shadow of itself, having shrunk from 25,000 square kilometres in 1963 to a mere 1,350 square kilometres today.

Situated on the extreme northern part of Borno State and sharing border with Niger, Cameroun and Chad, experts have blamed the shrinkage of the lake on a number of factors including climate change, overgrazing, excessive and inappropriate demand for water resources, as well as poor enforcement of environmental legislation.

A combination of the said factors have had adverse effect on the lake so much that apart from occupying less than a twentieth of its original size, there is now receding shoreline, desertiďŹ caEFFORTS MUST BE tion, and a threat to MADE TO IMPLEMENT livelihood among the THE RELEVANT surrounding comRECOMMENDATIONS munities drawn from Nigeria, Cameroun, OF THE REPORT WITH Chad and Niger.

THE ULTIMATE AIM With lack of water OF RESUSCITATING for irrigation leading to ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES crop failures, livestock ASSOCIATED WITH THE deaths because of LAKE desertiďŹ cation, collapsed ďŹ sheries, soil salinity, wilting plants, withered trees and shrubs, Lake Chad is fast losing its traditional staples of water and vegetation which had sustained livelihood and bourgeoning economic activities for about 30 million people in the area. Consequently, many of the people who had drawn livelihood from the Lake Chad area are moving southward in search of the proverbial greener pasture. This has in turn not only put pressure

Letters to the Editor

on other sections of the country, it has also promoted clashes between herdsmen and their host communities.

The precarious situation in the lake, aptly described as “ecological catastropheâ€? by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Orgainsation (FAO) recently got the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari when he received the environmental report on the lake. The report which also lamented the pervading poverty in the area linked the rise of the insurgency in the North East partly to the failing fortunes of the lake. Baga, for instance, which used to have a very busy ďŹ sh market from where most of the other northern states and indeed Nigeria are supplied ďŹ sh caught from the Lake, is now like a ghost town since the lake has seized to be what it used to be.

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nderstandably, the shrinkage has also led to some tension and communal clashes among the remaining communities as they struggle to control what is left of the water body.

Indeed, Nigerian communities have clashed severally with Nigerien communities as a result. It is therefore in a bid to rescue the lake from extinction that both the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) have been seeking ways of reviving and replenishing the “dying lake�. The LCBC, in this regard, had raised the sum of $5 million aimed at funding research on how best to resuscitate the lake and rekindle the socio-economic activities associated with the lake.

We therefore commend the concern the Nigerian government is giving the Lake Chad issue. Efforts must be made to implement the relevant recommendations of the report with the ultimate aim of resuscitating economic activities associated with the lake. In addition, we call for the effective utilisation of the funds provided for the Lake Chad revival, just as we ask that the LCBC should mobilise all concerned stakeholders to similarly key into the project with a view to saving the lake from the threatening extinction.

For there to be any enduring peace and security in the Lake Chad region, the people have to be economically empowered.

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.

PDP AND ROAD TOVIRILE OPPOSITION

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or any democracy to flourish and the government in power made to fulfil most of its promises to the electorate, there must exist a virile and responsible opposition.

This did not exist in the first two years of the current All Progressive Congress (APC) administration at the centre. The reason being that Peoples Democratic Party was in the limbo.

The PDP which has just lost power in 2015 was bedeviled by intra-party conflicts that lasted for over 14 months before the Supreme Court judgment ratified the Makarfi-Caretaker Committee as the authentic leadership of the PDP. This victory has provided another window for PDP to provide the necessary opposition to keep the APC government in check.

The functions of a political party in opposition is better represented in the parliamentary system of government especially the west minster model in United Kingdom, where we have a shadow cabinet which is made up of senior members of parliament from the opposition party that are designated with ministerial portfolios that they are expected to defend and proffer their party’s positions during parliamentary debates.

This could be replicated in the current presidential system of government, if PDP appoints designated spokesmen to react to government policies and provide the party positions on such policies. Secondly, the PDP minority caucus in Senate and House of Representatives should be more active in presenting positions of the party on topical issues of public interest during their debates in the National Assembly.

The important thing is for the public to be aware of PDP positions on critical national issues, for example, the citizenry will like to know the positions of PDP on the current clamour for the re-structuring of the federation. What is the PDP position on how to revive the national economy and dwindling exchange rate of the naira against the dollar? How can the PDP government solve the recurrent Boko Haram insurgency, sessionist agitations by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the threat of militants in Niger Delta region and the scourge of the Fulani herdsmen against farmers in various parts of the country as well as their position on the rehabilitation of federal roads and other infrastructure?

Another issue the PDP has to address as we move towards 2019 general election is the re-organisation of the party.

The forthcoming elective national convention billed to take place in December 2017 will provide the forum to resolve the contending issues of the party that was responsible for its intra-party crises after the 2015 general election.

First on the list is the resolution of all outstanding intra-party conflicts at the national and state organs. Peace and reconciliation committees which have been set up should resolve all the disputes and put members on one page.

The political party must resolve that all its members should desist from unnecessary litigation that does not cast the party in good light. PDP must strive to instil discipline among its membership and should not hesitate to sanction erring members.

Secondly, the party must embrace internal democracy in its national convention and state congresses.

Imposition of candidates both in the election of its party

leadership and its standard bearers for elective positions should be resisted. The funding of the political party should be democratized; let all members contribute towards the funding of the party.

The activities of godfathers which normally start with the provision of the entire revenue of the party should be discouraged.

The first priority of the new chairman of party after the national convention will be to engage in membership drive.

This should include bringing back aggrieved members of party that decamped to other political parties as well as wooing new members to join the party.

A large chunk of former PDP members that joined the APC before the 2015 general election are already disgruntled, since they have been schemed out in the distribution of juicy offices in their new platform. Consequently, most former PDP members having tasted the bitter pill with their influence whittled down under the APC with little prompting will rejoin the PDP. If the PDP is able to bring its members together and eschew those factors that weakened it before the 2015 general election, it could spring a surprise in future elections.

Finally, we need a virile opposition party to check the governing party from sliding into dictatorship and for the rule of law, freedom of speech to be sustained.

Since any government without opposition or any threat of being removed through the ballot box will normally shirk its responsibilities, which is bound to affect its productivity and its general leadership.

Osita .C. Nweke, International Institute of Journalism, Jahi District, Abuja

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

T H I S D AY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Mustapha: Those Asking Buhari to Seek a Second Term Want Him Dead A former National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party but now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bode Mustapha has disagreed with members of his party calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to seek a second term in office, saying those asking him to run despite his age and health challenges are being unfair to the president. He spoke to Tobi Soniyi and Femi Ogbonnikan.

Excerpts: What is your reaction to the call by some people for President Muhammadu Buhari to seek another term?

When people begin to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to re-run in 2019, to me, it is the height of sycophancy. God has used President Buhari for one thing, in particular, fighting corruption. Because if he did not start to fight corruption, corruption would have killed Nigeria. If we have continued the way we used to do, the naira today would have become toilet paper money, quoting Idia Amin of Uganda, in those days, because of the level of corruption. Now, what we need to do, in this country, is to strengthen the institution.

The National Assembly should, as a matter of urgency, pass into law, the bill the president sent to them, almost two years ago, in respect of a special court to fight corruption. Where you know; that within such a time frame, you will start the prosecution of a case and, then come to an end, and the country moves on. When you call on Buhari whose health is failing, two, on whose side age is no longer there to say, at late 70s, Nigeria is not Zimbabwe, Nigeria is not Tunisia, in terms of intellect of people, in terms of the complicity and complexity of the various 250 and 300 nationalities, in terms of, even everything about Nigeria. It is just like, wanting to kill the poor man. In life, people come, like Buhari came at a time, that he came, chosen by God to help Nigeria take on, head on, that cankerworm called corruption because it has eaten deeply into the tissue and fibre of our society. I believe that people who are calling for him to run again, have their own agenda, either they will think that, if it is ok, that I say, he should run, he would support me to run or some of them are positioning themselves to be either vice president or senate president, etc and they think, they would make it. You see, telling it as it is, is never served ‘a la carte’.

No! You just have to face the reality and say it, just the way it is. So, I don’t believe in it at all and I don’t subscribe to it.

What does such call portend for the country?

Let us face it. When APC was coming, the mantra at that time was “Any Other But Jonathan” (AOBJ), but that had come and gone. Now, the PDP is trying to put its house in order. Now, APC is beginning to make the same mistake that PDP made. I was privileged to know this because by the gravce of God, I was the first person from Ogun State to be a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the then largest party in Africa that was ruling this country. And at that time, the governors thought that they were invincible and infallible.

They were thinking that it was about them, they were imposing people. Internal democracy was thrown to the dogs and immediately that thing started happening, danger signals were there.

APC should not fall into the same pit or trap that PDP fell into. That is why, I believe that again, in Nigeria, we should stop exercising, celebrating people but we should start to strengthen institutions. There is a party, strengthening the party, open the doors of the party to people who wish to join the party, who believe in the party, take the party back to the people, not about imposition. Let the people choose who to represent them, whether as councillors or as House of Assembly member or House of Representatives member or senators or as governors or as president. Because in Nigeria

hurriedly put together, without any ideology, without anything whatsoever, just to say, like I said earlier on, Jonathan has to go because of the damage done to the economy, and to this nation, was enormous and we didn’t know it was this bad and it was only a snippet of it that we heard. So, I agree with you, that the party is being run like a fiefdom.

Who should take the blame?

I would say, that the Presidency should take that blame as the leadership of the party and at the state levels, the governors should be blamed as the leaders of the party at the state level.

Is the absence of internal democracy responsible for imposition of candidates?

That was what killed PDP, lack of internal democracy. That was why you had governors of PDP who were sitting governors who ran for the National Assembly seats and lost. We had Babangida Aliyu, he ran, he lost; we had Jolly Nyame, he ran, he lost; we had Suswan, he ran, he lost. Because they imposed themselves on the people. Unfortunately APC is following the same path at the moment and I hope, it is not going to be a self-destruct path.

Mustapha... APC risks making same mistake PDP made

now, we are not in Nigeria of about 20 or 30 or 40 years ago. Today, people would vote for individuals in this country. I see many people who would say to me, in that Oyo State, I don’t care what it is, I am going to vote for Mr X, Y, Z. I have seen people who have told me, who are not politicians, talking to me, that they would vote for the same person each of them have been mentioning. Now, they are going to vote for individuals and if we don’t get it right, you would just make mockery of the so-called party. So, I think that the party should be given back to the people and in the process, let the strengthening of that institution begin or emerge or run at the grass root level, all to the Presidency and then, we would get a good candidate. Of course, that candidate could be supported by the incumbent, based on many factors that we would take into consideration.

And topmost of all them would be the continuation of the fight against corruption, which in any event, nobody can get there and dismantle that. God has given that to Buhari to ensure for Nigerians. That is my take.

Do you subscribe to an independent candidacy?

Well, the challenge, I have in an independent candidacy is that, it would be abused in this country. What do I mean by that? If we have 30 candidates for a house of assembly, does it mean; they would have to make ballot papers that would carry 30 photographs because you must know who you want to vote for? So, I don’t think that we are very ready for that. But if that would be the panacea to the imposition of candidates by parties so, let it be.

Can’t the issue of independent candidacy be moderated by setting tough conditions that will allow only serious - minded people to contest?

Once certain conditions are being put in place

and it does not become a thing for all Tom, Dick and Harry or a free-for-all thing, I am totally for it. Why am I totally for it? If the person believes he has what it takes to be voted for. But unfortunately, why I support an independent candidacy, abinitio, subject to certain modifications, is that the governors that we have in this country always see themselves as tin gods who should control parties and control who run for what office. Whether the person is popular, whether the person is wanted by the people or not, they don’t care, as long as the person is ready to be their stooge and do their bidding. And because of that, if a man believes that he has what it takes, I don’t know what INEC is going to do in that regard, whether it is going to be by a referendum or it is going to be whatever, to know how to make the conditions quite tough, to make sure that this man has what it takes, believe in what it has to be voted for, so be it, totally.

In your party, APC, statutory meetings are not being held regularly and yet everybody in the party keeps quiet. What is happening?

It is not only an issue at the national level.

As per the constitution of this party, I am.a member of the state exco, I am a member of the state caucus, having once been a member of the National Assembly, nobody has ever sent an invitation to me to meet. As far as we are concerned, when a governor calls a meeting that is exco, and that is not the exco.

Again, having had the experience of being a member of the National Working Committee member of the PDP, while PDP was in power, the national exco meetings were always held, national caucus meetings were always held statutorily, NEC meetings were always held, and we NWC members who were running the party, met every week, but today and I think, what has caused that is because APC was

Shouldn’t Osun West Senatorial bye - election be a big lesson for your party?

Yes, it is very unfortunate and I hope APC would learn from it. The Osun West senatorial matter was a litmus test. That test is going to be seen in the next elections in Ekiti and Osun States governorship elections. In any imposition, APC would lose the election and it would send wrong signals, if it would happen, it would be in the south west. Now, to start off with, in Osun state, the people who came out for the primary said as per the constitution of the party, Mr X was not qualified to run because he didn’t fulfil certain conditions of the party, that he was resigning 30 days before the primary and as such, Mr Y was qualified.

You sent people on appeal and the Appeal Committee upheld the decision of the people who carried out the primary and somewhere along the line the party in its ‘wisdom’ now over-ruled and said, no. Now, at that point in time, the public opinion was in favour of Ademola Adeleke because of what happened to his brother. The public sentiment was with him. Even if he didn’t go to PDP and if he had gone to Labour Party or Accord Party, he would have won that election. But somebody, somewhere said, like they used to say in so many years ago, “even if you put down a dog he would win”, the days are gone. And I hope APC would learn from that, and not go on a self-destruct mission.

Isn’t it a warning signal too for your own state, Ogun where APC has been divided into two camps, ahead of the 2019 governorship contest?

Well, as far as I am concerned, I have said it and I have made it abundantly clear, that there are many, many people who want to join APC today, in many states of Nigeria, and Ogun State in particular. People have come to me, to say, sorry, we are not talking about APC, we like APC, we are only associating with the candidates because we are not wanted in APC. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

POLITICS

Achonu: Time to Hold APC Accountable Astalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party, SenatorAthanasiusAchonu has accused theAll Progressives Congress of riding roughshod over the people and failing to keep its promises to them. He spoke with Adedayo Adejobi who presents the excerpts to coming into government. What career path can you prescribe for people who enter politics so that the younger generation can thrive?

In Nigeria, they come into politics for the wrong reasons. In other climes, they come into government to make money for the government; here they come in to steal from the government.

Either they’ve failed in their business or don’t even have any at all. The criterion should be that they have excelled in their private life or businesses before they vie for political office.

Politics is supposed to be about service, value creation and performance. But here, they buy votes, write election results.

What is your view of President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to receive treatment in the United Kingdom?

It’s not his fault that he’s sick, besides he’s not a young man anymore. The only thing I have against it is that Nigeria can afford to bring the best equipment money can buy and doctors to the villa, to take care of the president. The president was held hostage by doctors abroad.

There is no country on earth who can allow their President to be held hostage by medical doctors abroad. Not even soldiers. He wasn’t under house arrest. Doctors can be hired from all over the world to take care of him. He’s a human being, and can fall sick. The system couldn’t crumble because he’s sick. Nigeria didn’t grind to a halt thanks to the Vice President.

The constitution took care of such eventualities because it allows him to do that. But in other countries, I don’t think he can do that.

You seem to have so much faith in the system?

I am a Nigerian. I believe in myself and I believe there are good judges, INEC officials and credible Nigerians. The source of my confidence is that the right people would someday get into the right places and things would get better. There will be a lot of improvement in 2019 when PDP takes over power. We’ll try to change the country so that there will be improvement.

The National Assembly and the politics of Buhari’s Absence?

I don’t think they played any politics with Buhari’s absence. It’s the imagination of the media.

The president’s state of health has obviously affected his ability to deliver on his election campaign.

Nobody is holding All Progressives Congress (APC) accountable. They haven’t kept any promise they made. They don’t keep promises. The whole country knows. Everything they say they’ll do, they haven’t done anything.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is struggling to reposition itself. How difficult is this going to be?

A lot has been said about PDP, the last government, corruption-wise. Nigeria is a very corrupt society. Most of the corrupt people in PDP have run to APC, and so they are being protected.

Who is deceiving who? As for politics, the PDP is going to reposition itself by making sure all those undemocratic processes used to elect people are abandoned. I don’t want to expose what we are planning. When we come about after the next congress, you will see democracy in action, because APC is going to implode very soon, so we don’t want to expose what we are going to do. As you can see, we’re keeping things under wraps. Nigerians should expect PDP in the villa, and in Douglas house in Imo State.

What is your view on the declaration of the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose to cotest the presidential election in 2019?

Fayose, like everyone else who wants to run for president can run for the position. He has an ambition but that doesn’t mean he’s the presidential candidate of the party’. As a card carrying member of PDP, he has a right to run for president.

And you think that wouldn’t cause any disaffection in the party?

Even though it’s been zoned to the north, every time you zone other people who aspire can contest at the primaries. With everyone buying forms to run for president, it would geerate a lot of money for the party. However, we know who we want in the party. It’s a very democratic party. If I continue, I’ll give away our secret, so let’s leave it at that. After the November convention, then a new leadership would emerge, and Makarfi is the authentic person who would conduct the congress. PDP is a united party. In Imo state, there are some rabble-rousers, failed and failing politicians who are making noise.

Nobody is giving them attention, as they are on their way to political oblivion.

What is your view on the agitation for the country to be restructured?

Nigeria would go up in flames if matters are not handled very carefully. Nigeria’s present constitution was written by a few soldiers, and it governs this country. The constitution should be a collective effort from the grassroots.

Don’t you think that would be a tall task for the PDP, especially with the perception that it messed up the country while in power for 16 years?

I agree, but there is new blood in PDP now.

You are trying to make me give up our secret.

I will not. Just wait and watch out after the November congress, you will see.

Achonu...PDP will change the change

But that’s not what is happening. Nigerians must come together and decide how they’ll live together. That would be the only solution.

Any other thing is cosmetic.

Your views on Nnamdi Kanu and his Indigenous People of Biafra?

Nnamdi Kanu is an activist. He protested on the streets of London for the victims of Boko Haram. Nobody said anything. He’s now protesting on behalf of his fellow Igbos, they are now trying to kill him. That is wrong. He has a right to his own opinion, and he’s not speaking for the Igbo. He’s an Igbo who feels marginalised. Look at the killing of Igbos on Niger Bridge. There is freedom of speech; so long they are not violent. They have right.

It’s when they are violent or disrupt public peace, that it becomes a problem. The Igbos are completely marginalised, so you won’t be surprised when an Igbo says that. But we don’t want Biafra. We don’t want secession. We want a united country where everybody has equal rights. And that is what I look forward to as a Nigerian.

There is a projection that APC may lose at least seven states. Do you see PDP winning those states?

There is nothing like APC. They have disappointed Nigerians. You are even talking of seven states; PDP is taking Nigeria by storm in 2019.

We are using broom to sweep APC away from the political landscape. We are taking the whole country. It would be a massive victory in 2019.

You sound so confident. What is the basis for this?

I am confident. Like I said, there is something we have in the bag. When we let it out, you will see a new PDP. There will be freedom of choice and equal opportunity, and then everybody would come to the party. Look at APC, how can Buhari and Tinubu have a true marriage? It’s not possible. Magu, EFCC Chairman, the DSS of the same government presented him, the same government petitioned against him. The same government is in control of the National Assembly. So tell me, is that a political party or a workable arrangement. Let’s

not deceive ourselves there is no party called APC. It doesn’t exist as far as I’m concerned.

There is a push to make it lawful for youths to seek elective offices. Do you think it’s workable, and would politicians and government make it work?

The youths are the owners of this country. They own the voting population. They should use their heads and work together. The problem is that our youths have misplaced priorities. The foundation laid by the political class, places emphasis on stealing and acquiring wealth by all means. It’s led the youths astray. If it was in the olden days when student unionism was a factor in making the political class do the right thing, I would say yes. But not anymore.

If youths become more patriotic, they’ll have a chance at leadership. The youths should be the change agents.

All things being equal, do you see hope for the youths?

I’ve always believed and still believe in the human spirit, the ability of the human spirit to overcome challenges. I think that Buhari was God-sent. Many of the things he has done have made Nigerians sit up. The APC government brought hunger. In their bid to fight corruption, they chased away investments.

And hunger made Nigerians sit up and begin to look inwards. People are going into farming and manufacturing. This is what we should have been doing all along. I hope it takes us to the promise land.

I agree our government was very corrupt.

There was corruption in Nigeria and the APC is also very corrupt. The political class is totally corrupt. So it started from the military and it became a culture. Until it’s eradicated. I have hopes the good people will come to politics, try to change things and engender development.

We are one of the richest countries on the face of the planet, and we have no business being poor.

If you look at politicians, they don’t leave government position because they don’t really have where to go after that. And even when they leave, they become useless to themselves because they have no skills or pedigree prior

Why do you really believe in PDP? Why I believe in PDP is because it’s the only party that nobody owns. If you have good intentions for the country and you join this party, you make your voice heard; you can influence it for the better. When more good people come into the party, they will change and re-structure it. Unlike APC’s Tinubu –Buhari who own the party and dictate what happens there. But in PDP you are chairman; you are in in charge just as Makarfi is. That’s why I believe in it and joined it, so I can be one of the change agents to bring progress and development to this country.

APC used the change mantra, and PDP seems to tow that same line. Shouldn’t Nigerian be weary?

PDP is coming to change the change.

Don’t you think there would be a backlash, especially using he same mantra?

It’s not a mantra. It’s a reality. They said they were bringing change and Nigerians have tasted the bitter change. Nigerians expect PDP to come and change the change..

Your colleagues in the National Assembly seem to have turned a blind eye to their responsibilities.

That was why my first bill as a Senator is that you can’t export any mineral resources without adding value by processing it.

That way, you acquire technology, create jobs and wealth. Till we do that we are not going anywhere. I like to think that my colleagues in the National Assembly would carry on and pass my bills, so it goes through second reading. If you know the exploitation on-going in the solid minerals industry, how can Nigeria be importing Petrol Motor Spirit after all these years.

Even when in Biafra we could build refineries and produce Petrol Motor Spirit. How can we be importing toothpicks. We should start exporting our processed mineral resources.

Many Nigerian professors have invented things that can be produced in Nigeria. Government is not focusing on industrial development.

Instead it is supporting importation. Nigeria has become a dumping ground for everybody.

It’s a shame. I trust the Senate President and the National Assembly and I hope they can make and implement the relevant laws. I have confident that Nigeria will get there no matter how long it takes.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

What Hope for Marine Wildlife?

Ugo Aliogo writes that huge waste deposits in Nigeria's territorial waters constitute a big threat to the survival of marine life

“

From a particular report, it was noted that when the belly of a dead shark was cut open, home-made wastes were discovered inside the belly.

We are destroying our marine life gradually.”

A Lagos-based Scuba Diver, Bolaji Alonge, expressed this view with a great feeling of sadness in his heart. As a diver, he has been involved in diving voyages in the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, the Gulf of Omar and others. His experience about underwater voyage has left a sad taste in the mouth.

His worry is that the huge deposit of waste in the ocean has constituted a big threat to the survival of marine life.

Marine waste is a worldwide challenge.

While some countries especially tourists’ destination centres in the Northern Hemisphere are making frantic efforts to clean up the ocean. Most African countries are still lagging behind.

From his diving voyages, he revealed that there is a large stretch of land inside the Atlantic Ocean with a huge deposit of plastic wastes unattended to. If Nigeria is committed in playing a role in the global ocean cleanup campaign, Alonge urged the federal government to develop a mechanism that would curb the use of polythene bags and plastics. His argument is premised on the fact that these materials constitute nuisance to marine life and coastal communities.

In 2015, he participated in an ocean clean up exercise in the Red Sea in Egypt with a group of divers from around the world. They used sack bags to pick up the wastes inside the sea. During the exercise the group brought out the tyre of a heavy duty truck, pipes, cigarette boxes, plastics cups and others, from a site adjudged to be one of the most beautiful diving sites in the world.

The spirited efforts of these individuals are an indication that the desire to clean up the ocean should not be left to government.

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and organised individual groups can play roles in the campaign. However, as a country there needs to be concerted drive through policy implementation to keep our coastal areas clean and safe.

According to him, “People need to stop indiscriminate dumping of wastes in the streets, gutters and their neighbourhood.

As a people, we don’t have good waste disposal culture. This is very unpleasant and unhealthy.

“In order to play our part to save the ocean campaign, we need to organise a proper campaign to re-orientate the people’s minds especially on the use of plastics. Cleaning of the ocean has to be done by the federal and state governments in conjunction with body of divers.

“In Nigeria, we don’t have enough divers though we have a diving club in Lagos. But more diving clubs should be established and government should show renewed commitment to supporting scuba diving. Government should subsidise scuba diving for interested individuals because the training fee is expensive. To start a course in scuba diving it costs N300, 000.

“Plastics production companies must play a role in cleaning the ocean; government should play its role especially by holding these companies to task and Nigerians should improve their wastes disposal culture,” he stated.

The United Nations Environment Population (UNEP) recently observed that up to 80 per cent of all litters in our oceans are made up of plastics. Therefore by 2050, we will have more of them than fishes.

Unfortunately, this abnormality is caused by humans, leaving the ocean at the mercy of man’s discretion to save marine lives or not.

UNEP estimated that 15 per cent of marine litter floats on the sea's surface, 15 per cent

Deposit of human wastes washed up on one of the beaches in Lagos

remains in the water column and 70 per cent rests on the seabed. A study revealed that 5.25 million plastic particles, weighing 268,940 tonnes in total, are currently floating in the world's oceans.

With the increasing rise of marine pollution, the MacArthur Foundation in a study noted that the world is producing 20 times more plastics than 40 years ago.

The negative effect is that yearly more than eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans, causing damage to marine wildlife, fisheries, tourism and marine ecosystem.

The study further sheds light on the fact that only less than 14 per cent of all plastics are recyclable and there is need to setup through technological mechanism to deal with the remaining 86 per cent which could create $80bn-$120 billion in revenues.

If Nigeria is committed in playing a role in the global ocean cleanup campaign, Bolaji Alonge urged the federal government to develop a mechanism that would curb the use of polythene bags and plastics. His argument is premised on the fact that these materials constitute nuisance to marine life and coastal communities

Over 80 per cent of marine pollution comes from land based activities, including plastic bags, water bottles, cups, cans and other debris which enter the ocean through deliberate dumping or run-off through rivers and drains.

Ocean pollution is caused by a number of factors such as ocean mining, sewage, large scale of oil spills, land runoffs, and toxic chemical from industries.

In the midst of all these challenges, Africa is not left out in the equation. It has had its fair share of problems to deal with. Many cities and coastal towns are battling with the huge deposit of garbage which ends up in the ocean. A renowned American Oceanographer, Sylvia Earle, who spent 60 years studying the sea, noted that 300,000 sea animals are killed or harmed yearly. The statistics is staggering especially because there are no concerted efforts to checkmate this indecent act by government of nations in the continent.

She further explained that some sea creatures get caught in the plastic debris, while others such as seabirds, turtles, fish, oysters and mussels ingest the plastics, which end up clogging up their digestive system and causing death.

At the 2017 ocean conference in Indonesia, the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Peter Thomson, said the conference which was strategic and in support of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 is mandated under the 2030 SDG agenda to conserve and manage ocean resources.

Thomson urged leaders and representatives present at the conference to ensure that the SDG14 receives the support necessary to meet its critical targets, adding that there is need to know the state of the ocean, and the difficulties it is facing.

“We have to assemble the solutions required to overcome those problems. We are here on behalf of humanity to restore sustainability, balance and respect to our relationship with our primal mother, the source of all life, the ocean,” he noted.

His argument is that marine pollution is taking the world to critical point where

by 2050 there will be more plastics in the ocean than there will be fish, therefore, there is an urgent need look at the effects of climate change on the ocean to properly understand what the world is confronted with.

He called for a stop to the ‘crazy subsidies’ given by industrialised countries to fishing fleets, urging a renewed effort to identify the species under threat and agree to only fish to quota or stop fishing those species altogether.

Thomson said: “We have to have better rubbish collection systems. We have to do what Rwanda has done which is to ban plastic bags. We have to stay true to the Paris Climate Agreement. But beyond that, we can set up marine protected areas where we can sustainably manage our fish stocks.

We have to stop illegal and harmful fishing practices such as bottom dredging. We have to end those ridiculous fish subsidies and use that money to restore coastal ecosystem.

“Microplastics, which are bits of plastics inserted into things such as toothpaste and face creams and other cosmetics constitute a big problem. We have to stop industrial use of micro plastics because they get ingested into the biosphere. Their implications are far reaching.

“We have unleashed a plague of plastic upon the ocean that is defiling nature in many tragic ways. Illegal and destructive fishing practices, along with harmful fisheries subsidies, are driving our fish-stocks to tipping points of collapse. The greenhouse gases of accumulated carbon- combusting human activity are not only driving climate change, they are causing rising sea levels through ocean warming, while threatening life in the ocean through acidification and oxygenation,” he lamented..

The campaign to save the ocean doesn’t seem to be receiving encouraging support in Nigeria especially through awareness campaigns from government and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). However, some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are playing their roles in the campaign to save the ocean. The Mental

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Ëž T H I S D AY THURSDAYËœ Í°ÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

FEATURES and Environmental Development, a group passionate about cleaning the environment especially the coastal areas through active community participation is playing its part to support the campaign.

The NGO was founded by Miss. Doyinsola Ogunye, who is passionate about the cleanliness of the environment and the preservation of aquatic life. She also founded the Kids Beach Garden dedicated to teaching children about their environment and their role in giving back.

To put the issue of marine pollution in proper perspective, Ogunye argued that the major cause of ocean pollution is littering.

She hinged her argument on the premise that Nigerians have a bad habit of littering the environment indiscriminately, with wastes which flow into drainage channels when it rains and end up in the ocean, where they are consumed by fishes.

Ogunye maintained that if indiscriminate dumping of refuse is not checked, the present generation is preparing a cocktail of disaster for children yet unborn, therefore there is a need for something imperative to be done.

She called on government, CSOs, and NGOs to start sensitising people on the need to stop littering the ocean because of the adverse effect on aquatic life and the society.

She noted: “The way we have conveyed many plastic in last 20 years, I don’t think it is going to stop, instead it is going to get worse. The best option is that government should actually levy these plastics production companies and put some kind of restrictions on those who use plastics, eventually place ban on its usage in Lagos State and Nigeria. “We are evolving as a people and we might do a lot of things that will be a great disservice to the next generation. On the path of the federal government, they should start advocating for other kinds of packaging apart from plastics. In cleaning the ocean, I suggest that Nigeria adopts the examples of Kenya and Singapore. Kenya as a country has done remarkably well in managing environmental waste and marine pollution,� she remarked.

A team of volunteers involved in a beach cleanup exercise organised by Visionscape and Kids Beach Garden

Highlights from the United Nations Ocean Conference 2017 In connection with the UN Ocean Conference, countries made commitments to reduce marine litter, as part of the UN Environment’s Clean Seas Campaign (CSC). Also at the conference, more than one million participants signed a petition to phase out single-use plastic worldwide within the next five years as part of the Avaaz campaign.

UN Environment launched the CSC in February 2017 to increase awareness on the need to reduce marine litter by targeting the production and consumption of nonrecoverable and single-use plastic. More than 20 countries are now participating in the campaign, which calls on governments, industries and individuals to end singleuse plastic and eliminate micro plastics in Volunteers from Kids Beach Garden gathering microplastics washed up on the beach

To put the issue of marine pollution in proper perspective, Doyinsola Ogunye argued that the major cause of ocean pollution is littering. She hinged her argument on the premise that Nigerians have a bad habit of littering the environment indiscriminately, with wastes which ow into drainage channels when it rains and end up in the ocean

cosmetics by 2022.

Sweden announced it will join the CSC and will introduce a number of actions to tackle marine litter, including waste management technologies, a national collection system, a deposit-refund system for PET bottles, and raise awareness on the negative impact of plastic bags. Sweden is also expected to introduce a ban on microplastics in cosmetic products.

Furthermore, as part of the campaign, Indonesia has committed to reduce its marine litter by 70 per cent and Kenya will introduce a plastic bag ban in September 2017. Other countries that have previously announced commitments to the campaign include Belgium, Costa Rica, France, Grenada, Norway, Panama, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone and Uruguay.

Sweden will also provide SEK 9 million to support the CSC as well as SEK 5 million to support UN Environment’s efforts to tackle pollution from land-based sources.

UN Environment Executive Director Erik Solheim said Sweden’s support “will help us intensify our work and translate the science into global awareness and concrete action.�

Sweden’s Minister for Environment,

Karolina Skog, announced an additional SEK 2 million in funding for the Action Platform for Source-to-Sea Management (S2S Platform) to strengthen work on knowledge exchange and other efforts on land-based marine pollution. The S2S Platform is a multi-stakeholder initiative that promotes collaboration among experts to improve the management of water linkages from land through to the ocean.

During the conference’s general debate, many called for reducing single-use plastic.

Countries committed to, inter alia: eliminate marine plastics from coastlines by 2025 (Ghana); collect marine debris throughout the Maldives’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ); ban single-use plastics (Monaco); ban microplastics (Sweden); prohibit the sale and manufacturing of microbeads in cosmetics and other products (Ireland); reduce the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags by 50 per cent (Italy); reduce plastic bag use by 25 per cent (Austria); ban the import and use of Styrofoam containers (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines); and fight marine plastic debris (Costa Rica).

Indonesia outlined its commitment to reduce marine plastic debris by 70 per cent within eight years and said it had launched a US$1

billion waste management strategy.

Efforts to save the ocean: The Kenya example In Kenyan production, sales and use of plastic bags attract imprisonment of four years or fines of $40,000. This has been adjudged by experts in marine conservation as the world's toughest law aimed at reducing plastic pollution. With this legislation in place, Kenya has joined more than 40 other countries that have banned or taxed single use of plastic bags, including China, France, Rwanda, and Italy. It took Kenya three attempts over 10 years to finally pass the ban, and not everyone is a fan.

However, the spokesman of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Samuel Matonda is not pleased with this development. His angst with the legislation is that it would cost 60,000 jobs and force 176 manufacturers to close, especially with the country’s status as a major exporter of plastic bags to the region.

He added: “The knock-on effects will be very severe. It will even affect the women who sell vegetables in the market - how will their customers carry their shopping home?�

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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 Compliance OďŹƒcer, UBA, Plc. Mr. Franklyn Bennie; Vice Chairman, Association of Chief Compliance of Banks in Nigeria (ACCOBIN), Mr. Wumi Adeniyi; Chairman, Association of Chief Compliance, Mr. Opeyemi Rotimi Adojutelegan; Chief Compliance OďŹƒcer, Keystone Bank, Mrs. Joyce Obi; Chief Compliance OďŹƒcer, Diamond Bank, Mr. Femi Jaiyeola; and Chief Compliance OďŹƒcer, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Raheem Owodeyi at the Walk against Corruption to mark 10th anniversary of ACCOBIN in Lagos recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Head, Health & Insurance Solutions, Interswitch Limited, Uzor Okonmah; Vice President, Mobile Financial & Digital Services, Airtel Nigeria, Veronica Onoja, and Regional Operations Director, Lagos, Airtel Nigeria, Sina Adegoke during the Interswitch Award Ceremony in Lagos... recently.

L-R: Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe; Regional Director, Mnet West Africa Wangi MbaNzoukwu and General Manager, Marketing and Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria Martin Mabutho, during a live screening of battleground 100th episode, in Lekki Lagos recently KOLA OLASUPO

L-R: Regional Director, Abuja & North of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Lukman Mustapha; Author and Motivational Speaker, Love Idoko and Managing Director of the Bank, Mr. Adam Nuru, during a literary event tagged, ĂŤĂ­Activating Success With Love IdokoĂ­Ă­ and unveiling of the compendium, ĂŤĂ­Celebrating the First 100 EpisodesĂ­Ă­, in Abuja...recently

First OďŹƒcer, Dana Air, Conrad Ekwuazi (5th left) and Second OďŹƒcer, Dana Air, Kalu Sylvester, (6th right),with Heartland FC of Owerri Players when the airline ew the team from Imo state to Lagos as part of its partnership with the Imo State Government...recently

L-R; Kwara State Sector Commander, FRSC, Sunday Maku; Zonal Commanding OďŹƒcer, Zone RS 8 llorin, John Meuz; President, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Najeem Yasin; Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatai Ahmed and Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi during the inauguration of Kwara State Command of FRSC new oďŹƒce complex in llorin...recently

L-R: Principal Consultant, Habiba Balogun Consulting, Habiba Balogun; Executive Director, Healthcare Leadership Academy(HLA), Dr Hala Daggash; Commissioner for Health, Lagos, Dr Jide Idris; Director, Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation(HSDF), Dr Dupe Oludipe; and Director Health Research Statistics and Planning, Lagos ministry of health, Dr Olufemi Taiwo, at a two day bespoke leadership and quality programme for medical directors of Lagos State General Hospitals on Lagos... recently

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Quick Takes West African Gaming Expo Holds Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ âÚÙ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă‹ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˘Ă’Ă“ĂŒĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ëœ åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™Ëœ Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÒÙÖÎ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ͱ̋͜Ͱ͡ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă‹Ă“Ă—Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?ĂžËœ ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁË› Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ě‹ Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂŒĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă?ÒÙåĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽË› ÍŻÍľ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ ÚÖËĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă?Ă™ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÞËÕĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă“Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÞÙ Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞËÕĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ËÞÓà Ă? ÞÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă™ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ? Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŒĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ

Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă•ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ’Ă‹Ă–ĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹ Ă’Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă’ Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă?Ù×ÚĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă&#x;ĂšĂ?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă˜ĂŁĂ™Ă˜Ă? ĂŒĂ?ÖÙå ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÍŻÍľ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ ÞÙ ÚÓÞĂ?Ă’ Ă‹ Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ?Ă‹ ÞÙ Ă‹ ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă– Ă”Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ‘Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă–Ă– Ă‘Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÚÓÞĂ?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ ĂšĂ–Ă‹ĂŁĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂŽĂ?×Ù˛

Finlab to Boost Capacity in Production

BUILDING SECURITY AROUND TECHNOLOGY

L-R: Head of IT Infrastructure, FCMB, Mr. Abolaji Oyebo; Senior Security Consultant, Kaspersky Lab Middle East, Mr. Ahmed Ashraf; Regional Enterprise Manager West Africa, Kaspersky Lab, Mr. John Hanum; Head of Information Security and IT Risk Management, Unity Bank, Mr. Wale Animashaun and Deputy Head of Information Security, Keystone Bank, Mr. Seun Sonaike, at the Kaspersky Lab’s Secure Enterprise event in Lagos...recently

Concerns over Impending Technology Risk among Commonwealth Countries Stories by Emma Okonji The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), Mr. Shola Taylor, has warned of an impending risk that is likely to rob Commonwealth countries of modern technology benefits.

He stated that many Commonwealth countries may likely miss out on the benefits of Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and augmented reality technology innovation, if they do not invest sufficiently in broadband and ICT services.

Taylor, who spoke at the opening of the just concluded CTO ICT Forum’17, which held in Maputo, Mozambique, called

ICT on Commonwealth countries including Nigeria to consider huge investment in broadband, which he described as a platform for the next frontier of technology advancement.

He called on member countries to invest urgently in broadband as well as in information and communications technology (ICT) services, or miss out on IoT and AI evolution.

Taylor, a Nigerian citizen was the chief executive officer of Kemilinks International, a global ICT consultancy firm based in Lagos. He had over 35 years of global experience in ICTs with government and the private sector, prior to his appointment

as Commonwealth Secretary General in 2015, warned commonwealth countries of the danger of not investing heavily in broadband.

According to him, “With the IoT, we have a new environment conducive of opportunities for new forms of digital entrepreneurship or public service delivery. But there are still far too many without access to the internet, who are unable to take advantage of the opportunities and benefits that digital technologies have to offer.�

Taylor spoke alongside Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Carlos Mesquita; Director-General, International Telecommunications Satellite

Organisation, Patrick Masambu; and Deputy Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union, Malcolm Johnson.

The event, which was declared open by Mozambique’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Carlos Agostinho do RosĂĄrio, was attended by ministers, regulators, national ICT agencies, industry executives, non-profit organisations and academia from the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, South Asia and the Pacific. “We need to investigate new options to provide broadband, including low-orbit space solutions. To achieve this, more investment is essential.

Of course, universal service Continued on page 24

IBM, MTN Deploy IoT Technology to Save Africa’s Rhinos Ahead of World Rhino Day 2017 this week, IBM; MTN, a leading African telecommunications provider; Wageningen University (WU) in the Netherlands and Prodapt, have announced that they are harnessing IBM Internet of Things (IoT) technology as part of the MTN Connected Wildlife Solution.

The solution will help predict threats and combat the poaching of endangered rhinos at Welgevonden Game Reserve in South Africa, with the intent to expand the solution to other reserves in future.

Today, South Africa is home to more than 70 per cent of the world’s remaining rhino population. Conservationists are battling to protect the dwindling

IT number of these iconic animals that are being killed for their highly-prized horns. Over the past decade, more than 7,000 rhinos were killed across the African continent and in 2016, about 1,054 were reported killed in South Africa alone.

The Chief Executive Officer of Welgevonden Game Reserve, Bradley Schroder, said: “One of our primary objectives is to protect wildlife, especially endangered species, using technology. We were looking for a technology solution that would help us better understand possible threats and weed out those coming from poachers so we can react ahead of time

and prevent harm to animals. “This project will be a profound breakthrough in the creation of connected wildlife solutions, a wildlife management concept that aims to harness IoT technology to better manage and protect wildlife and other assets.�

This new predictive capability stems from research performed

by Wageningen University.

Ranked the best university in the Netherlands for 12 straight years, the university features an animal sciences group focused on research and education related to the health and welfare of animals and people. According to research conducted on Welgevonden Game Reserve, prey-animals

in the wild react in different ways, depending on the type of threat they encounter and the perceived danger from predators such as lion and leopard or the presence of people in the vicinity.

The research has been combined with MTN’s Connected Wildlife Solution which leverages IBM’s IoT technology and the university’s predictive analytics, to create an innovative solution that gives game reserves a powerful new tool in the fight to save endangered species.

Protecting the rhinos begins with fitting collars containing custom sensors onto preyContinued on page 24

Ă™ Ă?Ă˜Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ę¨Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;ÓÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă&#x;ÎÓÙ̋à ÓĂ?Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă–Ă‹ĂŒ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ù××ÓÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă›Ă&#x;ËÖÓÞã Ă™Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?Þ˛ Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă?ËÚËĂ?ÓÞã ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ù××ÙÎËÞĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽË› Ă’Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ ĂœË› äÙ ĂĄĂ‹Ă“Ă”Ă? Ă?ÞËÞĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ åÓÞÒ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁË› Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË? ËŤ Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă• Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÞÙ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ™ĂžĂ’ Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă?ËÖÞÒ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁËŹËœ

SES Unveils New Network System Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?ĂœĂ‹ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă&#x;ĂŽĚ‹Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞã Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’ ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ ÎËÞË Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’ Ă™Ă? ÍąĂŒ Ă— Ëœ Ă‹ ĂœĂ?à ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÚÙåĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă? Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă?ĘŠĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ě‹ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽË› Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ‹ĂšĂ“ĂŽĂ–ĂŁ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÍąĂŒ Ă— Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă?ÚËĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁĚ‹Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂŁĂ˜Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă? Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ ʨâĂ?ĂŽ ÎËÞË Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ?Ë› ÍąĂŒ Ă— Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂšĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă&#x;ÖÞÓÚÖĂ? ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ“ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ĂšĂ&#x;Ăž Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă’ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŻË› Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă— ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœËœ Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă—Ă?Ëœ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂ?ĂœĚ‹ĂšĂ™ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă&#x;Ă— Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ’ Ă™ĂœĂŒĂ“Ăž Ě™ Ěš Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă?Ë› Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÍąÍŽËœÍŽÍŽÍŽ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁĚ‹Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂšĂ?Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă“Ę°Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă– ÞÓ×Ă? ÞÙ Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ?ËŞ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂĄĂ“ĂŽĂžĂ’Ě‹Ă?ĘŠĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœË› ÍąĂŒ Ă— ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă‹ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ͳ͎͎ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÕÓÖÙ×Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ʨʰÒĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ’ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ë› HMD Global Releases Nokia 8 Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ÒÙ×Ă? Ă™Ă? ÙÕÓË ĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ÙÕÓË ÍśËœ Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ?Ă‹Ă&#x;ÞÓĂ?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ę°Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂžĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă—Ă“Ă˜ĂŽË› Ă’Ă? ÙÕÓË Íś ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽĚ‹Ę¨ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ? ÞÙ Ă˜ĂŽĂœĂ™Ă“ĂŽ Ă?Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂžĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ ĂŽĂ?ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ

ÙÚÞÓĂ?Ă?Ë› ÓÞÒ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă˜ĂŽĂœĂ™Ă“ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂžËœ Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă— Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂŒĂ™ĂŽĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ÙÕÓË Íś ĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă? ĘŽĂ‹Ă‘Ă?Ă’Ă“Ăš ÙÕÓË Ă?Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂžĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? ÙÕÓË Íś Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽĚ‹Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ě‹ Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă—Ă?ĂŽ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ?ËÖ̋ÞÓ×Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŒĂ™Ă™Ă• Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x; Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ?Ë› ÙÕÓË Íś Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ÞÒĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă?Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂžĂšĂ’Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? ÙÕÓË Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă™Ëœ ÚÖËĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?âĂ?Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă Ă? ÙÖÖãåÙÙÎ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÚËÖ× Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă?ÚËÞÓËÖ ͹ʹ͎п Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă™ ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă“Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă™ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ͳ Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ù˛ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ě‹Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă? ͹ʹ͎п Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă™ Ă?ËÚÞĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ–Ă‹ĂŁĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• Ă–Ă?ĂžĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă–ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? ×Ù×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă—Ă?Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ë›

There is need for synergy among the players in private and public sectors to reposition the brand Nigeria to attract foreign investors Chairman, STB McCann, Sir. Steve Omojafor

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

CONCERNS OVER IMPENDING TECHNOLOGY RISK AMONG COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES funds must continue to invest and deliver on increasing access. Countries must invest in services for their citizens, and in the infrastructure to support the delivery of these services, or they will miss out on the benefits of IoT, Big Data and augmented reality technologies,� Taylor warned. “It’s important for us to continue developing infrastructures as well as information and communications technology services in order to ensure greater availability and coverage of online services,� the Prime Minister said.

Experts at the forum were of the view that internet access is the key to development, being the first step towards a digital nation. “Big Data, Cloud computing, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and 5G will all shape our digital future.

They are important steps on the journey towards a digital nation and we need to bring together technologists, regulators and policy makers, not only from the ICT sector, but all the sectors that will depend on the technology, in order to address these challenges,� they added.

IBM, MTN DEPLOY IOT TECHNOLOGY TO SAVE AFRICA’S RHINOS animals including zebra, wildebeest, eland and impala, which will transmit data about their behavior to the IoT platform.

The data collected from the LoRa sensors is communicated via the LoRa WAN Network Server (LRSC - Long Range Signal and Control) and backhauled over the MTN 3G/4G network.

Through the platform, the solution collects animal location information, movement, direction and average speed of travel, along with other data. The data is used by Wageningen University to create approximately 20 rulebased patterns based on the animals’ response to threats.

As a result, animals such as zebra will act as sentinels with their response patterns becoming an early warning system to protect the rhinos.

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Udoma Asks NISER to Make Research Efforts Demand-driven Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, has tasked the Nigerian Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER) to make its research demand-driven and guided by the objectives of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

He Ă lso charged the agency to consistently generate credible knowledge through quality research, specialised training and consultancy services to aid national development.

Udoma, who gave the charge at a retreat organised by the institute, in Ogere, Ogun State said it must ensure that its research outcomes have practical relevance to government policy decisions and development programmes.

According a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mr. Akpandem James, the minister reminded participants that NISER was set up to be the premier think-tank economic research Institute for Nigeria and therefore was expected to consistently generate credible knowledge through quality research, conduct specialised training and consultancy services while interacting with relevant segments of the society in the task of national development.

X-raying the economic challenges of the country, Udoma reminded NISER that it has

an important role to play in the actualisation of core government programmes like the ERGP, which aims to stop the continuing decline of the country’s economic fortunes, reverse the downward spiral of the economy and move Nigeria out of recession.

The minister said the ERGP

promises a rapidly growing economy with diversified sources of growth, increased opportunities and a socially inclusive economy that reduces poverty and creates jobs.

Noting that the implementation of the policy initiatives outlined in the ERGP had started yielding results as

evident in the economy exiting recession in the second quarter of 2017, he pointed out that a lot needed to be done to sustain the tempo of recovery, by rapidly growing the economy.

To assist in the growth, the minister said NISER’s research must be demand-driven and guided by the objectives of

the plan. “This could be done by deepening its collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and ensuring that its research activities relates with the planning focus of the ministry and development needs of government “ he said.

SEALED AND SIGNED

L-R: Unit Head, Power, Keystone Bank Plc, Ibraheem Allaaya; Director, Global Utilities Management Company, Abu Ejoor; Chairman, Vigeo Group,Victor Gbolade Osibodu; Executive Vice President, International Marketing, Genus, Ramachand Ran Viswanathan and Business Development Manager, Vigeo Group, Tosin Osibodu, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos‌ recently

TEF to Empower 10,000 Startups in Africa, Partners Microsoft Emma Okonji Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), this week, signed a partnership agreement with Microsoft Nigeria, designed to help it meet its target to train and empower 10,000 technology startups from across 54 African countries.

The Foundation, which commenced training and empowerment of African startups since 2015, has completed the 12 months intensive training for two sets of trainees numbering 2,000, with a third set of 1000 trainees almost completing their training programme.

During the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Parminder Vir OBE, said the partnership would help TEF to achieve its target of training and empowering 10,000 African startups, based on the kind of technology support that Microsoft Nigeria will be offering, through its 4Afrika Initiative.

Microsoft will be providing entrepreneurs in the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme with technology-based tools, resources and mentorship.

Through the support, which will benefit TEF entrepreneurs across the African continent, the two organisations will help entrepreneurs effectively use information and communications technology (ICT) to modernise their businesses, enrich their offerings and reach new customers.

General Manager, Microsoft

Nigeria, Akin Banuso, said: “Microsoft 4Afrika and the Tony Elumelu Foundation share a common goal to accelerate economic and social development by promoting entrepreneurship across Africa.� “As we enter into an era of digital transformation, it is vital that we help all entrepreneurs develop relevant technology skills and integrate ICT into their businesses. Technology can help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) reach customers outside their local market, generate powerful business insights and improve their customer retention. We have found that SMEs who adopt this kind of modern information technology (IT) have seen 15 per cent faster revenue growth than those not using it,� Banuso added.

Microsoft 4Afrika will provide TEF entrepreneurs with: Access to cloud-based software, online support and technology through BizSpark; Access to information and markets through the Biz4Afrika platform, where SMEs can trade with similar-sized organisations; Technical training on Microsoft technologies and platforms during the 2017 TEF Forum; Online business and technology training through the Microsoft Virtual Academy, to support entrepreneurs through their start-up, growth and acceleration phases; Access to Microsoft experts for virtual and in-person mentorship through the MySkills4Afrika programme; and Access to the Interns4Afrika programme.

In addition, Microsoft will

also identify high potential entrepreneurs from the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme and integrate them into its Innovation Grant Programme.

Every year, the TEF Entrepre-

neurship Programme provides 1,000 entrepreneurs with business training, mentoring, access to seed capital funding and membership into the TEF Africa-wide Network.

Since 2013, the Microsoft Innovation Grant Programme has provided financial support to over 55 local start-ups, who have since generated $5.1 million in reciprocal investments.

BoI Disburses N24bn to Kano Industrialists Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Olukayode Pitan, has said that over N24billion loans have been disbursed to Kano State industrialists.

Pitan disclosed this at the weekend during a meeting with the Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

Ganduje also disclosed that the bank had in the process generated about 96,000 direct and indirect jobs in the small medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sub-sectors of the state.

According to him, the funds generated through different funding windows such as BoI/ KNSG matching fund, BolDangote fund, GEEP(Market Moni), FG MSME fund , YES -P fund and GEF fund , were invested across various sectors of the Kano State economy which include: agro-business, petrochemical and gas, metal fabrication, infrastructure and solid mineral. “Generally, as at August 31, 2017, the bank had provided loans in excess of N24,029,566.36 billion to SMEs and MSMEs, across the state with over 96,000 direct and indirect jobs,� he said.

He added that some of the

business concerns that are being supported by the bank include cooperative, business enterprises and limited liability such as Rubu Sacks Ltd, Marshall Buscult Ltd, Ammasco International ltd, and BBY sacks ltd, Gwale Soap MPCS limited among others.

Speaking on the bank’s efforts to deepen its presence in the state, Pitan said: “In its continuous bid to deepen its credit delivery process, BoI has commenced cluster-based programme that are targeted at funding projects in the 40 identified clusters and to this effect, BoI shall continue to accord priority to these clusters under the ptogramme.

He added: “Some of the these cluster include: Rice cluster in Kura, Kabiya and Bunkure-Argo mechanisation, Tomato cluster in Kadawa-tomato fund and Leather cluster at Kofa Wambaileather fund.�

Giving update on the N2billion MSMEs matching fund deal which was consummated in 2013, the BoI boss said over N424, 986million had so far been disbursed to beneficiaries from the initial tranche of N500million.

He noted that the injection of the fund into the state’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sub-sector had

also led to the generation of 1,655 jobs.

The disbursed N424, 986, 760m loan facility, according to Pitan, is part of the N2billion matching fund aimed at developing existing and new Micro Small and Medium Enterprises in the state.

He also disclosed that a loan of over N101,660million covering seven companies had been approved and awaiting disbursement.

Pitan, however, called on the government to release the second tranche of the N500million to enable the bank accelerate the pace of industrial development in the town, stressing that the bank had re-trained its staff and provided additional staff and upgraded its logistics requirement to meet the needs of the state office.

Responding, the governor praised the bank for its several interventions in the state even as he assured of his continued commitment to the improvement of the living standard of the people of the state through investment in real sector.

While urging the BoI to target more entrepreneurs in the state, Ganduje stated that as the commercial nerve centre of Northern Nigeria, the state is strategic to the activities of the bank.

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BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

Should Banks Fear Fintech?

Contrary to the perceived threat of technology disruption to the banking sector, experts have allayed those fears, insisting that Fintech can and will revolutionise banking. Emma Okonji reports Financial technology (FinTech) experts who assembled in Lagos for a two-day disruptive innovation conference held recently at the instance of Interswitch, a major player in the FinTech space, identified collaboration as the way forward, with transaction banks and fintechs leveraging their respective strengths and minimising their weaknesses.

They were of the view that technology disruption, especially in the financial space, which is changing the traditional and expensive ways of financial transactions, will assume a new dimension in the near further, in such a way that banks will begin to lose customers to Fintech operators if they refuse to collaborate.

FinTechs are technology solution providers, whose solutions are currently disrupting the traditional ways of carrying out financial transactions, thus threatening the continued monopoly of banks as custodians of customers’ bank accounts.

Given the evolution of disruptive technology across all sectors of the economy, the financial technology experts were of the view that banks would lose greater percentage of their customers to FinTechs, should banks down-play the essence of collaboration.

Brainstorming of FinTech Giving reason why he had to assemble financial technology experts to discuss the future of banking, the CEO, Interswitch, Mitchel Elebge, said Interswitch, through the Interswitch Connect, had been involved in engaging technology financial experts in the past years, geared towards proffering solutions to the challenges around financial transactions. According to him, in the past, the focus had been on open interaction on the perceived challenges in the banking sector. He, however, explained that this year, they decided to bring together, fintech experts from within and outside the country, to discuss disruptive technology innovation in the banking sector, with focus on FinTech disruptions. “We are gathered not to sell Interswitch products but to discuss the latest trends of technology disruptions, especially as it affects the banking industry, with a view to reposition the banks for effective service delivery. The gathering is designed to benefit all players, including the FinTechs, banks and partners.

We chose disruptive innovation as the focus this year because so much has been disrupted with technology and there is need for synergy among various players that have similar goals,�

Elegbe said.

He explained that one of the experts, Brett King, an Australian entrepreneur and author who co-founded a New York mobile banking company called Moven and published several books, has repository knowledge in disruptive innovation, hence he was nicknamed the ‘King of Disruptions.�

Elegbe was optimistic that knowledge gained from the event would help in key management decisions in the daily operations of the banks and FinTechs. “Interswitch had always been a technology provider to banks for the past 15 years, having pioneered several firsts in the banking industry like Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Point of Sales (PoS) machines among others and we will continue to support the banks to enhance customer experience,� Elegbe said.

Traditional banking The Nigerian banking system dates back to the colonial period, occasioned by the activities of the extra territorial merchants in the former West African colonies and the establishment of settle territorial government created needs.

During the period, the bank for British West African was established in Lagos mainly to facilitate commerce between Nigerians and their British counterparts in business.

Thereafter, the Barclays Bank, the National Bank of Nigeria Ltd, and the African Continental Bank, were established.

The technologies driving the banking system then were crude, as customers needed to obtain tally numbers and queue for hours before they

L-R: Chairman, Global Payments Innovation Jury, John Chaplin; Founder and Group Managing Director, Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe; Global Best Selling Author, Futurist and CEO, Moven, Brett King and Divisional CEO, Switching and Processing, Interswitch, Akeem Lawal, at the Disruptive Innovation conference were attended to by few cashiers. The traditional system of banking as introduced by the western world later changed as technologies evolved.

The use of cheque books and slips for deposits and withdrawal were introduced to ease baking translation, and this later metamorphosed into the use of Automated Teller Machines and Point of Sale (PoS) machines to facilitate cashless economy and ease of banking.

New trends in banking As technologies evolve, customer taste and lifestyles also changed, prompting the development of technology solutions that will meet customers’ needs and lifestyles, as they relate to financial transactions.

The emergence of FinTechs changed the whole narrative in the banking sector as the FInTechs continue to come up with disruptive technology solutions that have changed the face of baking globally.

The new trend is that customers are gradually shifting from the physical banks, to operate outside the banks, using their mobile devices, enabled by apps designed and develop by FinTechs.

Some of the apps allow people to store money electronically, and also have access to the money through their mobile devices, without opening bank account, thus breaking the monopoly of banks who hitherto were the only custodians of customers money, through deducted bank accounts. The experts who spoke at the conference, insisted that the current trend of opportunities for banks was not about building physical bank branches, but by creating banking apps that would bring about ease and comfort to financial transactions and that the best way to achieve it is by aligning with FinTech to develop new technology apps.

Experts’ views In his keynote address at the Interswitch Disruptive Africa conference, one of the speakers, Brett King, gave analogy of new technology trends that are shaping the entire globe. He said technology would rule the world and would develop more robots that would take the jobs of humans.

He focused more on artificial intelligence (AI) in technology evolution, and explained that given the rate of technology growth, Africa and the entire globe would soon be ruled by AI technology applications. He advised all sectors, especially the banking sector, to be prepared to embrace the disruptive innovation that would come with artificial intelligence.

King said banking transactions have moved from Bank 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, to 4.0, and advised banks to adapt to the changes through collaboration with FinTech, or lose their bank customers to FinTech players that are already creating apps that enhance banking transactions.

Founder, CWG Plc, Austin Okere, an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Columbia Business School, New York, who spoke on regulation as an aftermath of the emergence of FinTech, said: “The world is tilting towards digital currency, a situation where banks will no longer be custodian of physical cash, and this calls for a new regulatory framework that will enable FinTech thrive in the financial sector.�

The Chief Executive of Officer of Diamond Bank, Uzoma Dozie was of the opinion that the traditional method of banking acquired from the western world, are becoming too expensive to the banks, owing to the increased size of bank customers, and that the new wave of banking is digital. He therefore, admitted that banks must coexist with FinTech to provide more efficient and cost-saving services to bank customers.

The Future of FinTechs The future of FinTech is bright, according to Accenture’s report, which found that investment in FinTech around the world has increased dramatically from $930 million in 2008 to more than $12 billion by early 2015.

The FinTechs employ Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Machine Learning to glean the credit habits of customers from their mobile usage, and bank customers are gradually tilting towards the services of FinTechs.

According to Okere, the operators of FinTechs were becoming more innovative and at the same time, disruptive in their service offerings that seek to fill important niches in the credit markets. “They enable people who have historically been shunned by banks to get loans in order to expand their businesses or to pay off credit card debt at low rates. International money transfers, which have long been a thorny issue for entrepreneurs, are getting easier as well.

For smaller transactions, services like PayPal automatically convert currencies, so it’s easy for a customer to purchase goods from anywhere in the world,� Okere said.

Call for collaboration The financial experts advised Nigerian banks never to feel threatened by the emergence of FinTech operators in the financial space, but to

rather see them as technical partners in business and make haste to collaborate with them.

The financial experts were of the view that banks would lose greater percentage of their customers to FinTech, if they ignore collaboration.

They explained that customers taste and lifestyles were fast changing with technology evolution in such a manner that customers are seeking better technology solutions that will enable them carry out financial transactions from their mobile devices without going to the banking hall and without even opening a bank account. They said such solutions were currently being offered by FinTechs, and that the way forward is collaboration that will drive efficiency and sustainability.

Okere who spoke extensively during a panel session at the conference, said Fintech companies in emerging markets had shown that with the right technology, it is possible to leapfrog to new forms of banking. “Truth be told, banks are best placed to continue to influence the future of financial services because of their huge branch network, solid reputations, and risk controls, as well as years of customer cultivation and loyalty, and they seem to have come to appreciate their own strengths. For instance JPMorgan’s $9.5 billion budget on technology, with $3 billion spent just on innovation according to their 2016 annual report is quite a significant pile.

Banks however, have to radically change the ‘we win when you lose’ mindset,� Okere said.

FinTech regulation Addressing the issue of regulation, Elegbe said technology should not be regulated for the sake of regulation. He, however, said that since people were involved in the use of technology to achieve certain goals, then those involved should get some forms of protection, and that is where regulation comes in. “Regulation is not meant to stifle growth but there is need for regulation,� Okere insisted.

One of the Directors at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Musa Itopa, who represented the Director, Banking and Payments System Department at CBN, Dipo Fatokun, said: “The banking operation is gradually shifting from physical bank to banking services, driven by FinTech and the regulation has to change from what it used to be.� The essence of regulation, he said, was to maintain financial stability and ensure fair play between the banks and the FinTechs.

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Okafor: Digital Apps Will Enhance Security in Transport Operations Manager, Taxify, Uche Okafor, in an interview with journalists, allayed fears about the perceived insecurity around the e-hailing technology app, among other issues. Emma Okonji brings the excerpts The introduction of e-hailing services in Lagos, where people could share ride, is perceived by many as a threat to security issues. What is your view about the perceived threat?

The term e-hailing or ride-hailing, is a technology app that is used by transport companies to enhance ride sharing. The service is already operational in some advance countries. The sharing economy in its purest essence thrives on trust. With e-hailing, it is important for operators to continuously put security measures in place to improve reliability and encourage the culture of trust. Being an e-hailing app that connects riders to reliable rides, a top priority of ours, is ensuring that everyone that uses our platform feels secure. We do this by ensuring that all our driver-partners are required to undergo a vehicle inspection, present a valid driver’s licence and undergo direct training that assesses emotional intelligence before they are deemed fit to drive on the platform.

Additionally, trust-building features that reveal the driver-partners photo, name, vehicle type and registration as well as each driver’s star rating is available on the Taxify app such that riders know who their driver is before getting in the car and can instantly compare the driver-partner information on the app against what is standing in front of them. Also, both driver-partner and riders have multiple support channels on Taxify. Because digital media go through the lifeblood of e-hailing, there is an additional feature in-app that gives riders the option to share their active trip status with friends and family, so everyone you permit can track your trip in real time.

Anonymous feedback after every trip is also a security feature that allows you to rate the driver and leave comments on the quality of the ride experience.

Okafor

What other security measures has Taxify put in place to address security issues?

Presently, we are rolling out Taxify Cover, a unique insurance initiative by Taxify Nigeria in partnership with AIICO Insurance Plc and facilitated by AutoGenius. The cover adds an extra layer of security by providing bespoke insurance to protect Taxify users on all Taxify trips.

The Taxify Cover aims at insuring all drivers in the event of any incident that may occur while using the Taxify app. This cover also extends to riders on Taxify trips. In addition to all these, we are continuously working on developing new tech powered features to ensure safety of riders and driver-partners.

What are the survival chances of these ehailing or ride-hailing apps in the Nigerian society with regards to unstable internet access?

The e-hailing sector currently makes up about two per cent of urban transportation in most cities around the world, meaning that there is still a lot of market potential for it. For Taxify, t is not so much about survival as it is about growth and becoming a strong alternative to public transportation and personal cars.

We are seeing that smartphone penetration in Nigeria is on the rise, driven by the availability of cheaper smartphones and an increased appetite for mobile internet. The mobile network ecosystem as a whole is improving and consumers now have more options. Importantly, the Taxify app is built to require less data from our riders.

What plan has Taxify adopted to help ease the transportation problems in Lagos?

Lagos is moving towards attaining the mega city status. It is such an exciting market given the evolving taxi ecosystem. Taxify believes that ride hailing has the potential to ease up a lot of transportation tension in Lagos.

Lagosians want to move around their cities

fast and comfortably without the added hassle of manually seeking out a ride. Also, we see that people are showing a preference for using Taxify to avoid spending time and money in traffic and on parking.

Improved transportation has been linked to accelerated economic development, as one vehicle servicing the transportation needs of up to 50 residents would lead to reduced traffic bottlenecks and a saner city.

The rise of kidnappings and ritual killings in the country may pose threat to ride-sharing.

What is your view on this?

One thing that is true is that Nigerians are naturally intuitive people, which means that as a country, we recognise a good deal when we see one. Ride-sharing is a simple way to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and increase the number of people moving around in each car. This means reduced traffic congestion, more affordable fares and decreased automobile emissions.

If you look closely at the transportation space in Nigeria, you will find that ride-sharing is already fairly popular informally. It’s not strange to see, for example, independent car owners at bus stops picking up people going their way in exchange for a fee. Tech powered ride sharing solutions give better structure, quality control and security to the existing ride-sharing model operational in Nigeria.

How is the company coping with challenges arising from the increased competition in a city like Lagos with over 20 million people?

The city of Lagos holds massive potential given the size of the population and that over a million rides happen on a daily basis.

Ultimately, we aim to change the way that people move within the city, create jobs and transform the transportation ecosystem.

Competition is good and we believe there is room for several players in the ride-sharing

economy. We believe that Taxify can effectively contribute to healthy competition by improving the quality of service, motivating driver-partners and offering affordable prices to Lagosians.

Our belief is that happier drivers translate to happier customers and as such we treat our driver-partners better so that they can in turn offer high quality service to customers.

Our commission is 15 per cent (compared to competitions 20-25 per cent), so Taxify’s driver-partners earn significantly more than with other competitors.

In what ways are you managing the downsides from the execution of your strategies to become the dominant operator in Nigeria?

Our underlying strategy is to treat driverpartners better so that they can offer high quality service to customers. We take a lower commission which means more money in the driver-partners pockets.

We do all this while still delivering affordable and quality ride experiences to our riders.

Lagosians understand this ecosystem and appreciate it. Ultimately, we cannot rule out the risk of lower priced alternatives penetrating the market but what has separated us and would continue to separate us is that on our platform, riders benefit and drivers benefit. We are opening up more jobs and empowering more people in Lagos and riders are getting better value for their naira.

Do you see a trend of Taxify drivers offering their services to rival operators and vice versa as detrimental in future A key selling point for e-hailing in the eyes of driver-partners is that they become entrepreneurs almost instantly. Driver-partners are their own bosses and can choose to operate on as many e-hailing platforms as they want.

What we have noticed, however, is that a lot of driver-partners show strong preference for driving and earning on the Taxify platform

as their earning potential is significantly higher with Taxify, given that we take a lower commission and are always giving back to our driver-partners in the form of bonuses. The earning potential, flexibility and choice that Taxify offers is also very appealing to part-time driver partners who choose Taxify as a great source of extra-income as they know that even if they have as little as a spare hour, they can just go online and offer a few trips.

Charges by Taxify are relatively higher when compared to that of its biggest competitor.

Why is this so?

This is because of the -40 per cent campaign competition that is currently running. Taxify entered the Nigerian market to increase democratisation in the e-hailing space, we have always been the e-hailing app that offers better value for money.

What is interesting is that the last few months that competition has run this campaign have shown that lower fares do not automatically equal better ride experiences.

Although more riders may make initial requests on competing platforms, fewer drivers are available as the drivers do not believe the fares on competing platforms factor in the current economic conditions and rising cost of vehicle maintenance.

Taxify now has the shortest ETAs of any e-hailing app in Nigeria, meaning that riders do not have to wait long periods for their rides to arrive or make cancellations because drivers are refusing to show up, ultimately resulting in great experiences for both our riders and drivers.

Drivers on Taxify are happy going online to deliver safe, convenient and affordable rides as they believe they are getting their efforts worth on our platform. Riders also enjoy affordable and reliable rides on Taxify.

It’s a win win situation.

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Disruptive Africa Confab Harps on Digital Transformation Nigeria as a country must embrace digital transformation that is currently sweeping across globe. Also, Africa as a continent has been urged to innovate and digitally transform its activities in line with global technology trends. These were the views expressed by participants who gathered in Lagos recently, for the Disruptive Africa Conference.

Addressing the issue of innovative disruptions with regards to telecommunications, the Chief Transformation Officer, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Bayo Adekanmbi, said: “Telecommunications operators in the country have built ecosystem of solutions that will drive technology innovation in the telecoms sector, by creating relevant contents that are serving the needs of customers.�

According to him, the current shift from voice communication to data communication, demands that voice-based application be developed to further enhance customer experience in data communication such that customers could use voice to prompt their data and give it command to execute multi-task activities.

Head of Department, Organisational Behaviour at the Pan- Atlantic University, Dr. Eugene Ohu, called for increased awareness on education that would boost technology innovation. He said rather than copying new products and solutions from developed countries of the world, Nigerians could build on existing products and solutions to drive technology innovation.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, Cymantiks Nigeria,

Mr. Emeka Okoye, however called for the development of technology solutions that would address issues in the science and technology space.

According to him, majority of Nigerians were yet to feel the impact of technology in agriculture. He said Africans needed to develop the right technology tools that would address the needs of several Nigerians in agriculture and other sectors of the economy.

Speaking in the same vein, the Founder, CWG Plc who is an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Columbia Business School, Mr. Austin Okere, said Nigeria needed an all inclusive technology framework that would address the needs of every Nigerian. He called on government to consider the feelings and needs of the masses during economic planning and ensure that government follows up on issues affecting the masses. He said government had refused to take advantage of the country’s population to provide services that meet the needs and aspirations of the masses, which he said could be barrier to digital transformation.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the abandonment of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) project by the federal government, that was conceptualised in 2004, to provide broadband bandwidth to tertiary institutions for the purposes of research and development.

Worried about government’s withdrawal from financing the NgREN project, Okere said it would affect research and development in tertiary institutions, as well as broadband penetration for the country.

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NCC Set to Woo Foreign Investors at ITU Telecom World 2017 Stories by Emma Okonji Given the contribution of telecommunications to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which stood at N1.549 trillion in the second quarter of 2017, representing 6.68 per cent increase, up from the N1.452 trillion it contributed in the first quarter of the year, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said that the telecoms sector has all it takes to attract quality foreign investment into the country.

To that end, the Commission said it would use the opportunity of the ITU Telecoms World 2017, taking place in Busan, South Korea, from September 25-28, to further showcase the

potential of Nigeria’s telecoms sector, with a view to attracting more foreign investment to the sector.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who is passionate about deepening the country’s broadband penetration as enshrined in the country’s Fiveyear National Broadband Plan (2013-2018), said NCC would use the event to also woo investors to invest in Nigeria’s broadband plan.

He noted that the broadband penetration in the country currently stands at 21 per cent, as Nigeria is inching toward 30 per cent penetration next year, which is in line with its national broadband target.

With less than one month to

go, organisers of ITU Telecom World 2017, said the stage was set for global ICT leaders to hold conversations and debates on topics spanning the role of data in smart digital transformation, 5G, achieving meaningful digital inclusion and more.

According to the organisers, the forum would feature smart innovation in the exhibition, with over 500 exhibitors to showcase latest Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) solutions and services that will shape the next generation of global leaders and digital experts.

The NCC is billed to host the Nigeria Investment Session at the forum, where it will further showcase the abounding opportunities for investment

in the country, providing a platform for interactions between representatives of the Nigerian government, key industry players in Nigeria’s ICT and telecom sector, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and innovators, and investors.

Featuring a line-up of panelists playing key roles across the industry in Nigeria from government, regulatory bodies and indigenous and foreign companies, the discussions at the forum, which will be led by the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, will highlight progress in meeting the goals of the National Broadband Plan, strategies to deepen connectivity and flagship programmes to drive ICT development in Nigeria.

EMPOWERING THE LESS PRIVILEGE WITH ICT SKILLS

Students of EkoBits Academy who were trained in computer education, facilitated by Poise Nigeria, during their graduation ceremony in Lagos...recently

NITDA to Boost Investment, Zinox Unveils New GTX Notebook, Kids Legacy Tab Local Tech Entrepreneurs at Zinox Technologies Ltd on Designed in partnership with Living, Core ICT, Internet which are already here with us.

Tuesday in Lagos, officially foreign tech firms – Intel Corp., of Things, Medicine, FMCG, Examples are driverless cars, GITEX launched the GTX Notebook Ashour Corporation, Tecsync Entertainment and Education, Big Data and drones, among The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said it will be focusing on mobilising global attention on the investment potential of Nigeria’s information technology (IT) sector and promotion of local tech-entrepreneurs at this year’s GITEX 2017.

This year’s Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), the premier technology event in the Middle East, Asia and Africa is expected to host over 185, 000 visitors from more than 140 countries. This year’s GITEX, the 39th edition, holds October 8-12 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Nigeria’s participation at GITEX through the NITDA is fostered around three activities: The Nigerian Pavilion, the Startup Innovation Hub, and the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) being put together jointly by the Nigerian government through the NITDA and the UAE government through the DWTC, organisers of GITEX. The AIF is focusing on Africa’s rapidly and positively changing investment climate particularly in the ICT sector; the forum pays special attention on Ni-

geria’s investment potential as the continent’s largest economy and market for ICT. The AIF targets to host participants from Asia, Europe, the Americas and the rest of Africa.

According to the Director General/CEO of NITDA, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, who had earlier led a NITDA’s team to the DWTC to finalise Nigeria’s participation and ensure the country gets value from her involvement in GITEX 2017, said: “Winning over investors is a continuous exercise. Investors need to be continuously updated on the progress made by the country to welcome investors and ensure high returns on their investment and to understand why Nigeria remains a top destination on the continent for investment.�

The Africa Investment Forum will focus on technology investments and how the continent could leverage on increasing value to GDP of ICT in most developing economies. More than 20 African countries are expected to participate and provide groundwork for driving further investments in the ICT sector of the participating countries.

and Kids Legacy Tab, the latest tech products under its future visions roadmap at a well-attended event. The launch was simultaneously Organised at the company’s branches in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Ghana via telepresence.

The event, which held at the corporate headquarters of the company in Gbagada, Lagos, had in attendance teachers and students from over 10 schools in Lagos, while students from schools in other locations such as Port Harcourt, Abuja and Ghana also participated in the launch through the telepresence technology deployed. Further spicing up the event was the band of Southfield Academy which thrilled attendees by playing in tune to the rendition of the national anthem.

Also in attendance were Chief Executives and representatives of partners, dealers and stakeholders in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, including Jumia, Konga, SLOT, Yudala, Fine Brothers, Digital Direct, Micro Station Communication, SPAR Nigeria, Callus Miller and the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), among others.

Technology Co. Ltd. and Microsoft; the Kids Legacy Tab and ultra-slim GTX Notebooks are cutting-edge devices from Zinox, both of which have been widely embraced by users and recording huge sales in the market.

Speaking at the event, Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, disclosed that the products were the outcome of painstaking research targeted at meeting the future needs of a dynamic consumer base, as captured in the company’s Future Visions roadmap. “The two products being launched are revolutionary products. They took years to develop and fine-tune and are part of the most recent creations in the Zinox future visions.

The Zinox future visions mandate is to anticipate where the world is headed and be ready with the right products and solutions. I t is an ambitious project underpinned by research and development that will see the various companies in the Zinox Group diversify into new business areas with products in critical emerging sectors including Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Healthy

among others.�

According to Ekeh, “Technology has become the currency of the 21st Century. We are already in the fourth industrial revolution or Industry 4.0, as it is described – a period that will be dominated by new and emerging technologies, some of

others. As a continent, Africa must prepare for this future or stand the risk of being disrupted. This is what the Zinox future visions is all about and we are determined to lead in this race to equip the continent for the future that is already upon us.�

e.Stream Networks Partners MANonInternetConnectivity e.Stream has partnered Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to provide internet connectivity at its forum.

As the official internet provider, the company recently provided internet connectivity at the just concluded 45th Annual General Meeting/ Exhibition of MAN, which held in Lagos.

The AGM/Exhibition is an annual gathering of manufacturers in the country where members of the association deliberated on its annual report and other key manufacturing developmental issues. As the official internet provider, members of the association

invited guests and exhibitors were given free internet access to aid their participation at the event and enable them experience e.Stream Networks’ service. e.Stream Networks is a leading broadband communications provider with over 11 years of providing best-in-class connectivity solutions and round the clock proactive customer service support for businesses.

Leveraging on a variety of up-to-date technologies, e.Stream is committed to providing seamless broadband connectivity to enhance the operations of manufacturers and its clients in general.

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Izebuno: With the Right Technology, States Can Raise IGR

Business Director of CWG Plc, Mr. Udukheli Izebuno spoke on how the company plans to use technology to boost internally generated revenue of state governments. Emma Okonji brings the excerpts: CWG Plc recently partnered Enugu Gaming Commission to provide technology support for the agency. What must have prompted the partnership?

The idea to partner Enugu Gaming Commission is to increase operational efficiencies of the agency that will help boost its internally generated revenue (IGR).

There are opportunities for government agencies to boost their IGR, using the right technology, especially now that oil prices have dropped and there are possibilities that the prices will further drop, given the recent moves by global car manufacturers to begin the design and manufacturing of electric vehicles that will operate without the use of petrol and diesel, thereby further reducing global demand for oil, which has been Nigeria’s major export.

So there is need for government to start looking inwards around possible areas of generating revenue outside oil, and CWG wants to support government in this regard and be part of the growth plan of the federal government.

The Enugu Gaming Commission has a mandate to regulate all gaming activities in the state and the Commission is supposed to be a revenue generating agency of government, but surprisingly, most agencies of government, including the Enugu Gaming Commission, are not generating money for government in line with their mandates because they lack the technology expertise that will enable quick turnaround on investment, and that is the reason CWG is partnering the Enugu Gaming Commission to boost its revenue drive, using the right technology tools.

Why the interest in Enugu Gaming Commission?

As a technology company, we want to establish growth in organisations using technology tools, be it government owned or private organisations.

Irrespective of the Kind of institutions, what we want to engender is growth. Our prevailing interest in any business that we are involved is to enable growth using technology.

One thing that will make two different entities work together is that one of the entities must have interest in the other. I see Enugu state as a forward-looking state because it has a desire to achieve efficiency using technology and that is our interest in the Enugu State Gaming Commission.

How will the partnership initiative drive local content as currently being championed by the federal government?

The partnership will surely drive local content development in Enugu State because CWG Plc is a local company with global focus. Being local, it understands the need to grow indigenous technology and add value to local industries.

As local company, it means the technology we are introducing will be home grown and can be customised to meet local needs.

It is obvious that the Enugu Gaming Commission is not generating revenue the way it ought to, hence the partnership. What could be responsible for this?

I think the Commission was not given the right enabler by government to function effectively over time. Yes, it is supposed to be a self-generating agency, but they need the initial funding that will enable them get the right technology and personnel to drive the initiative of generation good revenue. If it was not properly equipped to generate revenue, then it will just be struggling to do so. The Commission does not have the requisite technology and manpower to generate revenue, yet the state government expects it to generate money. But the present government is saying it is interested in generating money and one of the best and easiest ways to do so is by deploying the right technology and that is what the partnership between the Commission and CWG Plc is all about.

So what kind of technology will CWG deploy

existence as a technology solution company, is to offer 100 per cent vendor financing that allows us to procure the necessary infrastructure needed by the client and manage the business on behalf of the client. So we remove the challenge of poor infrastructure from the client, which could pose serious challenge to business. As a technology company, we do feasibility study of a partner’s business and understand the kind of technology to procure and we manage it in such a way that the client will not feel the impact of poor infrastructure in its business. So we understand the clients’ needs and provide technology as a service to the client, thereby removing the burdens of the client.

Is the partnership with Enugu Gaming Commission a one-off kind of business or a long term business partnership?

It could be either ways, depending on the contract at a given time. But for now, we will be working with the commission for some time, until we fully stablise the platform and manage it to the extent that it starts generating the kind of revenue desired by the state government. It is a long term business relationship.

Izebuno

to drive revenue for the state?

CWG is an indigenous technology company and we will be deploying home-grown technology that will facilitate revenue generation. We are looking at a holistic technology in hardware and software and the partnership is 100 per cent vendor financing, which means that CWG will deploy the technology without asking for initial payment from the Commission. So we provide everything that will make the model work and sustainable. We will be deploying technologies that are developed locally by CWG to meet local needs. Everything from hardware, software to services, will be locally sourced.

The type of technology we will be deploying is called gaming management system that will help the Commission to view all the activities of gaming within the state and have idea of all the registered agents and super agents.

The solution will also allow the Commission to see at a glance, how the agents operate and the amount of money they generate, and this will help the Commission to have a proper accounting process of all revenues generated by all agents and super agents in the state. The solution will enable the Commission to track and see the revenue growth of each agent and super agent in the state and also see which of the agents and super agents that are not meeting up with their targets. The whole essence is to drive efficiency and transparency in the gaming activities of the state.

How cost effective is the CWG Plc solution and what is the likely period of wait before the Commission begins to generate money?

CWG Plc has a team of financial managers who study business growth and advise clients on either long or short term returns on investments. The team looks at the economic model and proffer useful advice. So they are able to determine the cost effectiveness of each solution and how the solution should be deployed.

Most times government employees handle government jobs with levity and run it a loss. How will CWG address such attitude to work, using technology?

I will want to differ a little to say that it is the kind of work environment created around the workers that determine the inputs of the workers.

Those in the public sector are intelligent crop of people, but their challenges, most times, is the work environment that they found themselves.

Majority of them are not well equipped to work, yet their employer wants the best result from them, which is practically impossible. In our past experience in business partnerships with government, we discovered that government workers are eager to work and achieve results, but lack the required work tools and motivation to achieve results. Now, what we are bringing to the partnership is the enabler that will equip the workers to carry out their duties diligently in a most profitable manner, using the right technology tools.

Most times people get discouraged about gaming activities because promises are not kept, especially when it comes to prizes and remunerations. How will CWG address this?

We have a complete solution with customer service that allows citizens to have access to the gaming commission online, real time, and make enquiries, complaints, and also make claims, in a situation where they are shortchanged.

Individuals can access the portal with various devices that are connected to the internet, and we developed such complete solution to build customers’ confidence. It is a multiple channel portal that allows transparency to thrive.

Government establishments are fraught with financial leakages. How will the technology that CWG Plc is bringing to the partnership, help in curbing financial losses in the Enugu Gaming Commission?

The Enugu Gaming Commission is an agency of the state government that is mandated to regulate all gaming and lottery activities in the state. It is therefore a revenue generating agency for the state. The kind of technology that CWG is bringing to the partnership, will facilitate revenue generation and in doing so, the technology will block all avenues of financial leakages.

One of the things that technology helps to do is to create security around any system, and in the process, it will block all loopholes to financial leakages. So our technology has high level of security and transparency.

Poor infrastructure is a challenge for businesses.

Did CWG consider the infrastructure risk involved, and how does it want to overcome it?

Yes, there are infrastructure challenges, and we are not oblivious of that, but one of the things we have done in the past 25 years of CWG Plc

How will after-sales services be managed in the long term business relationship?

There are opportunities for after-sales services.

We will train their staff before handing over the business to them to manage. The idea of after-sales service is also incorporated in the partnership deal, which is very essential. The idea is not to sell our product, but to enable growth of the Commission.

There is this wide belief that gaming and lottery are like gambling and most people do not want to be associated with them. What is your take on this?

Yes, the thinking that gaming and lottery could be gambling, is a global thinking and it is an erroneous thinking. But the world is evolving and the erroneous thinking is gradually changing and people are beginning to see that gaming and lottery are huge businesses that have nothing to do with gambling. So we are currently working to create awareness that gaming is not gambling.

Gambling is illegal, but gaming is not illegal and gaming is recognised by government all over the world.

So there is a great difference between gaming and lottery. Gaming is legal, acceptable and processed by government but gambling is illegal and unacceptable by law. Gambling is an addiction that is expressed illegally.

So what are the prospects of gaming and lottery and how can Nigerians and the Nigerian governments benefit from them?

Nigeria can generate N1.5 trillion annually from gaming but we are not there yet, because the people and government have not fully recognised the money spinning value of gaming in the country. But with technology evolution, the benefits of gaming are becoming more realistic to the people. Few weeks ago the National Lottery Commission carried out awareness campaign on gaming and lottery, because they have seen that there is a huge and potential market for gaming. So government is coming up with new ways to regulate gaming.

Given the huge potential of gaming, will CWG want to extend the partnership to other states, and does it have the capacity to do so?

We intend to partner all state governments on this and we have the capacity and the technology to do so. Our plan is even to go beyond Nigeria and export it to neighboring countries as well.

We want to replicate it in the whole of Africa and make Nigerians proud that the country can drive gaming business in the whole of Africa.

It is a partnership that we will want to take to different countries in Africa. The Enugu State partnership is a pilot phase that we hope to replicate in other states and outside the country.

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Adedoyin: Excess Charges Have Forced Agencies to Cut Jobs President of Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria, Babatunde Adedoyin speaks on the various challenges facing the out-of-home sub-sector of the advertising industry, particularly regulation and competition. Raheem Akingbolu presents the excerpts: Could you share with us the impact of recession on the out-of-home industry?

One thing that is certain is that recession is not only affecting advertising, it affects across all the sub sectors of the industry. But it is very important to note that in terms of recession there is still need to advertise. Unfortunately, most marketing directors or companies when they have issue of recession like this; the area they first of all look at is media and advertising.

That is why in the last two years, it has been very severe on advertising and media placement and buying. As we speak, we cannot say that we are totally out of it.

But we thank God that there is a little bit of progress, we are still in recession, clients are not spending much as many are cutting budget, including those who were spending well on marketing before recession. In our own industry, they use to do media placement for twelve months, but these days, they have come up with all form of tactics, one month, three months, in order to save money. That has been the style in the last three years. But we are very hopeful that things will get better; it is all about managing our economy. But in a nutshell, the economy is improving.

What is OAAN’s current relationship with outdoor regulators in the country?

Before now, we were paying to local governments in terms of rate on billboards, but about ten or eleven years ago when we started this political dispensation, a new regime commenced, starting Adedoyin Abuja and quickly followed by Lagos State. From there on, all other states followed. It was very to run anybody down, but they are not comunfortunate that by the time they were starting, mercially oriented, they don’t look at it deeply we were not involved because ordinarily we and some of them cannot face their governors suppose to have inputs if states would regulate or their boards to present a paper and say, alongside APCON. But unfortunately, some look, let us look at this thing objectively. Ask of the newly established agencies were only any of them that how do they arrive at this looking at the financial aspect of it; how much rates? They cannot tell you the scientific way money they could rake in for the government, they have arrived at the rates. They will just without considering the sustainability of the say 48 sheets should be this rate or unipole industry. Majority of them started rolling out should be that rate. unfriendly rates that were unfriendly to busiIt doesn’t work that way, there must be facts nesses. Of course, in the last ten years we have been battling not only with LASAA but with and figures behind it so that if you are presenting all other agencies to let them reason with us even to your own client, you will have something to show. Unfortunately, some of them are yielding and look at their rates.

To keep the industry going, we need a rate while some are still being difficult but we believe that is not only friendly to business but to our as an association we will continue to engage clients as well. This money is not our money and discuss with them to get what we want. and at the end of it all everyone will pay for Part of the things we are trying to tell them it because if you charge Cadbury or Coca-cola is that whenever they are appointing a DG or very high on their billboards, they will have no managing director for a signage company should option than to spread it on their products and be an advertising practitioner because if it is it is the consumer that will eventually buy. So, a person that understands the business, when if government thinks they are making money, we are talking, we will be on the same page; the money is coming back to us in a way. What he will understand what we are saying. As we has happened in the last ten years is that they speak, a lot of the agencies are still charging made our medium so expensive that it is only high but we are consulting. In some states, we the multinationals that can place adverts or have gone to court, in some, we are discussing, campaigns on billboards. In the past, when depending on how the institution is. we started, we had the likes of barbing salons, tailoring people and people importing products Has the issue of vacant billboards been resolved? for Christmas who were placing campaigns on In some states, the issue of vacant billboards has been resolved but in Lagos it has not billboards because it was reasonable. been resolved. At the last meeting we held Today, you hardly find them on our billboards. with LASAA those things still came up and So, this has reduced our capacity and even to the MD of LASAA promised to look into it invest is becoming impossible. It is like you are by giving some conditions. Like I said earlier, sharing the profits with the government and at we want to keep engaging, we want to keep the same time clients are running away because working on them we expect that very soon.

Don’t you think OAAN as an association they believe that your rates are very high. needs to refocus, considering the level technolHow does this actually affect government ogy that has come into the business of outdoor revenue because the more people come on advertising and the clamour for merger and billboards, the more money that government acquisition?

If we start from the issue of merger and will make?

That is our own point of argument that look, if acquisition, we cannot force it on our member; the price comes down, you are likely to make it has to come voluntarily. Besides, the economy more money because you will see more people and times dictate that. As for OAAN, we have coming on board. One major clog in the whole been doing series of restructuring that is why process is that some of these people that are we are still surviving because there are other regulating are civil servants. I am not trying media platforms that are competing with outdoor

now. As we speak, some of our members are dropping their rates as a strategy for survival.

They are reducing their rates, even on LED, in order to survive. We have also told our clients that it is not everybody that must come on unipole or come on a large format. In the past, we had 16 sheets and A4 panels because there were some towns where profit margin did not justify the profit clients are making and so putting up a unipole or even a 48 sheet billboard would not be advisable. A4 panel or 16 sheets could be sufficient, so that clients would not be spending more than necessary.

But some of the clients have ego, they want to be seen as being big. They want to replicate what they are doing in Lagos in other parts of the country. Most of the time, it doesn’t pay because rather than having five 16 sheets in small community, the rate will not be up to the rate of unipole.

By doing so, clients could still get the same value that a unipole will offer. This is part of the things we have been advocating to maximize profit. Another challenge in this area is that some marketing managers and marketing directors of some multinationals get directives from their parent companies abroad. Oftentimes, they may not want to change some of these directives even when you advise them because sometime it is difficult for them to push. Because some of these companies want a uniformed standard in all the countries they operate.

They forget that the economy of each country is different because you cannot import what is applicable in South Africa and force it on Nigeria. It doesn’t work.

What effect do these challenges have on unemployment or revenue to the government?

This is a very straight forward question. When a company is being over taxed and there are multiple taxations, you will find a way to reduce cost. Of course, you cannot say because you have paid Inland Water Ways Authority or you have paid LASAA or Parks and Gardens as a result you want to increase the rate of your board, it doesn’t work that way. At this stage, it will dove tail to reduction in employment.

There are two things that are causing unemployment in our industry now; multiple taxation and technology. If you are a serious

high tech technology company, you hardly need many staff. You outsource your engineers and your technicians and of course, form your office you can control your billboards. As I speak, more than 50 percent of agencies have reduced staff strength.

There is issue of debt where Globacom, a Nigerian telecom company, has cancelled billboard contracts and is believed to owe some OAAN members. Which level are you now in trying to recover the money?

On the Glo issue, it is true that the company owes some of our members. The promoters cancelled contracts since last year May and up till now have refused to pay those debts.

Thereafter, the management made an attempt to start recruiting new outdoor companies to start doing business.

As at that point, we had to call an extra ordinary meeting of the association to make a bold decision on this issue. At that meeting, we all agreed that none of us should work for Glo until it pays the debt and this was communicated to the management and Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) because we got APCON involved in this.

APCON wrote to ask the promoters why they were doing that. As we speak, the telecom company is still hiding under another legal tussle with another company. But the fact is that we have been able to unite on this and that is why you have not been seeing its campaigns on the street.

Your members were owed for carrying some political campaigns during the last general election, how far have you gone in recovering this debt?

We are yet to collect our money but we seriously believe we are going to collect it.

Because we are still talking to government, we have had series of meetings in the last few weeks about it and it has got to the highest level of authority and it looks like we will get the money. We are not relenting on getting that money. The total debt is in the range of about 1.3 billion naira.

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NIMN Heeds FG’s Proclamation on Enforcement of Marketing Act RaheemAkingbolu Months after the federal government directed the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, (NIMN), to enact its statutory powers by exerting its charter status, the institute has announced its readiness to enforce the provision of the NIMN Act. After operating for eight years without exerting its charter status, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari had, early this year formally granted legal teeth to the institute. This was announced early this year, through a formal proclamation by the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Okechukwu Enalemah at the investiture ceremony of the institute’s current president, Mr. Anthony Agenmomen, in Lagos. The minister pointed out that division in the past years had denied the institute in playing its statutory roles.

On Tuesday, NIMN however stressed that it is now fully positioned and determined to enforce the provision of the Act, which mandates marketing professionals and marketing related organisations in Nigeria to obtain practice license from the institution.

The President of the institute, Mr Tony Agenmonmen, made this disclosure while admitting

that there are thousands of marketing professionals in Nigeria who are not registered with NIMN. He pointed out that by the position of the law; they are clearly in violation of the NIMN Act No 25 of 2003.

He said the responsibility for compliance rests on both the individuals and the companies that employ them.

According to him, “Section 20(2) of the Act states: If on or after the coming into force of this Act, any person who is not a member of the institute practices or holds himself out to practice as a marketer for, or in expectation of reward or takes or uses any name, title, addition or description, implying that he is in practice as a marketer, he commits and offence.�

In view of its determination to encourage such erring members to comply with the provision of the law, NIMN has created a window of opportunity for a special Fast Tracked Executive membership programme. This programme covers all categories of membership, including associate, full member and fellow.

Agenmonmen declared that interested professionals can register for the fast tracked programme through the institute’s online portal. He also added that those who may not be able to meet the requirement

Brandzone’s National Branding Conference to Discuss National Growth Brandzone in collaboration with the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) founded by Professor Pat Utomi is hosting a 2-day National Branding Conference themed ‘Branding: A Catalyst for Development and Growth’ in Lagos next month.

The conference is designed to create a distinct image that will position the nation positively in the minds of her citizens and the international community.

In its 4th year, the conference is an annual Thought Leadership Series - Brand Innovation Conference, created

by Brandzone Consulting. This year’s conference is a strategic response to the country’s quest for an appropriate narrative for country, and the need to project her diversity to the world. Specifically, the conference will address the need for Nigerians to take ownership of and start promoting more positive narratives around ‘Brand Nigeria’.

With practical insights from the some of the country’s most accomplished business leaders, policy makers and entrepreneurs, this year’s national branding conference shall be chaired by the Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika. It is anticipated to stimulate deliberations that will provide a framework for creating appropriate narratives about Nigeria. Additionally, the framework will halt continued interpretation of the country through a limited prism at the expense of her highly-diversified economy and enterprising population.

As Nigeria’s most influential industry conference, the annual

Brand Innovation Conference is a transformation platform that leverages its extensive network of experienced and accomplished speakers to offer perspectives on and proffers solution to issues of national, economic and social importance.

Accordingly, this year’s conference will kick-start the journey to creation of positive narratives that will showcase areas of endeavours currently driving positive development and creating growth opportunities for the nation. Contributions of sectors such as solid minerals, mining, agriculture, travels, hospitality, globalisation and entertainment, fashion & life style will be accentuated to substantiate the place of SMEs as the growth engines of the Nigerian economy.

Speaking on the conference, Managing Partner, Brandzone and Convener Brand Innovation Conference, Chizor Malize, noted “the National conference will serve as a precursor to an envisioned national branding story that will create a sense of pride in Nigeria and earn Nigeria the admiration and collaboration of the international community, particularly the leading nations of the world. We have identified experienced speakers and industry thought leaders who have done remarkable great things building credible operations and businesses across the public and private sectors such as technology, banking, manufacturing, telecommunications, consumer goods, SMEs, entertainment and style.

for the fast tracked executive membership will need to follow the examination route, adding that interested candidates have between 12 September to 31 December 2017 to undertake the programme.

The NIMN President noted that this development is in line with the institution’s preference for non-use of force in driving compliance. “Our approach to compliance is to avoid the use of force, except this is a very last resort. We are convinced that it is in the collective interest of

all true marketing professionals and marketing organisations to support the effort to ensure that only true and qualified marketers, practice marketing,�

Agenmonmen said.

At the expiration of the grace period, the NIMN President noted that a comprehensive register of marketing practitioners, including organisations that have registered and therefore are in compliance will be published. “Practitioners and organisations not in the register will be seen as unable

or unwilling to comply with the provisions of the law and will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Act accordingly.� “By January 2018, it will be compulsory for all companies recruiting into their marketing departments to indicate membership of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria as a mandatory requirement in addition to other qualification for employment,� Agenmonmen said.

Still on the issue of member-

ship, NIMN is also reaching out to about nine thousands members who have not been financially active, and whose membership of the institution have technically lapsed. This class of members, according to the institute has now been given up to December 2017 to regularise their membership by paying their accumulated subscription up to 2017. “If they fail to do so, their names will not be in the register and the provision of the Act will also apply,� Agenmonmen said.

ENFORCEMENT ON THE WAY

L-R: Immediate past President, National Institute Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Mr. Ganiyu Koledoye; President and Chairman of Council, (NIMN), Mr. Tony Agenmonmen; Chairman, Compliance Committee of NIMN Act, Mr. Debo Adebayo; and Registrar of the institute, Mr. Sidney Ogodo, during the press conference announcing the institute’s intention to enforce the marketing practice Act held in Lagos‌ recently

More Winners Emerge in Western Pepsi’s New Campaign Deepens Affinity with Consumers Lotto Mega Upgrade Promo Ugo Aliogo Omotayo Ajayi and Augusta Akumka Western Lotto Nigeria Limited recently presented cheque of N50, 000 to winners in the Mega Upgrade Promotion (MUP) and also introduced two new games; lotto race and Kashman.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, the Managing Director, Yomi Ogunfowora, said when they began the MUP in August, a smaller number of their customers played with N3,000 to qualify for the promotion.

He expressed the resolve of the company to reward 2042 customers with prizes totaling N168million with two brand new Hyundai cars, adding that patronage has grown significantly on their platform as customers took advantage of the offer from ambassadors.

Ogunfowora stressed that in line with their brand character, they have decided to ensure that while they didn’t have enough participants to hold a draw, they must fulfill the promise of rewarding their customers. He maintained that their offer is in addition to the 52 million they have given out as incentives to participants either in support of the proposition of their ambassadors or as call credits.

The Western Lotto MD added they would organise the MUP draws on the fifth day of every month for the next one year.

He said: “Lotto Race is a fast-paced, high-action game of lotto. It is an online game of bets involving some players with guaranteed wins in each match. There are instant results in these fast games, with immediate rewards. “Lotto Race allows you to compete against other players from all parts of the globe online and thus creates an online community of friends, players and winners. “Kashman is a slot game with six variations and correspondingly large winning chances. Three of the games offer daily draws, six days in a week. There are My Kashman Daily N100, My Kashman Daily N75 and My Kashman Daily N50. Participants play with N100, N75 or N50. “Winnings range from N75 to as high as N10million, depending on the number of correct matches the player makes.

Three of the Kashman games offer greater rewards of N15m for Kashman Mega N150; My Kashman Super N75 provides a jackpot of N30m while My Kashman Sunday Ultra N200 has a top prize of N20m.�

7up Bottling Company, maker of Pepsi and other brands recently introduced a new exciting price compliance campaign as a market strategy to sustain its loyal consumers and ignite more traction to the brand.

The campaign ‘No Shaking, Carry go’ is emphasising volume and price as 50cl Pepsi pet bottle is back at N100. The campaign is coming at a time when consumers are divided between choice and price as a result of economic difficulty.

In the recent time, consumers’ purchasing power is low due to inflation and recession and Pepsi’s strategy is therefore to restore retail price of 50 Cl Pepsi at N100 to delight consumers’ and restore their normal life.

It is not clear whether this is coming at a cost to Pepsi, but what may be uppermost in its strategy is not to lose its loyal consumers.

The campaign is also designed to reinforce the price of 50 Cl Pepsi at N100 as, according to a source it was not the company’s desire that retailers sold the product beyond N100. Some of the retailers may have joined the market trend of price increases to also inflate the price of Pepsi beyond N100, the source said.

This is also what informed the

new campaign. This normal price also applies to other brands in 7up stable. These include, Mirinda and 7Up. To spread the message, the owner of the brands has taken the campaign to various strategic places in Lagos and Ibadan including the ever busy Lekki Toll gate, employing various integrated marketing communication approaches such as below the line and above the line strategies.

For more attention, it also employed its brand ambassadors such as Tiwa Savage, Davido, Wizkid and Tecno to drive the message in both street activations and above the line platforms such as on BRT buses and billboards At the Lekki Tollgate, the brand owners, danced and shared bottles of Pepsi pet bottles to motorists free.

Initially, some motorists thought that the activation managers were selling the product but when motorists realised that the drink was free, they grabbed the minerals with smiles.

According to the source close to 7up, the intention of the brand is to continue to refresh consumers with affordable product as it underscores quality product.

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Dairy Market Extends Its Frontiers Raheem Akingbolu writes on how players in the dairy market are using influencer marketing to extend their frontiers, pointing out that the strategy has helped both consumers and various brand owners Women and children are important to promoters of most consuming goods because of their prime positions in the family. In the dairy and beverage industry, brand managers and their marketing communications agencies often conceptualise special campaigns to attract this segment of the market. This can also come in terms of activations or promotions that are specifically directed at mothers and children.

In the Nigeria’s dairy market, top players like Peak Milk, Three Crown and Cowbell have successfully leveraged on these influencers to boost sales and strengthen loyalties among their targeted audience. For instance, Three Crowns Milk, from the stable of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, has latched on its adoption of mothers to approach the family through the tagline “Healthy Mums, Happy Families�, which also gave birth to an initiative tagged “Mum of the Year�. Peak Milk, also from the stable has also set aside mothers’ day as an ideal platform to connect its targeted audience. Few years ago, promoters of Peak Milk followed up with essay competition that tied children with their mothers. For Cowbell, children have remained the major area of focus and the brand has over the years, used its mathematics competition in both primary and secondary school to build trust among children. Recently, the brand took it a notch higher with the introduction of Cowbell Summer Camp called ‘’Chocademy’’.

Dairy market at a glance The dairy market remains one of the highly saturated markets in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Industry. Little wonder, the number of new entrants into the category seems to be growing on a consistent basis. For good measure, developments such as this was seen as an improvement in the economy as the country continues to attract investment portfolios from such quarters. But over time, the adoption of value propositions by the brands has clearly helped in differentiating one from the other. Over the years, many brands have tried to latch on their value propositions to grow consumptions with little or no result. But for Three Crowns Milk, the adoption of mothers appeared to have paid off significantly as the brand continues to gain market share consistently. With the tagline “Healthy Mums, Happy Families�, the brand took its proposition to a new level as it launched a communication campaign that has taken a life of its own. To many analysts, the campaign was considered strategic given the important place occupied by mothers in the family. Since the launch of the campaign, it has been cheerful news all the way.

Mum of the year initiative With a determination to reinforce its presence in the mind of consumers, the management of FrieslandCampina WAMCO came out with another initiative tagged “Mum of the Year�.

Since the birth of the competition, the brand has not only witnessed growth of immense proportions, it has consistently contributed in improving its sales figure. Findings obtained from consumers particularly mothers showed that at least one out of every 10 homes now take Three Crowns Milk on a regular basis.

A cross-section of those who spoke with our correspondent stressed that their relationship with the brand stemmed from their ‘contact’ with the campaign.

Beyond the rise in consumption pattern, the brand has also experienced exponential growth on the social media since the commencement of the competition. Between now and the time when it was launched, Three Crown’s fan base on Facebook alone has grown from zero to over 336,552. Beyond Facebook, the brand is also said to be experiencing increasing social presence as other platforms continue to grow in leaps and bounds. Prior to the grand finale, some consumers were also selected to witness the event.

However one chooses to look at it, it’s clear that the initiative has already triggered the interest of mothers and families as many of them have begun showing keen interest in the

Winners in the 2017 Mum of the Year and judges

competition. Records available from past three editions showed that participation has grown astronomically.

Testimonials Since the commencement of the initiative, consumers have been rewarded with varying degree of prizes including an all -expense paid trip to Dubai.

At the 2017 Mum of the Year Competition, 40 entries were said to have stood out among the lot while six mums made the final cut. The list of mums that scaled the hurdle includes Doyin Olaiya, Oluwakemi Alonge, Eziamaka Ogechukwu, Gloria Ojoh, Mosunmola Aindero, and Ezinne Ibe. At the end, Oluwakemi Alonge came tops ahead of Eziamaka Ogechukwu and Gloria Ojoh who came second and third respectively.

While Oluwakemi was rewarded with an allexpense paid trip to Dubai alongside other gifts, Eziamaka and Gloria went home with a double-door refrigerator and washing machine

The dairy market remains one of the highly saturated markets in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Industry. Little wonder, the number of new entrants into the category seems to be growing on a consistent basis

respectively. Besides that, the two runners up were also given cartons of Three Crowns Milk.

At the grand finale held in Lagos recently, finalists were taken through series of activities including challenges to determine the smartest person among the mothers. For past winners of the competition, the joy of embarking on an all-expense paid trip to an exotic location remains an evergreen memory.

Sharing her experience, the 2016 Mum of the Year winner, Nkechi Brayila said the trip was an eye-opener for the family as it afforded them the opportunity to see the world.

She said, “The experience was nice because that was my first time travelling out of the country. Before now, I had never travelled out of the country. The Dubai trip was my first time to go anywhere outside of Nigeria.

When I got to the airport, people were still congratulating me. Even when I got to Dubai, they also congratulated me. My family and I went sightseeing around the city�.

While commenting on the activities that took place after her emergence, Nkechi commended the management of Three Crowns Milk for providing another platform for all-round wellbeing. She described the experience as mind blowing even as she advised women to cultivate the habit of regular exercises and eating healthy.

She said, “Although it was rigorous, the excitement for me was mind blowing. I engaged in cardio dance sessions which contributed immensely to my physical wellbeing. I also had the privilege to become the face of the brand�.

Like Nkechi, Oluwakemi Ojo, the 30-year-old mother of one, who emerged the 2017 Three Crowns Mum of The Year is already savoring the fun as she prepares to embark on the Dubai trip with members of her family. As she prepares for the trip, Oluwakemi’s joy knows no bounds, noting that the trip would provide new experiences. She says participating in the contest has created a wonderful experience for her.

Women focused campaign As part of the strategies relied on to strengthen the power of the brand in the market, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria repositioned it early 2015 on the platform of “Healthy Mums, Happy Families�- a positioning that stemmed from the need for the brand to evolve into providing value experience and give consumers strong reasons to buy the brand. To analysts, the campaign was timely and strategic given the important place occupied by mothers in the family. As a major influencer, it is believed that getting the attention of women is as good

as capturing the entire family.

From the conception of its thematic campaign ‘Don’t You Wish’ and its re-positioning as ‘The Healthy Choice’ with the tagline ‘Healthy Mums, Happy Families’ analysts saw the move as a step that would take the brand far. Between last year and now, the campaign is said to have fortified the relationship between female consumers and Three Crowns Milk.

To push the campaign, the company had made a bold move to address an important social challenge –health. Knowing well that most times, the tasks of taking care of the family gives mothers no room to think of themselves and how to also take good care of their own health, FrieslandCampina WAMCO had quickly repositioned Three Crowns milk, as a brand that cares for mums so they can continue to take extra care of the family. “Milk is an important part of our diet.

We begin drinking it when we are young, but our intake decreases as we get older. Some people shy away from it because they fear that it will add too much fat to their diet.

Others leave it out because they believe that they no longer need it. You are never too old to reap the rewards of drinking milk. It is a great source of vitamins and nutrients, and it has several health benefits, such as: glowing skin, healthy bones and teeth, muscles, weight loss, less stress and healthy body among others,� the company had stated in a statement issued after the unveiling of the then new Three Crown milk in 380g and 30g powder form in Lagos last year. Looking back, one can see the different between what is happening to the brand now compared to where it was coming from. The brand was last communicated in 2010 with no clear emotional benefit, a fading functional benefit of low cholesterol and zero presence in the powder milk sector.

The ‘Don’t you wish’ campaign was launched along with the introduction of the Powder packs in February 2015. The new communication was hinged on the positioning “Healthy mums, happy families�, positioning Three Crowns milk as a healthy choice because it contains low cholesterol which helps to keep the whole family fit and healthy. It has a great taste, contains vitamins and minerals to support daily growth and body maintenance.

From available records, handlers of Three Crowns Milk appear to be the first in Nigeria to acknowledge the role of mothers as care givers, believing that if mothers take care of themselves, they can take extra care of their families.

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Curb Marine Pollution, Save the Ocean As the world battles adverse effects of climate change, marine pollution is a rising challenge, with the coastline and aquatic life being endangered. According to reports, there are more than 15 trillion pieces of plastic in the world’s oceans, which is over 80 per cent of plastic pieces globally.

This incidence calls for strategic efforts from national governments, corporate organisations and individuals to curb marine pollution and save the ocean. Ugo Aliogo, Efuwape Mary and Kudman Mercy write Cause for Concern Man’s survival is currently under serious threat due to increasing environmental challenges facing the globe. These challenges have posed serious dangers to man and marine wildlife.

Environmental conservation experts have stated that huge deposits of human waste from landfilled sources float into the ocean daily. The implication of this action is that it will make the ocean an unsafe abode for marine wildlife.

In the midst of this crisis, the United Nations has not been silent. The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) recently observed that up to 80 per cent of all litter in the oceans are made up of plastic pieces.

The fear expressed by the UNEP is that with the rate of waste going into the ocean such as plastic bottles, bags, cups and straws after a single use, by 2050 there would be more plastic in the oceans than fish species.

The UN, alongside other stakeholders, has been making frantic efforts to address the challenge through enlightenment programmes, and holding governments of nations to task on the need to support the campaign to save marine wildlife.

Commitments Conference In its bid to raise the bar, the UN recently organised the Ocean conference in June, New York this year. The forum, attended by scientists and representatives of government and civil society, was convened to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which is aimed at conserving and sustaining the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

At the conference, countries made commitments to reduce marine litter, as part of the UNEP’s Clean Seas Campaign (CSC), while more than one million participants signed a petition to phase out single-use plastic worldwide within the next five years, as part of the Avaaz campaign.

The CSC was launched by the UN Environment agency in February 2017 to increase awareness on the need to reduce marine litter by targeting the production, consumption of non-recoverable and single-use plastic. More than 20 countries are now participating in the campaign, which calls on governments, industries and individuals to end single-use plastic and eliminate micro-plastics in cosmetics by 2022.

Best Practice At the conference, Sweden announced it would join the CSC and introduce a number of actions to tackle marine litter, including waste management technologies, a national collection system, a deposit-refund system for PET bottles, and raise awareness on the negative impact of plastic bags. Sweden is also expected to introduce a ban on micro-plastics in cosmetic products.

Sweden will also provide SEK 9 million to support the CSC as well as SEK 5 million to support UNEP’s efforts to tackle pollution from land-based sources. The agency’s Executive Director Erik Solheim said Sweden’s support will help intensify their work and translate the science into global awareness and concrete action.

Sweden’s Minister for Environment, Karolina Skog, announced an additional SEK 2 million in funding for the Action Platform for Source-to-Sea Management (S2S Platform) to strengthen work on knowledge exchange and other efforts on land-based marine pollution. The S2S Platform is a multi-stakeholder initiative that promotes collaboration among experts to improve the management of water linkages from land through to the ocean.

Furthermore, Indonesia has committed to reduce its marine litter by 70 per cent, and Kenya intends to introduce a plastic bag ban in September 2017. Other countries that have announced commitments to the campaign include Belgium, Costa Rica, France, Grenada, Norway, Panama, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone and

A deserted beach area in Lagos, littered with plastic waste Uruguay. Nigeria is yet to follow suit.

Revealing Study The UNEP has estimated that 15 per cent of marine litter floats on the seas’ surfaces, 15 per cent remains in the water column, and 70 per cent rests on the seabeds. A study revealed that 5.25 million plastic particles, weighing 268,940 tonnes in total, are currently floating in the world’s oceans.

With the increasing rise of marine pollution, the MacArthur Foundation in a study noted that the world is producing 20 times more plastics than 40 years ago. The negative effect is that yearly more than eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the oceans, causing damage to marine wildlife, fisheries, tourism and marine ecosystem.

The study further revealed that only less than 14 per cent of all plastic pieces are recyclable and there is need to set up through technological mechanism to deal with the remaining 86 per

cent which could create $80 to $120 billion in revenues.

According to reports, over 80 per cent of marine pollution comes from land-based activities, including plastic bags, water bottles, cups, cans and other debris which enter the ocean through deliberate dumping or run-off through rivers and drains.

UNGA Support In support of the save the ocean campaign, the President of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Peter Thomson, has urged world leaders to assemble the solutions required to overcome the challenges facing the coastal lands.

Thomson’s argument is that marine pollution is taking the world to a critical point where by 2050, there will be more plastic pieces in the ocean than fish; therefore, there is an urgent need to look at the effects of climate change on the ocean to properly understand what is

facing the world.

He said, “We have to have better rubbish collection systems. We have to do what Rwanda has done which is to ban plastic bags. We have to stay true to the Paris Climate Agreement. But beyond that, we can set up marine protected areas where we can sustainably manage our fish stocks.

We have to stop illegal and harmful fishing practices such as bottom dredging. We have to end those ridiculous fish subsidies and use that money to restore coastal ecosystem. “Microplastics, which are bits of plastics inserted into things such as toothpaste, face creams and other cosmetics, constitute a big problem. We have to stop industrial use of microplastics because they get ingested into the biosphere. Their implications are far reaching.

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

RANDOM THOTS Special Corruption To deter looters and enhance the clampĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă–ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă‘Ă’Ă?Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?Ù×ÚÓÖĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? also directed them to designate one or two courts in their jurisdiction as SpeĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂŽĂŁ ĂŽĂ?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜cial crimes cases. ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă• Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ ĂŽĂ Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ě™ Ěš ÞÙ Í“Íš Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă‹ĂĄĂŁĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ÞÙÙÕ ÚÖËĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË ÞÒÓĂ? ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?ĘĽĂ?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă? ÞÒĂ?

Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ÚÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁËœ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ě‹ Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ù××ÓʾĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?âÞ Ă—Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă– Ě™ ̚˛ Ă’Ă? Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ʨÑÒÞ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ě‹Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœËœ ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ? ÞÙ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă—Ăš ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă™Ă˜ Ă–Ă‹ĂĄĂŁĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂŽĂ?ÚÖÙã ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂŁ ÞËĂ?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă—Ă‹ĘľĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ë› Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?ÙÖÓĂ?Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÙÙÚĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ě‹ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‘Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă—Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëš complaints against judicial oďŹƒcers. Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Í“Í‘Í‘Í” Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ͓͑͑͘ Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ Ă”Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂœĂŁ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?Ăœ

Ă?Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ÞËÞĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă’ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂž Ă“Ă˜

Ă•Ă?Ă”Ă‹Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ? ÞÙ ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă?Ă˜Ëœ Ă—Ă?Ă‘Ă‹ Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă&#x;ĂŽ ĂžĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹Ă”Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ‹Ă? Ă‹ĘľĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă’Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă? Ă?Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă”Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ‘Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂŽĂŁ ĂžĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ—Ă‹ĂœĂ• Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ËŞĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŁ ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă˜Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËŞĂ? Ă?ĘĽĂ™ĂœĂžĂ? ÞÙ ʨÑÒÞ Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ě‹ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă™ĂŒĂ?ĂŁĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŽ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÙ Ă?ÒÙåĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? ÒÙÚĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă? Ă&#x;Ăš Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă?ÞÓĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă?Þã Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë›Ë›Ë›ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž -Abimbola Akosile

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

Ëš

Citizens forum, good for referendum

Does Restructuring Require a National Referendum?

Despite the increasing clamour for restructuring of the country from most of the regions, the federal government is yet to undertake any concrete action on the contentious issue. However, some analysts believe there should be a nationwide referendum to decide if Nigeria should be restructured or not, just like Britain voted in a referendum to pull out of the European Union. To you, does restructuring require a national referendum or not?

THE FEEDBACK

Abimbola Akosile * A national referendum is appropriate in the Nigerian circumstance. I make bold to say that in a difficult situation to achieve a definite conviction, it is better to have an evidence-based reference, which will come through the result from the referendum.

- Mr. Tolu Oyero, Warri, Delta State

Yes, it does:

9

No, it doesn’t:

2

Others:

4

Radical tip:

Improve leadership!

Number of respondents:

15

* A national referendum is not needed in my opinion. Every right-thinking, sane Nigerian knows that restructuring is urgently needed.

Furthermore, our elected representatives in the National Assembly have not shown any urgency about the issue. They have the constitutional power and leverage to make things happen faster. Lastly, Nigerians should not see ‘restructuring’ as the silver bullet that will slay all the dragons bedevilling our country. That is not the reality. What matters is leadership..... visionary, prudent, selfless, altruistic leadership that will deliver good governance nationwide.

- Mr. Aiyegbusi Abiodun, Engineer, Lagos State

Male:

12

Female:

3

Highest location:

Lagos (7)

* Commenting on the present Constitution Chief FRA Williams, the legal icon said “Until this constitution is replaced with another one that Nigerians shall produce, Nigeria will remain unconstitutional�. Yes, a referendum is needed for restructuring but we have to articulate the restructure contents then refer them to the people. Late General Aguiyi Ironsi, who abolished regional government, admitted that a peoples’ constitution must be through referendum from the various constituent units of Nigeria.

- Barrister DYN Maigari, Abuja * I am not against restructuring or referendum, but those calling for all this are not in power again or they are not partaking of the national cake sharing and lootings. If they are in power, there would be nothing like restructuring.

The oppositions and never-do-well leaders are behind this restructuring.

- Mrs, Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State * An important political decision as restructuring, ideally, has to be a decision made by a direct vote by all qualified citizens. The question of, which state /region a minority group should belong to, was decided by plebiscite (a referendum). Contiguous territories, ethnic

nationalities or settlements, should be at liberty to elect to be part of any contiguous region other than the region in which the current geo-political zone or state boundaries places them. That is democracy for the people by the people themselves.

- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna * Every interest or region has the type of restructuring they deem fit. So what type is the referendum going to take on? The only restructuring Nigeria needs at the moment are for the states to remain as they are and be given a larger percentage of resources from the federal allocations and greater responsibilities as well. That way, the people of a state will no longer point accusing fingers at the federal government for any marginalisation or lack of development, but will hold their state governments responsible.

- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * A national referendum will put all stakeholders on one page, as long as everyone understands what is at stake.

- Ms Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State * The truth of the matter is that referendum is not in our Constitution unless we amend the Constitution and put referendum in it for emergency. The best thing to do is restructuring Nigeria for a better tomorrow. What Nigeria needs are good leaders, and all this agitation and calling for referendum will die naturally.

- Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * The truth is that the end time is here. Be

prepared, Jesus is coming soon.

- Pastor Babatunde Akinsanya, Lagos State * There is no need for any national referendum; we have the National Assembly and they are backed by the Nigerian Constitution and the law. They are the Nigerians representing us, whose roles are to make decisions and guide the citizens, seek consultation from the grassroots and present the various ideas on the floor of the National assembly, and interested members need to lobby them for the restructuring.

- Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Abuja * Yes, it honestly does. Democracy demands NO dictatorship but flexibility, participation, joint objective public decision and accountability e.t.c. In advanced climes such sensitive issues are usually thrown to the floor too and general opinions sort, debated, analysed and conclusions therefrom used to better the lives of the citizens or civil society. National referendum is the key to true governance.

- Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * Carrying out a referendum in Nigeria represents uncharted waters - but we need it to deepen our democratic experience. It is something that trends without hassles in other democratic climes. I believe Nigerians generally will welcome the opportunity to air their views on restructuring - so let us have the referendum. With a referendum the generality of the citizens will have the chance to retrieve their voices.

- Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, Brainchild Academic Resources, Apo, Abuja * Yes, it does. A tree does not make a forest just as two good heads are better than one. Serious debates will throw up great solutions to the peoples’ challenges variously. Civil flexibility is better than force or stiff imposition in a modern and democratic dispensation as today.

The voice of the people is the voice of God. - Miss Apeji Patience Apeji, Badagry, Lagos State * Nigeria definitely require a national referendum if the country is to be restructured. I can see here where citizens are being represented by their representatives where differences are shared at the end of which a consensus is

reached on the way forward. My advice is that billions voted for such occasion should be avoided. That is the best way forward, where everyone is free to contribute in building Nigeria, and at the end, you can’t complain about not being carried along.

- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * A referendum allows the people to take a common stand on any issue and it has worked in other countries before. If Nigeria must move forward beyond her present challenges, then there should be a referendum on several issues including our unity and willingness to move forward as one entity. Once we all agree to move forward together, then the various modalities to make this happen should be outlined and addressed.

- Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State

Next Week: Best Devt Lessons Learnt in 57 Years? Ă™ Ă?Ù×Ă?Ëœ ÚËĂ?Ăž Ă—Ă“Ă?ÞËÕĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ě‹Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœËœ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă–ĂŁ ËÚÚÖã ÞÙ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë›

Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă“ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ă– ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ăž ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ͳ; ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÍŻÍˇÍ´ÍŽËœ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÙ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ?Ù×Ă? Ă’Ă?Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ×Ùà Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă‹Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽË› Ă™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? ÚËĂ?Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă“Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ăž ÞÒÓĂ? ĂžĂœĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă™ĂŽËŁ Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžËœ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ ÞÓÞÖĂ?Ëœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã Ě™ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Í°ÍŻ Ęś Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?ÚÞ Ͱͳ̚ ÞÙ abimbolayi@ yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.comËœ abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive. comË› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž ĂžĂ?âÞ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ 08023117639 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™Ăœ 08188361766 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™Ăœ 08114495306Ë› ÙÖÖËÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?ÚÞĂ?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Í°Íś

34

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Viable alternative; embracing rail transportation in Lagos

Complete Abandoned Relevant Projects to Realise SDGs by 2030, FG Urged CSOs tasked on monitoring, citizens urged on projects ownership Abimbola Akosile Participants stressed the need for the government to press home the need for Governments at all levels in Nigeria have been enjoined to complete abandoned projects littered across the country, especially those projects that have direct bearing to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Also the federal government has been urged to strengthen the anti-corruption institutions and ensure punitive measures against convicted corrupt officials in the country, and to collaborate more with various groups, including communities, CSOs and the media to carry out public awareness, social media campaigns on budget processes.

These calls were contained in communiquĂŠs issued at the end of two different training workshops for community stakeholders at the grassroots for fiscal influencing and responsive governance, and training of civil society stakeholders on budget monitoring and basic economic literacy, held recently in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The workshops were organised by the Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG) in collaboration with Oxfam in Nigeria The first was a training workshop on Strategic

Partnership for influencing through the Theory of Change (TOC) model as encapsulated in the Financing for Development’s Programme (SPP-I) that is being implemented in Nigeria

by Oxfam, NDEBUMOG, CISLAC, Budgit and Kebetkache. The training was to empower community stakeholders at the grassroots for fiscal influencing and responsive governance.

Participants were drawn from Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and the FCT, Abuja.

It was geared at mobilising community stakeholders to be proactive at playing active roles in community development processes, acquaint community stakeholders of the importance for demonstrable inclusiveness in the fiscal processes through the use of factsheets and other tools for mobilisation of women for community development.

The Chief Executive Officer of NDEBUMOG, Dr. George-Hill Anthony advised participants at the training to make use of the knowledge gained to influence and hold political representatives accountable to do what is right for the development of their communities.

He added that the projected outcome is to create a situation of improved policies and practices of government and private sector that would result in reduced poverty and extreme inequality through effective and ef-

ficient management of Nigeria’s huge resources and increased citizen participation through five pathways to change, namely; improved policies of government, improved policies of private sector, strengthened CSOs, increased citizens’ voice, and finally, building stronger and wider alliances.

Oxfam representative, Mr. Celestine Okwudili Odo also spoke around similar objectives but conveyed greetings to stakeholders present at the event from Oxfam in Nigeria.

Participants called for community folks to protect social infrastructural projects located at various communities and also take responsibility for ownership, instead of treating such projects and infrastructure as no man’s belongings.

They urge the citizens to pay their taxes promptly to attract development but warned against diversion of public funds by some politicians for other purposes that are not beneficial to the common good of the people.

They also advocated community-government interface before budget preparations each year.

Participants called for a review of government fiscal policy policies to checkmate unnecessary wastages and frivolous expenditures, commended NDEBUMOG and Oxfam in Nigeria for the training and urged both to spread the benefits of the training to other communities not present.

The communique was jointly signed by Nsefi Uduak Umoh from Akwa Ibom State; Ogunka Junior from Rivers State; Adeyemi Folake Titilayo from Delta State; Dame Nnamani Patricia from Enugu State; and Pastor Edet Raymond from NDEBUMOG who is also the State Superintendent-Akwa Shadow Budget Groups Meanwhile, the training of civil society stakeholders on budget monitoring and basic economic literacy was aimed at building the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to monitor budget and also understand basic economic concepts at helping them to undertake effective budget/project monitoring and evaluation. Participants were drawn from CSOs, including NDEBUMOG’s Team, SPP Partners, and some local NGOs, from Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Enugu, the FCT, Lagos, Delta State; and Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, and the media.

Participants observed that even though the budgeting process in Nigeria is widening and becoming more inclusive, CSOs involvement is still inadequate due to low capacity of CBOs to engage the process, as well as poor access to budget and project information.

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

Furniture-makers Bemoan Rising Level of Ogun River Chiamaka Ozulumba and Chikodilli Ozulumba Furniture makers and artisans in Ikorodu area of Lagos state are presently ruing the impact of the current rains, which have led to an increase in water level, especially in Ajegunle area of Ikorodu town, where residents live beside the Ogun River.

One of the furniture makers, Mr. Sunday Victor, lamented

that anytime it rains the river poses a huge threat to his business, as he has had to construct a wooden bridge to get into his workshop and relocated all his furniture items to the roadside due to the flood.

On a recent visit to the concerned areas, THISDAY observed that the artisans’ shops, which were built on silt, allow water to seep through any time it rains and this damages the wood.

There are several furniture makers whose workshops/ showrooms line the bank of the Ogun River, and competition is high as they come up with new designs to win over customers. For instance, a seven-seater furniture set goes for around N70,000 to N150,000, depending on the customer’s choice.

Victor pointed out that government has not done any substantial thing to remedy

the situation, and despite the fact that the entrepreneurs pay between N3,000 and N5,000 yearly for a shop permit, he said they have not felt any positive impact from government.

Another furniture-maker, Mr. Michael Ademo corroborated Victor’s story, adding that they are constantly attacked by alligators and snakes which invade their workshops. Although no fatal casualty has been recorded

so far, they urged the Lagos state government to come to their aid and build structures for them.

House-wife, Mrs. Veronica Ideh, said she is always afraid once the rains start, as her house which is built directly beside the river tends to get flooded up to the window level, damaging properties, while the dwellers all deal with the wild animals which the flood brings.

However, a fisherman, Mr. Francis Durojaiye had a different story to tell. He ironically was very ecstatic, adding that when the rains start, it means more aquatic animals to be caught, which in turn means more money for his business.

Efforts by THISDAY to speak to local government officials and local chiefs in the area concerning any remedial action for the flooding in Ikorodu proved abortive.

35

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍŻËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“TheUnitedNationsshould continue totake primaryleadership of the maintenance of internationalpeaceandsecuritybyproviding,in apredictable and sustainable manner, adequate funding andotherenablers toregionalinitiatives and peacekeeping operations authorised by theSecurityCouncil.Widening inequalities between societies and gaps between rich and poor nations contribute toincreasing instability�

- PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, SPEAKING AT THE 72ND SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN NEW YORK

AyadeHasEmpowered Women with Over 300 Appointments, Says Aide Bassey Inyang in Calabar

Engage in Working for the People, UNGA President Urges World Leaders Abimbola Akosile President of the United Nations General Assembly has stressed the need for more work on prevention, a greater focus on people, and keeping promises made to advance prosperity and protect the planet.

While opening the week-long annual general debate on Tuesday, September 19, Miroslav Laj ĂĄk told more than 120 world leaders gathered in General Assembly Hall in New York, US, “We are spending too much time and money reacting to conflicts, and not enough on preventing them.â€? He called for integrating prevention with development and human rights work, and reviewing how UN does its peace operations and counterterrorism work. “When people can live decent lives – when rights are respected – when rule of law is present in everyday life – it is harder to turn societies to conflict,â€? he said. The Assembly President told the audience that the UN was not made for them, but for people. “We know that many people have become disillusioned. Countless others around the world, however, have high hopes for us. They see the UN’s blue flag as a first sign of safety and the beginning of change,â€? Lajcak said.

He noted that the 193 members of the UN General Assembly will face one of its biggest test with the process of adopting the first Global Compact for Migration at a time when world leaders have varying opinions on the phenomenon. “We cannot turn this into an exercise of bureaucracy. We cannot be left with an agreement that works only on paper,� he stressed.

Lack of accountability and follow through also potentially plague work to counter international terrorism, and following up on violations of international humanitarian law.

In his first speech to the high-level debate as President of the General Assembly, Lajcak also called on the international community to keep its promises to curb poverty and protect the environment by following through with

Participants at the 72nd UN General Assembly in New York commitments made in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change. “I see the priority clusters of ‘peace and prevention,’ ‘people and planet and prosperity as three sides of a triangle. They might not all be the same length, or the same width, but one is as important as the other,� he said.

Closing the address, Lajcak urged world leaders to change the way they work on a daily basis and engage in real dialogue, not a succession of monologues: “We cannot fall for an end to business as usual – and then continue to do business as usual. If we are looking for a change in how the UN operates around the world, we should start here in New York.�

Global leaders gathering at United Nations Headquarters in New York this week for the annual round of top-level diplomatic talks known as the General Debate will shine a spotlight on

the needs of the world’s people, with discussions on vital issues such as sustainable development and climate change.

They are also expected to set the stage for what the President of the UN General Assembly has dubbed a “year of firsts,� which will see the negotiation of the first intergovernmental compact on migration and the signing of the first agreement on the elimination of nuclear weapons.

The theme of the Debate of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly is ‘Focusing on People – Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet,’ and in that spirit, monarchs, presidents and prime ministers are also expected to launch discussions that will define international responses to many of the global challenges of the day, including protracted conflicts, extreme poverty and hunger, and the refugee crisis.

The Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has empowered over 300 women in the state with appointments into various public offices since he assumed office about two years ago, the state Commissioner for women Affairs, Mrs. Stella Odey has disclosed.

Speaking at a recent forum in Calabar the state capital tagged ‘Nigeria Women Interact for Peace Building’, which was organised by a not-for-profit organisation - the Burst Development Initiative - the commissioner said apart from the fact that more women were given appointments that could be termed political, hundreds of more women have been gainfully employed in various government agencies since Ayade assumed office in May, 2015.

Odey said the appointment of the women into public office was the highest in Nigeria, in terms of politically empowering women, and getting them involved in running the affairs of a state. She described Ayade as gender friendly, saying the state has even gone beyond 35 per cent affirmative action. The commissioner said aside from the appointment of women into political positions, the administration under Ayade has created employment for numerous women. “The government is initiating policies and programmes that promote the welfare of women. For instance, the Cross River garment factory has 95 per cent of women as its workforce.

This is among many other programmes this government has,� she said.

She said women in the state have shown that they can be entrusted with top responsibilities given the way they have discharged the various assignments given to them.

Also speaking, a former deputy governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, said women can make a difference in the country and need to be brought out from the attitude of complacency and thinking they cannot achieve anything.

Tallen said women are meant to complement the role of men and should be co-helpers, supporters and core instruments to make things better. She urged women should shun differences between themselves and to help each other succeed.

The former minister said women should always promote peace wherever they found themselves, whether in the family, politics or any other sphere of life. “There can be no meaningful national development if a greater percentage of women are neglected. Women are not competing against men but should have their rightful place for the benefit of the entire society,� Tallen said.

Coordinator of Burst Development Initiative, Edema Irom, said it was time for women to burst forth and take advantage of the many opportunities available to them to develop themselves and the society.

Gov. Ayade

36

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Achieving Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage While Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Scheme has been made optional for its citizens, a reason experts say has stunted the scheme, the progress made so far by Delta State, the first to implement the mandatory health insurance programme in the country, has shown that universal health coverage is achievable. Martins Ifijeh write

N

igeria introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2005, the same year Ghana launched its own. However, while the Ghana scheme has covered well over 50 per cent of its population, the Nigeria NHIS seems stuck at coverage of about four per cent of the population, leaving a major chunk of the citizens, especially the poor, to pay for healthcare from their pockets; an approach that has not only made them poorer but has increased mortality rate.

No wonder statistics have shown that 12 years after the establishment of the scheme, the level of out of pocket expenditure as a share of total health expenditure is still placed at 72 per cent, the highest on the continent and one of the highest in the world. Even poorer countries in sub-Sahara Africa like Kenya (26 per cent), Gabon (22 per cent), among others are doing better.

Information also show that countries afflicted with conflict and post-conflict like South Sudan (54 per cent) and Sierra Leone (61 per cent) are still better than Nigeria, leaving stakeholders in the healthcare industry to ponder on the model used by the government to run the scheme.

The slow growth of the scheme however prompted the Health in Africa Initiative of the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group to conduct a study on the Nigeria NHIS where it identified some constraints affecting the expansion of the coverage.

Issues identified include the voluntary nature of participation of the scheme, the lack of buy-in by state governments, the lack of a robust ICT platform to implement the scheme, and the lack of clarity on the regulatory functions of NHIS, for instance, its implementation of a public sponsored scheme.

Following the acceptance of the report by the management of the NHIS in 2013 the agency proceeded to implement some of the recommendations which included the recognition of state governments to set up their State Supported Health Insurance Schemes (SSHIS) through a National Council of Health memo approved in March 2014 by the federal government.

The memo, which contained features of what a typical SSHIS should look like, listed the legal basis of the SSHIS approved by the State House of Assembly and signed by the Governor of the state. It also highlighted how states should increase the share of total health spending by committing compulsory sources of funding to health with priority focus on interventions by funding a basic minimum package of services.

As at today, states that have passed laws establishing SSHIS are Lagos, Abia, Kwara, Delta, Ekiti, Kano and Bauchi, while Ogun, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi are at advanced stages with their laws being passed.

With Delta State already leading the pack as the first state in the country to implement a mandatory health insurance scheme, garnering over 112,169 registered enrollees within few months of starting the scheme, a result that has shown that right health insurance models can achieve results, THISDAY therefore sought audience with the Director General, Chief Executive Officer, Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Delta State, Dr. Ben Nkechika to know how their model has achieved success for them.

He said the Delta model instantly gained success because the governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is well versed in how healthcare should ideally be run, coupled with his antecedent as the former Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, where he championed the health

Nkechika

insurance programme at the federal level.

According to him, the scheme has commenced services in 63 secondary healthcare facilities for pregnant women and children under-five years with the transition of the free maternal and child health programme into the state before the end of October 2017 through partnership, especially in healthcare service disadvantaged areas, adding that as at 31st July this year, it has had a total of 26,905 pregnant women and 44,445 children under five years who have been registered and were receiving treatment budgeted and paid for by the government.

He said about 100 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) spread across the state have been considered appropriate to commence provision of service under the scheme in August 2017 and a quality of service improvement programmes has been initiated to achieve 100 PHCs through partnerships, especially in healthcare disadvantaged areas.

“The public sector workers in the formal sector group have signed up to be included in the scheme with the commencement of deduction of 1.75 per cent of their consolidated salary, while the government will contribute an equivalent 1.75 per cent on their behalf, and so far, over 49,000 public sector workers have been enrolled in the scheme.

“By next month we will be taking on the informal sector; that is the okada riders, market women and all that, so we will be mixing the pool until we have a large number, because it has to be a pool, and health insurance coverage works better with numbers. You know our model is mandatory by law, but because of the capacity gap in taking on everyone in from day one, we decided to segment it, and this will ensure at the end of the day we take in a mixed pool which is very critical for success,” he explained.

The CEO said the enrolment and payment of premium by the informal sector groups commenced this September, noting that premium of N7, 000 has been adopted after consideration

and review of the actuary analysis report with focus on the affordability of the average family to ensure no one is left behind.

“For all these to happen within the short period that it did, we first determined key household demography and health seeking behaviour of Deltans to guide planning for the expanded health insurance coverage. We determined the current household spending on health, insurance coverage needs and willingness to pay for health insurance by Deltans.

“We also estimated the proportion of Delta State residents in the lowest socio-economic quintiles, to guide decisions on subsidy and or exemptions from payment. We then proceeded to assess the availability and capacity of health delivery facilities in Delta State to deliver proposed health insurance services “We also assessed the readiness of health facilities to deliver proposed services across all 25 LGAs,” adding that after which, the state embarked on advocacy meetings with the Hospital Management Board, Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Private Healthcare Providers Association, LGA Chairmen, LGA PHC Coordinators, various formal and informal sector associations and other relevant stakeholders as a way of keying them into the vision of the governor on health insurance.”

Nkechika said for the programme to outlive the present administration of Governor Okowa, it was made part of the law that 0.55 per cent of the consolidated revenue of the state goes direct into health insurance; such that it won’t only exist at the mercy of subsequent governors.

“We also had clear-cut directives on where we can source funds, even in the law; there is a clear-cut portfolio on where you can invest that money, so that you don’t put it in the place where it can be abused.

“For us to offer this coverage qualitatively, we realised that if we collect N7, 000 and spend about N4, 000 on administrative processes, it will become a problem, so we had to look within the civil service to find people that were competent

to be trained to work in the commission as against bringing healthcare workers from out of town that becomes expensive to manage since they were already on the pay roll of the government, we made them the workforce, such that the N7, 000 being paid by enrollees can best serve the purpose.”

He said the agency also tried to digitalise and create systems that make bureaucracy minimal, “because bureaucracy is always very expensive, so we have partnered with Interswitch to give us technology solution that makes the process seamless. Like our premium, you can pay with a POS, from ATM and online. We made it in such a way to reduce the transaction cost associated with it.”

But with the Delta model already in top gear, what should NHIS do to grow the scheme in the country? Nkechika provides a guide. He said for NHIS to succeed, it should decentralise health insurance, provide support to the states and must let them be enthusiastic about domesticating their process, they’ve been doing that but it has not been thoroughly done.”

The Delta State Contributory Health Scheme has been awarded the 2017 Outstanding Healthcare Programme of the Year. The award was presented at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award ceremony in recognition of the state’s outstanding service delivery in the field of healthcare in Nigeria and the State Supported Health Insurance Scheme.

The Programme Leader, Health in Africa Initiative and Lead Health Specialist, Khama Rogo, said the momentum towards Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria has significant implications for the rest of Africa” saying that “if for instance Lagos with its over 20 million population achieves or moves closer towards its UHC goals then that is the fifth largest economy of Africa and that will be one of the largest pools on the continent and comparable to some national pools.”

He mentioned that progress towards UHC by countries especially those running a federal structure like Nigeria needs to prioritise health in budgets, cannot afford to leave the poor behind and must necessarily ensure their participation through subsidisation of premiums, and a major advantage of the pools formed is the link to an explicit purchasing of care through public and private providers.

He argued that the development of SSHIS will allow the participation of private players to deliver care to a population that are normally left out and will increase consumer choice and even incentivise the movement of providers to areas not normally covered.

He urged states to learn from the early lessons of the Kwara State programme which has provided a template on how to deliver affordable and accessible quality care to poor citizens of Kwara State.

He believes that unlike Ghana which has successfully used the Value Added Tax to fund 75 per cent of the scheme, Nigeria ’s attempt to use the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund from at least one per cent of the Consolidate Revenue Fund of the federation account might be a significant edge for Nigeria .

“Nigeria is a rich country you know and committing such resources to healthcare in an efficient manner is significant. The funds from the BHCPF through the SSHIS as a type of results-based intergovernmental resources allocation can be a game changer for improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”

He urged Nigerian states to learn from the examples of Kenya and Ghana to see how those countries have leveraged technology to fast track coverage of their programmes.

37

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

NEWS

Nigeria’s Life Expectancy Has Increased by 8 Years, Study Shows Malaria, diarrhea, HIV, others still remain life threatening diseases Martins Ifijeh The life expectancy in Nigeria has increased considerably even though people in many other sub-Sahara African countries still live longer and healthier lives, the Annual Global Burden of Disease Study, published last week in the international medical journal, The Lancet, has revealed.

The study shows that a Nigerian man born in 2016 can expect to live 63.7 years, an increase in life expectancy of seven years over the past decade, while a woman has a life expectancy of 66.4 years, up 8.1 years from 2006.

But the study was quick to stress that illnesses and injuries can take away years of healthy life, adding that a Nigerian male born in 2016 will live approximately 55.5 years in good health, while a female will live a healthy life of approximately 57.2 years.

Nigeria has a higher life expectancy than South Africa, Niger, and Cameroon, but lags behind Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.

According to the Director, Centre for Healthy Start

Initiative, Jacob Olusanya, while lending his voice to the study, said: “Life expectancy in Nigeria is growing, but people in many other subSahara African countries are living longer, healthier lives.

Communicable diseases like malaria, diarrhea, lower respiratory diseases, and HIV are still taking the lives of far too many Nigerians. Infants and children are at particular risk from these diseases, and neonatal ailments like sepsis and encephalopathy kill thousands of infants. We have much more work to do,” he said.

He said, the top five causes of premature deaths in Nigeria are malaria, diarrheal diseases, HIV, neonatal encephalopathy, and lower respiratory infection, noting that the ailments that cause illnesses can be very different, with iron-deficiency anemia, back pain, and migraines topping the causes of years that people live with disability in Nigeria.

“Deaths of children under five are a persistent health challenge. For every 1,000 live births, 46.6 Nigerian children under the age of five die. That far exceeds the global figure of

38.4, and the regional average of countries in western subSahara Africa, which is 40.7.

Only a few countries in the region – such as Niger, Mali, and Chad – have higher rates of under-five mortality.

“Moreover, in 2016, for the first time in modern history, fewer than five million children under age five died in one year, as compared to 1990 when 11 million died,” he added.

The study, which is the world’s largest scientific collaboration on population health, also shows that globally, countries have saved more lives over the past decade, especially among children under five,

but persistent health problems, such as obesity, conflict, and mental illness, comprise a ‘triad of troubles,’ and prevent people from living long, healthy lives.

Researchers attribute the global health landmark to improvements in increased educational levels of mothers, rising per capita incomes, declining levels of fertility, increased vaccination programmes, mass distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, improved water and sanitation, and a wide array of other health programmes funded by development funding for health.

“Death is a powerful motivator, both for individuals and for

countries, to address diseases that have been killing us at high rates,” said the Director, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, Dr. Christopher Murray.

“But, we are being much less motivated to address issues leading to illnesses. A ‘triad of troubles’ - obesity, conflict, and mental illness, including substance use disorders – poses a stubborn and persistent barrier to active and vigorous lifestyle,” he added.

He said the study also shows that one of the most alarming risks in the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) is excess body

weight, adding that the rate of illness related to people being too heavy is rising quickly, and the disease burden can be found in all socio demographic levels.

“High body mass index (BMI) is the fourth largest contributor to the loss of healthy life, after high blood pressure, smoking, and high blood sugar.

“Deaths over the past decade due to conflict and terrorism more than doubled. Recent conflicts, such as those in Nigeria, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, and Libya, are major public health threats, both in regard to casualties and because they lead to long-term physical and mental consequences.

Family Planning: Monarch Lends Voice to UNFPA on More Investments Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, has joined the Senate, opinion leaders and major institutions working on improving care for women and girls in the country to appeal to all tiers of governments in the country to invest more resources in the uptake of family planning programmes and other health interventions targeted at saving lives of women and girls.

Addressing the 5th Annual Family Planning Consultative Stakeholders meeting in Abuja, the Ooni challenged government to lead campaigns on quality life for women and girls by ensuring huge deaths recorded among female folks in the country daily are reduced.

He frowned at the manner at which women die of preventable conditions across the country and called for measures towards halting the deaths. The monarch likened such deaths with daily crash of airplane carrying 120 passengers, which he said should put affected nations into continuous mourning.

At the three-day meeting where new multi-media communication plan and logo for family planning/child spacing was developed by the federal government to help change behavioural pattern of Nigerians to family planning services were launched, the Ooni said it was high time all tiers of government in the country made needed and sustainable investments to improve the health of women and girls.

“This initiative is something

that I am very passionate about; child spacing, family planning. We only talk about it; we are just scratching the surface. It is something that is deeper than that. I repeat it is something that we should take very seriously in our country.

Just imagine this practical illustration. We don’t pray for disaster.

“You can imagine if we have a plane crash and we have 120 future leaders inside that plane crash. That is a national disaster. The entire country will be thrown into a state of mourning. That will be the discussion for at least one week.

Various offices, everywhere; that is what people will be talking about.

“There is no difference between what we are here today (talking about) and that same national disaster that I just compared. The only difference is material loss of aircraft.

But, we have loss of human beings. You can imagine losing 110 women on a daily basis in this country. You can imagine having statistics of maybe those children coming to this world innocently will make it. You can imagine that national disaster on a daily basis.

“The reason we are not feeling it is that one will happen in Sokoto, another one will happen in Kafanchan, one will happen in Osun, one will happen in Lagos.

It is being spread across the country. It is not being put together the way that national disaster I’ve just compared will be. It is very important for us to take this thing very seriously,” he said.

L-R: Brand Ambassador, Dexa Medica, Asiwaju Deborah; Brand Ambassador, Dexa Medica, Shakirat Kareem; Ipaja resident, Demola A; and Brand Ambassador, Dexa Medica, Sunday Fafoye, at the Boska Pain Free Initiative in Lagos recently

HIV: Only 27% Nigerians Get Treatment from FG Funds, Says IHVN Boss Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Dakum, has disclosed that of all the funds from the federal government which are dedicated to the treatment and prevention of HIV, only about 27 per cent of Nigerians are beneficiaries of the gesture.

Dakum who revealed this in Abuja during the third annual conference of Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance (NISA), said there was the need for ownership and not just about the programme but financial ownership as well.

While emphasising that putting money into HIV as well as its treatment and prevention is not an expense but an investment, he said the ball should be in the court of the National Assembly which is expected to see the need as an emergency and appropriate funds that are required to change the figures and percentage to a favourable statistics.

He said: “From date, we have so far, just 27 per cent of Nigerians getting their treatment from funds coming

from the Nigerian Government and this is far from what we really want. What we want is a complete ownership. When we say ownership, we are not just talking about ownership of the programme but financial ownership as well.

“This means we should put our money where our hearts are. Putting money in HIV treatment and prevention is an investment and not an expense because when these people are alive, they will contribute to the economy.

“So the ball should be in the court of the National Assembly and a rational and responsible National Assembly will look at this as an emergency and will do the needful by appropriating the funds that are required to take over the management, from at least 27 per cent to at least 60-70 per cent and then we move on from there.

“Remember that we are not just talking about the National Assembly but also about the State House Assembly and local government but funding must come from the three tiers of government including the communities as well,” he said.

Concerning the conference

and what Nigeria hopes to benefit from it, assistant professor from the University of Maryland, USA, Dr. Michael Obiefune stated that several researches are on-going with ideas being shared on how to effectively handle the health sector.

“We started at looking at prevention from mother-to-

child transmission about three years ago and to answer a simple question; why is it that a proven scientific method of preventing a mother-to-child transmission is not available all over the country and science behind it showed a lot of structural issues and the cause capacity issues that are being tackled.”

Boska Marks Pain Free Day with Ipaja Residents Major Pain killer Company, Dexa Medica, makers of Boska has marked another wave of its Pain Free Day Initiative at the Ipaja market in Lagos recently.

The event was attended by hundreds of market users and residents from communities of Ipaja market, who were trained on health tips to stay strong during the rainy season.

According to the Senior Brand Executive, Dexa Medica, Tunde Ojedokun, over 70 per cent of Nigerians often catch the flu during rainy season resulting in body breakdown if not attended to. ´´Boska team provided the op-

portunity for consumers to see health experts who provided full range of health services for free. They provided free eye glasses for those in need as well as prescribed drugs to treat eye, ear and nose defects.

Besides rendering free health services, we leveraged the opportunity to educate consumers on how to live stress-free while at their various duties.

“This Pain Free Day edition is specially designed to keep consumers fit given the rainy season. I am confident that Dexa Medica will continue to improve the delivery of quality health care for consumers in the months ahead,´´ he said.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 2017

38

HEALTH

HEALTH MATTERS

goketakinrogunde@gmail.com

By Goke T. Akinrogunde 07036777348; 07029126776

Strain and Sprain: Basics and Home Remedy

D

oubtful if there are adults who have never had at least an incidence of either a joint strain or sprain, terminologies who are seldom wrongful used interchangeably.

A strain is a painful condition brought about by inflammation, overuse (or using in an unbalanced way), and over stretching/ tearing of muscles or tendons with requisite effect on joints. On the other hand, a sprain is an injury to the band (ligament) which connects two or more bones to a joint.

A sprain is usually caused by the joint being forced suddenly outside its usual range of movement. Sometimes a severe sprain may look and feel like a fracture (that is broken bone), and it can be difficult for even doctors to tell the difference between the two without an evaluation with an X-ray or CT-scan.

Understanding a sprain A sprain is an injury to a ligament. Ligaments are strong -Ligaments are band-like structures around joints structures around joints, which attach bones together and give support to joints.

A ligament can be injured, usually by being overstretched during a sudden pull. The ligaments at the side of the ankle are the most commonly sprained.

A damaged ankle ligament causes inflammation, swelling, and bleeding (which shows as bruising) around the affected joint. Moving of the joint is painful. The picture shows a badly sprained ankle with fairly extensive bruising.

The severity of a sprain is graded according to how badly the ligament has been stretched and whether or not the ankle joint has been made unstable. The joint can become unstable when the damaged ligament is no longer able to give it the normal support: Grade I - mild stretching of the ligament without joint instability. Grade II - partial tear (rupture) of the ligament but without joint instability (or with mild instability).

Grade III - a severe sprain: complete rupture of the ligament with instability of the joint.

Treatment of a sprain, strain The main aims of treatment are: to keep

Strain, sprain are treatable

inflammation, swelling and pain to a minimum and to be able to use the joint normally again as quickly as possible.

Ordinarily, the damaged ligament heals by itself over time. Some scar tissue may however be produced when there had been tearing of tissues. The usual initial treatment comes under the acronym PRICE (Protect, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and avoid HARM (Heat, Alcohol, Running and Massage) for the next 2 – 3 days after the injury.

Price: As an emphasis protect the joint from further injury (for example, protect the ankle by a support or high-top high-lace shoes); best

to Rest the joint for 48-72 hours following injury, one may also use crutches for support.

Similarly a bandage and/or ankle support can also come handy to assist with resting the joint.

However the ankle need not be rested for too long as this may delay recovery, early controlled weight -bearing with the ankle well supported is preferable to complete rest. Ice should be applied as soon as possible after injury, for 10-30 minutes, best every two hours during wake time. The cold is thought to reduce blood flow to the damaged ligament. Do not leave ice on while asleep in order to avoid ice burn.

Compression with a bandage will limit swelling, and help to rest the joint. A tubular compression bandage or an elastic bandage

can be used. The bandage should not be too tight and advisable to remove the after 48 hours, so that the joint can move.

Elevation aims to limit and reduce any swelling. For example, keep the foot up on a chair to at least hip level when sitting, best to lie on a sofa and to put affected foot on some cushions etc.

Avoid ´harm´ for two hours after injury.

Heat - for example, hot baths, saunas, heat packs. Heat encourages blood flow which will tend to increase bruising and inflammation. So, heat should be avoided when inflammation is developing. However, after about 72 hours, no further inflammation is likely to develop and heat can then be soothing.

Alcohol, which can increase bleeding and swelling and decrease healing. Running, which may cause further damage. Massage, which may increase bleeding and swelling. However, after 72 hours, gentle massage may be soothing.

More than ordinary sprains and strains In severe sprains and strains, injuries may heal more rapidly if complete immobilisation is applied for few days like wearing a brace or plaster cast for some weeks. In other cases, when ligaments are very badly torn or the joint is too unstable, surgery may be advised.

Sometimes there are torn ligaments or small breaks (fractures) which do not show up when the injury first happens. The joint may initially have been very swollen and small additional points of damage might have been difficult to detect.

For badly torn muscles, surgery is used very rarely - usually only if there is a complete tear in which the muscle is pulled back (retracted).

Muscles are less easy to repair surgically than ligaments, because the muscle fibres do not hold stitches easily.

Analgesic medication could be an option to control pain that comes with the early onset injury, if pain does not ease with regular Paracetamol or ibuprofen dosage over three days, then a doctor’s guide for appropriate more potent analgesic may be necessary. Further references on Patient UK

Inside the Hospital Dear Dr. Goke, Could it be Menopause at 38 Years?

I am an ardent follower of your column and I wish to share my concern with you with respect to my ‘menstrual’ failure in the last two years.

I am 38yrs old and have got 3 children aged13, 9 and 4; my menstrual cycle (if I can recall) has ever been irregular, I never had a predetermined cycle, short menstrual days and low blood flow are the norms for me. I never got the hang of ovulation etc.

I have not had any menstrual period in 2yrs, maybe occasional bleeding once in a while. I would like an explanation to this and to know if its early menopause.

Thank you.

Regards Sola

Dear Sola, The above narration sounds very interesting and understandably worrisome in respect of the reported irregular menstrual cycles and menstrual cessation in recent time.

On the other hand, I think it is rather comforting that there is no accompanying complaint of inability to conceive associated with this long-standing regularly irregular menstrual cycle. The opposite seems to be the case with you as the ‘well-spaced’ 13, 9 & 4 respective ages of your kids show; this is because the medical import of most similar complaints is commonly related to cases of infertility.

Generally speaking, it is not common for women of 38 years old to be post-menopause, but it can happen depending on when your first flow occurred.

You are correct to have noted that where

this is ascertained to be so, it may be a case of early (‘premature’) menopause. It is premature menopause to the extent that the woman’s last menstrual flow has occurred more than 12 month ago in a woman less than 40-45years old, depending on the relevant medical history.

The true status can actually be confirmed with the benefit of appropriate blood test in women less than 40 years of age, who have not seen their menses for more than one year.

A typical profile is noted with fertility hormonal test in such woman.

In your case, however, your menstrual flow would have to cease completely for one year, without any minor break whatsoever, before you start getting yourself worry in the first instance that you are post-menopause. Aside being a possible case of premature menopause, you can as well pass for a milder form of

polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), where irregular and unpredictable menses is the norm in this condition.

My candid advice is for you to opt to see your doctor to counsel appropriately on the aforementioned tests and other clinical investigations as necessary.

The chief host and the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi who was represented by his deputy, Chief Alake Adeyemo, said the project is appropriate in the sense that Oyo State Government is planning to establish and uplift Primary Health Centres.

He charged the community to make good use of the centre and make the environment conducive for the smooth operations of the centre. The governor expressed his gratitude to the family of Nathaniel Idowu for their great gestures to the community.

AXA Mansard Reinforces Commitment to Sustainable Community Health Martins Ifijeh AXA Mansard, one of Nigeria´s leading insurance company has reiterated its commitment to the development of community health insurance system in the country.

The Managing Director, Mr. Tope Adeniyi during the inauguration of the Nathaniel Idowu Community Health Centre in

Oyo State recently, said the company through its Health Management Organisation would bring technical supports on health insurance by partnering with community health centres and University College of Medicine in Ibadan .

According to Adeniyi, “At AXA Mansard, we support community health insurance system, we have an HMO

(AXA Mansard Health) that focuses on building community health to make sure that they have better healthcare at an affordable cost. In order to ensure the sustainability of this initiative, we partner with community health centres, providing them with customised packages and technical support that enables persons requiring

health attention from these centres pay little token in accesses health attention.”

Explaining why they chose to impact on community health by undertaking this initiative, Adeniyi noted that one of the company’s critical objectives, is to develop and empower people to live better lives.

“In throwing our weight behind this initiative, we

developed a model that will ultimately help in achieving universal health care for the nation.

We do not intend to stop here but to extend this service to all teaching hospitals throughout the nation, making them to partner with community health development centres for sustainable healthcare delivery system across the

country,” he said.

In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion and the Chairman Senate Committee on Health, Senator, Lanre Tejuosho, lauded the initiative and said it has been the plan of the federal government to introduce 10,000 primary healthcare centres across the country but this could not be achieved due to lack of funds.

39

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

HEALTH Jide: Lagos to Start Implementation of State Health Insurance Scheme Soon Martins Ifijeh The Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr. Jide Idris has stated that the government will kick start its Health Insurance Scheme before the end of this year.

Stating this during a workshop for medical directors on leadership and managerial skills organised by the State in partnership with Healthcare Leadership Academy and Healthcare Strategy Development Foundation, he stated that the scheme is mandatory as both the formal and informal sectors would be fully engaged in other to achieve a healthy Lagos.

The Healthcare Leadership Academy and Health Strategy Delivery Foundation are nongovernmental organisation with the mandate of developing a generation of healthcare leaders who excel in governance and provision of quality services.

According to him, ´´we set up this training because there are certain things the government is trying to do in terms of reform agenda and it is essential in the context of the health insurance scheme in Lagos state, ´´ adding that the state cannot effectively deliver on quality healthcare without the appropriate leadership skill.

“The government is investing

hugely in the sector in terms of infrastructure and manpower such that we will be able to deliver the next phase of the kind of healthcare we want to offer Lagosians; and this is in the form of health insurance coverage. ´´Everybody in the system should be able to have access to health delivery because some do not have access either because they do not have hospitals around or shortage of staff and issue of money.” ´´Under the scheme, both private and public care providers will form synergy and join resources together for people to get better care. So if you are paying, you have the right to request for quality care.´´ While noting that the scheme will be mandatory, he said government was meeting with the formal and the informal sector, as well as stakeholders, so as to be able to analyse and advocate to them with feedback.

Similarly, the Executive Director, Healthcare Leadership Academy, Dr. Hala Daggash said the organisation is supporting medical directors across the state towards the achievement of strategic objectives and to achieve the relative potentials to the fullest with the ultimate aim of improving service delivery within their facilities.

Dangote Foundation, GBCHealth Join Forces to Build Coalition on Healthcare Martins Ifijeh The Dangote Foundation and GBCHealth have joined forces to forge a new model of partnership, African Business Coalition on Health (GBCHealth) for healthcare in Africa.

Chairman of Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, shared plans to build an African Business Coalition on Health (ABCHealth), during the Bloomberg Global Business Forum, he was co-hosting, and which took place alongside the United Nations General Assembly this week in New York.

According to him, the Africanled coalition of companies and philanthropists, will seek to improve the health and well-being of Africans, both within the workplace and within the broader communities. He stated that the partnership will develop

and deploy impactful health programmes across Africa, deepening knowledge, building evidence for future investment and strengthening coordination among African philanthropists, business leaders, companies and networks.

The Coalition is building on the leadership, reputation and convening power of the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the experience, reputation and global reach of GBCHealth.

Critical issues that will be the focus of the partnership ranges from nutrition to malaria, with priorities identified and agreed by local leadership.

Through his Foundation, Dangote has made an unprecedented grant and seed contribution to GBCHealth of US$ 1.5 million over three years as a call to action and a signal to the African business community of the importance of working together and

investing in health.

“The time is ripe for the private sector to proactively demonstrate its value in partnering to lead a new era in development,” said Dangote.

“The coalition can provide much needed guidance to ensure activities and investments are driving results in areas where the private sector can have real impact, focusing on holistic and integrated solutions that cross borders.

We look forward to working with other business leaders as partners in development to drive this impact.”

Co-chair of GBCHealth’s Board of Directors, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said, “This coalition brings together two heavyweights in the health and development arena. Together we have an opportunity to demonstrate how investing in health and creating healthier populations,

can help business maximise shareholder value, accelerate economic growth and make entry into new markets more feasible.

“The coalition will have five primary objectives over its first three years: Incubate partnerships on priority health programmes to enhance and accelerate results; Work directly with companies to optimise workplace and community health programmes; Advocate for policies and initiatives that drive system-level changes; Create a hub of data and insights specific to Africa and African business; and Curate leadership events to convene and drive action around common health issues, across sectors,” he added.

The programme will kick off in Nigeria and roll out through business regions in Africa and beyond over the next three years.

Pfizer Supports Physicians’ Medical Education through GP Academy in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya Martins Ifijeh Medical skills and education of general practice physicians across Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya has been boosted through Pfizer’s General Practitioners’ (GP) programme, a corporate social responsibility medical education initiative of the pharmaceutical company tagged: Learning Exchange Advancement Programme (LEAP).

The initiative, which began three years ago, has reached an estimated 5,000 doctors, with 2,000 of them being reached in July and August 2017 alone through the use of technology.

The Marketing Director, Pfizer Essential Health, Winston Ailemoh, says the objective is two-fold: “Firstly, we want to be close to the GPs, who are the first point of call for patients, in order to get a deeper understanding of their peculiar practice-related circumstances and needs, and secondly, contribute to updating their knowledge and skills on current trends in medical practice. Of course, we believe at the end of the day, if the patients get better care, Pfizer’s mission of saving lives will be achieved. But our primary target is to improve the knowledge of the GPs and make them better in diagnosis, management of the patients and recommending what is best for the patients.”

Ailemoh, who spoke on the reasons why the company

focuses on general practice physicians said, “We have realised over time that this is one segment within the healthcare sector that had been neglected by a lot of pharmaceutical companies.

“The focus of most pharmaceutical companies is on specialists. They invest in cardiologists, oncologists, diabetologists, and many others.

But when an individual is sick, he or she usually goes to the general practice physician first.

So, our focus is on the general practitioners,” he explained.

While explaining the importance of general practitioners in the medical ecosystem, Ailemoh stated that when a patient goes to the hospital, the first doctor he/she will usually encounter is a general practice physician, who conducts initial checks and tests and makes a provisional/ preliminary diagnosis.

“The programme, which started three years ago, has engaged doctors in all the geo-political zones of each country (Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya). However, the company recently re-strategised on how to reach more doctors leveraging modern technology,” he added.

On his part, the Brand Manager, Primary Care, Pfizer, Olakunle Ogunlowo, said the programme has achieved its two critical objectives- to get closer to the GPs, and also update their knowledge with latest world class medical education.

L-R: Brand Manager, Primary Care Pfizer, Nigeria, Ghana, East Africa, Ogunlowo olakunle; Trade Marketing Lead, Pfizer Nigeria, Ghana, East Africa, Uloaku Atueyi; Brand Manager, Critical Care, Pfizer Nigeria, Ghana, East Africa, Christine Nzioka; Marketing Director, Pfizer Nigeria, Ghana,East Africa, Winston Ailemoh; and Brand Manager, Primary Care, Pfizer Nigeria, Ghana, East Africa, Isaiah Haruna, during the media briefing on General Practitioners Programme in Lagos recently

FG Partners US Depart of Defense Tope Needs N2.2m for Bladder to Launch JWARG’s Clinical Study Surgery on Severe Infectious Disease Ugo Aliogo and Augusta Akumka Nigeria’s Ministry of Defense has partnered the United States Department of Defense Walter Reed Programme to launch the Joint West Africa Research Group’s (JWARG) clinical study on severe infectious disease.

The collaboration is part of efforts at developing clinical and laboratory capacity of the Nigeria military in the area of bio-preparedness towards the containment of future disease outbreaks.

Speaking at the launch, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Defence, Amb. Danjuma Sheni, said JWARG, which was launched in June 26, 2016, was borne out of the desire to prevent the recurrence of epidemic diseases in West Africa .

She said laboratory trainings in the thematic areas of good clinical laboratory practice,

Ugo Aliogo

haematology and chemistry have been conducted at the 661 Nigeria Air Force Hospital, Ikeja, with participants drawn from Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia.

The Permanent Secretary, who was represented by Dr. Toyin Akinade noted that efforts have been made to accelerate research and development of an Ebola vaccine.

He added that JWARG study titled: ‘severe infectious Disease Surveillance and Detection in West Africa’ is set to commence in three NMOD health facilities.

In his remarks, the US Consul General, John Bray, said the JWARG is establishing a bio surveillance network across Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia, which brings the attention of the Consulate to the work the ministry is doing.

Bray stated the RV466 study accomplishes bio-surveillance, beginning with patients in two Nigerian Ministry of Defense and two civilian sites in Nigeria,

Seven years old Tope Apanisile, suffering from lower anterior abdomen wall muscular and bladder is urgently in need of N2.2m as part of the entire N4.5m needed to treat the birth defect.

The father, Wale Apanisile noted that the condition has prevented his son from urinating normally like others, stressing that the child consumes fluid than solid food, because of problem of indigestion. According to him, charitable individuals have been donating towards supporting the surgery billed to be done in India later in October.

While commending some print and electronic media outfits for their support so far, he said from the money raised they have realised N2, 326,203.75, while calling for more financial support to enable them cover the cost.

The father of the child said he

made several efforts to reach the Lagos State Government and the state Ministry of Health, but they did not come to his rescue.

“The Ministry of Health kept making me promises which they didn’t fulfill. The financial supports I have received so far are from strangers. The first bladder surgery was done in University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH) but it was not successful as expected. I really don’t know what caused the bladder issue. For me, he was born this way.

“When the condition became worse, the mother abandoned us. I feel frustrated and sad about the whole experience.

I have been living on the fortunes of friends and my family to survive. I’m calling on Nigerians to support me.”

Interested individuals willing to support should send their donations to, Apanisile Wale 0237910788, Guaranty Trust Bank, or call 08030688658.

40

T H I S D AY Ëž , Í°ÍŻËœ 2017

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Emefiele Identifies Bottlenecks to Mortgage Financing Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele has identified various bottlenecks hindering genuine investors and by extension free flow of funds into the mortgage sector. The central bank governor while delivering a keynote address at a workshop for judicial officers on mortgage, with the theme: ‘Mortgage Disputes in Nigeria: The Need for Expeditious Resolution of Case,’ in Abuja yesterday, noted that, “land tenure system as enshrined in the Land Use Act of 1978 has deterred proper development of a robust and sustainable housing sector in Nigeria.�

Emefiele also disclosed that difficulties in delivering affordable housing to low and middle income households wherein lies the greatest demand for housing as another major drawback.

Speaking further, the Governor acknowledged limited access to

housing and mortgage financing, complications in enforcing mortgage contracts and foreclosure on properties in Nigerian courts, slow bureaucratic procedures in land administration and high cost of land registration as serious impediments to adequate housing delivery in Nigeria.

He also identified high rate of population growth, high rate of rural-urban migration and exorbitant cost of construction materials as other problems militating against the robust development of housing and mortgage sectors in the country.

While advocating for more protection of property and contract rights, the Governor commended some states in the country that had undertaken reforms aimed at improving access to courts and expressed optimism that the initiatives being championed by the Nigeria Housing Finance Program (NHFP) may present viable models for tackling teething problems confronting the housing sector in the country.

However, he reiterated the need to take urgent action aimed at expediting judicial process for adjudicating on mortgages and other commercial disputes. “It is generally acknowledged that one of the modern-day determinants of development in any environment is the effective protection of property and contract rights. This in itself requires a modest legal infrastructure embedding precise rules that are easily enforceable. “I would like to commend several states of the federation that have undertaken reforms aimed at improving access to courts as well as a speedy disposal of disputes, including the reform of civil procedure rules, automation of courts, introduction of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms like mediation, conciliation and arbitration; as well as the designation of some courts in the Judicial divisions in some states as Reserve Courts for specific matters,� he added.

EmeďŹ ele

MARKET INDICATORS

Top Five Banks Account for 47% of Industry’s Impaired Credits The performance of the Nigerian banking industry is largely dependent on the macroeconomic environment, as well as the performance of the top five banks, a report has stated.

The Banking Industry report

by Agusto & Co. obtained yesterday also showed that about 47 per cent of the banking industry’s impaired loans are collectively held by the top five banks.

The top five banks in Nigeria are Zenith Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, FirstBank Nigeria Limited, United Bank for Africa Plc, and Access Bank.

According to the report, the impaired loans were mainly in the oil & gas, transport & communication sectors, accounting for 37 per cent and 11 per cent respectively of the industry’s total classified loans.

In the oil & gas space, also disclosed in the banking sector report, the top five banks accounted for 60 per cent of the loans disbursed to this sector, “which heightens concentration risks.�

A breakdown of the oil and gas sector loan disbursement showed that the top five banks

granted over 66 per cent of the banking industry’s total exposure to the upstream; 64 per cent of total exposure to the midstream and 73 per cent of the total loans granted to the downstream. “On an average, each of the top five banks have disbursed over N500 billion to the oil & gas sector. This makes them vulnerable to the financial performance of this sector which has been enfeebled by global circumstances. “Of the impaired loans to oil & gas sector (about 37%), the top five banks account for 77 per cent of these impaired loans.

These loans largely granted in foreign currencies were further exacerbated by the volatility of the domestic currency. “There have been arguments that given the sheer size of the top five banks’ loan book, they will continue to account for a sizeable chunk of the banking industry’s impaired loans especially in periods of weak macroeconomic fundamentals,� the report stated.

The top five banks also account for 57 per cent of the industry’s total assets.

The last two years saw intense

weakening of the macroeconomic fundamentals against the backdrop of lower crude oil prices – Nigeria’s major revenue source – and the unorthodox demand management in the foreign exchange market. “However we believe that these industry leaders need to strengthen risk management framework particularly in the areas of concentration risk, early warning signals and enhanced oversight governance. “The undue concentration to oil and gas could become the Achilles heel for the top five banks. Crude oil, like most other tradable commodities has boom and bust cycles which are quite difficult to predict,� the report stated.

According to Agusto & Co, to mitigate risks in the industry, Nigerian banks will need to adopt time tested values. “In December 1863, Hugh Mc Cullock, then Comptroller of the currency and later Secretary of the Treasury in the US, addressed a letter to all national banks. In the letter he said, “distribute your loans rather than concentrate them in a few hands,� the report stated.

Sterling Bank Rewards More Customers Sterling Bank Plc has rewarded 15 more of its customers that won N1million each in its ongoing savings reward promo.

The promo, which had earlier produced 29 millionaires at the first draw in July was introduced to reward loyal customers and encourage a savings culture among Nigerians.

The new winners emerged from the second draw of the promo which held recently in Lagos and brings the bank closer to its target of producing 64 new millionaires by the end of the promo in February 2018.

Apart from the 15 individual customers with a monthly balance of N25,000 each in their savings accounts who won N1 million each, 40 other customers with a weekly balance of

N10,000 in their accounts won N50,000 each while four customers won an all-expense paid trip to a country of their choices or a shopping voucher worth N1 million each.

Executive Director, Retail and Consumer Banking, Sterling Bank, Mr. Grama Narasimhan, who presented cheques to the six winners from the Lagos region at the presentation ceremony in Lagos, said Sterling Bank introduced the reward scheme to inculcate a saving culture among Nigerians.

Narasimhan explained that it was important for people to form the habit of saving in the bank so that whenever a need arises, savers could withdraw from their savings

to meet the expense and then save again for the future.

He said the bank has many products under its savings accounts and all account holders qualified for the promo.

Winners from the Lagos region included Miss Adefolaju Oluwaseuntodun from Abeokuta in Ogun State, Raheem Wahab Ishola from Nnewi Building, Apapa branch, Ikhuoma Gaius Godfrey from the Idumi branch, Ajeero Regina from Mushin branch, Osunleye Taiwo Oluwaseye from Igbosere branch and Mrs. Chinenye Osita Eze of Lekki branch of the bank.

One of the winners, Mrs. Ajeero Regina, expressed gratitude to God and Sterling Bank for the gracious bounty.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

Ě™

Ěš

DECEMBER 2016 Broad Money (M2)

23,840,392.42

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ™ĂĄ Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ ÍŻĚš

11,520,166.67

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,820,415.90

---- Demand Deposits

9,699,750.76

-- Quasi Money

12,320,225.75

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,353,504.03

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

14,486,888.39

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ăž Ù×Ă?Ă?ÞÓĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž Ě™ Ěš

26,970,297.97

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ě™ Ă?Þ̚

4,595,579.89

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ă—Ă™Ë? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ Ùà Þ˛ Ě™ Ă?Þ̚ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?

7,436,917.79

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ă—Ă™Ë? Ă?ĂŽË› Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂœĂœĂ™Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ě™ Ěš

-2,841,337.90

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ ĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ě™ Ěš

22,374,718.08

--Other Assets Net

-12,483,409.58

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,837,322.41

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜

2,179,174.28

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?Ă?

3,318,344.71 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

MANAGED FUNDS Month

December 2016

Inter-Bank Call Rate

10.39

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.96

Savings Deposit Rate

4.18

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.53

3 Months Deposit Rate

8.80

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.23

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.76

Prime Lending rate

17.09

Maximum Lending Rate

28.55 Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, TUE, 19 SEPT 2017 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $53.81 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $53.78 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

41

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

20-Sep-17

19-Sep-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld

Price/ Book Value

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

01 Dangote Cement Plc

213.39

205.80

3.69%

3,636,273,875,152.95

13.34

15.95

4.93

3.76%

4.40

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

168.00

167.99

0.01%

1,332,088,949,184.00

3.58

51.23

4.64

1.96%

8.77

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

38.70

38.54

0.42%

1,138,986,635,968.80

4.49

8.79

2.78

4.48%

2.16

1,225.01

1,228.90

-0.32%

971,011,835,262.52

10.00

122.02

5.32

2.38%

31.32

05 Zenith Bank Plc

22.08

22.00

0.36%

693,234,582,794.88

4.13

5.52

1.41

7.89%

1.02

06 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

39.50

40.00

-1.25%

395,000,000,000.00

2.85

14.20

2.59

0.25%

2.88

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

8.50

8.75

-2.86%

308,375,973,737.00

1.99

4.81

0.91

6.26%

0.78

09 Access Bank Plc

9.73

9.72

0.10%

281,469,163,969.63

13.18

0.76

0.76

5.50%

0.64

450.00

450.00

0.00%

248,989,640,850.00 -82.02

-5.88

4.21

3.30%

0.71

11 Presco Plc

58.00

58.00

0.00%

230,287,668,610.00

0.03 2,338.93

3.81

1.90%

6.49

12 Lafarge Africa Plc

49.10

48.54

1.15%

223,645,678,871.00

3.71

15.36

1.18

5.26%

1.04

Table 4 Top 5 Losers

13 FBN Holdings Plc

5.15

5.14

0.19%

184,860,757,878.80

0.16

35.99

0.35

2.55%

0.35

Stock

14 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

13.77

13.71

0.44%

165,240,000,000.00

2.01

6.92

0.77

3.60%

2.19

15 Unilever Nigeria Plc

42.00

42.00

0.00%

158,898,442,500.00

0.81

49.26

2.17

0.13%

12.95

16 Guinness Nig Plc

96.80

96.80

0.00%

145,769,976,598.40

-3.06

-25.17

1.12

4.16%

2.94

17 International Breweries Plc

38.95

38.95

0.00%

128,311,009,456.00

0.02 1,642.11

4.58

0.68%

11.11

231.00

223.10

3.54%

78,429,544,347.00

43.58

5.43

0.28

5.92%

3.41

5.90

5.65

4.42%

71,004,251,474.60

0.29

23.59

0.18

10.95%

0.43

20 Flour Mills Nig. Plc

27.00

27.00

0.00%

70,854,404,049.00

3.71

7.82

0.14

6.90%

0.72

21 Forte Oil Plc.

49.90

47.90

4.18%

64,993,807,039.70

3.66

13.66

0.50

6.90%

1.38

22 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

66.50

66.50

0.00%

63,435,015,000.00

5.15

12.75

4.36

0.15%

3.68

170.00

170.00

0.00%

61,301,194,540.00

22.61

7.69

0.67

4.14%

2.92

90.00

85.82

4.87%

57,653,132,670.00 -21.86

-4.21

0.52

2.39%

5.47

1.16

1.21

-4.13%

44,916,357,013.00

-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

1.33

1.31

1.53%

38,520,238,970.36

0.39

3.54

0.26

11.68%

0.21

28 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

12.35

13.00

-5.00%

32,720,563,968.30

0.91

14.26

1.88

4.23%

4.28

29 U A C N Plc

15.00

15.00

0.00%

28,812,965,805.00

3.37

4.44

0.38

6.68%

0.38

0.95

0.99

-4.04%

27,350,897,219.70

0.18

5.86

0.27

8.57%

0.35

21.40

21.40

0.00%

25,591,756,843.20

3.02

6.95

1.67

1.43%

1.50

1.10

1.13

-2.65%

25,476,427,864.80

-0.29

-4.02

0.13

0.00%

0.12

33 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

24.00

24.00

0.00%

24,000,000,000.00

5.69

4.73

1.87

0.37%

0.72

34 Cap Plc

33.00

33.00

0.00%

23,100,000,000.00

2.17

15.89

3.54

3.33%

16.77

3.60

3.60

0.00%

21,174,711,102.00

1.06

3.35

0.51

3.93%

0.64

11.00

11.00

0.00%

20,660,222,440.00

-0.64

-18.74

0.70

10.77%

2.15

37 FCMB Group Plc

1.02

1.03

-0.97%

20,198,764,996.62

0.09

13.13

0.13

8.93%

0.12

38 Mansard Insurance Plc

1.90

1.99

-4.52%

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 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.50

1.43

4.90%

15,559,116,468.00

0.30

4.51

0.54

8.96%

0.69

41 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

1.90

1.90

0.00%

15,067,375,550.20

-0.40

-5.19

0.35

7.62%

0.50

42 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

8.80

8.80

0.00%

11,058,764,340.80

1.29

6.96

0.70

1.11%

0.90

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.53

0.51

3.92%

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

0.52

0.53

-1.89%

6,078,455,729.84

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 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

3.00

3.05

-1.64%

5,156,249,985.00

-0.90

-3.23

0.79

24.05%

0.15

48 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.00

3.00

0.00%

4,872,656,250.00

0.36

9.51

0.69

5.88%

0.85

49 Fidson Healthcare Plc

2.98

2.97

0.34%

4,470,000,000.00

0.50

6.46

0.41

1.56%

0.69

50 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.56

0.58

-3.45%

3,880,914,508.80

1.48

0.38

0.14

8.93%

0.45

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

10 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd

18 Total Nigeria Plc 19 Oando Plc

23 Mobil Oil Nig Plc 24 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc 25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc 26 Julius Berger Nig. Plc 27 Fidelity Bank Plc

30 Sterling Bank Plc 31 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc 32 Diamond Bank Plc

35 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc 36 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

TOTAL

11,538,772,328,995.70

TOTAL MARKET CAP

12,136,923,651,770.30

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

95.07%

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

Open 19-Sep-17

Close 20-Sep-17

Change %

34,846.82 12.01

35,207.89 12.14

1.04% 1.04%

146.54 11.41

148.19 11.54

1.13% 1.13%

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers Stock

Open Close Change % 19-Sep-17 20-Sep-17

Continental Reinsurance Plc 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc Oando Plc Forte Oil Plc. Skye Bank Plc

1.43 85.82 5.65 47.90 0.51

1.50 90.00 5.90 49.90 0.53

4.90% 4.87% 4.42% 4.18% 3.92%

Open Close Change % 19-Sep-17 20-Sep-17

National Salt Co. Nig. Plc Mansard Insurance Plc Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc Sterling Bank Plc AIICO Insurance Plc

13.00 1.99 1.21

12.35 1.90 1.16

-5.00% -4.52% -4.13%

0.99 0.58

0.95 0.56

-4.04% -3.45%

NSE All Share Index halts losing streak with 1.04% appreciation Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today - Wednesday, September 20th, 2017 ended positive as the market closed green. This was further highlighted by positive performance from the NSE Subsectors: Oil & Gas (Save Banking, Insurance and Consumer Goods). However, trading activities decreased in volume as 137.35 million shares worth N1.13 billion in 2,977 deals exchanged hands today. This is a decrease from the 174.66 million shares worth N2.83 billion in 3,783 trades were carried out on Tuesday. Topping in volume terms are: Meyer Plc, Access Bank and Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc; while Nestle Nigeria Plc and Access Bank Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 1.04% (+361.07) increase to close at 35,207.89 from 34,846.82 the previous trading day. Market capitalization appreciated in tandem to N12.14 trillion from N12.01 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index closes with an increase of 1.13% to 148.19 from 146.54 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N11.54 trillion from N11.41 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 19 stocks gained on the bourse today while 20 stocks declined, leaving 66 stocks unchanged.

Leading the pack again was May & Baker Plc led with a gain of 4.92% to close at N2.77 per share. It was followed by Continental Reinsurance Plc with a gain of 4.90% to close at N1.50 per share. Others on the gainers’ list include: 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc, Linkage Assurance Plc, and Oando Plc. On the decliners’ list, NPF Microfinance Bank Plc led with a loss of 5.17% to close at N1.10 per share. It was followed

by National Salt Co. Nig. Plc with a loss of 5.00% to close at N12.35 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and Mansard Insurance Plc. Continental Reinsurance Plc emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 4.90% to close at N1.50 per share. It was followed by 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc with a gain of 4.90% to close at N90.00 per share. Others on the gainers chart include: Oando Plc, Forte Oil Plc and Skye Bank Plc. On the decliners’ list, National Salt Co. Nig. Plc led with a loss of 5.00% to close at N12.35 per share. It was closely followed by Mansard Insurance Plc with a loss of 4.52% to close at N1.90 per share. Others on the decliners’ list are: Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and AIICO Insurance 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 ˾ , SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

MARKET NEWS

NSE Partners Ciuci Consulting to Encourage SMEs Listing Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), and Ciuci Consulting, a strategy and consumer intelligence will next Tuesday launch the Nigeria Business Composite 10 (NiBC 10) Lagos Nigeria.

The NIBC 10 is a selection of 10 successful Nigerian enterprises, who have exhibited

high potentials for growth and have over the years maintained a brilliant track record.

This benchmark event is aimed at recognising and celebrating these companies whilst inspiring confidence in the Nigerian society and its potential to produce thriving businesses.

Speaking on the initiative, the acting Head, Corporate Services, NSE, Pai Gamde

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

said: “We are delighted to partner with Ciuci Consulting on the NiBC 10 initiative. It aligns with our commitment to promoting and supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, by providing a framework that can help mentor SMEs in the country. At the NSE, we have a strong support system for such companies as our ASEM board provides them a platform for growth

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

STO C K

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Daily Summary as of 22/02/2016 Printed 22/02/2016 14:36:10.010

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals AGRICULTURE Totals CONGLOMERATES Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables VITAFOAM NIG PLC. Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Micro-Finance Banks NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC Micro-Finance Banks Totals Other Financial Institutions AFRICA PRUDENTIAL REGISTRARS PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC

6 6 12

30.00 34.00

19 19 31

and expansion. A platform we hope these companies will leverage in the coming months.”

Speaking in the same vein, the Managing Partner, Ciuci Consulting , Chukwuka Monye said: Nigerian entrepreneurs need to see examples of business men and women that are working hard and creating successful businesses in the same environment that many fear to

12,629 11,640 24,269

374,530.15 421,345.20 795,875.35

1.25

1,078,511 1,078,511 1,102,780

1,358,964.30 1,358,964.30 2,154,839.65

5 68 13 86 86

0.77 1.13 20.47

33,500 6,740,423 65,995 6,839,918 6,839,918

25,070.00 7,635,453.96 1,344,425.15 9,004,949.11 9,004,949.11

13 13

41.50

31,970 31,970

1,409,214.78 1,409,214.78

5 5 18

5.20

28,901 28,901 60,871

154,716.48 154,716.48 1,563,931.26

6 24 7 98 135

2.85 118.85 20.00 99.00

190,900 53,000 15,200 429,541 688,641

528,079.00 6,201,924.95 293,757.00 42,728,789.84 49,752,550.79

9 9

168.50

166,476 166,476

28,285,937.95 28,285,937.95

54 38 6 12 1 29 140

5.61 19.00 1.37 6.86 6.65 1.27

2,120,306 314,421 40,000 119,863 433 3,285,739,119 3,288,334,142

11,610,520.13 5,953,792.96 55,716.00 842,442.48 2,736.56 4,074,348,894.07 4,092,814,102.20

11 54 65

17.86 700.00

18,825 98,360 117,185

329,518.50 68,567,962.00 68,897,480.50

11 11

4.46

99,050 99,050

420,455.00 420,455.00

13 21 34 394

21.90 28.00

36,887 133,117 170,004 3,289,575,498

820,034.75 3,737,067.92 4,557,102.67 4,244,727,629.11

82 51 21 25 200 41 16 147 11 15 67 676

4.10 1.49 15.60 1.21 16.70 1.07 1.76 2.95 5.30 0.63 0.98

3,962,506 2,163,396 278,470 790,900 4,847,312 1,969,858 1,204,932 8,586,418 39,752 501,617 5,920,564 30,265,725

16,210,255.82 3,314,106.88 4,136,459.40 958,864.34 80,963,793.44 2,115,552.11 2,087,767.85 25,302,954.71 205,645.40 316,018.71 5,813,502.17 141,424,920.83

14 8 2 3 7 10 1 1 46

0.80 0.90 0.50 0.50 2.06 0.76 0.50 0.50

200,107 276,500 5,004,000 1,000,000 351,540 327,285 37,708,135 10 44,867,577

160,838.67 251,350.00 2,502,000.00 500,000.00 720,728.80 245,325.31 18,854,067.50 5.00 23,234,315.28

1 1

1.08

4,760 4,760

4,950.40 4,950.40

31 7 105 7 20 170 893

2.46 4.00 0.85 14.15 1.31

1,149,464 27,041 31,257,120 38,035 708,255 33,179,915 108,317,977

2,830,722.84 104,002.06 26,613,309.20 537,985.34 931,556.31 31,017,575.75 195,681,762.26

27

2.69

614,065

1,572,223.05

explore. We have worked with each of the 10 companies who are at different growth stages and are pleased to recognise them and encourage them for what they do.”

The launch of the NiBC 10 will bring together top Nigerian CEOs and captains of industry. Companies included in the NiBC 10 are House of Tara, Bestman Games, Iya Foods, L’Avyanna, Everyday

Supermarkets, DBH Solutions, Ugo Monye Official, Healthcare Leadership Academy, Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria and Massey Street Children’s Hospital.”

Meanwhile, the equities market bounced back to positive territory after two days of losses with the NSE All-Share Index appreciating 1.04 per cent to close at 35,207.89.

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals ASeM Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals PREMIUM Board Totals Equity Activity Totals

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32 4 6 69 69

25.33 0.94 0.69

551,998 16,020 597,000 1,779,083 1,779,083

13,903,164.18 15,299.40 412,110.00 15,902,796.63 15,902,796.63

1 1 1

1.69

500 500 500

805.00 805.00 805.00

16 9 4 6 10 31 76

24.00 9.30 35.78 8.62 3.36 80.50

110,727 40,229 26,700 142,300 299,900 14,373,223 14,993,079

2,707,053.97 362,501.29 992,680.00 1,227,076.00 966,480.00 1,157,057,077.16 1,163,312,868.42

6 6

1.51

134,500 134,500

204,240.00 204,240.00

5 5 87

50.00

24,529 24,529 15,152,108

1,165,135.50 1,165,135.50 1,164,682,243.92

2 2

0.50

24,262 24,262

12,131.00 12,131.00

90 90

3.47

3,827,573 3,827,573

13,288,632.05 13,288,632.05

21 7 8 21 7 64

18.34 1.84 342.00 150.00 145.00

81,125 100,300 20,300 16,295 13,699 231,719

1,505,034.50 182,832.00 6,595,470.00 2,396,080.60 1,959,692.96 12,639,110.06

33 33 189

318.00

389,934 389,934 4,473,488

124,037,602.56 124,037,602.56 149,977,475.67

1 1

0.50

941 941

470.50 470.50

5 5

3.80

32,870 32,870

127,756.40 127,756.40

13 13

0.89

624,500 624,500

538,430.00 538,430.00

1 22 23

2.29 4.00

4,588 251,094 255,682

10,001.84 1,001,583.80 1,011,585.64

1 1 43 1,811

1.68

10,000 10,000 923,993 3,428,226,216

16,000.00 16,000.00 1,694,242.54 5,785,390,675.15

2 2 2 2

1.21

270,464 270,464 270,464 270,464

327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44

306 306

11.45

13,929,679 13,929,679

159,605,439.23 159,605,439.23

278 278 584

3.74

10,438,552 10,438,552 24,368,231

39,515,087.18 39,515,087.18 199,120,526.41

35 35 35 619 2,432

139.83

38,770 38,770 38,770 24,407,001 3,452,903,681

5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 204,425,192.41 5,990,143,129.00

2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10

2,330.00 2.33 6.02 11.09 18.07

3,000 20 20 20 15 3,075 3,075 3,075

6,986,000.00 46.70 120.20 221.80 270.65 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETF Board Totals ETP Activity Totals

43

˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Union Bank N50bn Rights Issue Opens at N4.10 Per Share The Rights Issue of 12.1 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each being offered by Union Bank of Nigeria Plc to existing shareholders at N4.10 opened yesterday. The shares are being offered on the basis of five new shares for every seven shares held.

Considering the closing price of the equity of N6.00, existing shareholders are buying the offer at a discount of N1.90 per share. According to the management of Union Bank, the proceeds of the

rights issue will enhance the bank’s capital base and better position it to deliver stronger and sustained shareholder returns.

The bank last kicked off a road show to sensitise shareholders. Speaking on the offer, Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank , Emeka Emuwa, said: “With the commencement of the Rights Issue subscription, we have now officially entered a new phase of our transformation where we will be focused on

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

accelerating business growth to deliver on our objective of becoming one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions.”

Union Bank announced earlier this month that the Bank had received all necessary regulatory approvals from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to launch the Rights Issue.

According to Emuwa, the capital raised from the rights issue will

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 19-September-2017, unless otherwise stated.

support our strategy to accelerate business growth and position Union Bank as a leading commercial bank in Nigeria.”

Chapel Hill Advisory Partners Limited is lead issuing house, while FSDH Merchant Bank Limited and Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited are joint issuing houses.

Already, market operators said the fund would boost Union Bank’s performance and deliver

good returns to shareholders going forward. The bank recorded improved results for the half year (H1) ended June 30, 2017. Union Bank recorded gross earnings of N73.7 billion, showing a growth of 23 per cent from N60 billion in the corresponding period of 2016. Interest income was boosted by naira devaluation-fueled foreign currency loan book to hit N58.3 billion, up from N44.3 billion. Customer deposits

rose 15 per cent due to growing confidence in the bank to hit N759 billion as at June 30, up from N658 billion as December 31, 2016.

Impairment charge fell by 39 per cent from N8.8 billion to N5.4 billion.

Profit before tax stood at N9.5 billion, showing a growth of seven per cent compared with N8.9 billion in 2016, while profit after tax rose by five per cent from N8.8 billion to N9.2 billion.

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 168.46 169.14 32.65% Nigeria International Debt Fund 231.73 232.51 9.58% 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 0.79 0.80 13.41% 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 18.73% 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 16.54 17.04 33.97% ARM Discovery Fund 352.59 363.22 22.78% ARM Ethical Fund 25.21 25.97 12.84% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.29% 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 139.84 140.83 32.96% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.80% 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 1,132.20 1,133.33 11.61% FBN Heritage Fund 140.03 141.26 25.62% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.44% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $110.80 $111.82 7.75% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $110.14 $111.17 7.86% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 148.05 150.20 31.49% 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 1.30 1.33 39.89% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.87 2.87 11.73% 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 2,816.55 2,858.95 28.18% Coral Income Fund 2,360.66 2,360.66 13.29% 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 15.75% 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 2.02 2.05 20.44% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.06%

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 13.41% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,041.97 1,041.97 8.36% 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 12.26 12.36 26.82% 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 1.17 1.19 17.74% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.78 10.85 3.78% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.44% 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 119.89 122.00 18.31% 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 1.37 1.37 10.19% 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 2,131.95 2,143.56 16.42% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 164.76 164.76 7.01% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.93 0.94 21.43% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 209.84 209.84 12.28% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 164.40 166.48 26.61% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.61% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,100.54 9,199.42 19.96% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.30 1.31 16.33% United Capital Bond Fund 1.41 1.41 15.19% United Capital Equity Fund 0.83 0.85 24.04% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.43% 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 12.20 12.38 25.61% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.91 13.04 17.88% Zenith Income Fund 18.46 18.46 11.68%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 130.37

1.01% 5.16%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.42 101.07

10.52 102.97

20.84% 33.38%

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

4.28 9.25 16.23 19.10 132.23

4.32 9.33 16.33 19.30 134.23

54.64% 31.40% 37.34% 19.63% 4.47%

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 21, 2017

T H I S D AY THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

45

46

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Trump Lauds African Leaders for Number of His Friends Heading to Continent for Investment Opportunities United States President, Mr. Donald Trump has congratulated the leaders of several African nations at the United Nations for the fact that “so many” of his friends are going to their countries “trying to get rich.”

“Africa has tremendous business potential. I have so many friends going to your countries trying to get rich.

I congratulate you. They’re spending a lot of money. It does have that tremendous business potential and representing huge amounts of different markets and for American firms it’s really become a place that they have to go, that they want to go,”

Trump told the leaders, noting that “six of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies are in Africa.”

In the past, Trump has criticised the UN but on Thursday he noted its “great, great potential” and specifically praised the organisation’s “invaluable contributions in stabilising conflicts in Africa.”

Trump’s address was made during a working luncheon on US-African affairs which Trump’s national security adviser H.R. McMaster said was organized to discuss how the U.S. can “help African nations develop their economies, ad-

Catalonia Referendum: Spain Steps up Raids to Halt Vote Spain’s Guardia Civil police have detained 14 Catalan officials and raided regional government ministries involved in organising a banned independence vote.

Tensions were already high before Josep Maria Jové, number two in the Catalan vice-presidency, and others were held.

Thousands of Catalans took to the streets in protest and the

regional leader complained of a power grab.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the state had been forced to act.

Catalonia’s separatist government is defying a Constitutional Court order to halt the planned 1 October vote, which has been condemned by the Madrid government as illegal.

dress urgent challenges, and strengthen security relationships and economic relationships between our nations.”

In addition to his economic remarks, Trump also spoke about how the US and African

nations must partner together on counterterrorism efforts.

“Too many people are suffering from conflict in Africa, in the central African republic, the Congo, Libya, Mali, Somalia and South Sudan

among others,” Trump said.

“They’re going through some very very tough and some very dangerous times…

The US is proud to work with you to eradicate terrorist safe havens, to cut off their

finances, and to discredit their depraved ideology. And number of you have told me actually last night that we’ve been doing a very good job over the last six or seven month in particular.”

Mexicans Dig Through Collapsed Buildings As Quake Kills 225 Rescuers said Wednesday they have found a surviving child in the ruins of a school that collapsed in Mexico’s magnitude 7.1 earthquake, one of many efforts across the city to save people trapped in under schools, homes and businesses toppled by a quake that killed at least 225 people.

Helmeted workers worked at the debris, sometimes calling for silence, as they tried to reach the girl at the Enrique Rebsamen school in southern Mexico City.

Foro TV reported that rescuers spotted the child and shouted to her to move her hand if she could hear them, and she did. A search dog subsequently entered the wreckage and confirmed she was alive.

Tuesday’s magnitude-7.1 quake struck on the 32nd anniversary of the 1985 earthquake that killed thousands. Just hours before it hit, people around Mexico had held earthquake drills to mark the date.

One of the most desperate rescue efforts was at the Rebsamen primary and secondary school, where a wing of the three-story building collapsed into a massive pancake of concrete slabs. Journalists saw rescuers pull at least two small bodies from the rubble, covered in sheets.

Volunteer rescue worker Dr. Pedro Serrano managed to crawl into the crevices of the tottering pile of rubble that had been Escuela Enrique Rebsamen. He made it into a classroom, but found all of its occupants dead.

“We saw some chairs and wooden tables. The next thing we saw was a leg, and then we started to move rubble and we found a girl and two adults — a woman and a man,” he said.

“We can hear small noises, but we don’t know if they’re coming from above or below, from the walls above (crumbling), or someone below calling for help.”

A mix of neighborhood

volunteers, police and firefighters used trained dogs and their bare hands to search through the school’s ruins. The crowd of anxious parents outside the gates shared reports that two families had received WhatsApp messages from girls trapped inside, but that could not be confirmed.

Rescuers broughtinwoodenbeams to shore up the fallen concrete slabs so they wouldn’t collapse further and crush whatever airspaces remained.

The federal Education Department reported late Tuesday that 25 bodies had been recovered from the school’s wreckage, all but four of them children. It was not clear whether those deaths were included in the overall death toll of 225 reported by the federal civil defense agency.

Pena Nieto had earlier reported 22 bodies found and said 30 children and eight adults were reported missing.

In a video message released late Tuesday, Pena Nieto urged people to be calm and said authorities

were moving to provide help as 40 percent of Mexico City and 60 percent of nearby Morelos state were without power. But, he said, “the priority at this moment is to keep rescuing people who are still trapped and to give medical attention to the injured people.”

People across central Mexico already had rallied to help their neighbors as dozens of buildings tumbled into mounds of broken concrete. Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said buildings fell at 44 sites in the capital alone as high-rises across the city swayed and twisted and hundreds of thousands of panicked people ran into the streets.

The huge volunteer effort included people from all walks of life in Mexico City, where social classes seldom mix. Doctors, dentists and lawyers lined up alongside with construction workers and street sweepers, handing buckets of debris or chunks of concrete hand-to-hand down the line.

47

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

At $56 Per Barrel, Crude Oil Set for Highest Gain Since 2004 Ejiofor Alike åÓÞÒ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?

Crude oil headed for its largest third-quarter gain in 13 years as prices rose yesterday after the Iraqi oil minister said the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its partners are considering extending or deepening output cuts aimed at reducing a global supply glut.

Crude oil prices advanced to the highest level in months as expectations that OPEC will decide to extend its productioncut deal outweighed pressure from a third-straight weekly jump in the United States crude oil supplies and a hefty rise in production.

US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate crude oil, which expires at the day’s settlement, rose by 1.8 per cent, to $50.35 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, headed for its highest settlement since late May. November Brent crude, the global benchmark, advanced $1.05, or 1.9 per cent, to $56.19 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange, set for the highest finish since mid-April.

Reuters reported that Brent was on course for a rise of

nearly 16 per cent this quarter, which would make this year’s performance the strongest for the third quarter since 2004.

OPEC and other producers are considering a range of options, including an extension of cuts, but it is premature to decide on what to do beyond the agreement’s expiry date in March, Iraqi oil minister, Jabar al-Luaibi, told an energy conference last Tuesday.

OPEC and non-OPEC producers including Russia have agreed to reduce output by about 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) until March to reduce global oil inventories and support prices.

Some producers think the pact should be extended for three or four months, others want it to run until the end of 2018, while some, including Ecuador and Iraq, think there should be another round of supply cuts, al-Luaibi said.

A report from US Energy Information Administration yesterday showed that domestic crude oil supplies climbed by 4.6 million barrels for the week ended September 15.

That is above the forecast for a rise of 2.4 million barrels by analysts surveyed by S&P Global Platts. .

Borno APC Group Rejects Modu Sheriff’s  Move to Return to Party

The EIA also said total domestic crude oil output rose by 157,000 barrels a day to 9.510 million barrels a day.

Gasoline stockpiles were down 2.1 million barrels for the week, while distillate stockpiles fell to 5.7 million

barrels, according to the EIA. The S&P Global Platts survey forecasts a fall of 800,000 barrels for gasoline and a 1 millionbarrel draw for distillates.

Traders have also been eyeing comments from major oil producers as OPEC and non-OPEC participants in

the output cut deal are set to meet in Vienna next Friday to review compliance with the agreement.

OPEC and 10 producers outside the cartel, including Russia, agreed late last year to cap production at around 1.8 million barrels a day lower

than peak October 2016 levels to help alleviate a global glut of supplies.

The deal was extended in May through March 2018, but has been hindered by both a lack of compliance by some signatories and steady US shale output.

CABINET MEMBERS

L–R: Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; Minister of Power, Work and Housing , Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; and Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun at the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja ...yesterday

Ë›

EFCC Commends CJN over Anti-corruption Courts

Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

town, and register with his ward chairman.

A group known as Borno State The statement reads: “If the All Progressives Congress (APC) speculation is true that Sheriff Coalition has dismissed move has indeed eaten the humble by some unknown members to pie and with his tail between seek the return of the former his legs, and wants to return to Governor of the state, Senator the APC, he should go to his Modu Sheriff, to the party.

Ngala, his town, and register Sheriff, a former member of with his ward chairman. If APC who until recently was Sheriff does not have the details the National Chairman of the of the ward chairman, we will opposition Peoples Democratic gladly supply him.

Party (PDP), was said to have  “Firstly, we wish to state been approached by some APC that we are not aware of any stakeholders in the state to rejoin call or move by any person or their fold. group for the return of Sheriff However, the Borno APC to the APC.  As committed coalition said yesterday that members and stakeholders there is no truth in the report, of the APC in all the 27 local adding that the party is not governments area of the state, aware of any such move by we would have been aware of any person or group for the any sincere move or effort for return of Sheriff to the APC. the return of Sheriff to our Party, In a statement jointly issued which he defected from at its on Wednesday in Abuja by greatest moment of need – just the chairman of the Coalition, before the 2015 general elections.

Maina Bashir and Secretary, “Secondly, the state chapter Abdullahi Mala, the party of the APC is currently at peace, stakeholders said that they with no crisis whatsoever. This tired of is because of the excellent ‘Abuja politicians’ with no leadership provided by the substance at home in our party. Governor of the State, Kashim “We have been alerted to a Shettima, which has allowed the story published in the media party to blossom. We are wary yesterday, with the title: ‘APC of anyone joining the party, who Members Woo Sen Ali Modu is likely to change this situation Sheriff.’ The crux of the story for the worse. is that some unknown and “Thirdly, while we may have unidentified members of our no objection to Sheriff or any great party seek the return of other person for that matter Sheriff, who until recently, was joining our party, we wish to the factional chairman of the state clearly that every returnee opposition Peoples Democratic or potential new member must Party (PDP),� said the group. join from his or her ward. We They however said if Sheriff do not want ‘Abuja politicians’ wants to return to APC, he with no substance at home in should go to Ngala, his home our party�.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has described as a welcome development, the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, to heads of divisions of courts to establish Special Anti Corruption Courts across the country.

The commission described the development as a right step in the right direction, with the potentials of curtailing the unnecessary delays in the prosecution of corruption cases.

While applauding the initiative, the acting Chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu expressed the optimism that the innovation will strengthen the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria. “The spate of frivolous and unwarranted adjournments at the instances of the defence for the purpose of stalling proceedings is over. With Special Courts, cases stand great chance of being disposed of quickly. We had clamoured for the creation

of special or dedicated courts for over six years . So, the action of the CJN is commendable,�

Magu said.

The CJN announced the creation of Special Court for corruption cases on September 18, 2017 at the special session of the Supreme Court where 29 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) were admitted to the inner bar.

In order for the National Judicial Council (NJC) to

monitor and effectively enforce the foregoing Policy, the CJN disclosed that an Anti-Corruption Cases Trial Monitoring Committee will be constituted at the next Council meeting.

The CJN has also directed Heads of Courts to clamp down on both Prosecution and Defence Counsel who indulge in the unethical practice of deploying delay tactics to stall criminal trials.

NNPC Begins Prospecting for Hydrocarbon in Sokoto Basin Mohammed AminuĂ“Ă˜ ÙÕÙÞÙ The Nigeria National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) has said it has started the process that will lead to the exploration of oil and gas in the Sokoto Basin.

NNPC Group Managing Director, Maikanti Kachalla Baru, stated this when he received the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who paid a working visit to the NNPC Towers in Abuja. “We have been on the issue of exploration in the frontier basins and so far, some measures of steps have been taken. We have already purchased aeromagnetic data and its being interpreted to determine the sedimentary thickness and the basin configuration.

“Secondly, we have awarded a contract for the geological mapping of the basin and I am happy to state here that outcop samples have been collected, mapped, analysed and geological modeling executed so as to ensure data integration,� the GMD stated.

He added that discussions are ongoing with Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) to award contract for surface geochemistry, ground gravity and magnetics. This, according to him, is necessary to determine if hydrocarbon was generated in the basins and importantly, to integrate all date for understanding of petroleum systems of the basins.

Baru said the NNPC would also carry out high resolution regional 2D seismic data acquisition to identify leads

and prospects, after which a 3D seismic data acquisition will be carried out over leads and prospects. “After all these are carried out, we will then begin to drill for oil and gas in the basin,� he added.

While commending Tambuwal for the visit, Baro assured that the cooperation is giving the required attention to renewable energy and inland basins in order to create a prosperous future for the entity.

Earlier in his remarks, Tambuwal said various studies had been carried out by the government on the Sokoto Basins, the result of which would be made available to the NNPC to aid its efforts.

He said the state government, in collaboration with the Usman Danfodio University, would organise a national conference

on the Sokoto Basin in October where international scholars would make presentations on the topic. “We are inviting you and the NNPC to take part in this important conference because we believe it will add value in our search for hydrocarbon in the Sokoto Basin,� he added. The governor said historical records indicated that the presence of hydrocarbon in the Sokoto Basin has been a subject of interest to geologists for long, a situation that made oil giant, Elf, to consider preliminary exploration activities beginning from the 50s.

He said Sokoto State Government would welcome the start of activities and will support any effort that would lead to positive result. Â

48

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

FG Approves N450bn for Payment of Ex-Staff of Nigeria Airways Lagos airport certified by ICAO, NIMET by ISO Omololu Ogunmade ÓØ ÌßÔË

of N450 billion by President Muhammadu Buhari, the The federal government has Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi approved N450 billion for the Adeosun, had been instructed payment of gratuities and other to put the machinery in place retirement benefits to the former for payment of the ex-staff of staff of defunct Nigeria Airways. Nigeria Airways.

The government also According to him, the announced the certification ministry has consequently begun of the Murtala Muhammed to put modalities in place for International Airport, Lagos by the payment of the retirees, the International Civil Aviation regretting that some of them Organisation (ICAO). had lost their lives in course With the development, the of 20 years of waiting for the Lagos airport became the first payment. airport to be certified in Nigeria On the airport certification,

by ICAO. Sirika said for the first time in Making these disclosures the history of aviation in Nigeria, while briefing State House the Lagos airport had been correspondents at the end of certified in accordance with the the weekly Federal Executive laid down procedure of ICAO Council (FEC) meeting presided that airport must attain certain over by Vice-President Yemi standards of operation within the Osinbajo in the Presidential scope of international aviation Villa, the Minister of State for safety system.

Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, He expressed optimism that said following the approval before the end of the year,

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, would also be certified.

Sirika also disclosed that Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET) was also certified by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) for conforming with ISO standard of 2015, disclosing that only NIMET was so certified among all meteorological agencies in Africa.

He added that ICAO had designated Nigeria as the host of an international conference on aviation taking off on November 20, this year, with the theme: “Financing Aviation

Infrastructure.” He said the conference would be attended by 48 aviation ministers across the globe.

On the rejection of the planned concession of the Lagos and Abuja airports by the staff of the airports, Sirika said they had the right to protest the plan, pointing out that their protest was driven by the fear of job losses which he said would be adequately addressed.

According to him, the concession had become imminent in view of the high cost of running airports which he said the government could not sustain.

In his own briefing, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Dr. Chris Nigige said whereas the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) had called off the strikes that they embarked upon, the government was also making concerted efforts to ensure that the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) called off their strikes yesterday.

He also said following collective efforts of government

officials, oil workers and the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) and other unions threatening to go on strike had suspended the move.

In his own briefing, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, said whereas there has not been any case of polio in the country since 2016, 51 cases of death had been recorded from cholera outbreak in the North, adding there are other 2,719 cases being treated.

He said cholera vaccines were being distributed in affected areas in the North.

Python Dance: Low Turn out Mars Military Medical Outreach in Ebonyi Benjamin Nworie ÓØ ÌËÕËÖÓÕÓ

at meeting the health needs of Ebonyi people.

Following the clampdown and He praised the military for alleged killing of members of protecting the territorial integrity the Indigenous People of Biafra of the country and pledged (IPOB) in Abia State, the free that the state would continue medical outreach launched to support the military for the by the military in Abakaliki sustainability of peace and unity witnessed abysmal low turn out of the nation. of people who were supposed In his remarks, the Chairman to come for medical attention. of Abakaliki Local Government THISDAY gathered that Area of the state, Hon. Emmanuel seven communities of Abakaliki Nwangele, who expressed Local Government Area of the astonishment at the gesture state but only those within of the military noted that he Nkwagu Military Cantonment would use his office to further attended the exercise as the low disseminate and create awareness turnout was blamed on the about the free medical care so recent clampdown and alleged that communities within the killing of IPOB members by the local government area would military in Abia State. immediately join the exercise.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. “We thank the military for General Tukur Buratai, who initiating the programme. People stated that the exercise was least expected the military to be meant to foster military-civil passionate as the people were relationship within the zone, sceptical that the military is for thanked the Ebonyi State us. I will go to the communities, government for its reception market places among others to and hospitality throughout his tell our people to rush down here stay in the state. that there is goodies for them.

Governor David Umahi Everything is free of charge. of Ebonyi State who was “People are afraid following represented by his Deputy, what is happening in the society.

Dr. Kelechi Igwe, thanked the They have never seen the army military for its initiative aimed carrying out such gesture.”

SERAP to visit Saraki over Lawmakers’‘N3bn Yearly Pay’ Representatives from Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) will today visit the National Assembly to meet with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, in order to discuss issues relating to details of annual salaries and allowances of lawmakers.

SERAP Deputy Director, Timothy Adewale, said: “We are pleased to accept the invitation from the Senate president to visit the National

Assembly to discuss matters of public interest following SERAP’s letter to Saraki to disclose details of salaries and allowances of members of the Senate.

“We will use the opportunity of the face-toface meeting to ask pertinent questions and seek detailed information and clarifications on the exact salaries and allowances that each senator receives monthly or yearly.”

COURTESY VISIT

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (second right), his deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga (right); President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mrs. Funmi Babington-Ashaye (second left) and Deputy Governor, CIIN, Mr. Eddie Efekoha, during a courtesy call by executive members of the institute on the governor in his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta office..yesterday

Owerri Community Demands N100bn Compensation for Eke Ukwu Market Demolition Asks court to reverse governor’s action Tobi Soniyi Twelve representatives of the Owerri community have dragged the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okoroha, before the state High Court, challenging their illegal removal from Eke Ukwu Owere market situate at Owerri, and the demolition of the said market despite the subsistence of a pending suit and a restraining court order.

They want the court to order the governor to pay them the sum of N100 billion as exemplary damages for the said unlawful and unconstitutional acts.

The governor, the state House of Assembly and the state Attorney General are the three defendants in the suit filed by Chief T.O.S Oparaugo and 11 others (for themselves and on behalf of Owerri community).

Chief Unoruka Udechukwu (SAN), who filed the suit on the plaintiffs’ behalf, is leading

a team of lawyers, including two SANs-K.C.O Njemanze and N.A. Nnawuchi.

In the originating summons, with No: HOW/695/2017, filed on September 13, 2017, the plaintiffs asked the court to declare that their forcible removal from the market in Owerri and the demolition of the said market despite the subsistence of a pending suit and a restraining court order without any enabling judicial order, constituted an act of state executive impunity and grave violation of the provisions of Sections 6 (1)(2)(3): 36(1) 188(11) and 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution on the part of the Imo State Government.

They also asked the court to declare that by virtue of Sections 6(6)(a) & (b), 36(1), and 272 of the 1999 Constitution, the court has the constitutional power and vires to reverse the said acts of the state government.

The plaintiffs asked the court

to hold that they are entitled to compensation to be determined by the court for injuries and damages caused to them by the state government.

They also asked for an order reversing the said act of state executive impunity and grave violation of the provisions of the constitution on the part of the governor and returning the parties to the status quo ante August 26, 2016.

The plaintiffs asked the court to determine the following questions: Whether the forcible removal of the plaintiffs from their Eke Ukwu Owere Market situate in Owerri and the demolition of the said market despite the subsistence of a pending suit, and a restraining court order, and a fortiori, without any enabling judicial order do not constitute an act of state executive impunity and grave violation of the provisions of Sections 6 (1)(2)(3): 36(1) 188(11) and 287(3)

of the 1999 Constitution.

Secondly, whether by virtue of Sections 6(6)(a) & (b), 36(1), and 272 of the 1999 Constitution , this court has the inherent and constitutional power and vires to reverse the said acts of the first defendant, removing the plaintiffs from their Eke Ukwu Owere Market situate in Owerri and the demolition of the said market, which acts were done despite the subsistence of a restraining court order and a fortiori, without any enabling judicial order.

Thirdly, whether the plaintiffs are entitled to compensation to be determined by this honourable court for injuries and damages caused to them by the said acts of the state executive impunity and grave violation of the provisions of the constitution by the first defendant through elements employed by the first defendant.

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Anambra Guber Poll: Ekwueme’s Daughter, Chidi Onyemelukwe, Emerges Obaze’s Running Mate APC picks Ikedife as Nwoye’s deputy David-Chyddy Eleke ÓØ áÕË ËØÎ Christopher Isiguzo ÓØ ØßÑß Daughter of former VicePresident of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Mrs. Chidi Ekwueme-Onyemelukwe, has emerged as the running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the Anambra State election, Oseloka Obaze.

This came as the All Progressives Congress (APC) picked Hon. Dozie Ikedife (Jnr.) as his running mate to the party’s candidate, Hon. Tony Nwoye.

Obaze, who addressed journalists at the party’s secretariat in Awka, said Onyemelukwe was selected from a shortlist of very eminently qualified PDP faithful.

He stated further that she was chosen to complement his efforts especially with her wealth of knowledge in the area of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), where she worked as a Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The party standard bearer, while announcing her as his running mate, said: “In

compliance with provisions of Section 187(1) of the 1999 Constitution, I, Oseloka Henry Obaze, after about three weeks of painstaking consultations with my family, the PDP hierarchy, stakeholders in the state and beyond, and the leadership of the Anglican Communion, wish to present formally to the Anambra people in particular and Nigeria in general, Mrs. Chidi Alexandra Onyemelukwe as my running mate for the November 18 gubernatorial election.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the November 18 date for the governorship poll in the state is sacrosanct.

The commission said it would not allow any change in the date as any postponement would distort plans already made by the commission and may come with a huge cost implication.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, stated this yesterday in a meeting with the executive members of Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC) at the secretariat of the commission in Awka.

“We want the election to

hold as scheduled. We have 58 days to the election and we are on top of the preparations.

There would not be any need for postponement.

“Any attempt to shift the date would be waste of resources. We need to conclude the election as scheduled so as to focus on the 2019 general election,” he said.

Congratulating the body for the peaceful conduct of its elections that saw the re-

INEC insists on Nov 18 for election election of its chairman, Orji also commended the role it played towards the successful conduct of the continuous voter registration exercise, which he described as exceptional in the history of the state.

He, however, appealed to the IPAC leadership to mobilise the gubernatorial candidates of their various political parties to ensure quick submission of their profiles and manifestoes to enable the

commission publish them for effective voter education.

“I learnt you are organising an election debate for all the registered political parties. All these processes are important as it helps to shift campaign from hate speeches and calumny to issue based campaign,” he added.

The Chairman of IPAC in the state, Prince Batho Igwedibia, while reacting, noted that the

ad-hoc staff recruited by the commission had always been a major source of concern during election in the country.

He said they always take advantage of their temporary engagements to compromise the electoral process, saying recruitment of more permanent officers would not only forestall future occurrences, but restore confidence in the process.

Dangote: We Should Pray Oil Prices Stay Low Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has told a packed room in New York that he is hoping that oil prices will remain low to wean Nigeria away from its dependence.

He said agriculture should be the focus of government, as well as gas and minerals, in an effort to diversify the economy.

“Agriculture, agriculture, agriculture. Africa will become the food basket of the world,” he said.

In a packed room at the headquarters of global law firm Shearman and Sterling LLC high level business leaders and international diplomats invited by the Corporate Council for Africa, Dangote, and Rwandan president Paul Kagame openly conversed on Africa’s opportunities and challenges.

Both leaders underscored the ongoing movement to diversify African economies.

In the case of Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, Dangote stated: “We should pray that oil prices remain low. This helps wean us off the dependency on revenues from petroleum. We must take oil to be the icing on the cake.

We already have the cake,” he added.

In addition to agriculture Dangote cited Nigeria’s vast mineral resources and gas as well and the need to manufacture more goods locally for domestic consumption.

Both he and President Kagame cited continued need for heavy investments in education and connected the need for young people to be well trained for the jobs of tomorrow.

Dangote predicted that “five of the twelve million jobs needed

in Africa soon must be created in Nigeria.”

Dangote’s fortune which stems from cement, sugar, and other household commodities, has expanded into fertilizer and other processed high-value goods. “Technology of course helps us a lot and our factories are state of the art with the use of robotics but we shouldn’t be overly tech oriented to create wealth,” he told investors.

Dangote who is often cited as one of the most inspiring business leaders in the world today and a model for young entrepreneurs offered advice to Americans who tend to rely on outdated news and wrong perceptions of Africa, “Don’t be lazy. Go there and find the real story for yourself. Things have changed.”

Dangote noted the Rwanda success story where he has business interests as an example of positive change, good governance and leadership, and where corruption has been cured.

He cited a personal experience of offering a $100 US tip for services at the Kigali Airport to staff who refused to take money for work they were paid to do.

President Kagame was praised for delivering the environment for growth he promised.

“There is nothing African about corruption,” the Rwandan president added.

The session was moderated

by Rosa Whitaker, former US Trade Representative and author of the AGOA (African Growth Opportunity Act), whose business consultancy is credited for helping both African governments and US companies develop commerce.

THANKS FOR COMING

L-R: Chairman, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Edo State branch, Mr. Yakubu Sule; President/Chairman of Council CIBN, Prof Segun Ajibola; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; and Registrar/Chief Executive, CIBN, Mr. Seye Awojobi, at a stakeholders’ engagement in Benin City....yesterday

Senator Sani: Selfish Politicians Behind Calls for Buhari to Contest in 2019 Accuses el-Rufai of bad governance Mohammed Aminu ÓØ ÙÕÙÞÙ

“You can see the hypocrisy on the side of the political elite The Chairman Senate Committee within the ruling party when on Local and Foreign Debt and Buhari was on sick bed in the senator representing Kaduna United Kingdom. They were Central senatorial district, Shehu not sure that he will come back.

Sani, yesterday said selfish They were scheming, holding political elite are behind calls meetings, trying to choose on President Muhammadu a successor or provide an Buhari to contest 2019 elections alternative. so as to safeguard their political “And then when Buhari privileges. came back, they rushed to him Speaking with THISDAY organising mock prayers and in Sokoto yesterday, Sani protest for him. This is just to maintained that those in position please him, something that was of authority are doing so for their never organised when he was own personal gain because their on sick bed. political existence, future and “Nasir el-Rufai is one of them. relevance depend on Buhari He cannot win election without contesting in 2019. mentioning the name of Buhari.

He maintained that such He solely depends on Buhari selfish elite see Buhari as an because that is the only way he instrument to remain in power feels he can win. He doesn’t like despite the fact that they do Buhari but want him just to win not love him or share the same elections. They are opposites. ideology.

Buhari is a leftist who doesn’t “I must make this clear that believe in policies of the World the masses calling for Buhari Bank and privatisation while to contest are doing so out of el-Rufai is a core capitalist. genuine intention as they see “I have been supporting him as a messiah that will take Buhari when el-Rufai saw him Nigeria to the promise land. as an unelectable old man and But the political elite urging a dictator who should not be him to contest see him as an trusted with power. He is a toxic instrument that will give them to Buhari,” he said. the lever to return to power.

According to him, Buhari

should call his campaigners to order because if care is not taken, public resources would now be diverted for his campaign and governance at states and federal level would come to a halt.

The Senator stressed the need for the president to ignore those charlatans by focusing on delivering the promises made to Nigerians.

The lawmaker berated el-Rufai for dissipating energy on fighting perceived enemies rather than working to improve the welfare of the people.

He lamented that the governor had embarked on policies that were inimical to the well being of the people by ejecting civil servants out of their homes.

He noted with dismay that the Kaduna State governor had rebuffed all moves by the national leadership of the APC to reconcile aggrieved members of the party in the state.

“This is a man who is fighting many people. He is fighting religious leaders, labour unions, traditional leaders, people of Southern Kaduna and demolishing people’s houses.

“It is true that the party made efforts to reconcile us and bring peace to the state. But he sees

himself as stronger than the party. Katsina State Governor, Bello Masari, was mandated by the party to reconcile us but el-Rufai never respected him or the APC national chairman.

“All the aggrieved party members respected Masari and attended the meeting except elRufai. He is not a progressive politician at all,” he said.

Sani stressed the need for structural political changes in the country that are necessary to reduce cost of servicing political office holders, adding that every state must have a source of generating revenue to address its own issues, policies and programmes.

“We cannot continue to run a system that benefits few people while the masses are in poverty.

The fundamental issue is not simply all about North and South, it is also about the few elite and the oppressed masses who have not benefited from the Nigerian enterprise but victims of one policy or another.

“So, the solution to Nigeria’s problems hinges on implementing those reforms or face revolt from the masses,” Sani added.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

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Emefiele Points Way Forward for Effective Housing Delivery System Urges expedited judicial process on mortgages Ndubuisi Francis ÓØ ÌßÔË The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has called for an urgent action aimed at expediting the judicial process for adjudicating on mortgages as well as other commercial disputes, with a view to drastically speeding up the very slow growth in the housing finance sector.

In an address he delivered at a workshop for judicial officers in Abuja, Emefiele identified eight constraints to an effective housing delivery system in the country.

The constraints, he said, included the difficulties

associated with the land tenure system as enshrined in the Land Use Act of 1978, the issue of affordability and the difficulties in delivering affordable housing to low and middle-income households He added: “There is also the limited access to housing and mortgage financing. This problem is further exacerbated by a general lack of understanding of the mortgage concept, and the possible benefits (e.g. tax rebate) that may be enjoyed by a mortgagor in our environment.

“Another critical constraining factor is the difficulties in enforcing mortgage contracts and foreclosure on properties in Nigerian courts. This is

ULC Suspends Strike, Ngige Urges NUPENG to Resume Fuel Loading Senator Iroegbu ÓØ ÌßÔË The amalgamated body of labour movements under the umbrella of the United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC) has announced the suspension of industrial action embarked upon by its affiliate body for one week to prepare grounds for further consultations and resolution of remaining issues on its demand list with the federal government.

The suspension of the strike was announced yesterday (Wednesday) in Abuja after brief meeting conveyed by the chief conciliator and Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige in his office.

The ULC President, Joe Ajaero, said in the spirit of tripatism and negotiation, the union considered government’s appeal that the strike action be suspended for discussion till next week.

According to Ajaero, the union further considered the appeal by the Department of State Services (DSS) and decided to suspend the action and directed its members including petroleum tanker drivers who are members of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to resume work.

He also expressed satisfaction that the minister in his opening address, adequately captured resolution reached during an elongated meeting on Tuesday, and the intervention by the Director General of DSS. Ajaero said: “Having looked at these two factors, the ULC will be getting across to the field for the suspension of the action to enable further deliberation on the remaining issues next week”.

In the same vein, the National President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese, said the intention of the striking workers was not to aggravate the hardship of Nigerians but to drive home its demand of getting a better working condition for the Nigeria worker through dialogue.

He stressed that dialogue is the only way through which can be resolved.

Achese appreciated the Labour Minister for giving the union attention and for creating an enabling environment for issues that affect the nation and its workforce to be resolved amicably.

He also expressed optimism that very soon the requests of ULC would be granted by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Also speaking, Ngige who expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the negotiation with ULC, a labour platform which he said has its application for registration pending with the ministry.

“Understanding was reached, grievances were tabled and tackled with stakeholders that include the representative of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing,” he said.

Parts of the issues ironed out before the decision to suspend the strike was reached, he added, included the rehabilitation of roads leading to Mosinmi Depot, Port-Harcourt Refinery and the Apapa Tank Farm on which work has reached appreciable stages; privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), demilitarisation of workforce.

Ngige further said the Tuesday meeting ended with an agreement to have an enlarged meeting on September 26, 2017, to address outstanding issues.

On the status of the ULC, the Minister said the labour movement which represents Nigerian workers has applied for registration with the ministry and the application is being looked into.

He said: “In labour parlance, ULC is a proposed association and some unions have indicated their interest to join it and in our capacity, the ministry is looking into their application.

You don’t consider what is in a name or in a hood because the hood does not make a monk.”

somewhat attributable to court congestion and the resulting slow adjudication process which is a key deterrent to mortgage financing,” he said.

According to him, the slow bureaucratic procedures in land administration and the high cost of land registration and land titling have also led to a humongous backlog in the flow of land administration procedures.

“Also, the high rate of population growth seems to be contributing in some measure to the pressure on the housing sector.

Nigeria’s population grows at an estimated annual growth rate of 2.44 per cent which considerably outstrips its housing supply. The unabating population of tenants over homeowners is the primary reason for the focus on this sector.

“In addition to rising population, the high rate of rural-to-urban migration exerts significant pressure on limited housing stock in those areas, often leading to immense pressure,

and inability to comfortably meet mortgage lender approval criteria.

“The last but by no means the least is the high cost of construction. Several reasons account for this, including high cost of land acquisition and perfection, building materials, skilled labour and supporting infrastructure,” he said.

Emefiele noted that within the context of the Nigeria Housing Finance Programme (NHFP), a key deterrent to the growth of mortgage financing in Nigeria remains the slow and protracted adjudication process for the enforcement and recovery of mortgage loans provided to potential homeowners by financial institutions.

“In this respect, it is worthy of note that whether a mortgagee seeks to exercise its power of sale, foreclosure, right to appoint a receiver or institute an action for recovery of the mortgage loan, the lengthy judicial process inhibits the ability of financial institutions

to enforce mortgages and recover mortgage loans.

‘Accordingly, there is need to take urgent action aimed at expediting the judicial process for adjudicating on mortgages as well as other commercial disputes, so as to drastically speed up the very slow growth in the housing finance sector,” he stated.

The CBN Governor pointed out that one of the modern-day determinants of development in any environment was the effective protection of property and contract rights, adding that this in itself requires a modest legal infrastructure embedding precise rules that are easily enforceable.

“Sadly, the 2016 World Bank Group Report on Ease of Doing Business ranks Nigeria 139th out of 190 countries in the area of Enforcement of Contracts. This ranking is partly due to the length of time and significant expenses involved in the

litigation process.

“The poor ranking discourages both local and foreign investments including into the mortgage financing sector. This is because lenders have, over time, become wary of the delays and uncertainties which often characterize simple mortgage disputes such as a claim for repayment of mortgage loans, exercise of the power of sale, appointment of a receiver, foreclosure, to mention a few.

“I would like to commend several states of the federation that have undertaken reforms aimed at improving access to courts as well as a speedy disposal of disputes, including the reform of civil procedure rules, automation of courts, introduction of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms like mediation, conciliation and arbitration; as well as the designation of some courts in the Judicial divisions in some states as reserve courts for specific matters,” he added.

12TH GENERAL SYNOD

L-R: Wife of Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike; Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; Primate of Anglican Church, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh; and his wife, Nkasiobi during the 12th General Synod of the Church of Nigeria at the Saint Paul’s Cathedral in Port Harcourt....yesterday

Hembe’s Sack: Supreme Court Warns Dogara against Disobedience of Court Order Awards N1m cost against ex-lawmaker Alex Enumah ÓØ ÌßÔË

N1million as cost in favour of Mrs. Dorothy Mato.

The Supreme Court yesterday The Supreme Court had on warned Speaker of the House June 25 sacked Hembe and of Representatives, Yakubu Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi Dogara, of the consequences representing Taraba State and of disobedience to court orders, ordered that Mrs. Dorothy Mato saying such disobedience will and Alhaji Shuaibu Isa Lau be spell doom for the country’s sworn in immediately in their democracy. stead.

The apex court therefore The court further ordered the urged the speaker to comply sacked legislators to refund all with the court’s decision that the monies collected as salaries sacked a member of the Federal and allowances from June 2015 House of Representatives when they were sworn in as representing, Vandikya/ legislators.

Konshisha constituency, Benue The court, in its judgment, had State, Herman Hembe. held that Mato who won the The Chief Justice of Nigeria, All Progressives Congress (APC) Justice Walter Onnoghen, while party ticket for the constituency re-enforcing the earlier order is the rightful candidate. of the court, however, ordered However, while Senate Hembe to pay the sum of President Bukola Saraki has

since sworn in Shuaibu Isa Lau, Speaker of the House is yet to do same concerning Mato.

Also, the sacked Hembe, through his counsel, Paul Erokoro, filed a motion on notice asking the Supreme Court to reverse itself.

But reacting to the motion yesterday, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Onnoghen, leading four other Justices of the court, insisted that the court cannot revere itself as it has no jurisdiction to sit on appeal over its judgment.

Erokoro said it was asking the court to correct some errors and accidental slip contained in the judgment of the court.

When the matter was called, Tochukwu Peter Tochukwu announced his appearance for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),

while Usman Sule announced his for the APC. Erokoro had told the court that his motion was for an order of the court to correct and amend an error in the judgment of the court in order to reflect the true intention of the said judgment.

According to him, the court was wrong to have invoked section 22 of the Act to hear the appeal instead of sending it back to the tribunal for re-trial.

But reacting, the CJN reminded Erokoro that the case was a pre-election matter which has a time frame.

Justice Onnoghen explained that “we invoked the powers of this court under section 22 of the Act, heard the matter and gave judgment

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Peter Obi: I Never Demanded N7bn from Obiano Iyobosa Uwugiaren ÓØ ÌßÔË

The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has denied the allegation that he demanded over N7billion from his successor, Governor Willie Obiano, describing the claim as “baseless and idiotic.’’

Laughing off the allegation,

Obi said he could not have demanded for such amount of money when he left N75billion in the coffers of the state, accusing those behind such rumour of merely trying their hands in unfounded claims so as to blackmail him.

The former governor, who governed Anambra State

Python Dance II: Igbo, Arewa Groups Sue for Peace, Unity Sunday Okobi In what will come to be known as the Awka Declaration, an Igbo group known as Ndigbo Peace Movement (NPM) in solidarity with Arewa groups from the North has sued for peace and unity among youths and groups from the Southeast and the North.

In a statement issued after their joint press conference held in Awka, Anambra State yesterday, the two groups said they had gathered to take a stand for peace and unity as critical ingredients to the survival of Nigeria.

According to them, in the statement, “The Igbo Peace Movement in agreement with the Arewa groups hereby unequivocally declares it unwavering commitment to the peace and unity of Nigeria.”

Among those present at the conference were the Coordinator of NPM, Onyekachi Divine Ngobidi, and Secretary, Victor Igwilo. For the Arewa groups, Alhaji Bello Maigari Suleja represented Hausa Community Youth Leader in Anambra State; Alhaji Gidado Sadiq (Chairman Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Southeast zone) and Alhaji Usman Farank (Sarkin Chamba).

While the groups agreed that there were valid reasons for

agitations in the country, they also stated that notwithstanding, “there are laid down lawful procedures for presenting and addressing these concerns,” as they joined other Nigerians to condemn the use of violence as a “means of pressing our demands.”

Acknowledging that Nigeria’s strength and unity were in its diversity, the statement added: “The Igbo are peace-loving people and for the avoidance of doubt, we want to state that majority of them are not Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members.”

Calling on MASSOB, the Igbo Youth Congress, IPOB, the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Youth Congress, the Concerned Northerners and every other stakeholder in Nigeria to work in making the country great again, the groups in their statement commended the visit of some northern state governors to the South-east region and the recent proscription of IPOB by the Southeastern state governors.

The NPM asked all the Igbo people living in the northern states to “disregard any threat to their safety and to go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation, and for our brothers from the North, we also guarantee their safety. Ndigbo are a peace loving people and will continue to be so.”

S’East Lawmakers Urge IPOB to Halt Activities, Say Group Not Terrorists Damilola Oyedele ËØÎ James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË Lawmakers of the Southeast Caucus of the National Assembly yesterday asked members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to suspend all its activities as the former tries to court the parliament towards finding lasting solutions to the group’s concerns.

While also condemning all acts of terrorism across the country, it rejected the labelling of IPOB as a terrorist organisation without cause or following due process.

The lawmakers in a communiqué issued after its meeting and jointly signed by the Chairman, Senate South-east Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Chairman, House of Representatives South-east Caucus, Mr. Chukwuka

Onyema, urged the leadership to address the issues which had prompted the agitation of the South-east.

It further condemned “the use of hate speeches and remarks by anybody, as the dignity of human persons must be respected at all times, even while dissenting on any issue.”

The communique read: “We call on the IPOB to suspend all its activities as we engage our colleagues in the National Assembly and work with them in addressing all issues of concern to IPOB in particular and the entire people of SouthEast in general.

“That we appreciate the efforts of the South-east governors and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the handling of the agitations in the South-east with regards to the confrontations of the military with IPOB, especially in Abia State.”

between 2006 and 2014, stated these while chatting with some journalists in Abuja yesterday.

Reacting to some recent question raised by the Southeast zone of a human rights organisation, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) for him and Obiano on the management of the state by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) government especially the report that he left N75billion for his predecessor, Obi said he will address all the posers raised by the body very soon.

He said he was not surprised by attempts by some people to malign and spread falsehood about his government, stressing that he was informed a week ahead by a friend that some people were cooking up lies in a bid to blackmail him.

“Somebody said to me that they just came out of a meeting where it was discussed that for the upcoming election in Anambra State, that they will soon come out aggressively to blackmail me, attack my integrity, bring my person into disrepute in front of Nigerians that will make it impossible for me to campaign for the candidate of my party in this election,’’ Obi stated.

“I asked him, how is it going to happen? He said they have what it takes to bring persons to come to TV, newspapers and things like that. I said well, that’s fine. When they start, we will see.”

He continued: “Not long after that, about a week later, I started hearing on radio, a local radio around me in Anambra State, people being put on radio owned by the state government and other people, calling me names and everything. Then suddenly, there was even news that I mentioned that I will fight the election with the last pint of my blood. And that I demanded money from the governor.”

Dismissing the allegations, he said: “The question to ask is I joined PDP in October 2014 and it is three years from now.

So, at what point did I start demanding this money, because they are saying that that is the reason I’m now in PDP. Are they saying that if this money was paid to me, that I won’t campaign for PDP or what?”

“It is on record in this country, it is documented and I can prove it with every clear documented evidence that when I left office, I left over N25 billion in local investment for Anambra State.

I left over N25 billion in cash at the banks, and I left $156 million in the bank in Nigeria.

“Do you think anybody can leave such money and then go to tell the person he is handing over to give him N7 billion, when I left over N75 billion?

I would have taken it first and then give them the balance and I will still be in good shape.

“Let me use the dollar as example. Nobody has ever left one dollar in any state in Nigeria. I left $156 million. $30 million alone is over N7 billion.

If I had taken $36 million and left $120million, I would have still been a champion. So, why will I leave the money and go and beg the person to start giving me peanut? I will take it.

“It is madness for anybody to do it. Not even in a family business. I cannot leave money and then start chasing my brother to give me, not to talk of handing over to somebody who is not my brother, who can change tomorrow. I have never --- I’m a Christian, I’m not supposed to swear, but I can put my hand on the Bible and say I’ve never discussed with anybody to be paid any amount. Let Obiano himself come and let’s go before any

church or anything and swear.

I have never done that and I will never do it.”

On the controversy that has trailed the PDP governorship primaries in the state, the former Anambra State governor argued that such controversy was not strange.

He insisted that primaries all over the world were often greeted with discontent and controversies.

He assured that the disagreements would be resolved soon.

Obi however denied the allegation that he imposed the candidate of the party, Oseloka Obaze stressing that delegates of the party voted somebody they wanted.

According to him, “I am not a member of PDP caretaker committee in Anambra State.

I am not a delegate to the primaries, so I wonder how this came about. There were delegates that voted; they are not my brothers and sisters. Let me tell you this: the issues of primaries everywhere in the world have always been contentious, even in America. Look at the one between Clinton and Sanders.

For me, I don’t want to discuss the issue of party primaries, how did I anoint anyone?”

AGRICULTURE AS THE MAINSTAY

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, (second left), flanked by his deputy, Professor Ivara Esu (right); Executive Director, Nexim Bank, Hon Stella Okotete (left) and the Chief Executive Officer, AA Agro Industry Universal Services Ltd, Mr. Chris Agara, during the inspection of ongoing construction work at the state Cocoa Processing Factory in Ikom Local Government Area of the state.... yesterday

PDP Withdraws Appeal Challenging Sack of A’Ibom Senator Tobi Soniyi The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has requested the Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar to dismiss its appeal against a judgment of the Federal High Court, Uyo which sacked Mr. Albert Akpan from the National Assembly and declared Bassey Etim as replacement.

The party said the judgment of the Uyo Federal High Court which sacked Akpan from the Senate for not being its authentic candidate for the 2015 Akwa Ibom senatorial election was not against its interest, hence, unnecessary and ought not to have been filed in the first place.

In the notice of discontinuance of the appeal, the PDP said: “Take

notice that the appellant (PDP) hereby withdraws all the processes including the Notice of Appeal and the brief of argument filed by the erstwhile counsel for the party.”

The decision of the PDP under the leadership of Senator Ahmed Makarfi to withdraw the appeal, it was learnt, was in the spirit of on-going reconciliation in the party and its commitment to bring sanity into the party as it prepares itself for the 2019 general poll in the country.

A Federal High Court sitting in Uyo had on February 27, 2017, asked Akpan to vacate the senatorial seat holding that he was not the valid and bonafide candidate of the PDP which won the 2015 general election for the

Akwa Ibom North East senatorial seat.

The court, in the judgment on a pre-election dispute between Etim and Akpan over who between them was the authentic candidate of the PDP for the senatorial seat, specifically held that Akpan had wrongly and illegally represented the Akwa Ibom North East senatorial district in the National Assembly for 628 days.

The life span of the current 8th National Assembly is 1,460 days, commencing from June 9, 2015 when it was inaugurated, to expire June 9, 2019.

The court consequently ordered Akpan to vacate forthwith the seat for Etim for the remaining 812 days, and refund to the coffer of the National Assembly, within 90

days, all monies he had collected by way of salary and allowances for the 628 days during which he illegally occupied the seat in the Senate.

Besides, the court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to retrieve the certificate of return earlier issued to Akpan and issue a fresh one to Etim, to enable him proceed to the Senate for his swearing-in.

INEC had since complied with the court order as it issued the certificate of return to Etim. But the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, had flagrantly refused to obey the judgment of the court, Uyo which directed him to inaugurate Etim to begin to perform the functions of his office.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Olubadan Heads to Court as PDP Chieftain Says New Obas’ Coronation a Fraud Ademola Babalola ÓØ ÌËÎËØ The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oyo State, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has sued the state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, and 23 others over their involvements in the crowning of 21 kings in Ibadan on August 27 this year.

This came as Ibadan monarch also allayed fears of his subjects that the state governor was planning to ‘punish’ him for his hardline posture on the recent elevation of some high chiefs and Baales (village heads) to beaded crown wearing status.

The monarch told the visiting governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Femi Lanlehin, in his Popoyemoja palace Ibadan, that

the governor remained his son and would never contemplate dethroning him from the stool of his forebears.

In the suit with file number I/1077/2017, which was filed at state High Court of Justice, the Olubadan is claiming that the governor violated Chiefs Laws CAP 28 of the state, saying Ajimobi does not possess the power and authority to confer anybody the right to wear a beaded crown and coronet.

The Olubadan is also claiming that the crowing of the kings is illegal and void since the governor did not consult with the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

He is also seeking an order setting aside the Gazette number

14 and 15 of Volume 42 of August 23 and 24, 2017 made by the governor and which conferred the right to wear crown and coronet on the elevated high chiefs and Baales. He said the governor’s action violated provisions of the CAP 28 of the Chiefs Laws of the state. The monarch therefore prays the court to set aside the installation of the new kings.

Senator Lanlehin had earlier told the monarch that all great sons and daughters of Ibadan at home and Diaspora are behind

Oba Adetunji in the ongoing struggle.

Lanlehin further declared as illegal, the review of the 1959 Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration

by Governor saying it is not grounded in history, law or reasoning.

Lanlehin, who is a senior lawyer and honorary title holder of the Bamofin of Ibadanland, said only a Chieftaincy Committee headed by the Olubadan, as the custodian of the tradition and custom of the

metropolis, was empowered by law to propose any amendment to the Declaration after wide consultation, as contained in the Chiefs Law. He said the change brought about by the outcome of the review by government was retrogressive and the process and procedure leading to it faulty.

“What the Olubadan is going through is not for himself or members of his family. It is on behalf of the whole of Ibadanland at home and in the diaspora.

“Olubadan is the custodian of a system that is the envy of all and sundry. Some of us have travelled all over the world and we know how very well they talk about the system in Ibadan.

“Not only am I a witness of this system, not only have I read about it, I am also a participant because my late father was the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland before his demise. I saw the peaceful, rancour-free and non-violent way the system has been operated for years and it has worked for us.

Nigeria Moves to Return to Egmont Group The Presidential ad hoc committee set up by the Nigerian government to facilitate the return of the country to Egmont Group submitted its report to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday.

The Chairman of the committee and senator representing Enugu North, Chukkwuka Utazi, gave the information to State House Correspondents after the committee met with the vice president.

According to him, the committee was optimistic that with appropriate suggestions and actions to be taken by the federal government, the country will soon return to the global financial intelligence group “The committee is a Presidential ad hoc Committee to reposition the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit and then restore Nigerian membership of Egmont Group from which it was suspended on July 7.

“This committee is here today to present a report to the Vice President which he will in turn discuss with Mr. President before any formal decision will be taken by the government,’’ he said.

Utazi declined to mention what the report contained or its recommendations noting that the vice president just received it and would discuss it with the president before the committee could comment on it further.

“This committee has worked to ensure that everything that led to our being suspended from the Egmont Group was handled in that report.

“By the time this report would be considered by Mr. President and the presidency, Nigeria would get out of the woods,’’ the senator said.

He said the committee was not set up to justify the suspension or otherwise but noted that “the thing is that we have been suspended and we are working very hard to come out of such a situation.’’

The senator said that going forward, the committee expected that with the timely intervention of the presidency in sync with the passage of the law by the Senate in July, it showed that Nigeria was moving forward.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that he also noted that the international community was following the processes in the country to ensure that the suspension was lifted.

The Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units is an informal network of national financial intelligence units (FIUs).

National FIUs collect information on suspicious or unusual financial activity from the financial industry and other entities or professions required to report transactions suspected of being money laundering or terrorism financing.

FIUs are normally not law enforcement agencies, with their mission being to process and analyse the information received.

If sufficient evidence of unlawful activity is found, the matter is passed to the public prosecution agencies.

Church to Organise Free Eye Test in FESTAC The Church of Pentecost, FESTAC Town, Lagos, will organise a free eye test for members of the FESTAC community. The event, which is being organised by the church in partnership with Eye Foundation, is part of activities marking the 36th anniversary of the Christian Unity Band of Nigeria (CUBN), a society in the church. A statement issued by the church, said: “The free

eye test which commenced yesterday at the church hall had in attendance professional ophthalmologists who conducted tests on members of the church and its environs. Part of the exercise will include provision of subsidised eye glasses and eye surgeries to those who need such services. The Eye Unit of the Pentecost Medical Centre will coordinate the exercise.”

A VISIT TO NSE

L-R: Digital Marketing Manager, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Clifford Akpolo; Executive Director, Market Operations, NSE, Ade Bajomo; Chief Executive Officer, X3M Ideas, Steve Babaeko; and Head, Information Security, NSE, Favour Femi-Oyewole, at the NSE Closing gong ceremony with Steve Babaeko,CEO X3M Ideas beating the closing gong .....Tuesday.

Funds Forfeiture: Court Keeps Jonathan Waiting The absence of Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of a Federal High Court Lagos yesterday stalled proceedings in an application seeking permanent forfeiture of $5.7million belonging to former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.

The case could not proceed as judges of the court’s Lagos division were said to be attending a valedictory session for former Chief Judge, Ibrahim Auta.

The case has now been fixed for

November 13.

It will be recalled that the court had onMay 22 suspended proceedings in the case.

Justice Olatoregun stayed proceedings pending the outcome of an appeal challenging the money’s temporary forfeiture.

TheEconomic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is praying the court to order that the cash be permanently forfeited to the federal government.

The judge, had on April 26, made an interim order forfeiting the money based on an application by EFCC. Justice Olatoregun had also ordered the temporary forfeiture of N2.4 billion found in the name of La Wari Furniture and Baths Ltd. Thecommissionsaidthemoneyalso belonged to Mrs. Jonathan.

Her lawyer, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), had said he filed an application for stay of proceedings pending the appeal’s determination.

Counsel for La Wari Furniture and Baths, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), added that once an appeal had been entered, the lower court ought to stay proceedings.

Justice Olatoregun had then held that it would be in the interest of justice to await the Court of Appeal’s decision.

Mrs Jonathan, in the notice of appeal, is praying the court to hold that the law cited by the EFCC in its ex-parte application for the temporarily forfeiture was inapplicable.

IG Launches Force Order 20, Says Force Has Zero Tolerance on Rights Violation, Corruption Alex Enumah ÓØ ÌßÔË The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, yesterday in Abuja launched the amended Force Order 20, known as the Police Duty Solicitors’ Scheme (PDSS) aimed at ensuring detainees in police stations across the country gain access to legal services.

The launch which was widely applauded by civil society organisations, legal practitioners and a cross section is expected to put to end years of injustices suffered by Nigerians in police custody due to their inability to access legal services.

Idris also use the opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the police force under his watch to uphold the dignity of the Nigerian citizens and his campaign against corruption, warning that culprits

would not be spared from the rod.

“Let me state without fear of contradiction that this current police management has a zero tolerance on violation of the rights of citizens and corruption. There will be no hiding place for officers whose conducts run foul with the law.

You must learn to be professional in the discharge of your duties and shun all forms of misconducts,” the IG warned.

He described the launch of the Force Order 20 as another milestone of his administration’s effort at ensuring an efficient Criminal Justice Sector, adding that both the police and the general public stand to benefit from the scheme.

According to the IG, “The police who are often accuses of torture and inhumane treatment at police station will now have an

independent person not only to act as a check to their excesses but they could be vital witnesses to the officers when accused wrongly.

“On the other hand, the public, mainly the poor and the vulnerable arrested by the police for being in conflict with the law will not only have the services of a counsel free of charge to ensure the protection of their rights but at no cost.”

He therefore commended organisations like the Legal Aid Council and the Open Society Initiative for their contribution in the realisation of the project.

He also advised them to ensure that they do not see the scheme as a usurpation of police functions but simply to have access to detainees in the police formations to protect their rights as guaranteed in the constitution.

In his keynote address, Senior

Managing Legal Officer for Africa, Open Society Justice Initiative, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, commended Idris for ensuring that the initiative which was started in 2004 come into fruition in his time.

“The launch of Force Order 20 is both a milestone and an opportunity, it secures in a practical way the guarantees of due process in section 36(5) of the 1999 constitution.

“This Force Order now makes it possible to take the scheme across the federation,” he said.

“To achieve this, every stakeholder has a role to play.

New partnerships have to be forged with state institutions like LACON and the Attorney General’s Chambers as well as the Bar and Bench. Non governmental actors have a seat in the management scheme designed by Force Order 20,” he added.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

CRIME&PUNISHMENT Killers of Gulder Ultimate Search Winner Face Murder Charge Gboyega Akinsanmi The Lagos State Government yesterday disclosed that it will charge all suspects arrested for alleged complicity in the murder of the winner of the 2007 Gulder Ultimate Search, Mr. Hector Jobateh, with murder and conspiracy.

Likewise, the state government disclosed that it had established a Joint Tactic Squad comprising all officers of all the security agencies to secure all Model Colleges and public schools, especially in the state’s outskirts, riverine communities and vulnerable areas at large.

The decision to establish the anti-kidnapping squad in all public schools in the state was made yesterday at the State Security Council meeting held at the State House, Alausa under the chairmanship of the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

The security council meeting was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, and all commanders of security formations in the state.

Before the security meeting, the Lagos State Police Command had disclosed that the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) had arrested one Ismaila Adeyemi for alleged complicity in the murder of the 2007 winner of the Gulder Ultimate Search.

Hector was shot dead at his Oko-Oba residence, new Oko-Oba in Agege area of the state on September 4 shortly after he picked a sibling from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

After the meeting, Edgal noted that all those who were involved in his murder “have been arrested including the principal suspect who fired the shot that killed the victim.”

The police commissioner disclosed that office of the Attorney-General would soon charge all the suspects with murder and conspiracy before the court of competent jurisdiction.

He, however, urged all Lagos residents “to continue to support the police with useful information and tips.

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to Lagos residents to be vigilant at this time. If you see something, you must say something.”

“You must partner with the police and security agencies.

Partnership is key because it is the only way information can flow and I want to assure residents that information given freely, the confidentiality of the informant will be taken with utmost seriousness.

“I have told my officers and men and I know my colleagues in the other agencies have done so. We cannot win the trust and confidence of the people if we do not dispense with unethical conduct such as divulging sources of information,” Edgal said.

On the coastal areas, Edgal said a lot of efforts had been put in place toward fortifying security in the riverine areas, including model colleges and public schools in such areas.

“Security around our coastal areas has also been fortified and the Council deliberated extensively about this particularly as it relates to security of all our Model Colleges and other schools that are situated in vulnerable areas.

“I have toured all the Model Colleges; all lapses observed have been noted by the Council and the Governor has given instruction that all those lapses be taken care of immediately. We now have Joint Tactic Guards of both the police and the military

Army Combs Forests in Ondo, Arrests Suspected Kidnappers James Sowole ÓØ ÕßÜÏ

Adelegan said the mopping operations which aims at Some suspected kidnappers, checkmating the incessant who had been terrorising kidnapping within the Akoko travellers and other persons area of the state commenced in Akoko area of Ondo State, early hours of yesterday. were yesterday, arrested by The PRO said also arrested a special operation team of with the kidnappers were their Nigerian Army. informants adding that all of The team was personally led them would be handed over to by the Commander 32 Artillery appropriate security agencies Brigade, Owena Barracks, Akure, for further action.

Brigadier General James A He said the Senior Special Ataguba.

Assistant to the Ondo State The suspects were arrested Governor on Security matters, when the troop combed the Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, was with forests and suspected spots the team. and camps within the Akoko Adelegan said that the area of Ondo State. operation is a follow- up of The operations of the brigade the rescue operation of some was explained by the Public kidnapped victims at Akunu Relations Officer for the 32 and Ose area last week by the Artillery Brigade, Captain Ojo brigade soldiers.

Adelegan.

The brigade advised the The Commander general public to always give and his troop, Ojo said useful information on any combed kidnappers camps criminal activities through the and spots at the boundary Brigade call Center with the between Kogi and Ondo State following hotlines 09030002151 in Akunu Akoko,Ohogo and and 09030002151.

Ogale communities .

in all Model schools to heighten security.”

Also at the meeting, the police commissioner said the state government had resolved to vigorously

enforce Lagos State Road Traffic Law, 2012 prohibiting operation of commercial motorcycle operators popularly known as Okada riders in certain routes

across the State.

Edgal added that the enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcyclists would take place immediately after

another round of public enlightenment campaign on the dangers and security implications of commercial motorcycle operations on restricted routes.

SECURITY BRIEFING R-L: Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello; Commander, NNS Beecroft, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Morris

Ansa Eno; State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal; Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, Brig-Gen. Elias Attu and Commander, Nigeria Air Force Base, Ikeja, Air Commodore Musbau Olatunji during a media briefing shortly after the State Security Council meeting presided over by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode at the Lagos House, Ikeja....yesterday

Public Officers who Embezzle Public Funds are Thieves, Says Primate Okoh The Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigerian Anglican Communion, the Most Reverend Nicholas D. Okoh, has berated public officers who embezzle public funds, declaring them as real enemies of Nigeria.

Primate Okoh made this known yesterday in his opening address at the 12th general Synod of the Church in Port Harcourt which is ongoing.

He said, “Those who embezzle public funds are enemies of Nigeria, no matter what they say, their faith and the position they occupy” Stressing that stealing and corruption are signs of sinful nature of man and lack of fear of God, Okoh lamented that stealing of public funds has become commonplace in Nigeria

because of those involved “ He said :“It is indisputable that many wealthy persons and political figures, especially in Africa, have been guilty of corruption, enlarging their business empire and perpetuating themselves in the office by unrighteousness and oppression.

They defraud others by taking advantage of those who are unable to defend their rights or speak for themselves,” Urging all the Synod members nationwide and Christians in general to shun corruption in whatever guisers, Primate Okoh appealed to the federal and state governments to be at the forefront in all efforts to curb stealing and corruption in the society while establishing systems to check public officers and their activities.

He said government did not need new legislations to put corruption in check as there were already enough laws in Nigeria to help the it fight the menace.

“Government should ensure that any known and proven act of stealing and corrupt practice in the public place should be punished. The culture of highly placed political, religious or traditional leaders begging for pardon for convicted corrupt persons should be discouraged,” he reiterated.

He added, “No society can make meaningful progress without seeing stealing as evil and deal with it accordingly.

Corruption should be severely punished, no matter who is involved; while integrity and honesty should be openly and

handsomely rewarded by the government. This will go a long way in discouraging corruption as well as encouraging integrity, especially in the upcoming generations of Nigerians”.

“The Government should also police the Police and other security outfits so that they do not become law unto themselves and avoid abuse of power. And, to truly succeed in the fight against graft and corruption, every office, no matter how highly exalted, must be subjected to a system that scrutinises its activities,” Archbishop Okoh, maintained.

Explaining the role of the Church in the war against stealing and corruption, the Archbishop said the Church had been reaching out to more people and getting them enlisted in the heavenly army.

40-year-old Paedophile Gets Eight-year Jail Term in Bayelsa Emmanuel Addeh ÓØ ÏØËÑÙË A magistrate’s court in Yenagoa, yesterday, sentenced a 40-yearold paedophile, identified as Godbless Ogiode from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, to eight years in prison.

Ogiode, a resident of Sandfill area of Kpasia community in the state capital, described as an adult who is sexually attracted to children was said to have defiled many children in the area comprising both sexes before one of the affected parents reported him.

The court presided over

by Utovie Spiff convicted the suspect on two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse

of a four-year-old girl and unlawful carnal knowledge of a five-year-old boy.

It was gathered that the efforts of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), who took the case of Godbless to the police, led to the conviction.

The paedophile, who was in the habit of indecently assaulting little children, was said to have defiled the boy through his anus and the girl through her private part.

Some of the parents and guardians of the victims on many occasions forgave the man after receiving reports of his assaults on their children, it was learnt.

But luck ran out on him when on September 15, the

Chairperson of FIDA in Bayelsa, Dise Ogbise-Erhisere, was contacted by a concerned indigene, who reported a new case of the man’s escapades to her.

Ogbise-Erhisere, along with two lawyers and members of FIDA, Boma Miebai and Amaso Daniel reportedly lodged a formal complaint on the matter to the Ekeki Police Station in Yenagoa.

The police were said to have arrested the man and arraigned him before the court, where he pleaded guilty to the two-count charge.

Expressing delight over the judgment, Ogbise-Erhisere said it was victory for FIDA Bayelsa and a warning to paedophiles, child molesters and abusers.

Ogbise-Erhisere, who was also the complainant in the matter, said she was happy with the speedy dispensation of justice on the case.

She explained that she got a distress call from a concerned neighbour following the defilement of the boy.

“I was informed by neighbours that the convict is a serial molester of children there and that the mother of the four-year-old girl caught him having carnal knowledge of her daughter”, she said.

She commended the police for swiftly arresting and arraigning the man and praised the members of the Medical WomenAssociation ofNigeria(MWAN),Bayelsa, for their roles in treating the victims.

Ëœ ÍşÍšËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ Ëž T H I S D AY

54

THURSDAYSPORTS Super Eagles Battle Benin Squirrels for Final Ticket

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

W A F U C U P O F N AT I O N S

Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles and their Benin Republic counterparts have scores to settle this evening in the semi final stage of the ongoing 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations in Ghana. The other semi final is between hosts Ghana and Niger Republic.

This is the third time both countries are meeting in barely one month. Eagles walked away with the ticket to the next African Nations Championship in Kenya at the expense of the Squirrel from Cotonou.

Now, with the ticket to the final of the WAFU Cup at stake with a mouth-watering $100,000 on the line for eventual winner of the tournament on Sunday, this evening’s semis in Cape Coast promises to be full of fireworks.

The home-based Eagles lost the first leg of that CHAN qualifier 1-0 in Cotonou after the referee ruled midfielder, Afeez Aremu, fouled a Benin striker inside the box in the dying moments of that encounter.

Nigeria fought back to beat Benin 2-0 in Kano a week later to qualify for a third straight CHAN. Benin upsets bookmakers’ calculations in Ghana to top the Group B of the WAFU Cup of Nations on six points. They appear to have another chance to take their pound of flesh from the Nigerian team on a neutral ground.

However, if the Beninnois are thinking of exacting revenge, they equally have another Nigerian in the Eagles fold who is determined to make up for the penalty ruled against him from the first leg of that CHAN qualifier in Cotonou.

Aremu told SCORENigeria in his preview of today’s game that it is his wish to score against Benin in the WAFU Cup semi-final to make up for the penalty goal he caused which led to Nigeria losing that first.

The Akwa United star midfielder revealed that it was a traumatic time for him when Nigeria lost for the first time ever at full international level to the Benin team. “I was really disturbed after the match because it was not a penalty in the first instance,� he argued. “It was just an undue home advantage because it was even the striker who ran into me when I was trying to make a back pass to (Ikechukwu) Ezenwa. “So, it will be great for me to score against the same team on our way to the WAFU Cup final,� observed Aremu yesterday.

However, the teenage defensive midfielder said he expects a tough opposition especially as Benin has added some new players to the squad that played against Nigeria last month. “It will be a tough game but we will stop them again,� predicted Aremu, who picked the playoff game against Sierra Leone as his best of the competition so far. “We share the same hotel with them and we can see that they have some new players including two central defenders,� revealed Aremu.

The defensive midfielder said that Eagles 2-0 win over hosts Ghana on Monday has boosted their confidence ahead of today’s game. “Before the match against Ghana, we created many chances but could not score which resulted in the draws against Guinea and Mali. But all that changed with our win over Ghana,� concludes Aremu who along with his Super Eagles teammates are not paid win bonuses but are looking forward to sharing the $100,000 tournament prize money at stake if they walk away with the title on Sunday evening.

They need to overcome the Benin obstacle to get to the final this evening.

GTBank/Ogun State Principal’s Cup Final Holds Today The final of the 2017 edition of the GTBank/Ogun State Principal’s Cup will hold today at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, as first-time finalists take on former champions.

The curtain raiser for the day will be the finals in the female category between two-time winners, Muslim High School, Isolu and Iko Gateway Grammar School, Idi-Iroko.

In the male category, Ipara Community Secondary School, Ipara will hope to spring an upset as they take on title favourites, Pakoto High School, Ayede-Ifo who won the trophy in 2015.

The matches are bound to produce historic moments for two of the four schools as both jostle to win the trophy for the first time ever.

Outstanding players to watch

out for in the male category of this year’s final include Olalekan Toheeb of Pakoto High School, who is the leading scorer of the tournament with three goals, and Sodiya Olaoluwa of Ipara Community Secondary School who won the Most Valuable Player award in the semifinals. Winners in both categories will be rewarded with the sum of N1,000, 000 each, while the first, second and third runners-up will be given N750,000, N500,000, and N350,000 respectively. Commenting on the finals, the MD/CEO of  GTBank , Segun Agbaje, said, “We are proud to lead this initiative that provides an avenue for students to showcase their talents and passion for the game of football even as they remain committed to their academics.�

Home-based Eagles and Benin Republic’s Squirrels go head-to-head for the WAFU Cup of Nations ďŹ nal ticket today

Technical Stakeholders Petition National Assembly over NBBF Crisis Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Some technical stakeholders of Nigerian basketball have petitioned the National Assembly to intervene and stave Nigeria from an impending FIBA sanctions from international basketball ahead of the November 30 deadline given by the body to Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to resolve it’s internal crisis.

The stakeholders include; Coach Scott Innocent Nnaji, President Nigeria Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA), Babatunde Popoola (FIBA Referee)

/ President, Nigeria Basketball Referees Council; and Skambo Morrison, (FIBA Technical Commissioner) /President, Technical Commissioners Association.

In a communiquÊ issued during the Kwese Premier Basketball League in Kano, they resolved that the bodies should present a written appeal to the National Assembly as a neutral and democratic national institution representing the diverse interest of the Nigerian people, to assist the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in midwifing the current NBBF crisis.

FIBA issued the deadline for a mutually acceptable resolution between the Tijani Umar and Musa Kida factions through a new election or an amicable settlement.

But the stakeholders appealed to the National Assembly to wade in as a matter of urgent national importance, given the limitations of NOC to be able to strike any acceptable deal in the light of the difficult task assigned to it.

The meeting also resolved to appeal to all mediating parties namely, FIBA, NOC and the

National Assembly to consult closely with all basketball stakeholders in the country.

NBBF has been rocked by crisis since the two parallel elections in June produced two different boards, with both claiming to be the validly elected custodians of NBBF. The crisis prompted FIBA to warn of a dire consequence if the dispute remains unresolved after the deadline, with the possibility of NBBF being  subjected to sanctions, including without limitation, a suspension of the membership with FIBA.

StarTimes Excite Viewers with Live Italian Serie A Matches Nigeria’s popular Pay TV company, StarTimes will treat subscribers with live coverage of the exciting Italian league matches this weekend featuring multiple Scudeto winners Juvetus hosting Torino at the Juventus Stadium on Saturday while Sampdoria welcomes AC Milan at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Juventus, currently ranked third on the table with 12 points from four games and is behind Inter Milan which has played five games.

The Massimiliano Allegri squad is currently in top form having won all their matches in the current league season.

They defeated Sassuolo 3-1, handed Chievo 3-0 and spanked Genoa 4-2. Their only set back

was the 3-0 defeat by Barcelona in their opening Champions league encounter on September 12.

Head-to-head, Juventus has had the upper hand as Torino bowed four times in five games in both home and away matches and drawn once.

This weekend will also see AC Milan clash with Sampdoria on Sunday September 24th. Milan being fifth on the table with nine points from four games have won four and lost once in their last five games while Sampdoria drew two, won two and lost one.

Sampdoria is currently seventh on the table with seven points from three matches.

Head-to-head, Milan has upper hand having beaten Sampdoria three times, drew once and lost

once. It will also be interesting to note that over the last twelve meetings between the two sides Milan has won a resounding seven times and in contrast Sampdoria only claimed a single win.

Football analysts predict an interesting game between the four teams in the Italian Serie A this weekend as subscribers can enjoy the sporting action on ST World Football (channel 245) and via the mobile app.

Commenting on the Serie A games, Brands and Marketing Director, StarTimes, Mr. Qasim Elegbede, said StarTimes will not relent to deliver quality sporting contents to its subscribers.

He said StarTimes acquired the broadcast rights of these

sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup in over 48 territories in Africa, and other league games such as the Serie A, the Bundesliga, French Ligue 1, Chinese Super League and Eredivisie, to ensure maximum sports entertainment for subscribers across the globe.  StarTimes is the leading digitalTV operator in Africa, covering the entire continent’s population with a massive distribution network of 200 branded halls, 3,000 convenience stores and 5,000 distributors.

The pay TV Company also owns a featured content platform, with 480 authorized channels consisting of news, movies, series, sports, entertainment, children’s programs, fashion and religion.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017

55

THURSDAYSPORTS

Ebola Joke Sacks Sampson from England Job Sampson Mark Sampson has been sacked as England women’s soccer team manager following evidence of “inappropriate and unacceptable” behaviour in a previous role.

The English Football Association said last week it was made aware of the full details of safeguarding allegations against Sampson when he was Bristol Academy boss in 2014.

But a 2015 FA assessment found Sampson did not pose a risk.

Sampson was also cleared this year of wrongdoing following discrimination allegations made

by England players.

The 34-year-old Welshman became England head coach in December 2013 after leaving his role as manager of top-flight side Bristol Academy, now renamed Bristol City Women.

The FA statement said: “the full report of that (2014) investigation was only brought to the attention of the current FA leadership last week.

“It is our judgement that it revealed clear evidence of inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour by a coach. It is on this basis that we have acted quickly to agree a termination of Mark’s contract.”

Minister for Sport Tracey Crouch said: “This situation is a mess and raises very serious questions about whether the historic processes that the FA had in place around the recruitment of coaches were appropriate, for something like this to have been missed. The FA is right to have taken action but reassurance is needed to make sure this does not happen again at any level

of coaching.”

Sampson’s England side beat Russia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday and he led the Lionesses to successive semi-finals at major tournaments.

Last week, the FA announced it was to re-open its investigation into separate discrimination claims against Sampson, first made in 2016.

Sampson was alleged to have asked mixed race England midfielder Drew Spence whether she had been arrested during a tournament in 2015, a claim which he denied.

The claim was first made by Spence’s England and Chelsea team-mate Eniola Aluko, and Spence has now submitted written evidence to support it.

In a further separate allegation, Aluko said Sampson told her to make sure her Nigerian relatives did not “bring Ebola” to an England game at Wembley in 2014.

Two investigations - one internal FA inquiry and one independent review led by barrister Katharine Newton - cleared Sampson of any wrongdoing.

Senior FA executives are set to face a parliamentary inquiry over the investigations after Aluko initially raised a “bullying and harassment” grievance against Sampson in response to an internal cultural review.

Aluko, who has 102 caps and is a qualified lawyer, and fellow England forward Lianne Sanderson have been invited to give evidence to the select committee hearing planned for mid-October.

United, City into League Cup 4th Round Marcus Rashford fired Manchester United into the League Cup fourth round as the holders crushed Burton 4-1, while Manchester City eased through with a 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion last might.

City and United, currently first and second in the Premier League, took contrasting routes to the last 16, where they were joined by Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton as the big guns advanced despite fielding weakened teams.

United manager Jose Mourinho made nine changes from the side that thrashed Everton on Sunday, with Rashford and Juan Mata the only survivors.

Rashford took just five minutes to open the scoring with a deft finish and the England forward struck again in the 17th minute

with a powerful effort.

Burton, 19th in the Championship, were killed off in the 36th minute when Jesse Lingard’s shot deflected in off Ben Turner.

Injury-ravaged United left-back Luke Shaw came on for his first appearance since April before Anthony Martial scored the fourth from Rashford’s pass on the hour.

Lloyd Dyer got one back for Burton in stoppage-time.

“If you ask me could English football survive or even be better without this competition?

Maybe we would be fresher for European competition for example,” Mourinho said.

“But we have this competition, we have to respect the sponsors, we have to respect the opponents and a lot of us are trying to do our best.”

RESULTS LEAGUE CUP Arsenal 1-0 Doncaster Chelsea 5-1 Nottingham Forest Everton 3-0 Sunderland Man Utd 4-1 Burton Albion West Brom 1-2 Man City

LA LIGA R’ Madrid 0-1 R’ Betis A’ Bilbao 1-2 Atletico Sevilla 1-0 Las Palmas

Michy Batshuayi (right) scored three of Chelsea’s 5-1 crushing of Nothingham Forest in the League Cup… last night

FIFA Probes Chelsea over Signings World soccer body FIFA is investigating English Premier League champions Chelsea for the third time in eight years over a potential breach of young player regulations.

“We can confirm that an investigation is ongoing,” FIFA said in an emailed response on Wednesday to questions about media reports regarding the club signing foreign players under the age of 18.

“We cannot provide any details concerning the matters under investigation.”

FIFA rules prohibit the international transfer of players under the age of 18 unless their parents have emigrated for reasons not connected to football or both the player and club are based within 50 kilometres of a national border.

The only other exception is for transfers within either the European Union or European Economic Area (EEA), where the minimum age is 16.

In those cases, clubs must still ensure that the player continues his education and studies for

an alternative career, as well as making sure he has a high living standard.

A Chelsea spokesman told British media that the club complies with all FIFA statutes and regulations when recruiting players.

The UK’s Daily Mail newspaper said yesterday that the alleged breaches were less serious than those committed by Spanish sides Atletico and Real Madrid in recent years, who both incurred transfer bans.

Chelsea has been investigated

twice previously over their signing of minors.

The West London club was banned from signing players for two transfer windows in 2009, a penalty they had overturned on appeal in 2010, over Gael Kakuta’s 2007 move from Lens to Stamford Bridge.

They were also investigated over the transfer of Bertrand Traore, the Burkina Faso international who was signed after his 18th birthday but had appeared in an Under-18 match in 2011 while still 16.

Ekwempu Wins LCC Tennis Festival Ndubuisi Ekwempu saved six match points for a 7-6, 1-6, 7-6 win over Bimbo Okubena to win the men’s singles title at the 2017 Lagos Country Club Tennis Festival which ended on Saturday.

Okubena, a former number one player on the club was the first to break for 4-2 in the

event partnered by 9Mobile, but Ekwempu, who defeated defending champion Matt Holmes in the semi-finals broke back in the seventh game before dragging the set to tie break which he won 7-3.

Hard-hitting Okubena won the second set convincingly 6-1 and was 40-0, 5-4 up in the final set but he failed to seal the match

as Ekwempu won in another tie break.

“I was never nervous because I know I have a big head-to-head win against him,” Ekwempu said of his comeback.

Tunji Adeyinka won the men’s Group B by beating Dapo Adebayo while Antonia Trombi and Lola Aluko defeated Eniola

Oshiga and Tosin Oshikoya in the women’s doubles final while the men’s doubles final was postponed.

Chairman of the tennis section Onubogu Arinze lauded 9Mobile for partnering the tournament which he said has helped, among others, in deepening friendship ties of members.

Niger Tornadoes’Ammeh Relishes Aiteo CupVictory over Plateau Utd Niger Tornadoes attacking winger Wilfred Angel Ammeh is overjoyed at his side’s hard-fought 2-0 victory against Nigerian champions Plateau United yesterday.

The Ikon Allah Boys defeated the Jos Elephants 2-0 in Wednesday’s Aiteo Cup quarterfinals clash at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja.

A goal in each half off the foot of Ebenezer Odeyemi and Bolaji Adeyemo was enough to hand the Minna landlords a head start in the first of the two-legged encounter.

Ammeh said his side are not celebrating yet but will double

their efforts to ensure they get a decent result in the reverse fixture clash on Saturday in Jos. “It was a difficult game. Plateau United proved their worth and gave us a good fight.

“A 2-0 win is convincing and a testament that we can go a long way in the Aiteo Cup. “However, we believe that the outcome is not yet done and dusted.

“We are convinced Plateau United will come out stronger in the next match.

“That is why we are not celebrating yet. We will go back

to the trenches to prepare harder for the second leg in Jos on Saturday.

“We must double our effort to ensure we get it right in Jos. “We will attack from start to finish and try to score more goals to make it difficult for the opponents to come back in the clash.

“We are determined to make it to the semifinals of the annual football championship,” said Ammeh to supersport.com.

The two top-flight teams will meet again on Saturday at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos to decide who progress to the

semifinals of the annual football fiesta.

AITEO CUP (Q’final, 1st Leg Results) MEN Ifeanyi Ubah 3-0 ABS Osun Utd 1-0 Sunshine Stars Tornadoes 2-0 Plateau Utd *Akwa Utd Vs Katsina Feedrs (pp) WOMEN BayelsaQueens 1-0 NasarawaAmazns Ibom Angels 1-0 Pelican stars Rivers Angels 0-0 Edo Queens AbiaAngels 1-0 ConfluenceQueens

Thursday, September 21, 2017

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& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Okezie Ikpeazu to Nnamdi Kanu “Agitation, marginalization, infrastructural deficiencies, these are issues which are germane and they can be discussed, they can be spoken about, they can be addressed.

But I do not know how in the 21st century, carrying arms in my kitchen will grow the prosperity of my people. A native wisdom in my place says you shouldn’t allow fight to ensue from your mother’s kitchen” —Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Nnamdi Kanu’s IPOB activities that resulted in a military operation in the state.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

The Chinese Prince and the Starving Tigers

A

s one would expect from such IT persons, the duo of Mr Ye Zhenzhen, the CEO of People’s Daily Innovation and Mr David Chen, Vice President of Microsoft, dazzled their audience with the coming world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the implications for the new media age. This was at a discussion session last Tuesday evening in Dunhuang, Gansu Province of Western China. But it was a personal story told by Ye that really got me. He recounted what happened when he was five years old, growing up in his village that had no electricity.

According to Ye, at that period, the entire community decided to contribute money to buy a generator. After that, it took several weeks to get an engineer that would help them power it. And then on D-Day, all the children were gathered for a lecture on the danger of touching the electric bulb. They were regaled with tales of a tiger that could be unleashed from inside the bulb. When, after the session, I asked Ye for his age, he said 41. “So the event you recounted happened about 36 years ago?” He answered in the affirmative. He also gave the name of his village as Longtanxia near Wenzhou city in Zhenjiang Province, Southeast China even as he told me of how prosperous most of his people have now become.

That a society in such stage of development less than four decades ago can advance to the level China is today bears eloquent testimony to visionary leadership and a strong commitment by the people to work for progress. It is also a pointer that there is no limit to how far Nigeria can still go if we are determined to change our narrative despite the failings of the past. The challenge, however, is that when other societies are thinking ahead on how to advance the good of their citizenry, some people in our country are more interested in dancing with pythons, smiling with crocodiles and generally playing some monkey games.

That explains why we are still squabbling, essentially over the sharing of unearned income from a perishing commodity that may soon become useless. But we must learn lessons from other societies lest we surrender our future to the kind of deprivation that can only breed violence. From last Sunday to Tuesday, I joined 264 other journalists from 126 countries across all continents in Dunhuang, Gansu Province of Western China, to participate at the 2017 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road. First held in 2014, this year’s edition is considered the largest concentration of senior journalists, representing different countries, ever assembled anywhere in the world.

At the opening ceremony on Tuesday, ten of us gave keynote speeches: Mr. Otis Bilodeau, Senior Executive Editor, Bloomberg News Asia Pacific, United States; Mr. Guy Zitter, Senior Advisor, Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT), United Kingdom; Mr. Masood Malik, Managing Director, Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation, Pakistan; Mr. José Vera, President, Agencia EFE, Spain; Mr Negoitsa, General Director, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Russia;

Chinese President, Xi Jinping Mr. Alejandro Esquivel, General Director, Notimex News Agency, Mexico; Ms. Lee Huay Leng, Singapore Press Holdings Ltd., Singapore; Mr. Stephen Rae, Group Editor-in-Chief, Independent News & Media (INM), Ireland; Mr. Mansour Abo Alazzm, Managing Editor, Al-Ahram Newspaper, Egypt and myself.

In my presentation, I alluded to the fact that at a period in history when some leaders are desperately bent on erecting walls across borders, it is noteworthy that China has decided that building bridges, opening new horizons and forging strategic partnerships are the way to go. This, of course, is in line with the vision of President Xi Jinping, who said in his speech at Davos early this year that “pursuing protectionism is like locking oneself in a dark room”. But can he walk his talk?

Colin Mackerras, a Professor Emeritus at the Griffith University in Australia-—whose relationship with China dates back to the mid-sixties when he spent two years in the country teaching English and learning Mandarin at one of their universities—said there is a lot of pessimism about the Belt and Road initiative in the West. But Mackerras also added that the idea stands a good chance of success because it is coming at a period “when the US-led globalization is in retreat and getting weaker while China is getting stronger. It is a positive development.” He predicted that in the next few decades the impact of the initiative would be huge.

With a vision to create the needed physical and digital connections across Europe, Asia and Africa by breaking trade barriers and deploying the power of technology, China envisions opening the space for expanding inclusive economic growth and diplomatic ties on a global scale. And by targeting no fewer than 4.4 billion people across 69 countries that have already signed on, Belt and Road initiative will directly touch more than 60 percent of the total global population with a combined GDP of over $21 trillion. What that

means in essence is that an unprecedented investment window will be open for shared prosperity among peoples in several countries at different stages of development.

While it can be argued that this is merely aspirational given contemporary international realities, there is no doubt that China is serious to project its power and in such a strategic manner that it will also benefit immensely from the new economic order it envisions. In his presentation on Tuesday, the Chairman, China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, Mr Zheng Bijian, said two roads have diverged for the world and every country now has a choice as to which one to travel: that of protectionism which he dismissed as offering no solution or that of a common destiny of innovation, productivity and shared benefits across boundaries. This, according to Zheng, is the road President Xu has decided to take China with the Belt and Road initiative launched in 2013.

For me, what worries is that Africa is not positioning itself very well to take advantage of the opportunities that the initiative offers in this increasingly interdependent world, especially given the growing presence of China in most countries across the continent.

While I am aware of some of their transport infrastructure projects in East Africa, there is need for a more coherent African strategy. This is because the more the number of countries connected under this initiative, the more easily triggered for collective development they will become. What that therefore entails for Africa is that we need to open the space for economic integration even among ourselves so as to enjoy a better bargaining power and the advantage of scale.

Meanwhile, as one would expect in a gathering of journalists, the state of the profession in the new age was also discussed and there are clear apprehensions on the future of the traditional media. The consensus was that newspapers must adapt or die.

In his contribution, Mr Thomas Shefeit, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of “wiener zeitung”, a newspaper founded in Vienna in 1703 (original name, “wienerisches diarium”) illustrated the point on the evolution of the media. A December 1726 edition of his paper, bromide of which he has kindly sent to me on request, published a story about a meeting between a group of monks from the Hungarian Empire and the Chinese Emperor. The big deal is that the event reported happened in October 1725 which means that it took 14 months between when the story was written and when it was eventually published; yet it still hit page one!

Altogether, it has been an exciting time in China. From Dunhuang, we are now back to Beijing where some of us still have functions to attend, including a meeting this afternoon with a Chinese state leader at the Great Hall of the People before the farewell dinner later tonight.

On Monday in Dunhuang, we visited the Mogao grottoes where we encountered some ancient Chinese civilizations dating back to the fourth century. As we were conducted round the caves, I was particularly fascinated

by the image of a prince who reportedly came across some tigers who were on the throes of death as a result of hunger. According to what we were told—and please believe me, this is no fake news—the compassionate prince simply offered himself as a meal to those famished tigers!

Beginning from year October 2000 when Charles Onunaiju and I were invited to cover the first Sino-African conference in Beijing at the instance of the Chinese embassy in Nigeria, this is my 6th time in the country. And having learnt very early in my journalism career never to take anything at face value, I am quite aware that there are still some fundamental contradictions within the Chinese society.

But what fascinates me about the country is that, at every epoch, there are deliberate efforts by their authorities not only to create wealth on a large scale but also to ensure a measure of equitable distribution so that more and more of their citizens can be lifted from poverty to prosperity.

As I noted in my speech on Tuesday in Dunhuang, the amazing Mogao caves are more than just treasure trove of ancient caverns; they speak to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Chinese monks of old who could carve such a long stretch of caves right into the cliff. With the incredible temples from stone carvings said to have been the efforts of only 355 monks, they also teach that enduring societies result from the sacrifices of people who, at some points in history must be prepared to pay the price, people around whom myths and legends can be built.

Given the foregoing, the goal of nation building is not necessarily to impose order on diverse peoples but rather to build consensus around forging a community where all can prosper and live together in peace despite their differences. Therefore, the lesson I keep learning from my interactions with China is that there is nothing we cannot achieve if we are ready to work together as a team in pursuit of a common goal. And that lesson will serve us well in Nigeria, especially at this most difficult period in our history.

Take a Bow, Pius!

W

ith a 1992 First Class Bachelors degree in French from the University of Ilorin and a Master’s degree (with distinction) in the same discipline from the University of Ibadan before bagging his doctorate, also in French Studies, from the University of British Columbia, Canada, Pius Adesanmi has really come a long way in the academic world; and within a relatively short time. Now a professor of English language and Literature at Carleton University, Canada and head of the university’s Institute of African Studies, Adesanmi was last week named the recipient of the prestigious Canada Bureau of International Education (CIBE) Leadership Award. As we say in THISDAY: More to follow! Congratulations, my brother.

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