Friday 13th October 2017

NNPC: I Did Not Approve Contracts But Loans, Says Osinbajo Kachikwu: Issues raised in memo were not on fraud but governance Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja and Amby Uneze in Owerri Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday broke his silence on the notion that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the financing loans for the Nigerian National Petroleum

Corporation (NNPC) when the president was receiving treatment in the United Kingdom and had handed over powers to him as acting president, stating

that he (Osinbajo) indeed gave approval to the joint venture financing loans in accordance with laid down procedure, but not he did not approve contracts.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had in a memo to Buhari, accused the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC, Dr.

Maikanti Baru of awarding contracts to the tune of $25 billion and making senior executive appointments in the corporation without due process and recourse to

Buhari Reappoints Orji NSIA Boss… Page 48

the board of NNPC which Kachikwu chairs.

However, in its response to the memo, NNPC had said all contract awards had followed due process and were approved by Buhari.

Continued on page 10

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At APC South West Leadership Meeting, Akande Says Presidential Ticket Open to All Ademola Babalola in Ibadan The South-west governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), National Assembly members, ministers and other stakeholders of the party yesterday evening rose from a meeting in Agodi Government House, Ibadan, Oyo State, after which the former National Chairman of

the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, declared that the presidential ticket of the party was open to all in the 2019 general election.

Akande, who spoke to reporters after the meeting, said the contest for the presidential ticket of the party was open to all, as Continued on page 12

FG to Review Power Sector Privatisation

Discos may cede shares to new investors Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government disclosed yesterday that it is considering a review of the power sector privatisation, commencing with the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) in the country.

The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed unveiled

government’s new thinking in Abuja at the question and answer session with journalists, which drew the curtains on the 23rd Nigeria Economic Summit (NES) organised by the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

Continued on page 10

THE IMF/WORLD BANK FEST… Farmer to Die by Hanging in Delta for AT Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun (left) and the Secretary of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ meeting, Mrs. Clark, during the meeting of the finance ministers of the Commonwealth, held on the sidelines of the IMF/World Stealing N170, Nokia Phone… Page 49 Helen Bank Annual Meetings in Washington D.C…. yesterday godwin omoigui

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PAGE TEN FG TO REVIEW POWER SECTOR PRIVATISATION Ahmed stated that the government and other stakeholders had come to the realisation that something critical needed to be done quickly in the power sector.

The review of the power sector privatisation, she stated, would commence with the Discos.

Ahmed said: “The power sector has been privatised but I’m sure every Nigerian can attest to the fact that the privatisation has not worked well, in the sense of what we sought to achieve in terms of power efficiency.

“It has not yet happened. We have now come to the point where government which is a stakeholder in the power sector and other stakeholders must come together and decide and cede some of their holdings to new investors that will inject new

funding; investors that have the expertise to grow the power sector that will serve Nigerians.”

She continued: “It’s a process that is on going, it involves negotiating with the existing owners and also with the government in deciding the right level of holdings that will go up for another round of sale.

“The privatisation has not worked out. We discovered that many of the companies are indebted to the banks, making it difficult for them to make fresh investments in their infrastructure.

“All stakeholders must come together to grow the sector, especially in discussing with the existing owners.”

The minister explained that before any new investment is made in the sector, the contentious issue

of tariffs must also be discussed and agreed by all stakeholders in order to attract new investors.

Explaining the government’s thinking to attract fresh investments in the power sector, given the tariff quagmire, she said: “We said the power sector would be opened up to new investors. But it’s very clear that many won’t be convinced with the level of tariff.

“That’s a discussion that has to be held with the new investors.

It’s very clear to us that the level of tariffs that we have now is not sustainable but where the tariffs will go will be the subject of negotiations between the government, the existing investors, the new investors and consumers.

“We will try to attain some optimal level that will make an impact on the tariff structure. The

starting point will be the Discos.”

On the 2018 budget proposals, the minister said her ministry was ready to meet the October deadline it announced earlier for its submission to the National Assembly.

“The 2018 budget will be presented to the National Assembly in October and we are still on course. The budget is ready, it will be going to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) first of all for approval before Mr. President now conveys it to the National Assembly.

“We are on course to deliver the 2018 budget in October. We hope that working together with the National Assembly, the 2018 budget will be passed on time in December so that in January, we can start with a fresh budget

WELCOME MADAM AMBASSADOR… President Muhammadu Buhari (left), receiving the letter of credence from H.E. Mrs. Paulette Adjovi Yekpe, ambassador designate of the Republic of Benin to Nigeria, at the State House, Abuja… yesterday state house

going forward,” the minister said.

On the federal government’s domestic borrowings which is crowding out the private sector, the minister said government had reviewed its loan strategies.

“Government does not go to borrow at 20 per cent. The market actually determines the borrowing, but the point we are making is that because government is borrowing heavily, the financial sector is now concentrating on lending to the government and the private sector gets little or no attention at all.

“Why would financial sector want to lend when they can buy Treasury Bills at 22 per cent? So we have come to the conclusion that government must reduce its domestic borrowing to free the space so that the financial sector is enabled to borrow to the private sector,” she explained.

On the NES as a platform for the exchange of ideas on the economy between the private and public sectors, she said recommendations arising from the summit would continue to form the nucleus of government’s policies.

“The NES has become a tradition; an institution, if you like, and every year we look forward to it. This is a summit that is undertaken in partnership with the NESG, the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, and indeed the government,” she said.

This year’s summit with the theme: “Opportunities, Productivity & Employment - Actualising the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,” the minister noted had intense deliberations for three days.

“We had discussions that centered around strengthening skills and competency, access to finance; we also had discussions around the legislation required to unlock opportunities to grow the

economy,” she said.

She added that at end of it, “we have a summit report, a draft of which has been handed over to us today to government”.

“We will begin to work again in partnership with the NESG and its organised committees on how to address all of the various recommendations that have come out of this session,” she explained.

Responding to a question on the chaotic traffic situation in Apapa, Lagos, the minister said the reconstruction of very critical roads in the port city had been approved.

She stated that the level of degeneration of the roads in Apapa had led to recommendations for total reconstruction, noting that the federal government was determined to do so.

On what the government was doing to ensure optimal performance of the ministers, she said a monthly performance chart with set targets had been prepared by her ministry.

She said there would be consequences for failure to meet set targets.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Nnanna Ude of the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER) described the consensus reached at NES 2017 as fruitful, calling for quick legislative actions on them.

He said: “There are pending bills and we always try to carry out the economic impact on them.

For instance, the Competition Bill has the capacity to create 381,000 jobs annually, generate revenue of N148.3 billion yearly.

“It will also lead to a 10 per cent reduction in the prices of goods.

For the National Transportation Commission Bill, it will also boost job creation and government revenue,” he added.

leader whose interest is to better the lot of Nigerians.

Kachikwu, who stated this in Owerri, the Imo State capital while speaking on the third day of Nigerian content workshop organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), decried the misrepresentation by some Nigerians on the issues raised in his memo, stressing that no one was accused of committing fraud in the NNPC contract awards.

“The conversation has been largely misunderstood to border on fraud. It was not on fraud, but on governance and suggested ways to go about it. I think a lot of people got it wrong.

“People dwell much on issues of sensationalism and leave the main substance. I think I and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru are working together as Mr. President has directed that we move forward,” he said.

According to the minister, “Mr. President has urged the two of us to find ways of working together to remove doubt and rift. Mr. President is a decent man and what he wants to achieve in this country is to leave a legacy for posterity.

“He is a sincere leader, so nobody should accuse him of engaging in fraud,” Kachikwu stated.

He commended the management of the NCDMB headed by its executive secretary, Mr. Simbi Wakote for promoting and enforcing Nigerian content in the oil and gas sector.

“NCDMB is blessed in terms of the quality of personnel in that parastatal. They have done well in ensuring that things move well in his area. Simbi has made the institution stronger and I congratulate you and your folks,” he said.

Kachikwu, however, observed that not much local content had been engaged in offshore oil and gas operations and enjoined the NCDMB to move in that direction.

He announced that by next year, the facilities in Port Harcourt and Kaduna would be available to train unskilled Nigerians to acquire skills in the oil and gas sector, adding that the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) and the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) would be responsible for the programme.

NNPC: I DID NOT APPROVE CONTRACTS BUT LOANS, SAYS OSINBAJO In its response, which was sanctioned by the president, NNPC went further to list contracts and joint venture financing loans approved by Buhari and provided the dates of approval.

But the dates provided in the response by NNPC on when the so-called contracts/joint venture loans were approved raised a red flag when it was pointed out by online new medium Premium Times that they coincided with the absence of Buhari who was away in the UK on health grounds and had constitutionally handed over to his deputy, Osinbajo.

When the red flag was raised, NNPC spokesman, Ndu Ughamadu rushed to clarify that the said financing loans approved for Shell and Chevron under the joint venture contracts at $1billion and $780 million, respectively, were approved by Osinbajo in his capacity as acting president.

However, Osinbajo’s office initially kept mum on the controversy until yesterday when the vice-president’s spokesman, Laolu Akande stated that Osinbajo approved the loans “after due diligence” had been complied with and in accordance with laid down rules and regulations.

Akande, in a series of tweets on his Twitter handle @Akandeoj, said the approval Osinbajo made was necessary as a measure to address the huge backlog of unpaid cash calls in NNPC. According to the tweets, the huge backlog of unpaid cash calls were inherited by the current administration and the approval was meant to stimulate the required investments in oil

and gas sector.

“In response to media inquiries on NNPC joint venture financing, VP Osinbajo as Ag. President approved recommendations after due diligence and adherence to established procedure.

“Action was necessary to deal with huge backlog of unpaid cash calls which the Buhari administration inherited and also incentivise much needed fresh investments in oil and gas sector,” Akande tweeted.

Also, yet another statement from Akande last night, added: “Our attention has been drawn to some misleading reports suggesting that the vice-president approved certain procurement contracts for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

“This is totally false, as the approvals referred to were actually for financing arrangements in replacement of the traditional joint venture cash call obligations.

“In the statement of NNPC recently released in response to allegations made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, reference was made to various financing arrangements with NNPC’s joint venture partners, which were approved by the presidency under the current administration.

“There were three such loan financing arrangements made for: (i) NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture Project; (ii) NNPC/ Chevron Accelerated Upstream Production Project; (iii) NNPC/ Shell/Total/Agip Joint Venture Accelerated Upstream Production Project.

“While the first was approved by the president in person, the

second and third were approved by the vice-president as acting president.

“The NNPC Act, Cap. N. 123, Laws of the Federation, (updated to 2010), authorises the corporation to borrow such sums as it may require in the exercise of its functions.

“Sub section (2) goes further to specify the only precondition: ‘The Corporation shall not, without the approval of the President, borrow any sum of money whereby the amount in aggregate outstanding on any loan or loans at any time exceeds such amounts as is for the time being specified by the President.’

“Furthermore, subsection (4) provides that ‘Where any sum required aforesaid – a. is to be in currency other than Naira; and b. is to be borrowed by the Corporation otherwise than temporarily, the Corporation shall not borrow the sum without the prior approval of the President’.

“These financings are purely commercial loans obtained by NNPC and its joint venture partners, mainly from local and foreign banks, to perform their exploration and production activities.

“Repayments are also made out of revenues from the crude oil produced directly by the funded project. Unfortunately, they are being confused with contracts for goods and services.

“The alternative financing arrangements became necessary as inability of government to meet its cash call obligations had stalled further investments in the petroleum sector and reduced the country’s production capacity.”

Also, while answering questions from reporters after the ground-breaking of the multibillion naira Bonny-Bodo road project, in Bonny, Rivers State yesterday, the vice-president went into the semantics of the loans he approved by differentiating them from contracts, when he explained that the approvals he granted to the NNPC while he was acting president were for financing arrangements for the joint ventures between the corporation and international oil companies (IOCs), and not approvals for contracts.

He said: “These were financing loans. Of course, you know what the joint ventures are, with the lOCs like Chevron that have to procure.

“In some cases, NNPC and their joint venture partners have to secure loans and they needed authorisation to secure those loans while the president was away.

“The law actually provides for those authorisations. So I did grant two of them and those were presidential approvals, but they are specifically for financing joint ventures and they are loans, not contracts.”

Meanwhile, Kachikwu who started the entire storm that has snowballed into who between the president and his deputy actually approved the loans for NNPC has stated that his memo to Buhari did not border on fraud but on governance and on the best ways to move the oil and gas sector forward in the country.

He also expressed deep confidence in the president as a thorough, clean and meticulous

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STARTERS

ECOWAS Court Awards N18m against FG for Labelling Actress, Njemanze, Two Others Prostitutes

Two-Minute Briefing

Alex Enumah in abuja

Probing Him IbrahimIdrishasapproachedtheFCT High Court for an order restraining the Senate Committee from investigating him over allegations of corruption and bribery levelled against him by a senator.

Page 48

The ECOWAS Court yesterday imposed a fine of N18 million on the Nigerian government for violating the human rights of three Nigerian women in 2011 when it labeled them prostitutes.

The three women, Dorothy Njemanze, a popular actress, Justina Etim and Amarachi Jessyford are to be paid the sum of N6 million each by the federal government for their unlawful arrest, detention and declaration as prostitutes in Abuja.

Delivering judgment in the court action instituted against the government at the regional court, Justice Friday Chijoke Nwoke ordered the government to pay the sum to the three ladies as compensation for the humiliation and inhuman treatment they suffered during their arbitrary arrest and designating them prostitutes.

Justice Nwoke held that the government was liable for the arbitrary arrest and detention of the plaintiffs carried out by military operatives, police and officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) who claimed to be acting on the directive of the federal government.

The judge held that the government’s pronouncement in declaring the three ladies commercial sex hawkers was a gross violation of their rights to dignity because there was no shred of evidence from the defendants for doing so other than mere suspicion that they were outside late at night.

The ECOWAS court agreed with counsel to the plaintiffs, Bolaji Gabari that there was no law in the Nigerian statute book prohibiting women from being outside late at night.

Besides, the court held that the defendant acted in bad faith and in gross violation of the fundamental rights of the plaintiffs to the freedom of movement by arresting and detaining them at the Gwarimpa Police Station in Abuja without informing them of the reasons for their arrest and without charging them to court for any known offence.

Justice Nwoke, who headed the three man panel of the court in delivering the judgment, further held that the violent, cruel, inhuman, degrading discriminatory and unlawful treatment meted out to the plaintiffs by the law enforcement agents of the federal government in Abuja was a condemnable act because the violation of rights of the plaintiffs to human dignity was carried out in breach of all known human rights laws.

He further held that from the totality of the evidence adduced during the hearing of the matter and from the

EDITORIAL The Shame Of Federal

Roads… 2 At an elaborate ceremony last week, the federal government announced the release of N100 billion Sukuk bonds to pay some contractors to facilitate the construction and rehabilitation of 25 priority across the six…

Page 15

POLITICS Iworiso-Markson: When Loyalty y Njemanze

totality of the claims of the plaintiffs, it was clear to the court that the action of the defendants was targeted at women in a discriminatory way and manner, adding that when women are seen on the streets does not necessarily mean that they are prostitutes, except and unless there are cogent reasons and evidence to hold such a position.

The ECOWAS Court further held that the actions of the law enforcement agents against the plaintiffs were painful on the grounds that after the arrest of the plaintiffs and their dumping in detention, the federal government did not consider it necessary through its security agents to carry out a thorough investigation on the arrested ladies to determine their status better and merely went out of its way to pronounce them prostitutes without any cogent evidence.

“The right to human dignity is the most fundamental human right and unless legislation permits, no one must be deprived of the right to human dignity.

“In the instant case, the action of the defendant runs contrary to all laws on human rights because the arbitrary arrest, detention and declaration of the plaintiffs as a class of prostitute was not premised on any known law.

“At any rate, the discriminatory treatment, cruel and inhuman treatment meted out to the plaintiffs in this case cannot be said to be in good faith for

whatever reasons other than the fact that their fundamental rights to human dignity have been violently violated and as such each of the plaintiffs is hereby awarded six million naira each to be paid by the defendant for the unlawful action against the citizens,” the court held.

Justice Nwoke added that law enforcement agents under the law might have powers to make lawful arrests but such powers to make lawful arrests becomes unlawful when the power of arrest is arbitrarily carried out, as in the instant case.

Reacting to the judgment, Njemanze who wept shortly after the judgment was handed down against the government, thanked the court for doing justice to the government’s unlawful claim of declaring her a prostitute.

She expressed optimism that with the judgment, the government will now do away with all laws and policies targeted at discriminating against women.

Also reacting to the judgment, Chetach Loius Udeh, Progamme Officer, Gender Justice Project for Alliances for Africa, whose organisation coordinated the court action for the plaintiffs, pleaded with the Nigerian government to learn from the court judgment by dropping all actions aimed at exposing women to unnecessary ridicule, cruel, inhuman treatment and all forms of discrimination in their interest and fair play.

AT APC SOUTH WEST LEADERSHIP MEETING, AKANDE SAYS PRESIDENTIAL TICKET OPEN TO ALL President Muhammadu Buhari had not indicated that he would be contesting the 2019 elections, but if he does there will be process for his selection.

The meeting, which lasted for four hours, was held in the executive council chambers of the governor’s office and had in attendance Governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo State), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos State), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun State) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo State).

Others present were former Governors Adebayo Alao-Akala, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Olusegun Osoba, Adeniyi Adebayo, Kayode Fayemi, who is the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, Minister of State for Niger Delta, Claudius Daramola, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yusuff and House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, among others.

The party’s National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu who was billed to attend cancelled it at the last minute because

NEWS IG Asks Court to Stop Senate from

of a stomach ache, said Akande, the group’s spokesman.

But Tinubu’s media aide, Tunde Rahman later held a media parley with journalists and allayed fears over the health of his boss, stressing that “he considered it wise to stay back in Lagos to attend to the ache and he is part and parcel of the decisions going on at the meeting. I can assure you that he is well and there is nothing to worry about his health”.

Amosun and Akeredolu also left midway into the meeting, as they had other appointments elsewhere.

Speaking on behalf of the APC stakeholders after the meeting, Akande said they were in Ibadan as a follow up to the January meeting they held in Ibadan to appraise the state of affairs of the party and how the zone was fairing in the scheme of things.

Dissatisfied, the journalists fired questions and Akande replied as follows: “We are happy that our governors and ministers are performing satisfactorily.

As a party, we are trying to review our

position to see what we are going to do to get Ekiti back for APC in 2018.”

Asked about the position of the party on Buhari’s speculated second term ambition, Akande said: “He has not told us he is running in 2019. Anybody in our party is free to become the president of Nigeria as long as he indicates interest.

“We have a process through which a candidate will be selected. If he is lucky to get the ticket, then we have no option than to present him as our candidate.”

On the clamour for restructuring, Akande said: “Restructuring is not our language. Go and ask those who are advocating for restructuring to define it.

“What I told you just now is devolution of functions from the centre to the states and to the local governments.

Restructuring is the language of other groups of people.

“Go and put your question to them on what they mean by restructuring, whether restructuring of economy or governance. That is not in the APC manifesto.”

Pays off The decision of the Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson to elevate his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson to the state’s executive council is a rare reward for loyalty Page 17

WEEKENDFILE Uneducated Girl Population is

Impoverishing Africa According to a report released by ONE this week, African countries are losing billions of dollars for not addressing the gender gap in education, writes Solomon Elusojii Page 27

BUSINESS Poor Welfare: NDLEA Workers

May Revolt, Call for Buhari’s Intervention Many workers of NDLEA have been express- ing their frustration over poor remuneration, lack of promotions, non-payment of medical and other allowances and poor working environment.

Page 19

CITYSTRINGS Royal Honour for Oshiomhole

Adibe Emenyonu writes on the recent reception organised by the Oba of Benin to celebrate Adams Oshiomhole’s outstanding achievements as governor of Edo State for eight years Page 40

INTERNATIONAL US Pulls out of UNESCO in Dec Following repeated calls for reform and anti-Israel bias in UNESCO, the United States has said it will withdraw from the organisation at the end of 2018.

Page 47

SPORTS Wenger Salutes Nigeria over

Eagles Qualification Arsenal Manager, ArseneWenger, has congratulated Nigeria for emerging the first African country to book her passage to theWorld Cup 2018 scheduled to hold in Russia.

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COMMENT

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

KACHIKWU, BARU AND THE NNPC President Buhari should be held to account over NNPC, argues Bayo Olowo

E

ver since the story of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu’s memo to President Muhammadu Buhari alleging the sidelining of the NNPC Board, which he chairs, by the GMD of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, leaked, and became a general national issue, the response by the president and the NNPC leaves much to be desired in the minds of many patriotic Nigerians.

First, a day after the matter went viral, a trade union in the critical oil and gas sector, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Union (PENGASSAN), which ought to be neutral and patriotic and to be mindful of enlightened self-interest because if there is a war in that sector many of its workers will be the first major casualties, adopted a position that seemed as if they were recruited to defend Baru against the Minister of State, Ibe Kachikwu. That was unfortunate.

Second, another group also emerged on the scene and said that Ibe Kachikwu wanted Baru to be his errand boy when Kachikwu’s grouse is that Baru has been side-lining the NNPC Board and showing disrespect to him not as a person but as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources who has supervisory powers over not only the NNPC but also over other agencies under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The issue that Baru ought to have addressed squarely is whether or not Ibe Kachikwu’s specific allegation on that score is true or not; if it is true, why so and if not, evidence about issues of administration, major financial dealings and other weighty matters deserving of board attention which ought to have been referred to the board since Baru’s accession to the NNPC GMDship about a year ago which were not, would have been tendered. If no such evidence exists, a statement to the effect that the NNPC Board and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources have no role to play in NNPC affairs; that the NNPC is run solely by the GMD and Mr. President who made himself the senior minister of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Such a response would have clarified issue on that specific allegation.

Three, NNPC is not just another government parastatal. It is the national oil company of Nigeria and is in-charge of a sector that accounts for over 80 per cent of the country’s foreign exchange. When NNPC sneezes the whole nation catches cold. First, the man who is on ground and should be in actual control of such a strategic sector noticed something fishy going on there, raised the alarm about it by addressing a memo to the president who also doubles as the senior minister of that ministry on August 30, 2017. There was absolutely no sense of urgency on the part of the president to address what sounds like a clear threat to the health of the goose that lays the country’s golden eggs.

In other saner lands the Ibe Kachikwu’s memo would have attracted a very swift presidential response because it contained many weighty allegations against NNPC management headed by Baru, top of which is that the reforms made by him to bring about openness and transparency to the hitherto opaque NNPC is being made nonsense of with the apparent knowledge and possible endorsement of Mr. President. Note that Buhari’s main selling point that propelled him to power in 2015 is his supposed integrity. But the president, in his wisdom, never considered it important enough until it was leaked and he could discern the extreme embarrassment caused him by issues raised by Kachikwu which were now in the public domain.

When the matter went viral, every Nigerian expected the president to say something as quickly as possible to pacify agitated Nigerians who were openly wondering how what Kachikwu has said could possibly

THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE OF URGENCY ON THE PART OF THE PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A CLEAR THREAT TO THE HEALTH OF THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE COUNTRY’S GOLDEN EGGS

take place under an administration headed by Buhari, an acknowledged man of integrity and due process. But what happened?

Four, for days, mum was the word from the Presidency until news was dished out that the president would be meeting with Dr. Kachikwu on Friday, October 5, over two months after Kachikwu had sent the memo to him. Is it that Mr. President did not see Kachikwu’s memo until it was made public or he never considered it worthy of his attention as he was all along in the know of what GMD Baru was doing which Kachikwu considered were wrong? When the news of Kachikwu’s date with the president was out, national and international attention was riveted on the date as if Kachikwu was a foreign head of government on appointment with his opposite number in another country.

Are we not told that Ibe Kachikwu is a junior minister to Buhari in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources? Why then will Kachikwu need such a ‘flagged’ appointment with his boss? What has happened with routine? Are we not being inelegantly told that there is no working relationship between principal and subordinate as should be the case?

Is Ibe Kachikwu supposed to be a figure-head in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources who should not be in the know about the day-today workings of the NNPC? Is Kachikwu appointed to that position in that ministry strictly on account of where he comes from and in order to pacify the geo-political zone he represents?

Only Buhari and Kachikwu are privileged with information about what was discussed in that famous meeting. Why hold such a meeting at all if the outcome will not be publicised? Why must the president treat the nation with such amount of disdain by not being accountable to the nation over the weighty issues raised by Kachikwu?

Five, before and after the twosome meeting between president and minister, the cyber space have been seized by persons obviously hired to attack the person of Dr. Kachikwu, leaving the issues of transparency, non- exercise of oversight duties and insubordination he raised completely unaddressed. The impression is unfortunately created that there is a war on between the federal government and a certain Dr. Kachikwu with Kachikwu not raising a finger to defend himself. The question many sane Nigerians are asking is: has a war of annihilation been declared against Kachikwu for daring to bring into the open issues which touch on his person and his nation and which ought to worry the president of that country?

Six, the NNPC has said in a release it issued on Monday, October 9, that it has been “ordered by the President’’ to react to Kachikwu’s allegations, reinforcing that feeling created by it that a war is on. For some of us who do not wish to see Kachikwu’s timely alarm swept under the carpet in the usual Nigerian way of doing things, we wish to state here that the ball set in motion by Kachikwu still lies squarely in the president’s court. They are certainly beyond the NNPC saying in effect that Kachikwu and the board have no oversight powers over it according to existing rules and regulations.

At any rate, whatever the circulars or administrative regulations say, what does the NNPC management under Baru have to fear Kachikwu and the board if they are convinced they are above board in all their dealings? If the office of Minister of State, Petroleum is surplus to requirement as one of its parastatals can so flagrantly disregard it, why retain it? Let Buhari come out with a statement that he is now full minister of petroleum and full president of the republic and no one will have the guts to question him over what is going on in the NNPC. Olowo wrote from Jos, Plateau State

MASARI AND THE POLITICS OF 2019

Muhammad Galadanchi writes that the differences between President Buhari and the Katsina Governor are becoming obvious

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he very fragile relationship between President Muhammadu Buhari and Aminu Masari, the Governor of his home state, Katsina, is about to be further fractured. The relationship between both men has been held together more by political expediency, than any shared world vision and values. Both men are strange bedfellows, and have remained so apart, despite great efforts to mask those obvious differences, that are like day and night. While Masari has politically been associated with the defunct conservative National Republican Convention (NRC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Buhari has always pitched his tent with the progressives, from the All Nigeria Peoples Party, the Congress for Progressive Change, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he finally realised his ambition to be president. In fact Masari rose to become Speaker of the House of Representatives on the PDP platform. So he wasn’t an ordinary member of the PDP. Masari, like many other politicians, was rudely elbowed out of the party and naturally into the arms of the opposition, where he sought and found refuge first in the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) and has since then smartly latched on to Buhari. Without Buhari, Masari who is from the southern part of the state, would never have emerged Governor of Katsina State.

But Masari, from recent events, might not have that smooth ride in 2019, like he had in 2015 elections, considering the political developments in the state, but most especially his lack of capacity to

deliver the goods to the people. Aware of this and to preempt his political opponents, he recently got the state working committee of the APC to endorse him as its 2019 governorship candidate. But the snag is that the president was not part of the process that led to the decision, nor has Buhari endorsed the decision. Katsina politicians are anxiously waiting for the president to speak on the issue, which makes nonsense of the APC change slogan, and brings to disrepute his watch word of integrity and honesty.

For most people of Katsina the various political actions of Masari have made the APC to look more like PDP. Like the PDP, there is no internal politics, as the imposition of candidates is the order of the day. Increasingly by every passing day, the APC is behaving more like the PDP in every respect.

Masari’s problem is that the stiff opposition to his maladministration cuts across the parties. The PDP which governed the state since 1999, until it lost the state to Buhari, has not made life easy for him, especially as he has proved himself incompetent.

Ibrahim Shema, the former governor who is having a running battle with Masari, and was thought politically dead, has not only resurrected but has been challenging the governor to explain what he has done with the over N40 billion he has so far borrowed . “We never borrowed a kobo in our eight years in office, but governor Masari has borrowed N35billion in one and half years. Again, we said Katsina was not owing Paris Club debt, and Katsina State was refunded the sum of N15 billion”. The question that Shema and many other indigenes of the state are asking Masari is: what has he done

with the money? There are no projects to justify the borrowing. And only last week, a faction of the APC led by Senator M.T. Liman, openly described him as a failure. The move is aimed at saving the party from imminent defeat due to mass dissatisfaction with the leadership style of Masari.

Unsure of how Buhari, who to a very large extent would most likely determine the political direction of Katsina State in the 2019 elections, would react to him, Masari in a fight for his political life, has teamed up with Dahiru Mangal, the billionaire sponsor of the PDP who later defected to the APC. Mangal has not found life easy under the Buhari administration. Mangal, like many other “investor” politicians, has been denied patronage

by Buhari. So he was a natural choice for Masari to turn to. For Masari, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. And this is where Masari’s opponents have had Masari cornered. While Buhari can tolerate strident allegations of Masari performing below par, Buhari would definitely never be comfortable with Masari, wining and dining with Dahiru Mangal, his sworn enemy. Mangal stands for everything Buhari is opposed to. Worse still is that Ibrahim Shema, the former governor, has started making plans to tackle President Buhari ahead of 2019 elections because of Masari’s poor performance. The PDP is suddenly emboldened and the indication is that it will give the APC a run for its money. Most APC members hold Masari responsible for the new lease of life the PDP is enjoying.

Manifestations that the deep crack in the relationship between Governor Masari and President

Buhari which has always been there has widened is the failure of Masari to visit the president in London where he has been in and out of over health issues. Even when the APC nominated governors visited the sick president, Masari was loudly left out, because the party leadership is aware of the relationship between both men. This is the big cross that Masari is bearing with equanimity. Before now Masari had managed to suppress the cold war with the president, afraid of the reprisals by the poor who adore Buhari.

The questions a delegation of Katsina elders who visited the president last week soliciting support for the governor couldn’t answer from loyalists of the president was: why did Masari refuse to visit the president in London while there for medical checkup? Masari’s other crime was that when eventually the president returned he was conspicuously absent from the welcome party. In months, Masari has only seen the president when he visited the state for the Eid Kabir celebrations.

But Masari, is taking no chances. In alliance with Mangal, he has perfected the plot to snatch the party structure from the president and hand over the structure to his trusted PDP stalwarts, his ideological soul mates. Known PDP stalwarts are being lured to join APC. The political calculation is that they will team up with the new PDP members who decamped after the formation of the APC and form a formidable block within the APC. Mangal who regrets ditching the PDP is the arrow head of “operation take over the APC”.

Galadanchi wrote from Katsina

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

EDITORIAL THE SHAME OF FEDERAL ROADS‌2 The nation’s highways need more attention

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t an elaborate ceremony last week, the federal government announced the release of N100 billion Sukuk bonds to pay some contractors to facilitate the construction and rehabilitation of 25 priority road projects across the six geopolitical zones in the country. “The roads will ease commuting, spur economic activities across the country and further close our infrastructural gap,� said the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun after presenting the cheque to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola.

While we consider the development an important one, we must nonetheless say that the money involved is still a far cry from the huge investment that needs to be made if we must revamp the decaying road infrastructure in Nigeria. From the north-east and north-west to the south-south, south-east and south-west to north-central, the story is the same: most of the roads have become death traps. As things stand today, THE FEDERAL trips that ordinarGOVERNMENT SHOULD ily should take no PUT IN MOTION A more than a few COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BY minutes now take WHICH WE CAN REBUILD hours and at times THE CRITICAL ROAD days because of the INFRASTRUCTURE IN conditions of most NIGERIA of the major access roads.

Meanwhile, in unveiling his plan for federal roads in December 2015, Fashola had promised that the federal government would re-introduce highway tolling to raise additional funds to ďŹ nance road infrastructure and ensure efďŹ cient road maintenance. Tolling, according to Fashola, was necessary to support government funding. “So, it will not be too much if we ask every road user to pay little to augment government funding for road maintenance. It is eminent commonsense for us to ďŹ nd that money. We will use technology; so if we don’t pay cash, you will pay by tokens or tickets and

Letters to the Editor

the money is accountable and it will go to the right place�, said Fashola who added that the nation’s road infrastructure would also generate job opportunities and reduce unemployment in the country.

Against the background that a drive through many of the nation’s major roads is now a nightmare, we had wholeheartedly endorsed the Fashola plan at the time. But almost two years after the plan was unfolded, Nigerians are still waiting for any concrete action in that direction. Some roads in the south-south, south-east and south-west are particularly in a sorry shape apparently because of the impact and damage the rains had on them.

Most affected roads in the south-east include the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Bende-OhaďŹ aArochukwu road, Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Calabar road, Enugu-Awka-Onitsha road and Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road.

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ven in Lagos, the roads leading to Apapa, the strategic port city where hundreds of millions of naira are made daily by the government and others, are embarrassing.

Over the years, billions of naira had been poured on the Oshodi-Apapa road but it is still in a shambles, crater-ridden and looking more like a war-ravaged area. Even the road to the international airport in the nation’s commercial capital is an eyesore, even though it was recently handed over to the Lagos State Government.

Last week, Fashola called on investors to “invest in infrastructure that the public will useâ€? so as to beneďŹ t from some tax relief under an arrangement that is still not very clear. Are businessmen now to adopt just any roads and build by their own speciďŹ cations? What is the role of the Infrastructure Concession Commission in the arrangement?

In as much as we concede the fact that we need bold initiatives if we are to ďŹ x our major highways, ad hoc arrangements will not do, given the enormity of the challenge in the sector. We therefore call on the federal government to put in motion a comprehensive plan by which we can rebuild the critical road infrastructure in Nigeria.

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.

WHY PDP MUST SIN NO MORE

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the leading opposition political party in Nigeria, has scheduled to hold its elective national convention, between November and December, 2017 to elect officers that will replace the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) and pioneer the affairs of the party ahead of 2019 and beyond.

However, the concern in the minds of stakeholders of the party and other lovers of democracy in Nigeria is that the PDP must surmount the various political calculations and interest within the party and in the country in order not to further destroy its fortunes.

Critics of the PDP are already positing that the party has not learnt from its past mistakes of imposition, lack of internal party democracy, illegal manipulation of the zoning arrangements and possible disenfranchisement of credible persons that may take the PDP out of the woods.

One of the issues under contention in recent times is the influx of members of the immediate past National Working Committee of the party in the race for various party positions. It has been alleged that the immediate past national working committee of the party committed serious act of gross misconduct and looted the party with reckless abandon.

Nigerians may recall that after the disappointing loss of

the PDP in the 2015 general election, staffers of the PDP National Secretariat raised the alarm, accusing members of the then NWC of mismanagement and misappropriation of party funds.

The party had recorded over N12 billion from the sale of nomination forms during the 2015 general election but the members of the NWC squandered the said amount before leaving office in May, 2016.

In one of the publications made available to newsmen by the PDP staff, it was gathered that members of the NWC appropriated to themselves various sums of money ranging from N30 million to N100 million without the approval of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

It was also reported that the NWC in less than six months paid themselves six years housing allowances in areas, far above the stipulated four years tenure of the NWC, thereby neglecting the backlog of the same allowances meant for the administrative staff of the party.

It was also gathered that the share meant for Dr. Adamu Muazu was paid into a renowned company’s account, a situation that led to some inter agency rivalry between the company and the party.

In order to perpetrate this nefarious act, the then National Working Committee opened a pseudo or ‘All Purpose’ bank account in one of the banks without the approval of NEC,

in the name of ‘Morufi Nigeria Limited, where monies were diverted to serve their personal interest. The Morufi Nigeria Limited account was used, instead of the party official account for the payment of nomination forms of delegate elections in 2015.

Investigations have also revealed that part of the failure of the PDP in 2015 was traced to the immediate past NWC of the party. It was revealed that the non-inclusion of some of the past NWC members in the Jonathan Campaign Organisation angered most of the members, leading to infighting and anti-party activities.

Some stakeholders are also of the opinion top members of the party in connivance with members of the NWC collected huge sums of money from various aspirants of the party and later denied them tickets. This also led to the mass exodus of PDP members before the general election. It is therefore a misnomer and suicidal to allow the immediate past NWC members to administer the affairs of the PDP at this crucial times.

Party members are therefore worried with these embarrassing situation and believe that, returning again this same set of persons to the National Secretariat will not only spell doom for the party, but will remain an impediment to the progress and success of the PDP in the 2019 general election.

Musa Abdullahi, Bauchi, Bauchi State

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T H I S D AY FRIDAY OCTOBER 13, 2017

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017

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

POLITICS

NEWS PERSONALITY

Iworiso-Markson: When Loyalty Pays off The decision of the Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson to elevate his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson to the state’s executive council is a rare reward for loyalty, writes Segun James

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nder a scorching sun at the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, Daniel IworisoMarkson stood at alert and constantly pleading with and seeking understanding from media men and making them comfortable as he prepared to welcome his boss, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State along with Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka who was several hours late to the commissioning of the model school built by the state government in its bid to fasttarck the educational development in the deep rural and riverside areas of Bayelsa State.

Those who have been media managers to politicians will tell you that managing this category of people is the hardest jobs of their life. But Markson is the quintessential media man who is very protective of his boss. He never stops trying to explain or clarify every action his boss takes or and every word that comes forth from the governor’s mouth.

As a media manager, even in the face of so many odds, he has been able to project his principal in every positive way possible. It was in the face of this that he was recently promoted to the state executive council from Chief Press Secretary to the Governor to the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, the first of such promotion in the history of the state.

The promotion of Markson is coming nearly two years into the second term of Dickson. The move, according to watchers of the politics of the state is suggestive of the fact that the governor is preparing for a battle as the race towards the installation of his successor begins.

Dickson knows that the battle for his successor will be fierce, long-drawn, and it will be mostly done in the media, hence the positioning of Markson in the strategically important Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy.

It was also in realization of this that, in addition to his position, he was also made the chairman of the strategically important State Documentation and Records Committee, a move that suggest that all weapons will be deployed to achieve victory in the coming election.

Markson is not new to political communication management. It was a position he held under the late Funsho Williams, when he was to contest for the governorship of Lagos state years ago.

It was based on his experience that he was invited to manage the media for the Dickson’s governorship campaigns in 2011, when Dickson became the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Cool, calm, collected and strategic, even in the face of so many odds, Markson it was who managed the backlash that followed the recommendation of the PDP Reconciliation Committee‘s report headed by Dickson which almost consumed the reputation of the governor.

He managed the fallout by constantly and successfully explaining the reasons for the recommendations and why his principal should not be crucified for being a faithful party man who meant well for the party.

When the news made the rounds that Dickson described the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s six years tenure as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a wasted period for the Ijaw people, he it was, who went around media houses showing the video and explaining to Nigerians that contrary to the report, Dickson never insulted the person of the former president claiming

Those who have been media managers to politicians will tell you that managing this category of people is the hardest jobs of their life.

Ugwuanyi...proved critics wrong

that the governor,s words were misconstrued.

So much for a media professional that has been elevated to the strategically important ministry of information, a move which has been lauded by media practitioners in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital as putting a round peg in a round hole.

So happy were the media men that they hosted him to a luncheon, the first time ever that the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists would host any political office holder on being appointed as information commissioner.

Daniel Iworiso-Markson was born 47 years ago to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sunday Iworiso of Opume Kingdom, Ogbia Loal Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He is a consummate public relations and

But Markson is the quintessential media man who is very protective of his boss.

media practitioner with an uncommon pedigree and whose industry experience spans over two decades. Before assuming the position of Chief Press Secretary and Commissioner of Information and Orientation, he had held several key positions in various media organizations and marketing communication firms, all based in Lagos.

He started out as a journalist with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria in Lagos and thereafter went on to work as the Corporate Affairs Manager of Express Group of Companies.

He also worked as General Manager of Project Planning and Systems Development Limited, an information technology company located in Ikeja, where he led a team of I.T professionals to carry out extensive training for Lagos State Public Servants during the computerization drive of the state’s public service in 2001. He also held other senior management positions in leading advertising and public relations outfits in Lagos.

Before leaving to take up political appointment, Markson resigned as Principal Consultant of DMB Public Relations Limited, a specialized PR consultancy firm with a bias for Political Brand Management.

It was therefore not surprising that the PR agency which he founded was able to build

a reputation for itself as the foremost PR firm in Nigeria to engage in strategic political communication and political brand management consultancy, working for top political clients like the late Funsho Williams, even though his client (Funsho Williams) won the Alliance for Democracy governorship primaries, but he was denied the ticket which was given to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who then became the party’s anointed candidate at the time as reward for his role in the NADECO, the political organization that fought the government of General Sani Abacha to a standstill in the late 1990s.

Funsho Williams would later defect to PDP and went on to contest as the party’s flag bearer in the 2003 governorship race in Lagos. Throughout this period, IworisoMarkson worked closely with him as his media consultant and aide.

Iworiso-Markson also carried out extensive political communication work for the Yar’Adua presidential campaign in 2007. He was also at various times Consultant to both DFID and World Bank sponsored projects in the country in partnership with the Federal Government.

A thoroughbred professional, highly driven and very result oriented, Iworiso-Markson joined the Dickson governorship campaign in 2011 and served as a critical member of the media team to ensure victory for both Dickson and his party, PDP in the elections of 2012 which saw the Dickson mounting the saddle of leadership in the oil rich state as the fourth democratically elected governor of Bayelsa State.

Upon assumption of office as governor, Dickson immediately appointed Daniel Iworiso-Markson as his spokesman, a position which he held for close to six years before his elevation as a Commissioner and member of the State Executive Council.

Iworiso-Markson who holds a Masters’ Degree in Public Relations from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) with several other professional qualifications, including a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing and Advertising from the same university, is member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the African Public Relations Practitioners Association (APRA), the continental body for PR practitioners.

He is the author of four books including the recently launched: “How Governor Dickson Deployed People Power to Defeat Federal Might”, a chronicle of the intrigues and power play during the last governorship election in the state.

Widely travelled and married with children, Iworiso-Markson who plays the beautiful game of soccer is the founder and captain of the Creek Haven Football Club, a team of Bayelsa’s Government House staff based in the Government House, Yenagoa.

An avid and voracious reader, he also enjoys listening to gospel music and spending time with the family whenever his hectic schedule permits.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017

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POLITICS

TRENDING

Kogi West PDP Heads Back to the Drawing Board Ahead of the 2019 elections, the Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi West Senatorial District is putting strategies in place to retake the seat it narrowly lost to the All Progressives Congress in 2015, writes Shola Oyeyipo

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi West Senatorial District has zoned the its senate ticket for the 2019 election to Yagba Federal Constituency.

The decision was taken recently, during the party’s zonal stakeholders meeting held at the City Hall in Mopa, Mopamuro Local Council headquarters, following the adoption of the recommendations of the Strategic Committee on Party Offices and General Election.

The meeting, the fifth in its series since the PDP rebirth following the ruling of the Supreme Court which upheld the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee (NWC) of the PDP as the authentic leader of the party. was attended by members of the party from the three federal constituencies of Lokoja/Kotonkarfe, Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu and Yagba. The decision, as contained in the communiqué, was taken after members from all but one of the seven local government areas in the senatorial district voted in support of the committee’s recommendations. Stakeholders from Lokoja, Kotonkarfe, Ijumu, Mopamuro, Yagba West and Yagba East aligned with the zoning.

However, party members from Kabba/Bunu local government argued that the area also deserved to be considered for the senate slot in the rotation arrangement. Speakers from Kabba/Bunu contended that it was among the local governments yet to produce a senator since the aborted third republic. However, other speakers from Kotonkarfe, Lokoja and Ijumu local governments in a counter argument, spoke unanimously in favour of rotation of the senate seat to Yagba on the ground that the arrangement was on federal constituency basis and not a local government-by-local government affair. The matter was put into voice vote, with members overwhelmingly voting in support of rotation of the senate seat to Yagba.

The decision came on the backdrop of the existing zoning arrangement among the three federal constituencies since the commencement of the current dispensation in 1999. Senator Tunde Ogbeha from Lokoja/Kotonkarfe served two-terms from 1999 to 2007. Senator Smart Adeyemi from Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu took the baton and served two-terms from 2007 to 2015. Ogbeha and Adeyemi contested on the platform of the PDP. Although it was expected that the baton would shift to Yagba in 2015, Senator Dino Melaiye also from Kabba/ Bunu/Ijumu won the 2015 election but on a different political party platform, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In April, 2017, the zonal PDP executives set up the Strategic Committee on Election into Party Offices and General Election, to look into causes of the defeat suffered by the party in the last election and provide the roadmap for the 2019 polls.

The 23-man committee, chaired by Alhaji Muhammed Abdulrahman, in its 14-page report earlier submitted to the PDP zonal chairmen, Taiwo Kola-Ojo in Kabba, headquarters of Kogi West Senatorial District and read to the stakeholders at the Mopa meeting for adoption, stated in part: “Kogi West Senatorial District must ensure the rotation of the senate seat at the National Assembly between her constituents (the federal constituencies of Lokoja/Kotonkarfe, Kabba/ Bunu/Ijumu and Yagba. National and State offices zone to Kogi West must be rotated within the zone. The same principles must apply to appointments. The candidate for the election into the Senate for 2019 should come from Yagba Federal Constituency, after which it goes back to Lokoja/Kotonkarfe and Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu” In a related development, the people of South-east Yagba rose from a ‘multi-party’ meeting, held at Jege, Yagba East Local

Melaye...PDP plotting to take his job

Government, at the weekend, where they demanded that the House of Representatives seat of Yagba Federal Constituency be zoned to the area. The meeting was attended by members of both the PDP and the APC, retired and serving public officials, youth leaders, market women and students.

According to a communiqué signed by Comrade Shola Adebola, the meeting discussed the pitiful state of the roads, which have turned to death traps as a result of pressure on it occasioned by road diversion from Omuo to Kabba. The meeting reviewed the political situation in the area and the level of disunity among the political class ad concluded that this was the bane of underdevelopment in the area.

“It therefore resolved that all the parties must close ranks and speak with one voice in the interest of the district. The forthcoming National Assembly election was extensively

Although it was expected that the baton would shift to Yagba in 2015, Senator Dino Melaiye also from Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu won the election on a different political party platform.

discussed and the meeting resolved that as a matter of priority, the parties must work assiduously to clinch the House of Representatives seat of Yagba Federal Constituency in 2019, while our political class should show interest in the Senate slot, if they so desire, without compromising the House of Reps slot, which is our natural turn by our federal constituency rotation formula. The political class was advised to extend hands of brotherhood to Isanlu axis, Yagba West and Mopamuro local governments in their quest to clinch the House of Reps slot“, the communiqué stated in part.

Meanwhile, hundreds of supporters of former Acting Governor of Kogi State, Chief Clarence Olafemi, have defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Led by a former Vice-Chairman of the Mopamuro Local Council who until Monday was a State APC Youth Leader, Oyebode Makinde, the new PDP members from across the 10 electoral wards in the council were received by the Kogi West Senatorial District Chairman of the PDP, Taiwo Kola-Ojo inside the crowded Mopa City Hall during the party’s zonal stakeholders meeting. The defectors said they were returning “home” after their “unfruitful” sojourn in APC. According to Makinde, about 70 percent of the APC ward executives in the LGA defected. He named the notable figures to include Tope Ajayi (LGA Party Secretary), Folake Salami (Assistant Women Leader), Maxwell Adegoke (Organising Secretary), Femi Adeyeye (Ward 1 Chairman), Timothy

K. Obaba (Ward 2 Vice-Chairman), Henry Jeremiah (Ward 3 Chairman), Segun Alaiyemola (Ward 4 Chairman), Rtd Major RS Akoni (Ward 8 Chairman), Taiye Omokore (Ward 9 Chairnan), all Ward 10 Exco, Rtd Major TS Selewo and Oyebode Makinde.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Makinde said, “I used to be a state officer of the failed party called APC but I am happy to announce to you that I have ceased to belong to that party, the last two years of the APC led administration in the state emasculated those of us who contributed to building the party in the state. In the situation where those of us who formed the party in the state were turned to political orphans, and now being harassed, intimidated and insulted for no fault, other than the fact that we worked for APC to win the state in the last governorship election, our return to PDP has become inevitable, signalled the death of APC in the State, and the bidding of goodbye to Lugard House by the incumbent governor of the state”.

Receiving the returnees, Taiwo Kola-Ojo commended them for coming back home now that the ovation is loudest.

Ojo described the APC-led administration in the state as a poison that has killed thousands of citizens in just two years.

Ojo said while government is about welfare of the people, the government in Kogi is concerned about inflicting hardship, pain, sickness, and death on the lives of kogites since its inception in January, 2016.

He assured all members of equal treatment and opportunities to attain their ambitions and aspirations, Although he was not in attendance, the defection is said to have the endorsement of the former APC Board of Trustees member.

He had hinted in an interview with a national daily that a return to the PDP was top priority after he alleged marginalization of 95 percent of original members of the APC in the state by the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello. Bello had been drafted as a replacement for the late governorship candidate of the APC, Prince Abubakar Audu, who died while he was clearly coasting to victory in the November 21, 2015 poll.

Olafemi who was a one-time Speaker of Kogi State Assembly was among notable Kogi politicians who staged the mass defection from the PDP to the APC at formation stages, in the run up to the 2015 elections. The exodus was believed to have partly contributed to the defeat of the PDP in the state by the APC in the November 21, 2015 governorship poll. The defeat ended PDP’s rule in the state after 13 years.

Former Deputy Chief of Staff (Presidency), Prince Olusola Akanmode, who joined other PDP leaders to welcome the returnees, urged them to approach the rebirth of the party with ‘cautious optimism’.

He advised party members not to take things for granted as politics, according to him is full of surprises.

His words: “Let it not be said of us that we have learnt nothing. When an elder falls, he rises up, looks back, dusts himself up and continues his journey, aware not to repeat the same mistake that led to his previous slip. After all what had happened in 2015, one hopes that lessons have been learnt. We should therefore welcome the situation with cautious optimism.

“Let us not take many things for granted, especially when it comes to contest for political office. There is nothing wrong with jostling, but we allow jostling to divide us. What we call empowerment by political office holders is negligible compare to what they take home, so why should we allow it to divide us? The most important thing for us is to get organised. We may not achieve all our individual ambitions, but there is no limit to what we can achieve collectively”

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S NIBOR OVERNIGHT 1-MONTH

A S

A T

NIBOR 15.3333% 17.0332%

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

20.1621% 23.1621%

M A R C H 9 , NITTY 1-MONTH 2-MONTH

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

2 0 1 7

13.0970% 14.0684%

3-MONTH 6-MONTH

15.7898% 19.6644%

EXCHANGE RATE N305.50//1US DOLLAR* ̩

Quick Takes Centre Promotes Client Protection

CIMA MEMBERS MEET

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, MTN Liberia, Mr. Babatunde Osho; President, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Mr. David Standford; Associate Director (CIMA),Mrs. Ijeoma Anadozie; and Regional Vice President, Africa, Mr. Badibanga Promesse, at the CIMA Members’ Evening in Lagos…recently ….. SUNDAY ADIGUN

Poor Welfare: NDLEA Workers May Revolt, Call for Buhari’s Intervention Chinedu Eze Many workers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have been expressing their frustration over poor remuneration, lack of promotions, non-payment of medical and other allowances and poor working environment.

The workers have therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and save the agency before it is destroyed by the present management.

In the petition written by the workers of the agency, calling on Buhari to intervene urgently in the affairs of the agency, they said that the president “must urgently probe the Chairman/ Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah(rtd) and save the country from the tragic woes of irredeemable

AVIATION drug abuse and trafficking.”

They also alleged that “Abdallah has not added any value to the agency since he took over two years ago for lack of administrative know-how” Some of the workers told THISDAY that if nothing is done by the federal government, some of the workers will start sabotaging the work of the agency, “and you know that the drug traffickers are always looking for a way and eager to have collaborators from the agency.”

The workers, who spoke to THISDAY, said inducements of money from drug couriers have become more tempting under the precarious working conditions of NDLEA personnel where the future is uncertain and retirement has become bleak.

Considering the sensitivity of the jobs they do, some of the workers told THISDAY that it was ironical that the management of the agency and the federal government are not paying critical attention to the welfare of the workers who remain the wall against the proliferation of drugs in the Nigerian society.

As a paramilitary organisation, the workers know that the Act that established NDLEA cannot allow them to go on strike or establish a union through which they can pressure the management, but the frustration that has beclouded the daily lives of the workers can make them sabotage the agency and that will be dangerous for the Nigerian society.

THISDAY also learnt that there is no provision made for the workers who die in active service and in the last two years over 60 workers of

the agency had died in sudden and unexpected manner.

Nothing more can support the alleged lack of provision for the deceased staff than the circular recently circulated to all the staff of the agency soliciting for free donation for the families of those who died in the active service.

The circular with reference number, NDLEA/ ADM/400/2/v/124 issued on July 24, 2017 and titled: Re: Voluntary Donation for the Families of Our Officers who Died in Active Service, showed the management soliciting money from the workers to pay the families that lost their dear ones who died in active service as NDLEA staff and the number of the deceased underlisted in the circular were 14.

An official of the agency told Continued on page 20

Adesoye: Maritime Dividend Key to Economy, Nation Building Eromosele Abiodun The Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye has stated that proceeds from the maritime sector is vital to the growth of the Nigerian economy and sustainable development of the economy.

He stated this at the conference of professional Women in the Maritime and Port sector of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) holding in Lagos.

Adesoye charged PMAWCA members to brace up and contribute most meaningfully towards Nation building in order that, ‘we join the committee of Port Nations in entrusting international best practices’.

In his goodwill message,

MARITIME Adesoye stated that the variables accruable from the dividends from the maritime sub-sector are critical instrument that could be utilised in nation building.

He opined that all efforts in all activities in the maritime subsector should be geared towards the generation of greater revenue in order to impact positively on the economy.

According to him, the place of greater operational efficiency in maritime operations cannot be over emphasised thus, the need to strive to always do more at all times.

He charged the women maritime professionals to stand up and be counted in this regard.

Similarly, the chairman enjoined participants at the conference to create more opportunities for others in their fold to be educated and be prepared for taking up challenges in the sub sector.

He said this is another avenue abound in order to stimulate the Economy to growth.

Capacity building, Adesoye affirmed, is a variable critical tool for growth across board whilst admonishing participants to encourage themselves in the areas of career growth.

He added the most effective way of achieving this is by being conscientious at work and diligent at duties.

He called on female professionals in the subsector to synergize with the multiplicity of

groups and professional bodies towards synthesizing effectively new trends in technology and innovation aimed at the development of the country and the subregion at large.

On her part, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza BalaUsman called on professionals in the maritime subsector to invest more in themselves in order to be indispensable in their field of endeavors.

She pointed out that the maritime and port activities in the subregion is beset with myriad of challenges ranging from decay in infrastructure to low capacity utilization, corruption, insecurity and other Continued on page 20

Grooming Centre alongside Fortis Microfinance Bank have been awarded Smart Certificate for client protection by the Smart Campaign to encourage other microfinance institutions in the country to put their clients first. The Smart certification, which began in 2008, provided an independent, objective seal of confidence that a financial institution is doing everything it can to treat its clients well and protect them from harm.

The Vice President, Centre for Financial Inclusion (CFI) and Director of the Smart Campaign, Ms Isabelle Barres, said that low financial literacylevelswasoneofthebiggestclientprotectionissuesinNigeria.

Barres said that the campaign focussed on the microfinance industry and how to assist them to achieve global best practices in their operations. According to her, the third phase of the campaign spans through 2017-2020 with a focus on Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Rwanda. She explained further that each convening of the campaign was aimed at bringing key stakeholders together to address consumer risks. “The knowledge of client protection and challenges were important in boosting the efficiency of the operations of microfinance.” Meanwhile, one of the award recipients, CEO of Grooming Centre, Dr. Godwin Nwabunka, said this award is about client protection. “Client Protection Principles (CPP) means how clients focus on you, how you put clients, how you protect the interest of clients in your product design, in delivery mechanism, staff attitude and everything.”

Lufthansa Partners UNILAG on Training

German carrier, Lufthansa is organising the training of 200 students from University of Lagos who will undergo six-days coaching with international trainers.The airline said it is bringing its internationally acclaimed corporate social responsibility(CSR) project to Nigeria, ‘Impact Week 2017’ which would be held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) campus in Akoka from October 20 to 26.

ImpactWeekisaone-weekprogrammeaimedattrainingparticipants to develop sustainable business models using different innovation techniques like the innovative ‘Design Thinking’. “We are excited to have a team of UNILAG professionals, Lufthansa international staff and other experts come together with around 200 students to develop their skills, broaden and take on the tasks of thinking about solutionsforsocio-economicchallengesrighthere”,LufthansaGeneral Manager,Nigeria,RobinSohdisaid. DirectorEntrepreneurshipCentre, UNILAG, said “It is exciting to have the Impact Week in Nigeria and more importantly in University of Lagos to support a life changing experience for our teachers and students by Lufthansa Germany Airlines.” The Impact Week is aimed at coaches and students who generallyhavegreatuntappedideas,creativeenergyandaneagerness to learn and improve things. This six-day event will help participants find, test and develop business ideas with great innovation. It will further prepare and motivate students to engage in entrepreneurship and give them platform to start their own business and find their role in the society. The focus is on seven core sectors (tracks) which affect daily life in Nigeria.

Medview Expands to Francophone Destinations

Nigeria’s rising domestic carrier, Medview Airline will on Friday, October 27 start flight operations to Abidjan, Conakry and Dakar with an inaugural flightWith the three new cities, the airline now has six destinations on theWest Coast as Accra, Monrovia and Freetown are already on its network.The flights to the new destinations would be three times a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday with early departures (7.30am) from Lagos.

Theairline’snewgenerationaircraft-B737-800isscheduledtoservice the route. Fresh from Saudi Arabia, the Chief Executive Officer of Medview, Alhaji Muneer Bankole, who successfully coordinated the 2017 Hajj in which the airline airlifted over 17,000 pilgrims declared, “our expansion programme is informed by research and planning.

“In the very near future, we will be operating to Johannesburg, South Africa; Lisbon, Portugal; Libreville, Gabon and Houston in the US,’ the CEO said, disclosing that the airline has already positioned for Dubai later in the year.

“With our upgraded maintenance facility we can do all levels of maintenance from A to C checks on Boeing B737 Classics. We are also willing to maintain the aircraft of other airlines”

CEO of Aero Contractors,

Capt Ado Sanusi

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BUSINESSWORLD POOR WELFARE: NDLEA WORKERS MAY REVOLT, CALL FOR BUHARI’S THISDAY that the management of NDLEA may inadvertently be empowering corruption through the poor welfare of workers, noting that in terms of promotion their contemporaries in other paramilitary organisation are promoted more regularly with the attendant increase in their salaries to reflect the new promotion. “You empower corruption when you don’t treat the workers well. Those are going to retire very soon know that they are getting nothing from the agency so they are ready to cut deals with drug couriers.

Promotion has stagnated for years. The Act that established NDLEA should be amended so that the Senate will confirm the Chairman of the agency. I am sure that if our boss was examined by the Senate they would not have allowed him to be appointed,� an aggrieved staff member told THISDAY. ADESOYE: MARITIME DIVIDEND KEY TO ECONOMY, NATION BUILDING inefficiencies and enjoined women in the sector to initiate actions that will turn these situation for the better in the sector and to the benefit of the sub region.

While asking for increased opportunities for women in the sector, she said: “Women sure need to have more opportunities in the sector given that only 2 per cent of the world’s Maritime workforce is made up of women, according to 2015 research by the International Transport Workers Federation.�

She called on delegates to fashion out ways in which women can collectively contribute to effect the much needed change in the maritime sub-sector and the nation in general.

In their goodwill messages, the General Coordinator of Professional Women in Ports and Maritime Sector, Mrs. Adanlete Lawson and PMAWCA Secretary General, Mr. Michael Lueguje commended the Usman for her achievements so far and for the support she has given to PMAWCA over the years.

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NEWS

Aero Begins C-check Maintenance at Its Lagos Facility Chinedu Eze Nigeria’s oldest airline, Aero Contractors has made history by conducting the first C-check on a Boeing B373. This follows the certification of the airline by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which issued Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) certificate to the company, qualifying it to carry out aircraft maintenance up to C-check level on Boeing Classics: B737-300, B737-400 and B737-500.

Aero recently extended its maintenance hangar so that it could effectively take in a Boeing 737 aircraft and it is partnering with A J Walters of United Kingdom for tooling and spares, the South Africa Airways Technical and other international maintenance organisations to ensure that its aircraft maintenance facility is in line with global standards.

For years the airline has been conducting maintenance on helicopters and Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft up to D and C check respectively. The airline also hopes to secure European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification before the middle of next year.

Speaking on the development, Chief Executive Officer of Aero, Capt Ado Sanusi said: “Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has given the certification for Aero to

conduct C-checks on Boeing B737 Classics. I have always said that Aero Contractors Maintenance Organisation has been in existence for about 58 years and it has been conducting checks and it has been improving. Over the years it has done remarkably well in maintaining small body aircraft like Bombardier Dash-8, Hawkers and other private jets. But there has always been a limiting factor for Aero Contractors to perform

C-checks on bigger airplanes. So we now had a comprehensive look at what is needed so that we could achieve the great feat of carrying out C-check maintenance on Boeing B737 classics. Finally, we got all our people and every other thing ready and send them to NCAA to look at everything for approval. What we needed was to meet the specification for conducting C-check on bigger aircraft, the Boeing B737 classic, which include B737-300, B737-400

and B737-500.�

Sanusi said that the airline has started getting offers to conduct C-check on third party aircraft (aircraft of other airlines) but the company starting the C-check with its own aircraft and would maintain two of its own before conducting the C-check on another, which was already in waiting. “Other airlines have indicated interest to bring their aircraft for C-check. This is a great accomplishment because

C-check on Boeing B737 is very, very important because B737 is one of the most popular airplanes in Nigeria and actually in Africa. So we are very confident that this achievement will go a long way, and it is a game changer in aviation industry in Nigeria. It is an achievement that we look at as a big improvement in the aviation sector. So the benefit is not only to Aero but the entire aviation sector,� Sanusi said.

AWARD PRESENTATION

L-R: General Manager, OneCard, Mr. Olorunfemi Muka; N1 million winner, Abubakar Mohammadu, his brother and OneCard Head of Marketing, Mrs. Ogbonna Amaka, at the August presentation of gifts to winners in the OneCard King of Recharge Promo, in Lagos... recently

Saraki: PIB Will Promote Devt of Nigerian Content in Oil Industry Amby Uneze in Owerri Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has stated that major reason the current Senate must pass the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIB) after 17 years of its introduction is to enhance exploitation and exploration of petroleum resources in the country for the benefit of Nigerians.

The Senate President, who spoke in Owerri, Imo State during the opening ceremony of the 2nd edition of the Nigerian Content Workshop, noted that when the bill is signed into law, it would also promote

the development of Nigerian content in the oil industry and encourage investment in Nigerian petroleum industry.

Saraki, who was represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Tayo Alasoadura, pointed out that the bill, which was split into four parts and gave the Green light that the Petroleum Industry Administration Bill, Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill and Petroleum Host Community Bill have all gone through second reading, would also be fast tracked for their passage.

He maintained that high interest in Nigeria’s oil and gas

sector had brought to the fore certain critical issues including local content, which required the enactment of National Oil and Gas Development Content (NOGDC) in 2010. He added that the local content policy was geared towards a gradual and comprehensive integration of Nigerian citizens into all aspects of the oil and gas industry to ensure the benefits of the industry are maximized for Nigerians through education, skills and expertise development.

According to him, there is no doubt that the ultimate objective of any oil production country is to control and oper-

ate all phases of it industry, as it will translate to massive reduction in unemployment and ensure rapid development arising from increased revenue to the governments’ treasury as a result of local production.

Describing the theme of the three-day workshop “Maximizing the Nigerian Content Policy for Sustainable Business Growth and National Development� as a commendable one because of its importance in ensuring increased indigenous production quota in the oil and gas sector while maintaining sound business ethics, he also challenged participants to see that its

objective found solutions to the challenges impending the smooth implementation of the Nigerian content policy.

He assured that the National Assembly would always give support to the development of the oil and gas sector and position it for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Enumerating the objectives of the workshop, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote said it was to create sufficient awareness and interest in the local content regime amongst various stakeholders, to cultivate a healthy relationship

‘Nigeria is Far Ahead of Peers in Payment System’ Ebere Nwoji The Managing Director, Integrated Cash Management Services (ICMS), Oluwaseun Bamisile, has said that contrary to assumption among Nigerians that Nigeria is behind in its financial system, the country is far ahead of its peers even the United States of America in payment system.

Bamisile, who stated this at the 2017 Nigerian Brands Awards held in Lagos recently said Nigeria has done better than even the US in terms of payment. “If you look at the type of ATM we deploy in Nigeria, all ATM in the country have

chips, some countries do not even do instant transfer. In the payment space, we are having the opportunity of moving ahead, the only aspect we haven’t done well is in terms of mobile money payments and the reason is because of some of the government policies. As long as those policies start falling in place, the economy will take a full speed,� he stated.

Bamisile, however, said despite this, 57 years after independence, Nigeria is far far behind her peers in many other aspects. “If you take the population of Nigeria and check all the indications, the economy will

do better, yes we are trying but we will still do better, if you look at it, there’s no country in the world today or very few countries that the regulators have not completely outsourced some services especially in the area of cash logistics. You will find out in Nigeria, CBN still handles a lot of these things , and what it does is that it doesn’t fill up sufficient capital for people,� he stated.

According to him, one of the greatest cost most of the banks carry today is the cost of cash, adding that there has been some intervention measures. “With our intervention, we have been able to help them manage most of the cash they

hold, it is going to free up more cash for us for the progress of the economy�, he pointed out.

Bamisile also spoke about the ATM system in the country saying “when we talk about the ATM, if you look at the density of the ATM in Nigeria, you will see that it is very low. Between the year 2014-2015,there were 14000 ATM in Nigeria, if you compare it with other countries that should be compared with Nigeria, you will see that ratio of ATM to the Nigeria population is very low.

Explaining further he said the government has done a lot about the deployment of more ATM. first by licensing of companies called AIDS.

He said the companies couldn’t attain a kind of size that will suit the economy because the Naira note was not available, saying that there was no ICMS, which is operating centres that will make cash availability for ATM deployment.

He, however, said because of his company’s intervention, there will be faster velocity of note, the velocity of the Naira will change, adding ICMS will ensure the taking away of notes that are not fit.

He also spoke on the effects of the cashless policy of the CBN on his company saying there is no economy in the world that is cashless.

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Freight Forwarders Laud NSC on Ease of Doing Business Eromosele Abiodun Freight forwarders have expressed satisfaction with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on some policies and projects being promoted by the ports economic regulator that are targeted at achieving ease of doing business at the ports.

President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Increase Uche stated this in a chat with journalists in Lagos. He said interface with service providers and customs service commands by the NSC leadership and management staff on ease of doing business have impacted positively on services at the ports, smoothening operations in many ways, the freight forwarders said The agents pointed out that dialogue with the service pro-

viders on the need to fast-track services at the ports compelled many of them to improve on their equipment profile.

Having enough cargo handling equipment, according to freight forwarders, helps in positioning of containers for examination very fast, thereby improving on turnaround time of vessels calling at the nation’s ports. He said the council has done well in getting service providers to do everything that will facilitate trade in the country.

Uche said that the council has been able to carry every stakeholder along on issues affecting the industry, adding that this was responsible for the goodwill that the economic regulator enjoys in the sector. “NSC has really done well. I must give them kudos, looking at how far they have been able to handle the aspect of their

functions in the logistics chain,� the NAGAFF President said.

He added that the council needs to be protected and empowered by statutory laws that will enable them ‘bite when the need arises’. He expressed dismay on the issue of shipping charges which the council had declared as illegal, stopped but was challenged in the court. According to him, it was worrisome that even as the court judgment was against the service providers on the collection of the shipping charges, the companies involved had a field day until the last judgment in the Appeal Court.

Uche said this was so because it appeared that the council did not have enough instrument of law to check the service providers, explaining that this was why his association supports more legal empowerment for the agency.

Reps Deny Asking FG to Repatriate INTELS’ Expatriates The House of Representatives has denied reports that it ordered the federal government to deport some expatriates of Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics giant, INTELS Nigeria Limited.

In an affidavit deposed to by the Clerk of the Local Content Committee of the House of Representatives, Ifeoma Ofili, the lawmakers denied issuing directives to the executive arm or forcing government to carry out their resolution.

While admitting that it conducted an investigation into the implementation of the Local Content Law, Ofili said the purpose of the investigation was not to witch hunt INTELS or to find any fault against the company but to have sustainable and reliable facts that will help the House have in-depth knowledge and facts on possible defects, strength and weakness of the working of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010.

In an affidavit in response

to a suit filed by INTELS at the Federal High Court Abuja, Ofili stated that neither the Local Content Committee nor the House of Representatives “force their findings and/or recommendation(s) down the throat of the executive arm of Government since the executive arm of Government is to make their fresh investigation and hear from persons mentioned in the findings to enable the relevant executive agency to come to an independent decision as to the veracity or otherwise of the shared information/facts and if necessary, what action(s) to take.�

Ofili further stated: “That presently no information/ facts arising from the legislative investigation conducted by the Local Content Committee of the 1st defendant (House of Representatives) on the Nigerian Content Development Act has been shared with the executive as the defendants are more interested in using the information/

facts they obtained during the legislative investigation for law making purposes especially as touching the urgent need to amend the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010 in respect of which there is a proposed Bill for its amendment before the National Assembly.�

A section of the media recently insinuated that the House Local Content Committee ordered the repatriation of some expatriates of INTELS Nigeria Limited, prompting the company to institute a legal action at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Speaking recently at the Public Hearing, the General Manager Legal Services of INTELS Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mike Epelle had stated that the company operates responsibly and in compliance with the laws of the land, which include the Oil and Gas Free Zones Act and the Nigerian Content Development Act, among others

NPA Collaborates With FRSC on Safety Standards The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has reiterated the commitment of the organisation to Safety Standards for all aspects of operations at the nation’s Seaports.

She expressed this commitment in her remarks at the opening ceremony of a Capacity Building Workshop on Minimum Safety Standards for trucks doing business in the Ports jointly organized by the Authority and the Federal Roads Safety Corps in Lagos yesterday.

Represented by the General Manager, Health, Safety and Environment(HSE), Mr.Ahmed Yusuf, the Managing Director said that NPA will continue to collaborate with all Agencies in the Ports so as to build effective synergy that will ensure all trucks doing business in the

Ports comply with the Safety Standards.

The NPA boss commended the organizers of the Workshop while urging Participants to put into practice their knowledge from the Workshop.

In a welcome address, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Hyginus Omeje told the Participants that the issue of Minimum Safety Standards was first introduced in the Oil and Gas Sector when the FRSC commenced the implementation of the Road Transport Safety Standards Scheme (RTSSS) which stipulates Minimum Safety Standard for Truck Operators.

Mr. Omeje who was represented by the Legal Officer of the Command, Barrister Bonaventure Nnamani lauded the Authority for the partnership and also

enjoined Participants to open their minds to Safety Standards.

The Federal Roads Safety Corps delivered lectures on Traffic Laws relating to Articulated Vehicles. The Workshop also featured Safe to Load Procedures whilst highlighting the importance of Number Plates and other important accessories concerning Minimum Safety Standards in the Ports.

Management of the Authority recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on the implementation of Minimum Safety Standards for Trucks operating in the Ports.

The MoU empowers both NPA and FRSC to raise Joint Inspection and Certification teams to oversee its full implementation.

RISK MANAGEMENT WATCH Robert Mbonu

Taming The Unknown re you afraid of anything? Perhaps if you can’t name something you fear Ă™Ăœ ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽËœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă• Ă™Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˘Ă“Ă?Þã˛ Ă™Ăœ Ă?âË×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă–ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă‘Ă™ ÞÙ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘ĂžĂ’Ă? ÞÙ Ëà ÙÓÎ Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŁĂ?Ë› ÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÞËÞĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă•Ă“ĂŽĂ˜Ă‹ĂšĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÚÒãĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă– ËÞÞËĂ?Ă•Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă“ĂœĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă?ĂŽËž Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂ• Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă–ĂŁ ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÙÚĂ?Ă˜ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?ÚÞÓÖĂ?Ă?Ëœ ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‘ ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ě™Ă˜Ă™ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă? ÞÙ Sambisa!), Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă’Ă™Ă–Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ“ĂœĂŽĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëœ ĂŒĂ–Ă™Ă™ĂŽËœ ĂŽĂ™Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ëœ ÎÙÑĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ë&#x; Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ë›

ĂœĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă’Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž ĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ëœ Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă–ĂŁ ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ™ĂŒĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÙÚĂ?Ă˜ Ă?ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?âÚÙĂ?Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ëœ Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ëœ ĂœĂ?ÚÞÓÖĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹ ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‘ ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă–Ëœ Ă‘Ă?Ăž Ă–Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă– Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽËœ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ě‹Ă’Ă™Ă–Ă? ĚŽ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă• ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ÑÙÞ ÞÒĂ? ÚÓĂ?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă˜ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ëœ åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒËÞ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• ĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂœË› Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă—Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–Ăž Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă—Ă? Ă™Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă‹ Ă?Ă•Ă?ĂĄĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă? Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ—Ë› Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă‹ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Þã Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ?ËŞĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ÞÒËÞ ÓÞ˪Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™Ă–Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂœĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă–ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă•Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“Ăœ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽĂŁËœ Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă Ă?Ă–Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ ÞÙ Ă?ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă’ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?Ă–ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĚŽ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹ ĂŽĂœĂ™Ăš Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“Ăœ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ăœ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂŽË› Ă&#x;Ăž Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă– åÓÞÒ ĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă•Ě‹ ĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂŁĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?ÞËÞÓĂ?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă–ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă™ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă? Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ ĂšĂ&#x;Ăž Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă?ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă™Ăœ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœËœ ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™Ă–Ë› Ă™ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă‹ ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ĂžĂ™ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ëœ ĂĄĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă˘Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ëž Effect of uncertainty on objectives. Note that an effect may be positive, negative, or a deviation from the expected.

Also, risk is often described by an event, a change in circumstances or a consequence (ISO Guide 73 ISO 31000; 2009) Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂšĂ? Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă• Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ĂĄĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ăž ÞÒĂ&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœËž ĂĄĂ? Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ÞÒËÞ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă?ÖÓÒÙÙÎ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ó×ÚËĂ?ĂžËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? ÚÙĂ?ÓÞÓà Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă˜Ă?ÑËÞÓà Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ĂĄĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă–Ă™Ă™Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă™Ă˜ Ă™ĂŒĂ”Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă?Ëž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ ÞÒËÞ Ă–Ă&#x;ĂœĂ•Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÒËÎÙåĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă?Ă˜ ĂĄĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă™Ă™Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă™Ăœ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă– ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ĂĄĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă™Ă™Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă?ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŁĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?âÞ Ă™Ă? ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? Ă™ĂŒĂ”Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă™ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ— Ă‹Ă? ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? main there are references to the ‘processes’ Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà ÓÞÓĂ?Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă’Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă?ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă–ĂŁĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ëž Coordinated activities to direct and control an organisation with regard to risk (ISO Guide 73 ISO 31000). Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž ĂžĂœĂ?ËÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ? Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ÚÞ Ă™Ă? ËŠĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?ËŞ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ÞËĂ?Ă•Ă–Ă? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?ÚÞÒ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă–Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ÓÞ˪Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂžĂ’ Ă?Ă‹ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? åÒÙÖĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĚŽ Ă“Ë›Ă?Ë› enterprise wide; Imagine that you go to the doctor with a bad neck, your back hurts and you are getting

headaches. The doctor gives you some “Panadol� and tells you to come back if you don’t get better. At a visit to your mother at the weekend, she looks at you and asks how long you are spending at the computer each day. She can see you squinting in bright light and she observes the heavy bags under your eyes and tells you to do 10,000 steps outdoors each day for one month – and she’s going to check that you do it. You do as you are told, because you always obey your mother, and like a miracle, by the end of the month not only have you no aches and pains, but you are sleeping better and being more successful at work. Both your mother and the doctor exercised the same process of analysis, but the doctor couldn’t make the connection between the ailments and other non-verbalised issues so he treats the particular issues. Your mother made the connections and she treats the whole body.

Enterprise risk management is the treatment of the whole body, whereas risk management deals with the particular risk area. Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ’ĂŁ Ă?Ù×Ă?ÞÓ×Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ÞÙÙÎ˞ Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă• ÓÞ˪Ă? Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă’Ă?ËÖÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂžĂŁËœ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă• ÞÒËÞ ÓÞ˪Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™ĂžĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ù×ÚĂ&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ăœ ÎËÞ˲ Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹Ă?Ă• Ă?Ù×Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ëœ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă&#x;ĂžĂ’Ă™ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ&#x;ÞÓĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ù×Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÒËÞ ÓÞ˪Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂžĂ‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ăš ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ?ËŞĂ? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă•Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ë› Ă“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă™Ă? ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? Ë&#x;Ë&#x; Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“ĂŽĂ?Ëœ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂžĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“ĂœĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă—Ă‹ĂšĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Þ˪Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÓÞ˛ How do we overcome the fear of the present Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŽĂ“Ă‘Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ‹Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă&#x;ÖÞˣ Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÞËĂ?Ă•Ă–Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂŽ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÙÓÖ Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă–ĂŁ ĂŒĂ‹ĂŽË› Ă’Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă— Ă“Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă•Ă–ĂŁ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ÙÓÖ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă?Ă•Ë› Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă˜Ă™ Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă?ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• ÞÙ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒÓĂ? ĂŽĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?ĂœËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă?Ă• ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă“Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂŒĂ? ĂŒĂ?ÞÞĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă˜ËŁ Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ëœ Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒÓĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÚÖËĂ?Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄË› Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÙÑĂ?ÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ‹ĂŽË› Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ ĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ăœ ÞÙ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ă?Ë› Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă•Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ do the uncommon if the opportunity presents Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ë› Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁË› Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă• Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹ĂšĂšĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă?Ă’ ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă“Ă? ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ăš Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‘Ă?Ăž ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă™Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă— Ă“Ă?Ëœ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ăš Ă“Ăž Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă™Ăœ ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă– åÓÞÒ Ă“ĂžËœ Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă?ÙÖËÞĂ? Ă“Ăž Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă–Ă“Ăš Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁË› ÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂšĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ëž ĂŒĂ™Ă˜Ă&#x;Ëœ Ëœ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ëœ Ă? Ě™ ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜ĚšËœ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂŽ Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă?Ăœ Ëž ĂŒĂ™Ă˜Ă&#x;Ëœ Ëœ Ě™ ĚšËœ

Ëœ Ă? Ě™ ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜ĚšËœ Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂŽ Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ë› Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ ÚÙĂ?Ăž Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?ĂĄ Ă™ĂœĂ• Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?ÓÞã ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜ Ă?ÒÙÙÖ Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ÞÓÞĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ě‹ Ë› Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ ͸Π͸Πͺ͸Πͺ͸͟͞ Ě™ Ă˜Ă–ĂŁĚšËž Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ë? ĂœĂ—ÍźĂœĂ“Ă?Õ×ÑÞ̜Ñ×ËÓÖ˛Ă?Ù×

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͱ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

IATA-WCO Collaboration to Improve Air Cargo Chinedu Eze The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) announced that IATA’s Cargo-XML messaging standard has been fully integrated into WCO’s Cargo Targeting System (WCO CTS), a risk assessment tool available to WCO member countries worldwide.

The integration of CargoXML in the WCO CTS enables electronic communication between airlines and customs authorities using the IATA Cargo-XML standards format.

This will make communication simpler and more effective, and facilitate more accurate risk assessments by customs authorities using the WCO CTS application to capture advance electronic cargo manifest information.

Speaking on the develop-

ment, Director General/ CEO of IATA, Alexandre de Juniac said: “Simplifying processes, enhancing efficiency, and maximising safety and security are in everybody’s interest-shippers, border authorities and airlines. Collaboration is critical. And the integration of Cargo-XML into WCO CTS is the latest example of the positive results that can be achieved. About a third of the value of goods traded across borders are transported by air.

We look forward to the further expansion of our vital work with the WCO in support of efficient world trade.”

Also speaking, Secretary General, WCO Kunio Mikuriya said: “Effective electronic data exchange is integral for Customs authorities to build accurate risk assessments of cargo shipments. Integrating Cargo-XML into the WCO CTS

will allow customs authorities using this tool to easily access detailed information about shipments, profile these shipments and identify those presenting a high-risk. Using standardized and quality information is key to enhancing security, expedite customs clearance, optimize customs resources and facilitate global trade.” IATA’s Cargo-XML eliminates the constraints posed by the traditional Cargo Interchange Message Procedures (Cargo-IMP) standard and is designed to promote broader and seamless data interfaces.

Cargo-XML is recognised as the universal language for improving e-commerce and therefore facilitates growth in trade and encourages participation in global commerce through electronic data submission for all air cargo shipments.

Etihad Launches Flight to Azerbaijan Etihad Airways has announced plans to launch scheduled flights between Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and Baku, the capital city of the Republic of Azerbaijan, effective March 2, 2018.

The new route is being introduced to capitalise on the strong and growing demand for flights between the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan.

The airline said the service would be operated three times a week using a 136-seat Airbus A320, configured with 16 seats in Business Class and 120 in Economy. The airline explained that Azerbaijan introduced a visa waiver programme for UAE nationals in November 2015 and expanded it to other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations in early 2016. This prompted a surge in travel from across the GCC to the emerging tourist destination located at the

crossroads of Europe and Asia, which offers visitors access to vast areas of unspoiled nature and centuries-old culture. Baku, which sits on the Caspian Sea, is the country’s primary gateway and commercial centre.

Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, Peter Baumgartner said: “The creation of the first ever air corridor linking the two capital cities demonstrates the importance of strengthening business, tourism and cultural ties between the UAE and Azerbaijan. The newest destination on Etihad Airways’ global network also reflects our commitment to linking Abu Dhabi with emerging markets that seek direct flights and onward connections to other parts of the world.

“Based on the growth witnessed in recent months from the UAE and neighbouring Gulf countries to Azerbaijan, we are confident that the new route

will boost traffic from the UAE, and in turn we look forward to welcoming Azerbaijanis on our flights to Abu Dhabi and beyond.”

Etihad said during the first nine months of 2016, foreign tourists visiting Azerbaijan totalled 1.7 million. The number of visitors from the UAE and GCC increased 30 times on the same nine-month period in 2015, fuelled by the easing of visa restrictions.

Earlier this year, the UAEAzerbaijan Joint Economic Committee said both countries were to focus on nine key areas for bilateral cooperation, including air transport, tourism, communications, environment, water, agriculture, renewable energy, modern technology and industry. Non-oil trade between the two countries reached over US$605 million in 2015, increasing by US$228 million during the first nine months of 2016.

Emirates, Flydubai Introduce First Code-share Routes Following the commencement of their partnership, Emirates and flydubai have announced that Emirates would expand its network to 29 flydubai destinations across three continents.

The new partner network, through its code-share, would offer greater frequency and easier access to more global destinations with the advantage of connecting baggage to the final destination.

Passengers can book from 03 October on Emirates. com, through the Emirates Contact Centres or the travel agents network with travel commencing from 29 October 2017. Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group and Chairman of flydubai, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said: “This is an exciting first step in unlocking

the benefits of the partnership for passengers who will have the opportunity to enjoy the unique advantages each airline offers as well as greater choice and flexibility when connecting via Dubai. This is just the start and as we expand the partner network in the coming months we will open up more opportunities for our passengers to explore the world.”

Throughout the customer journey Emirates and flydubai would deliver a product experience reflective of their unique brand characteristics. When booked together, as part of the code-share, Emirates passengers will receive complimentary meals and the Emirates checked baggage allowance on flights operated by flydubai in both business and economy classes.

Connecting in Dubai’s aviation hub offers a smooth transfer experience and under the new partnership passengers will benefit from a reduced minimum connection time (MCT) between Emirates’ home in Terminal 3 and flydubai’s in Terminal 2 of 120 minutes.

Emirates said the announcement is an initial phase of the extensive agreement that would, in future phases, see the creation of additional city pair connections as the codeshare agreement is expanded and both airlines’ networks are optimised. In this first phase of the partnership, Emirates Skywards members could earn Skywards miles and Skywards Tier Miles on code-share flights as per the existing Skywards mileage programme.

AIR WATCH Picketing the Airlines

Aviation Labour Officials

Over the years it has become a tradition for aviation labour unions, especially the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) to disrupt the operations of airlines, when they infringe on labour issues concerning the welfare of their workers, or when the management of these airlines discourage the plans by the workers to join unions.

Although this may be in conformity with international labour laws and for many years the unions have been given the recognition due to them by the management of airlines and agencies, but recently there are allegations that labour has started abusing this privilege by not exhausting negotiations before they go into physical disruption of airline operations.

It is the view of many industry observers that such disruptions should be the last resort when all other efforts have failed. But industry stakeholders said that the frequency of the disruptions indicates that the union leaders hastily adopt such strategy to redress their grievances.

Whenever labour pickets airlines or disrupts their activities such airlines lose huge revenues.

In December last year, from 22 to 24, labour disrupted the operations of Arik Air over the allegation that the company refused to allow its workers to join labour unions. It is estimated that the airline lost about N650 million. This was a peak period of the Yuletide when airlines record 100 per cent load factor to almost all destinations.

What was particularly unfortunate about last December in Nigeria’s aviation history was that it was the period the country suffered chronic scarcity of aviation fuel, known as Jet A1. So for an airline to source the product at about N180 per litre and for its operations to be disrupted was not only frustrating but it led to huge financial losses, which Arik suffered under the nation’s economic recession that also climaxed at that period.

Many in the industry were of the view that labour might be right to picket the airline but noted that it lacked human face, knowing that part of the money generated would be used to pay the salary of workers, but that money was lost. Then stakeholders said the leadership of NUATE should have exhausted discussions before embarking on picketing the airline.

However, the General Secretary of NUATE, Olayinka Abioye made it known then there was evidence of efforts to talk with the management of Arik Air but it ended in deadlock, without the airline making any commitment.

Abioye had also made it known to the airlines and other organisations in the industry that the workers have implicit confidence in labour

to negotiate their welfare with these organisations, so there has not been any question on the eligibility of the unions to interfere on behalf of the workers or to adopt any strategy to actualise their objective, which is aimed at improving the welfare of the workers.

But there are reasons why some industry observers accuse the labour leaders of insensitivity.

They said that many airlines are not enjoying good financial health and they are operating in harsh environment with multiple charges and sometimes scarcity of aviation fuel which is sold at relatively exorbitant prices, noting that every ticket sale means a lot for these airlines. So when the operations of such airlines are disrupted, it affects their finances, their operational schedule and it also leaves many passengers stranded.

They noted that these consequences should be factored in whenever they consider picketing the airlines.

Recently there was a failed attempt to picket Air Peace airline and disrupt its operations at the General Aviation Terminal of the Lagos airport over the allegation that the management of the airline did not allow its workers to join union.

THISDAY investigations, however, revealed that many of the workers were circumspect about joining labour, especially as many of them said that they trust their management and the welfare package, so it is their collective aspiration to ensure that the airline continues to do well. They added that they do not envisage any situation in future that would warrant their antagonising the airline management.

Spokesman of the airline, Chris Iwarah said the workers of the airline had resolved that they would not join labour unions and that the unions should recognise that the workers have the legal right to decide whether to join the unions or not.

“Without a doubt, we recognise the inalienable right of our staff to decide whether or not they wish to be members of any of the unions in the industry. It is the responsibility of the unions to sell themselves to our members of staff and not our obligation to compel them to join any group the law has not mandated them to belong. It is high time trade unions in the country knew that unionism is a matter of free choice, it can never be compelled,” he said.

Some industry stakeholders also talked about labour not allowing themselves to be used by the management of some organisations in the industry to drive an agenda that has nothing to do with the welfare of the workers or intrinsically related to the objective and aspiration of labour.

It is expected that what happened in Air Peace recently and what also happened in Arik Air earlier this year when the workers opposed planned disruption of activities at the airlines headquarters at the Lagos airport by labour should make the labour leaders to have introspection and realise that labour should be partners in progress with the airlines.

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AVIATION

Usman: Improved Facilities, Competitive Fares will Boost Air Travel Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Muhtar Usman says efficiency in airline operations, sustained safety and modernsiation of airport facilities will attract more air passengers. He spoke to Chinedu Eze. Excerpts: It is indicative that many people in the aviation industry see concession of airports as a solution to the protracted decay of infrastructural facilities in the industry, but industry stakeholders are also sceptical about the method of concession. How does government plan to ensure transparency in the transaction?

Well, it is very interesting and I am happy to hear that people appreciate the need to try something else in the proper management of the airports because if over the years, for the past several years. Our airports have not been able to achieve that potential especially in view of the fact that God has made us a natural hub for air transportation. And we have not been able to take advantage of that natural position given to us freely by God because everything was centred on the government; even though we know that aviation is a major contributor to the gross domestic product(GDP) of any country. But we all know also that where the resources are limited there are other priorities.

Now having said that, the only way forward, which is what is done worldwide now, is the concession of the airports. This is whereby the airports are not actually sold but a genuine investor or a group of investors are allowed to come in and invest, taking advantage of our natural location whereby the investor will make his money and also government will make its own money based on the agreements reached between the two parties. When this is done well it frees the federation account for other things to be used to meet other social needs. And also with that we will be able to have modern facilities for travel.

So if we all agree that concession is the way, going forward, we all know that this current administration believes in transparency, in fact the government came into power mainly because of that transparency and believe that things will change for the better. Procurement in Nigeria as we all know today is governed by the Procurement Act which is an Act of the National Assembly and government has been saying consistently that all relevant laws will be followed to ensure transparency in this project.

As of today, transaction advisers have been appointed, and they have since commenced work. And I think Nigerians should expect nothing less than a transparent process and our belief is that after this transparent process is completed, Nigerians will have the kind of airports that they deserve.

It is believed that more than 60 per cent of passengers that move around the West Coast are Nigerians, and that if we have modern airports with low charges, since concessioning is expected to lead to competitive charges, that Nigeria could become a hub. Now Ghana seems to be edging Nigeria out. What is your view on this?

Well, Nigeria has woken up and a lot of things are being put in place, like the executive order on the ease of doing business, which will go a long way in making it possible for Nigeria to regain that position as a leader.

The implementation also of the Yamasoukoro Decision (which is open sky for Africa, whereby airlines from the region will have unhindered access to the airspace of the countries in the continent), that will open the airspace in Africa for competition. And of course we know with competition you have improvement in efficiency and that also comes along because if you have so many choices there is a good chance you have also lower fares and better services. And we all know that Nigeria, when it comes to population it is almost half the size of West Africa itself and Nigerians are very mobile because we move a lot. And once we make our airports attractive for even transiting, we

Usman

will now make Nigeria a hub. And I believe with the implementation of the executive order and also liberalisation of our airspace in line with the African Union (AU), will go a long way in making that very possible.

Why is it that some Nigerians in the aviation industry express apprehension anytime the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) come to audit the country for the renewal of Category 1 safety status despite the fact that Nigeria has been doing well all these years?

First and foremost, let me make it clear that aviation is international in nature, the world is a global village. We fly to other places, other people fly to our place. Standards and Recommended practices are set out by the International Civil Aviation organisation (ICAO).

In the last security audit that was done by ICAO, Nigeria did excellently well, scoring over 96 per cent, which is by far a big achievement.

In addition to the ICAO assessment, we get assessed by various other organisations such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States. And because we have been able to maintain that required level of security in our aviation system, we have continued to enjoy that direct service between Nigeria and the United States. And of late, precisely on August, we had a visit to reassess our own capability in terms of retaining the Federal Aviation Administration category one

status which Nigeria got in 2010, retained it in 2014 and in 2017 again they came to look at us. The process is still ongoing even though for the physical part the auditors have left, we are still communicating. Just like any audit system you will always find something no matter how little. And our aim is to ensure that we can get that 100 per cent. It is not normally possible, so any time findings are made as long as they are not major findings, a corrective action plan is put in place and once it is acceptable on those action plans come with time lines for you to be able to close those findings. And that we have been working along with the Federal Aviation Administration auditors to ensure that whatever findings are, we are able to close them so that we can continue to maintain that category one status.

Also when they came they assessed Nigeria on three annexes of the ICAO, namely: capability in personnel licensing, capability in flight operations and our capability in the air worthiness system and also on eight critical elements were involved in that. So when they came, they came but they did not have to go through annex 14 which has to do with the airport certification as was wrongly credited to them that they came and they saw that we didn’t do well in the aerodrome. And now as you can see, the first airport to be certified in Nigeria is Murtala Muhammed Airport and it is the first certification carried

out in Nigeria in line with the international civil aviation organisation standards and recommended practices and of course it has its own advantages.

Since 2013 Nigeria has maintained very high safety record and since then there has not been any major incident or accident, what is the secret and how do you intend as a regulatory body to sustain this good record?

Thank you very much. First of all, we have to give thanks to Almighty God for keeping us accident free since that time. Of course, we will not completely rely that God is there He will do it, we did a lot and we will continue to do a lot in terms of areas of training; in terms of surveillance, in terms of enforcement and regulation of safety concerns. So the target for us is to ensure and sustain zero accidents and we will continue to work towards that. We engage the stakeholders because the regulation alone will not do it. First of all, the regulation is a product of the industry, the civil aviation authority proposes, the stakeholders sit down and look at the relevance of the regulations and once they are accepted and promulgated into laws and then we monitor. We mount surveillance and we ensure that those regulations are obeyed. Where there are failures, we just have to go through the compliance Continued on page 24

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USMAN: IMPROVED FACILITIES, COMPETITIVE FARES WILL BOOST AIR TRAVEL problem before creating another national carrier even though the previous carrier that was Nigeria Airway was government owned airline but the new carrier that is coming up will be private sector driven. So it won’t be the same as Nigerian Airways. So this administration felt the need to provide succour to those ex-Nigeria Airways workers who have been suffering over the years. I believe more will come from the side of the government.

system and the essence is not to punish but to correct to ensure that we have safe skies and safer airports and safe aviation industry.

Now that NCAA, in accordance to ICAO regulations, has certiďŹ ed the Lagos airport and subsequently other major airports in Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, what are the gains of the certiďŹ cation?

Well, this is interesting, that is why I mentioned earlier that this is the first time we are certifying the airports. Of course it comes with a lot of advantages, one: the world is a global village, therefore we need standards. ICAO sets those standards and recommended practices and the requirement is that all international airports must be certified, that is for uniformity.

We are talking about safety because without safety nobody will come near the airport to fly. So that is one major advantage. Also, along with that comes the security because without the safety and security, there will be no commercial activities around the airport. In addition to those ones, once you are safe and you are secured your risk is much less. So, it is expected that the cost of insurance premium to those airports that have been certified will go down. And then that can cascade all the way up to where you have reduction in air fares for passengers going to those airports that have been certified.

The requirement for now in the ICAO is to certify international airports. So we are starting with the international airports first, beginning with Lagos, the next will be Abuja and then the remaining international airports. Once we have succeeded in doing those international airports, we will now go ahead and replicate with the other airports. But one thing that is very important is that when you are certified you are given so many privileges.

Now, privileges come with responsibilities, so the responsibility is to continue to retain that certificate otherwise the certificate may be rendered null and void; just like any other certificate that always come with some kind of conditions to maintain that certificate. So we have been working along with the airport authority and also with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). These are all part of the certification process, it was made possible also with the assistance of the ICAO, our regional safety oversight office in Abuja.

In the case of Lagos, we have the owners of the MM2.

There is always this issue of which part of the airport will be concessioned? Now we have limitations in terms of air ďŹ eld lighting, then you talk about category 3 Instrument Landing System (ILS) to enable aircraft to land during the harmattan season. How do you think all these things will be achieved taking advantage of the concession plan?

First of all, when you are concessioning an airport you are not concessioning with the security because the security of the airport is still a responsibility of the government. So what will be concessioned will not include the security especially on the airside of the airport. And the instrument landing systems that will aid the aircraft to land in adverse weather condition in terms of visibility will be determined by the kind of operations you want to do. Now, the plans are to initially start with Lagos and Abuja the category 3 instrument landing system , that will enhance the airport and make it more attractive to people who wants to invest in that airport.

The same thing the certification also will make it very, very attractive to whoever wants to come and invest. This is because once you know that whatever you are investing, you are investing in an airport that is internationally accepted and it has met the safety and security standard.

One admits that sometimes the airlines are full of complaints, one may agree to some level that there is no special attention or advantage given to local airlines by government in Nigeria. What is your view about this?

I will not accept that attention has not being given to them and as usual there will always be complaints and we in the civil aviation authority, there are means to settle whatever

Usman

complaints when it comes. When it comes to charges, they are not set arbitrarily and people must pay for the services rendered. The same way that a passenger will not come and fly and say okay I will pay you tomorrow. So you know that to provide that service you will need to spend some money, so you have to make provision for all those. As far as I know, we have been working with all the airline operators to ensure smooth operations.

And charges, as I mentioned, are covered in our own regulations, the process of putting charges and how they will be collected, they are all part of our laws. So we just want them to be a little bit more responsible when it comes to payment of those charges. This is because unless you pay those charges it will be difficult to render those services that are expected of the other regulatory agency or the other service provider like the Federal Airport Authority or NAMA and the rest.

So we have a forum where we meet. The ministry has been facilitating this in fact, of late even the office of the Vice President got involved and government is willing to give concessions wherever it is possible. Of course, like I said once a service is rendered it has to be paid for because that is the only way you can continue to sustain those services.

I want you to advise Nigerian airlines that wish to operate international routes, how

So the target for us is to ensure and sustain zero accidents and we will continue to work towards that. The requirement for now in the International Civil Aviation Organisation is to certify international airports.

So we are starting with the international airports ďŹ rst, beginning with Lagos

can they grow and sustain that operation for a long time?

Well, it is always good to do feasibility studies and see how others are doing it. We are not going to reinvent the wheel. The foreign airlines start with a clear direction, knowing where they want to go and they work for it and most of the time when they come they remain in the business. It is unfortunate that some of our airlines start and they don’t last very long on a particular route. We are willing to assist but one of the major things is payment of bills as at when due, that is one of the major problems.

Government has facilitated domestic carriers to operate international routes by approving airlines that believe they can do so. Almost all the airlines that applied to import aircraft were given the approval to import the aircraft.

And of course they have to do that in line with the provisions of the regulations. It is the same thing for those who are being designated, based on the bilateral air service agreement we have signed with other countries, they are expected to abide by our own regulations and also the regulation of the countries where they have been designated to operate. Government has been very supportive of the airlines and I advise that Nigerian airlines should not seek to operate outside the country without fully carrying the regulator along.

We expect that before a Nigerian airline will start discussions with a country it should table it with NCAA and with that the regulator will not only be in the picture but give approval and support. You don’t do these things along and when you have issues on the way then you start calling NCAA. You carry them along because we already have agreement with these countries. And as I said earlier, wherever it is possible to give further assistance to the operators, the civil aviation authority is open and I am sure the federal government is open to assist the operators.

Former Nigerian Airways workers are very happy with the federal government which recently approved N45 billion for their severence pay after several years of agitation which previous government failed to pay them. What transpired this time?

Like I said before, this government is a listening government. This agitation by former Nigeria Airways staff has been going on for some time and it will be better to settle this

You mentioned that the new airline will be private sector driven, what will make it a national carrier if government does not have a stake in it?

Well, the stake government will have is that it is a Nigerian company and being a Nigerian company, the Nigerian government has a share. I cannot tell you the exact interest that government will have. We will leave that to the Transaction Advisers that will do the needful and make sure that all the necessary things are done to meet the agreed objective. This is because the advisers have been appointed to establish the national carrier. However, whatever they will come up with, it will carry the Nigerian flag and that is very, very important. For you to have an effective base or hub you will need a base carrier. So there is the need to have a very strong national carrier and that national carrier will take advantage of the modernised airport facilities, which obviously will increase capacity and efficiency. So there is the need to have your own airline that will benefit from this growth and development. It does not make any sense for you to build these facilities just for foreign airlines to benefit without your own taking advantage of it. Two, in line with the standard, we are going to have Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility which is also a requirement that would boost a hub.

What are the factors that the new national carrier should avoid in other not to go the way of the past airline, recognising, however, that the new one will be private sector driven?

Well, it is very important that the new national carrier is run as a business entity. So there must be that proper corporate governance and also being that it is a private sector we believe they will attract the best hands in management. So once you have those two, you are very likely to succeed.

Aero have been certiďŹ ed to offer maintenance services up to the C-check level, that is a mileage, what is your view?

Well, we have been talking about the Nigerian economy, and that it needs maintenance facility and one of the major areas is the amount of money that we spend outside to do checks and services. Now that we have that capability in Nigeria, it is expected that it will reduce the capital flight. Two, the capacity is there to even attract other people to come and do their own maintenance here. So in addition to stopping the capital flight it will also be able to attract other airlines from outside Nigeria which will bring in foreign exchange.

Three, another advantage is that it will create employment in the system. So there are many advantages, especially for us the regulator.

We can also easily monitor the maintenance facility because it is near us. We need not travel overseas to monitor the maintenance of an aircraft. Of course, the time it takes to do the maintenance, the time lost in ferrying the aircraft, which is another cost then bringing it back and keeping people outside and so on will be saved, so all those are going to be something we are going to gain from.

How would government make more Nigerians travel by air because currently people who travel by air are still less than one percent of the population?

This can be achieved through improved efficiency, through competition and also trying other things that worked in other places.

This concession issue that I mentioned, the liberalisation of the air itself whereby you have a lot of competition, and then prices will come down, services will improve and then more people can afford to fly. And the more people are flying the more your chances of expansion and the more the units in all the economics of scale will improve because the more people fly less will be the unit cost at airports.

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NIMASA and Quest for Blue Economy Eromosele Abiodun posits that the enormous untapped potential for the making of a vibrant, self-reliant African economy lies in the blue economy A recent report by the African Development Bank (AfDB) revealed that a significant decline in Africa’s poverty will require the continent’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow at an overall average of seven per cent. In order to achieve this goal, experts believe it is of paramount importance that Africa continues its international trade and strengthens its current development. To do this, analysts contended that Africa must make effective use of its oceans and seas. Oceans, seas and coastal areas form an integrated and essential component of the earth’s ecosystem and are critical to sustainable development. They cover more than two-thirds of the earth’s surface and contain 97 per cent of the planet’s water. Oceans contribute to poverty eradication by creating sustainable livelihoods and decent work. Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal resources for their livelihoods. In addition, oceans are crucial for global food security and human health. They are also the primary regulator of the global climate, an important link for greenhouse gases and they provide us with water and the oxygen we breathe. Finally, oceans host huge reservoirs of biodiversity.

In order for oceans, seas and marine resources to successfully contribute to human well-being, ecosystem integrity with properly functioning biogeochemical and physical processes, is required. This does not require unperturbed systems, but systems that have not suffered serious or irreversible harm. Ecosystem integrity allows for the provision of so-called supporting ecosystem services which, in turn, are the bases of important regulating, provisioning and cultural ecosystem services that are of crucial importance for humans. Whereas the benefits provided by oceans, seas and marine resources are important to all people, the poor, indigenous peoples, and vulnerable groups with a high dependency on natural resources and ecosystem services may have their well-being especially tied to these benefits. The link between oceans, seas and marine resources and human well-being is not one-sided. While an increase in human well-being is frequently generated at the cost of ecosystem integrity, it can also potentially reduce the negative anthropocentric impacts on the marine environment, for example due to a more sustainable use of resources, changes in production and consumption patterns and improved management and control of human activities. In order for this to happen, good governance and an enabling environment are, however, required.

NIMASA Takes Initiative While the needed steps necessary to take advantage of the enormous resources on the ocean and seas have not been taken in the past, the new management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is striving to change the narrative. To NIMASA, the blue economy, if well harnessed, is capable of replacing crude oil as Nigeria’s major sour of revenue.

To this end, the agency recently convened a harmonised stakeholders interactive forum with the theme: “Synergy: An Instrument for Sustainable Development of the Blue Economy.�

Speaking at the meeting, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside stressed the need for stakeholders to actively participate in the Nigerian maritime sector in order to support the growth of the country’s blue economy.

Peterside said that amount of littoral states in Nigeria and the length of the nation’s water ways makes the development of Nigeria blue economy a necessity for the country’s benefit.

The NIMASA DG said that the agency is currently on a mission of changing the landscape of the nation’s maritime domain by putting a policy framework in place to allow maritime business to thrive.

According to Peterside, “Maritime provide a veritable opportunity for us to grow our economy. We will ensure we play our role by providing necessary policies for industry players to reap the benefits of participating in the sector in order to develop our blue economy for Nigeria’s benefit.�

WORLD FLEET OF COMMERCIAL VESSELS BY COUNTRY OF OWNERSHIP, AS AT JANUARY 1, 2016 THREE COUNTRIES REMAIN AT THE TOP

GREECE is by far the largest owning country with 293 million dead weight tonnes or 16.4% of the 1792 million dead weight tonnes world total

The top 5 owning countries comprise exactly half of the world total

JAPAN is the second largest with 229 million dead weight tonnes or 12.8%

300

CHINA is in number three position with 159 million dead weight tonnes (8.9%)

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GERMANY is in fourth position with 119 million dead weight tonnes

200

SINGAPORE 95 million dead weight tonnes

150

100

1

2

3

50

Peterside, however, charged industry stakeholders to collaborate and cooperate with the agency as it strives to create an enabling environment for them to operate, adding that the agency has created various platforms through which stakeholders can communicate with the agency on various issues. “The industry belongs to stakeholders, we must synergize to get the benefits embedded in maritime, we must work together all the time because it is our priority that those who do business in the industry flourish in order to develop our blue economy, and that is why we are in the process of acquiring more surveillance aircrafts and additional fast intervention vessels as enshrined in the new maritime security architecture approved by the Federal Executive Council to ensure that our maritime domain remains safe for doing business� he said.

The NIMASA boss also hinted that as part of ensuring the Nigerians reap the benefits of the industry, said that the agency is also carrying out a robust human capacity building for the sector.

He added that the agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with some foreign schools to provide Sea time training to the graduates of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) which has hitherto been a challenge in the past.

Also at the event, the Chairman Governing Board of the agency, Major General Jonathan India Garba (rtd.) said that the board would continue to support the Peterside-led executive management by giving necessary approvals that would reform the Nigerian maritime sector for economic benefit.

In the same vein, the Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, Mr. Muhammed Umar Bago said that the legislative arm of the government is ready to support NIMASA and stakeholders by providing laws that would advance the country’s maritime sector.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, Otunba Kunle Folarin commended NIMASA’s drive towards building capacity for the sector. He said that the effect of these drive would be felt in the industry sooner rather than later.

Peterside since assumption of duty had always advocated for stakeholders cooperation towards building a viable maritime sector. He has also championed the repositioning of the regulatory agency for optimum service delivery.

The Outcome At the end of the interactive session, stakeholders agreed that pursuant to its statutory mandates, NIMASA shall create an enabling environment for the private sector to invest in shipping in order to achieve the objective of a Nigerian blue economy.

Stakeholders also agreed that the NIMASA should continue to make the necessary representations to the approving authorities in order to

facilitate the disbursement and utilisation of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) for its statutory purpose of developing indigenous shipping capacity.

NIMASA admitted responsibility for the provision of sea time berths for NSDP cadets and is exploring creative avenues for achieving this given the current constraints of inadequate funding and the lack of an indigenous national fleet. “NIMASA is committed to pursuing its Maritime Administration (MARAD) mandates via the path of collaboration and engagement with stakeholders and in the spirit of this interactive forum, all critical issues shall be duly presented to the stakeholders for their input and consultation. “That the battle against piracy and other criminal activities on Nigerian waters is receiving the highest attention from the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA and other agencies working in collaboration and will receive a substantial boost when the recently approved Surveillance Contract delivers state of the art equipment and facilities for the use of the industry, it stated in a communiquĂŠ released at the end of the meeting. NIMASA promised to engage relevant agencies and stakeholders in order to create a regime of concessions and policy initiatives designed to boost the competitive edge of Nigerian shipowners vis a viz their foreign counterparts; NIMASA in the communiquĂŠ stated that it will soon launch a programme of zero tolerance to non-compliance with maritime safety and security standards in order to eliminate substandard shipping in Nigeria. It added that the processes of the Nigerian Ship Registration Office are being automated and shall be available online, real for shipowners and prospective owners without undue delay.

It added, “NIMASA is committed to the maintenance of a clean and pristine Nigerian marine environment in line with applicable international Conventions and has put in place the appropriate administrative regime to achieve this. In line with the Blue Economy initiative, NIMASA shall going forwards subject all policies to the test of sustainability and every process that fails this test shall either be amended or eliminated.�

Stakeholders also agreed that there is urgent need for NIMASA to engage relevant agencies with a view to initiating measures designed to develop passenger, containerized, wet and dry cargo transportation in Nigeria’s internal waterways. Stakeholders also agreed that calculation of NIMASA’s three per cent levy on all wet cargo shall be based on freight ton which is Cubic Measurement (CBM), and “That in line with the provisions of the MARPOL Convention, all tankers operating in Nigerian waters are required to have in place adequate and sufficient insurance cover to minimize the risk of losses sequel to oil spills and tanker accidents.�

Buhari’s Call Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari had recently identified the need for African countries to join efforts to preserve the Africanrich maritime resources in order to protect sea foods, achieve food security and earn foreign exchange through export of sea foods.

Buhari said this while declaring open the third edition of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) conference.

He noted that several other initiatives, which demonstrate the critical importance in food and environmental uncertainty, and the enormous untapped potential for the making of a strong self-reliant African economy, lies in the blue economy. “African fishing grounds are being pillaged, its waters polluted, and piracy is heightening maritime insecurity and causing increase in the cost of maritime insurance and trade. The regulatory and legal framework to properly manage maritime resources and overcome these challenges are still inadequate, and we are yet to fully develop the human and institutional capacities required to respond appropriately to these challenges,� said the President who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osibanjo at the two-day event organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). According to Buhari, Africa is on the right path and there is need for more collaborations and synergy to develop the maritime sector beginning from the national, regional and sub-regional levels. “Here in Nigeria, we have taken steps to tackle some of the challenges peculiar to us while still requiring regional and sub-regional collaboration,� he said. To him, government is giving the required support to the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to effectively police the waterways for trade to flourish. “This arrangement will also eliminate piracy and sea robbery within our maritime domain. The results are encouraging and piracy has dropped in the last six months,� he said.

Buhari, who stated that government had paid significant attention to making it easier to do business in the seaports, said measures designed to improve the efficiency of the ports and to enable quick turnaround time of vessels, were put in place. “Technology is also been deployed to make our port operations more transparent and effective to support of economic growth. NIMASA, which is the regulatory agency of shipping and maritime activities in Nigeria is been reformed so that it can play its expected role as a facilitator of economic prosperity,� he said.

He, however, advised the delegates to figure out a coherent and collaborative response to the challenges facing the continent’s maritime sector, which according to him required cooperation among states, agencies and other players like the private sector.

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͱ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

26

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Busari: We’re Targeting Increased Sugar Production Dr. Latif Demola Busari is the Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council, a body responsible for the regulation of all activities in the sugar industry. He spoke to Jonathan Eze on the industry and expressed optimism that Nigeria can achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production in the near future Recently, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, said he is impressed with your activities in the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC). Please tell us some of the brilliant policies you have introduced that is capable of turning the fortunes of the nation’s sugar industries around?

I don’t think we have done too fantastic a job. I think it is just that the minister saw the commitment to achieve our mandate. So even if you haven’t gotten there, your boss or the people looking at you want to see that even though there are challenges being faced by you, but the attitude towards resolving those challenges is what impresses them and they know that if you can keep at it like that, eventually you will succeed. It is different from somebody who has similar challenges but has a nonchalant attitude towards it. Just like we are doing in Nigeria, we have challenges but our leaders are trying to find solutions and that keeps the people happy.

I have read about the Nigeria Sugar Master Plan(NSMP). What does it intend to achieve? Please shed more light on it.

The Master Plan was the road map that was adopted by the federal government in 2012 as what would lead us to the achievement of self-sufficiency in sugar.

It has four objectives: To improve the level of sugar production locally until we are able to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production; To reduce our over dependence on sugar importation; To create job for Nigerians; To generate electricity and also produce ethanol.

So, through the sugar master plan, we want to target increasing sugar production. Today, Nigeria is depending on imported ethanol for all our needs. These are the four basic objectives and it is a 10 year journey. We started in 2013 and we hope that by 2023 we would reach the target of increasing sugar production.

What are the things we hope to achieve by 2023?

By then, we should be able to produce about 1.8million metric tonnes of sugar annually which is estimated to be our demand by 2020. The master plan was developed in 2010 and it took us two years to get stakeholders buying into the implementation. Without those stakeholders buying in, we wouldn’t have gotten far at all. It took us two years so that all our stakeholders would join us in the journey.

By 2023, we would have been able to produce 1.7 and 1.8million metric tonnes of sugar annually.

We will be able to generate ethanol, generate about 400megawatts of electricity, create 117,000 jobs for both skilled and unskilled labour and save Nigeria about 600 million that we spend annually on sugar importation. Also, if we are able to enact a blending mandate, where you mix ethanol with gasoline to use as automotive fuel(Obasanjo started the ETM mandate) that is we mix 10 per cent of ethanol with gasoline and if you are able to do that, since we depend on imported gasoline right now, we would also save that 10 per cent. We estimated it to be about 50 million dollars. To be able to achieve all these, we would need about 250hectares of land under cultivation. We need to employ people. These are the basic key ingredients, and how do we get this done especially when government is not going to put a kobo and that’s actually the main challenge for us. We are going to depend on private sector to put their money down. So the only way we could do it is to provide some incentives that would get them to come.

Don’t forget we are dealing with a sector where if you have all your fund and technical expertise ready, they are not going to start looking for you. And if you have your land ready, it will still take about five to six years from day one that you start.

Busari

What are the challenges confronting the Council and the sugar sub-sector?

There are many challenges. For example, when you already have funds, you have the technical expertise and you have the land, it will take you five to six years that you would keep on spending money before you can see a grain of sugar come out and then you begin to sell and probably your money is most likely going to be a loan. So, you start paying back the loan so before you say this is your own money, it will be about ten years. How many investors are willing to go into that kind of sector? When you can buy federal government bonds and go to bed or you can even trade.

Buy something, sell and make money so few investors want to go into that kind of sector. It is capital intensive. It has long gestation period and is fraught with agricultural risks. Because if you plant your sugarcane and flood clears it, that is the end of it for the year.

You mentioned something very fascinating about sugar being used to generate electricity. How does this work? Can you expatiate on it?

When the juice is extracted out of sugarcane, what is left is the fibre. In the industry, we call it bagas. All industries have boilers for production process. In the sugar industry, we use bagas to fire the boilers for steam generation. You need steam in most industries for most industrial processes. The difference is that in the sugar industry, that steam can be channelled or piped into steam turbines to generate electricity. They use this electricity first for their own use in the factory and on the field, whatever that’s left is now given to the people as part of the benefit that accrue to the community. They may even sell it to national grid if it is much more than they need. Every sugar industry all over the world generate electricity and depending on the quantity they produce, it is for their own use and then their communities.

The federal government has recently signed some executive bills on the Ease of Doing Business. Before now, do you think it was difficult to do business in Nigeria?

The first executive bill is about the ease of doing business and because fortunately, we are not in the business of granting approvals or licenses so people are not queuing up waiting for license. The only thing we give is quota and it is not even in our hands. It is in Mr. President’s hands. We don’t have problems like Customs or Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) would have. We are one of the revenue generating agencies and are captured under the fiscal responsibility act so executive order no four affects us in terms of government needs money and you have to bring money into the coffers. I believe that we are doing well, delivering the little services to the public.

We deal with people .

Can Nigerians really produce the sugar they consume without relying on imports?

That is our major mandate. Our mandate is not with the consuming public as such. It is more with the investors that would be able to do that production and fulfill that mandate.

It’s for them to tell us the projects they would be investing in. They gave us a list of projects before that we are following through. It contains some of the earlier ones too but it is just that they are recommitting them. Dangote is now going to do the expansion of savannah. He is going to have two new field projects, one in Lay and one in Tunga. They just rounded off the one in Sunti and they asked us to look for land for them because they are proposing another one. BUA too has its own in Lafiagi.

So we have a total of eight projects now. So it is a mixture of the old and new and we are re-implementing them.

People are being advised to reduce sugar consumption because of the attendant health

risks. Has this affected the level of sugar demand and production?

There is a lot of de-marketing for sugar. All of us are feeling it. Sugar doesn’t cause diabetes.

You can confirm from medical people. It is a failure of your metabolism and when you take sugar in excess, it will aggravate it. If you have insulin that works, it will metabolise the sugar. If you don’t have sugar for a minute, you die. It is the basic unit of energy that powers our metabolism. If your brain lacks sugar for a second, you are brain dead. But of course, everything you take in excess is wrong. Basically everything you eat is sugar. For example, pounded yam, rice. All these food, the body stores it in form of sugar. They say one can of coke contains 10 cubes of sugar. There are a lot of sugars out there but we have to be moderate. However, over 82 per cent of the sugar goes to industries. Just 18 per cent is consumed by people. The industries are the major users of sugar e g the chocolate and beverage industries. If you follow everything the doctors say, you won’t eat.

The country just came out of recession, what do you think can be done to sustain the present economic progress?

Something led us into it and something must bring us out of it. If our luck stays and crude oil goes up a bit, it will be good. Our Minister of State for Trade was able to get OPEC to come down on daily production. All of us Nigerians need to ensure that the little we have is spent judiciously. When government keeps doing what it does, we will consolidate on the growth already recorded. But even when we were not in recession, we have had billionaires and other people on the lower rung of the ladder. So how do we bridge the gap to bring this people up to let them feel the impact?

Lastly, who is Latif Busari?

I am just a poor civil servant trying to do the little I can do.

WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

LIVING | P31

COLLAGE | P36

THISLIFE | P37

FILE

UNEDUCATED GIRL POPULATION IS IMPOVERISHING AFRICA

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

28/COVER

13.10.2017

Uneducated Girl Population is Impoverishing Africa According to a report released by ONE this week, African countries are losing billions of dollars for not addressing the gender gap in education, writes Solomon Elusoji In his seminal book on why some countries are poor and others rich, the Wealth and Poverty of Nations, renowned historian David Landes wrote that the economic implications of gender discrimination are too huge for nations who want to thrive. “To deny women is to deprive a country of labour and talent,” he said.

Landes argued that the best clue to a nation’s growth and development potential is the status and role of women. The more opportunities they get, the higher the chance for economic success. “To be sure, any society will have its achievers no matter what, if only because it has its own division of tasks and spoils,” Landes, who was a Professor of Economics and History before his death in 2013, said. “But it cannot compete with other societies that ask performance from the full pool of talent.”

On Wednesday, which was International Day of the Girl, ONE, an global campaigning and advocacy organisation of more than eight million people taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable diseases, particularly in Africa, launched a report titled: ‘The Toughest Places for a Girl to Get an Education’.

Out of the 10 countries that topped the list, nine were from Africa, with Afghanistan Makka...driving ONE's vision in Nigeria completing the list.

“To improve girls’ education globally, we total budget on education. In Burkina Faso, need to pay special attention to Africa,” the just one per cent of girls complete secondary report said. “No African countries are among school. And, in Ethiopia, two in every five the best performing 25 per cent of all countries girls marry before their 18th birthday, and ranked, and only four African countries (seven nearly one in five marries before they clock 15.

“We are having an education crisis on the per cent) are in the best-performing 50 per cent of ranked countries. Overall, African African continent,” ONE’s Nigeria Country countries had a median score of 52, compared Director, Serah Makka, told THISDAY. “These with the Americas at 79, Asia also at 79 and numbers say that there is a state of emergency which, if we do not address, will kill all of Europe at 87.”

The report highlights the paradox that us. My worry is that we have not found a has puzzled economic forecasters about way to get everybody’s attention to treat this 21st Century Africa. On one hand, with as a dangerous epidemic that it is. This is a growing young demography and the why ONE has compiled this report, to throw embrace of entrepreneurship, there is a rising more light on the problem's severity.”

Nigeria, perhaps Africa’s most promising optimism that the continent is about to rise from the backwater of economic history. But economic giant, is ranked 27th on the index, educational systems across Africa, especially which collected and analysed data for 122 as it relates to the girl-child, as highlighted United Nations member countries. However, by the ONE report, has no spine to support the country’s ‘kind’ ranking is masked by acute regional disparities. In the country’s progress.

While most policymakers on the continent North-east region, for example, “the violent agree that educating girls is important, there extremist group Boko Haram (which translates is little on the continent that reflects such as ‘western education is forbidden’) poses belief. In South Sudan, the country which increased obstacles to girls completing their tops ONE’s notorious index, 73 per cent education. Boko Haram kidnapped 276 of girls don’t go to primary school and its schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014. As of 2016, government spends just 2.6 per cent of its over 1,000 schools in the region had been

Governments must prioritise education to move the continent forward

damaged or destroyed and 1,500 schools had closed. This means that while Nigeria as a whole doesn’t make our list of toughest countries, at a regional level North-east Nigeria is a tougher place for a girl to get educated than other regions in the country. In Nigeria’s South-south geopolitical zone, five per cent of girls have never been to school, whereas this figure increases more than 10-fold (to 52 per cent) in the North-east,” the report said.

“The problem with Nigeria is that we have good policies but implementation is the problem,” Makka said. “You cannot leave over 50 per cent of girls in the North uneducated and think you are ready for the future. It does not make sense.”

One characteristic evident in every country in the index’s top 10 is conflict and poverty. But poor countries are not necessarily condemned to poor performance. Burundi has the world’s lowest national income per capital at $286 USD, but it outperforms 18 other wealthier countries. And, ironically, the benefits of educating the girl-child far outweigh the cost. “Our research shows a strong relationship between girls’ primary school completion rates and their literacy rates,” the ONE report said. “On a global

level, addressing the gender gap in education could yield between $112 billion and $152 billion USD a year in developing countries.”

It is almost impossible to exaggerate the value of educating girls. When more girls are in school, a country’s adolescent fertility rates are likely to dip. This, of course, extends to the rise of more women who wait until adulthood to have children and are armed with much more sophisticated knowledge-tools to make better decisions for their health and future offspring.

However, ensuring all girls get the education they deserve will take a global effort – and will require increased financing and policy reforms, the ONE report said. The advocacy group is advocating for “Governments to work towards allocating 20 per cent of transparent national budgets to education. Only two of the 10 toughest countries for a girl to get an education meet this target proposed by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).”

Also, “donor governments should increase global education financing. This includes fully funding existing multilateral mechanisms such as the GPE and Education Cannot Wait, and establishing the proposed International Finance Facility for Education. GPE operates in all the 10 toughest countries and has a proven track record of success.”

Still national governments have a part to play as they are expected to “implement an education policy agenda that will break every barrier to girls’ education, invest in every teacher, monitor every outcome and connect every classroom.”

To create the index, ONE chose 11 factors that reflect girls’ access to and completion of school, the quality of education in a country, and the broader enabling environment.

The factors selected with available data are: rate of out-of-school girls of primary, lower secondary and upper secondary age; school completion rate for girls of primary, lower secondary and upper secondary age; mean years of schooling for women aged 25 and over; female literacy rate for population aged 15–24; percentage of primary school teachers trained; pupil– teacher ratio in primary schools; and spending on education as a percentage of total government expenditure.

Of 193 UN member states, ONE excluded countries that were missing four or more data points (out of 11) to allow for reliable comparison. This left them with a list of 122 countries. Data was primarily drawn from UNESCO’s Institute for Statistics (UIS.Stat) database.

29/XTRA

13.10.2017

Gwari: Peter Obi is Very Prudent in Financial Management Former Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Usman A. Gwari who was in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, Abia State before his retirement at the age of 60 in this interview with select journalists, speaks on his 37 years meritorious service to the Nigerian Police Force, the security situation in Anambra State while he was the Commissioner of Police, among others. Peter Uzoho was at the parley

Gwari

You were promoted from Anambra as Commissioner of Police (cuts in).

I became Anambra CP in 2013 and I participated in the 2013 election of Governor Willie Obiano and immediately after the election, my predecessor left Anambra and handed over to me. So, I worked with former Governor Peter Obi before he left office on 14th February, 2014 after the governorship election in November 2013. I equally worked with Governor Willie Obiano after he was sworn-in.

As former Anambra CP, what were the challenges you faced and how did you tackle them?

Every police man faces the challenge of crime. What we did was to outline our strategies to curb crime and provide very peaceful environment for people to go about their normal businesses. We actually started with Onitsha. By the time I took over, the former Governor Peter Obi was very busy trying to restructure Onitsha. He was the one that started maintenance of the Upper Iweka and made it a safe haven by reducing the motor parks around Upper Iweka. He transformed Upper Iweka to the delight of visitors and residents.

In Awka and Nnewi, he also outlined strategies to make the places better. To be very fair to Mr. Peter Obi, the crime rate was at its lowest ebb at the time I took over. There is crime quite alright but at low percentage, there was relative peace in the state during his administration because he actually worked on them.

But despite that, we still had problem in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka. There were cases of robbery, kidnapping and other minor crimes.

Did former governor Peter Obi support your work then?

He supported me very well. Within the short period I worked with him, I was very impressed. I have no regret to be frank with you. I will sincerely say that I had his confidence the time I worked with him. He did not only provide all that we needed, he was outstanding and knows the problem of Anambra very well. Whenever we request logistics on some of the problems we outlined and strategies we wanted to use, he always responded positively to most of our requests and paid 100 per cent attention to any security

matter. That was what he also did to other security agencies like the Army, the Navy, DSS, Civil Defence and other para-military agencies.

If we outline problems and place on his table for consideration, he gave approval within some hours. It did not take him time to respond in most cases, he got first-hand information on virtually every security matter and in fact Peter Obi was a police man while in office. He was always on top of the situation. He knows the state in and out and had information more than anybody on happenings in the state.

Can you recall cases where he assisted in the area of logistics to make your work easier?

He gave us a lot of vehicles, not only to the police but to all the security agencies, he pays weekly allowances of all those that were on duty. The same vehicles he gave to us, he gave to Anambra State Vigilance Groups in each community and markets as well as institutions. By the time I took over, the vigilance group was very strong and it was as a result of hard work of Mr. Peter Obi. No criminal escaped from the state because the vigilance groups were motivated and capable, working with the police and other agencies.

There was a strong synergy made possible

by Obi’s administration.

Can you say he fought the security challenges in Anambra before leaving office?

I can say yes without mincing words. Obi did very well because he helped us to reduce crime rate to the barest minimum, to the extent that the violent crime like armed robbery in banks were history, kidnappers in the state ran away. The issue of destruction of houses where criminals used to perpetuate crime in the state, started during Obi’s time but it was well publicised during Obiano’s tenure.

Obi initiated it and sent an Executive bill to the House of Assembly for confiscating and demolition of property of kidnappers, I should think so because it was the magic needed to deter people from crime of kidnapping for ransom.

Could you say that all the security agencies got the partnership and synergy from the government during your time?

When I came in, the first thing I did was to make sure that there was a very good synergy between the police and other security agencies. I initiated meeting with service commanders in my office; initially on a weekly basis before we later changed it to twice a week.

And thanks to the former governor (Mr. Obi) who provided virtually all we needed to work with, including all the logistics but not without his calculator close by. Obi was working in all institutions of government simultaneously and became a reference point then and I was happy when Governor Willie Obiano came and continued from where Obi stopped because Obiano inherited all the institutions started by Obi. Obiano is consolidating on Obi’s foundations, because Obi was really an enigma and achieved in leaps and bounds.

You know, if you start something and somebody else takes it to the next level, there is tendency that the founder may be forgotten if care is not taken especially when such thing is widely acceptable like the security in Anambra State which is one of the safest states in Nigeria. Those before me and after me, may not be remembered but the present CP depending on how he makes the publicity.

So people now look at the periphery without checking the foundation but I must tell you that without the foundation, nothing would stand, so the foundation is important in any aspect of life.

Peter Obi laid the foundation for security in Anambra and Obiano sustained it and you don’t look at Anambra projects and developments only on security, because Obi kept people busy and it reduced crime. He championed development of Anambra State and there is no doubt about Obi’s achievements in every area in the state. Obiano knew where he started and people can’t forget Obi in a hurry and there is no way development of Anambra would be written without a greater percentage not dedicated to Peter Obi. Were you aware of Security Trust Fund and who started it?

Yes! I am aware that former Governor Peter Obi started the security Trust Fund because it was already there before I came, which was a wonderful initiative and I don’t need to

tell you how much that has assisted me in repairing our vehicles. That fund, I used it for service and maintenance of patrol vehicles.

It’s not only for the police but for all the security agencies that received the vehicle.

The fund was so useful in so many other areas such as provision of logistics.

But Obi has become a wrong name to mention now, so tell me, what do you hate or like about this Peter Obi? There are lots of things one has to admire or detest about a person. For me, Peter Obi is very prudent in financial management. He follows up matter until he gets to the root of it and he requires accountability even to the last kobo he gives out. He is always preferred to use his calculator to make sure he does not make mistakes. He uses his calculator effectively such that those who don’t understand him and his philosophy may have issues with his ways of viewing life. To me, he is a very good man. I worked as CP to 12 Commands in Nigeria but only very few, if any at all were like him in knowing details of every kobo he released for public interest. To be sincere, he is a good man despite working with him for a very short time. You cannot talk of the present improvement in security in Anambra State without making reference to Mr. Peter Obi because he initiated it. He actually started it, saw to its actualisation and handed over the baton to incumbent Obiano who is sustaining the tempo. He is very meticulous and does not take anything for granted. He knows the mind set of Igbo people more than anyone else.

Do you have any regret being in Anambra?

Not at all, Anambra is one of the commands I worked that I never had any regret.

Your working relationship with Governor Willie Obiano before you left?

I worked with Governor Willie Obiano for almost a year before I was promoted. One good thing is that Obiano continued where Peter Obi stopped in the area of security and he took the security very seriously and that is why Anambra is the safe. Anambra people must be grateful to the former governor, Peter Obi for the great work and clean-up he did in Upper Iweka and is sustained by his successor, Obiano.

30/ NEWS

13.10.2017

Wood Styles Unveils 5-Star Hotel Furniture Five-star hotels in Nigeria have always had a challenge of fitting out their hotel lobbies, walkways, bars, restaurants and rooms with the appropriate furniture style and quality as really good furniture all had to be imported from manufacturers abroad, adding to the cost of capital needed to erect a top notch five star hotel, unavailability of support from manufacturers of quality furniture as they exist outside the country; another challenge they also face is obtaining replacements in case of damages by users.

Now all these is of the past, as WOODstyles Ltd, a Nigerian established manufacturer of high quality luxury joineries and cabinetry, has successfully proved its capability of manufacturing high end luxury rooms for five stars hotels that not only match international standards but even compete with international manufacturers.

During a Made by Design exhibition, where WOODstyles showcased a real five star hotel room fully produced by them for an actual ongoing five star hotel project in Nigeria, Managing Director of WOODstyles Ltd, Mr. Samir Bader, shared his success story.

“We were established in January 2015, with a factory of around 10,000SQM, fitted

Wood Styles Furniture

or a large product. As well we obtained ISO 9001-2015 quality management certification and fire rated doors manufacturing certification.

“Since 2015 we have successfully completed several complex and large projects in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt and Ogun State. Our latest on-going project is a 26 story building in Ikoyi, Lagos which we are fitting with acrylic kitchens, veneer full height doors, veneer wardrobes and vanities.

with state-of-the-art machineries, tools and equipment, automating as much as the current technology allows, ensuring high quality and precision in all our products,” he said. “We created a culture of quality in every aspect of the business even in the smallest detail from the cleaning of the factory floor to the outfits of our workforce and we worked it upwards to the actual management of the business. This culture enabled all our team to quickly reject all non-quality outputs, being a minimal process

‘Sound Factory’ Unveils Artistes Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja New record label, Sound Factory Entertainment has made its way to the Nigerian entertainment industry with the unveiling of two artistes signed under the label. The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Kayode Olumoko, while speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the company in Abuja, said that the company wants to take over the music industry, while also taking talented artistes off the street by giving them a platform to showcase their talents.

According to him, "today is the unveiling of the Sound Factory Entertainment itself and also the unveiling of our music blog which is soundfactory.org.ng, and also we are having a very young artiste today debuting his first song under Sound Factory who goes by the name JayTee, his track is called 'Chanta'.

The CEO revealed that Sound factory as a group has been in existence for over 15 years.

“When I was in school I used to do music, entertainment, put shows together,” he said. “After I left school, where I read Laboratory Technology, and I wasn't so satisfied with working in the laboratory, I went into the business of Sound Factory.

“What's unique about us is that we are like the street kind of people. We don't

Pretty Okafor, Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike, Sound Factory CEO, Kayode Olumoko and his wife

take people on our platform basically becausezyou are coming from a different platform or you are coming from a rich home; we pick artistes because of their talents and the is what is different about us.

We are on the street to take clean artiste, standard voice without technical enhancement, that's what is unique about us.”

Olumoko stressed that JayTee, who debuted with his single, is a young and talented artiste from Delta State. “He came into our search light three weeks ago when I heard one of the songs he did,” he said. “He was in an office where we are signing a deal with someone else,

he played his song, I heard his song and I was tricked by it.”

Olumoko added that Chanta is a very good song and a club banger, stressing that JayTee has been in the industry since 2014, while promising that the label would do its best to give him the platform to become as big as possible.

Also, Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike said he graced the occasion to encourage Sound Factory and the CEO whom he said has done well for young people. Meanwhile, JayTee said the kind of music he does is afro-pop, while also trying to fuse different style into his music,

Ondo Flags Off De-worming Exercise .Tasks parents on sanitation The First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has flagged off the first phase of Mass-deworming Campaign put together by NNPC/Chevron Joint Ventures in partnership with GSK at St. Paul Caring Heart Mega School, Idanre, Ondo State.

Also in attendance at the flag off ceremony was the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Ajewole Ajayi, the Commissioner for Health, Hon. Wahab Adegbenro, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Femi Agagu, Idanre Local Government Chairman, Hon. Biyi Ayanuola, and Royal Fathers among others.

Harping on the importance of good hygiene, the First Lady said it would be counterproductive to de-worm the children only for them to go back home to dirty environment.

“It makes no sense if we de-worm these children and they go back home to a dirty environment. I believe de-worming exercise must go hand-in-hand with potable water and good sanitation in our homes. It is our duty to teach our children that when they use the toilet, they should wash their hands,” she stressed.

While also promising that Idanre Community will be transformed into a world-class tourist destination, the First Lady affirmed that Idanre will be playing host to members

First Lady of Ondo State, Betty AnyanwuAkeredolu

of BRECAN during its 20th anniversary slated for October 2017.

In his welcome address, the chairman Idanre Local Government, Hon. Biyi Anyanuola acknowledged the significance of the event while thanking Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for choosing Idanre Local Government as one of the beneficiaries of the programme.

Ayanuola who affirmed that the people of

Ondo State have been maximally benefiting from the dividends of democracy from the present administration, he thanked NNPC and Chevron for their support.

Earlier, the representative of Chevron, Senator Gbenga Aluko in his remarks affirmed that the de-worming programme is part of several health intervention programmes of Chevron and NNPC joint venture to build a healthy nation.

Aluko, who highlighted some of the projects Chevron has already embarked upon, emphasised that the de-worming programme became necessary as children often suffer from worm infestation at an alarming rate. “It is aimed at ridding children between ages six and 12 of worm,” he added while stressing the commitment of Chevron Nigeria to being a part of Nigeria’s economic growth.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro in his remarks acknowledged the efforts of the present administration in the areas of health. According to him, there is a need for regular de-worming exercise as it aids healthy living.

While urging parents to de-worm their children every three months, Adegbenro also emphasised the place of sanitation to healthy life.

Child Protection: NGO Harps on Grassroots Sensitisation As a way of curbing the rising cases of insecurity and abuse of children's right in the society, a non governmental organisation, Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative, has stressed the need for engagement and enlightenment of the masses, especially the minors, to win the fight against the raging scourge.

The founder of the organisation, Dr. Ama Onyerinma, stated this at a one-day sensitisation programme on community security and child protection hosted by the NGO in collaboration with Kosofe School Based Management Committee Council of School Chairman, SBMC, in Lagos.

Onyerinma, who frowned at the frequent incidence of child kidnapping and ritual activities in the country stated that a programme of such was necessary to familiarise target victims, mainly the minors with strategies and ways of criminals as well as to teach them their rights so as to know the steps to take when being infringed upon.

"The children need to be taught how they can protect themselves against all forms of abuse and violence. They need to speak and share information to help in this advocacy, they have to know organisations that focuses and fight against sexual abuse and seek protections of children and women," she said.

Citing the declaration of the right of a child as adopted by the United Nations, she stated that every child has the right to be protected, educated, and have access to good healthcare, shelter and nutrition. Onyerinma commended the effort of the Lagos State Government at upholding the Child's Rights Acts, especially with the implementation of the safeguarding and child protection policy. However, she urged the government to boost its effort through enlightenment programmes that will carry children along.

While calling on other states to emulate Lagos, she implored parents, teachers, communities, religious organisations and other stakeholders to support the state's effort at ensuring safety of lives and property in whatever ways they can as government alone cannot do it.

She also charged parents and other stakeholders to see to proper upbringing of children and also provide them with basic necessities of life. In any case of abuse, she advised parents to be soft on their children and not to be quick to pass judgment so as to get useful information from victims before reporting such case to security personnel.

Gotv Max to Excite Viewers

L-R: Johnson Ivase, Marketing Manager, GOtv; Akinola Salu, General Manager, GOtv; GOtv Ambassador, John Odafe Asiemo aka Daddy Showkey; Jennifer Ukoh, Public Relations Manager, GOtv and Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing and Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria during the launch of GOtv MAX

GOtv MAX customers will enjoy access to over 60 of the hottest local and international channels featuring everything from the freshest series, music and sport to the latest in fashion reality, celebrity and kiddies programming.

Launched October 1, customers will get all of this for an affordable price of N3,800 only. But all active GOtv Plus customers will have a taste of the GOtv MAX package with an open view period of the channels from October 1-31, 2017. During this open viewing period, GOtv Plus customers will be treated to GOtv MAX’s wide variety of entertainment programmes like La Liga on SS Select 4, Fox Entertainment, Sony MAX, CBS Reality and more.

Some of the popular programming on these channels include Empire, The Walking Dead, A Thousand Ways to Die and Fear Factor. TheGOtv Open Window periods are one of the innovative ways the company aims to provide more value for subscribers’ video entertainment experience, irrespective of their subscription plan.

Subscribers would also be given access to the best matches of the prestigious Spanish La Liga matches live as full complement of La Liga matches will be available on the newly introduced GOtv MAX. La Liga matches will be aired live on a new sports channel, SS Select 4.

In addition to other exciting programmes, available on GOtv MAX will be select live games of the English Premier League and a wider sports offering, which includes the recently acquired WWE and African football leagues. In addition to football and other sports, some of the exciting programming that will be available on the new package includes the latest and hottest movies and series straight from the US on Fox Entertainment and Sony MAX as well as riveting reality programmes on CBS Reality.

31/LIVING

13.10.2017

Amaechi, Alhassan to Grace MMS Hall of Fame Ambode, Fayose to bag honours as gender friendly governors The stage is set for the 2017 edition of the MMS Plus Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame (WoFHoF) as the Transportation Minister, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Jumai Alhassan will grace the occasion in style.

While Amaechi will be the chief guest of honour, Alhassan will deliver the keynote address as the organisers raise the stakes in the female mentorship programme designed to increase female participation in governance globally.

President Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin will deliver the theme paper of the day tagged, ‘National Integration: Women’s Role in Leadership and Mentorship’, while the managing director of the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC), Dr. Mrs Lucy Newman, will deliver the second paper titled, ‘Options and Strategies in Building and Deepening Financial Capacity for Women.’

Chairman House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Chief (Mrs.) Nkeiruka Onyejeocha will deliver a third paper at the conference session with focus on ‘Empowering Women for Governance and Leadership’ and this session will be more interactive.

Expected at the event as special guest of honours include: Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator, Binta Garba; Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Stella Ngwu and Her Excellency, Deaconess Martha Udom Emmanuel, First Lady of Akwa Ibom State and Chairperson\Founder, Family Empowerment and Youth Re-orientation Programme (FEYREP) as well as her Enugu counterpart, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, who is also Chairperson\Founder Ugo Touch of Life Foundation(U-TOLF), Government House, Enugu State.

The event which is already generating responses nationwide will feature book pre-

Amaechi

sentation, induction of new Hall of Famers, inauguration of Council Members, Conference session, and award presentation to gender friendly governors, Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, and Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State.

Despite the promise of the ruling government to increase the participation of females in governance, only few governors have developed gender friendly policies which have seen the female gender encouraged to take up opportunities at various significant levels of governance in their states.

Lagos State instituted legal frameworks for dealing with gender-based violence, inequality against women and girls and has since begun their enforcement and awareness creation. The laws include: Child rights Law, Domestic Violence Law and gender policy, paternity leave rights, while Ekiti State has the most articulate gender based policy, which is protection of victims’ law in Nigeria. The law provides in Section

31 for a Gender-Based Violence Fund, which provides among other things, basic material support for victims of gender-based and their dependents affected by the violence; rescue, rehabilitation and re-integration of victims of gender-based violence; construction of shelters for victims of gender-based violence in different local government areas for training and re-integration.

Some of the notable women to be inducted into the 2017 WoFHoF include; SizaMzimela, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Fly Blue Crane, South Africa; Sylvia Asana Owu, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Shippers’ Authority.

Others are: Hon. Janet Adeyemi, President, Women in Mining (Nigeria); Priscillia Ogwemoh, Managing Partner, Olisa Agbakoba Legal; Dr. Amy Jadesimi, Managing Director, Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base(LADOL); FunkeAgbor, SAN, Senior Partner, Adepetun Caxton-Martins, Agbor & Segun (Barr. & Solicitor); Chief (Mrs.) Ijeoma Uche-Okoro, Director, Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Transport; Dr. (Mrs.) Lucy S. Newman, Managing Director/CEO, Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC); Mrs. Chinyere Annie-Okonkwo, Director, Topwide Ventures Limited.

Kingsley Anaroke, the Founder of MMS WoFHoF Initiative, while addressing journalists in Lagos recently, said the initiative was to address poverty and manpower need in different sectors of the economy as well as address the gender gap in Africa with the preoccupation of bringing to the fore mentorship of younger generation of women in Africa by helping them accomplish their dreams.

Aside arresting employment challenges, he said MMS WoFHoF Initiative would also bridge the gap between the rich and the poor through match-making of the prospective African young female professionals and leaders with accomplished big-wigs who have

recorded landmark success in various fields of specialisation in Aviation, Finance, Oil and Gas, Maritime and even the political field to serve as their mentors.

“We are trying to build the younger generations to be able to impact their environment. The mentorship does not just end in the classroom where you call people together talk to them and leave. We match make the mentors with the young women so that they train for at least six months. They can continue to communicate via the social media and other platforms and we make sure that they are under their mentor’s tutelage. This kind of apprenticeship system has more impact than the classroom training,” Anaroke said.

MMS WoFHoF Initiative is a registered non-governmental organisation founded with the aim of empowering women in the society through various means which include discovering and celebrating the sterling qualities and contributions of a select women in Africa for impact on the younger generation and their environment. Through its Women In Leadership and Career Empowerment Programme (WILCEP) Africa platform, career- making African women, young graduates, students and general public at large participate in mentorship and training programmes in various sectors of the economy to bridge the capacity building gap identified towards achieving the United Nations thresholds in the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).

No fewer than 38 mentee-candidates have benefited from the WILCEP Africa scheme, with two given scholarship for entrepreneurial studies in China. The programme’s interest is principally in oil and gas sectors, maritime, aviation, finance and political leadership.

This year’s induction, conference and award ceremony holds on October 26, at Federal Palace Hotels and Casino, Victoria Island, Lagos, by 10am prompt.

LSETF Partners Arc Skills, UNDP Employability Support Project In its bid to achieve the objectives of the recently launched Lagos State Employability Support Project, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), in partnership with the United Nations Development Project (UNDP) and Arc Skills, a global skills training provider, hosted entrepreneurs and business leaders across major sectors at a three-day ‘Industry Engagement Forum’.

The forum, which held from October 4 to 6 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, was attended by industry executives in construction, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, entertainment and fashion sectors.

The programme provided an effective platform to identify, analyse, and discuss opportunities to improve skills acquisition and employment in the state, while leveraging on recommendations

and feedback from stakeholders.

While speaking at the event, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mr. Akinwale Oyebode, said the industry engagement will help address issues of capacity building in Lagos, while providing skilled and trained workers to meet job demands in both the public and private sectors.

“Through the feedback and recommendations gathered from this event, we hope to understand the challenges faced by key stakeholders in the economy and also get suggestions that will ultimately build the scope of the initiative,” he said.

Giving a speech at the opening event, the Chief Executive Officer, Arc Skills Nigeria, Amit Washington, acknowledged the urgent need

for an innovative learning approach that will motivate young people in the society, which the organisation will implement over eighteen months.

“With this project, Arc Skills is strategically positioned to demonstrate its total commitment to knowledge and skills development. We also believe that education is powerful in nation building and sustainable economic growth, as a more skilled and productive workforce can increase efficiency at the work place and create higher standards of goods and services, which in turn forms the basis for faster economic growth and improved living standards.”

Commenting on the seminar, the Team Leader, Inclusive Growth Unit, UNDP, Robert Asogwa said, “As the continent’s most populous country and biggest economy, there are op-

portunities to improve earnings and income through skills that affect people’s economic and social well-being in many ways. By working with industry groups and organisations, we can easily implement recommendations that will tackle insufficiency of skilled labour and ensure social mobility.”

In attendance at the forum were top executives from leading organisations including Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, Group Chief Sustainability and Governance, Dangote Industries Limited; Ekene Udeh, Quality Manger, Samsung (Heavy Duty); Chike Maduegbuna, CEO, Afrinoll; Olalekan Olude, Founder, Jobberman; Steve Babaeko, CEO, X3M Ideas; Anthony Shisler, MD, Maison Fahrenheit and Victor Adebayo, Group HR Director, Summit Chanrai Group; Bose Oshin, CEO, G.A.M.E Productions; amongst others.

Is This the New Queen of Nigerian Music?

Raheem Akingbolu As talented songstress, Imanse Omowunmi Adefosudo, popularly known as Imanse dropped her debut EP album, ‘Hard Earned Feelings,’ in Lagos recently, tongues wagged as stakeholders asked questions and predicted the future of the young music idol. Among other questions, many people wondered if Imanse has come to the industry to be crowned the queen of the music industry, through her performances.

Weeks before the event, which held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, Nigerians were bombarded with suggestive teasers and massive built up campaigns in both online and offline platforms to announce what some analysts described as the final arrival of the Howard University, Washington, graduate of Finance. However, those, who had thought the campaigns were mere make believe, were shocked as the event surpassed expectations.

Tagged the ‘Unveiling Imanse: Artiste showcase and EP release’, the event attracted the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry and paraded many sponsors from corporate Nigeria.

Kenny Blaze, a Nigerian upcoming artiste, who attended the event described Imanse as an artiste who knows what she is doing. “With

Imanse

this event and the quality of the work she has unveiled, Imanse has simply demonstrated that she means business. A lot of things points to the fact that she has done her home work well and with such commitment to the industry, one can be sure of bigger things to come her way.”

Performing to a fully-packed hall, Imanse, whose music is a blend of Afrobeat, Soul and RnB sang along to a live band as she performed ‘Ololufemi.’

The concert took a new dimension when the theatrical display lights changed the mood of the audience and a set of dancers took to the big stage to perform other mind-blowing Afropop tracks like ‘Gbona,’ ‘Sarawale’ and ‘Hehe.’

As she sang away with dancers moving in sync with their electrifying steps, some fans expressed concern over the challenge Imanse would give to existing stars in the industry.

Expectations were not dashed as she entertained and endeared herself to the audience with her performances that showed her as a complete artiste when it comes to singing, dancing and audience engagement.

She engaged the crowd to a spell bound evening in a way that signaled the entry of another great talent with a difference into the music scene.

Part of the glamour that spiced up the evening for the guests were performances from upcoming artistes, fashion parade, exhibition by different fashion brands in foot wears and clothing. The guests were also treated to the

serenity of soul performance by a saxophonist, cocktail with fine wine and lots of variety of foods in a cosy and welcoming atmosphere.

The highpoint of the evening was the launch of her EP with different genres of music ranging from hip-hop to RnB. The tracks include: Hehe and Anosike produced by Cobham's Asuquo. Other tracks are; Gbona, produced

by Ikon, Sarewale produced by Jchef and LiciousCrackitt, Original Somebody produced

by DJ Coublon.

While fielding questions, Imanse promised never to let her fans down, “This EP is just a tip of the iceberg, by this time next year, my fans should expect another album. I am working harder to put another amazing body of work together. My EP contained seven tracks. I’m planning my album to have 13 to 15 tracks because I’m always working. I collaborated with a guy called Dipo on Sarewale and featured Falz the bad Guy on ‘Gbona’ remix. Working with Falz is pretty cool; he is very funny and very hardworking. And I have a song titled, ‘Original Somebody,’ which is a love song about a guy.”

Imanse who disclosed she drew inspiration from Afrobeat said she would perform at this year’s Afrobeat.

32 / XTRA

13.10.2017

Basketball Legend, Jerome Williams, Inspires Students in Abuja Solomon Elusoji On Thursday, September 28, the finals of the 4th edition of the ‘Power Forward’ took place at the indoor hall of the Basketball Court Package B of the National Stadium in Abuja.

This year, American basketball legend, Jerome ‘The Junkyard Dog’ Williams, was part of the programme.

The Power Forward programme, a partnership between ExxonMobil, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Africare, is designed to use the game of basketball to teach and mentor students from secondary schools in Abuja annually.

Williams, who flew in from the United States, expressed delight to be at the programme, which he said was not just about basketball, but a huge platform with which the youth can acquire education and life skills as well as gain insights into how to deal with health challenges such as malaria. The leadership and lifestyle skills, which the programme impacts on the students, he said, would enable them contribute meaningfully to community development and become future change agents.

Apart from Williams, who put his legendary skills on display, the event featured games by boys’ and girls’ teams, performances by an NBA Dunk Squad, music performance by Kiss Daniel as well as a malaria testing and public health awareness activations.

NBA Africa Technical Director, Franck Traore, noted that 2017 has been an exciting year for the initiative and the sport as eight boys represented the Power Forward programme at

Jerome (2nd right) at the event

the first annual Jr. NBA Africa Festival in South Africa, in August, ahead of the NBA Africa Game 2017, which also had representation from four other countries namely South Africa, Kenya, Senegal and Zimbabwe. Also, Marvelous Nwoko from Government Secondary School Zone 3, Abuja, represented the programme at the 15th Basketball Without Borders Africa girls camp in South Africa from 2-5 August.

Power Forward beneficiaries also constitute over 70 per cent of student leadership in participating project schools.

The game of basketball, Traore emphasised, serves as a bridge across cultures because it is easy to understand and brings people together.

“We were honoured to engage with young

children over the past two days at basketball clinics and an IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp where we also distributed bed nets and visited a malaria testing station. We are excited to have former NBA player Jerome Williams, who is joining us here from the United States,” Traore said.

Over the past four years, the event has attracted some great visitors and contributors from the NBA and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Players and legends who have participated in the programme to date include Hall of Famer, Hakeem Olajuwon, former NBA players Obinna Ekezie (current CEO of Wakanow) and Olumide Oyedeji.

Others were WNBA All-Stars Swin Cash and

Agbami Parties Donate Laboratory Complex to Enhance Science Learning in Abia School

Chineye Ogwumike, former WNBA player Mactabene Amachree and former NBA player Kelenna Azubuike.

For Africare Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Orode Doherty, the positive impact of the programme on the students has been phenomenal. “This year, we have reached 600 children in 20 schools directly and we are aiming for 10,000 altogether and indirect beneficiaries as well. They have taught other children on proper health and hygiene and other aspects of human endeavour,” she said.

ExxonMobil sees the Power Forward initiative as a veritable platform to continue to build on its drive to prevent and cure malaria in Nigeria. Since 2000, the company has supported numerous health-related programmes and has distributed over 14 million bed nets, nearly three million diagnostic tests and more than four million anti-malarial treatments – reaching more than 125 million people worldwide.

Power Forward essentially teaches health literacy and life skills such as leadership, respect and personal responsibility through basketball and other programming to positively impact Nigerian secondary school students.

In four years (2013-2017), over 1,000 beneficiaries have participated in more than 100 community projects that sensitised over 10,000 individuals made up of the indirect beneficiaries, local communities and IDPs on malaria prevention, sanitation and hand washing practice, HIV/AIDS awareness, tree planting, hygiene, respect and conflict resolution. Beneficiaries have also distributed over 2,500 long lasting insecticide treated nets to

Orji Debunks False Agric Loan Project Peter Uzoho

Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia The teaching and learning of the sciences in Ibeku High School, Umuahia, has received a major boost as it can now boast of a well equipped modern laboratory complex in its long history following its selection as a beneficiary of the education intervention of a group of oil firms under the aegis of Agbami parties.

The laboratory which was handed over to the Abia State Government and the school management at a ceremony, elicited a high sense of relief and excitement among teachers and students of the school located in the heart of the state capital. The Agbami Parties involved in the project include, Star Deepwater Petroleum, NAPIMS, Petroleo Brasiliero, Statoil and FAMFA Oil Limited. The firms are involved in crude oil exploitation at Agbami Field located about 113 kilometres offshore hence they view the entire country as Agbami community hence their strategic intervention projects are scattered across the country.

Speaking at the event, the director, Star Deepwater Petroleum, Mr. Richard Kennedy, said that the donation of the laboratory “represents the resolve of Agbami parties to improving the availability and affordability of education to Nigerians.”

“The science laboratory is expected to have a huge impact on the students because it will provide them up-to-date science laboratory equipment for undertaking experiments and for writing their examinations,” he said. Kennedy, whose address was read by the manager, policy, government and public affairs, Mr. Samuel Otuonye, noted that the building and donation of the science laboratory to Ibeku High School was not the first time the Agbami Parties would

The laboratory complex donated by the Agbami Parties

be engaging in providing social infrastructure in the state. According to him, the Agbami Parties have so far donated 33 science laboratories, six hybrid and two conventional libraries as well as 25 chest clinics to different states of the federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He recalled that through its corporate social responsibility outreach the Agbami Parties have implemented other projects in Abia.

For instance, they provided a fully equipped Chest Clinic at Abia Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Amachara, Umuahia. In addition 1,067 Abia State indigenes have benefitted from Agbami medical and engineering professional scholarships (AMEPS) sine 2009 while 119 others benefitted from the NNPC/ CNLJV scholarships between 2014 and 2016.

Chairman of FAMFA Oil, Folorunso Alakija, who was represented by Obinna Iheonu, said that the oil company has special passion for

advancement of education hence its involvement in the provision of better learning facilities in schools.

“We are happy that 33 science laboratories which we have donated to various institutions are helping to stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) nationwide,” she said.

Alakija said that aside from its social investments in education, FAMFA Oil has also been contributing in the provision of quality healthcare and needed manpower for the sustainable development of Nigeria in various parts of the country.

Like other partners in the social intervention project of the Agbami parties, the Managing Director, Petroleo Brasiliero (Petrobras), represented by the government and community relations manager, Meg Irozuru, said that investment in giving Nigerian youths quality education was a worthy investment.

The Senator representing Abia Central, Theodore Orji, has disassociated himself from posts on Facebook suggesting he is floating an agriculture loan project.

In a statement signed by Orji's Media Adviser and Legislative Aide, Chief Eddie Onuzuruike, the senator noted Orji that anybody participating in the loan scheme is doing so at his or her own risk.

"Our attention has been drawn to false postings on the Facebook about an Agric Loan project floated by Senator T. A. Orji, Ochendo. The public is hereby warned that there is no such project and so advised to disassociate Senator Orji and his office with such a scam," the statement said.

"Our projects like the Senator T. A. Orji annual scholarship scheme for tertiary institutions, are coordinated from the constituency office at No. 32 Ojike Street, Umuahia, Abia State and supervised by a well constituted body of stakeholders drawn from the six local government areas of Umuahia North and South, Ikwuano, Osisioma Isiala Ngwa North and South that make up the Abia Central Senatorial District. Notices of our projects are well publicised on newspapers, TV, and radio."

Caleb Varsity to Organise Convocation Ugo Aliogo and Afolabi Lawal The Vice Chancellor of Caleb University, Prof. Ayandeji Aina, has disclosed plans by the university to organise its 7th convocation ceremony on 13th of October at the University Multi-Purpose Hall.

He said that the convocation which would have as its theme: ‘Your Role in Shaping Nigeria’s Future’ would be delivered by the Group Chief Executive Officer, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Ladi Balogun.

Aina who made this known at a media

briefing in the university, said for the 2017 convocation, the school would be graduating 355 undergraduates and 44 postgraduate students which sum up 409, which he said was higher compared to 2016 when the school graduated 225 students.

He further noted that from the 409 students that would be graduating, 365 are undergraduates, while 44 are post graduates, adding that from the above number 14 students made first class honours, while 142 made second class honours upper division, 162 made second lower division and 47 made third class honours.

Aina added that in the post graduate programme, they had a total number of 44 students, 12 of which were from the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) and 32 Masters in Science of Architecture (MSA).

According to him: “In the undergraduate class, we have Miss Elizabeth Nejo, from the Department of Mass Communication as the Best Graduating Student with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.85, while for the Post Graduate Class, we have Quadri Ahmed from the Department of Architecture with a CGPA of 4.91.

“We are happy to announce this year’s convocation to the public because this for us is our harvest season. It’s noteworthy to state here that in the 2016/2017 academic session we have received accreditations for 13 new programmes approved for the university. Some of the new programmes are B.s c Taxation, B.s c Environmental Management and Toxicology, B.s c Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, B.s c Public Administration, Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) Computer Science and Master of Science in Computer Science.”

33/TRAVEL, LEISURE & TOURISM

13.10.2017

FTAN: Nigerian Tourism Under Threat as Ogba Zoo Director Remains in Captivity Peter Uzoho The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has suggested that the prolonged captivity of the Managing Director of Ogba Zoological Garden and Nature Park in Benin City, Andy Ehanire, is not good for tourism business in the country, as it sends the wrong signal that the country’s tourist sites are not safe.

Ehanire was kidnapped some three weeks ago and information regarding his kidnap has been scanty with the Nigerian Police saying that he was kidnapped by militants who they are closing on. However, a source close to the family disclosed that the kidnappers are demanding over N1 billion for his release, which has thrown the entire Ehanire family into a state of confusion as they are said not

to have such an amount.

FTAN, speaking through its President, Alhaji Saleh Rabo, said the only way to instil confidence in the industry and assure tourists and operators of their safety is for the security agencies to quickly nib this ugly incident in the bud.

Rabo called on the federal government to give the Inspector General of Police a marching order to move to Benin City with his rescue team to take over the case.

Meanwhile, the head of the entire Ehanire family, Chief Harrison I. Ehanire, has said the family was worried by the development and that the wife and children of their son are heavily traumatised while his businesses, especially the zoo, are in disarray and suffering from his long absence.

He, therefore, appealed to the kidnappers

to set free their son unharmed even as he called on the general public to join the family in praying for the prompt release of the kidnapped operator of Ogba Zoo. Even the Benin monarch, HRM, Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, is said to be perturbed by this incident as the family is very close to the palace: the wife of Ehanire is a Benin princess while the family holds one of the high ranking positions in Benin Kingdom.

All is said not to be well in Edo State since the kidnap of Ehanire as three other persons have also been kidnapped.

The state governor, Godwin Obaseki, has since been to Abuja to seek for help from the Presidency and is said not to be happy with the Edo Police Command over the present state of security in the state, particularly Benin City.

Andy Ehanire...kidnapped in his zoo

Ethiopian Graduates 262 Aviation Professionals .Voted 2017 Middle East and Africa Airline of the Year Ethiopian Aviation Academy, the largest and the most modern aviation academy in Africa, a full ICAO TRAINAIR Plus Member and IATA Authorised/Accredited Training Centre, has graduated 262 aviation professionals at a graduation ceremony held at the academy’s Commercial and Cabin Crew Training centre on October 7, 2017. The academy has graduated 50 pilots, 66 aviation maintenance technicians, 120 cabin crew and 26 Equipment and Facility Maintenance technicians; 10 majoring in Industrial Mechanics and 16 in Industrial Electricity.

This round of graduates includes a total of 34 Cameroonian, Rwandese, Equatorial Guinean, Togolese, and Congolese nationals, which testifies Ethiopian Pan African stance and key role in the development of African aviation. Group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines Group, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, congratulated and welcomed the new graduates to the airline’s dedicated workforce, gave out diplomas to all the graduates, flight wings to graduating pilots and cabin crew and achievement award to graduates with outstanding academic performance. GebreMariam remarked, “Education is the greatest Equaliser in our world today and Human Resource Development (HRD) is one of the Four Pillars of our Vision 2025 Strategic Growth Plan. In line with this belief we have invested adequately in capacity building in the Ethiopian Aviation Academy, which is the largest and most modern in the continent of Africa.

The Academy has been training and graduating the required Aviation Professionals both for Ethiopian Airlines Group and other partner airline around the region. It has the capacity to support our vision 2025 growth plan with adequate aviation professionals and to contribute its share towards the development of Aviation in Africa. While I congratulate today’s graduates for their success, I also wish them the best of

A cross section of graduates from the Ethiopian Aviation Academy

success when they join our winning Team of strong work force.” Currently, the academy trains 2,000 aviation professionals per annum and it envisages enhancing its intake capacity to 4,000 by 2025.

Meanwhile, the airline Group, has announce that it has been recognised as Middle East and Africa Airline of the Year 2017 by Airline Economics, the largest aviation finance and leasing print publication in the world, at a Gala Dinner held in Dubai on October 3, 2017. Winners in the Middle East and Africa Aviation 100 Awards Category have been chosen among the airlines in the Middle East and Africa through customer

survey conducted by Airline Economics Magazine.

Ethiopian outperformed major airlines in the Middle East and Africa to win this prestigious award.

“It is a tremendous honour to be recognised as Airline of the Year and to stand out from among the major Middle East and African carriers through a vote of the readers of one of the most renowned aviation magazines, Airline Economics. Although I am very happy by the several awards and recognitions that we have been receiving from all corners of the world, I am particularly inspired by this award since our remarkable success and fast growth in all aspects of our business has

gradually started to position us in a leadership position outside the continent of Africa. I thank the leaders and the team at Airline Economics for the recognition. Likewise, I would like to thank our valued customers for their continued vote of confidence and support. I also thank our strong team of more than 12,000 colleagues for their special dedication and commitment to our beloved airline and our customers. We are working together to build one of the best Global Aviation Group by scaling up the unmatched and seamless connectivity of network between the Continent of Africa and the rest of the world with more than 100 international destinations operated by the most modern and less than five years old airplanes on average. Ethiopian Airlines Group is among the very few airlines in the world which has shown leadership in both of the most technologically advanced airplanes in the world today which are the B-787 Dream liners and the Airbus A-350s’,” GebreMariam said.

Philip Tozer-Pennington, Managing Director of Airline Economics and Aviation News Ltd, while presenting the awards on the night, said; “Ethiopian Airlines is an African and an international airline success story. The airline is the clear winner of the industry vote for the best performing airline in the MEA region over the past 12 months. I wish to congratulate Ethiopian Airlines on this remarkable success.” Ethiopian is multi award winning airline: SKYTRAX World Airline Award for Best Airline in Africa, Best Airline Staff in Africa; AFRAA- Best Airline in Africa – five years in a row, Best Airline to Africa”, for a second year in a row, “Best Airline in Africa” by U.S. Premier Traveler magazine; Bombardier’s Airline Reliability Performance Award for the 6th Year in a Row; Passenger Choice Awards for "Best Airline in Africa for the third time in a row; Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier in Africa by Pax International Magazine.

Lufthansa Group Airlines to Offer Many New Destinations Worldwide in Winter 2017/18 This winter airlines will be offering flights to 288 destinations in 106 countries The airlines of the Lufthansa Group — Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings — will become even more attractive in the winter season 2017/18. Passengers will continue to enjoy the high level of service, quality and reliability of the Lufthansa Group on countless new routes – all from Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt via Frankfurt.

In the upcoming winter flight schedule for 2017/18, the airlines will be offering their customers precisely 24,922 weekly flights worldwide Over the winter, they connect 288 destinations in 106 countries. In addition, there will be more than 18,000 codeshare flights with around 30 partner airlines supplementing the respective flight programmes, offering passengers an almost worldwide network of routes. The winter flight schedule of the individual Group airlines will

come into force on Sunday October 29, 2017, and will be valid until Saturday March 24, 2018.

From November 8, 2017, Lufthansa will offer flights between Berlin and New York (USA) five times a week. Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, an Airbus A330-300 will take off heading west. Lufthansa will thus be once again basing a long-haul aircraft in the German capital, for the first time since 2001.

By resuming the Düsseldorf – Miami (USA) connection from this coming winter, Lufthansa is responding to the numerous requests of passengers from North Rhine-Westphalia. The service will begin on November 8, 2017, and flights will take off three times a week- Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The winter flight schedule will see Beijing (China) becoming a new A350-900 destination

for flights from Munich. Lufthansa passengers can thus travel to the Chinese capital for the first time on the world’s most advanced and environmentally-friendly long-haul aircraft.

The Airbus A350-900 will take off four times a week from Munich. After Hong Kong, Beijing is the second most important Lufthansa A350 destination in China. In addition to this, there will also be Lufthansa A350-900 flights leaving from Munich for Boston (USA), Delhi (India) and Bombay (India).

There will also be a wide range of flights in the upcoming winter from Munich to Charlotte (USA), Denver (USA) and Tokyo (Japan).

From the end of October, Lufthansa will start operating flights to many new winter destinations – Pamplona (Spain), Genoa, Bari, Catania (all in Italy), Kuusamo (Finland), Cluj and Timi oara (both Romania) are the new

destinations from Frankfurt. There will also be flights this winter from Frankfurt to Santiago de Compostela (Spain), Reykjavik (Iceland), Palermo (Italy) and Paderborn.

With Nantes (France), Glasgow (UK) and Santiago de Compostela (Spain), the flight program from Munich will now be expanded to include a number of further attractive city destinations.

In the upcoming winter flight schedule, another destination will be added to the route network of the Boeing 777-300ER – Swiss will now operate its flagship aircraft on flights to the Brazilian city of São Paolo. As regards its short-haul routes, Swiss will be flying to Breslau and also to Niš in Serbia for the first time. In addition to this, Swiss will be expanding its flight programme to include Berlin and Düsseldorf.

34/XTRA

13.10.2017

Sri Lanka: Wonders of Asia Set to Lead Tourism World When the tourism and hospitality world gathered in Dubai, UAE for the Arabian Travel Market, participants at the high profile event were unanimous that the annual event provides them enabling environment to advance their hospitality businesses. One of such participants was Sri Lanka. On its 14th consecutive outing since 2003 at an expo which witnessed a gathering of the best in hospitality and tourism businesses, the Asian country’s team was led by her Assistant Director Tourism Promotion Bureau, Mr. Ajantha Rathnayake. In an encounter with Kasie Abone who attended the expo, Rathnayake explained why tourists should look to Sri Lanka as the global destination of choice and why the country is tagged Wonders of Asia Arabian Travel Market offered the Asian tourism and hospitality world an opportunity to showcase their travel and tourism potentials not only to that region but to the rest of hospitality world. And so the A list event had countries from different parts of the world in attendance showcasing innovations in their various hospitality businesses.

One of such exhibitors was Sri Lanka. With screaming, ambitious tag line “Wonder of Asia” caught the attention of this reporter who also attended the expo. Why on earth tiny Asian island should make such bold claim, our correspondent wondered. The Assistant Director in the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, an arm of the Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs, Mr. Ajantha Rathnayake, was on hand at the exhibition stand to provide answers to our curious minds.

A paradise of culture, wild life and outdoor adventure, Rathnayake explained that Sri Lanka adorned its tag because of its “pristine beaches, lush tropical nature, rich cultural heritage, diverse wildlife and unlimited options for sports and outdoor activities.

Giving further insight into the exotic island, he said “Sri Lanka is consisted with millions of natural advantages by having the highest bio diversity in Asia backed by a strong culture, historical artifacts, exotic beaches, green environment and friendly people.

As an island, Sri Lanka tourism promotes authenticity, compactness and diversity as its unique selling propositions.”

All these combine to make Sri Lanka an ideal destination for a perfectly balanced holiday of relaxation, leisure and excitement. These

Kandy city of Sri LankaImomoh watches

features no doubt accounted for the achievements recorded by the country’s tourism industry in 2016 when it recorded the highest tourist arrivals in history. With over two million visits accounting for 22.1 per cent rise compared to 2015 figure of about one million seven hundred visits, the industry has continued to experience a steady growth rate year on year since 2011 with 855, 975 visits. With an estimated growth rate of 26 per cent, the beautiful island which is home to both the blue whale, Asian elephant, several national parks and eight UNESCO World Heritage sites Sri Lanka is positioned to hit 2.4 million visits this year.

To achieve this mark, Rathnayake explained that the Sri Lankan Government is committed

to diversifying tourism offering through efficient connectivity across the island, enhancement of products and elevating service standards.

This is in addition to the introduction of a new zonal development to tourism with special emphasis on preservation of cultural, religious and natural resources.

As other nations in the region are also upping their game as an alternative revenue stream Sri Lanka is not resting on its oars. To this end, the assistant director said his country has devised an eight-point agenda to make the country remain highly competitive as a destination of choice.

Some of the unique selling points which the country continues to build on include as

a destination strategically located at the cross roads of both East and West routes which serves as the point of entry to South Asia, major international lines like Emirates, Qatar Airway, Oman Air, Sri Lankan, Etihad, and others operate frequent flights from Sri Lanka to major cities in the Middle East; the island offers a safe destination to tourists across all parts of the country as well as easy access to visa which is available online; while the Eastern part of the country offers an exciting experience in the finest of beaches, surf and whale watching, the North boasts of historical temples, beaches while the central and Southern parts wows with games sanctuaries.

For a business minded Nigerian traveler, the country presents not only exotic experiences but also a preferred destination for global trade. For instance, Sri Lanka is known for preferred ethical sourcing capital of the world for apparel with key apparel companies. The country is also noted for ethically manufactured cleanest tea as per ‘Kyoto Protocol’ and a global leader in black tea. Additionally, Sri Lanka is known as the world’s blue sapphire capital with Princess Diana’s wedding ring generous Ceylon sapphire. It also reputed to supply 90 per cent of the global demand for cinnamon.

With the development of high mobility networks and intense focus on creating a business friendly especially with the tourisms ‘One Stop Shop’(a centralised promotion and facilitation centre created to assist potential tourism investors in investing a minimum of $2 million) environment, there is no doubt that Sri Lanka is ready to take on the hospitality and tourism world.

Making a Difference in the Hinterland of Suaka Village Adedayo Adejobi writes on the inauguration of Rotarian Osi Imomoh as President Abuja Rotary Club and the impulse behind his resolve to making a difference ‘An evening like no other’ are just mere words to describe the experience of the day.

It was the installation of Rotarian Osi Imomoh as the 8th President of Rotary Club of Abuja Metropolitan (The Club). The event was ushered in by a red carpet that commenced at 5p.m. on Wednesday evening of July 26th, 2017.

The August event was graced with dignitaries from all walks of life who believe in the vision and mission of Rotary Club International. Also in attendance were District 9125, Rotary Clubs representatives.

Incidentally the theme for this Rotary year is: ‘Rotary: Making a difference’. Perhaps, the passion to make a difference and contribute to a better world is why Rotary Club of Abuja Metro had adopted a village named Suaka back in 2013, a home to 1,500 Nigerians whose occupation is subsistence farming. Suaka is a village with little or no sign of modern civilisation and only accessible by an untarred and unmotorable road.

Seeking to impact on the daily life of the residents, the Rotary Club donated a borehole water system to the villagers to help them have access to clean and potable water. Before this the primary source of accessible water, which they also struggle to share with their animals in the village, is a seasonal stream, which dries

up during the dry season.

Ever since Rotary Club’s adoption of the Suaka Village in 2013, some additional interventions have been made. These include immunisation of the children against Polio, distribution of treated mosquito nets and food items; the provision of primary basic education and roofing of the Learning Centres, to facilitate conducive learning for the children in the village.

Presenting Rotary Club’s objectives at his investiture, Rotarian Osi Imomoh said, his initiatives and projects for Suaka Village will include a Maternal and Child Health Care.

“This star project is intended to deliver quality health care for the residents, since there is no health centre in the village and the nearest health centre is about 45 minutes journey on bike with the unmotorable and dusty untarred road from the village, these often results in loss of lives of pregnant women and children in cases of childbirth as well as death in cases of snakebite and other emergencies especially at night.

“Another project in view is the erection of a bigger borehole water system with overhead tank for the people of Suaka community as well as arrange vocational skills acquisition and training for widows and Suaka women.

Immediate past President, Bob Itawa (left), wearing insignia of office on the new President, Osi Imomoh. Victoria Imomoh watches

“Additionally, the Rotary Club Abuja will work towards the provision of Legal Aid and Advocacy to inmates in police custody.”

To this end, Rotarian Imomoh used his

investiture to call for donors and partners to provide much needed support in these worthy projects at hand, to make life better for the people of Suaka community.

35/ENTREPRENEUR

13.10.2017

‘We Teach Values Through Sports’ Mr. Leslie Oghomienor, Chairman, FCBEscola Lagos, Barcelona Football Academy in Lagos, in this interview with Mary Ekah, speaks on how young Nigerians are being taught the values of ethics and coexistence, modelled on FC Barcelona methodology

Oghomienor

Tell us about the FCBEscola Soccer School, Lagos. Is it like the proper school?

The Barcelona Football Academy otherwise known as FCBEscola is an academy for children who are interested in learning soccer skills. We help them develop physically, mentally and emotionally. We are able to teach them the values of life through sports. It is modelled after the FC Barcelona soccer methodology of promoting values such as teamwork, respect, ambition, effort and modesty. Students are taught by the FC Barcelona sports soccer directors. And then we have coaches that have been trained in the FC Barcelona ways.

The academy offers exclusive opportunity for Nigerian youths to learn the methodology and values from the unmatched Barça style and philosophy. The prestigious academy follows the FC Barcelona model aimed at developing youth talent on and off the soccer field. So with professional nurturing from the FC Barcelona coaches using the FC Barcelona soccer methodology, the students are taught the club values of ethics and coexistence that are so representative of FC Barcelona: tolerance, respect, solidarity, friendship, fair play, integration, effort and happiness to enable them succeed in their professional soccer career at international levels. These are values that can be used later in life even after they have left football.

There are various reasons that people want to join this school; some children come to the school for other personal reasons while we have children that are here for the purpose of being footballers in future. But all the same, we strive to make people here excellent football players. The school is owned by FC Barcelona but we are just the local partner here in Nigeria and that is why we have local project director FC Barcelona working here with us. We admit children from age five to 18, which we train for 10 months. The school is focused on developing the skills of the footballers such

that after graduation, they can pursue careers as professional footballers with international football clubs. It offers talented youths the opportunity to acquire a formal education while training as professional footballers.

You admit children of school age, so how do you manage that it. Does not affect their normal school attendance?

Ours is an after school programme, our classes start from around 4p.m. to suit kids that attend schools. And for those that are out of school, we have training for them in the morning period and on every Saturday, there is a tournament and all the players have to be here to come and showcase their skills. The school started in November last year.

How exactly is the school ran?

The educational curriculum is modelled after the Nigerian educational system and some aspects of the British curriculum, allowing the students to be able to write exams such as the West African School Certificate Examinations, (WASC), National Examination Certificate (NECO), International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International Baccalaureate (IB). As part of the academic training, students will be exposed to languages, including English, Spanish, French and other Modern European Languages, General and Applied Mathematics, Humanities and Social Sciences, Creative, Technical and Vocational studies and Natural Sciences as areas of study. FCBEscola Soccer School, Lagos, is first of its kind in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. The school provides opportunities for potential footballers from all over Nigeria and other parts of Africa to receive first class training honing their football skills.

What has been the response of Nigerians

towards this idea?

The responses have been fantastic and the turnout huge. We see our students grow in terms of their football skills, technical ability and tactical ability. We have tested them within Nigeria with other schools and have tested them abroad against other teams. In fact, last April, we travelled with about 30 kids to play in Barcelona and they performed so well in the competition we participated in. We sent our students, just recently to Spain and from there we are moving to other parts of the world for more training so that they can play professionally against other teams.

Apparently this is a project that would benefit not just the students but also Nigeria as a whole. Can you tell us how the nation stands to benefit from this whole idea?

The nation is going to gain a lot because this is going to expose these boys to playing football internationally. It’s going to help the youths to play structured games as well as take them off the streets through our youth empowerment programmes, grassroots development and all of that. And we can see that a lot of kids have the passion to play football but lack a platform with the kind of structure at FCBEscolaSoccer School, Lagos, that is going to help them grow as footballers from the little age of five. Most of the academies we have here have from the age of 15 and above but we are starting from age five because that is the best age to teach children about the value of unity, efforts, ambition and team work. I have a son here and I know he is really affected by the way he plays and the way he works. And a lot of children here have the values being taught to them through sports. This is a fun way of teaching people values rather than teaching in the classrooms. We put them in the pitch and they just play and become better people and that is what I can see happening here in the school. So the country can gain from

that. We are going to expand our operations to accommodate more participants for more people to have a feel of what we do here. We are happy to be where we are now.

What does it take to be a student here?

All you have to do is just to pass a trial after which you become a student and that depends on the kind of training and programme you want to do.. It is as simple as that. Our target audience are kids, whether rich or poor, it does no matter because we also have a scholarship programme for ages five to 15 so it doesn’t really matter what your background is, you can still be part of the school. We are giving scholarship to close to a hundred students, which is quite a lot and we are trying to also make sure that they become role models for the rest of the schools.

How affordable are your fees?

We are the cheapest FCBEscola in the world because we charge one third of the fee that is charged globally. FCBEscola is like an elite school globally because as we know, FC Barcelona is an elite soccer club so the school too cannot be cheap but because of the economic situation in Nigeria, we have been able to give much better rate than anywhere in the world and even with that, we also put scholarship schemes on to help our kids grow.

It is not about making money but developing the youths and that is much more important to us than any other thing and that is why we can put up scholarships for close to a hundred kids. My heart desire is to see children grow properly with the right values so that they can affect the economy positively. And soccer is a very good tool for training children in ways that they can become good adults. And if we have adults that have good values, the country would go a long way because a lot of things are going to be changed when you have citizens with good values.

36/COLLAGE

13.10.2017

Alhaji Mosuru Adebola Amida and wife Alhaja Jarinatu Olufunmilayo Amida (both middle) anked by their children,during the couple's 70th and 65th birthday/45th wedding anniversary in Lagos... recently

The couple, Emmanuel and Precious Anyanwu anked by the parent of the bride, Mrs Chioma Uleka (left) and her husband Tito Ezemdi, at the wedding ceremony of the couple in Lagos...recently

Yeye Tayese of Onigbongbo land, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Babatunde(2nd right), being supported by her husband, children and a family member to cut her 40th birthday cake in Lagos...recently

General Overseer of Delivery proof Evangelical Ministry, Prophet Olufemi Adeniregun being supported by his wife and children as he cuts his birthday cake in Lagos...recently

L-R: Chairman of Break out Session, Olisa Agbakoba; DG Nimasa, Mr. Dakuku Peterside; Former Minister of Interior, Mr. Emmanuel Ihenacho; and Country Managing Director, Accenture Nigeria, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, during the 23rd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja..recently.

L-R; Special Adviser to the Governor on NGOs, Solomon Door, his wife, Lysha Door, Comedian, Godwin Komone (Gordons) and Glo subscribers, Abimbola Oyebamiji and Michael Oyebamiji, at the mega comedy show, Glo Laffta Fest, in Makurdi...recently

Winner of theTax Reporting Award, Collins Nweze of the Nation Newspaper and Veteran journalist/chairman of Ruyi Communications, Soni Irabor at the 2017 PwC Media Excellence Awards/Gala nite in Lagos..recently

37/THISLIFE

13.10.2017

Celebrating Okey Ikechukwu at 55 Val Obienyem My first meeting with Dr. Okey Ikechukwu was not by accident. As a young man seeking knowledge and direction, I did not miss his columns in The Guardian Newspaper because of their philosophical bent. I duly set out to look for him. Identifying me as one in need and search for mentorship, he rashly laid that task upon himself and carried it out unquestioningly.

After a while – the need to taste the fruits of his labour – he appointed me his Research/Personal Assistant though I was still an undergraduate. I did not know where he got the money he paid me because he was just a Lecturer at the University of Lagos. Nonetheless, the pay helped to see me through university. When I went to the Law School, he paid my fees single-headedly as he realised that my salary would not be enough.

During my Call-to-Bar, he was the only one present for me. He kept close tabs on me, took me along when he moved from Lagos to Abuja and generally mid-wifed and sustained the progress of my journalistic career.

For such a person, no sacrifice by his children, including me, will be enough to repay his kindness. The goodness is not just to me, but defines the testimony of so many that have come in contact with him. As he turned 55 on the 30th of September, 2017, what birthday gift should people like us offer? The best gift is to recall the lives of such a person for lessons that are loaded in them. One of those lessons is that mentorship is a life-long project. Even when the person one has mentored has come of age, it is still good to follow his progress at all times. I was shocked when, together with my current boss, he made a strong case on the need for me to embark on further trainings. Perhaps my current boss thought I discussed the matter with Okey, but that was not the case.

Regardless of his attainments, Dr. Okey Ikechukwu has continued to improve on his competencies through further trainings. He has attended the National Institute of Strategic and Policy Studies, Kuru; the Leadership Institute, Arlington, Virginia, USA; Character Counts – the Character and Personality Training programme of the Josephson Institute -- USA; Public and Executive Communication Course at Harvard University; Effective Public Speaking Course of the American Management Association, New York; Crucial Conversations and Workplace Conflict Management [Vital Smarts], USA, among others.

What I have written has already summarised his character. However, since a life full of action cannot be summarised in three paragraphs, the question is: how do we who fret at the pin-prick of private tribulation understand a man who bore in his massive head a towering intellect that will always move him to do great actions?

Doc., as I fondly call him, is a native of Nimo, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, but he was born and brought up in Umuahia, Abia State. He had a normal, formal education.

A precocious child, he got first positions in his classes without much effort. This expectedly endeared him to his teachers, who kept visiting his dad for him to take a special interest in the training of the boy. His extant primary school pictures show him as massive-headed, broad-shouldered, with a well-developed chest, all suggesting a strong constitution.

In secondary school, Okey’s brilliance did not wane. He was certainly among the best. His outstanding intelligence was still intact. Fascinating in argument and matchless in articulation, Okey was the school’s Chief Speaker whenever his school faced other schools in debating or essay competitions. His classmates liked him because he was sociable, cheerful, kind, and usually serene.

Because of Okey’s brilliance, everybody expected him to read Law or nothing. Like most fond parents, they wanted Law for their son. To his mother, Law seemed the outstanding intellectual achievement of mankind, the moulding of man’s anarchic impulses to order and peace. To his father, only Law was congenial to Okey’s discursive and logical mind. But Okey preferred Philosophy.

Meanwhile, his father – a highly religious man whose friends were mostly priests – thought of Philosophy as an intellectual labyrinth leading either to religious doubt or to metaphysical nonsense, forgetting that priests read it also.

Was his father’s doubt confirmed later in life? It depends on our individual understanding, but it is certainly a topic for another day. When Okey insisted it was Philosophy or nothing, he was left alone. After a successful JAMB, he was admitted to the University of Nigeria,

Ikechukwu

Nsukka (UNN).

Nsukka pleased him. It remains a university town, full of frolic of students, the aura of learning, and the excitement of independent thoughts. There, he absorbed learning with every breath; marching triumphantly through all the classical philosophers that have bits of insight in their works. Up till now, Doc has no single philosopher that could be said to be his idol. He believes that the great philosophers had their own individual insights.

Nsukka was like a finishing school to the young Okey. It sharpened his intellect to an unbelievably keen edge, as sharp as the assassin’s blade. Because of his zest of challenging ideas, his close friends called him “a scholastic lion.” In rhetoric, he simply was splitting hairs. Opposed to some aspects of Marxism, he always engaged them in oratorical war, but not letting diversity of ideas abate the cordiality of friendship. He had, over his opponents (the Marxists), the advantage of his clear mind that saw the point of any matter at once. His arguments were always a classic of compulsion and a model of order.

While happily reading Philosophy, his people kept luring him into Law. His in-law, Chief Ben Nwazojie, the then Director of Public Prosecution, tried all he could but failed. Further efforts failed, because Philosophy had already claimed him as its own.

Okey’s lecturers regarded him as stubborn, not in terms of behaviour, but in regard to trying, in the course of his studies, to do what other men either had not tried or tried in vain to do. Thus, when it was time to write his project, he chose a very dry topic which he titled ‘The Individual Person in Heidegger’s Philosophy of Existence’.

His supervisor threatened to stop him on the ground that no lecturer in the Faculty knew Heidegger in-depth, until Rev. Fr. Oyenwenyi intervened. “Well”, the supervisor then said, “he (Okey) has to teach me Heidegger”. Given to challenges, Okey started by reading all the works of Heidegger. Added to this, he, with the special permission of his Head of Department, did courses in German to be able to understand some key German words and expressions as used

by Heidegger. He performed exceptionally and was projected as an example of what research entails. Besides getting the full marks, he was the best graduating student, winning the Shehu Fodio Award, as well as the Departmental Book Prize, for the Best Graduating Student in Philosophy.

The same trend characterised his Doctorate Degree programme. He took off as a Master’s student, but due to the brilliance of his work, the Master’s work – after he was called through the instrumentality of his supervisor, Professor C.S.Momoh, to make a presentation to the Post Graduate School and the Senate of the University

of Lagos – was used to award him a Ph.D. in Metaphysics. His dissertation was entitled: Epochal Pluralism of the Absolute as a Philosophy of Tolerance. No wonder he is at home with Hegel and most German philosophers. He likes Immanuel Kant also, though they disagreed because Doc believes that even philosophy, like other arts, has the moral obligation to be intelligible or keep quiet.

It was relatively easy for him to secure a teaching appointment at the University of Lagos. He impressed the panel that conducted the interview so well that one of the panel members, the late Professor Adigun of the Faculty of Law exclaimed: “What a material for the legal profession”. Adigun made all efforts to get Doc enrolled in evening Law Programme, but Doc thanked him for his interest and explained, as he has always done, that he needed no professional course to earn a living or contribute to the advancement of civilisation.

Unknowingly, Okey was following the part of some famous philosophers. David Hume’s parents persuaded him to abandon Philosophy for Law so he would not starve. He dabbled into Law for three agonising years (1726-1729), found it nauseous and returned to Philosophy.

Diderot regretted ever reading Law saying: “I went against my bent painfully to acquire an art that I could not practice dishonestly, and could hardly hope to practice otherwise.”

Okey’s annual salary as a Lecturer was not even enough to pay for his house rent. On this he could starve, but he could show his mettle.

He was mettlesome enough, for he began at once, from his post, to declare war against most philosophical thoughts that many considered settled. Recognising and trusting in his ability, his Head of Department found him handy to teach practically any course at any time. Thus, after his five years’ stint as a Lecturer with UNILAG, he had taught Jurisprudence, Ancient Chinese Philosophy, Classical German Idealism, Metaphysics, Philosophical Anthropology, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophical Psychology, Introduction to Philosophy and Logic.

As a lecturer, Doc maintained a weekly column in The Guardian Newspaper. Impressed by the quality of his articles, which a member of the Guardian Group then referred to as “treasure of the mind that reveal to the reader new beauties at every fresh perusal”, he became a visiting member of the paper’s Editorial Board.

In 1993, Okey left UNILAG for The Guardian as a full Editorial Board member in spite of a tempting offer from a bank. He left academia because he felt it offered him little room for development. He rejected the bank offer because it would develop the pocket but not the man. He embraced the media because he felt it presented

him a wider audience – to teach, discuss and exchange ideas with people. The Guardian especially attracted him because, according to him, “The members of The Guardian Editorial Board at that time had impressive academic, professional and experiential pedigree”. While with The Guardian, he was retained at UNILAG on a part time basis; but without pay. This is part of his love for, and desire to impact, knowledge.

Dr. Reuben Abati, his colleague on the Editorial Board at that time speaks eloquently about Okey: “The central thing about Okey is his loyalty to friends. I know a lot of people he has helped.

To Okey, friendship is a serious business and to maintain it a sacred duty. He relates with you at a very high level and does not expect you to behave like an animal.” On his impression of Okey as a member of the Editorial Board, Reuben said: “The members of the Editorial Board found him very articulate and remarkable in terms of his uncommon grasp of issues bordering on science, nature, religion, and the metaphysical.

Whenever Editorials bordering on these were to be written, Okey was the natural choice to give it the imprint of his incontrovertible logic.”

From The Guardian, Okey moved on to The Comet Newspapers (now The [nowTheNation].

There, he hoped to build a very strong Editorial Board which will perform its function as the engine room of the establishment. A former member of The Comet Editorial Board, Mr. Sola Fasure, remembers Okey’s days on the Board: “He is infinitely intelligent, his contributions to the Board were marked by the exhilarating nature, and the force of his, logic ... On a personal note Okey is a nice person, kind and considerate. When I joined the Editorial Board, other members of the Board protested on account of my age and inexperience then. It was Dr. who argued that I should be judged based on my contributions to the Board and not on account of my age.

When I was tested, his logic carried the day.”

Since then, Okey’s life has become an Odyssey worthy of Homeric songs. He has been the General Manager of The Examiner Newspapers; Special Assistant to the then Minister of Transport, Chief Ojo Maduekwe; Special Assistant to Presidential Adviser on Legal and Constitutional Matters; Chief of Staff/Special Assistant to Minister of Information and National Orientation; Head of Communications, Federal Ministry of Education.

Currently, he is the Executive Director, Development Specs Academy, Abuja; Senior Fellow, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Business School; Training and Programmes Partner, Nigerian Army Resource Centre; and Member and Columnist, THISDAY Newspapers Editorial Board. A certified professional mediator and conflict resolution practitioner, he is also the Regional Patron of the Nigeria Karate Association (North Central); a practising Black Belt in Shotokan Karate; a Consultant to a number of corporate bodies, international organisations and state governments.

As my lecturer in the UNIZIK Business School, one can assert that his mind is still afire. Indeed, one of his students, Toochukwu Nnadi in characteristic brevity described Dr. Okey Ikechukwu as a “polymath”.

Those devoted to his write-ups commend the soundness of his logic and range of his views.

Okey is never satisfied with mere expressions, but longs to give them form and beauty. Even when he is sentimental in feeling, he endeavours to be objective in thought. Reading him, one could mistake him for an octogenarian writing in the mellow metaphysics of old age. The same beauty and serious logic characterise his books: The Voice of the Oracle, The Philosophy of Philosophy, Come Let us Reason Together, the Return of Ejindu, In Spirit and in Truth, among others. They remain the treasures of the heart.

Like other humans, Okey has his likes and dislikes. Cheerful things: the sight of people who behave becomingly; people who are easily amenable to discipline; proper grooming; facing challenges, wrestling with ideas. Appealing things: things that are beautiful. This includes beauty in character and appreciation of nature. Detestable things: nagging people, inauthentic living and unserious minds.

Married with children, in his leisure time, Okey likes watching children’s cartoons; reading comics and philosophy; taking his wife and children to exotic and interesting places; practising Karate.; writing on developmental issues/philosophy and travelling. His one “failing” is his “unreasonable” generosity. Okey can gladly wear out his whole being from head to heel for the sake of his friends. .Obienyem sent this piece from Lagos

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13.10.2017

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Okonjo-Iweala, Adeosun, Ezekwesili, Aisha Ahmad…

The List is Endless I love Serah Makka. She’s the woman who heads ONE Campaign in Nigeria as the country director. She has extended role for Africa. The first time we met a little over five years ago our chemistry kicked in. She has a good education and reputation—a degree in Economics and International Relations from the University of North Florida and a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University. Ms. Makka is from Niger State. It may not be too long before Nigeria taps her to serve in government.

This is the point I’m making, girls in Nigeria deserve better: better education, better survival rates, better protection from child marriage and sexual assault, better access to resources, better health outcomes, and a better future.

Yes, I want to do an exhibition on women who have rescued our nation in troubled times to drive home what the United Nations Day of the Girl Child really means for us. I want to show that women have been called to clean up the mess when men mess up. The links cross the ages.

Oh! October has a way of reminding us of our freedom, yet we hardly remember that women actually pushed us into demanding freedom.

In November of 1929, a group of market women challenged obnoxious rule of the British colonialist. These market women with gut forced the colonial authorities to surrender on its terrible tax imposition on the market women.

In the book we know it as Aba Women Riot.

The women’s uprising, though debatable was a signpost to the British authorities that Nigeria will revolt. It was the first major challenge to

Okonjo-Iweala

Ahmad

British authority in Nigeria and West Africa during the colonial period.

Honestly, women have been called to rescue our nation when in dire need. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who gave Nigeria the best financial policies in history was called in to clear the mess when Nigeria was roiling in external debt. As a Minister of Finance she got Nigeria a deal with the Paris Club and went on to institute major changes in fiscal policies.

She had a good education to do that. Aged 18, Okonjo-Iweala went to the US to study Economics at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and worked for the World Bank.

Now, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun came in at a turbulent time as Finance Minister. She came to

Adeosun

Makka

fix what has been plundered. She is pragmatic at what she does, first taking Nigeria out of recession and implementing fiscal policies to recover Nigeria’s money out of the hands of the big men who have evaded taxes over the years. Adeosun’s good education has made her a star in the company of men. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of East London, a postgraduate Diploma in Public Financial Management from the University of London, and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, Adeosun is an example of why Nigeria should care about girl education.

And this, when Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili was saddled with the responsibility of pioneering

Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence office also known as due process office by president Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria was tapping into her quality education. With a master's degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, as well as a Master of Public Administration degree from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, she performed brilliantly. It paid off for Nigeria.

Now, 40-year-old Aisha Ahmad from Niger State in northern Nigeria—a region known for its laid-back culture on girl education, where women struggle for better life—has been tapped following her excellent work at Diamond Bank to go to the Central Bank of Nigeria on another rescue mission. Ahmad’s education is what Nigeria is looking for to solve problems at the apex bank. A holder of Masters degree in Finance and Management from the prestigious Cranfield School of Management, United Kingdom, and a Master of Business Administration, in Finance, from one of Nigeria’s first generation university, the University of Lagos, Ahmad is ready to be deputy governor at the CBN. There are many other great women that I may not be able to mention here.

Here is the lesson: Men who do not send their girls to great school are losers. A country that doesn’t create opportunities such as quality education for girls to realise their potentials will borrow from other countries. You make Nigeria better for girls, you make Nigeria better for everyone. Girls with education grow into great women.

Ajaokuta Steel and Nigeria’s industrialisation Dream Michael Jegede After Nigeria’s attainment of independence in 1960, we have had various industrial and economic development plans, designed for the purpose of transforming the country into an industrialised nation that would become a force to reckon with in the global economy.

Sadly, despite the availability of the required natural resources, successive governments failed to make the dream for Nigeria’s industrialisation a reality. Our desire to become an industrialised country remains a pipedream because we refused to give maximum priority to the advancement of the steel sector via the completion of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex (ASCO), which was conceived and envisioned as a pivotal element for Nigeria’s industrialisation.

That we have not been able to make ASCO come to life, almost 40 years after it was initiated, knowing full well that steel is the heartbeat of any national development plan for industrialisation, to me, clearly shows how unserious we are as an independent nation. We planned to be among the 20 largest economies in the world by 2020, but we continued to pay lip-service to steel matters as if we don’t know that the capability to produce steel aids industrial growth through which such a target could easily be achieved.

ASCO appears to have indeed become the allegory for the failures that define Nigeria in different areas of our existence as a country.

We allowed corruption, lack of political will, international conspiracy and policy summersaults/ inconsistencies to continue to tie down the completion of a project capable of positioning Nigeria strategically on the world map of steel production, thereby guaranteeing the realisation of our dream for industrialisation.

Virtually all the nations that are playing big globally have enhanced capacities for steel production. Even those that do not have any of the key mineral inputs needed for steelmaking have over the years developed the capacity to produce steel. Japan and South Korea, for instance, have no mineral resource for iron and steel, but they rank among the world top 10 countries in steel production. On the contrary, Nigeria that

President Buhari

is blessed with all the raw materials (iron ore, coal, natural gas and limestone) needed for the manufacture of steel is nowhere to be the found in the global chart of steel production. Nigeria, according to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, is the 12th largest iron ore resource country in the world. So, to produce steel, which is used in various applications around the world (engineering/construction, manufacturing of cars, ships, vehicle amour and general machinery), we do not have to import the raw materials. We have them in abundance!

Ajaokuta Steel is unarguably the largest integrated steel complex in the sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, we are unable to take the lead in steel production in Africa even in our illusory claim of being the giant of the continent. South Africa and Egypt produced 6.1 and 5.0 million tons of steel respectively in 2016 based on data provided by the World Steel Association (WSA). While South Africa is the 22nd on the list of countries by steel production, Egypt is the 27th. Nigeria did not make the list because only countries with annual production of crude steel of at least two million metric tons were included. China, the world’s largest steel producer topped the chart with a production of 808.4 million metric tons which represents about 50 per cent of the global steel output for 2016. Japan and India produced 104.8 and 95.6 million metric tons of crude steel to maintain the second and third position on the list respectively.

China and India fall in the category of

Newly Industrialised Countries (NICs). They were nowhere in terms of steel production in the 19th Century and at the start of the 20th century. But they worked hard to advance their steel industries and today they have overtaken even the G8 (forum for the world's major highly industrialized countries) members like U.S., Britain and Germany that were hitherto leading the pack in the manufacture of steel. Because China and India were determined to belong to the industrialised economies of the world, no international conspiracy could stop them from undergoing industrial and economic reforms that were anchored on steel development. Same applies to South Africa which is the 6th world largest producer of iron ore (the main ingredient for steelmaking) and the only African country regarded as an industrialised nation classified under the NICs. Just like China and India, South Africa is among the G20, an international forum for the governments of 20 major economies of the world and the G8+5 group (the original G8 members plus five NICs).

While ASCO was left to wallow in total neglect, about N6 trillion is spent annually on steel importation as disclosed recently by Engr. Suleiman Umar, the Assistant General Manager (New Initiatives) and Special Adviser Technical to the Sole Administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Company. Presently, we produce between 100,000 and 300,000 tons of steel every year, in spite of our huge potential for steel production, while our consumption stands at about 20 million tons yearly according to reports.

Except for former President Shehu Shagari whose administration exhibited unalloyed commitment to the Ajaokuta Steel project, all other governments after his were obviously nonchalant and undetermined about steel development. Not even Olusegun Obasanjo, who signed the contract for Ajaokuta Steel in 1979, as a Military Head of State before Shagari laid the foundation in 1980, had shown genuine concern towards the completion of the steel project, when he served as a democratically elected President between 1999 and 2007.

As at 1983 when the government of Shagari was toppled by the then General Muhammadu

Buhari, Ajaokuta Steel Company was 84 per cent completed. Shagari also completed and inaugurated the Delta Steel Company, Oshogbo, Katsina and Jos Steel Rolling Mills that were in the then integrated steel development scheme of government, aimed at serving as a bedrock for Nigeria’s industrialisation and diversification of the country’s economy which has been totally dependent on oil. Perhaps, ASCO would have been set for full operation before the expiration of Shagari’s second term, if his government had not been overthrown. Shagari, like Deng Xiaoping, Chinese Paramount Leader from 1978 to 1989 and Jawaharlal Nehru, first Indian Prime Minister (between 1947 and 1964), pursued steel development with a great deal of patriotism and willpower.

Is it not a huge shame that 34 years after Shagari was ousted, we are still talking about an uncompleted Ajaokuta Steel, even with the high level of work done under him on the project within a space of three years? Between 1983 and 1994, we dragged the project to 98 per cent completion and for over 23 years now it has remained at that point. This is after spending over $5 billion and only requiring less than a billion dollar for it to become fully operational.

If the giant steel plant which is likely to create job for about two million Nigerians (directly and indirectly) and serve as a major source of revenue for the country, needs not more than a billion dollar to be completed, after expending such a whooping amount of money, does it make any sense for us to have abandoned the project?

Upon assumption of office in 2015 as an elected President, Buhari had reiterated his campaign pledge to revive Ajaokuta Steel and make it functional, as part of his administration drive towards diversification and industrialisation.

Many Nigerians had noted that it would be a big plus for Buhari if indeed he could do anything possible to surmount all the obstacles inhibiting the successful completion and take-off of the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

In his inaugural briefing as Minister of Mines and Steel Development in December 2015, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, emphasised Buhari’s commitment to fix ASCO devoid of any hindrance.

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͱ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

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BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPEVTIVE

Re: Deconstructing the Debt Story Oluseun Onigbinde writes that Nigerian government needs a lot of rigorous thinking as well as caution when it comes to the management of the nation’s debts and the general economy to ensure more transparency and benefits It is important that public officeholders clarify the issues that citizens are distraught about and a key element has been the case of rising public debt. The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun’s piece comes in the context of the well-rehashed situation that the current administration met the country. With its hail of campaign promises without counting the cost, the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government pushed itself into a tyranny of expectations. I guess Nigerian politicians will be more mindful when they make promises as the campaign pamphlets had programmes with at least N19 trillion yearly to fulfill.

We must also understand that issue of debt is not treated with consternation as Adeosun wrote. It is a right argument that requires our interest in inter-generational equity. If are amassing the debt that will be a burden on future revenues, it is important to demand more transparency on what exactly we are bequeathing the future and the economic viability of it.

Nigeria paid $13 billion to settle the Paris Club of creditors mostly tied to frivolous infrastructure that had no economic impact on the current generation.

It must also be said that this administration has not been more transparent than previous government as regards debt numbers. I reckon that Debt Management Office (DMO) has to be one of the bestmanaged government institutions with how it maintains an updated register of the national debt. Several officers who worked at state governments where it is nearly impossible to get fiscal numbers and currently at the federal level are surprised at this level of transparency, but we must be vigilant that this not rolled back in a bid to silence varied discussions. Despite the anti-corruption crusade, it has become impossible to get a detailed breakdown of the N1.2 trillion capital releases as claimed for 2016 budget cycle. Except for NNPC that started its monthly operations and financial reports, this administration has not been more transparent than previous governments, and it needs to sincerely improve this. The Buhari-led government has not provided details of capital releases on the project basis, no bold attempts on open contracting, never applied punitive sanctions to those indicted in Auditor-General reports or any tangible thought on campaign financing, a drain on public resources at all levels.

So which improved transparency are we talking about?

Diving into the numbers, the unfortunate thing about the current fiscal management is how it has not shown any belt-tightening approach in the way public officers parade themselves. We don’t know any radical approach to reduce aides of public officers nor has there been any interactive party-level discussions on the National Assembly to rein its cost. In a budget approved during the recession, it is still littered with purchase of cars at N25 billion, computer software acquisition at N9 billion etc. One would have expected that beyond the serial removal of ghost workers that has not lead to a single prosecution and has always been a public relations stunt for successive governments, the entire Nigerian budgets will solely prioritize not a cluster of administrative capital projects but developmental capital projects with direct impact on the people. The ballpark figure of N1.2 trillion thrown around has no public details. How can such amount be spent with serial commissioning of projects since the Kaduna-Abuja rail? This means Nigerians are probably not seeing it or certain persons are economical with the truth. Well, I can easily be proven wrong with clear definition of capital projects funded. We continuously hear of the Efficiency Unit as a “placeholder point” but no real understanding of its operations

President Buhari

and savings that helped government fulfill regarding bureaucracy.

I am happy that with Adeosun’s argument, federal government clearly sees where the Nigeria’s fiscal problem lies. The critical challenge has always been the size of public revenues, too low for a country of our population and economic size. This is why we must not fetishize our debt-to-GDP numbers currently at 17.1 per cent. That Nigeria have a huge GDP and has not been able to maximise public revenues from it attest to the poor appraisal of the current GDP structure or the approach we have taken that poorly discourage tax payments.

From 29 per cent debt-to revenue ratio in 2014, the federal government has moved to 44.7 per cent in 2016. This means that from every N100 that FG receives, it spends N44 on servicing debts. In recent Pew Research, it was stated that as at 2015, Brazil spent 42 per cent of its revenue to service debts,

Diving into the numbers, the unfortunate thing about the current fiscal management is how it has not shown any belttightening approach in the way public officers parade themselves. We don’t know any radical approach to reduce aides of public officers nor has there been any interactive partylevel discussions on the National Assembly to rein its cost

being the highest in the world. This shows that while Nigerian debt size might be low, the cost of servicing debt is high among its peers. We must not fall for low debtto-GDP figures, it is the single incomplete story. Bond interests have not toppled 16 per cent in past year, and the badge that the Nigerian government flashes is that portfolio investors now savour our sweet debt. Who would not with cool interest rates and guaranteed exchange rate exits?

The Nigerian government is running a cool social security for the Nigerians who can afford its debt, distorting incentives for the growth of private capital.

It is also unfortunate that FG is also crowding the banks of retail savers launching bond issuance capped at 12-13 per cent.

This excludes its Federal Government debt to CBN that has risen from N866 billion in February 2015 to N5.189 trillion as at July 2017. Imagine a scenario at when there are multiple options of bonds and treasury bills at tax and risk-free rates, which bank would borrow to the private sector? In the 2016 Budget Implementation Report by the Budget office, it was stated that “Credit to government grew by 27.44 per cent when compared with the end September 2016 figure of N3.66 trillion….Credit to the private sector (Cp) slumped by 2.93 per cent to N21.98 trillion at end-December 2016 from N22.65 trillion at end-September 2016 indicating crowding out .”

Think of a country with the debt to the government at a faster pace than credit to the private sector that also needs private capital to reach growth rates of seven per cent in 2020 as stated in its Economic Recovery and Growth Capital (ERGP). It is also important that government rates have been private lending benchmark in Nigeria now around 25 per cent. With this administration, the only business in town has been government.

This administration made a chore out of commissioning private plants but underneath the numbers is a frustrated Nigerian who can’t get capital from the bank because fiscal management have disincentivised this.

This is why conversations of debt should not be in size. It is how does FG reduce

the cost of borrowing and most especially the domestic offerings that now touches every upper and middle class bracket of the society.

Nigeria’s debt service costs will reach N1.6 trillion in 2017, closing on its personnel costs of N1.8 trillion, this is the worry that should be triggering debates on well-structured quantitative easing not government out-borrowing everyone in the space. The current approach of substituting local debt with dollar-denominated debt is also faulty. What should be the purpose of raising external debt? With oil being our main foreign earner at 95% of receipts, is Nigeria not supposed to be borrowing for infrastructure or making investments to correct this imbalance that puts Nigerian currency on a wrong footing every time that oil markets go into a dip?

As stated in the Economic Growth Recovery Plan “Nigeria’s peers raise an average 16 per cent of GDP from non-resource taxes; Nigeria raises just 3 per cent (2015)” The plan also states a target to “increase tax to GDP ratio from the current 6 per cent to 15 per cent during the period.” With a targeted GDP of N137.331 trillion in 2020, we are talking about tax revenues of N20 trillion, which is nearly eight times the current total non-oil revenue taxes. This means Nigeria needs to at least multiply its taxes eight times to meet the 2020 target.

Despite the efforts shown by Adeosun in the piece, it shows that it will always be inadequate without a proper reflection on why do we have a huge GDP but little taxes? What is the structure of the GDP that makes it impossible to collect taxes? Has the Nigerian government shown enough faith in the management of public taxes that make it more deserving? These are the conversations that need to be honked because the current approach is a reflection of growth rates in the past and shows that without robust thinking our public revenues will not rise.

I believe the debt debate is rooted in the fact that Nigerian government is taking the escapist approach, raking up debt in quick numbers, rapidly forgetting where before exit of creditors. This escapist approach of taking gradual steps on revenue, but giant footprints on debt is what is being questioned. Nigerian leaders in 18 months have shopped everywhere - AfDB, World Bank, Retail savers, bondholders, Eurobond, portfolio investors, Sukuk bonds, treasury bills to pay its own cost. A dive into its Budget Implementation reports shows that its numbers doesn’t add up such as how did Nigeria finance actual deficit of N1.02 trillion for 2016 after counting at bond receipts. How is FG also entitled to Paris Club refund and what is the source of the N1.64 trillion extra-statutory fund provided to states?

In fact, most of the projects tied to these debts especially rail do not have any known economic importance and are not fastened to the idea that such projects should be self-liquidating. They are mainly for political expediency, and this is why this debate is necessary. That Nigerian government should provide effective plumbing in raising revenues, rein on debt service costs with favor for long-term bonds as well as rates that consider private sector lending, evidently reduce overheads and administrative capital items and overall unleash transparency on every issue. Here we see monetary authorities (CBN) limiting liquidity in a bid to keep Naira at a preferred value by mopping up funds in circulation through borrowing, the fiscal authorities (government) keeps feasting on expensive debt while everyone except their bondholders leans through. The Nigerian government needs a lot of rigorous thinking as well as caution.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017

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CITYSTRINGS Royal Honour for Oshiomhole

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

Adibe Emenyonu writes on the recent reception organised by the Oba of Benin to celebrate Adams Oshiomhole’s outstanding achievements as governor of Edo State for eight years

Oshiomhole (1st left) receiving bronze gift from Oba Ewuare II (middle)

T

he event was a seven-month training programme and presentation of certificates to 55 auxiliary social workers drawn from Benue, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) which closing section climaxed with a thorough review on the need for a social development workforce to help stem the tide of the increasing spate of anti-social behaviours including domestic violence leading to wife-battery and breeding of disconsolate vulnerable children as well as the countless mentally unstable persons who flood the streets.

In recent times, quite a number of anti-social behaviours mostly exhibited by young people who indulge in cult activities have started to take their toll on the society necessitating the need for quick intervention by major stakeholders.

Thus experts were drawn from the Ministry of women Affairs, Ministry of Health, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), Central for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Benue State University and the organisers, Twinning for Health Support Initiative Nigeria(THSI-N) Meanwhile, social work as a profession is designed to ameliorate problems facing individuals in the society. It is generally understood as a helping profession that utilises qualified personnel who use their knowledge to help people tackle their social problems.

Understanding the work of the social worker as the one with capacity to mould the society along the path of honour, the government through the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has reaffirmed its resolve to take the project to the expected end.

Speaking at the event at the Halliday Hotel

A lot of encomiums have already been showered on the former governor but we felt we needed to host him at the palace ground for promoting the Edo culture and doing what past governors thought were impossible.

He was committed to duty, achieved what past administrations could not achieve and showed great respect to the Benin Monarchy

Oshiomhole display the bronze gift presented to him by Oba Ewuare II

Makurdi, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan, represented by the Assistant Director in the ministry, Mr. Ben Okwuosa, said the need

arose for the training following a survey conducted by the ministry on the number of social workers in the country and the services they provided. He said the survey revealed

that the number of trained social workers in Nigeria was highly insufficient to cater for the number of vulnerable Nigerians they are expected to serve.

She noted that currently her ministry was collaborating with the National Association of Social Workers (NASOW), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the National Assembly and other stakeholders to ensure that the bill on professionalisation of Social Work in Nigeria which had been passed into law received presidential assent. The legal backing, she said would enable practitioners to promote professional standards to improve effectiveness and efficiency and also regulate the practice in the country.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017

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CITYSTRINGS

R-L: Wife of Edo State governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, Governor Godwin Obaseki, Kebbi State governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman/Editor-in-Chief, THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE Television, Prince Nduka Obaigbena and Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, at the royal reception organised by the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, in honour of Oshiomhole in Benin City...recently

Otaru of Auchi (L) and other traditional rulers at the event

“The need for auxiliary social workers is therefore a welcome and good response to this challenge. Within the current vulnerable children workforce, there are limitations in terms of skills, competency levels and expertise which are the gaps this programme is aimed at filling,” she said.

She urged benefiting states to not only ensure that the beneficiaries of the programme were utilised at the various communities in carrying out social services to the vulnerable children and families but to also start training others in their respective states.

The Executive Director of Twinning for Health Support Initiative, Nigeria, Mr. Justice Ulunta, said the organisation which was registered in 2014 was established by the American International Health Alliance/ Twinning Centre (AIHA) as its local Nigerian partner to among others increase the number and improve the quality of community-level social workers.

With funds from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention through sub-grant from Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research Nigeria (CCCRN), Ulunta said his organisation had received mandate to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to institutionalise Auxiliary Social Work training in tertiary institutions in Nigeria as a certificate programme that would ensure a steady pool of trained auxiliary social workers to help bridge the gap in social welfare service in Nigeria.

According to Ulunta, already five focal areas namely Benue, Cross River, Enugu, Kaduna, and FCT had been selected in the first phase to host the training programmes so as to effectively introduce ASWs to the basic tools, concepts, processes and helping skills that underline all interventions with children, families, and communities, “thus providing a foundation for effective intervention with this population.”

The Executive Director further disclosed that his organisation is currently working with relevant stakeholders including the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), NASOW, Nigerian Association of Social Work Educa-

tors and recipients of social work services to harmonise the training curriculum for Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work in order to ensure that the products of Social Work Departments in the universities were equipped to deal with the challenging issues of our present society in accordance with international best practices.

He said 55 active men and women have

From the citation, it is clear that Oshiomhole made a watershed in Nigerian politics. His coming into governance saw a new trajectory. One point not made in the citation is that he is the first political leader who stood out using politics to unite Edo people that today, we all speak as Edo people and not as Etsako, Esan or Owan. We have a lot to be grateful to him. Before I came, he made my job easier. He cleared the path.

What I am doing is just to continue from where he stopped. I thanked Oshiomhole because he provided leadership that what we are doing today is just to thank him

Cultural dance troupe entertaining guests at the occasion

undergone six months programme through active, practical skills development and experiential learning.

He commended the Benue State University for allowing the programme to be domiciled with its sociology department.

Also speaking, the representative of the Country Director, Centre for Disease Control, Nigeria, Mr. Victor Atuchukwu, said the 2008 situation assessment and analysis of vulnerable children in Nigeria revealed that there are 17.5 million orphans and vulnerable children.

He therefore lamented that with regards to the available workforce for vulnerable children, there were limitations in terms of skills, competency levels and expertise hence the need to not only increase the workforce but also to ensure all-round competence of social welfare workers especially at the community level where interventions matter most.

“A strong social welfare workforce is critical to meeting the needs of children and the vulnerable. Everyone, from government policy makers, local administrators, researchers and social workers, to educators, community volunteers, workers, care providers and social service actors have a key role to play in ensuring the well-being of orphans and vulnerable children,” he said.

He said the training programme was part of efforts towards strengthening the government social welfare workforce and improving the competencies and skills of personnel required for excellent social welfare service delivery to vulnerable populations especially orphans, vulnerable children and those in dire need of moulding.

On her part, the Benue State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Isegbe Ajene Ladi, represented by Mr. Joseph Imande disclosed that the ministry championed the domestication and passing into law of the Child Right Bill by the Benue State House of Assembly in 2008.

She said the importance of the law was to provide a comprehensive legal tool for the protection of children of all brackets living in Benue State irrespective of their gender, status, socioeconomic and religious background.

She said the state is facing various social and natural issues, ranging from flood disasters, early child marriage, rape, trafficking and criminality among the youthful age.

“This is why we need professional social workers who will provide prompt social interventions for persons faced with this challenge.”

She called on the organisers to spread their tentacles by looking into both the federal and state social legislations that will help for the care for vulnerable people.

While her counterpart in Kaduna Mrs. Hafsat Baba said social welfare was an immeasurable discourse which concerns all humans and require all God giving wisdom, strength and resource to manage.

She said the provision of the right safety net need much more than a government effort.

She said the training of social workers was timely as the acute shortage of social workers is affecting the progress of delivering government policies.

“Absolute lack of intellectual capacity and weakness constantly characterise the pool of our workforce thereby leading to flagrant dereliction of responsibilities and denigrating waste of lofty effort and resources, and this has become a constant source of worry for the administration of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and we have been in search of lasting solution.”

She said in Kaduna, the state government was combating proliferation of baby factories through a carefully articulated Orphanage revalidation exercise. Adding that essential family practice values are been taking to communities through direct contact mechanism.

Also speaking, the FCT Acting Director of Social Welfare and Development said the society was endemic with social disorder and social dysfunction adding that the society is in need of professional social workers.

“For us in the FCT the harvest is truly plentiful but the labourers are few.” He said the training will help to fill in the vacuum created by the scarcity of social workers.

Some of the participants expressed joy with the new status while also promising to impact their knowledge on the society.

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Pension Fund Assets Hit N6.1 Trillion Ndubuisi Francis Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Nigerian Pension Fund Administration Data for 2016 just released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reflected that the Pension Fund Asset as at December 31, 2016 stood at N6.164 trillion as against N5.302 trillion in 2015.

The total asset as at the period under review represents six per cent of the Nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as against 5.57 per cent in 2015.

According to available data, 98.56 per cent of the funds were invested in domestic market while the remaining 1.44 per cent were invested in foreign market.

Funds invested in foreign markets are those of pension

schemes of multinational companies brought into the Contributory Pension Scheme FGN debt securities has the highest weight percentage of 71.28 per cent of the total pension fund assets and closely followed by ordinary shares with 9.48 per cent weight and money market securities with 6.51 per cent weight. Infrastructure funds have the least with 0.03 per cent weight. According to the NBS’ figures, participants within the age distribution below 40 years have the highest percentage composition by sector and gender, closely followed by participants within the age brackets of 40-49 years and 50-59 years respectively while participants above 60 years have the least percentage composition

by sector and gender.

Recent reports indicated that the pension fund assets have continued to grow despite the failure of some employers to remit workers’ contributions.

Between April and June 2017, there were 97,713 Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders registered under the new pension scheme, with 77,023 contributors from the private sector.

Similarly, 9,148 workers from the federal government registered under the Contributory Pension Scheme while state governments recorded 11,542 contributors, thereby bringing the total number of pension contributors from the inception of the scheme in 2004 to 7.6 million.

Fidelity Bank Sells $400m Eurobond Fidelity Bank Plc has successfully issued a $400 million Eurobond. The bank issued the five-year securities with a 10.75 per cent yield on Wednesday.

Fidelity is the third Nigerian bank to sell Eurobonds this year after bigger rivals Zenith Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc, while also following the lead of the country’s government, which plans to more than double its outstanding dollar debt to $9 billion. According to Bloomberg, investors have piled into emerging markets to hunt for higher rates as those in developed nations linger near all-time lows.

The Eurobond is the first from Fidelity, which is rated B- by S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings, or six steps into junk territory, since 2013.

Small- and mid-sized banks in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, have struggled to raise capital as the economy recovers slowly from its worst slump in around 30 years, triggered by the 2014 collapse in crude prices.

Most of the dollar bonds issued this year with higher yields than those of Fidelity, which has $4.2 billion of assets, came from the North American corporate market, according to

data compiled by Bloomberg.

Citigroup Incorporated, Renaissance Capital and Standard Bank Group Limited managed Fidelity’s deal, which included the repurchase of $256 million of its $300 million of existing dollar notes due in May next year. “If you taken into account for the stage Fidelity is at in its evolution, the macroeconomic situation and the current apathy toward the Tier 2 banking space among investors, the pricing appears reasonable,� Head of Renaissance Capital in Nigeria, Temitope Popoola said.

ANAN Harps on Competence, Integrity The Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), has advised professional accountants to maintain competence, discipline and integrity in their profession. The second Vice President of the association, Prof. Benjamin Osisioma, gave the advice in a Motivational Talk titled: “How to thrive as a professional : from Good to Great,’which he presented at the 22nd annual conference of ANAN. He defined a professional as one who possessed considerable intellectual skills and knowledge in a defined discipline, acquired by lengthy training and education and

subject to the authority of a definitive body that sets and maintain standards of qualification and entry. “The body attests to the competence of the individual practitioner and prescribed the Code of Ethics for all members,’’ Osisioma said. He described competence as the hallmark of professionalism, saying that competence was borne out by vast body knowledge and skills acquired from a lifetime of study and practice.

The don described discipline as the tag of professionalism and the “irresistible impulse – mental, physical or psycho-

logical to do what we may not want to do, in order to gain what we do not want to lose.� “The third attribute is integrity- the ultimate test of professionalism. Professionals are persons committed to standards of integrity and performance that cannot be altered to suit people’s tastes of what they are willing to pay for –men who stay true to what they were called to do,� Osisioma said.

According to him, professionals have the unique responsibility to serve the public’s best interest even at the sacrifice of personal advantage.

Group Seeks Attitudinal Change among Nigerians A non-governmental organisation (NGOs), the Attitude and Character Change Initiative (ACCHI) has called on both the federal and state governments to reinvigorate efforts at making life better for the common people as well as in eradicating all forms of social maladies.

The group also called for a change of attitude among government officials in order to ensure selflessness and altruism.

ACCHI argued that the selfish attitude of government officials at all levels had been responsible for the alleged “mind-bulging corruption and wanton crime in the country.� “It is indeed the belief of ACCHI that with altruistic leaders, prudent management of the meagre resources and a well orientated citizens, Nigeria can and will develop faster than it can ever be imagined. Though

the organisation commends some initiatives of the federal and some state governments that support and empower the poor Nigerians, yet it observes that they can do more and even better. “All the three levels of government need to do is to initiate and implement all inclusive and highly impactful projects and programmes that touch the lives of the rich and the poor in either urban centres or the sprawling rural communities,� it added.

The group noted that as government was trying its best in the areas of infrastructural development and economic revival, it must also spend more on quality education and positive re-orientation of Nigerians.

ACCHI pointed out that the current effort of government on social mobilisation and positive citizen engagement were too

low to produce result.

It said:“This is more so as the long period of disorientation and moral corruption have taken too long and a deep root in the psych of Nigerians. And this accounts for the high rate of crimes and all other forms of social maladies such as jungle justice, idleness, hooliganism and rent seeking among others. “It is sad and unacceptable that many of the government initiatives targeted at addressing the maladies are not working.

It is also unfortunate that legislations aimed at combating them are weak and far behind the digital era. Though the initiatives may be good in concept but they certainly cannot produce desired result except they are fully backed up with good implementation and a carefully planned and executed social mobilization and re-engineering.�

Broad street

MARKET INDICATORS 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)

ÍŻÍ˛ËœÍ˛ÍśÍ´ËœÍśÍśÍśË›ÍąÍˇ

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?

ÍľËœÍ˛ÍąÍ´ËœÍˇÍŻÍľË›ÍľÍˇ

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)

ÍłËœÍśÍąÍľËœÍąÍ°Í°Ë›Í˛ÍŻ

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

͎ͯ˛͹͡

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

ͯ͹˛͡ʹ

Savings Deposit Rate

4.18

1 Month Deposit Rate

͜˛ͳ͹

3 Months Deposit Rate

8.80

6 Months Deposit Rate

͎ͯ˛Ͱ͹

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.76

Prime Lending rate

17.09

Maximum Lending Rate

28.55 Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, WED, 11 OCT 2017 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $54.54 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $54.23 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

43

˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017

Nigeria’s top 50 stocks based on market fundamentals

12-Oct-17

11-Oct-17

% Change

Capitalisation

EPS

P/E

P/S

Div. Yld Price/ Book Value

Table 1 Market Statistics Mkt Indicators

Open 11-Oct-17

NSE All Share Index NSE Market Cap (N'Trillion)

36,652.82 12.62

36,732.24 12.64

0.22% 0.22%

154.77 12.05

155.15 12.08

0.24% 0.24%

01 Dangote Cement Plc

224.00

224.00

0.00%

3,817,073,658,720.00

13.34

15.95

4.93

3.76%

4.40

02 Nigerian Breweries Plc

165.08

164.00

0.66%

1,308,935,974,591.04

3.58

51.23

4.64

1.96%

8.77

03 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

41.70

42.00

-0.71%

1,227,280,173,640.80

4.49

8.79

2.78

4.48%

2.16

1,240.00

1,233.12

0.56%

982,893,752,480.00

10.00

122.02

5.32

2.38%

31.32

05 Zenith Bank Plc

25.26

25.25

0.04%

793,075,433,034.36

4.13

5.52

1.41

7.89%

1.02

Table 3 Top 5 Gainers

06 Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

41.19

40.05

2.85%

411,900,000,000.00

2.85

14.20

2.59

0.25%

2.88

Stock

07 United Bank for Africa Plc

9.20

9.18

0.22%

333,771,642,162.40

1.99

4.81

0.91

6.26%

0.78

16.75

16.75

0.00%

307,354,982,851.25

0.68

26.61

0.56

3.44%

0.53

9.75

9.73

0.21%

282,047,723,402.25

13.18

0.76

0.76

5.50%

0.64

67.00

67.83

-1.22%

266,021,962,015.00

0.03 2,338.93

3.81

1.90%

6.49

480.00

480.00

0.00%

265,588,950,240.00 -82.02

-5.88

4.21

3.30%

0.71

54.50

54.50

0.00%

248,242,148,645.00

15.36

1.18

5.26%

1.04

04 Nestle Nigeria Plc

08 Ecobank Transnational Incorporated 09 Access Bank Plc 10 Presco Plc 11 Seplat Petroleum Dev. Co. Ltd 12 Lafarge Africa Plc 13 FBN Holdings Plc

3.71

6.11

6.09

0.33%

219,320,238,959.12

0.16

35.99

0.35

2.55%

0.35

14 Unilever Nigeria Plc

44.00

43.50

1.15%

166,465,035,000.00

0.81

49.26

2.17

0.13%

12.95

15 Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc

13.85

13.65

1.47%

166,200,000,000.00

2.01

6.92

0.77

3.60%

2.19

16 Guinness Nig Plc

99.25

99.25

0.00%

149,459,402,659.00

-3.06

-25.17

1.12

4.16%

2.94

17 International Breweries Plc

39.90

39.90

0.00%

131,440,546,272.00

0.02 1,642.11

4.58

0.68%

11.11

253.00

253.00

0.00%

85,899,024,761.00

43.58

5.43

0.28

5.92%

3.41

29.71

29.20

1.75%

77,966,086,825.77

3.71

7.82

0.14

6.90%

0.72

6.00

6.00

0.00%

72,207,713,364.00

0.29

23.59

0.18

10.95%

0.43

21 Forte Oil Plc.

50.00

49.00

2.04%

65,124,055,150.00

3.66

13.66

0.50

6.90%

1.38

22 Okomu Oil Palm Plc

66.37

66.37

0.00%

63,311,006,700.00

5.15

12.75

4.36

0.15%

3.68

166.00

166.00

0.00%

59,858,813,492.00

22.61

7.69

0.67

4.14%

2.92

90.00

90.00

0.00%

57,653,132,670.00 -21.86

-4.21

0.52

2.39%

5.47

25 Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc

1.45

1.39

4.32%

56,145,446,266.25

-0.03

-43.98

0.83

0.00%

0.57

26 Fidelity Bank Plc

1.40

1.39

0.72%

40,547,619,968.80

0.39

3.54

0.26

11.68%

0.21

27 Julius Berger Nig. Plc

29.33

29.33

0.00%

38,715,600,000.00

-2.89

-11.83

0.32

4.39%

0.64

28 National Salt Co. Nig. Plc

13.20

13.11

0.69%

34,972,586,589.60

0.91

14.26

1.88

4.23%

4.28

29 U A C N Plc

16.00

15.60

2.56%

30,733,830,192.00

3.37

4.44

0.38

6.68%

0.38

30 Sterling Bank Plc

1.00

1.00

0.00%

28,790,418,126.00

0.18

5.86

0.27

8.57%

0.35

31 Mansard Insurance Plc

2.46

2.31

6.49%

25,830,000,000.00

0.25

7.57

0.96

2.63%

0.99

21.00

21.00

0.00%

25,113,406,248.00

3.02

6.95

1.67

1.43%

1.50

1.05

1.00

5.00%

24,318,408,416.40

-0.29

-4.02

0.13

0.00%

0.12

34 PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

23.90

23.90

0.00%

23,900,000,000.00

5.69

4.73

1.87

0.37%

0.72

35 Cap Plc

32.50

32.50

0.00%

22,750,000,000.00

2.17

15.89

3.54

3.33%

16.77

36 Custodian And Allied Insurance Plc

3.60

3.60

0.00%

21,174,711,102.00

1.06

3.35

0.51

3.93%

0.64

37 FCMB Group Plc

1.05

1.05

0.00%

20,792,846,320.05

0.09

13.13

0.13

8.93%

0.12

10.50

10.40

0.96%

19,721,121,420.00

-0.64

-18.74

0.70

10.77%

2.15

39 Wema Bank Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

19,287,233,040.50

0.07

7.59

0.37

0.00%

0.41

40 Honeywell Flour Mill Plc

2.01

2.04

-1.47%

15,939,697,292.58

-0.40

-5.19

0.35

7.62%

0.50

41 Continental Reinsurance Plc

1.38

1.38

0.00%

14,314,387,150.56

0.30

4.51

0.54

8.96%

0.69

42 Cement Co. Of North.Nig. Plc

10.18

10.18

0.00%

12,792,979,657.88

1.29

6.96

0.70

1.11%

0.90

43 Skye Bank Plc

0.51

0.50

2.00%

7,078,953,719.10

-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

0.54

0.52

3.85%

6,312,242,488.68

0.19

3.16

0.08

0.00%

0.08

46 Resort Savings & Loans Plc

0.50

0.50

0.00%

5,664,866,202.00

0.03

17.71

3.72

0.00%

1.94

47 Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.40

3.41

-0.29%

5,522,343,750.00

0.36

9.51

0.69

5.88%

0.85

48 Fidson Healthcare Plc

3.34

3.50

-4.57%

5,010,000,000.00

0.50

6.46

0.41

1.56%

0.69

49 UACN Property Development Co. Limited

2.85

2.85

0.00%

4,898,437,485.75

-0.90

-3.23

0.79

24.05%

0.15

50 AIICO Insurance Plc

0.56

0.55

1.82%

3,880,914,508.80

1.48

0.38

0.14

8.93%

0.45

18 Total Nigeria Plc 19 Flour Mills Nig. Plc 20 Oando Plc

23 Mobil Oil Nig Plc 24 7-Up Bottling Comp. Plc

32 Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Nig. Plc 33 Diamond Bank Plc

38 Cadbury Nigeria Plc

TOTAL

12,079,990,876,705.90

TOTAL MARKET CAP

12,616,513,341,296.80

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

95.75%

Thisday BGL 50 Index Thisday BGL 50 Market Cap (N'Trillion)

Close 12-Oct-17

Change %

Open Close Change % 11-Oct-17 12-Oct-17

Mansard Insurance Plc Diamond Bank Plc Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc Unity Bank Plc Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc

2.31 1.00 1.39

2.46 1.05 1.45

6.49% 5.00% 4.32%

0.52 40.05

0.54 41.19

3.85% 2.85%

Table 4 Top 5 Losers Stock

Open Close Change % 11-Oct-17 12-Oct-17

Fidson Healthcare Plc Honeywell Flour Mill Plc Presco Plc Guaranty Trust Bank Plc Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc

3.50 2.04 67.83 42.00 3.41

3.34 2.01 67.00 41.70 3.40

-4.57% -1.47% -1.22% -0.71% -0.29%

Market gains by 0.22% to halt two-days losses Market pulse on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today - Thursday, October 12th, 2017 ended positive as the market closed green. This was further highlighted by positve performance from the NSE Subsectors: Consumer Goods, Insurance and Oil & Gas (Save Banking). Also, trading activities increased in volume as 443.68 million shares worth N3.18 billion in 2,993 deals exchanged hands today. This is an increase from the 336.39 million shares worth N1.83 billion in 3,689 deals were carried out on Wednesday. Topping in volume terms are: Diamond Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Zenith Bank Plc; while Zenith Bank Plc and Nestle Nigeria Plc ended trading as the most active stocks in value terms. Today, Brent crude oil price slightly drops further to US$56.41 per barrel from a closing figure of US$56.94 per barrel on Wednesday.

The All Share Index (NSEASI) closed positive with 0.22% (+79.42) increase to close at 36,732.24 from 36,652.82 the previous trading day. Market capitalization appreciated in tandem to N12.64 trillion from N12.62 trillion of prior trading day. Similarly, the Thisday BGL 50 Index closes with an increase of 0.24% to 155.15 from 154.77 recorded at the end of the previous trading day, while its market capitalization stood at N12.08 trillion from N12.05 trillion of the previous trading day.

A total number of 30 stocks gained on the bourse today while 19 stocks declined, leaving 54 stocks unchanged. Leading the pack again was Mansard Insurance Plc led with a gain of 6.49% to close at N2.46 per share. It was followed by Diamond Bank Plc with a gain of 5.00% to close at N1.05 per share. Others on the gainers’ list include: Linkage Assurance Plc, Livestock Feeds Nig. Plc and Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc. On the decliners’ list, University Press Plc led with a loss of 4.90% to close at N2.33 per share. It was followed

by Fidson Healthcare Plc with a loss of 4.57% to close at N3.34 per share. Others on the decliners list include: Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and Jaiz Bank Plc. Mansard Insurance Plc re-emerged the toast of investors as it topped the Thisday BGL 50 Index gainers’ list with a gain of 6.49% to close at N2.46 per share. It was followed by Diamond Bank Plc with a gain of 5.00% to close at N1.05 per share. Others on the gainers chart include: Transnational Corporation Of Nigeria Plc, Unity Bank Plc and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc. On the decliners’ list, Fidson Healthcare Plc led with a loss of 4.57% to close at N3.34 per share. It was followed by Honeywell Flour Mill Plc with a loss of 1.47% to close at N2.01 per share.

Others on the decliners’ list are: Presco Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc.

REQUIRED DISCLOSURE This report has been prepared by BGL Plc. BGL Plc does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. Investors should use this report as one of many other factors in making their investment decisions.

For more details go to www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ , OCTOBER 13, 2017

44

MARKET NEWS

Shareholders of PZ Cussons Approve N1.98bn Dividend James Emejo, in Abuja Shareholders of PZ Cussons yesterday approved the sum of N1.98 billion as dividend for the 2017 financial year, which translated to a dividend payment of 50 kobo per share. The shareholders gave the approval at the annual general meeting (AGM) held in Abuja.

PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc

recorded a revenue of N79.65 billion for the year ended May 31, 2017, up by 14.5 per cent from N69.52 billion posted in 2016. Profit before tax stood at N4.811 billion in 2017, up from N3.148 billion, while profit after tax (PAT) increased by 73.1 per cent to N3.68 billion in 2017 compared to N2.12 billion the previous financial year.

Shareholders’ funds rose to

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

N42.27 billion from N40.90 billion. Speaking at the AGM, Chairman of the company, Chief Kolawole Jamodu said despite the challenging economic conditions, the company was able to grow both top line and bottom line.

He said:”The result reflects that the underlying business is solid and reflects the strength of our operations...Your board

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 management will continue to monitor the business environment and will make necessary adjust to sustain the positive growth momentum into the future.”

According to him, they remain excited and confident about the future of the company.

“This confidence is emboldened by the recent positive turn in the economic situation in the

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

country which has witnessed the starting of a turnaround during the second quarter of the fiscal year.

“We are confident of our brands which are leading in the markets segment in which we participate. We are going to sustain the current initiatives that have proved to be supportive and effective. We sustained our strong cash position which

makes us flexible and agile to fund operations and pursue any business opportunities that may arise.”

Jamodu said the company adapted its management structures to create a truly customer care organisation, saying that as part of a global organisation, it has benefitted from global innovations and initiatives of the group.

E XC H A N G E

MAIN BOARD GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals HEALTHCARE Totals ICT IT Services TRIPPLE GEE AND COMPANY PLC. IT Services Totals ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS PLC CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Energy Equipment and Services JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Energy Equipment and Services Totals Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors CONOIL PLC ETERNA PLC. FORTE OIL PLC. MOBIL OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD Exploration and Production Totals OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Automobile/Auto Part Retailers R T BRISCOE PLC. Automobile/Auto Part Retailers Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals Printing/Publishing LEARN AFRICA PLC Printing/Publishing Totals Transport-Related Services AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Transport-Related Services Totals Support and Logistics CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC Support and Logistics Totals SERVICES Totals EQTY Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board ASeM CONSUMER GOODS Food Products MCNICHOLS PLC Food Products Totals CONSUMER GOODS Totals ASeM Board Totals Daily Summary (Equities) Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals Other Financial Institutions FBN HOLDINGS PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials DANGOTE CEMENT PLC Building Materials Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals PREMIUM Board Totals Equity Activity Totals

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

32 4 6 69 69

25.33 0.94 0.69

551,998 16,020 597,000 1,779,083 1,779,083

13,903,164.18 15,299.40 412,110.00 15,902,796.63 15,902,796.63

1 1 1

1.69

500 500 500

805.00 805.00 805.00

16 9 4 6 10 31 76

24.00 9.30 35.78 8.62 3.36 80.50

110,727 40,229 26,700 142,300 299,900 14,373,223 14,993,079

2,707,053.97 362,501.29 992,680.00 1,227,076.00 966,480.00 1,157,057,077.16 1,163,312,868.42

6 6

1.51

134,500 134,500

204,240.00 204,240.00

5 5 87

50.00

24,529 24,529 15,152,108

1,165,135.50 1,165,135.50 1,164,682,243.92

2 2

0.50

24,262 24,262

12,131.00 12,131.00

90 90

3.47

3,827,573 3,827,573

13,288,632.05 13,288,632.05

21 7 8 21 7 64

18.34 1.84 342.00 150.00 145.00

81,125 100,300 20,300 16,295 13,699 231,719

1,505,034.50 182,832.00 6,595,470.00 2,396,080.60 1,959,692.96 12,639,110.06

33 33 189

318.00

389,934 389,934 4,473,488

124,037,602.56 124,037,602.56 149,977,475.67

1 1

0.50

941 941

470.50 470.50

5 5

3.80

32,870 32,870

127,756.40 127,756.40

13 13

0.89

624,500 624,500

538,430.00 538,430.00

1 22 23

2.29 4.00

4,588 251,094 255,682

10,001.84 1,001,583.80 1,011,585.64

1 1 43 1,811

1.68

10,000 10,000 923,993 3,428,226,216

16,000.00 16,000.00 1,694,242.54 5,785,390,675.15

2 2 2 2

1.21

270,464 270,464 270,464 270,464

327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44 327,261.44

306 306

11.45

13,929,679 13,929,679

159,605,439.23 159,605,439.23

278 278 584

3.74

10,438,552 10,438,552 24,368,231

39,515,087.18 39,515,087.18 199,120,526.41

35 35 35 619 2,432

139.83

38,770 38,770 38,770 24,407,001 3,452,903,681

5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 5,304,666.00 204,425,192.41 5,990,143,129.00

2 2 2 2 2 10 10 10

2,330.00 2.33 6.02 11.09 18.07

3,000 20 20 20 15 3,075 3,075 3,075

6,986,000.00 46.70 120.20 221.80 270.65 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35 6,986,659.35

Daily Summary (ETP) Exchange Traded Fund Name NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA BANKING ETF VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals ETF Board Totals ETP Activity Totals

45

˾ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Stakeholders Launch Firm to Fund Mortgage Banking Sector Goddy Egene The Nigerian mortgage banking is set to witness a major boost following the launch of Mortgage Warehouse Funding Limited(MWFL) with the sole objective of providing short-term local currency, competitively-priced funding to mortgage banks in a bid to enhance their mortgage origination capacity.

The special purpose vehicle (SPV) was incorporated in December 2014 and initially sponsored by a group of eight member mortgage banks (MMBs)

as mobilised by Mortgage Bankers Association of Nigeria (MBAN). Other parties are: the Nigeria Mortgage Refinancing Company Plc (NMRC) as liquidity and off-take provider; CitiHomes Finance Company Limited as programme manager; Lion’s Head Global Partners, London through its African Local Currency Bond Fund as the initial subordinated commercial paper subscribers; and Dunn Loren Merrifield Advisory Partners as financial adviser and arranger.

According to the promoters of the company, its activities are

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

aimed at complementing those of NMRC in that whilst NMRC is licensed to provide long term matching funding and liquidity to the mortgage sector via secondary market refinancing from the bond market, MWFL will provide short term/interim funding for mortgage origination financing to the mortgage banks.

MWFL will provide this short term financing, through the issuance of high quality investment grade rated Senior and Subordinated Commercial Paper Notes under an initial N20 billion

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 11-Oct-2017, unless otherwise stated.

Naira Programme currently undergoing registration at FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange.

Introducing MWF during the launch in Abuja, Director, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department(OFISD) at Central Bank of Nigeria Mrs. Tokunbo Martins said “MWF is a welcome idea. It is expected to address the draught of funds available for mortgage origination. ” According to President, MBAN and Director on the Boards of both NMRC and MWFL, Mr. Niyi

Akinlusi, “MWFL is expected to significantly increase the firepower available to mortgage banks for their daily operations.”

Confirming the synergy of member stakeholders in MWFL, the Chief Executive Officer of NMRC, Prof. Charles Inyangete, said: “MWFL is part of the economic housing model being put in place to create an end to end financing of the entire mortgage process.”

Also, commenting Chairman MWFL, Mr. Sonnie Ayere, said: “The launch of this conduit will see us begin to de-risk

construction finance as MWFL becomes the funding source of the off-take often required by commercial banks to fund developers.”

With the successful completion of this landmark issue, MWFL will connect the Nigerian mortgage market currently plagued with low deposits level and high cost of alternative sources of funds, to the money market by efficiently intermediating short-term funds from the money markets towards the provision of housing finance in Nigeria.

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 177.32 178.19 39.69% Nigeria International Debt Fund 233.19 234.21 10.31% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.81 0.82 15.98% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 78.62% ACAP Income Funds 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 18.20% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 17.44 17.97 41.28% ARM Discovery Fund 367.05 378.12 27.81% ARM Ethical Fund 25.73 26.51 15.18% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.88% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 144.79 145.80 37.66% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.71% 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 19.04% Paramount Equity Fund 11.57 11.87 23.63% Women's Investment Fund 94.94 97.47 12.28% 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 1,096.31 1,097.40 8.32% FBN Heritage Fund 145.41 146.64 30.43% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.73% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $112.88 $113.93 9.76% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $111.97 $113.02 9.63% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 153.92 156.17 36.71% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.36 1.39 46.28% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.89 2.89 12.56% 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 2,895.76 2,935.88 31.70% Coral Income Fund 2,382.70 2,382.70 14.34% 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 17.58% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.28% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.08 2.11 23.82% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.49% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 111.11 111.11 15.98%

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 1.14 1.16 15.55% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,025.08 1,025.08 8.91% 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 12.98 13.08 34.25% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 18.82% 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 1.19 1.21 19.73% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.84 10.88 4.19% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 13.95% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 120.97 123.09 19.37% 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 1.39 1.39 11.34% 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 2,193.24 2,206.47 19.80% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 170.18 170.18 10.54% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.98 0.99 27.92% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 212.21 212.21 13.55% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 170.81 173.01 31.56% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.21% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,521.76 9,295.69 23.35% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.04 1.04 4.00% SIAML PENSION 40 130.57 133.37 31.97% 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 1.32 1.33 18.01% United Capital Bond Fund 1.45 1.45 18.69% United Capital Equity Fund 0.85 0.87 26.90% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.50% 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 12.53 12.72 28.99% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.12 13.27 19.82% Zenith Income Fund 18.59 18.59 12.42%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 131.15

1.01% 5.79%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.86 135.52 106.52

10.96 138.46 108.52

25.82% 36.99% 40.57%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 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

4.51 9.08 17.17 20.44 138.22

4.55 9.16 17.27 20.64 140.22

62.86% 29.00% 45.04% 27.98% 9.05%

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

46

T H I S D AY FRIDAY OCTOBER 13, 2017

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

47

INTERNATIONAL WORLD OF ISLAM email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

US Pulls out of UNESCO in Dec Israel also dumps body Following repeated calls for reform and anti-Israel bias in UNESCO, the United States has said it will withdraw from the organisation at the end of 2018.

The State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement on Thursday.

“On Oct. 12, the Department of State notified UNESCO DirectorGeneral Irina Bokova of the U.S. decision to withdraw from the organisation…

“This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects U.S. concerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need for fundamental reform in the organisation, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO,” Nauert said.

The spokesperson added that the decision would take effect on Dec. 31, 2018.

The United States will remain a full member of the organization until its withdrawal comes into force, she added.

Nauert said the United States informed Bokova of its desire to remain engaged with the organisation in order to share U.S. perspectives and expertise on issues such as world heritage, press freedom, education and scientific collaboration.

Nauert said the U.S. will seek to establish a permanent observer mission to the United Nations cultural body.

Washington has not paid its dues in the organisation since 2011 to protest against the body’s decision to grant full membership to Palestine.

Prior to its protest, the United States contributed around $80 million annually to the Paris-based UN organisation, which accounted for about 22 per cent of UNESCO’s budget.

Former President Ronald Reagan pulled the United States out of UNESCO in 1983, but the country rejoined the organisation

in 2003 under President George W. Bush.

Also Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, yesterday said that his country would withdraw its membership from the UN cultural agency UNESCO. “Netanyahu instructed the Foreign Ministry to prepare Israel’s withdrawal from the organisation in parallel with the U.S.,’’the prime minister’s office said.

Netanyahu in a statement praised the U.S. decision earlier yesterday to pull out of UNESCO citing an “anti-Israel” bias.

“This is a courageous and moral decision, because UNESCO has become the theatre of the absurd and because, instead of preserving history, it distorts it,” he said.

Also, the U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO is the“price to pay for discrimination against Israel,” Israel’s UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, said in a statement in New York.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as EZEMA JUDE CHINWEOKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as NKEONYENEME JUDE CHINWEOKWU . All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MARY I LAMOGHENA IKHEGBE, now wish to be known and addressed as MARY .J. AGBEDOR . All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

CORNELIUS I, formerly known and addressed as MISS BUMI BUKOLA ALE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS BUMI JANG. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as SUNDAY CORNELIUS OLOGUN, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL ADEOLUWA OLOGUN . All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS MARYROSE IFEOMA UZUEGBU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS MARYROSE IFEOMA MBACHU. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EDITH OSOFFA ADEWUSI, now wish to be known and addressed as OSHOFFA ADEWUSI EDITH OPEYEMI . All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS GIFT OYOMS, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS JIMJIL ONYINYE GIFT. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS IFEOMA EBOSIE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. IFEOMA AGATHA EBOSIE. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKPARA ADA CHIOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as UGHERUGHE ADA CHIOMA. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as IGWE OLUCHI JUSTINA now wish to be known and addressed as AMOS OLUCHI JUSTINA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as JAMES JEREMIAH now wish to be known and addressed as AWODI UGBEDE JEREMIAH . All former documents remain valid. The general public should

please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as WAKILI LASISIE, now wish to be known and addressed as LASIS WAKILI MOJOYINOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as WAKILI LASISI, now wish to be known and addressed as LASIS WAKILI MOJOYINOLA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as GILA IBIERE COLE, now wish to be known and addressed as GILA IBIERE DIKKO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AYODA FAITH ODEYE, now wish to be known and addressed as ODEYEMI FAITH FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UGWOKE SIMEON, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWOKE SIMEON EMMANUEL. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OPEYEMI BABALOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as OMOSAN BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AJENIFUJA ADETOUN OLUBUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS DADA ADETOUN OLUBUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS AHONSI UWEBU L, now wish to be known and addressed as DZ^͘ K> /D :/ͳz/Eh^ UWEBU TOLULOPE. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADENIYI FOLASHADE MARY, now wish to be known and addressed as OKE FOLASHADE MARY. All former documents remain valid The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as DAMANZA TOCHUKWU, now wish to be known and addressed as ONYENOBI TOCHUKWU. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF ANME

dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ƚŽ ŶŽƟĨLJ ƚŚĂƚ͕ / ALFRED ADESUYI OLABODE is the same person as ALFRED JOSEPH OMOSORIRE ADESUYI OLABODE ĂŶĚ ŵLJ ĚĂƚĞ ŽĨ ďŝƌƚŚ ǁĂƐ ǁƌŽŶŐůLJ ǁƌŝƩĞŶ ĂƐ Ϭϯͬ Ϭϴ ͬ ϭϵϲϵ ŽŶ ŵLJ EĂƟŽŶĂů /ĚĞŶƟƚLJ Card instead of 03/08/1970. All former documents remains valid, the general public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ƚŽ ĐŽŶĮƌŵ ƚŚĂƚ I MAMAH CHINWEUBA ANTHONY is one and same person as ANTHONY CHINWE, henceforth I wish to be known and address as MAMAH CHINWEUBA ANTHONY. The general public please take note

I, formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUMA CHRISTOPHER EZUKA, now wish to be known and addressed as GABRIEL CHUKWUMA CHRISTOPHER . All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SARAH ONYEISI EGBUTOM, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS SARAH ONYEISI CHURCHILL . All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as TOLAMI JEMILAT, now wish to be known and addressed as SULAIMON JEMILAT TOLANI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ESTHER ENEAYI ODOH, now wish to be known and addressed as ESTHER ENEAYI ODOH-NKANA .All former documents remain valid DƵůƟͲĐŚŽŝĐĞ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ and the general public should please take note.

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

When an Illiterate Man Was Asked to Read –1 Spahic Omer/IslamiCity

W

hen Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received his first revelation, he did not know how to read or write.

23 years later, having fulfilled his prophethood mission, he died without knowing how to read or write. To make things more intriguing, his greatest miracle was a book, the Holy Qur’an, which challenged the whole of humankind to produce at any point of time and in any geographical context a single surah (chapter) the like thereof, if they were in doubt about the authenticity of the Qur’an; he made knowledge seeking incumbent upon every Muslim, male and female, and produced a reading community that always prided itself on the intellectual and cultural legacies it created; he sowed the seeds of a civilization that changed the course of human history forever, the hallmarks of which were always knowledge, science and wisdom.

When Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) received his first revelation in the Cave of Hira’ through the angel Jibril (Gabriel), he was asked to read (iqra’).

However, since he was an ordinary person, who could not judge things and events except by conventional earthly standards, he was astounded, replying both with fear and astonishment: “I am not literate (I cannot read)”. He was asked two more times to read, but after each time he answered that he was not literate and so, couldn’t read. After that, the angel conveyed the intended first revelation: “Read in the name of your Lord Who created; created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the most Generous Who taught by the pen; taught man that which he knew not” (al-‘Alaq, 1-5).

In the above incident, there was an encounter between -- or a convergence of -- two types of reading. The first type was a conventional one that stood for a process of decoding symbols so as to construct or derive meaning, which was represented by Muhammad (pbuh) who was yet to be appointed the prophet.

The second type of reading was put forth, and was represented, by the angel Jibril. It was a new heavenly reading paradigm, which was hitherto unknown. It was a divine gift from the Creator to His creation.

On account of this, it is understandable why both the Prophet (pbuh) and Jibril persisted in their respective ways. To the Prophet (pbuh), it was strange to be asked to read, for he was unread. Thus, he could not say anything except that he was illiterate.

But to Jibril, such by no means was a bizarre act, for he was laying down a ground-breaking vision of reading that transcended everything man had previously known. That Jibril asked the Prophet (pbuh) three times to read, before giving him the first revelation, every time seizing the Prophet (pbuh) and pressing him so hard that he could hardly bear it, could connote waking him completely up from the worldliness of his being, thought and experience, and preparing him fully for the import and weight of the words that were to follow – and of the prophethood mission in general.

The new reading paradigm was summed up in the given revelation.

The Prophet (pbuh) was asked first and foremost to read and recite the Qur’an which was revealed directly upon his heart (al-Shu’ara’, 194). He thus always felt as though the Qur’an had been engraved on his heart. His reading and reciting of the Qur’an was coming from the heart and was targeting people’s hearts as well before anything else. Such was happening effortlessly and naturally. No even slightest reading mistakes, hesitation, stuttering, messing up, or failing to remember was ever recorded about the Prophet (pbuh), irrespective of the oscillating general circumstances and the psychological as well as physical conditions of the Prophet (pbuh).

The Qur’an is a book of signs (ayat), guidance, clear proofs and criterion, the ultimate objective of which is to be applied in everyday life. However, life with its multitiered realities is also made replete with signs (ayat), guidance and clear proofs, which are as manifest in the slightest and most modest as in the grandest and most sophisticated.

Hence, implementing and living the Qur’an signify an amalgamation of its ayat, guidance and clear proofs with the same, entailed in the life phenomena, in order that the purpose and objective of existence are achieved. Reading the Qur’an, it follows, means also reading and exploring life as a locus of the

implementation of the former. It likewise denotes reading life’s infinite portents and signs (ayat), serving as an indispensable supplement to the proper reading, comprehending and applying of the signs (ayat) and messages of the Qur’an.

No reading of the Qur’an is complete without reading life, and no reading of life is appropriate without reading the Qur’an, because the Qur’an is meant for life, and life, in turn, is steered and sustained by the Qur’an. The only solution for man, therefore, is the combination of two readings. The solution is about quality, rather than quantity. It is about devising most effective methods and most productive outcomes for real life and its gripping challenges, rather than excessive rhetoric, idealism and abstract theorizing. It is perhaps no coincidence that iqra’ as an imperative is derived from the verb qara’, which means not only to read, but also to combine, integrate and bring things together.

This spirit is implied in Almighty Allah’s words that reading should be done only in the name of “your Lord Who created; created man from a clinging substance”. This means that reading should be done solely for the divine -- not personal or any other – goals, and for the realization of a higher order of things and their meanings, for such is the implication of the concepts of lordship (rububiyyah) and servitude (‘ubudiyyah) that stand at the core of the Islamic message.

Similarly, it means that Allah’s creation is to be read as much and as fervently as His revelation, as both are His and have originated from Him. Their objectives are identical: to reveal and disseminate the truth at all planes of the life phenomenon. Thus, the “read” injunction and Allah’s attribute as the Creator are communicated together.

This is further accentuated by the subsequent words that Allah is “the most Generous Who taught by the pen; taught man that which he knew not”.

Granting man the Qur’an as a revealed book, as well as an ontological “qur’an” or the “book” of creation (al-qur’an al-takwini) is a sign of Almighty Allah being most Kind and Generous to man in his capacity as Allah’s vicegerent on earth. Allah further granted man every means and opportunity to succeed in his projected task. Failure is not an option and can never be justified.

The new reading paradigm brought by the angel Jibril in the cave Hira’ was about the reading of revelation (the Qur’an), life with all its dimensions, and the self. It was as comprehensive and holistic as the Prophet’s mission itself. The new reading was at once physical, cerebral and spiritual, corresponding to the character of its aim: man and life, as well as the heavens and the earth. A person, it goes without saying, may be illiterate, but a good, insightful and knowledgeable reader. In the same vein, a person may be educated and literate, but ignorant and unwise. True knowledge is identified with light and guidance. It is a guarantee of success and happiness in both worlds. Hence, though illiterate, the Prophet (pbuh) was the most knowledgeable, most enlightened and wisest man that ever lived.

Towards Reviving the Iqra’ Concept No wonder this awareness led to the creation of a powerful Islamic civilization whose most conspicuous characteristics revolved around the notions of knowledge, education, wisdom and science. It was a civilization of learning (reading), which was caused and sustained by learning and learned (reading) generations. Such was an engine of Muslim civilizational growth and cultural enrichment through centuries. It was only when such a spirit was lost that Islamic civilization started declining, and the Muslim community started losing ground to other nations and their less adequate patterns of civilizational progress.

Today in the age of globalization, as Muslims grow more and more desperate in their quest to restore their cultural and civilizational identity and respect from others, they should know that the only way forward is the revivification of the universal concept of iqra’ (read!), as revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the Hira’ Cave, and everything such concept entails. That endeavour would bring an end to many alien, inept and outright useless alternatives Muslims have adopted in recent times in order to fill the void left by their gradual abandoning of the original iqra’ scheme. to be continued

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017Ëž T H I S D AY

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NEWS

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

IG Asks Court to Stop Senate from Probing Him Alex Enumah Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has approached the Federal Capital Territory

(FCT) High Court for an order restraining the Senate Committee from investigating him over allegations of corruption and bribery levelled against

Police Say Weapons Were Recovered from Nnamdi Kanu’s Home The Commissioner of Police in Abia, Mr. Anthony Ogbizi, has said lethal weapons, including petrol bombs and one doublebarrel gun, were recovered during last Sunday’s raid of the residence of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Ogbizi said this yesterday during an interaction with journalists in Umuahia, adding that the items were recovered during a joint operation by security personnel in the state.

He said the petrol bombs were found in buckets and incriminating documents and letters, concerning IPOB’s activities and plans, were also recovered during the raid.

He said the raid was carried out based on an intelligence report, regarding the continued activities of some members of the group.

Ogbizi, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said: “We recovered many of Biafra’s insignia, staff of office and some of those items are being analysed.�

The police boss said that the operation also led to the arrest of one suspected member of IPOB. He said  the team also discovered the telephone numbers of the group’s zonal coordinators adding that all the communications between the leadership of the group and their collaborators would

be thoroughly analysed.

Ogbizi said a Biafran flag was also found hanging on a telecommunications mast in the area.

According to him, the police would ask the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to sanction any telecommunication company that allowed its mast to be used to hoist Biafran flags.

He said the activities of IPOB in the South-east were “stirring insurrection� and that security agencies would not fold their arms and watch the group foment violence in the country.

He said that members of the group allegedly set a police station and van ablaze in Aba, and also attacked a military patrol team in Umuahia.

The police chief said similar joint operations would be carried out intermittently in Kanu’s residence, anytime they received intelligence report that offensive weapons were brought to the place.

He said it was wrong to say that the military was taking over the duties of the police rather the action should be seen as a synergy between the two organisations to check security challenges.

Ogbizi said he would not hesitate to invite the army anytime the security situation in the state grew beyond the capacity of the police.

Buhari Re-appoints Orji as NSIA Boss Omololu Ogunmade Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday re-appointed Mr. Uchechi Orji as the Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

Orji, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, was first appointed in October 2012 for an initial term of five years, renewable for another term of five years.

He said under Orji’s leadership, NSIA has made remarkable strides, with its assets standing at over $2 billion, which he disclosed had been invested in Nigerian Infrastructure, Economic

Stabilisation and Future Generation Funds.

According to him, Orji’s re-appointment, in line with Section 16(2) of the NSIA Act, had been endorsed by the National Economic Council in July this year, following his performance in the first term.

The statement also said Buhari had approved the nomination of Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma as the Director General of the Nigerian Law School.

Chiroma will take over from Mr. Olanrewaju Onadeko, who is due for retirement.

Chiroma, a Professor of Law, and current Deputy Director in charge of the Yola Campus of the Nigerian Law School, hails from Adamawa State.

him by a senator.

Idris, in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed before the court is also seeking a restraining order against the Senate President and the entire Senate from receiving and discussing any report submitted to it by the committee set up to investigate the allegations against him.

Others joined in the suit filed on his behalf yesterday by his lawyers Charles Ogoli, Emmanuel Anene

and Solomon Ayangkong Ikongshul, include Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

According to the Police boss, a serving Senator, Isa Misau, while raising matter of urgent national importance between September and October, 2017 accused him of mounting road blocks across Nigeria with the purpose of extorting money from unsuspecting

motorists. He added that Misau in the motion, also accused him of collecting illegal fees by way of security protections given to corporate organisations, eminent citizens and oil companies running into billions of naira.

Idris also stated that Misau accused him of having “unwholesome relationship with female officers in the force.� “Without the 1st

Respondent having regard to the relevant constitutional requirements in respect of the 2nd Respondent’s role in investigations of allegations, he in reaction to these frivoluous allegations quickly constituted a committee consisting members of the 2nd Respondent to look into the matter�, the IGP said.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

REGIONAL MEETING

L-R: Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, at the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-west stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan....yesterday

Supreme Court to Decide Dasuki’s Bail Appeal Jan 25 Alex Enumah Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Supreme Court yesterday fixed January 25, 2018, to decide the appeal filed by former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), on the refusal of the federal government to obey the bail orders granted him by three different courts in the country.

The apex court fixed the date yesterday after counsel representing Dasuki, Joseph Bodunde Daudu (SAN), and counsel to the federal government, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), regularised all processes they filed in respect of the suit to set the stage for hearing.

Justice Musa Datijo Mohammed, who led four other justices at yesterday’s proceedings, adjourned the matter to the appointed date after clearing all hurdles on the substantive matter.

Dasuki has been in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) since December 29, 2015.

He is praying the Supreme Court for an order to compel

the federal government to obey the bail granted him by courts in the three different charges brought against him by the federal government.

In the alternative, Dasuki wants the apex court to stop his trial at both the Federal High Court and the Federal Capital Territory High Courts, pending the time the government will allow him to enjoy the bail granted him and to enable him prepare adequately for his defence in the three separate criminal charges against him.

In his brief of argument settled by Joseph Daudu and Ahmed Raji both Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Dasuki recalled that sometime in 2015, he was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of unlawful possession of firearms and money laundering.

The appellant claimed that based on his applications, he was admitted to bail on various conditions by the Federal High Court to enable him prepare for his defence and that he subsequently met all the bail conditions.

The ex-NSA also claimed that he was thereafter taken to two FCT High Courts with separate charges on money laundering, conspiracy, and breach of trust and that on the strength of his application, justices Hussein Baba Yusuf and Peter Affem in their separate decisions, admitted him to bail in compliance with the law to enable him have adequate preparation for his defence in the criminal charges against him.

The appellant further claimed that on December 29, 2015, at the Kuje Prisons and shortly after perfecting the third bail conditions, the operatives of DSS swooped on him and abducted him to their custody without fresh charges thereby disobeying the court orders on the bail matter.

He further claimed that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court in a landmark judgment delivered by Justice Friday Chijoke Nwoke ordered his immediate release since 2016 in a suit for enforcement of fundamental rights he

instituted against the federal government and that up till now, the decision of the regional court had not been obeyed.

Dasuki therefore prayed the apex court for an order compelling the respondents to obey all orders in respect of his bail to enable him have unfettered access to his legal team for the purpose of defending himself in the criminal charges slammed against him.

But the respondents in their brief of argument settled by Jacobs, maintained that all orders in respect of the bail granted the appellant by the three High Courts have been obeyed at the point of his release at Kuje Prisons after perfecting the bail conditions on December 29, 2015, he prayed the court to dismiss the claim of the appellant, adding that all orders on the bail issue have been legally obeyed by the respondent. Â The apex court is expected to determine the issue one way or the other on January 25, 2018..Â

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House Urges Buhari to Begin Negotiations on New Minimum Wage Investigates deplorable condition of State House clinic James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution urging President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige, to immediately commence the process of negotiating an upward review of the current minimum wage rates.

It further mandated its Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity to ensure implementation of the resolution.

Also, the House mandated its

Committee on Healthcare Services to investigate the deplorable condition of the State House Clinic and the alleged deductions from the salaries and allowances of the medical staff and report back within three weeks for further legislative action.

The lawmakers resolve followed a motion moved by Hon. Peter Ohiozojeh Akpatason on the need to hearken to calls for review of the national minimum wage figures to avert the looming nationwide strike action.

In his lead debate, Akpatason said there exists a tripartite agreement between the Nigerian

IPC Condemns Continuous Attack on Journalists By Security in Kogi House The International Press Centre (IPI) has condemns the continuous attack on journalists by security men at the Kogi State Government House.

According to reports from Punch Newspaper, “For the second time in one month, the state government house security men on October 11 allegedly brutalised Mr. Wale Odunsi, an editor with Daily Post (online publication) in an effort to honour the invitation of the online media team of the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, which is headed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, James Minister.”

The Director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, in a statement described the assault on journalists by security men

attached to the state government house as a great concern to the press and all its stakeholders.

“Only three weeks ago, Mr. Segun Salami of Channels Television was reportedly beaten up, dragged on the floor and locked up in the government house cell. This calls for serious concern and attention by all concerned parties,” Arogundade said.

IPC is therefore urging the state governor and the state Commissioner of Police to immediately probe the growing trend of attack on journalists within the premises of the state house and take necessary actions against the erring security personnel, in order to forestall a re-occurrence.

Labour Congress (NLC), the National Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and the federal government to set up a joint review team to study and recommend an appropriate rate to the government.

But, according to him, despite the labour unions having submitted names of their nominees and making several requests for commencement of the review process, the government has yet to respond positively to the requests.

He added: “Payments of outstanding debts to contractors and arrears of salaries and pensions to workers contributed to the reflation of the economy, and in turn partly contributed to the eventual exit of the economy from recession, and as such, an upward adjustment of the rate of the minimum wage will have similar positive effect on the nation’s economy” He expressed concern that a combination of high inflation and weak naira exchange value had

eroded the purchasing power of fixed income earners in the country who happen to be the bread winners to millions of jobless and aged dependants.

He cautioned that “any nationwide strike action embarked upon by workers at this time is capable of rolling back recent economic gains, thereby returning the nation’s fragile economy into recession that will further exacerbate the suffering of the masses.”

Hon. Beni Lar (PDP, Plateau) said an upward review of the minimum wage was long overdue and recommended a minimum of N30,000 in view of current inflation rate.

On his part, Hon. Nasir Ali Ahmed said fighting corruption ought to begin with improved welfare for workers.

He proposed N50,000 as the new minimum wage.

Meanwhile, the motion on the need to investigate the deplorable condition of the state house clinic and the alleged deductions from

the salaries and allowances of the medical staff was sponsored by Hon. Henry Archibong.

The House commended the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari for her exemplary show of patriotism and selflessness in exposing the alleged shortcomings at the clinic.

Mrs. Buhari had complained publicly during a stakeholder’s meeting on Reproductive, Maternal, Nutrition, Child Advocacy and Health and Nutrition (RMNCAHN) at the State House of her inability to access health care needs at the clinic when she took ill recently, but was rather advised by the health providers to fly out of country for treatment.

Archibong said her refusal to heed the advice of the health providers and insisting on obtaining medical care in Nigeria saved the country millions of dollars in foreign exchange and was also an act of patriotism and selflessness worthy of commendation.

He, noted that the State House

Clinic was established to take care of the health needs of the President, the Vice-President, their family members as well as members of staff of the Presidential Villa, Abuja; and had been receiving annual budgetary allocations to procure equipment that will enable it function optimally over the years.

He said in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Appropriation Acts, the clinic was allocated the sums of 3.94 billion, 3.87 billion and 3.2 billion respectively, for upgrading and provision of necessary drugs and equipment.

He added that in spite of the huge budgetary allocations, the clinic lacks necessary facilities such as syringes, drugs and equipment needed for saving lives; He said medical doctors working at the clinic have expressed concern over alleged illegal deductions from their salaries and allowances by the management since April 2017, without any official communication for the action.

Farmer to Die by Hanging in Delta for Stealing N170, Nokia Phone OIL EXPLORATION ISSUE IN YOBE Sylvester Idowu ÓØ ËÜÜÓ Noah Ovie and his assistant R-L: Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru; Yobe State Governor, A 38-year-old farmer, Francis Williams, has been sentenced to death by hanging by a Delta State High Court sitting at Ozoro for robbing his victims of N170 and a Nokia handset valued at N5,000.

The court presided over by Justice A.O. Akpovi sentenced the farmer having found him guilty of the charge of armed robbery punishable under section (1(2)(a) of the robbery and firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap RII Volume 14 Laws of the Federation , 2004.

Justice Akpovi also found the accused guilty on the charge of wounding his victims with intent which got him a life sentence and illegal possession of firearms with a sentence of 10 years imprisonment respectively.

An Assistant Director in the Ministry of Justice T.R. Anuhwin, through prosecution witnesses had told the court that on June 4, 2014 at a Palm Kernel Farm located at Ewu in Ughelli South Local Government, the accused robbed one Hon.

of a Nokia handset valued at N5,000 and a cash sum of N170 while armed with a cut to size locally made gun.

Prosecution witnesses further told the court that nemesis however caught up with the armed robber, who was on a solo mission, when he was in the process of trying to rob them of other valuables as the two victims summoned courage and overpowered their assailant.

The court was also told that in his desperation to escape after being apprehended, he bit off one of the fingers of the former Councillor, Hon. Noah Ovie, but his escape bid was foiled by passerby who rushed to the scene and held him down and later handed him over to the police.

The accused, who made a voluntary confessional statement to the police, admitted to have committed the offence but retracted same during trial, called no witness but testified for himself while the prosecution called four witnesses in proof of its case.

Ibrahim Geidam; and National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mai Mala Buni, when the governor paid a courtesy call on Baru in Abuja....yesterday

NNPC Invites Investors to Partake in Oil Search in Seven Inland Basins

Chineme Okafor ÓØ ÌßÔË

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday disclosed that it would invite investors to participate in its search for oil in seven inland basins of Nigeria, and was developing modalities for this.

Its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, disclosed that as part of strategies to build up Nigeria’s oil reserve base, the corporation would revive exploratory activities in the seven hydrocarbon basins in the country with prospective investors’ participation.

Baru, according to a statement from NNPC’s Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, disclosed this to the Governor of Yobe State, Mr. Ibrahim Geidam, during his visit to him yesterday at the NNPC

Towers in Abuja.

He said as part of efforts to increase the speed of exploratory activities in the basins, the modalities would be developed to open them up to prospective investors.

“We are on target and we are looking at the prospectivity of the whole basins of Niger Delta, Chad, Anambra, Benue Trough, Benin, Sokoto and Bida. We are focused on delivering on these basins in line with our mandate,” Baru said.

He further stated that preliminary exploratory activities had indicated some signs of hydrocarbon in eastern Yobe on the Chad Basin, adding that once NNPC get security clearance from the Nigerian military, acquisition of 3D seismic data in the area

would be revived.

Baru, also noted that modern technology would be deployed in the exploration of the Yobe section of the Chad Basin, just the way it was deployed in the Borno side of the Chad basin.

He stated that exploratory activities executed in the Benue Trough in the 1990s had indicated the existence of hydrocarbon in the region, and that attempts which were made under Production Sharing Contract (PSC) arrangements had involved Shell, Chevron and Agip, which had drilled a well each in the region.

He explained the NNPC had already identified some leads and prospects that would be tested through drilling ahead of the resumption of the Chad Basin exploratory activities.

Similarly, the statement

quoted Geidam, to have said his visit was informed by the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to increase Nigeria’s oil reserves through the exploration of the Chad Basin.

He stated the oil search policy of the government was of interest to Yobe because the Chad basin covered a large area that included it.

“My visit is a follow-up to our request on exploration of oil in the Yobe section of Chad Basin. The assurance which you gave that the exploration for hydrocarbon deposits in part of Yobe State was being considered has reinforced our resolve to work with you on diversifying the sources of national economy for improved revenue generation,” said Geidam, in the statement.

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NEWSXTRA

Monkey Pox: Disease Control Agency Denies Vaccination Exercise Igbo group says IPOB behind rumours of virus in South-east

Damilola Oyedele ˜ Adedayo AkinwaÖÏ ÓØ ÌßÔË ËØÎ David-Chyddy Eleke ÓØ áÕË The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has said it is not executing any vaccination or immunisation exercise to prevent against the monkey pox virus, in any part of the country.

The National Coordinator of the agency, Dr. Chikwe Ihekwazu, while speaking before the Senate Committee on Primary Health and Communicable Diseases in Abuja, yesterday, said the government was not conducting such exercise whether through its civilian or military organisations.

He said this against the backdrop of reports that the military allegedly embarked on a vaccination exercise against the virus in the South-east, leading to parents withdrawing their wards from schools over rumours that the exercise is to depopulate the region.

“We want to rule it out

categorically. We are not vaccinating anywhere.

Absolutely not! There is one vaccination exercise starting tomorrow (Friday) in Kwara on yellow fever in 18 local government areas and there are vaccination campaigns for other issues,” he said.

“No monkey pox vaccination. Do not participate in any of such. There are other vaccinations, which are being delivered to prevent diseases in our children but nothing like monkey pox vaccination.

As far as I know, there is no agency of the federal government that is doing this – civilian or military. I have enquired, we have worked very closely with the medical corps of the Nigerian military.

I met with them yesterday and I have been assured that nothing like that is going on anywhere in the country. A lot of these (reports) are rumours being spread for malicious reasons,” Ihekwazu explained.

The agency’s head further noted that the virus can also be contracted from rodents and other animals, even though

it was first contracted from monkeys.

“The primary host is actually not a monkey, though it was first discovered in monkey.

The primary hosts are rats, squirrels and the family of what we call bush meats.

Those are the animals we have to worry about,” he added.

Bush meat can however be eaten when properly prepared, he added.

“There is no risk in eating well cooked, well fried and well roasted meat. The risk is in preparing, cutting and managing. Whoever does that or plays with animals – especially sick animals – should wash their hands with soap and water or bleach, if they cannot use gloves,” he said.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, in his remarks, reiterated that the disease cannot be prevented by

vaccination as there are no vaccines for it yet.

Meanwhile, schools in Anambra State yesterday witnessed poor attendance resulting from last Wednesday’s monkey pox disease scare which followed the commencement of a military medical outreach sponsored by the 82 Division of the Nigerian Arny.

When THISDAY went round the capital city of Awka to monitor the level of attendance in schools, it was gathered that some private schools did not open for classes after having announced to guardians to keep their wards at home as there would not be classes yesterday.

Schools that opened however witnessed poor attendance as most of the parents decided to keep their wards at home despite announcements by the government and school management that the school

would be opened for classes.

Meanwhile, Anambra State Government has set up a committee to tackle monkey pox disease in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, who revealed this in a press briefing, assured citizens of the state that the monkey pox virus has not been discovered anywhere in the state.

He said the committee would begin effective monitoring to detect any case of such in the state, and engage in sensitisation of the people of the state.

Following unfounded reports in some quarters that the free medical outreach of Operation Python Dance II by the Nigerian Army was aimed at injecting monkey pox virus in the children, the Igbo for Nigeria Movement (INM) has fingered the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as responsible for the reports.

It said it was another desperate attempt to set Igbo people against the Nigerian Army and other members of the Nigerian State.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the National President of the group, Ifeanyi Igwe, said the fact on ground showed that the larger population of the South-east are law abiding citizens with very cordial relationship with the military and all security agencies in Nigeria.

He emphasised that the rumour in circulation has portrayed Ndigbo as unthinking and shallowminded people who cannot differentiate between reality and fiction.

Ifeanyi noted that the rumour was a desperate move by those with criminal intent to use any means possible including peddling outright falsehood or blackmail to discredit the army.

Allegations of Marginalisation Has Created Fear and Suspicion, Says ACF John Shiklam ÓØ ËÎßØË

the North within the Nigerian project.

The Arewa Consultative Forum The forum reiterated that (ACF) has said allegations of restructuring should be aimed marginalisation by the southern at enhancing unity, peaceful part of the country against the coexistence, stability and North has created anxiety, fear balanced development of the and mistrust among Nigerians. country as well as ensure social According to the forum, most justice, fairness and equity to all. of the allegations against the On the NNPC controversy, North were not based on facts. the forum called on President The forum also expressed Buhari to thoroughly investigate concern over the open the matter by giving both parties disagreement between the fair hearing in the interest of Minister of State for Petroleum, transparency in management Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and the Group practices of the NNPC. Managing Director, Nigerian The forum also decried the National Petroleum Company bad condition of the road (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, network, rail tracks and other over allegations of contract facilities across the country awards bordering on managerial due to lack of maintenance, imperfections and acts of especially in the North. insubordination.

The communique called on The minister had in a recent governments at all levels to letter to President Muhammadu ensure adequate budgetary Buhari accused Baru of contract provisions for the resuscitation awards without following due and maintenance of the process. facilities in order to boost The ACF in a communique economic growth. issued yesterday at the end of The forum further expressed its National Executive Council concern over the alarming (NEC) meeting which held rate of drug addiction among on Wednesday in Kaduna, the youths in the country, maintained that it was saying it was disturbing and unfortunate that most of worrisome. the allegations against the “The figure of about North were not based on three million youths said facts. to be involved in illegal “As a result they threaten consumption of drugs is our national cohesion by frightening, considering generating more heat than the the dire health effects such needed light” the forum said consumption would have in the communique signed on the future generations of by its spokesman, Muhammad Nigerians.

“Consequently, Ibrahim Biu. the meeting agreed to set The communique said the up a committee that will forum had would set up a critically examine the remote committee on restructuring and immediate causes of this which would examine all menace and suggest practical aspects and suggest a common solutions to the problem,” the perspective on the interest of communique said.

LET’S DO BUSINESS

L-R: Managing Director, Falcon Group, Mr. Ani Wellington; Managing Director/CEO, African Discovery Group, Mr. Alan Kessler; representing Monitor Power Solutions LLC, Cross Rivers State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade; Facilitator and Managing Director, Footprint to Africa, Mr. Osita Oparaugo; and Chairman, FWE Western Energy Limited, Mr. Henry Ojinere, after the signing of the MoU between Cross River State Government and Monitor Power solutions LLC, with FWE Western Energy Limited as utility company to provide 750 MW floating power generation plant to Cross River State valued at $600miilion,facilitated by Footprint to Africa, in Calabar....recently

National C’ttee on Export Promotion Meets, Targets Cocoa, Sesame Seeds Olawale Ajimotokan, Cynthia Offor ÓØ ÌßÔË The federal government’s effort at diversifying the economy took a giant leap after the National Committee on Export Promotion Council (NCEP) at its inaugural meeting, identified mainly six potential commodity products as alternative to oil.

The 13-man NCEP was instituted last week by the National Economic Council (NEC) Chaired by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on export promotion.

It has a Zero Oil Plan (ZOP) initiative to replace oil as the major source of foreign exchange earner by growing non-oil exports from the present $5 billion approximately to $30 billion by 2025.

It is expected to submit an

interim report to government

by November 16 The Governor of Jigawa State, who is the Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, said after its first meeting that it had identified cocoa, arabic gum, sesame seeds, hides and skin, cashews, apricot and banana.

He said that NCEP had identified potential export market for the sesame seeds in Japan, Turkey and China.

He also stressed that Jigawa State was already collaborating with Walcott Group of Companies on the production of Sesame Seeds.

“We discussed very well and have hope that eventually we will develop products and solid minerals that will have very high export value. Exportation is a very big chain and we are committed

to providing solution for the Nigerian export,“ Abubakar said.

He said NCEP would review the entire value chain process, including quality control, market, logistics and sales to ensure that the produce find buyers when eventually exported.

Under ZOP, the committee is to further add an extra $150 billion minimum to Nigeria’s foreign reserves cumulatively from non-oil exports over the next 10 years, create at least 500,000 additional jobs annually as well as lift 10 million Nigerians out of poverty.

The Minister of Agriculture and rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who is also a member of the committee, attributed the recent rejection of some Nigerian yam export in the United States to mistakes by exporter.

He said the container was in Nigeria for two months, before it left the country’s shores in a very hot environment.

He added that Ghanaian yam exports were also affected, adding that exporters should not warehouse perishable goods in bad conditions before shipping.

The members of NCEP include Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Ogbeh, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Minister of Power, Works and Housing and counterparts from Finance, Mines and Steel Development.

Others are CEO of Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Olusegun Awolowo, DG of NEPZA, Emmanuel Jime, MD of NEXIM, Mr Abba Bello and Permanent Secretary of MBNP, Leon Aliboh.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

NERC Fines Ibadan Disco N50m for Misuse of CBN Loan Investigates 10 others’ use of N213bn facility Chineme Okafor ËØÎ Nnenna Akuma ÓØ ÌßÔË For allegedly giving out a loan worth N6 billion from the N11.367 billion it received from the Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilisation Fund (NEMSF) granted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to its core investor group, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has levied a fine of N50 million on the Ibadan electricity distribution company (Disco).

The NERC has also launched a full investigation on the remaining 10 Discos in Nigeria’s privatised electricity market to determine how they applied the NEMSF in their operations in addition to pursuing the full recovery of the misused funds from Ibadan Disco including the accrued interest at Nigerian Inter-bank Offered Rate (NIBOR) + 10 per cent.

A statement from NERC Head of Public Affairs, Dr. Usman Abba Arabi, yesterday in Abuja, disclosed that the decision of the commission to fine Ibadan Disco was a fallout of an open book review it did on the Disco’s financial

records.

NERC’s financial penalty on Ibadan Disco also came on a day a former Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, disclosed how politicians and officials in the last government of President Goodluck Jonathan jostled for shares in the power generation and distribution companies that were privatised by the government in 2013.

Usman’s claims in his remarks at the October 26 lecture of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) indicated that government officials who ordinarily should have been neutral in the privatisation exercise were however guilty of foul plays and used their positions to leverage their interests in the exercise albeit secretly.

But in its statement, NERC said the board of Ibadan Disco approved a loan of N6 billion to its core investor - Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Limited (IEDMG) from the CBN facility instead of using the facility to improve its distribution network.

It stated: “Following the outcome of an open book review conducted on the

financial records of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company plc (IEDC), the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission found the company wanting on two grounds of inappropriate financial transactions and was subsequently fined a sum of N50 million.”

“The fine was (on) account of its failure to secure a refund of an interest-free loan the board of IEDC granted to its core investor group. The commission had, vide its Order 173, directed IEDC to recover the sum of N5.7 billion being the balance of the inappropriate loan of N6 billion granted by the utility to IEDMG, the core investor in Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc. “The loan was sourced from a total sum of N11.367 billion disbursed to IEDC under the Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilisation Fund granted

by the CBN towards the improvement of infrastructure in the company including metering.

“The commission has reaffirmed that it will pursue the full recovery of the misused funds from IEDC including the accrued interest at NIBOR + 10 per cent,” the statement stated, adding that the repayment of the loan to CBN by the 11 Discos has continued to be made as a first charge on the revenues of the companies, and that it was reviewing the utilisation of the NEMSF in all other Discos.

Meanwhile, Usman stated at the NSE lecture which was delivered by its former President, Mustafa Shehu, that most of the transaction principles often included and followed in the privatisation of government’s assets were sidestepped during the sale of the power assets to private

investors.

He said the outcome of the power privatisation was heavily influenced by political considerations against economic or technical capacities of the eventual preferred bidders, and thus linked parts of the current challenges of the sector to his claims.

“I was part of the power privatisation, and I am not going to extricate myself, it is a collective responsibility and I am not comfortable with the speed at which we rushed that exercise.

“I was the first Director General of Technical Committee of Privatisation and Commercialisation (TCPC) which is the agency that started privatisation in this country in 1988. We had our office in Lagos, and we did the first privatisation in this country. As at that time, we had the code of conduct that ensured that no

member of the management or the board actually could buy any of the assets that we were selling.

“The electricity privatisation unfortunately was not handled that way. If you look at all these Discos and Gencos, unfortunately, some of us saw it that time but there wasn’t much we could do because of the rush and political thing it had become, there is in each and every one of them at least one or two ‘big masquerades.’

“That is not how to do privatisation; you don’t sell because of some people who are in the government, you sell because they have demonstrated the expertise, and a lot of people rushed into it because they think electricity is like telecoms without even understanding the industry,” Shamsuddeen explained.

NMMA Award Marks Silver Jubilee, Opens Entries The Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) has announced the commencement of preparations for the NMMA 2017 – the 25th anniversary of the award presentation and silver jubilee edition.

According to a statement by the General Administrator, Ayoola Faluyi Tosan, the NMMA, since its establishment in 1990 has “remained committed to fostering professional excellence in media practice and recognising good works by practitioners and institutions in

the industry.”

The statement added that to fulfill its noble objectives, the NMMA relies on the goodwill and support of media organisations and other reputable members of corporate Nigeria who identify with NMMA’s noble commitment.

The NMMA has urged journalists to participate in the 2017 NMMA by forwarding their works published or produced in 2016 to the NMMA Secretariat for screening, in line with the guidelines for entry submission.

Senate Refers FG’s $5.5bn Loan Request to C’ttee

Reads CBN nominees’ letter

Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË The Senate has referred President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for approval of external loans of $5.5 billion to its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for consideration.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, presiding, directed the committee to report back in two weeks.

Buhari, in a letter dated October 4, 2017, had sought the approval of the National Assembly for external loans of $2.5 billion Eurobond Issuance to finance the 2017 national budget and $3 billion to refinance maturing domestic debts.

The president had also sought expeditious approval of the requests.

At plenary yesterday, Ekweremadu also read the president’s letter nominating Mrs. Aisha Ahmad as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Ahmad is expected to replace Dr. Sarah Alade who retired early 2017.

He also read a separate letter from the president requesting the confirmation of four members of the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN. The nominees are Adeola Adenikinju, Aliyu Sanusi, Robert Asogwa and Asheikh Maidugu, who are expected to replace four members of the MPC whose tenures will expire at the end of this year.

If confirmed by the Senate, they would resume in January 2017.

LET THERE BE ROAD TO BONNY...

L-R: General Manager, External Relations, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Kudo Eresia-Eke; Chairman, Senate Committee Works, Senator Kabiru Gaya; Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr Ipalibo Banigo; Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III; Vice President Yemi Osibanjo; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon. Toby Okechukwu; and Managing Director, NLNG, Tony Atta, at the flag-off of federal government-NLNG sponsored BonnyBodo road in Bonny....yesterday

C’River SuperHighway: BudgIT Warns against Another Unnecessary Debt Burden BudgIT Nigeria, a website that provides facts and figures has warned the Cross River State Government against its proposed Superhighway project, noting that it will increase the debt burden already overwhelming the state.

In a statement yesterday signed by its Lead Partner, Oluseun Onigbinde, the agency urged the state government to consider investing on other viable projects which will add values to the state.

Cross River Government had initiated plans to build a 275km superhighway, initially put at N800billion but has been revised to N200 billion.

It rationalised that the superhighway would evacuate cargos from the proposed Calabar deep seaport to the central and northern parts of Nigeria as well as Chad and

Niger.

The statement read in parts: “Considering Cross River serial attempts for bogus projects which have made it the state with the fourth largest external debt, there is a need to advise caution. We see this as an ambitious and expensive project.

“As an organisation interested in public accountability, there has been too little explanation on the human and environmental cost of the superhighway as well as the viability for investors.

“Even though the state government claimed that its superhighway investors will make returns on investment through collected toll fees from vehicles and trucks that ply the highway, evacuating the proposed Bakassi deep sea port.

“However, our analysis shows that at a considerable high volume, it will take 100

years for funds to be recouped, coupled with the fact that the Bakassi deep sea port is yet to exist, and up until now, no organisation has signed up to the funding of the deep-sea port project.

The explanation by the State government that the super highway project will be funded by a Public-Private Agreement (PPA), did little or nothing to change the impression of the agency.

It added: “Our research has also shown that considering the low topography of defined area, building a deep sea port at the proposed site will not only be technologically challenging but unreasonably expensive to maintain, due to constant dredging to maintain the depth required for large vessels.

“There are already two

roads that link Calabar to Benue and NDDC as well as the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing have committed to fixing these roads. Why not support the federal government rather than build an expensive superhighway that terminates at Benue?”

“The State Government will tamper with a large trove of biodiversity, and conservative estimates and N700m proposal as compensation is grossly absurd” he continued.

It concluded by advising the Cross River State Government to focus the N200bn fund on other viable approaches such as building an information technology hub, renewable energy for Agric processing, empowering SMEs and also creating a stronger eco-tourism profile for the state.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017Ëž T H I S D AY

52

NEWSXTRA

APC Finally Fixes NEC Meeting for Thursday Governors meet over convention Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË˿ The All Progressives Congress (APC) has scheduled a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party for Thursday next week.

Coming after several postponements, the NEC meeting seen as a face-saving effort by the leadership of the ruling party which has been accused of failure to convene statutory meetings as stipulated in the APC’s constitution.

THISDAY gathered from a party source yesterday that letters had been dispatched to all the NEC members.

While those in Abuja were given letters of invitation for the meeting, other NEC members in the states were being contacted through text messages.

In the letter signed by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, and National Secretary, Malam Mai-Mala Buni, the party said it was holding its NEC meeting on Thursday.

Some of the issues that would form the agenda for the meeting include, the consideration of results of state congresses, financial report, as well as date for convention.

Also to be tabled during the NEC meeting are proposed amendments in the party’s constitution.

As a prelude to the crucial event, APC governors met yesterday to articulate positions on various issues of concern in the party.

It was learnt that the meeting of the governors under the auspices of the Progressives

Governors Forum was held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

Key stakeholders in APC are increasingly getting worried that if nothing is done to rally its members through convening of NEC meeting and national convention, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might gain upper hand ahead of the 2019.

Before Buhari’s return from his medical trip, APC governors had tried to interface with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.  But the vice president referred them to President Buhari. Although the party had given other reasons such as poor funding and logistic issues as the excuse for the continued delay in convening

the convention, reliable sources within the leadership has confessed that the actual reason was the absence of President Buhari.

Article 25 (A)(i) of the APC constitution state: “That the National Convention of the party shall be held once in two years at a date, venue and time to be recommended by the National Working Committee (NWC) and approved by NEC subject to the giving of the statutory notices to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and at least 14 days notice given to members eligible to attend.� It is on record that APC last held a national convention on December 10, 2014 during which President Muhammadu Buhari emerged its presidential candidate.

Three Suicide Bombers Die in Failed Borno Hospital Attack Michael Olugbode Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ Three female suicide bombers on Wednesday died in a failed attack on a Borno Hospital, the police have said.

The police in a statement by its spokesman in Borno State, Victor Isuku yesterday said: “Yesterday October 11, 2017,

at about 2030 hours, at Molai Angwar, three female suicide bombers, with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) vest strapped on them, attempted to gain entry through the rear exit gate into the premises of Molai General Hospital, outskirt of Maiduguri township on the Maiduguri /Damboa highway. “In the process, they

detonated the IEDs on their bodies, killing themselves and damaging the pedestrian gate.

Police EOD and SARS personnel were promptly deployed to the scene to sanitise and render the area safe.�

Isuku said: “Following a tip-off, the entire vicinity was cordoned off and searched with a bid to arresting other bombers

said to have escaped.�

He said: “At about 2210 hours, a fourth bomber detonated in a bush in the neighborhood of Umalari village. No other casualty recorded.�

Isuku said normalcy had since been restored, with search and monitoring of the area continued.

53

˾ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017

NEWSXTRA

EFCC Begged Us out of Detention, Say Ekiti Officials Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The arrested Ekiti State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Toyin Ojo and Accountant General, Mrs. Yemisi Owolabi, have disclosed that they could not be charged to court by the anti-graft agency because the petition written against them lacked substance.

They said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) practically begged them to leave detention when the agency found out that they committed no offence to have warranted their arrest, saying “we yielded after much pleadings from top EFCC staff.”

The duo said the petition written by a former labour

N2.1bn Allegedly Traced to Patience Jonathan’s Late Mother Spurious, Baseless, Says Aide Jonathan Eze Contrary to reports in some national dailies that the sum of N2.1billion has been traced to the account of the late mother of Mrs. Patience Jonathan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the media aide to the former first lady, Belema Meshack-Hart, has debunked it, describing the allegation as misleading and baseless.

In a statement obtained by THISDAY yesterday, it stated that the allegations were false and a grand design by the EFCC to tarnish the image of Mrs. Jonathan as it had always done.

According to him, in the contrived report, “They claimed that the former first lady is a sole signatory of Magel Resort Limited, a hotel owned by her late mother, Mrs. Charity Oba, is untrue as Mrs. Jonathan had no dealings with the hotel until the demise of her late mum after which the hotel was handed over to her with the presentation of the death certificate of her mum.

“This can be confirmed by Zenith Bank. Mrs. Patience Jonathan does not own Magel Resort Ltd neither did she open the hotel’s account with Zenith Bank. The late mother of the former first lady should be allowed to rest in peace.

“It was also alleged that N200m IT contract was awarded to Magel Resort Ltd, this is a figment of the imagination of EFCC as no such contract was

awarded to the company. EFCC must stop this media trial and blackmail aimed at tarnishing the image of the former first Lady and get down to the business of conducting proper investigations.

“Magel Resort is a very successful company with over 2,000 staff, this is as a result of the hard work and relentless man hours put into it by the late mum of the former first lady who built the company from scratch. It is preposterous to say the least that N2.1bn in its coffers as alleged by EFCC was fraudulently acquired.

“The EFCC also alleged that N17bn has been traced to the former first lady, we believe this joke by the EFCC has been taken too far, as there is no available evidence to support this baseless claim.

“To prove her innocence the former first lady has filed N2bn fundamental human rights suit against the EFCC at the Federal High Court in Abuja. For avoidance of doubt, Mrs. Jonathan does not have $12,831,173 domiciled in Diamond bank as alleged

by EFCC, anyone with proof should provide evidence and take advantage of the whistle blower policy.

“The issue of Skye Bank is in court and we believe in the integrity of the court to handle this case judiciously. A simple search at the Corporate Affairs Commission will confirm that the companies mentioned by EFCC, AM PM Global

leader, whose name was not mentioned, claiming that the state mismanaged the Paris Club and bailouts allocated to it by the federal government was bereft of substantial evidence that could be used to prosecute them.

They said the petition was written basically to tarnish the government of Chief Ayodele Fayose, who had directed the workers to observe yesterday as a half work day in honour of the freed officials.

Speaking at a reception organised for them by Fayose after being freed from the EFCC net, Ojo said: “I want to thank our governor and Ekiti people, particularly workers for their prayers. The EFCC found it difficult to prosecute us because they lacked evidence.

“Fayose by his conduct boxed EFCC to a corner, because you needed not fear when you

committed no crime. By our arrests, it was clear that EFCC has become an instrument of oppression.

“Some states took more than the bailout taken by Ekiti but nothing was done, what is their interest in Ekiti?

“They asked us to sign so that we can leave the detention but we refused. They started begging us before we left,” he said.

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Kola Oluwawole and the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ade Adesanmi, alleged that the EFCC was still planning to arrest more officials, saying the state would resist such attempt with the last drop of their blood.

Oluwawole described the EFCC as a meddlesome interloper, saying Sections 126 and 127 of the 1999 Constitution empowered the assembly to perform oversight functions

on state finances and not the statutory duty of the agency.

Fayose, who described EFCC as a ‘senseless’ organisation, promised to buy new cars for the two officials in appreciation of their loyalty to the state.

“EFCC is senseless body, because if they are not senseless, it should have known that the man who wrote the petition had been sacked because he didn’t deserve to be called a civil servant. The arrest was orchestrated by Ekiti indigenes in collaboration with the EFCC. “I will never go and beg EFCC, it will rather beg me.

I won’t negotiate anything because I am not afraid of them.

There was a subsisting court that barred them from arresting any official of this state, but they breached the law.

“By the grace of God, I will restructure the EFCC when I become the president of this

nation. I will reorganise EFCC and make it looks responsible.

They detained me in 2008, but I won them in court because the most high God was on my side.

“They said the NNPC Group Managing Director awarded $25billion contracts illegally, the EFCC did nothing. Even the presidency has been the one defending him now. What is their interest in Ekiti? Whose interest is EFCC protecting?”

Fayose asked.

Fayose accused President Muhammadu Buhari of punishing the citizens of this state illegally, saying: “He has not tarred one kilometre of road since he came into office.

“This was the way the DSS arrested Hon. Afolabi Akanni.

They even stopped the state allocation at a time, but whatever they do, Ekiti shall put them to shame,” the governor said.

ECONOMIC MEETING…

L-R: Executive Secretary / Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. SegunAwolowo; Minister of State for Solid Minerals Development, Mr Abukakar Bwari; and Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, during a meeting on National Economic Council on export promotion in Abuja… yesterday

THIS REPUBLIC – SHAKA MOMODU

BACK PAGE THE RISE AND FALL OF NNAMDI KANU Some have argued that Kanu and his IPOB members were not armed and that their proBiafra protests were peaceful.

But anyone who was honest enough would have seen a clear direction towards violence. For God’s sake, Kanu was soliciting for money to buy guns, bullets, etc., to wage a war of secession against Nigeria. He created a uniformed army, a national guard, etc. Danger, they say, comes in many forms. Did Nigeria need to wait for him to be armed before taking action?

From his statement declaring Aba the spiritual capital, he sounded like someone armed and ready for a duel.

We were witnessing a quiet

replay of what the Northern elders, the Borno Elders Forum (by the way, where are they now?) and the entire Northern intelligentsia did with Boko Haram. They nudged the deadly sect on until it became too late. I can recall how even the Sultan of Sokoto denied that it was not Boko Haram that was carrying out the mindless atrocities, killings and bombings.

The Northern intelligentsia rationalised all the inexcusable behaviour of members of the terror group all because they wanted power at all costs.

They never condemned the bestial terrorists. Instead for every attack by the terrorists, they condemned the Jonathan

government “for allowing the attack”. Even Buhari, the hero of “Change”, supported Boko Haram all in an effort to undermine the then government.

He emerged the biggest beneficiary of the activities of that evil sect. Lest we forget, the terror group went as far as nominating him as its chief negotiator with the Jonathan government.

His party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) latched on to every opportunity to benefit from the activities of the terror group. Nothing was abhorrent to it as long as it could gain from the mindless destruction of lives; a pursuit rooted in the philosophy of the end justifying

the means. At the height of the Boko Haram saga, the party’s governors went to Maiduguri, Borno State, the heartland of the terror group, on a purported solidarity visit to pose for photographs on the streets of the city and then circulated them widely in the press the next day as if that was enough to solve the problem.

Note that the governors didn’t proffer solutions to deal with the terror group. They were more interested in the photo opportunity. Have the APC governors visited Maiduguri again on a solidarity tour? No! The party of “rogues and come-and-chop politicians” got what it desperately wanted, but

today it is a miserable failure in governance. The propaganda it used to win power has so far failed it on all fronts. Can you beat that? Today the terror group it supported to win power is still out of control. If you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind.

The leaders of the Southeast were repeating the same mistake. We’ve been witness to this tendency in the recent past. When the Odua People’s Congress (OPC) and other such violent groups in the South-west were breaking the law, leaders of the South-west were usually silent, they did not condemn the groups. The same thing happens in Niger Delta, the elders give subtle

encouragement to criminality of some people masquerading as freedom fighters but who in actual fact are fighting for their personal pockets.

Kanu seemed to enjoy pushing fate. He needed the danger that came with it to promote himself and looked tough. For a brief period, he said anything, did anything and got away with it. And like all high-risk gamblers, he saw himself as the ace in the pack to actualise Biafra. But after boasting for weeks of his invincibility, Kanu again failed the leadership test as he fled at the sound of a gunshot, leaving his poor gullible followers to die needlessly.

FRIDAY, ͹ͻ˜ ͺ͸͹Ϳ ˾ T H I S D AY

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FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

WORLD CUP 2018

Wenger Salutes Nigeria over Eagles Qualification Mikel’s Russian girlfriend excited with the ticket to the World Cup Femi Solaja Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger, has congratulated Nigeria for emerging the first African country to book her passage to the World Cup 2018 scheduled to hold in Russia.

Apparently aware of the massive followership his North London club enjoys in Nigeria, the Frenchman was extremely pleased that one of his players, Alex Iwobi, scored the vital goal that gave Nigeria the ticket to the tournament for the sixth time.

In a 22-second message posted on Arsenal’s Facebook account yesterday, Wenger was delighted and proud to see Iwobi playing a major role in Nigeria’s success in the qualification series.

“Congratulations to all our fans in Nigeria. I know that there are very, very, very many of you and we are very proud that you have qualified for the World Cup,’’ Wenger remarked yesterday.

He stated further that: ‘’On top of that, our player, (Iwobi) scored the goal for you and that makes us ever prouder. ‘’Well done, and see you in the World Cup. I am sure you will have a great, great trip there,’’ concludes the message from the Gunners boss.

Iwobi, who was a second half substitute scored the goal that ended Chipolopolo of Zambia’s quest to reach their first World Cup. The Nigeria is expected to be in action this weekend when Arsenal visits Watford in the English Premiership.

Similarly, Super Eagles’ Captain, John Mikel Obi’s girlfriend, Olga Diyacheko, has sent a congratulatory message to her hear-throb.

Olga, who is the mother of Mikel’s twins, took to Instagram to celebrate her lover’s leadership

performance that gave Nigeria the right to play at the finals in the country of her birth next year.

In her message via Instagram monitored yesterday, she wrote; “well done @Mikel John Obi and welcome to Russia Nigeria”.

The message shortly after it was posted attracted several comments from Mikel’s Russian in-laws who are looking forward to receiving him at the football showpiece next year. There were over 2,188 likes moments after it was posted on the social media platform.

Meanwhile, Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has said that next year’s World Cup will be a “big mess” if it is marred by racism and discrimination.

Toure, 34, was the subject of racist chants when City played CSKA Moscow in the Champions League in Russia in 2013.

He wants to help FIFA and the Russian government tackle the problem in the build-up to next summer’s tournament.

“We have to see change because people have been talking but nothing has really been taken care of,” he added.

Last month, Liverpool complained to UEFA about alleged racist abuse directed at winger Bobby Adekanye during a UEFA Youth League match at Spartak Moscow.

In 2015, former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong was sent off while playing for Russian side FC Ufa after he gestured to the crowd with his middle finger in response to alleged monkey chants.

Ex-Zenit St Petersburg striker Hulk, meanwhile, claimed he was racially abused in “almost every game” he played in Russia.

Toure has taken part in a short film supporting a campaign tackling discrimination in football.

Boris Thangjam of India (left) and Rashid Alhassan of Ghana battle for the ball during their FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 fifa.com Group A match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi… yesterday

Nasarawa Amazons Battle Delta Queens as Curtain Falls on NWPL Super 4 Football connoisseurs who have been thronging the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City to witness the best of women soccer in the last one week when the Nigerian Women’s Premier League Super 4 began are gearing up for the final match of the competition featuring Nasarawa Amazons and Delta Queens today.

Prior to the kick off of the competition, most followers of the Nigerian women game picked Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens as the teams to beat owing to their pedigree in the game.

But they have been pleasantly surprised by the superlative

performances of the Amazons from Nasarawa and Delta Queens who have defied all odds to make the final.

Now, the die is cast! It is time for the best team in the NWPL to emerge and as usual, the fans are not agreed on the likely winner of the match.

But one thing is common in the analysis by the pundits: Anybody, who comes to the stadium for the final game today will be treated to a world-class match in a convivial atmosphere set by the Edo State government.

Nasarawa have seven points, while Delta have five points to

make the final, while Bayelsa and Rivers Angels were left to fight for the third place match, which held yesterday.

According to NWFL Chairperson, Aisha Falode, Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Silas Agera, Asisat Oshoala, who is a product of Robo FC, Edo State government officials and members of the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will grace the occasion.

“There will be an exhibition match between Robo FC and Edo Queens before the final game,” stressed Falode who also doubles as NFF board member.

Also speaking on the game, Edo FA Chairman, Frank Ilaboya, assures fans of an entertaining evening inside the stadium and its surroundings.

“We have rolled out the drums to ensure that all football fans at the stadium get the best of Edo State hospitality.

“Before the competition started, the state government gave the stadium a facelift in line with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s promise to make the state the sports hub of the country. So, we are ready to welcome all the fans to the final match,” Ilaboya noted with enthusiasm.

20 Teams Vie for IGC Bet9ja Boosts Power-lifting ‘Why MTN Organised Corporate Challenge Cup Football Clinic in Lagos’ as Waheed Wins in USA The 2017 edition of the Ikeja Golf Club Corporate Challenge Cup title is expected to tee off this weekend with about 20 teams drawn mainly from the club taking part in the competition, the club’s Competition Secretary, Jolomi Ideh has said.

Ideh listed Oak Pensions, BOAB, Adeco, Ubosi Eleh and Co, Sterling Bank, Jungle Film Works, Alpha Pharmacy, Mutual Benefit Assurance, Healthline Limited, Xpress Solutions, Oceanic Health, ICMA, Yoke Solutions, Corporate Media and Park Inn By Radisson as some of the participants.

Others are Pepsi, Strasscorp, Pepsi, Wisefare/Golfview Hotels, Cambridge College and Scale Trade Limited, Speaking ahead of this weekend competition, Ideh said he expects this year’s edition of the event to be a keenly contested encounter in view of the caliber of players expected to be on parade.

“Everybody is looking forward to this weekend competition and if you have been following the preparations so far you will know that this year’s event will be keenly contested”, Ideh said.

Also speaking, the club Captain, Niyi Latinwo, said the success recorded in the yearly event testifies to the importance of the competition in the club.

Apart from trophies to be awarded the winners, choice position within the golf course will also be made available for the top finishers in the competition.

Apart from the course action, the Captain added that the event also offers participants opportunity to network and make their businesses known to fellow members.

One of the reason why this competition is popular in Ikeja is because of the opportunity it offers members in the areas of making their business known to members”, Latinwo added.

General Manager, Consumer Marketing of Nigeria’s biggest telecommunications company, MTN, Mr Richard Iweanoge, has expressed optimism that the recently concluded Arsenal/MTN Football clinic will contribute to the development of grassroots football in Nigeria.

Iweanoge’s comments came following the conclusion of the three-day football theoretical and practical sessions had former Arsenal Legend, Ray Parlour, as well as other members of Arsenal’s technical coaching crew as instructors.

The football clinic held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, with over 30 participants drawn from the local teams in attendance.

According to Iweanoge, MTN’s partnership with Arsenal was a practical demonstration of the brand’s commitment towards developing Nigeria’s sports at the grassroots level.

While adding that the football

clinic would expose participants to Arsenal FC’s unique approach to football, he stressed that the partnership will serve as a platform for the club to further connect with football lovers across the country.

In his words: ‘Football is a core part of our lives as Nigerians and for MTN as a brand, we are always on the lookout for exciting ways to reach out to our subscribers.

That was why we went on this partnership with Arsenal and we are excited because this is this the beginning of greater things to come”.

Speaking on the Football Clinic, Azizat Ogunsanya, coach of Soccer Star, a grassroots Football Academy based in Ilesa, Osun State, who also participated at the clinic expressed satisfaction at the quality of the theoretical and physical sessions and commended MTN for facilitating the capacity building workshop.

As part of it’s commitment towards developing other sports, top sports betting company, Bet9ja, recently sponsored Kareem Waheed (A.K.A ‘Body’) to the United States Amateur Athletes Championships where he came tops.

According to a statement by Bet9ja, the company decided to sponsor the power-lifter as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility and to also develop other sports.

“Power-lifting has been in the doldrums in Nigeria, but we don’t want it to suffer the same fate as the other individual sports, hence we sponsored Waheed to the competition,” disclosed the Brands and Communications Manager, Tunji Mesh.

He said that judging by Waheed’s performance, “a new breathe of life has taken place, thanks to the

power-lifter who has put Nigeria on the global map through his exploits in the US. We are encouraged to do more,” the statement read.

The Lagos-born athlete recently returned from the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Championship in the United States of America where he beat all other competitors to finish of his weight category.

“We believe his exploits could inspire other athletes and at the same time popularise the sport in the country,” concludes the Bet9ja statement.

‘Body’ as he’s fondly called had surprised all comers at the AAU power-lifting championship in September in Las Vegas, US which was his second this year. He was in the ‘Sin City’ in April where he also led Nigeria to victory.

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Friday, October 13, 2017

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MISSILE PDP to Buhari “We challenge the president to prove us wrong by allowing his allies being caught up in acts of brazen stealing of our commonwealth get punished in accordance with the laws of the land. Anything aside this, we will take as confirmation of our suspicion that the rot is from the very top.” – Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging President Muhammadu Buhari to subject his party members and government officials involved in the $24 billion NNPC contract award scandal to investigations.

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The Rise and Fall of Nnamdi Kanu

I

watched some videos of Nnamdi Kanu inspecting a guard of honour formed by his Biafran Security Service and the Biafran National Guard in military uniform recently.

It gave me the chills. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he hoisted the Biafran flag, flaunted a Biafran passport and a coat of arms, etc. There is a video of him openly soliciting for money at the World Igbo Congress in Los Angeles in the U.S. to buy arms to fight Nigeria in 2015 before his arrest. Effectively, Kanu had created a sovereign state within a sovereign state.

I don’t know any country in the world that would accept or condone this frontal challenge to its security and sovereignty. Certainly not the United States of America, not the United Kingdom or France. Did the Brits and the Yanks expect the Nigerian state to sit idly by as a spectator and just watch Kanu’s ultra ethnic/ religious thumb-in-your-eye activities which were already precipitating the country into a major conflagration? Haven’t you seen what is happening in Catalonia in Spain, or what happened in Southern Cameroun recently?

No country will allow what Kanu did to go unchecked.

Out on bail, he upped the ante by declaring Aba as the spiritual capital of Biafra on August 27, 2017, where he stated inter alia: “Where we are is Biafraland. Aba is the spiritual capital of Biafraland. We started in Aba in 2015 at CKC. That day, heaven authenticated our move that IPOB will restore Biafra and that’s what we have come to do. We died in Aba at National High School. They shot and killed us in other places in Biafraland where they were protesting for my release. As our people rest in the grave, we’ll never rest until Biafra is restored. I don’t care what they say in Abuja. I don’t give a damn what they say in Lagos. I’m a Biafran and we are going to crumble the zoo.

“Some idiots who are not educated said that they’ll arrest me, and I ask them to come, I’m in Biafra. If any of them leaves Biafraland alive, know that this is not IPOB. Tell them what I said.

Tell Buhari that I am in Aba and any person who comes to arrest Nnamdi Kanu in Biafraland will die here. I’ll never go on exile I assure you.

Some people talk about restructuring, are we doing the restructuring of Nigeria now? Are we doing fiscal federalism? Are we doing devolution?

What we want is Biafra! Forget all the nonsense they write about us. We are not slowing down and no man born of a woman can stop us…”

Until recently, I didn’t pay much attention to him. All that changed when the deadly implications of his activities and actions started to unfold in a more direct way just a few weeks ago; his overarching modus operandi had raised fears of a general ethnic/religious conflagration in the country. Everyone could feel the tension in the country a few weeks back. It was really unnerving and frightening.

Again, I watched the video of some women spreading their wrappers on the ground for Kanu to walk on. I saw yet another video of a man prostrating to kiss his feet. Many men and women, both young and old showered praises on him and even worshipped him. Yes, I am not kidding, they idolised and worshipped him. There is another video of a man describing Kanu as god-like to him and that anything he commands

Kanu him to do, he would gladly do.

Some of us know what such deification of a man can do to a person’s mind. He begins to see himself as an all-powerful demigod. His followers/victims lose their ability for independent rational reasoning just like the man who said anything Kanu commanded him to do, he would gladly obey him. That is a classic example of brainwashing. The more the victim surrenders control of himself, the more powerful his captor becomes. History is replete with leaders whose actions caused the needless deaths of millions of people across the world: Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, etc.

We see this time and again from fake religious/ cult leaders who lead their followers to commit mass suicide. Remember The Guyana Tragedy?

On November 18, 1978, more than 900 followers of the Rev. Jim Jones participated in a mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana, ordered by Jim Jones. Only a few members came out alive to tell the horrific tales of abuses that went on in that temple. There have been others after Jim Jones.

There are so many disturbing videos and audio recordings of Kanu crossing the line on the internet. This guy’s manner was reprehensible, his utterances uncouth, vulgar and delusional. His methods were extremely reckless and dangerous.

As if that wasn’t enough, his ethno-religious bombast was chilling, provocative and appeared deliberately designed to provoke a wider ethnic/ religious conflagration in the country. And not surprisingly, he made no pretension about his mission and actually took concrete actions to achieve it. He seemed obsessed with the realisation of Biafra at all costs as if that was the solution to the problems in the South-east. But for the quick intervention of the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike with his statewide broadcast to reassure all citizens of their safety and the timely action by the South-east governors, perhaps we would have been talking of a bloody ethno/ religious conflagration across the country. Whose interest would that have served?

Flaunting his misguided power and influence, he boasted that the coming Anambra governorship election would not hold, and then expanded his threat to the entire South-east in the 2019 elections. He called for a sit-at-home protest to demonstrate his new-found powers. He boasted that he controlled the people of the South-east 100 per cent. Kanu threatened that if his bail was revoked and the federal government re-arrested

him, he had already left instructions with his IPOB members to burn down Nigeria.

I shudder to think what this man would have become if he succeeded with Biafra. Kanu lacked the temperament of a leader. He was already drunk with the adulation showered on him.

Power in the hands of a man like Kanu would have amounted to a dangerous mix of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. He demonstrably drew disturbing similarities with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un who routinely executes his people on the flimsiest of excuses.

For all my frustrations and doubts about Nigeria, and despite the imperfections of how it was created, I don’t want a break-up of our fatherland and I believe so many other people share this with me. I believe we can make this country better. I am against the marginalisation of any section of this country like President Muhammadu Buhari is doing to the entire South, especially the South-east. And for the umpteenth time, I state that those who brought Buhari to power put a knife to the fragile things that hold us together.

I am wholeheartedly and unreservedly in support of the restructuring of Nigeria to make it work for us all, and not for the current few.

Whether this was Kanu’s ultimate game plan, I have no idea, but I have my doubts. The question to ask Kanu is: Was secession the answer to marginalisation? What made him think that a sovereign Biafra state would end poverty and corruption in the South-east as we have in other parts of the country? Who appointed him leader of the Igbo to lead the charge for Biafra? Did he even think through the full ramifications of Biafra on Igbo people across the country?

Would a Biafra have ceased to produce jesters and clowns like Rochas Okorocha if it had succeeded in breaking away? Most of the people shouting Biafra were acting more out of emotion rather than reason. The truth is the South-east has had a succession of bad leaders just like the rest of the country. The region is still so backward despite its potential, precisely because of a lack of innovative and creative leadership to unleash a tidal wave of opportunities for its people.

However, I must state without equivocation that Buhari’s ethnic agenda to right the perceived wrongs done to the North and his brazen implementation of that agenda despite protestations, is what is fueling the likes of Kanu and the massive agitations in the country even though I found Kanu’s methods and tactics abhorrent. Again, the president’s feeble response to the mindless atrocities, killings and destruction of properties by the Fulani herdsmen, is another case in point. At a time he should have shown leadership, he opted for partisanship.

To save Nigeria, this country has to be restructured. Restructuring is not a call to arms, but a call for equity and justice so that everybody will have a sense of belonging in this potentially great country.

Still on Kanu, I must confess that I was amazed by the physical metamorphosis of this young fellow: from a clean-shaven jeans and shirt-wearing romantic fine boy on the streets of London to this fiery, incendiary hate-spewing, war-mongering, grey-bearded secessionist megalomaniac.

His sudden transformation to Mazi Kanu

in traditional Isi-agwu (head of lion) jumper, complemented by a Rabbi’s cap, his latter-day slow gait, slightly hunched back and his goldplated walking stick to create the image of an elder of pre-eminent distinction from the army of jobless folks who thronged his father’s house to practically worship him in his new role as the new uncrowned leader of the Igbo race testified to my suspicion about this man’s sense of delusional grandeur. He used to walk normally like you and I, even as recently as his release from prison on bail. Where did all these theatrics come from so suddenly? Is this what perceived power does to a man? What was a young man in his forties with no trace of ill health, or visible handicap to his ability to walk doing with a walking stick?

Again, why was he displaying the photograph of Donald Trump, the president of the United States of America alongside his, when announcing the activities of IPOB? Did Trump subscribe to his activities? Was that action alone not a classical case of “419”, using Trump’s picture to hoodwink and fool his gullible support base to create the impression that Trump supported the Biafra cause?

Wetin concern Trump with Biafra? Did this not also tell us that this was a disturbed young man?

That he even chose a world-reject like Trump to market his Biafra cause said a lot about his mental state. What was wrong with Kanu?

Kanu in my estimation failed the one important quality of leadership: selflessness. Kanu was arrested and imprisoned alongside Onwudiwe Chidiebere, Banjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi. They were arraigned by the federal government last year on an 11-count charge for terrorism, treasonable felony and illegal possession of firearms, among others. He alone was granted bail ostensibly on health grounds.

That to me was somewhat political. Contrary to the expectations of some, he accepted the bail and left other apparent accomplices in prison.

Once he got out, he never spoke publicly about the other guys rotting away in prison. I never once heard him fight for their release. I had expected him to refuse his bail until others were equally granted bail. But no, he took the bail and forgot his co-accused. To me, that did not look good for his leadership credentials. What kind of freedom fighter abandons his followers in prison while he enjoys freedom? With Kanu almost certainly now a fugitive from justice, God only knows when his co-accused will smell freedom. He has put those who signed his bail surety in trouble with the law as Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe admitted recently; another failure of leadership. These people staked their reputations and credibility built over several decades to surety someone they barely knew.

Now, they are going to suffer the short end of the stick. However, I can hardly sympathise with them because they wanted to earn some political gain from Kanu’s then-rising profile.

The irony is that Kanu was not the only one who abandoned his co-accused. Ohanaeze leaders and the South-east intelligentsia were uninterested in their plight. Charles Soludo was not interested in their freedom, the former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, was not interested in their release either. Instead, the inconvenient truth is that they gave subtle nudging to Kanu and his activities.

Continued on page 53

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