Wednesday 2nd November 2017

Malami Given Mandate to Recover $321m Abacha Loot from Switzerland Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The federal government yesterday empowered the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to sign an agreement between Nigeria and Switzerland for the repatriation of $321 million linked to former

military Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha, at the forthcoming global forum in the United States in December. Briefing State House correspondents at the end of yesterday’s weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC)

meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Malami said the federal government’s efforts to recover stolen assets had started yielding fruit, recalling the recent recovery of $185 million from the United Kingdom, linked to the Malabu

Oil scandal. According to him, signing the agreement would empower him to recover the funds on behalf of Nigeria, explaining that representatives of both countries would

sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the repatriation of the money at the Global Forum on Asset Recovery scheduled to take place in the U.S. next month. “As you are aware, the federal government has

Ekwueme in Stable Condition, Says Family… Page 8

been making efforts to recover stolen funds, loot, assets and the efforts have indeed been yielding fruit, particularly as it relates to local recoveries. “A memo was presented to council this afternoon by the Office of the Attorney-General Continued on page 6

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EFCC Summons Ex-NIA DG, Oke, Wife over $43.5m Ikoyi Cash Davidson Iriekpen In furtherance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to the law enforcement agencies to investigate the former

Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayodele Oke, and the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal, the

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday announced that it was inviting Oke and his wife, Folashade, for questioning. Oke was sacked as NIA

chief by Buhari on Monday, six months after he was first suspended following the discovery of $43.45 million in an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos. He was sacked alongside

Babachir who was involved in a fraud case. It was later revealed that the apartment in Osborne Towers where the money was discovered was rented in the

name of Oke’s wife. After the discovery of the cash haul, the EFCC secured a court order to ensure the Continued on page 6

Buhari Resets Administration, Says Nigeria Must Never See War Again Swears in new SGF Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has commenced the retooling of his administration, which would see strong political leaders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) being brought in as ministers to represent the six geopolitical zones in the country, THISDAY has learnt. This is just as the president said yesterday that it was time for Nigerians to resolve never to provoke another civil war by their actions and inactions, recalling the pain of the tragic loss of human lives during the last civil war. Buhari who made the remark at the launch of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations 2018 emblem and appeal fund in memory

of ex-servicemen who lost their lives in the first and second world wars as well as the Nigerian civil war, said honouring the memories of the departed service men was worthwhile and desirable. The president also swore-in the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha. Both ceremonies took place ahead of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in the Council Chamber of the State House. The swearing-in of the new SGF, however, was the first of a number of measures by the president to inject strong political leaders into his government with the appointment of more ministers. Continued on page 6

SUPPORT FOR FINANCIAL INCLUSION… Dasuki Appears in Court, Says He's Incapacitated ROYAL Chairman, Board of Directors, Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Dr. Shehu Yahaya; United Nations Secretary General’s Advocate for Financial Inclusion, Queen Maxima of The Netherlands; and the Managing Director/CEO, DBN, Mr. Tony to Give Evidence in Metuh's Case… Page 8 Special Okpanachi, during a courtesy visit by the queen to the management of DBN, in Aubja… yesterday

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PAGE SIX EFCC SUMMONS EX-NIA DG, OKE, WIFE OVER $43.5M IKOYI CASH money was forfeited to the federal government. The NIA had admitted owning the money and said the presidency through the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Moguno was briefed on its intelligence operations in the South-west, for which the intelligence agency had claimed the cash was intended.

However, a panel led by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had recommended his dismissal after looking into the circumstances surrounding the cash haul. The panel submitted its report on August 23, but Buhari did not act on it until last Monday. Before their appointments were ultimately terminated on Monday, Lawal and Oke had

been placed on suspension since April 19. Buhari, in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Monday, further directed the anticorruption agencies to proceed with their investigation of the matter. It was in furtherance of the president’s directives that the EFCC yesterday asked Oke to

appear before it, reported online news site, Premium Times. “In furtherance of its investigative activities to unravel the circumstances surrounding the $43.45 million cash recovered by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Lagos sometime in April 2017, the commission has invited former Director General

of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayodele Oke and his wife, Folashade Oke,� Wilson Uwujaren, the commission’s spokesperson said in a statement. “Mrs. Oke had refused to honour previous invitations by the commission which resumed its investigation into the matter, following the federal

government’s decision to relieve Mr. Oke of his position as DG. “Besides the couple, other suspects are equally being invited to determine their culpability or otherwise in the humongous cash, in foreign currencies and naira notes, stashed in a residential building at Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos,� Uwujaren said.

his recall became public, which prompted the president to order that he be dismissed. The submission of Oyo-Ita in the memo had exposed the president’s feigned ignorance of Maina’s recall and promotion from Assistant Director to Deputy Director in the Ministry of Interior. Ostensibly, Kyari must have been upset about the memo, which projected the president in a bad light. However, following Kyari’s finger pointing, a visibly angry Oyo-Ita confronted the chief of staff, informing him that she had attained the peak of her career as a civil servant and had no reason to fear anything because she was neither a politician, nor an elected representative. “I have reached the peak of my career. I am not an elected politician,� Oyo-Ita stated without any fear of equivocation in the presence of guests who had been invited to the chamber to witness the swearing in of the new Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Mustapha Boss and the launch of the 2018 Armed Forces emblem by the president. The guests included Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, Adamawa governor, Jubrilla Bindow, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Ibok-Ette Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Abubakar Sadique, Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and the heads of paramilitary organisations, among others. Oyo-Ita, in a complete departure from her usual calm and quiet

self, after engaging Kyari in a heated exchange, returned to her seat but feeling that she had not yet exhausted her rage against her traducer, rose up again from her seat and headed straight to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo who eventually calmed the frayed nerves between the two officers. The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, later joined the conversation as the new SGF also assisted in placating the exasperated Head of Service. The Deputy Chief of Staff, Femi Ipaye, having observed that all eyes were fixed on her, encouraged the aggrieved civil service head to return to her seat. Maina had been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2013, following the discovery of a N195 billion fraud by the then Joint Senate Committee on Public Service, Establishment and State and Local Government when Maina was the head of the Pension Task Force. However, Maina who had absconded from the country to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, which led to his dismissal from the civil service by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, was secretly reinstated on September 28, following a series of correspondence between the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau and the Head of Service. But the bubble burst when Premium Times blew open the secret reinstatement, forcing Buhari to order Maina’s disengagement from the civil service and the issuance of a query to OyoIta on October 23 to explain the circumstance of Maina’s reinstatement.

Niger State. He said the project which has been under execution since 1985, witnessed an upward review from the initial N18 billion required to complete the project to N40.2 billion, after rigorous analyses. Disclosing that the duration of the project was 36 months, Adamu said the National Irrigation Master Plan launched in 2016 would guarantee the provision of irrigation for 100,000 hectares of land. Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, in his briefing, said despite government’s efforts to boost local production, massive smuggling of rice into Nigeria through the land borders has remained a great challenge. The minister also said FEC approved a memo to use pesticides on pests destroying farm produce in 11 states in Northern Nigeria using aircraft. He listed the states to include Zamfara, Kebbi, Kano, Yobe and Borno, among others.

He also said there was a suggestion for the consideration of drones to spray the pesticides on the pest, which he explained migrate to Nigeria from neighbouring Niger Republic, noting that using drones for the exercise would be cheaper.

BUHARI RESETS ADMINISTRATION, SAYS NIGERIA MUST NEVER SEE WAR AGAIN Buhari had at the meeting of National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC held on Tuesday in Abuja, said he would appoint more ministers to his cabinet and fill the vacancies on the boards of several federal government agencies with his party stalwarts who had been agitating that they had been left out since he assumed office two years ago. The appointment of political stalwarts may not be unconnected to the desire to place key loyalists with the muscle to deliver critical states and zones during the 2019 general election. A presidency source explained that the new ministers would represent each of the six geopolitical zones in the country, effectively replicating the same cabinet structure used by successive Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administrations during the party’s 16 years in power. The source also informed THISDAY that Buhari would ensure that the ministerial appointees are strong political leaders to fill areas that he feels are underrepresented or currently have ministers of state representing the states. “The goal is to appoint strong political leaders into the cabinet as opposed to most of the technocrats currently in the cabinet. “With this, the president can bring in people to represent areas like the Tivs in Benue State, as Audu Ogbeh who is currently the agriculture minister, is an Idoma man. Other areas include Kano and Katsina,� the source explained. Meanwhile, speaking at the launch of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem yesterday, the president who lauded what he described as the unparalleled loyalty of the military to Nigeria, hailed the gallant military men and women whom he said were being confronted

everyday with the huge security challenges facing the nation. He also said being an ex-soldier himself, he knows the volume of sacrifices they have made to keep Nigeria united as well as the huge challenges confronting them. He assured them that the federal government would ensure that their welfare was well taken care of, further pledging that the government would deploy all the powers within its reach to enhance the capacity of the military. He appealed to Nigerians at home and in the diaspora including corporate organisations to make contributions to the appeal fund, with a view to boosting the morale of the families of fallen heroes. “It is indeed worthwhile to honour the memory of our distinguished veterans who paid the supreme sacrifice to keep the country united. Some others have spent the best part of their lives in service to keep our nation and the world at peace. “The resolve by our countrymen and women to remain in one indivisible and indissoluble nation, Nigeria, is at the centre of this celebration. “Indeed, the Remembrance Day Celebration is being marked on the 15th of January instead of 11th of November as is the case in other Commonwealth nations to commemorate the end of the Nigerian civil war – a war that was fought to keep Nigeria one. “We must, therefore, cast our minds back at the events that led to the civil war, the immense human capital loss of the tragic war, and resolve that never again shall we allow our dear nation by our actions or inactions to experience another war. “I want to salute the gallantry, courage and sacrifices of men and women of the Armed Forces as

they grapple with diverse and contemporary security challenges plaguing the country. “I appreciate your display of unparalleled loyalty to the country and dedication to duty. Being one of you, I understand what you have to undergo. This administration will continue to do all within its power and resources to ensure that your welfare is adequately catered for. “The noble culture of appreciation and respect for veterans and servicemen and women experienced all over the world is very much part of us in Nigeria. “I, therefore, look forward to a time when business concerns and service providers in the country would give special recognition and consideration to these distinguished citizens and support the veterans’ cause in any way they can through voluntary donations, employment opportunities and welfare support. “As a government, we desire to improve the capability of our Armed Forces. I am glad that our efforts are yielding positive results already in boosting the morale of men and women of the Armed Forces. “We will continue to engage them in training and retraining to improve their capacity to discharge their constitutional roles. “As I launch the emblem today, I call on all Nigerians, the diaspora and our friends to donate generously to the cause of the Nigerian Legion and families of the fallen heroes,� he said. In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Col. Masur Dan-Ali, said the patronage of the military emblem by Nigerians had not been encouraging and enjoined citizens to emulate other countries whose citizens purchase up to 90 per cent of the emblems during the remembrance period.

According to him, the only way the generality of the people can identify with the military and contribute to the welfare of the families of fallen heroes is to buy and wear the emblem with pride. He also implored them to donate funds to the Nigerian Legion to enhance the wellbeing of wounded and incapacitated soldiers, adding that the launch of the emblem and its sale are a major source of fundraising for the welfare of the families of fallen heroes.

Oyo-Ita, Kyari in Heated Exchange However, just before launch of the emblem yesterday, there was some mild drama when the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita engaged the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari in a heated argument that lasted for about 10 minutes. The argument started when Kyari, while facing Oyo-Ita, pointedly wagged a finger at her, which was perceived by the latter as a personal affront and seen as accusing her of leaking her memo to the president on the embarrassing reinstatement of alleged pension thief, Abdulrasheed Maina in the civil service. The leaked memo, published by a national daily on October 31, was the response of the Head of Service to Buhari’s query, demanding a report on the circumstances leading to the recall of the fugitive and former Chairman of Pension Reform Task Force, Maina. The Head of Service, according to the leaked memo, had reminded Buhari that she brought to his attention the implication of reinstating Maina in the civil service after a meeting of the cabinet on October 11, before

MALAMI GIVEN MANDATE TO RECOVER $321M ABACHA LOOT FROM SWITZERLAND which is intended to shift focus to international recoveries. “Before going into the memo, I think it is important to bring to your attention that recently, about a week ago, we succeeded in recovering $185 million relating to the Malabu deal from the UK. “Now, there exists a forum, that is the Global Assets Recovery Forum taking place in December in the U.S. and we are looking towards that. “We are in agreement substantially with the Swiss government for the recovery of the additional sum of $321 million. That memorandum of understanding has been substantially agreed between Nigeria and the Swiss authorities. “We intend to now execute or sign off the agreement during the global forum on assets’ recovery coming up in December. “The intention of the memo, first, is to seek the approval of the council to allow the AttorneyGeneral to sign the agreement on behalf of the Government of

the Federation of Nigeria. “Two, is to develop an instrument of ratification which will now give the AttorneyGeneral the powers to ensure the repatriation of the funds. “It is collectively agreed upon between Nigeria and the Swiss government that we on our own part should seek the approval of council to ratify the MoU as agreed, and they on their own part too should procure the instrument of ratification that will now give the respective officers of the two countries the desired power and effect to now sign off the agreement. “The memo has accordingly been approved by the council. The implication of which is that the MoU, as negotiated between Nigeria and the Swiss government, has been agreed and ratified by council. “Accordingly, the AttorneyGeneral has been mandated to execute the agreement that will see to the repatriation of the $321 million and added to

this, to develop the instrument of ratification that will be expected from both sides of the divide which will constitute the basis for the signing of the agreement in December in the U.S. during the Global Forum on Asset Recovery,� Malami explained. Also briefing reporters attached to the State House, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, said FEC celebrated Nigeria’s improved ranking in the World Bank Doing Business report which saw the country moving 24 places, up the from 169th place last year on the global ease of doing business ranking. Okechukwu said the ranking was significant because it exceeded the target of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) which sought to move Nigeria up 20 places. Describing the feat as a turning point for the country, in view of Nigeria’s slide in the last 10 years, Enelamah said the ranking

showed that the government was moving in the right direction. However, he said what was paramount to the cabinet would be to see the ranking translate to practical ease of doing business in the country. He also said FEC commended the National Assembly for passing the necessary legislations that now enable owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to obtain loans for their businesses. He also commended states, which had partnered with the council to improve the business environment in the country. Enelamah said the National Action Plans I and II which were recently launched translated to another round of reforms being pursued by the government to enhance Nigeria’s business environment. In his briefing, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu said FEC approved N40.2 billion for the completion of an irrigation dam in Kotangora,

TOP GAINERS NGN NGN BERGPAINTS 0.35 7.35 FBNHOLDINGS 0.31 6.51 PRESCO 3.32 69.82 UNIPRESS 0.10 2.25 LEARNAFRICA 0.04 0.92 TOP LOSERS NGN NGN ASL 0.37 7.11 VITAFOAM 0.12 2.85 NASCON 0.65 15.55 WAPIC 0.02 0.50 CADBURY 0.39 10.11 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś 1,250.00 Volume: 249.3 million shares Value: N5.21 billion Deals: 4,119 As at yesterday 1/11/17 See details on Page 41

% 5.0 5.0 4.9 4.6 4.5 % 4.9 4.0 4.0 3.8 3.7

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

Ekwueme in Stable Condition, Says Family Obiano prays for ex-VP’s recovery

Chritopher Isiguzo Ă“Ă˜ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă&#x; Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ David-Chyddy Eleke Ă“Ă˜ ĂĄĂ•Ă‹ The family of the former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, yesterday said the octogenarian was in a stable condition, but would remain under close medical observation for some time. The politician who recently marked his 85th birthday reportedly slumped and relapsed into a coma. last Saturday at his residence before he was rushed to a hospital in Enugu. But in the statement issued by his brother and traditional ruler of Oko community, Prof. Laz Ekwueme, and made available to THISDAY, the family said the former vice president was no longer in critical condition. “The former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was on Sunday, October 29, 2017, admitted into hospital for a chest infection. It will be recalled that the former vice president had a quiet celebration of his 85th birthday on October

21, 2017, in the company of his family members and he remained in high spirits up till his recent health challenges. “His doctors confirmed that he is stable, but he will remain under close medical attention in the mean time. “The family would like to express its profound gratitude to all Nigerians who have shown concern over this development and requests their sustained support and prayers as he continues to make a full recovery,� the statement noted. When THISDAY visited the hospital located near Penok petrol station in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu yesterday, none of the hospital staff volunteered information on the former vice-president, though a police orderly attached to him was seen within the premises looking forlon. At his residence located in Independence Layout, Enugu, the gateman simply said: “His Excellency is not around,� even as the place looked deserted. “He was trying to get

something from the table when he suddenly collapsed, and immediately someone raised the alarm, we proceeded to revive him while cautious enough not to attract neighbours,� a relative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, reportedly said. He added: “When it became obvious that he had relapsed into a coma, we rushed him to a hospital at GRA (Government Reserved Area) but we were referred to Memphys Hospital by medical consultants who

had critically examined his condition. “When there was no sign of improvement last Monday afternoon, we rallied round and informed the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, who is like a son, and he has been making plans to fly him overseas.� Among top personalities that have already visited him in the hospital were Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Peter Obi. It was also gathered that the Minister of Health, Prof

Isaac Adewole, had sent a team to the hospital to assess the situation. Reacting to the development, the incumbent Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, yesterday joined wellmeaning Nigerians to pray for the speedy recovery of the former vice-president Obiano, in a twoparagraph statement that he personally signed, enjoined Anambra people and Nigerians to pray for Ekwueme. The governor described

the former vice-president as the pride of the Igbo race and the hope for a better and peaceful Anambra State. The statement read: “Ndi Anambra (People of Anambra), please join me to pray for nna anyi (our father), His Excellency, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, who I’m told is recovering from an illness in the hospital. “Dr. Ekwueme is the pride of Ndigbo and our hope for a better Nigeria and a peaceful Anambra State.�

Ohanaeze Decries Buhari’s Refusal to Appoint South Easterner SGF The umbrella body of the Igbos, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has frowned at the continued refusal of President Muhammedu Buhari to appoint any native of the Southeast as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) even after the ruling party zoned it to the region. The body said in a statement signed by its President General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, that the president failed again to play a father figure which his office demands in presiding over a plural and divergent society as Nigeria.� The president’s action has further denied the people of the region a strong place in the executive arm of the administration,� he said. The Ohanaeze boss expressed regret that the president, by his action, has failed to seize the opportunity of running an inclusive government and assuaging the feelings of Ndigbo by side tracking them again in the appointment of the SGF. “It also shows the president’s insensitivity to the over flogged issue of marginalisation of Ndigbo by his administration. “We had thought that the recent meeting of

South-east leaders with the president at the Aso Rock Villa opened an avenue for a new relationship with the zone which appointing an SGF from the area would have helped to cement especially as the ruling party originally zoned the position to the region. According to Nwodo, the president’s remarks on the South-east ministers in his cabinet during the meeting could not have been a good reason to continue sidetracking them of position zoned to them especially when such appointment would have helped to heal wounds and reconcile a disgruntled people. He said it was saddening that the president who has had the enviable opportunity of working across the country in his military career and has been a huge player in the polity for almost two decades, cannot find somebody from the Southeast he can trust for the SGF position. The Ohanaeze finally urged the president to open his mind and have a positive attitude about Ndigbo whose contributions to the socioeconomic and political development of the country is not in doubt.

COURTESY VISIT

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Peter Ndegwa; Chairman, Babatunde Savage; and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; during a courtesy visit by the board and management team of Guinness Nigeria to the Presidential Villa in Abuja...yesterday

Dasuki Appears in Court, Says He’s Incapacitated to Give Evidence in Metuh’s Case The former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has appeared before a Federal High Court in Abuja in line with the subpoena issued on him by the court to give evidence in the trial of former National Publicity Secretary of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Mr .Olisah Metuh, over N400 million corruption charges. Dasuki who was looking cool, calm and unruffled, stormed the court in compliance with the subpoena issued on him by Justice Okon Abang at the instance of Metuh. However, the former NSA gave a brief evidence in court and later told the court that he was incapacitated to give accurate account of what transferred in the office of the NSA in 2014 because he had been clamped into detention for over two years now in spite of the bails granted him by three different High Courts and ECOWAS Court of Justice

which ordered government to immediately release him from detention. Led in evidence by Mr. Emeka Etiaba (SAN), Metuh counsel, Dasuki confirmed knowing Metuh but that he could not recall without reference to his records the transaction of 2014 upon which Metuh was put on trial by the federal government. Specifically, the ex-NSA told Justice Abang he had been kept in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) for over two years and had no access to records of his office that could make him refresh his memory to give accurate evidence. He recalled the caution issued to him by the court to the effect that he would be prosecuted if he gives inaccurate evidence in the trial of Metuh, adding that in order to give accurate evidence, he needs to have a recourse to his records to be able to give accurate evidence.

At this point, counsel to Metuh applied for an adjournment to enable Dasuki have access to his records in order to give correct evidence, adding that from all indications, Dasuki is ever willing and ready to cooperate to give reliable evidence. However, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision (EFCC), Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, opposed the application for adjournment, adding that major documents needed by Dasuki to give evidence are in the custody of the court and that Metuh’s counsel should be compelled to use the documents on the witness. He urged Justice Abang not to grant the adjournment. In his brief ruling, Justice Abang adjourned ruling on the application till November 3, 2017. Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal has fixed November 13, 2017, for hearing of the

Appeal filed by Dasuki in which he prayed the court to set aside the subpoena issued on him by Justice Abang on the ground that he had been in the custody of DSS for over two years and may not be able to give accurate evidence in the trial of Metuh. Similarly in the motion brought by former President Goodluck Jonathan praying Justice Abang to set aside the subpoena issued to him to appear in court to give evidence for Metuh, the Court in a brief ruling held that it has no jurisdiction to entertain the motion argued by Chief Mike Ezekhome (SAN) for Jonathan on the ground that the former President has not been formally served with the subpoena. Justice Abang said all issues raised by Jonathan against the subpoena can only be canvassed after he had being served with the Subpoena personally as required by the court.

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Suspected Cases of Monkey Pox in Benue, Cross River Nine out of 97 suspected cases of virus confirmed nationwide

George Okoh Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă•Ă&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ“Ëœ Amby Uneze Ă“Ă˜ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂœĂ“ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Bassey Inyang Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ‹Ăœ Reported cases of suspected monkey pox virus outbreak have been reported in Gboko and Vandeikya Local Government Areas of Benue State. The state government has said it has deployed medical personnel to the concerned areas to carry out necessary investigations on the purported outbreak. This was made known in statement issued yesterday in Makurdi by the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Cecelia Ojabo. The statement read in part: “On receiving the report of the suspected cases, I immediately deployed medical doctors to the areas. The blood sample of the suspected victims would be taken for necessary laboratory analysis to confirm whether or not they are indeed cases of monkey pox. “I urge the people of the state not to panic but remain calm as necessary measures have been put in place to protect our people from the disease.â€? Ojabo explained that the state government had long before now shown serious concern over the outbreak of the disease in other parts of the country, “that was why we embarked on serious sensitisation campaigns on how people could guard against contacting it.â€? The commissioner appealed to anyone who sees and suspects an outbreak anywhere in the

state to immediately report to the nearest medical facility for prompt action. She further advised the people to abstain from the consumption of any form of bush meat, particularly monkey, rat and squirrel, adding that handshakes should be reduced as preventive measures. She urged medical personnel to have a high index of suspicion of all fever of unknown origin and make necessary referral to the Infection Unit of the Benue State Teaching Hospital Makurdi Meanwhile, a third suspect believed to have contracted the viru has been discovered in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River state. Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Betta Edu, who confirmed the development, said the suspected carrier is a 28-yearold female local government staff. Edu said just as the previous two cases, the suspected carriers of the disease had been quarantined, while all those who made contacts with him are being traced. Edu said the blood sample of the latest suspect had been taken and handed over to the disease surveillance and notification officer for analysis. Commenting on the outcome of the two previous cases, Edu said the results for the both suspected cases which were sent to Dakar in Senegal were yet to be sent back to the health authorities of the state. Previous cased linked to suspect carriers of monkey pox were

recorded in October, in Ikom Local Government Area, and Calabar Municipal Local Government Area, respectively However, the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) yesterday said with the recent two cases reported in Benue and in Kano States within the week, the number of cases so far recorded in Nigeria since the outbreak of the disease has increased to 97 with only nine confirmed. In a one-day advocacy meeting with media chiefs/executives on monkey pox reportage drawn from the UNICEF in Enugu and Rivers Field Office and organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health held in Uyo, UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr. Eghe Abe, stated that though no death has been recorded, the virus is spreading, demanding urgent attention. Presenting a paper with the title:, ‘Understanding the epidemiology of monkey pox viral disease,� Abe and Dr. Anikeme Uwa, Akwa Ibom State Epidemiologist in their

separate presentation debunked the rumour making the rounds that some military personnels were vaccinating children with monkey pox vaccine, stating that the disease so far has no treatment or vaccine, adding that such rumours are misleading and must be ignored and discarded. They maintained that, so far the country has no screening centre hence the blood samples of suspected cases of monkey pox are taken to Dakar in Senegal for confirmation, noting that the absence of the confirmation centre in Nigeria resulted in the longer delay in confirming the cases in Bayalsa and other stages. They also pointed out that monkey pox has the same resemblance with small pox but noted that monkey pox is not as deadly as the small pox that have been eliminated across the globe long ago. According to them, the mode of its spread includes, direct blood contact with infected animal, eating half-done cooked meat of an infected animal, contact

with infected person through cough or body fluid and using infected person cloths, beddings or other belongings. They also and advocate for proper hand washing and personal hygiene.  Abe also stated that some of the symptoms include high fever, severe headache, then the pox which emanates in the face first before spreading to other parts of the body pointing out that after 21 days of the manifestation of the virus, it may not be possible to transmit the disease to other persons. He maintained that in reporting cases of monkey pox, the child right act must be taken into consideration adding that UNICEF would continue to collaborate with the media in ensuring that the aims and objective of the agency is protected. He also urged the people not to discriminate against people who were infected and treated as it may lead to suicide as witnessed in Bayelsa State where an infected person committed suicide. However, the Akwa Ibom

State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong, stressed the effort of the state government in tackling promptly the outbreak of monkey pox in the state which was achieved due to the synergy of all concerned health professionals in the state. He emphasised on the need for the public to take seriously the routine immunisations which are ongoing in the health facilities across the state. In her paper presentation with the topic,: ‘Communication products on Monkey pox: dissemination and use’, the UNICEF communication Officer, Enugu Field Office, Mrs. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, said the objective of the meeting is to increase reportage of preventive messages and up- to -date and concise information on the monkey pox. She encouraged journalists and media executives to create jingles and develop feature stories that would enlighten the people on dangers, symptoms and prevention of the monkey pox disease.

EFCC Raises the Alarm over Plot to Frame Magu Paul Obi iĂ˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

Uwujaren stated: “The objective of the plot is to cast The Economic and Financial a slur on the unblemished Crimes Commission (EFCC) integrity of Magu and expose yesterday raised the alarm him to public ridicule over attempt to frame up its “The commission, however, acting Chairman, Ibrahim wishes to alert the public that Magu, by linking him with Magu has no interest in any some acquisition of properties. property whatsoever outside According to EFCC Head Nigeria. He has neither bought a of Media and Publicity, house anywhere outside Nigeria, Wilson Uwujaren, given the nor commissioned any person dicey nature of the evil plot, or corporate body to acquire it has become expedient to property in his name or any raise “alarm over a plot by name remotely linked to him. some shadowy interests at “The latest plot is coming the receiving end of the anti many months after the corruption efforts of the agency, commission similarly raised to frame its Chairman, Mr. alarm over plots by some Ibrahim Magu, by linking the interests to pay humungous ownership of properties in a sums into Magu’s accounts number of foreign countries with a view to releasing the to him. information as evidence he had “Those behind the plot, which been compromised. is believed to be part of a grand Magu responding on the design to discredit the anti-graft attempt to rope him in the Czar, have allegedly finalised shady ownership, said: plans to name Magu as the “These plots will fail. They owner of choice properties in cannot detract me because exotic locations abroad. I am fully focused on my “To make the plot believable, assignment, which is to fight the commission said it has corruption to a standstill in information that the desperate Nigeria. cabal could take their gambit “They can only irritate to the ridiculous extent of me but they can’t stop me purchasing properties and because all men of goodwill registering them in the name in this country know the of Ibrahim Magu. They are sacrifices that we are making also prepared to sponsor some to improve the fortunes of our political hirelings who would nation. Those who assume come out openly to claim they that I have properties abroad, have information about the can go and claim them,â€? Magu property acquisitions.â€? added.Â

HERE IS THE RIGHT PERSON....

L-R: Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairmanship aspirant, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; and Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, during the aspirant’s electioneering visit to the governor in Gombe... yesterday

N1.3tn Brass Fertilizer Plant in Bayelsa  to Generate 20,000 Jobs Gets two-year tax waiver Emmanuel Addeh Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă‹ The Executive Vice Chairman of the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Limited, Chief Ben Okoye, yesterday said the N$3.6 billion fertilizer plant project is expected to generate 15,000 jobs during the construction phase and 5,000 permanent employment opportunities, when completed. Okoye spoke while receiving the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for the land allocated for the construction of the plant at the Brass Island, in Brass Local Government Area of the state from Governor Henry Seriake Dickson in Government House, Yenagoa. He highlighted the components of the fertilizer plant, explaining that it would accommodate Methanol, Urea Ammonia, Gas Processing Plants

as well as a 35-kilometre Pipeline Project. Describing the project as the single biggest private sector company in Africa with a $1 billion equity fund, Okoye canvassed the total support and cooperation of the government towards its realisation. He added that the Brass project was capable of transforming the state’s economy and that of the country as a whole. “We are here today because we have achieved 95 per cent, in terms of funding and equity for the project. You will agree with me that raising $3.5 billion in this clime is not an easy task. And, this is the first private sector investment in Africa that has attracted $1billion equity fund,� he said. Speaking shortly after presenting the C of O to the company officials, Dickson

assured the management of the Brass Fertilizer Company Limited of his administration’s readiness to sustain the existing conducive operating environment for business investments to thrive in the state. While announcing a two-year tax holiday for the company, Dickson explained that the gesture was aimed at facilitating the early commencement of the much desired investment.  He commended the management of the company for its efforts, especially in the area of funding, and re-echoed his call on the federal government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other investing partners to urgently bring the Brass Liquefied Natural Gas project to fruition.  “We are delighted having you here and we appreciate all the efforts you have been making to raise money to fund this very

ambitious project. I thank you for your continued interest in our state and for foreseeing what a number of people have not seen, which is that, Bayelsa is Nigeria’s best kept investment secret.    “On behalf of the government, we assure you of our continued support, in terms of providing a conducive operating environment, which is what I’ve just demonstrated with the signing and presentation of the C of O over the land you are interested in using to start up this all-important project. “To further encourage you, I’ve also directed a waiver of all fees for two years so that in the next one or two years, when the project must have started, you will then pay up all fees to the last kobo. We want you to put that money into the project and get it started,� Dickson said.

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COMMENT

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

FUGITIVE SCANDAL AND WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION The Maina scandal has cast doubt on the war against corruption, argues Nnamdi Ebo

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The Fugitiveâ€? as motion picture title has been shot into eight different action-thriller films in America, France, South Korea, Hong Kong and Italy, between 1910 and 2003. The eight movies have one thing in common: a person who escaped from justice, a place, in hiding, to avoid arrest or persecution; quick to disappear; and/or entertaining a fugitive idea that one is wanted. Corruption is a 1963 Italian film, a 1968 British film, a 1933 and 1983 American films, with the latter being about a businessman that “sells his soulâ€? for power. Corruption in Nigeria is an issue that adversely affects the country’s economy and the credibility of central, state and local government agencies. Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) was elected as Nigeria’s president on a promise to root out rampant corruption in government that has seen billions of dollars of public money stolen over decades. But since his landmark election win in 2015 he has yet to secure a high-profile conviction for corruption while the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party accuse him of mounting a political witch-hunt. A growing scandal involving an indicted senior civil servant has surfaced and engulfed the presidency, giving Buhari’s detractors fresh ammunition and raising questions about his grip on power. The ex-chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, is again a fugitive. The critical question: is Maina a fugitive from justice; escaped; in hiding to avoid arrest; persecuted; quick to disappear; and/or entertaining a fugitive idea? Maina was declared wanted by the EFCC over alleged N2 billion fraud but appeared in the country last month and was reinstated into the Interior Ministry with promotion despite an Interpol red alert on him in response to an EFCC request. Maina headed a task force on pension reforms during the Jonathan administration but fled Nigeria in 2015 after claims he stole N2 billion ($5.6 million or â‚Ź4.8 million). An Interpol arrest warrant was issued yet he still managed to return to Nigeria, where he has since enjoyed armed police protection. Did President Muhammadu Buhari know about Maina’s return and reinstatement? When did the president know this? There are claims that Buhari knew about Maina’s return and belatedly responded by ordering his dismissal and arrest. The EFCC said Maina had again fled Nigeria to avoid being picked up. The opposition PDP has predictably seized on Maina affair, claiming it showed the government’s fight against corruption is “mere propagandaâ€?. This position is gathering momentum, and so far, the presidency has not offered a credible answer to assuage many angry Buhari voters who feel betrayed with one of his primary election promises on the 2015 campaign trail. Two new twists in the Maina fugitive affair emerged on Wednesday, October 25 when Buhari’s aides engaged loyalists of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan in fierce war of words over who was responsible for the reinstatement of Maina. The argument raged even as Maina family said the ex-pension boss was never a fraudster but someone whose efforts had put

smiles on the faces of pensioners in Abuja and other parts of the country – as a messiah!

IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE BUT IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE FAKE OR COUNTERFEIT BUHARISTS IN BUHARI’S ADMINISTRATION THAT ARE NOT COMMITTED TO BUHARISM CONCERNING THE ANTI-CORRUPTION WAR

A messiah? The messiah I read about is the promised deliverer of the Jewish nation as prophesied in the Hebrew Bible. While not dictating how an obviously upset and embattled family can make their choice of words in defence of their breadwinner, this is carrying family support to a dizzying height. Ayo Fayose jumped on his favourite target – Buhari himself – and vociferated: “Fellow Nigerians, are you now convinced that Buhari’s anti-corruption fight is like Satan calling Judas Iscariot a sinner?� he wrote on Twitter. While this is not a religious matter, suffice it to say that Fayose is also entitled to his own choice of words, although like Maina support, he also carried his lack of Buhari support to a dizzying height. There is lingering confusion and manner of governance that needs to be cleared up here. Buhari or Jonathan, who brought Maina back to Nigeria after his first fugitive sojourn? Maina family claims Buhari government brought him back. Considering the manner Maina slipped into the country in the midst of his fugitive status, was he smuggled back to Nigeria without the president’s knowledge? If it is so, is the president’s grip on power waning? The bigger question (about the Maina affair) is how much control does the president have over his government? Answers as to whether the president is fully aware of what is going on needs to be addressed as 2019 presidential election looms. The opposition PDP is understandably amassing much-needed ammunition to battle the ruling APC. Did the so-called presidential cabal or mafia-like secret political clique engineer behind-the-scenes machinations? Opposition elements say there is unchecked corruption at the heart of the Nigerian presidency. In a Facebook post in July, Mrs. Aisha Buhari alluded to “hyenas� and “jackals� surrounding the president, while Zahra Buhari called for an investigation of the presidential health facility in Aso Rock. It’s hard to believe but it appears that there are fake or counterfeit Buharists in Buhari’s administration that are not committed to Buharism concerning the anti-corruption war. By recalling Maina to the civil service after being implicated in a pension scam, if the allegation is true, then this administration has put a big question mark on the president’s integrity. Buhari’s much-publicised/vaunted anti-corruption credentials may have been tainted, assuming all the allegations are correct. Also, if it is true, then it shows that the president is probably the only one in his own presidency who believes in his corruption crusade. This Maina scandal is not likely to go away, anytime soon, considering Buhari’s war-againstcorruption mantra. It may not equal the 37th US President Richard Nixon’s “Watergate� scandal but it is definitely a “gate� issue – “Mainagate�. This fugitive scandal may have cast doubt on the war against corruption.

WHO IS A HERO? Victor C. Ariole argues that heroes do not quit

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o proclaim people as heroes or a person as a hero in a ship that is still sailing to an unknown direction could be deceitful. However, when people decide to jump into the ocean and swim away from the ship that is still sailing in a cowardly manner, they should be termed villains. Nigeria’s ship is still sailing with wrong compass and those to provide the compass are not in want but somehow shy away from providing it. Pa Richard Akinjide seems to be one of those who had remained and continues to remain evasive in providing the compass. In his recent interview he claimed that rain started beating Nigeria and distorted its vision from the time the military struck in 1967 and according to him it was a coup led by Aguiyi -Ironsi and not Emeka Nzeogwu as being told. Furthermore he stated that it was still not the whole truth and that he was avoiding giving room for sensational headlines. Pa Akinjide is very proud of his children and grandchildren who are either first class degree holders of Oxford, Cambridge or Harvard. And he can’t claim to be proud of Nigeria from where the platform was provided and in which ship he had and has been jumping in and out as the sailing process continues to remain rudderless. As these children of his try to find Nigeria inhabitable and prefer to stay abroad as part of an indictment on his rudderless contemporaries and, as well as deriding the nests

from where they were hatched, he should rethink his stance. Unlike Zik, Balewa, Bakare, Awo, who had never abandoned the ship in its stormy sail, Pa Akinjide children had seen him run for his dear life every time the ship seemed to be running aground or hitting the rock – from 1959 when he found Zik untrustworthy to 1967 when Balewa was no more seen by him as true cabinet leader to finally discarding Shagari as he failed to listen to him on his coup whistleblowing. To him, he had all along seen Nigeria as a fraud crafted by the British even when he does not see his sending his children to acquire their degrees as fraudulent. Beyond slave trade which could even be seen as relatively better than the plundering of the African wealth by its elite like Akinjide, there is no fraud in making Africans come together as a race starting from Nigeria. After all, no country in the West started as a homogenous nation. They all worked hard to be one in the midst of differences; even the current Catalonia issue had been there for centuries as Spain kept on managing to be one with 17 autonomous regions. According to him, he has travelled all the length and breadth of Northern Nigeria and had seen and still sees that their leaders do not want progress as poverty remains endemic in the north. And he claimed to have seen in Ahmadu Bello as against Balewa, his cabinet leader; the former to him knows how to promote aristocracy than the latter; and aristocracy is never for the

empowerment of the masses from whence poverty could be reduced. So, how does he expect aristocrats to promote issues like free education that could have enabled the children of peasants and the talakawas to be empowered? Of course there was no way Akinjide could have subscribed to UPN or AG – parties for the empowerment of the less privileged. From his interview, he shows great respect for Akintola and Bello as he acknowledged them to be the people who had the same vision like him to prevent the Ironsi, as he claimed, the same way he had wanted Shagari to see in him a coup buster which Shagari failed in not accepting that the ‘chap’ he sent to deal with the Chadians was about overthrowing him. Again, here, it is neither Idiagbon nor Babangida coup. On Ironsi, Pa Akinjide sounded as if he was the one who prodded Ironsi to take over. According to him, even when there was no Balewa and it was certain that he was gone as well as Akintola, they were still holding cabinet meeting with a new assigned leader. Zik as he put it was on deceitful leave. Akinjide never agreed that power was handed to Ironsi by the acting president. Ironsi, as he said, was always with them in their meeting until he personally started questioning him on why his continued presence as Ironsi assured him that it was for their protection. Pa Akinjide only disappeared from the scene when he sensed that the Zik he felt was on a deceitful leave came back and drove down to Bakare’s

house. Then and there he ruminated that the same people in control of power were also in control of violence. Pa Akinjide is back in another stormy sailing period and he still cannot tell Nigerians how to steady the ship instead he could attend Akintola’s children ceremony and still fail to tell them why Nigeria remains in a rudderless state as if another set of group in control of power are still not in control of violence. Or, again, as if those he had aligned with in the past find in him a smarter person as he could be bold enough to say Shagari sent his two wives to him in London and he catered for them in the hospital. London the capital of the British people he claimed fostered fraudulent amalgamation on Africans. In deed Africa can only know peace if it finds heroes in the likes of Pan Africanists like Nkrumah, Nyerere, Balewa, Zik, Dubois, Senghor, Haile Selesia, Hamani Diori, Boigny , Mandela, Murtala, Rawlings, etc., who really know that there is no escape for the blackman who fails to see in the African continent the salvation ground as against those who run away at any slightest storm. In effect Africa must not postpone the common currency march. It should start and who says it could not be the match that could light up the courage to forge ahead and avoid running at any slightest storm. Down the villains and shine the heroes. Ariole is a Professor of Francophone Studies, University of Lagos

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EDITORIAL GOVERNMENT AND BVN DEFAULTERS The government action is largely justified

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n a deft move that caught many unawares, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court Abuja, last week, ordered that account holders without Bank VeriďŹ cation Number (BVN) risked forfeiting their monies. The court speciďŹ cally asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the commercial banks to “disclose all accounts in their custody and the balances in such accounts,â€? besides stopping “all outward payments, operations or transactions.â€? Even though many have raised concerns about the intention, we consider it one of the smartest ways to ďŹ ght corruption in the country. The court directive came as result of a motion ďŹ led by Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation on behalf of the federal government. The CBN had in 2014 introduced the BVN policy to all deposit money banks across the country essentially to check identity theft in the banking system. It was also designed to address issues of money laundering, credit extension and boosting ďŹ nancial inclusion since those who cannot read or write can open and THREE YEARS IS LONG access their bank ENOUGH FOR ANYONE TO accounts with their COMPLY WITH THE POLICY biometric informaWHICH ESSENTIALLY tion. The policy involves capturing IS MEANT TO CURB FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES customers’ biometric IN THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM data for ďŹ nancial transactions across all banking platforms. Despite the obvious beneďŹ ts, many Nigerians were initially unenthusiastic about the initiative, a result attributed then partly to registration “fatigueâ€? arising from other multiple and cumbersome data capture exercises. Indeed, many had expected the banks to tap into other databases like those from the elaborate SIM card registration and many others. Eventually, after repeated campaigns on the importance of the exercise, the deadline for the BVN exercise was extended to October 2015 when about 20 million bank customers were enrolled. The ďŹ gure

Letters to the Editor

rose to 30 million last week, up from 26.7 million by the end of last year, reportedly because of the recent threat of sanctions. Even at that, the exercise, which cost the nation more than $50 million, still left out millions of account holders.

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ast week, the federal government decided to bite and we consider the decision a good one. We are of course aware that many Nigerians in the Diaspora have complained about the exercise and some might have genuine reasons for not meeting up with the deadline. Indeed, in our previous intervention, we made it clear that there was no conscious effort to enrol signiďŹ cant number of people as centres where their biometrics could be captured were limited or nonexistent. It is also possible that others in many of our rural communities were not sufďŹ ciently informed. For these categories, there should, necessarily, be an extension of time. For the others, they have cause to explain their long absence in the banks in the court of law. This is as a result of a pertinent question: Why are people with genuine claims to the money in their bank accounts afraid to put their biometrics to such accounts? Unfortunately, there are also reports that some security agencies are hiding under the prevailing uncertainty to tamper with some accounts by making illegal withdrawals. This is a serious issue that goes to the heart of the anti-corruption war of this administration on which many Nigerians have become rather cynical. President Muhammadu Buhari has a responsibility to ensure that these funds are not looted by some unscrupulous ofďŹ cials. This is why we endorse the action of the federal government on appropriating all monies in bank accounts without BVN. Three years is long enough for anyone to comply with the policy which essentially is meant to curb fraudulent activities in the ďŹ nancial system. As Mr. Jiti Ogunye , a Lagos lawyer aptly put it, if for three years people didn’t come forward to supply the BVN for their bank accounts, the presumption is that such monies must be ill-gotten. We concur!

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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.

TOWARDS AN IMPROVED ABATTOIR SERVICE

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ctivities in a typical Nigerian slaughter house no doubt pose a serious threat to the environment. This is because of poor handling practices and its adverse environmental effects. In order to have access to water supply which is vital for slaughtered animal processing and to provide a sink for the run-off from meat processing activities, most abattoirs in Nigeria are situated close to surface water bodies. Pollution also occurs when solid wastes such as bones, pieces of flesh and dung are left unattended to in open spaces. When precipitation takes place, these wastes leave the land in a polluted state while part of it get washed into nearby streams. Transporting meat from abattoirs in passenger’s vehicles and motorcycles is another common practice in most parts of the country and this exposes meat to disease vectors such as flies and dust. Inspection of animals by relevant agents in most abattoirs to ascertain the health of these animals is rarely done and even when healthy animals are taken to such abattoirs for slaughter, they end up being contaminated. Undoubtedly, the unhygienic condition of abattoirs across the country remains precarious. Despite the fact that government has made several attempts to curb the activities of butchers in the country but the scale of illegal abattoirs continue at a skyrocket rate. Lagos State has a model of what a mega city abattoir should look like in ensuring a healthy and hygienic abattoir condition. The special status of Lagos as the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria and indeed West Africa with a population of about 24 million

people equates to a significant huge demand for wholesome meat production which necessitated the need for the development and upgrading of its slaughter houses. Over the years, the state has upgraded various abattoirs to suit its mega city status. Happily, Lagos State has over the years shown commitment to the upgrading and regulating the activities of the slaughter houses in the state. The Monitoring and Enforcement Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture has been clamping down on illegal abattoir operators. Some of the upgraded abattoirs include Matori abattoir, Achakpo, Ikorodu, Ibile Ilaje and a host of others under rehabilitation process. Recently, the state launched a new ultra-modern slaughter house at the cemetery market abattoir, Ifelodun Ajegunle axis of the state. The abattoir complex which is a product of collaboration between the state government and the private sector projects the commitment of the state government in its all-inclusive system of governance. The project is a proof that the implementation of government policies is not to be left to the government alone. The new cemetery market abattoir has deployed the use of modern technology in carrying out the day- to -day activities as the market is well equipped to a befitting mega city status. It has a well-constructed drainage system and has moved to an improved system of animal burning with the introduction of gas to burn animals. The animal burning section has been fully equipped with sophisticated gas burners, cylinder and host of experienced operators. Also included in the ultra-modern structure is a veterinary

inspection point, slaughter point, carcasses processing tables with running water, animal skin gas burning points, animal skinning and flaring tables, butchers changing rooms, 20 units of toilets and bathrooms, 35,000 gallons of water reservoir and a borehole. The modern facility has drastically transformed the status of the market from its unhygienic state to a guaranteed wholesome meat market in the state. As a means to maintaining the standard of the market, Lagos State government has declared the operations of butchers around Suuru Army Signal Barraks, Robo B, Ijora, Oto White Sand, Alakoto, Alaba Suuru, Itire Ajegunle, Ibafon, Wharf and Boundary which are unauthorised places used for slaughtering activities around the newly inaugurated market as illegal and should henceforth be vacated as any slaughtering activities on such areas will be prosecuted. Similarly, Lagos State has introduced a unique bio gas method of waste disposal. The biogas method is effective in disposing waste through technological advancement of generating energy at the same time. Bio gas is the only source of fuel that can supply both electricity and cooking need. Biogas can power electric generating plants as well as cooking devices. The waste generated is also a form of refined organic fertiliser. Bio gas can eliminate the use of fuel wood by the rural farmers. Above all, biogas is cheaper than all forms of conventional energy and it improves agricultural productivity and sustains the environment. Olokodana O. Idris , Public Relations Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Alausa, Lagos

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POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Igbos Have Demonstrated Faith in One Nigeria, Says Ikpeazu In an interview with newsmen, Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu stated that no other tribe had demonstrated commitment to one indivisible Nigeria than the Igbos citing the various investments they have in every part of the country. Iyobosa Uwugiaren was there. Excerpts:

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e will like to hear your experience of the activities of the military in the south east, especially Abia State and the classification of IPOB as a terrorist group. What role did the south east governors play in that controversy? If the questions we ask in this country today are whether there are inequalities, there are gaps, there are people who don’t feel that they have been fairly treated either as an individual or as a family or as a geopolitical zone, the answer is yes. There is agitation in the north east, there is a agitation in the south west, of course there is agitation in the south east but I dare say that there is no other ethnic group in this country that has as much faith in the Nigeria as a country, one united country than the people of the south east, that is why they are in Sambisa. You can count how many big businesses belonging to the south westerners that are in Aba. You can count how many big businesses belonging to the people from the north east, north west, north central that you can find in Owerri, you cannot find a four storey building belonging to somebody from the north east anywhere in the south east. But if you go to Kano, you don’t count three hotels before you count that of somebody from the south east. What it means is that we are the people that have demonstrated faith in the united Nigeria. Post war experience is that everybody started receding and then we started moving everywhere and then at the end of the day, our people are beginning to feel that we are not being trusted enough with certain strategic positions despite the fact that we have demonstrated in particular times that we love Nigeria more than anybody, we have faith in this country more than anybody. That coupled with the fact that there is huge potential energy within the youth community in Nigeria that is unused because the problem of unemployment in Nigeria for me as a biochemist, I look at it as mismanagement of energy; people have too much energy they can’t use it anywhere. So the idea is that all these agitations bottled up and all that created what you call IPOB. And then, the federal government over time started watching from the side-line because IPOB was getting money from elsewhere, setting up radio stations, indoctrinating people, all that went on. But while that was going on, at a point, the leadership of the south east through Ohaneze, through the governors started engaging Nnamdi to say, we know that there are issues. Can we find alternative channels to discuss them? Can we make studied and intellectual presentations and confront the federal government with these arguments. But he felt that his own strategy was better and all that. So, I think it got to a point when the federal government began to feel that the red line was threatened and unfortunately some of us as governors were not taken into confidence as to the details and plans and intentions of the federal government and it is the irony of this thing they call governors as chief security officers; a chief security officer but you are not controlling the Commissioner of Police, the soldiers around you, the navy around you, you cannot tell them to stop, you cannot tell them where to go. So that clash came up on us in Abia state and I was confronted as a leader to make a choice between the oath I swore, what was politically expedient and what was right and I think what was right was for me to do everything to protect the lives and properties of Abians and those that are doing business in Abia. So all that I did, the press releases, my actions, all that I did was geared towards fulfilling my mandate which was to protect lives and properties of not only Abians but of everybody that was within Abia doing business. I did not wish for one soul to die,

Ikpeazu

whether IPOB or a Fulani man or a Kogi man, I didn’t want anybody to lose his life or for us to begin to spill blood in my state. My mother told me that everybody should do everything to make sure that war does not ensue in his mother’s kitchen because the pots will break, the plates will break and after the war, with what are you going to eat? So, I do not want a war in my kitchen. If there must be war, let the war go elsewhere not in my kitchen. Why did you decide to take the made-in-Aba products campaign abroad when the government is yet to do what is expected of it in Aba --- to make the city a business hub? Aba is a business hub naturally and nobody can dispute that. The only thing we are saddled with is to enhance the business environment, open up access, do something about security and ensure that there is steady electricity supply. One has to think about strategy. When I became governor two years ago, the greatest challenge, by my analysis, was putting made-in- Japan, made-in-Taiwan, made -in-Dubai on the articles they produced and I felt that it was a fall-out of some complex, inferiority complex. So you see along the spectrum of economic development, industrialization, promotion of small and

Unfortunately some of us as governors were not taken into confidence as to the details and plans of the federal government and it is the irony of this thing they call governors as chief security officers

medium scale enterprises, you have issues with the manufacturers themselves and you also have issues of infrastructure. But the most difficult is the social issue which is the psyche of the manufacturer. It doesn’t matter what you do, if somebody is not motivated, if somebody feels he is inferior, the person will hardly be able to market his article. So we decided, strategically, to begin to carry development from two fronts: one, to do something about the basic infrastructure in Aba. We have done 23 completed roads in Aba as I speak today. We are doing the first ever interchange or what they call flyover in Aba today. The fallout of our efforts in terms of the campaign of the made-in-Aba thing has attracted direct sales about N1.3billion. Remember the 50,000 pairs of shoes for the military, remember our campaign to the customs, NYSC and all that; the direct impact from the Aba economy is that those shoe makers, those leather makers, those bag makers have seen an inflow of about N1.3billion direct to them. Beyond that we are building an industrial cluster which is purposely built for leather and garments. Once again I am excited that the federal government and almost every Nigerian today are listening. The perception about Aba today is no longer a no-go-area. People are better known today for their creativity and what they can do with their hands. I don’t want people to see our youths as criminals and bandits. When you see an average Abia man, you begin to think about creativity, you begin to think about a hard working person. We have been able to bring the Vice President on two separate occasions as he launched the first MSME clinic, an interface with licencing agents, standardization agents, all agents that are concerned with the growth and promotion of MSME in Nigeria. They came first time face to face with each other and today, the average Aba business man knows that NAFDAC should be an enabler, a promoter of business, not a stumbling block or a barricade. Now if I want to answer your question directly why did we decide to take this made in Aba thing to New York? First of all we started in Abuja, the first made in Aba fashion show was held in Abuja and on that day I remembered vividly the American embassy sent 30 delegates to come and see the kind of leather works, the kind of garments, the kind of bags that Abia people

have produced and had on exhibition and it was very successful. If you have a good product and you are proud of your product; if you recall from the first day I assumed office, I said all my dresses would be made in Aba and if you want to advertise that product, the best thing for you to do is to find the highest point on the plateau, if you have a mountain, climb. If you have a 10-storey building, climb and on top of that building, begin to talk about that article or merchandise that you are proud of. Abuja is the melting point. That led to our seizing the opportunity of the Abia family meeting in New York where the entire Abia people in New York come annually for a convention and we decided to begin to also make that statement there. A few weeks before this made in Aba fashion show, I was in North Carolina and I met the governor and the governor agreed and approved that his chief of staff, an American lady married to a Yoruba man would grace that occasion and other things happened. And then, there was an international agency that markets arts from Africa. So we said, well, I need to begin to do something about the psyche and the confidence of these shoe makers. If you recall, I have taken them to Turkey, to China and today, their New York experience has redefined how they perceived what they produce. Because my frustration was that a young man will spend 18 hours on a machine, producing something with his bare hands, wakes up in the morning and gives credit to somebody in Taiwan who was sleeping, who did not do anything and we have redefined all that now. So, they have come to realise that even the thing in America, Turkey and China is not as beautiful as what we are producing in Nigeria. It is as important to build the confidence of the primary artisans as it is important also to provide basic infrastructure. Power infrastructure is very critical to the industry. Yes, to a large extent, the federal government provides that. How are you tackling that issue too? Yes, we take it quite seriously. When I came in, I inherited the geometric project which is a private sector driven project to provide light for the Abia University area and I took up to speak with Emeka Ofor who is the EEDC boss and the Enugu DISCO who has the licence and franchise for distribution. The idea is that thing has generated electricity but you cannot distribute because somebody else is holding that end of the stick and then we brought them together and we encouraged the federal government and they reached an agreement and they at a point where money needs to change hands now and one of them will take charge and Aba will begin to enjoy uninterrupted power supply. But beyond that, the problem was to raise the money that would change hands ultimately, so I had to be also part of a team that included Pascal Dozie, Prof. Nnaji, Gen. Omayi (rtd) to Afrixim bank where we met the President of Afrixim bank in Cairo and the element of our discussions was also to see how they could provide the resources to fund geometric. I did not rest there, I also visited the Minister for Power and his own solution is the one we are test running now. He got us together with the rural agencies in charge of rural electrification and today they are unbundling. What I mean is that if you have an industry or a cluster of industries, they will do some survey and then begin to provide electricity specific for that area. So they have tested power there for two weeks now, some parts of Ariaria has enjoyed uninterrupted power for 2 weeks and they are trying to expand now and see how we can capture the entire Ariaria shoe plaza where they produce shoes and leather and all that. But I think for the Aba industrial area, we are doing something about electricity.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

POLITICS

Malami: Quality of Today’s Northern Leaders Pathetic After the demise of the Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello, the north has not been fortunate to have good leaders, a former Bauchi State Commissioner for Health and President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Professor Abubakar Sani Malami has said. He spoke to Segun Awofadeji who presents the excerpts:

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not been spared, all simply because we have lacked quality leadership.

as Nigeria achieved the objectives of the founding fathers? As a nation, Nigeria has had its own fair share of achievements and challenges. That we have remained one, the so-called giant of Africa, is truly remarkable and commendable. It is especially for this reason that I do not share the view that Nigeria is a mere “geographical expression”. However, it is highly regrettable that almost 60 years after independence, we are still unable to feed ourselves. It is equally tragic that the nation cannot guarantee the safety and economic well-being of the majority of our citizens. Ironically our coat of arms proclaims “Unity, Peace and Progress” as a national mantra. It goes without saying that all three goals remain mere dreams. One of the dreams of the great Sardauna, Ahmadu Bello, is to establish a fully developed Northern Nigeria that can match any modern civilisation in the world. Have these dreams been realised? The late Sardauna was an unfortunate giant who bequeathed midgets. He was a highly cultured man, visionary leader and above all, a selfless servant of the common man. The legacies he left in 1966 have yet to be equalled much less-improved. The quality of leaders we have today in Northern Nigeria is pathetic. It is sad that to a very large extent we are where we are now because the generation that succeeded the founding fathers in the corridors of power to-date have been a great disappointment. For

What are the problems with Nigeria and how can they be overcome? I am a believer in the Nigerian project. I am convinced that our best days lie ahead. But it is worth noting that the story of Nigeria is that of huge unrealised potential essentially because we have lacked inspirational leadership. The perception that Nigerians are inherently corrupt is wrong. We are not a lazy people. The reality is that bad governance has made many of us unpatriotic. We now tend to think first in terms of the self, clans and tribe in that order. Nonetheless, there is hope that the nation will soon get it right in view of the current efforts in favour of generational shift. I wholly subscribe to that and believe that my generation is equal to the task of nation building.

Malami

instance, if we take gainful employment, efficient health care delivery, functional literacy and infrastructure as surrogate markers of societal development, which part of Northern Nigeria could be said to be even partially developed? If you move around the north all you will see is deprivation, abandoned factories and decaying infrastructure. The hitherto efficient rail system is gone; the Kano pyramids are gone; the typical farmer or herdsman has become pauperised. Even our historical artefacts have

Do you think Nigeria should be renegotiated by all ethnic partners to chart a better course for it? As an individual I am unable to find the nexus between under development and a perception of persecution by one region or another. It goes without saying that once again dark clouds are hanging over the nation. But it is important that we understand the context under which the current wave of ethnic nationalism has prospered. It has been argued, and very eloquently too, that the solution to Nigeria’s problems is to restructure it so that the centre (federal government) becomes less powerful. In the ensuing debate it has become fashionable

If you move around the north all you will see is deprivation, abandoned factories and decaying infrastructure

to blame Northern Nigeria. A majority of those who propose this position conveniently forget that an all powerful Federal Government was a creation of Decree No.34 of 1966 which was created by former Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi. For whatever reason, his own Igbo kinsmen are now vehemently opposed to it and complain of being marginalised. It may well be true that they are indeed marginalised and a form of settlement should be found to assuage their fears while at the same time protecting the interests of the other 460 or so tribes in Nigeria. However, as a friend of the East, I am disappointed that for all intents and purposes the Igbo political leadership, the diaspora and intelligentsia have openly embraced the violent and extremist ideology of the IPOB. The militant and hostile posturing of that group should be replaced by one marked by mutual respect and understanding. It is time the people of Eastern Nigeria foud a more credible platform to actualise their dreams.

Ayinde: It’s Osun West’s Turn to Produce the Governor Taofeek Olayinka Ayinde, a member of the All Progressives Congress from Iwo in Osun West Senatorial District, has warned the leadership of the party that it will be a miscalculation to zone the governorship seat elsewhere other than his district. He spoke with Femi Ogbonnikan. Excerpts:

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hy do you want to be governor of Osun State? I have programmes that I tagged four-cardinal point which is totally different and unique which I am bringing to the table. A situation whereby workers would work and they are not being paid as and when due, should be a thing of the past. A situation whereby our teeming young graduates are unemployed should be over in Osun state. It is a unique and totally different kind of governance that has never been experimented before in State of Osun. Do you have the financial resources to contest the elections? The governorship election is a collective decision which a single individual can’t finance. It is a collective responsibility of everybody that has interest in my aspiration. If I have people, I have the resources. In Osun state, human resource is our major advantage. I am counting on that. If my people support me, the financial resource will not be a problem. It is something that I will be able to raise and it is something that can be made possible. If the governorship position is to be rotated on senatorial district basis, when will it be the turn of Osun West? Yes! It is the turn of Osun West to produce the next governor because Osun Central has had its fair share. Osun East is currently enjoying the seat. Wthin Osun West, it is even my community, Iwo, that has a stronger claim to the seat because right from the inception of the progressive days of old, Iwo has been marginalised. I am from Iwo

and I just have to let you know that. Iwo has suffered as the home of progressive elements. We have practically worshipped and followed all other aspirants elsewhere, and uptil today we have never produced somebody either as an administrator or as a governor of any state. There is no community that is as big as my community that has never had that kind of opportunity. So, as it is now, Osun West under, which Iwo falls, has a stronger claim to becoming the next governor of Osun State.

still very much on ground. No factions and no divisions. If there is any division at all, it will only be based on an individual aspiration, and the governorship election that is coming up very soon. If we are able to resolve that, the party will still be stronger. What happened during the last Osun West Senatorial District election was as a result of some kind of disgruntled forces which worked against the party within the state. It was what caused the problem. It doesn’t mean that APC is weak and it can’t win any future election. Besides, my community is the stronghold of APC and I can’t leave my people. I still have to remain in APC and make my people comfortable in the process of taking decision about who should represent them.

On which political platform are you vying for the governorship contest? For now, it is All Progressives Congress (APC). Why APC? I have been in the struggle for years, beginning from the birth of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). I have been there. I had worked for AD.

It is the turn of Osun West to produce the next governor because Osun Central has had its fair share. Osun East is currently enjoying the seat

Ayinde.

I had even contested into the Osun State House of Assembly which was in 2003 and on the platform of the AD. Then, I was not picked. In that 2003 too, AD didn’t win the state’s governorship. In Delta Sate where I resided, I had been the Publicity Secretary of the AD in Uvwie Local Government Area. The national chairmen of the party, then Abdulkadir, I was a delegate from Delta state that elected Abdulkadir national chairman of the party. It was the death of Chief Bola Ige that actually made me to lie low because I was an ardent follower of Cicero of Esa-Oke. When he died, the thing really affected my political interest. I had to lie low and restricted my participation in local politics only to my ward level. As far as party structure is concerned, in Osun state, APC still stands a better chance because the party is

How close are you to the grassroots? I am very close to the people. I am a product of the grassroot. I am always with my people. I am always with the youths. I have organised many empowerment programmes that cut across many segments within my community and its environs. I have been contributing to the development of youths in my community. Not quite long, and right from the time I was growing up, I have links and connections with people within the community. There is no political front in my community where am not known. There is no area I have not touched. There is no area within Iwo community that, they would mention my name and somebody would get up and say, he does not know me or that, I haven’t identified with this community. No! And right from the time I have been eligible and attain the voting age of 18, I have always been voting in my polling unit. I always mobilise my people, for my party and for our interest at all time.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Championing the Fight against Breast Cancer Mary Ekah writes on the highpoints of BRECAN’s 20th anniversary and third international symposium, held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, to educate the public on what needs to be done to combat breast cancer

The First Lady of Ondo State leading the procession on ‘Joy for Life’

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wenty years ago, she fought and successfully conquered breast cancer. After the defeat, a new journey began for her, a journey not just as a survivor but as a testimony and inspiration for others. Twenty years down the lane, the battle is still on and today as an advocate against breast cancer, under the auspices of her NGO, Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), which has existed for 20 years now, wife of Ondo State governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu is very determined and zealous to tell anyone and indeed everyone that this disease that is feared so much, can in fact be defeated if the right thing is done at the right time. Breast cancer, experts say, is currently one of the most unresolved public health challenges facing the Nigeria’s healthcare system. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 250,000 cases of breast cancer are seen each year in Nigeria. Of these, nearly 10,000 deaths occur, which account for the highest numbers of deaths from breast cancer in any African country each year. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that there is a trend towards increasing incidence of breast cancer in Nigerian women, due probably to decades of inaction in the country to deal with the problem. And yet, it is evident that there is currently extremely low level of awareness about breast cancer by Nigerian women. This is due to inadequate knowledge of breast cancer by vulnerable women, and the poor integration of breast cancer prevention and treatment into Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system. Alas! Breast cancer is the most common cancer and is the most common cause of death from cancer among Nigerian women. Whereas death from breast cancer has declined in many parts of the developed world, death rate from the disease has continued to rise in Nigeria. It was therefore imperative that the 20th anniversary and 3rd international symposium of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria was basically focused on breast cancer and how to counter the inaccurate perception about breast cancer that exists in Nigeria, and to make recommendations on ways to build a better understanding of the disease that would lead to its sustainable prevention and control. Held at the International Events Centre

(Dome), Akure last week, the event kicked off with a grand opening ceremony which had in attendance people from all walks of life who had not only come to celebrate with the wife of Ondo State governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, a survivor of breast cancer for 20 years but to also proffer ways of curbing the dreaded disease. In attendance, was the wife of Kebbi State governor, Dr. Zainab Bagudu, wife of Kwara State governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, and other notable people from in and out of the country. While welcoming guests, the host, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, who has been a solid rock to his wife over the years, said he had strong belief in advocacy of BRECAN, while promising to establish a breast cancer management centre to support the fight against the disease in the state and Nigeria at large. “I believe in your advocacy and I will do what I can for BRECAN because it is for people of Ondo State in particular and Nigeria in general. We will establish breast cancer management centre. We will pursue this with what we have and it will be done. It will be given to architect to be designed because breast cancer must be vigorously fought,” the governor said. While soliciting for support for breast cancer awareness campaign and help for those in dire need to combat breast cancer, governor Akeredolu stressed that all hands must be on deck to fight the dreaded disease. At the opening ceremony symposium of BRECAN 20th anniversary, which had the theme, ‘Prioritising Breast Cancer Survival in Nigeria’, Professor Friday Okonofua (FAS), Vice-Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Ondo State, during his presentation tagged, ‘Attitude Towards Breast Cancer in Nigeria: The Way Toward’, said currently, Nigeria has one of the highest prevalence rates of breast cancer in the developing world. He explained that part of the reasons for this worrisome trend was the persisting misconception about breast cancer by women which prevent the adoption of evidence-based methods for the prevention and treatment of the disease. He explained that breast cancer is currently the most dominant cancer among women in Nigeria; and that it is the most common cause of death from cancers in women. Some of the background reasons for this trend, he

said include the inadequate health seeking, behaviour for the disease by women. He further spoke on the attitude and perception of women regarding the causes and methods of prevention, which he said bear negative consequences on early health seeking of the disease. He said because in most cases, breast lumps are not painful, women ignore the disease at early stages until it progresses to advanced stage. While presenting the true facts about the causes, prevention and curative methods for breast cancer-based on the currently available evidence, the expert posited that although the causes of breast cancer are still not fully known, early recognition and treatment of the disease can subsequently increase the number of women who survive the disease. He therefore made substantive recommendations on ways to improve community awareness on breast cancer in Nigeria in accordance with successful efforts that have been applied in other parts of the world. “We believe that the efforts of organisations such as the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria in building awareness about breast cancer is an effective and potentially impactful intervention for attending sustainable reduction of breast cancer disease burden at scale,” he noted. While commending BRECAN and its management for the milestone achievement, he said the phenomenal impact that this frontline organisation has made in mobilising a national activism for the prevention and management of breast cancer cannot be over-emphasised. “Today BRECAN is one of the best examples of the critical role that non-governmental organisation can play in the country if they are properly integrated into the development plan. There is no doubt that BRECAN has shown extreme passion, devotion and commitment to educating women about the ill-effect of breast cancer, a worthy cause which it pursues relentlessly and vigorously. “The number of persons who may have been reached and who have benefited directly or indirectly from the messages of BRECAN may never be accurately known but there is no doubt that this organisation has stamped its footprints in the sands of time and has provided critical benchmark with which best performing organisations in health and social development will be measured in this country

for many years to come.” While commending the pioneering efforts of BRECAN for championing the cause of breast cancer prevention and treatment in Nigeria over the past 20 years, he suggested that specific measures such as providing evidence-based information to women to demand breast cancer prevention services and the improved supply of qualitative breast cancer prevention and treatment services would be critical in efforts to reduce the burden of breast cancer disease and deaths in Nigeria. “I wish to specially congratulate the Founder of BRECAN, Her Excellency Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu for her great leadership qualities, resilience and resourcefulness, which have led BRECAN to this stage. She is a great example of what can be achieved in the country when women are given the rightful place in society, especially in the political configuration of our dear country.” He described the Ondo First Lady as a frontline patriot and visionary and a highly intelligent mobiliser who will stop at nothing but to see to the social transformation of this country when she believes in an issue. BRECAN’s founder, Betty Anyanwu–Akeredolu, who was extremely disappointed over the indifferent attitude exhibited towards the conference by doctors and other stakeholders in the state health sector, noted, “I brought to them an international conference and what probably kept them away is that they were told to pay for it but if you want to participate in this kind of conference elsewhere in the world, the registration fee alone could be from 800 to 1,000 dollars and then you would buy flight tickets, book for accommodation and all that which would gulp about a million naira and these same people BRECAN brought here are the ones you are going to meet there. Some of these doctors were probably waiting for government to pay for them or claim they do not have money and therefore missed this great opportunity. You would agree with me that this is a conference of international standard and yet doctors and surgeons from the state hospital as well as other stakeholders from the state’s health sector didn’t show serious interest in it and we hear of how our women are mutilated by operations carried out by some of these doctors because they don’t go for continuous education like conferences and workshops

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FEATURES of this nature that would have sharpened their skills. They are stocked here and don’t know what is going on in today’s world and yet we brought something like this to their footsteps, which would improve their skills yet they were not here.� Not discouraged by the nonchalant attitude shown by stakeholders in the health sector towards the disease, Mrs. Akeredolu, said BRECAN was a beacon of hope for womenfolk, stressing that breast cancer could be defeated. She decried the continued rising cases of the disease on a daily basis and said that BRECAN would continue to support movement to help as regards breast cancer. “We do provide platform for local and international groups to render assistance in waging war against breast cancer and provision of modern techniques. “And we are to introduce comprehensive initiatives to Ondo State Government to support our programmes and I will continue to mount pressure on Mr. Governor, who has promised to be of help and I know he will not renege on his promise. I am proud of BRECAN achievements recorded so far and the struggle continues,� she said. And indeed the struggle continued, as this very determined advocate and First Lady of Ondo State took the campaign to the State House of Assembly where she was warmly received by Deputy Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji, on behalf of the Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun. The essence of the visit was to intimate the House of BRECAN’s plan to come up with a bill on cancer control and establishment of a cancer treatment centre in Ondo State. ““It has always been my dream that someday I will be at the National Assembly to lobby our senators. Charity they say begins at home – this is our own National Assembly in Ondo State. BRECAN is here today to tell you that we need to do something to save the lives of our women who do not have money for diagnosis. We have come to let you know that there is need have a robust cancer control plan in place. BRECAN plans to come up with a bill on cancer control and for the establishment of cancer treatment centre in Ondo State,� she added while stressing that BRECAN will continue to create awareness as it is the entry point in the fight against breast cancer. Thanking the legislators for their support so far, she urged them to hasten in passing a bill to support the fight against breast cancer in the state, noting that without the collective efforts and collaboration of all arms of government and members of the society at large, the fight against breast cancer would continue to be very tough. She said, “Cancer treatment is very expensive and that is why we are seeking the support of the Ondo State House of Assembly in combating this scourge. “To defeat breast cancer, every arm of government and in fact the whole society needs to work together. It is for this reason that awareness is very important. If our women have access to information and healthcare facilities, this battle would be won in no time.� Speaking during an interactive session with members of BRECAN on the floor of the House in Akure, the Deputy Speaker, Ogundeji, on behalf of the Speaker, Oleyelogun, said that they would do all within their capacities as legislators to ensure that the battle against breast cancer was won. While promising that the House will give accelerated passage to the proposed bill on cancer control, the deputy speaker said, “I want to appreciate you for what you are doing and for starting the awareness campaign against breast cancer, especially to educate the Ondo State women. Before now, I used to think that breast cancer was not curable but after listening to you today, I can understand that with adequate information and early intervention, breast cancer can be cured and even prevented. I want to assure you that the assembly will put all efforts to ensure the appropriation of the bill for the control of breast cancer in Ondo State so that the disease will no longer pose as a death sentence to any of our women in Ondo State.� “Before your address, I thought breast cancer is not curable but with your address, I now know that with adequate care, breast cancer can be controlled. It is in our interest that breast cancer should not be a death sentence to any woman in Ondo State. We are assuring you that whenever the executive is bringing their appropriation bill to the

L-R: Commissioner for Women and Social Development, Ondo State, Hon. Wumi Olatunji Edet; First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr. Zainab Bagudu, First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu –Akeredolu; First Lady of Kwara State, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed, and a participant at the 20thAnniversary and 3rdInternational Symposium of BRECAN held in Akure, Ondo State...recently

L-R: Assistant Professor , Department of Medicine Division of Oncology, University of Washington, Dr. Sasha Stanton; Radiation Oncologist at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria, Dr. Kristen Hopkins; Founder, Cierra Sisters, Ms. Bridgette Richardson; a Consultant to Government of Ondo State on Cancer Control and Clinical Assistant Professor , University of Washington, Dr. Kingsley Ndo and Representative of BIO Ventures for Global Health, Dr. Jennifer Dent , all Speakers at the Health Professional section during the BRECAN 20th Anniversary Symposium

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and wife, Betty, at the event

House and cancer control is included; you will have no difficulty with us and we will give it accelerated passage,� he added. Speaking further, Ogundeji said, “The issue of breast cancer is no longer a small matter and that is why as legislators interested in the welfare and safety of our people, we will do all we can to support the ongoing fight against the disease led by BRECAN. We believe that the moment that the proposed bill is passed and the breast cancer centre erected, our women would no longer die of this disease that can be defeated.� The campaign didn’t just end at the premises

of the Ondo State House of Assembly but proceeded to the streets of Akure the next day as BRECAN members, survivors, supporters as well as top government officials, women groups as well political office holders embarked en mass on a walk tagged ‘Jog for Life’, kicked off by 7:00a.m. from NEPA Neighbourhood Market to Arcade Ground, Igbatoro Road Akure. The participants in their thousands in branded pink colour T-shirts including the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Ajewole Ajayi, sang various solidarity songs in supports of the total eradication of cancer in Nigeria.

After ‘Joy for Life’, the next port of call was a fundraising dinner, scheduled for the night in a makeshift tent at the Smokin Hills Golf Resort, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo. Even the heavy storm that let down the rain in strong torrent, just when the night event was about to take off, tearing down the tent flat to the ground, could not stop the dinner from holding. It indeed held, when most people had given up hope that the shattered tent was end of discussion for the day. It all go a long way to show how determined and strong-willed, this Ondo First Lady is in fighting the disease.

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IMAGES

L-R: Investment OďŹƒcer, European Investment Bank (EIB), Markus Schulte; Managing Director/Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Mr. Tony Okpanachi; Loan OďŹƒcer, EIB, Inma Soto Riba and Head of Financial Sector, EIB, Robert SchoďŹ eld, during the visit of representatives of the EIB, equity partners, to DBN oďŹƒce in Abuja... recently

L-R: Managing Director/Chief Strategist, Chain Reactions Nigeria, Israel Opayemi; Convener, Global PR Summit, Paul Holmes, and Lead Consultant, Absolute PR, Akonte Ekine, at the global PR 2017 summit, St. Regis, Bal Habour, Miami Florida, United StateĂ–recently

L-R: Product Manager, DuďŹ l Prima Foods Plc, Onome Asagbra; Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe; Ex-International, Augustine Azuka “Jay Jayâ€? Okocha and, General Manager, Marketing and Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho during the MultiChoice Premier League Trophy Tour held at the Indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos...recently

R-L: CEO, Stanbic lBTC, Mr Yinkaa Sanni; Non Executive Director, Mrs lfeoma Esiri, BeneďŹ ciary of the Together4limb lnitiative, Chinasa Akuma and her mother, Mrs Akuma during the presentation of cheque to the beneďŹ ciaries by Stanbic lBTC in Lagos on Saturdayy, ABIODUN AJALA

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

L-R; Public Policy Programs Manager Facebook, EMEA, Sherry Dzinoreva; Lagos State District Coordinator of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Mr. Yinka Fisher; FacebookĂ­s SMB Sales Manager, EMEA, Abi Williams and, Executive Director, Fate Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi at the inaugural launch of FacebookĂ­s SME Council in Nigeria...recently

L-R: Chairman of the Ocassion and Founder, Benola Foundation, AVM Femi Gbadebo (rtd); Representative of the Chairman, Inspiration Services Group, Mr. Sunny Irabor and the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, during the maiden edition of a public lecture on reproductive health by Inspiration 92.3fm in LagosĂ–recently

L-R; Chief Relations Strategist, Upticom Marketing, Mr. Olusegun Mcmedal; Member Board of Trustees, DAGOMO Foundation Nigeria, Mrs. Ilueko Omoigui; Managing Director, Wellcare Home Medicals and Nightingales School of Nursing, Dr. Olajumoke Odunsi; and CEO, Successful Agin Initiative, Dr. Oludaisi Oduniyi, at the Reneu and Reward designed to mark the International Day of Older Persons, at Sickle Cell Foundation, Idi-Araba, LagosĂ– recentl.y SONDAY ADIGUN

L-R; Mr. Sandeep Sood, Alhaji Ahmed Abdulkadir, Asiwaju Solomon Onafowokan, His Highness, Emir of Kano Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Otunba Richard Adebayo , Barr. Ezinwanne Nnoruka and Mr. Aditya Chellaram during a courtesy visit to the Emir by the Chellarams’ management in Kano...recently.

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Quick Takes AfICTA Summit to Tackle Cybercrime

SENSITISATION WORKSHOP

L-R: Director of Finance and Accounts, Federal Ministry of Justice, Dr. Mohammad Yakubu; Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe; Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Dayo Akpata; Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Umar Etsu and Chairman, Drafting Committee, National Policy on Justice, Prof. Mohammad Tabiu (SAN), during the Sensitisation Workshop on the National Policy on Justice, 2017 in Benin City‌ recently

Danbatta: Ubiquitous Broadband Penetration Will Boost Local Production, Reduce Import Dependence Emma Okonji Given the current 21 per cent broadband penetration in the country, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has called for increased penetration of broadband across the nooks and crannies of the country, insisting that ubiquitous broadband will not only boost broadband penetration, but will also reduce ICT import dependence. Danbatta who made the remark in Lagos during the finals of the National Innova-

TELECOMS tion Changemaker Challenge, organised by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), said: “Our resolve at the NCC, and the collective efforts of industry stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria achieves and indeed surpasses the National Broadband Plan target of 30 per cent penetration by 2018, is yielding results with above 21 per cent penetration already achieved. He added: “This is a sync with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) policy objectives on telecommunications/ICT to encourage

rapid ICT penetration among all socioeconomic levels and increase broadband penetration, as well as to promote and encourage local production of ICT hard and software, so as to reduce import dependence and generate foreign exchange by exporting to the regional and continental markets.� Represented by the Head of Strategy and Corporate Performance at USPF, Mr. Kelechi Nwankwo, Danbatta explained that the ERGP acknowledges that ICT and digital technology have the potential to ramp up employment, transform labour productivity and create new economic sectors.

Danbatta was of the view that should Nigeria surpass the 30 per cent broadband penetration by 2018, it will create ubiquitous broadband availability across the country that will enhance innovation in such a way that technology solutions that could address immediate challenges, reduce importation of technology solutions and turn around the fortunes of the country, could be developed locally in Nigeria. President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Mr. James Continued on page 24

NCC Sets Up 12-man Taskforce to Curb Improper SIM Card Registration Emma Okonji Disturbed by the imminent dangers of rising incidences of improperly registered, unregistered and pre-registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that the situation, if left uncontrolled, could cause serious security breach in the country. The Commission therefore said it would no longer tolerate any telecoms operator that still accommodates improperly registered and pre-registered SIM cards on their networks. The Executive Vice Chairman

TELECOMS of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta gave the charge recently in Abuja, after a high powered meeting with all the telecommunications companies operating in Nigeria. The meeting, it was gathered, was the highpoint of several meetings initiated by the Commission in the last two years with a view to finding solutions to the recurrent dangers of the improperly registered SIM Cards in the country. NCC had in October 2015, fined MTN a whopping N1.04 trillion for its refusal to deactivate 5.2 million improperly

and unregistered SIM cards on its network, despite several warnings. According to NCC, each infraction attracted N200,000 fine and MTN had 5.2 million infractions from 5.2 million improperly registered and unregistered SIM cards on its network, which amounted to N1.04 trillion. Although the fine was later reduced by 25 per cent, which brought it to N780 billion after much plea bargain from MTN, the telecoms company is still paying the fine that was spread across three years for easy payment. Danbatta however expressed

the fears especially in reference to security reports from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the fear of non compliance to the Telephone Subscribers Registration Regulation 2011, by the telcos. He warned that the current situation would no longer be business as usual. “We must safeguard lives and property of Nigerians who travel by road especially now and the festive seasons and others who may be threatened or blackmailed via unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards.� Continued on page 24

ÓÞÒ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă Ă&#x;Ă–Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÙ Ă?ĂŁĂŒĂ?ĂœĚ‹ ËʾËĂ?Ă•Ëœ Ă?ÞËÕĂ?ÒÙÖÎĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ÑËÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹Ëœ Ă˜Ă?âÞ ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă• Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă? Ëœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“Ăž Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ëœ ÒÙå ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž ÞÙ ÞËĂ?Ă•Ă–Ă? Ă?ĂŁĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă—Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?ÚÓĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă?Ëœ ËŤ Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ëœ Ă˜Ă? Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë? Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËŹËœ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? ͳÞÒ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă? Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍą ÞÙ Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ™ Ă“Ă˜ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ˛Ëœ Ă™Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‘ Ă“Ă˜ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍłËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ’Ă™Ă?Ă• Ă“Ă˜ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´Ë› Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ?ÞËÓÖĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ËÚËĂ?ÓÞã ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“Ăž Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă•Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă”Ă‹Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă? Ëœ ĂœË› Ă“Ă—Ă?Ă™Ă˜ Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŁĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“ĂšĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ͱ͎͹͎ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹Ëœ ËÎËÚÞÓà Ă? ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă–ĂžĂ’Ëœ Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă? Ù××Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă”Ă™ĂŒĂ? Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂŒĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽË› Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŁĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă“Ă? ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ÞÒ Ă?×ÚÙåĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă—Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă•Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ™ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ÖʨÖÖ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă? Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ ÎÓÑÓÞËÖ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ă?ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă?Þã åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÙËÖĂ? Ͱ͎͹͎˛

MultiChoice Makes Top 50 Brands List Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËœ Ă&#x;ÖÞÓ ÒÙÓĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ÞÙÚ ͳ͎ ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ă?ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ÙÚ ͳ͎ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ę¨ĂœĂ—Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Í°ÍŽÍŻÍ´ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă&#x;ÖÞÓ ÒÙÓĂ?Ă? ÚÖËĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ËŞĂ? ÚËã̋ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁË› ËŤ Ă’Ă?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ ĂŽĂ?ʨĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ÙÎÎĂ?Ëœ åÓÞÒ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă— ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÑÙÙÎ ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă&#x;ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă? ÞÒËÞ ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—ĂŁËž ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?×ÚÖÙãĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;ĂœËž ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ?ËÖÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ? à ÓÞËÖ ÑÙÙÎĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ?ËœËŹ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžË› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă? âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? ĘŠĂ?Ă?ĂœËœ ÙÚ ͳ͎ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ĂœË› Ă‹Ă“ĂĄĂ™ Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ™ĂŁĂ?ĂŽĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? ÞËÑÑĂ?ĂŽ Í­ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ ˍËÚÚĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă? ÞÙ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ÙÚĂ?Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ™ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹ĂžĂ? åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŒĂŁ Ă?Ă˜Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? ĂžĂ™ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ ÞÙÚ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁË›ËŹ Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ™ĂŁĂ?ĂŽĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™ ĂŒĂ?ĘľĂ?Ăœ ÞÓ×Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ“ĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁËœ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;ĂšĂ™Ă˜ ĂŒĂŁ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž ÞÙ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹ ÚÙĂ?ÓÞÓà Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă—Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ? ÓÞ˛

9mobile Unveils Roaming Bundles

Ă˜ Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă‘ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?×ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? åÓÞÒ Ă“Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă Ă?Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă– Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? Ă‹Ăž ĂŒĂ‹ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÍˇĂ—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ÓʨĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă? Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă&#x;Ă— Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă?Ëœ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–ĂŁ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ËÖÖÙå Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ Ă?ÙÖÖĂ?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂœĂ™Ă‹Ă— Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă‹ĘĽĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ë› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‘Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ÍˇĂ—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă?Ëœ ÖËÞÙ ĂŁĂœĂ“Ă—Ă“Ă?Ëœ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ĂŽĂ™ĂšĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă•Ë›

Ăž ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ ĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ăž ÞÙ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ÞãÚÓĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ? åÓÞÒ Ă?ÙÖÖĂ?Ă‹Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÖÙà Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁË›

“The act establishing the NBC speciďŹ es that regulating the Industry is a core function of the Commission in order to ensure decent, objective and factual reportageâ€? Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ishaq Modibbo Kawu,

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

DANBATTA: UBIQUITOUS BROADBAND PENETRATION WILL BOOST LOCAL PRODUCTION, REDUCE IMPORT DEPENDENCE Emadoye, at a recent technology event in Lagos, expressed his worries that Nigeria was losing so much to software importation and called on government to revisit its policy on patronage of local software, which clearly stated that all government agencies must first consider local software and patronise it, in order to encourage local software growth in Nigeria. The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Isa Pantami also expressed concern about the heavy dependence on imported ICT products into the country, and explained that so much money had been lost to ICT importation. According to Pantami, over N720 billion is estimated to be leaving Nigeria’s economy annually through the importation of IT equipment, solutions and services.

NCC SETS UP 12-MAN TASKFORCE TO CURB IMPROPER SIM CARD REGISTRATION Danbatta noted that several security challenges had bedeviled the country as a result of the menace of these improperly registered SIM Cards. He expressed his dissatisfaction that even where SIM Cards were registered, the captured data represents strange figures different from the user of such SIM Card. He said the dangers are real and everybody will lose at the end, hence the need to address this now before the situation gets out of hands. While appreciating the cooperation of the telcos so far in the race to solve the challenge, Danbatta said much is left to be done “hence this meeting�, for continuous engagement adding that the meeting had the backing of the government which desires solutions as quickly as possible. Consequently, NCC has set up a 12-man taskforce to stem the scourge.

Group Business Editor

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

Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ äĂ? Comms/e-Business Editor

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

ÙÎÎã Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă? Senior Correspondent

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

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

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

Obaseki: No Going Back on Gelegele Seaport Project Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has assured the people of the state that work on the Gelegele Seaport is in progress as there is sufficient economic justification for its development. Speaking to journalists on the socio-economic gains of the planned seaport, Obaseki explained that the project would serve as an agro-processing zone and will be driven by the state government and the private sector. Reacting to the rejection of a motion on the establishment of the seaport, sponsored by Honourable Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma in the House of Representatives, Obaseki said Gelegele seaport will serve as an export processing zone, noting that the appropriate agencies are already being consulted. “For me, I don’t understand what was being attempted or what the issues are at the House of Representatives. We never designed a Port that requires such a motion to be moved on the floor of the National Assembly. I must add that we are ready to work with all organs of government to realise this project as it will impact greatly on the economy of the state and region,� the governor said. He explained that the seaport will be located where there is enough gas that can be used to generate electricity and power industries. “There is sufficient economic justification for the Gelegele port and we will raise funds from the private sector to develop the facility. We do not believe that the federal government will stop or discourage Edo State from building a Port that is economically viable,� he added. Obaseki said the seaport is on course as his administration is talking to consultants who are currently working on the designs and conducting studies

on water depth, the width of the river and the amount of dredging needed. He assured Edo people that a lot was being done to make the project a reality within the shortest and realistic time possible. Recently, the governor received the technical report on the proposed Gelegele Seaport, which is envisioned to serve as a key artery for the state’s economic diversification efforts. The governor received the report from the Technical Committee on the actualisation of the Gelegele Sea Port, led by its chairman, Greg Ero. Obaseki had commended the committee for a job well done and noted that the project was a critical infrastructure

in the state. He stressed the role of water transportation as a major driver of economic activity, noting that moving goods through the waterways remain one of the fastest means to grow the economy. According to him, the Gelegele Seaport is essential in view of the incoming investment to the state, as the setting up of a sea port will enhance the evacuation of agricultural produce in a cost-efficient manner to both the local and global markets. He said the move to establish the port is apt and in line with the federal government’s economic recovery plan, which stipulates that states develop

economic plans that will stimulate exportation. “We have travelled to various countries, especially Asia, to attract investment that will revamp our competitive advantage in oil palm and rubber. Edo State is a logistic hub for this country. From here, goods can be efficiently moved to various states and distributed across the country.� Noting that the state government would ensure that the report guides the implementation of the project, he said: “As a government, we want to assure you that the report is critical. We will immediately commence work on the recommendation and seek expert impute in building an infrastructure of

this magnitude.� The chairman of the committee, Ero said his team worked on the terms of reference it was given to prepare a report on the port that would open Edo up to the world, adding, “We visited Gelegele community, relevant offices and locations. We gathered information and data from various sources, including reports on previous assignment commissioned by the Federal Government on Gelegele.� Ero said the committee took a holistic view of the project and addressed in great details, the location of seaport, sea route to the Atlantic Ocean, and critical issues of port viability required to pass a business case test.

MEET AND GREET SESSION

L-R: Member of Advisory Board, WISCAR, Boma Ayomide-Alabi; Director/Founder, WISCAR, Amina Oyagbola; Director, WISCAR, Adebayo Oyagbola and Steam Two WISCAR Mentee, Lola Esan, at the Meet and Greet session in Ikoyi, Lagos‌ recently

‌ Seeks National Policy on Capacity Building for Judicial workers The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has made a strong case for the enhancement of judicial workers’ capacity in the National Policy on Justice 2017, which is currently being reviewed. According to Obaseki, this will address the capacity challenge faced by operators in the judicial system with consequent impact on the rights of Nigerian citizens, and law and order. Obaseki made the case while declaring open a two-day National Sensitisation Workshop on the National Policy on Justice in Benin City, on Monday. He said: “The policy should address the issues of sound structures and processes for the judicial system; the need to improve capacities of judicial operators, and put into consideration the role of alternative dispute system in the country to protect the rights of citizens.â€? The governor said that the implementation of a National Policy on justice is apt as the Nigerian Justice system needs to be reformed. “Our administrative justice system craves for reforms. There is need to restore absolute

confidence in our justice sector. There are still doubts about the Nigerian judiciary system being the hope of the common man, we are hoping that all the identified challenges in the judicial system would be addressed in the policy, to make for efficient justice delivery in the country�, he said. The governor noted that his administration has already embarked on the implementation of the action plan to improve justice delivery system in the state. He said the state government has cued into the initiative of the National Security Adviser on prison reform and plans to decongest the prison by 50 percent in March next year. Furthermore, he said that part of the reform includes the appointment of more judges to facilitate speedy trial, invest in technologies to improve record keeping in the courts and the construction of an ultra-modern court complex equipped with digital recording system. Earlier in his address, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami represented by the Solicitor General of the

Federation, Dayo Akpata, said the National Policy on Justice

was necessitated by the absence of a policy framework to foster

collaboration among stakeholders in the system.

NBC Refutes Allegation on Broadcasting Code Violation Emma Okonji The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has denied allegation that its Director General, Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, accused some supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari, of violating the broadcasting code. In a statement signed by its Corporate Affairs Manager, Maimuna Jamida, the Commission said the NBC organised a stakeholders forum on political broadcasts last week in Kano because of its large population size with over twenty operating broadcast establishments. Jamida explained that: “The act establishing the NBC specifies that regulating the industry is a core function of the Commission in order to ensure decent, objective and factual reportage by all operators, and this resonates with

the expressed determination and policy thrust of the present administration to eliminate hate and incendiary speeches and broadcasts across all levels of society, that have heated and strained the society and law enforcement efforts.� He added: “It was against this background that the Director General of the Commission, in his address at the occasion, alluded to the escalating spate of hate speech in political broadcasts, and the imperative for broadcast operators to be vigilant and be guided by the broadcasting code in their operations. He expressed his worries over instances where political actors often misconstrue the statutory role of NBC as an industry regulator to be impeding/restricting their political activities, making such actors to reach out to contacts in high levels of

government for undue political interference and advantage. In making this observation, the Director General drew several examples across political and regional boundaries to justify the assertion.� He described as grossly untrue and mischievous to misrepresent the remarks of the Director General of the NBC at the forum as an exclusive accusation targeted against supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari. The position of the NBC on hate speech and other incendiary broadcasts remains consistent with the overarching principles and rules of global best-practice, and are aligned to the broader policy thrusts of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the statement said.

25

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

StakeholdersChallengeCTOonInternational Collaboration for Spectrum Allocation Stories by Emma Okonji Following the global scarcity of spectrum frequencies, which is already affecting the rollout of broadband and other telecoms services in Nigeria, industry stakeholders have called on the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), to lead the way in international collaboration on spectrum management. They were of the view that the CTO Secretary-General, Mr. Shola Taylor, who is a Nigerian, undertakes to increase CTO’s efforts in international coordination on spectrum issues. The Minister of State for Information Technology, Pakistan, Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan, and the CTO Secretary-General, led calls at the opening day of the Commonwealth Spectrum Management Forum 2017, which took place in London last week. Although the minister and the CTO Secretary-General spoke extensively on the need for international collaboration for spectrum allocation and management among Commonwealth countries, the forum however, concluded that Taylor, who is the CTO Secretary-General, should raise the issue at International Telecoms Union (ITU) forum, where spectrum allocation and management are being addressed. The CTO event was convened to enable international bodies, policymakers, telecoms regulators and experts from across the Commonwealth countries, to come together and share experiences in spectrum management. According to Khan, “As we in Pakistan become more successful in connecting our

citizens to the internet, so the demand on the spectrum is increasing. We are also looking to the future deployment of 5G and new technologies, so the use of new bands and spectrum sharing are ideas we will need to initiate. I call on the CTO to lead the way in sharing good practices and bringing different stakeholders together to collaborate.� Khan was speaking at the leaders’ session on day one of the event alongside Taylor; Minister of Communications, works and labour at Montserrat, Paul Lewis; Director of International Spectrum Policy at Ofcom, Chris Woolford; Vice-President, Regulatory and Market Access at Inmarsat, Fabio Leite; and Director, Spectrum Administration, Nigerian Communications Commission, Austin Nwaulune. The leaders’ session followed the opening ceremony which was addressed by the Deputy Director, Radiocommunications Bureau at ITU, Mario Maniewicz; Group Director, Dpectrum at Ofcom, Philip Marnick; and the Chief Technology Officer at Inmarsat, Michele Franci. According to Woolford, “As we move towards 5G, we have the opportunity to manage the spectrum differently. Spectrum sharing is an increasingly viable option, but it requires cooperation. We need to work together across countries, regional borders and industries, in order to find solutions on the sharing of bands.� Maniewicz said: “With the increasing importance of spectrum to the international community, the structure provided by the WRC and the radio regulations remains of increasing importance to international spectrum management.

“I call on the Forum delegates and all members of the CTO to engage in the regional and Commonwealth discussions leading up to WRC-19 in order to develop consensus and bring together a broad range of nations to a common understanding.� The theme of the Commonwealth Spectrum Management Forum 2017 was ‘Internet of Things And Basic Broadband Access: Spectrum Implications�, with discussion also covering subjects such as the future of broadcasting and spectrum implications, efficient spectrum utilisation, spectrum auctions, 5G issues and spectrum requirements and planning for the world radiocommunication conference (WRC) in 2019. The event was hosted by Inmarsat, with industry participants including GSMA, Huawei, Avanti and Facebook. “The CTO is mandated to coordinate ICT activities across the Commonwealth,� Taylor said in response to the call from Khan. According to Taylor, “Alongside events such as this Forum, which was convened to facilitate good practices in spectrum management, we also coordinate Commonwealth views for the WRC in order to inform our members of the issues and processes, and also to facilitate wider international agreement at the meeting. We will increase our role in this important area as the international community strives to ensure that spectrum facilitates socio-economic development throughout the Commonwealth.� Speakers and delegates at the forum, agreed on the need for collaboration in the areas of International processes; Spectrum sharing; Best practices; and Cross-industry.

Cloud Energy Offers Affordable Access to Solar Energy In order to create affordable access to solar energy for all segments of the Nigerian society, Cloud Energy has launched a multi-function solar home system, Nigeria’s first with a 30 Watts solar panel. The Multi-Function Solar Home System is designed with a 9AH battery to provide dependable basic electricity solutions to the poor and under-served in the society. Launching the Solar Home System at a Resellers’ Forum at the weekend, the Managing Director, Cloud Energy, Theophilus Nweke, revealed that the multi-function solar home system would provide LED Home lighting, charge phones, power fan, radio and MP3 player, and other basic electricity functions with an advanced battery protection and maintenance system. The solar home system comes with an optional fan. Addressing participants from across Nigeria at the Resellers’ Forum, Nweke announced that Cloud Energy in partnership with Power Africa, would launch in the first quarter of 2018, higher specifications of the multifunction solar home system

to provide electricity for more levels of the underserved population. He assured that the new systems, currently being domesticated in the Cloud Energy Research and Development, would have the capacity to power basic equipment including television and laptops. He said Nigerians would have the choice of comparably more durable multi-function solar home systems on a pay as you go or rent to own scheme. The introduction of the multi-function solar home systems are in fulfilment of the Cloud Energy management’s determination to create affordable access to solar energy for all segments of the Nigerian society. The General Manager, Cloud Energy, Mr. Isaac Whiskey, urged the resellers to rise to the challenge presented by the deep and rich bouquet offered by Cloud Energy. The task ahead, he said would be to devise marketing schemes that would reach all segments of the society at the same time. According to Whiskey, “As resellers in solar energy, we must be prepared to provide solutions for the weak and

poor while catering for the pampered and rich class.� He assured the resellers that the partnership with Cloud Energy would help them to achieve their corporate objectives, provide sales support and LPO financing, grow the capacities of their staff, shared logistics, and generally lean on the muscles of Cloud Energy to improve profitability. He informed resellers that the Cloud Energy outlet at Ichida Mall, Alaba market, Lagos is designed to offer experiences on solar technology to all while affirming that Cloud Energy would always provide the original quality products and sterling after sales support that guarantee end-user satisfaction. Responding on behalf of other participants, Augustine Ibe from Abuja expressed his gratitude that Cloud Energy is committed to growing the solar market via the empowerment of resellers. He said that he was impressed by the technical depth of the forum while noting that the experience and interactions at the resellers’ forum would help their performance in the market.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OLODU KEONYEDI

Your Natural Ability; A Cure to Unemployment

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e are not limited as a nation or as an individual because of what we do not have but what we have but don’t know how to use it. Everyone in this world was created to meet a need; just as our eyes were created ÞÙ Ă?ÙÖà Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽËœ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă?Ăž Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă– ĂĄĂ? discover the natural ability in us to solve a ĂŽĂ?Ę¨Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽËœ ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?×ÚÖÙã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă•Ă?Ă?Ăš ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› ËŤ Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂž ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on the Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?×ÚÖÙãĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ force (those working but doing menial jobs not commensurate with their qualiďŹ caĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ěš Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ͒˜͚͒͑˜͖͖͒˜ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ͖͒˛͚ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“ĂœĂŽ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Í“Í‘Í’Í— ÞÙ ͒͘˛͔͑ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ’ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Í“Í‘Í’Í— Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?×ÚÖÙã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž rate in Nigeria rose to the highest rate Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Í“Í‘Í‘Íš Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ͔˛͖ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ͒͒˛͖͕͘ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Í“Í‘Í’Í—ËŹĚ° Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂšĂœĂ?Ă—Ă“umtimesng.com Ă’Ă? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? ĂžĂœĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă?ÙÖà Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?×ÚÖÙã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžËœ ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ÑËÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ËÚÚÖÓĂ?Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁ ÞÙ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă— Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹Ăœ ʨĂ?Ă–ĂŽËœ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ăœ ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ral abilities of the dierent states down to their local government areas. What are ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ÑÙÙÎ Ă‹ĂžËœ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ÑÙÙÎ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ëœ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ę°Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ëœ Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ÞÙ Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă?ĂĄË› Ă’Ă? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ͕͘͘ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž areas to discover what each of them are ÑÙÙÎ Ă‹Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ Ă“Ăž ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽËœ Ă’Ă? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜tact us for more details on how to solve the Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?×ÚÖÙã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Þ˛ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă˜ Ă”Ă™ĂŒ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂœË› Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ“ Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;Ă?ĂŽĂ?Ëž Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă˜ Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Í– ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ËÚÚÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ̋ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă”Ă™ĂŒ ͓͑͒͘ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ? ÞÒĂ? åÒÙÖĂ? Ă™Ă? Í“Í‘Í’Í— åÓÞÒ ͖͑͘˜͑͑͑ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÙÚĂ?Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă? Í’Í•Ëœ ͓͑͒͘ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? ÞÒĂ? ËÚÚÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă“ous year were got during the two and half Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÙÚĂ?Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÒÓĂ? ËÚÚÖÓĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ăž Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;ÓÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ͔͑͑˜͑͑͑ Ă‘ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ě°Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă‹ĂœĂŽĂ˜Ă‘ĂœË›Ă?Ù× Ă–Ă– ÞÒÓĂ? Ă?ÞËÞÓĂ?ÞÓĂ?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ–Ă™ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? clear that more works needs to be done ÞÙ ĂšĂ&#x;Ăž Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă”Ă™ĂŒĂ?Ë› Ă™ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă—ËŁ Ă’Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă? discovering your natural ability to solve a Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ÓʨĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽË› There are three ways to discover your natural abilities We will be discussing on how to discover

your abilities on two bases; ďŹ rstly as a nation and secondly as an individual. Look at what you are good at: Ă’Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ù×Ă?Ă? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ÞÙ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ËŁ Ă’Ă‹Ăž ĂŽĂ™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŽĂ™ åÓÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ăž ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ËŁ Ă’Ă‹Ăž ĂŽĂ™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ÖÙà Ă?ËŁ ÙÙÕ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ëœ ÚËã Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă—Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ëž Ă‹Ă?Ă• ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă–ĂŁËœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ăœ Ă?ÙËĂ?Ă’Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš you ďŹ gure out what you make looks easy. Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ diďŹƒculty either as a state or an individual in Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă?ĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÑÙÙÎ Ă‹ĂžËœ see our details below and contact us. Ă? Ă‹ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ“ĘĽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? federation should identify what they are Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ÑÙÙÎ Ă‹ĂžËœ While as an individual you should identify those things that you ďŹ nd really easy to do while others may be struggling through it. Focus on things that you enjoy doing even Ă“Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ? ÚËÓÎ Ă?Ă™ĂœË› Look at where your money is going into: ÙÞĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ÚËã Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ă˜tion to what you are saving money to buy; your core values are closely linked with ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă? Ă‹ Ă˜Ă‹tion we must focus on what the citizens are Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă? Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?ËŁ Ă’Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂŽĂ‹Ă“Ă–ĂŁ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă“Ă?ËŁ What are the needs you wish to solve: What are the needs you see around that you wish you could do something about ÓÞˣ Ă? Ă‹ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂšĂœĂ™duce it internally; is a clue that we have the Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă? ÓÞ˛ Developing your natural ability Discovering your ability is just the start of ÞÒĂ? ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŁËœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ Ă“ĂžËœ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÓÞ˛ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜ ÒÙå ÞÙ ĂœĂ?Ę¨Ă˜Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă?Ăž Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? and coaches. Discovering your talent is not Ă?Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜ ÒÙå ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă“ĂžËœ Ă‹ĘľĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂšËœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽ ĂŒĂ™Ă™Ă•Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă? ÞÙ Ă‘Ă?Ăž Ă‹ Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ Ă?Ù×Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă? who is already successful in the area you are looking at. Ă&#x;Ăœ ÑÙËÖ Ă“Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă&#x;Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ËÚËĂ?ÓÞã Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜ Ă‹Ăž Ă‹ ÞÓ×Ă?Ë› - Olodu keonyedi is a business coach and human capacity development consultant. Email: olodukeonyedi@gmail.com Tel: 08037489704

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Boosting Technology Innovation with ‘USPF Changemaker’ The recently concluded 2017 USPF Innovation Hackathon Challenge where winners emerged is an addition to several initiatives conceived and sponsored by organisations and government agencies to deepen technology innovation among startups, writes Emma Okonji Having realised that data and technology innovation are the next oil and gas of global economies, organisations and government agencies, especially in developing countries, are beginning to tinker around the best form of technology solutions that will create positive disruptions within their economies. As a result, attention has been shifted to technology startups that could be further trained and mentored to develop disruptive technology solutions that will be commercially viable to attract financial growth and create job opportunities for the up-coming generation. It is for this reason that the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), an arm of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) that was set up to financially support rural telecommunication projects as well as technology development across the country, decided to organise the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2017. It is designed to bring together, technology innovators to pitch among themselves. The essence is to broaden the mindsets of technology innovators, give them exposures and opportunities to grow further and at the end, select winners that will be financially rewarded. In the process, USPF set aside N1 million as first prize, N750,000 as second prize and N500,000 as third prize, with consolation prizes for seven other teams that made it to final 10 list. The USPF Changemaker initiative In order to contribute its quota to existing national innovation competitions that are designed to deepen skills of technology innovators and empower them to develop disruptive solutions that are commercially viable, the USPF came up with the initiative of ‘Changemaker Challenge’ geared towards the assemblage of bright technology innovators, for the purpose of mentoring them, and selecting the best that will be further exposed to greater opportunities. Innovation, no doubt, is at the centre of the current Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and knowledge revolution and opportunities. Convinced that the critical mass of the emerging information society resides in innovation and software know-how, the USPF decided to organise Changemaker Challenge to spur national innovation technology development and deliver appropriate solutions as dependable instruments, tools and meaningful response to the global challenges presented by Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to produce the team with the best disruptive solutions from among technology startups, the USPF brought together the finest group of jurists, from among industry experts, who did not only design the criteria for the selection process, but was also responsible for the rigorous selection exercise. The team of jurists was led by Prof. Olusegun Okunnu. Addressing the audience at the final selection of winners in the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2017, the Secretary of USPF, Ayuba Shuaibu said the USPF engaged the services of Openmedia Communications Limited as consultant for the selection, mentoring, incubation, and route to market of ICT solutions that meet the set criteria for the hackathon. According to Shuaibu, the constructive implementation of the innovative project has been on-going for the past eight months, involving 226 teams that were made up of 720 participants that applied for the hackathon, making it truly the first of its kind in Africa. The teams were made up of young men and women with great ideas. “The idea will not only multiply the diffusion of ICT culture in our nation, but will also add immense quality to the socio-economic development of the national quest to attain the benefits of the SDGs. Our national mission will encourage innovation development models, aimed to strategically harness all knowledge attributes, potentials and ICT processes in and beyond

Chairman of Jurist, Prof. Olusegun Okunnu (right), and members of jurist, celebrating with the ďŹ rst prize winner, Team Nicademia, during the ďŹ nals of the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2017 in Lagos...recently

Nigeria, as the core accelerator for creativity, innovation, wealth creation, national security and survivability,� Shuaibu said. She added: “The mission will engage and address the numerous development challenges faced by startups, with special emphasis on e-Government, Education, Agriculture, Health and Health Care Delivery, National Security, Industrialisation, Art and Culture, Youth Empowerment, Wealth Creation and Job Creation.� The objective According to Shuaibu, the objective of the competition is to uphold the ongoing efforts designed to close the digital-readiness gap between Nigeria and the other countries. It is affirms the resolve of NCC to facilitate and fulfill its corporate mandate of delivering the promise and benefits of ICT to empower an important segment of the Nigerian population through the USPF, which are the underserved and unserved. She said the USPF has vested interest in the development, incubation and widespread dissemination of innovative ICT solutions and services designed to tackle and solve problems relevant to the Nigerian environment and citizenry. With the theme: ‘Empowering Nigerian Youth Through Innovation’, Shuaibu said the focus was primarily on addressing the fundamental needs of the Nigerian youth to be self reliant as they attempt to conquer the monumental challenges of the future, as presented by globalisation and sustainable development goals. She challenged all technology innovators to always dream big as they engage the present and future challenges, opportunities, benefits and risks of disruptive technologies, and the need to retool the workforce and the critical role of e-government. NCC’s commitment to ICT development Speaking on NCC’s commitment to ICT development in the country, especially in the area of developing technology innovators to create solutions that will advance economic development in Nigeria, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who was represented at the final selection exercise of the USPF Changemaker Hackathon, by the Head of Strategy and Corporate Performance at USPF, Mr. Kelechi Nwankwo, said NCC remained committed to the development of ICT in Nigeria, hence it created the USPF to

help drive the implementation of the goals of NCC in the area of technology development in Nigeria. According to Danbatta, “When I took the mantle of leadership of the commission on August 4, 2015, I unveiled the 8-point agenda, one of which is the promotion of ICT Innovations and Investment Opportunities. We believe there is no better way to propagate this than to proactively involve the new generation of tech innovators and entrepreneurs who, given the right platform and support, can analyse and address everyday problems and find solutions to them. The innovation is already in them.� Danbatta assured Nigerians that NCC would continue to use the USPF platform in the promotion and application of innovative processes in ICT to help empower Nigerian youth, connect government, education and business entities for accelerated action, aimed at improving the country’s e-readiness development status and improve the collective drive to attain SDGs, especially in the unserved and underserved areas, communities and groups. The pitch Out of 226 teams that participated in the mentoring exercise, only 10 were shortlisted for the final pitch. The finalists include: Bright Minds, who designed solution around certificate verification; The Eagles, who designed solution that seeks to address oil and other kinds of fluid leakages; Nicademia, who created a solution that uses app to teach local languages and cultures; I Too Know, who designed a solution that will help fresh graduate start their own business, without seeking paid employment; and Team Belle, who designed a solution that assists pregnant women in getting medical care. Others were Loystar, that designed SME mobile payment solution; Geoweb that designed an emergency response solution, using Artificial Intelligence (AI); Jiggle, that designed a food vendor platform for students in tertiary institutions; Kano Majenta that created an app that will allow people have access to clean water from ‘Garuwa’, around Kano State; and The Academic that designed a solution that gives students and researches access to digital books from digital libraries. All 10 finalists were given 10 minutes to pitch, and questions were asked by the jurists. At the end of the pitching exercise, three winners emerged. The winners were Nicademia who won the first

prize with a cash award of N1 million; Jiggle, who won the second prize with cash award of N750,000 and Kano Majenta who won the third prize with a cash award of N500,000. Other seven participants were, however, given cash as consolation prizes. Criteria for selection Commenting on the judging criteria, the leader of the jurists, Okunnu, told the audience that six criteria were set out for the selection of the top 10, which was eventually reduced to three final winners. The participating teams were judged based on originality of ideas, which has to do with the project concept and project team building; innovation, which has to do with the thinking process, imagination, scope of logic, and applicability; and Ecosystem Disruptive, which has to do with new ideas that are capable of bringing positive disruptions to the ecosystem. Other criteria are: local content that addresses the conformity of local content needs, user requirements and the relevance of the solution to SDGs; Pitch quality that has to do with the ability of the team leader to effectively communicate and comply with presentation standards and project mission; and total documentation that addresses the projection of texts and graphic images. Independent observers and participants’ comments Pleased with the quality and originality of the solutions that were displayed during the pitch exercise, as well as the selection processes that brought out the best result, an independent observer, who is a former President of the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, said many of the solutions presented were clearly original, community relevant and local content compliant. “Substantial use of published figures of various public service regulators was remarkable. Almost all the teams displayed high levels of teamwork and virtually all solution projects presented derived from immediate environment of the teams,� Omo-Ettu said. He observed that mentors were very punctual at every session, blended in their focus and fair to all teams, and that the jurists were very punctual, very well coordinated and blended seamlessly in covering all issues connected with performance assessment.

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NCC: We Will Continue to Fight against Cyber-criminality Stories by Emma Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said it will not relent in its fight against cybercriminals until the cyberspace is completely free from attacks. The NCC reiterated its commitment to cybersecurity at a workshop of the Industry Working Group (IWG) on electronic banking fraud at the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) Kano, last week. On assumption of office, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta reeled out his 8-Point agenda for the industry, of which facilitating strategic collaboration and partnership with relevant stakeholders to foster ICT for sustainable economic development and social advancement became priority for the Commission. The IWG, which was constituted early in the year, has as members, stakeholders from

the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Civil Society Organisations (CSO) as well as Value Added Service (VAS) providers. The Executive Commissioner, Technical Services at the NCC, Ubale Maska, in his opening remarks to participants at the workshop, said the high level of fraud in the industry led to the constitution of the IWG which is saddled with the responsibility of proffering solutions to the rising rate of electronic fraud in the country. During his presentation titled: “Electronic Banking Fraud in Nigeria - Challenges and Way Forward�, a Deputy Director at the NCC, Bako Wakil, said it became necessary to grab the bull by the horn, following a visit by the Deputy Governor of the CBN to management of the NCC to discuss the prevalence of banking fraud using telecommunications

infrastructure. This was necessitated, after petitions by Nigerian banks to the apex bank began to raise red-flags at the sophisticated methods employed by cyber criminals via telecoms infrastructure in defrauding unsuspecting customers. Wakil said the terms of reference for the committee was to look at the technicality and security of mobile banking; awareness issues in mobile banking; SIM card replacement processes; SIM card cloning as well as unsolicited text messages. The sub-committee, which was set up acknowledged that banking fraud remained a growing national problem, which denies innocent Nigerians of their earnings daily and came up with 21 recommendations categorised into short-term, mid-term and long term, with the aim of checkmating the growing threat to Nigerians.

Dell/EMC, BCX Set to Provide IT Transformational Solution In order to enhance operational efficiency, while reducing operational cost, Dell/EMC, in partnership with BCX, is offering customers the best of solutions that will help them manage their businesses from a single point that will give them access to their branch locations. Speaking at a customer forum organised by Dell/EMC in partnership with BCX in Lagos recently, the Global Computing and Networking Team Lead for Nigeria at Dell/EMC, Mr. Ololade Olotu, advised customers to key into the latest technology from Dell/EMC, designed to provide varieties of solutions that will enable customers make their choice of technology solution that will boost their businesses. “The idea of the customer forum is to introduce to customers to the latest technologies that will empower them to do more with less investments. The

Dell/EMC customer forum in partnership with BCX, is to create awareness among our customers on the need to secure their businesses with the latest technology solutions from Dell/EMC. We have new solution in data server that customers can leverage on to save as much as 70 per cent in CAPEX,� Olotu said. He advised customers on the need to transit their businesses to modern IT infrastructure that will enable them grow in terms of agility, reduce cost of doing business, and protect their infrastructure. “Our modern Information Technology (IT) solutions are scalable that allow the customers to grow its data and manage data in the most effective way,� Olotu added. Addressing the issue of incurring heavy cost in managing businesses, the Managing Director, BCX, Mr. Ayo Adegboye, said the lat-

est solution from Dell/EMC, which BCX is implementing for customers, would help to further reduce the cost of managing businesses, while maintaining high profitability and efficiency. “Considering that we are just coming out of recession and we all know the volatility in the last six or seven months. There is a huge investment going into the capital expenditure (CAPEX), which has to do with the high cost of technology acquisition. “We are also talking about Software Defining Networks (SDN). All those big boxes are shrinking these days and they are enabled by software to boost productivity. But the average barrier to entry has been reduced by making the technology affordable. We will keep seeing such happening by the cost of technology going down without compromising the quality.

Cisco Systems Introduces Connected Building Technology Solutions Cisco Systems, a global leader in networking and information technology solutions has introduced an innovative, smart and connected building technology solution that will further drive real estate business. The technology solution is coming at a time when most states in Nigeria are planning towards smart and connected cities that are driven by Internet of Things (IoTs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). At the heart of the Cisco approach is a service-oriented building architecture designed to reduce cost and complexity by replacing discrete and disparate in-building system networks with one simplified, flexible, and scalable IP network. The converged network creates the secure and reliable platform for systems integration, enabling information from various systems to be shared. Not only has this made it possible

to automate processes, such as heating in anticipation of changes in the weather, it has also enabled the creation of new, IP-based information and communications services. Building owners are looking at technology convergence to deliver enhanced occupant experiences and improved efficiencies in their buildings. However, as the number of networks and connections within buildings grows, they are becoming increasingly complex. Interconnecting and interoperating isolated building systems such as lighting, HVAC, badging systems, security, CCTV, sensors and audio-video equipment, into a single converged system is fundamental to the digital transformation of buildings. Today’s building systems and equipment need to work together smoothly and efficiently to meet owners’ and occupants’ needs, which

requires a holistic approach of integrating new technologies, Cisco said Cisco Nigeria’s General Manager, Olakunle Oloruntimehin, expressed Cisco’s commitment to provide innovation to customers. According to him, “Our vision is to leverage Cisco’s core technology asset and installed base to provide a set of infra-solution and cloud applications to help customer deliver this next-gen building and workspace environment with a focus on improved occupant experience namely: meeting room experience and improved building operation efficiency, better visibility of space planning, and building asset management.� Cisco is partnering cable solution, Siemon, to achieve its goal of providing connected building technology solution for the real estate industry.

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Five KeyTraits to Steal from Your Mentor As A Young Entrepreneur

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Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ˜ËŞĂž Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ę¨ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ëœ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă— ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽĂ˜ËŞĂž Ă?ÙÖÖÙå ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ Ă?Ù××ÓÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Ě‹ ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÚÖËĂ?Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂŒĂ?ĂžĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ë› Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă?Ëœ åÓÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ě‹ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ę¨ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ÚÙÞĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ë›

Perseverance Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÚÙĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă›Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ě‹ ÓÞã Ă™Ă? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÖÙËÎĂ?Ë› Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă‘Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ÚËÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ăš Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ĂžĂ&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÖÙÞ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ë› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂœĂ•Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ă‹ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ËŤĂžĂœĂŁËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ËŹË› ĂœĂ&#x;Ă–ĂŁ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ×ÙÞÓà ËÞĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ě‹ Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂžĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂšĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂžĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÙ̋ What drives an entrepreneur to venture into ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž something new with no job security, no steady Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă’Ă?ĂŁ salary and no previous template to follow is the ÞËÕĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–ĂŁ conďŹ dence they have in their vision which they ÞÙ Ă?à ÙÖà Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ want to push passionately. Self-conďŹ dence will Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă?ĂŽ ×ÙÎĂ&#x;Ă–Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă˜ steer them through their journey. ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂŽĂ?Ëœ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĚ‹ If they didn’t have a passion or conďŹ dence on Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™ĂœË›

their idea, their team wouldn’t follow through the vision with commitment and the investors would not be convinced to place their bets on them. Meanwhile, without your self-conďŹ dence, you might not be able to convince anyone or any potential investor to invest in your idea Visualisation skills Ă“Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă? ÓÞ˪Ă? ĂĄĂ“ĂŽĂ?Ă–ĂŁ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŽĂ“ĘĽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜Ě‹ ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ě‹ Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœË› Ă’Ă?Ă“Ăœ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ĂšĂ&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžËœ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ëœ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ó×ÚÖã Ă‹ ĂŽĂ“ĘĽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă?ĂšĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ăš ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ?ËÞÓà ÓÞã Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;Þ̋ Ă™Ă?̋ÞÒĂ?Ě‹ĂŒĂ™Ă˘ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ăž åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÞËÞĂ&#x;Ă?Ě‹Ă›Ă&#x;Ă™ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ĂžĂœĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ÞÙ ĂšĂ&#x;Ă?Ă’ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?ĂŁĂ™Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?Ă–Ă™ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă™Ëœ ÞÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ě‹ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂœËœ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă“Ă?Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă¤Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂ? ÞÙÚ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ?Ă’Ë› Self-conďŹ dence Ă’Ă‹Ăž ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ăœ ÞÙ Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă?Ù×Ă?ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ åÓÞÒ Ă˜Ă™ Ă”Ă™ĂŒ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă˜Ă™ Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă Ă“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂžĂ?×ÚÖËÞĂ? ÞÙ Ă?ÙÖÖÙå Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ę¨ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂšĂ&#x;Ă?Ă’ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁË› Ă?Ă–Ă?Ě‹Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ę¨Ě‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăœ ÞÒĂ?Ă— ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ÔÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă?ĂŁË›

Adaptability Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ Ă Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă?Ě‹ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ę¨ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŽĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ÞÒËÞ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?ÞÖã ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ę¨Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ě‹ ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă– Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ?Ě‹ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ Ă“Ă Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂ‹ĂšĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă–Ě‹ ÓÞã ÞÙ Ę¨Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă›Ă&#x;ËÖÓÞã Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂ‹ĂšĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ě‹ ÓÞã ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă™Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă?Ă Ă‹Ă˜ĂžË› Network building Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÚÙĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĚ‹ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă›Ă&#x;ËÖÓÞã Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă›Ă&#x;ÙÞÓĂ?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă?ÞÙÕĂ?Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ&#x;Ă“Ě‹ ÞÓà Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂšĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă— ÞÙ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜ĂžËœ ÒÙå ÞÙ ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă™ĂŒĂ”Ă?Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™Ăœ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă— Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ě‹Ă–Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹ Ă“Ă? ÞËÕ̋ Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™ĘĽËœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ě‹ Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽ Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă Ă™ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă• Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă“ĂŽĂ? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁËœ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă•Ă? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞËã Ă‹ĘľĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?Ë›

ABOUT DEBBIE LARRY-IZAMOJE Debbie Larry-Izamoje AKA The Entrepreneur’s Best-Friend holds a BSc in Information management from the University of SheďŹƒeld, United Kingdom, and MSc in management from University College London (UCL). She has also secured certiďŹ cates in user innovation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Innovation and strategy from Harvard University. She is on a mission to raise a generation of young established or soon to be established professionals who are more vocal about business diďŹƒculties while providing solutions through public speaking, training, workshops and coaching. She is the founder of the Image Boosters a full service agency with core services in digital marketing, PR, branding and more. Website: www.imageboosters.com.ng Instagram: @dee_larry @imageboosters_ Email: contactus@ imageboosters.com.ng or debbie@imageboosters.com.ng, 08050464111 (text only)

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

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Adegbuyi: Our Vision is to Make NIPOST Commercially Viable The Postmaster General and Chief Executive of NIPOST, Adebisi Adegbuyi, spoke with Emma Okonji on the new vision for NIPOST designed to make it commercially viable and customer centric through the deployment of modern technologies. Excerpts: Posting the post into prosperity is the new vision of NIPOST. What are the measures put in place to achieve the vision? We have put several measures in place to achieve our new vision of posting the post into prosperity, and one of them is to increase staff capacity and enhance their job efficiency. The new vision is driven by technology transformation in NIPOST, which is anchored on four pillars and 18 programmes. So we have fresh plans to train and retrain our staff. Through adequate training, we hope to achieve the goal of increasing staff capacities. We will be training them on new technologies that will help them to excel in their job in order to satisfy the customers. The new NIPOST business is centred around the customer and therefore it is customer centric. If the customers are happy with our services, they will always come back to patronise us. The first point of contact of the customer is with our staff, which means that our staff must be well trained to properly manage our customers. Are there plans in the new vision to diversify NIPOST business? As an organisation that puts its customers first, we must diversify our products and services to customers. NIPOST used to be a mono-product organisation and did not diversify its business in the past, and as such, it did not fulfill its obligations and mandate. In the past, NIPOST was under-performing and under-achieving, because it had several products, but limited them to just one, which was selling of postage stamps, and as such, it was not living up to its supposed potentials. We had since figured out these lapses and we are trying to correct them through the diversification of our products and services, coupled with the new game-changing services that we introduced recently. With the ongoing implementation plan on diversification of our products and services, we are confident that we will achieve better results going forward. How will NIPOST leverage on its infrastructure across the country to deliver on its new vision of diversification? NIPOST is the only organisation that has presence in all the 36 states and in all the 774 local government areas and community development areas. In all these areas where we have presence, we also have our infrastructure on ground. We will leverage on the nationwide infrastructure of NIPOST to deliver services on trust because our new services are based on trust. A woman, for instance, collected her pension money and put back the money into NIPOST because she has trust in the government organisation and it is that trust that we want to build upon. We also want our customers to have better experience and better technology innovation that will empower them. There was a general belief that the advent of internet in Nigeria has further grounded the operations of NIPOST. But I can categorically tell you that such belief was erroneous because the same internet has opened up enabling opportunities for NIPOST business to expand and grow. So as NIPOST, we do not have any reason to complain that the internet is adversely affecting our operations because it has even helped us to boost our eCommerce business that has grown in volumes in recent times. So with internet, we must integrate, innovate and match the analogue with digital in order to serve our customers better. One of the four pillars and 18 programmes of the new NIPOST is to use technology to drive innovation. So what specific areas of NIPOST services are you looking at to drive innovation? We are looking at driving innovation with technology in all areas of services offered by NIPOST to its customers, because in today’s postal administration, technology is key. For example, postal administration cannot thrive without a

treated as such, in order to give them better customer experience so that they will always return to patronise us. What is your take on international remittance businesses that NIPOST is no longer participating in? International remittances generate between $20 billion and $23 billion every year and the cost of transaction is as high as 12 per cent and this is so because the post offices are not involved and that formed the basis of the interaction we had in New York, when I attended the Global Forum on Industrial Development, some time ago. We had the African Roundtable where issues of how the post could be involved in the international remittances business, were discussed, in order to reduce the cost of transaction to at least a single digit, from the current 12 per cent. MoneyGram and WesterUnion Transfer can only work with the banks but the irony of it is that the banks are not everywhere to service the customers. For instance, the banks are not in all rural areas, but the post offices and postal agencies are in every state, every local government, and in every community, no matter how rural that community is, and this makes it a lot easier for the international remittance business to get to the grassroots customers at even cheaper transaction rate, if the post is involved.

Adegbuyi

robust state-of-the-art digital addressing system. Technology is the enabler and driver and we are going to ensure that we deploy technology that will address our national addressing system and other areas of our service deliveries to the public. The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo, recently inaugurated the National Council on Addressing System and we at NIPOST will infuse the latest technology into the addressing system in order to achieve better results. The essence is to ensure that mail packages and parcels are delivered safely with ease, using technology. So combined with GPRS enabled mobile phone, the NIPOST staff is able to carry out efficient mail delivery system and this will go a long way in solving up to 50 per cent of the challenges of NIPOST. Without a robust addressing system, eCommerce cannot thrive in Nigeria. We also have what is called the Address Verification, Authentication and Validation, but without a robust addressing system it will be difficult to verify what has been identified. We are also deploying technology to bring back to life, the old postal order. So, NIPOST has developed a technology that will match with the faces of people living in a particular address and this will help in safe delivery of mails and parcels, and at the same time meet the expectations around proper addressing system in Nigeria. In the past people had great confidence in NIPOST and they were using NIPOST to send and receive money, through postal order. But we can no longer play in that space, using the old analogue system, because the internet as a disruptive technology, has changed all of that and we at NIPOST must adopt digital technology to remain afloat in business and also meet customers’s satisfaction. We have to diversify into electronic money order and what this means is that we should be able to provide services that will enable people transfer money to other people even without having a bank account. The sender will have to visit any of the post offices, carry out the transaction, and get a transaction code that he or she will send to the recipient who will in turn, use the short code to collect the money from any post office nearest to the recipient. What has happened to the old compulsory use of stamp duty on documents and how can NIPOST revive it, using modern technologies? Since 1939, there has been the stamp duty

law, which imposes the statutory obligation on Nigerians to affix an adhesive stamp on any document in order to authenticate transactions. But there are millions of online documentation and transactions taking place in the eCommerce space that have surpassed the old use of affixing adhesive stamps on documents. So by thinking out of the box and using technology as an enabler, we have come up with electronic stamp that will be used to denote online transactions. You said there has been significant improvement in the services of NIPOST, five months after its initial retreat in Ogere, Oyo State. Could that be said of the volume of eCommerce business within EMS/Parcel Nigeria that is being managed by NIPOST? The way that we boldly spoke about the significant improvement in the services of NIPOST in the last few months, is the same way that we can also speak of the growth in the volume of eCommerce business of NIPOST that is driven by EMS/Parcel Nigeria. It will be surprising to hear that NIPOST had in the last five months, reduced its recurrent expenditure by 42 per cent and we are going to further reduce our expenditure by the time we fully carry out our automation processes. We are working with some Indian experts to fully automate our system to further cutdown on leakages and wastage in order to grow volume and increase revenue. The plan is to automate the entire NIPOST operations. I am pleased to inform the public that the latest track and trace equipment has been successfully deployed in NIPOST to enable customers sit at the comfort of their homes and offices and then trace and track their items on delivery. All of these are geared towards giving our customers the real value for their money. As PMG of NIPOST, how do you get the feelings of your customers in relation to customer satisfaction? As the PMG and Chief Executive of NIPOST, I read mails of customers and their comments, be it complaint or commendation. They pass through my system and I take out time from my busy schedule to read mails from customers and by so doing, I get the feelings of our customers. If there are issues that should be addressed after reading their mails, I ensure that those issues are promptly addressed. The bottom line is that our customers are kings and should be

So how can NIPOST begin to play again in this line of business? We have plans to play well and play big in the international remittance business, going forward. We are planning to establish postal outreach centres in various grocery stores and enter into partnership with online businesses like Yudala, Konga, Jumia among others, to have presence in all of their business locations and assist customers in delivery of their goods purchased from any of the locations. This will of course help NIPOST to diversify from its mono-product offering that it used to have in the past, to series of product offerings, to further enhance customer experience. In the past, there used to be a lot of pilfering around customers parcels. What is NIPOST doing to block pilfering and leakages? In any organisation, there are unpatriotic staff who try to drag the integrity of the organisation to the mud, but there are also faithful workers who are highly patriotic and dedicated to their duties. So patriotism and unfaithfulness are not peculiar to NIPOST, but however we are putting technology in place to address all of that. What we will continue to do as an organisation of government, is to continue to put mechanisms in place for identifying unpatriotic staff and punish them. Once someone who has a predisposition to criminality is made a scapegoat, it will deter orders from behaving the same way and it will serve as deterrent to others. I know it is not going to be easy, but we must continue to protect our customers and empower our postal security department. Your have talked a lot about enhancing customers’ satisfaction but the NIPOST staff members that will trigger it, need to be given priority attention in terms of better welfare and remuneration. Are you thinking of increasing staff salaries? Since I became the PMG/Chief Executive of NIPOST, I have had course to meet with the chairman of salaries and wages commission in view to tinkering the salary structure of staff members, but the most important for me is the determination of the members of staff to transform the operations of NIPOST, using modern technology. We want to turn NIPOST to have commercial drive that will attract local and international investments and we can only do that if we are able to transform NIPOST.

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Borodo: Managing Shareholders is the Most Critical Responsibility of a Company Secretary In this interview with select journalists, the outgoing Company Secretary of FBN Holdings Plc, Alhaji Tijjani Borodo speaks about his experience working with the group and expectations of the incoming secretary, among other issues. Peter Uzoho presents the excerpts: It’s been over two decades of working for the bank, transiting from the First Bank into the Holding company, how would you describe the journey? It’s almost three decades. It’s been an interesting journey particularly talking of transition from First Bank to FBN Holdings. Perhaps from the beginning I was working with the Kano State government as the Director of Public Prosecutions. Then in October, 1988, I moved to First Bank from Kano State as the Regional Legal Manager. I was in Kano for a couple of years before I moved to Lagos as the Assistant Company Secretary, so that’s where my company secretariat career really started. First Bank then was a public company where it had all the shareholders and all the subsidiaries. So I started there as the company secretary till it got to a situation where in late 2010, the directing minds of First Bank Group decided that we cannot continue to run all the businesses that we had under First Bank. That we’re going to have a Holding Company. I was the secretary of First Bank, so I midwifed the creation of the Holding Company. I was thinking that when we finished with the creation of the Holding Company, I was going to move out to do other things not knowing that by providence I was going to continue to be the company secretary of the FBN Holdings. And that was really the public facing entity for the whole totality of the First Bank Group, and of course, that was where the shareholders are – the institutional and the retail shareholders. And arguably, as the company secretary, one of the key responsibilities is to manage the shareholders. And so, if the shareholders I have been managing in First Bank have migrated to another vehicle (FBN Holdings), it didn’t make much sense for me to stay back in First Bank knowing that there was no role for me to play there. And because one of my critical responsibilities is to manage those shareholders and if they have moved to another vehicle it would be difficult for

Borodo

me to stay there at First Bank. So you can just see where the transition came – how I joined the First Bank Group; the Company Secretary in First Bank, and then, when we had the Holding Company where we are now.

Before I joined the First Bank, I had offers to go to another bank with a colleague of mine who has been my childhood friend through the university, who is working with the ministry of justice. So there were offers to go to another bank and I told him I’m not going to another ďŹ nancial institution, that if I ďŹ nish working in the ministry of justice I’m going to set up my practice

People who have followed your career will marvel at how you have handled all of this very smoothly. How did you cope within this 30 year period – family on one hand, responsibility of the bank on the other hand, and the shareholders which is another critical stakeholder group you must have had very difficult time trying to manage? Cope is the word you used which I agree with you. It was coping but the most critical thing for me was that I enjoyed it. You know one of the most critical things that I always wake up with in the mornings –the kind of things that keep me going, is that I have passion for my work; and not only do I have passion I also have a sense of satisfaction. So these are the kind of things that keep me going – the satisfaction I get at the job and the passion I have for it. But of course, as you said, there are challenges – family, society and the job itself. For family, I came out of a polygamous background – about 23 of us, close to my father; I’m about the number 10. So you can see where I was in the family. That’s the kind of family I came out of and we had values from the late old man – integrity, hardwork and, above all, religion. You make sure you go to school, you must

have integrity; you must be committed to whatever you are doing and, above all, the hand of Almighty God has been upon us; and I think this family value of a thing helped me through the thick and tin of my career. Also you find that we are talking about different stakeholders. When talking of stakeholders we are not only talking about the shareholders; and for the businesses that we run we are talking about stakeholders because it’s beyond the shareholders. When you say stakeholders, you are looking at even the environment that we operate because we have a responsibility to our environment; our employees, the shareholders, the business associates. So you can see that it’s a multitude of people, and managing these things has not been an easy thing. That’s why I said the most critical thing is the passion and the satisfaction you have on the job. So when the challenges come you face them squarely. How did your transition from a public service man who has risen to a position of a director to now a banker happen? It’s a very interesting question. There is providence, because before I joined the First Bank, I had offers to go to another bank with a colleague of mine who has been my childhood friend through the university, who is working with the ministry of justice. So there were offers to go to another bank and I told him I’m not going to another financial institution, that if I finish working in the

ministry of justice I’m going to set up my practice why he goes to that bank. So he went back to an uncle of us who brought the offer and told him what I said. So that’s why I said it’s providence. You can see me now, leaving public work to private work for another 30 years. When I moved into this public thing, of course, there was a shake in terms of focus, in terms of work responsibility, but prior to that I think I had one of the best privileges as state counsel. I had senior counsels in the ministry of justice who were there to handhold you, show you the rudiments of the practice – solicitor’s work, advocacy. So we had that in the ministry of justice. So it’s a sort of training you and guiding you in terms of growing, in terms of responsibility, in terms of leadership. And by the time I left the ministry of justice, I was already the director of public prosecutions, and arguably, that time, Kano State had the largest criminal cases next to Lagos State, and you can imagine what that was. Really I had that privilege and I was supposed to be a senior in the ministry. I made sure that before I left for any environment there are certain values I need to take there. So when this offer came I struggled, but when I made up my mind to go I made some consultations with the family and some of my seniors and that was it. Continued on page 30

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BORODO: MANAGINGSHAREHOLDERSISTHEMOSTCRITICALRESPONSIBILITYOFACOMPANYSECRETARY more listening but as I matured more and more I became more and more of a listener, and I think it’s something that comes with age. There are people who by nature are listeners but by my nature I’m just the talking type, the outgoing type. So I believe that as I became more mature I listened more and more. So I wish I listened much more.

During the transition from First Bank Group to FBN Holdings, how were you able to manage the shareholders? As I said earlier on, it is this same shareholders who are the shareholders of First Bank of Nigeria Plc that are the same owners of that business, but because the directing minds said now we are going to go into a holding company where all the shareholders are the owners of that holding company. Meanwhile this Holding Company is the owner of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, a private company; the Insurance, a private company; the Merchant Bank, a private company. So if you are the shareholder of FBN Holdings and FBN Holdings is a shareholder in all of these, indirectly you are the owner of all these businesses. So effectively, when you are talking of transiting with the shareholders I sort of transited from First Bank Nigeria Plc with them to form the FBN Holdings Plc with them. When you joined First Bank from the ministry of justice did you feel the usual anxiety of someone joining an entirely different work environment and ethics? Did you ever wonder whether you would cope with the job? It’s a natural thing and bearing in mind that I was in the public sector. I respect the public sector, I’m a product of it, and I have respect for it. There are aspects of public sector that when you say you are from the public sector people will look at you in a particular way. So I was conscious of that. And the job I was going into was headhunted, I didn’t apply for it, there was a vacancy and I was sought out to come and do this job. So I had that feeling that I would measure up. And for the person who did the headhunting to insist that I must come, I also felt that there was something I could offer. One of my mentors, late Justice Mohammed Bello believed I could do it and he insisted that I should do it. I made consultations and I was encouraged to go and do it. In the course of your career you must have worked with many MDs and Chairmen of the bank. Can you describe your experience working with them? In First Bank and up till now I’ve worked with 10 different Managing Directors. And I’ve worked with six or seven Chairmen. Why I said six or seven is that our group chairman, Dr. Chijioke Ona was the chairman of the bank and I worked with him then. He was the sixth chairman of the bank I’ve worked with. When we moved to FBN Holdings, he wore a new cap – the chairman of FBN Holdings. So effectively I will say I have worked with seven chairmen because this is a new company. So I’ve worked with 10 MDs, maybe up to 80 directors, you know members of the board come and go. So it’s been really an interesting thing. But the most critical thing is that I’ve learnt much more early in my career in this company secretariat that this work is about people – its people, people, people. And if you look at it, we’ve talked about shareholders before, now we’re talking of directors, we’re talking of stakeholders. You’ve spent closed to 30 years here and also some time at the public prosecutions. Would you say you’ve missed anything from the period you stayed at the public prosecution, the life you had in public service and the life you have here. Would you say you’ve walked away with that career part that you were building, that one would have loved you to continue with at that trajectory? Honestly, no regret. You know I told you that what I wake up with is the passion for the job and the satisfaction. When I moved into this building there were people who believed in me and said I should come and do it and out of respect for them I accepted. So by the time I heard them here and there, I felt it was something I should come and do. But I’ve also said that if it was something that I’m not happy doing I would think for a while and thank them and leave. But you can just see now. It’s been quite rewarding. What is the family front like for us? I have a wife and four children – four boys, and they’re not boys anymore, they’re big men now. The first one just got married last year. The eldest one is Ahmad, the second

Borodo

one is Isa, and incidentally, I joined the First Bank Group when Isa was born –October 3, and I came into the bank the same October. And then there is Basho and Umar Farouk. Umar is in the 3rd year in the university, others are graduates, so I call them men. How has it been for the children looking at what your schedule in the bank would be like – coming here early, closing, and still

So much water has gone under the bridge. I’m not the same person anymore. I’ve seen so much, I’ve learnt so much, and so much has shaped the kind of person I’m going to be. So certainly yes I’m going to go back into the private practice but not the kind of practice that I had in mind that time. I want to believe that I’ve gathered a lot of experiences in this particular aspect of professional legal practice – corporate social services. I intend doing a bit of talking; business schools; corporate governance and ethics; and also share my experience as part of the legal practice I’m going to do

go back to transition this discipline you talked about from your father to them. Did you think you had sufficient time to instill that kind of discipline and values to them considering the fact that they were male? Well, to be honest with you, I should have created more time for them but my consolation is I have this wonderful wife who was everything to all of us. At times, I would come back from work, and I would find them in the garden playing football. She is a female, she had her own career, so when the children were playing football, she also was playing with them, then I would come and join them and things like that. But the most critical thing is that just as I got from my late father, I kept on telling them that there are certain three things that they should hold. One, whatever you do you must do it well. You should not be found wanting whether in school or wherever you are working. And then, two, there must be integrity. Under no circumstance should you be found wanting in integrity. And the third bit of it, of course, is the grace of Almighty God, the religious upbringing. So these critical things I learnt them from my father when I was small. And any day, anytime, anywhere I have opportunity I talk to people I tell them that these are the kind of things that I’ve seen carry me through – the grace of the Almighty, the faith in the Almighty God, and then, commitment, dedication in whatever you’re doing; and also integrity. These are the bits I had been telling the children till they got to the big boys they are now and I’ll always suggest that to anybody. Can you share with us some of the things you missed about this brand. Are there things you would have done differently? I think part of the things I would say I’m going to miss is the family that First Bank is. But I’m still part of the family. I’ve seen people who have left the last fifteen years and they are still part of the family. You see I’ve spent more than two decades working in this building. So you can imagine working for 20 years. Every day you are going to work you pick your back and go to that place unless you have travels. So it’s something that’s just part of my life and I know there is time to move on. So over two decades in this place is something I’m going to miss but I’m really ready to move on. On what I would have done differently, honestly I’m a bit rush. Maybe I should have done a little

Do you think your successor would be able to keep to the values that FBN Holdings is known for? Will he be able to measure up with the demands of his job as the company secretary? This is a very valid question. I can say that this is my life; It’s a 30 year career thing and you want to walk out of it. I’m really interested in who comes in here when I leave. I’m really interested in that when I leave whoever that comes in here keeps to certain things that have kept this institution going in terms of our values and our culture. I’m really interested in seeing the person come to continue with this. Without being technical, if you look at the company it revolves around a tripod. There is the chairman of that company; there is the MD or CEO and then there is the company secretary. So if there were things that I’ve done to have worked with all these number of chairmen and MDs to get to where we are now, I’m interested in who comes in to take over and act on it and improve on it. So we have gone through a very rigorous process to get my successor –involving external consultants, board committees and processes. So I’m very confident that the person coming to take over from me is not a novice, he’s a consummate practitioner which I believe has had his own experiences. So I’m confident that he’s somebody that when he comes in he will continue with this. He has his experiences and I’m sure he’s going to continue with the values that we have here. When I talk about the values, it’s about the institution. So if you have values through an institution anybody that comes in will carry on with them. He’s coming from another place and these are the things that have kept us going and the chances are there. The rigorous process that we have is what has kept us going for almost 230 years. So I want to believe that that gentleman will come, bring his own experience, his own front and get into our own system with the values and carry on. Finally, what do you need to tell the entire staff of the institution including your successor about the ethics of the institution that has kept you going all these period? And then, are you going to activate that plan you had before providence brought you here or you’re going to be seeing a different journey after this one? Honestly, I’m going to activate that plan with some amendments. Why will I say this? You see, I’ve been called to the Bar since 1980, so that’s why I said I was going to continue with my legal practice job. So much water has gone under the bridge. I’m not the same person anymore. I’ve seen so much, I’ve learnt so much, and so much has shaped the kind of person I’m going to be. So certainly yes I’m going to go back into the private practice but not the kind of practice that I had in mind that time. I want to believe that I’ve gathered a lot of experiences in this particular aspect of professional legal practice – corporate social services. I intend doing a bit of talking; business schools; corporate governance and ethics; and also share my experience as part of the legal practice I’m going to do. Also the legal practice I’m going to do will be a specialised legal practice – company secretarial practice because I’ve done so much on that; and it’s something I think will keep me going and I’m interested in that. And then the other question about the younger ones. You see, to me the critical thing about banking is trust. That’s the key word (trust). So what I will urge the younger people, is to keep the trust given to them. You’re talking of a bank; you’re talking of volume company; you’re talking of business. Whatever anybody entrusts to you is a trust, keep it. That’s my key word to young people working in the banking industry. Also hardwork, faithfulness in the Almighty God; and create time for family life and other things.

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Mustapha-Maduakor: Nigeria Has Attracted Private Equity and FDI in Recent Years The Chief Operating Officer, African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Abi Mustapha-Maduakor, in this interview with Nosa Alekhuogie and Nume Ekeghe, gave broad insights into private equity trends in Nigeria. Excerpts: has been raised targeting West Africa, including Nigeria. For example, in H1 2017, Sahel Capital closed Fund IV Agricultural Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN) at US$65.9 million. Also, Verod Capital Management closed Verod Capital Growth Fund II at US$115 million in 2016. Finally, African Capital Alliance closed Capital Alliance Private Equity IV at US$570 million in 2016. At the same time, a considerable number of fund managers are currently fundraising and targeting opportunities in Nigeria. For example, CardinalStone Capital Advisors are currently fundraising for CCA Growth Fund, targeting opportunities across a variety of sectors in Nigeria.

Could you tell us about the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA) and the specific role the association has played in the industry since it started operation? AVCA is the pan-African industry body responsible for promoting and enabling private investment in Africa. Our primary role is to act as a champion and effective change agent for the industry – connecting, educating, and empowering members and stakeholders with independent industry research, best practice training programmes, and unique networking opportunities. We are a member-supported organisation with over 140 members, spanning private equity (PE) fund managers, institutional investors, direct investors, professional services firms, government institutions, and other associations. The African private equity industry has seen significant growth in fund raising, deal activity, and exits over the past five years, and AVCA has played a crucial role not only in supporting but also in reporting this development, particularly through our research. In doing so, the association has been active in demystifying misconceptions around private equity investment and driving the cause for more domestic institutional capital in the asset class. Our remit is broad and our goals are focused; as the private equity industry evolves in Africa, our role becomes increasingly important to drive change.

Mustapha-Maduakor

Tell us about the private equity space in Nigeria. As a leading economy in Africa, Nigeria has naturally attracted private equity and foreign direct investment in recent years. Through regulatory developments, tax incentive schemes, and efforts to ensure that Nigeria is more investment-friendly, PE deals in Nigeria are currently at solid levels and the main industry players are actively executing deals and exits. In 2016, Nigeria accounted for approximately 14per cent of private equity deals on the continent, which demonstrates a slight increase since 2015. Despite burgeoning activity in the country, we find that there are a few challenges in the investment space, such as exchange rate fluctuations, relatively high valuations, limited public information, and competing opportunities within deal sizes. However, through extensive due diligence, robust transactional risk insurance and improvements in fiscal policy clarity, fund managers can mitigate risks and demonstrate to international institutional investors that Nigeria remains a ripe market for investment. Private equity investments in Nigeria are centered on the evolving consumer story. With a large and growing population, fund managers can capitalise on consumer driven growth sectors when making investments. More specifically, we have seen increasing activity in the FMCG, agriculture, healthcare, education, and real estate sectors. These transactions are often minority stake acquisitions, buyouts, and restructuring. We have also seen an increase in mezzanine financing recently, although investors tend to revert to equity by default to influence company management on a day-to-day basis. It is worth highlighting that we are seeing growth in the use of technology enabled solutions within consumer sectors. Such organic growth has also translated to an increase in deal activity within financial technology and e-commerce businesses specifically. This trend is further buttressed by some notable examples, such as Adlevo Capital and Alitheia Identity’s 2015 investment in Pagatech Limited, and Helios Investment Partners’ 2010 investment in Interswitch, as well as their partial exit to TA Associates. We have also seen private equity investments in large e-commerce retailers such as Jumia, which has contributed to driving online shopping in Nigeria to around a third of total formal retail.

With the huge infrastructural gap in the country, why have private equity firms not been able to take advantage that? There is a lot of opportunity in this space. There are many critical areas such as energy, transport and utilities where we see the need for PE and sustainable pension fund investment in the short-medium term. We have seen a few transactions take place with the potential to start bridging the infrastructure deficit in Nigeria. For example, African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) and others invested in the Lekki-Epe expressway which was a major infrastructural development in the Lekki axis area. The telecommunications industry in Nigeria has seen a growth spurt over the past few years accounting for approximately nine per cent of GDP. Investments in telecommunication towers have consequently increased with examples such as Emerging Capital Partners and Investec Asset Management’s investment in IHS Towers, and Helios’ investment in Helios Towers. In 2016, Synergy Capital Managers also made an investment in Suburban Fiber Company Limited. What is important for growth in infrastructure investment is the continued development of the right legal and regulatory enabling framework to give private sector investors increased confidence. An AVCA Member, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment Limited, recently stated that the infrastructure asset class is “relatively new and perceived to be associated with substantial risk. Many governments, bankers, and fund managers have not closed infrastructure deals, and where they have, their experiences have not always been good. There is therefore a degree of wariness towards the sector. But when you think that over seventy per cent of the Nigerian population, for example, is under twenty years old, you should realise the need to think in terms of long-term horizons when considering the future workforce – Nigerian pension funds need to provide for the long-term liabilities that will arise from catering for that market. Infrastructure as an asset class fits well into this dynamic – it can provide steady long term, risk-adjusted, and inflation-linked returns.� We continue to engage with our members to develop a comprehensive view on this subject.

What in your view can the government do to get private equity firms to invest in infrastructure? When it comes to infrastructure investing, it is important for Government and the privatesector to be aligned. An enabling business environment will naturally lead to increased capital deployment, whether this is adjusting electricity tariffs to induce more investment in the power sector, or structuring projects to suit the needs of investors and ensure that the proposed structures are appropriate for their risk-return profile. Facilitating increased investment will depend on an open and transparent business environment. Across the continent, we have seen fiscal measures being used to encourage institutional investor investment in private equity funds. Such methods can be applied to funds that focus on investing in infrastructure as a means of galvanising investment in this sector. Is there any specific legislation that needs to be enacted or amended to drive thus? The investment climate in Nigeria has improved over the past few years. We are seeing increasing transactions in the infrastructure space due to legislative reforms and the government’s commitment to including private sector in financing the infrastructure needs in the country. As with other countries, an on-going dialogue between policy makers and private sector stakeholders is critical to drive increased investment and economic growth. What is encouraging is the tremendous effort being made by the Nigerian Government to diversify its economy. The National Economic Recovery Growth Plan set a target of US$30 trillion in infrastructure investment over the next thirty years, which provides ample opportunity for the private sector to play a role herein. This will, of course, rely on a favorable underlying legal and regulatory framework, and mobilising domestic capital, particularly sovereign capital and pension funds. Has there been any significant inflow of investments into Nigeria in recent times? Investment inflows into the country have risen in the short-term. They almost doubled between Q1 and Q2, growing to US$1.79 billion. FDI also increased over the same period. Between 2011 and H1 2017, Africa-focused PE firms have closed funds totaling US$23.7 billion. Over the past few years, a significant amount of capital

Do you think the country is on the right path towards attracting foreign investors into the economy? Investor confidence is rising following the recent US$14.1 billion combined FX deals from the I&E FX Window and the CBN’s weekly dollar interventions, and since April, the CBN has injected almost US$6.5 billion into the economy. It is, however, important to be realistic concerning foreign investors’ perceived risks for Nigeria and Africa, and this will be a litmus test for the region and continent over the coming years as more businesses emerge that need private capital investment. In private equity specifically, two of the perceived risks identified by international institutional investors around investing in fund managers in Nigeria are exchange rate fluctuations and proceeds repatriation (2016 AVCA Limited Partner Survey). As implementation of the FX liquidity policy continues, we are positive that foreign investor confidence will continue to increase and we expect to see steady investments in the country in the short to medium term. What is the future of private equity in Nigeria and Africa? The future is exciting, both in Nigeria and on a pan-African level. Last year saw a record number of exits achieved by PE firms in Africa (48), with a record number of PE firms achieving exits (31) and a significant uptick in sales to PE and other financial buyers, indicating growing confidence in the increasing maturity of the African PE industry. Yes, there are still macro-economic obstacles in Nigeria, but we expect PE deals to increase because the country is an established investment hub with potential for growth and a need for considerable capital injection. With a pre-recession GDP growth rate of above seven per cent, a rapidly expanding consumer class, and the deregulation, privatisation, and restructuring of strategic sectors, there are many opportunities to make the most of. When thinking about Africa, PE firms need to understand the risks in a complex region of over fifty nations to advise clients and maximise returns in a sustainable fashion. As the continent welcomes more peace and political stability, investors will see excellent long-term prospects. For fund raising, those funds that can demonstrate a real track record of understanding and investing in Africa will continue to attract funds from limited partners. Experienced GPs tracking less high-profile markets, such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia and Tanzania, are now building strong track record and generating outsize returns. You also have institutions such as CDC with increased funding that will be looking to invest in countries like Nigeria where they already have a good track record. It is becoming more widely recognised that technology – fintech in particular – will continue to attract investment as Africa looks to this as an enabler (rather than a disrupter) to leapfrog existing bottlenecks. In general, there is a lot going and it is an interesting and exciting time for AVCA, the industry, and the continent generally.

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Chasing Elusive Devt in Troubled Madagali After years of the ravaging effects of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east, some measure of peace is finally returning to Adamawa State, although development is yet to return fully to the town of Madagali, and its environs. Daji Sani, who visited some of the affected areas, writes

T

he visit to Madagali was borne out of a zeal to find out the true situation of the current security challenges and the level of destruction caused by the Boko Haram insurgency on education especially primary schools, which is a foundation to a child’s education. Reviving Madagali Madagali was among the seven Local Government Areas in Adamawa State under the control of the insurgents before they were liberated by the military. Having degraded the insurgents in these affected areas, only Madagali is still experiencing series of attacks. This development has raised a lot of questionings and discussions on why Madagali cannot be completely free from the onslaughts of insurgency like the other six local government councils of Michika, Hong, Gombi, Maiha, Mubi North and Mubi South of the state, which were under the control of the insurgents before they were liberated. Fear Factor When THISDAY visited Bebel, Hyambula Jalingo Gulak Gulak Shuwa, Pallam Birishishiwa villages and Madagali town in Madagali local government area, it discovered that although many residents displaced by the insurgency have returned to these areas but they were still living in fear due to some series of attacks meted on them by the terrorists. Some of them confessed that the security situation has improved better than when they were displaced in 2014, but they called for more security personnel to enable them go to their farms and do their businesses without harassment or molestation or even being killed by the insurgents. Security Network THISDAY discovered that every village has established a security network to alert the villagers to flee whenever the insurgents are coming for an attack while the able men among them come out to assist the military in engaging the insurgents. “We cannot continue to run; we have resolved to assist the military to fight the insurgents instead of running. This resolution by the residents has drastically reduced the number of casualties but we need more soldiers to go after these boys inside Sambisa forest.� “I think the only solution is to go after the insurgents, we don’t need to wait for them to attack us before we act, that will enable us to wipe them completely out of Sambisa� said Usman, one of the villagers Ripple Effects However, all government institutions were destroyed including primary schools by the insurgency. The terrorists had targeted teachers, pupils and schools with fierce hatred; and as a result, destroyed many schools between 2009 and 2015; and some schools were forced to shut down. Checks revealed that the effects of these attacks on schools and on the future development of the restive region had brought together a coalition of Nigerian business leaders, working with the UN Special Envoy for Education, Gordon Brown; the Global Business Coalition for Education; and A World at School; to brainstorm on the way forward at a World Economic Forum held in Nigeria on May 7, 2014. The outcome of the meeting at the WEF followed the launching of a “Safe Schools Initiative� (SSI) now called “Towards Safe Schools Initiative Project� (TSSIP) in response to the growing number of attacks on the right to education, including the kidnapping of more than 200 girls by the Boko Haram insurgents. The SSI was saddled with responsibilities of focusing on schools and community interventions, with special measures for the most at-risk and vulnerable children. The initiative will eventually build community security groups to promote safe zones for education, consisting of teachers,

Classroom block destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents in Pallam village, Adamawa State parents, police, community leaders and young people themselves in especially the frontline states namely, Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. Vital Interventions However, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) under the premises of the TSSIP with funding support from the Government of Norway, had intervened in some projects such as the provision of Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) and the renovation of 40 primary schools destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgency across seven Local Government Areas of Madagali, Michika, Maiha, Mubi North, Mubi South, Gombi and Hong in Adamawa State. To carry out the renovations in the focus areas, UNICEF is working with the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) - community-based groups comprising of parents, teachers, youths, traditional and religious leaders -established to promote good learning environment and safe zones for education in these seven LGAs worst affected by the insurgency in the state. Schools Safety THISDAY also visited some primary schools in Madagali such as Bebel Girls’ Primary School, Hyambula Primary School, Jalingo Gulak Primary School, Gulak Central Primary School, Shuwa Central Primary School, Pallam Primary School, Birishishiwa Primary School, Madagali Central Primary School and in other LGAs of the state.

The SBMC Chairman of Bebel Primary school in Madagali, Alhaji Ardo Umaru, said they had entered into an agreement with UNICEF to provide labour and feeding as the renovation lasted, while UNICEF provides the funding to procure materials for the job. He further added that most of them had received the fund and have started the renovation. Umaru revealed that 40 primary schools in the seven affected LGAs of the state were benefitting from the gesture, adding that they have unanimously resolved to support the project and any other developmental projects brought to them by any organisation or individual. “We will no longer fold our hands and watch government and NGOs do everything for us, that is why we have recently mobilised our youths, women, men, religious and traditional leaders for us to join hands together and face squarely the humanitarian crisis ravaging our areas due to the onslaught of the Boko Haram insurgency on us,� he said. Bebel Girls’ Primary School is made up of three blocks with about six classrooms; and one block of classrooms was destroyed by insurgents, leaving the other classrooms with no furniture. Pupils sit on mats inside empty classrooms and some sit under trees to learn. The head teacher of Bebel Girls’ Primary School, Mrs. Maryamu Yawale, said SBMC in the school had proposed to renovate a block of two classrooms and has already received

DAJI SANI grants for the renovation work and have started the renovation. She said apart from renovating the classrooms, the school is dire in need of a fence and more classroom blocks which can accommodate more numbers of pupils because some schools in neighbouring villages were shut down as a result of the activities of the insurgency and were yet to be re-opened. As a result of that, the number of pupils enrolled in the school has increased from 280 to 510. Also speaking on the renovation issue, Education Specialist at the UNICEF Nigeria Bauchi Field Office, Mairama Dikwa, told THISDAY that UNICEF is not supporting the renovation of the whole schools but it will be supporting the renovation of at least a block of two classrooms or three classrooms in each school, depending on their proposals submitted by the SBMCs. “We are not renovating the whole schools; but rather some classrooms and as it is in each school, we will be renovating at least a block of two classrooms; some might have three classrooms depending on their proposals. UNICEF is spending over N25 million for the renovation work of classrooms in 40 schools,� Hajiya Dikwa said. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

RANDOM THOTS Power Scenarios Why is it so diďŹƒcult for Nigerian leaders to adopt all those best development strategies they see during their freĂ›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂžĂœĂ“ĂšĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽËœ Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ link in the country’s quest for rapid development? Despite the billions of dolĂ–Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ËŞĂ? ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ ÞÒĂ? ×ËâÓ×Ă&#x;Ă— Ă™Ă&#x;ÞÚĂ&#x;Ăž Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ͘˜͑͑͑ Ëœ Ă‹Ă?cording to reports. Compare that to the present scenario Ă“Ă˜ Ă?ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? are poised to pay customers to use Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?ÓÞã˛ Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹ Ă–Ă™Ă™Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ‘ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžËœ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ăž ÞÙ Ă?Ă–Ă“Ă—ĂŒ ÞÙ Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘

more output than needed and driving Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?ÓÞã ĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ?ÖÙå äĂ?ĂœĂ™Ë› Ă?ÑËÞÓà Ă? prices mean that producers must either Ă?Ă’Ă&#x;Ăž ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ–ĂŁËœ Ă™Ăœ ÚËã Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ÞËÕĂ? ÞÒĂ? electricity o the grid. Wind output is forecast to peak at ͔͚˜͚͒͑ Ă—Ă?Ă‘Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĘľĂ? Ă‹Ăž ͘ Ă‹Ă— Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;ÞÚĂ&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž Í•Í‘ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÙ meet more than half of Germany’s toÞËÖ ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽË› Ă?ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽ ͔͙˜͔͑͘ Ă—Ă?Ă‘Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĘľĂ? Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ ͙͒˛ Ă? ÞÒĂ? ʨà Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‘ĂŁ Ě™ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ĂŽ ÚÙåĂ?ĂœËœ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă‹Ăœ ÚÙåĂ?ĂœËœ ĂŒĂ“Ă™Ă—Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‘Ă?ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’ĂŁĂŽĂœĂ™Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?ĚšËœ

Nigeria has reportedly only deployed ĂŒĂ“Ă™Ă—Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă’ĂŁĂŽĂœĂ™ ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ ÞÙ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?âÞĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă‹Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘Ă?Ă“ĂŽĂ? ÞÒĂ? ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă“Ă–Ëœ Ă‘Ă‹Ă?Ëœ Ă?ÙËÖ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?Ë› ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă‹Ăœ ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ùå Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ę¨Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ ĂŒĂ™Ă™Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂŁËŞĂ? ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?Ăœ ĂĄĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă–ĂŁËœ Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ? Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? Ă‘Ă‹Ă? ĘŽĂ‹ĂœĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă˜kered crude lost on a daily basis. In the ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ĂŽ ÚÙåĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă? Ă?ÞÓÖÖ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă™Ă Ă?ÖÞã Ă’Ă?ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ÞËÕĂ? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă&#x;Ú˛˛˛åÓĂ?Ă’Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ -Abimbola Akosile

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Ëš

Plea bargain: To be or not to be?

Can Plea Bargain Help Check Corruption? Since the administration of late President Umaru Yar’Adua, only two high-profile corruption cases have led to convictions and sentencing. However, there is a belief that plea bargain, which is still a reduced sentence that involves conviction and in some cases shorter jail sentences, should be adopted in criminal proceedings especially for top corruption cases to improve loot recovery. In your view, can plea bargaining help secure the convictions that the criminal justice system has failed to secure? THE FEEDBACK

Abimbola Akosile * As a way of helping loot recovery from semi-repentant corrupt officials, plea bargain is allowed; but as a deterrent to high-level corruption, plea bargain just doesn’t cut it. More corrupt officials will simply steal billions and return some percentage of same loot to a grateful government, lie low for a few years and then re-emerge again the warm embrace of a permissive society to spend their ‘profit’. Naming and shaming, long jail terms, and total assets forfeiture are better deterrents. - Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * Plea bargain is not the only option in the country, because it kicks against the legal jurisprudence to reclaim governments’ stolen funds and property. But it gives room for government to recover part of looted funds, save the government the money to prosecute and also save the accused the harassment of standing trials. To some expert, plea bargain is one of the most inappropriate ways to fight corruption in Nigeria. - Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Abuja * No. There is the tendency to ignore government, develop thick skin, run away into self-exile e.t.c. from past experience e.g. claiming immunity, relying on corrupt godfathers, criminal lawyers, etc. Advanced nations have perfected a notorious penchant for encouraging looters to hide such huge wealth in their custody shamelessly. Plea bargain can lead to abuse, waste of time, money, energy, resources or even violence. Apply the correct law strictly and now. - Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * It makes it easy to be corrupt and come out clean. - Mr. John Atoyebi, Ibadan, Oyo State * Plea bargaining can only abet corruption. The government interest is that part of the loot fund is recovered from the looter, leaving part of it with him/her, which is nothing but encouragement for one to steal, since at the end it is what you forfeit to the authority. There should be a harsh punishment to all looters after the forfeiture of the looted sum. Nigerians fear punishment

Yes, it can:

2

No, it cannot:

9

Others:

4

Radical tip:

Jail all looters!

Total no of respondents:

15

Male:

13

Female:

2

Highest location:

Lagos (6)

but are weak law implementers. - Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * It may help to recover some loot, and not fight corruption largely. - Ms Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos * Plea bargaining not only secures a guaranteed conviction; it ensures that trials are done away with in record time. It greatly reduces the cost of prosecution and reduces the load on an overstretched Judiciary. Contrary to popular opinion, plea bargaining ensures that you are not allowed to hold or run for public office ever again and you are considered an ex-convict. As it currently stands, as far as loot recovery is concerned, the Federal Government spends a lot of money on these trials without the required results. The advantage of plea bargaining is that you can never come back to court to say you never committed the crime. We need to evolve our own unique plea bargain system to suit our own peculiarities. - Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * l believe plea bargain is another way of encouraging corruption in leadership because it will give room for looting hoping that if the looters are caught they would go for plea bargain and return some money and take the rest to their comfort zone. Whoever loots the treasury should be taken to court to face prosecution in deterrent of others who may engage in looting the treasury. - Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State

* No! Not in a society like Nigeria! - Mr. Sonny Okobi, Lagos State * The use of plea bargain is open to abuse and I would advise against its widespread implementation. I believe the real key that’ll unlock the door of success in manacling corruption is the body language of government. Also, if the ordinary Nigerian sees tangible improvement in her/his existence, then there will be reduced resistance to the policies of government and public opinion will swing against the use of plea bargain because it’ll be seen as ‘soft landing’. - Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, Brainchild Academic Resources, Apo, Abuja * Yes, plea bargain is the best option for our current situation today. In advanced climes government rely on plea bargain tremendously. It is a win-win situation for all concerned, whether the whistleblower, government or culprits. Monies, time, energy, resources love, unity e.t.c will be grossly saved. No sledge hammer is used to kill any fly while defaulters face the law irrespective of whose ox is gored. This is safer, cheaper, easier and better. Even if all criminals are forcefully annihilated globally a new set will emerge naturally. Plea bargain is wise. - Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * Bargaining has only deepened to worsen corruption in a higher level. The more you see the less you understand. If one will steal billions of dollars, just to bargain to settle at millions of naira, is that encouraging or fighting it? Nigerians are seeing and watching what is happening. The earlier government address crucial national issues, the more it is a credit for her. - Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna * Plea bargain does not check corruption; rather it encourages corruption. Under plea bargain, the thief gets to keep part of his loot and is encouraged to steal more in order to cushion how much he releases to the law in order to gain freedom. Plea bargain is pro corruption. If you apply the full arm of the law, stolen loot can be fully recovered and proper punishment which will act as a deterrent will be meted out

to the culprit. As for wasting time in court, that is a human factor which can be handled by the relevant authorities and laws. - Mr. Utibe Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State * What do they mean by plea bargain? All of them are the corrupt same. - Mr. Felix Ademola, Ibadan, Oyo State * Plea bargain is a soft-landing for corrupt politicians. It promotes corruption since it becomes clear that the culprit will no longer suffer the full weight of the law for his offences. This encourages him/her to steal more knowing that if caught there is a soft-landing for him/her. - Mr. Francis Ugwoke, Online Publisher, Lagos State

Next Week: Is the Anti-corruption War Back on Track? ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹ĂŽĂ—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă‹ ÖÙÞ Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă— Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?ĂŽ Ă–Ă&#x;Ă•Ă?ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ— Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ě‹ĂšĂœĂ™Ę¨Ă–Ă? ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜Ă?ËŞ Ă?âÚĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĚ‹ Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–

Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ Ěš ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ě‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă˜Ăž ËÚÚĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ ĂŽĂ“ĘĽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž ÚÙĂ?ÓÞÓà Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÙ ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄËœ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹Ăœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™ĂœĂœĂ&#x;ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă•ËŁ Ă’Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂŽĂ™Ă˜Ă?ËŁ Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžËœ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ó×ÚÖĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ëœ ÞÓÞÖĂ?Ëœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ě‹ ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ?ÞåĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÞÙÎËã Ě™ Ùà Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Í“ Ęś Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ùà Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Í—Ěš ÞÙ abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, abimbola. akosile@thisdayliveË›Ă?Ùײ Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž ĂžĂ?âÞ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ 08023117639 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™Ăœ 08188361766 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËš Ă™Ăœ 08114495306. ÙÖÖËÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ùà Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Íš

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DEVELOPMENT

Feed storage process at the Olam Integrated Mill in Kaduna; vital for the food value chain

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

W’Bank Earmarks $520m for Rural Roads in Ten States As Bauchi partners CBN to create 10,000 jobs Hammed Shitttu in Ilorin and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The World Bank has earmarked a sum of $520 million for rural roads infrastructure across ten states in the country, including Kwara. This, the bank said, would go a long way to facilitate the transportation of farm produce from rural communities to the nearby markets. The World Bank Country Director for Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Engr. Tunji Ahmed disclosed this in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital during a courtesy visit to the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed at the Government House. According to him, “the project was sponsored by the World Bank, French Development Bank and Africa Development Bank�. He said the facility would provide suitable road network for rural farmers to convey their farm produce to the market and avoid losses

arising from wastages during transportation. The Director noted that twenty-five per cent of farm produce are lost as a result of lack of access to markets occasioned by bad roads. He added that the RAAMP would improve rural access, agricultural marketing and open up rural areas in the selected participating states. Responding, Governor Ahmed identified lack of good road network as an impediment to the movement of farm produce to the market for final consumers, thereby leading to wastages. Ahmed commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government for diversifying the economy through its unprecedented commitment to agriculture. The governor said the decision by the state government to present proposal for the project was to create connectivity in moving farm produce to the market. He disclosed that the state government has made provision

for counterpart fund to enable it access the Bank’s facility. Meanwhile, following the successful implementation of the rice farming scheme under the Anchor Borrowers programme, Bauchi State Government has gone into collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS) that seeks to provide 10,000 jobs for unemployed youth. According to a statement signed by Press Secretary to the governor, Mallam Abubakar Al-Sadique, a team from the CBN led by the head of Agricultural Development Programme, Hajiya Amina Umar visited the governor in Abuja on State governments’ engagement on the AADS. Umar commended Governor Mohammed A. Abubakar for the “successful implementation of the Anchor Borrowers rice farming scheme in Bauchi State that shows the Buhari

administration’s agricultural programme is on the right track.� She urged other state governors to emulate the Bauchi State experience in which the governor personally visited rice farms to assess the performance of the programme, pointing out that with commitment to agriculture, the nation has vast arable land that can feed not only the nation but the entire West African sub-region. Responding, Governor Abubakar assured that his administration was ready to collaborate with the CBN and any organisation that would bring development to the state, assuring that his administration was poised to create the necessary enabling environment that would create jobs to “our unemployed youth.� NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Israel Mulls Partnership with Zamarr Institute on Education for Special Needs Children Alex Enumah in Abuja The Government of Israel has expressed its interest to do consider a partnership for with Nigeria for training of teachers for the education of children with autism and other special needs. The move, according to the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Israel in Abuja, Nadav Goren, is part of efforts at expanding relations with Nigeria and also in contributing to development of humanity, and is coming at a time stakeholders are lamenting government’s neglect of the education of children with special needs. Goren made the disclosure when he, in company of a staff of the Sheeba Medical Centre in Israel, visited the Zamarr

Institute/Centre for Children with Special Education Needs in Abuja. He said the purpose of the visit was to personally assess the facility with a view to collaborating with the Institute in the area of capacity building. “I came here as an initial visit to see what this is all about and it’s not only important to see what is being done but to have a good partner on the other side. I am interested to explore more to see which government agency is in charge because as an embassy we have to also interact with the government player who is in charge of this area. “There are a lot of details we need to trash out, but definitely this is something that is worthy to put efforts into and collaborate. “It’s a beautiful work being

done with a lot of compassion. I’m not a professional in this area but I think like in a lot of areas of cares; medical and other areas, Israel is very innovative and I think there is a lot to learn in the area of capacity building and training and I think we are on the same page in this area�, he said. The envoy stated that Israel like other country has an aid agency to support development in other countries but unlike other nations her aid agency specialises in helping other nations build capacity. He said the Israeli aid organisation which is called Mashav specialises in building capacity as well as providing necessary training for education of children with special needs. Also speaking, a Dance Movement Therapist in a Child

Developmental Centre in Sheeba Centre in Israel, Inbal Goren, emphasised the need to equip handlers of children with special needs with the right skills. “This children at times can’t communicate what they are feeling or what they need, and then someone who has the right skill and right sensitivity can pick up what they are trying to say and translate them to the world or translate the world to the children and then help them express themselves and learn skills that are important in communication with other people and other children�, she said. She expressed excitement to see that there is a place for the education of autism children in Nigeria and urged the government and other Nigerians to support the Zamarr Institute as well as other centres caring

for children with special needs. Executive Director of the Zamarr Institute, Oluronke Katagum, described Israel as one of the leading countries and a role model to many countries in attending to children with special needs, hence the need for the collaboration. She disclosed that she visited Israel last year to explore opportunities that would benefit the organisation to elevate the standard of special education, caregiving and up-to-date approaches for children with special needs in Nigeria. Katagum said though education of children with special needs is new in Nigeria, government’s failure to genuinely support the field has deprived a lot of children with special needs from getting education. “Zamarr is trying to partner

the Israeli government because they have in their scheme some sort of support to assist other countries that need to learn how to tackle such issues. Basically we are looking for support for training from Marshad, we are already talking to the FCT to give us a bigger space to provide the best for the children. If we get all the expertise from out there particularly from Israel we hope to build a world class centre that would cater for children with special needs�, she said. She also called on the government to establish a functional centre for education of children with special needs across the six geopolitical zones, adding that majority of such children are from the less privileged who are not able to afford the fees charged by private centres.

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DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Inthejourneyofdemocracy,youaregoingtohavetwistsandturns.Youaregoingtohaveconflicts. Theconflictresolutionmechanismisinbuiltinhowyouhandleyourpartyandthegovernance process.TheAPCgovernmentisoncourseandwillremainoncourseandwewillremainfocusedon thosenecessarythingspertainingtodevelopment,welfareandprogressofourpeople� -NATIONAL LEADER OF THE RULING ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC), SENATOR BOLA TINUBU, SPEAKING IN ABUJA

‘More than 200m Females Are Carrying Pains of Genital Mutilation Globally’ Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Drive Narratives on New Urban Agenda, Media Urged Abimbola Akosile The media has been urged to drive the new narratives about urban development in Nigeria by getting acquainted with the New Urban Agenda (NUA) as well as relevant policies and plans of the government on housing and urban development. The call was made by the National Information Officer of the UN Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, Dr. Oluseyi Soremekun, at a Media Workshop on Post-Habitat III Conference/ New Urban Agenda, organised recently by UNIC and the UN-Habitat Nigeria. The workshop was based on the emerging need to further build the capacity of the media in reporting housing and sustainable urban development, following Habitat III, the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, which took place in Quito Ecuador in 2016. Speaking on the role of the media in the New Urban Agenda, Soremekun said “If you are not conversant with the necessary NUA frameworks; the National Housing Policy as well as other National Plans, you cannot hold the government accountable to its commitment to a new urban agenda that will redress the way cities and human settlements are planned, financed, developed, governed and managed.� “Media should give prominence to the issues of sustainable housing, urban development and slum upgrading. Media should rise above sensationalising and politicising issues of urban development. Rather, they should interrogate the existing housing and urban development policy and plan and juxtapose these with government actions,� he said. The workshop, held in Abuja and attended by twenty-five participants from the media, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (FMPWH) and the UN system, was aimed at strengthening awareness among journalists and media professionals of the challenges of urbanisation and the global efforts to address them. These include the outcomes of the Habitat III conference in Quito; developing the capacity of journalists to engage constructively with policy makers, professionals and government functionaries

Participants at the media workshop to actively follow-up on implementation of the NUA; and facilitating citizens’ participation in the New Urban Agenda. In his presentation, the Programme Manager of UN-Habitat Nigeria, Mr. Kabir Yari explained that the New Urban Agenda is an action-oriented document which sets global standards of achievement in sustainable urban development, rethinking the way we build, manage, and live in cities through cooperation with all levels of government, relevant stakeholders, and other urban actors such as the private sector. He noted that the agenda also “provides the underpinning for actions to address climate change and reaffirms our global commitment to sustainable urban development as a critical step for realising sustainable development in an integrated and coordinated manner.� Yari added that the shared vision and commitments include: “Cities and human settlements must be for every one; referred as the “right to the city�. It entails equal

rights including the right to adequate housing; gender equality, basic urban services etc.; Urban equity and inclusiveness leaving no one behind and addressing issues of poverty, deprivation in cities, socio-economic and cultural diversity.� Discussing the “Challenges and Response to Urbanisation in Nigeria�, the Director of Urban & Regional Development (URD) Department, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (FMPWH), Mr L. C. Anikamadu, explained that “Nigeria boasts of more than ten regional centres which have established status of ‘millionaire cities’. In addition, she has several other fast growing population centres which have assumed very strong urban identity due to administrative, commercial, ethnic, transport connectivity and other intrinsic peculiarities.� Anikamadu noted that as urbanisation creates hordes of cities and townships, several intimidating challenges of different shades follow in its wake.

No fewer than 200 million females are carrying the negative effects of genital mutilation across the globe. Many of this female population size, according to experts, are carrying lifetime infectious diseases like HIV, suffered barrenness, hemorrhagic diseases, or broken homes, due to sexual dis-satisfaction and other associated problems due to the removal of their genitals. The Executive Director of a non-governmental organisation, New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD), Princess Abimbola Aladejare and Director, Centre for Gender Development, Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti, Prof. Kemi Ogundana, said this at the school during a recent sensitisation programme tagged ‘Join Me to Stop Female Genital Mutilation’. The workshop, which featured entertainment, was attended by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Lanre Ogunsuyi; Permanent Secretaries, Ministries of Health and Women Affairs, Dr. Ayotunde Omole and Mrs. Peju Babafemi, respectively, and an artiste, Miss Juliana Olayode (aka Toyo Baby). The high point of the event was the celebrity’s declaration of the abandonment of the harmful and outlawed practice not only in Ekiti but also around Nigeria as a whole. Miffed by the fact that Ekiti State has the second highest prevalence of FGM in the country, Commissioner Ogunsuyi, who also attended the workshop, promised that the state will punish whoever was found engaging in such practice. Speaking at the programme funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Prof. Ogundana described genital mutilation as a flagrant infringement of the rights of the female gender, urging the government at all levels to stop the menace in the overall interest of motherhood. She said taking the programme, which was attended by over 2,000 participants to a university community, was appropriate, describing the undergraduates as the future mothers and husbands, who needed sensitisation ahead of time. “Cultural and traditional beliefs are responsible for this devilish practice and some people see it as family heritage but we must stop it. Some of those who even performed the genital cutting are unskilled. They did it with primitive and unsterilised equipment that do damage to human parts. “The World Health Organisation had a law prohibiting this practice and it has been domesticated in Nigeria, particularly in Ekiti State. I want to appeal that the laws must be implemented to protect the lives of our women�, he said. Aladejare said as a survivor of the practice that she could not forget the psychologically imbalance she always suffered each time she remembered the level of dehumanisation being experienced by the victims. She said those who practised the act were hiding under the myth that retention of female clitoris can cause promiscuity and still-birth, which she said had been proven wrong by medical experts. The commissioner, who revealed that most of the cutters are women, added that the state government under Governor Ayodele Fayose would continue to sensitise the populace until the practice is completely obliterated in the state.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Olugbenga: NDLEA Has Upped the War against Illicit Drugs Mabo Olugbenga is the Director, Operations and General Investigations, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. In this interview with Kasim Sumaina, he spoke on the efforts the agency has made in curbing drug abuse and why parents and the society must be involved in the fight, among other sundry issues

D

rug use is becoming common among children of rich and middle class in the country. What do you think is responsible for this? I may not exhaust the reasons, but there are two major ones. First, some parents abandon their responsibilities or leaving the care of the children to schools, mosques, churches and others. Even if not deliberate, some leave their children’s care to the children’s peer groups, because if parents don’t check on who their children relate with, it looks like handing over the children to their peer group. Another thing is if we are talking about some of the classic drugs like cocaine or heroine which are not cheap, it means the children have access to much money to be able to afford them. The use of tramadol and other opioids have made it convenient for youths to make drug use a habit without being detected. Is the agency not concerned about this? We are very concerned. For parents, we have talked about whether they don’t have sufficient time because of looking for means of livelihood for the children. Another challenge is that some parents know some of these drugs. For instance, parents can ask their children why they are taking benylin when they are not coughing for example. That is one way parents can get involved. But you know these children again, they will say they just started developing cough. So the agency is very concerned. That is why we are engaging non governmental organisations, pharmaceutical council, and several stakeholders to ensure that we enlighten them. It’s going to be more of enlightenment. We are not going to abandon our enforcement responsibilities, but then when you see people that you call victims, it is better you address them from that angle rather than from the angle of a criminal. Gone were the days when people stigmatise drug addicts. Now it’s becoming glamorous among teenagers and young adults. How should this be approached? All hands have to be on deck to tackle this in the sense that it is multi sectional. Some of these children take inspiration from some celebrities who enhance their acts or performers with the use of drugs. So it has to be more of counselling and alertness, not only from parents, but the society, the press, among others. Whether you like it or not, there is

We have so far arrested 5,036 drug offenders this year, while 532 persons have been prosecuted. And a total of 370,399.6 kg of prohibited drugs have been seized

Olugbenga

still a lot of ignorance on drug use and its trafficking as well. So everyone, including religious bodies must play their part. Where is cannabis cultivation more prominent, the North? How can this be curbed? We can’t specifically pin cannabis cultivation to the North because it is a widely consumed in the country because it is far cheaper than many drugs. Even the prevalence of other substances are no more restricted to the North. There are a lot of abuse of benylin and codeine going on in the South as well. Since we have a national spread, we are doing our best all round, but we pay more attention or so to areas that have been identified as risky. We are doing that presently, NDLEA cannot do it alone, that is why we are engaging stakeholders. How does drug intake hamper the development of the country? If you look at it from the area of productivity, most people on drugs can never be productive as those who are free. On health grounds it is affecting us. On productivity it is affecting our economy. On health grounds, it means that we have to spend more money on treatment. Money that could have been used for other things. Again there is the area of influence. If traffickers are allowed to just continue to get rich, some of our youths may not even feel the compulsion to look for legitimate means of making money. And if the society is equally careless enough to overlook the

source of income of some persons, this on its own will lead to increase in percentage of people who would want to get rich quick through drugs. Like in the case of Davido’s friends, many young Nigerians have lost their lives to drugs or alcohol. Clubs and joints are hubs for these. Do you sometimes visit these joints/ clubs to monitor what is happening there? We do. We have made arrests, we made seizures. And then how many have been arrested and how many are undergoing prosecution? We have so far arrested 5,036 drug offenders this year, while 532 have been prosecuted. And a total of 370,399.6 kg of prohibited drugs have been seized. We understand most people on drugs are usually sexually reckless. What is your advice, both to parents and to the government. How do they ensure that this is nipped in the bud? I think, we should go back to the issue of this counselling thing. Number one, even before you talk about counseling, these children and youths need attention. We need to know our children well and the perf group they keep. We need to know their challenges. We need to also give them access to talk to us as parents. They want to be listened to. We need to be closer to them. We need to identify their challenges. We need to interact with them. There should be opportunities for them to express themselves. Like you know they are

more interested in these social media and all those things. So we can control it in such a way that it will now be the bad aspects we are involved in. They can also bring out a lot of creativity if they are properly advised and guided. Then again the issue of employment is always very key. An idle hand can do a lot of things if misled. What are the challenges the agencies are currently facing? Funding. Funding. Funding. If I can say it three more times. First, we want the government to increase the funding. Funding also includes ensuring the implementation of the staff strength already approved to us. We need funding for intelligence gathering. We need money for operations. We have many commands that cannot boast of a good vehicle to be able to fight the war. What is the solution to the cultivation and trafficking of drugs? The solution still lies in all hands being on deck. Those organisations, agencies both federal and NGO’S we all just need to put our hands together. It is a multi faceted problem, so it has to have a multi faceted approach What is your final advice to parents and Nigerians? My final advice is, let’s be more sensitive to our children. Let’s interact more with them. Let’s be concerned about the company that they keep

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

HEALTH

Preventing Breast Cancer As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Breast and Gynae Centre, an arm of the Reddington Hospital Group, says prevention is key to tackling the disease. Martins Ifijeh writes It is no longer news that one of the health issues currently ravaging the Nigeria is cancer, which unfortunately kills at least 10 Nigerians per hour or 240 persons per day. What seems to be the news, according to available statistics is that this figure will double in the nearest decade if nothing is done to reduce the disease which the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said was preventable. While over two million Nigerians are living with one form of cancer or the other, a WHO report shows that well over 100,000 new cases of cancers are diagnosed yearly in Nigeria, out of which 80,000 of those affected die, especially from the commonest cancer types in the country due to lack of proper awareness on prevention or early detection, or lack of facilities for treatment. For instance, if the data from the 2014 national cancer survey is anything to go by, it means breast cancer kills over 40 Nigerian women daily, prostate cancer kills at least 26 Nigerian men daily, while cervical cancer kills about 26 Nigerian women every day. Experts also believed these figures must have significantly increased in 2017. Available information suggests that this figure will snowball into an uncontrollable health issue for the country within the next decade because of various identifiable factors which experts say must be looked at if the country must win the war against the disease. But while breast cancer is arguably the commonest cancer among Nigerian women, representing one in four of all cancer in women, experts believe little is being talked about it, especially since many women are still coming down with it. It is in tackling this obvious gap that the Breast and Gynae Centre, Lagos, an arm of the Reddington Hospital Group, organised a walk recently in commemoration of the World Health Organisation’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) to bring awareness to Nigerian women and girls on the importance of breast cancer screening, self examination and what to do to avoid risk factors associated with the disease. Speaking during the walk, the Occupational Health Physician, Reddington Hospital Group, Dr. Tokunbo Babajide said recent data suggests that one in eight Nigerian women will have breast cancer in their lifetime, adding that to avoid this, every woman must be aware of what to do to prevent the disease. She said the Breast and Gynae Centre keyed

The ‘Breast and Gynae’ team walking to raise awareness against breast cancer

into the WHO initiative in order to speak up on the importance of screening, regular check ups, self breast examination, as well as avoid risky behaviours that predisposes to not only breast cancer, but other types of the mad cells. According to her, the only way to avoid late presentation of breast cancer was for women to know before hand when to check themselves for the cells or its predisposition. “Early detection means early intervention. If you don’t treat early, it becomes difficult. Treatment of breast cancer runs into millions of naira, but if it can be detected early, it means it can be removed early without it spreading. Chances of survival are low if the cancer is presented late. “Considering we are a developing country where majority are living below poverty line, we can say out of the one in eight Nigerian women that will have breast cancer, majority of them will not be able to get treatment because they will not be able to afford treatment. “That is why we are consistently advocating that people present early. But unfortunately, early presentation is still very low in the country due to attitude. And that is the reason for our campaign. Stakeholders, media and the government should keep talking about breast cancer while encouraging women to get screened,”

she said. Babajide said once a breast cancer is found in a woman, hopefully if it hasn’t spread to the breast, it could be removed while the woman starts radiotherapy, noting that if it has already spread, the person would still require radiotherapy. “But in developed countries the treatments are well advanced but much more expensive. How many Nigerians can afford it in these countries? Our best bet is to prevent it.” She said breast cancer disrupts not only the woman but the family and the society. She also explained that as part of efforts to contribute to the society, the Breast and Gynae Centre was offering free breast cancer screening till the end of the year to vulnerable/poor women. On the risk factors, she said the fact that the person is a woman was already a risk factor. “Those who have had it in their families are at a high risk of it. If one or two people have had it in the family, then it puts you at risk. So women of such families should get screened often.” She said sedentary lifestyle was also a contributing factors. “Though we have seen people who exercise and still come down with it, those who do not exercise are at a higher risk. A poor lifestyle, obesity, oral contraceptives puts one at risk of abreast cancer.” On how the Breast and Gynae Centre is

contributing to tackling the disease in the country, she said the centre is equipped with latest technology for screening and treatment. “Apart from our 2D machine, we have acquired the 3D mammogram which is able to detect cancer, much more better. We have the 3 D A-bus also, which is very effective. “What we are doing here is to invest in breast cancer prevention and treatment. If cancer is picked before time, the breast is removed, the woman takes chemotherapy and can live a long time. And our machine can pick the tiniest of cells even before it shows up as a lump in the breast. On her part, the Practice Manager, Breast and Gynae Centre, Mrs. Neye Akinola, said over 300 persons participated in the walk, and she believed they have in turn reached thousands of Nigerians through the walk. She said the Breast and Gynae Centre is a stand alone centre even though its birthed by the Reddington Hospital Group. The Centre is targeted towards a wider range of audience. I can tell you the hospital is repositioning itself to better appeal to the rich, middle class and the poor. ‘’We have two of the latest technologies in the world. We have the automated breast ultrasound and the tomo-mammography. It’s a 3D mammography, an A-list screening mammography used abroad to detect breast cancer cells. It supersedes the regular breast ultrasound or the 2D mammogram. Then there is A-bus, which screens for women below 40 years. If you are above 40 you go on the Tomo. But cutting edge technology advises that we have both the tomo and the A-bus.” She said with Tomo, rather than seeing the breast slides from a frontal view, it can do a 360, such that wherever the cancer cells are, it would detect it. In an earlier interview, the Chief Executive Officer, Reddington Hospital Group, Dr. Yemi Onabowale, described the Breast and Gynae Centre as a one-stop women’s health facility dedicated to caring for women throughout all stages of their lives. “The idea is to offer the most advanced, comprehensive and personalised care available. And then put everything under one roof. This is what is lacking in the country, even though there are hospitals focusing on women. Ours is built to focus on everything woman. “This centre will give an all-round services in advanced breast care, gynaecological care, primary care, and other specialties such as cardiology, general surgery, ear, eye, nose and throat care,” he added.

WARIF: 10,000 Girls are Sexually Assaulted, Raped Daily Ayodeji Ake A non governmental organisation, Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF), has condemned the high incidence of sexual assault, rape and human trafficking amongst young girls and women across Nigeria, disclosing that the country records 10,000 of the menace daily. Speaking at the launch of the initiative ‘The Gate Keeper’s Project’ in Lagos recently, the Founder, WARIF, Dr. Kemi DaSilver Ibru, who partnered with Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation on the project, said cases of sexual assaults in the country have been alarming, consequently, destroying the future of young girls. “In Nigeria today, the statistics tells us that one in four girls by the time she reaches 18 would have experienced at least one form of sexual assault. We are over 160 million and half of the population are women,

and half of the women are under the age of 24, that’s 10,000 girls everyday that are survivors of this horrific crime. Many of them have attended multiple events and they are not aware that this problem can be addressed,” she said. She noted that the event will be attempting to train over 550 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) across all local government areas in Lagos State, to inform and educate them on sexual assaults. “The gate keepers in different communities are regarded as trusted members and these are the people women go to in times of need. The TBAs serve the purpose of being gate keepers. As a foundation, we have tried to reach all community members and address the issue of gender violence. Today, we are training 550 TBAs from different local governments. The idea is to impact the knowledge and issue of gender violence and also inform them of our

provisions as a foundation to empower and educate them to address these issues with community members,” she said. Ibru lauded the Lagos State Government’s effort in ensuring offenders of sexual assaults and rape are prosecuted, urging the public to adopt the whistle blowing mechanism by reporting to the nearest authority. Pledging her support, ACT Foundation through it Programme Officer, Mr. Ayodeji Ojo, said the foundation has been active in the affairs for pregnant women and ensuring as their infants grow, they are free of sexual assault. The National President Association of Traditional Midwives of Nigeria, Prince Olusesi Mare, commended the effort of WARIF for its campaign and advocacy against sexual assault and rape, also pledged the TBAs association will play its role as a gate keeper. He said, “all TBAs in Lagos

State are here today for a proper training on how to identify sexual abuse and how these cases can be reported. We TBAs here are over 500 and we have concluded on partnering with

WARIF by going to our various community fight sexual abuse. It’s an issue that needs to be addressed because of the stigma attached to it.”

World Bank, PharmAccess Pledge Support for Kwara Health Insurance Scheme Representatives of the International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group and PharmAccess Foundation have pledged their support for the Kwara State Health Insurance Scheme. Stating this during a courtesy visit to the state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, recently, the Programme Manager and Health Lead, Health in Africa Initiative, World Bank Group/ IFC, Prof. Khama Rogo, said the focus was on health and the re-commitment to Universal Health Coverage which will avail quality healthcare to the state The visiting team, includ-

ing the Country Director, PharmAccess Foundation, NjideNdili, said they were advocating strongly for a State-wide Health Insurance Scheme towards achieving Universal Health Coverage World Bank’s Health in Africa Initiative and PharmAccess have been providing technical assistance to Kwara State to enable transition from its Community Based Health Insurance Scheme to a State-wide Health Insurance Scheme. In his address, Rogo highlighted the many challenges in Africa due to high disease burden and low access to healthcare services. He

commended Kwara State Government’s leadership with its Community Based Health Insurance Scheme which has been recognised globally, reaffirming the commitment of the World Bank to continue to support Kwara State in the launch of the mandatory scheme this year. The governor in his response, appreciated the visiting team. He acknowledged the challenges with health care services in Africa and mentioned that the state is preparing its 2018 budget with a focus on health in terms of infrastructural development to move in tandem for a robust service delivery.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

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HEALTH NEWS Amosun’s Free Cancer Screening Doctors Begin Clampdown on Quacks, Illegal Medical Centres Saves 1,000 Women in Ogun Ehime Alex Over 1,000 women are said to have benefited from the free breast and cervical cancer test awareness programmes put in place by the Uplift Development Foundation in Ogun State. The wife of Ogun State governor and President of the Foundation, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, disclosed this during a two-day free Lumpectomy exercise for women held at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, according to a statement made available to THISDAY. Noting that the programme was part of the state government’s efforts at reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in the state, the governor’s wife said the Foundation had footed the medical bill of patients diagnosed of lumps in their breast so as to swiftly halt the disease at its early stage especially among women. The free lumpectomy exercise has been on-going since year 2016 in which about 1,000 women and one male benefited across the three Senatorial Districts of the State, Mrs. Amosun said whilst enjoining the womenfolk to participate more

in the awareness campaign. She noted also that, the lumps removed from the breast of beneficiaries had been taken to medical laboratory for further histological test to ascertain if the lumps were cancerous or not, stressing that early detection was the safest way to preventing breast and cervical cancer. She added, “The 2017 UPlift breast and cervical cancer awareness programme was organised for female professionals and corporate personnel who ordinarily are too busy or hardly have time for medical check-up.” At the Lumpectomy exercise, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, said that breast cancer was the commonest among women with one out of eight women dying daily of the disease. While applauding the exercise as a step in the right direction which had contributed immensely to healthcare delivery in the state, Ipaye urged women to visit any of the three Uplift Development Foundation Cancer Screening Centres including Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, State Hospitals in Ota and Ijaye, respectively to know their health status.

in Ekiti

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Nigerian Medical Association(NMA), Ekiti State chapter, has signed a pact with Ekiti State government for the introduction of accreditation of health facilities to fish out operators of illegal medical centres in the state. The medical body regretted that the activities of some unregistered medical practitioners are affecting the medical practice in the state and denting the image of members, saying this must stop in the overall interest of health security of the residents of the state. NMA, which commended Governor Ayodele Fayose-led government for implementing

the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale(CONMESS) for all categories of doctors in the state, however, lamented that the policy has not been beneficial owing to six month salaries owed the doctors . The NMA’S Chairman in Ekiti, Dr. Sunday Omoya, said these at the weekend during a press conference on the just concluded 2017 Physicians’ Week and Ordinary General Meeting of the medical body held in Ado Ekiti between October 22 and 27. During the programme, Omoya disclosed that 300 people were offered free medical treatments by doctors at Ipole Iloro in Ekiti West local government area of the State. He said the body also held

medical education for rural dwellers on dieting, hypertension , HIV/AIDS and other ailments ravaging the people at the grassroots. Omoya said payment of salaries to workers and effective funding of the health institutions, particularly the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital(EKSUTH) will improve healthcare delivery and ensure the institution meets its core mandate in research and training. “We have set up a committee to look into this issue of quackery. We have entered into agreement with the State government on this and that was why the government is doing the accreditation and re-registration of all health

facilities. “We are looking into the genuineness of any health facilities and whether it has not gone out of the scope for which it was registered. If you registered a maternity, or clinic or hospital, you can’t go beyond that scope but in Ekiti some maternity homes are performing surgeries and this was wrong and dangerous. “We are assuring that any illegal health facility we discover will be closed down and the owner shall be prosecuted accordingly”, he warned. Omoya commended the state government for being among the five states that met 70 per cent benchmark on immunization coverage.

Lagoon Hospital Inaugurates Upgraded Ikeja Medical Facility To tackle medical tourism through latest technologies Martins Ifijeh In keeping with the increasing demand for quality healthcare in Nigeria, Lagoon Hospitals, one of the country’s leading healthcare facility has announced the recent re-inauguration of its Ikeja Awolowo Road facility. The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony, congratulated the management of Lagoon Hospitals for constantly delivering on quality healthcare. He said the upgraded facility was a significant achievement which would help stem the tide of medical tourism out of Nigeria. He expressed his confidence that Lagoon Hospitals will continue to advance medical excellence by integrating clinical care and research to shape medicine for the future in Nigeria and beyond. The Chairman of Hygeia Nigeria Limited, Max Coppoolse, in his address noted that “the new improvements mean we can continue providing modern, high quality care, while focusing on patient comfort, and dignity. Our patients will benefit from bigger, brighter, purpose-built rooms and upgraded technology. There will also be exciting possibilities to further improve our patients’ experience with the innovation Lagoon Hospitals has come to be known for” Speaking on behalf of Lagoon Hospitals, the Chief Executive of Lagoon Hospitals, Mr. Rajeev Bhandari, said: “The new facilities at the hospital are poised to improve the quality of service and infrastructure for patients and staff, both in the immediate future and in the

years to come. This is a step towards our journey and commitment to provide healthcare of international standards. “Lagoon Hospitals has successfully pioneered ground-breaking medical achievements since its establishment in 1986. In 2011, Lagoon Hospitals, Apapa and Ikeja, made history by becoming the 1st Hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa to earn accreditation from Joint Commission International (JCI), the worldwide leader in improving the quality of healthcare through voluntary accreditation. This accreditation certified that the quality of care offered in Lagoon Hospitals met international standards “Established as a mother and child facility, Lagoon Hospitals Ikeja has evolved to accommodate a broader spectrum of health care services, offering multiple specialties to its clientele,” he noted. He said among the infrastructural changes within the healthcare facility is the addition of a newly built ultra- modern theatre with increased capacity for more surgeries, such as laparoscopy, gastroscopy, colonoscopy and urological procedures. “Other new upgrades in the Ikeja facility of Lagoon Hospitals includes the expansion from a 22-bedded facility to a 40-bedded facility, the expansion of the Sick Baby Care Unit to a 7-bedded Unit with facility for CPAP, a new Orthopaedic and Physiotherapy suite with improved facilities, a new Health Assessment Clinic with state-of-the-art equipment with facilities for Mammogram Services, Exercise Stress Testing, Spirometry, Digital X-ray,” he explained.

L-R: Chief Medical Director, Lagoon Hospitals, Dr. Olujimi Coker; Chief Executive Officer, Lagoon Hospitals, Rajeev Bhandari; Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr. Jide Idris; Director, Hygeia Nigeria Limited, Fola Laoye; Director, Hygeia Nigeria Limited, Yann Pambou; Director, Hygeia Nigeria Limited, Lanre Tunji-Sanusi; and Medical Director, Lagoon Hospitals Ikoyi, during the inauguration of upgraded Lagoon Hospitals Ikeja recently

Breast Cancer Claims 30Women Finally, Nigeria Gets First in Nigeria Daily Internationally Accredited Public Medical Laboratory Ayodeji Ake

While 30 Nigerian women lose their lives daily due to breast cancer, 80,000 die annually from cancer, and more than 100,000 new cancer cases are recorded, the Founder, The Bricon foundation (TBF), Dr. Abigail Simon-Hart, has said She made this known at an awareness walk recently in Lagos in collaboration with Sage Foundation. Simon-Hart explained that many people remain helpless after they have been diagnosed of cancer not knowing who to seek help from, adding that there are about two million cancer patients in Nigeria who believe there is no option left but death. “In Nigeria we have two million patients and the fear is 80 per cent is going to die which is the reason why we are campaigning against cancer death. I was also diagnosed with breast cancer myself but today I’m a survivor which is the more reason we setup this foundation to help the cancer patients” she said.

She said the coalition was helping to raise awareness about cancer and to assist cancer patients and their families, in the ‘Keeping Hope Alive Challenge’. Adding that the challenge is aimed at raising 3.6 million naira to support cancer patients who cannot afford medical treatment. “The Keeping Hope Alive in collaboration with The Sage Foundation is to raise funds and create awareness about breast cancer to appeal to colleagues, business partners, customers and the wider community to support the cause by getting people to sponsor our walk, the proceeds of which will go towards the Keeping Hope Alive fundraising initiative. “Every year, more than 80,000 Nigerians lose their battle with cancer, and more than 100,000 new cases are recorded. For many of the two million Nigerians living with the disease, life-saving medical treatment is not an option, either because of the high cost or because there are not enough support centres equipped to handle the disease,” she said.

Rebecca Ejifoma The Research Laboratory of Centre for Human and Genomics (CHVG) in the Microbiology Department of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), has recently been adjudged to conform to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 15189:2012 standards, making it the first public medical laboratory in Nigeria to attain this status. Laboratory Director, Rosemary Audu, who is also the Head of Department, Microbiology, revealed this recently at a press briefing at NIMR. She said the Centre with unique accreditation number as M0588, has been listed as a South Africa National Accreditation System (SANAS) Accredited Medical Testing Laboratory. The scope of the accreditation according to her covers, Molecular Diagnostics, Serology, and Clinical Chemistry. “Generally, laboratories pro-

duce test results used in clinical and public health setting to improve health outcomes. This depends on the accuracy of the testing and reporting, however, these services have been bedeviled with numerous challenges resulting in unreliable results, lack of confidence and under-utilisation of many of many laboratory services,” Audu said. She added that some of the benefits of SANAS international accreditation includes the demonstration that NIMR CHVG is capable of generating technically valid results which improve their rating; minimises quality costs which comprises failure, appraisal and remedial cost and NIMR as a research institute has also gained more recognition among others. She regretted that accreditation of medical laboratories in Nigeria is uncommon, and until now none of the nation’s 5,349 medical laboratories in Nigeria had been able to attain such international accreditation.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

HEALTH

HEALTH MATTERS

goketakinrogunde@gmail.com

By Goke T. Akinrogunde 07036777348; 07029126776

Wife-Beating Can Never Be Justified

W

ife beating or what is known as domestic violence in the broader sense, has been described as a confrontation between family or household members that typically involves physical harm, sexual assault, or fear of physical harm. The violence can come in the forms of physical and sexual abuse, emotional abuse, economic abuse, coercion and threats, intimidation, isolation, jealousy and blame or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, occurring in public or private life. My emphasis here is to take a closer look at the much more prevalent violence against women which has been acknowledged worldwide as a violation of basic human rights. A great number of studies, including those published by the United Nations on this subject have highlighted the health burdens, intergenerational effects, and demographic consequences of domestic violence. I have often wondered what is it like for those men who engaged in beating and regularly assaulting their spouse. Was this enjoyable? Were there honest regrets thereafter and if so, do they think they require help from empathising professionals and experts? Or is it another backward mode of thinking that: ‘I married her, I paid her dowry and I can do to her as I please’. The psychology of wife-beaters is definitely worthy of in-depth research studies by psychologists and psychiatrists alike. To be sure the question of who beats their spouses at the slightest or no provocation cut across the all region, race, creed, religion and class. However, it is safe to say that among the classes, what will prompt the rich to bounce on his wife is not likely to be in league with the underlining condition of poor economic footing and a clearly un-secure future confronting the poorly paid worker, who then transfer his frustration unto the wife, taking solace to punching her as he pleases. In practice and in my social interactions, I have come across women who regularly got assaulted by their husband at the slightest provocation and it does appear that there is no barrier to which section of the society this men are likely to come from. In truth, a related shocking reality

Battering can lead to mental and physical health problems

to me is the knowledge, some two decades ago, that a highly respected senior colleague (a Gynaecologist and prominent religious leader) regularly harassed and beat his wife (then in her late forties) with horsewhip at the slightest wrong. Similarly, I cannot help recalling the faces of those ladies I have met in the past, who came calling to my consulting room with bartered faces and misty eyes with the primary complaint of the wounded face being the result of an assault from their man. The pain and the agony that these women felt are better imagined. For them, the pain is beyond the physically felt and obvious one but more appalling is the deeply seated and ever-lasting emotional pain. The worst of all is the un-comforting reality that they will have to go back home with the existing possibility of another bashing accompanied by another round of physical and emotional pain in the foreseeable future. Some of these women never went back home; they plotted and executed their divorces and separations from the hospital bed. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (2008 and beyond NDHS) included special module designed to obtain information on the extent to

which women in Nigeria experience domestic violence. The analysed findings are well detailed and enlightening on the extent of violence against women in the forms of physical, sexual and emotional violence. Expectedly, collection of information on domestic violence is challenging because women may not disclose these experiences out of shame or fear. Collection of such sensitive information for the NDHS report was achieved via establishment of strong rapport between the interviewer and the respondent. Women and physical violence Beyond saying the obvious, the NDHS report revealed that in Nigeria domestic violence cuts across all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. The report showed that 28 percent (about 1 in 4) of all women sampled across the country experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and 15 percent of women experienced physical violence in the 12 months preceding the survey. However, the experience of physical violence varies substantially by background characteristics. The trend by age group indicates an increase in physical violence from the 15-19 age group

through the 25-29 age group, and a decrease thereafter. Thirty percent of women age 25-29 have experienced physical violence at some time since age 15, while 16 percent experienced violence during the 12 months preceding the survey. Furthermore, the report shows that women who are employed but are not paid in cash are more likely than other women to have ever experienced physical violence since age 15 and during the 12 months preceding the survey (38 and 23 percent, respectively). It is interesting to note that unemployed women are the least likely to experience physical violence, with 23 percent having experienced violence since age 15 and 13 percent experiencing physical violence during the 12 months preceding the survey. By marital status, women who are divorced, separated or widowed are far more likely to have experienced physical violence than other women. Forty-four percent of divorced, separated or widowed women reported experiencing violence since age 15, compared with 25 percent of women who are married or living together, and 33 percent of never-married women. South-south leads in violence against women The survey under review also shows a notable variation in experience of physical violence on women on a regional basis in Nigeria; it is worst in the South South and least in the North West. Experience of physical violence since age 15 is reported by the highest proportion of women in South South (52 percent) compared with only 13 percent of women in North West. The proportion of women experiencing physical violence in the past 12 months is again highest in the South South (24 percent) and lowest in North West (6 percent). Other findings In another development, it appeared that the rich are slightly more prone than the poor to unleash violence on their spouse. Coming from the report is that experience of physical violence by women generally increases with wealth quintile. Another important note is that marital violence comes with some degree of marital control exercised by the husband over the respondent.

Inside the Hospital No Big Deal: Semen Pours Out After Intercourse I so much need your help. I am 25yrs of age; I got married earlier in the year. There is this problem I am having concerning my health that I wish to share with you. Any time I have sex with my husband, the sperm pours out of me immediately. Please, I want to know what is wrong with me. I am so frustrated as I am yet to conceived since we married. Thanks Ngozi Ngozi Without much elaboration from you, I can infer from experience from clinical interactions that your main source of worry lies in the

fact that you think that this complaint of yours about how “the sperm pours out…. immediately” after sex is most likely the reason why you are yet to conceived since your marriage early this year. Although, you did not mention per se that you are yet to conceive; the frustration is inferable from the tone of your mail. On this, I should add that your complaint is not peculiar; it’s a recurrent one coming from women concerned about their fertility status or those desiring pregnancy. It is this set of women who see this occurrence of semen flowing back out of the vagina after sex as a proof of something’s gone wrong. As for the validity of this occurrence as

a proof of something gone wrong; I beg to differ. I honestly think nothing is wrong with this development in women generally speaking; indeed, this occurs in all women after sexual intercourse in different degrees. And the reason for this is obvious to a discerning mind. The relevant notes here are that: the semen is deposited into the vagina during sexual intercourse; but the vagina really is a collapsible cylindrical tube that readily fits different sizes of turgid penis; it is not cock-tight cylinder and it is directed upward and backward in the lying or erect woman. Hence, when sperm is deposited into the vagina, during sexual intercourse with the

woman in lying position; with attempts to stand upright, the semen will definitely flow back or downward depending on the maintained position. When this occurred, it is definitely normal and it does not necessarily mean that it will compromise the ability to get pregnant. The truth is that getting pregnant is more dependent on the timing of sexual intercourse during the menstrual cycle of the woman. Usually, if this happened during ‘closed-up to ovulation or at ovulation’, the entrance to the womb, the cervix, readily open to allow the shooting semen to enter the womb. With this development ,the process of fertilization can then take place.

Foundation Partners Lagos on Health Insurance Scheme Kick Off Martins Ifijeh PharmAccess Foundation recently organised a one-week Quality Assessor training for State Quality Champions from the Lagos State Ministry of Health and health agencies. Participants were drawn from various units and department within Lagos State Ministry of Health, Health Facility

Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, Health Services Commission and Primary Health Care Board. The workshop was organised to strengthen the capacity of the State’s Quality Champions to support improvement efforts of healthcare facilities under the mandatory Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme (LSHS) which will be soon

by His Excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. This is in line with Lagos State’s determination to provide enrollees with affordable quality oriented healthcare regardless of social or economic status, gender or location within the state. The week-long training led by the SafeCare Program Director, Dr. Ibironke Dada, focused

on the use of PharmAccess SafeCare quality improvement methodology for assessing and improving the quality and safety of healthcare services. SafeCare Standards are accredited by the International Society of Quality in Health Care (ISQua) and is currently being used in other African countries. Participants opined that Saf-

eCare tools would complement existing quality assurance tools in Lagos State. “This training has opened my eyes to how we can help the facilities improve on service delivery, before this time I had always wondered about the interpretation of the SafeCare standards,” the Quality Improvement Officer,Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Onome Agbedia said.

The Service Delivery Director and Quality Lead, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, thanked PharmAccess Foundation for an insightful training and was optimistic about how the application of SafeCare standards will foster a transparent selection and empanelment of facilities based on their SafeCare assessment results.

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T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ NOVEMEBER 3, 2017

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN Targets 80% Financial Inclusion by 2020 Ndubuisi Francis Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) assured Nigerians yesterday that it would work aggressively towards increasing financial inclusion rate to 80 per cent, by cutting down the number of people excluded from the financial system to 20 per cent in the next three years (2020). Although the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele noted that the target was very ambitious, he however disclosed that the bank had identified key strategies to cutting down the financial exclusion rate to 20 per cent by 2020, across the country. Specifically, he said that the Bank would work with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on how best to take advantage of mobile communication to reach those that were financially excluded. In his remarks while receiving the United Nations Secretary General Special Advocate) on inclusive Finance for Development, HRM Queen Maxima, the CBN Governor said Nigeria has moved from 46.3 per cent

exclusion rate in 2010, to 41.6 per cent in 2016. According to him, specific areas of focus identified which would be pursued aggressively include “prioritising intervention and creating awareness to ensure patronage , incorporating non-interest financial services into CBN intervention programmes.� Others are “mobilising banks that offer such products for greater outreach and impact; massive rolling out of agents networks and creating awareness to increase adoption, and adoption of digital financial services as simple, flexible and easy alternative channels for reaching remote areas and rural hinterlands.� Emefiele added that the National Financial Inclusion Strategy was being reviewed for greater effectiveness and impact, adding that stakeholders would be sufficiently mobilised to participate. Queen Maxima was at the CBN as part of her working visit to Nigeria. She was in the country five years ago during the launch

of FSS2020. Speaking on the visit, Emefiele said: “Your visit is indeed remarkable as it demonstrates your love both to our deer country and your commitment to improving access to finance especially for the lowly placed in our society and all societies. “Following our assent to the Mayal declaration in September 2011, we launched the National Financial Inclusion Strategy in October 12,2012 in which your Majesty participated actively. “Our target is to bridge 20 per cent exclusion rate by 2020 by which we are saying 80 per cent inclusion rate�. “ Towards this , the bank introduced a number of initiatives, prominent include the agent banking framework, the Know your customers framework, the micro small and medium framework; enterprise borrower program , national collateral registry , credit bureau and credit scoring system and release of national financial literacy and consumer protection frame work and other similar. We have introduced other reforms�.

EmeďŹ ele

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

FG: VAIDS Collects Data of Five Million Nigerians

Broad Money (M2)

21,851,454.31

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,890,813.10

Nume Ekeghe

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,523,239.91

---- Demand Deposits

8,367,573.19

-- Quasi Money

11,960,641.22

The Value Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), has collected personal data of over five million corporate organisations and individuals in the country. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the VAIDS office at the Federal Ministry of Finance.According to the statement, data collected will be subjected to further analysis to ensure that all unpaid taxes are tracked and collected. The VAIDS office also disclosed that the second phase of its data mining initiative, which starts this month, is aimed at obtaining data from all other government revenue-generating agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal

Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Data gathered from these agencies, explained the VAIDS office, would be used to determine the companies that have not remitted taxes based on income earned, those that have underdeclared and government agencies or corporate organisations, which have collected taxes on behalf of the government but have failed to remit such. Last month, the data collection efforts of the VAIDS office received further boost when the governments of Lagos, Osun and Kaduna states as well as the Federal Capital Territory adminsitration volunteered to provide all transaction data required to identify tax defaulters at the expiration of the first

phase of the VAIDS tax amnesty programme on 31 March 2018. States which provide required information are expected to experience steep jump in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), as analyses of data by the VAIDS office will lead to considerable recovery of lost revenues and provide a rich data capture of eligible taxpayers. Earlier, the VAIDS office had obtained data on all contracts and transactions above N50 million from the Nigerian Customs Service, Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) among other sources. Data collected are being matched with those that will be provided by the FIRS, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Government Integrated Financial and Management Information System (GIFMIS) to identify tax-defaulting companies.

AUGUST 2017

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,732,990.89

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,118,463.42

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

4,824,226.22

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

7,834,536.74

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

--3,010,310.52

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

21,997,220.59

--Other Assets Net

--14,702,983.39

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,486,804.65

--Currency in Circulation

1,868,735.07

--Banks Reserves

3,268,266.17 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

August 2017

Inter-Bank Call Rate

FCMB Advises Youths to Imbibe Savings Culture First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has tasked youths in Nigeria to key into the financial system by adopting savings culture and other financial management techniques that would help secure their future. The bank was quoted to have made the clarion call at an outreach programme it organised for students in 30 secondary schools across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, to commemorate this year’s World Savings Day on October 31, 2017. The mentoring sessions, which the statement noted was in line with FCMB’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability philosophy, were anchored by top executives of the bank at the schools. This, it explained, was the second consecutive year the

lender carried out the exercise in partnership with the Bankers’ Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), under the theme, “Learn, Earn, Save.� Speaking during the mentoring session for students of Holy Child Girls College, Calabar in Cross River State, FCMB’s Manager, Calabar Road branch, Mr. Charles Emefiele, said imbibing financial principles at an early age would go a long way to help students and young ones manage their resources effectively, appreciate how money works and how it can be channeled to productive ventures now and in the future. “When you regularly put aside a portion of the money you are given or earn in a safe place that pays interest, this is what is known as savings.

“Saving money from early age guarantees financial independence, prudent management, planning and overall success of individuals and society’’, he explained. Emefiele further told the students that “the money saved should be placed in a financial institution for safekeeping and to earn interest on your money. This reduces the risk of spending, theft and gives your money the chance to grow’’. Commenting on the significance of FCMB’s involvement in the annual World Savings Day, the Group Head, Corporate Affairs of the Bank, Mr. Diran Olojo, said it was an extension of the bank’s commitment to drive and deepen prudent and effective management of resources among the populace, especially youths.

26,821,446.81

---- Credit to Government (Net)

22.63

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.35

Savings Deposit Rate

4.08

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.86

3 Months Deposit Rate

10.14

6 Months Deposit Rate

11.51

12 Months Deposit Rate

11.40

Prime Lending rate

17.69

Maximum Lending Rate

31.20 Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT MONDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2017

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $58.27 a barrel on Monday, compared with $57.55 the previous Friday, 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

41

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍąËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

MARKET NEWS

Flour Mills Records N298bn Revenue, N9.4bn Profit in Six Months Goddy Egene Flour Mills Nigeria Plc (FMN), a leader in food and agroallied products in Nigeria, has announced improved financial performance for the half year ended September 30, 2017. The company grew its revenue by 17 per cent from N255.30 billion in 2016 to N298.44 billion in 2017. It reduced its administrative

and distribution expenses from N2.936 billion to N2.766 billion while it posted a net operating gain of N5.076 billion, compared with a loss of N8.082 billion in the corresponding period of 2016.s Finance costs increased from N10.925 billion to N16.267 billion due to high interest rates. FMN Plc ended the half year with a profit before tax of N13.38 billion, up from N8.80 billion

T H E MAIN BOARD

DEALS

MARKET PRICE

in 2016, just as profit after tax improved from N6.46 billion in 2016 to N9.36 billion in 2017. Commenting on the results, the Group Managing Director of the company, Mr. Paul Gbededo, said: “Our half year results show continued growth through most segments of our businesses, especially in the food business, delivering strong top and bottom line financials in line

N I G E R I A N QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

with our objectives. The Group recorded growth from volume and product mix. This growth was despite what continued to be a challenging business environment. Overall, the business shows an impressive performance in the first half of the year. We are positive that we are on track to meet our growth targets for the remaining part of 2017/18 financial year.� The food business value

STO C K MAIN BOARD

chain was responsible for an increase of N40 billion of the group’s turnover and the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of FMN, Mr. Jacques Vauthier, has said that the management of the company was confident that this sector will record even stronger performance as the year progresses. “To this end, we are enhancing our marketing activities to push the brand’s presence into

newer outlets while strengthening present market share,� he said. The Head, Corporate Business Development, Mr. Sadiq Usman, said in the agro-allied division, the group’s focus will remain on developing competences and improving execution capacity to backwardly integrate its core value chains, Sugar sweeteners, edible oils, feeds proteins and Cassava starches.

E XC H A N G E DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˜ ͺ˜ ͺ͸͹͵ ˾ T H I S D AY

42

Nigeria Daily Stock Market Report:

Thursday, November 2, 2017

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

dŚŝƐ ĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž 'ĂŝŶƐ Ϭ͘ϰй

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

dŚĞ dŚŝƐ ĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ŐĂŝŶĞĚ Ϭ͘ϰй LJĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ ϭ͕ϰϴϱ͘ϯϭƉƚƐ͘ dŚĞ /ŶĚĞdž ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ďƵŽLJĞĚ ďLJ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ E/d, ;нϭ͘ϱйͿ͕ E' D ;нϭ͘ϲйͿ͕ h ;нϬ͘ϭйͿ ĂŶĚ & E, ;нϱ͘ϬйͿ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ Ϯϵ͘ϭй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘ dŚŝƐ ĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ /ŶĚĞdž ŚĂƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ϰϴ͘ϱй zd ͘

ƋƵŝƟĞƐ ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶ hƉƚƌĞŶĚ ĂƐ Kŝů WƌŝĐĞ ZŝƐĞƐ͙ E^ ^/ ƵƉ ϱϲďƉƐ

dŚĞ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƌƵŶ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůŽĐĂů ďŽƵƌƐĞ ĞdžƚĞŶĚĞĚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ϯƌĚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ; ^/Ϳ ƌŽƐĞ ϱϲďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϯϲ͕ϴϴϬ͘Ϯ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ĞdžƉĂŶĚĞĚ ƚŽ ϯϳ͘ϯй͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ ǀĞŝŶ͕ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ďLJ Eϳϭ͘ϲďŶ ƚŽ EϭϮ͘ϴƚŶ͘ dŽĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ďƌŽĂĚůLJ ĂƩƌŝďƵƚĞĚ ƚŽ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ E' D ;нϭ͘ϲййͿ͕ E/d, ;нϭ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ & E, ;нϱ͘ϬйͿ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ϯ͘ϴй ƚŽ Ϯϰϵ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƐƉŝŬĞĚ ϳϬ͘ϯй ƚŽ Eϱ͘ϮďŶ͘

ƵůůŝƐŚ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ^ĞĐƚŽƌƐ

Ticker

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

2

Nigerian Breweries PLC

3

Zenith Bank PLC

4

Dangote Cement PLC

DĂƌŬĞƚ ƌĞĂĚƚŚ /ŵƉƌŽǀĞƐ

Price Change YTD

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

1,485.31

0.4%

48.5%

48.5%

20.6%

6.6%

6.7x

0.7x

4.2%

11.8%

41.85

-0.4%

22.9%

69.4%

69.4%

26.0%

4.3%

8.7x

2.2x

4.9%

11.5%

150.00

0.0%

10.7%

1.4%

1.4%

18.9%

8.6%

36.9x

6.7x

2.4%

2.7%

25.87

1.5%

13.7%

75.4%

75.4%

21.7%

3.2%

5.1x

1.1x

7.8%

19.6% 6.4%

227.50

1.6%

6.4%

30.8%

30.8%

30.4%

15.7%

15.7x

4.5x

3.7%

1,250.00

-0.2%

6.7%

54.3%

54.3%

78.4%

19.0%

32.6x

21.5x

0.8%

3.1%

3.9x

0.6x

6.7%

25.6% 23.7%

Nestle Nigeria PLC

6

Access Bank PLC

9.74

-0.6%

4.4%

65.9%

65.9%

15.1%

2.0%

7

United Bank for Africa PLC

9.61

0.1%

5.4%

113.6%

113.6%

17.2%

2.2%

4.2x

0.7x

7.8%

8

FBN Holdings Plc

6.51

5.0%

4.2%

94.3%

94.3%

2.6%

0.3%

10.6x

0.4x

3.1%

9.4%

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

17.00

0.0%

3.0%

65.4%

65.4%

-14.6%

-1.3%

0.6x

3.6%

-19.5%

10

Lafarge Africa PLC

3.6x

2.1%

50.00

0.1%

1.8%

22.1%

22.1%

62.7%

11.8%

495.00

0.0%

1.8%

30.3%

30.3%

-12.4%

-6.7%

4.7x

0.6x

21.1%

11

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

12

Unilever Nigeria PLC

41.00

-0.5%

1.6%

28.8%

28.8%

50.3%

8.4%

25.3x

9.6x

0.2%

4.0%

13

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

42.50

-2.6%

3.1%

183.3%

183.3%

28.7%

3.4%

9.8x

2.6x

1.4%

10.2%

14

Guinness Nigeria PLC

100.00

0.0%

1.3%

27.2%

27.2%

4.5%

1.4%

70.4x

3.5x

0.6%

1.4%

5.99

0.0%

-21.1%

1.3%

27.4%

27.4%

31.7%

2.8%

2.7x

0.6x

40.00

0.0%

0.5%

-52.6%

-52.6%

44.3%

3.7%

10.1x

4.5x

12.0%

8.5x

2.4x

5.0%

11.7%

15

Oando PLC

16

Forte Oil PLC

17

11 PLC

161.00

3.9%

0.4%

-42.3%

-42.3%

32.6%

18

Total Nigeria PLC

236.00

0.0%

0.6%

-21.1%

-21.1%

37.3%

7.4%

8.8x

3.1x

2.5%

11.4%

19

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

65.00

0.0%

1.1%

61.8%

61.8%

37.4%

25.9%

8.7x

2.8x

2.3%

11.5%

20

UAC of Nigeria PLC

18.79

0.0%

0.7%

13.9%

13.9%

6.3%

2.2%

12.1x

0.8x

5.2%

8.3%

21

Conoil PLC

28.00

0.0%

0.4%

-25.3%

-25.3%

12.8%

3.5%

8.1x

1.1x

11.1%

12.3%

22

Fidelity Bank PLC

1.54

1.3%

0.8%

83.3%

83.3%

8.0%

1.1%

1.3x

0.2x

9.1%

74.4%

23

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

15.22

1.5%

1.1%

149.1%

149.1%

23.8%

10.3%

5.9x

2.6x

3.3%

16.8%

24

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

32.11

1.9%

0.7%

73.7%

73.7%

10.4%

2.6%

8.1x

0.8x

3.1%

12.3%

25

Custodian and Allied Insurance

4.00

0.0%

0.4%

2.8%

2.8%

18.9%

7.6%

4.2x

0.7x

7.0%

26

7 UP Bottling Co PLC

90.00

0.0%

0.3%

-30.2%

-30.2%

-56.7%

-13.9%

27

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

29.33

0.0%

0.3%

-24.0%

-24.0%

-12.2%

-1.2%

0.0%

0.4%

-2.7%

-2.7%

0.9%

0.1%

12.5x

0.1x

19.6%

4.1%

5.6x

1.0x

DĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞƌƐͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ ƌĂƟŽͿ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϭ͘Ϭdž ;ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϵdž ƚŚĞ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ĚĂLJͿ ǁŝƚŚ ϮϮ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐŝŶŐ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ Ϯϭ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ƚŽƉ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ Z' Z ;нϱ͘ϬйͿ͕ & E, ;нϱ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ WZ ^ K ;нϱ͘ϬйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ /Z^ Zs/ ;Ͳ ϰ͘ϵйͿ͕ s/d &K D ;Ͳϰ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ E ^ KE ;Ͳϰ͘ϬйͿ͘ dŚĞ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŽƵƌƐĞ ƚŚŝƐ ǁĞĞŬ ĐŽŵĞƐ ĂŵŝĚƐƚ ĂŶ Žŝů ƉƌŝĐĞ ƌĂůůLJ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŚĂƐ ƚĂŬĞŶ ƌĞŶƚ ƌƵĚĞ ƚŽ h^Ψϲϭ͘ϭϱͬď ĂƐ ŽĨ ǁƌŝƟŶŐ Ͳ ϰϯ͘ϴй ĂďŽǀĞ ϮϬϭϳ ďƵĚŐĞƚ ďĞŶĐŚŵĂƌŬ͘ tĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ Žŝů ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƚŽ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ďĂŶŬƐ ĂƐƐĞƚ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ŵĞƚƌŝĐƐ ĂŶĚ ĮƐĐĂů ďĂůĂŶĐĞ͕ ĂŝĚ ƚŚĞ ĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ƌĞĐŽǀĞƌLJ ĂŶĚ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶ ƚŚĞ ĐĂƐĞ ĨŽƌ ƐƚĂLJŝŶŐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚĞĚ ŝŶ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ĂƐƐĞƚƐ͘

Previous Current Price Weighting Change

5

WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁĂƐ ďƵůůŝƐŚ ĂƐ Ăůů ƐĞĐƚŽƌ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŐƌĞĞŶ͘ dŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ůĞĚ ŐĂŝŶĞƌƐ͕ ƵƉ Ϭ͘ϵй ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ E' D ;нϭ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ t W K ;нϬ͘ϭйͿ͘ dŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĨŽůůŽǁĞĚ͕ ƌŝƐŝŶŐ Ϭ͘ϰй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ DK /> ;нϯ͘ϵйͿ͕ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĞĂĐŚ ĐůŝŵďĞĚ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ƚŽŽŬ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶƐ ŝŶ E/d, ;нϭ͘ϱйͿ͕ &/ >/dz ;нϭ͘ϯйͿ͕ E D ;нϰ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ // K ;нϯ͘ϵйͿ͘ dŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ŵĂƌŐŝŶĂůůLJ ĂĚĚĞĚ ϭďƉ͕ ƉƌŽƉƉĞĚ ďLJ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ E'^h' Z ;нϭ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ &>KhZD/>> ;нϭ͘ϵйͿ͘

Current Price

37.0% 9.9%

4.4x

23.9% -18.7%

1.5x

-7.8%

28

FCMB Group Plc

1.07

29

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.41

-2.1%

0.6%

62.1%

62.1%

30

Diamond Bank PLC

1.00

-1.0%

0.4%

13.6%

13.6%

2.5%

0.3%

3.9x

0.1x

31

Presco PLC

69.82

5.0%

0.5%

74.1%

74.1%

53.3%

31.5%

3.4x

1.2x

2.1%

29.1%

32

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

22.61

-1.7%

0.5%

55.9%

55.9%

11.5%

5.8%

19.3x

2.1x

2.2%

5.2%

33

International Breweries PLC

50.00

2.1%

0.7%

170.3%

170.3%

29.4%

10.2%

52.4x

10.8x

34

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

10.11

-3.7%

0.3%

-1.7%

-1.7%

4.5%

1.6%

28.8x

1.7x

3.5%

ŽŵƉĂŶLJ ŝŶ &ŽĐƵƐ͗ >ĂĨĂƌŐĞ ĨƌŝĐĂ WůĐ ;͞t W K͟Ϳ

35

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.05

-0.8%

0.3%

26.7%

26.8%

5.6%

1.2%

7.7x

0.4x

12.9%

36

Chemical and Allied Products P

34.12

0.0%

0.2%

6.6%

6.6%

84.3%

38.5%

14.9x

10.5x

37

Sterling Bank PLC

1.00

0.0%

0.2%

31.6%

31.6%

6.1%

0.6%

5.3x

0.3x

38

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

25.55

1.4%

0.3%

62.2%

62.2%

61.2%

23.6%

5.3x

1.9x

1.2%

0.5%

0.1%

22.2%

22.2%

11.9%

3.9%

10.2x

1.2x

2.5%

0.0%

0.1%

34.3%

34.3%

9.6%

4.4%

7.8x

0.7x

>ĂĨĂƌŐĞ ĨƌŝĐĂ WůĐ ŝƐ Ă ƐƵďƐŝĚŝĂƌLJ ŽĨ >ĂĨĂƌŐĞ,ŽůĐŝŵ͕ ŚĞĂĚƋƵĂƌƚĞƌĞĚ ŝŶ >ĂŐŽƐ͕ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ͘ t W K ŝƐ ƚŚĞ ƐĞĐŽŶĚ ůĂƌŐĞƐƚ ůŝƐƚĞĚ ĐĞŵĞŶƚ ŵĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌĞƌ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ŽƵƌƐĞ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƉƌŽĚƵĐƟŽŶ ĐĂƉĂĐŝƚLJ ŽĨ ϭϰ͘ϱŵ Ddͬ ƐƉƌĞĂĚ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ ĂŶĚ ^ŽƵƚŚ ĨƌŝĐĂ͘ dŚĞ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ŚĂƐ Ă ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ EϮϳϰ͘ϬďŶ ; ůĞǀĞŶƚŚ ŵŽƐƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĞĚ ƐƚŽĐŬ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ E^ Ϳ͘ /Ŷ ŝƚƐ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ t W K ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ƌĞǀĞŶƵĞ ŐƌŽǁƚŚ ŽĨ ϯϴ͘ϵй zͲ ŽͲz ƚŽ EϮϮϯ͘ϳďŶ Ͳ ƵƉ ĨƌŽŵ ϭϲϭ͘ϬďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϲ͘ dŚŝƐ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ ǁĂƐ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ Ă ŵĂƌŬĞĚ ϰϭ͘ϰй zͲŽͲz ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞ ŝŶ ĐĞŵĞŶƚ ƐĂůĞƐ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ϯ ƐƵĐĐĞƐƐŝǀĞ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂĐƟŽŶƐ ƚĂŬĞŶ ŽŶ ĐĞŵĞŶƚ ďLJ ƉƌŽĚƵĐĞƌƐ ŝŶ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ ƐŝŶĐĞ ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ ϮϬϭϲ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŚĂƐ ďƵŽLJĞĚ ŵĂƌŬƵƉ ĂŶĚ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ͘ >ŝŬĞǁŝƐĞ͕ ƚŚĞ t W K ƌĞƉŽƌƚĞĚ ĂŶ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ŽĨ Eϭϴ͘ϰďŶ͕ Ă ƐŝŐŶŝĮĐĂŶƚ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ ŽǀĞƌ ĂŶ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ůŽƐƐ ŽĨ Eϯϯ͘ϬďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϲ͘ KƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ŵĂƌŐŝŶ ǁĂƐ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚĞĚ ďLJ ŚŝŐŚ ďĂƐĞ ĞīĞĐƚ ŽĨ &y ůŽƐƐĞƐ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϲ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ƐƚƌŽŶŐĞƌ ĐĞŵĞŶƚ ƉƌŝĐĞƐ ŝŶ ϮϬϭϳ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ t W K͛Ɛ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ďƵƌĚĞŶ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ďŽƩŽŵͲůŝŶĞ͕ ĂƐ ŶĞƚ ĮŶĂŶĐĞ ĐŚĂƌŐĞƐ ƌŽƐĞ ϭϯϰ͘ϭй zͲŽͲz ƚŽ Eϭϳ͘ϯďŶ͘ ,ĞŶĐĞ͕ ƉƌĞͲƚĂdž ƉƌŽĮƚ ƐĞƩůĞĚ Eϭ͘ϭďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ͕ LJĞƚ ĂŶ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ Ă ůŽƐƐ ŽĨ EϰϬ͘ϰďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϲ͘

39

AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

2.04

40

Continental Reinsurance PLC

1.33

T o p 10 G a in e r s T ic k er

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ͛ ƌĞĂĐƟŽŶ ƚŽ t W K͛Ɛ ǁĞĂŬĞƌ ƚŚĂŶ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĞĚ Yϯ͗ϮϬϭϳ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ŶĞŐĂƟǀĞ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ǁĞ ĂƌĞ ƐƟůů ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ŽŶ ŵĞĚŝƵŵ ƚĞƌŵ ŽƵƚůŽŽŬ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ >ĂĨĂƌŐĞ ĨƌŝĐĂ͕ ŐŝǀĞŶ ƚŚĞ ŝŵƉƌŽǀŝŶŐ ŵĂĐƌŽ ďĂĐŬĚƌŽƉ͕ ŚŝŐŚĞƌ ĐĞŵĞŶƚ ƉƌŝĐĞƐ͕ ĐĂƉŝƚĂů ƌĞƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĚŝǀĞƌƐŝĮĐĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ĞŶĞƌŐLJ ƐŽƵƌĐĞƐ ƚŽ ƌĞĚƵĐĞ ĚĞƉĞŶĚĞŶĐĞ ŽŶ ŐĂƐ͘

Afrinvest Securities Limited

(RC 603 315)

(A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

25.7%

1.9%

6.4%

T ic k er

5.0%

FB NH

40.1

5.0%

FB NH

6.51

5.0%

ST ER LN B A N K

32.0

0.0%

69.82

5.0%

D IA M ON D B N K

26.0

-1.0%

UP L

2.25

4.7%

ST A N B IC

20.0

-2.6%

LEA R N A F R C A

0.92

4.5%

F ID ELIT YB K

19.8

1.3%

N EM

1.30

4.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

16.7

1.5%

UN IT YB N K

0.53

3.9%

GUA R A N T Y

15.1

-0.4%

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

161.00

3.9%

M OB IL

9.5

3.9%

A IIC O

0.54

3.8%

WEM A B A N K

6.6

0.0%

LIVEST OC K

0.84

3.7%

UB A

6.5

0.1%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e T ic k er

Value

7.11

-4.9%

M OB IL

1530.6

3.9%

VIT A F OA M

2.85

-4.0%

ST A N B IC

850.5

-2.6%

N A SC ON

15.55

-4.0%

NB

808.2

0.0%

WA P IC

0.50

-3.8%

GUA R A N T Y

632.0

-0.4%

10.11

-3.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

429.9

1.5%

42.50

-2.6%

FB NH

255.1

5.0% 1.6%

A IR SER VIC E

C A D B UR Y ST A N B IC

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

P ric e C hg %

1.41

-2.1%

D A N GC EM

111.2

F IR ST A LUM

0.50

-2.0%

UB A

63.0

0.1%

PZ

22.61

-1.7%

P R ESC O

60.9

5.0%

D A N GF LOUR

9.39

-1.5%

N EST LE

57.5

-0.2%

T R A N SC OR P

9.8%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

7.35

T ic k er

18.9%

12.8%

B ER GER

M OB IL

6.7% 19.0%

P ric e C hg %

P R ESC O

8.0% 17.7%

P ric e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

^ƚƌŝƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ϵD ƌĞƐƵůƚ ĨŽƌ ƐƚĂŶĚĂůŽŶĞ Yϯ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ďƌŽĂĚůLJ ƵŶĚĞƌǁŚĞůŵŝŶŐ ĂƐ ƌĞǀĞŶƵĞ ĨĞůů ϲ͘ϰй YͲŽͲY ƚŽ Eϲϴ͘ϴďŶ ǁŚŝůĞ Ă ƉƌĞͲƚĂdž ůŽƐƐ ŽĨ Eϭϳϳ͘ϬďŶ ǁĂƐ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ Ă ƉƌŽĮƚ ŽĨ Eϴ͘ϳďŶ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϲ͘ dŚĞ ǁĞĂŬĞƌ ďŽƩŽŵͲůŝŶĞ ŝƐ ŵĂŝŶůLJ ĂƩƌŝďƵƚĂďůĞ ƚŽ KƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ĂŶĚ &ŝŶĂŶĐĞ ĐŽƐƚ ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞƐ͘ KW y ĂŶĚ EĞƚ &ŝŶĂŶĐĞ ŽƐƚ ƌŽƐĞ ϯϱ͘ϱй ĂŶĚ ϮϮ͘ϯй YͲŽͲY ƚŽ Eϭϯ͘ϴďŶ ĂŶĚ Eϳ͘ϰďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘

9.3%

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Omotola Abimbola | oabimbola@afrinvest.com

43

˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

MARKET NEWS

Q3: Union Bank Posts N13.3bn Profit, Grows Shareholders’ Funds to N286bn Goddy Egene Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has recorded gross earnings of N109.5 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, showing an increase of 16 per cent above N94.8 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2016. However, profit before tax (PBT) fell marginally by two per cent from N13.3 billion to N13 billion, while customer deposits improved 17 per cent to N767.9 billion, up from N658.4 billion in 2016.

Details of the results showed that the bank grew its shareholders’ funds to N285.6 billion, up from N71.7 billion. A customer-centric product suite, a revamped digital platform and the launch of a new advertising campaign have delivered 63 per cent year-to-date increase in new-to-bank customers in 2017. Net interest income rose 16 per cent from N35.2 billion to N40.9 billion, while impairment charges fell by 53 per cent to N6.0 billion, from N1.9 billion in 2016. Commenting on the results for the nine month period, Chief

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

Executive Officer of Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa, said: “We remain encouraged by the results of our customer acquisition strategy, as customers continue to respond to our targeted market offerings and increased brand awareness, following the debut of a new advertising campaign to support the launch of Union Bank’s new digital platform, including our revamped mobile banking app and *826#, our SMS banking platform. However, a challenging macro-operating environment, characterised by double-digit

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 31-Oct-2017, unless otherwise stated.

inflation, continues to create headwinds for businesses, constrict consumer purchasing power and pressure operating expenses as well as portfolio quality. Consequently, core pre-tax earnings for the period were marginally lower at N13 billion compared to N13.3 billion in 9M 2016.” According to him, with the N50 billion capital raise underway, “we remain focused on our strategic priorities and expect this new capital to deliver the momentum needed to accelerate the pace of our business growth.”

Speaking in the same vein, Chief Financial Officer, Oyinkan Adewale said:“The Group’s net interest income after impairments improved significantly by 16 per cent from N35.2 billion to N40.9 billion compared to the period ended 30 September 2016. Non-interest income is down by six compared to 9M 2016, which included one-time revaluation gains. With our continued focus on early problem recognition and prudent provisioning, our coverage ratio has strengthened to 203 per cent as at 30 September 2017, from 182

per cent as at December 2016.” He explained that the impact of naira devaluation, coupled with the inflationary environment, has pressured the bank’s cost-to-income ratio, especially as it continues to make investments in technology critical to long-term business strategy. “We are confident that these investments will deliver the expected cost benefits in the medium term. We also expect improved capital adequacy and higher revenues, fuelled by N50 billion of new capital.

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 177.30 178.30 39.72% Nigeria International Debt Fund 233.87 235.00 10.65% 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 0.82 0.82 16.51% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 77.88% 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 17.84% 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 17.73 18.26 43.59% ARM Discovery Fund 371.33 382.53 29.30% ARM Ethical Fund 26.27 27.06 17.57% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.85% 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 148.12 149.16 40.82% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.17% 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 18.36% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronation.com Web: www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.70% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.00 1.01 0.47% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.00 1.03 1.56% 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 1,104.32 1,105.41 9.05% FBN Heritage Fund 146.72 147.96 31.60% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.94% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $111.04 $112.21 8.05% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $110.48 $111.65 8.25% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 158.54 160.90 40.83% 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 1.38 1.40 47.87% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.92 2.92 13.53% 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 2,913.54 2,953.94 32.50% Coral Income Fund 2,403.92 2,403.92 15.35% 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 17.50% 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 17.82%

Vantage Balanced Fund 2.06 2.09 22.84% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.40% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 112.49 112.49 15.93% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.15 1.17 16.42% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,035.20 1,035.20 9.91% 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 13.04 13.15 34.94% 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 1.20 1.22 20.51% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.84 10.89 4.27% 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 125.27 127.63 23.69% 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 1.40 1.40 12.10% 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 2,198.92 2,211.98 20.10% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 171.25 171.25 11.23% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.98 0.99 27.92% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 214.27 214.27 14.65% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 171.16 173.37 31.83% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.83% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,509.34 9,621.03 25.41% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.05 1.05 5.00% 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 1.31 1.32 17.30% United Capital Bond Fund 1.49 1.49 22.26% United Capital Equity Fund 0.89 0.91 32.36% 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 12.54 12.72 29.01% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.19 13.33 20.57% Zenith Income Fund 18.72 18.72 13.16%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 131.31

1.01% 5.92%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

10.90 136.82 106.45

11.00 139.78 108.45

26.27% 38.30% 40.48%

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

4.58 8.86 17.03 19.49 140.14

4.62 8.94 17.13 19.69 142.14

65.36% 25.88% 43.89% 22.06% 10.51%

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.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

New York Truck Attack: Five Argentine Friends Killed Five friends from Argentina were among those killed in a truck attack in New York on Tuesday, according to BBC. Eight people were killed and 11 injured when the driver of the truck mowed down people on a cycle path in Lower Manhattan West Side, as children and their parents prepared to celebrate Halloween on Tuesday afternoon.. A 29-year-old man, an Uzbek immigrant identified by media as Sayfullo Saipov, was shot in the abdomen and injured by police as he left the truck brandishing paintball and pellet guns.and has since been placed under arrest. He is expected to survive the shooting. “He’s a depraved coward is what he is, and he was associated with ISIS, and he was radicalized domestically,” New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo told CNN. Cuomo, according to CBS, said a note was found inside the truck referring to the Islamic State militant group

(IS). “After he came to the United States is when he started to become informed about ISIS and radical Islamic tactics,” Cuomo also told CNN. “We have no evidence yet of associations or a continuing plot or associated plots, and our only evidence to date is that this was an isolated incident that he himself performed.” The attacker reportedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”) as he left the truck. Mr Cuomo said he was radicalised in the US. It is the deadliest terror attack in the city since 11 September, 2001. Meanwhile, the Argentine foreign ministry has confirmed the deaths of the five Argentines, who according to Argentine media, were part of a group of nine friends in New York to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their graduation from a polytechnic college in the central city of Rosario. La Nación newspaper said

that one of the dead men was steel firm owner Ariel Erlij, who helped pay for the friends’ trip. The men - all aged 48 or 49 - were identified as Hernán Diego Mendoza, Diego Enrique Angelini, Alejandro Damián Pagnucco, Ariel Erlij and Hernán Ferrucci. Another of the friends, Martín Ludovico Marro, is being treated in hospital. Three days of mourning have been declared in Rosario, said BBC. Belgian media said AnneLaure Decadt, a 31-year-old from Staden in Flanders, was also among those killed while three other Belgians were wounded. Two other victims were yet to be identified. Vehicle rammings have been a frequent hallmark tactic of IS sympathisers in the West, including in Barcelona, London, Stockholm and in Nice, where a Tunisian suicide truck b o m b e r killed 86 people on B a s t i l l e D ay.

Liberia Presidential Vote Halted by Country’s Supreme Court Liberia’s Supreme Court has ordered preparations for Tuesday’s presidential run-off to be halted amid allegations of fraud in the first round, according to BBC. Ex-football star George Weah and Vice-President Joseph Boakai are due to go head-to-head in the 7 November vote. But the Liberty Party’s Charles Brumskine, who came third in the first round, has challenged the result. Last month’s election was the country’s first independently run vote following the end of civil war in 2003. Following the announcement, riot police were deployed to guard the court and electoral commission. Later, a delegation arrived in the capital, among them the heads of the regional grouping Ecowas, and the Africa Union. They are meeting the heads of all the political parties. Mr Brumskine and the Liberty Party said the first round

was “characterised by massive systematic irregularities and fraud”, including polling stations opening late and therefore preventing people from voting. The election is to be postponed until his accusations are properly investigated, the court says. But even if his case is thrown out, observers say it is likely to delay next week’s vote as the commission will have lost valuable preparation time. The Liberty Party is not alone in its allegations. The accusation of irregularities is backed by two other political parties - including Mr Boakai’s Unity Party, which on Sunday alleged that its own president had interfered in the process. In a statement, it said Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female elected president and a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, had attempted to influence the outcome of the poll.

Relations between Mrs Sirleaf and her deputy are not warm, with some ruling party officials saying the vicepresident was not her choice to succeed her, the BBC’s Jonathan Paye-Layleh reports from the capital Monrovia. Mrs Sirleaf, 79, has however said more than twice that she supports Mr Boakai, who won 28.8% of the vote compared to Mr Weah’s 38.4% in the first round. Mr Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) responded to the accusations by noting it was “sad for a ruling party that has been in power for 12 years [to] be crying”. International observers, including the European Union, had not raised major concerns about the first round of voting, although some irregularities were observed, AFP news agency reports. The court has instructed the Liberty Party and the electoral commission to present their cases by Thursday

Catalonia: Puigdemont ‘Will Not Return’ to Spain for Questioning Sacked Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont will ignore a Spanish court summons to answer charges including rebellion, his Belgian lawyer has said. Speaking to the Associated Press, Paul Bekaert suggested Mr Puigdemont should instead be questioned in Belgium where he has been since Monday. He has been summoned to court in Madrid on Thursday, alongside 13 deputies, according

to BBC. Among the charges they face are sedition and misuse of public funds over last month’s banned independence referendum. Spanish prosecutors could order their arrest if they fail to appear in court for questioning. But Mr Bekaert told Dutch and Belgian media that his client would “wait and see” further reaction from the Spanish authorities before returning

because of the “high” risk of detention. He also suggested he would fight any extradition ordered by the Spanish national government. Spain has been gripped by a constitutional crisis since a referendum, organised by Mr Puigdemont’s separatist government, was held on 1 October in defiance of a constitutional court ruling that had declared it illegal.

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NEWSXTRA

Your Application a Deliberate Ploy to Evade Justice in UK, Judge Tells Alison-Madueke Davidson Iriekpen Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday refused the application filed by the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to be joined in the money laundering charge against two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN) and a former Minister of National Planning, Professor Abubakar Suleiman. The judge said the application was not only a misuse of court processes, but a deliberate ploy to run away from justice in the United Kingdom. Delivering a ruling on AlisonMadueke’s application, the judge held: “This is not the proper time to join the applicant as a defendant. The applicant has aroused my curiosity as to why she waited this long before coming up with the application for joinder. “The court lacks the power to interfere with the powers of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF). The application for joinder is lacking in merit and same is hereby dismissed.” The EFCC had named the former petroleum minister as an accomplice in the criminal trial of the duo. She was however, described as being “at large.” EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, had opened the case for the prosecution and had already called two witnesses in the ongoing trial. But Allison-Madueke, through her lawyer, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), urged the court to compel the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to extradite her from the UK to defend the charges. The judge then adjourned the case to hear the motion for joinder by Allison-Madueke. At last sitting of the court,

Ikpeazu urged the court to grant his application for joinder of the applicant in the sole interest of justice. He began: “My lord, we have a motion dated September 29 and an affidavit of 16 paragraphs, together with a written address, which we rely on. “We have received the counter affidavit of counsel, but there remains yet, one consideration which should touch conscience of parties. “In four counts of the charge, the applicant’s name was mentioned clearly, and there is no alteration to the fact that she has been charged; it simply suggests that it is a consummated complaint.” According to Ikpeazu, by the definition section of 494(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), a defendant is any person against whom a complaint or charge is made, while a charge refers to an allegation that any named person has committed an offence. He argued that from count one to count four, the name of the applicant was mentioned as an accomplice, adding that it would be in the interest of justice to join her in the charge. Persuasively citing the authority of FRN vs Jide Omokore, FHC/Abj/ CR/121/2016, which he argued bears similarity with the instant case, he noted that the judge had struck out the charges on similar grounds. He submitted: “We will have no objections if the applicant’s name is extracted from the charge, then, trial can proceed. Otherwise, she should be included in the charge. “I know that she will be happy to come and face the trial.” Objecting to the motion for joinder, counsel to the first accused, Mr. E. O Shofunde

Onnoghen: We Have 1,124 Ongoing Corruption Cases Alex Enumah ÓØ ÌßÔË A total of 1,124 corruption cases have been forward to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for speedy trial in the proposed special corruption courts across the country. Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja at the formal inauguration of the Corruption and Other Financial Crimes Cases Trials Monitoring Committee (COTRIMCO). The committee which is headed by a former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd), apart from monitoring the proceedings of high profile corruption cases at the various courts, is also expected to propose practice directions that would help uproot all encumbrances to the speedy trial of corruption cases in the courts. Following the stance of President Muhammadu

Buhari on corruption in the country, a lot of alleged looters of the country’s resources have been arrested and currently undergoing trials in various courts across the country. However, two years down the line, little or nothing has been achieved in the prosecution of these cases in courts, prompting a larger number of the public to allude that the judiciary is corrupt. “As I stated recently, the society we serve appears dissatisfied with our performance, and we must neither dismiss nor relegate these rising criticisms as mere sentiments or unfounded accusations devoid of substance. “We must rise and protect the dignity and integrity of our judicial system,” he said. The CJN stated that consequent upon this, the NJC decided to initiate far-reaching measures that would eradicate delays in the trials of corruption and other economic crime cases in the courts.

(SAN), informed the court of his counter affidavit filed in opposition to the application. Firstly, Shofunde argued that the applicant was not a necessary party to the suit since in the end, the court would only decide the guilt or innocence of the first and second accused who were charged. Again, he contended that by the combined provisions of sections 216(2), 221, 273, 274, and 494(1) of the ACJA, only the prosecution could exercise the power to amend a process during trial. He argued that it would be incongruous for any other

party to seek an amendment of a criminal charge, adding that the court will not make an order in vain. Besides, the counsel argued that it would amount to a waste of precious judicial time if that amendment is allowed since progress has been made in the case. In his response, the prosecutor, Oyedepo, hinged his argument in line with the first defence counsel, and vehemently opposed the application for joinder. Citing the judicial authority of Ewenla Vs State, he noted that where trial has commenced, the

state can only amend a charge for the purposes of adding offences and not defendants. Oyedepo submitted that if an amendment is allowed at this stage, it would occasion a miscarriage of justice. He added that several attempts were initially made to interrogate the applicant, but that she fled to London after she got wind of the move by the EFCC, and has since then, carefully avoided any meeting with the commission. According to Oyedepo, it is misconceived and too late in the day for the applicant to now seek to be joined in the

charge when she is already under investigation in London. He submitted that whenever the applicant returns to Nigeria, she can still be tried, as time does not run against the prosecution in criminal trial. After listening to counsel arguments, Justice Aikawa fixed November 1 for ruling. In the amended charge, Diezani was alleged to have conspired with Belgore and Sulaiman on or about March 27, 2015, to directly take possession of the sum of N450 million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act.

THE YOUNG SHALL GROW

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and some primary school children on excursion to the airport on his arrival from an overseas trip at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja....yesterday

House PDP Caucus Mulls Consensus Candidate for Party Chairmanship Agbaje: It’s allowed where possible James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË There are indications that the (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives is currently considering a possibility of adopting a consensus candidate as the chairman of the party. Secretary to the caucus, Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf, said the idea a consensus candidate “is not a bad idea.” Speaking after two rounds of meetings with the PDP chairmanship aspirants, he told journalists: “There’s a school of thought that believes that if we can reach a consensus without an election, that’s a good thing for PDP. Then there are those that are thinking and working along the line. It’s fine. “Why, because it’s assumed that is we do not manage it well, we might find a spillover of the congress . So we have a conviction that If a consensus is reached, so be it. We’ll go by the consensus. We’ll even be part of building it if need be. “However, we’re not promoting it. We’re aware and

were supporting it, but we’re not initiating it.” The caucus had last Wednesday met with former Minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Daar Communications founder, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, immediate past Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus, and former Deputy National Chairman, Bode George. On Tuesday, it further interacted with former PDP Lagos State governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, and former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja. However, former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, former Oyo State Governor, Rasheed Ladoja, were expected to meet with the lawmakers on Tuesday but didn’t show up. Yusuf, who commented on the expected attributes for the chairmanship of the party said: “The PDP have gone through a lot. We need bridge builder because of the cleavages in the party. We need a binding force,

someone with a large heart who will say, I mean all things to all men, know when to abase and when to abound. That’s what we’re looking for.” He said: “That’s what Nigerians need at this particular time. A chairman that will be the face of the alternate, a chairman that will market the party to Nigerians and say hey, we’ve gone through this rough journey for he past two and a half years, there’s hope. That’s who were looking for. “It must not be a new person, it could be a new person. But he must have that definite character of being able to galvanise the party, reposition the party in such a way that Nigerians will believe in the party.” However, speaking shortly after meeting with the lawmakers, Agbaje said the idea of consensus candidate should be given a chance where possible. He said: “Where possible, I mean when it’s not, democracy says you go out, where possible consensus is allowed.

“Well, you’ll see that some of us have been relatively quite publicly and for me, that’s because the chairmanship of the party is normally influenced by the leadership of the party. It’s not a general or public campaign and the essence is that the leadership must sit down to look at the issues dispassionately because it’s about interest, then, like I say, even if you have interest to be a president or a governor, senator or in the House of Representatives, the idea is that you want to be, you don’t just want to be a candidate. “So it’s your interest to make sure the party can deliver you; if you try to deliver just for yourself without the party, you get nowhere. And so it’s to explain the situation to those that matter to look well and influence correctly so that the party gets the best that it deserves.” He expressed confidence that the PDP could still unseat the current administration by capitalising on its inability to deliver on public goods.

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CAN is Not Raising False Alarm, Ayokunle Tells Osinbajo The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has advised the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, to stop discrediting the organisation in his avowed resolve to douse religious tension in Nigeria and win the heart of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. The vice president had last week said at a public function that there was no agenda to Islamise Nigeria and that no one could possibly do so, just as he berated Christian leaders for raising the alarm on the issue. Reacting, however, the President of CAN, Rev Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, said the vice

president was talking tongue in cheeks, reiterating that the plot by the Government of President Buhari to Islamise Nigeria was real, urging Osinbajo to cross check his facts well before making public remarks on the issue next time. In a statement signed by his Special Assistant (Media and Communications), Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Ayokunle said the vice president has no fact before jumping into his conclusion. He said most Christian leaders in Nigeria were taken aback by the remarks credited to Osinbajo in the media and had sought the intervention of the leadership of

Executive Governor Tag is a Banana Peel, Says SGF Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË The new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGG), Boss Mustapha, has described the appellation “Executive Governor”, commonly used in Nigeria as unconstitutional and a banana peel. He also said he would prefer to be addressed as simply as the SGF without the prefix of “Your Excellency.” He made the omments yesterday at the handover ceremony between him and the acting SGF, Dr. Habitat Lawal. He likened some of the nomenclatures which the Nigerian public uses to glorify office holders to banana peels that “I will make a passionate appeal. I don’t know where you people get this ‘Your Excellency’ from. Some of the nomenclatures are banana peels. I often hear people say ‘Executive Governor,’ I say look at the constitution, there is nothing like executive governor. It is Governor of a state,” Mustapha said.

According to him, when political office holders begin to apply executive tag, they invariably begin to softly conceptualise the people to take absolute authority. He said he should be addressed simply as SGF. Mustapha promised to be fair and equitable to all the workers of the OSGF without prejudice and relate to them on the skills they can bring to the running of the office. The former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways (NIWA) said President Muhammadu Buhari has soft and compassion for the ordinary people of the country who have been pauperised for long, saying that it was time to end the vicious cycle that has pauperised people. “I don’t claim any superior experience or skills, other than the grace of God,” he said. Lawal who occupied the SGF post in acting capacity for six months, has reverted to her position as Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office.

IG Shuns Hearing as Senate C’ttee Threatens Warrant of Arrest Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, yesterday refused to appear before the Senate Committee meant to investigate him for alleged corrupt practises and misappropriation of N7.2 billion budgeted funds. The committee has however ordered him to appear before it next week Tuesday or risk a warrant of arrest being issued for him. The Chairman of the committee, Senator Francis Alimikhena (Edo APC) while briefing journalists, said the committee had received a letter from Idris lawyer, Mr. Alex Iziyon, informing that his client has gone to court over the hearing, and would therefore not appear before the committee. Alimikhena said the issue

of misappropriation where the IG is alleged to have vired funds within the 2016 budget without recourse to the National Assembly, is a constitutional matter. “An arm of government cannot stop another from carrying out its duty,” Alimikhena said. Idris is alleged to have diverted N6 billion meant for the rehabilitation of 102 police stations across the country, to other uses, and diverted another N1.2 billion appropriated for the purchase of 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers to purchase 64 Toyota Hiace vehicles. The committee is also charged with investigating allegations of massive corruption levelled against Idris by Senator Isa Misau (Bauchi APC) who also accused him of nepotism and sexual alliances with female officers.

CAN to set the record straight with documented facts pointing towards the varieties of plot by the present government to Islamise Nigeria. The CAN President said Osinbajo was indeed, oblivious of certain issue, stressing that the body of Christians in Nigeria has long been aware of the grand plot to Islamise Africa, with Nigeria as a major focus, stressing that Nigerian government has been working in tandem with the Organisation Of Islamic Countries (OIC) and Islam In Africa Organisation to achieve this. Reeling into archives, CAN President said: “The OIC met in London in 1983 with a follow up meeting in Nigeria in 1989 and had issued a communiqué to Islamise Africa with Nigeria capturing a great attention. This is a public knowledge while facts could be obtained from

Wikipedia with links on OIC’s Conference in London, 1983 and Abuja Declaration of 1989. “It is also a matter of fact that Nigeria was later made an observer member of the body (OIC) through General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. Under General Sani Abacha, another Muslim leader, Nigeria was made full member in total violation of the constitution that the nation is secular and our government should not be religiously partisan. “From then on, conscious efforts were on to draw Nigeria into joining different Islamic organisations in keeping with the resolutions of OIC & Islam in Africa Organisation (IAO). (See their communiqué tagged ‘Abuja Declaration of 1989).’ Ayokunle said that CAN has not been opposing, and will not oppose Islamic evangelism in any part of Nigeria, even if done with

the support of the government since Christians also evangelise, but that the Christian body will never support any government to make Islam a State religion under any guise. He stressed, “We are not opposed to Islamic evangelism by any Muslim group if done with a peaceful motive. The Christians also exercise their constitutional rights to do so through revivals and gospel rallies. But we are opposed to the government of Nigeria adopting Islamic resolutions aimed towards a compelling of this country, contrary to the dictates of the constitution.” CAN, however, advised Osinbajo, a Professor of Law, to use his good office to correct the imbalance in the Nigerian system and other alleged unconstitutional actions noted with the government in order to reduce tension in the polity.

“Our worry as a body is that Nigeria started getting active in international Islamic alliances and organisations in total violation of the constitution. But the vice president seems not conscious of this and the motive behind adoption of the Sukkuk Bond. Then we ask, Is Sukkuk constitutional? Is Sukkuk not part of the resolutions of OIC & IAO’s it not part of Nigeria’s adoption of Islamic Sharia and financial system that it is mandatory for all governments in Africa subscribing to Islam? “We also ask why the present government joined Islamic Military Alliance against terrorism? Are we an Islamic nation to so do? Can’t Nigeria fight terrorism without joining Islamic coalition? Why would the government continue to consciously heat up the polity?”

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

L-R: Director-General, Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Joyce Akpata; National President, Chief Olabintan Famutimi; and Chief Executive Officer of North Court Limited, Mr. Tayo Odunsi, at the induction of new members in Lagos....recently.

Hilton, Transcorp Hotels Sign 20-year Contract Extension Hilton and Transcorp Hotels Plc, a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, yesterday announced the signing of a 20-year extension to the current agreement to manage the iconic Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. The agreement will see Hilton manage the property until 2037. The hotel, which is a national landmark for having hosted countless heads of state and global events like the World Economic Forum on Africa, has been operated by Hilton since its opening in 1987. Speaking at a signing ceremony in Washington DC, Chris Nassetta, Hilton’s President and CEO, said: “We have had an incredible relationship with the

Transcorp team and we are happy to announce that we will continue to grow that relationship throughout the next 20 years. With our mission to be the world’s most hospitable company, I am delighted we will be able to continue welcoming guests to this hotel until at least 2037.” The award-winning 667-room hotel – one of the largest in sub-Saharan Africa – is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation which will transform the property. The extensive refurbishment will continue the Transcorp Hotels legacy as the leading provider of hospitality in Nigeria. The Chairman of Transcorp Plc, Tony O. Elumelu, the largest listed conglomerate on

the Nigerian stock exchange and owners of hospitality subsidiary, Transcorp Hotels confirmed: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing owner-operator relationship with Hilton. Our investment in the renovation reflects our commitment to shaping Nigeria into a leading hospitality centre in the West Africa region and with Hilton as our operating partners, we are confident that we will continue to lead in the sector.” Hilton and Transcorp Hotels have two additional properties in the development pipeline. Furthermore, Hilton expects to open six hotels in the next six months across Africa, and open properties in 15 countries where it currently does not operate in the next three years. Also at the signing

ceremony, Valentine Ozigbo, CEO of Transcorp Hotels who leads the management of the relationship between the owners and Hilton, commended Hilton for their clear commitment to delivering excellence and restated the owners’ commitment to continue to use technology and products to develop the hotel as a destination not just for high-end clientele, but also for those travelling to Abuja for business and leisure. Hilton, which has more than 5,000 hotels globally, has had a continuous presence in Africa for more than 50 years, expects to more than double its current presence across the continent in the next five years.

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Buhari, APC, Political Associates Mourn as Tinubu Loses Son Family asks to be allowed to mourn privately

Tobi Soniyi, Gboyega Akinsanmi Shola Oyeyipo, Segun James ÓØ ËÑÙݘ Omololu Ogunmade ËØÎ Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË President Muhammadu Buhari, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and Nigerians from across the political spectrum were thrown into mourning yesterday over the sudden death of Jide Tinubu, the first son of the National Leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Confirming his passing in a statement yesterday, the Chairman of APC in Lagos, Chief Oladele Ajomale expressed sorrow over the demise of Jide, who was a legal practitioner and had founded the company, TSL Limited. The statement read in part: “Dear Members, it is with regret that I inform you of the demise of Mr. Jide Tinubu, the son of our dear and esteemed leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Please commiserate with him.” The statement, however, did not provide details and the circumstances under which he died. However, a family source said he died in London after battling with an undisclosed illness. The source said his father and other members of the family had been very anxious about his health. Jide studied at the University of Liverpool, UK, where he graduated with a Law degree. He obtained a Master’s degree in Maritime Law from the University of London and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1999. He served as the promoter of TSL Limited and also worked in

the Legal Department of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited from January 2000 to September 2001. Prior to this, he had brief stints with Cargo Maritime in Paris, France, a firm of shipbrokers that specialises in petroleum product tankers, and Ocean and Oil Services Ltd. Tinubu’s spokesman, Mr. Tunde Rahman could not be reached on the phone for the former Lagos State governor’s reaction. Other members of the family also declined to comment. A stalwart of the APC in Lagos said the Tinubu family and the leadership of the party had issued instructions that no one should speak on the sad event. He said: “They said we should not talk about it. You know Asiwaju does not want all the publicity.” But as word got round of Jide’s demise, President Buhari said last night that he was deeply grieved to learn of his passing. A statement through his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the president in a phone call to Tinubu on behalf of the federal government and his family, offered his deepest condolences to the Tinubu family over the demise of Jide. Describing the transition of Jide as “sad and painful”, the president said the nation had been denied the services and potential of Jide, whom he described as a resourceful lawyer. He prayed God to grant the Tinubu family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, and simultaneously comfort all who mourn the passage

of the promising young man. Similarly, the APC said that it received the sad news of the death of Jide with great shock and grief. In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, APC described the late Jide as a cerebral and industrious lawyer. “It is never easy losing a child or any loved one. Indeed, it is hardest when they are taken from us too soon. Many who met the late Jide Tinubu, who was a lawyer, fondly described him as cerebral, industrious and full of life. “In this moment of grief, the party offers its sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to His Excellency and other immediate family members over the painful loss. “May the outpouring of sympathy and the comfort in knowing that the late Jide’s death is felt by many, help the family through this difficult time,” the party said. Adding to the condolences, former Vice-President and frontline APC chieftain, Atiku Abubakar expressed shock and anguish over the sudden death of Jide. In a personal message, Atiku commiserated with the Tinubu

family, counselling them not to lose faith in the will of Allah despite the oddity of the present pain and challenges they may have found themselves in. “Nothing happens in this world without the will of Allah. How long we live or when to die is all ordained by the Almighty. But it’s most heart-breaking for any parent to bury his or her own child. “I pray that Almighty Allah would grant the Asiwaju and Senator Remi, his wife, and the rest of the family the fortitude to bear this huge loss,” Atiku said. Also, in a statement personally signed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the Speaker said: “I commiserate with our National Leader. “I was shocked to receive the sad news of the sudden death of Jide Tinubu. “The late Jide was a lawyer of high repute who cut his teeth in the maritime sector and was hardworking and enterprising. “It is saddening that a father buries his son. I can only imagine your pain and grief at this time. “I pray to God Almighty to grant you and your family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.” The Osun State governor

and a close associate of Bola Tinubu, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola also expressed shock at the news saying: “I am left shell-shocked by the news of the demise of Jide Tinubu. My thoughts and prayers are with our National leader, AsiwajuTinubu “It is my prayer that Allah grants him and his family the fortitude to bear this grave loss.” In his message, the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, who requested the Obaze Campaign Organisation in his state to observe a minute’s silence when he heard the news, prayed to God to grant Tinubu’s son eternal rest and to those he left behind the good courage to bear the loss with equanimity. Chief Olabode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and national chairmanship candidate of the main opposition party, also expressed shock at the news of the young man’s death. “The death of a beloved child is the worst thing to happen to any parent. I plead with Bola to take the death in his stride. It is most shocking. As a father, I sympathise with him and pray the Almighty God to give him the fortitude to bear the loss.” Also reacting, a former governor of Delta State, Dr.

Emmanuel Uduaghan described the death as a big loss to Tinubu and prayed to God to give him the strength to bear the loss. Mr. Akin Osuntokun, a member of the THISDAY Editorial Board and columnist for the newspaper, was equally shocked when the news was broken to him by THISDAY. Osuntokun who said he only left for Britain on Tuesday, cried: “What can I say? I have a close personal relationship with the family. So the loss is also personal to me. “I should be with Asiwaju now but I just left the country yesterday (Tuesday). Kai! I don’t know the kind of condolence I can offer that will adequately convey my sympathy and grief. May God rest his gentle soul in his bosom.” A former Minister of Aviation and APC critic, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, in his condolence message, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jide Tinubu, the son of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “May his soul rest in peace and may the Lord grant his family and friends the grace to bear this irreparable loss. It is a real tragedy,” he lamented.

Sack PDP Loyalists in Your Administration, Okorocha Tells Buhari Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË The Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently purge his administration of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before they regroup to fight him. Okorocha spoke in an interview with journalists during the National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja. He echoed the statement made by the Comptroller of Customs and Excise, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), noting that time has come for the APC to appoint its own men and to empower them to be ready for the next election. Okorocha said: “It is not that 50 per cent of PDP is running this government alone, PDP members are holding plum jobs in the administration which if it is PDP government, they won’t have allow that and they are getting fattened as a result

and ready to fight us, remember your political enemy can never love you politically. “So we must address issues and make sure that we settle our party men to make sure that APC people hold great positions in boards and others to give them confidence and sense of belonging, that is what we are asking for,” he said. When asked to react to the demand by some APC supporters that President Buhari should dissolve his cabinet to accommodate some aggrieved members of the party, Okorocha said: “Well, I heard of it that we need to rejig the entire system to give confidence to people, release the board list, make people happy and get things working but you know President Buhari has his own style, that is not my own style. “My style would have been to rejig and move on but his style would be take things easy and slowly and get there which is working for him,” Okorocha said.

SIGNED AND SEALED

Managing Director/CEO of Kaduna Electric, Mr. Garba Haruna (middle) and Chairma, Marks and Adams Meter Company, Prince Marks Elayo, signing an agreement for the supply of 50,000 meters to Kaduna Electric in Kaduna.....yesterday.

We Don’t Need Bloated Cabinet Now, ADP Tells Buhari Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË Action Democratic Party (ADP) has faulted plan by President Muhammadu Buhari to create more ministries, saying such a move is capable of stressing the already weak economy. The party said if the president goes ahead to carry out his plan, it would amount to another betrayal of trust to Nigerians. President Buhari had declared at the APC NEC meeting that he would expand his cabinet to accommodate more party members who

would inject new ideas into governance. In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, by the ADP’s Director of Media and Publicity, Kayode Jacob, the party said Buhari had promised Nigerians that he would run a slim government “arguing that the PDP ran an over bloated government that dwarfed capital expenditures.” He said: “The current cabinet members have been working with a President they only see on FEC meeting days and hardly had opportunity to discuss personal challenges or aspirations

except through the Chief of Staff or the now replaced Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).” While expressing disappointment on the move, ADP said: “It is sad and very disappointing that President Buhari who promised change has refused to be consistent and faithful to all the promises he made to the Nigerian masses. “His attitude towards corruption allegations against his close associates, his unprecedented tribal/kinsmen appointments and penchant for refusing to talk when Nigerians

needed his voice of assurance mostly, have proved that his body language in the beginning was a mere gimmick.” ADP advised that what the president needs is not appointment of additional ministers but to make himself (President) more accessible to the current cabinet members “so as to achieve synergy and success. “If the President continue to run the government by proxy, history may not be kind to him in the final analysis,” the Action Democratic Chairman concluded.

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NNPC Begins Oil Exploration, Biofuel Projects in Benue, Ondo George Okoh Ă˜ Ă‹Ă•Ă&#x;ĂœĂŽĂ“ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Chineme Okafor Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has officially commenced oil exploration in the Benue trough with the mobilisation of its data services department to acquire seismic data. Speaking during a courtesy call on Governor Samuel Ortom at the Benue People’s House yesterday, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, said the seismic data collection would commence from Ondori Main Camp at the boundary between Benue and Nasarawa States and cut across Makurdi, Guma, Gwer-East, Gwer-West and Logo local government areas. Baru said the seismic data acquisition was based on the encouraging results of the previous studies carried out in the Benue trough by the corporation in the areas of geological studies and basin modeling, aeromagnetic ground gravity and surface geochemistry survey. While stressing that

President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2015, directed NNPC to resume oil exploration activities in some of the nation’s inland basins including Chad Basin and the Benue trough, the GMD, expressed the hope that the success of the results from seismic data acquisition would lead to the drilling of exploration wells and launch Benue state into the league of oil producing states in the country. On the Biofuel project, Baru said it would attract benefits like the creation of one million direct and indirect jobs, 20,000 hectares of sugarcane feedstock plantation, Cane Mill and Raw/Refined Sugar Plant which would produce 126,000 tons per year and Fuel-Ethanol Processing Plant which would produce 84 million liters every year. He equally stated that the Biofuel Project component of Bagasse Cogeneration Power Plant would have a capacity of 64 mega watts while Carbon Dioxide Recovery and Bottling Plant would produce 2,000 tons per year.

According to him, animal feeds worth 63,000 tonnes would be produced yearly. Responding, Ortom said the state was excited and extended the people’s appreciation to Buhari for considering Benue for the two projects. The governor prayed God to make the two projects a reality and expressed his administration’s commitment towards ensuring that adequate security was provided for the workers and equipment. While acknowledging the fact that there would be massive employment opportunities for the people, Ortom said the implementation of the anti-open grazing law would enable farmers work the year round. The governor said the projects need to be speedily executed and constituted a high powered committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, to ensure their success. Also yesterday, the NNPC said it would build a new biofuel plant with the capacity to produce 65

million litres annually in the Okeluse area of Ondo State. The plant, it noted, would be sited on a 15,000 hectares land space to be provided by the government of Ondo State, and upon which a special breed of cassava plantation would be cultivated to provide feedstock to the biofuel plant and animal feed production. A statement from NNPC’s Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughammadu, in Abuja, noted that an agreement to this effect was signed between the corporation’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, and Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN). It explained that the corporation decided on the biofuel plant as part of its commitment to ensure unimpeded supply of petroleum products in Nigeria, as well as safeguard the environment by reducing its carbon emission and footprint. Similarly, the project, it quoted Baru to have explained, would not be undertaken by NNPC alone, but with investors

who are expected to invest in it to create at least one million direct and indirect jobs, as well as help Nigeria reduce the volume of fuel she imports annually. While helping the country reduce greenhouse gas emission to combat global warming, Baru equally noted that through it, Nigeria would be able to consistently claim carbon credit from international green credit systems. “Your Excellency, we have already discussed with you and you have agreed to make 15,000 hectares of land available towards the cultivation of this cassava. It will, of course, in the process invite people who are used to farming cassava as well as new entrepreneurs who want to go into that business to participate in the cultivation of the cassava that we are going to use for the production of the fuel ethanol. “We expect that this plant, when built, will be producing at least 65 million litres per annum of fuel ethanol that could be blended into our petrol and will be used in Nigeria and neighbouring countries when exported,� said

Baru. He further disclosed that the biofuel project would be fitted with a 40 megawatts electricity plant that would also supply power to the host communities, and allayed fears of any possible negative impact of the plant on the supply of cassava-based foods for human consumption.  According to him, the cassava that would be used for the biofuel project would be a special breed that would not be in competition for human consumption or interfere with the activities of farmers cultivating other breeds of cassava or other crops. He added: “The benefits of this project to Nigeria and specifically to Ondo State are immense and NNPC is very eager to see it implemented. We are working with the investors who will invest because there are several dimensions to the project.� Also in the statement, Akeredolu expressed confidence that the biofuel project would take off for the benefit of the people of the state and the country in general, and assured of the state’s commitment to it.

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Osinbajo to Open House Summit on Economic Recession C’ttee probes utilisation of funds by federal varsities, medical centers James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is expected to declare open the Legislative Economic Summit which is being organised by the leadership of the House of Representatives. The two-day summit, themed: ‘Legislative Framework for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Development will hold between November 6 and 7 with the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma expected to participate. Other dignitaries including the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, House Speaker, Yakubu

Dogara; Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Tunde Fowler and Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State are expected to make presentations at the August occasion. Chairman, Tactical Committee on Economic Recession, Hon. Bode Ayorinde, said the event would afford policy makers, members of the parliament at both federal and state levels, captains of industries, the academia, organised labour, civil society and nongovernmental organisations the opportunity to interface and proffer lasting solution to the economic downturn

in the country. He said: “The House is concerned that as a result of the economic recession, commercial banks recently reviewed upward interest paid on credits, to the effect that consumers of bank credit facilities now pay higher while the exchange rate between the naira and the dollar has not only been viewed as unstable, but highly polarised and progressively depreciating against the dollars. “Today’s multifaceted economic crises and fast changing world calls for a close partnership and active

collaboration between the National Assembly and other arms of government as well as the international organisations, the civil society groups, academia and the media. The House is completely disposed to embrace any form of partnership that will help deliver on the objectives of this summit.” Meanwhile, the House Committee on Public Accounts has commenced large scale investigation into the finances and expenditures of the 37 federal universities across the country with respect to

their level of compliance with the Public Service Financial Regulation. The probe came on the heels of pending queries by the office of the Auditor General for the Federation (AuGF) since 2014 urging the National Assembly to compel the institutions in question to explain rationale behind their violation of the PSFR. The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) therefore, grouped its members in six different teams to cover the varsities spread in the geo-political zones in the investigations.

While inaugurating the sub-committees, he gave them four weeks to conclude the probe and turn in their reports. Also to be investigated are 11 River Basins as well as all the Federal Medical Centres across the country with a view to ascertaining their level of contribution to the national economy and compliance with extant establishment Acts of Parliament. Chinda said: “Our major concern is the funds that you have received and not the ones that you haven’t received or generated.”

Keyamo: HoS is Dodgy on Maina Recall Saga Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo, has faulted the memo written by the Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, to the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, where she warned President Muhammadu Buhari against the reinstatement of the former Chairman of the Pension Reforms Commission, Mallam Abdulrasheed Maina, into the civil service. In the said memo, OyoIta warned that recalling Maina would have dire implications on government’s anti-corruption fight. Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, described the Maina saga as condemnable, saying the HoS was dodgy in the role she played in the ongoing saga. Similarly, he plugged a hole in Oyo-Ita’s claim that she called the president aside after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on October 11, where she orally warned Buhari against bringing Maina back to the service. Keyamo said the HoS breached the standard bureaucratic practice by calling

Buhari aside and whispering to his ear, rather than putting her views in writing. “I have read her memo very well where she said after the FEC meeting, she called the president aside, and spoke to him orally. Government is all about bureaucracy and not oral communication. If she had reservations about Maina recall, she should have put it to the president in black and white for him to look at it. Whispering in itself is not a standard procedure in bureaucracy. She can not whisper into the ears of the president as if it was a secret society,” Keyamo queried. According to Keyamo, Malami’s memo to Oyo-Ita was only advisory and if she was opposed to the reinstatement of Maina to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, she should have carried out her objection in writing to the president. He said the major characters in the saga-Oyo-Ita and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malamifingered in the controversial recall of Maina before his dismissal by Buhari- of absolving

OIF to Unveil Scholarship Scheme, Honour Ransome Kuti, Ekpo, Queens Amina, Moremi, Idia Obi Ikenchukwu Foundation (OIF) is set to unveil the Grace Ikenchukwu Scholarship Scheme for Girls (GISSG) and honour nine outstanding women leaders including Queen Amina of Zaria; Queen Idia of Benin; Queen Moremi of Ife; Chief (Mrs.) Bisoye Tejuoso; Mrs. Margaret Ekpo; Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti; Mrs. Folayegbe Akintunde-Ighodalo; Chief (Mrs.) Folake Solanke; Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Amechi. According to a statement made available to THISDAY by the founder of OIF, Princess Genevieve Ikenchukwu, the initiative is in line with the dream of the late Queen Grace

Ikenchukwu, whose aspiration was to become a lawyer. It also stated the GISSG was established to invest in the lives of indigent girls. On why the foundation has chosen to offer scholarships this year, she explained that “education is at the core of our existence at the OIF, especially the education of our girls. I strongly believe that investing in the life of a girl child and orphans in the society invariably means investing in the economic and social future of that immediate community, State and/or Country. It also means liberating the community.

PANEL OF DISCUSSANTS Chief Host, 2017 World Senagers Conference, Dr. Oluwadare Mark Okusanya, with a discussant and Archbishop of

Ibadan, Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Revd. Michael Kehinde Stephens; a foreign-based Guest Speaker, Allan Mohra; Archbishop’s wife, Mrs. Felicia Iyabo Stephens; Another Guest Speaker, Dr. Femi Olugbile, the retired Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health and a trustee of CLAM Church, Pastor Akinbo Daina, at the 2017 at World Senagers Day Conference in Lagos...recently

Senators Express Reservation over North-east Devt Commission Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË Some senators yesterday expressed reservations at the North-east Development Commission, whose establishment Act was recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari. Some of the lawmakers said accelerated development is needed in all parts of the country and harped on the need for the South-east Development Commission and other regional commissions, to be passed, while others said injustice has been done by the non-inclusion of Plateau and Kano States. The controversy followed a motion sponsored by Senator Danjuma Goje, commending the president for the assent to the bill. The motion also urged the federal government to make adequate financial provisions in the 2018 budget for the commission’s appropriate take off. Senator James Manager (Delta PDP) contributing to the motion,

said while the bill received overwhelming support in the National Assembly and was speedily assented to by the president, there is a need to accelerate the establishment of the South-east Development Commission (SEDC). “The federal roads in the South-east are in a terrible state. I am not from the South-east, but that region needs urgent attention. If for some reasons, the contracts (road) have been awarded, and they are not done, this should be looked into. “The SEDC bill has passed second reading, if it is ready, please bring it to the floor, let us pass it. From the mood I saw the president few days ago, he will sign it also,” Manager said. Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Abia PDP) implied that with the passage of the bill, other regions would also get development commissions. “It means restructuring has started, and when it comes to other zones, we will support. What is good for the goose

is also good for the gander,” Anyanwu said. Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara APC) who also lauded the assent to the bill, expressed reservation at the permanent status of the commission. He disclosed that he opposed the bill because of his opinion that the destruction caused by Boko Haram in the region and the resultant challenges, are best addressed by an adhoc body. Marafa further noted that there is no justice in the bill as it excluded Kano and Plateau States which have also suffered from the actions of Boko Haram. “Every part of Nigeria needs development,” he said and cited the North West Axis of Zamfara, Niger, Kebbi, Sokoto and Katsina where killings occur on a daily basis. The axis is highly militarised, Marafa said, and said the region is experiencing similar challenges to the North-east. He therefore appealed to his colleagues for support when a similar regional bill is brought

before them. Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano APC) also lamented that the Kano and Plateau States were removed from the bill by the conference committee (harmonising committee with the House). He expressed hope that the states would be included when an amendment bill for the commission is brought. Senator Ben Murray Bruce (Bayelsa PDP) however noted that experience has shown development commissions to be “monumental failures.” “I am beginning to wonder if I made the right decision in voting for this bill. Maybe the state governments should be given the extra funds to take care of the situation in the North East, instead of the commission,” Bruce said. He therefore called on the president to ensure that persons of integrity, who care about the sufferings of the people in the North-east, are appointed to manage the NEDC.

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UN Scribe Tasks INEC on Free and Fair Elections Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË The United Nations (UN) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) strive towards ensuring that it conduct more credible elections in the country. The UN body said that building of technological capacity and sustaining its application will help to improve the conduct of elections in the country. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guteres who was represented by his special representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Mr. Mohammed IBN Chambers, gave the advise in Abuja yesterday while on a courtesy visit on INEC chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu. He emphasised the need for the commission to embrace technology which has been accepted the world over as a measure for the conduct of free and fair elections. The UN scribe acknowledged

the efforts by the commission at large. to improve elections in He pledged the election the country, adding that monitoring body’s resolve the commission’s current leadership should be taken as a model for nations under the West African sub region. He also commended INEC for announcing election dates for the general elections way ahead of the scheduled year which is 2019 as well as the number of registered voters in the ongoing Civic Voters Registration (CVR) exercise. According to Chambers, the need to include the internally displaced persons in the country’s electoral process cannot be over emphasised. On Ekiti and Osun governorship elections coming up next year, he said will be another trial match for the commission, given that its outcome will be a reflection of the general election in 2019. Yakubu assured the UN visiting team of the commission’s commitment to sustaining democracy in the country and the region

Bill Proposing Polytechnic in Sokoto Passes Second Reading Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË The Senate yesterday passed through second reading a bill seeking the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic in Silame, Sokoto State, to ensure more access to higher technical education in the region. The bill is sponsored by Senator Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto APC), who lamented that a large number of qualified candidates are stranded annually in their failed attempt to gain admission into higher institutions in the North-west region. Wamakko while presenting the lead debate, said Nigeria’s developing economy has high

potential which require high level technical, scientific and administrative skills to drive it. He added that the polytechnic would further advance knowledge through research and nurture unique innovations, entrepreneurship and wealth management in core areas of interest. “The economic development and progress of any nation depends to a large extent on the technological advancement. The technology sub-sector plays a major role in the economic development and progress of any nation. It is one of the indicators for measuring national growth or the level of development of any nation,” Wamakko said.

Amnesty Office Disowns Protesters, Rejects Allegation of Partisanship NdubuisiFrancis ÓØ ÌßÔË The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has disowned a group which staged a protest at the National Assembly, Abuja yesterday under the auspices of ex-militants. The Amnesty Office, in a statement issued by its Head, Media, Mr. Owei Lakemfa, said the protesters’ claim of being exagitators was flawed as available records did not show them as part of the 30,000 beneficiaries. “They claimed to be ex-agitators from the Niger Delta who dropped arms in 2011, but have not been paid stipends. From our records, this group is not part of the 30,000 beneficiaries captured in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, and the Office has no powers to include them in the programme.

“However, they will be captured in the projects of the New Vision for the Niger Delta Programme scheduled to be launched within 12 weeks,” the statement added. In a related development, the Amnesty Office said its attention had been drawn to claims in some media that it has a preponderance of persons from some political parties. The statement said: “We have also been informed that a protest is planned against the programme demanding that youths from a particular political party should be included in the programme and its reach out activities aimed at youths from impacted communities.” It added that the programme is a security exercise that has no political affiliations.

to partner a regional body, ECOWAS network of electoral commissions, ECONEC to

improving on elections adding that it is better and easier to monitor elections than deploy

the regions military force, ECOWAS when elections are deemed to be flawed.

61ST HEARTY CHEERS L_R: Administrator, Grace Schools, Mrs. Tokunbo Edun; Managing Director, Modern Branding Services Ltd, Mr. Wale Ajao; and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at the senator’s 61st birthday celebration in Lagos...recently

Police Blame Two S’African Prisoners for Ozubulu Church Massacre Three suspects to appear in court over incident

David-Chyddy Eleke ÓØ áÕË The police in Anambra State have said investigation into the killing of worshipers in St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State last August, which left 18 people dead and many others injured has been traced to two South African prisoners. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Garba Umar, who disclosed this to journalists at the state police command yesterday gave the names of the suspects as

Prince Charles Obi, a.k.a Gozila and Dickson Nwodi a.k.a Afam. He said the command has involved the Interpol with the hope of extraditing the suspects to Nigeria to face criminal charges. Umar who read out a statement to journalists, stated that the suspects had earlier sent one Quintus Anayo alias Obasanjo who is also based in South Africa to Ozubulu to see the elders of the town to alert them of an impending attack. He said: “The two indigenes from Nnobi and Oba towns respectively had vowed

that there will be attacks if their financial demands for undisclosed reasons made on certain persons were not met. “The command wishes to state categorically: that we will ensure that all identified perpetrators are brought to book. On that strength, three of the suspects in custody are to be arraigned within this week on charges of conspiracy and murder with other suspects at large. “That the Interpol is already involved in the investigation and possible extradition of the

suspects based in South Africa, who claimed responsibility for the attack on the church.” Umar assured the public that no one direct or indirectly linked in the senseless killing would be left off the hook. On the involvement of Aloysius Ikegwuonu, a.k.a Bishop, who was earlier reported to be a South African drug lord from the community, alleged to have unfinished business with the attackers, the commissioner said, “Bishop is just a victim. If they had seen him that day, they would have killed him.”

EEDC Expands Payment Platforms, Engages Collection Agents As part of efforts to expand its payment platforms, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has engaged the services of collection agents, a conscious move aimed at complementing its existing payment channels. With this development, customers of EEDC now have convenient and accessible options available to them to pay their electricity bills without stress. In a statement signed by Its Head, Communication, Emeka Eze, and obtained by THISDAY,

he said the move was necessary to minimise situations where some of the customers who do not have time to visit EEDC cash office, bank or even use the online platforms, can now conveniently pay their bills through these agent locations within their neighbourhood. “Currently, one of the agents, Capricorn Digital Limited, promoters of “Baxi Box” are already on ground collecting electricity bills on behalf of EEDC. Customers are therefore

encouraged to feel free and pay their bills through these agents and also ensure that they obtain receipt (with EEDC logo) for every payment made. Immediately after payment is consummated, customers are expected to receive SMS confirmation alert. “Also, as a way of ensuring the authenticity of these agents, their locations will have banners identifying them as EEDC authorised collection agents. “Arrangement is equally on

to conclude plans for other collection agents to commence collection. “Moreover, EEDC customers are still free to pay their electricity bills through its website, cash offices, designated banks, QuickTeller website, as well as through QuickTeller enabled ATMs. “We are committed to initiatives geared towards improving our processes and also ensuring convenient and enjoyable customer experience

NACC Drives Non-oil Product Export with Workshop The Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) in collaboration with Multimix Export House organised a two-day agro -commodity export master class aimed at driving non-oil product export. The workshop which held in Lagos, was designed for produce merchants, infant exporters, existing exporters,

commodity brokers, foreign buyers, investors, financiers and government export facilitating and inspection agencies. The guide was informed by experiences in commodity trade and export management consultancy spanning a period of over two decades. The workshop was indispensable for all stakeholders in the

commodity export business. The workshop which had in focus agro-commodities such as Sesame Seeds, Ginger, Cashew Nuts and Products, Shea Nuts/Butter and Processed Vegetable & Food Products was aimed at providing basic knowledge to potential and existing export traders to take good decisions to enhance

their profitability; nurturing the practical capabilities of Micro Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) agro-commodity exports and equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to grasp the rudiments of practical export operations, enhance profitability and avoid losses.

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CRIME&PUNISHMENT Customs Seizes 10 Trailers Loads of Rice, Collects N1.3bn in October Eromosele Abiodun and Mohammed Aminu Ă“Ă˜ ÙÕÙÞÙ

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has announced that it intercepted various contrabands with a duty paid value of N1,353,617,104.08 between 4th to 31st of October, 2017. This is just as the Unit disclosed that it seized items include 6,206 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each, which is more than 10 trailer loads of rice, 67 bales of secondhand clothing, 600 cartons of foreign poultry products, 13 parcels of Indian Hemp, 405 pieces of used tyres, and 54 kegs of foreign vegetable oil. Speaking during a press briefing yesterday in Lagos, the Controller, FOU, Mohammed Uba, stated that two containers were also seized for contravening Customs law. “While one of the containers carried used fridges, 270 cartons of refined sun flower oil, 55 pieces of used gas compressors, 18 packs of juice and other assorted items as against cooking gas declared in the SGD, the other container was carrying 147 bales of printed wax and 168 bales of lace material as against new electronics declared in the SGD. “Also, based on intelligence, our operatives trailed and evacuated 59 assorted vehicles from car marts in Ikoyi, among which over 40 are 2017 models ranging from Toyota Prado jeeps, Lexus jeeps, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Camry, Coaster bus, Toyota Hiace bus among others currently under detention,

awaiting relevant Customs document from the dealers within a grace period of one month. These vehicles alone have a duty paid value of N1.076 billion only, “he said. He added,: “It is instructive to note that a total of 6 suspects have been arrested relating to this 120 seizures. The Indian hemp will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action. “Accordingly, the Unit through interventions recovered N144,433,524 from duty payment and demand notices on general goods that tried to circumvent the law at seaports, airports and border stations through wrong declaration, transfer of value, underpayment of duty accruable to the Federal Government of Nigeria within the weeks under review. “Let me use this medium to appreciate the robust synergy that exists among the Military, Police, and other security agencies with our operatives. Smuggling is a global phenomenon which can only be brought to it barest minimum if all hands are on deck. My preoccupation remains to degrade the activities of smugglers through aggressive patrol of all flanks and flashpoints. We will be very ruthless with these economic saboteurs because we have a responsibility to protect the nation’s economy in line with the expectation of the Federal Government of Nigeria.� Also, the Sokoto Command of the NCS comprising Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, has seized 39 vehicles and other illicit

 Pastor, 35 Cultists Arrested in A’Ibom Okon Bassey Ă“Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™ Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested no fewer than 35 cultists belonging to two different cult groups operating in Ukanafun, Etim-Ekpo and Onna Local Government areas of state including a Pastor of one of the new generation churches. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, DSP Bala Elkana, disclosed this yesterday during an interview saying the cult groups were responsible for chieftaincy and political tussles in the LGAs. He said 15 of the cultists arrested in Ukanafun and Etim-Ekpo on October 29, 2017 were charged to court and remanded at the Ikot Ekpene prison, while 20 of the cultists were arrested in Onna on October 30 pending when they will be charged to court. Elkana said the arrests were made possible through intelligent reports from members of the public and tactical operation of the anti-robbery and kidnapping squad of the command. He said Ukanafun, Etim-Ekpo and Onna LGAs have been identified as a flash point of cult activities in the state saying

that some were traced to be members of the two different cult groups namely the Isakaba and Ekpat cult groups operating in the LGAs. The PPRO disclosed that while a Pastor in one of the new generation churches in the state, Pastor Victor Ufot Udofia aged 50 is the leader of the Isakaba cult group, a 52 –year- old man who paraded himself as youth, Victor Okon Andrew is the leader of the Ekpat cult group. According to Elkana, the Ekpat cult group activities have a link with the chieftaincy crisis in Ekwe community in Onna local government area where the people could not install their village head till now. The image- maker of the Command said members of the cult groups were responsible for series of crimes committed in the three LGAs including armedrobberies and kidnappings “If you look at the crisis in Ukanafun, Etim-Ekpo and Onna is either chieftaincy or political. But the crisis in Onna is political�, he stressed adding that the two cult groups employed or engaged the youths as members and used them for most of the attack.

goods worth N161 million in the zone in the last six months. It also generated N829 million revenue within the same period in the zone. The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Mr. Nasir Ahmed, made the disclosure during a press briefing in Sokoto yesterday. He said the items were seized in various border towns in the states between May and October this year. Ahmed stated that the seized items included 39 vehicles worth

N83 million, 552 (50 kg) bags of foreign rice and 1290Â (25kg) bags of rice worth N27 million. Â Others were 976 jerry cans of vegetable oil, 207 bales of second hand clothing worth N12 million as well as elephant tusk with a duty paid value of N14 million. He attributed the challenge in the anti-smuggling operations to porous borders , especially many bush paths and farmlands during the dry season, that made it easy access for smugglers to illegally transport offending

items across the border without proper control. “As far as I am concerned, there should be no smuggling of rice because the three states are in the forefront of rice production. So why should the people smuggle rice? We have WACOT and Labana rice mills in Kebbi State. “Dangote Group and Honeywell are top producers of spaghetti but it is sad that our people import rice and spaghetti that are not good for human consumption,�

he stated. The comptroller disclosed that the command recorded a revenue of N829 million as against N1 billion generated within the same period in 2016.  Ahmed said the command recorded a deficit of 22.6 per cent in 2017 and attributed the shortfall in revenue to the fact that rice and vehicles which constitute the backbone of revenue in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States, were banned from importation through the land borders.

ON-THE-SPOT VISIT Area Commander Sango-Ota Ogun State, Assistant Commissioner of Police Adegoke Fayoade (middle anked by the

Divisioner Police OďŹƒcers (DPO), Redhouse Police Station Iju-Ishaga Lagos, Mr. Oke Oluwasola (right), and the DPO, Ajuwon Police Station, Mr. Afolabi Kazeem, during the Area Commander’s oďŹƒcial visit to the Iju Abekoko Community, at the boundary between Lagos and Ogun States over the recent attacks by armed robbers/criminals in the area...yesterday

Four Bank Robbery Suspects Arraigned Yinka KolawoleËż Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă‘ĂŒĂ™ Four bank robbery suspects whose activities led to the death of two policemen and seven other people in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State were yesterday arraigned at the state High Court sitting in Ikirun. The suspects are, Nuhu Jimoh, Ndubisi David Aderibigbe Oluwaseun and Ogundunmade

Kayode. They were charged for conspiracy, armed robbery and murder during an operation at a Skye Bank, Ikirun branch on February 12, 2016, in which N13.5million was carted away and First Bank on the same day where they stole N26.5million. The police alleged that the accused, during the robbery, killed police Cpl Oyewo Sunday, Cpl Olokede Victor,

Elusoji Olabode and Adeyeye Oluwafemi. Counsel to the accused, Mrs. Oluyemisi Akintajuwa, prayed the court to hear the application for bail of the second and fourth accused, David and Kayode. She informed the court that Kayode has a mental challenge, praying the court to release him on bail for medical treatment. Meanwhile, the prosecution team from the Ministry of Justice

led by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ajibola Bashiru, informed the court that counsel to the first and third accused have not been coming to court, hence the delay in the hearing of the matter. The presiding judge,  Justice Jide Falola, adjourned the matter November 2, 2017, for ruling on the bail application and hearing of the matter.

Courts Grant Bail to 67 Suspected Kidnappers Yekini Jimoh Ă“Ă˜ ÙÕÙÔË

accused persons in Obajana area of Lokoja. The Chief Magistrate Court I and The police alleged that the II sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, accused and others now at yesterday granted bail to 67 large conspired, formed and suspected kidnappers, including belonged to a gang of thieves two juveniles, standing trial for who were responsible for attempted armed robbery and several thefts, robbery and kidnapping. kidnapping operations within The 65 suspects had spent Obajana-Kabba and its environs. one week in Federal Medium The police further alleged Prisons in Koton-Karfe and that the accused were seen Okene with exception of the at their criminal hideouts at two juveniles who were granted Obajana while preparing to carry bail and moved to Family Court. out robbery and kidnapping The accused were arrested by operations within Obajana and a combined team of police, the its environs. army, Department of State The FIR further said a Service (DSS) and National combined team of the police, Security and Civil Defence the army, DSS and NSCDC Corps (NSCDC) during a raid swung into action and stormed in Obajana on October 10. the various criminal hideouts According to the Police First where the suspects were all Information Report (FIR), the arrested while others escaped. combined team of security Other members of the alleged agents on a tip-off arrested the gang who escaped the October

10 arrest, according to the police, at about 5p.m. on October 23, in a reprisal, killed two policemen, Sergeant Gini John and Inspector Ezekiel Negedu.  The hoodlums were also alleged to have carted away AK-47riffles belonging to the slain policemen and kidnapped one Portuguese national, Jose Machada, and took him to an unknown destination. At Lokoja Chief Magistrate court I which handled a batch of 34 cases including the two juveniles, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Levi Animoku, said the accused had undertaken to comply with bail conditions. Animoku said perusing the dispositions of the various affidavits presented by counsel to the accused that the accused were presumed innocent until the contrary was proven.  He said bail was not a

discharge or acquittal of the accused of the charges preferred against him, adding: “Gladly enough, the prosecution has given voice in favour of the bail of the accused persons. He said: “Each accused is released on bail in the sum of N20,000 with a reliable surety in like sum.� The surety, Animoku added, must be either a civil servant or a staff of Dangote Cement Company or a notable businessman with evidence of means and resident in Lokoja or its environs. Also at the Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court II, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Alhassan Hussaini, granted bail to 33 of the suspects alleged to have criminally conspired and attempted to commit armed robbery and kidnapping.

Ëœ ÍşËœ ͺ͸͚Ϳ Ëž T H I S D AY

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Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

Moses, Ekong, Ajayi Make CAF Player of the Year Shortlist Ekong: I am honoured to be nominated Duro Ikhazuagbe Super Eagles duo of Victor Moses and William Troost-Ekong have been named in the 2017 African Footballer of the Year Award even as 2016 winner Riyald Mahrez of Leicester City and Algeria failed to make the 30-man nominee list released yesterday. Moses and Ekong have stiff opposition in Senegal and Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah also of Liverpool and Egypt. Moses is considered favourite for the award due to his fantastic season with Chelsea last year and his contributions to Nigeria picking the 2018 World Cup ticket from the group that had reigning African champions Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia. Ekong, 24, who plys his trade with Bursaspor in the Turkish League on the other hand was an integral part of Super Eagles defence that only conceded three goals in five World Cup qualifying matches. In all, there are five Premier League stars among those hoping to succeed Mahrez when the African Player of the Year is announced in Ghana on January 4. Other leagues that also contribute players to the 30-man list include; Spain’s La Liga and France’s Ligue 1 (4 players), German Bundesliga (2 players) while none is from the Italy’s Serie A. Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly from the Ivory Coast, Newcastle United and Ghana winger Christian Atsu are the other nominees from the English Premier League. Prolific Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the 2015 African Player of the Year and runner-up last year, is likely to be another strong contender. Portuguese outfit Porto supply the most players with Algerian Yacine Brahimi, Malian Moussa Marega and Cameroonian Vincent Aboubakar listed. Surprise 2017 Africa Cup of Nations winners Cameroon supplied three hopefuls – Aboubakar, Sevilla goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa and China-based winger Christian Bassogog. Voted the best player of the Cup of Nations in Gabon, Bassogog was less effective in World Cup qualifying as Cameroon failed to qualify for the 2018 finals in Russia. Uganda goalkeeper Denis Onyango, who plays for South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, is among 30 nominees for the Africa-based Player of the Year, an award he won last year. Another South Africa-based contender is former New Zealand striker Jeremy Brockie, who hails from the rugby heartland of Christchurch. His 10 goals have helped SuperSport United qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup final against TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo later this month. Speaking on his nomination for

the CAF top award, Ekong said yesterday that he was delighted with the honour. Ekong took to the social media shortly after the nominees for the prestigious award was announced to write: “Honoured to be nominated for African Player of the Year. Representing Nigeria together with @VictorMoses #CAF @NGSuperEagles�. The former Tottenham Hotspur youth prodigy has also been impressive for Bursaspor this season, scoring twice in seven league outings. Another Nigerian, Junior Ajayi of Al Ahly of Egypt was listed in the next category meant for players based in the continent. He is listed as number 16. The former Flying Eagles player is also eyeing the CAF Champions League trophy with the Egyptian side. Nigerian energy giants, AITEO, are the headline sponsors of next year’s edition that will see players, officials and administrators who distinguished themselves during the year under review being honoured. The winner will be decided by votes from the Head Coaches/ Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF, members of the CAF Technical and Development Committee and a panel of Media Experts. The Awards Gala will be held on Thursday, 4 January 2018 in Accra, Ghana. Full shortlist: 1. Ali Maaloul (Tunisia & Al Ahly) 2. Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso & Lyon) 3. Cedric Bakambu (DR Congo & Villareal) 4. Christian Atsu (Ghana & Newcastle) 5. Christian Bassogog (Cameroon & Henan Jianye) 6. Denis Onyango (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns) 7. Eric Bailly (Cote d’Ivoire & Manchester United) 8. Essam El Hadary (Egypt & Al Taawoun) 9. Fabrice Ondoa (Cameroon & Sevilla) 10. Fackson Kapumbu (Zambia & Zesco) 11. Jean Michel Seri (Cote d’Ivoire & Nice) 12. Junior Kabananga (DR Congo & Astana) 13. Karim El Ahmadi (Morocco & Feyenoord) 14. Keita Balde (Senegal & Monaco) 15. Khalid Boutaib (Morocco & Yeni Malatyaspor) 16. Mbwana Samata (Tanzania & Genk) 17. Michael Olunga (Kenya & Girona) 18. Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Liverpool) 19. Moussa Marega (Mali & Porto) 20. Naby Keita (Guinea & RB Leipzig) 21. Percy Tau (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns) 22. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund) 23. Sadio Mane (Senegal & Liverpool) 24. Thomas Partey (Ghana &

Atletico Madrid) 25. Victor Moses (Nigeria & Chelsea)

26. Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon & Porto) 27. William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria

Victor Moses

& Bursaspor) 28. Yacine Brahimi (Algeria & Porto)

29. Youssef Msakni (Tunisia & Al Duhail) 30. Yves Bissouma (Mali & Lille)

William Troost-Ekong

Yobo Sad over Everton Crisis Former Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo, has stated on social networking site Twitter that it is frightening that Everton is in the Premier League bottom three at the moment. Everton is currently third from bottom in the standings with just eight points from 10 matches.

The Toffees were expected to push for a top-six spot and perhaps even launch a challenge for the UEFA Champions League place at the start of the season. However, the Merseyside outfit has struggled to do that, and there is a danger that it could get relegated to

the Championship at the end of the 2017-18 campaign. But Yobo, a former defender of the club has given his take on the situation at Goodison Park on Twitter. The 37-year-old former Nigeria international has stated that it is frightening that the Toffees are

in the bottom three. Earlier this month, Yobo also suggested that David Moyes would be a good managerial appointment for the Toffees. Moyes, who is without a managerial job at the moment, was in charge of Everton from 2002 until 2013.

Ambode Boosts MFM FC’s Champions League Campaign with N50m Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday heaped praises on the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Football Club for returning the state to the prestigious CAF Champions League 16 years after a team from the state participated in the tournament. Speaking at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja yesterday when he received MFM FC alongside top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ambode said it was gratifying that a team from the Lagos would be participating in the 2018 edition of the continental tournament after such a long time. He therefor pledged to assist the team with the necessary support to ensure successful campaign at the championship. While congratulating the team for the feat, Governor Ambode particularly acknowledged and saluted the vision of MFM General Overseer, Pastor Daniel Kayode Olukoya who founded the team ten years ago, saying that the state government was proud to associate with his idea of meaningfully engaging the youths to contribute positively

L-R: Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Sports, Mr. Deji Tinubu; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde and Regional Overseer, Mountain of Fire & Miracles Ministries, Pastor Fredrick Alewi, during MFM FC courtesy visit to the Governor at the Lagos House, Ikeja‌yesterday society. to the society Responding to some requests by the MFM FC, Governor Ambode donated N25milion to the footballers and officials of the club for qualifying for the CAF Champions League and another N25million to ensure hitch-free campaign, as well as adequately prepare for the tournament. The governor directed the State Sports Commission to ensure that the Agege Stadium, which is the home-ground being used by MFM

FC, be put in good shape to meet FC up with CAF standard before inspection in December. While recalling the promise he made to the people during his electioneering to use tourism, hospitality, entertainment and arts as well as sports for excellence, Governor Ambode said the feat by the team aptly conform with the vision and plan of the state government that is to use sports to advance the economy and positively engage

the youths. youths According to him, “We need sports to use it as an instrument to build the economy of Lagos and also direct the energy of our younger ones to things that are very positive as exemplified by what is happening today. Beyond football, they continue to use it for their own mental ability to be able to be proud future leaders in this country and that is what we are trying to say.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2017

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FIFA World Cup Trophy to Arrive Nigeria March 3 The Original FIFA World Cup, which Nigeria’s Super Eagles and 31 other teams will be competing for at the 21st FIFA World Cup finals in Russia next summer, will arrive in Nigeria on Saturday, March 3, 2018. NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, told thenff.com yesterday that confirmation has come from world football-governing body, FIFA, that Nigeria is among the countries where the iconic trophy would be visiting before next year’s major showpiece. “We have confirmation now. The World Cup trophy will be in Nigeria on 3rd March 2018,” Sanusi said. Nigeria became the first African country to qualify for the 32-team finals when beating Zambia 1-0 in Uyo on 7th October, plucking the lone slot from Africa’s so-called group of death with one match to spare, but will only know their group phase opponents after the Draw Ceremony at The Kremlin in Moscow on 1st December. The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour is usually a chance to see the Original FIFA World Cup Trophy, and this time, fans from all over the world will have the opportunity of seeing the trophy and having their photo taken with the famous diadem from 9th September 2017 to 7th June 2018. The 21st FIFA World Cup finals will be staged across 12 venues in 11 cities in

the world’s largest nation between Thursday, 14th June and Sunday, 15th July 2018. The venues are Ekaterinburg Arena (Ekaterinburg); Kaliningrad Stadium (Kaliningrad); Kazan Arena (Kazan); Luzhniki Stadium and Spartak Stadium (both in Moscow); Nizhny Novgorod Stadium (Nizhny Novgorod); Rostov Arena (Rostov-on-Don); Saint Petersburg Stadium (Saint Petersburg); Samara Arena (Samara); Mordovia Arena (Saransk); Fisht Stadium (Sochi) and; Volgograd Arena (Volgograd). PREVIOUS WORLD HOST NATIONS AND WINNERS 1930: Uruguay (Winner: Uruguay) 1934: Italy (Winner: Italy) 1938: France (Winner: Italy) 1950: Brazil (Winner: Uruguay) 1954: Switzerland (Winner: West Germany) 1958: Sweden (Winner: Brazil) 1962: Chile (Winner: Brazil) 1966: England (Winner: England) 1970: Mexico (Winner: Brazil) 1974: West Germany (Winner: West Germany) 1978: Argentina (Winner: Argentina) 1982: Spain (Winner: Italy) 1986: Mexico (Winner: Argentina) 1990: Italy (Winner: Germany) 1994: USA (Winner: Brazil) 1998: France (Winner: France) 2002: Korea/Japan (Winner: Brazil) 2006: Germany (Winner: Italy) 2010: South Africa (Winner: Spain) 2014: Brazil (Winner: Germany)

RESULTS

Liverpool 3-0 Maribor Sevilla 2-1 Spartak Napoli 2-4 Man City Shakhtar 3-1 Feyenoord Besiktas 1-1 Monaco Porto 3-1 Leipzig Dortmund 1-1 APOEL Spurs 3-1 Real Madrid

Dele Alli (centre) powering home the kick that spinned off Sergio Ramos (left) to earn Tottenham the second goal of the 3-1 defeat of Real Madrid at Wembley… last night

U E FA C H A M P I O N S L E A G U E

Dele Alli Hits Brace as Tottenham Beats Madrid at Wembley Dele Alli scored twice as Tottenham overwhelmed European champions Real Madrid to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. It was Spurs’ first victory over the Spanish giants in club competition and the visitors’ first group-stage defeat in

the Champions League since October 2012. England midfielder Alli grabbed his first in the 27th minute when he converted Kieran Trippier’s low cross from close range. His second came after the break when he ventured into the area

and fired a low shot that came off defender Sergio Ramos before beating keeper Kiko Casilla. Christian Eriksen then capped a great night for the north London side when he slotted in after good combination work between Alli and Harry Kane on the counterattack.

Alli should have completed his hat-trick, but he inexplicably headed wide Trippier’s cross from six yards out. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real’s big threat, had two strikes well held by Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris, before he fired in from six yards for his ninth goal of the season.

Zenith/Delta Principal’s Cup Starts with Excitement The defending champion of the Zenith/Delta Principal’s Cup competition Mastercare International yesterday at the St Patrick’s Secondary School forced Comprehensive Secondary School, OgwashiUku to a 1-1 draw. The ceremonial match that was staged to declare the Season 2 of the competition open was highly thrilling and exciting as many top dignitaries were kept at the edge of their seats with good football artistry displayed by the players. Excited by the quality of play at the kick-off of the second edition of the Zenith Bank Delta Principal’s Cup, sponsors, Zenith Bank, has declared that the event will remain in their annual projects calendar. This assurance was given by the bank’s Group Head, Delta State Zone, Lucky Ighade. He said: “With what we saw in the first edition and the quality of organisation and talents on display here at the kick-off of the second edition, I am delighted to say the Zenith Bank/Delta Principal’s Cup has come to stay. “I will not be surprised to see some of these players in

the Super Eagles sometime in the future. This competition will help to feed the national teams and that is good for Delta State and our entire society.” The Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chiedu Ebie, said the colorful opening ceremony was an indication that the competition is ascending to the next level. “I am happy with the opening ceremony and it has shown that Season 2 will Representative of Deputy Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc and Zonal Head, Asaba, Lucky Ighade, presenting gifts to be far better than season 1,” players of Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwashi-Ukwu shortly before the opening match of the Zenith/Delta State Ebie said. Principal’s Cup in Asaba…yesterday

Guinness Partners DSTV on Premier League Trophy Tour to Lagos Football fans in Lagos were treated to an exciting match day experience last Saturday as Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, in conjunction with DSTV, showcased the English Premier League trophy at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere. The event featured live screening of the Manchester United Vs Tottenham Hotspur match, photo sessions with the Premier league trophy and music performances.

Former Super Eagles Captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha was one of the guests at the occasion that also witnessed the announcement of the new Guinness National Consumer Promo tagged “Be A Front Row Fan.” According to Marketing Director, Guinness, Adenike Adebola, the Campaign will give football fans an opportunity to watch a football game with legendary footballer Thierry Henry in addition to winning millions of Naira and other amazing prizes.

The #BeAFrontRowFan promo which will run for 14 weeks will give 14 lucky consumers a chance to win N1million each, thousands of people will win N5000 each and loads of airtime will be up for grabs. “To win an opportunity to watch a match with Thierry Henry, consumers only need to buy a bottle of their iconic beer, Guinness, and text the code under the crown cork with their name to 1759,” observed the Guinness director.

Thierry Henry is famous for his time at Premier League Club Arsenal where he was part of a team that won two league titles and three FA Cups as well as leading his team to the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final in his role as captain. Named PFA Players’ Player of the Year twice, and the FWA Footballer of the Year three times, Thierry Henry enriched the football viewing experience for all fans of the sport regardless of team loyalties. Henry was reported to be

excited with the #MadeOfBlack campaign. “I am incredibly excited to be working with a globally renowned brand like Guinness. The Made of Black campaign is something I can really relate to. This will be my first visit to Nigeria and I have heard a lot about the huge passion for football that exists there. I can’t wait to arrive and meet all of the dedicated football fans and see for myself their Made of Black spirit,” the former Arsenal legend was quoted in a message on the campaign.

Thursday, November 2, 2017

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& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Hameed Ali to Buhari “There is no doubt that we have derailed because we are not doing what we say we want to do. Why is it so? We need to find an answer to that. If we do not find an answer, then what should we do to get us all back on track?” – Comptroller General of Customs and Excise, Col., Hameed Ali (rtd) lamenting the apparent derailment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration believed to have been hijacked by an interloping cabal.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Buhari, 2019 and the Talking Drum

O

ne of the most astounding works of Art from Africa is the Yoruba talking drum. It is an hourglassshaped wood with an inner cavity, covered on both ends by goat skin, and beaten by a curved stick called ‘gongo’. The fact that its pitch can be regulated makes it exceptional as messages to be passed by the drummer to the listeners. There is the ‘Iya Ilu’, ‘Omele’ and ‘Gangan’ with danceable rhythms apart from their messages. One of the greatest drummers of all times was Oba John Adetoyese Laoye, the late Timi of Ede who was on the throne between1946 and 1975. He was not just an Oba but also a drummer with jaw-dropping dexterity which brought him global fame. He learnt drumming from his maternal home. In 1955, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo popularised Radio system by introducing rediffusion box to the Western Region. The popular tune that heralded the news was a creation of Oba Laoye’s drum in 1956: ‘Mi Do Do Do Mi Mi, Re Mi Mi Re Do!’ This was given so many interpretations which included: B’olu Badan ba’ku, ta ni o j’oye? (Who will ascend the throne when the Olubadan passes on?); ‘O j’ogede dudu inu n’takun’ (He eats unripe plantain and suffers stomach upset); ‘Ko so nigbese n’ibi, lo s’ile keji’ (There is no debtor here, go to the next house); ‘Bello Gbadamosi, olori ole’ (Bello Gbadamosi - the head robber) etc. Interestingly, what Oba Laoye really said with his drum was: ‘This is Nigeria Broadcasting Service!’ ============================ I doubt if any social media platform is as popular in Nigeria today as WhatsApp where with a mobile handset, everyone is an actor, politician, comedian, pastor all rolled into one. And at a period we are breeding so many troublemakers, no platform also spreads hate messages as quickly and widely as WhatsApp. But if, like me, you love humour and inspirational stories, there is no better place to be. It is a platform where you get a lot of insights into so many things, mostly from anonymous sources. When at the weekend I got the post above, I could not resist spreading it to some Yoruba people I was sure would appreciate the message. A few minutes after I forwarded the text, I got a pithy but insightful reply from Harvard University Professor, Jacob Olupona: “Segun, to add to your list of meanings of that particular talking drum verse: ‘Ninu ikoko dudu, la gbe n’sebe’ (We make stew from the black pot). Incidentally, Chief Ayorinde of blessed memory gave a wonderful lecture on the multi-vocality of the talking drum. In Yoruba parlance, this gave birth to the following proverb: ‘Ko s’eni to mo ede ayan, a f’eni t’omu opa e lowo’ (Only the man who wields the drumstick understands the message of the drum). That explains why the multiplicity of meanings to what the talking drum says has become a point of reference in African scholarship”. Against the background that the

Buhari Muhammadu Buhari most Nigerians voted for in 2015 has turned out to be no more than a creation of their own imagination, three events in the past one week have compelled me to reflect on the significance of the Yoruba talking drum, especially in the light of the thesis on “multiplicity of meanings” when interpreting the verses. One, some politicians, under the aegis of Buhari Support Group (BSG), last Friday met with the president after which they told the media that their man has to “continue his good works” beyond 2019. Two, on Monday, the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Buhari in Aso Rock after which he also spoke to the media. Asked whether he agreed with those calling on Buhari to seek re-election in 2019, Tinubu responded: “Don’t discuss that one with me.” Three, on Tuesday, there were attempts at the National Executive Committee meeting of the APC to railroad members into granting Buhari an automatic ticket for the 2019 presidential election. Knowing Nigeria, we are likely to witness more of such well-oiled drama of people ‘begging’ Buhari to seek re-election in the coming weeks and months. It is a familiar industry in Nigeria that dates back to the late General Sani Abacha era. Indeed, as part of the game we should also expect sponsored rallies and prayer sessions. What that suggests is that the wisdom which most often comes from the Yoruba talking drum and its multiplicity of meanings may be instructive for President Buhari as he weighs his options for 2019. Two popular verses come to mind here: ‘Ti won ba n tan e, ki o ma tan r’are’ (people can deceive you but don’t deceive yourself) and ‘Bo r’owo mi, o’rinu mi’ (you may see my hand but not the intent of my heart). I am well aware that there are governors within the APC, especially from the North, who want Buhari to seek re-election because that is the only way to guarantee their own return. The cold calculation is that without Buhari raising their hands a second term, his fanatical supporters may not vote and

should that happen, they will be defeated at the polls. In this category also are many Senators and House of Representatives members from the North who got to power on the wings of ‘Change’. So, whatever may be the drumbeats, the campaign for Buhari to run is more in their own enlightened self-interest than about the legacy of the president. That then explains why we may have to remind President Buhari of what he said on 16th June 2015, just about three weeks after assuming office; in the course of his first African Union (AU) summit in Johannesburg. Speaking while meeting a cross-section of Nigerians living in South Africa, Buhari, in a moment of introspection, wished he had become president at a much younger age before he concluded: “Now, at 72, there is a limit to what I can do”. If at 72 the president could admit of a severely limited capacity to govern, how will he feel at 76? This then brings us back to the talking drum and its symbolism. At the palace, the rhythms from the talking drum not only imitate the intonations of spoken word; they serve as a medium for conveying important and most often coded messages to the king. So, to the extent that there is a multiplicity of meanings to such beats, it is also common for some kings to choose to hear what pleases them. Therefore, with the cacophony of voices in Aso Rock, it stands to reason that President Buhari is listening only to the drumbeats that suit his ambition. I hope, in his own interest, he can be more discerning.

Meanwhile, in his interaction with the State House correspondents on Monday, Tinubu did not exactly rule out backing Buhari’s aspiration for another shot at the presidency in 2019. Neither did he say he would endorse such a bid. Like the talking drum, by hinting that he could in fact rebel, Tinubu merely left a coded message that Buhari, his supporters as well as opponents can begin to interpret or interpolate whichever way they like. Interestingly, there will be many of such coded messages in the days and weeks ahead as we gradually inch towards 2019. Even if we ignore the fact that President Buhari’s stewardship has largely been disappointing, what the uncertain drumbeats, especially those from within the APC will do is to compel many Nigerians to begin to ask themselves salient questions. Amid the ‘no one but you’ singsong, the futility of a possible second term aspiration for Buhari can be glimpsed from the record of the last two and a half years: executive tardiness, insensitivity to public opinion, an anti-corruption war targeted only at the opposition, a fragile, if not suspect, health status etc. All the foregoing at a period the economy is on a tailspin and millions of our young people cannot find jobs will, at the fullness of time, lead to one inescapable question: Should the future of Nigeria be tied to that of a man who, by his own admission, is limited in capacity? For now, let the talking drums continue to beat!

A Cruise Experience

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e left Piraeus Port in Athens on Tuesday night aboard the ship, ‘Celebrity Constellation’ on a ’12 Night Israel and Mediterranean Cruise’ taking us across four countries: Greece, Malta, Israel and Italy. My wife and I are using the tickets won at a raffle in March 2016 which I wrote about in my column, “A Cruise Holiday and the Shocking Drama”, at the time. Although the tickets for what was then a Caribbean Cruise lapsed in November last year, when the promoter, Mrs Uloma Egbuna--the Managing Director of Tour Brokers International Nigeria (TBI), whose pioneering efforts in leisure travels were at the time rewarded with a partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line--offered us the opportunity of a pilgrimage cruise this year, my wife would not allow me to let it pass. Besides, although I was in Israel in 2002 in reportorial capacity, I have never undertaken a Christian pilgrimage. This luxury adventure on the Mediterranean Sea will help to put that right because some of the places where we will visit include Mount Carmel, Mount of the Beatitudes, site of the Sermon on the Mount as well as the ancient

synagogue where Jesus preached and the house of Simon Peter. Going by the itinerary, we will also tour the grand fortress built by King Herod when the zealots were fighting the Romans, take a dip in the Dead Sea and float at the lowest point on earth. We will also be going to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed the night before he was crucified, enter the city of Jerusalem and walk through the Four Quarters (Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Armenian) to witness the major landmarks of 400 years of dramatic history, including the Rock, the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Yesterday, we had a full day stopover at the Island of Mykonos where we were regaled with several Greek mythical tales and before the tour ends next week Sunday 12th November in Rome where will we finally disembark from the ship, we are also going to gain insight into the luxurious lifestyle of Malta’s nobility as we explore some of their most iconic landmarks. In all, this promises to be a good holiday for me and my wife, away from the seemingly invincible Abuja rodents that have, for several months now, prevented our president from accessing his office!

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