Thursday 9th November 2017

Again,11ShotDead,OthersInjuredasGunmenAmbushTradersinPlateau Lalong, others decry killings, demand justice Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Eleven persons were on Tuesday night shot dead by gunmen in Rim, Riyom Local Government Area in Plateau

State, in an attack suspected to have been carried out by armed herdsmen. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state Police Command, Terna

Tyopev confirmed the incident on the phone yesterday morning, saying the traders were returning from the market when they were gunned down.

According to him, “Some people were returning from the weekly village market of Makera when unknown gunmen attacked and shot them at about 7.30 p.m.”

Tyopev said 11 persons were killed during the attack, but the police were on the trail of the attackers. Plateau has in recent weeks witnessed renewed violence

between herdsmen and locals, resulting in the deaths of scores of people. A villager, Mr. Sunday Pam, Continued on page 8

Tempers Flare as IG Appears Before Senate Probe C’ttee, Refuses to be Questioned… Page 6 Thursday 9 November, 2017 Vol 22. No 8239. Price: N250

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Fayemi to Seek Buhari’s Permission to Contest Ekiti Guber Election… Page 10

FG Protests Moody’s Downgrade, Reveals Plan to Sell JV Oil Assets Targets $2bn from proceeds of sale to investors PENGASSAN warns against divestment to fund budget Obinna Chima and Solomon Elusoji The Nigerian government yesterday “strongly” rejected the reasons one of the global rating agencies, Moody’s Investors Service, gave for its decision to downgrade the country’s long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt rating to ‘B2’ from ‘B1’. Moody’s in a statement yesterday also downgraded the country’s senior unsecured MTN programme rating and the provisional senior unsecured debt rating to ‘(P)B2’

from ‘(P)B1,’ while retaining a stable outlook on Nigeria. In its reaction to the downgrade, the federal government reeled out the reform initiatives it has undertaken in the last two years to turn around the economy, including its intention to raise N710 billion ($2 billion) this year from the restructuring of the government’s equity in the joint venture oil assets, as highlighted in the 2018 budget. “The reform is aimed at Continued on page 6

MOODY’S DOWNGRADE: ‘B1’ TO ‘B2’, STABLE OUTLOOK "Efforts to address the key structural weakness exposed by the oil price shock by broadening the non-oil revenue base have so far proven largely unsuccessful… While debt levels in the country have remained contained and notwithstanding recent cyclical improvements, the government’s balance sheet remains structurally exposed to further economic or financial shocks, with interest payments very high relative to revenues and deficits elevated despite cuts in capital spending"

L-R: Chairman, OVH Energy and Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu; Deputy Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr. Omamofe Boyo; Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru; and the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, at the commissioning of the Lagos midstream jetty, an initiative conceived and built by Oando Plc, in Lagos… Tuesday

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Tempers Flare as IG Appears Before Senate Probe C’ttee, Refuses to be Questioned Presidency seeks resolution of impasse Saraki, nine others get court summons over probe Damilola Oyedele and Alex Enumah in Abuja The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris yesterday verbally sparred with lawmakers when he appeared before an ad hoc committee of the Senate charged with investigating him on allegations of corruption levelled against him by Senator Isa Misau (Bauchi, APC). In an atmosphere palpable with tension, Idris maintained that he would not respond to any queries or make any comment before the committee, as the matter was already before a court which would amount to sub judice. This is just as the presidency appealed to the lawmakers to allow for the exploration of what it termed a “multi-door� resolution to the impasse. The IG who arrived the venue of the probe at 2.03 p.m. flanked by several uniformed and plain clothes police officers, was also accompanied to the hearing by the Senior Special to the President, National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, and his legal team from the law firm of Alex Izinyon & Co. The Senate had set up the committee to investigate the allegations of corruption, misappropriation of funds and professional misconduct levelled against the IG by Senator Misau, a former police officer. However, before the committee could commence sitting, the IG filed a suit against the Senate and its committee, seeking an order of the court stopping the

committee from summoning him and proceeding with its probe. In an unprecedented move, the federal government, through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice also filed criminal charges against Senator Misau. When the criminal proceedings commenced against Misau last week, he appeared in court and was granted bail on selfrecognition. Idris, on the other hand, had refused to appear before the Senate committee, compelling it to threaten to issue a warrant for his arrest. Drama started yesterday at the hearing after the chairman of the committee, Senator Francis Alimekhena asked the IG if he would like to make any comment before an oath was administered on him. Instead of responding, the IG’s counsel, Mr. Alex Izinyon (SAN) rose to speak, but he was interrupted as he attempted to introduce himself. The committee members insisted Alimekhena’s question was directed at Idris. The lawyer tried to stand his ground, stating that he would speak on behalf of his client, but the lawmakers maintained that he should take his seat. Idris, who was seated next to Izinyon, then beckoned on the counsel to sit down. Addressing the members, the IG reading from a document he had with him, said the matter was sub judice. “I will not make any comments, I will not answer any questions in respect of the

allegations, in view of the various civil and criminal cases pending in the law courts, most especially when the senator, Isa Misau, has already been arraigned in court in respect of this matter,� he said. Continuing, the IG clarified that he decided to appear before this Senate committee out of the “high respect I have for the Senate and my respect for the rule of law�. “Furthermore, it is expected that the Senate and the committee will refrain from making references to the issues, as it will be against Order 41(7) and 53(5) of the Senate Standing Orders 2(15), as amended,� he stated. As the IG read his statement, Enang was observed going to the side of the table where the lawmakers were seated and whispering into the ears of the chairman of the committee, before returning to his seat by the IG. He then whispered into the ears of the IG while he read his prepared statement. After reading out his statement, Idris did not utter another word while the proceedings lasted. Having read the statement, Izinyon was finally allowed to speak. He told the committee that a court order was obtained yesterday morning directing the Senate President and committee members to appear at the FCT High Court on November 16, 2017 “to show cause and for hearing of the substantive application�. The order sighted by THISDAY granted an interim injunction restraining the respondents, their agents, privies, assignees and whosoever acting through

them, from taking further steps in connection with the subject matter of the application or maintaining status quo or staying all actions relating to their investigations of the application, pending the determination of the original application, or in the alternative granting an order for the respondents to show cause why the order should not be made. Izinyon also cited Senate Rules Order 53(5) which states that reference shall not be made to any matter on which a judicial decision is pending in such a way as might in the opinion of the President of the Senate prejudice the interest of parties thereto. He appealed to the committee to adhere to the Senate Rules and added that a document had been submitted to the committee with a detailed response to each of the allegations made against Idris. Izinyon also submitted that the case of virement (not conceded) in the 2016 budget was a criminal matter. The IG was accused of diverting the sum of N7.2 billion, which was appropriated for armoured personnel carriers and the rehabilitation of 102 barracks across the country, to other uses. The legal counsel’s submission, however, did not satiate the committee. “Do you know the opinion of the Senate President on this matter?� Senator Hope Uzodinma asked Izinyon. “This place is not a law court, this is a parliament, and you will be doing us a favour if you tow the line for a quick resolution

of the contending issues. “The IG is in charge of peace and security, assuming a warrant is issued for his arrest, he has the statutory role of effecting it. “If the IG has come, he should allow the committee to do its work. If he is not inclined to speak because of the legal implications, he can so submit and we will get back to him,� Uzodinma said. Senator Sulaiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna, APC) said the responsibility of the committee was beyond the issues in court and maintained that virement of appropriated funds was a constitutional matter. He added that getting to the root of the weighty allegations would benefit the government and the Police Force. Alimekhena, in his closing remarks, further noted that the court was interfering with the committee’s work because the investigation was instituted before Idris went to court. The lawmakers, nonetheless, agreed to adjourn to study the document responding to each of the allegations. Enang expressed appreciation for what he said was the warm reception and adjournment. “I hope the adjournment is not just to study the document but also to pursue a multi-door option on the matter,� Enang said. Earlier, some of the officers who stood guard outside the meeting room attempted to prevent journalists from entering the room. But journalists engaged in a shouting match with the officers before they were allowed entry.

Meanwhile, as the Senate committee and the IG sparred over his refusal to comment on the corruption charges against him, it came to light that the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Senate and eight others had been summoned to appear before an Abuja High Court on the 16th of November to show why the request by Idris seeking to stop his planned probe by the Senate should not be granted. This was sequel to an order of the court given yesterday by Justice A.B Mohammed in Motion No. M/222/17 brought by the IG against Saraki and others. Idris had, through a motion ex-parte filed by Izinyon, urged the court to stop the Senate from going ahead with its planned probe on the allegations raised by Senator Misau. Apart from the Senate President, others in the suit include Senators Misau, Alimikhena, Hunkuyi, Binta Garba, Duro Samuel, Ogba Obinna, Nelson Effiong and Abdulaziz Nyako. Justice Mohammed in his ruling ordered the respondents to come and show cause why the injunction sought by the IG should not be granted. He also granted leave to the applicant to effect service of the originating application and any other processes in the matter on the respondents by substituted means. The court adjourned to November 16 for the respondents to appear to show cause and for hearing of the substantive application.

lowered the long-term foreigncurrency bond ceiling to B1 from Ba3 and the long-term foreign currency deposit ceiling to B3 from B2. The long-term local-currency bond and deposit ceilings remain unchanged at Ba1.� According to Moody’s, the oil shock severely weakened Nigeria’s public finances, with general government revenues suffering a 50 per cent decline between 2014 and 2016 (from 10.5% of GDP to 5.3% respectively). It noted that the damage wrought by the oil price shock was yet to be undone by government, adding that the downgrade reflected Moody’s view that the weakness in Nigeria’s public finances would remain for some years to come. “Moody’s forecasts general government revenue to average only 6.4 per cent of GDP over 2017-2019, the lowest level of any sovereign rated by Moody’s. “The results of the authorities’ efforts to increase non-oil revenue since late 2015, which have focused on improving compliance and broadening the tax base, have been limited and negatively impacted by a contractionary environment in 2016. “The Federal Revenue Inland Service (FRIS) has been able to increase non-oil revenue by 15 per cent in nominal terms as of September 2017 compared to 2016, but this is at a pace that is below nominal GDP growth. “Meanwhile, the independent re-appropriation of revenues from the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) has yielded less than projected results for two consecutive years, highlighting the considerable execution risks inherent in the transition to a less oil-dependent budget. “Hence, while the rebound in

the oil price and in oil production has led to oil revenues out performing the 2017 budget target, non-oil tax revenues are still below target with a 30 per cent shortfall for the federal government at the end of September compared to budget and likely a similar situation for states and municipalities. “The challenges on the revenue side will negatively impact potential growth. Since 2014, the authorities have offset revenue shortfalls with large cuts in much needed capital expenditure, a trend that Moody’s expects to continue. “In 2017 the government is likely to only match 2016 capital spending that reached N1.2 trillion (or 1.2 per cent of

FG PROTESTS MOODY’S DOWNGRADE, REVEALS PLAN TO SELL JV OIL ASSETS increasing private sector equity participation to improve efficiencies in the sector and also provides revenue to the government which will be deployed solely and exclusively for creating new assets in Nigeria,� the federal government said in a detailed statement protesting the sovereign downgrade. The federal government also pointed out that while Federal Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Debt Management Office (DMO) respect the right of Moody’s to make this decision, “we strongly disagree with the premise and must address some of the conclusions upon which the decision rests�. “This is equivalent to Nigeria’s existing B/Stable Outlook rating from S&P and slightly lower than Nigeria’s B+/Negative Outlook rating from Fitch,� said the federal government. According to the federal government, since Nigeria was last rated by Moody’s as B1 stable in December 2016, the country has successfully emerged from a protracted recession and recorded important improvements across a broad range of indices. It listed these indices to include a return to economic growth of 0.55 per cent in the second quarter of 2017, and returning business confidence as evidenced by a PMI index of 55.0. Furthermore, the Nigerian government pointed out that the country has continued to witness a stable foreign exchange window for importers and exporters, with improving liquidity and convergence of the parallel and official rates. This, it stated, has led to significant improvement in the country’s foreign exchange

reserves, now totalling $34 billion. Other positive indices which the government listed included: “Increased oil production, combined with stable and now improving oil prices. Slowly improving revenue profile, with non-oil revenue (principally taxes) up by 10 per cent. “Month-on-month improvements in inflation levels since January 2017, with inflation continuing to trend downwards. Strong year-on-year improvement on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Rankings from 169th to 145th place, a 24 place move in one year.� According to the Nigerian government, in 2016 the country recorded the highest capital expenditure deployment since 2013, making investments in critical infrastructure to support further growth. “At the heart of Moody’s rationale is the need for Nigeria to improve non-oil revenue aggressively. This is absolutely and directly aligned to the government’s priorities. “This is critical to our economic development and is the basis for the establishment of a stable and inclusive economy, which can withstand global shocks and has the resources to increase investments in our infrastructure,� it added. In addition, the federal government stated that it had put in place a number of measures to improve its revenue collection, stating that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has made good progress in increasing revenues. It listed the efforts by the FIRS to include the introduction of a tax amnesty (the on going Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme – VAIDS), which is showing positive results, and plugging leakages

and deployment of technologydriven revenue management strategies. “An example is Health Pay, a pilot cashless revenue project in the health sector, which has recorded material increases in revenue. “We have seen improvements in revenue in 2017. Fiscal revenues are linked directly to both the performance of the economy and the number of taxpayers contributing. As a result of the foundation that has been established in 2017, we expect similar positive trends in 2018. “Our revenue initiatives are changing the mix of revenue sources available to government from the traditional oil or debt to a combination of oil, debt and domestic revenue. “For example, the 2018 budget includes N710 billion proceeds from the restructuring of the government’s equity in the JV oil assets. “The reform is aimed at increasing private sector equity participation to improve efficiencies in the sector and also provides revenue to the government which will be deployed solely and exclusively for creating new assets in Nigeria.� Continuing, the federal government also addressed Moody’s concern that while Nigeria’s debt levels remained low, interest was consuming a larger portion of revenue. “It should be noted that we are implementing a very prudent fiscal and debt management strategy to reduce the cost of our debt. Given the relatively higher domestic interest rates, we are focusing on longer term external borrowing with an aim of rebalancing our domestic and international debt portfolio to a 60:40 split over the coming years.

“Our existing proposal to refinance $3 billion of treasury bills through external borrowing is expected to reduce Nigeria’s debt servicing costs, further improving our fiscal position. “We also expect this strategy to help to reduce the ‘crowding out’ effect of government borrowing in the domestic market. “The challenges that are highlighted in the Moody’s rating are clear, and are being addressed by the government, with the environment having improved significantly since the last period of assessment.� However, Moody’s explained that it took the decision to downgrade Nigeria because the authorities’ efforts to address the key structural weakness exposed by the oil price shock by broadening the non-oil revenue base had “so far proven largely unsuccessful�. As a consequence, the agency stated that while debt levels in the country had remained “contained and notwithstanding recent cyclical improvements, the government’s balance sheet remains structurally exposed to further economic or financial shocks, with interest payments very high relative to revenues and deficits elevated despite cuts in capital spending�. It added: “The stable outlook reflects the fact that the likelihood of a shock occurring that would further impair Nigeria’s economic and fiscal strength remains low, with external vulnerabilities having receded supported by the rebound in oil production, the current account projected to remain in surplus, and reserves boosted through external borrowings and increased foreign capital inflows. Medium-term growth prospects are also credit supportive. “Concurrently, Moody’s has

Continued on page 8

TOP GAINERS INTERBREW LEARNAFRICA CAVERTON LIVESTOCK CADBURY TOP LOSERS UPDC LAWUNION LINKAGE

NGN NGN 4.20 45.20 0.05 1.05 0.07 1.48 0.04 0.88 0.40 10.75 NGN NGN 0.14 2.83 0.03 0.65 0.03 0.73 UNITYBANK 0.02 0.51 REDSTAR 0.18 4.80 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,290.00 Volume: 193.477 million shares Value: N1.807 billion Deals: 3,904 As at yesterday 08/11/17 See details on Page 41

% 10.2 5.0 4.9 4.7 3.8 % 4.7 4.4 3.9 3.7 3.6

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Italy Arrests Libyan, Egyptian over Deaths of 26 Nigerians FG confirms deaths, commiserates with victims’ families Alex Enumah with agency report Two men, one of them an Egyptian and the other a Libyan, have been arrested and charged in Italy as investigators look into the deaths of 26 Nigerian women and girls, who are suspected to have been murdered while attempting to cross the Mediterranean. The bodies of the women were brought to the southern Italian port of Salerno by the Spanish ship Cantabria on Sunday, and prosecutors opened an investigation over suspicions that the women, some as young as 14, may have been abused and killed. The bodies were recovered by Cantabria, which works as part of the EU’s Sophia anti-trafficking operation, from two separate shipwrecks – 23 from one and three from the other. Fifty-three people are believed to be missing. The men arrested have been named as Al Mabrouc Wisam Harar, from Libya, and Egyptian Mohamed Ali Al Bouzid. The pair are believed to have skippered one of the boats. They were identified by survivors who were among the 375 brought to Salerno by Cantabria, reported the London-based Guardian Newspaper. An autopsy on the bodies should be completed over the next week. Salerno prefect Salvatore Malfi told the Italian press that the women had been travelling alongside men

and when the vessels sank, “unfortunately, the women suffered the worst of it�. But in response to concerns that the women were being trafficked for the sex trade, he added: “Sex trafficking routes are different, with different dynamics used. Loading women on to a boat is too risky for the traffickers, as they could risk losing all of their ‘goods’ – as they like to call them – in one fell swoop.� Marco Rotunno, an Italy spokesman for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), said his colleagues were at the port in Salerno when the bodies were brought in. “It was a very tough experience,� he said. “One lady from Nigeria lost all her three children.� He added that 90 per cent of migrant women arrive with bruises and other signs of violence. “It’s very rare to find a woman who hasn’t been abused, only in exceptional cases, maybe when they are travelling with their husband. But also women travelling alone with their children have been abused.� Most of the survivors were either Nigerian or from other sub-Saharan countries including Ghana, Sudan and Senegal. The survivors brought to Tripoli also included Nigerians and Senegalese. “I wanted to reach Italy. I don’t know what to do now,� said Dora Omoruyi, a 23-year-old arts student from Benin, Edo State, known as a hub for human traffickers

Some of the Nigerian women who survived the Mediterranean shipwreck to smuggle women to Italy where they often end up as prostitutes. “I see no future in Nigeria, there are no jobs,� she said, standing next to a group of weeping Nigerian survivors. The survivors were among over 2,560 migrants saved over four days. People still continue to attempt the crossing despite a pact between Italy and Libya to stem the flow, which led to a drop in arrivals by almost 70% since the summer, according to figures released last week by Italy’s Interior Ministry. But as the Italian

authorities tried to unravel the circumstances that led to the deaths of the 26 Nigerian women and girls, the federal government yesterday confirmed the deaths, saying they were Nigerian nationals. The confirmation, which was contained in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the loss as monumental to the nation. The ministry, in the statement signed by its spokesperson, Dr. Tope EliasFatile, extended its condolences to the families of the deceased. The statement said: Further to this, we have received a

reliable report from our mission in Rome that the dead bodies of 26 suspected Nigerians all of whom were female between the ages of fourteen and eighteen were discovered on Sunday 5th November, 2017 in the Mediterranean Sea. “The report indicates that a Spanish warship, Cantabria, brought the remains of the migrants to the southern Italian Port of Salerno. The Italian security officials who made this discovery are yet to confirm if they were purposely killed and why all who died were female.�

The statement added that the Italian police chief in Salerno who stated that the victims may have been drowned, has launched an investigation into the cause of their deaths to ascertain if they were either tortured or sexually assaulted. “Indeed, this is a monumental loss and a sad moment for our country. As more investigations are being conducted on the unfortunate incident, the federal government wishes to commiserate with the family members of the victims,� said the ministry.

siege for some weeks. Fulani herdsmen complained that one of them was killed which we don’t know about and they said they were going to attack this community and they have taken the law into their hands and attacked. “If somebody came out clearly before the STF and said he was going to attack a community and nine youths were ambushed a week after the threat was made and killed them, that persons should be arrested and interrogated. “The leaders of the Fulani in Riyom should be arrested and interrogated by the Defence Headquarters. Enough of this mass killings,� he said. Similarly, the chairman of Riyom Local Government Area, Mr. Emmanuel Jugul said most of the locals of the area had been sacked from their ancestral lands by residents of Fulani origin who have forcefully taken over. He said the indigenes were sacked from Mahanga and Gweva communities and their

land and houses were taken over by the Fulani forcefully. Jugul called on the federal government to intervene in the killings and forceful possession of land belonging to the locals by Fulani in Riyom to avert a national crisis. He said: “You can imagine that there are villages that indigenes cannot go to. Today, a native of Riyom cannot go Mahanga because they will be killed by the Fulani people. Fulanis are saying that they have captured the place.� Jugul further explained that one of the men who would had fallen prey to the attackers, pretended to be dead, adding that, that was how he escaped. Speaking on the encounter, the lucky man, who was not named, said that while he was lying down pretending to be dead, he heard that attackers speak in English and Fulfulde (the Fulani language). “They were all clad in unkempt, tattered clothes and looked haggard in appearance,� he said.

Obi said. “No nation can develop, survive or feel secure after selling all its national assets.� He added that the government should focus on other sources. “The government should critically evaluate the assets to look at their viability and profitability. Profitable assets such as NLNG (Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company) and shares in the upstream oil and gas JV operations that have become a huge revenue earner for the country and should be kept by the government for the benefit of the Nigerian majority. “We also advise the

government to endeavour to repair assets that are in a state of disrepair, but not to sell them as scrap to some opportunists in the clothes of businessmen and short-sighted politicians,� the PENGASSAN spokesperson said. President Muhammadu Buhari had Tuesday presented the N8.612 trillion Appropriation Bill for 2018, a 16 per cent increase over N7.441 trillion 2017 budget. The bulk of the revenue to fund the budget is expected to come from tax receipts and oil revenue, while the rest will be borrowed from external and internal sources.

AGAIN, 11 SHOT DEAD, OTHERS INJURED AS GUNMEN AMBUSH TRADERS IN PLATEAU said the number of those shot dead was initially seven, but later rose to nine when two out of the five injured persons died at the hospital where they were rushed to for medical attention. He said emotions were running high at Diyan, Gako and other neighbouring communities. Also, a survivor identified as Maria, who witnessed the incident, alleged that the attackers were made up of “Fulani invaders and soldiers�. But the media officer of the military Special Task Force STF, Captain Umar Adam, who also confirmed the attack, denied the allegation that soldiers connived with the Fulani herdsmen to carry out the attack, saying the allegation was unthinkable and could only have come from mischief-makers. He said the STF had launched an investigation into the attack and would make public their findings as soon as possible.

He said the commander of the STP had led his troops immediately to the scene and spent the night there trailing the attackers, adding that the task force deployed a helicopter in the community for aerial surveillance. He said about eight people were confirmed dead while four were critically injured in the attack, adding that troops of the STF were immediately deployed to the scene, but before the troops could get there, the hoodlums had swiftly vacated the scene without trace. He added that troops were still combining the thick forest, hills and mountains with a view to arresting and bringing the perpetrators to justice. “The Commander of the STF, Major-General Anthony Atolagbe, Chief of Staff of the Operation, Brigadier-General A.M. Bello, other principal staff of the operation were there to assess the situation for themselves. “The wounded victims have

been moved to the nearest hospital by our troops for medical attention. As I said earlier, when we got inkling of the attack, we ordered our troops to immediately swing into action and they went there in droves but unfortunately before they could get there, the perpetrators of the heinous attacks had disappeared. “Even combing the hills, mountains and the thick forest in order to track down the invaders did not yield any result, as they could not be found. And there is no clue yet as to how they can be tracked down. But our troops are doing all they can to flush them out,� he said. Reacting to the latest attack, the Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong condemned the killings. Lalong, who spoke through his media aide, Dan Manjang, at the scene of the incident, also pleaded to the federal government to empower state governors to deploy security personnel in troubled areas.

He said: “The governor is the chief security of the state, but he does not have the power to deploy any security officer. “A DPO (divisional police officer) is more powerful than the governor of the state. The power that is given to the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff should be given to the governors in the interest of the unity of Nigeria.� He also called on residents in Riyom and Plateau State to remain calm and not to take the law into their hands, as government was working round the clock with the security agencies in the state to protect them. Also speaking, the member representing Riyom constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly and Chairman, House Committee on Labour and Security, Hon. Daniel Dem decried the fact that the entire local government area has been under siege. “We have been under

FG PROTESTS MOODY’S DOWNGRADE, REVEALS PLAN TO SELL JV OIL ASSETS GDP), given the 2017 budget is expected to run on a six-month cycle (for capital expenditures only), as the 2018 budget is likely to be passed in January. “This is less than 50 per cent of the 2017 budget for capital spending and still an insufficient level to have a meaningful impact on the large infrastructure gap that significantly constrains the country’s potential growth.� Furthermore, Moody’s stated that because of the inability to expand the country’s non-oil revenue base, the government’s balance sheet would remain exposed to further shocks. It also stressed that deficits in the country would remain

elevated and debt affordability will remain challenged, despite debt levels remaining contained. “That exposure will persist notwithstanding the recent improvements in the economy, which are primarily cyclical and related to the strengthening in the oil sector. “Relatedly, debt service is consuming an ever larger share of government revenue. At the federal level, debt service accounted for 38.2 per cent of total revenues by the end of June, up from 29 per cent in 2014 and 23 per cent in 2013. “At the broader general government level, the ratio of interest payments to general

government revenues peaked at just under 30 per cent in 2016, 10 percentage points above what the rating agency anticipated in December 2016 when it affirmed the previous rating of B1 and over four times higher than the B2 median of 6.6 per cent in 2017. “Moody’s expects the ratio of interest payments to general government revenues to only slowly decline to 28.4 per cent in 2017,� it added.

PENGASSAN Kicks But even as the federal government defended its reform initiatives and reeled

out plans to boost revenue in 2018 through its partial divestment in the JV oil assets, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) kicked against the planned sale. In a statement released by PENGASSAN yesterday, its National Public Relations Officer, Fortune Obi, urged the National Assembly to reject the plan as it has done in the past, saying it was not in the national interest. “We will not allow the commonwealth of the country to be given away to cronies of the government all in the name of sale of the assets in the industry to fund the budget,�

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

Senate Indicts CBN over Alleged $1bn Annual Repatriation by MTN Summons Fashola over $35m unappropriated expenditure

Damilola Oyedele Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Senate on Wednesday indicted the Central Bank of Nigeria for causing the abuse of a monetary policy regulating capital repatriation by foreign investors. It accused the apex bank of not bringing forth the observed

deficiencies of the Foreign Exchange Miscellaneous Monitoring Act (FEMMA), instead opting to grant extensions and exemptions which became prone to abuse. This followed the adoption of the report of its Committee on Banking, Insurance and Financial Institutions on alleged repatriation

We’ve Recovered $2.9bn in Two Years, Says EFCC $43m recovered from Deziani Alison-Madueke Nigeria, through its anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), has been commended for its determination and zeal in tracing and recovering criminal assets. Thiscommendationwasmadeata meetingbetweentheactingChairman oftheEFCC,IbrahimMagu,andHead ofInternational Collaboration, National Anti-Corruption Commission, Saudi Arabia, Dr. Nassar Abaalkhail. Sequel to the meeting, Magu also delivered a paper on November 8, 2017, at the ongoing seventh Session of Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption taking place in Vienna, Austria. The 10-page paper entitled: ‘International Cooperation in Relation to Technical Assistance: The Nigerian Experience’ which he delivered, gave a detailed account of efforts by the commission at tracing andrecoveringallstolentreasuresfrom the country’s coffers. According to a statement made available to THISDAY by the commission Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, the Head ofInternational Collaboration, National Anti-Corruption Commission, Saudi Arabia, Abaalkhail, who lauded the commission’seffortssaid:“Fromwhat I have heard, Nigeria’s effort at asset tracingisremarkable.Nigeriaisindeed a role model for countries, including developedcountries.Wehavesomuch to learn from Nigeria.� While commending Nigeria, the Commissioner, Sierra Leone Anti-corruption Agency, Ady

Macauley, also said: “The EFCC, capably represented by Magu, is not only formidable but a pride to the African states. My men were in Nigeria a fortnight ago to understudy your operations, and I must confess, we have a lot to learn in investigation, prosecution and asset recovery.� In his presentation, Magu, who was a panelist at the Implementation Review Group attended by over 100 delegates, detailed the Nigerian efforts in asset recovery, including the progress made in the specific cases related to late Sani Abacha’s loot, Malabu oil, Diezani Alison Madueke and associates as well as arms procurement scandal. He said these efforts cut across Switzerland, US, United Kingdom, UAE, Jersey Island and Panama. According to him, “EFCC monetary recoveries from May 2015 to October 20, 2017, were in excess of N738.9 billion which is equivalent to over $2.9 billion. This does not include smaller currencies like Durham, CRA and British Pound.� He stated that “within this year alone, the commission recovered stolen assets running into several millions of US dollars and billions in naira. These include the sum of $43 million recovered from Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum, Deziani Alison-Madueke, and N2 billion spread in seven accounts within three Nigerian banks laundered from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command salary accounts.�

Adamawa PDP Begs Atiku to Return to Party The Adamawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has renewed its call on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to return to the party ahead of the 2019 general elections. The state chairman of the party, Shehu Tahir, made the call while speaking at the party’s stakeholders meeting yesterday in Yola, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Mr. Tahir said: “It is not a wise decision for Atiku to abandon the house he helped to build, so we want him back.� He said the problems that led to the mass defection of former members of the party to other parties were over, hence the need for them to return. “We are calling on Atiku Abubakar, who is among the PDP founding fathers, not to

abandon the house he had helped to build. “This is because the party needs him now to continue from where he stopped.� He also called on other stakeholders to help prevail on the former vice president to return to the party. “We urge our stakeholders to prevail on him and others who left to reconsider their decision and return to the party.� On the 2019 general elections, the chairman said that the party was ready to provide a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC. According to the chairman, the party’s doors are open to all Nigerians willing to join its fold, assuring that level playing ground would be provided to all members.

of $13.6 billion between 2006 and 2016 by MTN Communications translating to about $1 billion annually. The committee however did not indict MTN Nigeria on grounds that while there was evidence of massive capital outflow, it did not receive proofs of collusion to contravene the foreign exchange laws. The Senate also mandated the CBN to sanction Stanbic IBTC for improper documentation in respect of capital repatriation and loan repayments amounting to $388,195,183 and $199,440,952 respectively. This is in addition to a mandate to the apex bank to sanction the activities of Stanbic IBTC nominees in the matter of shares transfer and splitting for the purpose of dividend repatriation and to henceforth render periodic status reports to the Senate on the performance of foreign investments inflows and outflows. It also adopted the recommendation to mandate the CBN to propose an amendment of FEMMA with a view to ensuring

the growth of the economy through massive foreign capital inflow and greater retention of foreign exchange. “Whereas some of the contraventions were due to poor institutional supervision, systemic lapses and gaping opportunity for the rational investor to exploit,� the report read. “No doubt there is a disturbing evidence of foreign exchange haemorrhage in Nigeria especially in the period of recession. MTN, for instance, repatriated over $1.3 billion annually since 2006 or $13.92 billion between 2006 and 2016. Just for one company, the phenomenon constitutes a huge outflow that could pose challenges for foreign exchange and national monetary stability,� the report said. “The Committee did not receive proofs of collusion to contravene the foreign exchange laws. There was evidence of massive capital outflow, but that alone is not conclusive that a crime has been committed. This was relied on by banks, which claimed that despite regular audit by CBN, the CBN did not apply any sanction,� it added.

In another development, the Senate mandated its Public Accounts Committee to summon the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola over the expenditure of $35 million unappropriated funds for the Afam Power Project. It also mandated the committee to ascertain the balances from the July 2013 $1 billion Eurobond of the Federal Government from where $350 million was given to the Nigeria Electricity Bulk Trading Company (NBET) and another $350 million domiciled with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority for reinvestment in low-risk investment. The mandate followed a resolution by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi APC) who accused the Fashola led Ministry of desperately trying to retrieve the money from NSIA and divert it to the Fast Power Projects. “Further alarmed that since the introduction of the Fast Power Project by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, a total sum of

$35 million has been spent by the Ministry on Afam Power Project alone to pay $29 million to General Electric (GE) as cost for turbines and $6million in consultancy fees to other entities respectively, all without requisite feasibility study of the projects and appropriation by the National Assembly as required by the Constitution,� Melaye said. He observed that a lot of questions are begging for answers as regards the $29 million paid to General Electric and the $6 million paid to other consultants as to “Who were the Consultants and how were they procured? Was there observance of due process in awarding the consultancy of $6 million and in paying General Electric $29 million for turbines? Why is the transaction cloaked in secrecy? What is the true value of Afam Fast Power? Why is the Ministry engaging in constructing new power plant while the government has several idle plants that are seeking buyers for?�

THE STORM IS OVER

Chief of Staff to the President , Abba Kyari (right) and Head of the Civil Service , Mrs. Winifred Oyo- Ita at the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja ‌.yesterday

Fayemi to Seek Buhari’s Permission to Contest Ekiti Guber Election Tobi Soniyi Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? Minister of Mines and Steel Developments, Dr Kayode Fayemi plans to seek President Muhammadu Buhari’s permission to contest the Ekiti State governorship election billed for July 14, 2018. An associate of the minister who confided in our correspondent said that the minister planned to take another shot at the Ekiti State Government House which he lost to Ayo Fayose in 2014. Going by the timetable released by the Independent

National Electoral Commission, campaign for the Ekiti governorship election will open on April 15, 2018. To join the race, Fayemi will have to resign from his ministerial job. The All Progressives Congress under which Fayemi will run already has a long list of aspirants hoping to emerge as the party’s flag-bearer for the election. Among them are former governor of the state, Chief Segun Oni, Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mr Babafemi Ojudu, a former

commissioner for information in Lagos, Opeyemi Bamidele, a former member of the House of Representatives, Bamidele Faparusi, a retired permanent secretary, Chief Sesan Fatoba, and an Australian based medical doctor, Dr Wole Oluyede. Others are: Mr kola Alabi, Bimbo Daramola, Mr Ranti Debo Ajayi, Funminiyi Afuye, Mr Muyiwa Coker, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Kayode Ojo, Dr Bayo Orire, Dr Folorunso Akinyele, Prince Kayode Olofinniyi, Mr Diran Adesua, Sunday Adebomi, Dr Makanjuola

Owolabi, Mr Folorunso Akinyele and Dr Olu Oluleye. The incumbent governor, Fayose is also working hard to make sure that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party retains the state. To the consternation of other aspirants in his party, however, Fayose is positioning his deputy, Kolapo Olusola, to succeed him. Many observers see the Ekiti State governorship election as an acid test for both the APC and the PDP and expect both parties to do their best to win the state.

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NEWS

Maina: Senate C’ttee Grills FCSC Officials Behind Closed Doors Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË The Senate Committee charged with investigating the circumstances surrounding the return and reinstatement of the fugitive former Chairman of the Presidential Pension Reforms Task Force Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina into the Federal Civil Service, on yesterday grilled officials of the Federal Civil Service Commission over their roles in the scandal. The meeting however held behind closed doors but had in attendance the acting chairman of the commission, Mr. Joseph Oluremi Akande. The chairman of the Committee, Senator Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa PDP) in his remarks before he asked journalists to leave, also insisted

FG Set to End Apapa Gridlock as Trailer Transit Park Reaches 95% Completion Eromosele Abiodun The pains being faced by commuters plying Apapa roads may soon come to an end as the trailer transit park being constructed to decongest the roads and provide parking lots for over 340 tankers who always park on major roads in Apapa is about 95 per cent completed. Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola disclosed this yesterday in his keynote address at the Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) business luncheon held in Lagos yesterday. Represented by his Special Assistant, Technical, Kabiru Hamzat, the minister said what is left of the trailer transit park is the shoreline designed to protect the park from ocean encroachment. On the deplorable condition of Nigerian roads, he said as it is today, the federal government balance sheet cannot take care of the roads as the government controls 18 per cent of the road network in the country. He added that the only option left for the government is to explore the public-private partnership (PPP) to ensure that roads are built and maintained in line with international standards. “As the gridlock increases around Apapa port, some of the things we are doing is the trailer park because we must be able to get the trailers off the road. A 340 capacity trailer park at Apapa is about 96 percent completed. What is left is the shoreline protection because it was built facing the Apapa waters,” he said. On the deplorable condition of the Nigerian roads, Fashola said as it is today, the federal government’s balance sheet cannot take care of the roads as the government controls 18 per cent of the road network in the country. He added that the only option left for the government is to explore a public-private partnership (PPP) to ensure that roads are built and maintained in line with international standards.

that the Minister of Interior, Lt. General Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd.) must physically appear before the committee. Paulker said the committee would not take submissions from the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abubakar Magaji without the Minister being present. Paulker disclosed that the committee had already received a formal letter from the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami informing it of his travel outside the country. “He said he would return next week and would appear then, which we have granted,” Paulker said. In his opening remarks, Paulker said the committee would not be influenced by media reports into the scandal and would carry

out the investigations without any bias. Magaji, informed the committee that his principal was due to attend the investigative meeting

which was initially scheduled for Tuesday. The hearing was postponed to Wednesday due to the presentation of the 2018

Appropriation bill to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari. Magaji added that

Dambazau was billed to present a memo at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, hence his absence from the committee.

Again, Falana Demands Release of El-Zakzaky, Wife Eromosele Abiodun ËØÎ Segun Awofadeji ÓØ ËßÍÒÓ Lagos lawyer, Mr Femi Falana has again called on the federal government to urgently release the detained leader of the of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibraheem Elzakzaky and his wife, Zainab Elzakzaky whom he claims are facing serious health challenges. In a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari personally signed by him, Falana pleaded

with the president to direct the Department of State Security Service (DSS) to obey a Federal High Court order to release the couple. This is just as the leader of IMN Bauchi State chapter, Ahmed Yusuf Yashi, has condemned the alleged killing of two of their members during their yearly procession Arbaeen trek in Kano last Sunday, vowing the families of the victims will never support the government in 2019.

Addressing newsmen at the NUJ Secretariat in Bauchi Wednesday, Yashi lamented that security forces under the All Progressive Congress(APC)led government of President Muhammadu Buhari have allegedly killed over 1000 members since coming to power. According to Falana, “On December 2, 2016, the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court ordered the release of Sheik Ibraheem

Elzakzaky and his wife, Hajia Zainab Elzakzaky from the illegal custody of the State Security Service. The court also awarded them reparation of N50 million and directed the Federal Government to provide a temporary accommodation for the couple since it was established that the Nigerian Army and the Kaduna state government had burnt and demolished their private residence located at Zaria in Kaduna State.

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COMMENT

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

OLD BOYS AND GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY Adamu Adamu urges all to ensure that public schools do not die

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t is a thing of joy to be associated with your noble quest of giving back to the society and your Alma Mater through the Old Boys’ Association platform. Government College Ughelli belongs to a special category of elite schools that over the years produced eminent Nigerians who have made their mark in all spheres of human endeavour and contributed their quota to the development of the country. Your efforts to reposition the college to the status befiting it is worthy of emulation. I was in Ughelli 1972 and my guide was one Harrison Garuba and I could remember we spent the better part of two days discussing religion. He was a nice boy and I hoped I looked that way to him too. I made one promise to him, which I am yet to fulfil. I don’t know if he could remember it now. When last I asked about him, someone told me he was in South Africa. I don’t know if he is present here today. If he is, I will be happy to renew acquaintance. If he is not I hope someone here will tell him I am trying to connect. I came to Ughelli in 1972 as part of a North-East-Midwest Exchange visit. All over the world, old students associations have become the avenues for giving back to the society that (which is) invested in them by giving generously to their educational pursuits. It is your turn to give hope to the current students in the college by serving as role models and mentors. As we are all aware, it is practically impossible for government to shoulder the responsibility of funding education alone due to dwindling revenue, coupled with the fact that other sectors must also be attended to, despite the lean resources of government. The Old Students Association network has thus become a veritable tool for strengthening the Private-Public-Partnership (PPP) arrangement in the education sector.

THE OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION NETWORK HAS BECOME A VERITABLE TOOL FOR STRENGTHENING THE PRIVATE-PUBLICPARTNERSHIP (PPP) ARRANGEMENT IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR

Our public schools have been neglected by successive governments leaving them in total disrepair with dilapidated infrastructure, poor learning environments that are not conducive to learning and teachers with low morale. It is the combination of all these factors that gave rise to the proliferation of private schools many of which are sub-standard all over the country. Whereas private schools are solely profit driven business enterprises, public schools render society a vital social service by providing affordable education. It is these affordable public schools that guarantee the child of the poor farmer in my village the opportunity to access quality education at little or no cost. I must add that half the elite in Nigeria today are all products of public schools, myself inclusive. We must do everything within our powers to ensure that our public schools do not die. The systemic erosion of our values for quality education over the years has resulted in a situation whereby our pioneer secondary schools all over the country have been left to rot. This must change. I commend the Government College Ughelli (GCUOBA) partnership with the Delta State Government in the renovation of infrastructure in the college. I am encouraged that the association along with other Old Boys’ associations of public schools in Nigeria have keyed into the PPP model for the sake of our education sector and our children. I urge all our elites in Nigeria to remember their alma mater and their days of little beginnings and visit their primary and secondary schools. It is a beautiful thing to do. Excerpts from the speech delivered by Adamu, Nigeria’s Minister of Education, at the 6th Annual National Dinner of Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association

ISSUES IN ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION Record of performance will determine the outcome of the election, writes Anene Ajaegbo

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ompetition in Anambra State is stiff and fierce, be it in commerce and trade, industry, education, culture and more. This makes the state stand out as a model in Nigeria, boasting of giants in different fields because the sifting and refining which such fierce competition engender secures a place for only the determined and the tested. When it comes to general elections, Anambra goes into a frenzy. Most times, to emerge as a political party candidate exerts as much as the main election. As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts the governorship election in the state next week it is left to be imagined the atmosphere in the state as campaigns peak. Every candidate appears loaded and sufficiently prepared as they canvass for votes and head to the polls next week. As the men get separated from the boys, the contest for the new occupant of Government House, Awka appears streamlined, revolving around the incumbent governor Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Oseloka Obaze of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Anthony Nwoye of the APC and former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka of the United Peoples Party(UPP). The contestants appear headed for a show down as each of the them talks tough and unleashes campaign

promises to sway voters to their side. And in a general election sleeping even at night has become a detestable luxury to the candidates and their avowed supporters, hence the heightened political activities - rallies, meetings, visitations - in different communities and local government areas all day and all night long. As the candidates hit the road issues that shape the election have expectedly been dominating the rhetoric of the campaign and discussions and appear to point to the voting pattern on November 18. The challenges of governance in Anambra State are not mutually exclusive of those of other states in the country, but as expected, there are peculiarities which on close observation point to the priorities that will define the attitudes of voters in the election. Good governance is appealing at all times and in all climes. But it is more so in Anambra. Vivacious, energetic and enigmatic the people need minimum government to attain - just a conducive environment to ply their trade/vocation. On this flank are the twin issues of security of lives and property and infrastructural development, particularly roads. It is interesting to see how much things have improved in these sectors in the state in the past few years. The notoriety of the state in robbery, kidnapping, even pick pockets in Onitsha and other parts,

has significantly reduced. Today Anambra has become one of the safest states in the country. How was this possible? Active and focused leadership, provision of communication and transport equipment and other logistics to all security agencies, functional street lights, community policing, among others. Roads, more roads are being constructed as communities continue to advance such as their priority. Communities are allocated funds to provide additional infrastructure to facilitate the welfare of their members. Although development is a continuum and no administration can lay exclusive claim to all the achievements Anambra has recorded in recent years in the security and infrastructure sectors, there is no doubt a lot of the credit goes to incumbent Governor Obiano who has exercised hands-on leadership since assumption of office in 2014. No wonder his re-election campaign has been robust and energetic, with much gusto and confidence. While the incumbent governor, Obiano exults in the achievements of his administration in these sectors in the past three and half years and makes them major planks of his campaign, the immediate past governor, Peter Obi who also did his best in infrastructure development during his eight-year tenure as governor under APGA, also uses them to campaign for his protĂŠgĂŠ Chief Obaze of the PDP. Obi now in

PDP is opposed to Obiano’s second term ambition. But how much of the APGA legacies Obi is able to transfer to his new party the PDP is left to be seen. Chidoka and Nwoye and Obaze also flaunt their performances and achievements while serving in different positions in the state and at the federal level and present them as gauge instruments. Ability to grasp these issues, define them and weave them into their messages among others appears to be making the difference in the campaigns. The relative peace in the state is an elixir to the noticeable robust debates even when they are laced with much acrimony. The godfather issue in Anambra politics has refused to fade away in this campaign, and is dominant here. This time both candidates Obaze of the PDP and Nwoye of the APC have come under public scrutiny for alleged sponsorship by godfathers. Fingers point to business magnet Chief Arthur Eze as the sponsor of Nwoye, and the immediate past Governor Peter Obi as the new godfather and sponsor of Obaze. How this continues to dog Anambra elections even after the Dr. Chris Ngige and Chris Ubah saga remains a cause for worry. It is left to be seen what impact this recurrent godfather factor will have on the November 18 governorship contest. Ajadegbo wrote from Awka, Anambra State

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EDITORIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS Public officials must be held to account

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hile Nigerians, as a minimum, deserve a life free from hunger in a country so blessed with arable land and natural resources, both poverty and hunger continue to trail our national landscape. And with many of the rural communities lacking access to critical infrastructure for storage and transportation of raw materials from their places of production to markets, all the rhetoric about diversiďŹ cation is losing meaning. Whatever government ofďŹ cials may be saying, incentives for youth participation are scanty just as credit regime to drive the agriculture sector does not exist. Yet there is no better time than now to make the much-touted transition from oil to agriculture as the growth catalyst for the Nigerian economy. Unfortunately, at a period when we should look inwards, most of the governors have continued the wasteful habit of undertaking frivolous foreign trips under the guise of APPARENTLY BECAUSE WE going to seek foreign ARE RUNNING A SYSTEM investment. THAT IS NOT BASED ON The situation, PRODUCTIVITY, THERE which started right from the inception IS ALSO LITTLE OR NO ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE of the current demoPART OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS cratic experiment in 1999, is such that at any given period in the last 18 years, it was always difďŹ cult to have majority of the governors within the country except there is a meeting in Abuja for which many would simply y in and y out immediately after. They are either in Dubai or London as many of them hardly spend two weeks at a stretch in their various states capital cities. Yet the indices of poverty everywhere make it difďŹ cult for us to understand the recklessness that drives this “investment tripsâ€? some of which are outrightly bizarre in conception and clearly irresponsible in terms of the funds expended on them. A simple

Letters to the Editor

calculation of travel cost for the number of delegates, their accommodation, feeding and allied expenses reveal quite clearly that most of these foreign trips are nothing but a colossal waste of public funds. Besides, these trips are not driven by investment needs but rather as a conduit for all manner of economic mischief. It is therefore time Nigerian leaders stopped these meaningless and wasteful trips and begin to think of how to develop the productive capacity of our people rather than a continued reliance on oil revenue. Perhaps this is the time to use such productive capacity as a basis for revenue entitlement in many of the states. Even in the distribution of oil revenue, there have been many options, including trying a system of matching grants in which states and local governments qualify for the larger percentage of national revenue but purely on the basis of what they produce or contribute to the common purse. In other words, the more productive states and local governments are, the greater the amount of national revenue they will attract on a grants-in-aid basis. T H I S DAY EDITOR DEPUTY EDITORS ˜ MANAGING DIRECTOR DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD

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pparently because we are running a system that is not based on productivity, there is also little or no accountability on the part of these public ofďŹ cials. That explains why to curry favour, ofďŹ cials in virtually every sector most often try to take one project or the other to the village or home state of the big man even when such decisions make no economic or political sense. This sort of recklessness, which has become rather prevalent, also accounts for the location of most of the universities/polytechnics we have in the country today. With the decline in the oil revenues being shared every month in Abuja, the reversal of the looming catastrophe, would require not only transparency and accountability but also ďŹ scal and monetary creativity both in Abuja and in the states. This is therefore the time for people in authorities to shun most of the unwholesome practices holding the nation back while putting on their thinking caps.

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.

ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION IN NIGER STATE

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As a new Youth Corps member deployed to the office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger state, it was a privilege witnessing activities and events unfolding in the seat of power at the state level. The first day I saw the Governor of the state, Abubakar Sani-Bello was during the visit of Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia State. I could see the stress on the face of the governor, an indication of keeping with a rigorous daily schedule just to ensure the development of the state. Sooner, I watched with keen interest the zeal of the governor to succeed at all fonts. At the Executive Council chamber, he pronounced that his administration was set to double the achievements recorded in the last two years within the next few months! He made the pronouncement at the swearing in of the state new Grand Khadi, Danjuma Mohammed and members of the state Fiscal Responsibility Commission. He used the occasion to give marching orders to top public officers to come up with more people-oriented programmes as he was set to increase the tempo of governance. At another forum, he advised public officers to imbibe the culture of team spirit which has been the guiding force of his administration, counselling them to cash in on the experience of their old colleagues to catch up with the pace and style of his administration. Though, I am not competent to assess the governor’s past business successes, available records nevertheless show that he has been rated by Naij.com as the wealthiest governor in Nigeria

due to his family investment in different sectors of the economy as well as his ranking by the Forbes magazine. This is very instructive, in a country where people often go into public office to make money. It is even more instructive, that Niger has a governor who had distinguished himself as a seasoned business man, a character trait that he has brought to bear on the development of the state. A workaholic who is always on the move to commission projects or flagging-off new ones, he has also used his business acumen to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to the state. His several networks have attracted major investors including the recently signed $450 million jumbo sugar production Memoradum of Understanding between the state and Dangote Plc as well as an N18 billion MoU with a Hungarian investor, Osetertrade Engineering on integrated farming project. There is also the $3.25billion MoU with All States Investment Ltd on fish farming in the state and the UNICEF’s N1.3bn with the state for the provision of basic necessities of life for children and women, just to mention a few. In his bid to grow the state, the governor took a spirited decision to renovate and upgrade the Minna International Airport during the shutdown of the Abuja airport due to runway repairs, but lost to Kaduna. That singular act has attracted encomiums from the federal government and these major repairs were made to drive investments and open Niger State to the world. As part of his dogged move in promoting the commercial activities of Niger State and moving the state forward, he recently

hosted prominent political leaders, captains of industry, members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) top civil servants, especially those that manage the economy of the state, and people from all walks of life to the Niger State Investment Summit. The purpose of the summit was to fast-track ways of ensuring that Niger becomes less dependent on federal allocations from Abuja just like Lagos and Kano States with emphasis on economic diversification. Niger State which is said to have provided almost 70 per cent of the land mass that the present Federal Capital Territory occupies, has vast mineral resources which include Kaolin, Limestone, Granite, Glass, Sand, Iron ore, Red clay, Feldspar, Gold, Graphite, Cyanite, Silica sand, Quartz, Asbestos, Marble, Talc, Gemstone and many more. The state government in trying to harness the potential of these resources has established a Ministry of Mineral Resources which will be exploring the benefits of the abundant natural wealth for its growth and development. As part of efforts to develop this sector, the governor who was at the Dubai Mining Conference and Exhibition held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, opened discussions with global players in the mineral resources value-chain in the areas of financing, equipment and new technology. With the foregoing, it’s hoped that Governor Sani-Bello will not only continue to diversify the economy of the state but also improve the wellbeing of the citizens. Gidado Shuaib, Niger State Government House, Minna

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POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Mohammed: It Will Be a Tragedy If PDP Returns to Power Despite the lacklustre performance of his All Progressives Congress, Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has warned Nigerians against returning the Peoples Democratic Party to power, saying it will be returning to Egypt. He spoke with Political Editors in Lagos. Tobi Soniyi was there and presents the excerpts:

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which showed the political fault lines of the party. But we thank God, we are gradually mending all those fences. The party is working more together as a group. The major gladiators are back on the same page as you can see from what transpired during the caucus meeting and the NEC meeting.

hat is your perspective on this Maina scandal. Don’t you think it is a major dent on this government especially on the anti-corruption war?

The fact that Mr. President, immediately the issue came to his knowledge, asked for Maina’s disengagement is the most important thing. That to me is a clear signal that we do not condone corruption. There is no better way to handle the issue than this. What is the federal government doing to ensure the ordinary man on the streets feels the impact of exiting recession? As you are very much aware, this administration’s contract with Nigerians sits on a tripod: the fight against corruption, tackling insecurity and reviving the economy. Even our worst critics acknowledge the progress we have made in fighting corruption and tackling insecurity. But one area in which they have consistently criticised us is the economy. Right from the inception of this administration, we chose the path of seeking a lasting solution to the economic crisis plaguing the nation instead of engaging in a quick fix that may attract accolades but will not endure. We chose to be painstaking instead of engaging in palliatives. I am happy to inform you today that we are winning! Our well-thought-out policy, encapsulated in the administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), launched on April 5th 2017, is working and the results are beginning to show. In September, we exited recession and returned to the path of growth, after five consecutive quarters of contraction. As we said then, taking Nigeria out of recession did not happen by accident. It was the culmination of months of hard work by the administration and fidelity to its well-articulated economic policies. This administration will not relent in its determined effort to usher in a new dawn for Nigeria. We are winning the battle to revive the economy. We are fighting corruption like never before. We are tackling insecurity with a renewed vigour. While the naysayers, who are obviously in the minority, persist in their pastime of acting as a distraction, discerning and well-meaning Nigerians will continue to appreciate and encourage the good work of our administration. Recently some APC chieftains including Hammed Ali and Lauretta Onochie said more than 50 percent of PDP members are still in Buhari’s government while many who worked for APC’s victory are grumbling. What steps are you taking to address this anomaly? I think the president has actually explained that as early as 2015, he did direct that they should bring nominations for appointments. He was very clear in his directives as to who should make the boards, who should qualify. I remembered he said anybody nominated must be frontline actor in the run-up to the 2015 election. Anybody who had either contested for primaries within the party and had lost or as a consensus was asked to step down. Anybody who either contested election either at the governorship level, National Assembly or even state level against and lost. He said these were the main stakeholders in the party and were people who ought to be recommended for appointment. As you know, Mr. President himself cannot know all these people. All politics as they say is local. The president cannot know who in Akwa Ibom for instance, contested for National Assembly and lost against PDP or who in Borno state contested primaries for Senate with a fellow APC candidate and lost.

Mohammed

So, I think those who are charged with that responsibility failed and that is why we are in the mess we are in now. The president has however promised that he is going to take a fresh look into it. One thing is to dissolve the boards but you can’t leave them vacant. But I believe we are going to see lots of progress in that area very soon. Don’t you think it is the money these PDP appointees are making in your administration that they are using to fight you? I wouldn’t know where they are making the money from. But clearly, in politics, they always say never empower your enemy. You said the president cannot know everybody who contested during the 2015 election but there are some APC members who worked in the Presidential Campaign Team yet they have not been compensated. That is why I gave the example of governorship and National Assembly. But also don’t forget, that all politics is local. If I am the chairman of Delta State APC or I am a leader in Delta State APC and I am given criteria, but I decide to bypass that criteria, Mr. President is too busy to look into all these things. I know many states for instance where people are complaining that it is not those who ought to be compensated that were rewarded by the government. But again, it is not possible for you to compensate everybody at the same time. Certain boards are not due for dissolution because some of them are tenured while some are governed by certain rules. Also, certain boards need specialists to manage. Like I said, the truth of the matter is that Mr. President as far back as 2015 gave this assignment to party members and they failed. They failed Mr. President. That is the honest truth, I know. How was the crisis between Baru and Kachikwu resolved by the government? To the best of my knowledge, Kachikwu

made his point and Baru also did same. But the point is that over time, we have seen Baru and Kachikwu working together. However, the position of government is that you can’t start talking of fraud. There is nothing like $25b fraud in the NNPC; not in the least. The opposition, notably the PDP felt that they have something to hold against this government. But I can assure you that it is not possible under this administration to have a $25b fraud. The entire economy will collapse. There is no $25b fraud. Yes, there could have been lack of communications, understanding and procedures but I think all that had been put behind us. After two and half years, APC finally held its NEC and caucus meetings which by your constitution ought to have taken place a long time ago. Why did the meetings take this long? Frankly, speaking, there is no party that came to power like the APC that is not bound to have the kind of challenge that we have today. If you go back to the ANC in those days and even what ANC is facing today, our case is like we are a rainbow party. People often forget that APC didn’t come through until 31st of July 2013. APC did not elect its executive council until June 2014. Within two weeks of the election of the executives, we had to face election; first in Ekiti and then few months later, in Osun. If you look at APC, it was made up of disparate political parties- ANPP, CPC, ACN, DPP, part of PDP and part of APGA. It takes time for these to blend and for them to work together as a party. Within eight months of being a political party, we had to face election and when we won this election, some members of APC had not even known one another or sat down together with one another. So, the hiccups that we experienced were normal. Before we could settle down, our first test was election of National Assembly leadership

Are you by anyway afraid that your government may not go beyond 2019 and the PDP may regain power as the ruling party? As to whether we are afraid of the PDP staging a comeback, I can confidently tell you that we are not even contemplating it. It will be a tragedy for Nigeria to fall back into the hands of PDP. They dropped us in hell and we are taking people out of hell. How can Nigeria now go back to Egypt? It is not about APC or President Buhari . With the kind of revelation that is coming out, the kind of rot, you want those people to come back and preside over the affairs of Nigeria again? What will happen to the investigations that were carried out if the PDP should win elections again? It will be swept under the carpet. This is the first time in the history of this country that we are making real recoveries. Only three days ago, we signed an MOU with the Swiss Government to return $321m that was stolen from the country. This is the first time this country is actually looking at our problem from a realistic and pragmatic viewpoint. We are not talking of what we are going to achieve in two years or three years. We are talking about laying a solid foundation for a Nigeria that our children will be able to thrive. Unfortunately, the reform agenda is always longer than the political agenda. In many parts of the world, they plan for 10, 15, 20 years. Nobody plans for 4 years. When you look at our MTEF, we are talking about 2020 even though we know that there may be a change of administration depending on the outcome of the presidential election. But you do not think in the short term. Nigeria should never ever pray for PDP to come back. When we negotiated with the Swiss Government to return Abacha’s loot, they gave us some conditions. One of which is that we must identify what programmed we want to use the money for and that the World Bank will supervise what we are using the money for. When we argued that we are a sovereign country and that they could not dictate to us how we are going to spend money that was stolen from our country and they are returning, they said ‘yes, but when we returned part of it to your country, you relooted it under Jonathan; which is true. You are the face of APC and the mouthpiece of the federal government. How do you feel when you say something and issue statements and people keep saying It is a lie? I have two burdens. The first is that I happen to be the face of the opposition and PDP has not forgiven me and they will never forgive me. I think they look at the magnitude of what has happened to them and they hold me solely responsible; which is not fair. But, I did my bit. Now becoming the face of government again, so it is automatic that whatever comes from Lai Mohammed, we must shoot it down as fake news and a lie. Unfortunately, my father gave me the name Lai also. So, it makes it very easy for them. But I have always challenged them to please, give me one thing I said that is not true. Emotionally, you may not agree with me but in terms of facts and figures, I have never said anything which they can dispute. You don’t have to like it but you can’t deny that they are facts.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

POLITICS

NwoyeWillMakeaGoodGovernor,SaysEkwueme Secretary of the Enugu State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Peter Ekwueme, who is also a contemporary of Dr Tony Nwoye, the All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate in Anambra State, says Anambra will be better with his classmate as governor. He spoke to Tobi Soniyi. Excerpts:

Y

ou are a medical doctor, how come you are so interested in social and political issues? I do think that man is both a social and political being before being a doctor. Indeed, to shy away from the reality of our social interaction and political participation is to live life sub-optimally. Not only have I made a conscious choice to engage myself in these concerns, I urge every person to realise it is our civic responsibility to do so if we really are serious about contributing to shaping the society and participating in nation building. Do you belong to any political party? Yes. I do belong to a political party. I have always belonged to one at every point in time. But let me quickly clarify that I’m not one whose thought process and worldview are restricted by party affiliation. Not in the least. I have a much more robust and expansive view of politics way beyond party lines especially in the context of the peculiarities of our polity where the ideological divides between the parties are ever so blurry. But we will get there. How well do you know the APC candidate given the articles you have been publishing about him? Dr Tony Nwoye is someone I have known forever. Our paths crossed way back in our pre university days. He was in Metropolitan College Onitsha while I was in Christ the king College (C. K. C). Being a very intelligent and socially active person, Tony was a constant feature in the inter-school contests. He led his school in quiz competitions, debates, JET club contests and the likes. I led mine in same events. So we started off as adversaries really but had mutual respect for each other. We got into the same College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsuka (UNN), played our parts in the Medical Students Association of our Alma matter UNMSA, SUG and the likes. Because of his natural gift for leadership, man management and organization, Tony became an instant hit, dusted his contemporaries and those that came even before him. The rest is now history. So, I knew him first as an adversary (laughs). But we grew to be comrades sharing the same trenches. Our interaction has never looked back since then. What was it like being a medical student and being involved in students’ politics? An interesting question. It is the toughest life to live. Your classmates view you with some suspicion as someone who does not know why he is in school. Your teachers are sure you shouldn’t have been in that field of study. But to the credit of characters like Tony Nwoye, he had the conviction and passion to pursue what was clear in his mind was his life purpose. Some of us were not as tenacious as he was with it. But looking back at what he has achieved and the impact he’s made in his society, there can be no doubt that he made the ‘rightest’ possible choice as regard his path. How did you come to know Dr. Nwoye? Is it true that he was a cultist as some of his political rivals have alleged? Nothing can be further from the truth. You see when political opponents have nothing to say, they resort to baseless propaganda and cheap blackmails. Tony all through his stay in school never had any issue with the security department of the school. In our days, you cannot contest any election in school if you are reckoned a cultist. In fact, such charge was the easiest way for the school authorities to get back at troublesome student leaders. It speaks so

Ekwueme

much about how far removed from cultism Tony was that the school authorities could not even label him with that. I mean that would have been such an easy way of stopping his participation in student union government politics. But they just couldn’t because the young man was so clean of such. It is a fact that he has never been accused of cultism while there. He has never been charged for that anywhere in his time. Any of his contemporaries in school who is honest can attest to this. Is it true that he played some role in curbing activities of cultimm in UNN? If yes, what role did he play? It is one of the great ironies of life that what

I have no doubt whatsoever that Anambra in Dr Tony Nwoye’s hands will experience its best run of governance ever

Dr Tony Nwoye risked his life combating is what people who have no fear of God are accusing him of. Tony, both as a student union government leader and National Association of Nigerian Students’ (NANS) president fought tenaciously against the cultism menace. He confronted it so head on that most cultists in UNN and UNEC had to publicly come and denounce their membership of the various cults so as to escape the onslaught he used the instrumentality of his office to bring to bear on them. He engaged the security agencies in this. It is in respect of his extraordinary courage in tackling the menace of cultism that the then Vice chancellor of UNN Prof. Ginigeme Mbanefo gave him an award as a student leader. When he repeated the feat as NANS president, the then Benue State governor George Akume also gave him an award of recognition in that respect. Even the then Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun recognised his excellent contribution in this regard. What more can be said? Do you believe he would do well as governor of Anambra State? I have no doubt whatsoever that Anambra in Dr Tony Nwoye’s hands will experience its best run of governance ever. Tony is someone who prepared himself for leadership. He is an excellent manager and knows how to distill from an assemblage of great talents the very best for the good of the society. More than any other person in this race, he possesses the best resume as far leadership is concerned.

What expectations do you have of him as governor? I urge him to remain true to his person and his deals as he had been in the myriads of positions he had served in the past. He should remember that it is his past performance that keeps making way for him to soar higher and higher. I expect him to continue making his focus the masses, the poor and the dispossessed. I expect him to maintain focus on the youths, empower and equipment them to unleash their immeasurable potentials which should catapult our economy to enviable heights. I expect Dr Tony Nwoye to carry on in office with the same humility, the same focus and the same servant leader disposition that have seen him excel in his past calls to service Your advice to Nwoye as he continues with the campaign to be elected the governor of Anambra state. I urge Dr Tony Nwoye and his teeming supporters which grow by the day not to relent. They should continue to sustain their grassroots spread and dominance for truly power belongs to the people. It is my conviction that if the current tempo is sustained, Tony will emerge victorious cone November 18th and Anambra will enter into its most peaceful, most progressive and most prosperous era in history. That is the Tony Nwoye promise. As Dr Tony and his teeming supporters like to assert as their slogan/ battle cry, the future is now!

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

A Tortuous Wait Emmanuel Addeh writes on a visit he recently made to the far-flung communities along the Sagbama/Ekeremor axis of Bayelsa State, residents of which before now had never seen a road, much less cars since their existence

I

t was meant to be just a visit to verify assertions that the people of Angalabiri, Ofoni, Ayamasa and Aleibiri in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, would finally have their prayer to have a road pass their communities come to pass in their lifetime. But the visit a few minutes later turned out to be a carnival of sorts as school children, youths, men and women alike, trooped out in their hundreds on sighting the Hilux vehicle the fact-finding persons had travelled in. The much talked about construction was the Sagbama/Ekeremor/Agge Road, first listed in the budget of the old Rivers State in the Second Republic under the late Governor Melford Okilo, who was then the leader of Rivers from which Bayelsa was created over 20 years ago. From the defunct Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the project remained stillbirth. Many of the old folks probably did not believe that in their generation, there would be a major road linking all the communities in their area, but there it was, right in their very eyes! After the then leadership of Rivers State consistently failed to ensure that the project took off, it was taken over by the federal government which also did not deliver, yet the suffering of the oil-producing communities continued to worsen. From the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeiseigha, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who later became Nigeria’s President and later ex-Governor Timipre Sylva, getting the important road to take off remained a pipe dream. Indeed, the people of the communities told THISDAY that before now, if they had an event in Yenagoa, capital of the state, they would first have to travel by water to Delta State, before they would be able to board a vehicle to their destinations. To them, the experience was always harrowing. Yet those benefitting communities remain a pathetic representation of the neglect of the entire region and in particular, many oil-producing communities across the state which are not accessible, but host some of the major oil wells from which the entire Nigeria feeds.

Completed part of SagbamaEkeremor Road

Children savouring the experience of seeing a vehicle for the first time in Ofoni, Ekeremor LGA

We appreciate what is happening here. Before, we would travel to Bomadi in Delta State, just to leave this area, but now we can travel by road through Ofoni to Sagbama. In the past, we needed to travel through Forcados River and that will take hours but now when you go by road it doesn’t take more than 20 minutes

During the visit, school children abandoned their work at that moment and came out staring at the vehicles, a sign that it was a never-experienced occurrence in that part of Nigeria. When the car engine revved, they would run away out of fright. Laderegha Ebemene, the youth leader of Ayamasa, in an interview, said it was still like a dream to him that during his lifetime, cars would drive into the communities, noting that a journey that involved wasting several hours in the waterways can now be made within a few minutes. “We appreciate what is happening here. Before, we would travel to Bomadi in Delta State, just to leave this area, but now we can travel by road through Ofoni to Sagbama. In the past, we needed to travel through Forcados River and that will take hours but now when you go by road it doesn’t take more than 20 minutes,” he said. The same excitement was expressed by Mercy Munabo, a teacher in one of the schools in the communities. “I am

very happy that a road has finally come through Ayamasa. It will help us a lot. Our experience before now was that going to Bomadi from here before getting to Yenagoa was difficult. “If you had an appointment by 9a.m., you had to be awake by 5a.m., then wait till much later before the boat will arrive, but with this new road, you need less than 30 minutes to get to your destination and it costs less than when you pay to transport in a boat,” she averred. However, she said one major challenge with the construction of the road was the destruction done to farmlands and crops brought about by the movement of heavy equipment and the direction of much of the water to the farmlands which affected their cassava and plantains, two major crops grown in the area. But the visit showed that the massive work going on at the about 90-kilometre road, which will end in Agge, was like the road being solely built by the Bayelsa

State Government sprang from inside the waterways of Ayamasa, Ofoni and the rest of the communities located in that axis of Bayelsa West senatorial zone. For now, the road remains a bit sandy and bumpy with rivers on both sides along the thickly sand-filled part of the road, but next month, the communities will be open up for development after the road is completed. Chief Suru Oyarede, Spokesman of the Aleibiri Federated Communities reiterated that the road was conceptualised in 1979, but added that no administration mustered the political will to execute the project. “Not many thought that it (the project) would ever see the light of the day. He (Governor Seriake Dickson) has wiped away our tears. He has made us feel that we are part of this country," he said. It was learnt that the job was awarded at the cost of N30 billion to both DantataSawoe and Setraco and when taken from Toru-Orua, the governor’s town, in Sagbama

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FEATURES Indeed, the story goes that Governor Seriake Dickson had already ďŹ nished his secondary school education at age 18, before his ďŹ rst contact with a vehicle of any mould. Matter of fact, it was not until 2012 that the governor’s people ďŹ rst saw a road project in their community

Dickson, speaker Kombowei Benson look on as former deputy governor of the state, Peremobowei Ebebi, dances out of excitement

Elated children

An excited grandmother expressing joy over the road

to Ekeremor, the distance of the road covers over 90 kilometres with two major bridges to be constructed from Aleibiri to Ekeremor main town. Two days after THISDAY's visit, the governor also went on an inspection of the road, accompanied by his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah, the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Kombowei Benson, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kate Abiri, Senator representing

Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Foster Ogola, member representing Sagbama/ Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Chief Fred Agbedi, among others. Defying a heavy downpour, to welcome the team from the state capital, many residents again thronged the streets in elation over the project which cuts through mangrove forests, rivers, rivulets and swamps. The day probably felt nostalgic for Dickson, who once told a story of how he was 18

before he saw a car for the first time in his community. As he was going through the streets of the benefitting communities he must have remembered the day he rode in a canoe from Toru-Orua, his hometown, to Patani, Delta State, where he first saw a car. Indeed, the story goes that Dickson had already finished his secondary school education at age 18, before his first contact with a vehicle of any mould. Matter of fact, it was

not until 2012 that the governor’s people first saw a road project in their community. Many say, that ‘ugly' experience, clearly fired him to take over what was originally a federal road with a view to bringing the world closer to the people of Sagbama and Ekeremor. Perhaps, he knew there was no better way to attract development to the rural areas than linking all the communities. It was, therefore, not a surprise that the people of Angalabiri, Ofoni, Ayamasa and Aleibiri in Sagbama trooped out to greet their visitors. A visibly happy governor, who was also accompanied by the former deputy governor of Sokoto State and federal minister, Alhaji Murktar Shagari and spoke mainly in Ijaw language, explained that the need to connect communities in the state to the capital, Yenagoa necessitated the vision to construct the road and the other two senatorial roads. While assuring them of the commitment of his government to improve on their living conditions, the governor announced that the few communities around the area that are yet to be connected to the national grid will soon be hooked up. Aside the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road, the government is also expected to complete the Yenagoa-Oporoma-Koluama Road to link the Central Senatorial District and Ogbia-Nembe-Brass Road for the East Senatorial District. In fact, connecting the Sagbama-Ekeremor project to Agge, a riverine community near the Atlantic Ocean, it is believed, will hasten the proposed deep seaport project which is to be established in collaboration with the federal government. According to Dickson, “This road is very beneficial not just to this local government or this senatorial district, it is very important to this state. It is important to the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta and to Nigeria because all the communities across the other side of the River are Delta State as you all know. “So, this road connects so many communities and peoples cutting across the local government. It is important, so I want to get it delivered as quickly as possible.� The road also has its own political side, as many politicians from that axis have failed to add value either by pressurising the authorities or soliciting funds from interventionist agencies working in the region. A serving minister, who was also a former speaker and two-time senator, Heineken Lokpobiri, hails from the local council and is seen as Dickson’s arch rival and may actually be contesting against the candidate of a man who built a road to his (Lokpobiri's) house in 2019. To residents of the communities, the wait for the road has been long and tortuous, but again, as the saying goes, it is better late than never.

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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; Divisional Head, Corporate Services of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Felicia Obozuwa;; some of the winners of the BankĂ­s online contest for youths, tagged Flexxtern, and Group Head, Service and Channels Management of the Bank, Mr. Moronfolu Fasinro during an interactive session held in Lagos... recently

L-R: Finance Director, Unilever Ghana-Nigeria, Mrs. Adesola Sotande-Peters; British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright; Executive Vice President, Unilever Ghana-Nigeria, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh; British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Laure BeauďŹ ls and Corporate Aairs Director, Unilever Ghana-Nigeria, Mrs. Soromidayo George, during a courtesy visit by the British High Commissioner to Unilever Nigeria Plc, in LagosĂ–recently KOLA OLASUPO

L-R: Dr. Pascal Anosike; Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, Chairman of KWIRS, Dr. Murtala Awodun and Dean Business School, University of Wolverhampton, Mr. Micheal Burden, following an Executive Course by KWIRS management at wolverhampton...recently

L-R Chairman, West Africa Aquaculture Productivity Initiative, Albert Terver; Technical Head, Olam Group, Deepak Patrick and Vice President,Animal Feed, Olam Group, Ashish Pande at the oďŹƒcial launch of Bluecrown Extruded Fish Feed In Abuja...recently

L-R; Vice President, Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Alhaji Razak Jaiyeola; ICAN President, Ismaila Zakari; 1st Deputy Vice President, Nnamdi Okwuadigbo and the ICAN Registrar / Chief Executive, John Evbodaghe, at a press conference on the state of the Nation in Lagos recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R;Iyaloja Oke- Aje Ijebu, Alhaja Wuraola Aduni, Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, and Iyalaje Akile-Ijebu, Alhaja Fausat Korede Alatise during the ministry’s meeting with market leaders in Abeokuta...recently

L-R: Non-Executive Director, Union Bank, Mrs. Furera Isma Jumare; CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema; Chairman, Board of Directors, Union bank, Cyril Odu; CEO, Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa; and NonExecutive Director, Union Bank, Dr. (Mrs.) Nike Akande, ringing the closing bell on the oor of the exchange during the Bank’s visit to the NSE to kick o its Centenary Anniversary Week in Lagos... recently

L-R: Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; and Executive Director, Risk Management and Finance, Bank of Agriculture, Prince Niyi Akenzua, during a courtesy visit to the governor, in his oďŹƒce, Ibadan... recentlyy. Photo: Governor’s OďŹƒce

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Quick Takes PZ Joins Sponsorship of Annual WFN Ă“Ă–Ă—Ă‹Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă“Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă”Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ă?ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă–Ă• Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ě™ Ěš Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ÞÙ ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă?ËÖÞÒã Ă–Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă”Ă™Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ÞËÞĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ Ěš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÙÙÕ ÚÖËĂ?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœËŞĂ? Ă?ĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?Ă—Ă?ĂŽË? ËŤ Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ë? Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă?ÙÞÙĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă—ËœËŹĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? ÞÙ Ă“Ă—ĂŒĂ“ĂŒĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ÖÞÓà ËÞĂ? ÑÙÙÎ Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă– ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹Ă– Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă“Ă–Ă—Ă‹Ăœ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă‹ĂšĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă‹ Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă— Ă“Ă– Ě™ ĚšËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– ĂŒĂ™ĂŽĂŁ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă—Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂŽĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă?ÓÚÖĂ?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÚËÖ× ÙÓÖ ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžË›

Signal Alliance Gets Cisco’s Recognition

BRAINSTORMING ON REGULAR POWER SUPPLY

L-R: Chairman, Eko Distribution Company, Mr. Charles Momoh; Director, Eko Disco, Mr. Ernest Oji; and Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex A. Okoh at a meeting with Chief Executives of electricity distribution and generation companies to discuss critical challenges facing the nation’s power sector...recently

‘Banks Must Invest in Big Data to Curb Electronic Fraud’ Stories by Emma Okonji Worried about the huge financial losses to electronic fraud in the Nigerian financial market space, which stood at N2.1 billion as at 2016, experts at the eight annual payment system and fraud conference, have called on Nigerian banks to invest in big data analytics in order to address the problem. The conference, with the theme: “Leveraging Big Data Analytics in Combating Payment Fraud,� was organised by Electronic Payment Providers Association of Nigeria (E-PPAN) in Lagos on Tuesday. The forum, which projected that the financial losses to

ICT electronic fraud would hit N6 trillion by 2021, if not nipped in the bud, advised that the best way out of the challenge was for banks to invest in technology solution like the big data analytics, which offers realtime detection of electronic fraud, before it occurs. The Country Managing Director, Accenture Nigeria, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, who spoke at the forum, said about N237billion would be at risk, if adequate measures were not taken to address electronic fraud in the country, since the rate of financial fraud is on the increase, with 20 per cent of

financial fraud, carried out across counters, while 80 per cent fraud is carried out among various electronic channels provided by the banks for customers’ convenience. Yusuf said although the banks and the financial regulator, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have put certain measures in place to address the issue, such as the introduction of separation of duties, and the introduction of Bank Verification Number (BVN), coupled with the introduction of Cybercrime Law that was passed by the federal government in 2015, he however said that such measures were not enough, given the advanced

technology methods, with which the fraudsters defraud the banks and their customers. He joined other speakers at the forum to advise the banks to invest in the technology of big data analytics, which would allow the banks to monitor the behavioral pattern of genuine bank account owners, in order to checkmate fraud before it occurs. Aside investing in the technology of big data analytics, Yusuf also urged the banks to continually upgrade the skills set of their staff, in line with global technology trend. Chairman, CeBIH, Mr. Continued on page 24

Concerns Grow over Poor Implementation of Broadband Plan An advocacy group, Broadband 2018 Coalition has expressed fears over what it described as poor implementation of the current broadband plan, which seeks to achieve 30 per cent penetration by 2018. The group has therefore called on the federal government to expedite the implementation of the country’s five year broadband plan developed and submitted by the presidential committee on broadband in 2013. In a recent statement released by the group, the Coalition said broadband has played a great role in transforming societies and economic opportunities across the world, facilitating

TELECOMS education and knowledge dissemination, enabling trade and commerce and contributing to growing entrepreneurship across the world. It urged that the five-year National Broadband Plan (2013-2018) should be diligently implemented to spur economic growth and help Nigeria prepare for a post-oil economy. The group cited comments by the Minister, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, Mr. Bolaji Akinremi, who said that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is the key to Nigeria’s quest towards attaining a

sustainable development by 2030 when he delivered Nigeria’s statement on ‘ICT for Development’ at the UN General Assembly. The group also noted that Nigeria has declined on the broadband adoption and internet use index: Affordability Drivers Index (ADI), ranking 13th place out of 58 countries surveyed from 12th place ranking. The Coalition expressed concern at this decline, reiterating the fact that every 10 per cent increase in broadband growth in developing countries, results in a commensurate increase of 1.3 per cent in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and stressed the

criticality now that Nigeria is trying to come out of a recession. The body wondered why the government has provided no updates on their plans. Experts had raised concerns about the slow implementation of the broadband plan, pointing out that the current 21 per cent broadband penetration, showed that Nigeria may not attain the 30 per cent broadband penetration target as enshrined in the broadband plan. This, they noted, is contrary to the views of the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, that Nigeria will attain and surpass the 30 per cent Continued on page 24

Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă“Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă˜Ă‹Ă—Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŁĂ?Ă–Ă? ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ě™ Ěš ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?Ăœ ĂŒĂŁ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă™Ëœ Ă‹ ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ă Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ĂŒĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă“ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁË› Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŁĂ?Ă–Ă? ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă‘Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă™ Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ËÎÙÚÞ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ×ËâÓ×ÓĂ?Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă˜Ă?ʨÞĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă™Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂŁĂ?Ă–Ă? ĂŽĂ Ă“Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂœĂ™Ă–Ă? ÙʼĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă›Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă–Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂ™ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă?ÙÖà Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˘ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă“ĂšĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ÞÙ×Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ó×ÚÖÓʨĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă?Ă˜ Ă—Ă?ÞÒÙÎÙÖÙÑÓĂ?Ă?Ë›

55 Become PPP Professionals Óʰã̋ʨà Ă? ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă”Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ě‹ ĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ě™ Ěš ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? ʹͲ ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă™ĂŒĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ę¨Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ě‹ ĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ě™ Íą Ěš Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?Ă– Ă?Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ę¨Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă‹ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ă? ĂŽĂœĂ‹ĂĄĂ˜ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹ Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžËŞĂ? Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒÙĂ?Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă‹ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă‹ Ă?ÞËÞĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă“ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ę¨Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă&#x;ĂšĂ™Ă˜ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă– Ă?Ù×ÚÖĂ?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Íą Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?Ă– Ă?Ă˘Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁË› Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ę¨Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ë› Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ëœ Ă“Ă•Ă? Ă’Ă“Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ëž âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ ÞËÕĂ?ÒÙÖÎĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă™ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂšËœ Ă˜Ă‘ĂœË› Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă’Ă—Ă?ĂŽËž ĂœË› Ă‹ĂŒĂœĂ“Ă?Ă– Ă•Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă—Ëœ Ëœ Ă?Ă“Ăœ ËÚËĂ?ÓÞã Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;ÖÞÓ̋ÖËÞĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ëœ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ëœ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ëœ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă™Ăœ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ĂžĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ë›

Okere Sets Up Ausso Leadership Academy Ă? Ă‹ ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂžĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă?Ëœ ĂœË› Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜ Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă’Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‘Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă?ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă—ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă“Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ͰͳÞÒ Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂŁ Ă‹Ă–Ă‹ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă‘Ă™Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁË› Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂ™Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă“Ă— Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă—ĂŁËœ ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă•Ă“Ă?Ă• Ùʼ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ă˜Ă?âÞ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹Ăœ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ÞÒĂ?Ë› ËŤ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă—ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂšĂ“ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ?ĂšĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;ĂžĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă?Ă™ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă‘Ă™ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂžĂ’ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă&#x;Ăš ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă’ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂšĂ‹Ă?Ă? Ëž Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă‹Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ëœ Ă?×ÚÖÙã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÙÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂžĂŁËœËŹ Ă•Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽË›

“I will be setting up an Academy to inspire leaders and budding entrepreneurs to become outstanding, so that they would go forth and set up other companies� Founder and Vice Chairman, CWG Plc, Mr. Austin Okere

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

‘BANKS MUST INVEST IN BIG DATA TO CURB ELECTRONIC FRAUD’

Report: Digital Mapping Will Save Nigerians Billions of Naira

Dele Adeyinka, said Nigeria currently has over 30 million BVN card holders, recording over 4.6 trillion transactions with their Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, and about 40 trillion transactions annually, using other channels of transactions, pointing out that such transactions needed to be protected from being hacked by fraudsters. Big Data Analyst, Cloud Computing Expert and IT Consultant to Dell-EMC, Mr. Ositadimma Ugwu, said the fraudsters have become sophisticated in their approach, and could come from different electronic channels to perpetrate their acts, insisting that big data analytics is the sure way to address the high level financial fraud in the Nigerian financial space.

Emma Okonji

CONCERNS GROW OVER POOR IMPLEMENTATION OF BROADBAND PLAN broadband target by 2018. Shittu had expressed optimism that Nigeria would surpass the 30 per cent broadband penetration. Shittu’s belief was however base on the current growth indices of broadband in Nigeria. As at 2012, broadband penetration was less than 10 per cent, but in 2014, after the introduction of the broadband plan, the penetration increased to 12 per cent and by 2016, it rose to 20 per cent and by 2017, it reached 21 per cent. But with few months into 2018, Nigerians are of the view that the country may not be able to attain the 30 per cent target. The National Broadband plan was developed by a Presidential Committee chaired by the National Coordinator, A4AI Nigeria and former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and Zenith Bank Chairman, Jim Ovia, supported by major Information Technology (IT) industry players from within and outside Nigeria.

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)

Google’s recent survey report conducted by Alpha Beta research group on the economic impact of geospatial services in Nigeria, revealed that digital geospatial tools like maps are making positive economic contributions around the globe to employment, emergency response and time management. The Economic Impact of Geospatial Services report showed that digital maps reduce travel time in Nigeria by an average of 8 per cent, saving some 190 billion ($748 million), based on local wages. Nigerians value digital maps at 22,131.00 per year - translating into 1781 billion per year for all users. According to the report, about 86 per cent of the online population in Nigeria use digital maps and geo-enabled apps for various reasons but, most especially for education and social networking. The report also revealed that geospatial services could have a significant productivity impact in sectors that can grow the Gross Domestic Product in the country. At the launch of the report in Abuja, recently, Google also shared its journey of Maps in Nigeria. The company has worked with Nigerians since 2012 to add thousands of roads, landmarks, and businesses throughout the country to maps. In 2013, Google introduced Turn-by-Turn navigation in Nigeria for users using Google Maps

for mobile. In 2014 Real Time Transit information on the LAGBUS was launched to help people in Lagos access bus times on BRT routes. In 2015 real-time traffic updates was introduced, as a way to help people better navigate busy traffic conditions. In July, 2017 Google announced the launch of Street View in Nigeria making imagery of about 10,000 kilometres of roads in Lagos available to

people in Nigeria and around the world. Speaking at the launch, Google Policy and Government Relations Manager, Titi Akinsanmi, said: “We worked with AlphaBeta to support a study that quantifies the economic impact of the geospatial technology, looking at the benefits and value geospatial technology brings to consumers, businesses and society.

“Digital Maps have become powerful tools for policymakers to ensure the safety of their citizens, and for companies and consumers to save time and money when managing their daily affairs. And their benefits are far bigger than people may think. We discovered that geospatial services not only make life easier by helping people turn their intentions of finding a place into actions of getting

there, but also support the global economy by creating tangible benefits for businesses and consumers,� she said. Each month, more than 1 billion people use Google Maps to find, discover and explore their world. Nearly one third of all mobile searches are related to location, and location-related mobile searches are growing by 50 per cent faster than all mobile searches, according to Google.

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L-R: Executive Education Director, Ifeanyi Obiora-Okafo; CEO Leap Africa/Guest Speaker, Ndidi Nduwuneli; Vice-Chancellor, PanAtlantic University, Professor Juan Elegido; MD/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria and LBS Alumni Association President, Mrs. Bola Adesola and Dean, LBS, Dr Enase Okonedo, at the graduation of the 13 Executive Programme of the LBS‌ recently

FG Pledges to Partner Genuine Jumia Offers 80% Discount on Black Friday Investors in Mining Sector Sales Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The federal government has reaffirmed its determination to ensure that the mining industry gets the right partnership it needed to be able contribute positively to the economy of the country. Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bawa Bwari made the remark on Tuesday through the Deputy Director of Press, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Mrs. Rhoda Iliya. According to the statement, the minister, during a meeting in his office with a delegation of Chinese investors from the East – China Metallurgical Institute of Geology and Exploration, led by the Director of the Institute, Mr. Liu Ling Sheng in Abuja, noted that a lot of proposals had been received from foreign investors interested in collaborating with the ministry on exploration and beneficiation in the mining sector. The Ministry, he added, intends to partner genuine investors that can justify their interest in terms of competency, years of experience, availability of modern equipment, records of achievements and ability to provide jobs and capacity building to Nigerians in the mining sector. Bwari told the visiting

Targets 50m Customers, 2m Items Chinese delegation who expressed interest in investing in the mining sector to submit their proposals to a technical committee to be established by the ministry to determine areas of interest and benefits to the two parties. It said, earlier, a member of the delegation, Mr. Paul Ogbe Kaizer made a presentation on the profile of the Institute. The business scope of the Institute includes rock and mineral testing, risk assessment of geological disasters, solid mineral exploration hydrogeology, engineering geology, environmental geology investigation, geology drilling, geophysical and geochemical exploration, surveying and mapping, among others. Kaizer stated that the Institute has modern and advanced mining equipment, records of achievements in lead and zinc, copper iron deposits, manganese and has won over forty awards in several regions in China in mining. He added that the company has presence in Nigeria and has worked in Kogi, Kebbi and Nasarawa States mining coal, Lead and Zinc and Manganese. Adding that, the company is interested in collaborating with the Ministry in the area of mining and provision of jobs and capacity building to Nigerians in the mining sector.

Emma Okonji Ahead of the Black Friday celebration sales, which runs from November 13 to December 13, Jumia Nigeria is discounting sales on all items on its shelves that will be purchased during the period. The discount, which is as high as 80 per cent, is the accumulation of discounts on various items selected for discounts by the brand owners. Aside the huge discount, Jumia is also targeting 50 million customers’ visit to its site and about two million deliveries on purchased items, during the period. The Chief Executive of Jumia Nigeria, Mrs. Juliet Anammah, who made the disclosure at a press conference in Lagos to announce its biggest Black Friday sales event ever in 2017, said it was the first time in the fifth year of Jumia operations in Nigeria, to stretch its business target to as much as 50 million visits to its website, with estimated two million delivery of purchased items that will be largely discounted. She assured Nigerians that Jumia has put in place a robust network that would carry the traffic surge during the period, with promises to make this year’s Black Friday a memorable one for customers. General Manager, Marketing

at Coscharis Motors, Mr. Abiona Babarinde, who also spoke at the press conference, expressed the delight of his company to partner Jumia on Black Friday sales. According to him, Coscharis would be discounting all brands of its vehicles, including the premium brands, by 10 per cent, for all bookings made on Jumia during the Black Friday sales period. Head, Digital Marketing and Communications at FCMB, the official bank of Jumia on Black Friday promotional sales, Lola Egboh, said the bank would also be giving additional 10 per cent discount for all customers who open and deposit money with the bank during the period. Other brands that promised discounts on their products purchased at Jumia during the Black Friday sales, include, Infinix Mobile, Fero Mobile, among others. The Jumia Black Friday Festival, which features one million deals, is a lottery giveaway that includes a brand new car and roundtrip airline tickets to Europe over the course of 31 days. To ensure that Jumia brings its customers the best deals and widest assortment, the e-commerce giant has partnered top brands including Intel, Pampers, Infinix, Phillips, Fero, HP, MTN, Coscharis and Air France-KLM.

For the first time ever, Jumia has also teamed up with music entertainment company, TRACE Naija to host aMusic and Deals (MAD) fest on Saturday, November 18th. The exclusive 2-in-1 concert and shopping event will feature Nigeria’s finest artistes including Simi, Falz, Wande Coal, 9ice, Mayorkun, Niniola, Sound Sultan, Skales, Lil Kesh, Pencil, Jimmie DJ Consequence, DJ Cuppy, Nedu to thrill attendees to exclusive app flash sales and lots of exciting giveaways including a N500,000 shopping voucher Anammah explained that this year’s Jumia Black Friday would be designed to bring customers exceptional value. “We are always looking to push the envelope for online shoppers and this year we are bringing an even bigger dimension with exclusive app-only flash sales, a weekly Black Friday lottery draw and the first-of-its-kind TRACE and Jumia MAD fest.� Head of Engagement Marketing at Jumia, Ojuola Asuquo, said: “For those who have been looking to purchase and stock up on certain items, this is the best time to shop. Jumia has the best prices across different categories, from electronics to baby and kids items, customers will find everything on Jumia this Black Friday and even into the Yuletide season.�

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FG to Install 18,000km of Fibre Optic for Broad Band Penetration Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Nigeria Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council (Industrial Council) has commenced initiatives aimed at accelerating the country’s industrialisation efforts by installing18,000km of fibre optic across the country to improve broad band penetration. The installation of the fibres to promote digital economy was one of the several initiatives the Industrial Council identified and agreed to implement across five core areas and enablers over the next 12 months at its meeting in Abuja on October 30. It also sought to embark on select strategic power projects to deliver an additional 4,200 megawatts of electricity into the national grid. This was made known by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, Tuesday in Abuja. The Council, chaired by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, was established in March 2017 by the Federal Executive Council to implement initiatives aimed at accelerating industrialisation using private sector expertise and capital. The Council also has set up five sub-committees made up both public and private sectors leaders and members of the Council with five focus areas identified as necessary to fulfill its objectives. These include critical infrastructure; skills and capacity; trade and market access; policy and regulation; and financing.

It also agreed to work on other areas including to initiate the implementation of the recently approved Road Trust Scheme to accelerate construction of national priority roads across the mechanism, implement an apprenticeship programme to bridge the gap between industry skills requirement and supply from educational institutions; and accelerate the implementation of the Nigerian Trade Remedy, Economic Safeguard and Anti-Dumping mechanism. The primary objective of the Industrial Council is to assist the government in formulating policies and strategies that enhance the performance of a sector or industry in furtherance of the industrialisation program. Enelamah and the business mogul are Vice-chair while the Minister of State Industry, Trade and Investment Mrs. Aisha Abubakar and Atedo Peterside are alternate vicechair. Nigeria will also host the Development 8 (D-8) Ministerial Meeting focusing on Industrial Cooperation from November 14-16 in Abuja. The meeting will be opened by Osinbajo and hosted by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. Enanamah listed D-8 countries to join Nigeria, as Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan and Turkey. The main objective of the group is to promote the socio-economic development of member countries. The six priority sectors have been identified in the

Industrial and economic cooperation between member states namely: trade; agriculture and food security; industrial cooperation and SME; transportation; energy and minerals; and tourism, which are priority areas for Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari attended the D8 meeting in Turkey two weeks ago. The D8 presently focuses on 14 subsectors known as the fast forces. The sectors are automotive, energy, food industry, technology corporation, chemical and petrol- chemical, cement, iron and steel, textile, standardization, SME, electronics and ICT, ceramics, glass,marble and granite, machinery and and pharmaceutical and medical equipment. On the recent improved ranking of Nigeria on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report, the minister expressed delight at the progress made on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report, which saw Nigeria rise 24 places from 169th to 145 and featured as one of top 10 economy in terms of improvement. “I want to reiterate that we’re not resting on our laurels. In fact, this gives us the impetus to work even harder. We are committed to deepening on-going reforms. We are already rolling out the next 60-day action plan that will see us embark on new reforms areas as well as institutionalise the ones currently being enforced�, Enelamah said.

Google Begins Launchpad Bootcamp, Seeks Govt Intervention Emma Okonji Having rolled out the Google Developers Launchpad initiative for technology startups in various countries of the world, Google on Monday in Lagos, commenced its inaugural Launchpad Start Bootcamp in Nigeria, in collaboration with CCHub, the technology incubation centre located in Yaba, Lagos. Launchpad is Google’s mentorship-driven global startup programme, which has a goal of driving real success for startups. The five-day programme will focus on helping earlystage startups improve their businesses and products. Announcing the Google Developers Launchpad initiative in Nigeria, the Google Nigeria Country Manager, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, said that the idea would enable Google train and mentor startups and make them global players, a situation, she said, would also help in creating jobs among Nigerian youths. She therefore called on government to address the issue of infrastructural challenge, which often times, impedes speedy development of technology startups in

Nigeria. According to her, “The growth of entrepreneurship in Africa is critical to the survival of the continent. Therefore, we are training startups with the aim of creating opportunities for job seekers who are just entering the labour market.� The Google Developers Launchpad Program is a three-phase programme. The first phase is Launchpad Build - a single-day event focused on any stage startups that are building their app, platform or business on Google technology. Towards the end of 2016, the first Launchpad Build events in sub-Saharan Africa were held across Lagos, Nairobi and Cape Town. The Launchpad Start is a 5-day problem solving bootcamp designed for early stage startups. Each day of the bootcamp focuses on a different skill with a specific target outcome at the end of the day. Launchpad Start Lagos is a one week workshop that commenced on 6th and run till 11th of November 2017. A total of 20 startups have been selected for Launchpad Start and they

will have access to oneon-one mentorship and instructor-led workshops that will provide them with actionable, in-person training to help them tackle critical growth and scale challenges. Launchpad Accelerator, which is the final phase, is a 6-month hyper-acceleration program for late-stage participating startups who get access to a global list of mentors, Google engineers and a 2-week all-expensepaid bootcamp experience at the Google Developers Launchpad Space in San Francisco, in California, US. Programme Manager at Google, Mr. John Kimani said the startups would be trained to address specific challenges in their environment, using technology solution. The training will also cover the business area on how to make their solutions commercially viable and marketable. Co-founder, CCHub, Mr. Tunji Elesho thanked Google for the collaboration, explaining that the Google Developers Launchpad initiative is in line with CCHub initiative to support and mentor technology startups with great and scalable ideals.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OLODU KEONYEDI

20 Things You Need to Do Before You Become 30 Ă’Ă? Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‘Ă?Ăž Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ÞÓ×Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? ÞÙÚÓĂ? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž ËŞĂ— Ă‹Ă–ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă Ă? ͔͑˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă“Ă? Í“Í‘ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ Ùà Ă?ĂœĂŽĂ&#x;Ă? ÞÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŽĂ™Ă˜Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ù×Ă? ͔͑˛ Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ ÞÒĂ? ÞåĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂŁ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă–Ă™ĂĄËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă? Ă‹ ĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă‹ĘŠĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ÞÙÞËÖ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă?Ę¨ĂœĂ—Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–ĂžĂ?Ë› 20 things you need to do before you become 30: Have you discovered your natural abilities? Ă’Ă? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂŽĂ™ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ù×Ă? ͔͑ Ă“Ă? ÞÙ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ùà Ă?Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?˚ÞËÖĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ùà Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ ÒÙå ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ? ÞÙ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžË› Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ăž ÒÙå ÞÙ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă‘Ă“Ę°Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă?ÙÖà Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă— ĂŽĂ?Ę¨Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁËŁ Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂŽĂ™ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ͔͑ Ă“Ă? ÞÙ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜ ÒÙå ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ÙÖà Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă—Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ę¨Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă“Ę°Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă‹Ă? Ă“Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă? ÞÙ ÒÙå ÞÒĂ? Ă‘Ă“Ę°Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă?Ë› Have you caught an idea of how to make money? Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ÒÙå ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ëœ Ă™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŽĂ™ Ă?Ă™ Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ÙÖà Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ă— Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ăž ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ ÚËã Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÓÞ˛ Do you have a library? Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ͔͑ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă‹ Ă–Ă“ĂŒĂœĂ‹ĂœĂŁËž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ÙåĂ? Ă‹ Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă—Ă&#x;Ă— Ă™Ă? ͔͑ ĂŒĂ™Ă™Ă•Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽ ÑÙÙÎ ĂŒĂ™Ă™Ă•Ă?Ë› Are you known for something? Ă™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ÓʨĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ? Ă“Ăž ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŒĂ? Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă?Ă™ĂœËœ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž Ă—Ă?Ă˜ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ÓʨĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŒĂ?Ă‘Ă‹Ă˜ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ Ă“ĂžËœ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂŽĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ù×Ă?ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂŒĂ™Ă&#x;Ăž ÓÞ˛ Do you have a mentor? Ă‹ĂšĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂŽĂ‹Ă‘Ă? Ă?Ă‹ĂŁĂ?Ë? ËŤ Ă?ĘľĂ?Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹ ÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ ĂŽĂ“Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă‹ ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁ åÓÞÒ Ă‹ Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ăž ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂœËŹË› Ă™Ă&#x; Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ùà Ă?Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–ĂœĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂŁ ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ? ÒÙÚĂ? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ?Ë› Do you have enough savings to last you for 6 months if you lost your job? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă™Ăœ Í— Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Do you save money on a regular basis? Ă?ËÖÞÒ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂŁ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ ÞÙ ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ ÓÞ˞ Ă?Ă™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹ ĂœĂ?Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹Ăœ ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă“Ă?Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă‹ Ă’Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ăž ÞÙ Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ÚËã ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă–Ă? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Þ˛ Do you document your ďŹ nancial goals? Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÞÙ ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“Ă? ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă˜Ă?Ă Ă?Ăœ Ă‘Ă?Ăž ÞÙ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? åÓÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ăž Ă‹ ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂžĂ?Ă˜ ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜ ÒÙå ÞÙ Ă‘Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ÓʨĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ÑÙËÖĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ?ĘľĂ?ĂœËœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ÑÙËÖ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ÓʨĂ?Ëœ Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă‹ĂŽĂ–Ă“Ă˜Ă? ËʾËĂ?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ ÓÞ˛ Do you keep record of your expenses?

ĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?âÚĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă•Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ‘Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ë› Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂŽĂ™Ă˜ËŞĂž Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ÒÙå Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ËŞĂž ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă&#x;ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ–ĂŁË› Do you know your present ďŹ nancial net worth? Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă– ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă˜Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂžĂ’Ëœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă? ĂœĂ?ÖËÞÓà Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŽĂ™ ÞÙ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ë› Are you satisďŹ ed with your present state? Ă’Ă? Ă˜Ă?âÞ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ę°Ă?Ăœ ĂŽĂ?ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă˜Ă?Ăž ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂžĂ’ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?ËÞÓĂ?ʨĂ?ĂŽ åÓÞÒ Ă“ĂžËœ Ă“Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž ĂžĂ‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ?Ę¨Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂšĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ÒÙå ÞÙ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÓÞ˛ You should invest money in obtaining ďŹ nancial education? Ă’Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?Þ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁĂ™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‘Ă“Ă Ă? ÞÙ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă– ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă Ă?Ă– Ă™Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ë› Are you building your brand?

Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă˜ËŞĂž ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ÞÙÚ ÑÙÙÑÖĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ăž ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ù×Ă?ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽËœ ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŽĂ™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ù×Ă?ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ ĂĄĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë› Are you learning how to build a network? Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ–ĂŽ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ě‹ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ?Ë› Ă™Ă&#x; ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă–ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁĂ? Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ?Ëž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?Ă— ÞÙ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂšĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă?Ë› Do you have a small business or website? ÓÞÒ Ă?Ă™ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÒÙå ÞÙ ĂžĂ&#x;ĂœĂ˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă‹ ÚËãĂ?Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă•Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ùà Ă?Ăœ Ă‹ ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă™ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ ĂŒĂŁ ĂšĂ&#x;ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ? ÞÙ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ë› Have you started doing your dream job (in any way you can)? ÖÙÞ Ă™Ă? ÞÓ×Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ͚̋ ÞÙ Ě‹Í– ĂŽĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă˜ËŞĂž Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĂžĂ?Ă’ Ă&#x;Ăš åÓÞÒ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă— Ă”Ă™ĂŒ Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ&#x;Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂŽË› Ă&#x;Ăž ÞÒËÞ ĂŽĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă˜ËŞĂž Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ËŞĂž ĂŽĂ™ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă?ËÚËĂ?ÓÞã˛ Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă‹ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă™Ă˜ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂœËœ ÞÒĂ?Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ™Ăœ ÞÙ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă‘Ă?ĘľĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÚËÓÎ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ăž ĂŁĂ?Ăž ĂŽĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă˜ËŞĂž Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽĂ˜ËŞĂž ĂšĂ&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă? ÓÞ˛ Do you have a plan for your children’s school? Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă‘Ă™ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă–ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ù×Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ?Ă— ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x; Ă’Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ–Ă? ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Do you have a plan to retire in comfort? Ă™Ă?Ăž ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă’Ă“Ă? ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ăž Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ͔͑ ĂŁĂ?Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ëœ Ă—ĂŁ Ă‹Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ?Ăœ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ă?Ëœ Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă Ă?ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ ÞÙ ĂšĂ–Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ ĂœĂ?ĂžĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Do you have a land in your state of residence or origin? Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‘Ă™Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ě™ĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂžĚš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă? ĂĄĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă?ÙÖà Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă˜Ă‘Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ËšĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă“Ăž ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‘Ă™ Ă‹ Ă–Ă™Ă˜Ă‘ ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă?ÞËÞĂ&#x;Ă?Ë› Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂšĂ™Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ? ĂŽĂ™ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă—Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁËž ĂĄĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂšĂ™Ă™Ăœ ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ă• Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë›

- Olodu keonyedi – is a trained engineer and by passion and personal development a public/motivational speaker, a business coach and human capacity developer, he has a B.Eng degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, he is a member of Nigeria Society of Engineer and a certified COREN registered Engineer Email: olodukeonyedi@gmail.com. Tel: 0803748970

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ICT is the Panacea to Nigeria’s Tottering Economy Emma Okonji posits that ICT could play a very vital role in the transformation of Nigeria’s economy, as captured in the recent inaugural lecture of the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta The saying that technology and data are the new oil and gas of any nation that is committed to developing its economy in line with global trend cannot be over emphasised. Digital data for instance, is the data that represents other forms of data, using specific machine language systems that can be interpreted by various technologies. Data gathering and analysis- the ability to collate relevant information that are subjected to critical analysis, have helped economies to understand their growth path, based on informed decision. Nigeria, since its inception in 1960, has depended heavily on oil and gas as its main source of revenue generation; but times and seasons are changing and oil is no longer sustainable as a result of the global shift from oil consumption to renewable energy consumption, such as wind and solar energy that are constantly replenished and will never run out. The idea of renewable energy is driven by ICT, based on the volume of generated and analysed data and this is the direction that technology savvy nations are tilting towards, in line with modern technologies, designed to boost the economies of nations. In the case of Nigeria, the cycle of dependency on oil and gas has a solution in the telecom industry if proper emphasis and strategies are adopted to diversify and harness her ICT strategies and potentials. Danbatta, while addressing the academic community at the Bayero University, Kano, during the recent inaugural lecture, emphasised the need for Nigeria to diversify her economy and allow technology to drive it, a situation, he said, would help the country to generate more revenue, grow its foreign reserves and compete globally. Diversifying with technology In his inaugural lecture titled: “Getting out of the woods. Diversifying the Nigeria’s Economy through Telecommunications Sector�, at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Danbatta told his audience that although the country’s economy has been monolithic in the recent past owing largely to its dependence on oil revenues, there was a need to diversity if the country wants to get out of the woods. “The Nigerian government has recognised the need to diversify the economy so as to attain solid and sustainable economic growth,� he said. Danbatta, as the chief regulator of the telecommunications who oversees the sector, noted the steady rise in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the last few years. “The telecommunications industry plays a crucial role in providing the requisite tools that support the diversification of the economy through improving the knowledge economy using Information and Communication Technology (ICT),� Danbatta, a Professor of Telecommunications Engineering, posited. According to him, the telecommunications sector has enhanced human capabilities in areas such as health, education, agriculture, finance, transportation, commerce and governance. Listing a number of imperatives for economic diversification, Danbatta said, “efforts have been made over the years by Nigerian governments to develop the non-oil sectors of the economy by initiating various supportive policies and incentives aimed at encouraging economic diversification with different degrees of success. The policies, according to him, included: Protectionism (1960 – 1986) import substitution industrialisation aimed at expanding the industrial base, enhancing cash crops exports; Trade Liberalisation (1986 Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) era) aimed at deregulation, commercialisation, privatisation and liberalisation of the economy and Export promotion

Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu

(Post SAP period) aimed at facilitating the diversification of the economy through policy support to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to enhance exports. “The liberalisation of the telecoms sector in 2001 has triggered a realistic opportunity of economic diversification, as the sector is adjudged to be one of the major support services needed to promote growth and modernisation of other sectors of the economy,� the NCC boss said. Breaking distance barrier Telecoms break distance barriers, and as such, can act in its own right as an enabler to drive socio-economic transformation, growth, developments and modernisation across all sectors of the economy. The telecommunications sector has globally brought about radical changes in the way people interact, learn, work and transact commercial activities. The telecoms sector also acts as the fulcrum and catalyst that propel the socio-economic transformation and growth of economies of nations. The impact of telecoms sector is evident in virtually all countries, Nigeria inclusive, and is likely to continue in the years to come, as technology penetrates and fosters vital changes in all sectors and dimensions of human life and condition. Telecommunications sector plays a dual role in economic activities, and act as a supplying means to other sectors, Danbatta said. Addressing infrastructure challenges At the inaugural lecture, the University Don enumerated the role played by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and its strategic vision plan in addressing the telecommunications infrastructure challenges in Nigeria and also the crucial role the telecoms sector plays in the diversification of the economy. He listed some of the achievements of the Commission since his assumption of duty about two years ago. Citing reports by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)/United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development (2016), Danbatta

Danbatta

said that Nigeria’s active mobile broadband penetration has increased within a space of one year from less than 10 per cent to 21.95 per cent, a milestone achieved under his tenure from less than 10 per cent that he met about three years ago. Nigeria’s active Internet connection which stands at over 90 million, achieved a milestone of 47.44 per cent penetration. Nigeria is number one in Africa and ranks 10th globally. Telecommunication contribution to GDP has been robust rising from 8.85 per cent in the first quarter of 2016 to 9.16 per cent in the first quarter of 2017. In the first quarter of 2017, the telecoms sector contributed N1.452 Trillion to the GDP, according to him. Strategic plan for regulation In articulating a strategic vision plan for the regulatory body, the NCC Chief stated unequivocally that the NCC, under his stewardship, has developed an NCC Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) for the fiscal years 2015 to 2020. The process for the development of the five-year strategic vision, he said, has taken a lot of efforts and time. “The SVP provides a comprehensive roadmap within the telecoms industry for promoting innovation, investment, competition, consumer empowerment, and improving service quality. “The SVP responds to the policy goals of the NCC in recognising the immense socio-economic importance of ICT to national development and therefore seeks to ensure that the ICT infrastructure is to the standard necessary to provide ubiquitous broadband services in Nigeria.� He also spoke about the 8-point Agenda with broadband as its flagship. “The implementation of the agenda will further strengthen the telecoms industry consistent with the National Broadband Plan (NBP) that will in turn lead to the desired socio-economic transformation of our country by leveraging the power of ICT to drive and accelerate the process of digital transformation,� he said. Telecoms as tool for transformation Citing telecoms as tool for economic and social transformation, Danbatta said telecommunications has been a major tool for economic and social transformation.

He listed telecoms support to include contribution to GDP; Consumer surplus; Reduction of the Inequality between rural and urban dwellers; Emergence of new services and industries; Direct job creation; Blurring boundaries of social identities; Enhanced social interactions among others. Identifying telecoms as a critical national infrastructure, he said: “NCC has commenced activities that would lead to the establishment of a ‘Telecommunications Critical Infrastructure Bill. “When this bill is passed into law, government would designate telecoms infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, which should enjoy priority protection in the country, as well as specify definite sanctions for willful destruction of communications infrastructure�. Access gaps in development Glaring access gaps exist in availability and usage of the ICT infrastructure in various spheres of the economy. The distinctions are in unserved areas that not served with ICT infrastructure, as well as underserved areas with insufficient ICT infrastructure. Other gaps could be noticed in the sectors of the economy that are not maximising the potentials of ICT infrastructure. In order to bridge the gap and promote technology development, government must consider uniform investments in ICT in all sections of the country, without leaving out the rural areas that are also important for development. The NCC, through the USPF, bridges these access gaps by facilitating and extending broadband services to the underserved and unserved communities and groups via the connectivity programme, which comprises telecoms infrastructure projects that are implemented through a Public Private Partnership model, which includes Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs), Rural Broadband Initiative (RUB), University Inter-Campus Connectivity (UnICC) and Backbone Transmission Infrastructure (BTRAIN). All these efforts could be properly harnessed to boost economic diversification, raise alternative source of revenue for government, and as well boost the economic status of the country.

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Adebanjo: G4T Initiative Will Address Gender Imbalance in Tech Education Vice President and Area Business Head, West Africa at MasterCard, Omokehinde Adebanjo, spoke with Emma Okonji on the organisation’s plan to train 200,000 girls globally on technology skills and Artificial Intelligence through its Girls4Tech initiative. Excerpts: with our global customers. Netflux is in partnership with MasterCard and they use our intellectual property to develop products that make perfect sense for Nigeria. When we got to Latin America, the product makes sense to them as well. So we have confidence in the quality of solutions developed by young Nigerian startups and we encourage and support them to improve on their solutions. We have fantastic tech startups in Nigeria and MasterCard will continue to partner them and give them the necessary support. The truth is that products from Nigeria could compete with foreign products anywhere in the world. What I think they need is the encouragement.

MasterCard recently launched technology skills acquisition initiative for girls in Nigeria. What is the initiative all about? It is an educational programme called Girls4Tech, simply known G4T, which is Mastercard’s signature education programme designed for young girls around the world. By leveraging our employee expertise in payments technology, our goal is to inspire girls to build STEM skills to become leaders of tomorrow. The programme showcases our payments technology and engages our employees as role models and mentors. This hands-on, inquiry-based programme connects the foundations of our business to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) principles and shows students that it takes all kinds of interests and skills to pursue a career in STEM. The curriculum is based on global Science and Mathematics standards and was created in conjunction with our top engineers and technologists. That is exactly what we have launched in Nigeria, as part of our global initiative.

Since the target is on the girl child, is there any incentive for them and their schools? The initiative is such that MasterCard is volunteering the time of its staff to educate the students and their teachers, and prepare them for the future. They should therefore be prepared to see the world in a different perspective and begin to think locally and act globally. New technologies are evolving and today we are talking about Internet of Things (IoTs) where virtually everything is connected to the internet and people can communicate with their electronic gadgets like the refrigerator that can prompt people that certain items are getting out of stock in the refrigerator and needed to be replaced. So we need coding to understand all of that and that is the essence of teaching the girls about technology skills from the beginning.

What does MasterCard intend to achieve with the G4T initiative? Girls4Tech is a global program with a footprint that’s beginning to match that of MasterCard itself. More than 100 G4T events have been organised across five regions. The goal is to train 200,000 girls with the Girls4Tech programme by 2020 by continuing the expansion within communities as well as through partnerships. In addition, the Girls4Tech programme will add an advanced curriculum, focused on cyber security and fraud detection. What exactly does MasterCard teach the girl child and at what age? The idea is to catch the girls young and we are working with primary school pupils, as well as secondary and tertiary school students. What we are teaching is about technology and technology awareness. At the launch of Girls4Tech in Nigeria in River Bank School, Victoria Island, Lagos, the girls were taught coding and how to break codes. They got an answer in the coding test given to them by following cryptography and so they were looking at signs and letters to break the code, which they actually succeeded in doing. It builds them up on how to crack codes and this is where technology is shifting to. Why the emphasis on coding. Is it in line with the current global technology trend? The global trend is around Artificial Intelligence, using robotics and coding. The world is currently moving to a future where the language will be technology programming language irrespective of people’s native language like Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. It is important therefore for our pupils and students to understand programming language and that is where the world is tilting towards. Coding is about the next era where robots will be doing some essentials of human beings. The reason we are interested in this training is because the world is going into digital transformation and the skills required are STEMS skills. Why the emphasis on girl child training? Global research has shown that about 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the available future jobs, will need people with STEM skills and if you take a global look at the percentage of girls that are interested in STEM skills, you will find out that the percentage is low at about 30 per cent or less globally. So we need to beef up the percentage of girls in STEM skills and that is what the MasterCard initiative on Girls4Tech is all about. What we are doing with Girls4Tech is to reengineer the minds of young girls on technology skills. They need to focus on engineering,

Adebanjo

they need to focus on Mathematics and Science, because we need these skills for the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI), where we as humans, we will be coexisting with machines. We want to use the initiative to encourage girls into technology education and disabuse them of the erroneous belief that technology education is meant for the boys alone. At River Bank School in Victoria Island where we launched the programme in Nigeria, a question was asked on how many people believe that technology education is meant for only the boy child and several girls raised up their hands. So we need to correct such erroneous belief and encourage the girls to be interested in acquiring STEM skills while in school. But the boy child also needs encouragement. How do you intend to balance the gender inequality? Boys are important, and so are girls and the girls need to be encouraged to compete with the boys. We are focusing on girls because we see some form of inequality in gender education, and this could be the reason why you find fewer girls offering Science and Technology related courses in tertiary institutions. So in as much as we do not want any form of discrimination, we also need to encourage the girls to address the gender imbalance. What is the Nigerian target in this global initiative? We are still working on global target and we have not split the goal into country specific target, and we have a global target to train 200,000 girls in technology skills by the year 2020, even though every country is making efforts to train as much as they can. We need the support of everyone, including parents to help MasterCard achieve this goal by also taking part in encouraging their girl child to take courses in STEM. People should also join in the campaign to

educate our girl child in technology skills. We should let them know that technology could be demystified like the use of mobile phones, and what matters is the interest and need for it. Looking at your target of 200,000 by 2020, how much has been covered since the inception of the initiative? We just started and we have been able to cover 30,000 within the short period of time. The 200,000 target, although looks big in number but could also be seen as small in number, when compared with the global population. So the awareness of STEM education for the girl child, should be seen as the responsibility of all Nigerians and everyone in the world. We are hoping that by this awareness, other companies will join in the struggle to encourage our girls acquire skills in technology education. Since MasterCard wants other organisations to join in the struggle, are you in any way, partnering the federal government, state government and local government to further drive the initiative? We are open to partnerships to drive this initiative and we will be glad to partner government at all levels on this. In as much as Nigerians appreciate the MasterCard initiative to develop the girl child in the area of technology, majority of Nigerian companies and multinationals that operate in Nigeria, do not believe in the quality of products locally developed by Nigerian technology startups and still depend heavily on foreign software. What is your take on this? For MasterCard, that is not our perception about the Nigerian technology startups because we are already doing business with them and one of our partners called Netflux, is doing business with us. MasterCard has a global programme where we pickup technology startups, mentor them for a six month period and we take them around the world to meet our partners and also position them globally to enable them interact

With this lofty initiative of MasterCard, how will you project the students in their future career in the use of technology skills to achieve a lot? We see the future of the girls without boundaries and we see supper girls and supper boys in the future that will be cracking difficult codes that will drive development across countries. Developing them at the early age is developing them to become problem solvers. They will be solving existing problems, using technology. Are there plans to extend the initiative to public schools? The initiative does not exclude public schools because we are willing to partner both the private and public schools on this. So how will schools have access to the training programme? What we have done so far is the pilot launch of the initiative and we are coming up with a major launch that will further create the awareness we are looking at. What are the success stories so far with the G4T initiative? Since the inception of the implementation of the initiative, we have launched more than 100 events and reached more than 30,000 girls in 17 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, China, England, Germany, Italy, India, Ireland, Poland, Singapore, Spain, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States so far. We have also launched in France, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, New Zealand, with over 1700 MasterCard employees serving as role models and mentors, resulting in more than 5,000 hours of hands-on STEM volunteering to benefit underserved youth. So far, 97 per cent of the girls surveyed said they learned something new, 94 per cent said they were interested in pursuing a STEM career and more than 86 per cent employees said they even learned something new about our company.

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Imperative of a Centralised ID Database Daniel Ade enumerates the importance of a central national identity database that will be all-encompassing Since independence in 1960, Nigeria had made several attempts at identifying her citizens. Unfortunately, each attempt had left the country worse off, leaving trails of failures and multiple databases that add no value to national existence. Perhaps, more worrisome is the fact that the country had sunk billions of Naira into pockets of data capturing exercises for identification purpose, but none could stand as a reliable database for national development. Interestingly, the establishment of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) through the NIMC Act of 2007 had created the pathway for Nigeria to achieve a true national identity database that will be allencompassing and it is time for the country to focus all energy on this important agency for a word-class identity database. Through the NIMC Act, NIMC is empowered as the primary legal, regulatory and institutional mechanism for implementing Government’s reform initiative (in the identity sector) as contained in the National Policy and NIMC Act, Sections 1, 2, 5 and 6. The agency is also saddled with the mandate to operate and manage the National Identity Management System (NIMS), carry out the enrolment of citizens and legal residents as provided for in the Act, create and operate a National Identity Database and issue unique National Identification Numbers to qualified citizens and legal residents Of course, the journey, as expected, has not been smooth for NIMC as a Commission saddled with this onerous task of identifying and capturing over 180 million Nigerians, home and abroad, into one central database. Indeed, with the huge technological infrastructure required and the scarcity of resources to meet the needs, credence must be given to current management of the Commission, under the leadership of Engr. Aliyu Abubakar Aziz, which in the space two years has captured over 16 million Nigerians. This has brought the figure of enrolment for National Identification Number (NIN) to 23.3 million compared to the seven million recorded by 2015. In today’s world, the importance of national identity to economic growth cannot be overemphasised; indeed, there is a growing recognition of the importance of identification for sustainable development globally. For instance, the role identity plays is recognised formally in target 16.9 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which calls for providing “legal identity for all, including through birth registration� by 2030. Identification is also an enabler of many other development targets, from social protection to financial inclusion to women’s empowerment. Identity is essential to realising political and social rights and to participate in a modern economy. Indeed, a well-functioning ID system can strengthen state capacity and reduce corruption and waste by making programmes and subsidies more effective and transparent. Effective identification, including for remote and electronic transactions, can reduce transaction costs and create economic opportunities, including for the poor. For a country like Nigeria with myriads of security challenges, one needs not be told how immensely helpful the creation of a centralised identity database of all Nigerians will be in addressing insecurity. Indeed, experiences in many developed countries have shown that all security agencies rely on information from centralised identity database to perform their functions flawlessly, thus the governments place premium on identification in their budgeting plans. Most of countries spare no resources, indeed, they put all resources required, into not just having the right infrastructure for a central identification database; they provide even more resources and funding as well as skilled manpower to maintain such centralised identity database in a sustainable manner. Little wonder criminals in those places can hardly go uncaught! With these and many other benefits that Nigeria stands to reap from the creation of a central identity database, it is worrisome

Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu

that NIMC as the agency charged with these huge responsibilities is handicapped by lack of fund, thus, has not been able to move at the pace it desperately wishes to. Several media reports have pointed out that the agency lacks adequate equipment and the financial strength for logistics needed to carry out its duties. Indeed, the Director General of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz, categorically stated that in 2015

For a country like Nigeria with myriads of security challenges, one needs not be told how immensely helpful the creation of a centralised identity database of all Nigerians will be in addressing insecurity. Indeed, experiences in many developed countries have shown that all security agencies rely on information from centralised identity database to perform their functions awlessly, thus the governments place premium on identiďŹ cation in their budgeting plans

when he assumed office, he inherited a budget which was just two per cent of what was required for the year. Unfortunately, the poor funding has continued to hamper the agency’s activities, such that it could not produce the physical cards for many Nigerians that have been captured. But despite this challenge, NIMC has kept its head high with enrolments, as it continues to encourage Nigerians to enrol for the National Identification Number (NIN), which is even more important than the physical identity card. The NIMC DG while advising Nigerians on the importance of the NIN recently described it as a most crucial feature of their entire life as it is the unique identifier for all in Nigeria. Of course NIMC would like to issue Nigerians with the physical multipurpose electronic Identity Card, but it cannot do so due to lack of funds! It behoves government to provide NIMC the funding it requires, to enable the commission meet the fundamental needs of Nigerians to have the national identity card without having to wait for eternity after enrolling and receiving the NIN. However, Engr. Aziz advises Nigerians to view the NIN the same way Social Security Number is regarded in the United States, the National Insurance Number in the United Kingdom, or AADHAR number in India. “What is common in all the countries I mentioned is just the number. Therefore, you need a unique NIN from cradle to grave,� he emphasised in a recent statement issued by Mr. Loveday Ogbonna, Head, Corporate Communications Unit of NIMC. Demonstrating that the agency is still up and doing despite the challenges, the NIMC boss advised Nigerians and residents to present themselves to be enrolled for the NIN to avoid the usual rush that may arise with enforcement of the mandatory use of NIN for transactions and access to services as stipulated in NIMC Act of 2007, Section 27. The DG NIMC noted that “by law and along the entire lifecycle of individuals in Nigeria, you need to present your NIN whenever you need to be identified for services such as passport issuance, banking services, land transactions, insurance services, pension, health insurance, payment of taxes, voter’s registration, consumer credits, and all government services,� he said.

“In all these there’s nothing temporary about the NIN slip issued after registration,� he said, in apparent reaction to questions and enquiries in some quarters where some Nigerians had asked whether the NIN is a temporary feature while the physical electronic Identity Card is yet to be issued, and added that “the NIN is your identity and is considered more important than the card.� With such devotion and dedication by an agency not adequately funded, it can only be imagined how fast it could have moved with this all-important identification project were the necessary fund provided adequately. It is time for the Nigerian government to realise that whether as a tool for security through which terrorism and influx of illegal aliens can be fought; whether as a tool for taxation where each unique unit becomes taxable entity; whether as a channel for accessing social welfare by citizens; identity is indeed the most valuable asset that countries cherish and hold dear. Nigeria will be doing well to follow the same line in budgeting adequately to have a credible identity system where every citizen is captured and has the unique number. And while the agency is under the supervision of the Presidency, the National Assembly will be doing Nigerians a great favour by standing up to the challenges confronting this agency in the area of funding. NIMC is a national asset and a national pride and it must be treated in such way through the right funding. For Nigerians who are yet to go for the enrolment, this is the right time to do so and obtain the NIN, because a time is coming, and soon it is, when this will become compulsory for all Nigerians. It is better to get enrolled now before the enforcement of this as the prerequisite for accessing government services. Obviously, this has been the closest Nigeria has ever got to achieving this laudable goal of having a central national identity database and the agency in charge has proven that it is capable of delivering this mandate if given the required funding and supports. We must not let this opportunity slip by again. - Ade, a public affairs commentator, wrote in from Abuja

T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2017

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Branding as Catalyst for Growth Thought leaders and industry experts who recently gathered at the national branding conference organised by brandzone, advocated for the need to take ownership of and promote more positive narratives around our nation’s brand. Nume Ekeghe reports Brandzone Consulting in collaboration with the Centre for Values in Leadership held the inaugural National Branding Conference 2017 recently in Lagos. This edition of the Brand Innovation Conference with the theme “Branding: A Catalyst for Development and Growth was flagged off as the first ever National Branding Conference in Nigeria designed with the objective of creating a strong and positive Brand Narrative for the nation. The conference which was broadly inclusive recorded attendees incuding prominent Nigerians from diverse background that cut across the public sector, private sector, corporations, enterprise owners, visionary Board Directors and policymakers from diverse sectors. The conference had a rich line up of speakers and resource persons that include some of the nation’s most accomplished thought leaders, subject matter experts, business trailblazers, policy makers, catalysts, entrepreneurs and investors. Objectives In her welcome address, the Managing Partner, Brandzone Consulting LLC and the Convener, National Branding Conference, Chizor Malize, stated that the Conference was birthed out of a burning desire to stir the nation towards adopting a deliberate approach in promoting a positive national narrative. She noted that the National Branding Conference 2017, the first of its kind in Nigeria, brings to the fore the need to be deliberate and be strategic about building a strong, positive, unified public narrative for our nation that citizens can own and be proud of. Malize said: “This year’s National Branding Conference comes in recognition of the need to take ownership of and promote more positive narratives around our Nation’s brand. It is a strategic response to the need to consistently convey an appropriate and progressive public narrative that ensures our diversity, strengths and attributes as a nation are projected positively and consistently around the world.� Speaking further Malize noted: “We must be systematic about building a strong national brand by seeking to promote the commonalities that unify us. We must evolve and embrace a uniformity of message as a nation, that projects our strengths, diversity and capabilities positively. We must play our role as great citizens in our various capacities. As a people we must imbibe a positive mind-set, develop and be driven by positive value systems, we must consistently demonstrate love for nation through our words and actions, we must be intentional about selling to the world our brand story and not allow the world tell our stories as they find suitable. We need to collectively rise to the challenge and take ownership of our story� she enthused. In his welcome address, Founder and Chief Executive Officer Centre for Values in Leadership and Co-Convener, National Branding Conference 2017, Professor Pat Utomi urged participants to take interest in the matters around the nation and the national branding. “Every citizen of Nigeria must take keen interest in and participate actively in the national branding process by projecting a positive image of the nation in ways that attract tourism, foreign capital, and other investments that lead to growth and development of the economy. We must consistently promote the external image of the nation and also the internal image to ourselves. Just the same way that businesses attempt to influence their customers’ perceptions of their brands through strategic brand positioning, we as a nation must attempt to influence the perception of both the internal and external stakeholders of this great nation� He remarked Need for patriotism In her address, the Conference Chairperson and Keynote Speaker, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, enjoined participants and Nigerians as a whole to embrace love for the nation and demonstrate

L-R: Founder/CEO, House of Tara International, Tara Fela-Durotoye; Chairman, First Bank of Nigeria Limited & Chairperson, National Branding Conference, Mrs. IbukunAwosika; Managing Partner, Brandzone Consulting LLC & Convener, National Branding Conference, Chizor Malize and Co-Founder, AACE Foods, Ndidi Nwuneli at the Brand Innovation Conference 2017 in Lagos‌recently passion and commitment to building a Nigerian brand of high value and equity. According to Awosika, “Our Citizens must play active role in promoting the nations brand through our positive actions. Like products, countries should be deliberate and strategic about cultivating a strong and positive image because how they are perceived by both the citizens, the visitors and the world at large can have impact on both the economy of the nation and the people on that nation. Visionary countries are transforming the way that people perceive them. They are deliberate about becoming points of destination for tourism, business hubs and foreign investments points. Nigeria is not an exception; as a nation we must purposefully work towards attracting economic value to our nation through nation branding.â€? Knowledge exchange opportunities The highlight of the conference was the extensive knowledge exchange by the various speakers through the different plenary sessions and the highly interactive engagement by the delegates. Speakers at the first conference plenary session titled ‘Beyond the age of Oil: Finding Growth Opportunities in Diversification’ were the Former Minister of Solid Mineral/ Education and Co-Founder, Transparency International, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, former Governor, Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, Dr Andrew S. Nevin, FS Advisory Leader and Chief Economist PwC West Africa, Mr. Akin Rotimi, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, representing Dr. Kayode Fayemi. Moderating the plenary was the Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleiman. The panel evaluated the potential in the diversification of the nation’s economy across other key sectors beyond oil such as mining, agriculture, travel and tourism etc. It evaluated the impediments to growth and evaluated the key success factors inherent in the sectors as well as the opportunities

in building positive national brand narrative leveraging the milestones achieved across the sectors. The second plenary titled From Local to Global: Harnessing growth opportunities through brand export had thought leaders and subject matter experts cutting across the public sector, corporations and brand strategists who shared insights on the opportunities in creating positive national engagements abroad through brands exported out of Nigeria. This plenary was led by Malize. Co-Founder of AACE Foods, Ndidi Nwuneli led the discussion on the third plenary titled: Breaking New Grounds: SMEs as Economic Growth Engine. She provided insight on the challenges faced by SME in the Nigerian Environment, the growth opportunities and key steps for maximising SME growth. The plenary explored the contribution of the SMEs to national growth and development through job creation, brand export and economic progression. Other speakers on the plenary include Tara Fela-Durotoye, Founder & CEO House of Tara, Seyi Abolaji, Co-Founder, Wilson’s Juice Company, Toyosi Kolawole, CEO, AUDEO Clothing Line, Mike Oye, Head, SME Funds, Bank of Industry. The moderator for the SME focused plenary was Laoye Jaiyeola, Managing Director, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG). The fourth plenary session focused on the Entertainment, Media and Arts sector. The plenary topic was The Business of Entertainment: Maximising Opportunities in Entertainment, Media, Fashion and Lifestyle. The plenary examined these sub-sectors as key opportunity area for economic growth, brand export and positive public and national narrative. The speakers on this plenary include Obi Asika, Atunyota Akpobome (Alibaba) and Henry Bassey, Chief Marketing Officer Sterling Bank Plc, The Plenary Session was led by Femi Osinubi, Partner & Head, ICT and Entertainment Group, PwC West Africa

and the plenary was moderated by Biola Alabi, Founder/Managing Director, Biola Alabi Media. Speaking on the conference, Chief Executive Officer 141 Worldwide Agency and Member, Brand Innovation Conference Advisory Board, Lampe Omoleye said: “The National Branding Conference 2017 exceeded expectations. The speakers line up was broad and made up of individuals of good pedigree, strong track record and repute. The profile of attendees was rich and the audience engagement and participation was very high with a broad based participation from diverse background which cut across professionals from the public sector, the private sector, visionary business owners, bankers, communications experts, small and medium entrepreneurs, young professionals and media experts. It was a very enriching event� he remarked Regarding his experience as a participant at the conference, the MD/CEO of Culture Communications Limited, Yomi Benson noted: “The National Branding Conference organisers did a phenomenal job of lining up such a thought-provoking and relevant agenda for this year’s conference. The National Brand is a very relevant subject matter for our nation right now. The speakers did a great job in evaluating the issues at stake and highlighting opportunities for our nation’s branding. The delegates were robust in terms of the diversity of their background making for a very interesting engagement. In all it was a very stimulating and inspiring experience�. In her closing remark Malize thanked all who were instrumental to the recorded success of the conference. She recapped the learning from the full day conference and expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who made valuable support to the successful execution of the conference including the media. Participants at the Conference were full of commendation for the knowledge filled sessions and the interactive and networking platform the conference provided.

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Arresting the Farmers-Herdsmen Conflicts in Nigeria The Search for Common Ground, a non-governmental organisation recently brought together experts and major stakeholders to chart a path for arresting the now common trend of farmers-herders’ conflicts in parts of the country. The one-day forum was held under the auspices of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies at Maizube farms near Minna, the Niger state capital. Dipo Laleye writes

Farmers and herders can live in peace together

A

part from the crisis in the Niger Delta region and in the North-eastern part of the country which Nigeria has had to grapple with, the farmers herders’ conflicts in some parts of the country have become a thorn in the flesh of both the local and states governments where the feuds have become prevalent, and federal government which has had to come in to restore peace. Ripple Effects From available records, not less than 2,500 persons were killed in 2016 alone during the crisis. The records also showed that a whopping 62,000 people have been displaced and placed in the Internally Displaced Peoples Camps set up by the states and federal government. Benue state, one of the states where these crises had reached its peak, is believed to have the highest number of IDPs and IDP camps. Other states in this category are Plateau, Nasarawa and Kaduna. Cost Implications Former Head of state and Chair of the governing council of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who also has been a global apostle of peace since he left office unveiled a staggering figure of the amount the farmers-herders clashes had caused the states, individuals and the federal government, a colossal $13.7 billion if when conservatively converted to local currency would be in trillions of Naira. Executive Facilitator CORAFID Benue state, Dr. Nathaniel Msen Awuapila, who was one of the participants at the forum, corroborated this when he submitted that Benue state lost over N95 billion between 2015 and 2016 as a result of farmers-herders clash. The staggering amount is more than the annual budgets of the affected states and the loss may have been partly responsible for the inability of these states to pay workers’ salaries and pensions of retirees and also meet other obligations to the people who elected them into office. Root Causes The origin of these conflicts dates back to more than two decades in most instances and is primarily centred on the struggle for the control of arable land and water by both the farmers and herders. Increase in population of the affected states also escalated the conflicts because the demand for land for farming purposes

and grazing land for animals also increased. As the crises festered over the years, ethnicity, religion and politics crept in; making the situation to become worrisome and uncontrollable. General Abubakar, also tracing the history of the farmers - herders’ clashes, said these categories of people “have had beneficial and cordial relationships with minimal conflicts in the past and had mechanism of resolving them without resorting to destructive acts of violence against one another “Currently there is a breakdown of communal trust, conflict resolution mechanism and these conflicts have become deadly with the loss of lives livelihoods and properties�, he added. Various Dimensions The project analyst, Mrs. Bukola AdemolaAdelehin, on her part submitted that farmersherders’ conflicts in Nigeria have different dimensions including religious and ethnic colorations as well as the livelihood that directly pitched farmers and herders against each other in stiff competition for land, water, and other resources critical to sustaining their livelihood. She opined that “addressing this protracted and often violent conflict required a new way of doing things and building synergy between peacebuilding practitioners and researchers

working on issues to focus on strengthening the quality of the evidence collected through practice and increase the dissemination of practitioner knowledge towards policy institutions�. Response Scenario Perhaps what has aggravated the conflicts in the affected states and other parts of the country where such crisis occur is the almost total absence of early warning and early response to the crisis. Security operatives, according to the discussants, often waited until the perpetrators of the crime had disappeared and the media made to report that “unidentified and unknown gunmen had ravaged a particular community before arriving at the scene.� Sadly enough one of the participants said such situations often become veritable ground for some security operatives to make millions of naira by shortchanging the people, especially Fulani herdsmen who have to sell off their cattle to meet the demands of the operatives. The use of combatant languages and words by the leadership especially when they address the feuding communities often aggravated the crisis. At the forum it was said that the deployment of the military to the crisis area by the federal government was often counterproductive because like other security operatives the

soldiers deployed often take side with the feuding communities. “Government should not be one sided in this type of thing� a participant said. The case in point, according to the participants, was the title of the law, “anti-grazing law� which came into effect on November 1 in Benue state. The title of the law, according to the participants, creates the impression that it is targeted at only herdsmen a development that could make them more stubborn and set to damn the consequences when the law comes into effect. Visible Loopholes Picking more holes in the government policy, the participants expressed believe that enough of sensitisation and education of the various groups that would be affected by the law were not carried out. With just a few days to the takeoff of the law, the Benue state government had not provided alternative for the herdsmen who would be caught by the anti-grazing law. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

RANDOM THOTS Pandora’s Box No one anticipated this. When the Ă™Ă?ÓÙ̋ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă™Ă—Ă“Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ‹ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ ĂœĂ™Ă”Ă?Ă?Ăž Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă‹ Ă?Ă“Ă Ă“Ă– Ă?Ă™Ă?Ă“Ă?Þã Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂž ĂŽĂ“ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂŽĂ?ÞËÓÖĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă˜ĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ę¨ĂœĂ?Ăž ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă? Ă™Ă? ͔͙͙ ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ™Ă˜ Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŒ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă?ĂŽĂ–ĂŁ Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ͔͖ Ă?ÞËÞĂ?Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă“Ăž Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ę¨ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă‹Ă–Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă?Ă–Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă“Ăž Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž respect. ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ËŞĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂšĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă‹Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ Ă“ĂžËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă‹Ă?Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ę¨Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁ Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ Ă’Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂŽ Ă™Ă? ÞÒÓĂ? Ă—Ă‹ĘľĂ?ĂœË› Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ Ă–Ă?ÞÒËÖ ĂĄĂ?Ă‹ĂšĂ™Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜

Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă“Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ăž ÞÙ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ&#x;ĂžĂ’Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžË› Ă˜ĂŽ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă? Ă–Ă&#x;ĂŒ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ËŞ ĂĄĂ“Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă– Ă“Ă? ÙÚĂ?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ™ĂœĂ‹ËŞĂ? Ùâ Ă™Ă? ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ Ę¨Ă˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă– ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă™Ă–Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ËÖ×ÓÑÒÞã Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă—Ă™Ă&#x;Ă?Ă–ĂŁ ĂĄĂ?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂž ÞÙ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ?Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă Ă?Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? âĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂœĂ&#x;ĂŽĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂŒĂŁ ÞÒĂ? ĂĄĂ‹ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂšĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ë› Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’Ëœ Ă?Ù×Ă? citizens are reminding the CSO to add ÙÞÒĂ?Ăœ ĂœĂ?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ? ÞÙ Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;ÑÒÞ˛ Ă’Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂĄĂ‹Ă˜Ăž ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ? ÞÙ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă? Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ à ÙÞĂ? ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂœĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ‹Ë›

Ă’Ă?ĂŁ ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă‘ Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?ÙÖÙÑÓĂ?Ă‹Ă– Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ Ă?Ù×Ă? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă?Ă‘Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ËŠĂŒĂ™ĂœĂœĂ™ĂĄĂ?ĂŽËŞËž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă?ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ‹Ă– Ă‹Ă–Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? ͕͘͘ Ă–Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă– ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂŽĂ™Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă&#x;ĂœĂ‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? ÞÙ Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?ĂŽ Ă&#x;Ăš ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?Ăž Ă™Ă? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™ĂœĂ? ËŠĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂšĂ?ËŞ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă• ĂŽĂ™Ă™ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ ÞÒĂ? ÒËÖÖÙåĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă—ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ–ĂŁË› Ă™Ăœ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄËœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ? Ă?Ă—ĂšĂžĂŁĂ“Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă–Ă– ÞÒĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă˜ĂŽËŁË›Ë›Ë›Ă’Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă? ĂšĂ&#x;ääÖĂ? -Abimbola Akosile

33

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

Ëš

Official corruption; major development setback for any country

Is the Anti-corruption War Back on Track? Although the current administration has come under a lot of criticism for its perceived lukewarm stance on high-profile official corruption, contrary to campaign promises and citizens’ expectations, the recent sacking of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the DirectorGeneral of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) by the President appears to be sending a different positive response to official corruption. In your view, is the war against corruption in Nigeria back on track? What else should be done? THE FEEDBACK

Abimbola Akosile * Yes, this anti-corruption war is still on track if only Nigerians are patient enough to enjoy the results of government and well-wishers in this sure direction. The looted pension funds, Ikoyi apartment discovery, $321 million loot from Switzerland, several other individual, groups, corporate etc, treasury loots both locally and in the Diaspora have put a lot of excesses in check so far. The economy has emerged out of recession therefrom. Obvious culprits are adjudged innocent until proven otherwise; hence all the frustrating delays. The panacea is genuine patience and unity. - Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * Nope, the war is not back on track, I’m afraid! And, we don’t need a war. What we need, in my view, is the entrenchment of a system that makes it difficult or impossible for corruption to thrive. Why should we be wasting resources on a fight without results, when we can put in place a system that works efficiently to discourage corrupt practices? - Mr. Mike Utsaha, Legal Practitioner, Abuja * The anti-corruption war is never back on track as far as this regime is concerned. Yes, the former SGF and the former NIA DirectorGeneral have been sacked, but why did it take PMB several months to do the right thing? Don’t you think it was due to public pressure? In fact, left to PMB alone, nothing could have happened to them. From what is being said of his cabinet members, none of them is qualified to be there. All those who decamped from the PDP and are holding sensitive positions in the current regime are the worst corrupt Nigerians, but they are being shielded by the power of PMB, otherwise let a proper probe be instituted. Again, many Nigerians are hypocrites; they see the truth and refuse to say it. To some, it is to protect the image of their brothers; but nepotism is also corruption. - Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * The real war died when former EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was removed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua/ Goodluck Jonathan administration. We never

Yes, it is back:

3

No, it is not back:

5

Others:

4

Radical tip:

Jail the ex-SGF!

Total no of respondents:

12

Male:

10

Female:

2

Highest location:

Lagos (5)

had it so good. The current Chairman, Magu should be given a free hand to operate. He’s been awesome so far. - Mr. Chnazor Megbolu, Lagos State * The current administration has shown bold steps against corrupt officials. The best way is also to try and prosecute the high-profile officials that are corrupt, and work effectively with the judiciary, bankers, relevant ministries and organisations e.t.c. Government should develop a corruption template for monitoring and work with some Non-Governmental organisations to track the national budget. Develop a citizen report card for accountability, increase use of technology in tracking, and use theater, drama, sports, and slogans on radio and televisions to discourage people against corruption. - Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Apo, Abuja * It is a welcome action taken by PMB to sack long awaited SGF and the NIA boss for corruption intake. This will be a lesson to other political leaders. When PMB said he is for everybody and for nobody, Nigerians thought he was just joking. Now his inaugural speech is playing up in his government over the corrupted appointees that engage in corruption. We must support this government for corruption fighting. - Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * Can a leopard change its skin? Curbing

corruption in Nigeria will actually be effective if we start from the home front, rethink our values as a nation and mean it indeed by instituting corruption-free systems. We are all guilty for our shame and must fight to restore our nation back on track. - Ms. Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State * No, the promises made by them have been derailed. Are they actually on the right track? Many of his political appointees etc, may end up with the EFCC, ICPC, or in jail because they are already soiled with corruption. He should note the discordant voices around him; some of them are sycophants. Nigerians are asking silent questions on achievements and failures of this administration. - Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State * This anti-graft war is still very much on track as PMB never relented in his vow to totally exterminate corruption in Nigeria for our collective good. Complex as this task is, PMB won’t intentionally step on innocent toes. A lot going on behind the scenes cannot be served raw to the eager public until properly concluded otherwise genuine cases could be unfortunately aborted or hijacked by selfish interests. We must be patient and more united now. - Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * For me, the status quo remains unchanged. It took almost six months to fire the SGF and we’re yet to see the man brought to book. PMB the other day talked about expanding his cabinet, instead of simply replacing incompetent cabinet members. Is this not the same person that lampooned the GEJ administration regarding a bloated cabinet? I think PMB should just focus on arriving at 2019 with Nigeria not worse off than before. - Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R. Resources, Apo, Abuja * Any fight against corruption, without recovery of loot, is for me not of much value. Even the few seizures and forfeitures we’ve had have not recovered anything close to what plea bargain convictions can provide. Outside plea bargaining convictions and a few measly fines, not a single kobo has been recovered from the concluded regular high

profile corruption convictions in court since the return of democracy in 1999. We need to shift our focus more on loot recovery than anything else. - Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * I don’t believe this administration’s war against corruption is back on track, as long as some of the cabinet members are viewed with suspicion on corrupt allegations. Although PMB has fired the SGF and DG NIA, it is obvious that he was under local and international pressure to act. Now, to really confirm his avowed war to end corruption, both former top government officials must be brought to court, tried, prosecuted, convicted and sentenced. - Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State

Next Week: Can Youths Truly Ensure Better Leadership? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă?ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă– ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹ĂŽĂ—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă–ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ–ĂŁ ÙʊĂ?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ?Ę° Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă? Ă™Ă˜ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă? ĂžĂ&#x;Ă˜Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă‘Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– ĂšĂœĂ‹Ă?ÞÓĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă–Ă? ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ę¨Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ ÚÙĂ?ÓÞÓà Ă? Ă?âË×ÚÖĂ? Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă‹Ăž ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘Ëœ ĂŽĂŁĂ˜Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă?Ă Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă‹ Ă“ĂŽĂŽĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă–Ăž ÞËÞĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ÑËÞÓà Ă? Ă?âË×ÚÖĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă‹ ĂŒĂœĂ‹Ă?Ă’Ëœ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ë› Ă™ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ëœ Ă“Ă? Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ?ÞÞĂ?Ăœ ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŽĂŁĂ˜Ă‹Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă—Ëž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ&#x;Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂŒĂ?ĘľĂ?Ăœ Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?Ă’Ă“Ăš Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“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‹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 Íš Ęś Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ùà Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͔͒̚ ÞÙ abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail. comËœ abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.comË› Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž ĂžĂ?âÞ Ă—Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă‘Ă? ÞÙ 08023117639 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËš Ă™Ăœ 08188361766 Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽËšĂ™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 Í’Í—

34

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Nigeria surely needs budding engineers like these young ones being groomed at Scholand School in Lagos

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

NGO Harps on Migration Crisis, Offers Scholarship to Victims of Conflicts As former DCGI unveils handbook on karate Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Conflict Resolution and Migration Awareness Initiative (CRAMAI), a non-governmental organisation, has enshrined as its core objectives the tackling of migration crises in Nigeria and the award of scholarships to victims of conflicts across the country, especially those affected in the Boko Haram terrorists ravaged areas of the North-east region. This was disclosed by the International Director of CRAMAI, Dr. Emmanuel Brasca Ifeadi, at the unveiling ceremony of the organisation and launching

of a ‘Handbook on Shotokan Karate for Beginners: Elucidating Karate Myths, Fallacies and Truism’, which took in Abuja recently. Ifeadi, who is a retired Deputy Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (DCGI), said a major aim of the CRAMAI is “to award peace scholarship to young people, including those affected by conflicts, in order to ensure that they not left out of education.� He noted that such scholarships would help victims of conflicts to get access to quality education without too much stress.

“As we are all aware�, he said, “Nigeria has been grappling with a plethora of disastrous and debilitating challenges such as terrorism in the North-East and farmers/herdsmen conflicts in Plateau, Benue, Ekiti, Delta, Edo, Taraba, Imo and other states. He stated: “We have also recorded several incidents of cattle rustling, political violence, multiple bloody communal crises, ethno-religious conflicts, and various escapades across the country; while human trafficking, irregular migration and militancy have remained popular heinous crimes around the Niger Delta and in other

parts of the country. “To douse ethno-religious crises and conflicts, the Peace Scholarship and award remedy therapy would also be extended to the elderly and youths who have genuinely encouraged peace building and peaceful co-existence in their communities in Nigeria and other conflict ridden locations around the world.� Ifeadi also said the NGO would assist the government and international bodies in formulating policies aimed at preventing and eradicating current irregular migration trends in the country.

Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Silas Agara, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, said the establishment of the NGO was well timed. Agara, who is also the President of Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN), said both the organisation and the handbook on karate would go a long way in helping the government tackle crises and conflicts in the country. The occasion was well attended by former ComptrollerGenerals of Immigration (CGI), Chukwurah Udeh and David Parradang, as well the repre-

sentative of the current CGI Mohammad Babandede. Also speaking, the Chief Launcher and the lawmaker representing Aniocha and Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State, Hon (Mrs.) Onyemaechi Mrakpor, commended Ifeadi on the focus of the NGO and handbook on fitness and self defence. “Like I said, writing a book is a very great one and I want to encourage him to write more. For him to have two PhDs is not a joke; I was particularly thrilled with the self-defence mechanism in the karate manual,� she said.

Participate in Politics, Hold Top Positions in Govt, IPC Urges Women Oluwafunke Lasisi The International Press Centre (IPC) has urged women across the country to participate meaningfully in politics and stand the chance to contest for top positions in government offices during election campaigns, in order to ensure a better and progressive nation. This call was made at a workshop on women participation in politics titled ‘Advancing Women in Governance and Political Participation’, to educate more women on politics and knowing their rights on where they can vote and be voted for into power, which was recently held in Lagos. Lawyer, politician and gender advocate, Mrs. Jumoke

Anifowoshe, who spoke on overview of the issues and prospects for strategic positioning and networking, said government parastatals, individuals and the people at large should stop gender discrimination in their mindset and work towards building up the women, bringing both men and women together to promote progress and unity in the country. She further enjoined that women should participate and attend seminars and workshops to know more about politics and be able to contest for positions during elections, stressing that, although women suffer lots of challenges such as sexual harassment from their male

counterparts in politics when looking for position which discourage them and family issues, they should not relent because women also need to be at the top. She said Nigeria’s political leaderships are full of men and the situation works against women interest where male politicians are not comfortable with strong-willed women who they cannot control, adding that she had earlier contested three times for elective top positions but did not get there. She advised the government to implement international treaties on Affirmative Action as well as the Beijing Plan of Action by legislating for 30 per cent of elective and appointive positions for women.

Other guest speakers like the Executive Director, Gender and Development Action (GADA), Mrs. Ada Agiina-Ude; Executive Director, Female Leadership Forum (FLF), Mrs. Comfort Idika-Ogunye, and a grassroots politician and political activist, Mrs. Remilekun Adeniji spoke on various aspects of women taking top positions in politics; imperatives and support from men in politics. They said women should not see themselves as competitors or as competing with their male counterparts but to work on building the nation together to a greater height. Adeniji professed that the support systems, including affirmative action, were impera-

tive for women to overcome the various barriers against their effective participation in governance or during election. Agina-Ude noted that women are not enough in policy making, and mentioned the various facets of life in Nigeria as studies have revealed that there are only eight per cent of women participation in governance, while men occupy 92 per cent of the political space. She advised women across the country to be more helpful to female aspirants during either primary or main election as there is gender inequality in politics. In addition, the Centre also showcased issues on the need to advance the rights of People with Disabilities

(PWDs) to actively participate during election period and to positively engage the electoral process. Lagos State University (LASU) lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Dr. Dele Seteolu, highlighted that women with disability, people with physical challenges, people with Albinism, people with leprosy cases, and people with visual and hearing impairment are mostly being deprived of their right during election. He said the PWDs are also appealing to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create spaces for them in the electoral bodies, in order to be able to vote and be voted for into power during election period.

35

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Theremustbetransparencyandaccountabilityinthespendingoftherefund(ParisClub),inlinewith theprincipleofOpenGovernmentPartnership(OGP)towhichNigeriaisasignatory.Citizensmustbe abletoassesstheperformanceofgovernment,andthisdependsonaccesstorecordsaboutspending oftherefundsbythe35states� - DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SERAP, MR. TIMOTHY ADEWALE, IN A STATEMENT ISSUED IN LAGOS Sterling Bank Gets recognition for Commitment to Sustainable Environment Temitope Omabegho

UN Women Nigeria Advocate Opportunities for All Persons

Gender

Equal

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe The UN Women Peace and Security Programme Nigeria has advocated the passage of the Gender Equal Opportunities for All Persons bill in Gombe state. The Gender Technical Adviser for UN Women Peace and Security Gombe State, Rhoda Zira Dia, made the call at the opening ceremony of a two-day retreat engagement meeting with members of the Gombe state Executive Council on Gender for Equal Opportunities for All bill, held at the Command Guest House, Bauchi, recently. The meeting was funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNICEF and the state ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. Dia said the goal of the programme was to strengthen the engagement of women in peace and security at all levels of decision-making. According to her, “It seeks to strengthen women roles in conflict prevention, peacemaking and peace building. It also seeks to mitigate the impact of conflict upon women and girls including gender-based violence; and thirdly to enhance a conducive environment for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and monitoring of gender equality commitment in the country.� Dia stressed that these are the reasons for advocacy of legislation to enable women access public decision-making positions and strengthen their skills in mediation, negotiations and early warning. The UN Women Technical Adviser said “that is why we brought the executive to review and incorporate views for possible passing of the bill into law in the state.� In her remarks, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Rabi Daniel said, already Gombe state had signed a Letter of Agreement with the UN Women to promote women engagement in peace and security issues in the state. Daniel, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ishiaku

Women deserve respect and equity too Mohammed, said under the partnership bill committee was set up for gender and equal opportunities for all persons with members from MDAs, CSOs, Media, religious and traditional institutions with the aim to draft a bill that will reflect the culture, religions, capabilities and resources of the people of Gombe state. She however urged the participants to come up with positive contributions to humanity,

bearing in mind the fact that women have been relegated to the background right from family setting down to the political arena. The issue of gender equality and equity is one of the popular goals under the new global 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which were adopted by over 190 UN member-countries in September 2015 at the landmark 70th General Assembly (UNGA), which took place in New York, USA.

Sterling Bank Plc has received recognition from Wecyclers Nigeria Limited for its commitment to the sustainable implementation of the Nigerian Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBPs) through its Sterling Environmental Makeover (STEM) programme and the recycling of waste materials at its head office in Lagos. Wecyclers Nigeria, Nigeria’s pioneer waste recycling firm, gave the endorsement at the ceremony organised to mark one year of Sterling Bank’s waste recycling initiative, which held at the Sterling Towers, the head office of the bank in Lagos. Chief Executive Officer of Wecyclers, Mr. Wale Adebiyi, said out of a total of 6,024 kilogrammes of waste materials that were sorted, segregated and separated between November 2016 and November 2017, Sterling Bank earned 38,718 Redeemable Green Points. Adebiyi said waste materials were separated into cans of 98.1 kilogrammes, PET bottles of 3.496 kilogrammes and sachets of 3.2 kilogrammes while other waste materials such as cards, cardboards, papers and random plastics cumulatively accounted for 2.426 kilogrammes. He explained that although Wecyclers encountered some challenges earlier in its efforts at encouraging people and corporate organisations to recycle their waste, the company was encouraged by the commitment shown by Sterling Bank towards recycling of its waste materials. He added that Sterling Bank did not only show interest in the recycling of waste materials but has also shown commitment in other areas of sustainable environment, especially through its recent engagement of other stakeholders to clean the Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos as part of the STEM programme. Adebiyi noted that the initiative helped to improve a hitherto challenged environment at the Computer Village while also creating awareness on the need for sustenance of a clean environment among residents of Lagos State and elsewhere in the country. Chief Marketing Officer of Sterling Bank, Mr. Henry Bassey, said he was quite excited about the recognition given to the various initiatives that the bank has embarked on over the years to promote environmental sustainability practices. Bassey said the bank has also inaugurated the ReCyclart competition to promote environmental sustainability. He disclosed that 16 finalists who emerged after the screening of entries have been invited to make a miniature version of their proposed works. He said four grand prize winners will eventually emerge from each zone including Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Abuja. Each of the winners would be rewarded with N1,000,000 and sponsored on a solo installation/exhibition in one public park or space. The event will end with the unveiling of a site-specific installation in a public place. Chief Risk Officer of Sterling Bank, Mr. Imaji Ojonimi, said the bank hopes to extend the recycling project, currently limited to its head office, to other branches in the nearest future. Ojonimi added that Sterling Bank has also embarked on a mission to encourage selected customers to imbibe environmental sustainability principles in their operations. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

36

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Preventing Diseases through Food Safety While unsafe food causes several diseases, including cancer, diarrhea and cholera, which are common in Nigeria, scientists believe one of the best ways of tackling healthcare challenges is through access to safe and nutritious food. Martins Ifijeh writes

W

hile the World Health Organisation has identified food safety as one of the major ways of tackling several diseases threatening human existence, as well as achieving some targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), indications suggest not many countries are giving it a priority. The health body says many low and middle income countries are still having significant rise in disease burdens like diarrhoea, cholera and malnutrition due to unsafe foods containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances. An estimated 600 million – almost one in 10 people in the world – fall ill after eating contaminated food and 420,000 die every year, resulting in the loss of 33 million healthy life years. The statistics show that for diarrhoea alone, children under five years of age who suffer from it globally are over 220 million with about 96,000 losing their lives to it every year. Food experts say food safety and its security has a major role to play in the health indices of a nation, noting that unsafe food creates a vicious cycle of disease and malnutrition, particularly affecting infants, young children, elderly and the sick. They also believe food borne diseases impede socio-economic development by straining healthcare systems, and harming national economies, tourism and trade. According to WHO, “Improving food safety is a key in achieving SDG. Governments should make food safety a public health priority, as they play a pivotal role in developing policies and regulatory frameworks, establishing and implementing effective food safety systems that ensure that food producers and suppliers along the whole food chain operate responsibly and supply safe food to consumers. Food can become contaminated at any point of production and distribution, and the primary responsibility lies with food producers.” It is in addressing the health challenges posed by unsafe food in Nigeria, as well as improve the country’s economy through food safety, food security and food value chain that the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) organised its 41st conference and annual general meeting in Abuja. At the Coca Cola sponsored event, food scientists said food poisoning from spoilage was a serious public health issue that can cause serious illness or sometimes lead to permanent disability or even death, with the call for appropriate processing, production,

Nigeria has a bad culture of processing and preserving food, which affects its quality and nutritional value, adding that policies need to be implemented to monitor the food chain process right from the production to point of sale

L-R: National President, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Dr. Dahiru J. Adamu; Deputy Governor, Kano State, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar; and Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, The Coca-Cola Company, Dr. Wamwari Waichungo, at the NIFST 41st Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja recently

transportation, storage, preparation and sale of food in hygienic conditions. They said there was need for the provision and consumption of healthier foods that are affordable, accessible and locally available. They opined that Nigeria is green with abundant nutritional food plants and herbs, but lack regulation and standard to produce quality food for consumption. Speaking at the conference, the Vice President, Global Scientific and Regulatory Affairs, CocaCola Company, Atlanta, United States, Dr. Wamwari Waichungo called on Nigeria to take issues of food safety and regulation seriously in order to drive the country’s economy and increase the health indices of its people. She said the country needs scientific discipline on handling, preparation and storage of food in order to prevent food borne illness, adding that this will add to customer confidence for patronising local foods and beverages. Waichungo said food plants sourced locally have more medicinal and nutritional value other than those imported from outside the country, in which its condition of preservation is unknown. In her presentation titled: ‘Leveraging Food Safety and Regulatory harmonisation to Drive Nigerian Food Economy’, she stressed that Nigeria has a bad culture of processing and preserving food, which affects its quality and nutritional value, adding that policies need to be implemented to monitor the food chain process right from the production to point of sale. “Food safety encompasses not only the prevention of gastro-intestinal illnesses caused by bacteria and viruses, but also the avoidance of harm from chemical contamination and the

ingestion of unwanted physical contaminants such as glass or metal. Nutrition is about making sure you get the right nutrients, vitamins, minerals, making sure we have enough protein. You can’t just have a group of scientists trying to solve a problem which is huge, they need gross collaboration to solve the problem. “When the quality of foods and other products meet international standards, Nigerians will no longer prefer to buy products abroad. “I worked for several years in Nigeria before I left for Atlanta, and what is easily noticed is that hardly you find anything sourced locally in Nigeria, yet the country is very green with high rainfall. For this to change, there must be conscious efforts, not only by food scientists or other members of the value chain, but the government as well. They should be involved through policies and implementations. “I know Nigeria has enough flower or cassava that can be processed into juice and foods, but we need to ensure we invest in factories that will also help preserve and increase their shelf lives.” Providing a way out, the food scientist said government should introduce incentives and policies, as these have worked in several countries that have grown their local industries. She said there should be agricultural incentives to build agricultural products, or incentives to build factory facilities. “Then, there should be disincentives on importation of such products. With incentive and disincentive, the market will be much more competitive, and then benefit local production eventually,” she said. On the belief by many Nigerians that the Coke in the formula in the country’s Coke was different from the

ones in developed countries like the U.S., she said Coke anywhere in the world contains the same formula. The National President, NIFST, Dr. Dahiru J. Adamu, said: “government should invest in food security as human health is governed predominantly by the nutritional value of food we consume, hence, affecting most of the activities that we do.” He stressed that food is the sole source of energy, minerals, and vitamins for the body and is responsible for the efficient metabolism of every bodily process, adding that the country needs to enshrine quality in its product, building a road map and action plan for sustainable development of its food sector. Speaking on the theme of the conference tagged: ‘Rejuvenating the Nigerian Economy Through Promotion of Food Value Chain’, the Chairman, Nigeria Beverage Panel and Retired Dean, College of Food and Human Ecology, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof. Babatunde Oguntona, said if the quality of food in Nigeria was good, the local consumer will be healthy and the producer will be able to export and earn more money, adding “Either way you are growing the economy.” Present at the conference include: the deputy governor of Kano Sate, Hafiz Abubaka; representatives of the Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) as well as the Director Generals of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Federal Institute for Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Consumer Protection Council (CPC), among others.

37

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

NEWS

‘334,400 Children not Immunised with PCV in Lagos State’ Martins Ifijeh Save the Children International (SCI) has revealed that as at December 2016, not less than 334,400 children of under oneyear-old were not immunised with the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV). It said pneumonia killed at least 33,120 children of under five in 2016, while 90 children lost their lives daily in the state due to the preventable disease. Stating this during the Global Pneumonia Report Launch in Lagos recently, the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Adviser, SCI, Dr. Opeyemi Odedere said while three per 1000 live births is the target pneumonia death rate for under fives by 2025, as envisaged under the Global

Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPPD), that of Lagos remains at nine 1000 live births going by its 2016 report. “As at December 2016, Lagos State PVC vaccine coverage among one year olds stands at 32 per cent.” According to him, though Lagos’ under five mortality rate is still at 50 per 1000 live births, the target for SDG by 2030 is put at 25 per 1000 live births, thereby urging the state to work towards the set mark. “As per the 2025 targets set in the 2012 World Health Assembly Resolution, the vital steps towards ending malnutrition by 2030 are: 40 per cent reduction in stunting in children under five. To remain on track to achieve

SDG 2 in 2030, Lagos State needs to reduce stunting rates to seven per cent by 2025. He said for the state to be able to tackle health challenges among Lagosians, there should be increase in the health budgeting, adding that, “the minimum recommended government spending per person in a year to provide essential health services by the WHO is put at $86. But that of Lagos is $8 as approved in its 2016 budget. “15 per cent is the minimum

WHO recommended government spend on health as per cent of GDP as per WHO recommendations, but that of Lagos is 9.6 per cent in 2016. Only 0.2 per cent of Lagos GDP was spent on health in 2016,” he added. The medical expert therefore called on the state to put pneumonia on its map since it’s the number one killer of children, adding that the state should prevent pneumonia deaths through universal vaccination.

“Among other things, there should be an establishment of an international partnership, an unrelenting focus on equity and the most disadvantaged children, as well as the strengthening of the state’s Health Strategic Plan, and setting up of guidelines for pneumonia prevention,” he said. On her part, Lagos State Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Coordinator, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, said in 2016 pneumonia killed 132,556

children; more than 15 children every hour, adding that 12.2 million children under two are un-immunised in Nigeria, going by a 2015 statistics. “Pneumonia has been falling through the cracks and has never been isolated for targeted interventions. Rather it has been embedded into the IMCI approach and not as a stand alone. Training of health workers on management of Pneumonia is part of key to reducing the scourge,” she added.

Expert Urges Nigerians to improve Diet, Dental Health against Heart Infection Rebecca Ejifoma As part of efforts to stem the tide against heart-related diseases, the Medical Director, United Heart Hospital and Clinics (UHHC), Lagos, Dr. Eugene Nwosu, has called on Nigerians to improve their eating lifestyle, dental hygiene, among others. The cardiologist, who practised for 33 years in the United States and other developed countries, identified some of the risk factors for heart disease as: eating poorly, old age, high blood pressure, diabetes and irregular physical exercise. Others are high cholesterol in the body, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, family history, stress, pollution and, interestingly, poor dental hygiene. Speaking to newsmen at the opening of UHHC - a cardiovascular and cardiology centre, in Lagos recently, he said when people hear right, heart disease can be decreased by 99 per cent. “When certain precautions are taken, the risk factors could be brought to the barest minimal. The first thing is to have the knowledge of how to take care of oneself against cardiovascular infections. It is important to eat the right foods and avoid sedentary lifestyle play a big role in curtailing heart failure, stroke other sudden attacks that don’t come with symptoms. Nwosu said there were a lot of rot and needs in Nigeria. “I’m aware of the lack of specialists here, underfunded healthcare system, lack of infrastructure and poor remuneration for medical workers. This is why I am here to contribute my quota to addressing these issues.” According to him, some of the lacks in Nigeria are: under-funded healthcare, infrastructure, poor salary, shortage of doctors - especially specialists. “Nigerians are flocking all over the world looking for answer - India, South Africa, England, UK, Egypt. They just go to anywhere. And sometimes the outcome has not been good and they wasting a lot of foreign money. Among his other reasons to

return include to establish a clinic of an international repute, to attract his colleagues abroad to return home and contribute their own quota to the development of the healthcare industry. The MD decried the government’s attitude towards resurrecting the sector. He canvassed health insurance scheme, saying kidney failure and other complex ailments were too expensive to treat from personal pocket. “The 33 years I spent in America, I didn’t see or hear of strike in any city there. Nigerian doctors are paupers I must be sincere with you.” Speaking also, the former Managing Director, Daily Times, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, said there was no better place for cardiovascular centre of the magnitude and standard founded by Nwosu. “Nigeria has serious challenges in many areas. But we can make a difference in cardiovascular diseases. Lagos is proud to have complementary private sector practice to cater to the health challenges of the teeming population. “ United Hearts embraces mentorship. “We are training young doctors. We are mortals. We shall die someday. That means if you don’t help to pass on the training to younger ones, that knowledge is wasted when you die. Hence, I take a lot of interest in trying to mentor my young doctors. Character matters, too. Things don’t work in this country because of character. People are not committed. The productivity is so low. People want to get paid and not do any job and that is acceptable. In the States, it is not so.” Now, among the 15 services United Hearts is known for include: ECG, cardia monitor, ambulatory blood pressure monitor, exercise stress test, stress echocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiogram and health education among others. Nwosu, therefore, harped on prevention. “It is very expensive to treat heart-related diseases in the country. So, prevention is cheaper and advisable.”

The Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside (5th left) and other participants at the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk organised by the agency in Lagos recently

Organisation Offers Free Cancer

CHAI, Lagos Warn against Screening to Residents of Eti-Osa Female Genital Mutilation against Cancer

Ayodeji Ake The Child Health Advocacy Initiative (CHAI) and the Lagos State Government have warned against female genital mutilation, saying it is unhealthy and violates the rights of women. Stating this in a press briefing on FGM in Lagos, the Executive Director, CHAI, Mrs. Lola Alonge, said FGM violates all human rights principles, including equality, non discrimination of sex and the right to health. She said FGM causes lifelong physical and psychological harm, as it affects the family, community, relationships and economic development. “Trained health workers who perform FGM are violating girls and women’s right to life and health. “We therefore call for the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP). On May 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan signed the VAPP into law. This law bans FGM and other traditional harmful practices. But the VAPP only applies at the Federal Capital Territory. It is now up to each state to domesticate the law. Previously, 11 states have enacted laws against FGM. However, there is inconsistency between passing and enforcing the law,” she said.

The Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Dr. Jide Idris, said FGM is the most barbaric form of killing and harming of women, adding that this leaves them psychologically traumatised. “FGM is a deeply rooted cultural belief that needs to be removed. It is not just enough to make the law, we need to call people together and create awareness on how to end FGM. In Lagos, we have 44 per cent practice because Lagos is a multi-national state with various ethnic groups. “FGM heals with irreparable scare that prevents the woman from enjoying sex, having babies, among other harms. Everyone needs to come together to fight against the practice. Idris, who was represented by the Director, Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Folashade Oludara, said, “We are told that 28 per cent are being conducted by health workers, but am sure it’s not in Lagos because any health worker caught doing so will be prosecuted,” he added. The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Lola Akande, said FGM was an abuse against the girl-child and women hence the need to be abolished. The commissioner, represented by Dr. Mrs. Sola Falana, said Lagos was ready to collaborate with CHAI in the eradication of the practice.

Rebecca Ejifoma A team of medical experts from the Dennis Ashley Wellness Clinic in collaboration with Eti-Osa Primary Healthcare Centre Lagos carried out free comprehensive community medical outreach in the LGA in its awareness drive against hypertension, cancer and diabetes as efforts to stem the tide. The exercise was second of its kind focus on non communicable diseases such as blood pressure, blood sugar level, cancer, weight, among others. Speaking during the activities, the Managing Director, Dennis Ashley Wellness Centre, Dr. Chima Oti, said the programme was to sensitise the community on the dangers of NCDs. He explained that most times people are worried about communicable diseases without paying attention to NCDs since it is often without symptom. “When blood pressure is too high, it affects what we call end organs – which can cause kidney failure, stroke. When that occurs, it is difficult for people to recover from it. Diabetes can make people go blind and cause several other damages. We all know that failure to detect cancer on time can lead to death,” he added. Oti, however, pointed out the

need for people to do away with ‘not my portion’ slogan and go for regular medical check-up, “that is not the way to healthy living. Nigerians need to be conscious of their health. If you detect disease at early stage you have a better chance of preventing the disease getting worse. We need to start moving from treatment to prevention because that will make a big different.” According to him, people should live healthy life, eat balance diet, exercise and don’t have blood pressure that is above World Health Organisation recommendation, adding that once you are a black man aged 40 to 45 years you need to check your blood pressure regularly. Also by losing weight alone, you can reduce the chance of diabetes. Chairman House Committee on Health, Business Rule, Ethics and Privileges in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Mr. Rotimi Ojutawo, commended the organiser for the gesture and urged the residence to adhere to the doctors’ recommendations. “We are happy for this gesture. Although we usually benefit from such free medical check-up in our local government, comprehensive screening like this is not common and the level of turn out gladdens my heart,” he added.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

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HEALTH HEALTH

Bode: Health Workers, Doctors Should Stop Battle of Supremacy Professor Christopher Bode is the Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital. In this interview with Martins Ifijeh, he emphasised the need for hospital staff to work as a team, as everyone is important in their field. He also talked on the importance of public private partnership in growing the health sector You have witnessed many strikes as Chief Medical Director of LUTH. What is the solution to health workers’ incessant strike? It is a phase that will pass. I think we were used as political folders by various political interests in the past. We pitched against one another because of this. There was a time in this country that doctors, nurses, laboratory workers and the rest worked as one team. But when people want to achieve various political short time gains, they start fights. I am not talking about the general politicians but the medical politicians who see this division as a means of accruing power. These things only happen because they are public institutions. You can’t see all that happen in the private sector where you are paid depending on hours you clock in for work and leave. As we speak now, up to 50 per cent of hospital consultations in the country take place in the private sector and it is growing. It may not be efficient yet but it will be. What we will advise medical health workers activists and politicians is to take heed and to know that the private healthcare will one day come to stay. And we should stop the battle of superiority. The patients does not care who is superior, once they come, they want treatment and care. Everybody is important in their field. It is a team work. I am a good surgeon and will be a hopeless nurse. The way I was trained is that when you get to the ward, greet and appreciate the nurses because they have been with the patients all day. Everybody is important and it is a team work. We can’t play each other’s roles. Let’s all remove our ego. We don’t need to fight. I don’t care how much you pay a pharmacist or a lab man, as long as you pay and appreciate me. The government can say they need more radiographers and we will be paying them one million naira, that’s not enough to start discriminating. Tomorrow they may be paying the radiographer ten naira. There is a general belief that government workers are lazy and do not work optimally. How do you cope with such workers in LUTH? Here, attitudinal problem is very insignificant compared to productivity due to availability or non availability of facilities. Our workers are very willing to work when they have the right tool and technology to work with. It’s important to empower people with what they will work with, but doing that takes a lot on its own. The luck I have is that I have a dedicated team. What I do is the least. There are leaders on their own who can initiate dreams. If you

Bode

demonstrate a good leadership, people will follow you, and you will discover you will be winning over half of the crowd. The thrust is that I am very lucky to have a dedicated team. I trained here in LUTH, I owe my success story to LUTH and it is expected of me to make it better than how I met it. If I don’t do that I will be mocked. I realised early that LUTH staff want to work if given what to work with, so I try everyday to empower them in this regard. We have realised whenever we upgrade our technology, our staff do better productively. So I try to make sure every tool that needs to be available for work is available. Someone like Obama at his young age led a free world, so we can do it too. I was at an exhibition today and I was shown a hospital cloth made in Turkey and my question was, why not make-in-Nigeria and see if I won’t patronise you. Even if these products are not 100 per cent okay for now, one day they will be. I don’t use imported chairs in my house, most of the things I use are made-in-Nigeria. I believe in Nigeria. The Minister of Health has once advocated for Public Private Partnership to grow the health sector. How has LUTH benefitted from such partnerships? LUTH has benefitted in many ways from Public Private Partnership (PPP). The fact that the hospital’s treated water supply is running is a result of PPP. That was part of the projects that were abandoned for over 12 years before we

came on board. Today, it is producing 20,000 gallons of water per hour to serve the whole of LUTH. We realised that if we do a good business by inviting investor to invest their money, they will make more money and LUTH will make theirs too. Our blood bank for example was abandoned for years, and we were using small rooms. But some people came with their proposals, and today, a private body has renovated the blood bank with their money and equipped it fully. This has given us the privilege to deliver advance services. And that has saved us from spending over N10 million monthly. After when the private investor has invested, we split the profit as agreed in a way that it will favour them and favour us. A company spent over 240 million naira to renovate the blood bank and equip it fully. It is fully running now. That’s PPP at work. Another example is that when we realised we get over 100 patients daily needing eye care, we felt there is need for PPP in this area where these eye glasses will be produced here and then given to patients with ease. A company built the eye centre with millions of naira, and equipped it with eye lenses. Today, you can come to LUTH and get eye glasses within one hour. That’s PPP working. We discovered that most diabetic patients have problems with their eyes. Our diabetes clinic has collaborated with the eye clinic. So we have made it more comprehensive that they are being attended to in a building. Rather than seeing a doctor today and coming another day to see another doctor. We have also been able to drive PPP in so many other ways. For instance, a company from Dubai told us about the need for us to get machines from them. I told them we won’t be able to afford the $40,000 machine. We told them if they can bring in the machine to train our people we will appreciate it. When they saw our commitment and enthusiasm, they not only gave us the machine, they gave us the one that costs $140,000. Now we have given them a room here which is fully equipped, and that will be the first Endo-Lacer Surgery Team not only in Nigeria but in sub-Saharan region. The administrative building, the Biomedical Engineering building, and a host of others have all been fully completed because of our commitment. In our time we don’t want any abandoned project. How are you able to bring private investors into partnering with you, considering a lot of

health institutions are complaining of inability to drive PPP? It is very simple. When the private investors see that where they want to put their money is safe and will yield desired result, they will want to invest. Recently, I presented a slide somewhere, where I emphasised that the problem the public sector is having is that it lacks business direction bottled with bureaucracy. But the private sector has a business focus expertise. They are profit-oriented. Most of what we have here are being funded by PPP and it is because we have been working. The secret of development is by asking a simple question that if I own this place what will be my strength and weakness? What are the opportunities I have? Those are what we considered before going into PPP and it has been stationed in a way that it doesn’t create a burden on our bureaucracy. PPP is very possible if the environment is conducive for private investors. What are those areas you still need PPP in the hospital? We will be looking towards implementing a hospital information management system. I can’t mention any company’s name because we will be throwing it out and letting competitors bid in. We need quarters for our trainees, we need houses for our workers, we need new wards and expansion of existing wards, and so on. With the way we are driving PPP and putting new technologies in place, if you add N1,000 to cost of treatment, patients will be willing to pay because they are now seeing quality of treatment. LUTH looked as though there are no spaces for more buildings? So what kind of expansion are you still talking about? Who says old rehabilitated buildings cannot be pulled down and rebuilt now that we will be having 24 hours uninterrupted power! Building vertically is the next thing. Who says we can’t have stories of 15 floors where we will have wards, theatres and all. We just have to be innovative. Some international hospitals do not have half of what we are using here but they just stack it up. Their security is in order and other things. Height is no more a problem because there will be lifts to carry patients and equipments. If the money is there, we can stack up many of our buildings. Some buildings here were built in 1962. Who says we can’t stack it up more efficiently.

Ganduje Spends N1bn on Primary Healthcare Delivery Dokita247 Launches First Online Platform to Interact with Patients

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said his administration has expended over N1 billion for the procurement and distribution of drugs, medical equipment to secondary and primary health care facilities to improve their diagnostic and management capacity. Speaking recently during the convention of over 3,880 Kano state Volunteer Community Mobilizers (VCMS) and distribution /launching of Anti malarial Commodities and other Health Intervention held in Government House, Ganduje said his administration has keyed into the Federal Government agenda of revitalizing the primary health care in Nigeria.

According to him, “Kano state government with the support of our partners has upgraded, renovated and equipped more than 120 primary health facilities across the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano state to make basic health care available to our people. “In our determination to further deliver on our campaign promises and to ensure that Kano people benefit maximally from the health care service delivery, the present administration has embarked on many beneficial and far-reaching health intervention ranging from infrastructure and equipment upgrade, health care financing to manpower development.” He mentioned some of the interventions to include,

“upgrade and renovation of Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital in collaboration with Dangote Foundation--the work is estimated to cost billions of Naira and when completed, the hospital will be of international standard. “Procurement and distribution of drugs, medical equipments worth over N1 billion, secondary and primary health care facilities to improve the diagnostic and management capacity; establishment of state Contributory Health care Management Agency; and signing into law of the Health Trust Fund and also signing into law the Private Health Institution Management Law which will govern private hospitals.”

Martins Ifijeh As part of efforts to reduce healthcare bottlenecks in Nigeria, a lifestyle company has launched a telemedicine app, dokita247.com in Lagos recently. The app, which is expected to be freely available for every smart phone user in the country will reduce medical tourism, minimise consultation and treatment time between physicians and patients. Stating is during its launch, the app developer, Dr. Richard Afonja said the platform can be downloaded on google play store and apple store with any smart phone, adding that there exist real, verified, credentialed and vetted physicians waiting to

respond to all health diagnosis and treatment enquiries by patients using the app. “The app is presently being used in in the United States. By January 2018 it will be in effect in Nigeria, and we hope to spread this to other African countries very soon. “Using the app may extend the lifespan of Nigerians as they can seat in the comfort of their home and office for the consultation, laboratory tests and drug prescriptions.” On his part, the key note speaker, Dr. Francis Faduyile said such telemedicine can change the face of healthcare in Nigeria as it can be both beneficial for patients and he healthcare providers.

For the providers, this can aid in reviewing patient information, provide medical advice, connect to the facility’s electronic health record and manage clinical messages amongst others. The patients can use it to view, schedule and make appointments using web portals, view medical information from the Internet, find healthcare providers, and find pharmacies. “This will help patients have access to the safest and highest-quality care, regardless of how much they earn, where they live, how sick they are, or the color of their skin. Patients must be the first priority and the focus of the transformed system.”

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

HEALTH

PreventingDiarrhoeaThroughHand-Washing Diarrhea disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old, and is responsible for killing about 525,000 children every year. Save the Children International and Dettol believes these deaths can be prevented through simple act of hand washing with soap. Martins Ifijeh writes

D

iarrhoea is defined as the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day (or more frequent passage than is normal for the individual). It is usually a symptom of an infection in the intestinal tract, which can be caused by a variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms. Infection is spread through contaminated food or drinking water, or from person-to-person as a result of poor hygiene. In order to prevent such diseases in our society, WHO has highlighted certain points that could help, which includes safe drinking water, use of improved sanitation and proper hand washing with soap can reduce disease risk. However, in order to further propagate this awareness, well-meaning brands have thought it wise to come up with ideas to do this, especially on Global Hand Washing Day. Reckitt Benckiser makers of Dettol, and Save The Children International are not left out in this. Recently, Dettol marked the 2017 Global Hand Washing Day with over 700 primary school children who were taught proper hand washing and hygiene in a fun and engaging way through an entertaining dance drama and hand washing song. Furthermore, a donation of 12 hand washing sites was presented to Morocco Military Primary School, Yaba, an act which Dettol carries out annually to various schools in Nigeria. Prior to this main event, the brand had initiated a nationwide campaign themed ‘Letter For Life’ which was a unique way to get children interested in washing their hands, as well as get them to spread the message of hand-washing from one child to another. The team had gone round to several primary schools in Nigeria, taught them proper hand washing habits, and in turn the children wrote hygiene letters which were then distributed to other children alongside with soaps. On its part, Save The Children International came up with an initiative same weekend to mark the Global Hand Washing Day. The event had 600 school children wash their hands simultaneously in order to prevent diarrhoea. Speaking on behalf of RB Dettol, the Marketing Director, RB West Africa, Aliza Leferink pointed out, “At RB (Reckitt Benckiser), our global vision is to provide the world with innovative solutions and products for healthier lives and happier homes. Dettol has been the trusted champion for good health and hygiene for over 50 years in Nigeria, and we believe that it’s important to inculcate good habits such as proper hand

Pupils from Morroco Military Primary School, Yaba, commemorating Global Hand Washing Day in Lagos recently

washing at an early age. A simple act of washing your hands with soap can prevent illness and arrest diarrhea-related deaths. We feel so proud to be supporting Save The Children International to prevent infections and diseases. So today we are going to be breaking a record by witnessing 600 children wash their hands simultaneously.” In his message, Chief of Party, Stop Diarrhoea Initiative, Dr. David Atamewalen, urged the 600 children that learnt the hand washing skill to spread the message to their friends at home and everywhere. “Continue to tell everyone that hand washing with soap promotes good health and good health is essential for a brighter future.” He admonished the “children to protect themselves by washing their hands regularly with soap which is the only way to avoid getting sick and free from germs and diseases. To become great leaders in the future, you have to inculcate the habit of proper hand washing with soap,” he enthused.

“Hand washing with soap and clean water has proved to be helpful in so many ways especially amongst children. It helps in preventing the children from being sick and spreading germs. According to ThoughtCo. Online, there are an estimated 1,500 bacteria per square centimetre of skin on your hand. One of the best ways to prevent bacteriarelated illnesses and other infectious diseases is to wash your hands with soap and water, after which the hands are dried thoroughly with a clean towel or air dryer. While almost everyone has heard this message, studies have shown that people still are not washing their hands.” He said aside from Diarrhoea, lack of proper hand wash can lead to certain diseases such as cold and flu, Hepatitis A, Gastroenteritis, Shigellosis, Giardiasis, food poisoning, handfoot-mouth disease, worm infestation, body fluid illnesses, amongst others. To prevent all of these, Global Hand Washing days are celebrated annually, and many

brands and groups are keying into this day to create events where awareness on proper hygiene and hand wash will be sustained. Global Hand Washing Day is an annual event celebrated every 15th of October since 2008. The day is set aside to sustain awareness and support hand washing with soap to promote easy and cost effective method of preventing hygiene-related infection such as Diarrhea and Pneumonia. It is a day globally recognised as important for the achievement of sustainable health for all especially as it relates to under five children who are the most vulnerable to hygiene-related infections. “To this end, we encourage more brands, NGOs, and well-meaning Nigerians to key into this day in order to help propagate further the prevention tactics of germs and infection spread which are hand washing. The duo of Dettol and Save The Children International, are commended and are encouraged to keep up with the good works for future years,” he said.

DG NIMASATasks Nigerians on Early Detection Standard Generic Partners Beximco against Cancer Revolutionary Approach in Diabetes Care Martins Ifijeh The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has urged Nigerians especially women to ensure frequent Breast Cancer screening stressing that early detection will make a lot of difference in tackling the scourge. Dr. Peterside made this known recently when he led a 2.5 Kilometer walk through streets of Lagos, tagged “Taking Action Together Against Breast Cancer”, with the aim of creating awareness for the early detection of the menace. Speaking shortly before the walk commenced, the NIMASA DG noted that as an Agency of Government alive to its corporate social responsibili-

Martins Ifijeh ties, this walk aimed at taking action together against breast cancer has become desirable considering the rate at which ignorance has led to avoidable deaths. “It is a known fact that prevention is better than cure, never again should any of our relatives or loved ones die because of ignorance. Our goal is to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of breast cancer through education on symptoms and treatment. We hope knowledge will lead to earlier detection of breast cancer which is associated with higher long term survival rates” Dr Dakuku said. While noting that the Agency’s health advocacy is part of NIMASA corporate social responsibility actions, Dr Dakuku announced free preliminary examination for

breast related diseases at the Agency’s search and rescue base clinic. Our mission is to ensure NIMASA staff and Nigerians in general are aware that with adequate education and early detection, this generation can conquer breast cancer. NIMASA will provide support services such as mammograms test for early detection. The Agency has commenced free mammogram test for all staff and interested stakeholders as part of effort to encourage early detection. The NIMASA breast awareness campaign is part of the global awareness campaign which is tagged “pink month of October, dedicated to create awareness about breast cancer and how the scourge can be contained.

The nation’s health sector, has received a major boost, as Standard Generic Ltd, an indigenous fast growing pharmaceutical company partnered with Beximco Pharma, a leading exporter of medicines in Dhaka Bangladesh has unveiled its Glipita and Glipita-m drugs to effectively answer the management of diabetes patients in Nigeria. Speaking at the product launch at the Welcome Centre Hotel , International Airport Road Lagos, the Managing Director, Standard Generic Ltd, Pharmacist Ernest Udensi said that their new products in Nigeria will answer the diabetes needs of the Nigerian population through their local sales and marketing office in Lagos.

According to him, Standard Generic and BEXIMCO Pharma is taking a revolutionary approach in diabetes management with its brand of ‘Sitagglitin’ and ‘Sitagglitin’ plus Metformin, which is effective and less risky diabetic control from the first in the class from USFDA approved facility which is also an ultimate HbA1C manager. Udensi noted that Standard Generic is in the forefront of ensuring provision of up to date and less risky medicaments for most common ailment to the teaming populace of the country at very affordable rate. Also, he was worried about the dearth of research and development by the indigenous pharmaceutical companies, poverty rate of the citizens and total neglect of the healthcare system in the country and urged the government to

for

ensure effective regulation of the system which will stop infiltration of the sector by unscrupulous agents whose goal is profiteering at the neglect of the well-being of the citizenry. In his own remarks the Head, Africa and middle East, BEXIMCO Pharma, Biju Jacob said that the synergy with Standard Generic is to provide good healthcare to Nigerians, knowing full well that Africa in general has limited access to quality drugs. Analysing the drugs, Biju said that Glipita was the preparation of Sitagliptin. Sitagliptin is a new oral agent approved by the USFDA to treat type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise. It belongs to a new class of antihyperglycemic, Dipeptidyl Dipeptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.

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T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ NOVEMEBER 9, 2017

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN Moves to Expand Anchor Borrowers’ Programme Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has formed strategic partnership with agricultural commodity associations in the country in its effort to expand the implementation of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP). Disclosing this yesterday, the acting Director in charge of Corporate Communications Department (CCD) at the Bank, Isaac Okorafor, said the decision to enter into strategic partnerships was to consolidate on the gains of the ABP and reach more deserving small holder farmers nationwide. A statement from the central bank quoted its spokesman as saying that, “the CBN is forming these partnerships to further ramp up domestic production of identified commodities by

leveraging the existing organised structures of the agricultural associations nationwide, thereby providing huge economics of scale in the implementation of the programme.� Okorafor noted that the partnership had begun to yield results with the commencement of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) ABP with the Bank of Agriculture where about 300,000 rice farmers across 20 States would be supported under the ABP during the upcoming dry season cultivation. He also said an additional two million metric tonnes of paddy rice was expected to be produced under the dedicated RIFAN ABP. He added that the strategic partnership with RIFAN was in tandem with the federal government’s agenda for Nigeria to be

self-sufficient in rice production in the future. Okorafor further said that all registered agricultural commodity associations could key into this strategic partnership by simply approaching any of the Participating Financial Institutions (PFI) collaborating with the CBN in the implementation of the programme. The ABP was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 17, 2015 in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. The initiative has so far achieved success in terms of outreach and coverage, making it one of the most successful CBN development finance interventions to date. About N45.5 billion has been released through 13 participating financial institutions in respect of over 218,000 farmers cultivating nine commodities across 30 states.

Report Shows Marginal Increase in Price of Maize The latest Agricultural Commodities Report by the AFEX Commodities Exchange has revealed a 0.28 per cent increase in price in markets in north western Nigeria. The report also showed 13.43 per cent increase in maize price in north eastern markets and 3.80 per cent increase in price in the north central part of the country, compared with what it was the previous week. It showed that the maximum price in the north west was recorded for white maize in Mandori and Gumel markets, Jigawa state, while and the minimum price in the region was recorded for new maize in

Markafi market, Kaduna state. Also, in the north east, the maximum price was recorded for white maize in Kumo market, Gombe state and the minimum price was recorded for white maize in Garbabi market, Taraba. “Maximum price in the north central was recorded in Daudu market, Benue state and the minimum price was recorded in Maikatako market, Plateau state,� it stated. In terms of Soyabean, the maximum price in the north west was recorded in Dawanau market, Kano state, while minimum price was recorded in same market. It also revealed a 4.09 per cent decline in price in the

north-western markets, 5.81 per cent decline in price in the north-eastern markets and 4.51 per cent decline in price in the north central markets, versus week ago. “Maximum price in the north east was recorded in Billiri, Gombe and Mutumbiyu markets, Taraba state and minimum price in Iware Ado Kola market, Taraba,� it added. For paddy rice, there was a 6.78 per cent increase in price in the north-western markets, 0.93 per cent decline in price in the north east markets and 4.11 per cent decline in price in the north central markets, versus week ago.

Sokoto Cement Posts N1.25bn Profit Ndubuisi Francis Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN), has posted a profit four per cent profit, growing from N1.2 billion in 2015 to N1.25 billion in 2016, despite the harsh operating environment. The Chairman, Dr. Abdulsamad Rabiu who disclosed this at the company’s 38th annual general meeting in Abuja, stated that even though the economic challenges impacted negatively on the average price of cement, CCNN was able to continue on the path of profitability. This development, he stated,

was attributable to the strict cost-efficiency regime which the management of the company was able to maintain during the period, adding that this was done to promote strong value for the shareholders of the company. He said: “Performance of the company during the year 2016 was a reflection of the board’s concerted efforts to ensure that CCNN continued to strive with better performance and enhanced shareholder value, despite the massive challenges in the operating environment. “CCNN is still dominant in its home market in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara due to the quality

of its cement and customer loyalty. This has contributed to the continued survival of the company in the market despite the numerous challenges,� Rabiu said. On why the board did not recommend the payment of any dividend to the shareholders despite its profitable result, Rabiu said this was done to enable management carry out critical investments. He said: “The board resolved not to recommend the payment of any dividend this year, in view of the challenges being faced by the company on worn out generators, cooler tubes and kiln shell.

FirstBank Unveils ‘Ethics Challenge’ FirstBank of Nigeria Limited has announced its partnership with the CFA Society Nigeria to host the Universities’ Ethics Challenge. The event which commences today, is one of the educational outreach programmes designed by CFA Society Nigeria for university students. A statement explained that the programme aligns with FirstBank’s corporate social responsibility and sustainability strategic approach to education, adding that it fits into the theme of one of the bank’s Endowment programmes in Nigerian Universities – The Samuel Asabia Chair for Business Ethics at the University of Lagos.

“FirstBank has thrown its weight behind the CFA Society Nigeria in organising this event as part of its commitment to ethics, professional excellence, capacity building and inclusive growth of Nigerians, while the event also underpins the bank’s core values of entrepreneurship, professionalism, integrity and customer service,� the statement added. CFA Institute is a global, not-for-profit association of investment professionals with a mission to lead the investment profession globally by promoting the highest standards of ethics, education and professional excellence for the ultimate benefit of society.

On the other hand, the Ethics Challenge was designed to promote a high level of professionalism and ethical practices in investment research by students from universities and business schools. The 2017 Ethics challenge would comprise ten Nigerian Universities, five students and one faculty advisor each participating in the Challenge. Each participating university will be given an identical case study that focuses on ethical issues and problems that are prevalent in the local financial market and the global best practices in dealing with ethical dilemma. The students will analyse the issues in the case study and provide recommendations.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

AUGUST 2017 Broad Money (M2)

21,851,454.31

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,890,813.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,523,239.91

---- Demand Deposits

8,367,573.19

-- Quasi Money

11,960,641.22

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,732,990.89

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,118,463.42

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,821,446.81

---- Credit to Government (Net)

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

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 TUESDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2017

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $62.07 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $61.02 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

41

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍˇËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

MARKET NEWS

Former CIS Presidents Review Performance, Task Stockbrokers Goddy Egene Stockbrokers have been urged to prepare intellectually, be creative in terms of ideas and products so as to continue to survive the challenges in the nation’s capital market in particular and the economy in general. A former President of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Oladipo Aina, made

the call while reviewing the activities of the institute in that past 25 years. Aina, who served from 2006 to 2008, spoke along with other past presidents of CIS. He said: “We have overcome various challenges over time and more will come and we must be prepared. The market is dynamic and we must be prepared intellectually and must be creative

in terms of ideas and products. This is imperative in view of the imminent demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). We are all here for a long haul. We are the three legs of a tripod, the investor, the regulator and the brokers. We are stakeholders in the commonwealth called the capital market. We are there for each other. We need each other for a vibrant market that can

transform the economy and the well being of the citizens of this republic.� On his part, Mr. Mike Itegboje, who served from 2010 to 2012, explained that the global market crash of 2008 put many Stockbroking firms into difficult position. “The biggest challenge was how to revive the business of our members after the crash of

2008 and 2009. That was why we pleaded for debt forgiveness. It has been a tough journey. Now at 25, we can only thank God. The baby has become an adult, having won the battles for survival. My vision is to see that CIS produces and certifies Secutities and Investment dealers, investment analysts and advisers to meet the national need “, said Itegboje.

In a similar vein, another past president, Mr. Henry Olayemi, whose tenure was from 2003 to 2006 re-called how lack of unity among the stockbrokers had affected the Institute in the past. “The institute has suffered from lack of unity among stockbrokers. But we have built a strong bridge among ourselves that foster cordial relationship with all Stakeholders.

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF 08/11/2017

˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

42

Nigeria Daily Stock Market Report: dŚŝƐ ĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ZŝƐĞƐ ϴďƉƐ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

dŚŝƐ ĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ƌŽƐĞ ϴďƉƐ ŽŶ tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ ϭ͕ϰϵϱ͘ϵϱƉƚƐ͘ tĞĚŶĞƐĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ƉƌŝŵĂƌŝůLJ ŽǁĞĚ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶƐ ŝŶ 'h Z Edz ;нϬ͘ϮйͿ͕ E' D ;нϬ͘ϵйͿ͕ h ;нϬ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ & E, ;нϭ͘ϳйͿ ǁŚŝĐŚ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϯϵ͘ϱй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘ dŚŝƐ ĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ /ŶĚĞdž zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ĞdžƉĂŶĚĞĚ ƚŽ ϰϵ͘ϴй͘

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Ticker

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

DŝdžĞĚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ Ϯ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƚƌĞŶĚĞĚ ŶŽƌƚŚǁĂƌĚƐ͕ Ϯ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĚ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŇĂƚ͘ dŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĞŵĞƌŐĞĚ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ŐĂŝŶĞƌ͕ ƵƉ Ϭ͘ϱй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ E' D ;нϬ͘ϵйͿ͘ >ŝŬĞǁŝƐĞ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĂĚĚĞĚ Ϭ͘ϰй ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ /Ed Z t ;нϭϬ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ E ^ KE ;нϯ͘ϬйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ ƚŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞdž ůŽƐƚ Ϭ͘Ϯй ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉƌŽĮƚ ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E/d, ;ͲϬ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ ^^ ;ͲϬ͘ϵйͿ͕ ǁŚŝůĞ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ >/E< ^^hZ ;Ͳϯ͘ϵйͿ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞdž Ϭ͘ϭй ůŽǁĞƌ͘ dŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ tĞĂŬĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ǁĞĂŬĞŶĞĚ ƚŽĚĂLJ ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞƌƐͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ ƌĂƟŽͿ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϵdž ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ͘ dŽĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ďĞƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ǁĞƌĞ /Ed Z t ;нϭϬ͘ϮйͿ͕ > ZE &Z/ ;нϱ͘ϬйͿ ĂŶĚ s ZdKE ;нϱ͘ϬйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ h ͲWZKW ; Ͳϰ͘ϳйͿ͕ > thE/KE ;Ͳϰ͘ϰйͿ ĂŶĚ >/E< ^^hZ ;Ͳϯ͘ϵйͿ͘ ĞƐƉŝƚĞ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĂŬĞƌ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ƚŽĚĂLJ͕ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ƐƚĂLJĞĚ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ŝŶ ůŝŶĞ ǁŝƚŚ ŽƵƌ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĂƟŽŶƐ͘ tĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ Ă ƌĞďŽƵŶĚ ŝŶ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ĐŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞĞŬ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƟĞƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ŽŵƉĂŶLJ ŝŶ &ŽĐƵƐ͗ &ůŽƵƌ DŝůůƐ ŽĨ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ WůĐ ;͞&ůŽƵƌŵŝů͟Ϳ &ůŽƵƌ DŝůůƐ ŝƐ ŽŶĞ ŽĨ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ͛Ɛ ůĞĂĚŝŶŐ &D ' ;&ĂƐƚ DŽǀŝŶŐ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐͿ ĮƌŵƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĚŝǀĞƌƐŝĮĞĚ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ ƐƉĂŶŶŝŶŐ ĨŽŽĚ͕ ĂŐƌŽͲĂůůŝĞĚ͕ ƉĂĐŬĂŐŝŶŐ͕ ƌĞĂů ĞƐƚĂƚĞ ĂŶĚ ƉŽƌƚ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ Θ ůŽŐŝƐƟĐƐ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ƐĞŐŵĞŶƚƐ͘ /Ŷ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϮϬϭϳ͕ &ůŽƵƌ DŝůůƐ ĂŶŶŽƵŶĐĞĚ ŝƚƐ ŝŶƚĞŶƟŽŶƐ ƚŽ ƌĂŝƐĞ ƵƉ ƚŽ EϰϬďŶ ŝŶ ĞƋƵŝƚLJ ĐĂƉŝƚĂů ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ Ă ƌŝŐŚƚƐ ŝƐƐƵĞ ŝŶ ŽƌĚĞƌ ƚŽ ƌĞĚƵĐĞ ĚĞďƚ ĂŶĚ ĐƵƚ ĚŽǁŶ ŵŽƵŶƟŶŐ ĮŶĂŶĐĞ ĐŽƐƚ͘ ĚĚŝƟŽŶĂůůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ Įƌŵ ĚĞƚĂŝůĞĚ ƉůĂŶƐ ŽĨ Ă EϳϬďŶ ďŽŶĚ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ƚŽ ƌĞĮŶĂŶĐĞ ƐŚŽƌƚͲƚĞƌŵ ůŽĂŶƐ͘ >ĂƐƚ ǁĞĞŬ͕ &ůŽƵƌ DŝůůƐ ƌĞůĞĂƐĞĚ Ă ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ,Ϯ ϭϳͬϭϴ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ƌĞƐƵůƚ ĂƐ ŐƌŽƐƐ ƌĞǀĞŶƵĞ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ϭϲ͘ϵй zͲŽͲz ĨƌŽŵ EϮϱϱ͘ϯďŶ ƚŽ EϮϵϴ͘ϰďŶ ŝŶ ,Ϯ͗ϮϬϭϴ͘ ůƚŚŽƵŐŚ ŐƌŽƐƐ ƉƌŽĮƚ ǁĂƐ ĚŽǁŶ Ϯ͘ϱй zͲŽͲz ƚŽ Eϯϱ͘ϱďŶ ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ Ă ϮϬ͘ϭй zͲŽͲz ƌŝƐĞ ŝŶ ĐŽƐƚ ŽĨ ƐĂůĞƐ͕ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ƐƟůů ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŵƉƌĞƐƐŝǀĞ ďŽƩŽŵ ůŝŶĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂƐ W d ĂŶĚ W d ŐƌĞǁ ϱϭ͘ϴй ĂŶĚ ϰϮ͘ϴй zͲŽͲz ƚŽ Eϭϯ͘ϰďŶ ĂŶĚ Eϵ͘ϮďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ dŚŝƐ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ ǁĂƐ ŵĂũŽƌůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ Ă ƌĞĚƵĐƟŽŶ ŝŶ ƐĞůůŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĚŝƐƚƌŝďƵƟŽŶ ĞdžƉĞŶƐĞƐ ;ĚŽǁŶ ϱ͘ϴй zͲŽͲzͿ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ Ă ƐŝnjĂďůĞ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞ ŝŶ ŶŽŶͲĐŽƌĞ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ;Eϱ͘ϭďŶ ŐĂŝŶ ŝŶ ,Ϯ͗ϮϬϭϴ ǀƐ͘ Eϴ͘ϭďŶ ůŽƐƐ ŝŶ ,Ϯ͗ϮϬϭϳͿ ǁŚŝĐŚ ǁĂƐ ďƵŽLJĞĚ ďLJ &y ŐĂŝŶƐ͘ ĐĐŽƌĚŝŶŐůLJ͕ EĞƚ DĂƌŐŝŶ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ďLJ Ϭ͘ϲ ƉĞƌĐĞŶƚĂŐĞ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ƚŽ ϯ͘ϭй͘

Current Price

Previous Current Price Weighting Change

Price Change YTD

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

1,495.95

0.08%

49.8%

49.6%

20.3%

6.5%

6.8x

0.8x

4.1%

11.4%

1

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

42.10

0.2%

22.8%

70.4%

70.4%

26.0%

4.3%

8.8x

2.2x

4.9%

11.4%

2

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

143.89

-0.1%

10.2%

-2.8%

-2.8%

18.9%

8.6%

35.4x

6.5x

2.5%

2.8%

3

Zenith Bank PLC

25.58

-0.9%

13.4%

73.4%

73.4%

21.7%

3.2%

5.1x

1.0x

7.9%

19.8%

4

Dangote Cement PLC

6.5%

32.8%

32.8%

30.4%

15.7%

15.9x

4.6x

3.7%

6.3%

ƋƵŝƟĞƐ DĂƌŬĞƚ ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶƐ DŽŵĞŶƚƵŵ͙ E^ ^/ ƵƉ ϯϰďƉƐ͘ dŚĞ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ƋƵŝƟĞƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞĚ ŝƚƐ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ƚŽĚĂLJ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ŐĂŝŶĞĚ ϯϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ ϯϳ͕ϭϯϴ͘ϵϳ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ĞdžƉĂŶĚĞĚ ƚŽ ϯϴ͘Ϯй͘ /Ŷ ƚƵƌŶ͕ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ Eϰϯ͘ϰďŶ ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ƐĞƩůĞĚ Ăƚ EϭϮ͘ϵƚŶ͘ dŽĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ďƵŽLJĞĚ ďLJ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ E' D ;нϬ͘ϵйͿ͕ /Ed Z t ;нϭϬ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ & E, ;нϭ͘ϳйͿ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ƐŽŌĞŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĨĞůů ϯϲ͘ϲй ĂŶĚ ϯϳ͘ϴй ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ ϭϵϯ͘ϱŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ Eϭ͘ϴďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘

Thursday, November 9, 2017

231.00

0.9% 0.0%

6.9%

59.3%

59.3%

78.4%

19.0%

33.6x

22.2x

0.8%

3.0%

-0.9%

4.4%

70.5%

70.5%

15.1%

2.0%

4.0x

0.6x

6.5%

24.9% 23.3%

5

Nestle Nigeria PLC

1,290.00

6

Access Bank PLC

10.01

7

United Bank for Africa PLC

9.80

0.5%

5.5%

117.8%

117.8%

17.2%

2.2%

4.3x

0.7x

7.7%

8

FBN Holdings Plc

7.19

1.7%

4.7%

114.6%

114.6%

2.6%

0.3%

11.7x

0.4x

2.8%

8.5%

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

17.00

0.0%

2.9%

65.4%

65.4%

-14.6%

-1.3%

0.6x

3.6%

-20.4%

10

Lafarge Africa PLC

7.8x

1.9%

20.1%

51.45

0.0%

1.8%

32.8%

25.6%

47.1%

9.8%

495.00

0.0%

5.0x

11

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

1.8%

30.3%

30.3%

-12.4%

-6.7%

12

Unilever Nigeria PLC

40.00

0.0%

1.5%

25.7%

25.7%

50.3%

8.4%

24.6x

9.4x

0.2%

4.1%

13

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

42.50

0.0%

3.0%

183.3%

183.3%

28.7%

3.4%

9.8x

2.6x

1.4%

10.2%

14

Guinness Nigeria PLC

102.02

0.0%

1.4%

29.8%

29.8%

4.5%

1.4%

71.8x

3.6x

0.6%

15

Oando PLC

5.99

0.0%

1.3%

27.4%

27.4%

40.7%

4.2%

2.7x

0.6x

37.0%

16

Forte Oil PLC

0.5%

-52.6%

-52.6%

44.3%

3.7%

10.1x

4.5x

9.9%

40.00

0.0% 0.0%

0.6x

-21.1%

1.4%

17

11 PLC

153.01

0.4%

-45.2%

-45.2%

32.6%

12.0%

8.1x

2.3x

5.2%

18

Total Nigeria PLC

230.00

0.0%

0.5%

-23.1%

-23.1%

37.3%

7.4%

8.6x

3.0x

2.6%

11.7%

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

19.10

0.0%

0.7%

15.8%

15.8%

6.3%

2.2%

12.3x

0.8x

5.1%

8.2%

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

8.0%

1.1%

1.5x

0.2x

8.3%

67.8%

1.69

-0.6%

0.9%

101.2%

101.2%

-0.3%

1.1%

153.0%

153.0%

23.8%

10.3%

6.0x

2.6x

3.2%

16.6%

-1.4%

0.8%

83.9%

83.9%

10.4%

2.6%

8.6x

0.9x

2.9%

11.7%

4.0x

0.7x

7.4%

23

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

15.46

24

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

34.00

25

Custodian and Allied Insurance

26

12.3%

3.80

0.0%

0.4%

-2.3%

-2.3%

18.9%

7.6%

7 UP Bottling Co PLC

87.40

-0.7%

0.3%

-32.2%

-32.2%

-56.7%

-13.9%

4.2x

27

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

29.33

0.0%

0.3%

-24.0%

-24.0%

-12.2%

-1.2%

28

FCMB Group Plc

1.20

2.6%

0.4%

9.1%

9.1%

0.9%

0.1%

14.1x

0.1x

29

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.44

-1.4%

0.6%

65.5%

65.5%

19.6%

4.1%

5.8x

1.0x

30

Diamond Bank PLC

25.2% -19.2%

1.5x

-7.8% 8.3%

7.1% 17.4%

1.21

-0.8%

0.5%

37.5%

37.5%

2.5%

0.3%

4.9x

0.1x

0.0%

0.5%

59.6%

59.6%

53.3%

31.5%

3.2x

1.1x

2.3%

31.7%

2.1%

5.1%

20.5%

31

Presco PLC

64.00

32

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

23.00

0.0%

0.5%

58.6%

58.6%

11.5%

5.8%

19.7x

2.2x

33

International Brew eries PLC

45.20

10.2%

0.7%

144.3%

144.3%

24.6%

7.4%

47.3x

10.8x

34

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

10.75

3.9%

0.3%

4.5%

4.5%

4.5%

1.6%

30.7x

1.8x

3.3%

35

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.12

0.0%

0.3%

28.2%

28.3%

5.6%

1.2%

7.8x

0.4x

12.8%

36

Chemical and Allied Products P

34.12

0.0%

0.2%

6.6%

6.6%

84.3%

38.5%

14.9x

10.5x

1.02

0.0%

0.2%

34.2%

34.2%

6.1%

0.6%

5.4x

0.3x

25.00

0.0%

0.3%

58.7%

58.7%

61.2%

23.6%

5.2x

1.9x

1.2%

0.0%

0.1%

25.7%

25.7%

11.9%

3.9%

10.5x

1.2x

2.4%

0.0%

0.1%

39.4%

39.4%

9.6%

4.4%

8.1x

0.7x

37

Sterling Bank PLC

38

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

39

AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

2.10

40

Continental Reinsurance PLC

1.38

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

2.1%

6.4%

6.7% 18.6% 19.3% 9.5% 12.4%

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

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

IN T B R EW

45.20

10.2%

D IA M ON D B N K

36.3

-0.8%

LEA R N A F R C A

1.05

5.0%

FB NH

35.2

1.7%

C A VER T ON

1.48

5.0%

F ID ELIT YB K

19.5

-0.6%

17.4

2.6%

T ic k er

LIVEST OC K

0.88

4.8%

FCM B

C A D B UR Y

10.75

3.9%

A IIC O

9.5

1.9%

N A SC ON

15.98

3.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

6.9

-0.9% -1.4%

FCM B

1.20

2.6%

T R A N SC OR P

6.7

N EM

1.40

2.2%

UB A

6.7

0.5%

^ƚƌŝƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ,ĂůĨ zĞĂƌ ƌĞƐƵůƚ ĨŽƌ YϮ ƐƚĂŶĚĂůŽŶĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ͕ ďŽƚŚ ŐƌŽƐƐ ƌĞǀĞŶƵĞ ĂŶĚ ŐƌŽƐƐ ƉƌŽĮƚ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ Ͳ ƵƉ Ϭ͘ϯй ĂŶĚ ϲ͘Ϭй ƚŽ Eϭϰϵ͘ϱďŶ ĂŶĚ Eϭϴ͘ϮďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ƌŽƐĞ ϰ͘ϵй YͲŽͲY ƚŽ EϭϮ͘ϱďŶ ĂƐ W d ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ϱ͘ϲй YͲŽͲ Y ƚŽ Eϰ͘ϯďŶ͘

A IIC O

0.54

1.9%

UC A P

6.2

0.3%

FB NH

7.19

1.7%

GUA R A N T Y

5.3

0.2%

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Value

P ric e C hg %

UA C -P R OP

2.83

-4.7%

NB

451.3

-0.1%

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ͛ ƌĞĂĐƟŽŶ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŚĂůĨ LJĞĂƌ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ƐƚŽĐŬ ǁĂƐ ŽŶ ĂŶ ƵƉƚƌĞŶĚ ŝŶ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƌĞůĞĂƐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ ĂůŵŽƐƚ ƌĞĂĐŚŝŶŐ Ă ϭϮ ͲŵŽŶƚŚ ŚŝŐŚ͕ ďĞĨŽƌĞ ƐŽŵĞ ƉƌŽĮƚͲƚĂŬŝŶŐ ĞŶƐƵĞĚ͘ EĞǀĞƌƚŚĞůĞƐƐ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ƚŽ ďĞ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬĚƌŽƉ ŽĨ ƵƉǁĂƌĚ ĂĚũƵƐƚŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ ƉƌŝĐĞƐ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ŝŵƉƌŽǀŝŶŐ ŵĂĐƌŽĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĨƵŶĚĂŵĞŶƚĂůƐ ǁŚŝĐŚ ŝƐ ĞdžƉĞĐƚĞĚ ƚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ŬŶŽĐŬͲŽŶ ŝŵƉĂĐƚƐ ŽŶ ĐŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ ĐŽŶĮĚĞŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ĨŽƌǁĂƌĚ ƐĂůĞƐ͘

LA WUN ION

0.65

-4.4%

FB NH

248.8

1.7%

LIN KA SSUR E

0.73

-3.9%

GUA R A N T Y

221.8

0.2%

176.5

-0.9%

Afrinvest Securities Limited

(RC 603 315)

(A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

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

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er

T ic k er

UN IT YB N K

0.51

-3.8%

Z EN IT H B A N K

R ED ST A R EX

4.80

-3.6%

D A N GC EM

71.7

0.9%

C ILEA SIN G

1.73

-3.4%

UB A

65.9

0.5%

ET ER N A

4.09

-1.7%

N A SC ON

54.2

3.0%

NA HCO

3.25

-1.5%

A C C ESS

50.3

-0.9%

34.00

-1.4%

D IA M ON D B N K

43.6

-0.8%

1.44

-1.4%

N EST LE

42.0

0.0%

F LOUR M ILL T R A N SC OR P

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 9, 2017

MARKET NEWS

FMDQ Marks 4th Anniversary, Lists Dufil Prima Foods N10bn Bond Goddy Egene

She recognised Dufil Prima the Bond Programme listed on Foods Plc as a household name FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange. Dufil Prima Foods Plc has listed considering the quotation of its This key milestone continues to its N10 billion Fixed Rate Bond Commercial Papers also on the OTC outline Dufil’s commitment to on the FMDQ OTC Securities exchange. She reiterated FMDQ’s entrenching the domestic capital Exchange just as the exchange commitment to also playing its part, market as an integral part of our clocked four years. Vice President like the issuer of the Dufil Prima corporate funding strategy, beyond & Divisional Head, Business Bond and other parties to the issue, the establishment and issuance of Development of FMDQ, Ms. Tumi in contributing towards the growth of notes under our Commercial Paper Sekoni, congratulated the issuer and the Nigerian corporate bond market. Programme. This initiative speaks Chief Operating Officer, Dufil to the very core of our beliefs in sponsor of the issue on the success achieved in the debt capital market Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Madhukar being relevant in our local markets (DCM) and expressed gratitude Khetan said: “We at Dufil Prima and that can be closely correlated for the decision to list the bond Foods Plc are very proud to have and identified with our products our inaugural issuance under and services which are very well on FMDQ A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 07shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Nov-2017, unless otherwise stated.

recognised on a national level.” of the economy at large.” Managing Director/CEO of According to him, for four FMDQ, Mr. Bola Onadele.Koko, years, FMDQ OTC Securities said: “ OTC exchange shall continue Exchange has progressively to innovate and provide efficient championed and effectively services and infrastructure, as may supported initiatives aimed at be necessary, to support issuers boosting the growth and development and investors, towards achieving of the Nigerian financial markets, an operationally excellent and with particular focus on the DCM. competitive DCM. Through consistent “Through the provision of collaboration with its stakeholders, unprecedented transparency, FMDQ shall continue to further spearheading of initiatives to deepen and effectively position boost secondary market liquidity the Nigerian DCM for growth, and and facilitating effective price invariably contribute to the growth formation, among other activities via 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.

its platform, FMDQ has supported the enhancement of market credibility which has, in turn, boosted investor confidence in the Nigerian DCM. Consequently, credible issuers in the private sector have been able to successfully tap the DCM to access stable long-term finance to fund key activities that ultimately translate to national economic development, some of which include, but are not limited to, funding pressing infrastructure development needs and supporting capital investments,” he said.

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 179.24 180.36 41.30% Nigeria International Debt Fund 234.05 235.28 10.76% 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 0.75 0.75 6.60% ACAP Income Funds 0.62 0.62 78.16% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.88% 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 18.00 18.54 45.78% ARM Discovery Fund 375.46 386.78 30.74% ARM Ethical Fund 26.33 27.13 17.86% 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 151.64 152.70 44.17% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.33% 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 18.34% CORONATION ASSET MANAGEMENT investment@coronation.com Web: www.coronation.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 1,109.42 1,110.55 9.52% FBN Heritage Fund 147.07 148.32 31.92% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.96% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $111.39 $112.55 8.38% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $110.78 $111.94 8.54% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 158.85 160.74 40.90% 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 1.39 1.41 48.87% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.93 2.93 13.95% 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 2,931.31 2,972.29 33.32% Coral Income Fund 2,411.10 2,411.10 15.69% 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 17.65% 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 2.08 2.11 24.05% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 112.86 112.86 16.31%

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 1.16 1.18 17.18% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,038.00 1,038.00 10.19% 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 13.25 13.36 37.10% 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 1.21 1.23 21.29% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.87 10.92 4.56% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 16.70% 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 127.22 129.06 25.34% 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 1.41 1.41 12.88% 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 2,200.82 2,214.11 20.21% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 173.09 173.09 12.43% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.98 0.99 27.92% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 214.90 214.90 14.99% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 170.89 173.10 31.63% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.84% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,513.15 9,295.69 23.30% 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 ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Zenith Equity Fund Zenith Ethical Fund Zenith Income Fund

1.00

Bid Price 12.69 13.32 18.76

1.00 18.50% info@zenith-funds.com Offer Price 12.87 13.47 18.76

Yield / T-Rtn 30.37% 21.42% 13.44%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41

1.01%

131.57

6.13%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.02

11.12

27.63%

REITS 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

138.29

141.26

39.78%

Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

106.94

108.95

41.12%

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

4.57 8.84 17.18 20.03 141.02

4.61 8.92 17.28 20.23 143.02

65.00% 25.60% 45.12% 25.42% 11.19%

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

44

T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2017

T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2017

45

46

T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2017

47

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Catalonia Crisis: Spain Could Allow Referendums, Says FM Spain is considering constitutional changes that could allow its regions to hold referendums on independence in the future, the foreign minister says. Alfonso Dastis has told the BBC a nationwide vote on the issue could be held. The move is in recognition of the events in Catalonia, where the regional government was deposed after an unilateral declaration of independence. Protests have been held

against the detention of the region’s ex-leaders. Meanwhile, Spain’s constitutional court has said the declaration of independence was “unconstitutional and void”. “We have created a committee in parliament to explore the possibility of amending the constitution to be able to accommodate better the aspirations of some of the Catalan people,” Mr Dastis told the BBC.

“We acknowledge there is a political situation that deserves to be looked at but, in any case, it’s clear that the decision will be taken, will have to be taken by all Spaniards.” He also said he was sorry if people got hurt during the banned referendum last month, but that there was no disproportionate use of force. He had previously said some pictures of violence were “fake”.

Trump in China for Talks with Xi amid N Korea Tensions US President Donald Trump is in China for talks likely to be dominated by tensions over North Korea, BBC reports. His arrival came after a speech to the South Korean parliament in which Mr Trump urged China to further isolate North Korea. The White House sees

China as pivotal in reining in the North’s nuclear aims but Beijing says it is doing enough. Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a lavish welcome to Mr Trump in what has been called a “state visit-plus”. Before his visit, Mr Trump piled praise on Mr Xi, saying he

was looking forward to meeting the Chinese president after“his great political victory”. Mr Xi recently consolidated his power at a Chinese Communist Party congress, a move analysts say will make him less likely to reach compromise with Mr Trump.

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2017

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Smuggling Costs Nigeria $5bn Yearly as FG Approves N5 bn for Erosion Control Kyari, Oyo-Ita make up Omololu Ogunmade ÓØ ÌßÔË The federal government yesterday resolved to deal decisively with rice smugglers whose activities, according to a World Bank disclosure, cost Nigeria a whopping $5 billion annually. This came as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) also approved N5.567 billion for erosion control under the aegis of Erosion Control Intervention and Acceleration for the control of erosion in six states in different parts of the country. Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, listed the beneficiary states to include: Sokoto, Kano, Ondo, Enugu, Bayelsa and Osun States.

In his own briefing, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said activities of smugglers were undermining the progress being made on local rice production in the country. According to him, rice was mainly smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic and sometimes from Niger Republic. He said people of Benin Republic don’t eat parboiled rice, hence every bag of parboiled rice which arrives Benin Republic is brought to Nigeria. He said the smugglers’ commitment is to ensure that Nigeria’s drive to boost local rice is frustrated, recalling how smugglers bring in bags of rice at N12,500, a price he said is not affordable to local rice millers as a result of local rice production

adding that the delays in the coming of several rice millers are caused by activities of smugglers. “The delays happen because many of the millers tell me that they can’t mill because of the activities of smugglers. They mill the rice. The smugglers dump them at N12,500. And the smugglers can dump at N12,500 because they are subsidised from Thailand. They are determined to see that we don’t succeed. We can’t do that because we can’t subsidise to that level.

“We say if everything goes well without the smugglers, our people should be able to sell here at N13,500 per bag. They agreed, but then the smugglers are coming and the millers are holding back. I, alone can’t solve the problem. That was why the president had to say yesterday (Tuesday) that we will come down hard on activities of smugglers because they are doing us a lot of damage. In fact, the World Bank says that they are costing us $5 billion

worth of loss per annum. We keep fighting, a little here, a little there. We ‘ll get there,” he said. Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and the Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, yesterday resolved their differences and embraced each other before the commencement of yesterday’s FEC meeting. Both of them had engaged each other in a heated argument last week before the start of a similar meeting over a leaked memo on

the controversial reinstatement of pension thief, Abdulrasheed Maina. Their reconciliation yesterday was spearheaded by Oyo-Ita who first reached out to Kyari who is her immediate neighbour in the council’s siting arrangement. In response, Kyari stretched forth his hands to her and after a handshake, he drew her closer in a warm embrace to the admiration of others in the chamber who cheered them with a round of applause.

Rumble in Abia PDP as Discontent Mounts against Ikpeazu Emmanuel Ugwu ÓØ ×ßËÒÓË The simmering discontent and anger in the Abia state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have finally reached the boiling point with the state publicity secretary, Chief Don Ubani yesterday warning against impending “implosion”. Ubani poured out the general feelings of disappointment over Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s perceived neglect of the party executives in a post on his Whatsapp account, saying that in a culture of silence where even the party elders have been shy to tell the governor the gospel truth he has decided to “bell the cat”. He told THISDAY that what he has done was to proffer “corrective measures” to save the ruling party from implosion, adding, “If all of us keep quiet the party will die”. In the post, Ubani said that the situation in Abia PDP calls for concern as some prominent politicians have already dumped the party for APC, adding that speculations were now rife that four members of the House of Representatives were now ready to dump PDP for APC. To avert a further exodus of high ranking political office holders from PDP Ubani called for “a careful, honest, strong, and effective reconciliation mechanism be put in place to, at least, reduce the number (of defectors)”.

He said, “while efforts are being made to woo new members to the party, honest efforts should also be made to make those who are still in the party to be comfortable and happy”. The publicity secretary, who was commissioner for information and later petroleum in the last administration, said that time has come for PDP members to tell themselves the home truth in order to avoid the mistake of the past. He said that the restiveness and discontent in the ruling party were traceable to the impunity and imposition of candidates during the last local government election as well as a horde of sycophants that have hijacked Ikpeazu. According to him, while the clique holding Ikpeazu hostage have deliberately refused to give the correct picture of the party, they have been busy amassing personal wealth to the detriment of party unity and cohesion. He said: “A situation where members of a ruling party in a state would at best, be suffering and smiling in squalor and abject penury while very few close to the helmsman will be swimming in flagrant ostentation, buying the best of latest SUV cars, building hostels and lodges around university campuses and spending fortunes lecherously, can never guarantee a peaceful and sustainable political environment”.

Goje’s Wife for Burial Today The corpse of the late wife of the former governor of Gombe state, Hajiya Yelwa Mohammed Danjuma Goje is set to arrive the country from the United States of America (USA) where she died penultimate Monday. The family in a statement by Ahmad Mohammed Goje said the corpse has left the United States of America and it would

soon arrive the country. The funeral prayer according to the family has been fixed for today, Thursday by 2.pm at the Emir’s Palace in Gombe The family had earlier postponed the funeral of the former first lady twice following the challenges of securing an aircraft to convey her corpse to the country.

LEAN ON ME

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State with a cross-section of the 84 Libya returnees received in Benin City... recently

Former Taraba Acting Gov Tells EFCC How They Shared Elections Funds Linked to Alison-Madueke Segun Awofadeji ÓØ Ù×ÌÏ A former acting governor of Taraba State, Sani Abubakar Danladi has told the Gombe state Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) how he and others shared N450 million meant to influence victory for former President Goodluck Jonathan during the 2015 general elections. According to a press release

signed and made available to newsmen in Gombe yesterday by the EFCC zonal office, Danladi, who was arrested last week in Abuja but released on bail, told EFCC investigators in Gombe that he collected the money through Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya and Honourable Mark Bako Useni. He said the amount was part of the N23 billion allegedly doled out by former Minister

of Petroleum, Deziani Alison Madueke to influence the outcome of the of the 2015 Presidential election. The former Acting Governor, according to the statement, also told the interrogators that he chaired the eight-man committee that disbursed the money for Taraba state. He stated that he and the other members of the committee shared N36m among

themselves while the balance of N414m was distributed to other stakeholders across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state and one Development Area Council. Danladi was arrested and detained in Abuja last week and later released on Bail to reliable sureties. He was asked to report to EFCC Gombe Zonal for further investigation

Miyetti Allah Seeks FG’s Intervention over Mass Eviction of Herdsmen from Benue Adedayo Akinwale ÓØ ÌßÔË The Miyetti-Allah Kautal Hore Fulani has sought the urgent intervention of the federal government over what it described as ‘mass eviction’ and ‘criminal displacement’ of herdsmen in Benue state over the anti-grazing law. The National President of the association, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello Bodejo while addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja

described the Benue anti-open grazing law which became effective on 1 November as an aberration which is against the provisions of the Nigeria Constitution that guarantees the rights of every Nigerians to live in any place or state of their choice. He stated that the Benue controversy has led to displacement and suffering of innocent people who have become refugees in their country, hence

the need for urgent and drastic intervention by the government. Bodejo noted that reports from those displaced show they were on the move for three or more days without food and shelter. He stated: “the Benue crisis is mass eviction and criminal displacement of Nigerians who have been put under undue pressure especially the children and the elderly among those displaced and migrating to neighbouring states and other

places. “We have the Benue State Government displacing innocent Fulanis and other pastoralists and Taraba State wanted to follow suit. What have Fulanis done to warrant this persecution? Does it mean that the Federal Government and President Muhammadu Buhari are not aware of this development or are they afraid of living up to their constitutional responsibilities?

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PDP Alleges Plot by Buhari to Incarcerate 50 Members Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the President Muhammadu Buhariled administration of the All

Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to arrest at least 50 members of the opposition before the end of December on phantom charges of corruption. The party said the aim of the

NNPC/Agip JV to Increase Power Generation by 480MW The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) Joint Venture are set to boost the Federal Government power generation aspiration by 480 megawatts (MW) through the completion of their Okpai Phase II Independent Power Project (IPP) slated for 2019. This was disclosed in Abuja recently during the inauguration of the Okpai Phase II power project by the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Kachalla Baru. Speaking at the event, Baru said all partners were working round the clock to deliver on the project in terms of specifications, time and budget. He said the decision by the partners to embark on the second phase of the Okpai power project was hinged on the enormous success of Okpai Phase I, which he described as the most consistent power plant in the country. “Although it (Okpai Phase I) was meant to generate 450MW into the national grid, it is now generating an average of 300MW due to evacuation

challenge. This is a significant addition to the national grid,” he said. He said the Okpai Phase II project, on completion, would generate additional 480MW into the national grid. He charged the 12-man committee to work hard and explore the possibility of delivering the project ahead of the 2019 target date, stressing that the project was very critical to the nation’s power aspirations. The GMD also urged the JV partners to sustain the march towards transforming into an Independent JV in keeping with the Presidential approval. Earlier, the Managing Director of NAOC, Mr. Massimo Insula, who was represented by Mr. Luca Bai, said everything had been put in place to ensure that the Okpai Phase II Project was delivered on schedule. In his remarks, Deputy CEO of Oando, Mr. Omamofe Boyo, said his company was committed to sustaining the successes recorded in Phase I of the project, assuring that they would work with other partners to ensure prompt and timely delivery of the project.

FG to Improve Ease of Doing Business Ranking from 145 to 100, Says Presidential Aide Mohammed Aminu ÓØ ÙÕÙÞÙ The Federal Government is committed to enhancing the ease of doing business by improving Nigeria’s ranking in the World Bank’s Doing Business index from the latest ranking of 145 to 100 by 2020. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, Mr.Sani Yakub, made this known at the 9th meeting of the National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment in Sokoto yesterday. He said the recent improvement of the country’s ease of doing business in the global ranking moving 24 points upward from 169 to 145 was a collective determination and ability to achieve results. Yakub stated that it was in view of this that the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan was launched to drive economic recovery and build a globally competitive and diversified Nigerian economy He posited that the priorities of the plan included stabilising the macroeconomic environment, achieving agricultural and food security, improving transportation infrastructure as well as driving industrialisation with a focus on small and medium scale enterprises.

Yakub emphasised that the Economic Recovery and Growth plan was focused on an implementation that brings about inclusive and diversified growth translating to improvements in the welfare of the people. “The overall goal is to achieve an economy with low inflation, stable exchange rates, diversified and inclusive growth and providing opportunities for all citizens to express their entrepreneurial spirit,” he stated. He described the meeting as apt, as it would enable stakeholders articulate solutions on how to implement the economic growth recovery plan with a view to achieving industrialisation. The senior special assistant further said the success was largely dependent on its effective implementation by doing things differently to achieve results. “There is a need more than ever before to focus on implementation and all the tiers of government have a major role in this all-important task,” he added. In a remark, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Edet Akpan, said the present administration was determined to unlock the potential of industrial, trade and investment sectors for job and wealth creation.

arrest is to deceive Nigerians that the failed anti-corruption war is still on course even though it has nothing to do with corruption but the scheming for the 2019 general election. In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Dayo Adeyeye, PDP claimed that already, five of its members have been illegally arrested and detained by the EFCC without any charge preferred against them. “We wish to draw the attention of Nigerians to the continued harassment of our party members by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of President Muhammadu Buhari, for no justifiable reason. “The latest needless onslaught against our party members is the plan by the APC government

at the centre to incarcerate 50 members of our party before the end of this year with a view to using their arrests to deceive Nigerians that the failed anti-corruption war is still on course,” it said. PDP also alleged, “that the dirty job, have been handed over to the compromised antigraft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)”. “Already, five members of our party have been illegally arrested and detained by the EFCC without any charge preferred against them. “Who the rest 45 members to be picked up are, we cannot say in the immediate. However, we are by no means scared of the persecution by the Buhari administration as we are sure

that the daylight is about to break after the dark night of the APC administration. “We wish to state clearly that what is ongoing under the Buhari administration is not a fight against corruption but an attempt at using members of the PDP as scapegoats and cover up for the ineffectual anti-corruption agenda of the current government. “The current wave of arrests, therefore, has nothing to do with the failed anti-corruption war but everything to do with the 2019 elections. Having failed on all it’s major election planks and with nothing to show for its over thirty months in office, the APC government has come to the conclusion that the only way to prevent its inevitable defeat at the polls in 2019 is to hound, harass, intimidate and

suppress members of our party into submission. “However we wish to state clearly that irrespective of what the APC government does in an attempt at bringing the PDP down to its knees, we shall remain irrepressible and will not bow to any tyranny. The APC has already thrown away its chances in the 2019 elections by its non-performance. No amount of intimidation and harassment of the opposition will improve its fortunes. “We call on all men and women of goodwill to rise up to challenge the invidious attempt of the APC government to turn Nigeria into a Gestapo state and undermine our hard earned democracy on the altar of political desperation,” PDP said.

WE ARE CERTIFIED

The MD/CEO of VDT Communications, Mr. Biodun Omoniyi, (middle); flanked by a key Affiliate of BSCICI, Mr. Demiji Folami (right) and Director at VDT, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, during the presentation of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certificate from BSCICI to VDT, at customers’ forum in Lagos...recently

House to Probe Abuse of Import Duty Waivers, Customs ICT Infrastructure Investigates alleged N115bn tax liabilities in MDAs, non-remittances by banks James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The House of Representatives yesterday passed a motion mandating its Committee on Customs and Excise to investigate the abuse of import duty waivers granted by the Federal Ministry of Finance and their effects on the economy. The committee was further authorised to determine the nature and extent of abuse of the Customs Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAAR) by importers and

officials of the Customs Service in order to recover the revenues due to the Federal Government but was not paid. The motion on the need to investigate the handling of import duty revenues, waivers and bonds on import duties collected by the Nigeria Customs Service from 2010 to date sponsored by Hon. James Abiodun Faleke and 13 other members also seeks to identify the companies or individuals that have refused to redeem the bonds even after clearing their imports

The committee is expected to report back in 90 days for further legislative action. The lower chamber also passed a motion urging the Federal Ministry of Finance to look into its Agreement with Webb Fontaine with a view to exploring the option of handing it over to the Nigeria Customs Service as already done by other Service Providers and also set up a Compliance Monitoring Team that will liaise with the Nigeria Customs Service to further utilize its ICT Infrastructure

towards conforming to the World Customs Organization standard. It mandated the Committee on Customs and Excise to investigate the operational activities in the Nigeria Customs Service ICT Infrastructure between 20132017, violation of its ASYCUDA Time-Line Agreement, Rules of Engagement and the delay in handing over to Nigeria Customs Service when other Service Providers did so in December 2013, and report back in six weeks for further legislative action.

BudgIT Lauds Early Budget Presentation, Cautions against Unrealistic Revenue Projections BudgIT welcomes the relatively early presentation of the 2018 Budget and accepts that the economy requires significant fiscal injections to sustain and accelerate economic growth. Significant investment in Infrastructure, education, agriculture among others are also important if Nigeria’s hope to diversify government revenue and export base is to be sustained, it stated. According to it, “the

improvement in tax administration which the government hope to push ahead within 2018 as highlighted in Mr President’s budget presentation speech is also welcome. Equally important is the need to end the cycle of poverty through some form of social intervention. “In all, the 2018 proposed budget of N8.6tn and its guiding framework captures a majority of the objectives and philosophy which

scholars, researchers and economist are inclined to think about when the need for fiscal injections arises. The philosophy of the current government to spend big due to the relatively slow economic activities is welcome and clearly understood. “As such, the capital expenditure allocation of N2.42tn is huge in nominal terms when compared to previous budgets. Given that almost all capital expenditure allocation will be financed primarily by debts, we

hope that the line items in the budget will reflect such. “Nigeria cannot continue to borrow to buy cars, computers, retrofit office buildings to the detriment of the critical mass needed to end the cycle of poverty and improve the economy. We hope the biggest proportion of capital allocation will go into improving infrastructure, expanding access to education, health among others.

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Osinbajo: Why Nigeria Moved up in World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index Ndubuisi Francis ÓØ ÌßÔË Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stated that Nigeria moved up 24 places in the recent World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking

due to a combination of factors, which include “good people with the right skills, collaboration, implementation strategies, especially removing discretion, attention to detail and consistently

Adeniran Can Lead PDP to Victory, Says Ugwuanyi Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË In what looked like a tacit endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairmanship ambition of former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran, the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has said the former minister has all it takes to return the party to power. He assured party faithful of his confidence in the leadership qualities of Adeniran, saying: “With his track record of party loyalty and antecedents, winning the 2019 presidential poll will not be a herculean task for the PDP.” In a statement issued yesterday by the Director, Media and Publicity of Tunde Adeniran Campaign Organisation (TACO), Taiwo Akeju, the state governor described Adeniran as a man

that is known for his objectivity, discipline and compliance to rules and regulations. “I have absolute confidence and assurance that the PDP will do well under him,” he said. Speaking during the visit, Adeniran assured party leaders and faithful that if elected as the next chairman of the party in December, he would end impunity, imposition and lack of internal democracy. Adeniran said he is in the chairmanship race as part of efforts by the party leaders to restore the confidence of party members and Nigerians generally in the PDP. According to him, “As a founding member of our great party, I know the ideals and philosophy of the founding fathers. I know the vision and mission of our party because I was there at the beginning.

Protesting Taxi Drivers Shut Down Abuja Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË Commercial activities were at a standstill in Abuja, the nation’s capital yesterday, after taxi drivers protested the rumoured killing of a driver allegedly by a soldier attached to the FCTA Task Team, at the Wuse Market. By yesterday evening, The FCT Police Command spokesman, DSP Anjuguri J. Manzah issued a statement assuring members of the Public “that normalcy has been restored at Wuse and its environs following a misunderstanding that broke out between operatives of the Directorate of Road Transport Services (VIO) Taskforce and cab operators close to Wuse market.” Reacting, the FCTA Task Team in its statement made available to THISDAY denied that there was a casualty in the efforts of an FCTA Task Team to restore sanity on Abuja roads and environs yesterday. The protest started in the early hours of the day before it spread

to other parts of the city. The rioters blocked the Herbert Macauley Road that links the market to high-end Garki district. The lockdown left many motorists and commuters stranded as movement to many parts of the city became restricted. The market, which also two months ago, witnessed a violent clash between traders and a civil society group led by show business mogul, Charly ‘Boy’ Oputa, over the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari from the country for a medical holiday, was shut down by armed police officers in a bid to thwart the situation from degenerating. They also removed the various barricades the protesters put on the road from Wuse market, through Sky Memorial all the way to Berger Bus stop. Eyewitness accounts attributed the protest to the shooting of a painted taxi driver at the market in the morning by a soldier attached to the task force.

INEC: Electoral Materials Found in Awka Hotel Don’t Belong to Us David-Chyddy Eleke ÓØ áÕË The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said two lorry load of sensitive materials allegedly intercepted by the police last Monday does not belong to the commission. INEC in a state signed by the state Resident Electoral Commission(REC), Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, stated that it was not aware of any missing sensitive materials, adding that the materials obviously do not belong to the commission as

there are laid down processes of delivering sensitive materials. National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had in a press conference last Monday raised the alarm over the interception of two lorry loads of INEC sensitive materials in an undisclosed hotel in Awka by police officers in the state. The state Police Commissioner, Garba Umar, while reacting to the allegation, said it was not true that his men had intercepted materials belonging to INEC in any hotel in Awka.

doing things properly.” He noted that although improved ranking by the bank is an evidence of productive collaboration anchored by the federal government ease of doing business initiative, the major challenge was to ensure that the ranking remains “in a constantly vertical sway, and constantly moving up and consolidating and remaining where we are.” The vice president, who spoke at the Ease of Doing Business Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in Abuja yesterday, congratulated the Presidential Enabling Business

Environment Council (PEBEC) team, and the reform leaders for the milestone, “in the journey to makeNigeria one of the most attractive destinations for business in the world.” He said: “You have heard the details of the planning and implementation, and I must say it’s quite impressive. But the subtext is for me perhaps more importantly, and it is about good people with the right skills, collaboration, implementation strategies especially removing discretion, attention to detail and consistently doing things properly. “I think the subtext is really what we should watch because we have moved 24 steps now,

but what does it take to remain in a constantly vertical sway? It is to constantly moving up and consolidating and remaining where we are. “That’s what I refer to as the subtext; the good people with skills and collaboration, implementation strategy especially ensuring we are able to remove discretion. I will talk about a few of those items I have mentioned beginning with good people. We’ve had the good fortune of working with some of the very best of Nigerians in the public sector and many of them are from the private sector. “Everybody is from the private sector, so you come into government and you do your bit.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okey Enelamah; Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Yetunde Sadiku of NIPC; Segun Awolowo of NEPC and the reform leaders who you’ve just listened to are smart, extremely talented people, self-motivated professionals. These are extremely good people, and they have the right skills.” The vice president pointed out that “the real heroes were the agencies trying to move the sometimes monstrous bureaucracies that they have to work with. Immigration is one, the Comptroller General, Babandede, is here; the CAC which was formally headed by Bello Mahmoud, and now Lady Azinge.”

EFCC Trial Won’t Affect My Chances, Says Gbenga Daniel Vows to end impunity in PDP Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË Former Governor of Ogun State and a national chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Gbenga Daniel, has said his pending case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will not be an obstacle to his ambition to

become the national chairman of the party. He said as far he is concerned, what he is facing at the EFCC is persecution and not prosecution. Daniel, who spoke with journalists shortly after picking the chairmanship nomination form at the national secretariat in Abuja, said he would ensure that all the mistakes made by

the party before are corrected to put it in good position to win the 2019 elections. According to him, “I don’t want to talk about my trial. People call it prosecution but I call it persecution. I think there are a few things that are instructive. This trial had been going on for the past nearly seven years. I have been

to court probably 40 times. It is prosecution but they still have not finished presenting their case.” The former governor said he feels that he is innocent of the charges and will prove it in the court, adding that under the law, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty

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CRIME&PUNISHMENT Police Kill Six Suspected Kidnappers, Arrest two others in Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;River Bassey Inyang Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153; The Cross River State Police Command has confirmed the killing of six men suspected to be kidnappers in Ikom, Ikom Local Government Areas of the state, about 300 kilometers from Calabar, the state capital. Â The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the killing of the suspects, said they were killed yesterday afternoon during a gun battle that ensued between them and men of the Special Anti-robber Squad (SARS) in their hideout. Ugbo also disclosed that two members of the gang of the suspected kidnappers were also

arrested as a result of the fierce gun battle with the police. Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our men today had an encounter with some kidnappers in Ikom local council area while trying to rescue an abducted woman in their captivity. Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;During the process of rescuing the victim, the kidnappers engaged our men in an exchange of fire, in the process, we were able to rescue the woman while five of the kidnappers were gun down. Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also arrested two of the kidnappers and our men are bringing them down to Calabar as we speak,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ugbo said. The state police spokesman said the encounter leading to their death followed an attempt by the

SARS team to rescue a business woman, whose identity was not mentioned who was abducted some days ago in Ikom by the suspects and taken to their hideout in a bush in the area. Â She said after the abduction of the woman, the suspected kidnappers started demanding that some amount of money be paid to them as ransom for the woman to regain her freedom. Â Ugbo said the suspects were trailed to their hideout where the SARS men moved spiritedly to rescue the woman. Â she said on sighting the policemen, the suspects opened gun fire, but the policemen responded with superior fire power.

Abductors of Mother of Labour Party Chairman Demand N100m Ransom  Hammed Shittu Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Abductors of Mrs. Elizabeth Omotosho, the mother of the incumbent National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Dr. Mike Omotosho, have demanded N100million as ransom to secure her release.  A source close to the family who sought anonymity told journalists in Ilorin yesterday that the kidnappers  had reached out to the family and requested that a huge sum be paid before the 71-year-old woman could be released from her captivity. Mrs. Omotosho was reportedly kidnapped last Sunday night by four unidentified gunmen at her residence, 23, Lobalade Street, Tanke, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.  Already, the gateman to the house has been helping

the security agencies in their investigations in the state.  The abduction of the septuagenarian came few weeks after Omotosho, who was the 2015 governorship candidate of LP in the state, was elected national chairman of the party. The source said  the abductors insisted that the family must provide the N100million ransom before the old woman could be left from her hostage According to the source, â&#x20AC;&#x153;When mama was kidnapped last Sunday night, they went away without leaving any sign behind for us to reach out to them. But as I talk to you now, they have reached out to us and demanded that the sum of N100million be paid before they can release mama to us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Though we are distraught with this ugly development at this moment in our life, we are

optimistic and prayerful that the kidnappers would consider her age and release her in good time.â&#x20AC;? Also, in a telephone chat yesterday, the spokesman of the state Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the force was on the trail of the suspects When asked whether the police were aware of any demand by the abductors, Okasanmi replied that he was not in the know, but made the assurance that the old woman would be released soon. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Department of State Services (DSS) and other sister security agencies are working behind the scene to unravel the identity of the hoodlums. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are on their trail. You know this is a sensitive matter and it is better left in a covert way that we are working.

Two Arrested in Minna for Beheading Businessman  Laleye Dipo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; The police in Minna, Niger State, has confirmed the arrest of two young men believed to be behind the beheading of a  young businessman in the Bosso area of the state capital  24-year-old Elkana Sunday and 22-year-old Henry Sunday were apprehended in the Kpakungu area, a suburb of the state capital, last Friday for reportedly beheading Ebuka Eze, a businessman in Bosso area of the state capital.  According to reports, the duo allegedly sneaked into the agro

chemical shop of the deceased in Bosso where they were said to have overpowered him and later cut off his head.  The suspects were also said to have escaped with the head of the deceased.  Father of the deceased, Mr. Peter Eze, who confirmed the incident, lamented what he described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the gruesome murder of my son,â&#x20AC;? saying the incident couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been an act of God as sympathisers wanted him to accepted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is not an act of God, no! I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe this. It is difficult to attribute this devilish act to the

will of God. Why should they kill my son, over what? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those who killed my son must tell me why they did it and who sent them to carry out this ungodly act. The law must take its cause. My son is very innocent, he has not committed any crime to deserve this wicked act,â&#x20AC;? Peter Eze declared. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Abigail Unaeze, when contacted, confirmed the arrest of the suspects. Unaeze added that the suspects would be charged to court on the conclusion of investigations.

Two Security OfďŹ cers Arrested in Kano over Sale of Impounded Fake Drugs  IbrahimShuaibuĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2122; Two officers of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Kano Road TrafficAgency (KAROTA) have been arrested over sale of expired drugs in the popular Sabon Gari drug market.  Hussaini Labaran Zakari, who is a leader of the ad-hoc committee, said the committee arrested a man at the market with cartons of expired drugs who on interrogation, said he

bought the goods from a personnel of NSCDC.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;The man took us to the civil defence officer who accepted selling them to the man but said it was a KAROTA official that gave them to him to sell and upon seeing the KAROTA personnel, he admitted conniving to sell the expired drugs,â&#x20AC;? Zakari said. He added that â&#x20AC;&#x153;they were later handed over to the Police for further investigation.â&#x20AC;?

 It was further gathered that the officers were alleged to have been in the business of expired drugs worth thousands of naira.  It was also gathered that the Ad-hoc committee of Patent Medicine Sellers at Sabon Gari market effected the arrest of the two officers who are members of the state committee on Fake and Counterfeit Drugs who sold the seized expired drugs.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2017

THURSDAYSPORTS

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

WORLD CUP 2018 QUALIFIER

Madjer Declares War on Injury Depleted Eagles Says last Group B qualifying game not a friendly one Duro Ikhazuagbe Even as Super Eagles handlers are lamenting the absence of six key members of the team due to injuries, Fennecs of Algeria Head Coach, Rabah Madjer, has insisted that his wards will play Friday’s dead rubber World Cup 2018 qualifier with Nigeria with all seriousness. Madjer announced at a press conference ahead of the last Group B Russia 2018 game in Constantine that Algeria will not play the game like a friendly despite already eliminated from Russia 2018 Mundial. “The match against Nigeria is not a friendly, to me this is the first match of the qualifiers for next year’s World Cup,” Madjer declared at the press conference. The former Algerian World Cup star admitted that the Fennecs have been in crisis and this game against Nigeria presents a chance to return the North African team to winning ways. “Our team is in crisis, it has been a difficult period for the players and that is why we have to get back to winning matches immediately (defeating Nigeria),” stressed Madjer. The Algeria coach picked Arsenal player, Alex Iwobi, as the star of the Super Eagles

after he studied several videos of the Nigerian team. Madjer also said Iwobi is the one player that coach Gernot Rohr does not have a replacement for after studying videos of the Eagles. Rohr is going into the last World Cup qualifier unbeaten in the series. The Franco-German coach picked the ticket to the Mundial with this Algerian game to spare. But tomorrow, the Eagles gaffer is going to be without six players who pulled out of the trip to North Africa due to injury. Turkey-based midfielder Mikel Agu was the latest injury casualty to hit the team after Victor Moses, Moses Simon, Ogenyi Onazi, Odion Ighalo and Elderson Echiejile were ruled out of the 2018 World Cup qualifier as well as a friendly against Argentina four days later. “We have six injuries, so it means six changes at least in this game,” Rohr said yesterday. “But we hope to do a good game. We play to make a good game with good result. “It’s also an opportunity to see those players who did not play so much during the qualifiers,” he noted. Rohr also admitted that his Algerian counterpart will be aiming to beat Eagles to return his team to reckoning.

TGI Group Tasks Eagles to Go for Victory against Algeria Okon Bassey in Uyo An international investment and holding company, Tropical General Investment (TGI) Group has advised the Super Eagles to aim for victory in the last World Cup qualification match with the Fennecs of Algeria. Executive Director of TGI Group, Mr. Onyekachi Onubogu tasks the Nigerian senior national team yesterday. The TGI Group is the owners of the Big Bull Rice brand which recently signed a milestone agreement with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) as

the official food sponsor of the Super Eagles for the next three years He stressed that a win by the Super Eagles in the encounter with the Algerians despite already picking the Group B ticket to Russia 2018 will further boost the ego of the team and put them in the right frame of minds as they begin final preparations for the global football fiesta. According to him, “it is our desire that the Super Eagles finish their qualification series unbeaten with a win against the Fennecs of Algeria”.

Super Eagles training under ther watchful eyes of Gernot Rohr in Rabat, Morocco…yesterday

“They have changed coaches, they are yet to win at home (in the qualifiers), so they will be very aggressive,

they have one of the best African players (Riyad) Mahrez and also (Islam) Slimani.

“It will be interesting to see how some of the players will do in in our team,” concludes the Super Eagles gaffer who

is expected to lead his wards to Constantine this afternoon from the team’s Rabat, Morocco camp.

Nigeria’s Pioneer Pro-golfer, Oyebajo, Dies Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja One of the founding fathers of the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN) Jamiu Oyebajo is dead. Oyebajo, who died on Tuesday, November 7 at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, few weeks to his 71st birthday and was buried yesterday in Lagos, according to Muslim rites. His death occurred barely four months after the passage of Matthew Jacob, the first Director of PGAN. Oyebajo was one of the

four Nigerian caddies selected by Chief Anthony Enahoro and sponsored by Nigerian Tobacco Company (NTC) in 1968 for a professional training in England. The others are Emmanuel Lawrence, Patrick Okpomu and Festus Makelemi. A year later, they formed the PGAN along with their English instructor, John Nosworthy, with Jacob as the administrator. Oyebajo was the Resident Professional at Ikeja Golf Club. Oyebajo captained West African team against Great Britain in the 1970s

He has trained and mentored several golfers and professional golfers across the country. Some of the prominent people he taught the art of golf included the first Military Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson (rtd), Otunba Olusola Adekanola, Senator Akin Odunsi and Regular Professional Gboyega Oyebanji. Known for his uprightness, Oyebajo was at different times a past Captain of the national team, former Head of Caretaker Committee and

former Director of PGAN. While reacting to the news of the death yesterday, present Director of the professional Golfers’ Association of Nigeria, Samson Lawal, said Oyebajo’s death was a big shock to the body. “Jamiu had a strong character and lived his life for golf. His passion and strong leadership qualities were readily available for the association and individual members to tap free. He was perhaps, the most respected member of PGAN. We will miss him dearly,” mourned the PGAN director.

FCWAMCO Games Season 12 Kicks Off

2018 ACCESS/LAGOS CITY MARATHON LOADING...

L-R: Senior Brand Manager, Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc, Segun Ogunleye; Chairman, CIG Motors, Diana Chan; Managing Director, Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe; and Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu, at the Press Conference to announce activities for Access Bank/Lagos City Marathon co-sponsored by Aquafina Table Water slated for February 10, 2018 in Lagos

The 12th edition of FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s annual sports tournament, FCWAMCO Games, kicked off on Saturday at the Agege Stadium in Lagos. The ceremony opened Champions League-style with Team Peak vs. Team IFT debut football match. Team Peak won the exciting match 4-2. The tournament, scheduled to end on November 25, 2017, will feature four teams in knockout clashes, an array of other outdoor and indoor games including Table tennis, Volley ball, Chess, Scrabble etc, after which the 2017 champions will emerge. The Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Ben Langat, in his speech at the

kickoff said, “The essence of FCWAMCO Games is to create a fun occasion and a chance to engage as an organisation. It is also a platform to improve our health since a healthy workforce makes a healthy organisation; as well as to enhance our competitive mind-set in line with our vision to Lead, Fight and Inspire.” FCWAMCO Games have evolved from being just a football competition to a bouquet of sports encouraging healthy competition and bonding of employees across all levels. The Games commemorate the company’s goal of inspiring employees to take ownership of its corporate values as well as providing an inclusive platform that supports fair play.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2017

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Price: N250

MISSILE Benjamin Apugo to President Buhari “It is unfortunate that the ministerial slot for Abia State was given to someone we have not seen in the past 30 to 40 years; he doesn’t even know the road to Abia because he lives in Lagos and he is a pastor. The South East deserves to be given juicy ministerial positions this time around” – APC Board of Trustees member, Prince Benjamin Apugo, canvassing better a deal for the South-east in Buhari administration.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

What Tokini Peterside Teaches O

n Tuesday, as ‘Celebrity Constellation’ cruised on the Mediterranean Sea, following a three-day stop at the Israeli ports of Haifa and Ashdod, I decided to explore the ship, by walking the length and breadth of the 12 decks. Although the exercise took me more than an hour to accomplish, I made an important discovery in the process. Placed strategically on the wall of the rooftop terrace (which has big and small swimming pools, basketball and tennis courts as well as other sporting facilities) were framed black and white photographs of women hairstyles that looked uniquely Nigerian. Out of curiousity, I moved closer to read the inscription on the name tag that was also pasted on the wall beside each of the frames, and then the find: ‘D. J. ‘Okhai Ojeikere, B. 1930. Nigeria.’ The first thing I did on getting to my room was a Google search which came up with several writings about the photographer whose works were “included in the arsenale section of the 55th Venice Biennale d’arte, ‘Il Palazzo Enciclopedia’ curated by Massimiliano Gioni in 2013”. More revealing was that this man, described by Giulia Paoletti as “one of the greatest African photographers of the twentieth century”, died in February 2014 in Lagos at the age of 83 and I never heard about him before. While I accept my failings that it would take a foreign ship to learn about such a distinguished Nigerian professional on whom foreign journalists did fascinating reports, that omission is also a reflection of how our society treats artists. For instance, the works of Ojeikere which adorn the cruise ship must have been purchased from some foreign arts promoters who would have made a kill from what probably fetched the late photographer no more than pittance. Beyond that, the fact that we place little premiums on artists and their works accounts for why our prime artifacts are outside the country, many of them given away cheaply by those who could not appreciate the priceless possessions that are part of our heritage as a people. Given the foregoing, we must commend the vision of Ms Tokini Peterside who has decided not only to give Nigerian artists a platform to shine but also to put our country on the global arts map. This is all the more remarkable, coming at a period several of our young men and women are going into visual arts with all the frustrations that can come with such endeavour in a society where artists are underappreciated. Explaining what fired her interest in arts promotion with the launch in 2016 of ART X Lagos—the second edition of which held last week in Lagos—Tokini said in a recent interview that it all started when she visited Venice Biennale, the world’s largest and biggest art exhibition in 2015. “That experience, for me, resonated in a number of ways. It was very exciting to see African artists positioned on the world biggest stage in such an even way. It also stressed for me that at home we needed to develop

Ms Peterside more platforms that could similarly bring the world to see the potential of the art sector in Nigeria.” Following series of conversations with artists, comprising mostly members of her generation who were finding fulfilment in their crafts abroad, Tokini came to the conclusion that something needed to be done so that those who choose to stay home can also be rewarded for their talents and creativity. This was the way she put it: “Majority of them were no longer living in Lagos and some of them living in Lagos were looking for ways to leave the country. I thought these artists needed to be present in Nigeria. How do we stop our country’s brightest stars from leaving? How do we ensure that many more of them can stay in Nigeria, thrive in Nigeria, sell their works to Nigerians and also to the international market? I then decided to think about what type of platform could do that”. For sure, Nigeria can be very depressing when you reflect on so many things. But when I think about our country these days, I feel optimistic about the future because I look beyond the nonsense in Abuja and many of the states where governance is now synonymous with erecting silly statues to the creative energies being unleashed by our young men and women in several sectors. These enterprising Nigerians in their 20s, 30s and 40s are daily taking up available spaces to deploy their resourcefulness. Hopefully, very soon, these young Nigerians will also seize the political space from the carpetbaggers who have for years held our nation down and denied the people the prosperity that is possible. That, for me, is the meaning of what Tokini in doing with ART X Lagos though it helps that she also comes from a family with considerable means. That is an advantage in two respects. One, in the short-run when she may have to invest a lot of resources, she won’t be lacking in such support and two, she can also use her father’s wide connections to draw the right crowd, as

she did last week. Ultimately, as a niche player, Tokini will make good money but the true value of her endeavour is that she is going to empower many of our artists while enriching Nigerian history in the process. I know that when we talk about cultural heritage, what immediately comes to the minds of most people are historical monuments and objects but what is often ignored is that culture includes intellectual endeavours and human creativity. And since heritage implies a connection between the past and future and an expression of a way of living that is passed from one generation to another, it stands to reason that works of arts are critical in building an inclusive society. What Tokini therefore teaches us is that we can harness the power of arts to create economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for many of our young professionals. Beyond that, she also reminds us that if there is anything the great civilisations and cultures that we read about in the history books have in common, it is the success of their arts. I can bear testimony to that. In all the places we have visited on this voyage, either in Greece or Israel, we were regaled with stories of past societies through graven images, paintings and other artifacts. That precisely was the point British arts administrator and journalist, John Tusa was making in his 2010 intervention, “The arts matter” where he wrote that “because they are universal; because they are non-material; because they deal with daily experience in a transforming way; because they question the way we look at the world; because they offer different explanations of that world ... A nation without arts would be a nation that had stopped talking to itself, stopped dreaming, and had lost interest in the past and lacked curiosity about the future.” Indeed, there can be no greater appreciation of what Tokini is doing than the publication

placed in each of our rooms on the ship titled “Art Auctions on Board” by Park West, the world’s leading dealer of fine artwork that was founded in 1969 and “has brought fine art to more than 1.4 million collectors around the world”. Not one of the 39 artists drawn from all over the world profiled in the publication is a black person or an African. What that says most eloquently is that we need local promoters for our extremely talented artists to command global attention and that is the vacuum Tokini is trying to fill. It is unfortunate that we live in a society that still does not appreciate our artists. I recall that on 15th June 2013, I was in Ogidi community in Kogi State as keynote speaker on ‘Ogidi Day’. On that occasion, there was no doubt as to who was the star attraction: Chief Mrs Nike Okundaye, an acclaimed artist who has not only been promoting Nigeria batik and fabric designs but our culture. The simple woman who by her own admission had no formal education (yet has taught at Harvard University) drew several foreign diplomats to her community through the power of arts. While I do not know how much financial reward the late Johnson Donatus Aihumekeokhai Ojeikere in whose hands, according to Paoletti, “photography became a means to record the transient creativity that articulated Nigerian social and cultural life” got for his talent while he was alive, a line credited to him in the obituary by the BBC is very telling: “The (Nigerian) state has never really cared about the arts here and, although we have many people who are very rich, we also lack good private institutions for the promotions of the arts.” That is the sort of story Tokini Peterside intends to rewrite with ART X Lagos and she deserves not only commendation but institutional support for her enterprise.

Living on Borrowed Time While experts are still dissecting the 2018 appropriation bill presented to the National Assembly by President Buhari on Tuesday and what it means in concrete terms for the average Nigerians, even laymen like me can see that when you combine the amount earmarked for debt servicing with the allocations for recurrent expenditure and then subtract that figure from the total, not much money will be left for capital projects if the budget were based only on our revenue earnings not padded by any borrowing. What that therefore suggests very clearly is that we are still trying to dig ourselves out of the big hole we have put ourselves as a result of several years of irresponsible living. What is even more worrisome is that the Fiscal Sustainability Index of the states, as released by Seun Onigbinde’s BudgIT, presents a distressing picture: Only Lagos, Rivers, Kano and Katsina, in that order, can meet salary obligation to their workers without resorting

to borrowing. The situation of some Niger Delta States is particularly pathetic despite the hundreds of billions of Naira that have accrued to them from the federation account in recent years. Meanwhile, given that the dire economic situation has pushed the nation in the direction of an aggressive tax drive, which is where we ought to have started in the first place, the authorities should also be aware that such monies are meant to fund critical infrastructure and social services, not pay for the indulgence of public servants who store ill-gotten wealth in some ‘paradise’ havens even as they continue to live large at the expense of poor citizens. While this is a conversation we must have someday, it is important that we come to terms with the reality that the fundamentals of our economy remain very suspect. And to successfully deal with the problem, we must also begin to fix the politics.

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