Thursday 30th November 2017

NNPC Targets $5bn Cash-for-Crude Prepayments OPEC, Russia set for oil cut extension Cartel to discuss output caps for Nigeria, Libya Ejiofor Alike in Lagos and Chineme Okafor in Vienna with agency report The

Nigerian

National

Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is targeting up to a $3.5-$5 billion cash-for-crude prepayments from some of the world’s top commodity

traders to fund oil and gas upstream projects as well as related infrastructure. This is coming as the Organisation of Petroleum

Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia look set this week to prolong oil supply cuts until the end of 2018 on the condition that they may

review the deal when they meet again in June 2018 if the market overheats. Nigeria was hit hard by the sharp drop in global

oil prices in 2014 and 2015 that pushed it into its first recession in 25 years. Continued on page 6

SEC DG, Gwarzo Suspended over Financial Impropriety, EFCC Joins Probe… Page 6 Thursday 30 November, 2017 Vol 22. No 8260. Price: N250

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President Saddened over Sale of Nigerians ‘Like Goats’ in Libya Vows to evacuate them as N’Assembly, UN, SERAP condemn slave trade 7,250 migrants, another 4,600 coming Omololu Ogunmade, Damilola Oyedele and James Emejo in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the sale of mostly Nigerians “like goats for

a few dollars” in Libya, promising to evacuate the remaining Nigerians in the North African country.

Also joining the president to condemn the act yesterday were the National Assembly, the United Nations and a

civil society group, who called for action against the modern day slave trade. The president, who was

FG repatriates reacting to recent CNN reports on the slave trade Continued on page 8

Buhari Hints at Presidential Run, Says Abidjan Trip with Govs Could Bring Him Votes Maintains he belongs to everyone as reason for backing Adesina for AfDB presidency Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari dropped a major hint in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on his presidential run for a second term in the 2019 elections when he told the Nigerian community in Abidjan that he insisted on the presence of two governors who had accompanied him on his trip to the country at the meeting because it might give him votes in the future. The two governors, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi, had left Nigeria with

the president for Abidjan on Tuesday to participate in the 5th European Union-African Union (EU-AU) Summit. The National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu is also on the trip. Buhari had while apologising for keeping members of the Nigerian community waiting, explained the delay was caused by his insistence on attending the meeting with the governors, saying if the people saw their governors, it might earn him some votes in the future. Continued on page 6

FG Approves N1.5bn Advert Bill to Drive $1bn Tax Revenue… Page 10

R-L: Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Minister of State, Power, Works and Housing, Suleiman Hassan; Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita; and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma at the Federal Executive Council meeting held at the council chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja… yesterday godwin omoigui

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SEC DG, Gwarzo Suspended over Financial Impropriety, EFCC Joins Probe Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja and Goddy Egene in Lagos The federal government has announced the suspension of the Director-General (DG) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Mounir H. Gwarzo, to allow for an unhindered investigation of several allegations of financial impropriety levelled against him. Among others, Gwazo was alleged to have requested and received the sum of N104 million as severance package

when he became DG in 2015. The money was reportedly for his previous position as executive commissioner, despite opposition from the former acting head of the commission’s legal department, Mr. Chukwuogor Frana. A petition, which has been sent to the House of Representatives over the alleged fraudulent activities, also accused him of violating the rules guiding the SEC by awarding contracts to his companies and those of his family and friends.

He was alleged to have awarded contracts to a company, Medusa Investment Company, in which he is a director, and other companies to which he is related, thus resulting in a conflict of interest. Announcing his suspension yesterday, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun said she has set up an administrative panel of inquiry (API) to investigate and determine the culpability of the director-general. “She has directed the

suspended SEC directorgeneral to immediately hand over to the most senior officer at the commission, pending the conclusion of the investigation by the API. “Also suspended are two management staff of the commission – Mr. Abdulsalam Naif Habu, Head of Media Division and Mrs. Anastasia Omozele Braimoh, Head of Legal Department – who are alleged to have been engaged in financial impropriety in the commission,� a statement issued yesterday by the finance

ministry said. According to a statement, Gwarzo’s suspension was in line with the Public Service Rules (PSRs) 03405 and 03406. Other than the administrative enquiry ordered by Adeosun, Gwarzo is also being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday. EFCC wants to unravel the owners of the nine companies that were awarded contracts by the SEC under Gwarzo.

They include Outbound Investment Limited, Medusa Investments Limited, Northwind Environmental Services, Micro-Technologies Limited, Tida International Limited, Outlook Communications, Acromac Nigeria Limited, Balfort International Investment Limited and Interactiven Worldwide Nigeria Limited. According to the EFCC, Gwarzo, his wife and other cronies allegedly used these companies to carry out illegal transactions in SEC.

state energy companies. Some producers including Rosneft, run by an ally of President Vladimir Putin, Igor Sechin, have questioned the rationale of prolonging the cuts, saying it will lead to a loss of market share to U.S. firms, which are not reducing output. OPEC, which comprises 14 countries, has traditionally been much less worried about exit strategies, as its members have been known for reducing compliance and cheating on their quotas towards the expiration of such deals. At today’s meeting, OPEC will also debate whether to cap oil output from Nigeria and Libya, which have so far been excluded from supply curbs due to falling production amid unrest, two sources with knowledge of the matter said yesterday. The sources said the idea was to cap Nigerian output at 1.8 million barrels per day and Libyan at one million bpd. Reacting to the output cap, Kachikwu said yesterday that Nigeria was taking the pressure from OPEC member countries and their allies led by the Russian to join the crude oil production cut agreement they reached in 2016 with good posture and would be fine notwithstanding the outcome of today’s meeting of the group. Kachikwu who spoke in Vienna ahead of today’s meeting, said so far, there was nothing extraordinary to be worried about by the group’s push. He said even if Nigeria was

compelled to cap output, the country had still not been able to reach the production level that was expected to cap her output. According to him, the country was producing an unstable 1.7 million barrels per day of oil. He stated that while the production numbers were not good enough for Nigeria, its current earnings from crude oil were positive and had allowed the federal government to fund the national budget. Kachikwu, however, emphasised that it was necessary for Nigeria to maximise the current window granted her by OPEC and its allies by driving her production efficiency. “There’s a lot of attention on Nigeria and Libya obviously but the reality is that these countries have to produce. Market behaviour has been positive and we need to build on that. “If you look at the numbers in terms of earnings, we’re doing excellently well. What’s the essence of overproducing and selling at a giveaway price? “In terms of our immediate concerns, we are getting more money for our budget and development, we are far positively away from where we were, but we need to refocus our attention from production volumes to efficiency,� Kachikwu said. The minister noted that while other producers were calling for Nigeria to get off the exemption window, they must appreciate that the country had

made great sacrifices to help rebalance the market either by her production challenges or the voluntary decisions it made to support the market rebalancing efforts. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) for the OPEC and non-OPEC production cuts agreement and Kuwait’s oil minister, Issam Almarzooq, disclosed at the meeting of the JMMC that the co-operation has in the last one year recorded great achievements. Almarzooq stated that since the agreement was made, producers have made sacrifices that resulted in up to 200 million barrels of crude oil decline in the first 10 months while floating storage had come down by an estimated 50 million barrels. He said: “This positive outlook has clearly been supported by the unprecedented conformity levels to the production adjustments in the declaration of co-operation. “These consistently high levels, at or above 100 per cent, have quietened the voices of naysayers in the industry who initially expressed doubts regarding the commitment of the 24 participating OPEC and non-OPEC producing countries to bring stability back to the oil market.� He, however, warned that while the group could be said to be on the right path, it must remain alert to developments in the market until it achieves its final objective.

NNPC TARGETS $5BN CASH-FOR-CRUDE PREPAYMENTS Though the country returned to growth-mode in the second quarter, the cash-strapped NNPC, which has been weighed down by billions of dollars in old debts, has also been looking to bring in outside cash. Reuters quoted NNPC sources as saying that Standard Chartered Bank was hired to advise on the oil prepayments and a request-for-proposal was issued a few weeks ago for a $3.5 billion to $5 billion loan to be repaid with crude over five to seven years. But both spokespersons for Standard Chartered and the NNPC declined to comment on Reuter’s request. However, the sources added that a decision was expected before the end of this year. Around seven trading firms were still in the running, one added, with top trading houses including Glencore, Vitol and Trafigura being among the active contenders. The corporation is said to be seeking three off-takers, one of the sources said, against 70,000 barrels per day of crude. Vitol already has a major presence in Nigeria after buying petrol stations via a joint venture with Oando Plc and private equity fund Helios. Vitol is also among a list of majors traders, including Trafigura, that participate in a swap scheme to deliver refined products in exchange for crude. Profit margins for trading firms have been slowly eroding over the last few years as transparency in oil markets has increased, reducing arbitrage

opportunities, once based on privileged information. Increasing traded volumes is one way to raise profits and competition is fierce for prepayment deals with state oil firms. NNPC has had cash-flow problems for years and has been chronically behind payments for its stakes in upstream joint ventures with Shell, Chevron, Total, Eni and ExxonMobil. After project development began to stall following the collapse in oil prices, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu reached a deal last year with its major foreign oil producers to repay $5.1 billion over five years, interest-free. NNPC has already leveraged over 300,000 barrels per day of crude to cover current fuel imports via a crude-for-product swap scheme as well as debts to traders dating back nearly a decade. In a related development, OPEC and Russia this week, look set to prolong oil supply cuts until the end of 2018 while signalling that they may review the deal when they meet again in June if the market overheats. But with oil prices rallying above $60 per barrel, Russia has questioned the wisdom of extending existing cuts of 1.8 million barrels per day until the end of next year as such a move could prompt a spike in U.S. production. Russia needs much lower oil prices to balance its budget than OPEC’s leader Saudi Arabia, which is preparing a stock

market listing for national energy giant Aramco next year and would hence benefit from pricier crude. Six ministers from OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers including Saudi Arabia and Russia gathered in Vienna yesterday – one day ahead of today’s full OPEC meeting – to review recommendations by their delegates. On Tuesday, a joint OPEC/ non-OPEC committee recommended extending cuts until the end of 2018 with an option of reviewing the arrangement at the next OPEC meeting in June, three sources from the OPEC said. Benchmark Brent and US crude prices declined yesterday for a third consecutive day although Brent remained above $63 per barrel. United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui said on Tuesday that cutting output through all of 2018 was still the main, but not the only scenario. “There is a meeting today in the afternoon. And depending on all of those parameters, we will come up with what is best for the market and for the organisation,� he said yesterday. The production cuts have been in place since the start of 2017 and helped halve an excess of global oil stocks although those remain at 140 million barrels above the five-year average, according to OPEC. Russia has signalled it wants to understand better how producers will exit from the cuts as it needs to provide guidance to its private and

BUHARI HINTS AT PRESIDENTIAL RUN, SAYS ABIDJAN TRIP WITH GOVS COULD BRING HIM VOTES “First, I want to apologise for keeping you waiting. This is because I insisted on the governors attending this meeting. “This is why I came along with them so that when we are going to meet you, when you are going to meet the other Nigerians, if you tell them that their governors were in the company of the president, I think that will be another vote for me in the future. I’m very pleased that they were able to turn up,� he said. At the meeting, the president also said his support for the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, who served in the immediate past government as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, was a confirmation of his initial remark that he indeed

belongs to everybody and belongs to nobody. He made the statement in reaction to Adesina’s gratitude to the Buhari administration for supporting him to clinch the job. He said: “The President of the African Development Bank forgot to mention that he was serving in the PDP government as a minister, but all the same I picked him and recommended him for the AfDB top job. “I think it emphasised what I said during my swearing in that I’m for everybody, I’m for nobody. As long as you are a Nigerian be prepared to be on the receiving end from me.� Buhari also thanked Tinubu, whom he said had brought him the cheery news that he never knew. But he failed to disclose the nature of the information.

“I also thank our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has brought me a very beautiful piece of information, which I was not aware of until I sat down and read it this evening (Tuesday night). Thank you very much for your hard work and I will discuss that paper with you,� he said. Adesina, in his remarks, said the Nigerian economy picked up immediately the president recovered, noting that there was a correlation between the president’s health and the improved economy. Adesina also said the AfDB had released $250 million for the construction and rehabilitation of the North-east destroyed by Boko Haram insurgency. He also disclosed that AfDB had constructed a large

office behind the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, describing it as the first of such buildings by AfDB outside its Abidjan headquarters. “I want to thank you immensely. I want to thank God for your health because I must say that for all of us that has been a big concern but seeing you fit as a fiddle and seeing you back in action, we thank God for that and may God continue to give you great strength. “Mr. President as you must have noticed, there is a very strong correlation between your health and the economy and when you came back, the economy picked up after that. So, we wish you great health so that the economy can continue to pick up. “I also want to congratulate you for the Economic Growth and Recovery Plan (EGRP) that you have put in place

and the incredible plan that you have put in place to bring the economy out of recession and also in terms of the fact that Nigeria has moved up in the World Bank ease of doing business index. “I also want to thank you for your leadership on the Boko Haram issue because to draw investments into Nigeria, you absolutely have to have security. “I think that securing our borders is very important, thanks to your leadership for that. I also thank you for all the efforts you have made in the Lake Chad Basin area. “I was with you in Paris where you led the efforts in reviving the Lake Chad Basin. As you know, Mr. President, the bank is very strongly behind that. “We put in $250 million to support the rebuilding of the North-east of Nigeria.

I know you were criticised for th erebuilding effort but I don’t see anything wrong, if things get destroyed they have to be rebuilt,� he said.

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PAGE EIGHT PRESIDENT SADDENED OVER SALE OF NIGERIANS ‘LIKE GOATS’ IN LIBYA in Libya that has led to the sale of mostly Nigerian and other African migrants seeking for so-called greener pastures in Europe, made the remark in Abidjan, the Cote d’Ivoire capital, when he met with the Nigerian community in the West African country Tuesday night. Describing the act as appalling, Buhari said he would not be surprised if most of the 26 women and teenage girls who perished in the Mediterranean were indeed Nigerians. Buhari who is in Cote d’Ivoire to participate in the 5th EU-AU summit, pledged that his administration would deploy all powers within its reach to discourage Nigerian youths from putting their lives at risk in their search for greener pasture. He said addressing insecurity and providing critical infrastructure in Nigeria would reduce the tendency by youths to endanger their lives in the Mediterranean Sea. “I am telling you all this because I know that those of you who are making it here, I am sure send contributions home for feeding and for school fees and for healthcare. “There are basic things that the government should do and we are to make sure that the people who are crossing the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean decline in number to prevent them from perishing. “It was announced that 26 Nigerians died, but before they could prove that they were all Nigerians, they were buried. But the evidence I got from the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs (Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa) is that only three were identified as Nigerians. “But I won’t be surprised if a majority of them were really Nigerians. And for people to cross the Sahara desert, to go into shanty boats across the Mediterranean Sea, I think we will try and keep them at home. “But for anyone who dares the desert and the Mediterranean without documents to prove that he/ she is a Nigerian, there is nothing we can do about it, absolutely nothing. “In the interview some of you saw, some of the Nigerians said they were being sold like goats for a few dollars for years in Libya. After 43 years of Gaddafi where he recruited so many people from the Sahel, including Nigeria and so on, all they learnt was how to shoot and kill. “They did not learn to become electricians, plumbers or any other trade. So, when the Libyans stood against their leader, those who were not their people, they chased them out. A lot of them came back home. Some of them participated in the conflict and have become part of Boko Haram. “So, I’m telling you that our major problem as we have identified, is still the security of the country. We have done much better. Everybody is saying it. “And then, we are talking very regularly with the Niger Delta and its leadership because they know they are holding the throat of the country economically,� he said. Buhari also condemned suicide bombing by members of

the Boko Haram sect, describing it as madness and expressed the need for Nigerians in CĂ´te d’Ivoire to be good ambassadors of their country by obeying the laws of their host country. He advised them to always report those dragging the image of the country in the mud to the Nigerian embassy so that they could be adequately dealt with. “For you to be good ambassadors of our dear country, it is to live by the laws of the country and as much as possible, the bad eggs here among you, you should report quietly to the embassy so that we can get them and repatriate them home as the ambassador has said. “We being the biggest country in Africa, at least 180 million people, the requirement for infrastructure is especially in education because if you educate people, they can look after themselves and then of course healthcare. “But I’m telling you, there is a lot of work to be done back home. We are doing our best and the leadership at all levels is doing its best. But the problem we are having is with those who are being indoctrinated and are hurting our people, blowing up people in mosques, churches, market places, motor parks, this is absolute madness. “No religion advocates violence. All religions advocate justice from your hometown, household to whatever you become, justice is the basic thing. All religions demand it, as you can’t go wrong if you live by it. “Whenever Nigerians are identified especially in Libya and so on, we hope to evacuate them back home and then rehabilitate them because the indoctrination is what is happening with Boko Haram where girls, mostly from the ages of 15, will strap themselves, go to the market and blow themselves up and anybody around them and so on,â€? he said.

NAPTIP, Other Agencies Summoned But in a swift reaction to Buhari’s pledge that his administration would evacuate the remaining Nigerians stranded in Libya, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday convened a meeting of the relevant agencies in Abuja to address the situation. The vice-president swiftly summoned the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Refugee Commission to the State House, Abuja, for a joint review of the situation. In his opening remarks at the meeting, the vice-president recalled the comment of the president that all Nigerians who were stranded in the hostile country would be given an opportunity to return to the country. He also recalled how the president reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensure that young Nigerian men and ladies are no longer exposed to the huge dangers involved in the Sahara desert trek and attempt to cross the sea. Osinbajo who said it was

necessary to sensitise young Nigerians on the dangers, after being brainwashed by unscrupulous individuals, said it had become imperative for them to review the situation and take a position on how to halt the trend. Osinbajo added that it was necessary to brainstorm on the matter with a view to coming up with a well-prepared position on how to tackle the menace. Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, the chief executive of the Refugees Commission Sadia Umar Faruk, said no fewer than 7,250 Nigerians had been repatriated to the country while 4,600 others were still being expected. Faruk who said a committee had been constituted to come up with solutions to the problem of illegal migration to Europe, disclosed that another set of 250 migrants returned to the country on Tuesday. She said: “A committee has been set up consisting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NAPTIP, the Refugee Commission and NEMA to come up with a terms of reference as to how to go about solving the issue of Libyan migrants and also what happened in Italy. “I think so far they have repatriated about 7,000 and they keep coming in. As I speak, a plane is arriving with about 250 migrants today. And we are expecting more on a daily basis. “I think I was speaking with the Director-General of NEMA and he said so far, about 4,600 are expected." Also speaking, the DG of NAPTIP, Julie Okah Donli, said the government has devised measures to check immigration. “What government is doing actually is to carryout a massive sensitisation and awareness programme. Prevention mainly is the major thing to do. So we plan to go to all communities in the 36 states including the FCT because when we prevent this from happening, we will not be talking of repatriating or evacuating. That is what we are planning to do,� she said.

N’Assembly, UN Condemn Slave Trade Also reacting to the sale of African migrants in Libya, the Senate yesterday condemned the reported slave trade in the North African country, describing the practice as depraved and sheer animalism. It equally summoned the Libyan ambassador to Nigeria to throw light on the dehumanising treatment meted to African migrants in his country and what measures were being put in place by his government to stop it. Demanding a full-scale investigation to ascertain the number of Nigerians affected, the Senate also urged the federal government to deploy all diplomatic measures to ensure that everyone involved is held accountable under international law and justice. The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Baba Kaka Garbai (Borno, APC) who also called for the repatriation and rehabilitation of Nigerian citizens caught up in the despicable treatment and

human right abuses. “These are our people who are trying to flee from poverty and deprivation,� he said. Garbai said the slave trade was not just tantamount to the humiliation of Nigerians and Africans, but also to human civilisation and the fundamental principles of human rights under the United Nations Charter. Providing some data on the magnitude of the problem: Garbai in his motion, added: “Note that not long ago about 4,000 Nigerians were intercepted when they were about to enter the Mediterranean Sea and deported from Libya. “The Libyan immigration authority informed CNN that of an estimated 25,000 Africans, 4,000 were from Nigeria and were being held at various detention centres in the country. “Note that the report by Libyan officials that its detention centres were full and they had deported only five per cent of the 20,000 in the detention centres because of lack of response from the home governments of the migrants.� He went on to express concern that the Libyan government lacked the means or commitment to crack down on the perpetrators and the smuggling networks that had been killing, torturing, extorting and detaining migrants at will. “Nigeria would be failing in her duty if she sits idly and watches any of her citizens being put into slavery,� he warned. Contributing to the debate, Senator Ali Wakili (Bauchi, APC) noted that the root causes of illegal migration among Nigerians must be addressed. These he listed to include poverty, poor governance and unemployment. The House of Representatives yesterday also passed a motion urging its relevant committees to liaise with the appropriate agencies of government, as well as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to pool resources aimed at arresting migration from African countries and slave trade. The resolution of the lower chamber followed a motion by Hon. Omosede Gabriella Igbinedion (PDP, Edo) raised under matters of urgent public importance on the urgent call on the federal government to intervene by stemming migration and the slave trade in Libya. The House noted that several Africans including Nigerians were fleeing war, poverty and unemployment in their countries to embark on perilous journeys through Libya to the Mediterranean and then Europe. It observed that Nigerian migrants were taking huge risks voluntarily because they think that “Eldorado� awaits them in Europe, noting that they had been told lies by their traffickers. The House further noted that the slave trade in Libya, resulting from the security and financial collapse of the country, had made human trafficking, smuggling and modern-day slavery a booming trade around the world and in Tripoli, the Libyan capital, according to media reports. The House further raised concern that the 33rd Ordinary Session of Head

of States and Government in January 2008 in Ouagadougou, tagged ECOWAS Common Approach on Migration States, showed that ECOWAS member countries reaffirmed the principles put forward during the Rabat and Tripoli conferences to which international migration positive management impact on both the host and home country were reached. In this regard, it said ECOWAS member countries believed that a joint management of migratory flows should enable West African migrants to have access to labour markets based on opportunities available in these countries. Igbinedion in her lead debate, said: “It is with great concern to hear and read on the pages of newspapers how Africans especially Nigerians are dying, being tortured and sold for a fee by traffickers and smugglers en route the Sahara through Libya and the Mediterranean to Europe. “That despite the public education on the dangers of human trafficking, Nigerians still embarks on this perilous journey. “This can only remind us of the woes, desperation arising from war, poverty of the mind and the unemployment rates in these countries, namely, Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Niger, The Gambia, etc. “As real as it is, it is like the perilous times. Something serious has to be done within ECOWAS regional territories and beyond to stem the trend because it appears public education alone is not enough. “The Nigerian government and relevant agencies should take the lead in this crusade to mobilise other African countries to stop Libya in this dehumanising trade. “There are regulatory treaties, conventions and agreements at world levels – the UN level and regional – that could be invoked against the dehumanising trade being perpetuated in Libya. “Therefore, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, there is urgent need to support this motion to mobilise the relevant agencies of government and ECOWAS to pool actions against the slave trade.� Contributing to the motion, House Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos) said solving the menace of modern-day slavery required thorough soul searching. Noting that it was rather sad that slavery was still being debated in the National Assembly, he stressed that it was a domestic problem fostered by demand and supply. Terming it a willing buyer, willing seller situation, he added that those being ensnared by the infamous trade were looking for the basic things of life. According to him, “If these are provided, I doubt if anybody will travel abroad.� Hon. Rita Orji (PDP, Lagos), in her contribution, said Nigeria should borrow a leaf from other countries by bringing back her people from Libya, adding that the situation required parliamentary intervention to cure. Also, Hon. Nnenna Elendu (PDP, Abia) said the federal government should work

with other countries towards instituting a stable government in Libya as a way of dealing with the problem. She also urged better enlightenment for Nigerian youths that life abroad is not better than it is here in the country. In addition to the National Assembly, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres yesterday condemned the slave trade in Libya and called on all competent authorities to investigate and end it immediately. “I abhor these appalling acts and call upon all competent authorities to investigate these activities without delay and to bring the perpetrators to justice. “I have asked the relevant United Nations actors to actively pursue this matter,� Guterres said in a statement.

SERAP Tasks Buhari Meanwhile, a leading civil society group in the country, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has urged the president to “seize the opportunity presented by the on-going EU-AU summit in Abidjan to push for a joint EU-AU international commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of slave auctions in Libya, especially given the appalling plight of several Nigerians who are among those trapped in Libya�. In a statement issued yesterday by SERAP’s executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation said: “Nigerian and other African victims of abuses in Libya are crying out for leadership. They urgently need African leaders to act. “Given Nigeria’s leadership role in the region, Buhari can and should provide greater leadership to push European and African leaders to go beyond merely condemning the atrocities and act swiftly to end the shocking abuses, remove Nigerians and other African women, men and children still trapped in Libya from harm’s way, and guarantee their safety and well-being.� It noted that the international community has so far failed to heed the call for action to end the on-going abuses in Libya, and Nigerians and other African women, men and children were paying for this failure with their lives. “Africa now needs strong and principled leadership to address the situation, and we believe Nigeria can and should lead the way. It’s not only the right thing to do, it is also critical if Nigeria wants to remain relevant in regional and international affairs. The next two days will reveal whether Nigeria is up to the test. “European and African leaders need to take urgent and strong action in response to the dire human rights and humanitarian situation in Libya. Buhari should press the AUEU summit to request the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to urgently dispatch humanitarian teams to Libya to help those trapped there to leave the country in a safe and humane manner,� SERAP said.

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

PDP NEC Meets Today to Finalise Modalities for Convention Party to ratify waivers for new entrants

Iyobosa Uwugiaren Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ James Sowole Ă“Ă˜ Ă•Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? The National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will meet today in Abuja to tie up arrangements for the December 9 national convention of the party. As part of efforts to ensure a hitch-free convention, the NEC meeting is expected to among other issues consider proposals for waiver for new entrants into the party as well as the final list of delegates for the convention. Another issue to be considered during the meeting is the proposal for amendment of the party’s constitution which would be presented to the convention for ratification. Indications are that one of the governors from the South-south may again head the convention planning committee while he would be assisted by another of his colleagues from the North east states. The governors being tipped to head the PDP convention planning committee are that of Akwa Ibom and Delta States, although the National Caretaker Committee has also given consideration to demand to pick the chairman from the North in order to ensure fairness since the most contested position of the national chairman has been zoned to the South. Meanwhile, ahead of the national convention, some of the aspirants contesting for national positions have warned that the party could relapse into crisis if the exercise is not transparent and credible.  They advised the National Caretaker Committee of the party to ensure that best practices are put in places to usher in a new national leadership that will stir the party to victory in 2019.  The aspirants who spoke while submitting their nomination forms at the national secretariat of the PDP, underscored the need for the Makarfi-led NCC to listen to genuine complaints and advice from stakeholders.  One of the aspirants for the post of National Secretary Nenadi Usman, asked the party to provide level playing field for all candidates during the convention.

 She described the election that would take place at the convention as an in-house contest, adding that so long as there is level playing ground, people will accept to work together and build the party in readiness for 2019 poll.  The former finance minister recalled that the PDP lost the 2015 general election because of in-house problems, noting that they must strive to settle any dispute ahead of the 2019 election.  Answering questions about her capabilities, Usman who said she has the requisite qualification and pedigree for the office, noted that being a woman would not be stumbling block to her ambition of emerging the party’s national secretary.   Another aspirant for the national chairmanship position of the party, who was a former minister, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, was rather very worried about the likely consequences of bungling the convention. He warned that if the Southwest does not produce the next national chairman of the party, it will not augur well for the party.  Adedoja, however, distanced himself from any plans to hold a parallel convention, stating: “l am not aware of parallel convention. Any other arrangement outside what we are doing now, I am not a part of it.�  Former governorship aspirant in Lagos State and aspirant for deputy national women leader, Chief Remi Adiukwu, said one way the party could achieve level playing field for all aspirants is to ensure that delegates cast their vote in secret ballot.� She however praised the Makarfi team on their conduct ahead of the convention, noting: “They have tried their best. So far, they have not shown any interest in any aspirant.� Also, one of the party’s aspirants for the position of the national chairman, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, yesterday said there was a possibility for the South-west to produce a consensus candidate among those jostling for the position. Adeniran, who is a former Minister of Education, stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital, while addressing the state delegates to the national convention of the party slated

FG Declares Friday Public Holiday for Maulud The federal government has declared December 1, 2017 as public holiday to mark the Eid-el-Maulud celebration. The Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (rtd), who made the declaration on behalf of the federal government, enjoined all Muslim faithful and Nigerians to use the Eidel-Maulud celebration to pray

for peace, progress and unity of the nation. A statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Abubakar G. Magaji, said the minister further urged all Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration towards building the nation. He wished Nigerians a happy Eid-el-Maulud celebration.

for December 9. The aspirant said all the aspirants from the South-west are discussing. Adeniran, Prof. Adedoja, Chief Bode George and Otunba Gbenga Daniel are contesting for the chairmanship of the party from the South-west. “We are talking among ourselves and I believe one way or the other, we will get it right, I also believe that God will step in,� he said. Adeniran also denied the report that he was being sponsored to contest the election by the senator representing Ogun East senatorial district, Buriji Kashamu. He described the report as a rumour being spread by his political detractors. “When they started, they said it was former President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, they later

said it was Atiku Abubakar, they also said it was Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. It was all lies. They are doing this to pull me down.  “Linking me with Kashamu is an insult, they want to use it to provoke me, I stand for equity and fairness. God knows the people that are telling those lies and I know God will deal with them,� Adeniran declared Reacting on the occasion, the Ondo State chairman of the PDP, Mr. Clement Faboyede, said there was a need for the party to elect better candidate as the national chairman of the party, who will lead the PDP to victory in the 2019 presidential election. Still on ensuring that there is harmony in the party, one of its founding fathers last night in Abuja warned that the forthcoming national

convention might leave the party factionalised again if those who are behind the so-called ‘’unity list’’ - selected officials, have their way. Reminding the party’s leaders that PDP, which became factionalised after it lost the 2015 presidential election managed to pull through the storm after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Ahmed Makarfi-led caretaker committee, the party chieftain who spoke with journalists in confidence disclosed that many members of the party were uncomfortable with the ‘’offensive unity list.� He warned against the planned imposition of candidates during the convention, saying the idea of having a unity list was an indication that the PDP was still ‘’promoting impunity, lack of internal democracy’’ and

had not learn from its past mistakes. He said the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Makarfi, had once apologised to members of the party for the impunity that once held sway in the party and pledged that imposition of candidates at conventions and congresses would no longer be allowed in the party. The PDP leader added: “We expect that the convention will be keenly contested and its outcome not pre-determined. It is better for all the contestants to face the delegates and let the delegates choose their leaders in a free, fair and transparent convention. We should allow the contestants to be elected on their individual merit rather than being handpicked by some godfathers.�

ROYAL VISIT

L-R: Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II; Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, during the Benin monarch’s visit to Sokoto Government House....yesterday

Hungary Interested in Buying Nigeria’s Crude Oil, LNG, Says NNPC Chineme Okafor Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday said it could add a new buyer to its list of customers for Nigeria’s crude oil blends and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) following indications from the Hungarian government that it is interested in doing oil business with the country. The NNPC stated in a statement from its Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu in Abuja, that Hungary’s interest in Nigeria’s crude oil was made known to it by its Ambassador to Nigeria, Prof. Gabor Ternak, when he made a courtesy call on its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru. Ternak, it noted, explained that the decision to import crude

oil and LNG from Nigeria was informed by the need to bridge the current supply gap being experienced in Hungary. NNPC also said the intention was coming at a time the international crude oil market is getting more competitive. “Hungary depends on oil importation to serve its energy needs as the country is non-oil producing. We want to diversify our sources of crude oil and LNG import and we are considering purchasing these products from Nigeria,� said Ternak in the statement. He said the Nigerian crude oil would be useful to Hungarian refineries involved in large scale commercial refining. He also stated that Nigeria could leverage on the bi-lateral relationship it has with Hungary by engaging the services of

Hungarian firms that specialise in repairs, maintenance and building of refineries as well as medical services. According to him, Hungarian universities with many years of oil and gas engineering expertise could assist Nigeria in the areas of capacity building of her oil workers. The statement equally quoted Baru, to have stated that the NNPC had commenced tendering process for the selection of the 2018 crude oil off-takers, and that Hungarian companies could utilise the opportunity and participate in the exercise. He said: “If you don’t participate in the tendering process, you would have to buy the products from one of the traders. However, if you participate with companies

and refineries that meet our requirements, they could be shortlisted as off-takers.� He explained that Hungary could purchase LNG through “spot cargo,� an arrangement in which excess production is given to registered off-takers with the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG). “Normally, gas business is a long-term business and NLNG is not different, we already have existing 20-year contract that will expire by 2022. Nevertheless, we have what is called “spot cargoes�, when there is excess production, and the current contractors have gotten there share as enshrined in the contract, the excess production will be given to registered offtakers in the system,� Baru explained.

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NEWS

FG Approves N1.5bn Advert Bill to Drive $1bn Tax Revenue

Okays N421.3m for whistleblowers Gives nod on payment of N1.7bn to Gurara dam contractor Omololu Ogunmade ÓØ ÌßÔË In pursuit of its vision to diversify the economy and discourage Nigeria’s reliance on oil as the mainstay of the economy, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday approved N1.5 billion to drive projected $1 billion tax revenue within nine months. The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who made this disclosure while briefing State House correspondents at the end of yesterday’s weekly FEC meeting, said the N1.5 billion is meant to run advertisement campaigns intended to promote Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS). VAIDS, according to the Ministry of Finance, is a platform designed to provide tax payers with the opportunity to regularise their tax payments in relation to their previous payments. Adeosun who said so far, the scheme had helped the federal government to generate $110 million revenue from only two companies, said from the responses received so far, there are expectations that the $1 billion tax revenue target might be exceeded. “On the amount expected, we projected $1 billion and we have already gotten $110 million and that is just from two companies. So, we feel we might exceed that target,” she said. According to her, 500 letters had so far been sent out to 500 persons following information obtained about their assets through the bank verification number (BVN), land registry, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The minister who said thousands others are being targeted through the scheme, added that the responses to the 500 letters sent out so far had been encouraging, pointing out that the output of the scheme will stabilise Nigerian revenue irrespective of what the price of oil may be in future. “On the criteria adopted to get the first 500, what we have done is we got information on land registry details from the state governments and the FCT. We got information from the BVN, registration from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and we began to match them. “From that, we could see the linkages. So, if someone lives in Lagos and has properties in Kaduna, London et cet era, but only declaring part, with this information, we ‘ll get them. We also look at people who had come out in the Panama and Paradise papers. We look at people who have companies being paid by the government but are not paying the right taxes. Even if you have not gotten a letter yet, do not think we have forgotten you. These are just the first 500. Others will soon follow. It does not mean that we do not have you in our radar. For now, we are looking for the high risk people,” she explained. On the proposed advertisement campaigns, Adeosun said FEC approval yesterday was for the fallout of the memorandum she presented to drive VAIDS advertisement campaign for nine months, explaining that the campaigns would be run on both print and electronic media as well as the online platforms. “I presented a memo on

Ex-THISDAY Editor Launches Book on Jonathan Era Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË A former editor with THISDAY Newspapers and currently the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, will today unveil a book that chronicled the high and low points of the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration” In a statement issued by the media aide to the APC spokesman, Julius Ogunro, yesterday said the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed, will play the role of the chief host and host of the book launch respectively. According to Abdullahi, who also served as a Minister of Youth and Sports under exPresident Jonathan, the book is an exclusive account of the “making and the unmaking” of the Jonathan administration. The book gives revelations of the intrigues that surrounded the 2015 presidential election and its aftermath.

“On a Platter of Gold is part history, part political thriller, which answers many of the often-asked questions about Jonathan’s incredible rise to the highest political office in the land and his unprecedented electoral defeat in 2015,” Abdullahi stated. One of most controversial issues which the book attempted to provide answers to was whether Jonathan was weak and clueless, as his traducers have claimed? Or – as his supporters have alleged – was he just a victim of vicious conspiracies by an entitled cabal that would stop at nothing to bring down this ‘intruder’ to power? The statement also said the Chairman of the occasion will be the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, while the father of the day is the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Gambari. The chief presenter will be the Chief Executive and publisher of Ovation International, Chief Dele Momodu, while the book reviewers are Prof. Adigun Agbaje and Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene.

the Voluntary Assets Income Declaration Scheme for approval of the sum of N1.5 billion to cover advertising campaign for nine months on Radio, TV, online, newspapers including center spread. I also briefed FEC on the progress under the tax amnesty and it has been very well received. “We have people who are ready to declare and pay. We sent out over 500 letters under the first batch, but there are thousands of Nigerians being targeted but the first 500 letters have gone out. We have started to get responses back and many people are asking for time to pay. Most of the governors have agreed to give more time for people to make arrangements for payments. “This is indeed very good

news for Nigeria as it will help reduce over reliance on oil. It will improve our tax revenue so that whether oil prices are high or low, we will be able to provide basic services for our people. Very high net worth people are now being brought into the tax revenue profile. We hope to exceed the target that has been set,” she stated Furthermore, the minister said governors had been contacted to assist in making the scheme effective, observing that some personal income taxes find their ways into state government accounts. “We met the governors just two days ago and they all agreed because personal income taxes are also going to the state government coffers. They also agreed to

accommodate those who agree they are owing but haven’t got the cash to pay. “Somebody might have the house but may not have the cash. Let’s give them chances to bring this money because this money is sustainable money and we have asked that they give them time to bring in this money and they have agreed to do so. From now on, they are ready to pay their right taxes,” she further explained. Adeosun also disclosed that the sum of N421.3 million had been approved for payment of commission to whistle blowers in the month of November. According to her, only whistle blowers who signed the required agreement will be paid, adding that the tax had been deducted from the sum ahead of payment.

“The total amount, which also includes that of Osborne Road, Ikoyi, is N421,330,595 and this is for the November batch and it is ready for payment. The only condition necessary is that the money will be paid to the whistleblower who signed the agreement, not to any company. In his own briefing, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, said FEC had also approved N1.712 billion for payment to the contractor who has managed the 75 kilometre Gurara dam pipeline project in the FCT for nine years . According to him, the sum would be shared by the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory on 50:50 ratio.

AWARD FOR GOOD SERVICES

Chief Executive Officer, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Valentine Ozigbo, presenting The PEARLS Award for Sectoral Leader in the Nigerian Capital Market for Services (Hotels Sector). won by the Transcorp Hotels Plc to, the Chairman of Transcorp Plc owners of Transcorp Hotels Plc, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, in Lagos...yesterday

House Alleges Breach of NDDC Act by FG Urges FERMA to rehabilitate Maiduguri-Monguno road James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË The House of Representatives yesterday urged the executive arms of government to adhere strictly to the provisions of the NDDC Act of 2000 with respect to the tenure of the current board. It also mandated its Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to investigate alleged violation of the NDDC Act with a view to ensuring compliance and report back within two weeks for further legislative action. Also, the lower chamber passed a motion urging the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to as a matter of urgency, commence rehabilitation of the Maiduguri-Monguno-Baga road to make it motorable; and mandated the Committees on Works and Appropriations to include the reconstruction of the road in the 2018 budget proposal. The resolution of the lower

chamber followed a motion by Hon. Daniel Ofongo (PDP, Bayelsa) on the violation of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Act and its attendant consequences. He said the tenure of the Board of the NDDC was cut short in 2015 following the dissolution of the board. According to him, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir David Lawal, issued letters to the current members of the board that was inaugurated by the present administration requiring them to serve for the unexpired tenure of the board that was dissolved in 2015. He noted that the recent statement by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the SGF regarding the letters of appointments issued to the board members by the former acting SGF, Mrs. Habila M. Lawal,

which purported to have granted the board members fresh tenure of four years, rather than them serving out the unexpired tenure of the dissolved board. He said: “The pronouncement was in clear violation of section 5 (2) of the NDDC Act, 2000 which provides that “where a vacancy occurs in the membership of the board, it shall be filled by the appointment of a successor to hold office for the remainder of the term of office of his predecessor, so however, that the successor shall represent the same interest and shall be appointed by the president, subject to the confirmation of the Senate, in consultation with the House of representatives” According to him, there is a nexus between the violation of the NDDC Act and youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region which has such grave consequences of impacting adversely on oil production

and consequently, the nation’s revenues from the resource; However, the motion for the rehabilitation/ reconstruction of Maiduguri-Monguno-BagaRoad was sponsored by Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno). He said the MaiduguriMonguno-Baga road which traverses the entire Borno North was constructed in the early 1970’s and has not witnessed any rehabilitation work since then. He said owing to the nonrehabilitation of the road over the years, it had become dilapidated and is being used by the Boko Haram insurgents in planting improvised explosives devices along the road, thereby making it very dangerous to travel on. He raised concern that the state of the road has adversely affected the commercial and social engagements of the people of Borno North and the entire state;

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Adeosun: Why We Did Not Raise Entire $5.5bn Approved by N’Assembly Ndubuisi Francis ÓØ ÌßÔË The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has explained that the federal government decided to issue only $3 billion Eurobond and not the entire US$5.5 billion recently approved by the National Assembly, saying doing so enabled the optimisation of the price of the notes. She stated that restricting the issuance to $3 billion helped the country to optimise the price of the notes, which at 6.5 per cent (10-year) and 7.625 per cent (30-year) are significant improvements to the existing portfolio. According to her, the National Assembly approved two separate resolutions--one for US$2.5 billion to fund capital expenditure in the 2017 budget and the other to re-finance existing domestic debt of $3 billion, which is not time- bound. “Our intention for this issuance was to meet our short term requirement to fund US$2.5 billion for the 2017bBudget. Following significant investor interest of over US$11 billion, we brought forward a further US$500 million of funding towards the refinancing of existing domestic debt and will assess options for concluding the refinancing process in the new year,” she said. The minister, who was responding to frequently asked questions, explained why Nigeria raised two different tranches of funding, and how they differ. According to her, by raising $1.5 billion of 30-year notes, Nigeria had emulated a number of her international contemporaries, including Brazil, South Africa, Argentina

Afriluxe Launches Online Portal Afriluxe, an online platform dedicated to offering and delivering variety of original beauty products-Cosmetics, Make up, Perfumery, Sun Care, Toiletries and Hair Products, directly from manufacturers to the consumers, has been launched. The portal is designed and driven by select beauty products professionals to enable consumers have direct access to different manufacturers of original brand of beauty products and other luxury items, and have them delivered within eight working days for Lagos and 12 working days for other locations in Nigeria. Managing Director Afriluxe, Mr. Jack Akosa, said, Afriluxe is in direct partnership with thousands of original beauty products manufacturers in the world and the portal has the capacity to offer over 17,000 of Original beauty products online to our consumers. “Afriluxe is not an official perfumes distributor but an independent seller who assures and certifies the originality of all its products. Our platform is in partnership with reputable and world-class beauty products manufacturers to ensure that original beauty products are made available and affordable to our consumers”

and Egypt to issue long-dated debt as the basis for long-term infrastructure financing and to establish a benchmark for the private sector to extend the tenure of its own financing. “This is critical to delivering an environment within which both the government, and the domestic private sector, can rapidly enhance its ability to fund investments in infrastructure projects and broader project finance. The full $1.5 billion proceeds of the 30 year notes are allocated to 2017 capital projects. “Nigeria has raised a further $1.5 billion of 10 year notes, and following the current issue, we now have a full ‘basket’ of international debt notes,

including 5 year, 10 year, 15 year and 30 year issuances trading in the market. This provides international investors with the full range of tradeable options in Nigeria’s international debt. “Of the $1.5 billion of 10 year notes, $1 billion will be allocated to the 2017 capital budget, under our $2.5 billion approval from the National Assembly, with the balance of US$500 million allocated to refinancing of domestic debt, in line with our strategy to re-balance our domestic/international debt profile,” Adeosun said. On why the country is rebalancing the debt portfolio and increasing international borrowing, the minister noted that “over the last five years,

Nigeria has been overly focused on domestic debt, which is short term and high cost.” She added: “This means that we pay too much, and have to regularly refinance existing debt rather than having the security of longer term instruments. You can see this clearly reflected in our debt service to revenue ratio, which at 45 per cent as of Third Quarter (Q3) 2017, is higher than we would like. “Having returned the economy to growth in 2017 and secured a stable and liquid exchange rate regime, we are focused on addressing this issue by diversifying our sources of debt to achieve an optimal balance. “So far, we have moved our

domestic/international debt ratio from 18:82 to 23:77 and we expect this to improve to circa 27:73 by year end, with an ultimate target of 40:60. This will deliver significant savings in our debt service costs, with provisional estimates demonstrating savings of up to N91 billion in 2018 alone,” the minister stressed. Adeosun also spoke on what the proceeds of the financing would be channelled into, saying they would be split between 2017 budget capital projects ($2.5 billion) and re-financing some short-term domestic debt ($500 million). “Capital projects under the 2017 budget include road, rail, power and housing projects

which are crucial to the delivery of the economic recovery and growth plan,” she stressed. for this issuance was to meet our short term requirement to fund $2.5 billion for the 2017 budget. Following significant investor interest of over $11 billion, we brought forward a further US$500 million of funding towards the refinancing of existing domestic debt and will assess options for concluding the refinancing process in the New Year. Restricting this issuance to US$3 billion also enabled us to optimise the price of the notes, which at 6.5 per cent (10-year) and 7.625 per cent (30-year) are significant improvements to our existing portfolio.

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COMMENT

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

POPE FRANCIS UNCONVENTIONAL ACTS Okello Oculi writes that Afro-Argentineans deserve freedom, dignity an end to racial genocide

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n March 2018, Pope Francis will make history by saluting the national conference of the Communist Party of China with offers of a group of Chinese art works. The art items were looted in the 19th Century by Catholic missionaries and taken to the Vatican Museum. The gesture will be another of the novel and unconventional acts that have marked his short papal tenure. Within the context of the proclamation of January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2024 as ‘’The International Decade for the Rights of Peoples of African Descent’’, by the General Assembly of the United Nations, Pope Francis should also have on his agenda a gift to AFRICA HOUSE in Addis Ababa works of art from Argentina’s ‘’Museo de la Estancia Jesuitica de Alta Gracia’’, and ‘’Museo Historicio National’’ in Buenos Aires’’. The second museum hosts a 1836 painting by Martin Boneo which shows a live ‘’Cancombe’’ dance festival by AFRO-ARGENTINEANS. The first museum holds a painting depicting ‘’Jesuits, natives and African slaves’’. Pope Francis was himself ordained as a Jesuit priest. Such act of cultural diplomacy by a son of Argentina should be accompanied by Ms Maria Lamadrid who, in 2001, was prevented by Argentina’s immigration officials from boarding a flight to Panama because they told her: ‘This can’t be your passport. There are no Blacks in Argentina’’! The Holy Father should also offer a retroactive denunciation to the lie told in the 1950s by a mulatto Minister to Josephine Baker, a visiting American star singer. When she asked: ‘’Where are the Negroes?’’, the minister, Ramon Carillo, answered: ‘’There are only two, you and I’’. The minister was reflecting what observers have labelled as an official policy of practicing social ‘’genocide’’ in Argentina by claiming that African immigrants had NEVER entered the country. Professor Joy Elizando has written that ‘’by the late 1700s, nearly 50 per cent of the population in the interior of the country was black, and between 30 and 40 per cent of the population of Buenos Aires was black or mulatto’’. Henry Louis Gates Jr has noted that between 1601 and 1866, Africans imported from Mozambique and Angola numbered 63,845 in the Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata. President Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, who ruled from 1868 to 1874, openly expressed a policy of extermination of Africans in Argentina, boasting that they had ‘’become a Brazilian problem’’. Between 1861 and 1914, a policy of ‘’whitening Argentina’’ was pushed forward by importing 2.27 million Italians. Yellow Fever, malnutrition and being forced to fight in the country’s wars as frontline troops exacted heavy tolls. The notion that Afro-Argentina and Argentina are not compatible has come under increasing challenge. Ms Maria Lamadrid, for example, leads an organisation called ‘’AFRICA VIVE’’ (or Africa Lives) which in 2001 persuaded the government ‘’to hold a ceremony to honour the country’s black military heroes’’. In a report in The New York Times (September 14, 2014) , Michael Luongo noted that in 2009 an institute called ‘’Movimiento Afrocultural ‘’

WHEN NIGERIA’S NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM, THE SUPER EAGLES THRASHED THE ARGENTINEAN TEAM IN THE 1996 LOS ANGELES OLYMPICS, AND IN EARLY NOVEMBER 2017 ( BY FOUR GOALS TO TWO), AFRICA VIVE ACTIVISTS MUST HAVE DANCED WITH DIVIDED JOY AS CHILDREN OF THEIR ANCESTORS THRASHED THOSE WHOSE RACIAL ARROGANCE HAVE PSYCHOLOGICALLY SO SEVERELY INJURED MILLIONS OF ‘COLOURED’ PERSONS

was launched in Calta Defensa in Buenos Aires for the mission of ‘’promoting African-Argentina heritage’’. In the 2014 World Cup the coach of Argentina’s team made a historic decision– if seemingly incognisant to global spectators – to bring in a Black player as a substitute. AFRICA VIVE is inspired by exhibits of paintings of ‘’Argentina’s gauchos, or cowboys’’ in the Museo Las Lilas de Areco and Museo Ricardo Guivaldes. Tourist entrepreneurs have started receiving over 110,000 visitors a year to a chapel built in 1861 at Capilla de los Negros for the worship of YEMANJA – a Yoruba goddess of the sea. The national dance ‘’TANGO’’ is being re-claimed as a product of Africa, with ‘’the first paintings of people dancing the ‘’tango’’(being) of people of African descent’’. It is being traced to a Kikongo word for the Sun – NTANGU – and the movement of the sun being replicated in a dance here on Earth. When Nigeria’s national football team, the ‘’Super Eagles’’ thrashed the Argentinean team in the 1996 Los Angeles Olympics, and in early November 2017 ( by four goals to two), AFRICA VIVE activists must have danced with divided joy as children of their ancestors thrashed those whose racial arrogance have psychologically so severely injured millions of ‘’coloured’’ persons that –according to Professor Miriam Gomes – ‘’if someone has one drop of white blood, they call themselves white’’!. Pope Francis, as an Argentinean, grew up under the silence among the country’s rulers and middle classes about the existence and poverty of Afro-Brazilians. He was a young priest when liberation struggles blazed in former Portuguese colonies in Africa: Angola, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde. In the Americas, the victory of Fidel Castro in Cuba – with a medical doctor from his country, Ernesto Che Guevara, emerging as both a hero and second in visibility with Fidel - must have caught his imagination. The intensive pressure that successive American governments threw at Cuba provoked Cuba’s policy of invading South America will free health care, free education and economic investments - goods which their own repressive governments were not providing them. As Afro-Cubans got free education up to university level and carried themselves with rare dignity as they competed victoriously at Pan-American games, he must have taken notice. When news came that black troops that Cuba sent to Angola defeated white racist troops of South Africa, it must have rattled the silence across Argentina about its African presence. The politics of Global South must be deeply ingrained in the awareness of Pope Francis. It must include black Africans standing up to fight for the ‘’leafy tree of freedom’’. Pope Francis should use his enormous charisma and passion for justice to awaken the Americas to whispers by Chile’s legendary poet, Pablo Neruda, that AFRO-ARGENTINEANS demand freedom, dignity an end to racial genocide: waiting and waiting in the silence of his Papal Bull.

HATS OFF TO DARIUS Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, receives a fitting honour for outstanding achievements, writes Bala Dan Abu

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he venue was the popular Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, in the city centre of Abuja and the date was Friday, November 10, 2017. Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku stood tall as Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, National Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) spoke of his attributes before a huge crowd of people made up of representatives of local government workers from all the 774 Local Government Council Areas in the country, members of the National Assembly from Taraba State, legislators from the Taraba State House of Assembly, chairmen and councillors from the 16 local government areas of Taraba State and thousands of his supporters from in and outside Taraba State. Then came the highpoint of the event of that day. Hon. Gambo Tanko Kagara, National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) emerged with the insignia of the prestigious] award of Excellence and Best Performing Governor in Grassroots Development in Nigeria and handed over to Governor Ishaku to the admiration of the First Lady of Taraba State and Wife of the Governor, Mrs Anna Darius Ishaku and their son Gibuiya. The crowd exploded into a thunderous applause that almost sent the roof caving in. It was indeed a day that hard work, diligence and patriotism, all of them attributes that have defined the character of the administration of Governor Ishaku in the past two and a half years in Taraba State were acknowledged and rewarded from the least expected but highly respected workers’ umbrella constituency – the NULGE and the ALGON. The coming of the award was no surprise to people who have followed the giant strides in the development of the state by the administration. The surprise, really, was the source from which the

award came – ALGON, and NULGE, both of them acting jointly and in one accord on this occasion. The two unions are the ultimate umbrellas organisations for all workers and administrators at the grassroots level. The grassroots of the country is for them a familiar terrain and they have good and up-to-date knowledge of developments at that level of administration in the country. NULGE, as a pressure group whose mission always is to fight for workers’ welfare, is hardly ever impressed by the efforts of political leaders to make life better for the populace. In the case of Governor Ishaku, it was different. They were impressed and they came out not only to say so publicly but to reward him publicly for it. The decision was a product of painstaking independent assessment of the 36 states governors in service delivery at the grassroots level through the promotion of projects and services with direct bearing on the welfare of people at the grassroots level. Governor Ishaku came out as the most outstanding performer. Comrade Khaleel told the audience that Governor Ishaku had excelled in his determination to take the local government system in Taraba State out of an unfortunate system that was characterised by monumental corruption, a system that was rotting and dying. “We have subjected Governor Ishaku to a process of long and painstaking investigation and I wish to say with all sense of honesty that he has passed our test. He has distinguished himself as the best friend of workers through regular payment of salaries and pensions and in promoting the welfare of workers generally.� Khaleel also said Governor Ishaku has done more than any other governor in the country in promoting grassroots development and described him as a “Grassroots Champion�, the most committed promoter of quality education, a dedicated and an incorruptible friend of the people

at the grassroots level. It was also from this perspective that Governor Ishaku saw the significance of the award. He said in his acceptance speech that it was significant that the award was coming from those who were, by their calling as trade unionists, not very easy to impress by the people in government. The award came from the source he least expected and he said so. “If a labour union is giving you an award, it means that award is indeed a worthy reward because it is coming from those who keep you on your toes every day through their agitations and demands for improved services.� The event was for Ishaku an opportunity to recount his long and victorious battle with ghost workers in the state. He told his audience that his administration adopted several strategies which outwitted the perpetrators of salary scams in the state. That victory is the reason that salaries are being paid regularly to workers at all level of governance in the state today. It is also the reason government is able to implement projects that have tremendously changed social and economic lives in the state. One remarkable way the administration has positively touched lives at the grassroots level is the 100 boreholes in 100 communities in the state. The successful implementation of that project has changed the water supply situation in the state dramatically, particularly in the rural communities. Those rural communities where people hitherto shared water from ponds with their domestic animals now have regular source of good water. They now have boreholes drilled for them by the government. Additional 150 similar boreholes in 150 more communities are now being drilled to further extend these facilities to more people. It is not unlikely that this rare gesture of the administration is one of the factors that have influenced the award

in favour of Governor Ishaku. There is also the administration’s skills acquisition programme that has taken thousands of women and youths off the poverty bracket. They were those who benefitted from training organised for them in various areas of vocation that have turned them not only into self-employed entrepreneurs but employers of labour. They were all given financial assistants and start-up equipment that helped them in setting up their own business outfits. Every electoral award in the state is a beneficiary from the scheme. The beneficiaries are rigorously monitored by government’s rescue watch officers to ensure that the beneficiaries do not derail from the objectives of the project. This scheme has greatly and positively touched lives at the grassroots. The Ishaku administration’s employment policy has changed lives way down into the rural communities too. The government had lifted the embargo on employment placed by previous administrations in the state. This has led to the employment of nearly 10,000 hitherto unemployed youths in two years, among them the 3000 teachers who were recently presented letters of appointment. The impact of these employments in the socio-economic lives of these employees and their dependants has been tremendous. The re-activation of six previously dead government-owned companies has also had tremendous impact on lives. It has opened more job opportunities and stimulated economic activities. The Highland Tea factory in Mambilla is one outstanding example of how the rural populace in the state have benefited from the revival of the companies. Dan Abu is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Taraba State on Media and Publicity

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EDITORIAL BEFORE THE TOLLGATES ARE RE-ERECTED There should be remarkable improvement on many of the roads across the country

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he federal government has concluded arrangements to reintroduce toll gates in 38 points on various highways across the country, according to Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola. “It will be managed by the private sector and it will be located in the old places. We are only waiting for the completion of those roads before we introduce the toll gates,â€? said Fashola who added that the federal government did not intend to ask road users “to pay toll on a road that is not good.â€? From 2004 when President Olusegun Obasanjo dismantled the tollgates at a whopping cost of N360 million, there have been attempts to re-introduce them, even when most of the roads remain impassable. What was very clear in the past and remains clear even today is that there are no roads worthy of putting toll gates on in the country and to erect such at this period is to further expose road users to unnecessary danger. It is therefore our hope that Fashola WHAT WAS VERY CLEAR IN and his men will THE PAST AND REMAINS keep to their plan, CLEAR EVEN TODAY IS mindful of the trafďŹ c THAT THERE ARE NO bottlenecks that will arise as a result of ROADS WORTHY OF PUTTING TOLL GATES ON erecting toll gates on roads that have too IN THE COUNTRY many craters and potholes. However, there are still suspicions that the federal government may be plotting to put the cart before the horse as was the case in the past. For instance, under President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, the then Works Minister, Mr. Mike Onolomemen, announced that the federal government would spend N1.3 billion to erect a set of tollgates with the argument that the decision would boost efforts at revamping road transportation in the country. It took public outcry for the decision to be dropped when it became clear that the tollgates

Letters to the Editor

were to precede the promised roads. Meanwhile, against the background that a drive through many of the nation’s major roads is now a nightmare, we support every effort to reconstruct them. As we have repeated on this page, trips that ordinarily should take no more than a few minutes now take hours and at times days because of the conditions of most of the major access roads. And no part of the country is spared.

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ome roads in the South South, South East and South West are death traps, apparently because of the impact and damage the rains have on them. Most affected roads in the South-east include the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Bende-OhaďŹ a-Arochukwu road, Aba-Ikot Ekpene-Calabar road, Enugu-Awka-Onitsha road and Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road. Even in Lagos, the roads leading to Apapa, the strategic port city where hundreds of millions of naira are made daily by the government and others, are embarrassing. Over the years, billions of naira had been poured on the Oshodi-Apapa road but it is still in a shambles, crater-ridden and looking more like a war-ravaged area. It is not just that most of these roads are so impassable that we ďŹ nd very disturbing, it is the fact that the dangerous spots along many of them have also become convenient operating centres for highway robbers who lay siege to unsuspecting motorists and other road users. This is aside the notorious fact that the poor state of these roads hampers economic activities as several tonnes of farm produce and other products cannot be transported to areas where they are needed. In the rainy season, many communities have practically been cut off with impassable roads. Given the foregoing, we really have no problem with the idea of erecting tollgates and we endorse the Fashola plan in principle. What we query is the wisdom of erecting tollgates before rebuilding the dilapidated roads. We hope Fashola will not take Nigerians through such a fraudulent route.

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.

LESSONS FROM THE ANAMBRA GUBER ELECTION

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t’s true the 2017 Anambra Gubernatorial Election has come and gone, but it could not have done so without some inherent lessons to be learnt by all concerned. Indeed, before the elections many had doubted that it would hold, let alone peacefully like it turned out. As the self-anointed ‘light of the nation’, many nonindigenes of the blessed state had even seen the election as a litmus test for its supposed brightness. Many of them even hoped that it would end a stillbirth, necessitating the declaration of a state of emergency in the state. There is only God to thank that it never came to pass. Like it stands, following that landslide re-election of Governor Willie Obiano to serve out another four-year tenure in office, the state now has a unique opportunity to reassert itself even more brightly than ever before. Given the unprecedented nature of the victory, he should see the result as a beginning rather than an end. It has indeed given him a golden opportunity to write his name in gold in the template of all those privileged like him to have governed the state. True the names of Senator Chris Ngige and his predecessor Peter Obi has often resonated when the office is recalled, Obiano has achieved the truly unique opportunity to surpass the duo if he plays his card well enough. A supposition ought to be doubled given the enormous resources he is rumored to have spent to make the dream a reality. Easily, the incumbent reason to be derived from the

foregoing is that elections do not often go according to the plans of all. The other parties involved would have by now realised what they did or did not do right as the race wore on. For instance, while Chief Obiano and his All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) were busy winning converts, the rest of them watched their members being converted. This cannot be for nothing. The greatest loser in this case was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). After their fractional primaries, virtually all their intended forerunners but the adjudged winner refused to throw their weight behind the party in the general elections. This saw them going to war divided against itself. And sadly enough, their appeared to be no effort by the candidate to try a mending of fences as the battle drew closer. A failing they will no doubt be ruing by now that they have lost an election they would ordinarily have counted themselves as one of the possible winners. Somehow this also affected the All Progressives Congress (APC). As always, many pundits had adjudged them the party to beat on account of their being in power at the centre. After all, they argued, the results of prior elections in Edo and Ogun States were there to be cited. The prognostication had appeared to fly following their final rally for the elections, with no less a person than Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo putting up a personal appearance. All that however paled somewhat when weighed against the reality that their own

primary also ended up throwing up a kind of underdog. Like many have stressed ever since, perhaps the result of the election would not have been such a landslide like it turned out had the party presented its best choice for the race. The only other lesson there is to point out remains the fact that by now the lone wolves who had thought they could have made headway in the poll as virtually independent candidates would have counted their teeth with their tongues. Though Anambra is not that big a state compared to some others, it holds that it is still far from one its governorship can be won without a solid party structure nurtured over time. The idea of winning the governorship of any state for that matter because of a splendid performance in a debate of your townsmen and women casting block votes for you is yet to dawn. Arguably, for one to nurse such a hope aptly amounts to such a candidate taking people for granted; a decision they may carry over any other time such a candidate decides to hoist his flag again. All said and done, the Anambra gubernatorial elections coming peaceful and unbiased like it did is really worth toasting to. Like the winner has asked, all the contestants should rally round him to see that the state makes the most of it. And hopefully in four years’ time we can do it again to the glory of our state so that we shall remain a light unto the entire nation as always. Mascot Tecu Ezeukoma, Awada, Obosi, Anambra State

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30 2017

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Secondus: Why S’West Isn’t Qualified to Produce PDP Chairman A former acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus has challenged whoever wants to be chairman of the party to show proof that he is able to deliver not only his state but his zone to the party during next year’s general election. He spoke with Tobi Soniyi and a few political editors. Excerpts:

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t the botched Port Harcourt convention, you agreed to be deputy national chairman. Now you want to be chairman. What has changed? The truth is that, by last year I was gunning for the deputy. The arrangement was such that somebody from the South-west would emerge as the chairman. That time, we had two and a half years to the general election. But now, we don’t have time, therefore we need an experienced person who will start working from that the first day. The second reason is that, relatively you need a zone where there may not be crisis and I believe that in my state and in my zone, we don’t have crisis within the party unlike in other zones where they have some issues. I don’t want to go into details. These are some of the reasons I am volunteering myself for the position. I have been in this party from day one. In fact, I can lay claim that I am also a foundation member of the party – well known. In 2015, for the first time in the history of this country a civilian to civilian transition took place and it was peaceful. So we are going into another phase that is very crucial within one year. So we need an experienced person and I believe I can pride myself among all the aspirants as the most experienced. Among those ontesting from the South-west are those that have been at the top level of the party before too. Are you saying they are not experienced? Yes, we may have somebody who has been deputy chairman there. The advantage I have is that, I have acted as the national chairman before. The PDP is very strong in the South-south and the South-east, as such there is a need to woo the South-west. Will your emergence not lead the party to another crisis? That is purely sentimental. In reality, if you want to win an election you don’t start from the unknown. You begin with the known. Apart from the party’s chairman position, there are three or four major positions if you are talking about zoning of the positions. South-west is a very important zone in the country, if not the number one zone, if you like in terms of intellectualism, media and so on. We know they have produced the president. So if you look at the president, vice president and the senate president, these are key government positions. So if you are talking also of what will benefit the people directly, you will see that with these three key positions, there is no way South-west can be ignored; but we are down so we want to start from a safer place to move. I will deliver my state during the elections. As the chairman, you must deliver your place first, since they say that charity begins at home. I will deliver my place and then proceed to win other states and regions. My agenda for the party will be based on 3rs: rebuild, reposition and regain. I will want to remain focused on it in terms of building the party. As we are doing that, we do it together with the other two – repositioning in terms of membership, going digital and mostly emphasising on the youth who are leaders of tomorrow. As we are doing that, we are enlarging our scope of convincing Nigerians that PDP remains the best option. We stand for national unity in diversity. Our founding fathers believe that PDP is a party that was founded on national unity. And it was good enough that the zoning is contained in our constitution so that regardless

Secondus

of where you are coming from, one day you can aspire to be the president of the country. I believe that taking the party back to the people is very important. Some say that if you become the National Chairman of the PDP, the South-west will be considered for vice presidency slot in order to really give APC the big fight. How true? If I become the chairman, I will not look at the permutation of the APC on how to win election. I have a different strategy on how to win elections. So it has to be about collective leadership position. Our first assignment is to determine who becomes our presidential candidate and the choice of the running mate will be the exclusive right of the candidate. So we are not positioning that. We are not going to say it should come from here or from there. Looking at your campaign strategy and that of others, are you not worried? Well, I am strategic; but because others have not been in the party to know the inner workings of the party, they are doing otherwise. Don’t forget that it is not an open election. It is a

In my state and in my zone, we don’t have crisis within the party unlike in other zones where they have some issues

delegate election, delegates and super delegates. Obviously, I’m strategic about this and I’m confident that if it is a delegate election, yes, it is good to carry the press and people along but the most important thing in this election is consultation. Why others are making presence in the media and all that, I will continue consultation with leaders of the party across the country trying to get their support. In places like America it is called endorsement but in Nigeria, if governors or the BOT endorse you, that is imposition. There are two things here, you need the super delegates to be on the same page with you, let me not call it endorsement to avoid misinterpretation. So that is how we’ve started. We are also time conscious. You can’t start what you cannot finish. You do a bit of ground work and practically, you need to step up and I can assure you that as we move on, you will see posters and all that. We have done a bit of ground work believing that we will have support of those we have contacted. One of the aspirants alleged that Ahmed Makarfi is aligning with you. There is also the feeling that some people within the party are not comfortable with the way you managed the resources of the party when you acted as its chairman? Eighty percent of time, rumour is more than the fact. This is Nigerian politics for you. Speculations and imaginations engulf most of our thinking. But I believe that the media especially the political editors will do more findings than just headline news. There is no truth in it that Wike drafted me to do Makarfi’s bidding. I’m close to virtually all the governors, and I consulted all of them, including the BoT chairman. I have never sat down with Makarfi on how to become chairman. All these are speculations and you know when someone is doing better than the others, those who are not doing what they suppose to do will always speculate and

try to drag him down. This is a pull down syndrome. There is no iota of truth in it. I have no arrangement with Makarfi; no one is trying to impose me on people. I have been there before. I have contested as national organising secretary, I have contested for deputy national chairman, I acted as national chairman of our party. These are records that you can cross check. On the issue of what Mu’azu left, again, this is a calculated attempt to blackmail me by whosoever is behind it whether from within or outside, I don’t want to mention names. For anybody to say N9 billion was missing or N9 billion was left, it means that money was not even used for election. The money realised was about N11billion from sales of forms nationwide. And in our guideline and constitution, when you realise this money, it is shared among the local government, the state, the zonal and the national. Even by mere mention of N9 billion means no money was given to them as I mentioned above. I want to plead with you to get into the secretariat, there is a director of finance, there is an acting treasurer, go and find out the fact not taking blackmail or headline news from other people. These are sponsored by some people. After the 30 percent was shared, you can do the mathematics yourself, money was kept for completion of our national headquarters. There was no money at all that we met. Now, that money that was kept was about N5 billion while Mua’zu was still the chairman. The truth is that, after we lost the presidential election, we could not raise the money for other elections. So the leaders looked and say that the money that was reserved should be used. I was still in Rivers State when the chairman called all of us from our states and said they could not get money to disburse again. So, the chairman disbursed the money. We came back and met some money – the N500 million that was even in the bank was seized with BoT chairman that was involved in fund raising. When they could not get their money back, the bank had to seize some money. No money at all that was left that was to be accounted for. Let me tell you I’ve been chairman of PDP in Rivers State, I’ve not been found wanting. I’ve been national organising secretary, I raised the money in 2011 and I was not found wanting. If you recall, Taraba election was inconclusive. There was a repeat election in Taraba, Imo and I think in Abia. All these were expenses of the party. By the time we returned, of course, Mu’azu gave us account of all money, all the money had been used apart from payment of salaries and a few things that we needed while the other balance was still in the bank. I challenge you to go to the secretariat to get your figures accurately because I may not be accurate with figures. But no money was missing apart from N500 million that the bank seized. The issue of missing N 9billion is to misinform the people to change their mind against some of us that want to contest. When I appeared before the Senate caucus, on my own, I threw light on the alleged missing money. Some of them brought money to me but I rejected it and I said they should go and use the money for the election. I have been mentored to know that money destroys in politics. What is your plan B as you prepare for the convention? My plan B is to support anybody that wins that day. It can be me and I will be very glad and thank God. But if someone else emerges, I will support him because I am a team player.

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POLITICS

Tambuwal: Discussion on 2019 Elections is Distracting Even though politicians are already realigning preparatory to the 2019 general election, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal has cautioned them not to get swept away by the distraction. He spoke with journalists in Sokoto. Mohammed Aminu was there and presents the excerpts:

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hat is your assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari and the impact of his policies in Sokoto? Buhari campaigned on three issues namely to fight against insurgency, corruption and boost the economy. Sokoto has benefited tremendously from the efforts of the president to bring peace. We know what the situation was before 2015. Boko Haram has been almost been defeated. What we have now are sporadic attacks and not the usual suicide bombing that we had before. It is now only confined to Borno State. The fight against corruption is still ongoing and it has impacted on the issue of governance here. If you are talking on infrastructural development, I think the Sokoto-Illela, SokotoJega road and Sokoto-Gusau roads are all in good shape. Generally, we have no issue of road infrastructure in the state. I believe the government of Buhari has impacted on us positively. The economic downturn that has affected the country is improving and people of Sokoto are not left out. We are benefiting from various social intervention programmes of the federal government in all ramifications. On the issue of Paris Club refunds, we have complied with the president’s directives by using the funds to address issues of workers’ welfare, salaries and gratuities. We also used the money to pay pensioners. In fact, we have substantially complied with the president’s directives from state to local government level. We have also applied some of them to capital projects in the state. Some of the projects have been completed and inaugurated while some are still ongoing.

time and go to the Shehu Shagari College of Education and Sultan Abdulrahman School of Health Technology, what you will see there is a state of decay of infrastructure. The general state of infrastructure like libraries, laboratories and classrooms are in state of dilapidation in a lot of schools and this is because these concerns were not addressed in the past. If you remember that I recently received the report of the technical committee on the needs assessment of about 400 schools in Sokoto and we need about N47 billion to turn them around. I can tell you that we have no less than 2300 schools comprising primary and secondary in the state. This estimate is only covering about 400 schools. The funding gap is very high. We are approaching World Bank to see how we can get funding. We are aware of the level of dilapidation in the schools but we need a lot of resources to fix them. The general infrastructure of these schools such as laboratories, libraries, teachers accommodation, hostels are in dire need of attention.

Tambuwal

People say you are planning for a second term in 2019. Is it true? I don’t know why you are asking me to comment about 2019 elections when we only just crossed the half way mark of the mandate entrusted to us in 2015. Talking about politics of 2019 in 2017 is a long journey and when we get to that bridge, we will cross it. This is what I can say for now. People clamouring for political activity at this stage are only distracting mandate holders. We have over a year plus and I wonder why people are trying to jump start political activities. Elective office holders need to discuss more about governance. By the time you raise issues about 2019 in 2017, you are distracting the entire polity. Discuss 2019 when the election season is upon us. But for now, let us discuss governance issues. We cannot move from governance to politics, it is a complete distraction because campaigns are full time. So, I don’t encourage anybody in the state to try to disengage us from governance mode to politics mode.We should wait for the appropriate time to do this.

Murtala Muhammed Teaching Hospital in the state which is part of the requirement for the medical college. We are partnering with the Sultan Foundation for the establishment of Nana Asmau Medical College in the Sokoto State University. And we are expecting some provisions to be made in the 2018 budget for the construction of that particular college. We are going to approach the Education Trust Fund and other funding agencies to fund the project.So, it is on stream.

What is your relationship with the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress? My relationship with the state chapter of the APC is very smooth and cordial. The party and government are working closely. We consult the party leadership on most of the policy issues in the state and our relationship has been sound and healthy.

Sokoto is one of the 11 frontline states facing the threat of desertification. What is your administration doing to curb the ugly trend? We have not received any kobo from the Ecological Fund. Sokoto is one of the frontline states especially on the issue of desert encroachment. It is all about deforestation and the solution is afforestation. We will partner with the ecological office and see how we can deploy it on a large scale afforestation programme in the state. So, that fund is not with us.

The state government is making efforts to establish a Heart and Kidney Centre. What is the situation with the project so far? The Heart and Renal Centre is a project the state government conceived in collaboration with some Indians. It was supposed to be a public-private partnership arrangement. The Indians have procured their own resources for the project. We have started a process to get approval from the debt management office of the federal ministry of finance but the permanent secretary of the ministry of finance wrote to us that we are not on the borrowing plan. So, we have to go back to the drawing board that is actually what stalled the process. It is still in the works and we have not let go. Secondly, a bill has been sent to the state’s house of assembly for the establishment of

What is the government doing on the digitisation of Sokoto Media Corporation? The process has commenced and we have advertised and identified the consultants. We have already started the process of digitisation. We have little provision in the 2017 budget but the main provisions will be reflected in the 2018 budget. Few weeks ago, we had engagements with Modibbo Kawu of the National Broadcasting Commission. We have already identified consultants for that and the project is ongoing.

What is the government doing to attract foreign investment in the state? We are doing a lot to attract foreign investment. Of course you cannot do anything if you don’t have power. Luckily in Sokoto, we have five sources of power such as solar, wind energy, hydro particularly in Goronyo dam that has the capacity to generate 30 mega watts of electricity. We are talking with the federal ministry of water resources for the possibility of concessioning the Goronyo dam. We have discovered coal in large quantity in the state and we are discussing with the ministry of solid mineral resources to ensure that people

that have the capacity to develop the coal are actually given the allocation of the accreage. You are also aware that we have large deposits of gas and petroleum in some parts of the state. The NNPC has done some surveys in the state and we are organising a big conference in January in collaboration with the Usmanu Danfodiyo University and Petroleum Trust Development Fund to see to the possibility of actually harnessing gas and petroleum resources. All of these we have available in Sokoto but of course this requires huge capital investment.We have a lot of people that indicated huge interest in all of these and we are working with them, it is a long term thing. There are lot of processes that are ongoing and it takes time. I believe we are doing our best. When will the State Independent Power Plant commence operation? We have done more than 80 percent of the job on the IPP project. Only few days ago, a committee under a former minister of power Alhaji Bello Suleiman, reviewed the project and made recommendation which was approved by the state’s executive ccouncil. The timeline for the completion of the project is between six and eight months but the problem is funding. We require about N1.7 billion to complete the project and we are talking to some of our bankers for us to get the money and release them on piecemeal to the contractors based on performance. But another main thing is that for us to even test- run it as a diesel- consuming machine, we will require N500 million worth of diesel to test- run it for a period of time. This is the cost of diesel required and that is what the experts told us. So, we are thinking of converting it to LPG so that we can get cheaper means of running the IPP. We have been receiving interested investors into that and they are coming to Sokoto to inspect the plant. So, we are committed to that and I can tell you that there is no way we will allow the huge funds invested to be wasted. Tell us the progress made so far since the declaration of state of emergency in the education sector in the state? The declaration of state of emergency in the education sector is still on course. Take your

Many farmers in the state could not access funds of the Anchor Borrower programme of the CBN, coupled with poor quality of wheat seeds. What is the government doing to support wheat farmers that incurred losses in the last farming season? We had some challenges in the Anchor Borrower Programme, it is not a state government project but a federal government programme. It is a partnership between the bank and farmers. What the CBN does is to release funds to commercial banks for onward release to farmers. What the state government is supposed to do is to have a technical committee. We have been having challenges on release of funds by commercial banks. It seems commercial banks are not willing to fund agriculture in Nigeria for reasons best known to them and this is done deliberately. On the wheat seeds, we procured some of them and we are aware of the problems that our farmers encountered after harvest. We will indemnify wheat farmers especially those that suffered loss. We are partnering with some banks to ensure that we get timely release of funds to our farmers. Sokoto’s investment in agriculture is the highest in the country. We are working with our farmers. We are also making efforts to attract direct foreign investment in the agricultural sector. We are still working with quite a number of investors that have been coming. Like I earlier said, you cannot just do it alone as a state, there are certain things you require from the federal government. Take for example, the issue of Sokoto Cattle Breeding programme which we are doing with some experts from Argentina. For us to even get clearance to bring in the things we are going to use for the cattle breeding programme from the customs and the federal ministry of agriculturee has been difficult and it has taken a long time. We have adequately provided all we need for the project in terms of providing the fund, the land and training and retraining people that will manage the clusters but we have challenge with federal regulatory agencies. We always have difficulty in attracting foreign investment because of regulatory bottlenecks from federal agencies. I want to appeal to the federal government to look into these challenges because they are an impediment to attracting foreign direct investment especially in the agricultural sector. The plan by Erisco Foods to establish Tomatoes factory in the state is still in progress. I think we gave Erisco Foods all the necessary incentive and support especially land. Erisco Foods has a serious challenge with getting funding and that is why we have not heard from the company. But we are still waiting for it to commence operations here. We gave land and other incentives but the company is having a challenge of raising funds to embark on the project.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Fighting Hunger Solomon Elusoji writes about how one development programme is changing the lives of thousands of small scale farmers in the Niger Delta

F

orty-five years old Adedeji Francis lived in Lagos from birth till he was 43. In 2015, when he clocked four decades and three, he reviewed his adult life as an ‘applicant’ and concluded that he needed to reevaluate his insistence on a white collar job. With a wife, five children and other siblings to cater for, he knew he would continue to live a miserable life if he did not change his outlook on life and survival. So, he began to think of new ideas that could put food on his table. Francis had lots of ideas but he had no money to implement any of them except one. The idea was to return to his native Kolawole Community in Ondo State and put his father’s cocoa farm to use once again. So he packed his family and their belongings, and moved to his village in February 2015, after spending all his life in Lagos. His late father, a rich cocoa farmer in his days, had big parcels of farm land. But that was then. Things were no longer what the ‘Lagos boy’ turned farmer thought they would be. To revitalise his father’s farm, he had to contend with brush and shrubs that had taken over the farm. For any meaningful farming activity to take place at the farm, Francis, his wife, and his children had to get their hands dirty to clear the bushes with their bare hands and cutlasses. It was a task that required a lot of labour to accomplish, but it had to be done. But luck was about to smile on Francis, for soon after he cleared the farm land and started planting cocoa, an Agricultural Input company came to his rescue through the facilitation of the Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE), a DFID funded programme intervening in the Niger Delta region of the country. Francis joined in the training organised for cocoa farmers by the Agricultural Input company. As the training went on, Francis was putting into practice everything he was taught. In fact, he planted cocoa that same year he relocated to his village, while he learnt to take better care of the old cocoa trees in the farm. Last year after his first cocoa harvest, his life changed. Because he had made excess profit from his farm, he found himself doing incredible things on the home front. He could provide three square meals for his family, something that had almost been impossible during his time in Lagos. That is the story of Adedeji Francis’ transformation from a hustler in Lagos to a very promising farmer and family man that can now provide for his family, because he benefited from the Making Markets Work Approach used by MADE. Interestingly, Francis’ story is not unique. Across all the nine states that constitute the Niger Delta region of the country, there are thousands of farmers who have recorded tales of transformation after encountering with MADE. MADE is a rural and agricultural market systems development programme using the Making Markets Work for the Poor approach (M4P) to design systemic and sustainable interventions that generate pro-poor and inclusive growth in the nine Niger Delta states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. The goal is to facilitate increases in incomes for at least 150,000 poor people, of whom 50 per cent must be women. MADE’s Team Lead, Tunde Oderinde, in phone conversation with THISDAY said that the programme design is based on the recognition that poverty is the failure of the structure of market systems in which the poor participate and that when markets work e ciently and produce equitable outcomes for the poor, such markets become powerful vehicles for delivering growth and poverty reduction. And almost four years after it kicked off,

Members of Enyin-Ebenye Multipurpose Cooperative in Bekwarra in Cross River collectively harvesting their cassava

this reasoning has been further validated MADE currently implements interventions in several sectors of the agriculture value chain, including in cassava, fisheries, palm oil, poultry, finished leather goods and agricultural inputs. The programme develops capacity within each sector by improving technical know-how and helping locals source for finance, in a bid to improve the quality and quantity of finished products. Then it facilitates linkages between producers, suppliers and manufacturers, creating a value chain that triggers increased wealth for everyone involved. An example is MADE’s work with cassava. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, a staple that is the most important crop

MADE currently implements interventions in several sectors of the agriculture value chain, including in cassava, fisheries, palm oil, poultry, finished leather goods and agricultural inputs. The programme develops capacity within each sector by improving technical know-how and helping locals source for finance, in a bid to improve the quality and quantity of finished products

by production, and the second most important by consumption, according to a 2014 report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The Niger Delta produces 14 million tonnes of cassava a year, accounting for a third of national output, and contributing about 34 per cent of total household income for cassava farmers in the region. However, despite the crop’s importance, ine ciencies in production and processing have given rise to a suboptimal cassava industry. “Few farmers use improved and unadulterated agricultural inputs, have little or no mechanisation and recycle local stems from previous harvests,” MADE said in an intervention profile sighted by THISDAY. “These all contribute to poor yields as Nigeria’s average yield of 7.7 MT per hectare, compares dismally to the 23.4 MT and 22.2 MT average yield per hectare produced in Indonesia and Thailand.” MADE then set out to improve productivity through the adoption of good agronomic practices. The programme provided cost-shared with SME processors to establish out-grower schemes and demonstrate good agronomic practice to cassava farmers. The processors are in turn linked to large manufacturers who provide technical support, enabling processors meet quality requirements. Within three years of being involved with cassava, “we have been able to improve production from 10 –12 metric tons per hectare to about 18–25 tons per hectare,” MADE’s Team Leader, Tunde Oderinde, said at a Cassava Investment Forum in Lagos in October. But, beyond supply, MADE is also looking at stimulating demand. “So far we have reached more than 30,000 farmers in the Niger Delta,” MADE’s Cassava Intervention Manager, Mr. Chyka Okarter, said at the 2017 Niger Delta Development Forum, “and we are not ignorant of the fact that when these farmers start producing optimally, there will be a glut in the market. So we are also working with small medium enterprise (SMEs) processors who can turn the cassava roots into other derivative products. We are also trying to link these processors to those who will buy their products, companies like Nestle, Unilever, Feed mills, Dufil, those who use starch and HQCF and they’ve shown signs that they

are ready to off-take.” According to a cassava beneficiary based in Bayelsa State, Dr. Josephine Lloyd, who was one of the exhibitors that displayed a variety of products – baking flour, tapioca, chips, poultry feed, chin-chin, starch – derived from cassava at a Cassava investment workshop in Lagos, she came in contact with MADE facilitated opportunities in 2014. Dr. Lloyd, who also teaches business at the Niger Delta University, Otueke, said “They gave me Vitamin A fortified cassava stems, invested a lot in developing my capacity. Now, my yields have increased to about 65 per cent and our enlightenment, in terms of how I can use technology to transform farming, is super.” Today, Lloyd instructs hundreds of other farmers within her community on good agronomic practice. “Before, most of us did not even believe in herbicides. Now we do and have also come to realise that the manual weeding is not profitable.” This approach of empowering players in the market is a MADE business model that cuts across all the sectors it operates in. In the Finished Leather Goods market, the programme is helping to improve the quantity of funding available to shoemakers in Aba. “We have been able to trigger finance opportunities for several farmers in the Niger Delta through our partnership with a myriad of financial institutions including the Bank of Agriculture” the sector’s Intervention Manager, Adeyinka Abimbola, said. “We’ve also leveraged the Made-in-Aba campaign, and currently attempting to develop individual brands within the cluster. We are running a pilot programme with a lead marketing communications firm, TBWA Concepts, to try and trigger the brand development service that allows a private sector player come in and develop recognisable indigenous brands as a service component to improve the competitiveness of the Aba cluster.” Abimbola, who also oversees the Access to Finance component of the programme, said during a brand workshop facilitated by TBWA in collaboration with MADE for entrepreneurs in the Aba finished leather sector that raising

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FEATURES

MADE's Team Leader, Tunde Oderinde

funds was not just limited to the Leather sector. “We have been able to facilitate finance for thousands of individual farmers, most of whom have received loans which vary between N30,000 to N250,000 because they fall within the micro-loans sphere,� he said. In the Fishery sector, improving the technical tools through which fish farmers collect, preserve and process their fish has been crucial. “Here, we identified some systemic constraints,� MADE Fishery’s Intervention Manager, Roy Ndidi, said. “The business management capacity from the farmers was low, profitable fish farming practices were absent. So we had to identify service providers who offer services to fish providers across the Niger Delta.� The programme also introduced a smoking kiln technology and provided grants to encourage technology, facilitated the provision of 36 kilns to fish smoking entrepreneurs and increased awareness for 3,500 fish farmers and smokers. “In Poultry, MADE is working to reduce poultry mortality in the Niger Delta due to diseases, particularly New Castle Disease Virus, and poor poultry keeping practices by establishing private sector distribution channels through which micro and small scale poultry farmers have access to high quality poultry products, improved breeds and information on good poultry practices across the Niger Delta through partnerships with key market actors the sector’s Manager,� Motunrayo Momodu, said. The Poultry Intervention engages with private sector poultry input companies who have an interest in expanding their distribution channels in the Niger Delta primarily through the development of active micro enterprises who provide poultry inputs especially vaccination services to over 23,000 poultry farmers, 46 per cent of whom are women. There is now improved demand for poultry inputs, improved breeds and information by micro and small scale poultry farmers. “The net result is increased productivity, enhanced competitiveness and increased incomes among rural poultry farmers,� an Intervention profile from MADE’s Issuu platform said. According to the programme’s Agricultural Input intervention profile, as at June 2017, its agricultural inputs intervention had reached over 74,000 smallholder farmers who have participated in on-farm demonstration of good agronomic practice and access to spraying services. At least 70,000 of the farmers have adopted a wide range of practices exposed to them, including a range of practices related to production planning and land preparation, and environmentally sound use of crop protection products throughout the farming cycle for each crop. MADE is a unique development programme in many ways, but its most striking feature, perhaps, is the programme’s approach to sustainability. The programme is scheduled to end next year, but its work of creating market structures that help poor people thrive is expected to outlive it. When this reporter asked its Team Leader, Tunde Oderinde, whether the programme

Cocoa Farmer, Francis Adedeji (L) with MADE Field OďŹƒcer, Soji Teller in Kolawole Community in Ondo State

Mill users with access to the improved small-scale processing equipment acquired with support from the MADE Technology Adoption Grant

has been able to meets its target of increasing the income of 150,000 people, he was quite optimistic. By February 2018, when the programme’s first phase is expected to wind up, Oderinde said the programme would have met its targets, he also pointed out that a lot has been put together to ensure sustainability. “Sustainability is key to our interventions,� he said. “We have spent the last few years working with the private sector and lead

actors in our intervention. Many of them have adopted our practice and technology. We see so many of them replicating what they learnt from MADE in different states outside the Niger Delta. To us this is important.� To drive home his point, he described the rationale behind MADE’s Technology Adoption Grant, a fund that allows farmers acquire advanced mechanical tools like the Malaysian Knife, Mechanical Adjustable Harvester, palm

oil small-scale processing equipment, fish smoking kilns and other technologies at a 40 per cent discount. So, if for example, 50 farmers acquire these machines and begin to see improved yield and income, will it not motivate other farmers to want to invest in the technology? “We want to have a critical mass who see the value of improved practices and technology and spread the word,� Oderinde said.

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IMAGES

L-R: Managing Director, ARM Pensions, Wale Odutola(middle) anked by the winners,from let, Kareem Rahmon; Isah Hammed; Saleh Umar;and Odenalo James,durig the presentation of gifts to them at the ARM Pensions run for the tuture 5 in Lagos... recently. ETOP UKUTT

R-L: Chairman, Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Dr. Mash’hud Aderenie Fashola; Proprietor, Fadl-I-Omar Comprehensive High School Ijaiye Ojokoro, Lagos State and Sadr, Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria, Engr. Abdul Waheed Adeoye; Chairman, Ahmadiyya National Education Commission (ANEC), Alhaji Mikail Odukoya; Naib Sadr, Admin. Majlis Ansarullah Nigeria, Alhaji Raji Dauda and Past Sadr Khuddam-lAhmadiyya Nigeria, and representative of Naib Amir South West, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladoja; during the 2nd Annual General Meeting of the School in Lagos....recently

L-R: General Overseer, Living Rock Church, Lagos, Rev. Idris Peter, General Overseer, Abundant Life Gospel Church, Dr. (Mrs.) Janet Onaolapo, Reknowned USA-base World Evangelist,Apostle Peter Gammons and Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed during courtesy visit by the General Overseers to the Governor at Government House, Ilorin...recently

Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties, Dr. Adegoriola Longe; Chairman, Lagos State Taskforce, SP Yinka Egbeyemi and General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Tiamuyu Adeshina during permanent secretary inspection tour to all agencies under the ministry in Lagos...recently

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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; Director, Toni Murphy Investment Limited, Mr. Obi Nwoye; Head, Training Academy of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Sola Oyegbade; Divisional Head, Corporate Services of the Bank, Felicia Obozuwa; Zonal Head, Victoria Island, Mrs. Omowunmi Kalejaiye; Financial Controller, Champion Logistics Limited, Mr. Sola Adesunloye and Chief Executive OďŹƒcer of Quest Advisory Services Limited, Mr. Bayo Rotimi, during the second edition of the training organised by FCMB for Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) in Lagos...recently.

R-L; Managing Director, FAE Ltd, Princess Layo Okeowo; Chairman, Mr. Richard Abiodun Okeowo and Marketing Manager, Caroline Ogbonna at the company’s distributors forum in Lagos...recently ABIODUN AJALA

L-R; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, International Real Estate Partners, Nigeria (IREP), Mrs. Erejuwa Gbadebo; Managing Director, International Real Estate Partners Holdings, Mr. Kenny McCrae; and Group Director, International Real Estate Partners, Nigeria (IREP), Mr. Femi Akintunde, at the Unveiling of International Real Estate Partners, Nigeria, held in Lagos, recently SUNDAY ADIGUN

L-R: Ogun State, Head of Service, Abayomi Sobande; , SuperSport Let’s Play representative, Mojisola Ojo; Ogun State First Lady, Olufunso Amosun; Let’s Play Ambassador, Victor Ikpeba and , Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Modupe Mujota during the SuperSport Let’s Play Initiative in Abeokuta, Ogun State...recently

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Quick Takes Foundation Backs Fight against Cancer

FOR A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT

Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade (Right) receiving Environmental Safety Reective Vests from the General Manager, South-South, South-East and Mid-West, Sterling Bank Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel EmeďŹ enim during a courtesy call on him at the Government House, Calabar...recently

Technology Experts Push for IT Development Framework Bill Stories by Emma Okonji Technology experts in the county are strongly canvassing for IT Development Framework Bill that will further drive Information Technology (IT) to take its rightful place as one of the veritable tools for speedy economic recovery and foreign exchange earner. The experts said the bill will address all grey areas in the IT industry as well challenges that had bedeviled the industry for decades. They took the decision during the IT CEO’s Forum, which held recently at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel. The event was convened by

IT the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN). The experts were of the view that government should urgently assemble IT experts group to formulate and draft a strategic national Information Technology Framework Bill, since Nigeria does not have a holistic national IT Framework Bill as a fundamental legislative vehicle to organise all other existing ACTs in isolation of each other. The forum challenged the federal government, the Ministry of Communications, and IT professionals to rise

to the task. It also insisted that to effectively promote national Interest in the emerging knowledge society and new economy, there was need for constructive policy framework and strategies for the development and growth of local content in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The forum, which was chaired by the Chairman, ZINOX Group, Chief Leo Stan Nnamdi Ekeh, had several captains of industry as well as several stakeholders in the IT industry in attendance. In his opening remarks, Ekeh emphasised the need for the country to take advantage

of the huge ICT market opportunities in the Africa and global IT environment and effectively deliver the benefits of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to Nigeria and her people, The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman who talked on the relevance of government in facilitating the development of ICT in Nigeria. He further dwelt on the ICT aspect of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and enjoined the profession to play a lead role and also key into it by assisting the government Continued on page 24

Group Calls for State of Emergency over Nigeria’s Poor Ranking on ICT Devt Index The Broadband 2018 Coalition Group has expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s poor ranking on the latest Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Development Index (IDI). The report was published in the annual “Measuring the Information Society Report (MISR)� by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) where the country was rated 143rd globally, a significant downward shift from its 137th position in 2016. On the African index, Nigeria was placed 15th behind countries like Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya, Gabon, Ghana, Zimbabwe and even Cote d’Ivoire.

ICT The ICT Development Index is a composite measure that combines 11 indicators into one benchmark index to monitor and compare ICT developments between 176 countries across the world. The three-dimension frameworks used to measure the IDI, were Access, Use of ICT and Skills Capabilities. According to the report, Access, which was the first measuring framework, has to do with the level of ICT readiness which includes five infrastructure and access indicators: fixed-telephone

subscriptions, mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions, international Internet bandwidth per Internet user, households with a computer, and households with Internet access. The second framework, which is about Use of ICT, includes three intensity and usage indicators: individuals using the Internet, fixed broadband subscriptions, and mobilebroadband subscriptions, while the third framework, which was on Skills Capabilities, looked at the importance attached to ICTs, which include three proxy indicators: mean years of schooling, gross secondary enrolment, and gross tertiary

enrolment. Expressing shock at the development, the coalition convener and technology expert, Danjuma Yusuf pointed that Nigeria’s technology landscape needs urgent intervention given its sharp stagnation and decline in recent years and tasked the federal and state governments and other relevant regulatory agencies to quickly focus on strategies that would increase the country’s global competitiveness in ICT. According to Yusuf, Nigeria has become an object of ridicule on global ICT rankings, and Continued on page 24

Ă?Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă– Ă?Ù××ÓÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÙ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ó×ÚËĂ?Ăž ĂŒĂ‹Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă–Ăž Ă™ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă–Ă™ĂŒĂ‹Ă– Ă?ËÖÞÒ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă— Ě™ ĚšËœ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă–Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă‘Ă?ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ě™ ĚšËœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž ÞÙ Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ Ă“Ă Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă˜ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăœ ËŤ Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ËŹ Ă‹ĂŽĂ Ă™Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă“Ă‘Ă˜ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ă? ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ăž Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ–ĂŁ ĂžĂœĂ?ËÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽĂœĂ?Ă˜Ë› Ă’Ă“Ă–ĂŽ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ Ă“Ă Ă‹Ă– Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ‘Ă‹Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂĄĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ë› Ă˜Ă‹ĂœĂ“ Ă&#x;Ă•Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ• Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă–Ă‹ĂŒĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ åÓÞÒ ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă’Ă™Ă?ÚÓÞËÖĂ? Ă‹Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ ÞÒĂ?Ă“Ăœ ĂšĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂœĂ“Ă? Ă™Ă˜Ă?ÙÖÙÑã ĂŽĂ?ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂžĂ—Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ÞÙ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂœĂ?ËÞ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? Ă?ÒÓÖÎÒÙÙÎ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂœË› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă?âĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;ÞÓà Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ëœ ĂœË› ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă–Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă‘Ă?ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ˍÞÙ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëž ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—ĂšĂž Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂžĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă‘ĂžĂ’Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă’Ăž Ă‹Ă‘Ă‹Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ăž ÞÒĂ? Ă’Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ù×ÚÖĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă–ĂŁ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă–ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂ“Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ Ă‹Ă? ËŤ Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ËŞ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂŒĂ? ÞÙÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁË› ËŤ Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂœĂ–ĂŁ Ă?Ă™Ă—Ă—Ă™Ă˜ Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă˜Ă™ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?ÙÖÙĂ&#x;ĂœËœ Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂŽËœ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă‘Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă“Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÒËÞ ËÞÞËĂ?Ă•Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă— Ă‹Ă‘Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă Ă?Ă–ĂŁËœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă—Ă?ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ă– ĂžĂœĂ?ËÞ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă–Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă? Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂĄĂ“ĂšĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă‹ Ă Ă“Ă?ÞÓ×˪Ă? Ă“Ă—Ă—Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă? Ă?ĂŁĂ?ĂžĂ?Ă—Ë› Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă˜ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞãÖĂ? Ă?ÒÙÓĂ?Ă?Ă? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă•Ă?Ă?Ăš Ă“Ăž Ă‹Ăž ĂŒĂ‹ĂŁ Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă?ÞÓà Ă?Ă–ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă˜Ă™Ă–Ă™Ă‘Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ ĂŽĂœĂ“Ă Ă?Ă˜ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂžĂ? ÞÙ Ă?Ă“Ă˜ĂŽ Ă‹ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ÞÒËÞ Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă’Ă?Ă–Ăš Ă Ă“Ă?ÞÓ×Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă‹ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă‹Ă–Ă?ĂŁ åÓÞÒ ÖÓÞÞÖĂ? Ă™Ăœ Ă˜Ă™ ĂžĂœĂ‹Ă&#x;Ă—Ă‹ Ă“Ă? Ă˜Ă™Ăž Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă™ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? ĂŒĂ&#x;Ăž Ă‹ Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? ÑÙËÖ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă–Ă?ĂŁ Ă?Ă‘Ă?ĂŽĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă“ĂžĂ? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă‘ĂœĂ‹Ă—Ë›

Amosun Commends 9mobile Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ăœ Ă™Ă? Ă‘Ă&#x;Ă˜ ÞËÞĂ?Ëœ Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™Ăœ ĂŒĂ“Ă•Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă–Ă? Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÍˇĂ—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă?Ëœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă?Ă™Ăœ ÞËÖĂ?Ă˜Ăž ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?ĂšĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ ÞÒĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™ĂĄĂžĂ’ Ă™Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă‹Ë› ĂšĂ?Ă‹Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂŽĂ&#x;ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒĂ? Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ Ă•Ă? ĂœĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÙÕ Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ËÖ Ă’Ă?Ă–ĂŽ Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ?ÙÕĂ&#x;ÞË ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁËœ ÞÒĂ? ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ăœ Ă‹Ă?Ă•Ă˜Ă™ĂĄĂ–Ă?ĂŽĂ‘Ă?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă™Ă? Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ËÖ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂĄĂ‹Ă Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂšĂšĂ™ĂœĂž Ă™Ă? Ă?Ă™ĂœĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ? ĂŒĂ™ĂŽĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? ÍˇĂ—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă‹ ÚËĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă?Ă™Ăœ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞËÖĂ?Ă˜Ăž ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂœĂ?ËÞÓà Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂœĂŁ Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁËœ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă—Ă‹ĂŽĂ? ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ËÖ Ă‹ Ă?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ă“ĂŽĂ‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÚÖËÞĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ—Ë› Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă™Ăœ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă&#x;Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ?ĂŽ ÞÒËÞ Ă•Ă? ĂœĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÙÙÕ Ă?Ă?ÞÓà ËÖ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă‹ Ă’Ă&#x;ĂŒ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă–Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă?Ă™Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă?Ă‹ĂŽĂ?Ă—Ă“Ă? Ă?Ù××Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁËœ Ă‹ĂœĂžĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ?ËÞÓà Ă? ĂĄĂ™ĂœĂ•Ă? ÞÙ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ě‹Ă?Ă?ĂœĂžĂ“Ă–Ă“Ă¤Ă? Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă– Ă‹Ă? Ă‹ ÚÖËÞĂ?Ă™ĂœĂ— ÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă‹Ă–ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ˜Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă Ă? Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? ĂžĂ™ĂĄĂ‹ĂœĂŽĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă™Ă–Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ă—ĂšĂ™ĂœĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ë›

Zoto Unveils New App Ă™ĂžĂ™Ëœ Ă‹ Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ËÚÚ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ĂŒĂŁ Ùà Ă?Ăœ ÍŻ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ëœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă‹ Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ËÚÚ ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ë› Ă?Ă?Ă™ĂœĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă?Ă™Ă—ĂšĂ‹Ă˜ĂŁ Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă“Ă?Ă“Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ËÚÚ Ă“Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ÙÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă?Ăž Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ËÚÚ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ë› Ă˜ Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂœĂ™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă‹Ă˜Ă˜Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă?Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒÓĂ? Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒÓĂ? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? ÞÙ Ă?Ă˜Ă”Ă™ĂŁ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ăž Ă”Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž ÍĽÍŻ Ă™Ă˜Ă–ĂŁ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ËÚÚ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă‹ Ă–Ă“Ă—Ă“ĂžĂ?ĂŽ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă™ĂŽË› Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂŒĂ?Ă?ĂœĂ“ĂšĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă?Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂœĂ™Ă‹ĂŽĂŒĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄ ËÚÚ Ă?Ù×Ă?Ă? åÓÞÒ Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“Ă?ÓÞã Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂŒĂ?ĂžĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ù˛ Ù××Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă™Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜ĂžËœ ÙÞÙ˪Ă? Ù̋ Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœËœ Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă˜Ă?

Ă•Ă‹Ă¤Ă™ĂŒĂ™Ă’Ëœ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă˜Ă?ĂĄĂ–ĂŁ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“Ă‘Ă˜Ă?ĂŽ ÙÞÙ ÚÚ ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂžĂ’Ă?Ăœ Ă“Ă—ĂšĂœĂ™Ă Ă? ÞÒĂ? Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ?Ë› Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă?ĂžĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă“Ă? ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— Ă’Ă“Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ă‹Ă“Ă–Ă&#x;ĂœĂ? ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?Ëœ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă‹ĂŁĂ?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂšĂ™Ă™Ăœ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?Ăœ Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă? Ă?âÓĂ?ĂžĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ÙÖĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă˜Ă™Ăž ĂœĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă? Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜ĂŽĂ–ĂŁË› ËŤ ÙÞÙ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹ ĂŽĂ?Ă–Ă“Ă‘Ă’ĂžĂ?Ă&#x;Ă– ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă?âÚĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ë› Ă?Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÙÞÙåËÖÖĂ?ĂžËœ Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜ĂžĂ? ĂĄĂ“ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜ Íł Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ? åÓÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ăž Ă‘Ă™Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? ĂžĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ă™Ă&#x;Ă? ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă• Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă‹Ă?ÒÚËã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ù×ÚÖÓĂ?Ă? åÓÞÒ ÚÙÖÓĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă?ËœËŹ

Ă•Ă‹Ă¤Ă™ĂŒĂ™Ă’ Ă?Ă‹Ă“ĂŽËœ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÒËÞ ÙÞÙ˪Ă? Ă—Ă‹Ă?Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă? Ă–Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ˜Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ ĂšĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂœËŞĂ? Ă?Ă‹Ă Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ“ĂžĂ? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ‘Ă? Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž Ă?ĂœĂ?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÚËã×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ÞÒĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă?Ă–ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă?Ë›

“As the acknowledged professional authority facilitating the development of an inclusive knowledge-based Nigeria, NCS is committed to recognising excellence in accelerating IT development�

NCS President, Sola Aderounmu

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍąÍŽËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS PUSH FOR IT DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK BILL in the implementation of the strategic items stated in the plan. The roundtable was moderated by Mr. Chris Uwaje and paraded many quality speakers. Industry CEOs and stakeholders at the roundtable endorsed the proposal of the CPN President, Professor Charles Uwadia, on the urgent need to establish a National IT Day as a platform for advancing the national IT awareness drive and to celebrate activities and innovation in the Nigerian IT development ecosystem. The forum insisted that IT intervention for retooling the national workforce, remained a strategic imperative, adding that intellectual property in science, technology and promotion of indigenous research should be encouraged as fundamental to the development, progress, wealth creation and survivability of the nation. GROUP CALLS FOR STATE OF EMERGENCY OVER NIGERIA’S POOR RANKING ON ICT DEVT INDEX overtaken by countries with much lower Gross Domestic Product. He mentioned that with direct connections to five submarine cables, worth $7 billion of Africa’s $20 billion submarine cable investments, Nigeria has no excuse for not leading the African index ahead of South Africa with four submarine cables, as well as Zimbabwe and Gabon with two cables each. He therefore urged the federal government to declare a state of emergency in Nigeria’s ICT sector. Yusuf cited as example, Kenya, which also launched its Broadband Policy in 2013, like Nigeria, but is currently leading Africa in internet penetration with over 30 million people having 67 per cent internet access according to the Jumia Business Intelligence and GSMA ‘White Paper 2017: Trends from the Kenyan Smartphone and eCommerce Industry’.

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)

‘Ghana’s Link to Nigeria’s Internet Exchange Point Will Drive Traffic, Reduce Cost’ Emma Okonji The recent connection of the Ghana Internet Exchange Point to that of Nigerian’s Internet Exchange Point (IXPN), destined to route traffic locally within the region, will not only drive local traffic within the regions, but will also reduce cost of internet connectivity, industry stakeholders have said. While the link process is on a vice-versa partnership basis, the move is expected to enhance the chances of Nigeria becoming the regional hub for internet content in the region and the continent. It will also serve as an opportunity for both countries to reduce cost and improve latency on the route, according to stakeholders. Further analysis showed that the internet traffic destined for the two countries would now remain local, meaning that instead of the traffic coming from Ghana to Nigeria, which first goes to Europe or the Americas before returning to Africa, will come straight to the region. This way, there will be some cost saving, improvement service delivery, and making services safer. Besides, should Nigeria become the Internet hub for Africa, it will help the country to create contents, especially local that can serve the international market, and enable it attract foreign investors. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IXPN, Muhammed Rudman, who confirmed the connection with Ghana, said the exchange

has connected about 45 top organisations in the country. He said Ghana and Nigeria were working on collaborative efforts to exchange internet traffic, adding that it will give organisations in both countries easy access to each other’s content, while serving as a link to other parts of the world. The IXPN is now the second largest in Africa, and the regional IXP for the West African region, a status allocated to it by the African Union. An IXP is a physical in-

frastructure through, which Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), and other Internet Protocol (IP) centric organisations exchange internet traffic between their networks. The primary purpose of an IXP is to allow networks to interconnect with one another directly via the exchange rather than through one or more third-party networks. Already, it has been revealed that a leading service provider in Nigeria now saves over

N20 million by localising its traffic using the exchange point. These cost savings for the service providers will eventually translate to reduction cost of Internet access to Internet subscribers in the country. The Ghana-Nigeria deal is already confirmed in document presented by a former Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Angaye, at an interaction programme on,

NDIC AT KANO TRADE FAIR

Kano State Deputy Governor, Prof. HaďŹ z Abubakar (2nd left) and his entourage listen as the Controller, NDIC Kano Zonal OďŹƒce, Mr. Kabir Oniyangi (1st right) explains the mandate of the NDIC at the 2017 Kano International Trade Fair‌recently

Low Cocoa Yields as Farmers NAICOM, CIIN Move Lament Procurement of Membership Compulsory Substandard Inputs James Sowole in Akure Nigeria’s earning from the non- oil sector of the economy, particularly cocoa may suffer a serious setback due to alleged non patriotic action of some officials of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. The alarm was raised by farmers under the aegis of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), in a Save Our Soul (SOS) message addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari. The message made available to journalists in Akure, Ondo State was signed by the National President, Chief Raimi Adeniji, the National Secretary, Mr. Adeola Adegoke and the National Vice President, South West, Mr. Ayodele Joseph. According to the farmers, cocoa yields have been drastically affected due to the economic sabotage allegedly being perpetuated within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture whereby fake and unwanted inputs were procured for the cocoa farmers. “The procured inputs particularly fungicides and insecticides had destroyed our cocoa trees and farmers. “Farmers in Nigeria had not been using the type of chemicals and other inputs being procured and distributed by the ministry to farmers. “When a particular fungicide procured for farmers was applied, it did

“Improving Socioeconomic Development of a Nation Through Qualitative Telecommunications Services,� organised by the Senate Committee on Communications, Rudman said. According to him, in the document, Angaye said the coming together of these two countries would attract other countries, which would enhance the chances of Nigeria being the regional hub for internet content in the region and the continent.

not prevent the black pod that it was meant to control and many farmers are now counting their losses. “ This is an act of economic sabotage that Mr President must look into because cocoa export remains one of the major sources of non-oil foreign exchange earning�, they stated. The CFAN officers lamented that despite the rejection of most inputs like jute bags, solo sprayer pumps, fungicides and insecticides procured for farmers, due to their low standard, the ministry did not stop its procurement. “It is sad to note that cocoa economy that used to one of the ways of feeding the nation during the time of the Western Region has been relegated to the background due to the unpatriotic actions of some people saddled with the responsibility of promoting cocoa production at the Ministry of Agriculture. “We therefore appeal to Mr. President to use his power to stop the ongoing procurement exercise at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture with immediate effect until consultation are made with us as representatives of peasant farmers in Nigeria to avoid open demonstration of cocoa farmers at various producing states in order to save our occupation heritage, future and economy of Nigeria of which Mr President sworn to protect�, they stated.

Ebere Nwoji President of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Funmi Babington-Ashaye has vowed to make membership of the Institute compulsory for employees of insurance companies. To this end, she has secured the nod of the industry regulator, the National Insurance Commission( NAICOM) to enforce this through issuance of a guideline which will mandate all staff of insurance firms in Nigeria to register with the institute. There are evidence that majority of employees of insurance firms are not members of the institute despite efforts by past presidents of the institute to have them enrolled as the institute’s members. But determined to achieve this, Babington-Ashaye, who is the 43rd president of the institute, had at her maiden press brief in Lagos informed journalists that in support of her drive to win additional 3000 members for the institute, the Commissioner for Insurance, Mohammed Kari, had during a courtesy visit of the institute’s team to his office pledge to support the drive by releasing a guideline that will compel the employees to register as the institute’s members. “We are presently on a drive

to

to achieve an additional 3,000 members for the Institute within the next one year. Pursuant to this, I led a delegation of the CIIN to visit the Commissioner for Insurance in Abuja on the 12th of September, 2017. After our deliberations, the Commission graciously promised to issue a guideline that will compel all staff of insurance institutions in Nigeria to register as members of CIIN. This will go a long way in achieving our set goal,� she said. The insurance commissioner, had in his early days as the Deputy Commissioner for insurance technical emphasised the need to enthrone the regime of professionalism in the industry. Only recently, Kari, had observed the need for a reawakening to ensure professionals are continually trained, re-trained and equipped with prevailing skills and knowledge for optimal performance in line with international best practice. Irked by the seeming lack of professionalism in the conduct of their business, BabingtonAshaye insisted that those who work in insurance firms must obtain the required training and qualification to play by the rules. She also disclosed that the institute has continued the drive for insurance awareness creation through visiting and sharing of insurance text books to schools

Make

CIIN

as well as partnering with the authority of the National Youth Service corp centers. “More strategically, we have taken the insurance awareness campaign to the youths, the leaders of tomorrow. Our desire is to catch them young and imbibe in their consciousness the crucial roles insurance plays in human endeavours. As part of this initiative, the Council has developed a roadmap to drive the Institute’s proposed partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Accordingly, the Institute has established contacts with the national headquarters of the NYSC, the Lagos, Ogun and Oyo state chapters to intimate them of the CIIN’s CatchThem-Young Initiative�. Accrding to her,the pilot edition of the programme kicked off at the Lagos state NYSC Camp during the November 2017 Orientation Exercise where a career talk was organised for the benefit of Corps members. She further said to reinforce the above measures, her regime recently led a delegation of the institute’s Council to donate Insurance study texts published by the Institute to secondary schools in Abuja through the State Education Board of the Federal Capital Territory Authority.

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BUSINESSWORLD

E-BUSINESS

NCS to Train One Million Youths on ICT Skills Stories by Emma Okonji The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), the umbrella body of all Information Technology (IT) professionals and Internet Groups in the country, has unveiled fresh plans to train one million Nigerian youths in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills in one year, beginning from next year. This is just as NCS also plans to confer Professional Fellowship awards, Honorary Fellowship awards, IT Personality award on distinguished organisations and members of the society who have contributed towards the growth of ICT in the country. The awards would also be conferred on NCS members that have exhibited exemplary knowledge in ICT development in Nigeria. The Interest Groups of NCS will also present their awards within their areas. Long service awards will be given to NCS Secretariat staff who have meet the requirements and demonstrated diligence and commitmentin carrying out their functions. They will be recognised during the 2017 National Information Technology Merit Awards (NITMA), holding

today at MUSON Centre, Lagos. Announcing the plans at a press conference in Lagos, the NCS President, Prof Adesola Aderounmu said the essence of the skills development programme and awards initiative, was to further accelerate IT growth in the country, in line with the advocacy efforts of NCS to achieve sustainable development in Nigeria through Information Technology. He said NCS would continue to promote excellence and significant impact in the IT industry, through its various initiatives. “Our focus as a society is progress for the sector in particular and for the nation as a whole. As the acknowledged professional authority facilitating the development of an inclusive, globally competitive, prosperous and knowledge-based Nigeria, NCS is committed to recognising and rewarding outstanding hard work and excellence in accelerating IT development,” Aderounmu said. He also announced the readiness of NCS to advertise for the 2017/2018 academic year scholarship award, that is sponsored by one of its members, who is the Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia. Ac-

cording to him, Ovia has again funded scholarship awards for the next academic year, just like he did this academic year. The sponsorship, which gulps N15.75 million yearly, covers 35 students studying Computer and IT related courses across Nigerian Universities at the Ph.D, M.Sc and B.Sc levels. A breakdown of the scholarship award shows that five Ph. D students will be given N750,000 each, 10 Masters students will be given N500,000 each and 20 undergraduate students studying computer and computer-related courses in various Nigerian universities, will get N300, 000 each. Aderounmu said Ovia has been consistent in the scholarship wards since 2015 and has promised automatic employment at Zenith Bank, to all undergraduate students under the scholarship scheme, that graduate with second class upper. Speaking on the initiatives, the Publicity Secretary of NCS, Mr. Femi Williams, said: “We must encourage those in our environment who are using their knowledge, creativity and resourcefulness to develop local tech solutions that are so essential to the drive for socio economic, growth, recovery and development.”

Smile Empowers Customers with Flexi, Bumpa Value Plans Smile Nigeria, which is pioneer 4G LTE telecommunications service provider in West Africa, has introduced new Flexi and Bumpa value plans to further empower customers to do more. The introduction, according to the telecoms company, was indicative of Smile listening to the needs of its customers, thereby exciting the market. With the FlexiData Plan, the consumer is open tochoose from two variants; the DailyFlexi and the WeeklyFlexi Plans. Similarly, the BumpaValue Data Plan comes in three variants. The 30GB, 60GB and 80GB BumpaValue Plans,

the telecoms company said in a statement. Acknowledged by industry watchers as a worthwhile holiday season offer, customers on the Smile Network, who opt for the DailyFlexi Data Plan will enjoy 1GB for only N500 with 24 hours validity. For the WeeklyFlexi Data Plan, the customer will get 2GB data for only N1200 with a validity period of 7 days. As part of the attractive offering, a 30GB BumpaValue Plan goes for N15, 000with 60 days validity. 60GB BumpaValue Plan is on offer for N30, 000 with 90 days validity while the 80GB BumpaValue

Plan costs N50, 000 with a validity period of 120 days. The BumpaValue plans can be rolled over before expiration date. Customers can also share their data with their loved ones, friends and family. The plans are designed to be flexible and user friendly. They can be used for voice calls and SMS. The plans are available on all third party payment channels, including MySmileportal. They can also be purchased at Smile shops, Kiosks, and independent partners in all the cities that Smile has network coverage.

21st Century Technologies Receives PCIDSS 3.2 Certification 21st Century Technologies Limited has achieved the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS 3.2) certification, the most thorough global payment-card security standard within the industry. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCIDSS) is a set of requirements designed to ensure companies that process, store or transmit credit/debit card information, maintain a secure environment thereby guaranteeing the protection of cardholder data throughout the transaction process. The standard also facilitates the broad adoption of consistent data security measures globally. The organisation met the 12 stringent different security requirements for the PCI-DSS compliance which led to

the award of a level 1 PCI certificate after extensive audit by a leading Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) Panacea. It was done in partnership with its local partners Digital Encode - an award wining Cyber security, Governance, Risk and Compliance advisory firm. The Chief Technical Officer, Digital Encode, Oluseyi Akindeinde, explained that the level 1 PCI certification is the highest rank available from the major credit card providers and that this is only given to third-party providers who meet the Council’s stringent - and audited – credit/debit card transaction security protocols to protect customers’ personal transaction data. He noted that the certification is a strong indicator that 21st century technologies Ltd

consistently has its customers’ interest at the core of its business operations and is committed to securing customer information as well as maintaining a safe and secure environment for customer data. The Chief Operating Officer, Digital Encode, Wale Obadare, said the company’s unique methodology is rooted in the concept that a company should run its IT organisation as a business. “Throughout the well-defined process, Digital Encode translates strategic business objectives into sound, achievable technology solutions. This approach ensures that the technology never obscures the business goals. This has been demonstrated in the audit process leading to 21stCentury Technologies PCI DSS 3.2 certification,” he said.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OLODU KEONYEDI

I’m a Graduate, What Next?

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Four Things to Do Next After Graduating: Understand the Power of Time in Your Hand: ÒÏ ÑÜÏËÞÏÝÞ ÜÏÝÙßÜÍÏ ËàËÓÖËÌÖÏ ÞÙ ãÙß ËÝ Ë ÑÜËÎßËÞÏ ÓÝ ÞÓ×Ï˛ Ó×Ï ÓÝ ãÙßÜ Øß×ÌÏÜ ÙØÏ ËÝÝÏÞ ËØÎ ØÙá ÓÝ áÒÏØ ãÙß ÒËàÏ ÞÒÏ ×ÙÝÞ ʮÏâÓÌÓÖÓÞã ÞÙ ßÝÏ ÓÞ˛ Þ ÝßÜÚÜÓÝÏÝ ×Ï ÞÙ ÝÏÏ ×ÙÝÞ ÙÐ ÙßÜ ÑÜËÎßËÞÏÝ áËÝÞÓØÑ ÞÒÓÝ ÚÜÏÍÓÙßÝ ÜÏÝÙßÜÍÏ ËàËÓÖËÌÖÏ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ×˞ ËÖÖ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ØË×Ï ÙÐ áËÓÞÓØÑ ÐÙÜ ÑÙàÏÜØ×ÏØÞ Ï×ÚÖÙã×ÏØÞ˜ ÙÓÖ ËØÎ ÑËÝ ÙÚÚÙÜÞßØÓÞÓÏÝ ÙÜ ÞÏÖÏÍÙ××ßØÓÍËÞÓÙØ ÙʥÏÜÝ Ï˛Þ˛Í˛ ʰÏÜ ÑÜËÎßËÞÓØÑ ÏàÏÜã ÑÜËÎßËÞÏ ÝÒÙßÖÎ ÜÏËÖÓäÏ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÏã ËÜÏ ÏØÞÏÜÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÑÜÏËÞÏÝÞ ʨàÏ̋ãÏËÜ áÓØÎÙá ÙÐ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÖÓÐÏ˛ ÒÏÜÏ ËÜÏ ÞáÙ ÞÒÓØÑÝ ÞÒÏã ÝÒÙßÖÎ ÕÏÏÚ ÓØ ×ÓØβ ÒÏ ʨÜÝÞ ÓÝ ÞÙ ËÍÕØÙáÖÏÎÑÏ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÏã ËÜÏ ÏØÞÏÜÓØÑ ÝÙ×Ï ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÑÜÏËÞÏÝÞ ãÏËÜÝ ÙÐ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÖÓÐÏ˛ ÒÏ ÝÏÍÙØÎ ÓÝ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÓÝ ÓÝ ÞÒÏ ×Ù×ÏØÞ áÒÏØ ÞÒÏã ÝÒÙßÖÎ ÞËÕÏ ÝÙ×Ï ÜÓÝÕÝ˞ ÞÜã ÞÙ ËÍÒÓÏàÏ áÒËÞÏàÏÜ ÞÒÏã ËÖáËãÝ ÎÜÏË× ËÌÙßÞ˛ ÒÓÝ ÓÝ ØÙÞ ÞÒÏ ÞÓ×Ï ÞÙ ÑÏÞ ÞÒÏ ÔÙÌ ãÙßÜ ÚËÜÏØÞÝ ËÖáËãÝ áËØÞÏÎ ãÙß ÞÙ ÑÏÞ˛ ÒÓÝ ÓÝ ØÙÞ ÞÒÏ ÞÓ×Ï ÞÙ ÞÜã ÞÙ ÏÛßËÞÏ ãÙßÜÝÏÖÐ áÓÞÒ ãÙßÜ ÐÜÓÏØÎݘ ÌßãÓØÑ ÝÞßʥÝ ÖÓÕÏ Ý×ËÜÞÝ ÚÒÙØÏݘ ÍËÜÝ ËØÎ ÜÏØÞÓØÑ àÏÜã ÖßâßÜÓÙßÝ ËÚËÜÞ×ÏØÞ˛ ÒÓÝ ÓÝ ÞÒÏ ÞÓ×Ϙ ÒÙáÏàÏܘ ÞÙ ÜÏËÖÓÝÏ ÞÒËÞ ãÙß ÒËàÏ Ë ʨàÏ̋ ãÏËÜ áÓØÎÙá ̙ÞÒÜÏÏ ÐÙÜ ÝÙ×Ϙ ÏÓÑÒÞ ÐÙÜ ÙÞÒÏÜÝ̚ ÐÙÜ ãÙß ÞÙ ËʵËÍÕ ÞÒÏ ÖÓÐÏ ÞÒËÞ ãÙß áËØÞ ÞÙ áÓØ ÒÏÝÏ áÓÖÖ ÌÏ ÞÒÏ ÌÏÝÞ ËØÎ ÏËÝÓÏÝÞ ãÏËÜÝ ÙÐ ãÙßÜ ÖÓÐÏ ÌÏÍËßÝÏ ÓÞ˪Ý ãÙßÜ ÍÒËØÍÏ ÞÙ ÎÙ áÒËÞ ãÙß ÖÙàÏ ËØÎ ÞÜã ÙßÞ áÒËÞ ãÙß áËØÞ ÞÙ ÎÙ˛ Òãˣ ÏÍËßÝÏ ãÙß ÎÙØ˪Þ ÒËàÏ ËÖÖ ÞÒÏ ÌËÑÑËÑÏ˛ ÙÝÞ ÙÐ ãÙß ÎÙØ˪Þ ÒËàÏ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ãÏÞ˛ ÙÝÞ ÙÐ ãÙß ËÜÏ ØÙÞ ×ËÜÜÓÏβ Ù˜ ÞÒÓÝ ÓÝ ÞÒÏ ÞÓ×Ï ÌÏÐÙÜÏ ÞÒÏ áÙÜÖÎ ÒËÝ ÝßÍÕÏÎ ÙßÞ ËÖÖ ãÙßÜ ÒÙÚÏÝ ËØÎ ÎÜÏË×ݲ Ùß ÝÞÓÖÖ ÒËàÏ ÞÒÓÝ áÓØÎÙá̐ÞÒÏ ØÏâÞ ʨàÏ ãÏËÜÝ ÞÙ ÒÏÖÚ ãÙß ËÍÒÓÏàÏ ãÙßÜ ÑÙËÖݲ

Apply Yourself to Training/Development and Mentoring: Ï ËÜÏ ËÖÖ ÌÙÜØ áÓÞÒ ÞÒÏ ÚÜÙÚÏØÝÓÞã ÞÙ ËÍÒÓÏàϘ ÝßÍÍÏÏΘ ËØÎ ÞÒÜÓàÏ ÓØ ÙßÜ ÏØÎÏËàÙßÜݲ Ï ÒËàÏ ÍÏÜÞËÓØ ÝÕÓÖÖݘ ÞËÖÏØÞÝ ËØÎ ËÌÓÖÓÞÓÏÝ ÞÒËÞ ÍËØ ÌÏ ØßÜÞßÜÏΘ ÝÒËÚÏΘ ÐÙÜ×ÏΘ ËØÎ ÏØÍÙßÜËÑÏβ ÒÏ Òß×ËØ ÝÚÏÍÓÏÝ ÒËÝ Ë àËÝÞ Øß×ÌÏÜ ÙÐ ÞÒÏÝÏ ÞËÖÏØÞݘ ÝÕÓÖÖÝ ËØÎ ËÌÓÖÓÞÓÏݘ ËØÎ ÓÞ ÜÏ×ËÓØÝ Ë áÙØÎÏÜ ËÝ ÞÙ ÒÙá ÝÙ×Ï ÓØÎÓàÓÎßËÖÝ ÜÏËÍÒ ÞÒÏ ÚÓØØËÍÖÏ ÙÐ ÚÏÜÐÏÍÞÓÙØ áÓÞÒ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÝÕÓÖÖÝ ËØÎ ÞËÖÏØÞݘ ËØÎ áÒã ÙÞÒÏÜÝ ÜÏ×ËÓØ ÝÓ×ÚÖã ×ÏÎÓÙÍÜÏ˛ Ùß ØÏÏÎ ÞÙ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚ ãÙßÜ ÞËÖÏØÞ˜ áÙÜÕ ÙØ ËØÎ ÚÜÙʨÞ ÐÜÙ× ÓÞ˛ ÒÓÝ ÓÝ ÞÒÏ ×ÙÝÞ Ó×ÚÙÜÞËØÞ ÚËÜÞ ÙÐ ÕØÙáÓØÑ áÒËÞ ÞÙ ÎÙ ØÏâÞ ËʰÏÜ ÑÜËÎßËÞÓÙؘ ãÙß ØÏÏÎ ÞÙ ÖÏËÜØ ÒÙá ÞÙ ÜÏʨØÏ ÞÒÏ ËÌÓÖÓÞ㘠×ËÕÏ ÓÞ ×ËÜÕÏÞËÌÖϘ ÓØàÏÝÞ ÓØ ÞÜËÓØÓØј ÝÏÖÐ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚ×ÏØÞ˛ ÏÞ ×ÏØÞÙÜÝ ËØÎ ÍÙËÍÒÏݘ ãÙß ØÏÏÎ ÞÙ ËʵÏØÎ ÝÏ×ÓØËÜݘ áÙÜÕÝÒÙÚ˜ ÍÙØÐÏÜÏØÍÏݘ ÜÏËÎ ÌÙÙÕݲ ÒÏ ÐËÝÞÏÝÞ áËã ÞÙ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚ ãÙßÜ ÝÕÓÖÖ ÓÝ ÞÙ ÑÏÞ Ë ×ÏØÞÙܘ ÝÙ×ÏÙØÏ áÒÙ ÓÝ ËÖÜÏËÎã ÝßÍÍÏÝÝÐßÖ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ËÜÏË ãÙß ËÜÏ ÖÙÙÕÓØÑ ËÞ˛

Discover Yourself: ØÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ×ÙÝÞ Ó×ÚÙÜÞËØÞ ÞÒÓØÑÝ ÞÙ ÎÙ ËʰÏÜ ÑÜËÎßËÞÓØÑ ÓÝ ÞÙ ÎÓÝÍÙàÏÜ ãÙßÜÝÏÖÐ˞ ÕØÙá ãÙßÜ ÞËÖÏØÞݘ ãÙßÜ ÚÙÞÏØÞÓËÖ˜ ÕØÙá ÞÒÏ ÜÏËÝÙØ áÒã ãÙß áÏÜÏ ÍÜÏËÞÏβ ÍÍÙÜÎÓØÑ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÎÓÍÞÓÙØËÜã˜ Ë ÞËÖÏØÞ ÓÝ Ë ØËÞßÜËÖ ÏØÎÙá×ÏØÞ ÙÐ Ë ÚÏÜÝÙØ˛ Þ ÓÝ ËØ ËÌÓÖÓÞã ÙÜ

Being Known for Something: ʰÏÜ ÎÓÝÍÙàÏÜÓØÑ ãÙßÜ ÞËÖÏØÞ ËØÎ ÎÏàÏÖÙÚÓØÑ ÓÞ˞ ãÙß ØÏÏÎ ÞÙ ÖÙÙÕ ÐÙÜ Ë ØÓÍÒÏ ËØÎ ÝÚÏÍÓËÖÓÝÏÎ ÓØ ÓÞ ßØÞÓÖ ãÙß ËÜÏ ÕØÙáØ ËÝ ËØ ÏâÚÏÜÞ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ËÜÏ˲ ÏÓØÑ ÝÏÏØ ËÝ ËØ ËßÞÒÙÜÓÞã ÓØ ãÙßÜ ʨÏÖÎ ÓÝ ÚÜÏʵã ×ßÍÒ ãÙßÜ ÞÓÍÕÏÞ ÞÙ ÌßÓÖÎÓØÑ Ë ÝßÍÍÏÝÝÐßÖ ÌßÝÓØÏÝݲ ØÝÞÏËÎ ÙÐ ÞÜãÓØÑ ÞÙ ÚÖÏËÝÏ ÏàÏÜãÙØϘ ÐÙÍßÝ ãÙßÜ ÏʥÙÜÞÝ ÙØ Ë Ý×ËÖÖ Ë×ÙßØÞ ÙÐ ÚÙÝÝÓÌÖÏ ÍÖÓÏØÞݲ ÒÓÝ ËÚÚÜÙËÍÒ áÓÖÖ ÒÏÖÚ ßØÎÏÜÝÞËØÎ ÞÒÏ ØÓÍÒÏ ÌÏʵÏܲ ØÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÐËÝÞÏÝÞ áËãÝ ÞÙ ÓØÍÜÏËÝÏ ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝ ËØÎ ËʵÜËÍÞ ËʵÏØÞÓÙØ ÓÝ ÞÙ ÌÏÍÙ×Ï Ë ÑÙ̋ÞÙ ËßÞÒÙÜÓÞã ÓØ ãÙßÜ ʨÏÖβ ÒÏØ ÚÙÞÏØÞÓËÖ ÍÖÓÏØÞÝ ÝÏÏÕ ÞÒÏ ÒÏÖÚ ÙÜ ÚÜÙÎßÍÞÝ ãÙß ÚÜÙàÓÎÏ ËØÎ ãÙßÜ ØË×Ï ÚÙÚÝ ßÚ˜ ãÙß˪ÜÏ ÌÙßØÎ ÞÙ ÜÏËÚ ÞÒÏ ÌÏØÏʨÞÝ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÏâÚÙÝßÜÏ˛ Ø ÏâÚÏÜÞ ÓÝ ÜÏÍÙÑØÓäÏÎ ËÝ ËØ ËßÞÒÙÜÓÞã áÒÙ ÕØÙáÝ ÓØ̋ÎÏÚÞÒ ÕØÙáÖÏÎÑÏ ËÌÙßÞ Ë ÝÚÏÍÓʨÍ ÝßÌÔÏÍÞ˛ ßÍÒ ÓØÎÓàÓÎßËÖÝ ÝÙÖàÏ ÚÜÙÌÖÏ×ݘ ËØÎ áÒÏØ ÞÒÏã ÙʥÏÜ ÓØàËÖßËÌÖÏ ÝÙÖßÞÓÙØÝ ÞÙ ×ËÕÏ ÚËÓØ ÑÙ ËáË㘠ÚÏÙÚÖÏ ÚËã áÏÖÖ ÐÙÜ ÞÒÏÓÜ ËÎàÓÍϘ áÓÝÎÙ× ËØÎ ÏâÚÏÜÞÓÝÏ˛

NOTE Due to the numbers of calls and emails we have been receiving as feedback from our trainings and articles, our team has decided to focus more on the youths and fresh graduates capacity development in our subsequent articles. We will be helping them discover themselves.

- 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 COREN registered Engineer. Email: olodukeonyedi@gmail.com Tel: 08037489704, www.instagram.com/sir_keon. www.facebook.com/olodu keonyedi_mentorship

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Oniha: $3bn Eurobond Success Shows Foreign Investors’ Appetite for FGN Instruments The federal government through the Debt Management Office (DMO) recently issued a $3billion Eurobond (in two tranches of USD1.5bn for 15yrs and USD1.5bn for 30yrs), which was oversubscribed by about 400 percent. In this interview with select journalists in Abuja, the Director-General of the DMO, Ms. Patience Oniha, who recently oversaw the highly successful issuance of Nigeria’s first Sovereign Sukuk of N100 Billion, spoke on the implications of the success of the Eurobond and its attendant effect to the economy, amongst other things; excerpts: The government recently announced that it was going to raise $5.5billion in the international financial markets which generated a lot of interest amongst the public. Can you shed some light on this? Perhaps, I should start by giving some context to your question by first explaining the debt strategy of the government. The DMO had for several years raised funds for the government largely in the domestic market through Federal Government of Nigeria Bonds and Nigerian Treasury Bills, and to a limited extent, from external sources mainly the multilaterals. While this had a beneficial effect of developing the domestic debt capital market, the government became the dominant issuer to the extent that it has been regularly accused of crowding out the private sector. The latter outcome was obviously not intentional, but to remedy the situation, the DMO deemed it fit to shift some of the borrowing activities to the international financial markets. This is also in line with its debt management strategy of achieving a portfolio mix of 60% domestic and 40% external. Through the strategy, the share of Domestic Debt has been brought down over 85% to 77% as at September 2017. Now to your specific question on the USD5.5 billion. It is made up of two components, the first of which is USD2.5 billion to partfinance the deficit in the 2017 Appropriation Act. The 2017 Appropriation Act included new borrowings of N1.254trillion from the domestic market and N1.068 trillion equivalent of about USD3 billion from external sources. As at October 2017, only USD300 million in Oniha the form of a Diaspora Bond had been raised leaving an unfunded balance of USD3.2 billion. that the government took. Can you explain The other component of the USD5.5 billion the reasons for the high level of subscription external capital raising is the USD3 billion and why you accepted less than the USD5.5 whose proceeds are to be used to repay some maturing domestic debt obligations. What are the benefits of these borrowings? The DMO‘s role in financing budget deficits as provided in annual appropriation acts, are to support budget implementation and the attainment of the government’s economic targets. The USD2.5 billion is specifically targeted at fulfilling the DMO’s mandate in this regard. On the USD3 billion for refinancing domestic debt, there are several benefits for the action, one of which is that it will reduce the crowding out effect that I earlier referred to thereby creating more space for other borrowers in the domestic market. It also has the potential to bring about a reduction in lending rates which would make the cost of production of goods and services by the private sector cheaper and more price competitive. Another major benefit of external capital raising is a lower cost of borrowing to government and a moderation in Debt Service Costs. As you know, U.S Dollar interest rates are much lower than Naira interest rates. The USD1.5 billion 10-year and USD1.5 billion 30-year Eurobonds were issued at Coupons of 6.5% and 7.625% p.a. respectively. These Coupons are certainly much lower than the 15% to 17% that the government borrows at in the domestic market for shorter tenured funds. There is also the fact that the USD3 billion is a direct accretion to Nigeria’s External Reserves which are extremely useful for managing the Naira Exchange Rate. We observed that the level of subscription for the Eurobonds was over USD11 billion which was almost 400% of the USD3 billion

It is remarkable that international investors were willing to take a long term risk on Nigeria by buying the 30-year Eurobond. This feat is even more remarkable when we consider that South Africa which has a superior sovereign rating of BB- compared to Nigeria’s B+/B rating is the only sub-Saharan country that has issued a 30-year bond in the International Capital Market

billion approved by the National Assembly? The demand of over USD11 billion from international investors is a demonstration of their confidence in the policies and reform initiatives of President MuhammaduBuhari as well as the economic outlook of Nigeria. Like those investors, we ourselves can attest to the economic improvements in Nigeria as demonstrated by higher External Reserves, Stable Exchange Rate, GDP growth of 1.44% in the third quarter of 2017 and improvement in the Ease of Doing Business. Our intention was not to raise the USD5.5 billion at once. Our first priority was to raise the USD2.5 billion required for the 2017 Budget while the USD3 billion required for refinancing domestic debt will be in a phased manner. Also, from a technical perspective, we still wanted to moderate the cost even in the International Capital Market by managing the supply of Nigeria’s Eurobonds in the market. In a first of its kind, the government issued a 30-year Eurobond, what is the significance of this? It is remarkable that international investors were willing to take a long term risk on Nigeria by buying the 30-year Eurobond. This feat is even more remarkable when we consider that South Africa which has a superior sovereign rating of BB- compared to Nigeria’s B+/B rating is the only sub-Saharan country that has issued a 30-year bond in the International Capital Market. The other outstanding aspect of the 30-year Eurobond is its Pricing at 7.625% which is lower than the coupon of 7.875% on the USD1.5 billion 15-year Eurobond issued earlier in the year. In terms of its specific benefits to Nigeria, it provides the appropriate funds for financing infrastructure which is typically long term while also reducing the refinancing risk of the debt

stock. It will also serve as a benchmark for local and foreign institutions who may need to raise long term U.S Dollar funds to invest in Nigeria under various PPP arrangements for infrastructure as well as privatisation. The DMO is always borrowing in the domestic market, and now seems to want to extend this to the external market, don’t you see this as creating a debt burden for Nigeria? It is important to state upfront and to re-assure Nigerians that the government’s borrowings are pre-approved by the Executive and Legislative arms of government and are used to finance various activities of the government as appropriated. These layers of approvals ensure that the borrowings are both necessary and scrutinised before the DMO embarks on actual borrowing. The increasing focus by the current administration of using borrowed funds for infrastructural development is a step in the right direction. As borrowing is deployed to infrastructure to promote economic growth, the benefits of job creation and increased production among benefits are good for all Nigerians. The other part of the argument about debt becoming a burden is the issue of Nigeria’s revenue base which at 6% of GDP is not only low but well below that of peer countries. Thankfully, government’s revenue is now being given proper attention. The measures to increase Revenues are already yielding some results, and as this trajectory continues, the need for borrowing is expected to reduce while Debt Service will become an increasingly smaller portion of Revenue. The debate on debt burden should therefore shift to actively supporting the Government to increase revenue to levels comparable to the sub-Saharan average of 17% of GDP.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30 2017

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Ě“

As Glo Subscribers Revolution

Celebrate

Data

Subscribers on the network of Globacom are in for excess data season as the telecoms operator begins an era of data revolution for its customers, writes Emma Okonji Digital revolution, where devices will be communicating with each other and at the same time relating to humans, is gradually becoming a global trend, just as data has been tagged the currency for digital revolution. To this end, the Nigerian government is striving to make broadband ubiquitous and available at the cheapest rate to all Nigerians, knowing fully well that data rides faster on ubiquitous broadband availability. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms industry regulator is making concerted efforts to increase broadband penetration in line with the vision of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to make broadband available to all citizens, in order to have easy access to data and the internet. In order to achieve the vision of data availability to all Nigerians, Globacom, penultimate week, unfolded its data revolution plan, designed to make data accessible at the lowest cost ever to all Nigerians. The Glo Data Revolution The recent launch of the Glo Data Revolution was done alongside the unveiling of an exclusive partnership with iflix, the world’s leading entertainment services for emerging markets, which gives the teeming subscribers of the telecoms firm, 60 days of unlimited access to the world’s best television programmes, series, movies, cartoons and more on their devices. Speaking at the launch of the super-size offer in Lagos, Globacom’s Regional Director, Planning and Technical, Mr. Sanjib Roy said the new offer would give both new and existing subscribers who renew their subscriptions before expiration up to 4GB of data for just N1,000. This 4GB data, for example, translates to about 4,000 pages of web browsing. In the same vein, the 12.5GB is given for a N2,500 data bundle. This, for instance, could be used for 250 hours of content broadcast. Just as subscribers stand to gain 24GB for N4,000 and a massive 30GB for N5,000, the 30GB for N5,000 can enable the subscriber to enjoy videos for over 600 hours. The Globacom top official added that for small plans, new subscribers and those who renew with N100 subscription will have a 90MB bundle; while for N200, they will get 250MB with which they can send 400 emails across board. For N500, the customer gets a whopping 2GB of data, which the subscribers can use to do 10 days of unlimited chatting, if need be, Roy explained. According to him, the new bundle offers are unprecedented and the biggest thing in Nigeria’s telecom history, adding that “never has the subscriber to any network in Nigeria had it so big and so good. How to connect with the revolution Addressing Nigerians on how to be part of the Glo Data Revolution, Roy said: “All that the subscriber need to do is to get on the Glo data network and stay on by continuing to renew your subscription to enjoy the benefits that give you the unfair advantage over other data users.â€? Explaining the Glo-iflix partnership, which is available on the Glo CafĂŠ platform, Roy said beyond giving subscribers of the telecoms company 60 days of unlimited access to the world’s best television programmes, series, movies, cartoons and more on their devices, after the 60 days, Glo subscribers will get access at a specially discounted price of N100 per month only. Subscribers need to send “Buzzâ€? to 105 to access the iflix service. iflix, he reiterated, offers subscribers the most extensive selection of iconic, criticallyacclaimed TV series and fan-favourite films both internationally and locally available in the region, including hit titles such as The Big Bang Theory, Suits, The flash, Arrow, Hercules, Mission Impossible, as well as highly anticipated Bollywood hits ABCD,

Submarine ďŹ bre optic cable as boost for ubiquitous data access

Chennai Express, Phantom, and PK. On the local front, iflix offers such Nollywood titles as Head Gone, Jenifa’s Diary, The visit, Bukas and Joints and much more. In addition to the above, the company also offers to subscribers who recharge up to N500 and above free YouTube streaming from 1am to 5.30am. Youtube is a popular video-sharing site that allows users to upload, view, rate, share, add to favorites, report, comment on videos. All the subscriber needs to do is to dial *777# to buy a data plan to activate the services. 3G and the era of data explosion The era of 3G communication saw the explosion of data-based telecommunication and mobile internet services in Nigeria. The era brought Nigeria into the league of online nations where

To top it all, Globacom, early this month, introduced the new season of excess data as the company once again blazed the trail by launching a new Glo Data Revolution, which confers on its subscribers, an unfair advantage with unmatched data packages, the biggest ever in the industry

business and social communication were done on-the-go, courtesy of the introduction of per second billing system in the telecoms sector by Globacom. In 2003, Globacom came into the market with the mantra of innovation operating with the 2.5G GPRS network, when other telecoms operators that rolled out telecoms services before Globacom, were running on the legacy 2G infrastructure. The 2.5G enabled Glo Mobile to offer superior quality of voice calls as well as Value Added Services (VAS). With this, Globacom was able to provide value added services like M-banking, text2email, Magic Plus, Multimedia Messaging Service, vehicle tracking among other revolutionary services that others could not offer. The Globacom network, however, continued to blaze the trail and went on to launch the 3G network, and other operators followed suit, which marked the era of data explosion in Nigeria, even though in a small scale at that time. However, subscribers had the challenge of high cost of data, occasioned by the limited broadband access. While the bandwidth was available, customers often could not afford the cost of many online services, as a result of high cost of bandwidth and data bundles. At that time, not many data customers could afford to buy up to 1 Gigabyte of data bundle. Many depended on shared data services as well as on small plans that gave 100 or 200 Megabyte and at most 500 megabytes. In the midst of the challenges, Globacom berthed its Glo-1 submarine cable in 2010 from Europe to the shores of Lagos, alongside with MainOne submarine cable and the MTN WACS cable, which berthed some years after. All the submarine cables were berthed at the country’s sea shores, and there was a challenge of a national backbone carrier to transmit the excess capacities of the several submarine cables from the shores of the county to the hinterland, where internet and broadband services were highly needed. To address the challenges of high cost of data, occasioned by limited and high cost of internet bandwidth, Globacom moved to liberalise access to data, when it introduced the Bumper Data Offer on January 2016, which increased the value of its data, by giving subscribers 6GB data for the N3,000

data plan instead of 4.5GB, while a N4000 data plan was introduced with 9GB of data. In May 2016, Globacom came out with a-two pronged offer that gave free voice airtime to data subscribers. One of the products, Talk Special, gives free data to voice subscribers, while Twin Bash gives free talk time to data subscribers. As if that was not enough, Globacom, again, offered a mouth-watering, record-breaking data volumes for little sums in an aggressive pricing plan called Data Overload. In the new plan, subscribers to the network received up to double the data volume previously available on every plan. To top it all, Globacom, early this month, introduced the new season of excess data as the company once again blazed the trail by launching a new Glo Data Revolution, which confers on its subscribers, an unfair advantage with unmatched data packages, the biggest ever in the industry. Subscribers’ comments Speaking on the Glo repackaged plan, an Abeokuta based school teacher, Mr. Ayodeji Akinjobi said the additional data offer has enabled him to download more materials on the internet to aid his task of imparting knowledge and make him better informed on a variety of issues. Similarly, a 200 Level International Relations Student of Crawford University, Igbesa, Tobi Folorunsho, described the additional offer as cheering and economical. On his part, Agbor- based Mr. Sunday Nwachukwu thanked Globacom for always crashing costs to support the generality of Nigerians. Also, Olamide Ajao, a Law student of the Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo town, Oyo State, eulogised Globacom for the promos which he said, were very student-friendly. “With the promos, you get more value for your data purchase. This is a good initiative because it is highly beneficial to students who use data for research and for keeping up with the social media,� Ajao said. Given the Globacom Data Revolution that is creating cheap and easy access to data, subscribers have been placed in a world of their own, where everything downloadable is possible.

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Kapito: Consistent Growth in Nigeria, Strategic to African Economy Regional Director, Saint-Gobain, Westtar Kapito, spoke with Raheem Akingbolu on the recent boom in the Nigerian market as well as its importance to Africa. Excerpts: What are your thoughts about the Nigerian building and construction market in Nigeria? If you look at the last five years, Nigeria’s construction market has boomed. People have come to understand what it means to build. We know that the economy is big, even going to be bigger than South Africa once again. People have confidence in the Nigerian market it’s the reason why we are here. We believe in it and that construction will continue to grow bigger. I remember when I got to Nigeria 10 years ago, in Epe area; there wasn’t a lot of development. But if you look at it now, things have changed. Look at Lekki phase 1 and 2, down to Eko Atlantic, construction have boomed. I also believe that Lagos Island where you have the aging buildings will be renovated. And as people say, in 20 years’ time, Lagos is going to be one of the top cities to live in. We want to be part of that success and to help make it happen. Can you give an overview of your recent workshop for stakeholders in the building industry and your reason for the event? The success of the workshop was due to an excellent combined effort together with our partners and our marketing agents. We decided to bring the event to Lagos to really showcase our innovative products and solutions to the Nigerian market. Saint-Gobain is not a new name in the Nigerian market; we’ve been here before, providing solutions for many years. But this is the first time we’ve decided to leverage on our activities through some communication channels. Like I said, the products have been around, but for us, it is important to let the Nigerian market know that we are here to stay and be part of the construction market. Our determination is to offer innovative ideas with local people in terms of introducing global construction methodology into the Nigerian market. Don’t you think the timing of your coming is odd, considering the recession the country has just experienced? For us, we have always believed in the Nigerian market despite the recession. We believe in the economy, the people and resurgence of the Nigerian market. That’s why we have decided to make substantial investment in the Nigerian market. We’ve been working with partners because we believe in what we can bring into this market. More importantly, I think the timing couldn’t have been any better. For us, we have a positive appetite for Africa, and Nigeria seems to be one of those countries where we want to be present. Should we have done this five, ten years ago? Perhaps... but this is the right time. Saint-Gobain wants to bring solutions for the emerging middle class: Nigeria being the most populous country in Africa we believe there are opportunities for Saint-Gobain both in residential and tertiary sector. While the workshop was going on, it was mentioned that the company had, in the past, involved in putting some structures in place. Can you tell us about the flagship projects? Incidentally, we are conducting this interview in one of our flagship projects; the Renaissance Hotel in Ikeja Lagos. We started engaging with the owner five years ago when they approached us for unique solution in terms of providing ceiling and wall partitions using our methods and products. And we were able to provide solutions in terms of products, value addition. As you can see, it’s a beautiful hotel. The walls and ceilings are done with Saint-Gobain plasterboard. We’ve also done acoustic installation for the walls and ceilings; you can hear from the sound that it’s not a noisy place. And I believe from what we hear from customers’ testimony that they are happy with the solutions that we provide for the building. Not just this, we were able to provide the green glass for the Civic Centre Tower. We provided the acoustic solution for The Fountain of Life Church in Ilupeju, Lagos as well. We

Kapito

are currently providing the plasterboard for the renovation of the Oriental Hotel, also in Lagos. We just finished the event centre of First Baptist Church in Yaba. We’ve done more than 50 residential buildings on the Island. We’ve also done some projects outside Lagos. The new Grand Spare Departmental Shop in Abuja is being done with Gyproc products. Going back to history, how old is the company and what’s the spread globally? The company is 352 years old. It’s one of the oldest companies in the world. It’s a public listed company on the French stock exchange. It started with the production and supply of mirror and glass to the King Louis XIV for his palace in Versailles. All over the world, glass is still a big part of our business. What’s important in the history of the company is that we have grown through different phases. When you deal with companies with big long history, one thing is that the company has the experience. We have developed new businesses. Today, 35% of the company’s activities and employees are in the distribution of construction materials, which wasn’t the case 20 years ago. We are not yet involved in distribution in Africa. For the moment, our focus in Africa is to provide innovative solutions. We are not only talking about finished walls and ceilings; we’re talking about providing well being. These walls have characteristics that make them fit in a living space. We want to emphasise that we are not providing products only, but solutions in all aspects of construction. We are not pretending that we are going to make everybody’s life better, but we think that through those innovations, we can provide more comfort in terms of fire protection, aesthetics, acoustics and air quality. These things improve lives. This is why we are partnering with Tormek Global Services Limited because we can’t understand the market needs if we don’t have input from local partners with knowledge of the market. Can you please take us through the product range? Saint-Gobain started with glass and it is still part of our activities. In the construction sector, we have the walls, ceiling and installation business which is around plasterboard, finishing solutions, acoustics, flooring solutions, plastering mortars. We also provide pipes for water, water treatment

and sewage. We provide Abrasive tools; cutting and grinding wheels as well as involving in making roofing. What are the unique selling points of products from your stable? The unique thing is their combination in a solution. If you knock on Saint-Gobain’s door, you would be able to build a good piece of your house. It would be a one stop shop. When we don’t have the solutions, we partner with those who have them. We are looking for solutions for affordable housing in Nigeria not necessarily from our factories in Europe, but adoption of local practices using local materials to come up with something affordable. We believe that when people have decent houses, it has direct impact on life. When we talk about house, we are talking about any living space; school, hospital and so on. When kids have good acoustics in school, their attention is better than when the acoustic is crap. You improve the learning process and when they come back home into an environment of normal temperature, good sound, it changes their life. When we talk about hospital, we have a department which study what we can do to contribute to well being. When you are in a hospital staying in a room with the right acoustics, the time you spend is reduced significantly. You recover quicker. It comes from using the right materials and putting them together. So Saint-Gobain is different because of the experience gathered over the years. We are present in 67 countries with people in the field. We are sharing information among over 100 nationalities, meaning we have experience in various countries of the world. What works in Brazil doesn’t necessarily work in Europe but it might be similar to what the needs will be in one of the countries in Africa or Asia. We are strong in innovation, 1 product out of 4 sold by Saint-Gobain did not exist 5 years ago. We are constantly bringing innovation into the market and talking customer intimacy because we cannot innovate if we don’t understand what the market needs. We believe that the answers are in the country, not about bringing solutions from one country to another. Beyond workshop, what other platforms are you riding on to reach other stakeholders in the building sector to let them know of your

presence in the market? This is the first of many communication strategies we want to push in the Nigerian market. Saint-Gobain wants to be part of the fabric of the Nigerian construction sector. That means we must have people on ground working with the local partners, train people, do more of demonstration type of presentation to inform and educate people of our innovations. Over the coming years, it is my wish that when people talk about construction, they immediately think about Saint-Gobain because they know that they are not getting just the quality but also getting services from our local partners and getting innovation in terms of comfort and well being. How did you get the experts that fix the materials for the job you did earlier? We invited technical people from our business in South Africa to help train and direct our people on site on what to do. That’s why we are moving to the next stage, bringing people to train Nigerians, we want to train installers and they can train others. So Saint-Gobain is not just going to provide plasterboard, it will also provide technical skills and employment. The beauty of it is that people don’t need capital to start the business of installing plasterboard, glass, and tiles. The whole idea of Saint -Gobain coming to Nigeria is not just to make profit, but empower youths and create jobs. With 352 years of existence of a company, it is a huge opportunity for Nigeria and the construction industry. There was a mention about training installers in South Africa, when is that going to take place? We have heard from our installer customers saying when can we have this training? Together with our partners, we are putting plans in place to identify the people we would be sending through and before the end of the year; we can actually have them back in Nigeria. So when the New Year begins, we can start having part of the training here locally. We are also looking at establishing a showroom here in Nigeria. The entire value chain is about putting the customers’ needs first and from the time we design the product to when we deliver and install, there’s value across the entire chain.

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How Expertise Earned Coronation Merchant Bank Top Recognition Like a Phoenix from the ashes, Coronation Merchant Bank, a leading investment bank in Nigeria, which emerged from a deliberate transformation exercise, has signalled its readiness for industry leadership in expertise and professionalism, Raheem Akingbolu reports To market men and women, students and other everyday bank customers, who go into the banking hall to save or collect money, the name Coronation Merchant Bank, may not immediately register in their minds. But for investors, manufacturers and players in the financial sector, Coronation Merchant Bank, is like a messiah and investment vehicle in today’s market. Like other international merchant banks, Coronation Merchant Bank is a financial institution that engages in underwriting and business loans, catering primarily to the needs of large corporates, transnational companies and high net worth individuals. In the British market, the term merchant bank refers to an investment bank, and institutions in that category are pivotal to socio-economic development because of their intermediary roles, which support infrastructural development and big-ticket transaction funding. Since commencing operations in 2015 as Coronation Merchant Bank, the bank has transitioned from a pure play discount house to a well-diversified financial services powerhouse, offering investment and corporate banking, private banking/wealth management and global markets/treasury services to its select clients. The Group also offers, through its subsidiaries, a number of other services such as: securities trading/brokerage, asset management and trustees services. The subsidiaries are Coronation Securities Limited, Coronation Asset Management Limited and Coronation Trustee Limited Merchant Bank of the Year award In what looked like a testament to its gradual emergence as Africa’s premier investment Bank, Coronation Merchant Bank was recently named the ‘Merchant Bank of the Year’ at an award ceremony organised by a top business journal in Lagos. In emerging as the winner in his award category, Coronation Merchant Bank outperformed FSDH Merchant Bank, FBN Merchant Bank and Rand Merchant Bank. Specifically, A review of the criteria for the award category shows that Coronation Merchant Bank outstripped other nominees in the following key performance indicators, Profit After Tax (PAT), Loan Growth (LG), Return on Average Asset (ROAA) and Return on Average Equity (ROAE). Coronation Merchant Bank grew its PAT by 59.30% in the year under review way ahead of the other banks. The Bank also demonstrated industry leadership in loan growth, which validates its support for the development of the nation’s economy. Over the past one year, Coronation Merchant Bank grew its loan portfolio by 817.26 %, attesting to the effective performance of its role as a financier Nigeria’s top corporates. Receiving the award, the Bank’s Managing Director, Jimoh Abubakar dedicated the award to clients who provided the bank the opportunity to showcase its expertise and to the Bank’s employees whose commitment made Coronation Merchant Bank’s exceptional services and innovation evident. He added that “As a team of professionals with uncommon potentials, we are not only determined to become Africa’s premier investment bank, it is also our resolve to continuously create value for our customers, investors and other stakeholder groups�. While opening the award ceremony, the organisers described the awards as “an initiative conceived to recognise competition and innovation in one of the fastest growing and fierce markets, adding that the awards programme is renowned for its rigorous and transparent process in selecting outstanding financial institutions�. Undoubtedly, the meaning of this statement is embedded in Coronation Merchant bank’s efficiency in resource management. Ahead of

Jimoh industry operators nominated in the Merchant Bank of the Year Award category, Coronation Merchant Bank demonstrated an unrivalled capacity to maximise that value of its resources by putting its asset and equity to effective use. The Bank’s best-in-class 5.55% Return on Average Asset (ROAA) and 22.26 Return on Average Equity (ROAE) is attributable to its huge investment in innovative ideas and adherence to sustainable business practices. Expectedly, these have continued to propel the Bank and position the brand for creation of new standards in the African banking landscape. Significance of the Award Since the award was announced, not a few analysts have reviewed the award process and commended the vision of the drivers of the Coronation brand for their ability to endure the current economic situation and pilot the affairs of the bank impressively, despite all odds. Again, its ability to contest with older banks in the award category, and emerged the winner of the coveted award has been described as a real test of its strength and an unequivocal pointer to the direction the institution is heading. Like other investment banks, Coronation Merchant Bank, is believed to have not only lived up to its responsibility as a trusted intermediary that provides brokerage, fundraising, and financial advisory services on a large scale to businesses and on smaller scale to wealthy individuals, it has also, on many occasions, assisted in international transactions involving multinational and transnational corporations. From any angle one chooses to look at it, the bank is moving towards achieving the vision of its founding fathers to become Africa’s premier investment bank, with a value proposition to deliver world-class solutions to its esteemed clients in a cost-effective manner;

whilst leveraging their extensive knowledge of the local environment and technology. ‘’We are also poised to leverage our best-in-class human capital to deliver value-enriching solutions to our clients,’’ its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jimoh Abubakar, said in a recent interview. Abubakar also stated that the group’s quest for industry distinction is made evident in the recently-unveiled corporate identity, which has been designed to effectively communicate their vision, ambition and strength. Reacting to Coronation Merchant Bank’s recent report that it had zero NPL, at a time many analysts believed that Nigerian banks are exposed to two major macroeconomic risk situations of slowing economy and foreign exchange scarcity, which could be considered as automatic drivers of non-performing loans, its CEO had emphatically stated that the bank identified the segments of the market and the economic sectors that it wants to play. “The economic challenge Nigeria has experienced in the last three years – due to the fall in crude oil prices and the drop in oil output – has adversely impacted both individuals and corporate entities. The significant decline in foreign exchange earnings has resulted in the depreciation of the naira in both the official and parallel markets. The pressure on the naira has caused a spike in inflation and introduced financial stability risks. All these factors have combined to weaken borrowers’ repayment capacity, thus affecting the performance of the risk assets in financial institutions. At Coronation Merchant Bank, we have identified the segments of the market and the economic sectors we want to play in. We have also defined a robust risk management framework with strict risk acceptance criteria. We maintain a disciplined and prudent approach in all our exposures to both dollar and naira-based assets in line with the overall

risk management framework of the Group. We employ world-class risk management capabilities that help to balance risk and return,� he said. The brand at a glance Coronation Merchant Bank was initially founded as Associated Discount House Limited (ADHL) in 1993 by a consortium of reputable financial institutions. ADHL became a leading financial services institution, thriving through the different headwinds the Nigerian economy has experienced. In 2011, a new leadership emerged at ADHL, signaling a new beginning for the institution, which has posted consistent growth across all metrics and turned challenges into opportunities. Since commencing operations in 2015 as Coronation Merchant Bank, the bank has transitioned from a pure play discount house to a well-diversified financial services powerhouse, offering investment and corporate banking, private banking/wealth management and global markets/treasury services to its select clients. The Group also offers, through its subsidiaries, a number of other services such as: securities trading/brokerage, asset management and trustees services. The subsidiaries are Coronation Securities Limited, Coronation Asset Management Limited and Coronation Trustee Limited. Over its 23-year history, the institution leveraged on sound corporate governance and the support of its shareholders to wax stronger and survive industry tides that sank 40% of its peers. With the recent award and the rate at which the bank is growing, one may not be wrong to describe Coronation Merchant Bank as the nation’s economic rescue agent, and investors’ friend, which recent listing of mutual funds – Coronation Money Market, Coronation Fixed Income and Coronation Balanced Funds implied.

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Kwara IVTEC: Empowering Youths on Global Skills, Entrepreneurship The Kwara State government, under the administration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, has created a platform that would make youths in the state self-reliant rather than remain job-seekers, through acquisition of vital technical and entrepreneurship skills. Hammed Shittu writes

Y

ouths comprise the largest component of a nation’s population size and their presence in any nation without their proper wellbeing has a direct negative impact on the development process of such a nation. This is because many of the youths, even in Nigeria, are unemployed and lack skills that can make them self-reliant and entrepreneurs without hunting for white collar jobs. And for any government to add value to the society and make youths to be successful, such government must design programmes that promote economic empowerment of youths, through job creation and entrepreneurship. Kwara Intervention On the above premise, the current administration in Kwara state under the leadership of Shareborn politician and governor of the State of Harmony, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has put in place a programme that would add value to the socio-economic development of the youths, thereby creating a platform that would make them self-reliant rather than job seekers. The Ahmed administration therefore believes that such programmes should be driven by the need to engage as many of the state’s youths as possible in the value chain of such interventions. Skills College This led the current administration to establish an International Vocational Technical and Entrepreneurship College (IVTEC) located at Ajase-Ipo in Irepodun local government council of the state, with determination to equip youths with vital skills so as to reduce unemployment rate in the state. The foundation-laying of the college was done on September 11, 2012, with the vision to equip youths with skills for self-reliance, tackle unemployment, and ease access to vocational training of international standard for students from a variety of skills and educational backgrounds. Since then, the college has been undergoing series of construction to make it conform to both local and international standard to become a vital institution meant to train youths in skills acquisition and to serve as an international market for those interested in recruiting the trained youths of the college. The college has five fields of study namely building technology, automotive trade, electric trade, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning and welding. The college’s curriculum was also designed in conformity with global standard so as to assist the students to meet any future challenges especially in seeking of employment opportunities in any part of the country and outside world. Aside this, the college has partnered the world-acclaimed City and Guilds of London that would afford the students quality teaching on world trade and acquisitions; thereby adding value to their certificates at the end of their courses at the college. Positive Steps However, the college was recently unveiled by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to signal the commencement of academic work at the institution. Speaking at the official unveiling of the college at Ajase-Ipo, Governor Ahmed said, “Today marks a milestone in the history of Kwara State, as we take a huge leap towards our dream of providing multi-layered platforms for vocational and technical training to citizens and emerging as a sub-regional hub for skills�. He said, “IVTEC offers a structured approach to providing youths with market-relevant skills and a reliable pathway to economic empowerment that prevents a descent into negative and destructive behaviour often associated with unemployment. “Globally, technical, vocational and entrepreneurship training have been identified as critical to growth, especially industrialisation. As you are aware, Nigeria’s previous experimentation

Learning entrepreneurship skills with technical education has faltered in the face of neglect and an expanding gap between the schools’ curricula and the needs of the economy. “These lapses have resulted in an educational system that is neither robust enough to accommodate the aspiration of youths nor capable of preparing them for the increasingly competitive economic space. And unless we act promptly, we risk the escalation of the scourge of unemployment into a serious malaise with grave security implications� he said. Ahmed added, “Our establishment of IVTEC is therefore driven by the need to offer the best technical, vocational and entrepreneurship training to our young people and prepare them for entrepreneurship or gainful employment. “IVTEC is doing this by benchmarking against global standards in vocational education but also through partnerships with globally recognised certification bodies such as City and Guilds of London�. “The College is also partnering institutions like Alfred State College, New York and the University of Wolverhampton; both of which have proven track-records in entrepreneurship and vocational education. “In line with the mission mentioned earlier, IVTEC is open to students with three basic skill levels: first, fresh school leavers seeking to acquire technical and vocational skills for setting up their businesses; two, tertiary education graduates who want to diversify into other fields by accessing new skills and, three, professionals

SOURCE: WWW.SUNDIATAPOST.COM seeking continuous professional development�. He also said, “IVTEC’s recruitment of students will also target vulnerable and disadvantaged youths in the state to ensure their socio-economic circumstances do not become a barrier to their life aspirations. Indeed, we are already partnering the World Bank to train 17,000 youths identified as vulnerable in the state, starting with an initial 80 students. “Regardless of educational background, IVTEC will prepare students for the globally-renowned City and Guilds of London qualification, National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB) certification and other vocation-specific qualifications. “City and Guilds of London certification is especially critical to our efforts to economically empower our youths as holders are employable locally, nationally and internationally�. The governor opined that, “To adequately prepare students for their vocation, graduating IVTEC students will be further trained at five incubation centres across the three senatorial districts of the state where they will be exposed to mentorship and real-life business situations. “They will thereafter be clustered into vocationspecific cooperatives and provided access to affordable credit to start or expand existing businesses under our Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) scheme�, he added.

that, “students will also be designated as Master Artisans and be in the vanguard in our determination to reverse the trend where carpenters, painters and builders and other tradesmen are imported from neighbouring countries instead of engaging people locally. This is even more alarming in view of the high rates of youth unemployment in the country. “Determined to reverse this trend, IVTEC’s curriculum was designed in partnership with the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) to ensure that the skills taught here are those required in the local and national economy.� He maintained that, “In consonance, our resolve is to make Kwara State a net exporter of vocational and technical skills once local needs have been met and thus make our country the hub of vocational skills in West Africa. “To achieve these aims, a strong management structure is required. We have put in place a robust ownership and partnership arrangement to ensure the college’s long-term sustainability. Though established, owned and promoted by the Kwara State Government, IVTEC is operated as a stand-alone organisation governed by a board of trustees comprising professionals in relevant fields.

Post-graduation Benefits Upon graduation, governor Ahmed disclosed

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

RANDOM THOTS Probing Poverty What is good for the goose must equally be good for the gander! This was the assertion of a controversial Senator from Kogi State who recently queried why security agents only investigate the rich and leave the poor. Ă’Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœËœ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ Ă?Ă’Ă™ĂœĂž Ă Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ă™ Ă?Ă–Ă“Ăš ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă?Ă’ ĂĄĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă Ă“ĂœĂ‹Ă–Ëœ ĂĄĂ™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?ĂœĂ?ĂŽ ĂĄĂ’ĂŁ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’ ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? were not investigated when they were initially wallowing in poverty. Ă“Ă? Ă?Ù××Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă‘Ă?Ă˜Ă?ĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂœĂ‹Ă˜Ă‘Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ‹Ă–ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă? ÞÙ Ă“ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă“Ă? Ă‹Ă‘ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜ĂžË› Ă&#x;ĂžËœ ĂžĂœĂ&#x;ÞÒ ĂŒĂ? ĂžĂ™Ă–ĂŽËœ the fun-loving senator has thrown the gauntlet to the anti-corruption agenĂ?Ă“Ă?Ă?Ëœ ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹ĂŽĂŽĂ“ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ÞÙ Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜ĂžĂ–ĂŁ Ă?Ă˜Ă™Ă™ĂšĂ“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂŽ ÖÙÙÞĂ?ĂœĂ?Ëœ Ă—Ă&#x;Ă?Ăž Ă˜Ă™ĂĄ Ă‹Ă–Ă?Ă™ Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?-

tigate the source of poverty of more than 90 per cent of Nigeria’s population of over 170 million persons. ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ ĂœĂ?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?ĂŽĂ–ĂŁ constitute only ďŹ ve per cent of the total ÚÙÚĂ&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ëœ Ă—Ă™ĂœĂ? ĂžĂ’Ă‹Ă˜ Î Í˝ ĂšĂ?Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă™Ă? the country’s wealth lie in the hands of ÞÒÓĂ? Ă‘ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;ĂšËœ Ă?Ù×Ă? Ă™Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă™ Ă‹Ă?Ă›Ă&#x;Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂŽ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’Ă?Ă? ĂžĂ’ĂœĂ™Ă&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă›Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜Ă‹ĂŒĂ–Ă? Ă—Ă?Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ëœ and are freely enjoying such loot due to their untouchable status. Ă? ÞÙ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂžĂ™ĂœËŞĂ? ÚÙĂ?Ă?ĂœË? Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŁĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă? ÚÙĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂŒĂ–Ă?Ëœ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ’Ă?ĂœĂ? Ă‹ Ă—Ă‹Ă˜ ĂĄĂ‹Ă? Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ÞÓÑËÞĂ?ĂŽËœ tried and sentenced to six months in prison with hard labour for merely Ă?ĂžĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ ÑÙËÞ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ă™ĂŽËœ ĂĄĂ’Ă“Ă–Ă? Ă‹ ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’

banker was reportedly sentenced to six months’ ‘bed rest’ for acquiring billions of naira through funny transactions.

ĂœĂ™Ă˜Ă“Ă?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁËœ Ă—Ă™Ă?Ăž ĂšĂ™Ă™Ăœ Ă?ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă‹Ă–Ă–ĂŁ Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? Ă˜Ă™ĂžĂ’Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ ÞÙ Ă’Ă“ĂŽĂ?Ëœ ĂšĂ?ĂœĂ’Ă‹ĂšĂ? Ă‹ĂšĂ‹ĂœĂž Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? actual number of their ospring. ÙåĂ?Ă Ă?ĂœËœ Ă“Ă? ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“Ă?Ă’ Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ?Ă–Ă–Ě‹Ă“Ă˜Ă Ă?Ă?ÞÓgated and those found guilty slammed in prison with all their assets conďŹ sĂ?Ă‹ĂžĂ?ĂŽËœ ÞÒĂ?ĂœĂ? ĂĄĂ™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ĂœĂ?Ě‹ĂŽĂ“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ“ĂŒĂ&#x;ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ Ă™Ă? such conďŹ scated loot to lift more poor ĂšĂ?ÙÚÖĂ? Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă™Ă? ÚÙà Ă?ĂœĂžĂŁËœ åÓÞÒ ÑÙÙÎ Ă?âamples set for presently-poor but potential treasury looters. That is a good starting point....not so? -Abimbola Akosile

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Ëš

Nigerian Heads of State, past and present

SOURCE: TheNewsGuru.com

Do Nigerians Truly Deserve Bad Leaders? There is a school of thought that believes that Nigerians truly deserve any bad leadership they get, simply because most citizens celebrate insincere, corrupt leaders, and they either kill off those potential leaders who can make positive difference in power or do not even allow them to get into public office in the first place, including some of the best presidents Nigeria never had (both military or civilian). In your own view, do Nigerians truly deserve any bad leaders they get? Is there any way out of this? THE FEEDBACK

Abimbola Akosile * It’s a two-way thing. You can ask, does the leadership in Nigeria deserve the type of common man they “serve�? We are all responsible for the type of leaders we produce. A look at how our leaders operate today is a good indication of how they operated when they were ordinary citizens. The way an average Nigerian behaves today, shows what type of leader he/she would become. Until we change ourselves on an individual level, we cannot produce changed leaders. - Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * No. Very bad decisions of a self-imposed tyrant few whose selfish agenda, actions and inactions have eroded Nigeria leadership systematically while they bait citizens with their financial inducements. Unfortunately electorates have fallen for this foolery time after time. This makes mockery of democracy, taking our collective development and progress several steps backwards unnecessarily. Poverty, security, unemployment e.t.c. must be addressed urgently. We must henceforth elect the best candidates as only the best is good enough for Nigeria. - Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * Do we deserve the bad leaders we get? Some sections of society deserve to have bad leaders; however, I think the majority of Nigerians do not necessarily deserve these leaders who can’t differentiate between left and right. - Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R., Apo, Abuja * Absolutely; we celebrate insincere corrupt leaders who dubiously ignore truth, honesty, sincerity, e.t.c. and embrace lies, ethnic/religious hatred, avarice, greed, corruption etc to our detriment. We celebrate their victory during election. Nigerians’ hard-earned wealth is stolen and stashed at wealthy nations. No sacred cow has been sent to prison in the ongoing corruption fight. We need leaders not affected in his/her service by decisions on any financial consideration or other gain. When people see he is genuinely disinterested in looting, his words will carry greater weight, and espouse understanding and wisdom in the policies or methods he advocates. Masses will

Yes, they do:

5 Epileptic power supply

No, they don't:

2

Radical tip:

Vote bad leaders out!

Total no of respondents:

10

Male:

8

Female:

2

Highest location: Lagos

(4)

look ahead to see how the policies proposed will affect not only present but succeeding generations. Swift and clear decision is the mark of a true leader, who will be quick to reach decisions, based on sound premise, basic truth. - Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State * We are all responsible for how far we have come as a nation. It would also take the collective effort of all Nigerians to build the nation we all deserve. - Ms Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State * The truth of the matter is that corruption and other vices have been in our body politic for long and that is why we always elect or appoint never-do-well people in governance, which must stop, to help move Nigeria forward. Since our independence, things are not moving fine in spite of abundant resources we are blessed with, because of corruption. I believe this government is trying to bring out the shape of good governance with people-oriented leadership. This fight against corruption must be supported. - Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * Yes, because most citizens celebrate serially insincere, corrupt leaders, and either kill off those potential leaders who can make positive difference in power due to selfish sharp practices or do not even allow them to get into public office in the first place. This unfortunately includes some of the very

best presidents Nigeria never had whether military or civilian. The only way out of this challenge is reverting to truth, sincerity, honesty, patriotism, avoiding corruption etc. The apt time to act is now. - Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * This is a question that deserves nothing but the truth. Nigeria has everything and in abundance. In human resources we have almost the best in the world in areas of education, economy, finance, science, health, administration e,t,c, plus the best natural resources in terms of weather and landscape. In fact, we don’t deserve bad leadership and the only solution to that is to do away with ethnicism, tribalism, sectionalism and the worst of it all, religion. With the type of knowledgeable people we have in this country, we are not supposed to have the type of leaders we have today. - Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * The leaders are all Nigerian citizens and we as citizens played one role or the other in allowing them get to power. If those elected or selected turn out badly in their leadership roles, then the citizens must also share the blame in bad governance. It is a classic case of garbage in; garbage out; we only derive what we put into the system. So, if we must be sincere with ourselves, sometimes we deserve the leaders we get in this confused country. And the earlier we begin to vote out such bad leaders, the better. Countries like Ghana, Rwanda and Botswana are enjoying good leadership; why should Nigeria be any different from the others? It is utterly frustrating and a big setback for our development process in this country. - Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * Yes, Nigerians deserve any bad leaders they get, due to the greediness and rebellion in the activities of politicians, sentiment, changing of voting patterns, problems of power-sharing, micro zoning in political offices e.g. presidential, chairmanship, governors, senators. In adequate negotiations, geopolitical zones of the states of the country, poor ward congress, the defect in Nigeria’s constitution, some negative activities of political leaders, e.g. money politics, poor delegate selections, which does not provide for fairness, party manifesto problems, poor conduct of state

primary elections where political members are not carried along, endorsement by political god-fathers. The only way out is to play good politics in terms of good selection of leaders, conducting primary election in peaceful manner, changing the Nigerian constitution, capacity building and education of Nigerians on political matters and improvement in the mode of selections that will recognise quality leaders, reorientation, peaceful conduct of elections and political reforms in the mode of selection and introduction of guidelines to the political parties. - Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder, Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Abuja

Next Week: Has Devt in Nigeria Been Positive in 2017? ÖÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÞÒĂ? ĂšĂœĂ?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂœĂ&#x;Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă‹ĂŽĂ—Ă“Ă˜Ă“Ă?ĂžĂœĂ‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă—Ă“Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă—Ă‹Ă•Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ă?Ă“Ă?Ăœ Ă?Ă™Ăœ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹Ă˜Ă?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? Ă?Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ăž Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă˜Ă‹ĂœĂ“Ă™ Ă“Ă? Ă?Ă‹Ăœ Ă?ĂœĂ™Ă— ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ?Ă?Ă“ĂœĂ?ĂŽË› Ă–Ă?Ă™Ëœ ÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă– Ă?Ă?Ă‹ĂœĂ?ÓÞã Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—Ă? ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă’Ă“Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂŁ Ă˜Ă™ĂĄËœ Ă?ÙÙÎ ĂšĂœĂ“Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă’Ă‹Ă Ă? ĂœĂ?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă?Ă?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ù×Ă? ĂŽĂ™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ÞÒĂ? Ă?ĂžĂ‹Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂœĂŽ Ă™Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ Ă“Ă? Ă’Ă‹ĂœĂ?Ă’ Ă™Ă˜ Ă—Ă“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă™Ă? Ă?ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă˜ĂŽ Ă?Ă Ă?Ă˜ ÞÒÙĂ&#x;Ă‘Ă’ ÑÙà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂšĂ&#x;Ă—ĂšĂ?ĂŽ ĂŒĂ“Ă–Ă–Ă“Ă™Ă˜Ă? Ă“Ă˜ĂžĂ™ Ă?ËÚÓÞËÖ ĂšĂœĂ™Ă”Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ?Ëœ ÞÒĂ? ĂœĂ“ĂšĂšĂ–Ă? Ă?ĘĽĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ? Ă‹ĂœĂ? ĂŁĂ?Ăž ÞÙ ĂŒĂ? Ă?Ă?Ă–Ăž ĂŒĂŁ Ă—Ă‹Ă”Ă™ĂœĂ“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ă? Ă’Ă&#x;Ă˜Ă‘ĂœĂŁËœ ĂšĂ™Ă™Ăœ Ă?ÓÞÓäĂ?Ă˜Ă?Ë› Ă˜ ĂŁĂ™Ă&#x;Ăœ Ă™ĂĄĂ˜ Ă Ă“Ă?ĂĄËœ Ă’Ă‹Ă? ĂŽĂ?Ă Ă?ÖÙÚ×Ă?Ă˜Ăž ĂŒĂ?Ă?Ă˜ ÚÙĂ?ÓÞÓà Ă? Ă™Ăœ Ă˜Ă?ÑËÞÓà Ă? Ă“Ă˜ Ă“Ă‘Ă?ĂœĂ“Ă‹ Ă“Ă˜ ÞÒĂ? ÚËĂ?Ăž Í’Í’ Ă—Ă™Ă˜ĂžĂ’Ă? Ă™Ă? Í“Í‘Í’Í˜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 ͔͑ Ęś Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ Í•Ěš ÞÙ abimbolayi@yahoo.comËœ 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 08114495306Ë› ÙÖÖËÞĂ?ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂšĂ™Ă˜Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ“Ă–Ă– ĂŒĂ? ĂšĂ&#x;ĂŒĂ–Ă“Ă?Ă’Ă?ĂŽ Ă™Ă˜ Ă’Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁËœ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă—ĂŒĂ?Ăœ ͘

34

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Broken down tractors and machinery in Apapa, Lagos; awaiting NIRSAL, MECA planned intervention

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

Buhari, Fashola Hailed over Improvements in Power Supply, Infrastructure Abimbola Akosile President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, have both been hailed over the improvement in the power generation and electricity supply, and provision of infrastructure around the country; as signs of positive development under the current administration. The improved power scenario, premised on the electricity supply system in Lagos State, was tipped to be widely replicated around the country, which will eventually translate to positive changes in other sectors and areas, with resultant positive impact on the services sector and both the industrial and informal sectors of the economy. The commendation was made by Lagosbased former President, Catholic Young Men Association (CYMA) now known as Catholic Brothers United (CBU), Mr. Vincent Uba, in a statement he issued and sent to THISDAY, titled ‘Nigeria o ni Baje’. The above title, when translated into English means ‘Nigeria must not spoil’; a title coined

from the ‘Eko o ni Baje’ slogan which was the catchphrase for the Lagos State Government during the tenure of Fashola, while he was building on the legacy of his predecessor, Senator Bola Tinubu. Uba, who extolled the virtues of the former Lagos governor for his activities in the transformation of the state in the areas of power supply, road networks, water provision and physical infrastructure, asserted that Fashola has brought the same drive for development into the sectors under his portfolio. According to him, “In 2006/2007, Alhaji Babatunde Fashola came out to contest the governorship election of Lagos State with the slogan ‘Eko o nibaje’, which means ‘Lagos must not spoil’. The slogan didn’t sound captivating as a campaign slogan. “However, in May 2007, he won election and took over from his former boss, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. No sooner did he take over than that slogan started to make sense to me. While his immediate predecessor left a visible legacy of transformation of Lagos, Fashola quickly showed that he is a man who has come to work

and to serve, by keying into the transformation agenda of Tinubu and assiduously working to improve on it. “He began to show that Lagos must not only remain the centre of excellence in the real sense of the word but also ‘must not spoil’. He started to make the impossible possible. Recall the dreaded traffic situation of some parts of Lagos before he took over as governor; Oshodi, Mushin, Ojuelegba, CMS bus stop, Iyana Oba, Mile 2, Agric after Trade Fair, to mention only a few. “Fashola initiated action plans that eventually made these areas notorious for horrible traffic congestions, have free flow of traffic. Yes, the traffic jams in these areas magically disappeared and decency and discipline returned to these roads. Testimonies upon testimonies continued to mount on how traffic situations at other locations equally drastically improved. “Recall that refuse dumps dotted almost every corner of Lagos, thus making Lagos to be rated among one of the dirtiest cities in Nigeria. Lagosians complained bitterly. When Fashola took over, those refuse dumps and heaps started to disappear. Today ‘filthy Lagos’ has

given way to beautiful scenes and sceneries. “Just two months ago, for the first time since the BRT came into operation, I boarded one of the buses. From the time I boarded to the time I reached my destination, I had an exciting experience. I saw a replica of European buses-neat and air conditioned interior. In fact I have had to abandon my car and started patronising the BRT bus since then. “This man transformed Lagos roads. You cannot count the beautiful dual carriage roads at every part of Lagos. From Bank Anthony way (reconstructed and converted by Fashola), Iba, Iyana Oba to Idimu, Ogba, Surulere, Mushin, Ijesha, Cele, Orile Coker, Mile 12 to Ikorodu, I can only mention these few areas. “Then the big one, the Lagos Badagry tenlane road which he started and was still under construction before he left office, will be another interesting landmark achievement he (Fashola) initiated�, Uba added. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

LGs Tasked on Deepening Grassroots Empowerment Programmes Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia Local government chairmen have been urged to create more opportunities for people at the grassroots to acquire basic skills that would make them economically self-sufficient to wriggle out of the stranglehold of poverty. Senator Theodore Orji gave this advice at Isiala Ngwa North local government during the recent 4th Otawike annual convention with the theme, ’the mission continues’ which featured the empowerment of 220 persons who were trained in various skills by the council chairman, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe.

He noted that by virtue of their position every political office holder was already empowered and should therefore make it a point of duty to empower others; thereby creating a chain reaction of employment opportunities. Orji, who represents Abia Central senatorial zone in the Senate, noted that the chairman of Isiala Ngwa North local government has demonstrated that the councils have the capacity to drive development and economic empowerment in the third tier of government. “When you are empowered, try to empower others,� he admonished his fellow political office holders, adding, “If you are in politics, do good to the people�.

The state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu also expressed the same sentiment as he commended Hon Onwusibe “for the good things� he is doing in his local government. “I share in this vision. Keep it up,� he said, adding that the most important of aspect of the council chairman’s achievements was that he gave people the opportunity to acquire skills in various areas of vocation. Governor Ikpeazu, moved by Onwusibe’s initiative to make a positive impact on the people through skill acquisition, recommended it as the most effective dimension in empowerment programmes, which should be copied by other council chairmen. To show his encouragement

to the newly established entrepreneurs, Ikpeazu promised to patronise 10 persons and purchase their products to the tune of N500,000 each, and called on Abians to always patronise budding businesses in the state to facilitate their growth. In the keynote address he presented at the event, the Abia state commissioner for works, Hon Eziuche Ubani harped on the need for people to have skills, noting that the nagging issues of unemployment and poverty would never be tackled successfully without sustainable availability of skilled workforce. The former House of Representatives member spoke on the topic, ‘Empowering the youth in a recessed economy:

panacea for crime and poverty reduction’, and lamented the high level of unemployment and under-employment in the land, adding that it should not be overlooked. “If you don’t have the skills you can’t participate in the economy of the future,� he said, adding that the Otawike Foundation should be supported by well-meaning individuals and organisations to sustain the empowerment programmes. Various speakers at the event including, Hon Darlington Nwokocha, who represents Isiala Ngwa federal constituency in the House of Representatives, and former Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, Dr. Chukwu Wachukwu all lauded the council chairman

for his grassroots development initiatives. Aside from the empowerment programme the event also featured the inauguration of a four-classroom block, a mini-stadium all built by the council boss as well as a grader he acquired for use in rehabilitating rural roads in Isiala Ngwa North local council. The wife of the council chairman provided free school uniforms, sandals and desks to the pupils of the adopted school. Chairman of the occasion, Engineer Enyinnaya Nwafor was very impressed by achievements of Hon Onwusibe, saying, “Imagine how Abia state will be if what happened here (Isiala Ngwa North LG) is replicated in other local governments.

35

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍąÍŽËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“ForNigerianswithoutsourcesotherthantheirsalaries,Iamconcernedthatworkersshouldbe abletopayrent,schoolfees,buydrugsandtakecareoftheirfamilies.Iamsomuchconcernedthat peopleshouldhavesomethingtoeatforChristmas.TheMinistersofFinance,BudgetandPlanning andtheCentralBankshouldsitdownwithyou(Governors)inasub-committeetoseehowmuchcanbe releasedbeforeChristmas� - PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI SPEAKING WITH MEMBERS OF THE NIGERIAN GOVERNORS’ FORUM IN ABUJA, RECENTLY

‘Taking 1m African Kids Off the Streets by 2030 Achievable’ Abimbola Akosile

UNFPA Lauds Toyin Saraki’s Commitment to Maternal, Children’s Health Partners Wellbeing Foundation on midwifery Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has lauded the Wife of Nigeria’s Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, for her commitment to maternal and children’s health in Nigeria. The Country Representative of UNFPA in Nigeria, Dr. Diene Keita, gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to Saraki’s residence in Abuja, recently. According to Keita, Mrs. Saraki, though a lawyer, has since 2003 brought hope and joy to many homes in the country through many health-care initiatives, providing care for mostly less-privileged families in rural communities. She said UNFPA’s visit was to strengthen partnership with Saraki in her various health interventions through her foundation, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa. “The essence of the visit is for the two organisations to partner for improved health for women and children, and promote good working environment and enhanced skills for nurses and midwives,� she said. Speaking further, Keita said apart from providing women and girls with the health-care they need, Saraki championed advocacies for equipping nurses and midwives with the skills they need, which she said are the core mandates of UNFPA. She said the health advocate had consistently followed all programmes aimed at boosting nursing and midwifery professions by personally attending such fora locally and internationally. She said: “You do it with such powerful messages, such kindness and emotion that as a Country Representative, I cannot do anything else but try to be wherever you are; because you are doing my job better than I will be able to do it. “I will like to thank you for attending the London Family Planning Summit. I thank you for accepting being a Champion. My late Executive Director, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin loved you. I was still in DRC

Dr. Keita (left) on a courtesy visit to Mrs. Saraki in Abuja, recently when he talked about you. He talked about how much he respected you and how much he was proud of you. To work with Wellbeing Foundation for me is a must. I want to work with you and Wellbeing Foundation on how to get the private sector into maternal health,� Keita added. Responding, Mrs. Saraki said when she decided to formally begin to advocate the wellbeing of women and children in the country in 2013, she didn’t have any role model to look at what they had done, or to follow. “I was relying on Google. Each time I rely on Google in those days, I came across a Saudi Arabian lady who I did not know then. But, I began to look at what she was saying and solutions she was proffering. Even though I didn’t know her, I found out she was a solution to good work in Nigeria. “At that time, Prof. Thoraya Obaid was the

Executive Director of UNFPA. We became very good friends, family friend since then and she continued to inspire me. So, I was very happy when my late brother, who I still miss very much, Prof. Osotimehin became the Executive Director of UNFPA. I felt that for the first time, we would have African solutions, Nigerian innovations to the world problems; and we did,� she explained. She said Osotimehin’s contribution helped improve the conditions of women and children and provided them with platforms “to have a world where every child is wanted, where every delivery is equipped and people have a choice to become health-seeking, wellbeing-seeking, and economic empowerment seeking. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

The Director General of Rochas Foundation, Mrs. Uloma Rochas Nwosu, has declared that taking one million African children off the streets around the continent by the deadline year of 2030 is achievable. Mrs. Nwosu, who spoke with journalists at her Owerri, Imo State office recently, explained that, “Rochas Foundation, where over 20,000 indigent students from across the country have benefited for almost 20 years, with almost 10,000 currently enjoying free and qualitative education in Oyo, Plateau, Kano and Imo States, is ready for greater challenges�. Nwosu also disclosed that 55 students from five African countries are also benefiting from the foundation. “What is of apparent significance is achieving the one million mark dream in 2030, considering that it is just thirteen years from now. That is not too ambitious�, she said. Her words: “I don’t believe that there are dreams too tall. I believe if you can dream it, you can think it and do it. So the mere fact that you can picture it, if it is an ambition then it is something you can achieve. Like I said, this is one of the core policies that my office will try to achieve, by getting more people involved in the process�. For her, “Twenty years we have 20,000 people fed by one man. If it is possible for one man to achieve this, and you now preach that it is no longer about Rochas, and no longer about Uloma the DG, but about everybody, you will see that even when you can’t sponsor a child, you will be able to refer those who can. “We are going to partner lots of private schools, who are making so much money from privileged children. Out of that they should be able to do some CSR (corporate social responsibility) by picking at least two children from the street. If every of such schools, corporate bodies and highly placed individuals among others could do that, then one million will just be too small to achieve by 2030.� She debunked some insinuations that Rochas Foundation is all about politics, saying: “I heard this perception eight years ago, and about twelve years ago. When I hear this, my reaction is just to laugh it off. And my first thought is, like my dad will always say, ‘If this is politics, then let everybody get involved in this kind of politics’, and the result of that is that we are going to have five to ten million children off the streets. “But seriously, you can’t be doing same thing consistently and successfully for twenty years; and it is still termed politics. If it is politics, after getting the office of the governor for two terms, then he would have let go. So, definitely, it is not about politics�. Nwosu said, “Basically, as the DG what I intend doing is to further bring on more structures, and to embrace institutions and individuals as the foundation has gone it alone for twenty years. And I think it is time to get more people involved. That is one of the things my office wants to achieve. Getting more people involved in the activities of the foundation. As a result of that, we will get more African children off the streets.� NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

36

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Living with HIV As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day tomorrow, Martins Ifijeh chronicles the lives of Nigerians who are living with the HIV/AIDS virus

W

hen 32 years old Tobi (not real name) was in her teenage years, all she wanted for her future was a comfortable life so she could lift her parents out of poverty. She had thought she would end up having a good job, marry the man of her dream, have three beautiful children, and become like the society women she sees on television. At 16 she was already working towards that dream. She had passed her secondary school final examinations and soon gained admission into the Lagos State University to read Public Administration. In 2008, a year after she finished her youth service, she married one of her seniors back in school. Every script she had written in her head as a young girl were coming to pass one after the other. But in August 2010, life served her lemons. Her husband was diagnosed of Human Immuno Virus (HIV) after bouts of ill health. She couldn’t believe her once handsome heartthrob was becoming a shadow of his former self. He became thin, lost his job due to sickness, and she could see productive years disappear from him. All he was doing was struggle to live. “We were treating him for tuberculosis, and soon kidney issues followed. Doctors told us the virus had moved to an advanced stage, that if he had presented on time, anti retroviral drugs would have been able to keep him for several more decades in a healthy state,” she said. Tobi’s husband died in February 2012, leaving her to grapple with the virus which he had passed on to her. “Not in my widest dream would I have thought I will have a family member who is HIV positive, not to mention having it myself. I used to think the illness only happens to people in far away lands. “Between 2010 and 2014, my life was in shambles. I saw my world crumble like a pack of cards. All the dreams I wanted to fulfill with my husband turned into mirage. The only thing left for me is my parents. I only started picking myself up few years ago,” she explained. Despite Tobi not able to make lemonades from the lemons life served her, she was able to learn some lessons. She knew if they had had HIV test before the marriage, they both would have been aware of their status, which means the husband would have been on ARD to keep him healthy. She learnt HIV is only a death sentence to those who are either unaware of their status, refuse to be placed on drugs, or those who were diagnosed at a very late stage, the kind that could be regarded as Acquired Immune Disease Syndrome (AIDS). Tobi is currently on ARD and she is living healthy despite having the virus. Tobi who has refused to get married since her husband’s death fears rejection, hence the decision not to give in to any man who asks for her hand in marriage. “I believe once I tell them my status, they will not only run away, but will stigmatise me. So I run from advances from me. The only one who was persistent, and insisted that he must marry me eventually disappeared the day I told him I was HIV positive.” Oscar did not know HIV does not have favoritism. He thought he was too cool to ever contract the dreaded virus. At 20, his body count was already reading 18. Among the 18 girls he slept with at the time, he agreed to forcefully sleeping with three. To him and his friends, the more girls you sleep with, the more respect you get among your peers.. It was an achievement he looked forward to every blessed day. There were times Oscar and his friends passed on girls to each other. An attitude they believed shows their friendship as boys. Despite the loose lifestyle, Oscar never believed in sex with condoms. He says condoms make sex boring. “The few times I tried using condom I didn’t enjoy it, so I stopped. Not in my widest dream did I believe I will ever contract HIV.”

Avoiding risky behaviours can prevent HIV

But like the biblical saying, that what so ever a man sows he reaps, Oscar soon reaped the fruit of his promiscuity and risky lifestyle. He is 27 years and currently living with HIV. “I first noticed I was not immune to the virus, when on December 1st 2015 I bumped into a free HIV testing campaign in Computer Village, Ikeja. After the test, I was told My test showed positive to the virus. I was advised to do a further test in any lab of my choice. The results came out the same.” Though Oscar broke down for several months, he is now back on his feet after undergoing several bouts of counselling. He is currently on anti retroviral drugs. He says his greatest challenge right now is stigmatisation, as he has lost an otherwise lucrative job because medical screening, a prerequisite for getting the job, was done after he had passed all processes required to get the job. “If not for this virus, I would have been working at the airport today, supplying Jet A1 to airlines. But I lost it. Am praying government and stakeholders find a cure for this disease one day,” he said. “How much tragedy can a woman endure in her life time. How much?” These were the first words of Ada when she decided to open up to THISDAY about her status as a person living with HIV. Her trouble started in 2007 when she and her husband discovered they were infected with HIV. It was a barrage of blame games between them on who may have possibly infected the other. He would beat her up at every slightest opportunity. Throw her things out of the house. In some instances he would attempt to strangulate her to death because he believed she infected him. But Ada said she was very sure her late husband was the one who brought the virus home because she married him a virgin. Soon, her husband got ill, and his family placed all the blame on her, until he finally died in 2010, leaving her to suffer the stigma and shame due to the incessant quarrel on

who must have infected the other. “Both my family and his rejected me and my three children. Our landlord threw us out of our house. We started living from hand to mouth, begging everyone we met for food,” she said tearfully. It wasn’t long after, Ada lost her first daughter to the illness. She thought of relocating from Lagos to her village in Ebonyi State, but everyone in her village already knew she and her children were HIV positive, hence she shoved off the idea. Ada, who said she eventually broke down in front of her Revered Father, as there was no where else to go, was then taken by him to a non governmental organisation for support. “They gave me counselling, took care of my children and ensured that we were all placed on ARD. As at today, me and my children are living our lives one at a time. Though I feel the pain of what my life has turned out, my children have become source of joy to me every day,” she said. Tobi, Oscar and Ada are not the only ones who have experienced the pain of living with the virus in Nigeria, statistics show that over three million Nigerians are currently living with the disease that leaves sorrow tears and blood on its path. The Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDs, NACA. Mr. Sani Aliyu in one of his interviews on the Nigerian Television Authority said at least 500 Nigerians die of HIV/AIDs daily, with an average new infection of 600 people every day. He said although the country has achieved great heights with the support of government and the international community, a lot of help was still needed from private individuals to address the challenges posed by the existence of HIV/AIDs in Nigeria. Nigeria remains the country with the second highest burden of the disease globally, just behind South Africa. As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate World AIDS Day tomorrow, health experts have called on Nigerians to avoid risky lifestyles that could lead to contracting the virus.

Dr. Ogbejiele Wilson, a virologist said the virus could be transmitted through bodily fluids that include: blood, semen, vaginal and rectal fluid, breast milk, emphasising that the most common methods of infection is through unprotected sex. Others include sharing needles, syringes, among others. “HIV does NOT spread through skin-to-skin contact, hugging, shaking hands, or kissing, air or water, eating or drinking items, saliva, tears, or sweat (unless mixed with blood from an infected person), sharing a toilet, towels, or bedding, mosquitoes or other insects,” he added. He said it does not show symptoms at first, especially for most people, adding that noticeable symptoms include fever, swollen lymph glands and general aches and pains. “The clinical latent infection, or chronic stage of HIV can last from a few years to a few decades. During this time the virus is still reproducing, but at lower levels.. On prevention, he said there was presently no vaccine against it, adding that unprotected sex is the most common way for HIV to spread. “Abstaining from sex to a great extent eliminates the risk, but you can lower your risk considerably by taking a few precautions.” The precautions, according to him includes regular screening to know status, “Get tested for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you have one, get treated, because having an STD increases the risk of HIV. Learn the correct way to use condoms, and use them every time you have sex, except with a partners who are not engaging in sexual intercourse with any other person except you (vice versa). Married couples should stick to their partners. Have only one sexual partner who only has sex with you. If you have HIV, lower the risk of transmitting it to your sexual partner by taking your medicines as directed. Although this will lower your viral load, you still need to use condoms,” he added. He also advised persons already living with the virus to ensure they take their drugs regularly as prescribed so they can lead healthy lives.

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NEWS

1.3m Die of Lung Cancer Every Year Globally, Says Expert Hammed Shittu in Ilorin A medical expert with Haematology Department, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Dr. Mojisola Fasiku, has said that no fewer than 1.3 million persons die annually across the globe due to lung cancer infection. Attributing high rate of the disease to smoking of cigarette and inhalation of allied

substances, the medical expert also blamed the menace on indiscriminate use of firewood for cooking; a predominant practice among poor Nigerians. Stating this at a seminar organised by Kwara State chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in conjunction with Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) and Civil Society for Cancer Eradication

in Nigeria in Ilorin recently, she said most of the victims of lung cancer inhale smoke from firewood cooking on account of ignorance of harm posed to their well-being. While calling for the use of natural gas for cooking, she appealed to the Federal Government to subsidise the cost of the product and rather make kerosene more expensive in order to discourage people

from making use of firewood for cooking. Fasiku also tasked the National Assembly to legislate against new trend of smoking among youths, saying they are at the risk of being infected with cancer if not curtailed. “Lung cancer is a major problem in our society today. 1.3million deaths are recorded from it worldwide annually. Those who cultivate smoking

habit are susceptible to cancer of the lung. “Apart from those who smoke, those who also make use of firewood while cooking are vulnerable to lung cancer. This is because while doing their cooking, they inhale so much smoke, but they will not know they are causing serious damage to their health.” She identified breathing problem, constant chest pain, weight

loss, bone pain, coughing up blood and headache as some of the signs and symptoms derived from lung cancer. In her remarks, the Chairperson of the state chapter of NAWOJ, Mrs. Binta Abubakar Mora, explained that cancer was a major problem, which has eaten deep into public health. She urged the people to eat right food to stave off the disease.

NHIS: Doctors Call for Inclusion of ENTTreatment in Scheme Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Pan- African Federation of Oto-rhino-laryngological Societies (PAFOS), specialists in the treatment of Ear, Nose, Throat and other related ailments, have called for the inclusion of ENT in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The group said this should be done holistically as out-of-packet payment services are no longer fashionable and not sustainable, hence the need for the federal government to come to the aid of Nigerians and make the services available. The call was made by the president of the Society, Prof. OGB. Nwaorgu at the end of its conference in Abuja with the theme ‘Challenges of ENT practice in Africa’ with sub themes which are ‘Head and neck cancer management; cochlear implantation: the African experience; audiological Services in Africa’. He said leaving ENT infections unattended to has the potency of affecting a child’s performance in school and even the level of reasoning, meditation and intelligence.

Also, he advised against the cutting of swelling on the body by local barbers and burial of the flesh instead of taking it to histology where it will be tested to see if it’s early signs of cancer. He said with such practice, a follow up treatment will be difficult to do. He said: “For the government, we are crying that there’s need for the NHIS to cover ear, throat, neck, nose services in Nigeria holistically, because out-of-pocket payment services are no longer fashionable and not sustainable. So government should come to the aid of Nigerians to make the services available so that we can nip these challenges in the bud. “In the case of nose, you will find children having catarrh and snoring endlessly. Most of the time, they will be branded as children suffering from cancer and being given all manner of treatment. More often than not, it is not asthma, it is just adonoid obstruction and sometimes recurrent tonsils in which case, if you see ENT surgeons, they will be able to take adequate measures,” he added.

Duke Tasks FG on Tackling Breast Cancer Ugo Aliogo The Chairman, Child Survival and Development Organisation of Nigeria (CSDON), Onari Duke, has called federal government to strengthen capacity in the treatment of breast cancer through the provision of centrifuge machines and other facilities in Hospitals and health facilities across the country. Duke, who disclosed this weekend in Lagos during a walk to raise awareness for cancer, noted that the event was aimed at uniting various corporate organisations, public and private sector and NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) while reinforcing the fact that there is need for all to work towards finding the cure for the disease and them. She also stated that the event has provided CSDON the opportunity to ascertain the level of support and efforts organisations are putting place in the fight against the disease such as providing care, providing supports for the caregivers of those living with cancer, those conducting counselling programmes for them, and those footing the bill of patients living with

cancer. Duke further explained that this is the ninth year of organising the initiative, stating that they have realised that there were a lot of things they didn’t do at the beginning, but she said with committed effort, “We will be able to learn from each other. Then reinforce and strengthen what each is doing.” She remarked that huge successes have been recorded in the past nine years, stressing that when they started the initiative the disease was seen as a dreaded disease, but the narrative has changed judging from the views of people who participated in their free mammogram diagnosis test. “They have realised that early detection increases their chances of survival, therefore it has helped them to embrace the required test, though some still delay in their mastectomy tests,” she noted. Duke maintained that they have done much awareness especially in the areas treatment and early detection of the diseases which she said has been highly beneficial to women. “Recently, we lost one

TACKLING MALARIA

L-R: Representative, Marine Beach Community, Mrs. Esther Adebiyi; Chairman, Community Development Association, Orisunmibare Community, Apapa, Mr Owolabi Mudasiru; Assistant. CEO, OVH Energy, Mrs. Olaposi Williams; General Manager, EHSSQ OVH Energy, Dr. Oyet Gogomary; and Chief Environmental Officer, African Clean-Up Initiative, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, at the Kick Back Malaria Project in the Marine Beach and Orisunmare Communities Apapa, Lagos recently ETOP UKUTH

After Giving out $2.5m, WorldToilet Day: GroupTakes PharmAccess Offers More ‘Toilet4All’Campaign to Abuja Loans to Nigerian Pharmacists Park Martins Ifijeh As part of efforts to further strengthen the role of pharmacists in healthcare delivery in Nigeria, PharmAccess Foundation said even though it had given out $2.5 million to over 250 pharmacists within the last two years, it was ready to further part with credit loans to enterprising pharmacists in the country. It said the Medical Credit Fund (MCF) will continue to provide funding at reduced interest rates so as to strengthen investments around pharmaceutical supply chain. Stating this during Pharmacy Industry Roundtable organised by PharmAccess and Anadach Group in Lagos recently, PharmAccess Country Director, Mrs. Njide Ndili, said it was high time the critical role of pharmacists in the country was complemented, hence the organisation’s desire to provide financial and technical support. “MCF has given clean loans of up to 3 million per credit facility and its portfolio has repayment rate over 99 per cent. We believe this will ensure supply of original drugs to Nigerians at reasonable prices.” The President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Ahmed Yakassai, expressed excitement that pharmacy industry stakeholders were coming together to discuss pertinent issues that

will lead to strengthening of its value chain. The Director, MCF in Nigeria, Mr. Fisayo Okunsanya, said the fund has proved to its financial partners that pharmacists and other healthcare professionals can successfully borrow from banks and repay their loans as and when due. “The repayment rate of the loans is over 99.7 per cent,” he said. Among resolutions made at the roundtable discussion includes the need to look beyond trade in drug sale, as there is need in collaborating more in development and institutionalisation of standards in the operations of pharmacists. “International donor agencies have recognised the roles of the Private Patent Medicine Vendors in delivering care in Nigeria due to the huge demands for pharmaceutical products, especially in rural areas where community pharmacies do not exist. A lot of these donor agencies are seeking for innovative ways to build the capacity of the PPMVs,” the communique says. The resolution also call for the registration of PPMVs with the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria before they can be recognised as legitimate businesses and it’s only then they can be afforded loans, adding that it will be criminal to extend loan facilities to PPMVs that are not registered.

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Worried by the shameful fact that Nigerians have now nationalised open defecation , the National Task Group on Sanitation has taken Cleanup and Toilet4All Campaign to Jabi Park, Abuja. The event, organised by the Ministry of Water Resources, and the National Task Group on Sanitation, themed, ‘Wastewater’ was aimed at sensitising drivers on the need to wash their hands after using toilet, and how to maintain toilet facilities. Deputy Director, Water Control , Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Elisabeth Ugo, urged the drivers to shun open defecation to prevent communicable diseases like diarrhea, cholera, typhoid and dysentery. She said 67 per cent of Nigerians lack access to toilet, but noted that the federal government has laid out a plan that by 2025, no Nigerian will be using open toilet. The representative of Water Aid, Ms. Oluseyi Abdulmalik said with seven out of 10 Nigerians not having access to toilet makes the issue a dire one, adding that sanitation was the job of everyone which should not be left alone for government to do. The Director, Community

Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Al haji Jubril Shaba, said the council would provide more toilets in the park, warning that anybody caught defecating outside would be dealt with in accordance to the law. Shaba said thatFCT authority would no longer tolerate open defecation and uncleanliness in and around the park, while stressing that before the law is enforced the Council would do the right thing so that there will be no excuse. Responding, NURTW FCT Secretary, Mr. Olugbade Olagunju , said the faulty sanitation of the park was not the fault of the union. “The situation we found ourselves is not our making. We don’t look like people that want to commit suicide. “We have been having meetings upon meetings that this park should be tarred. At a stage when our complaints were much, the Council promised to give the park to a developer but the developer only developed his pocket. “The toilets we have here is over loaded. The only person that did well for us was former Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe who provided water in the park,” he said.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

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HEALTH HEALTH

Tackling Measles in Nigeria Good things don’t come cheap and victory isn’t freely given but demanded for. This seems to be the case in federal government’s quest to end measles in Nigeria. Kuni Tyessi writes “Some of their husbands travelled and immediately they heard about the measles vaccination programme, these husbands quickly called their spouses and instructed them never to release their children for the exercise, with claims that the vaccine will be given on the head and abdomen of the children and this will in turn kill or have adverse effects on their development. “Some parents also complained about the state governments refusal to live up to its responsibilities and promises of providing free school uniforms for their children. They said since other children were given uniforms and theirs were not, they will not release their children for the measles vaccination with the belief that the state government was playing smart and will be the beneficiary.” These were the words of a Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW ) saddled with the responsibility of giving measles vaccines in Balago Ward, Kiyawa LGA of Jigawa State. He said the above were the challenges encountered at the ward which has several families living in houses built with clay and straws, and with a dominant livelihood on farming. Although, a town crier, a male, could be seen with his mega phone as well as a house-tohouse mobiliser, a middle aged woman making announcements and going from doo r-to-door appealing and encouraging parents to release their children and wards, others saw those who complied to the appeals as not smart enough to understand the state governments dis-service to them. In response to the challenges, the CHEW said they were able to liaise with the community leader, Mallam Lawal Shuaibu and the representative of the village head, Mallam Isa Halliru in enlightening the people about the unfounded rumours and emphasising that the measles vaccine has the potency of protecting the children from the disease which is capable of affecting their early childhood development and with adverse effects in adulthood. He said: “The community leader and representative of the village head were able to assist us in talking to the doubting parents. We told them that their speculations were mere assumptions which were unfounded and built on rumours. We also apologised to them for their children’s inability to access free school uniforms with the claim that materials have been bought and sent to tailors for sewing, but due to the infallible nature of humans, the uniforms were yet to be ready. “We told them that the issue of vaccine is completely different from the issue of school enrollment and uniforms. We also went ahead to assure them that their children and wards would be served with the ‘inducement’ in form of school uniforms once the contractors were done with sewing the materials.However, for the first allegation, despite our efforts, we met with stiff resistance as the wives of some of the men who had travelled would not comply despite the fact that we had to speak to their spouses on phone and enlighten them about the benefits of the measles vaccine.” At Jigawa Kaura, under Katuka ward in the same state, compliance to receiving the vaccine was positive. The CHEW in person of

A child receiving measles vaccine

Malama Fatima Shettima and Hajiya Kaltume Idris revealed that the turn out was massive and encouraging. They said even though there were rumours about the vaccine being given on the head and abdomen, convincing members of the community about its falsehood was not difficult. By 1:15 p.m. on the third day of the exercise, they had given 151 doses of the vaccine as against the 125 which was their set target, even though 20 vials were given to them for 200 doses. They were seen sitting under a tree shade and waiting for more children who had followed their parents to their farms. Were there challenges encountered? The women said yes.”The exercise has been successful and the turnout is very encouraging. We had no issues whatsoever and we were able to quell the rumour on the parts of the body to which the vaccine is administered. “The vaccine is not given on high temperature, especially when the body temperature of the child is above 38 degrees. “In the past, government made provision of incentives such as soaps, biscuits, sweets, etc in order to encourage parents and children to participate in the exercise. The provision of such was usually on the first day and that was all. With this practice, the community members whose children could not be vaccinated on the first day became suspicious of us. There was hardly any explanation that would convince them that we had not sabotaged the efforts of the government by hoarding the incentives in our homes. With this, some of the parents deprived their children from participating.” Shettima and Idris said the incentives were not provided this year and that had helped

reduce the rate of suspicion. However, the Local Immunisation Officer, Alhaji Husaini Alhassan, debunked their claims by presenting to them, a packet of balloons with whistles attached which he said were incentives for the children who would encourage others to participate. At Kiyawa ward, the story was not any different as children could be seen taking the vaccines even though with loud screams. Aisha A. Sani, one of the CHEW recalled that the exercise was successful even though a father of five initially proved difficult. She said he bombarded the team with several questions and to which they willingly gave answers. “It is only one person that tried to prove difficult but after our explanation, he went in and brought out his children, five in number and we gave all of them the injection. Initially he had hidden them when he got wind of the fact that we had come with the mission of vaccinating children between the ages of nine months and five years with the measles vaccine.”She said the suspicion and lack of trust by parents can be tackled when more publicity and enlightenment is carried out in order to make the work of CHEW easier. “Before we started giving the vaccines, we tried as much as possible to create awareness within the community. This is not the first immunisation exercise taking place in this community and yet people are still not so exposed to it until more enlightenment has been done. We do ours but I wish to call on the government to do more in terms of publicity before we come as this will ease our work.” A mother, Zaliha Musa, whose children had just received the vaccine, could not

hide her joy. Though she spoke in Hausa, Malama Zaliha said she has seen the benefits of measles vaccine as well as other vaccines over the years. She said: “Even when we are unable to take the children to health facilities for immunisation, the health workers still follow us to our homes in order to ensure that our children get vaccinated. I am yet to see any child who got vaccinated for measles contacting the disease which I know is capable of killing a child.” The Local Immunisation Officer, Husaini Alhassan in his remarks, said even though the exercise recorded a huge success within and around the state, there were some setbacks that if handled adequately, would add more colour in future success stories. He said more investment can be made and should be channeled in the area of requirement need. He said they include man power, provision of more drugs, especially anti-malarial drugs, as well as school uniforms which were promised without fulfillment. He said: “government should provide all the requirements needed and this will help solve many of the problems encountered. Some of the requirements include the provision of more vaccine carriers as the ones available are not enough and cannot go round.” The exercise in the state has recorded success. However, Nigeria cannot come out of the doldrums and proudly sit amongst the comity of nations that have succeeded in ending the measles malaise if listed challenges continue to spring up. Though on the right path, it is not yet ‘uhuru’ as investment and more investments are needed to end measles in Nigeria.

Ambode, MWAN, Advocate for Women’s Health, Empowerment Martins Ifijeh The Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode and the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, have called on stakeholders to prioritise the health of women, saying this represents the lifeline of the society. They said for Nigeria to attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set by global experts, women’s

access to quality maternal and child healthcare, access to disease preventive tools and empowerment must be prioritised. Speaking at the 20th Biennial Conference and 40th Anniversary/Investiture of the Medical Women’sAssociation of Nigeria (MWAN) held in Lagos, Mrs Ambode said attaining SDGs without empowering women, particularly in the area of family planning, will not

yield the desired result. “Our role as women in nation building and economic development cannot be overemphasise.” She said the challenges including HIV/AIDS, cancer and other ailments have continued to cut short lives of women and children on a daily basis, urging MWAN to empower women with information on healthy lifestyles that would prevent

untimely deaths. Ambode urged the association to deliberate on the modalities to encourage women on how to guard against these diseases and live healthily, adding that the association should support government’s efforts to make quality services available to all the citizens. “I enjoin you to support this administration through the provision of other equipment

in all the healthcare facilities across the state,“ she said. On her part, the new President of the association, Dr. Omowunmi Bakare said in the next two years, the association will do more in aiding women’s health through strategic engagement and effective collaboration. She however lamented that MWAN’s cancer screening centre, which has screened over 6,000 women was in dire

need of refurbishment in other to increas clientele for effective healthcare screening service. Outgoing President of MWAN, Dr Modupe Abiola, said that the association had collaborated selflessly in impacting the lives of women and children. Abiola said: “We were able to do this through the support of various organisations as well as with the support of the government.

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HEALTH

First Cardiology Tackles Cardiac Arrest with Cutting Edge Technology Martins Ifijeh Statistics is still very hazy about the number mortality per annum arising from heart attacks or heart failure which has been on the increase in Nigeria. But medical practitioners and indeed the general public believe the incidence of deaths arising from heart-related ailments have been on the increase in Nigeria inrecent times. This was debated and put in country wide perspective during the 2017 World Heart Day celebration on September 30. Heart disorder and stroke have become the two most deadly diseases in Nigeria accounting for about 65 per cent mortality among the middle age and the elderly. To mitigate the high incidence of death arising from heart diseases, a high-end medical technology hospital devoted to screening, diagnosis, management and surgery for cardiovascular ailments has opened in Ikoyi, Lagos. The First Cardiology Consultants Hospital is a wholly ‘heart hospital’ promoted by some returning Nigerian medical consultants in the Diaspora. They are led by the Managing Director Dr. Yemi Johnson, a globally acknowledged interventional cardiologist with over 30 years practice in the best hospitals and universities in the United States, Dr. Kofo Ogunyankin, a professor of medical imaging at Northwestern University, Illinois, United States and Mr. Onyekwelu Nzewi, a consultant cardio thoracic surgeon at Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Ireland

and Director of Save the Heart Foundation, which has been involved in the annual free medical outreach at the UNTH, Enugu, in the past six years. At a guided tour of the hospital located at Thompson Avenue Ikoyi, Lagos for select journalists both Ogunyankin and Nzewi explained the functionality of the different high tech equipments in the hospital to ensure accurate diagnosis,precise procedures and full proof interventional surgery where necessary. From the intensive care unit (ICU), high dependence unit or step down room, the operating theatre, the recovering room, all are electronically connected that patients can be monitored all round at different stages of care by different specialists without having to move the patient around like in conventional hospitals. For instance, Nzewi explained that as basic as administering drip to patients may be it is not set up or counted manually. The pump machines are programmed to deliver drip at any speed as slow as o.1ml per hour and each patient is entitled to six pump machines at the same that can monitor and perform other functions towards ensuring accurate treatment and recovery. “Heart attack or cardiac arrest means that the heart has stopped automatically. This machine automated external defibrillator helps us bring the individual back,” explained Nzewi, saying it can be powered by battery or electricity. He said a heart attack patient has a big chance of living a normal life if brought within the first 10 minutes of attack. Even beyond

Consultant Cardio Thoracic Surgeon, Royal Victoria Hospital, Ireland, Dr Onyekwelu Nzewi (l), and Professor of Medical Imaging, Northwestern University, Illinois, United States, Dr.Kofo Ogunyankin, during the media tour of First Cardiology Consultants Hospital in Lagos recently

the 10 minutes patient can still be resuscitated at First Cardiology Consultants provided that there was continuous heart compression by somebody to generate enough blood going to the head. “The machines were very expensive to assemble as the hospital had gone for the best and latest technology compared to what you find in hospitals in the United States and Europe. For instance, he said the Intraaortic balloon pump which is one of the equipments in the hospital has revolutionised the practice of heart surgery as it serves as alternative heart

for a patient while the original heart is resting during and after surgery as it is able to increase coronary blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart. “Here we don’t do guess work, from diagnosis to surgery everything is programmed to work to precision including how and where the surgeon is going to cut or pass wire in case of surgery, “ Ogunyankin noted. On the major causes of cardiovascular diseases, Nzewi identified bad lifestyle choices such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, hereditary, etc. He has a message for

everybody resident in Nigeria: “the stress level in the country is very high and therefore if you are 45 years and above, you must undergo periodic stress test at least once in two years because heart attack is becoming an epidemic in Nigeria. “If the individual fails the stress test he is subjected to further examination to show the roadmap of the artery flowing and where the blockage occurred. A medical procedure is done to open the blocked artery allowing normal blood flow to the heart.” Government has a role to play in reducing the high rate of sudden death

in the country as a result of heart attack. Ogunyankin wants the government to ensure that hypertensive patients get access to affordable drugs, provide good enabling environment in government healthcare facilities in form of equipment and adequate remuneration for the medical staff to stop them from going on strike and also properly manage the National Health Insurance Scheme to ensure that more people get access to good medical facilities. All these he said will increase productivity because a healthy population helps to create and increase wealth.

HealthcareQuality,FacilitiesHave LifeStraw Launched in Nigeria Unilever Relaunches Pears Baby, Increased By 72%, Says Adewole for Safe Drinking Water Celebrates Heritage Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has announced that Nigeria’s quality of healthcare as well as facilities, have tremendously increased by 72 per cent in the last two years based on the Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP). Similarly, there has been an increase in the number of beneficiaries over the project. With this, the target number of beneficiaries which was expected to be three million has doubled to an additional seven million . The minister who announced this in Abuja during his keynote address at the presentation of the mid-term report of the Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP), said Nigeria has shifted focus from an input-based approach to a result and outcome driven one. He said Nigeria needs to redefine the models of existing PHC services, the NSHIP and other result-based approaches and suggest a way forward due to a rapidly growing population and slow economic growth. He said: “The quality of healthcare score in facility has increased by 72 per cent in two years of programme implementation with theses

Rebecce Ejifoma improvements seen across participating health facilities . Similarly, there has been an increase in the number of beneficiaries over the project. As at mid year 2017, cumulative number of beneficiaries have surpassed the target of three million by an additional seven million lives initiative project. These improvements provide an inclination of the impact of NSHIP interventions. “For Nigeria to achieve a Universal Health Coverage, a paradigm shift is required in the way PHC services are delivered. The most recent national health account study suggests that only four per cent of the population are covered by any form of risk protection mechanisms for health, leading to over 69 per cent out-of-pocket expenditure. This means millions of poor Nigerians die because they are not able to access care. “Evidence of service delivery indicator survey in 2014, also indicates that many Nigeria’s PHC are in very poor state with poorly motivated staff, minimal equipment. And frequent out of stock of essential drugs and commodities. With over 29 per cent absenteeism of relevant human resources, productivity is also low and further worsening existing inefficiencies.

In pursuance of its aim to save more children daily from diarrhoea and cholera in Nigeria, LifeStraw has launched its products providing clean and safe drinking water free from bacteria viruses and other parasites. This was launched in Lagos where various stakeholders in the health sector alongside teachers from across Nigeria were present to unanimously eliminate under five diarrhea – the second leading cause of mortality among children under five years olds. On the theme, ‘Availing safe drinking water for all’, the Country Director, Vestergaard Ltd, Mr. Steve Otieno described LifeStraw as a tool that filters and eliminates 100 per cent protozoan, bacteria and the entire parasites. “Water may look clean. But that doesn’t mean it is safe for drinking.” He added that LifeStraw prevents waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, worms, and cryptosporidiosis. “The products remove 99.99 per cent of bacteria (E. coli, among others); 99.99 per cent of protozoan cysts (Giardia, Cryptosporidium, etc.) reduction) and 99.99 per cent of viruses (Rotavirus, Hepatitis A).” According to him, LifeStraw

products are instant microbial water purifiers, an innovative safe drinking water solution developed with Nigeria in mind, approved by the UN Foundation; certified by WHO and the United States EPA drinking water standards. Created by Vestergaard, a Swiss company with partners that include the United Nations foundations, World vision and the Carter Centre, Otieno assured Nigerians that the products have been made cheaper and affordable for all. Their penchant, among others, include to provide safe water to the estimated 663 million people lacking access to improved drinking water sources globally. He said: “They are affordable, durable, easy to install, use and maintain. LifeStraw Community (LSC) is available for purchase at the warehouse in Lagos Nigeria for $399.99 USD. Interested buyers get in touch. 50litres capacity. For communities. Can serve 100 people.” He spoke further that there were different models that would provide individuals, schools, businesses, families, churches and communities with instant access to safe clean drinking water on the go and in a location. “Water used can be from any source – river, lake, well, stream and tap among others.”

Rebecca Ejifoma After over four decades of fulfilling its promise of pure, mild and gentle for baby’s skin, Unilever Nigeria Plc has relaunched Pears baby range of products, as it reassured Nigerians of its commitment to provide same unique perfume for suitable for babies’ skin. The new identity of Pears is synonymous with its brand philosophy of caring for babies based on the promise of ensuring a rash free, gently fragranced, comfortable and playful baby. Speaking at the relaunch of Pears Baby held at Amuwo-Odofin Maternal and Child Centre, Festac, Lagos, the Category Manager, Adegbite Adetoun, said: ‘’Pears baby range made from carefully selected ingredients suitable for baby’s tender skin has gone through series of evolutions since 1971 when it was first introduced into the Nigerian market.” Adegbite, however, added that for more than 40 years Pears has served Nigerian babies and mothers with baby care products ranging from Pears Baby Lotion, Pears Baby Oil, Pears Baby Powder to Pears Baby Jelly and Pears Moisturising Cream made from carefully selected natural ingredients suitable for

the baby’s skin. Pears Baby range has the recognition and endorsement of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) for its excellent brand quality and contribution to the growth of babies in the country. The Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Lagos Chapter, Mr. Olurotimi Awojide commended Unilever for its long- standing tradition of excellence and care for the Nigerian family particularly mother and child in relation to the Pears Baby range of products. Pears baby range is part of our heritage as a nation primarily based on the efficacy of the brand, its usefulness to mothers in making them have babies with rash free skin amongst other benefits. He added: “The relaunch of the products is another milestone in the narrative of Unilever, Pears Baby range. This is a further demonstration by the brand to continue to provide our mothers and babies with quality products that take of care of their skin and keep them healthy and smooth always. We congratulate Unilever and offer our support to this drive as the brand has displayed a commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerian mothers and babies.”

40

T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ NOVEMBER 30, 2017

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Fitch Releases Ratings on Two Nigerian Banks Nume Ekeghe Fitch Ratings has retained its ‘AAA’ national rating on Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc as well as Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited. This is just as the international rating agency also assigned Sterling Bank Plc a long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of ‘B-’ and a national long-term rating of ‘BBB-(nga)’. It also assigned a stable outlook on Sterling Bank. It explained that its rating on Stanbic IBTC reflected the credit worthiness of the bank and the holding company. The ‘AAA’ national rating is assigned to institutions with the lowest relative risk. In arriving at the rating for Stanbic IBTC, Fitch took account of the strong parental support from Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC Holdings belong. The parent company provides support in such areas as staff training, provision of information technology upgrades and best practice processes as well as strong corporate

governance practices. In the report, the rating agency also reviewed the capital adequacy of Stanbic IBTC in compliance with regulations and concluded that it was very strong and compare favourably against peers. The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr. Yinka Sanni, said the ratings were a clear testament of the financial institution’s strength, strong leadership and the unyielding support of its parent company. He reiterated Stanbic IBTC’s commitment to the Nigerian market and pledged it will continue to provide support to all sectors of the economy in order to keep moving individuals and businesses forward. Meanwhile, Fitch in its rating on Sterling Bank explained that the bank’s IDRs were driven by its standalone creditworthiness as defined by its Viability Rating (VR). “The VR is constrained by challenging operating conditions in Nigeria, the

bank’s modest franchise and developing business model, weaknesses in its financial profile, and its higher risk appetite than peers. “These factors are counterbalanced by Sterling’s coherent strategy, especially its business transformation initiatives, and strong management team. “Sterling’s financial profile is characterised by high credit concentrations, variable earnings and profitability, modest capital buffers based on its risk profile, and its structurally weak funding and liquidity profile. “Sterling has a high exposure to the oil and gas sector, representing 45 per cent of gross loans at end- nine month 2017, mainly to mid-sized corporates. “Around 38 per cent of the bank’s loans at end-nine month 2017 were in foreign currency, exposing it to currency volatility,� the report added. Based on prudential requirements (all loans that are 90 days overdue), Sterling’s NPL ratio was 6.1 per cent at the end of the first nine months of 2017.

Broad Street, Lagos

MARKET INDICATORS

Fidelity Bank Elevates 256 Staff Fidelity Bank Plc has announced that it recently elevated a total of 256 staff across various grade levels of the bank. The bank explained that the exercise was in demonstration of its commitment to rewarding excellence, hard work and dedication amongst staff members. According to a statement, the promotion exercise which cut across senior, middle and junior management cadres of the bank was based on merit using a transparent and robust performance management system in line with global best practices. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank,

Nnamdi Okonkwo explained that the move was in line with the bank’s institutionalised reward and recognition system. “Nearly four years ago when we commenced this new growth phase, we promised to make reward for performance and career progression, topmost priority. We have kept that promise without fail,� he said. He explained that Fidelity Bank maintains a highly competitive, professional and performance driven work place culture. “The employees who were promoted were selected through an enhanced performance management system based on clearly articulated promotion criteria� he stated.

Whilst congratulating the beneficiaries, he urged staff members to redouble their efforts towards achieving better financial results in 2017, adding that “our aim is to remain an employer of first choice, and to achieve this we will continuously motivate our people�. In 2015, Fidelity Bank was ranked amongst the list of best banks to work for in Nigeria. In a study conducted by Venture Africa, an online platform for news and analysis about African businesses, in conjunction with Jobberman.com, Nigeria’s employment website, the lender emerged one of the top 12 most preferred places to work in the country.

Firms Urged to Embrace Sound Accounting Principles Peter Uzoho The management of FAE Limited has advised distributors to embrace sound accounting practices and engage auditors in their business operations. The Managing Director, FAE Limited, Princess Tayo Okeowo, gave the advice during this year’s distributors’ forum organised by the company in Lagos. She urged distributors to take advantage of the Nigeria’s economic recovery and exit from recession and grow their businesses. She praised the distributors for their patronage over the years, insisting that they are very crucial to the success of the company. She said: “We are not afraid of competition. We have passion for the business and committed

to ensuring that our customers get the best. We need to work together to ensure that we achieve the best in 2018. We need to stand out. We also need to take advantage of the boom in the economy to drive growth�. She urged the distributors to strengthen their operations and to be efficient to boost their raise their earnings. Also speaking, the Executive Director, Ideation Hub Africa, Mrs. Debola Deji-Kurunmi, said the forum was a good time for the entrepreneurs to reflect on what worked and what did not work in the outgoing year. He urged them to build trust in their businesses, network and also establish sound business principles. He said there was need for them to patronage one

company, and build enviable transaction volume that could earn them huge discounts. “You need to demonstrate loyalty to the business. FAE is building you to enable your business succeed. You need to build excellent customer services and always ensure that you have something unique that stands your business out,� she advised. Adebola Deji-Kurunmi praised distributors whose businesses have succeeded beyond the fiveyear market, describing them as established entrepreneurs. “Only 20 per cent of entrepreneurs exceed five-year mark. We are happy you have made it this far, and confident you will even do better in the years ahead,� she said.

Heritage Bank Extends AgencyBanking Network Heritage Bank Plc has registered its presence in Ogijo in the Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State with the inauguration of Dunmop Ventures as agent banking partner under the financial inclusion policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The bank recently inaugurated the corner shop as its agent

banking partner to carry out agent banking transactions at Shagamu road in Ikorodu area of Lagos State. The agent bank is expected tohandle account opening, cash deposit, funds transfer; cash withdrawal and bills payment among others. Mrs. Oluwakemi Adewunmi, who is in charge of agent banking in South-west and

South-south for the bank, while speaking at the opening ceremony said the bank had signed on more than 500 agents since it commenced the programme about two years ago. She noted that the bank was using the agency banking system to bring banking services to the door steps of the rural communities in the country.

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 ATTUESDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2017

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $61.31 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $61.51 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 ÍąÍŽËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

MARKET NEWS

NSE Boss Restates Commitment to Financial Literacy among Youths Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is committed to developing a culture of wealth creation among young Nigerians toward building a financially savvy generation. The Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema stated this yesterday at the award ceremony of the 2017

NSE annual essay competition for secondary schools. According to him, as the sustainable exchange championing Africa’s growth, they are committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), one of which is quality education for all by 2030 – SDG number 4. “We are playing our part in building a financially savvy generation, by implementing

and supporting a number of programmes that contribute to raising the level of financial literacy in Nigeria. Notable among these programmes is the NSE Essay Competition which began in the year 2000. The competition is aimed at bridging the gap between classroom learning and practical knowledge required for long-term personal financial planning. It serves as an

essential platform to get the perspectives of our young ones on key challenges relating to financial literacy and inclusion in Nigeria,� he said. According to him, since inception, the NSE Essay Competition has inspired over 60,000 young people in more than 7,000 schools across Nigeria to showcase what they have learnt about the financial market.

He added that the cash reward and prizes continue to improve year on year, disclosing that this year, the top three winners will share a total cash prize of about N2 million in form of scholarship award and equity investments. Onyema said apart from the essay competition, other financial literacy initiatives include school excursions to the exchange, X-Tours, NSE

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF 27/11/2017

Adopt-A-School initiative, school outreach programmes, financial literacy workshops and of course platforms such as the Global Money Week. “We recently donated a school, Maisandari Alamderi Model Nursery and Primary School, to the Borno State Government as part of our commitment to the global drive of inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

˜ ͻ͸˜ ͺ͸͹͵ ˾ T H I S D AY

42

Nigeria Daily Stock Market Report: dŚŝƐ ĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ /ŶĚĞdž ƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƚĞƐ ϴϮďƉƐ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

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Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Ticker

ƋƵŝƟĞƐ džƚĞŶĚ 'ĂŝŶƐ͙ E^ ^/ ƵƉ ϱϱďƉƐ dŚĞ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ŽƵƌƐĞ ĞdžƚĞŶĚĞĚ ŐĂŝŶƐ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůů ^ŚĂƌĞ /ŶĚĞdž ƌŽƐĞ ϱϱďƉƐ ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ ϯϳ͕ϳϬϵ͘ϮϬ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ĞdžƉĂŶĚĞĚ ƚŽ ϰϬ͘ϯй͘ Ɛ Ă ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ Eϳϭ͘ϲďŶ ĂƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ƚŽ Eϭϯ͘ϭƚŶ͘ dŚĞ ŵĂũŽƌ ĚƌŝǀĞƌƐ ŽĨ ƚŽĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĞƌĞ E ^d> ;нϭ͘ϵйͿ͕ 'h Z Edz ;нϭ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ d/ ;нϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ƐŽŌĞŶĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĨĞůů ϱϵ͘ϵй ĂŶĚ ϭϰ͘ϵй ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ ϰϰϭ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂŶĚ Eϰ͘ϭďŶ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ ƵůůŝƐŚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ǁĂƐ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ĂƐ Ăůů ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ƚƌĞŶĚĞĚ ŶŽƌƚŚǁĂƌĚƐ͕ ƐĂǀĞ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁŚŝĐŚ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ Ϭ͘ϳй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ůŽƐƐĞƐ ŝŶ t W K ;ͲϮ͘ϬйͿ͘ t W K ƌĞĐĞŶƚůLJ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ŝƚƐ ZŝŐŚƚƐ /ƐƐƵĞ Ăƚ Ă ƐƵďƐĐƌŝƉƟŽŶ ƉƌŝĐĞ ŽĨ EϰϮ͘ϱϬͬƐŚĂƌĞ͕ ϭϯ͘ϯй ĚŝƐĐŽƵŶƚ ƚŽ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚ ƐŚĂƌĞ ƉƌŝĐĞ ;Eϰϵ͘ϬϬͬƐŚĂƌĞͿ͘ dŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ŝŶĚĞdž ĞŵĞƌŐĞĚ ƚŚĞ ƚŽƉ ŐĂŝŶĞƌ͕ ƵƉ ϭ͘ϰй ŽǁŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƵƉƟĐŬƐ ŝŶ D E^ Z ;нϰ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ h^dK z/E ;нϬ͘ϴйͿ͘ dŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ ŝŶĚĞdž ƚƌĂŝůĞĚ͕ ƌŝƐŝŶŐ ϭ͘ϭй ŽŶ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ŽĨ ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĞĚ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ 'h Z Edz ;нϭ͘ϮйͿ͕ d/ ;нϯ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ &/ >/dz ;нϵ͘ϵйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ E ^d> ;нϭ͘ϵйͿ ĂŶĚ hE/> s Z ;нϰ͘ϱйͿ ƉƵƐŚĞĚ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵĞƌ 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ϭ͘Ϭй ŚŝŐŚĞƌ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ;Ϭ͘ϯйͿ ǁĂƐ ďƵŽLJĞĚ ďLJ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ &KZd ;нϰ͘ϵйͿ͘ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϯ͘ϵdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϯ͘ϰdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ƚŚĞ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ ϯϭ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞĚ ĂŐĂŝŶƐƚ ϴ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞƌƐ͘ dŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ &/ >/dz ;нϵ͘ϵйͿ͕ , DW/KE ;нϴ͘ϳйͿ ĂŶĚ & D ;нϳ͘ϱйͿ ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌƐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ ǁĞƌĞ >/s ^dK < ;Ͳ ϰ͘ϱйͿ͕ DKZ/^KE ;Ͳϯ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ EW&D Z& < ;ͲϮ͘ϯйͿ͘ &ŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĚĂLJ͛Ɛ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ǁĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƐƵďƐĞƋƵĞŶƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ůĂƌŐĞůLJ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ ^ŵĂůů ĂŶĚ DŝĚͲ ĐĂƉ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ͘ ŽŵƉĂŶLJ ŝŶ &ŽĐƵƐ͗ ĂĚďƵƌLJ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ WůĐ ; ͞ ĂĚďƵƌLJ͟ Žƌ ͞ƚŚĞ ŽŵƉĂŶLJ͟Ϳ ĂĚďƵƌLJ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ ŝƐ Ă ƐƵďƐŝĚŝĂƌLJ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂĚďƵƌLJ ^ĐŚǁĞƉƉĞƐ 'ƌŽƵƉ ʹ Ă ŐůŽďĂů ĐŽŶĨĞĐƟŽŶĂƌLJ ĂŶĚ ďĞǀĞƌĂŐĞ ŵĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌĞƌ ǁŝƚŚ ŽǀĞƌ ϰϬ͕ϬϬϬ ĞŵƉůŽLJĞĞƐ ĂŶĚ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ ŝŶ ϮϬϬ ĐŽƵŶƚƌŝĞƐ͘ ĂĚďƵƌLJ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ ǁĂƐ ĨŽƵŶĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ϭϵϱϬƐ ĂŶĚ ďĞĐĂŵĞ ƉƵďůŝĐĂůůLJ ůŝƐƚĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ EŝŐĞƌŝĂŶ ^ƚŽĐŬ džĐŚĂŶŐĞ ŝŶ ϭϵϳϲ͘ dŚĞ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ŶŽǁ ŚĂƐ Ă ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ EϮϮ͘ϳďŶ ĂŶĚ ĞŵƉůŽLJƐ ĂďŽƵƚ ϭϬϬϬ ƉĞŽƉůĞ͘ /Ŷ ĂĚďƵƌLJ͛Ɛ Yϯ͗ϮϬϭϳ ƐƚĂŶĚĂůŽŶĞ ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ŵĞƚƌŝĐƐ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ďŽĂƌĚ ĨƌŽŵ Ă ƉŽŽƌ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ YϮ͗ϮϬϭϳ Ͳ ǁŚŝĐŚ ǁĂƐ ĚƌĂŐŐĞĚ ďLJ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞůLJ ŚŝŐŚ ŽƐƚ ŽĨ ^ĂůĞ ƌĂƟŽ Ăƚ ϴϮ͘ϲй͘ ůƚŚŽƵŐŚ ZĞǀĞŶƵĞ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ϭ͘ϭй YͲŽͲY ŝŶ Yϯ͗ϮϬϭϳ͕ ƚŚĞ ŽŵƉĂŶLJ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ WƌŽĮƚ ĂŌĞƌ dĂdž ;W dͿ ŽĨ EϳϬϭ͘ϵŵ ƌĞůĂƟǀĞ ƚŽ ƉŽƐƚͲƚĂdž ůŽƐƐ ŽĨ Eϴϱϵ͘ϯŵ ŝŶ YϮ͗ϮϬϭϳ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ŵĂƌŐŝŶ ĞdžƉĂŶƐŝŽŶ͘ ŽƐƚ ŽĨ ^ĂůĞƐ ƌĂƟŽ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϳϬ͘Ϭй ;ĨƌŽŵ ϴϮ͘ϲй ŝŶ YϮͿ ĂƐ ŽƐƚ ŽĨ ^ĂůĞƐ ĨĞůů ϭϲ͘ϯй YͲŽͲY͕ ǁŚŝůĞ KƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ džƉĞŶƐĞ ĂůƐŽ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ϭϱ͘ϱй YͲ ŽͲY͘ dŚƵƐ͕ KƉĞƌĂƟŶŐ DĂƌŐŝŶ ĞdžƉĂŶĚĞĚ ƚŽ ϴ͘ϲй ;ĨƌŽŵ Ͳϴ͘ϯй ŝŶ YϮ͗ϮϬϭϳͿ͘ zĞĂƌ ŽǀĞƌ zĞĂƌ͕ ƚŚĞ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ ĂůƐŽ ƐŚŽǁĞĚ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ 'ƌŽƐƐ ZĞǀĞŶƵĞ ŝŶĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ϭϰ͘ϯй ƚŽ EϮϰ͘ϰďŶ ǁŚŝůĞ 'ƌŽƐƐ WƌŽĮƚ ƌŽƐĞ Ϯϱ͘ϱй ƚŽ Eϱ͘ϲďŶ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ KW y ŵĂƌŐŝŶ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ĂƐ ĞdžƉĞŶƐĞƐ ŵĂƌŐŝŶĂůůLJ ŝŶĐŚĞĚ ŚŝŐŚĞƌ ďLJ ϭ͘Ϯй zͲŽͲz͘ ĐĐŽƌĚŝŶŐůLJ͕ ĂŌĞƌ ƚĂdž ůŽƐƐ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ EϴϰϮ͘Ϯŵ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϲ ƚŽ Eϲϰ͘ϱŵ ŝŶ ϵD͗ϮϬϭϳ͘ /Ŷ ƚŚĞ ĂŌĞƌŵĂƚŚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ ƌĞůĞĂƐĞĚ ŽŶ KĐƚŽďĞƌ ϮϳƚŚ͕ ĂĚďƵƌLJ EŝŐĞƌŝĂ ƐƚŽĐŬ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƚĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ϭϬ͘ϱϱͬƐŚĂƌĞ ƚŽ ϭϭ͘ϬϬͬƐŚĂƌĞ͘ zĞƚ͕ ǁĞ ĂƌĞ ĐŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟǀĞ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ŽŵƉĂŶLJ͛Ɛ ĨŽƌǁĂƌĚ ĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƐ ĂŶĚ ǀĂůƵĂƟŽŶ͘ dŚŝƐ ŝƐ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ƵŶĚĞƌůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ ŽƵƚĐŽŵĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĐĞŶƚ ƐĞŵŝͲĂŶŶƵĂů ƌĞǀŝĞǁ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ DŽƌŐĂŶ ^ƚĂŶůĞLJ ĂƉŝƚĂů /ŶƚĞƌŶĂƟŽŶĂů ;D^ /Ϳ ŝŶĚĞdž͕ ŝŶ ǁŚŝĐŚ ƚŚĞ ŽŵƉĂŶLJ ǁĂƐ ĚĞůĞƚĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ D^ / &ƌŽŶƟĞƌ ^ŵĂůů ĂƉ /ŶĚĞdž ;ĞīĞĐƟǀĞ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϯϬ͕ ϮϬϭϳͿ ǁŚŝĐŚ ƚƌĂĐŬƐ ƐŵĂůůͲĐĂƉ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ŝŶ ĚĞƐŝŐŶĂƚĞĚ ĨƌŽŶƟĞƌ ŵĂƌŬĞƚƐ͘ tĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ŝŵƉĂĐƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĚĞůĞƟŽŶ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƟŶƵĞ ƚŽ ǁĞŝŐŚ ŽŶ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ŽŶ ƐƚŽĐŬ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŶĞĂƌ ƚĞƌŵ͘

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Current Price

Previous Current Price Weighting Change

Afrinvest Securities Limited

(A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 1,499.70

0.82%

50.0%

50.0%

20.1%

6.3%

6.7x

0.8x

4.1%

11.8%

1

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

42.55

1.2%

23.0%

72.3%

72.3%

26.0%

4.3%

8.9x

2.2x

4.8%

11.3%

2

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

137.70

0.1%

9.7%

-7.0%

-7.0%

18.9%

8.6%

33.9x

6.2x

2.6%

2.9%

3

Zenith Bank PLC

24.79

0.1%

13.0%

68.1%

68.1%

21.7%

3.2%

4.9x

1.0x

8.1%

20.4%

4

Dangote Cement PLC

6.0%

241.00

0.0%

6.7%

38.5%

38.5%

30.4%

15.7%

16.6x

4.8x

3.5%

1.9%

7.0%

62.3%

62.3%

78.4%

19.0%

34.3x

22.7x

1.9%

2.9%

4.4%

70.4%

70.4%

15.1%

2.0%

4.0x

0.6x

6.5%

24.9% 23.0%

5

Nestle Nigeria PLC

1,315.00

6

Access Bank PLC

10.00

1.0%

7

United Bank for Africa PLC

9.90

0.0%

5.5%

120.0%

120.0%

17.2%

2.2%

4.3x

0.7x

7.6%

8

FBN Holdings Plc

7.00

0.4%

4.5%

109.0%

109.0%

2.6%

0.3%

11.4x

0.4x

2.9%

8.8%

9

Ecobank Transnational Inc

16.98

3.2%

2.9%

65.2%

65.2%

-14.6%

-1.3%

0.6x

3.6%

-20.4%

10

Lafarge Africa PLC

7.4x

2.0%

49.00

-2.0%

1.8%

26.4%

26.4%

47.1%

9.8%

495.00

0.0%

1.8%

30.3%

30.3%

-12.4%

-6.7%

4.4x

0.6x

22.8%

11

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

12

Unilever Nigeria PLC

41.89

4.5%

1.6%

31.6%

31.6%

50.3%

8.4%

25.8x

9.8x

0.2%

3.9%

13

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

41.80

-0.1%

3.0%

178.7%

178.7%

28.7%

3.4%

9.6x

2.5x

1.4%

10.4%

14

Guinness Nigeria PLC

98.58

0.0%

1.3%

25.4%

25.4%

4.5%

1.4%

69.4x

3.5x

0.6%

1.4%

5.99

0.0%

-21.1%

1.3%

27.4%

27.4%

40.7%

4.2%

2.7x

0.6x

43.20

5.0%

0.5%

-48.8%

-48.8%

44.3%

3.7%

10.9x

4.8x

32.6%

12.0%

8.5x

2.4x

15

Oando PLC

16

Forte Oil PLC

17

11 PLC

159.65

-1.8%

0.4%

-42.8%

-42.8%

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

67.22

0.0%

1.1%

67.3%

67.3%

37.4%

25.9%

9.0x

2.9x

2.2%

11.1%

20

UAC of Nigeria PLC

17.50

3.6%

0.6%

6.1%

6.1%

6.3%

2.2%

11.2x

0.7x

5.6%

8.9%

21

Conoil PLC

28.00

0.0%

0.4%

-25.3%

-25.3%

12.8%

3.5%

8.1x

1.1x

11.1%

12.3%

22

Fidelity Bank PLC

1.99

9.9%

1.0%

136.9%

136.9%

8.0%

1.1%

1.7x

0.3x

7.0%

57.6%

23

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

17.64

0.5%

1.2%

188.7%

188.7%

23.8%

10.3%

6.9x

3.0x

2.8%

14.5%

24

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

34.00

0.0%

0.8%

83.9%

83.9%

10.4%

2.6%

8.6x

0.9x

2.9%

11.7%

25

Custodian and Allied Insurance

3.93

0.8%

0.4%

1.0%

1.0%

18.9%

7.6%

4.1x

0.7x

7.1%

26

7 UP Bottling Co PLC

92.50

0.0%

0.3%

-28.3%

-28.3%

-56.7%

-13.9%

27

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

28.00

37.0%

0.0%

0.3%

-27.4%

-27.4%

-12.2%

-1.2%

7.5%

0.4%

3.6%

3.6%

3.8%

0.6%

3.3x

0.1x

9.2% 5.0%

4.5x

11.8%

24.3% -18.2%

1.5x

-8.1%

28

FCMB Group Plc

1.14

29

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

1.39

3.0%

0.6%

59.8%

59.8%

19.6%

4.1%

5.6x

1.0x

30

Diamond Bank PLC

1.23

2.5%

0.5%

39.8%

39.8%

2.5%

0.3%

5.0x

0.1x

31

Presco PLC

66.00

0.0%

0.5%

64.6%

64.6%

42.9%

25.9%

3.3x

1.1x

2.3%

30.7%

32

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

22.25

-2.1%

0.4%

53.4%

53.4%

11.5%

5.8%

19.0x

2.1x

2.2%

5.3%

33

International Brew eries PLC

57.84

0.0%

0.9%

212.6%

212.6%

24.6%

7.4%

60.6x

13.8x

34

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

12.33

4.9%

0.3%

19.8%

19.8%

4.5%

1.6%

35.2x

2.1x

2.8%

35

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.20

0.0%

0.3%

29.9%

30.0%

5.6%

1.2%

7.9x

0.4x

12.6%

36

Chemical and Allied Products P

34.00

0.0%

0.2%

6.3%

6.3%

84.3%

38.5%

14.8x

10.4x

37

Sterling Bank PLC

1.00

2.0%

0.2%

31.6%

31.6%

6.1%

0.6%

5.3x

0.3x

38

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

22.80

0.0%

0.3%

44.8%

44.8%

61.2%

23.6%

4.7x

1.7x

1.3%

4.9%

0.1%

28.7%

28.7%

11.9%

3.9%

10.8x

1.3x

2.3%

0.0%

0.1%

39.4%

39.4%

9.6%

4.4%

8.1x

0.7x

39

AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

2.15

40

Continental Reinsurance PLC

1.38

T o p 10 G a ine r s T ic k er

8.8%

30.2% 18.0% 20.2%

1.7%

6.5%

6.7% 19.0% 21.2% 9.3% 12.4%

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

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

F ID ELIT YB K

1.99

9.9%

WA P IC

77.0

0.0%

C H A M P ION

2.24

8.7%

F ID ELIT YB K

60.4

9.9%

1.14

7.5%

T A N T A LIZ ER

44.0

0.0%

FCM B P OR T P A IN T

T ic k er

2.10

5.0%

FB NH

43.3

0.4%

FO

43.20

5.0%

FCM B

31.7

7.5%

C A D B UR Y

12.33

4.9%

Z EN IT H B A N K

26.8

0.1%

M A N SA R D

2.15

4.9%

LIN KA SSUR E

20.8

3.2%

VIT A F OA M

2.82

4.8%

T R A N SC OR P

19.0

3.0%

C A VER T ON

1.37

4.6%

D IA M ON D B N K

18.8

2.5%

41.89

4.5%

A C C ESS

17.7

1.0%

UN ILEVER

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 P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

LIVEST OC K

0.84

-4.5%

NB

939.4

0.1%

M OR ISON

0.55

-3.5%

Z EN IT H B A N K

669.5

0.1%

NP FM CRFB K

1.28

-2.3%

FB NH

302.3

0.4%

T ic k er

PZ

22.25

-2.1%

N EST LE

250.0

1.9%

WA P C O

49.00

-2.0%

GUIN N ESS

220.7

0.0%

159.65

-1.8%

GUA R A N T Y

195.2

1.2%

N A SC ON

15.35

-1.6%

A C C ESS

176.7

1.0%

ST A N B IC

41.80

-0.1%

F LOUR M ILL

153.7

0.0%

UB A

150.9

0.0%

D A N GC EM

139.4

0.0%

M OB IL

(RC 603 315)

Price Change YTD

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Omotola Abimbola | oabimbola@afrinvest.com

43

˾ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

MARKET NEWS

DMO Takes Federal Savings Bond Campaign to Grassroots Goddy Egene The Debt Management Office (DMO) has taken the drive to have Nigerians invest in the Federal Government Savings Bond (FSB) to the grassroots in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A statement from the agency quoted the Director, Portfolio Management Department, DMO, Mr. Oladele Afolabi, as telling traders at the Gudu District Market on Tuesday that the federal government was committed to promoting a good savings culture amongst Nigerians. That commitment, he said, led to the grassroots campaign to encourage people to invest in the FSB. “We are here so that you (traders) can see us and know that what the federal government is offering is real. Government wants you to save and earn good interest on what you save. Saving with your government is the best way to save,” Afolabi A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

told the audience. In a presentation, Mrs. Bose Olafisoye of DMO told the traders that the FSB belongs to the people, therefore, the decision of the DMO to engage with ordinary Nigerians on the streets, in the markets as well as Churches and Mosques. Speaking at the event also, chairman of the Gudu Amalgamated Traders Association, Chief Bond Nnamani, urged his members to seize the opportunity offered by the DMO to have additional savings especially one guaranteed by the full faith of the federal government. The Gudu market outing is the first of many other awareness initiatives that the DMO will be undertaking to have Nigerians invest in the savings bond. The federal government issues the savings bond every month in tenors of two and three years with a minimum subscription of N5, 000. Interest on the savings bond is tax free.

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 28-Nov-2017, unless otherwise stated.

Speaking on how to increase investors’ patronage, analysts at FSDH Research had said the DMO and the stockbrokers can organise investors’ road shows in various cities and schools across the country. “This will be an avenue to directly engage retail investors on the need for them to hold the bonds in their investment portfolio. The DMO can work with some identified large corporate organisations that have large number of employees to encourage their employees to invest in the Bonds on a monthly basis. The DMO can also work with government agencies to encourage civil servants to invest in the bond,” the analysts stated. According to them, these strategies should be able to attract a minimum of one million subscribers on a monthly basis. “If this is achieved and the monthly subscription amount increases, the overall weighted average interest rate on the FGN debt will drop,” they said

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors. Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return. NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 178.73 179.98 40.95% Nigeria International Debt Fund 234.73 236.10 11.11% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.82 0.82 16.49% ACAP Income Funds 0.63 0.63 79.70% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.07% 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 18.17 18.72 47.15% ARM Discovery Fund 379.34 390.77 32.09% ARM Ethical Fund 26.74 27.55 19.70% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.73% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 148.78 149.83 41.45% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 18.31% 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 18.68% Paramount Equity Fund 12.07 12.38 28.96% Women's Investment Fund 98.08 100.60 15.94% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.24% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronation.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.01% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.08 1.10 8.97% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.04 2.95% FBN QUEST 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 1,124.17 1,125.34 10.87% FBN Heritage Fund 148.65 149.94 33.35% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 18.40% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $111.60 $112.51 8.46% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $111.09 $112.00 8.71% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 159.92 162.27 42.05% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.38 1.40 47.77% Legacy Short Maturity (NGN) Fund 2.95 2.95 14.89% 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 2,920.72 2,961.11 32.83% Coral Income Fund 2,430.38 2,430.38 16.61% 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 17.60% 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 17.55% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.08 2.11 24.03%

Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 18.56% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 113.65 113.65 17.13% 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 1.17 1.20 18.64% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,043.21 1,043.21 10.70% 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 13.22 13.34 36.86% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 18.73% 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 1.22 1.25 22.89% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 10.94 11.00 5.23% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 16.69% 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 131.49 133.53 29.62% 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 1.42 1.42 14.04% 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 2,218.53 2,231.80 21.18% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 175.07 175.07 13.71% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.99 1.00 29.22% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 217.16 217.16 16.20% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 174.60 176.87 34.49% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 17.77% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 9,543.91 9,655.99 25.86% 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 1.32 1.33 17.85% United Capital Bond Fund 1.52 1.52 24.25% United Capital Equity Fund 0.91 0.93 35.19% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 17.40% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.70 12.88 30.58% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.39 13.54 22.21% Zenith Income Fund 18.88 18.88 14.15%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

11.41 131.82

1.01% 6.33%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

11.32 137.88 107.39

11.42 140.86 109.42

31.03% 39.37% 41.72%

Fund Name FSDH UPDC Real Estate Investment Fund SFS Skye Shelter Fund

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

4.62 9.08 17.19 20.89 143.76

4.66 9.16 17.29 21.09 145.76

66.79% 29.00% 45.20% 30.78% 13.28%

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 30, 2017

T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30 2017

45

46

T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2017

47

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

North Korea Says New Missile Puts All of US in Striking Range North Korea says it has successfully tested a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can reach the whole of continental United States, BBC reports. State television said Pyongyang had achieved its mission of becoming a nuclear state. The Hwasong-15 missile, described as its “most powerful”, was launched in darkness early on Wednesday. It landed in Japanese waters but flew higher than any other missile the North had previously tested. The test, which defied international sanctions imposed over the North’s weapons programme, drew swift international condemnation,

with the UN Security Council due to convene an emergency session. South Korea responded by carrying out live-fire drills, launching one of its own ballistic missiles. News of the launch was announced on state television in a special broadcast at midday, as well as in a report released by state news agency KCNA. Pyongyang says the missile reached an altitude of 4,475km (2,780 miles) and flew 950km in 53 minutes, close to independent estimates made by South Korea’s military. The projectile, fired at a steep incline, did not fly over Japan as some have done in the past,

and landed about 250km short of its northern coast, according to Japanese officials. North Korea has previously said that its projectiles can hit the US but this marks the first time it says it can do it with this new type of missile, which appears to be an upgraded version of previous models. KCNA added that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, who personally signed off on the launch,“declared with pride that now we have finally realised the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power”.

British PM May Meets Iraqi PM Abadi in Baghdad British Prime Minister Theresa May met with her Iraqi counterpart Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad on Wednesday, Reuters quoted an Iraqi government spokesman as saying, her first visit to Iraq since coming to power last year. Britain is a main partner in the U.S.-led coalition helping Iraq

defeat Islamic State, the hardline Sunni group that overran about a third of Iraq in 2014. The British government said in September that there were around 600 British soldiers on the ground in Iraq. They are primarily involved in training Iraqi security forces in

battle-winning infantry, engineering and combat medical techniques, as well as providing courses on other skills including countering improvised explosive devices. Britain provided over 1,400 military personnel as part of its three-year involvement in the U.S.-led coalition.

CAVEAT EMPTOR ON THE UNCOMPLETED PROPERTY ON OYENUGA/ ITA MONDAY STREET, CELE BUS – STOP, BALOGUN, ERUNWEN IKORODU, LAGOS AND PROPERTY SITUATE AT NO.13 ABANISHE STREET, IKOTUN-EGBE, LAGOS. THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE PROPERTIES (UNCOMPLETED TWIN DUPLEX) ON OYENUGA STREET/ ITA MONDAY STREET, CELE BUS – STOP, BALOGUN, ERUNWEN, IKORODU, LAGOS AND BUNGALOW SITUATE AT NO.13 ABANISHE STREET, IKOTUNEGBE, LAGOS ARE THE SUBJECT MATTERS OF SUIT NO: ID/4432 GCMW/2017 TO WIT: CYBERNETICS CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS LIMITED & 2ORS VS. TOPFUN NIGERIA LIMITED & 3ORS PENDING AT THE LAGOS HIGH COURT, IKEJA, LAGOS, WHEREIN THE CLAIMANTS ARE ALSO SEEKING, INTER ALIA, AN ORDER OF INTERLOCUTORY INJUNCTION RESTRAINING THE 2ND AND 3RD DEFENDANTS WHETHER BY THEMSELVES, AGENTS, SERVANTS OR REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALIENATING ANY INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN THE PROPERTIES BY WAY OF SALE, MORTGAGE, PLEDGE, LEASE OR CHARGE PENDING THE HEARING AND DETERMINATION OF THE SUIT. THE SUIT WAS INSTITUTED ON BEHALF OF THE CLAIMANTS BY THEIR SOLICITORS, IKE REAGAN NZETEH ESQ , WHOSE OFFICE ADDRESS IS REAGAN NZETEH & CO, (3RD FLOOR) PHILIP PLAZA, NO.38 OJUELEGBA ROAD, SURULERE, LAGOS. IN VIEW OF THE ABOVE, THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY STERNLY AND STRINGENTLY WARNED AGAINST TAKING ANY STEPS IN RELATION TO THE SAID PROPERTIES WHICH WILL UNDERMINE THE JUDICIAL POWERS AND AUTHORITY OF THE HONOURABLE COURT TO DETERMINE THE SUIT INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO MAKING OFFERS AND/OR ENGAGING IN NEGOTIATIONS OF ANY SORT FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTIES TO AVERT ADVERSE AND UNPLEASANT LEGAL CONSEQUENCES. FOR FURTHER EQUIRIES ON THE ABOVE, CONTACT IKE REAGAN NZETEH ESQ AND OGO ISICHEI ON THESE PHONE NOS: 08132112392, 07080364602 AND 08096395481.

48

T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2017

T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30 2017

49

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017˾ T H I S D AY

50

NEWSXTRA

2018 Budget: Saraki Queries Rising Recurrent Expenditure Senate may pass MTEF today Bill mandates IOCs to remit 3% of budget for N’Delta development Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has expressed worry over the rising recurrent expenditure as being observed in the 2018 N8.612trillion Appropriation Bill. Saraki said the increase is probably caused by corruption through the recurrent expenditure, after the government blocked leakages in capital expenditure. The sum of N2.65 trillion was appropriated as recurrent expenditure in the 2016 N6.06 trillion budget. In the 2017 N7.3 trillion budget, N2.9 trillion was appropriated for recurrent, but as at November 2017, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, said recurrent expenditure had hit N4.2 trillion. The 2018 N8.621 trillion budget estimates proposes N3.5 trillion for recurrent expenditure. Saraki in his remarks at the continuation of debate into the details of the budget proposal, yesterday said the increase is a matter for concern. “It appears that our recurrent expenditure, personnel, have started creeping up again. It was well managed but I have noticed an increase and all the different committees need to look into that. My concern is that government has been able to effectively block leakages in capital expenditure, then maybe people have now moved to recurrent and personnel

expenditure for all sorts of unscrupulous activities,” he said. Saraki also questioned how realistic the oil output projection is, at 2.3m barrels per day, where the country had 1.9mbpd in 2017. He explained that in the last two months, the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) had not been able to put any money in the Excess Crude Account, even though oil prices have been as high as $60 per barrel. “The only reason must be that oil production is much less than what we are budgeting for. I think this is an area we need to look at seriously, it must be that the level of theft and vandalism that are still going on is very high and it is not being properly reported, I think we are the National Assembly have a role to play,” Saraki said. Speaking further, he queried the projections for independent revenue and expressed hope that the lawmakers would address it, else it would cause a huge deficit for the budget implementation. He added that smuggling remains a threat to a proper implementation of the budget, and must be tackled. “A lot of complains were raised on budget implementation. Our position is that before the year ends, we will have 50 per cent of 2017 budget implemented. We need to hold

government to this commitment,” he said. During the debate earlier, Senator Lanre Tejuosho lamented that the health sector is the biggest casualty of the 2018 budget and warned that Nigeria would continue to bear the brunt of health tourism if adequate funding is not provided to revamp the sector. Tejuosho also canvassed health insurance for Nigerians at the cost of N200 per month, which he noted would amount to N34 billion on a monthly basis. Senator Olusola Adeyeye, who is the Chief Whip of the Senate, said there is a lack of enthusiasm in the budget debate. He called for a reduction in the allowances of all politicians across board to reduce the cost of governance. ‘I don’t want a budget deficit, no gain without pain, we must face the truth collectively,” Adeyeye said. Other senators contributed to

the debate which continues today, with more voices canvassing an increase in oil benchmark from $45 to $50. Meanwhile, there are indications that the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework would be passed after its consideration on today. Although the document was not listed for consideration on the Senate order paper, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, called it up as the last item for the day. Senator Dino Melaye however argued against the consideration of such a ‘critical document’ when most of the lawmakers had left the chamber. “There are only four PDP senators here, and we do not have a quorum,” he said. Lawan’s plea for consideration as “we are racing against time” was not heeded to by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who jokingly said MTEF was ‘smuggled, in. The lawmakers agreed to step

down the consideration for today. Also, the Senate yesterday passed an amendment to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Establishment Act of 2000, which mandates International Oil Companies and Gas firms to Remit three percent of their total budget, for the development of the Niger Delta region. The amendment, sponsored by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, (Delta PDP), is intended to augment and strengthen the Principal Act so as to clarify certain provisions of the Act. It also obliterates some loopholes and provides a push to the commission towards excellent service delivery, for positive impact on the region and the nation. In another development, the Senate also mandated the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to investigate the implementation of Production Sharing Contracts

(PSC) agreements of 1993, between the International Oil Companies and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The committee would also determine the extent of revenue losses and proffer lasting solution to the problems of implementing the agreement. The Senate also urged agencies charged with statutory responsibility of reviewing the contract to do so to reflect the current economic condition in line with the 1999 Constitution. The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Donald Alasoadura and three others who said Nigeria has lost close to $60 billion to the non enforcement of the terms of the contract. Alasoadura said the agreement provides that royalties paid by IOCs on oil blocks located in deep water should be reviewed upward when crude oil price exceeds $20 per barrel.

Apo Six: Senate Probes Reinstatement of Police Officer Charged with Murder Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË The Senate yesterday directed its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate reports of the re-instatement into the police force of a Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Danjuma Ibrahim, who was charged with the murder of six Apo traders. This followed a point of order by Senator Sonni Ogbuoji who noted that the reinstatement is despite appeal against Danjuma’s acquittal at the Court of Appeal, by the families of the victims. The Apo traders, also known as Apo six, were five male auto spare part dealers and a woman, who were murdered in June 2005, allegedly by Danjuma and four other officers, who claimed the victims were robbers. A panel of enquiry set up by then President Olusegun Obasanjo however indicted the police officers and recommended that they be tried for murder. Following 12 years of trial, an FCT High Court sentenced two of the officers to death, but discharged Danjuma and two others. Despite pending

appeal on the matter as filed by the families of the victims, Danjuma has been reinstated into the police force. Senator Sonni Ogbuoji (Ebonyi PDP), speaking at plenary, queried how the court could have cleared Danjuma who was the head of the unit that murdered the traders. “Also, one of them, Othman Abdulsalami, is at large till date. But the court on October 12, sentenced two of the police men to death for murder. One is worried that the commander of that particular patrol unit that killed what is now known as Apo six has been reinstated by the police whereas the police have found others who were under his command culpable,” he said. Ogbuoji argued that the development would create a lot of tension for the families whose children were murdered in cold blood. “How come one of the police officers is at large and the police are unable to trace his whereabouts till today, almost 12 years after, and then the one who was found guilty, the police are now saying thank you to him for killing those young people by reinstating and re-absorbing him in the police force,” the lawmaker asked.

WORKING IN HARMONY FOR STATE

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; shaking hands with the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, after presenting the 2018 budget proposal to the assembly in Benin City....yesterday

ASUP Suspends Strike Segun Awofadeji ÓØ ËßÍÒÓ

Polytechnic, Bauchi. According to him, the union The Academic Staff Union of had engaged the government Polytechnics (ASUP) has in series of meetings with the suspended the nationwide strike Minister of Education, Federal embarked upon by its members Ministry of Education and over the failure of government officials of Ministry of Labour. to meet their demands. Other stakeholders involved The National President in the negotiations, he said, were of the union, Usman Yusuf the National Salaries and Wages Dutse, who disclosed this at Commission, Budget Office of a press conference held at the the Federation, Office of Head Abubakar Tatari Polytechnic of Civil Service and Office of (ATAP) in Bauchi yesterday the Secretary to the Government while giving an update on the of the Federation. engagement between the union “Following these meetings, and the federal government, a Memorandum of Settlements said the union decided to and action (MoS) was agreed suspend the strike after reaching on by the government and the an agreement and signing a union on each of the issues in Memorandum of Settlement dispute,” he said. and action (MoS). Members of ASUP embarked The union is currently holding on the nationwide strike on its 14th national delegates November 13, 2017. conference in Bauchi, co-hosted Dutse further stated that by the Federal Polytechnic, the MoS was signed by both Bauchi and the Tatari Ali government and the union to

resolve the issues at stake. “While we are not unaware of the government over the years to willfully renege on agreements of this nature with labour unions including ours, it is the considered view of our union that the contents of this MoS be given a chance of implementation particularly as there is a mechanism of monitoring and evaluation embedded in the MoS,” he added. ASUP leader listed the issues that led to their action to include the non-implementation of the report of the NEEDS Assessment survey of polytechnics; sustained shortfall in personnel releases and withdrawal of their allowances since December 2015 and non-payment of promotion arrears. Dutse disclosed that other issues include non-implementation of staff salaries in some state owned

polytechnics, infractions in the appointment process of rectors of polytechnics, non-release of CONTISS 15 migration arrears, non-passage of the amendment bill of the polytechnic Act and continued victimisation of officers of the union. He said ASUP had been engaged in series of meetings with the federal government represented by the Ministers of Education, Labour and Employment, National Salaries and Wages Commission; budget office of the federation, office of the Head of Service of the Federation and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He added that following these meetings, an MoS was agreed and signed to by the federal government and the union on each of the issues in dispute after key resolutions were reached.

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NEITI: FG, States, LGs Shared N4.55tn in Nine Months Bennett Oghifo A total of N4.545 trillion was disbursed as FAAC allocations between January and September

2017, according to the latest Quarterly Review of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI). Out of this amount, N1.757

Buhari Seeks Senate ConďŹ rmation of CCB Members Senate reconsiders Zamfara INEC REC nominee Damilola Oyedele Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a request to the Senate seeking the confirmation of 10 nominees as members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). The presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter was read at plenary yesterday by Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki. In the letter which the president said is in compliance with Section 541 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and in pursuant to sections 1(2) and 1(3) of the Code of Conduct Bureau, Act Law of Federation of Nigeria 2004, Buhari sought urgent confirmation of the nominees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The curriculum vitae of the nominees are attached herewith. It is my hope that this Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will in their usual expeditious manner consider and confirm the nominees. Please accept Mr. Senate President, my assurances of my highest consideration,â&#x20AC;? the letter read. The nominees are: Muhammed Isa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Chairman (Jigawa, North West), Murtala Kankia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; member, (Katsina North West), Emmanuel Attah â&#x20AC;&#x201C; member, (Cross River, South-south), Danjuma Sado, member, (Edo South--south), Obolo Opanachi, member, (Kogi North-central), Ken Madaki Alkali, member (Nasarawa, North-central), S.F. Ogundare, member, (Oyo, South-west), Ganiyu Hamzat, member, (Ogun South-west), Sahad Abubakar, member, (Gombe North-east) and Vincent Nwanne, member, (Ebonyi South-east). Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday also directed its Committee on Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider the nomination of Mr. Ahmad Bello Mahmud as Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) representing Zamfara State. Mahmudâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nomination was rejected by the Senate last week, following claims that he is from Kebbi State, and not Zamfara State. The Senate however agreed to reconsider the nomination after a submission by Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara APC) who noted that the nominee has held several appointive positions in the state, and is from the state. Marafa added that the screening committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report has confirmed that the nominee was born in Gusau, the state capital. The nominee had his primary and secondary education in the state, and was one time Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zamfara, and Chairman, Zamfara State Anti-Corruption Commission, Marafa added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Further aware that the assertion by the senator representing Zamfara North senatorial district (Senator Tijjani Kaura) that the nominee is from Kebbi State and not from Zamfara is therefore false,â&#x20AC;? he said. Marafa urged the Senate to rescind its earlier decision and approve the nomination. Presiding, Saraki, said to rescind the rejection at plenary would be an indictment of the committee on INEC. He therefore referred the matter back to the committee and directed the Chairman, Senator Sulaiman Nazif, to report back in one week.

Slavery: Charly Boy Group to Occupy Libyan Embassy Today Paul Obi Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Following the global outcry over the slavery of Nigerians and other West Africans in Libya, a group, Our Mumu Don Do, spearheaded by popular musician and entertainer, Charles Oputa, also known as Charly Boy, will today occupy the Libyan Embassy in Abuja. In a statement signed by Charles Oputa, OurMumuDonDo, Deji Adeyanju, Concerned Nigerians, Ariyo Dare Atoye, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy, Bako Abdul Usman, Campaign for Democracy and Moses Paul of MAD Connect, described the situation as horrifying. They said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are horrified by the reports and footage of hundreds of Africans, including

Nigerians, being sold into slavery by slave dealers in Libya as published by CNN and several other international media houses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These videos show men, women and children being sold for as little as $400. They also show the dehumanising conditions in which these victims are kept, beaten, starved and killed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is shocking to find that slave trade, a horrible part of African history which is best confined to our collective past and best studied to avoid a repeat, is being conducted so brazenly in these modern times. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As part of efforts to condemns these acts of inhumanity, we shall be holding peaceful sit outs in front of the Libyan Embassy in Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? they stated.

trillion was shared in the third quarter of 2017 as against the N1.377 trillion and N1.411 trillion disbursed in the second and first quarters of the year, said NIETI yesterday in a statement by its Director of Communications, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji. The publication, which contained information and data on FAAC disbursements for the third quarter of 2017 and on midyear budget implementation, also showed that between January and September 2017, the federal government received the highest allocation of N1.851.32 trillion, followed by state governments with N1.509 trillion and the 774 local governments with N913.8 billion. The statement said the sum of N271.78 billion went to DPR, customs and the FIRS as cost of revenue collections. The NEITI Quarterly Review further analysed FAAC disbursements to the states in the first three quarters of 2017. It observed that the allocations were 42 per cent lower than the states budgetary requirements. The report noted that â&#x20AC;&#x153;states will have to aggressively raise

their IGR in order to be able to actualise their budgets. The alternative is increased borrowing. About half of the states (15 states) have FAAC disbursements as a ratio of budgets lower than 20 per cent.â&#x20AC;? Further analysis showed that the revenues shared to the states and local governments were higher in the third quarter of 2017, which it said has been the pattern for some years now. Giving an instance, the report said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the federal government got N549.41billion in the second quarter of 2017, third quarter figures were N752.79billion, an increase of 37.02 per cent. The trend is the same for the states and local governments which received N586.58billion and N363.98 billion in the third quarter as against N467.13 and 280.42 billion in the second quarter respectively. The percentage increases between the two quarters for the two tiers of government are 25.57 per cent and 29.80 per cent respectively.â&#x20AC;? The review attributed the increases in FAAC disbursements to the three tiers of government in the third quarter to what it

GREAT WRITER OF TOMORROW

called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Positive developments in the oil sector â&#x20AC;&#x201C;evident from resurgent oil prices and increased production levels. The third quarter also represents the summer season when global oil demand and consequently oil prices are generally higher than other times of the year and this could possibly explain the higher revenue accruals to the Federation Account in these third quarters.â&#x20AC;? The NEITI Quarterly Review, which based its analysis on data obtained from FAAC, National Bureau of Statistics, Federal Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation, noted that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;upward trend in the FAAC disbursements to the three tiers of government are encouraging signs which if sustained will improve government expenditures, help to boost economic activities and move the country further away from recession.â&#x20AC;? Another major highlight of the report â&#x20AC;&#x153;is the high degree of volatility in FAAC disbursements between January and September 2017.â&#x20AC;? In its explanation, NIETI said:, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The federal and local

governments received highest revenues in July recording as much difference as 75 per cent and 58 per cent respectively between the months with the highest and lowest disbursements. State governments on the other hand got the highest allocations in September with a difference in revenues of about 53 per cent between the high and low revenue months.  â&#x20AC;&#x153;Disbursements to the federal, states and local governments have risen and fallen in alternate months throughout the year, making economic planning and execution of capital projects difficult,â&#x20AC;? the report stated, underlining the need for â&#x20AC;&#x153;diversified sources of government revenue to limit volatility and ensure more stable and predictable revenue streams.â&#x20AC;? Another highlight from the NEITI report is that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revenues in the first half of 2017 were about 49 per cent lower than budgeted figures. While government projected N5.368 trillion revenue flows in its 2017 Fiscal framework for the first six months of the year, actual inflows were N2.712 trillion.

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;R: President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, Winner of the 2017 NSE Essay Competition from Good Shepherd Comprehensive High School, Lagos, Miss Gbenjo Olasubomi Victoria; former Minister of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, and the Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, during the presentation of awards at the award ceremony of the 2017 NSE Essay Competition in Lagos...yesterday

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Troops Capture Boko Haram Commander, Rescue 212 Hostages Navy warn against increasing maritime security challenges Paul Obi Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Military troops fighting the Boko Haram insurgency in the North east yesterday captured a top commander of the sect and also rescued about 212 hostages. Director of Army Public Relations, Brig Gen. Sani Usman, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Troops of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade Nigerian Army, Sector 1, Operation  Lafiya

Dole, in furtherance of the ongoing clearance operations in conjunction with 22 Mobile Strike Team and some Civilian JTF, has on November 28, 2017, achieved a remarkable feat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;During the operation, they were able to clear Boko Haram terrorists from their hideouts located at Kala, Jawara, Mada, Mika, Gakulba and Kutilax (Sanga), northern fringes of

Scarcity Looms as IPMAN Threatens Showdown with NNPC Independent petroleum marketers in Lagos State have threatened to withdraw their services from December 11 over NNPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breach of bulk purchase agreement to sell fuel to them at N133.28k per litre. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Lagos State chapter, yesterday said it was set for a showdown with NNPC over irregular fuel supply at Ejigbo satellite depot. The association said its members had been running their fuel stations at a loss in the last eight months due to NNPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s default in the bulk purchase agreement it signed with IPMAN to sell fuel to its members at N133.28k per litre. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;?Now, a litre of petrol is being sold to IPMAN members by Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPMAN) at N141, apart from running costs, bank charges and other expenses, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This made it impossible for IPMAN members to sell a litre of fuel at the controlled price of N145, but N146 per litre. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the NNPC had refused to sell fuel to its members regularly, the corporation is diverting the

supplies to DAPMAN at a price of N117 per litre. â&#x20AC;&#x153;DAPMAN in turn is selling to IPMAN members at N141 per litre,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the association said in statement signed by its state Chairman, Alhaji Alanamu Balogun, Vice Chairman, Mr Gbenga Ilupeju and the Secretary, Mr Kunle Oyenuga. IPMAN, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, the Lagos State Governor and the security agencies to address the issue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If not, IPMAN members will withdraw their services and shut down all their stations in Lagos State. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have endured enough and are set for a showdown with NNPC for irregular supply at Ejigbo satellite depot, Lagos,â&#x20AC;? it said. The association, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said its members were in business for profit, using bank loans and would rather stop sales of fuel than to run into bank debts or at a loss. It noted that over 900 fuel stations were attached to Ejigbo satellite depot alone.

Sambisa forest and fringes of Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.â&#x20AC;? Usman stated that â&#x20AC;&#x153;at Sanga, the terrorists on sighting the approaching troops from their observation post, they dashed into the adjoining Amchada forest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The relentless troops pursued them further and neutralised four Boko Haram terrorists after a serious exchange of gun fire, captured one of the terrorists commanders, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ameerâ&#x20AC;? of Chawa, Amman Judee, alive and rescued 212 persons held hostage by the terrorists. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The captured terrorists leader is undergoing further interrogation while the rescued persons are being documented and the underaged children were administered oral polio vaccines.â&#x20AC;? Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy yesterday warned that the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maritime territory is rife

with increasing and incredible security challenges capable of worsening the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic prospects. Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, stated this while decorating 18 Navy Commodores to the rank of Rear Admiral at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have no intention of inhibiting you from reveling in your success and relishing your new status. However, I owe you a duty that cannot be delayed, and that is to remind you that promotion comes with greater expectation and responsibilities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As you know quite well, the operational environment of the Service that you have now found yourselves among the ranking cadre is rife with incredible security challenges.â&#x20AC;? Ibas explained that â&#x20AC;&#x153;these include maritime terrorism, resource theft and sabotage of

their supporting infrastructure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Other notable threats are piracy and armed robbery, which target maritime trade, and therefore the economy of the nation. The use of unregulated movements at sea for seaborne trafficking in humans, narcotics and arms, and the incidents of smuggling are pervasive and remain issues of grave concern.â&#x20AC;? The CNS added that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the perpetrators of these ills have remained relentless in ingeniously devising ways to circumvent the security measures deployed. It needs no profound analysis to connect the inverse effect of their successes with serious injury to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wellbeing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a littoral state, Nigeria has a high dependence on the maritime environment for her economic survival. Shipping activities, exploitation and exploration of maritime resources as well as use of

port facilities, have over the years been responsible for major portion of the revenue that drives the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget,â&#x20AC;? Ibas maintained. One of the promoted officers and Director of Logistics, Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, Rear Admiral Kamarudeen Lawal, observed that the promotion has entrusted in them new responsibilities in order to put in more dedicated services. Lawal further assured the CNS of the commitment of the newly promoted Naval officers to continue to work hard for the nation. Also, Director of Administration, Nigerian Defence College (NDA), Kaduna, Rear Admiral Michael Ebe, explained that the new promotion is a welcome development, and a task for officers to so more in securing the country.

Ex-minister, Adeniji is Dead CELEBRATING GOLDEN AGE Former Minister of Foreign 19, 1999 to July 16, 2003. For L-R: Husband of celebrant, Seni Adetu; Celebrant, Mrs. Janet Temitope Adetu; Mrs. Folashade Okoya; and Chairman, Eleganza Group, Affairs, Ambassador Oluyemi Adeniji is dead. THISDAY gathered that the diplomat died yesterday in London. He was aged 83. Adeniyi was the Minister of Foreign Affairs under former President Olusegun Obasanjo from July 2003 to June 2006, and also served as Minister of Interior from 21 June 21, 2006 to May 2007. He was the United Nations Secretary-Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Special Representative for the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA). The mission was responsible for providing security in Bangui and for coordinating the legislative and presidential elections held in 1998 and 1999. The renowned diplomat was then appointed the United Nations Secretary Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Special Representative for Sierra Leone and Head of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) from November

five years, he was the Nigerian Ambassador to France. Adeniji was born July 22, 1934 in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. He had a degree in History and joined the Nigerian Foreign Service in July 1960. He served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerian embassies in Washington, D.C., Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Accra, Ghana. He retired from service in 1991 after serving as the DirectorGeneral of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Beginning in early March 2008, Adeniji headed negotiations in Kenya related to that countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political crisis, following the departure of the previous head negotiator, Kofi Annan. In addition, he served on the Commission of Eminent Persons on The Role of the IAEA to 2020 and Beyond, chaired by Ernesto Zedillo, whose report Reinforcing the Global Nuclear Order for Peace and Prosperity was launched in June 2008.

Chief Rasaq Akanni Okoya, during the 50th birthday anniversary in honour of Mrs. Adetu held in Lagos....recently

120 Youths Renounce Cultism in Ikorodu No fewer than 120 youths yesterday renounced membership of different cult groups and surrendered their weapons at Imota in Ikorodu area of Lagos State. The renunciation by the cultists followed recent violent clash between rival cult gangs which claimed three lives in the area. Addressing the repented cultists, Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Imohimi Edgar, said that their voluntary renuncement would be accompanied by vocational training to enable them acquire new skills. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I assumed duty as Commissioner of Police in Lagos, I discovered that cultism and drug abuse are the most challenging crimes.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The important thing is that the process whereby youths are now willingly renouncing cultism to take up vocational skills have started. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The vocational job is to be instituted by the council chairman, the lawmaker and other stakeholders in Imota. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want a 24-hours economic and nightlife in Lagos,â&#x20AC;? Edgar said. He added that the police would obtain data of all the repented cultists so as to monitor their activities for the safety of lives and property in the area. The CP, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), urged community leaders to partner with the police and other security agencies to sensitise other

cultists to renounce their membership and surrender their arms. The paramount ruler of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, urged youths in the community to renounce cultism and embrace peace, adding that without peace there cannot be development. The monarch said that he would use traditional ancestral means to make the repented cultists swear an oath not to return to cultism. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People can not be living in fear and contribute immensely to the development of the community,â&#x20AC;? said the royal father. Mr Nurudeen Solaja, the lawmaker representing Ikorodu 2 Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, said that the renouncement was a welcome

development. Solaja said he would join hands with other atakeholders to ensure that the repented cultists were re-integrated back into the community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will train those cultists who willingly renounced their membership to become better individuals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of these cultists are artisans who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have an idea of how or what cultism is all about; we want to make sure that peace returns to Imota community which is my constituency,â&#x20AC;? Solaja said. Prince Wasiu Agoro, Chairman, Imota Local Council Development Area (LCDA), said that the council would continue to sensitise the community on the need to maintain peace for development of the area.

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THURSDAYSPORTS

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

World Cup Draw: Eagles Have Nothing to Fear, Says Nwosu Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Super Eagles legend, Henry Nwosu, insisted yesterday that Nigeria has no reason to have sleepless nights about which of the world leading teams the three-time African champions will likely draw in Moscow tomorrow. All the 32 countries that qualified for the prestigious FIFA World Cup coming up next year will know their group rivals after the draw ceremony that holds at the Kremlin Palace. Nwosu, a former captain of the national team, in a chat with THISDAY last night, said the Eagles should not develop cold feet about the prospect of drawing Brazil, Germany, Spain or the hosts nation, Russia. He said there is no minnows amongst the teams going to the World Cup as all of them are at par. “There is no superpower in football. Teams that excel at the World Cup are those that are tactically prepared for the big test. The World Cup is not a tea party and our boys should not have problems playing against anybody. There is no minnow at the World Cup; you are there because you are good enough. We can draw Brazil, Germany, Spain, Belgium or Russia. I am not scared of any of them,” Nwosu, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles in 1980

as a schoolboy said. The Super Eagles are in Pot 4 and will likely draw two tough teams from the other pots as FIFA used the world ranking to seed the teams into the pots. Nigeria is in Pot 4 with Serbia, Australia, Japan, Morocco, Panama, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. The draw sequence will start with Pot 1 and end with Pot 4. There is also a possibility of Nigeria landing in Group 1 with Russia. Nwosu insisted that rather than worry about other teams, it the so-called big guns that are already fretting about Nigeria, which is not a new comer on the World Cup stage. Nwosu also tipped Nigeria to finally come of age at the world football summit by reaching the quarter finals for the first time and improving on their best ever performance of the round of 16 attained in 1994, 1998 and 2014 editions. “What are we afraid of? I am not under any pressure and am projecting a quarter final target for Nigeria, which in honesty, is a realistic benchmark,” Nwosu said. He added that the present Eagles bunch, coaches and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) administrators are hugely exposed in football politics and should know what to expect in Russia.

26th Quadrangular Games: Ikoyi Club Leads Medals Table True to its promise of winning this year’s edition of the Quadrangular Games, host Ikoyi Club 1938 has jumped into the lead on the medals table with a total of 24 points from events concluded so far in the competition. The Quadrangular Games, a yearly event is rotated among four clubs, Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, The Apapa Club and Lagos Country Club Ikeja. Each gold medal won at the event fetches five points, silver three points and bronze one point. In badminton, out of three events competed in the seven games, Ikoyi Club captured a gold and silver medals in the Ladies Singles, while Lagos Country Club picked a bronze in the Ladies Doubles, Ikoyi Club also won a gold and silver medal leaving the bronze for Lagos country Club. It was the same result in the Mixed Doubles event where the host grabbed the silver and silver with Lagos Country Club settling for the bronze. In the men’s table tennis Singles event, Kunle Onamusi of Lagos Country Club walked over his opponent from The Apapa Club while Akeem Mustafa of Ikoyi Club beat Leke Olubola of Lagos Lawn Tennis Club 6/4, 5/7, 11/9. In the same way, Tochukwu Adino of Ikoyi Club walked over Alh Samuel Shuaibu of The

Apapa Club, while Idemudia Ojiagbe of Lagos Country Club defeated Jude Osaji of Lagos Lawn Tennis Club 6/2,6/2. In the Veteran Singles (50+), Walter Eze of Ikoyi Club beats Feso Jide of Lagos Country Club 6/3,6/0, while Garry Rilwan of Lagos Lawn Tennis Club outgunned Edet Akpaso of Ikoyi Club 7/6,3/0. Victor Ogbeide of Lagos Country Club walked over his opponent from The Apapa Club same for Dapo Aboaba of Lagos Lawn Tennis Club who walked over Tony Anene of The Apapa Club. Two events were concluded late yesterday in the Billiards, Snooker and Pool out of four games. The concluded events were Billiards Open and Billiards Veteran. As at press time yesterday, Lagos Country Club had three points as against 24 points by Ikoyi Club, while The Apapa Club and Lagos Lawn Tennis Club had no point to show for their participation in the games so far. lkoyi Club was looking forward to extending its lead with the swimming events which began yesterday night. The 2017 edition of the quadrangular games is featuring ten sporting events, snooker, billiards and pool, table tennis, lawn tennis, badminton, squash, swimming, soccer, chess, scrabble and ayo. The competition will end on December 2.

Odunayo Adekuoroye of Ondo State (In blue colour) in action against Faiziuya Babadu of Nigeria Army in the 57kg female category of the Wike Wrestling Championship in Port Harcourt…yesterday

NBBF Calls for Calm as FIBA Deadline is Here The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has called for calm ahead of tonight’s deadline given by the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA) to the Nigeria Olympic Committee to find an amicable solution to the NBBF leadership impasse. At a media briefing held yesterday at the secretariat of Lagos SWAN, the Vice President of the NBBF, Babs Ogunade, gave an assurance that the decision of the apex body will only establish a solid framework for future elections in Nigeria. Ogunade said that the board had compromised several times just for the sake of basketball and its growth but the outgone board had been so adamant despite attempts by the NBBF President, Musa Kida to open up communication. “We had to sign an undertaken before the Federal Government could allow them use the Indoor Sports Hall in Lagos for the conclusion of the Zenith Women’s final 6 and the

concluding part of the Premier League for women. “When we went to Cotonou for the FIBA Africa 3x3 zonal qualifiers, another team was sent by the Kano group. When it was our turn to play, the Kano team received a call to also come on court despite not registering for the competition. The intention was to cause confusion and create an impression that there was a crisis, but out of maturity, we had to step down our teams in other not to embarrass the country. “When we went to Madagascar for the draws for the African Champions Cup, the Kano group also sent representatives to come and represent Nigeria, but FIBA in their wisdom related with us,” stressed Ogunade. Also speaking at the event, the international representative on the NBBF board, Col. Samuel Ahmedu (rtd) denied claims that FIBA did not recognise their election. “According to the letter sent

to the different groups and the NOC, FIBA categorically stated that they were investigating the allegations of government interference during the conduct of the June 13 elections held in Abuja under the supervision of NOC.” Ahmedu said the result of their findings will determine FIBA’s decision. He corroborated the VP’s claim that the Kano group just wanted to create an artificial crisis where there was none. “Despite our clear cut directives to teams not to participate in the final 6 and final 8 competitions subject to approval, we still compromised and allowed the teams that emerged from that championship to represent Nigeria at the international stage.” Ahmedu who is the Benue state basketball association chairman pointed fingers at the former board for several attempts to sabotage the country’s effort during the preparations for the cup of nations for men and women.

“When we were preparing for the women’s competition, the former board called some of the players not to report to camp because a special camping arrangement had been made for the players to be camped in Tunisia. For the men, most of the 2015 set who won the Afrobasket were influenced not to come play for their fatherland. Because of that, many of them gave different excuses while some demanded to be paid as much as 200,000 dollars before playing for Nigeria.” The players’ representative on the board, Ejike Ugboaja maintained that FIBA who are interested in promoting the game globally will look for alternatives rather than banning Nigeria who are the reigning champions in the African cup of nations for women and FIBA Africa 3x3 competition for men. “The players just want to play basketball. We are tired of the efforts by some people to destroy the fibre of basketball in Nigeria.”

Top Female Wrestlers Dominate Mats at Wike Wrestling Championship Top female wrestlers dumped doubts as to whether they can be dethroned at the ongoing maiden edition of the Governor Wike Wrestling National Wrestling Championship taking place in Port Harcourt. The ranking female wrestlers took to the mats as the championship winds down today with a colourful closing ceremony being planned by the Local Organising Committee (LOC). In one of the fights, Ifeoma Nwoye (Anambra) subdued Blessing Sunday (Delta club) in the 55kg Freestyle first round, just as Blessing Oborodudu (Bayelsa) in 68kg floored Igwe

Micheve (Enugu). Commonwealth gold medalist, Odunayo Adekuoroye (Ondo) had little fuss in beating Faziuya Babadu (Nigeria Army) in the 57kg freestyle, Mercy Genesis (Bayelsa) beat Mausi Vivian (Lagos) in the 50kg. As at press time, Adaku Favour (Rivers State), Adaku Ugochukwu (Nigeria Army), Winnie Gofit (Nigeria Army), Juliet Ogu (Bayelsa state), Chuks Christiana (Delta) and Blessing Onyebuchi (Edo) were expected to do battle in the 76kg weight female category. In the female 65kg weight category, Cecilia James (Ondo), Reuben Hannah (Nigeria Army), Ebi Biogos (Bayelsa), Bukky

Adeyanju (NSCDC) and Adeyanju Bukola (Lagos state) were paired to battle for honours. Expected to battle for glory in the 62kg weight category are Aminat Adeniyi (Ondo State), Esther Ayodele (Police), Faith Temene (Bayelsa) and Essien Akoh (Cross Rivers). Meanwhile, officials and wrestlers have continued to commend Governor Wike for sponsoring the wrestling championship and the quality of facilities available for the contest. Assistant Coach of Edo State, Edith Obanor, praised the facilities available for the championship, saying they were comparable to anywhere in the world.

She commended Edo wrestlers, who she says have done well so far, winning four gold and three silver medals, just as she hoped for more medals in coming contests. Head Coach of Nigeria Army Wrestling Team, Sergeant Duke Adindu said the championship has provided his wrestlers with the opportunity to test their strength against quality opponents and commended the organizers for a good competition. Also speaking, Commonwealth and African champion, Aminat Adeniyi of Ondo State said she was ready for any opponent, adding that the Wike Championship has been of great value to the wrestlers.

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THURSDAYSPORTS

Bring on Any Team, Onyekuru Roars Ahead of Draw Super Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and Anderlecht striker, Henry Onyekuru, has boasted that Nigeria is ready to face any team regardless of their pedigree ahead of Fridays FIFA World Cup draw in Russia. The on-loan Everton striker, who has been in fine form for Andelecht this season, spoke to AOIFootball.com exclusively from his base in Belgium, saying he believes the Super Eagles must play the best to be the best. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are the Super Eagles, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fear any team, but seriously, if we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t compete with the best teams in the world, then we would not have qualified for the World Cup in the first place. So, I am looking forward to playing against the very best teams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The World Cup is a very big event and I believe only the best teams and players will be present. Nigeria has a very good football pedigree and I believe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our time to take the world by storm,â&#x20AC;? Onyekuru said. The former AS Eupen striker also posited that the idea to pay the playersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bonuses before the World Cup is a laudable one, but Nigerians should not judge the team on that as the players only have the interest

of the nation at heart. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To be honest, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think money is the motivation for us

to represent the country and perform well. Anything else is out of our hands,â&#x20AC;? Onyekuru

concluded. The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn in pot four in

the World Cup draw and will know their group opponents on Friday December 1.

Barcelona players celebrating the 3-0Â Â (aggregate 8-0) defeat of Real Murcia to book Last 16 place in the Spanish Copa del Reyâ&#x20AC;Śyesterday

NCC TENNIS LEAGUE

Doctors Give Sylvester Emmanuel the â&#x20AC;&#x153;All Clearâ&#x20AC;?to Play Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ďŹ nals Lead player of defending champions Team Offikwu, Sylvester Emmanuel, has been given the â&#x20AC;&#x153;all clearâ&#x20AC;? by his doctors to play in the NCC Tennis League semifinal tie against Team Civil Defence in Abuja this weekend. Emmanuel, the leading tennis professional in Nigeria, went under the surgeonsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; knife for appendicitis two days to the start of the Lagos Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup after spending three months training and competing in Spain. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am fine now and the doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s have given me the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;go aheadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. I have been working on my fitness and will play an invitational tournament in Benin Republic this week to prepare for the tie. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We really want to defend our title but the semifinals against Abdulmumuni Babalola, Clifford Enosoregbe and Christie Agugbom will be tough.â&#x20AC;? Emmanuel said. Team Offikwu also have have a formidable team that include, former national champions Henry Atseye and Shehu Lawal as well as Sarah Adegoke, the 2017 CBN Seniors champion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The tie is full of very promising matchups Agugbom vs Adegoke, Emmanuel vs Enosoregbe, Babalola vs Shehu or in-form Chris Bulus with doubles and mixed doubles combinations.

because from what I see from the guys, everybody seems motivated by the opportunity

The men play two reverse singles on Sundayfollowed by the usually decisive mixed doubles,â&#x20AC;? Godwin Kienka, director of the International Tennis Academy, coordinators of the league said. He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would have gladly paid my way to Abuja to watch this tie if I was not involved. Kienka, who saw tennis at the highest level working for the ATP and the ITF said the tie would be two days of the best tennis that is possible in Nigeria and with so much at stake it is going to get really intensive with a lot of emotion over the two days.   The winners of the Abuja semifinal tie will meet Team Muller of Lagos who overran Team Ndoma-Egba in the first semifinals played at the Enugu Sports Club two weeks ago. The championship match with a top prize of N7 million for the winners will take place on Saturday Dec. 9 and Sunday Dec. 10 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Race Course while the battle for third and fourth places will precede the finals on Thursday Dec. 7 and Friday Dec.8. The crucial tie is expected to be very explosive as each team has three national champions in their squad.

Ezenwa to Be First Choice Goalkeeper at Enyimba FC Enyimba FC-bound Super Eaglesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; goalie, Ikechukwu Ezenwa is the Peoples Elephantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 1st choice for next season, AOIFootball.com can exclusively report. Ezenwa, who has had a fantastic 2017 that saw him stand between the sticks for

the senior national team in very important World Cup qualifying games, will however have serious contentions from current no.1 of Enyimba, Theophilus Afelokhai. The former youth international is seen as quality addition by the Peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Elephant, especially

in the goalkeeping department ahead of their continental onslaught next season in the CAF Confederations Cup and the 2017/2018 NPFL season. Barring any last minute changes, the former FC Ifeanyi Ubah and Sunshine Stars shot-stopper will be

announced as a player of the Paul AIgbogun-tutored club.  Ezenwa recently left FC Ifeanyi Ubah after the expiration of his contract and was also wanted by four-time champions, Kano Pillars and former NPFL winners, Rangers International.

Niger Tornadoes Yet to Collect N10m AITEO Cup Runner up Prize, Says Chairman Laleye Dipo in Minna Niger Tornadoes Football Club of Minna has revealed that it is yet to receive N10m from the sponsors of the 2017 FA Cup - AITEO Also, the club hinted yesterday that the Niger State government, owners of the team, are yet to redeem the pledge of N10m largess despite approval alreday given for the release of the money by the state governor. Niger Tornadoes FC finished as the runner up of the former Federation Cup renamed Aiteo

Cup when the oil and gas giants took over its sponsorship. The overall winner of the coveted trophy was expected to have gone home with N50m. Chairman of the Tornadoes Management Committee (TMC) Alhaji Adamu Aliyu, made the clarification when he received the chairman and members of the supporters club of the team in Minna. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let me clear the air, we have not received the AITEO Cup money, it is something that cannot be hidden when collected, but we have received approval of the Governor Abubakar Sani

Bello N10m pledge to the teamâ&#x20AC;?. According to Aliyu â&#x20AC;&#x153;AITEO Cup prize money is not for the team but all the stakeholders involved towards the feat that the team achieved by getting to the finals where it ended up as runner-up.â&#x20AC;? The TMC chairman told the supporters club members â&#x20AC;&#x153;to always ask questions on any issue instead of peddling falsehood.â&#x20AC;? He added that there was no reason why people should be passing information on what they did not know about the Aiteo Cup money.Â

Aliyu commended the supportersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; club loyalty, stressing that it was responsible for the beautiful performance of the team last season. Aliyu made a donation of N500,000 to the supporters on behalf of the team and a personal donation of N100,000 â&#x20AC;&#x153;because you (supporters ) weathered the storm together with the team and the management in the last two seasons.â&#x20AC;? Earlier. the Chairman of the supporters club, Rashid Tanko Yussuf, total pledged their loyalty to the club and management committee.

Boxing Jam with Music at GOtv Night 13 Music and boxing are set to mix seamlessly at GOtv Boxing Night 13, scheduled to hold on December 26, at Landmark Events Centre, Victoria Island in Lagos. The event, which promises to be the biggest edition ever, will see four of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest musical talents perform. Billed to perform are Small Doctor, Reekado Banks Falz The Bahd

Guy and Simi. Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, CEO of Flykite Promotions, Jenkins Alumona, the event organiser, explained that GOtv Boxing Night 13 seeks to fuse music and boxing because they are two most popular strains of entertainment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boxing and music provide entertainment. We decided

to provide a better rounded entertainment package for fans as an end of the year present. Whether it is music you want or boxing or both, you have an unbeatable package with the quartet of Small Doctor, Reekado Banks, Falz and Simi as well as top class boxing action, including two African Boxing Union (ABU) title fights,â&#x20AC;? said Alumona.

He disclosed that buses will be provided to convey fans, who buy tickets from the National Stadium to the event venue and bring them back. The event will feature seven fights across weight divisions, with the headline bout being the ABU lightweight title fight between Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oto Joseph and Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Abdulrahim Ahmed.

T H I S D AY THURSDAY NOVEMBER 30 2017

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MISSILE Abubakar Chika to Fed Govt “The current structure does not support development, especially at the grassroots. As such, we need to improve the lives of the people by building superstructures. We need to move away from this structure that has reduced governance to providing borehole, tricycle and motorcycle because these will not help sustainable development” – House of Representatives member, Hon Abubakar Chika, urging the legislature and executive to unite in charting a new course for the country.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

One of Those Weeks…

I

knew from Monday morning that I was not going to write this week; not only because I feel mentally exhausted but also because the issues dominating the headlines are not particularly of interest to me. Unfortunately, when I asked Dr Chidi Amuta whether he would help fill this space today by writing, he was non-committal; and when by last night I got no feedback from him, I concluded that this is just one of those weeks. But to put my dilemma in perspective, let us look at some of the issues that I would have commented on, assuming I felt compelled to write this column today. On Monday, the Bayelsa Police Command paraded before newsmen in Yenogoa the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) state chapter chairman (I never heard about such office before) and seven other undergraduates of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma in connection with alleged cultism, armed robbery and murder. According to the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Asuquo Amba, some of the recovered arms and ammunition from these students included two locally-made single barrelled pistol, two live ammunition, five .9mm live ammunition and some charms. The question is: Why would undergraduates need guns and charms? Well, it had to do with the bid to hold union positions which, like all political offices in our country, is always at all cost. The tragic incident in question occurred at the Zone B election for NANS coordinators which took place at the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, between November 25 and November 26. “It was a situation whereby students representing universities and higher institutions in the South-South zone degenerated to the use of firearms that led to the death of a student” said Amba who explained the desperation with which the election (for NANS coordinators!) was fought by undergraduates. However, as shocking as that may be to some people, those who follow the news are quite aware that campus politics these days mirrors that of the larger society where dirty money, violence and diabolical means are weapons of choice. While in the past those who seek to be student leaders would memorise all the quotes from Aristotle to Plato, it is incantations that most student union leaders now chant because such positions have become avenues to stupendous wealth and political powers. From the University of Abuja to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto to University of Calabar and other campuses across the country, the stories are the same: student unionism is now mostly about self-enrichment. While the decadence that pervades our campuses is an issue we may have to address one day, I still do not see how such intervention can be considered important, especially in a season where the never-ending saga of the former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, keeps throwing up interesting revelations. For those who may still not know him,

Maina we are talking about a civil servant who absconded from duty when the heat was turned on him and his enablers, eventually got dismissed following public outcry and a Senate ultimatum, reinstated after two years under a dirty deal by a government supposedly fighting corruption, promoted by two ranks in the process, dismissed again after another public outcry and yet still earning some jumbo salaries from the treasury, according to his lawyer! In the home video he released last weekend, Maina claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari was aware of, and gave approval for, his recent meeting in Dubai with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. “When this government came in, the President [Buhari Muhammadu] gave the nod that ‘go and sit down with Maina, I’ve given you the approval’. They sat down with me after the security agencies had cleared me”, said Maina who has exposed the hypocrisy of this government and the joke called war against corruption. Quite typical, the presidency has not reacted to the claim by Maina, just as it is still mute about the statement by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita that President Buhari cannot feign ignorance about the whole saga. “I sought audience with His Excellency, Mr. President on Wednesday, 11th October, 2017 after the FEC meeting where I briefed His Excellency verbally on the wide-ranging implications of the reinstatement of Mr. A. A. Maina, especially the damaging impact on the anti-corruption stance of this administration,” she wrote in a recently leaked memo whose veracity has not been disputed. However, since the Maina drama is still playing out, and he has promised to release more salacious details, we may have to wait to get the full picture before we can make sense of the whole ugly episode. The challenge, however, is that it is not only the Maina scandal that raises questions about the anti-corruption war of this government, there is also the reported mismanagement of the

forfeited assets from proceeds of corruption. On Tuesday, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki spoke about “the opacity shrouding the management of recovered funds, which in many cases get re-looted by the agencies that investigated and recovered them” before he added: “An ad hoc committee of the Senate, which is investigating some administrative infractions in the Executive, has discovered that many properties recovered from a fugitive from the law have not been accounted for by the investigating agency”. Coming from the Number Three Citizen, and a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), no allegation can be weightier but before somebody says “it is corruption fighting back” which is the only defence by this administration for every infraction, let us leave that matter and look at a few other issues that Nigerians are talking about. I know someone will suggest I comment on the resignation from the APC by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar but how can I do that without hearing from ‘Mama Taraba’? We must never forget that it was the Women Affairs Minister, Mrs Aisha Alhassan, who sensationally declared a few weeks ago: “We hope he (Atiku) will contest in 2019, that’s why I said so. Once he declares, I’ll do just what I said (resign). If Atiku comes out to contest and I remain part of Baba Buhari’s cabinet at the same time, then I become a hypocrite.” If the minister chooses to be silent at this moment in time, why should I dabble into what does not concern me? Okay, as someone also suggested yesterday, I could write on the coming wedding between Prince Harry and his African-American actress, Meghan Merkle. While I hope my friend, Ebuka has already alerted his tailor to start making a special wear for the big-do, I honestly fail to understand why a wedding between two people should attract such global attention. Meanwhile, there is this story of different persons laying claim to being the genuine whistle-blowers that gave information which led to the recovery of about N13billion belonging to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) recovered from Flat 7 Osborne Towers, Ikoyi. Even when whistle blowing is supposed to be a secret business, no fewer than four men are already in court asking the federal government to pay them their cut of the loot. While we wait to see how the whole controversy will be resolved, that some Nigerians are candidates for Aro mental hospital is no longer in doubt. Who will not run mad if you pin your hope ‘for making it in life’ on acquiring such enormous wealth for ‘blowing whistle’ only to end up being short-changed by a policy clearly lacking in integrity? While the whistle blowers continue their battle in court, I am sure there are readers interested in the drama in Harare. When I wrote last week that “the military commanders and their political collaborators, led by the man who has now inherited power, merely used the people to achieve a predetermined end”, I got some harsh reactions. With reports

that former President Robert Mugabe may get a golden handshake of $10 million aside having his birthday become a national holiday, it is now evident that the whole coup was designed only to checkmate the inordinate ambition of Mrs Grace Mugabe. But let us leave Zimbabwe for Zimbabweans. Incidentally, it is a sign of the time that Nigerians are practically cut out from the rest of the world in the current campaign to end violence against women and girls. But from last Friday night, when I was a guest of the Abuja Literary Society (ALS) Book Jam, I knew this would happen. Along with Mr. Ikeogu Ike, the 2017 NLNG Nigeria Prize for Literature winner, who gave a commanding performance by singing his poems, it was an enjoyable night made more fun by the inimitable spoken word and performance poetry artist and rave of the moment, Dike Chukwumerije, who anchored proceedings. But shortly before the whole session ended, a lady reminded us of the significance of the next day (November 25): the United Nations International Day for the elimination of violence against women. It is instructive that this year’s campaign is to last 16 days till 10th December, the United Nations Human Rights Day, with the overall objective of galvanizing action to end violence against women and girls. And the lady made that point. Not surprisingly, there were murmurs from many of the men in the audience that perhaps the thrust of the campaign in Nigeria this year should be the protection of husbands from their wives. In the past three weeks, there have been several social media memes on that and perhaps, justifiably so too. With the sentence, on Monday, to seven years in prison of an Ibadan based lawyer who stabbed her husband to death against the background of the ongoing murder trial in Abuja of a wife who also allegedly stabbed to death her husband amid another case in Gusau, Zamfara State (where a man is similarly battling for his life after being stabbed by his wife) there are reports that the fear of knives in the hands of wives has become the beginning of wisdom for all husbands in Nigeria. From the foregoing, I hope readers can understand my dilemma and why I chose not to write today. Sometimes, the burden of journalism in a society like this can be very tough. In the absence of a clear national direction to meaningfully engage, our diversity throws up conflicting signals and issues. For instance, each of the subjects that have come up in the course of this week testifies to the confusion we find ourselves in. Yet some of them, like Saraki’s lament about the looting of previous loots or the audacious claims by serial fugitive, Maina touch on the very credibility of the current administration. The silence around these issues from the very top further confounds an already cynical public. In our new normal, we have gone beyond shock. Yet, who knows what heavier matters the coming week will bring up?

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