Friday 1st December 2017

UBA Emerges First Nigerian Bank to Win African Bank of the Year Award Obinna Chima Pan-African financial institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has once again proven its leadership on the continent, as The Banker magazine has crowned the bank ‘African Bank of the

Year 2017’.

The award was a first for Nigeria as it marked the first time a Nigerian-headquartered bank will beat other contenders to the prestigious and highly coveted regional award.

To further demonstrate the group’s strength and

dominance in the financial sector on the continent, four of UBA group’s operations in Africa also led contenders in their respective countries to emerge the ‘Best Bank of the Year 2017’ in their respective markets.

A statement from the bank

yesterday said UBA Congo, UBA Tchad, UBA Gabon and UBA Senegal emerged the Best Bank of the Year in Congo, Tchad, Gabon and Senegal, reinforcing the strong franchise of the group across its chosen markets in Africa.

UBA Gabon and UBA

Senegal won the same awards in 2016, as both subsidiaries of the UBA Group remained the banks to beat in the respective countries, the statement added.

A publication of the London-based Financial Times newspaper, The Banker magazine, is a global financial

intelligence magazine that provides global bank ratings/ analysis and is the definitive reference in international banking for high level decision makers globally.

According to the magazine, Continued on page 8

OPEC Caps Nigeria, Libya’s Oil Output at 2107 Levels, Extends Production Cuts… Page 8 Friday 1 December, 2017 Vol 22. No 8261. Price: N250

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Adeosun, Malami Insist Maina Not on FG's Payroll… Page 45

Emefiele: Our Worst Days Behind Us Says CBN reviewing framework to help youth create jobs Soludo canvasses collective solution to national challenges Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja and Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele has affirmed that with the Nigerian economy exiting the recession, following a number of policy responses, the worst days were clearly behind the country.

Emefiele noted that based on

analyses and understanding of the developments which confronted the country, the central bank took a number of measures, many of which were at the time vigorously criticised, but which helped the economy out of the recession.

Tracing the economic recession to the significant and persistent drop in commodity Continued on page 9

PDP Unable to Decide on Convention Committee Chairman Over 2,800 delegates expected

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja With scores of aspirants preparing to do battle on December 9 for the national executive posts of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its national convention slated for Abuja, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP yesterday failed to reach a decision on who will head the planning committee to organise the convention.

The national publicity

secretary of the party, Mr. Dayo Adeyeye, who addressed journalists at the end of the meeting, said NEC only approved the composition of the convention planning committee.

Adeyeye, however, failed to name the chairman of the committee saying that the name of its members will be published soon.

THISDAY, however, gathered Continued on page 8

Jonathan was Not Prepared for Presidency, Says Saraki... Page 44

WIGWE IS AFRICA BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR...

Group Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, upon winning the 2017 Businessman of the Year awards at the All Africa Business Leader Awards (AABLA), held in Johannesburg, South Africa… yesterday (See story page 49)

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OPEC Caps Nigeria, Libya’s Oil Output at 2107 Levels, Extends Production Cuts Oil price hits $64 per barrel Kachikwu explains exemption from production cuts

Ejiofor Alike with agency report The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) yesterday took a decision to cap the output of Nigeria and Libya at 2017 production levels without deciding on the figures.

The oil cartel also agreed to extend oil output cuts until the end of 2018 as part of the global efforts to eliminate excess oil supply in the international market.

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer, and Libya had previously been exempted from the cuts due to unrest in both countries and lowerthan-normal production.

However, the decision to extend the production cuts saw crude oil prices rising, with the global benchmark Brent trading near a two and a half year high above $64 per barrel.

Speaking to reporters after yesterday’s OPEC meeting in Vienna, Austria, Iranian oil minister Bijan Zanganeh

said the organisation had agreed to extend the cuts by nine months until the end of 2018, as largely anticipated by the market.

The current deal, under which OPEC and non-OPEC producers are cutting supply by about 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in an effort to boost oil prices, expires in March 2018.

Zanganeh added that OPEC also decided to cap the output of Nigeria and Libya at 2017 levels.

The OPEC meeting was followed by talks with nonOPEC producers led by Russia.

Before the meeting, Saudi energy minister, Khalid al-Falih said it was premature to talk about exiting the cuts at least for a couple of quarters and added that OPEC would examine progress at its next regular meeting in June. “When we get to an exit, we are going to do it very gradually ... to make sure we don’t shock the market,�

he said.

The Iraqi, Iranian and Angolan oil ministers also said before yesterday’s meetings that a review of the deal was possible in June in case the market became too tight.

But Zanganeh said later no such debate had taken place at the OPEC meeting.

Reacting to OPEC’s decision, the international benchmark Brent crude rose by more than 1 per cent yesterday to trade near $64 per barrel while the U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose to $57.63, after falling more than two per cent since last week.

With oil prices rising above $60, Russia had expressed concern that an extension for the whole of 2018 could prompt a spike in crude production in the U.S., which is not participating in the deal.

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.

Russia had signalled it wants to understand better how producers will exit from the cuts as it needs to provide guidance to its private and state energy companies. “We need to work out a strategy for 2018,� Russian energy minister Alexander Novak had said.

Reuters reported that Russia, which this year reduced production significantly with OPEC for the first time, has been pushing for a clear message on how to exit the cuts so the market doesn’t flip into a deficit too soon, prices don’t rally too fast and rival U.S. shale firms don’t boost output further.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu explained yesterday that the decision taken on Nigeria at yesterday’s meeting stemmed from the resistance by the Nigerian

delegation to the word “cut� in crude production, effectively exempting the country and Libya from the production cuts imposed on other oil producers that are part of the agreement.

The minister, however, admitted that Nigeria was cautioned to be disciplined and not flood the global market with crude.

Kachikwu made this known when he spoke to Bloomberg on the sidelines of the 173rd meeting of the OPEC holding in Vienna. “We’ve been asked to be disciplined, the word cut has not been used. We’ve resisted the word ‘cut’. The word ‘cap’ had been accepted by me a long time ago,� he said. “Clearly, there is a continuing obligation to ensure that we do not just flood the market because of the exemptions we were given. “There’s a lot more energy around bringing everybody to the ballpark, Nigeria is

willing to be in that ballpark and contribute. “Our contribution is fairly limited because we are still lacking in that capacity to reach the marks anywhere soon.�

He put Nigeria’s current production at around 1.75 million barrels per day, adding that the 1.8 million barrels benchmark was comfortable. “Our current production is 1.75, we are still below the 1.8 that was the benchmark which is comfortable but you’re going to see a lot more pressure as we go into next year “Sometime late next year, we will probably see the capacity of Nigeria to do close to 2.3, 2.5. “Can we do it? Probably not if we all keep to discipline. We are now going to be looking at producers within our country and those giving us barrels at the least cost price because we are going to cut scientifically those who are unable to produce below a certain benchmark,� he explained.

He commended the contestants for the mature manner they had been going about their campaigns and urged them to continue with the use of decent language in the conduct of their campaigns.

While urging the contestants to accept the result of the convention, he tasked members of the caretaker committee to ensure that the convention was credible, free and fair.

Earlier, while welcoming the NEC members, the caretaker committee chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi said the leadership had taken no offence in all the issues that arose while the aspirants canvassed for votes across the country.

The former Kaduna State governor said the 77th NEC might be his valedictory

meeting and pleaded with party members to show unity and solidarity as they prepare for the convention.

He noted that the publicity from the campaigns were good for the PDP, adding that the members should allow unity to prevail, as there would be a lot to gain even if it may not be immediate. “United we stand, divided we fall; there is a lot to gain in unity. PDP is like Nigeria, it is a diverse party, whatever you don’t get today, you can get it tomorrow,� Makarfi said He stated that the NCC had held meetings with the state chapter chairmen, adding that it would continue to consult with the various organs to foster better understanding among party stakeholders.

He urged the state chairmen of the PDP to meet the national organising secretary of the party to have a second look at the delegates’ list, adding that the list would be available for scrutiny by those with a bona fide interest.

According to Makarfi, the PDP state chairmen are those who conducted the elections for the delegates and not the panels as erroneously bandied by some members of the party.

On his part, the chairman of Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jubrin debunked the report that the board had disqualified three chairmanship aspirants, adding that there was no truth in the information as he was away in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), when he heard of it.

are yielding great results. We continue to gain market share across our chosen markets, as we deepen financial inclusion, meeting basic and complex financial service needs of the growing African population. “We are Africans and determined to change the narrative of financial services in Africa and this is just the beginning.�

On his part, Mr. Emeke Iweriebor, Regional CEO, UBA Francophone Africa, described the awards as exciting, stating that the bank’s great work in Africa was increasingly being recognised.

Iweriebor who dedicated the awards to the bank’s esteemed customers, said: “Our pioneering innovations in the African banking sector are undoubtedly critical to the growth and development of the continent. “Africa’s banking sector has come a long way but we still have a lot to do. We at UBA Group are dedicated to being a critical part of this transformation.�

He added that the bank will continue to leverage

its local knowledge, global exposure as well as presence to drive positive change in

PDP UNABLE TO DECIDE ON CONVENTION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN from a source at the meeting that the issue of the chairman of the convention was still undecided due to concerns over the neutrality of the person that had been proposed by the National Caretaker Committee (NCC).

According to the source, the caretaker committee had proposed the Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as chairman while the governor of Gombe, Ibrahim Dakwambo was tipped to assist him as vice-chairman.

In his briefing on the outcome of the meeting, Adeyeye said NEC admonished all the aspirants to be civil to each other and to avoid foul language in their criticism of each other.

He said about 2,800 delegates would be attending

the convention, though the number might increase after the conclusion of congresses in Osun State.

He also said that NEC warned that they should not disparage the integrity of the leadership of the party which was working assiduously to provide a level-playing field for everyone. “We are going to organise the most credible party election in the history of Nigeria. And we are happy that what is going on right now has never happened in the history of this country – to see people who are aspiring to party offices, campaigning as if they want to become president.

According to Adeyeye, this was indicative of the fact that Nigerians still believed in the

PDP to provide the alternative platform in 2019.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu also cautioned the contestants vying for various positions at the forthcoming convention to learn from the fate of those with disruptive tendencies and refrain from destroying the party should they lose.

Ekweremadu cited an example of a politician whom he did not name, but said the politician had disrupted the outcome of a particular amendment in the Senate and was now languishing in exile.

Ekwerenmadu said if the PDP could hold a hitch-free convention, it would win the 2019 general election. “If we get it right, we will win the 2019 election,� he said

UBA EMERGES FIRST NIGERIAN BANK TO WIN AFRICAN BANK OF THE YEAR AWARD the aim of the award “is to highlight industry-wide excellence within the global banking community. The winner is selected from participating banks in each of the 120 countries from which entries are received for the competition�.

Explaining the rationale behind UBA carting multiple categories in its December issue, The Banker magazine noted that Africa’s economic landscape has been unpredictable in recent times, resulting in recessions in some of Africa’s best performing economies while the region as a whole only expanded by about 1.3 per cent in 2016. “In these conditions only the most diversified and innovative of regional banks can prosper. And this is precisely why the United Bank for Africa (UBA) has scooped the 2017 regional winner award. “For one, the lender registered impressive top- and bottom-line growth over the review period,� it noted.

The magazine went further to enumerate the various

achievements recorded by UBA group during the period, noting that earnings for the year reached N384 billion ($1.07 billion), signalling a 22 per cent growth from its 2015 performance while profit before tax also grew by 32 per cent, to reach N91 billion.

According to the organisers, “Equally impressive was UBA’s capital adequacy ratio which at the end of 2016 stood at 20 per cent while its non-performing loan ratio was a healthy 3.9 per cent.

Operating across 19 markets in Africa, the bank serves more than 14 million customers.�

It added that the panAfrican bank’s foray into various ventures in Africa also helped to clinch its activities in the year under consideration, stating: “Beyond the numbers, the bank has won and acted on a number of headline deals. These include financing a new stadium in Douala, Cameroon for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations for $285 million. “In Senegal, more than $250 million of trade finance was provided to the state oil

company while the lender acted as arranger and bank agent in the raising of $160 million to finance road infrastructure. “The bank’s digital tax collection solutions are also helping regional governments in Senegal and Burkina Faso.�

The organisers observed that UBA also made impressive strides in the digital space, adding that in terms of internet banking, the organisation processed 7 million transactions valued at more than N600 billion in 2016.

Mobile banking processed transactions valued at N70 billion over the same period.

UBA also launched eMailMoni, a service that lets customers transfer funds via e-mail, while Chat Banking allows clients to perform basic transactions through social media platforms. “For these reasons and others, UBA is the winner of our 2017 African Bank of the Year award,� the magazine stated.

According to the statement, the Group Managing Director/

CEO of UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, who was delighted by the recognition from The Banker, said: “These awards mark another milestone for the UBA Group and are a testament of the diligent execution of the bank’s strategic initiatives on customer service. “Being recognised as Africa’s best bank complements positive feedback from customers and is a recognition of our improving efficiencies, service quality and innovation.

I therefore dedicate it to our growing loyal corporate and retail customers, who are our essence. “Given our heritage commitment to Africa’s development, we continue to impact lives through our service as well as funding to individuals, businesses and government.�

Uzoka added: “The bank remains focused on its goal of democratising banking in Africa, leveraging on new technologies and our rich pool of talent. “It is satisfying that our efforts towards leadership

Continued on page 9

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NEWS

Two Years of Unlawful Detention: A Memo to Sambo Dasuki

Yushau A. Shuaib

Dear Sambo Dasuki, It was exactly two years ago, in the morning of December 1, 2015, when we chatted on the phone over the security operatives that had invaded your Asokoro residence and later whisked you away as the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA). I was then in Maiduguri on an assignment.

Since that day, you have remained in detention even after being granted bail by at least four separate high court judges. They are Justice Adetokunbo Ademola and Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed of the Federal High Court, as well as Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf and Justice Peter Affen of the FCT High Courts. They had considered the merit of your applications and granted you bail. The ECOWAS Court of Justice too had ordered for your immediate release with compensation of N15 million for your unlawful and illegal detention without legal warrant or court orders.

From all the court proceedings so far, none of the allegations against you is treasonable, while the allegations of misappropriation of funds can

PERSPECTIVE

only be proven in the court on whether the expenditures went through the due process of official authorisation. The charge of illegal possession of firearms, by the discovery of weapons in your residence, less than 24 hours after you left office and at a time you had military and security bodyguards, is to say the least, laughable and can only be interpreted as a witch hunt.

While you have never stated your side of the story in court or anywhere else since your arrest and detention two years ago, there have been so many accusations and complete falsehood against you through media trials. Some baseless documents were leaked without attaching originating memos and approving authorities, among others. It is pathetically appalling that your image has been tarnished through sponsored and misguided media trials.

It is unfortunate that many Nigerian are not aware of your antecedents when you had proven yourself as a man of integrity during your tenure as ADC to President Ibrahim Babangida as well as Managing Director of the Nigeria Security, Printing and Minting Company

Dasuki (NSPMC). In both offices, you left honourably and on principle to protect your reputation.

While your traducers would rather taint your image by making references to the alleged misappropriation of funds during your tenure as NSA, they tirelessly worked to suppress the apparent success stories of the war against terrorism campaign during your tenure. They don’t want Nigerians to know that during your tenure as NSA to President Goodluck Jonathan, the brave Nigerian troops successfully liberated and recovered over two dozens big towns from Boko Haram. Those towns included Abadam, Askira, Baga, Bama, Bara, Buni Yadi, Damboa, Dikwa, Gamboru-Ngala, Goniri, Gujba, Gulag, Gulani, Gwoza, Hong,

Kala Balge, Konduga, Kukawa, Marte, Madagali, Michika, Monguno, Mubi and Vimtim, among others.

Though some may be forgetful to realise that during your tenure as NSA, Nigeria spearheaded the formation of the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) where you sought the co-operation of reluctant neighbouring countries to join in the fight against terrorism. The taskforce has been sustained, just as other initiatives and legacies you introduced and left behind in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

While I won’t like to talk about your past relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari, especially on the 1983 coup and others which I published in previous articles and my recent book “An Encounter with the Spymaster,� the toxic speculation and misleading information that you arrested Buhari in 1985 has been propagated as gospel truth.

Even while you have denied the allegation, with principal actors including retired Colonel Abdulmumini Aminu publicly admitting their involvement, the rumour has been sustained for ulterior motives.

I cannot end this short memo without expressing my most profound appreciation for

rescuing me from humiliation after I was unjustly retired by the government you served when the then Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala had reported me to the presidency for punishment over my harmless opinion article in 2013.

Not only did you attempt to bring me back into the public service which I politely rejected, you nevertheless accepted my condition to serve as a consultant on crisis management to the same government. Though we recruited a large number of young Nigerian graduates in ensuring the success of the campaigns, presently the workforce has been reduced drastically due to lack of patronage from the system. We have nevertheless continued to sustain the services on a pro bono basis, especially for the military, security, intelligence and response agencies.

Meanwhile, the good news today is that Justice David Isele of National Industrial Court (NIC) has ordered my reinstatement into the public service and payment of all my salaries, allowances with interest using the prevailing bank interest rate within 30 days. I am awaiting the federal government’s obedience to that court order.

While I still nurse the fear

that you may spend another year in unlawful detention as 2018 is around the corner, I must commend your courage and doggedness during our recent chat in the court. You have said for the umpteenth time that you have no ill feelings against your “good friends� who are currently on the other side and other “people� who cannot do anything in your case. You said: “In every challenge, every temptation and every situation one finds himself, there are lessons to be learnt and to be thankful to Almighty Allah.�

May your days in court offer you the opportunity you have craved for to clear your name from the malicious allegations and to enable you to provide concrete evidence of your stewardship as the National Security Adviser who ensured efficient inter-agency collaboration for national stability and national security.

As you have remained in detention in the last two years against all legal procedures, even when you lost your father, Sultan Dasuki, I pray you stay fortified believing that God’s time is the best.

Yours Sincerely, Yushau Shuaib Author of An Encounter with the Spymaster

UBA EMERGES FIRST NIGERIAN BANK TO WIN AFRICAN BANK OF THE YEAR AWARD Africa, working actively with the government, local businesses, regulators and other stakeholders in deepening financial services.

The Banker awards “Bank of the Year Awards� are widely regarded as the Oscars of the banking industry. For

90 years, The Banker has been the world’s leading monthly journal of record for the banking industry.

UBA was incorporated in Nigeria as a limited liability company after taking over the assets of the British and French Bank Limited, which

had been operating in Nigeria since 1949.

UBA merged with Standard Trust Bank in 2005 and from a single country operation founded in 1949 in Nigeria – Africa’s largest economy – the bank has become one of the leading providers of banking

and other financial services on the African continent.

The bank provides services to over 14 million customers globally, through one of the most diverse service channels in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 1,000 branches and customer touch points and

robust online and mobile banking platforms.

UBA was the first Nigerian bank to make an initial public offering (IPO), following its listing on the NSE in1970. It was also the first Nigerian bank to issue global depository receipts (GDR).

The shares of UBA are publicly traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the bank has a well-diversified shareholder base, which includes foreign and local institutional investors, as well as individual shareholders.

“These trends present a significant opportunity for our graduates to turn whatever challenges they may be facing into opportunities that can harness these demographic shift.

Imagine what would happen if Nigeria and Nigerians cannot provide food, shelter, clothing, health, education, and other basic things for the teeming population. “Even though these trends should already begin to bother current leaders in our country today, I believe that young Nigerians can begin today to see these trends as opportunities and think of what they can do to take advantage of the situation,� he observed.

He reeled off names of many young and successful Nigerians, who rather than complain about what the government did not do for them, identified common problems and needs of the society and created solutions that turned them into millionaires.

The CBN governor disclosed that the Bank was currently reviewing the broad framework of its development financing funds with a view to creating new channels through which entrepreneurs with great ideas can access credit without dissipating much effort.

Some of the central bank’s development financing fund initiatives include the N220 billion initiative for MSMEs, Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, and Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme, among others.

He disclosed that the federal government and the CBN were encouraging the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and other development finance institutions to create awareness through which innovative entrepreneurs could access credit with a view to creating opportunities for job creation.

Emefiele also admonished universities and other tertiary institutions across the country to focus on research, evolve innovative approaches to job creation and income generation, and form business units, assuring that the CBN was willing to provide the necessary financing.

As part of the CBN’s efforts to address the challenges of unemployment, promote entrepreneurial spirits among Nigerian youths and enhance the spread of small and medium enterprises, Emefiele stated that the central bank designed and formulated a number of policies and programmes for direct real sector intervention.

According to him the Bank’s Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP), which was launched on March 15, 2016 and run in collaboration with banks and the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) had helped recently discharged corps members access concessionary financing of up to N5 million for innovative job creating ventures.

Addressing the graduating students, Emefiele, himself an alumnus of the institution, urged

young graduates to embrace the philosophy of being job creators rather than job seekers by availing themselves of the Bank’s financing window through creative entrepreneurial and innovative ways. “As you leave the university and proceed to the NYSC, I encourage you graduands to take advantage of this. In addition, there is also the N220 billion CBN initiative to support micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs).

This is aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship development and creating an environment that supports business success. “It is our firm belief that our modest contributions are already yielding the expected dividends for all to see. These schemes are set up solely for your use, please take advantage of them,� the CBN governor advised.

He, however, admitted that the government was expected to provide the impetus and enabling environment while also acknowledging that there were problems associated with the ease of entrepreneurs accessing credit. “Let me state that the federal government, including the CBN, is encouraging the Deposit Money Banks and other development finance institutions to create awareness through which innovative entrepreneurs can access credit with a view to creating opportunities for job creation. “At the moment, the

CBN is reviewing the broad framework of its development financing funds through which entrepreneurs with great ideas can access credit with minimal effort,� he said.

Emefiele, who noted that the lecture was a noble homecoming for him, having graduated from the university 34 years ago, said he always has nostalgic feelings about his alma mater.

In his remarks, the chairman of the convocation lecture and a former governor of the CBN, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, observed that in spite of the nation’s challenges, “there are flickers of hope�.

He told the graduating students that the message of Emefiele’s lecture was that as they graduate, they should find opportunities in the midst of adversity, noting that it may not be rosy out there for all of them.

Soludo, however, reminded the government that jobs cannot be created by applying the tools that held sway in the past decade but through creative and innovative ways.

While calling for creative thinking by all, Soludo noted that although the country has exited the recession, the development was propelled by the oil sector.

According to him, the non-oil sector still contracted based on the last GDP figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), calling for a collective solution to the nation’s challenges.

EMEFIELE: OUR WORST DAYS BEHIND US prices that affected the economy adversely, Emefiele said the resultant effect was depressed GDP growth, rising inflation, depreciation of the exchange rate, as well as depletion of the country’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves, and the decline in average FX inflows.

Emefiele, who delivered the 47th convocation lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) yesterday, pointed out that the vulnerabilities of Nigeria to the global shocks were amplified because of the nation’s over-reliance on the oil sector for FX revenue and for government finances. “Even at the height of high oil prices, rather than save, we drained our buffers through an excessive dependence on imports, most of which could be produced locally. “Based on our analyses and understanding of these developments, the Bank took a number of measures many of which were at the time vigorously criticised,� he said.

The CBN governor noted that in the realm of monetary policies, the CBN embarked on a cycle of policy tightening to rein in inflation, using the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) and Open Market Operations (OMO).

In external reserve management, he noted that the CBN adopted demand management through essential commodities while a number of actions were taken in the area

of exchange rate management to stabilise the exchange rate. “In development finance, the Bank continued its financing activities in key high-impact sectors like power, aviation, education, MSME, agriculture, including CAC’s, ACGs, NIRSAL, the Anchor Borrowers’ Programnme, etc. “In the light of these and other policy responses, we are delighted that the economy has turned the corner with our worst days clearly behind us,�

Emefiele said, adding that gross domestic product (GDP) growth recovered after five quarters of continuous contraction while inflation dropped from a peak of 18.7 per cent in January 2017 to 15.9 per cent in November.

He also noted that the positive indicators also manifested in the areas of exchange rate appreciation, improved FX supply, recovery in FX reserves, significant boost in local production, as well as improvement in the World Bank’s ‘doing business indicator’.

The CBN chief executive, whose convocation lecture dwelt on “A Mindset for Succeeding in Today’s Nigeria�, noted that the boost in local production was important because of the demographic factors. “Imagine that today, Nigeria is estimated to have a population of over 180 million people, and this population is predicted by the United Nations to be 398 million people by 2050, which would make Nigeria the third largest in the world by that time.

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COMMENT

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

HIV HAS NOT GONE AWAY

W. Stuart Symington writes that despite the decrease in AIDS-related mortality and morbidity, HIV remains a global health issue

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n World AIDS Day, the United States remembers all those who have lost their lives to AIDS, and honours those working together to stop this disease, from caregivers to the families, friends, and communities supporting them. Each year, we renew our commitment to assist those who are living with, or at risk from HIV/AIDS. In Nigeria and around the world, we are closer to controlling the HIV/AIDS pandemic than ever before â&#x20AC;&#x201C; binding communities, scientists, and political leaders together to envision a very different future. What once seemed impossible is now possible.

But our work is far from done.

Through transparency, accountability, and the power of partnership, we can accelerate progress toward reaching our goals and finally ending the scourge of the HIV/AID epidemic, in Nigeria, in Africa, and throughout the world.

Every Nigerian can make a profound difference in the global struggle. Preventing new cases of AIDS is the single most important step we can take together now. Stopping AIDS depends on each of us.

The U.S. governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme for World AIDS Day 2017 is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability and Partnerships.â&#x20AC;?

This theme reflects the U.S. governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longstanding leadership in addressing global HIV/AIDS, increasing our impact to move the epidemic from crisis toward control. It also highlights the historic opportunity to accelerate progress toward ultimately ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat in countries around the world. Finally, it emphasises the critical role of transparency, accountability, and partnerships in reaching these goals.

We must recognise that HIV has not gone away. This sad fact is especially true in Nigeria. Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world and one of the highest new infection rates in sub-Saharan Africa, according to UNAIDS. Despite the decrease in AIDS-related mortality and morbidity, HIV remains a global health issue. In 2016, an estimated 36.7 million people were living with HIV (including 1.8 million children) while one million people died of AIDS-related illnesses, according to UNAIDS. Since the beginning of the epidemic, 78 million people have become infected with HIV and 35 million people have died of AIDS-related illnesses.

NIGERIA HAS THE SECOND LARGEST HIV EPIDEMIC IN THE WORLD AND ONE OF THE HIGHEST NEW INFECTION RATES IN SUBSAHARAN AFRICA

Unfortunately, approximately 30% of people infected with the virus do not know that they have it.

We are at an unprecedented moment in the global HIV/AIDS response. For the first time in modern history, we have the opportunity to change the very course of a pandemic by controlling it without a vaccine or a cure. Controlling the pandemic will lay the groundwork for eliminating or eradicating HIV, which we hope will be possible through future scientific breakthroughs which lead to an effective HIV vaccine and cure.

The latest data show that five high-burden African countries are already approaching control of their HIV/AIDS epidemics, something that not too long ago seemed impossible.

No country or entity alone can end the AIDS pandemic. We are proud to partner with governments, the private sector, philanthropic organisations, multilateral institutions, civil society and faith-based organisations, and many others in this work.

The U.S. government, through the U.S. Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has helped to not only save and improve millions of lives, but also transformed the global HIV/ AIDS response.

In Nigeria, PEPFAR supports lifesaving antiretroviral treatment (ART) for more than 772,000 men, women and children. Its programmes allowed 1.6 million pregnant women to receive HIV testing and counseling, and enabled 1.1 million orphans, vulnerable children, and their caregivers to receive care and support.

Through PEPFAR, the U.S. government has invested $5.1 billion to support the HIV/AIDS response in Nigeria.

The Trump Administration has pledged to maintain the U.S. commitment to saving lives. During the 2017 United Nations General Assembly, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson launched the PEPFAR Strategy for Accelerating HIV/AIDS Epidemic Control (2017-2020). The strategy demonstrates both the courage of our convictions and the boldness of our ambitions. It reaffirms that the U.S. government, through PEPFAR, will continue to support HIV/AIDS efforts toward achieving epidemic control in more than 50 countries including Nigeria, ensuring access to HIV services by all populations, including the most vulnerable and at-risk groups.

Symington is U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria

DOWN AND UP AND DOWN AGAIN Simon Lalong could do more to change the economics of Plateau State, writes Emmanuel Ado

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ut for what most Plateau State indigenes perceived as David Jangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Berom Supremacy Agendaâ&#x20AC;?, Simon Bako Lalong, wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been elected Governor of Plateau State in the 2015 general elections. And this is a settled fact. He would have been playing golf, his passion at the IBB Golf Course. Lalong in some sense is like Sir Michael Otedola, another man who against all odds emerged Governor of Lagos State, in 1990. Otedola profited from the royal squabble between Dapo Sarumi and Femi Agbalajobi, the governorship gladiators of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) that fought themselves to a standstill.

Lalong owes his governorship to the ethnic and divisive politics of Jang, who was very determined to upstage the rotation of political offices which to a very large extent has ensured some level of peace amongst the over 40 ethno- linguistic groups of the state.

Zoning comforts the very fractured tribes of the state, even if it hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really ensured equity and fair play. If David Jang had respected the â&#x20AC;&#x153;sacredness of rotationâ&#x20AC;?, the elites of Plateau wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been forced to gang up against him and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which since 1999 held sway in the state.

Many interpret the 2015 elections, as more of a referendum against Jangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;internal colonialismâ&#x20AC;?, as against competency and capacity. Anybody but a Berom or Jangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s candidate, was the song. Jang was variously accused of lopsided development and appointments in favour of his Berom ethnic group. His model is the Benue and Kogi States where the Tivs and the Igalas dominate the polity. But defeating Jang wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that easy as the results of the governorship election shows. Lalong, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate around whom the opposition to Jang coalesced scored 537,050 votes to 501,938 votes of Senator Gyang Pwajok, the candidate of the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP),a margin of 35,000 votes. This slim number and the fact that the â&#x20AC;&#x153;sacredness of rotationâ&#x20AC;? was reconfirmed should worry Lalong, who was more or less used by the fragile alliance to fight Jang. That the elites agreed to use the APC platform, which in â&#x20AC;&#x153;normal timesâ&#x20AC;? would have been described as a Muslim/Northern party, showed the extent they were ready and willing to go to defeat Jang. Backing Lalong who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t belong to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;right tendenciesâ&#x20AC;?- Middle Belt, anti - North group was another â&#x20AC;&#x153;sacrilegious concessionâ&#x20AC;? of the elites, because Lalong wines and dines with their perceived â&#x20AC;&#x153;oppressorsâ&#x20AC;?, the Hausas. He is a key member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the political and cultural association of all northerners that seeks to protect the interest of the north.

In 2001, a delegation of the ACF was snubbed at Jos due to the subsisting anti north feeling. For most northern minorities the fear of domination and anti - north feeling is real and that One North is a fraud.

Plateau State sees itself as the conscience of Christian minorities that is stiffly opposed to the Hausa/Fulani hegemony. The feeling of marginalisation and domination has been there since the early 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, but was worsened by the killing of some prominent Plateau sons in the coup of 1975, a development that further strained the relationship with the core Muslim North. The key qualification to be a governor of Plateau State is fiery rhetoric against the Hausa/Fulani invaders which is enough to catapult the candidate to the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lodge. The invaders can also be herdsmen.

According to Jerry David, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Governance in the modern world has become anything but simpleâ&#x20AC;?. And Lalong, unfortunately is not any much different from the average Nigerian politician who runs for public office without any well thought programme of action. Granted he ran on peaceful co-existence, which considering the crisis

that has engulfed the state, was logical. But his strategy is built around sharing of offices and silent on justice and equity, as the very foundation of peace. Consequently, he is not considered a friend by the either side.

On assumption of office on May 29, 2015, Governor Lalong was quoted to have said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would carry all tribes along in governanceâ&#x20AC;? to ensure that peace reigns in the state.

Though Lalong makes all the right sound bites, the problem are the superficiality of his thoughts and strategy which explains why for instance his peace efforts which he touts as one his achievements constantly blows up in his face. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to assure plateau people that we will not sleep until peace is restored permanently in the state because if our people cannot sleep, then we will not sleep as a government,â&#x20AC;? he once said. But how?

Definitely not by spreading positions and appointments to all the tribes, nor by being the first governor to appoint his chief of staff from outside his tribe? This obviously begs the issue. The fact that the peace hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t held goes to show that the fundamentals are not being addressed and the threats that the local government elections shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be held in Jos North confirms that contrary to the government position, peace is still a mirage.

Political leadership requires focus on the long term good of the greatest number of people. It is about the willingness to stand up for what is right, even when it can cost the incumbent reelection. On the issue of recognition of the Hausas, as a reality of the composition of the state, Lalong has shown conviction like Mahatma Gandhi whose vision was an India of religious pluralism.

I subscribe to affirmative action, for the sense of belonging it guarantees all, most especially minorities.

But how has Lalong fared in other areas?

Lalong hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been able to set Plateau State on the path of growth and economic development, precisely because he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have fire in his stomach. Or is it the ideas that are

lacking? Acknowledged as â&#x20AC;&#x153;cool headedâ&#x20AC;? and humble, but those are certainly not the quality needed to reposition Plateau State for the 21st Century. Lalong needs to take some very difficult decisions. To be satisfied being popularly known and addressed as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bank Alertâ&#x20AC;? for prompt payment of salaries by less than 0.9% of the population, is a sign of a low and routine governance.

Agreed that Plateau State is a civil service state, thus paying salary can be counted as a big achievement, but the question is what happens after the receipt of the final trench of the Paris Club refund? And the federal government is not in a position to bail out the states again? How will Plateau State fare? From its unaudited accounts Plateau State will definitely fall apart and the alerts will cease.

What are the options for Plateau State?

What you read and hear is that Simon Lalong is working to ensure that development comes to the state, but what you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hear or read is the how he intends to attract investors to Plateau State. Two years down the line why hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the government resuscitated the Jos International Brewery?

Or rebuilt the Jos International Market? The obvious way out is critical reform - from rationalisation of public expenditure to sustainable debt management. In 2016, the states and the federal government actually signed off on the 22-point fiscal sustainability plan, with the strategic objective of enhancing fiscal prudence and transparency in public expenditure. State governments were expected to abide by the strategic objectives of the FSPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, built around accountability and transparency, increase in public revenue, rationalisation of public expenditure, public financial management reforms, and sustainable debt management. The ultimate objective is to assist the states travel the narrow path that will lead to fiscal sustainability. Plateau is definitely off the radar, a basket case.

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EDITORIAL LESSONS FROM ANAMBRA GUBER POLL The governorship election holds lesson for future elections

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hile the Anambra State gubernatorial election has come and gone, it also left some lessons for all the critical stakeholders in the Nigerian democratic project. But whatever may have been the challenges, at the end, only few people would argue with the fact that the outcome reďŹ&#x201A;ected the wish of the Anambra State electorate. It was all the more remarkable that despite the threats preceding the election, the exercise was conducted without any violence. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Dr Nkwachukwu Orji underscored that point when he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some people came here to watch the state burn, to see brothers killing themselves, but we are glad that nothing like that happened.â&#x20AC;?

Apparently in anticipation of a chaotic poll, particularly against the background of the muscular threat from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members, the police authorities had dispatched a record 26,000 police men and women in addition to other security forces of all stripes to maintain THE SUCCESS OF THE the peace during the ENTIRE EXERCISE WAS election. But they were MORE A TRIUMPH OF largely rendered idle as THE PEOPLEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WILL conďŹ&#x201A;ict situations were insigniďŹ cant and far AND DETERMINATION between.

AND STEPS TAKEN BY However, less THE INEC TO SEE THAT impressive was the THE ELECTION WAS increasing incidence CONDUCTED IN ORDERLY of vote buying, FASHION a troubling ďŹ&#x201A;aw noticed markedly during the last Ondo and Edo States governorship elections. In Anambra, vote buying was taken to another level. Indeed, Mr Osita Chidoka, the United Progressives Party (UPP) candidate said he lost the election to â&#x20AC;&#x153;superior ďŹ nancial power.â&#x20AC;? We hope the authorities will work to address this growing challenge because of the tendency to compromise the credibility of elections.

However, even though the power struggle was intense,

Letters to the Editor

with a record 37 candidates on the ballot box, seldom was an election so peaceful and victory so decisive. In all the 21 local councils, the incumbent governor and the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), won hands down. Instructively, virtually all the main opposition candidates, after the initial shock and mild resistance, were mature enough to concede defeat and congratulated the winner, a commendable trend that is gradually catching on and enhancing the democratic process.

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he success of the entire exercise was more a triumph of the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will and determination and steps taken by the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to see that the election was conducted in orderly fashion.

Observers and most independent analysts approved of the manner the electoral body conducted the poll.

Except in a few places, election materials arrived polling booths on time while the commission was evidently also increasingly perfecting the use of card reader machine as very few cases of malfunctioning were recorded.

Indeed, both the local and international observers were impressed with INECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outing. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) validated the ďŹ nal result declared by the INEC. In their veriďŹ cation statement issued after the election, the observers said the win percentage estimate for the parties tallied with INECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s results. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because the ofďŹ cial results fall within the estimated rangesâ&#x20AC;?, they asserted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;governorship contestants, parties, and voters should have conďŹ dence that INECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ofďŹ cial results for the Anambra 2017 gubernatorial election reďŹ&#x201A;ects the ballots cast at polling units.â&#x20AC;?

As INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmud Yakubu and his ofďŹ cials do an appraisal of the Anambra State gubernatorial poll, we hope that the skills and lessons learned from the exercise would be useful as the commission prepares for the 2019 general election.

While we congratulate Willie Obiano on his victory, it is pertinent for all to take stock of what transpired in the course of the election and its aftermath so we can draw some useful lessons for the future.

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.

LAGOS AND THE JOURNEY TOWARDS 2020

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n Lagos State, the challenge of development is faced in the context of global economic impact as well as its status as a mega city. The current administration in the state is evidently focused on the implementation of several job creation and wealth generation programmes as well as the development of physical and social infrastructure and improvement of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy through implementation of proactive policies and programmes.

The passion and determination of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership is to truly make Lagos the Centre of Excellence and African socio-economic development hub. The policy thrust, therefore, is focused on poverty alleviation and sustainable economic growth through infrastructural upgrade and development to emphasise fiscal responsibility.

The current government in the state is aware of the reality of the development index daily staring the state in the face, against the background of available human and material resources. For instance, despite the relocation of the Federal Capital to Abuja, Lagos continues to exhibit immense economic attributes. It attracts an enormous human population that occupies a land area of about 3577 square kilometers, thereby making the state the most densely populated and smallest in land size in the country.

Available records show that Lagos State contributes about 12% of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is comparable, only, to Rivers and Delta States which are oil producing states; and we are the leading contributor in the non-oil sector with average contribution of 19% which is equal to the contribution of 13 states put

together. Moreover, Lagos State hosts over 60% of the manufacturing/ industrial sector, which, if properly harnessed will be a major driving impetus for national growth.

In Lagos, the journey towards 2020 will, no doubt, be marked by economic reforms which are necessary and reflective of desirable socialâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;economic progression. Available demographic indices and macroâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;economic policies indicate that development will be propelled by the manufacturing and financial services sectors, tourism, agricultural and allied industries, construction, telecommunications and information technology, as well as, trade and commerce.

Of course, it is obvious that all of these, small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) hold the key towards achieving accelerated socio-economic growth. At the launch of the first Lagos State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Fair, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode affirmed that the best way to revive the national economy was to evolve a conscious development of its micro, small and medium enterprises sub-sector. According to the governor, there was the need to put in place policies and programmes that would boost local production, encourage consumption of same and stimulate exports, to diversify sources of earnings and conserve the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign exchange.

In order to create the conducive environment that will actually stimulate the encouragement of made-in-Nigeria products, the Lagos State government has domesticated the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policy on MSMEs. Similarly, the Ambode administration recently inaugurated the state council on MSMEs for proper coordination of

the MSMEs in the state. The council would identify MSMEs operating in the state to help enhance their productivity and enable them to serve as the bedrock for the economic development of the state. With a sound MSME base, the seven critical sectors pointed out above, no doubt, have the potential of growing the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy in double digits which will impact on the attainment of speedy economic growth, not only for the state but the country at large.

The cornerstone of growth and development in the state has been the continuity by which subsequent governments have engendered smooth transition in governance and the vision of the leadership in government. Currently, it has been discovered that the instrumentality of the all-inclusive governance philosophy of the Ambode Administration has been very profound in the re-tooling of vision, projects, policies and programmes to transform the lives and wellbeing of the people.

An integral part of the state developmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agenda is infrastructure upgrade which is anchored on road rehabilitation and construction of new roads, creation of an integrated mass transit programme with emphasis on road, rail and water transportation, improvement in environment through physical planning with the intention of making Lagos State a model city-state as well as a shelter agenda that aims for the provision of affordable mass housing schemes through facilitation of liberalised mortgage system and the development of new satellite towns.

Tayo Ogunbiyi, Lagos State Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Lagos.

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017

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

POLITICS A N A LY S I S

Holding Obiano Accountable After his resounding victory at the polls, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State will kick-off his second term in March next year. David-Chyddy Eleke weighs his performance in his first term against what he promised to do with his new mandate

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our years ago, Chief Willie Obiano won his first term in office, after a vigorous campaign, which involved promises of development in all sectors of the state’s economy.

Obiano, while campaigning for the governorship position then had stated that he would ensure massive development in the state through his four pillars and 16 enablers.

The pillars through which the governor said he would drive the development of Anambra were; oil and gas, trade and commerce as well as agriculture. He stated that his vision for the state was to make Anambra State to become the first choice investment destination and a hub for industrialization and commercial activities.

His mission too he said was to create a socially stable, business friendly environment that would attract both indigenes and foreigners to seek wealth-creating opportunities in Anambra State. This, he said he was passionate, very enthusiastic about, just as he said he would continue the programmes of his predecessor.

He also stated that, under his three cs approach of continue, complete and commission, he would ensure the projects initiated by his predecessor were completed.

Drawing close to the end of his first term, Obiano while campaigning for a second term in office told Anambra people that his administration stood by the three cs, and made sure that no project left by the Peter Obi administration was abandoned. He cited roads, saying that in roads, he completed several roads which were not completed by Obi and was also able to build 35 roads of his own from scratch.

Obiano also cited the Agulu Lake Hotel which the previous administration was unable to complete. The hotel which is located in Agulu, the hometown of his predecessor, was a five star hotel meant to boost tourism in the state and was thought by many would be abandoned as a way to spite his predecessor, but Obiano who was in Agulu to campaign to the people of the community boasted that he had completed the project and also reached an agreement with Golden Tulip Hotels, one of the best in the hospitality industry to manage it. He assured that the hotel would commence operation before December.

The governor who also made promises in health, education, infrastructure, environment, job creation and empowerment among others told Ndi Anambra during the campaigns that he had delivered on his promises The governor listed the improvement in agriculture in the state, which now sees it exporting vegetables, yams and other farm produce. In infrastructure, Obiano listed the three flyover bridges in Awka, and several bridges which his administration had constructed.

During a ceremony to present certificate of return to Obiano on his election recently, the, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji as if tasking Obiano on a second term said that the certificate being presented symbolized the mandate received by the governor, but stressed that the mandate was not an end, but a means to an end. He said, “The end here is the development of the society and the people. Your election is not a reward but a responsibility. Responsibility for the people, to improve them and develop the society and the way it is discharged will determine how the people will vote in future elections.”

border towns to Enugu, there was no need to waste money on one in Anambra, others had issues with the amount the governor said the airport would cost.

But Obiano who had taken time to speak on the project earlier insisted on being given a second chance to prove his point, and when he got it, he clarified that the airport in Enugu and Asaba were mostly patronized

by Anambra indigenes, while adding that those who had issues with the cost of the airport were simply ignorant because he was not only building an airport but an airport city(Aerodrome), and that what was more interesting was that Anambra would not spend a dime on the project.

The governor had earlier in the year flagged off the Umueri airport project, where he took time to explain that the airport which would be completed within three years was being built under the build, operate and transfer agreement would cost the state nothing except the land donated to the company.

Obiano

Between 2018 and 2022 when Obiano would be doing his second term, it is believed that he would not abandon the promises which he made to the people, which was the reason they gave him their mandate. For example, Obiano during this year’s workers day celebration had told civil servants in the state that he would not only increase their salaries, but ensure that they get a better working environment and a chance to be trained by his government. The workers will be hoping that he keeps his words now that he has won a second term.

One campaign strategy that endeared Obiano to the people as observed by this reporter was the publication of all the projects of the governor in all the 179 communities in the state. Chief Victor Umeh who was Obiano’s campaign organisation chairman said the projects published were verifiable.

The projects were made possible through

If Obiano meets the expectation of the people, there is the likelihood that the people will want an APGA government to continue

the choose-your-project initiative. Under this programme, communities were given N20million to choose and execute any project of their choice, while a local contractor was used for the job. Obiano had explained that the reason for this was to ensure that the contractor would not abandon or even misuse the money, and in the event of such, he could be traced by indigenes of the community since he is one of them.

Most communities in the state got a second tranche of N20million after executing the first project successfully. While some communities built health centres, other built town halls while some did palliatives on their roads and many others. During the campaigns, Obiano had said that if elected, he would continue with the initiative, saying that since each community got a total of N40 million in his first term, the state would witness massive improvement if he was re-elected, as he would pump more N40million into each community. This may be part of the reason for Obiano’s victory, and the communities will look forward to more projects through the initiative.

Again, during the much advertised governorship debate organized by Channels Television, four out of the five candidates that participated in the debate had taken Obiano to the cleaners over his plans to build an airport city at the cost of $2billion in Umueri. While some had said that with airports in Enugu and Asaba, which are all

The clarification had earned Obiano a loud applause during the debate, but as people say talk is cheap. Having won re-election, it is time for Obiano to put to action some of the statements he made during the campaign, and it is expected that before 2020, the Umueri Airport project would have been completed as the governor had said that the project had a lifespan of three years for execution.

The governor therefore has several tasks to accomplish in his second term, starting with infrastructure, education, agriculture among others. But as the INEC REC had stated before him, how he fares in the task ahead of him will determine the people’s voting pattern in the coming election. Obiano will have to keep this in mind, especially coming from a party that prides itself as Igbo party, which has been re-christened ‘nkea bu nkeanyi’ (this one is our own), there would be need for him to go out in the next four years campaigning to the people on the need to vote an APGA candidate.

As if to put to rest the minds of the people, Obiano had said that he would work harder in his second term than he did in his first.

Speaking at INEC headquarters, Awka, where he had gone to pick his certificate of return, the governor said, “Am happy to have picked my certificate of return, which confers on me the assignment of governing Anambra for another four years. I thank God who performed the miracle that made my 21 over 21(local government areas) victory possible. I assure you that Anambra would continue to shine. God has been with us and will continue to be with us. I will work harder in my second term than I did in the first. We will ensure we leave a legacy in Anambra. Finally, I call on other candidates to join hands with me let us move Anambra forward. Anambra State is bigger than our individual interests, so this is the time to work for Anambra’s interest.”

If Obiano meets the expectation of the people in performance, there is the likelihood that the people will want an APGA government to continue, but if Obiano squanders the people’s goodwill, APGA may lose the chance to remain in power in the state. Already, the sterling performance of the governor in his first term has boosted the chances of the party as 2019 draws near, but how Obiano who is in control in the only state won by APGA fares in the next four years will determine how far the party will go.

The ball is now in Obiano’s court, let’s see how he plays.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017

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POLITICS

PERSPECTIVE

Needless Politics in NDDC Bayelsa’s claim that it is the state’s turn to produce the next chief executive of the Niger Delta Development Commission is not supported by relevant laws, writes Princewill Finebone

Ekere

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he tenure of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is in the news but for the wrong reason essentially to do with the misunderstanding of the provisions of the Act of parliament on which the whole issue resides. There are arguments regarding the term ‘serve out’ as it affects the present board. Was it appointed to serve out a truncated tenure or was it appointed on its own merit?

There is an argument that when the Muhammadu Buhari administration came into office, the NDDC board was dissolved and Mrs Ibim Seminatari appointed on acting capacity pending the reconstitution of the board. When that board was eventually reconstituted, there was a mix-up in the presidency following two memoranda from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), one signed by Babachir Lawal at the time and another by his successor. Dr Habiba Lawal.

In one of those memoranda, the Babachir Lawal indicated that the appointments of Senator Ndoma Egba and Nsima Ekere as chairman and Managing Director respectively were to serve out the tenure of their predecessor in office.

However, in another memorandum signed by the then acting SGF, Dr Habiba Lawal, the Presidency reversed itself when it stated that the appointment of the Ndoma Egba had been renewed for another term of four years. This second memorandum was said to have been written after due consultation with the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

It is this apparent contradiction in the letter and spirit of these memoranda that is generating needless controversy. But the truth is that the Ndoma Egba and Nsima Ekere were appointed on their own merit in compliance with Section 3 of the NDDC Act which says: Where a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Board, it shall be filled by the appoint-

Ndoma-Egba

ment 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, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces subject to the confirmation of the Senate, in consultation with the House of Representatives.

However this without prejudice to Section 5 which says inter alia: (5) (I) notwithstanding the provisions of section 3 of this Act, a person shall cease to hold office as a member of the Board if – a) He becomes bankrupt, suspends payment or compounds with his creditors; b) He is convicted of a felony or any offence involving dishonesty or fraud; c) He becomes of unsound mind, or incapable of carrying out his duties; d) He is guilty of serious misconduct in relation to his duties; e) In the case of a person possessed of professional qualifications, he is disqualified or suspended, other than at his own request, from practising his profession in any part.

What this entails is that at the time the Ndoma-Egba board came on stream, there was a vacancy after the acting management of Ibim Seminatari had

It is this apparent contradiction in the letter and spirit of these memoranda that is generating needless controversy

served out the tenure of Rivers State.

The federal government, therefore, felt obliged to fill that vacancy in keeping with the extant laws guiding the commission. The first memo from the office of the SGF was wrong ab initio and had to be corrected subsequently.

So the argument by a section of the catchment area suggesting that there was a miscarriage of justice in bypassing Bayelsa State in the appointment of the managing director is not supported by the relevant laws and should be seen for what it is, an attempt to return the commission to the era of ineffectiveness.

Already there are veiled threat to the effect that the region may experience instability if the president and the authorities fail to rescind this action and investigate all those involved in what is assumed to be “fraud and injustice as it is capable of denting the image of the administration and cause a breakdown of law and order in the region since the people of Bayelsa State will not fold their arms to be short changed in a broad day robbery of their right.”

Those behind this threat also claim that the “Niger Delta region has been relatively peaceful for sometime and we do not expect actions from those who are expected to keep the peace , to suddenly derail the calm we enjoy by acts of imposing their selfish will on the people in collaboration with some persons outside the region who are ready to accept any amount of money just to do the bidding of anybody without gauging the consequence of their actions and the damage on the image of administration.”

It must be noted that Akwa Ibom and Cross River States are bona fide entities in the area referred to as the Niger Delta. Actually, when onshore and offshore resources are put together, Akwa Ibom could pass as the richest in oil resources in the country. Yes, oil was first discovered in Oloibiri in present day Bayelsa State but that is clearly beside

It must be noted that Akwa Ibom and Cross River States are bona fide entities in the area referred to as the Niger Delta

the point in the face of present realities.

There is always a mis-perception of what constitutes the Niger Delta. Certainly it is not only the Ijaw speaking areas.

This may explain why candidates from that area had dominated the board since inception with not much to show in terms of development.

It is sad that the unruly politics of the assumed owners of the Niger Delta is rearing its ugly head at this time as some elements from that geographical area are threatening to let hell loose if their wishes are not met. We hope the government will not succumb to this simmering blackmail and remove an administration that is performing very well in office through the execution of meaningful projects that touch on the lives of the people.

The ordinary people of the area are more interested in development projects that will alleviate their debilitating economic circumstances and which the present management has proved competent in providing. They may wish to confront those playing the Ijaw card to point to their record when they were at the helm of affairs. Akwa Ibom is a key resource zone when it comes to the natural distribution of hydrocarbon in the country. They deserve to produce the Chief Executive. Even more, Nsima Ekere must be allowed to complete his term of four years.

Finebone wrote in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

A S

A T

REPO CALL

7.17% 7.75%

1-MONTH 3-MONTH

9% 9.67% 10.83%

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

N O V E M B E R S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

310.91 % -0.08% 0.20%

2 3 ,

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

2 0 1 7

5.23% 18.59%

EXCHANGE RATE N305.95//1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes Air Peace Boss Makes NESH List

CONGRATULATIONS

L-R: MD, Investment Banking, United Capital Plc., Bunmi Akinremi; Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Tony O. Elumelu, CON; Group CEO, United Capital Plc., Toyin Sanni; MD, Securities, United Capital Plc., Jude Chiemeka; and MD, Asset Management, United Capital Plc, Sunny Anene, during the presentations of the PEARLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; awards won by United Capital Plc based on the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corporate governance & outstanding stock performances to Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, at the Heirs place in Lagos â&#x20AC;Ś recently

Accident Investigation Reveals Breach of Weather Reports by Pilots Chinedu Eze Accident investigation reports by the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) have revealed that pilotsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; non adherence to weather reports was the prime cause of some air accidents in the past.

The reports made available to journalists on Wednesday by AIB Commissioner, Akin Olateru noted that some pilots do not take weather reports seriously.

A senior official in charge of Aero Met at the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), also told THISDAY in a telephone interview that some pilots do not abide by the rules, which stipulate that before take off, they must go through the weather briefing.

One of such accidents linked to pilotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s failure to abide by weather reports was the incident that involved the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Socata TBM 850

AVIATION aircraft with registration 5N-BZA which occurred Near Kaduna Airport, Kaduna, Nigeria on May 21, 2013.

The report indicated that the pilot neglected the weather report, resulting in the serious incident. In fact, the AIB report showed that the decision of the crew to depart the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) â&#x20AC;&#x153;with the knowledge of weather forecast, and failure to follow the guidance provided by the weather radar advisory to avoid the impending adverse weatherâ&#x20AC;? led to the major incident.

In its recommendations, AIB said NCAT should classify all kinds of storms as hazardous considering the types of airplanes it operates (light weight) and the nature of operations it conducts (training), thereby delaying or cancelling any

intended flight with warning for storm or any adverse weather phenomena.

The Bureau said NCAT should develop and incorporate TBM 850 in its Flying School Training Manual (FSTM) and also basic training on weather radar, its systems and operations procedures and adverse weather recognition and avoidance techniques, noting that â&#x20AC;&#x153;these topics would enhance the technical and operational knowledge of weather radar equipment for both the instructors and students.â&#x20AC;? AIB also recommended that NCAT should ensure that before the commencement of any admin flight, all necessary documentation is completed including flight plan and retrieval of weather information especially where such information is readily accessible.

The official of NIMET who spoke to THISDAY on condition of anonymity, noted that

considering the rate of accidents caused by negligence of weather reports, pilots must abide by these reports in other to fly safely.

He said that presently there is weather transition in Nigeria, from rain to Harmattan which brings in the dry season that is accompanied by dust haze because â&#x20AC;&#x153;the dust is being raised from the Sahara Desert and it is spread in the northern part of the country but at a certain time it will spread to the southern part of the country and this could be dangerous to flight operations.â&#x20AC;?

According to him, this weather from the desert is accompanied by reduction of visibility; â&#x20AC;&#x153;what we experience is visibility minima (minimum visibility) and most airports in the country have the visibility minima of 800 below which flights are not allowed to land Continued on page 20

Stakeholders Oppose Amendment of NIMASA Act Seeking 1% Contribution to Navy Eromosele Abiodun Stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime industry have opposed moves by the Nigerian Navy, seeking an amendment of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA) Act to contribute 1 per cent of its revenue to the Nigerian Navy.

The move was condemned by industry players during a One-Day Public Hearing on, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Act, No. 17 2017 to increase the functions of the Agency; and for related matters (HB; 1131 & 1178),â&#x20AC;? before the House of Representative Committee on

MARITIME Maritime Safety, Education and Administration.

Speaking at the event, the President, African Ship owners Association and a former Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Temisan Omatseye pointed out clearly that it will be against all international conventions of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) entered into by the Federal Republic of Nigeria which has to be implemented.

While citing Section 22 (P) of the NIMASA Act, which provides opportunity for the Agency to provide maritime security, he noted that the IMO frowns at issues of military

engagement in commercial activities.

Also lending his voice to condemn the proposed bill, the Chairman, Ports Consultative Council, Kunle Folarin noted that Nigeria is a critical stakeholder in the international maritime space, hence the need to exercise caution in amending any bill that may jeopardise the future of Nigeria in the global maritime sector.

In his words, â&#x20AC;&#x153;NIMASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts on regional co-operation should be consolidated, rather than trying to usurp some of the functions of the Agency as it will affect the day to day operations of NIMASA in carrying out its mandates.â&#x20AC;?

He however was quick to

caution that the House of Representatives Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration should ensure that NIMASA and Nigerian Navy should not work at cross-purposes as they are both critical to the safety and security of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s territorial waterways.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), Emmanuel Ilori in strong terms also condemned the moves by the Nigerian Navy to usurp the roles of NIMASA by way of seeking amendment to the bill.

According to him, he said Continued on page 20

Chairman/Chief Executive OďŹ&#x192;cer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema has beenlistedamong100â&#x20AC;&#x153;mostremarkableandimpactfulentrepreneurs in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;? in 2016/2017.

ThelistcompiledbytheNigeriaandEntrepreneurshipSummitHonours (NESH) comprised the names of 100 Nigerians positively impacting the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy in their diďŹ&#x20AC;erent spheres of operation.

Onyema was, however, the only entrepreneur honoured in the aviation sector, where he has made huge investments providing thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians and expatriates.

With a ďŹ&#x201A;eet size of 24 aircraft, Air Peace currently operates into 10 domestic destinations in Nigeria and one in Accra, Ghana.

The carrier, which plans to expand its route network to cover Kano, Abuja-Uyo, Freetown, Banjul and Dakar in December, says it is on a mission to create employment for thousands of Nigerians and make air connectivity seamless on the domestic routes, the West Coast of Africa and international destinations, including Dubai, London, Guangzhou-China, Houston, Mumbai and Johannesburg.

Speaking at the 2017 NESH Annual Gala Dinner, Founder of the group, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju praised the honourees for working tirelessly to lift and sustain the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy.

The vision of NESH, he said, was to â&#x20AC;&#x153;stimulate sustained growth of the Nigerian economy by promoting entrepreneurship.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event is taking place at a momentous crossroads in Nigeria. For sure, the economy is not out of the woods. Yet, in spite of the vibrant exchanges between the government and the opposition, the good news is that Nigeria remains a good destination for investment and entrepreneurial eďŹ&#x20AC;ort.â&#x20AC;?

Ethiopian Boeing 787-9 Maiden Flight

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group and SKYTRAX certiďŹ ed Four Star Global Airline has announced that its second B-787-9 aircraft named after the Chinese capital city, Beijing has made its maiden commercial ďŹ&#x201A;ight to Beijing.

Passengers have enjoyed the aircraftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique features such biggest windows in the sky, high ceiling, less noise, distinctive lighting, and higher air humidity at 40 000 feet.

Ethiopian is among the veteran carriers that started serving the Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sRepublicofChinabackintheearly1970â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s,whichhastranslated into a ďŹ&#x201A;ourishing commercial and bilateral cooperation between the continent of Africa and China. Currently Ethiopian operates 30 weekly scheduled ďŹ&#x201A;ights through its ďŹ ve gateways in China: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Chengdu.

Ethiopian is supporting Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Belt and Road Initiative with its extensiveandconvenientnetworkofpassengerandcargoconnectivity in Africa, Middle East, Asia and Europe. Beijing is a city with profound history and tourist sites such as the Great Wall, the Palace Museum and theTemple of Heaven. Apart from these famous historical sites, Beijing is also a political and cultural centre of China.

SAHCOL Wins Media Network Award

The Skyway Aviation Handling Company limited (SAHCOL) has been honoured with the Grassroots Newspapers Publishers Network Award, as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best Aviation Handling Company of the year 2017.â&#x20AC;?

The award was presented to the Managing Director of SAHCOL, RizwanKadri, in his oďŹ&#x192;ce, by Comrade Ike Abiagom, National Public Relations OďŹ&#x192;cer of the Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network (GNPN), who represented the National President, Dr. Dan Awana.

In a brief speech read on behalf of the National President of the Grassroots Publishers Network, in the presence of the Executive Members of GNPN, Southern Council and Management staďŹ&#x20AC; of SAHCOL, the Publishers disclosed that, the award to SAHCOL is special and unique in every sense because it is being presented to a very special Nigeria Company that has proved beyond all doubts that democracy is truly improving the lives of the masses.

Dr. Awana said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our mandate is basically to recognize, promote, celebrate and elevate our distinguished personalities in all spheres of life who have brought fame, glory;honour and unity to Nigeria, while at the same time carry out some investigative reports in order to balance our publications.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will lead Africa in the area of aircraft accident investigation. We have started receiving interests from several countries seeking for our support,

Commissioner, Accident Investigation Bureau

Akin Olateru

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BUSINESSWORLD ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALS BREACH OF WEATHER REPORTS BY PILOTS or take-off.â&#x20AC;?

The NIMET official acknowledged that there could be instrument landing system at the airport and in the aircraft but due to sometimes unreliability of the equipment in Nigeria, it would be unreasonable to take any chances. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are looking at safety so we have to strictly abide by the weather report because if we rely on equipment there could be power failure at landing at the runway and that will lead to fatal consequences,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The official therefore cautioned that the weather reports must be obeyed; although it could lead to flight cancelations and delays but the aim is to save lives, adding that there had been occasions where pilots ignored the weather report and they were not allowed to land at the destination airports so they have to make air return back to the originating airports. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When a flight makes such air return the airline loses revenue, fuel and other expenses in addition to its goodwill. So pilots must attend met briefing or get the weather report before taking off to its destination,â&#x20AC;? the NIMET official said.

STAKEHOLDERS OPPOSE AMENDMENT OF NIMASA ACT SEEKING 1% CONTRIBUTION TO NAVY that the Cabotage fund should not be raided to fund another Agency of government that already has a budget from the Federal Government. He called on the Navy to seek for more budgetary funding from the right source and not from NIMASA as both Agenciesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; have their jurisdiction as regarding budget and expenditure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;NIMASA is already investing in infrastructure that will lead to a total coverage of the maritime sector, hence the need to encourage them for the good of the maritime sector. At this critical time, it is premature to seek any form of amendment and we need to support NIMASA on this; more so we are going to IMO again and Nigeria must not be an object of ridicule again, â&#x20AC;?Ilori said.

Group Business Editor

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NEWS

FG Terminates Concession Agreement with Aulic Nigeria over Alleged Contract Breach Ugo Aliogo The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has terminated the concession agreement it signed with a concessionaire, Nicholas Eze of Aulic Nigeria Limited, the former landlord of Lagos International Trade Fair Complex (LITFC) citing breach of contract agreement.

Briefing journalists on the development in Lagos, the Executive Director of LITFC, Mrs. Lucy Ajayi, said that one of the breaches of the contract was the non-remittance of lease fees to the federal government totaling over N6.5 billion from 2008 to 2017.

She stated that due to the non-compliance with payment, the contract was terminated, noting that the property has depreciated from the original state which it was when government handed it over to the concessionaire.

She also noted that Eze had an agreement with Lagos Trade Fair, but the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) did the agreement on behalf of Lagos International Trade Fair, adding that the contract was a development agreement.

Ajayi explained that the terms were that he would pay N40billion for the 30 years lease and government started with a N100 million. According to Ajayi, the amount to be remitted by the concessionaire was increased to N1billion per annum three years

ago. She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153; They did it very small because he just took over and therefore, we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect him to make profit in the third and fourth year. But we assumed that by the fifth or sixth year, he should have made profit.â&#x20AC;?

Ajayi stated that in the last three years, Eze failed to remit the N1billion naira annually, but instead, he began selling most of the land he was supposed to use for developmental purposes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;so that people could

build whatever they want to build. Even without building approvals.â&#x20AC;?

According to Ajayi, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) policy that you privatise so that you can make more money. He reneged on the agreement. Initially, he thought BPE concessioned the complex to him for that N40 billion. He said he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know that he was not going to inherit the stakeholders, but the stakeholders already have agreement

before he came.â&#x20AC;?

She explained: â&#x20AC;&#x153;When he was challenging that issue, the NCP in 2013 said if there is this problem why donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you come and letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workout those stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; areas from the other areas, then we will re-compute what you will be paying. He agreed and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), when they say they were going to bring facility auditors to come and audit to tell him the actual amount

that he will be paying. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then he went to court to get an injunction to stop that process in 2013. I saw an order which said maintain status quo till December 2014. He refused and was hanging on that injunction till I came in April this year. So we cannot continue with him. He is making money. He threw us out of the Administrative block and took over the gate. When I came in, I tried to get in touch with him, but I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

BUSINESS EXPANSION

L-R: Zonal Head, South-West, Agent Banking, Heritage Bank, Oluwakemi Adewunmi; Managing Director, Dunmop Ventures/Agent, Mr. Ayo Kale; his wife, OluwaKemi; Zonal Head, Lagos, Agent Banking, Onyeka Umeadi, and Experience Centre Manager, Ahmadu Bello Way, Adaure Onwumere, during the inauguration of Heritage Bank in Lagos â&#x20AC;Śrecently

CBN to Harness Opportunities in Fintechs Ikenna Ekwerike The Deputy Governor, Economic policy, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Okwu Nnanna has expressed confidence in the ability of financial technologies and digital currencies to impact positively on financial system stability and general economic development.

This was contained in his opening remarks at the Cryptography Development Initiative in Nigeria (NDIN) during their Nigeria Blockchain Alliance (NBA) conference held in Lagos recently. The theme of the conference was: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;National

Development in the Era of Distributed Ledger Technology and Digital Currency.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Nnanna stated that the theme of the conference offers a unique opportunity to reflect once again on the impact of financial technologies and digital currency on financial system stability and economic development. The CBN Deputy Governor, represented by Dr. Emmanuel Adamgbe argued that â&#x20AC;&#x153;financial innovations add to a countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial sector competitiveness and sophistication, while facilitating greater productive investment.â&#x20AC;?

He, therefore expressed opti-

mism that financial innovations can help Nigeria improve payment system efficiency, eliminate incidences such as counterfeit currencies in transactions, build virtual financial communities across continents, foster greater trade and exchange as well as provide a diversified portfolio of investment for individuals, households and firms.

He however, harped on the need to develop an appropriate framework to regulate the system considering the potential threats that go with it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We should be mindful of the challenges posed by distributed ledger technology and digital

currencies which can lead to boom-bust in the domestic asset markets,â&#x20AC;? he concluded.

Also speaking at the event, Chief Information Security Officer, CBN, Dr. Rakiya Mohammed, who was guest speaker at the conference, said government was not averse to innovations but had certain concerns which include consumer right, tax evasion, and money laundering, among others.

She said that the CBN was studying the phenomenon and would soon make formal pronouncements and probably come up with necessary framework to regulate

blockchain technology and digital currency in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Crypto experts who spoke at the conference said bitcoin and other digital currencies have already become global phenomena. They shared their experiences and explained how the system works.

Ray Youssef from the USA and CEO of PAXFUL, a global marketplace for bitcoin that operates in the US and Africa and powered by people and blockchain said they provide support for bitcoin users and educate new entrants on the opportunities for entrepreneurs and individuals.

LSETF Urged to Engage Management Consultants to Monitor Fund Utilisation Peter Uzoho A beneficiary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) loan facility and Managing Partner of Inland Royal Group of Companies, Mr. Ikpoko Irikefe Scott, has advised the agency to engage the services of management experts to help in monitoring utilisation of loans given to entrepreneurs in the state. He noted that the management of the fund by beneficiaries was key in the realisation of its objectives.

Scott who got a loan of N500, 000 from the fund,

also suggested that the agency should allow applicants to have the exact amount requested for rather than giving them less, saying some of the applicants were given less than the amount they requested for. He stressed that this would enable them to meet up with their targets.

The entrepreneur whose business consists of Inland Royal Consulting, Inland Royal School of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Inland Royal Waters (sachet and bottle water manufacturing company), and Inland Royal Autos, an automobile company, said he

got the loan to scale up his water manufacturing business, noting that the facility had been useful to his business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The loan management is very key. Presently there is no problem with the application and processing of the loans. I think the LSETF can get more management consultants that will monitor the utilisation of these funds and advise beneficiaries on the importance of the loans and why they need to pay back. I also feel there is need to do continuous training for these set of people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Although there is a

verification process for applicants, I think it is better to give the amount applied for to the entrepreneurs. It is quite difficult if you apply for N500, 000 and you are given less than that. Again, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in a time of serious competition and it is only those who have the needed fund available to them that will do better in the competitionâ&#x20AC;?, Scott said.

According to him, within seven months, the company had recorded growth of about 40 to 75 per cent since the loan was accessed as they were able to purchase rolls used in the production of sachet and

bottle water.

Scott added: Before now we had three people as our employees in the pure water factory who were working on the machines, but at the moment, we have about 13 people working in the factory.

We want to get more people to work and this can only happen when we get more money to inject in the business.â&#x20AC;?

He commended the state government for establishing the Employment Trust Fund to help entrepreneursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; businesses to thrive and reduce the rate of youth unemployment in the state.

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯ˜ Ͱͮͯ͵

21

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Onigbogi: How PFAs Survived Recession Stories by Eromosele Abiodun Head Business Development, ARM Pension Managers, Abisola Onigbogi has stated that investment in guaranteed return instruments not in variable instrument helped Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) to survive the crushing recession that Nigeria is just getting out of.

Onigbogi made this known while speaking to journalists at the annual 5km run/walk tagged, ‘Run for the Future’ organised by ARM. According to him, “Just like every other aspect of the economy the PFAs were not insulated from the recession however, unlike most other sectors we were a bit sanitised, our regulators are very strict about what we invest in. over time most of our monies are in guaranteed return instruments not in variable instrument.

“Largely we were insulated from most things, we have returned positive results even during the recession and as the

economy gets better we will continue to ride the crest into a better future for our investors and retirees.”

He described the ARM ‘Run for the Future’ as a multi location, multi period event that the company organises across the country.

“It is designed to enjoin our clients and potential clients to look beyond existing contribution to life after contribution.

We are telling them that there is no point putting the money together if you don’t have the life to enjoy it after you retire.

So we want to encourage the culture of exercise, healthy living so that at retirement you still have a lot to go for.

Its been something we have been doing regularly, this is the 5th edition. We have done it in Lagos, PortHarcut, Abuja and we have had a mini run in universities across the country.

“For our customers, they can see now that we are not just here to collect their money but to encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle. We have received a lot of positive feedback that is

why we have invested a lot of money to make the event more meaningful to the customers.

When we started about three years ago we had barely about three hundred participants. As at now we have over 4000 registered participants, “he said.

He encouraged pension contributors and pensioners in the country to embrace healthy living so as to enjoy what they have worked for.

He said the event, which is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) seeks to promote health leaving among its clients and the Nigerian public. He said beginning from this year the event will be holding in three major cities, Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

This year’s event in Lagos saw participants who were adorned in the PFA’s T-shirts ‘Run for the Future’ slogan walking/running from Ikoyi office of the firm to Lekki.

He explained that the 5km run/walk aimed at creating awareness amongst the general public on the importance of exercise and healthy living.

NPA Salutes Female Operators, Designates Lily Pond Terminal for Agro-produceExport The Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has expressed confidence in the special ability of the women folk in an effort to enhance the Maritime Industry and improve the nation’s economy through incursion into areas supposedly dominated by men.

Speaking at the Tincan Island Container Terminal Limited (TICT), at the unveiling of first set of professionals in the whole of Africa to be trained in the Operation of Rubber Tyre Gantry (RTG) (a specialised Cargo Handling Equipment), the Managing Director of the NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman poured encomiums on them for being champions, who are able to work effectively in a

new environment, saying that “the sky is indeed their limit.”

Earlier, the Managing Director of TICT, Etienne Rocher stated that the company has set a record of training the first set of Nigerian ladies, who can successfully operate the RTG in the whole of Africa and that TICT, is proud to be a trail blazer in this area.

Rocher further stated that the ladies have favourably performed in this field and adding that in the long run, their efforts would help to retain Nigeria as one of the biggest players in the Maritime sector and in the sub region.

Meanwhile, the NPA has reiterated the designation of the Lily Pond Terminal in

Ijora and the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, Ikorodu specifically for the Export of Agro-produce.

Delivering, a goodwill message on “Nigeria Agricultural Integrated Export Control Plan Zero Rejects Initiative on Agric-Produce,” in Lagos, Bala-Usman stated that the organisation would work conscientiously towards achieving the Government Export Agenda.

Bala Usman, assured the stakeholders that works had already commenced on the reconstruction of the access roads leading to the ports in Apapa, adding that security around the axis have been beefed up in collaboration with security agents.

SIFAX Wins Ebute-Ojo FerryTerminal Concession SIFAX Group has been given the concession approval by the Lagos State Government to operate and maintain the Ebute-Ojo Ferry Terminal for a period of 10 years.

The company emerged the preferred bidder after a rigorous bidding process and would operate the terminal for a period of 10 years.

Speaking at the formal handover ceremony of the facility to SIFAX Group, Mr. Falase Pekun, the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Waterways Authority, said the choice of SIFAX Group was hinged on its excellent track record and a convincing business proposal.

“SIFAX Group has relevant experience in infrastructure concession. One of its subsidiaries, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited is the concessionaire of Terminal C of the Tin-Can Island Port and it has done so well in the

last eleven years. The business proposal submitted was also very realistic and interesting, ”he said.

Pekun also noted that the concession of ferry terminals to experienced operators is one of the executions of the Lagos State Government’s multi-modal transport initiative, aimed at providing efficient and effective transportation options for teeming Lagosians.

“We believe the PPP business model is the quickest way to activate this plan and that’s the reason our ferry terminals will be managed by private operators, “he said.

On his part, General Manager, Business Development and Strategic Planning, Mr. Saheed Lasisi, who represented the Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group at the ceremony, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi expressed delight at the state government’s choice of SIFAX Group as the

preferred concessionaire of the terminal.

He promised that SIFAX Group would surpass the expectations of the government in transforming water transportation in the state.

He said: “Over the years, SIFAX Group has acquired both technical and professional expertise in the running of both air and sea terminals.

This expertise will be deployed in the running of this ferry terminal and we assure you that we will transform the Ebute-Ojo Ferry Terminal into a hub that is attractive to both passengers and ferry operators.

“Under the concession agreement, SIFAX Group will take charge of the ferry berthing terminal, the car park space, passenger services and other services that will transform the terminal into a world class station, “he stated.

RISK MANAGEMENT WATCH Robert Mbonu

No More Business As Usual

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍŻË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

22

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Air Peace Boss Backs Clamour for Low Taxes on Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Airlines Chinedu Eze The Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyema has expressed support for the campaign to reduce the taxes on airlines by government agencies, saying that the high taxes are responsible for the high air fares charged travellers in the continent.

Experts said with lower taxes, the number of travellers would double from 120 million people in 2015 to 300 million in 2035.

Onyema, who aligned with the submission of the President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Mr, Akinwunmi Adesina on high taxes imposed on airlines, however condemned him along with other airline operators in Nigeria for labelling the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s airlines as poorly managed and unsafe, saying that Adesina was ill-informed about the states of the airlines on the continent.

He noted that in the last two years, the continent has not recorded major accident with commercial airliner. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also confirmed the improved safety record among airlines in Africa.

Onyema lamented that operators on the continent especially airlines in Nigeria pay spurious taxes and charges to government agencies, state governments and organisations, stressing that unlike in other parts of the world where airlines were given leeway to boost their operations, the reverse was the case in the country.

He observed that most of government officials were unfriendly with private investors in the country, saying that rather than helping businesses to grow, they contribute to their early demise by their actions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unless the civil service in this country understands that

investors must be helped to create jobs and put food on the table of so many people, we will continue to have this issue of insecurity because some people are jobless and they will be opened to social vices. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Excess taxation is one of the banes of our aviation industry, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the things that is stunting our growth in this part of the world and except that is addressed, nothing will happen.

But, in order to address that, the Federal Government set up a tax force in which I am a member to look into the issue.â&#x20AC;?

The Air Peace Boss also warned against quick implementation of the Yamoussoukro Declaration (YD) of 1999 by the Nigerian government, which is a policy on open sky for African airlines and stressed that Nigeria had a lot to lose in the policy than any other African country.

Benue Signs MoU with Petrolex, CDC Group for Cargo Airport The Benue State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Petrolex Group and the Cargo Development Company (CDC) for the development of its cargo airport, which would serve as springboard for the economic development of the state.

Speaking during a brief ceremony recently at the Government House in Makurdi, the Chairman of Petrolex, Otunba Segun Adebutu, said that Benue was strategic to the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next investment destination for its N20billion oil and gas project and the airport would be pivotal to its projects.

Adebutu said the project would include the construction of 100-250 MW gas turbine power plant, Jet A1 Aviation farm and over 30

retail gas and petrol stations across the state. He said that the project would unlock economic potential of the state and create job for its teeming unemployed youths as he commended Benue state government for keying into the opportunity and the President Muhammadu Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration for the growth enhancement programme in the country.

On his part, the facilitator of CDC Group, the Concessionaire for the Cargopolis Makurdi Airport, Robert Orya, expressed optimism that the project would address issues of post harvest losses by farmers in the state, increase warehousing and semi processing facilities in about seven local government areas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The airport will be a hub

to Nigeria and Africa at large.

Benue is largely and agricultural state, we have challenges of preserving and storing our farm produce,especially fruits and vegetables, the project if completed would tackle such issues,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Orya said in the course of the project, a minimum of 15 pilots would be trained, adding, that the duration of the project will be 24 months with the state government contributing only 15 per cent to the tripartite agreement.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff to the Benue State government, Terwase Orbunde who stood in for Governor Samuel Ortom, noted with delight that the tripartite agreement in which the state is an equity partner would harness the economic potentials of the state.

Airbus Foundation, Air CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire Team Up for Goodwill Flight The Airbus Foundation and Air CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire have organised their first goodwill flight to transport school supplies and clothes for underprivileged children aboard the airlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest A320.

As part of Air CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corporate social responsibility policy, this mission will support the education and health sector â&#x20AC;&#x201C; areas in great need in the region. The aircraft took off from Toulouse on 25 November carrying three tonnes of goods, donated by Aviation Sans Frontières, to Air CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home base

in Abidjan. The relief items will be distributed to the three NGOs Health Alliance, Children of Africa and SOS Village dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;enfants dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Abobo. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are honoured to be working with Aviation Sans Frontières and the Airbus Foundation to perform this humanitarian flight,â&#x20AC;? said General Director Air CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire, RenĂŠ DĂŠcurey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The acceptance of our latest A320 is made more meaningful as we transport humanitarian goods to children in need. At the same time, this highlights the essential role that aviation plays in addressing humanitarian

emergencies and supporting relief operations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whenever possible with our customers, we try to use delivery flights of new aircraft to ship humanitarian donations to countries or regions in need,â&#x20AC;? said Fabrice BrĂŠgier, President Airbus Commercial Aircraft and member of the Airbus Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Board of Directors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I welcome Air CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire to our network of partners and thank the airline as well as Aviation Sans Frontières for their logistics support and tireless efforts to make this mission a reality,â&#x20AC;? DĂŠcurey said.

AIR WATCH Aircraft Maintenance in Africa It is often said in the aviation industry that Africa has the lowest number of flights but records the highest number of air crashes in the world.

This has been a damning record over the years, but since the last few years, Africa has improved significantly. This was confirmed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

So airline operators in Nigeria were piqued last week during the International Civil Aviation Organisation World Aviation Forum (IWAF) in Abuja when the President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina alleged that airlines in Africa do not maintain their aircraft and that explained why there is high rate of accidents in the continent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Also, Africa needs safe skies. Africa is the riskiest of skies to fly in. While Africa accounts for only 3.4 per cent of all flight departures, it represents over 9 percent of all air accidents and 37 percent of total global air fatalities. Among the 200 airlines blacklisted by the EU, more than 50 percent are African! These are shocking and nonacceptable numbers.

The reasons are several: old, poorly maintained and inefficient aircraft, poor safety standards, weak navigation systems, traffic management and generally weak inspection and oversight, and non-compliance with safety audits. These must change! Air travel must be safe â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and safety should never be compromised,â&#x20AC;? Adesina said at the forum.

Many industry insiders argued that the figures mentioned by Adesina were from the old records; that African countries have improved in their safety rating in the past four years. They insisted that there is improved air safety in the region.

The Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema reacting to the statement credited to AfDB President said that Nigerian airlines are over regulated by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and insisted they could compete with any airline in the world.

He explained that such comments affected insurance premiums paid by African airlines, which he said were having negative impacts on their performances and financial resources.

Onyema said that on the average, Nigerian airlines pay at least $2.8m for C-Checks of aircraft while their competitors could carry out such maintenances for a mere $500, 000, adding that insurance premiums paid on aircraft is four times more than what legacy airlines pay around the world.

Onyema insisted that all Nigerian airlines were as safe as their counterparts in Europe and America despite the harsh operating environment in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let me tell you something, which you know, NCAA, in fact is safety-centric; maybe because of the accidents of the past. They hound the airlines into doing the right thing.

We are over-regulated by NCAA. What they can allow in America and Europe, NCAA will not allow it here. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The money we spend to maintain our fleet, the legacy airlines of this world do not spend it. I have never done any C-check that is less than $2.8m, yet all over the world, people do C-Check with $500,000 because some components that will expire in two or three months are still left on the aircraft because they are very close to source of spares and maintenance facilities unlike here that we have to do everything at a go. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I disagree with Adesina on that statement because this is the assumptions the foreign countries hinge on. They tell you Nigeria is unsafe in order to add more to insurance

Aircraft under maintenance

premiums for themselves. What I pay as insurance premiums on one aircraft, the legacy airlines of this world would pay it on four aircraft. They tell you Nigeria is unsafe and yet, all of them still scramble to come here. It is what I call international aero politics, which is very bad,â&#x20AC;? he added.

IATA in a recent statement rated the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s airlines very high in terms of safety and maintenance of their fleet. According to the body, African airlines had significantly improved in safety, which explains why there had not been any commercial air accidents among the carriers in the past two years.

Vice-President, IATA, African Region, Raphael Kuuchi told THISDAY earlier in the year that there has been progressive report on air safety in Africa. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The good news is that throughout the (IATA) conference, probably for the first time in many, many years you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t heard Africa mentioned in relation to air accidents, which shows that a lot of things are happening positively in Africa.

To start with, traffic is continuing to grow and IATA 20 year forecast indicates that Africa is going to be the fastest growing region in the next 20-35 years and about 5.1 percent growth year in year out. In addition to that; I am sure you all read the media release of IATA about our safety record in Africa which is unprecedented with zero loses for last year.

Kuuchi said Africa also got a number of African airlines which now come onboard IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA).

I will be taking the message to African governments that much as we have seen safety improve since the Abuja Declaration (which made IATA Safety Audit mandatory for African airlines) targets were announced in 2012 to the extent that now we are recording zero losses, we do not want to see airlines that are on the IOSA register drop off that register. And so government should help us.

Kuuchi said one of the provisions of the Abuja Declaration was that states should make the Abuja Declaration an integral part of Air Operator Certificate (AOC) renewal for airlines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen that in many countries, so we will want African government to ensure that when you are renewing airlines AOC, you ensure that they have IOSA and that the IOSA is valid. Now if we do that, then we are going to ensure that once you are on the IOSA registry you must keep on it otherwise you will not get your next IOSA registration,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Both ICAO an IATA have agreed that airline safety has significantly improved in Africa; it is the onus on regulatory authorities and the airline to maintain and improve on the safety standard.

FRIDAY, ÍšË&#x153; ͺ͸͚Ϳ Ëž T H I S D AY

23

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Joe-Ezigbo: Appropriate Fiscal Framework will Propel Investment in Gas Sector Audrey Joe-Ezigbo is the Co-Founder/Executive Director of Falcon Corporation Limited. In this interview, Joe-Ezigbo who is also the1st Vice President, Nigerian Gas Association, shared her thoughts on the opportunities in the gas sub-sector and the challenges arising from the delay in signing into law of the National Gas Policy.

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku presents the excerpts: Recently, the Federal Executive Council approved the National Gas Policy. Do you see the approved version as achieving its aspirations?

Without a doubt, the approval of the NGP is a welcome development, but it is early days yet as far as the journey towards implementation and tangible impact on the industry is concerned. It is important that we are very clear on this reality. That said, I view the NGP as a considerably well thought out governing tool for the Gas subsector. The focus of the policy is to provide an enabling environment for optimal development and commercialisation of Natural Gas resources across the value chain; the segregation of the industry into upstream, midstream and downstream operations being critical to the objective of positioning Nigeria as a gas-based industrialised nation. The policy is robust in its approach towards deepening value extraction from the gas sector, and I see this also as a reflection of the extensive multi-level stakeholder engagement that was part of the process of developing the final policy.

There however remain a myriad of deep issues plaquing the industry which cannot simply be wished away by the policy. In my view, it is in the determined addressing of those issues in a systematic manner on a continuous basis that will ensure the NGP achieves its aspirations. I can tell you for instance that the effectiveness of the NGP is hinged to a large degree on the expectation that Nigeria will be able to draw in significant investment into funding the various infrastructure projects required to be delivered across the gas value chain. On the other side of the table however, investors are watching closing to see what supporting fiscal framework the nation will put in place. I am aware the draft Petroleum Fiscal Policy is far ahead in the process towards obtaining FEC approval, and both domestic and international investors are waiting to see what the fiscals look like as the provisions will either attract or repel funding into the sector. The NGP aims to create an operational landscape within the gas industry where gas projects are undertaken largely only when they piggyback off oil exploration projects.

This will not help us develop an independent strong gas industry. It is the fiscal provisions that will show if indeed a standalone dry gas project will be economically viable, and the nation will only see concerted independent exploration and production activities for gas where this is possible.

Generally, there is a high level of expectation amongst industry players, but there is also a heightened level of anxiety which is compounded by other sectoral challenges such as the power sector illiquidity issue which is quite crippling on the operations of gas producers and suppliers. Effectively therefore, there is still a lot of work to be done by both the executive and legislative arms of government, if we are to see commensurate positive responses and significant investment activity on the part of the industry players and investors. Generally, I believe that if we begin to address other unresolved issue impacting the sector, we should begin to see some traction in terms of impact of the NGP on the sector in about 2-3 years.

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gas potential has been bogged down by infrastructural challenges. What is the way forward?

When I spoke earlier regarding investments in the sector, I was making inference to the huge infrastructure gap in the industry

Joe-Ezigbo

and the financing required to bridge this gap over the medium to long term. Let me put it in context a bit. The UK has approximately 176Bcm of proven gas reserves while Nigeria has about 187Tcf. Conversely however, the UK has over 282,600KM of gas pipeline infrastructure, whereas Nigeria has barely 5,000km of antiquated pipeline infrastructure. When you further contextualize this along the lines of population, social welfare, level of development and industrialisation, you get a clearer sense of just how dire the situation is. A survey by the Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) posits that for Nigeria to bridge the gas sector infrastructure deficit, there is a need for an estimated initial investment of $6 billion annually over a period of four years, and then dropping to $3 billion annually thereafter in new Gas production, processing and transportation infrastructure. This is not money that can come from the government, and neither is it money that will come in unless private sector investors can see that the

Over the past ten years particularly however, we have seen attempts to address the development of the sector, but there were many gaps with the gas revolution, the power sector reform initiatives

landscape has been sufficiently de-risked.

Risk is part of business yes, but when you are speaking to policy and legislation; foreign currency rates, access and flow challenges; lack of market-reflective pricing mechanisms; lack of sanctity of contract; and so on, erosion of investorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; confidence and investor apathy are understandable outcomes in the face of more stable economies competing for the same pool of investor funds.

We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get here overnight. There are legacy issues around how we have treated Gas assets in the past. Our gas discoveries were fallouts of oil exploration and production activities. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see gas as an economic resource, but rather as a nuisance. Over the past ten years particularly however, we have seen attempts to address the development of the sector, but there were many gaps with the gas revolution, the power sector reform initiatives. We ended up driving implementation of several gas-to-power and gas-based projects without giving commensurate attention to the gas transportation, storage and delivery infrastructure that will provide the interconnectivity framework to ensure the Gas was available where needed. And in all this time, the conversation has centered around utilisation of Associated Gas. We have not made any deliberate efforts to ensure exploration and production of Non-Associated Gas. This needs to change. The NGP recognizes and addresses this, but if we are to move forward we also need to address the earlier challenges I have spoken to. As a country, Nigeria needs to see Gas as a resource that is a critical enabler of economic development. All our industrialisation and diversification aspirations are tied to a large degree to our ability to address our power output deficit. Our reality is that gas, not hydro and certainly not renewables at this point in

time, is the primary resource that guarantees the desired quantum leap in power generation across the nation. We are glad for the approval of the NGP and passage of the PIGB, but we need traction on the passage of the Petroleum Fiscal Bill, Petroleum Host Community Bill and the Petroleum Revenue Bill.

We need to address the issues relating to market-reflective pricing. We cannot continue to play ostrich in this regard. Governmentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; social intervention stance is understandable but not reasonable in the face of the spate of investments required to guarantee a better standard of living for the people, vis-Ă -vis the need for investors to make reasonable returns.

We will not attract the needed investments if the numbers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make sense, the landscape of business is tight and uncertain, and there is a mismatch between the currency of investment and the currency of revenues, and bottlenecks impinging upon revenue flows back to the country from which the funds were sourced.

How true is the assertion that power plant operators now prefer to shut down plants rather than continue to be owed?

This is a true and expected position, indeed to present it otherwise would again amount to playing ostrich. We cannot reasonably expect gas producers and suppliers to continue to operate where they are owed several billions of naira, with over two yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of unpaid invoices accumulated. This does not make business sense in any clime. Some of the operators, who supply Associated Gas, have been able to manage the situation by leveraging their operation on revenues from oil exploration.

But in the face of the lingering depressed global oil prices, this is not sustainable. For CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

24

T H I S D AY FRIDAY DECEMBER 1, 2017

UNIVERSITY OF AFRICA

TORU-ORUA (UAT), TORU-ORUA, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

VACANCIES FOR ACADEMIC AND NON-TEACHING POSITIONS 1. The University and Its Vision

ii.) >iďrarian /ͬ//

- OEUA^^ ϬϰͬϬϯ

Ă͘Ϳ dŚĞ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ŽĨ ĨƌŝĐĂ͕ dŽƌƵͲKƌƵĂ ;h dͿ͗ ŝƐ Ă ŶĞǁ ŝŶƐƟƚƵƟŽŶ ĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚĞĚ ďLJ ƚŚĞ ĂLJĞůƐĂ ^ƚĂƚĞ 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ďĞ Ă WƵďůŝĐͲWƌŝǀĂƚĞ ,ŝŐŚĞƌ ĚƵĐĂƟŽŶĂů /ŶƐƟƚƵƟŽŶ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƟŽŶ ŽĨ ŽƵƚƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ŐƌĂĚƵĂƚĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƌĞŶŽǁŶĞĚ ĨĂĐƵůƚLJ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĚ ƚŽ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ƉĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉƐ ǁŝƚŚ ƉĞŽƉůĞ͕ ŐŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ͘

iii.) Assistant >iďrarian

- OEUA^^ ϬϮ

iv.) 'raĚuate Assistant (>iďrary)

- OEUA^^ Ϭϭ

ď͘Ϳ dŚĞ ǀŝƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ŝƐ ƚŽ ďĞ͗ Ă ĮƌƐƚͲƌĂƚĞ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĚ ƚŽ ƚĞĂĐŚŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ĚĞĚŝĐĂƚĞĚ ƚŽ ŐĞŶĞƌĂƟŶŐ ŬŶŽǁůĞĚŐĞ ĨŽƌ ŝŶŶŽǀĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ͘

3. VACANT NON-TEACHING STAFF VACANCIES

coŵƉuter ůiterate. Ɛ Ă ZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ Θ /ŶŶŽǀĂƟŽŶ ŝŶƚĞŶƐŝǀĞ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ͕ ŽƵƌ ƉƌŽƐƉĞĐƟǀĞ WƌŽĨĞƐƐŽƌƐ ŵƵƐƚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ĐůĞĂƌ ĞǀŝĚĞŶĐĞ ŽĨ ĐĂƉĂĐŝƚLJ ĨŽƌ ŐƌĂŶƚ ĂƩƌĂĐƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ŵĞŶƚŽƌƐŚŝƉ͘ i.b) Readers

CONUASS 06

As in i.) aďove, ďut ǁith a ŵiniŵuŵ of eiŐht (ϴ) years teachinŐ anĚ research edžƉerience in a University or coŵƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon. ii.) Senior Lecturer

CONUASS 05

c.) The University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT):

AƉƉůicaƟons are hereďy inviteĚ froŵ suitaďůy ƋuaůiĮeĚ canĚiĚates to Įůů the foůůoǁinŐ EonTeachinŐ ^taī ƉosiƟons:

a) /s an Ƌuaů OƉƉortunity ŵƉůoyer.

1. DIRECTORS

ď) ŵƉhasises the aƩracƟon of 'rants anĚ onsuůtancy enŐaŐeŵents ďy staī to the University in a ǁin-ǁin edžecuƟon ŵoĚeů.

i). irector of torŬs anĚ ^ervices

- OET/^^ ϭϱ

anĚiĚates for the ƉosiƟon of a ^enior >ecturer in any of the &acuůƟes anĚ WroŐraŵŵes aĚverƟseĚ shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ ,onours eŐree anĚ a Wh in any area of the ĮeůĚ of stuĚy. /n aĚĚiƟon, a ŵiniŵuŵ of Įve (ϱ) years teachinŐ anĚ research edžƉerience in a University or coŵƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon, eviĚence of schoůarůy ƉuďůicaƟons in reƉutaďůe ũournaůs anĚ aƩenĚance of ůearneĚ conferences are reƋuireĚ.

ii). irector of AcaĚeŵic WůanninŐ

- OET/^^ ϭϱ

iii.) Lecturer I/II

iii). irector of Whysicaů WůanninŐ

- OET/^^ ϭϱ

anĚiĚates for the ƉosiƟon of >ecturer /ͬ// in any of the &acuůƟes anĚ WroŐraŵŵes aĚverƟseĚ shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ ,onours eŐree anĚ a Wh in any area of the ĮeůĚs of stuĚy. /n aĚĚiƟon, a ŵiniŵuŵ of three (ϯ) years (edžceƉt for > //) teachinŐ anĚ research edžƉerience in a University or coŵƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon, eviĚence of schoůarůy ƉuďůicaƟons in reƉutaďůe ũournaůs anĚ aƩenĚance of ůearneĚ conferences are reƋuireĚ. &or canĚiĚates aƉƉůyinŐ for the Ɖost of >ecturer //, a hiŐh Ňier ǁith a Daster, ŵay ďe consiĚereĚ.

c) anĚiĚates for aůů ƉosiƟons ŵust ďe coŵƉuter ůiterate. Ě) 'uarantees an aƩracƟve saůary, ǁhich is aďove the EaƟonaů UniversiƟes ^caůe. Ϯ. VaĐant AĐadeŵiĐ Staī WosiƟons

2. OTHER NON TEACHING STAFF A.) REGISTRY

CONUASS 04/03

The University of Africa, hereďy aĚverƟses vacant acaĚeŵic ƉosiƟons in the foůůoǁinŐ EaƟonaů UniversiƟes oŵŵission͛s (EU ) aƉƉroveĚ acaĚeŵic ƉroŐraŵŵes.

i.) WrinciƉaů Assistant ZeŐistrar

- OET/^^ ϭϯ

iv.) Assistant Lecturer

A. FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

ii.) ^enior Assistant ZeŐistrar

- OET/^^ ϭϭ

Wrofessors, ZeaĚers, ^enior >ecturers, >ecturers /ͬ// anĚ Assistant >ecturers as ǁeůů as TechnoůoŐists in the foůůoǁinŐ eƉartŵents anĚ ƉroŐraŵŵes

iii.) Assistant ZeŐistrar

- OET/^^ Ϭϵ

anĚiĚates ŵust Ɖossess a acheůor͛s ĚeŐree in any area of the ĮeůĚ of stuĚy aĚverƟseĚ ǁith a ŵiniŵuŵ of seconĚ cůass anĚ Dasters͛ eŐree (ǁith thesis) in such ĮeůĚs of stuĚy ǁith at ůeast ϲϬй or ϯ.ϱ 'WA on a ϱ-Ɖoint scaůe oďtaineĚ froŵ a recoŐniseĚ University.

WuďůicaƟons in reƉutaďůe ũournaůs, aƩenĚance at ůearneĚ conferences anĚ eviĚence of reŐistraƟon for Wh ǁouůĚ ďe aĚĚeĚ aĚvantaŐes.

i.) eƉartŵent of AŐricuůturaů conoŵics anĚ džtension ^ervices

iv.) AĚŵinistraƟve Oĸcer /ͬ//

- OET/^^ ϬϴͬϬϳ

CONUASS 02

v.) WrinciƉaů onĮĚenƟaů ^ecretaries /ͬ//

- OET/^^ Ϭϵͬϭϭ

v.) Senior Librarian/Librarian I

vi.) ^enior onĮĚenƟaů ^ecretaries

- OET/^^ Ϭϴ

vii.) onĮĚenƟaů ^ecretaries /ͬ//

- OET/^^ ϬϲͬϬϳ

anĚiĚates shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ ,onours eŐree anĚ a Dasters͛ ĚeŐree in >iďrary ^tuĚiesͬ>iďrary anĚ /nforŵaƟon ^cience ǁith a ŵiniŵuŵ of sidž (ϲ) years for ^enior >iďrarian anĚ three (ϯ) years for >iďrarian /. Wrofessionaů >iďrarian edžƉerience in a University or coŵƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon. Wossession of a Wh ǁiůů ďe an aĚĚeĚ aĚvantaŐe. There ŵust ďe eviĚence of schoůarůy ƉuďůicaƟons in reƉutaďůe ũournaůs anĚ aƩenĚance of ůearneĚ conferences. anĚiĚates ŵust ďe cerƟĮeĚ ďy the >iďrarians͛ ZeŐistraƟon, etc. ounciů of EiŐeria (>Z E).

i.) hief Accountant

- OET/^^ ϭϯ

vi.) Librarian II

Wrofessors, ZeaĚers, ^enior >ecturers, >ecturers /ͬ// anĚ Assistant >ecturers in the foůůoǁinŐ eƉartŵents anĚ ƉroŐraŵŵes

ii.) WrinciƉaů Accountant

- OET/^^ ϭϭ

iii.) ^enior Accountant

- OET/^^ Ϭϵ

i.) eƉartŵent of nŐůish

iv.) Accountant /ͬ//

- OET/^^ ϬϴͬϬϳ

anĚiĚates shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ ,onours eŐree anĚ a Dasters͛ ĚeŐree in >iďrary ^tuĚiesͬ >iďrary anĚ /nforŵaƟon ^cience anĚ a Ěeŵonstraďůe ƉotenƟaů for acaĚeŵic ůiďrarianshiƉ in a University environŵent. Wossession of a Wh as ǁeůů as eviĚence of schoůarůy ƉuďůicaƟons in reƉutaďůe ũournaůs anĚ aƩenĚance of ůearneĚ conferences ǁiůů ďe an aĚĚeĚ aĚvantaŐe. anĚiĚates ŵust ďe cerƟĮeĚ ďy the >iďrarians͛ ZeŐistraƟon, etc. ounciů of EiŐeria (>Z E).

ii.) eƉartŵent of ,istory anĚ /nternaƟonaů ^tuĚies

v.) ^enior /nvestŵent oĸcer

- OET/^^ Ϭϵ

vii.) Assistant Librarian

iii.) eƉartŵent of >inŐuisƟcs anĚ African >anŐuaŐes

vi.) /nvestŵent oĸcer

- OET/^^ ϬϴͬϬϳ

iv.) eƉartŵent of Theatre Arts

C.) INTERNAL AUDIT

v.) eƉartŵent of ĚucaƟon ʹ ( ĚucaƟonaů DanaŐeŵent anĚ 'uiĚance anĚ ounseůůinŐ)

i.) WrinciƉaů /nternaů AuĚitor

- OET/^^ ϭϭ

anĚiĚates shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ ,onours eŐree anĚ a Dasters͛ ĚeŐree in >iďrary ^tuĚiesͬ>iďrary anĚ /nforŵaƟon ^cience anĚ a Ěeŵonstraďůe ƉotenƟaů for acaĚeŵic ůiďrarianshiƉ in a University environŵent. viĚence of aƩenĚance of ůearneĚ conferences ǁiůů ďe an aĚĚeĚ aĚvantaŐe. anĚiĚates ŵust ďe cerƟĮeĚ ďy the >iďrarians͛ ZeŐistraƟon, etc. ounciů of EiŐeria (>Z E).

C. FACULTY OF BASIC AND AWWLIED SCIENCES

ii.) /nternaů AuĚitor /ͬ//

- OET/^^ ϬϴͬϬϳ

Wrofessors, ZeaĚers, ^enior >ecturers, >ecturers /ͬ// anĚ Assistant >ecturers as ǁeůů as TechnoůoŐists in the foůůoǁinŐ eƉartŵents anĚ ƉroŐraŵŵes

D.) WORKS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES

ii.) eƉartŵent of Aniŵaů WroĚucƟon anĚ ,eaůth iii.) eƉartŵent of roƉ, ^oiů anĚ West DanaŐeŵent iv.) eƉartŵent of &isheries anĚ AƋuacuůture

B.) BURSARY

v.) eƉartŵent of ,oteů DanaŐeŵent anĚ Tourisŵ B. FACULTY OF ARTS AND EDUCATION

i.) eƉartŵent of ioůoŐicaů ^ciences a.) ioůoŐy ď.) DicroďioůoŐy ii.) eƉartŵent of heŵicaů ^ciences

i.) WrinciƉaů nŐineer ( iviů)

- OET/^^ ϭϭ

ii.) ,iŐher Technicaů Oĸcer ( uiůĚinŐ)

- OET/^^ Ϭϳ

iii.) Technicaů Oĸcer (Dechanicaů)

- OET/^^ Ϭϲ

iv.) Technicaů Oĸcer ( ůectricaů)

- OET/^^ Ϭϲ

E.) DIRECTORATE OF WHYSICAL WLANNING AND DEVELOWMENT

a.) iocheŵistry ď.) heŵistry iii.) eƉartŵent of DatheŵaƟcaů ^ciences a.) oŵƉuter ^cience ď.) DatheŵaƟcs iv.) eƉartŵent of Whysics

Wrofessors, ZeaĚers, ^enior >ecturers, >ecturers /ͬ// anĚ Assistant >ecturers in the foůůoǁinŐ eƉartŵents anĚ ƉroŐraŵŵes i.) eƉartŵent of AccounƟnŐ

iii.) eƉartŵent of usiness AĚŵinistraƟon iv.) eƉartŵent of conoŵics

CONUASS 01

anĚiĚates shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ ,onours eŐree in >iďrary ^tuĚiesͬ>iďrary anĚ /nforŵaƟon ^cience or any other ĚisciƉůine anĚ eviĚence of enroůŵent for a Daster͛s ĚeŐree in >iďrary anĚ /nforŵaƟon ^cience.

2. NON TEACHING STAFF WOSITIONS I.) Director oĨ WorŬs

CONTISS 15

anĚiĚates for the ƉosiƟon of a irector of torŬs shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in nŐineerinŐ anĚ reŐistereĚ ǁith the ounciů of ZeŐistereĚ nŐineers of EiŐeria ( OZ E) Ɖůus at ůeast ϭϴ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ D.^c. ĚeŐree in nŐineerinŐ Ɖůus ϭϱ years Ɖost-ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience, ǁith eviĚence of ZeŐistraƟon ǁith OZ E. Wart of the edžƉerience shouůĚ ďe consiĚeraďůe years in the University or coŵƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon.

ii.) WrinciƉaů nŐineer ( iviů)

- OET/^^ ϭϭ

iii.) ^enior nŐineer ( ůectricaů

- OET/^^ Ϭϵ

iv.) ^enior nŐineer (Dechanicaů)

- OET/^^ Ϭϵ

v.) YuanƟty ^urveyor /

- OET/^^ Ϭϴ

a.) Architects ZeŐistraƟon ounciů of EiŐeria (AZ OE) anĚ EiŐerian /nsƟtute of Architect (E/A) OZ D.^c. ĚeŐree in Architecture Ɖůus ϭϱ years Ɖost-ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience ǁith eviĚence of ZeŐistraƟon ǁith AZ OE anĚ E/A for Architects

i.) ^enior WůanninŐ Oĸcer

- OET/^^ Ϭϵ

ď.) the ounciů of ZeŐistereĚ nŐineers of EiŐeria ( OZ E) Ɖůus at ůeast ϭϴ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ D.^c. ĚeŐree in nŐineerinŐ Ɖůus ϭϱ years Ɖost-ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience ǁith eviĚence of ZeŐistraƟon ǁith OZ E for nŐineers.

ii.) WůanninŐ Oĸcer /ͬ//

- OET/^^ ϬϴͬϬϳ

i.) ^enior DeĚicaů Oĸcer //

- OET/^^ ϭϭͬ OED ^^ Ϭϯ

ii.) ^enior EursinŐ Oĸcer

- OET/^^ Ϭϵ

iii.) EursinŐ Oĸcers /ͬ//

- OET/^^ ϬϴͬϬϳ

v.) eƉartŵent of Dass oŵŵunicaƟon

II.) Director oĨ Whysicaů WůanninŐ

CONTISS 15

anĚiĚates shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in any of the foůůoǁinŐ ĮeůĚs: Architecture, nŐineerinŐ, YuanƟty ^urveyinŐ, uiůĚinŐ or Toǁn WůanninŐ froŵ a recoŐninjeĚ University, Ɖůus at ůeast ϭϴ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience anĚ eviĚence of reŐistraƟon ǁith

c.) E/O anĚ OZ OE ǁith at ůeast ϭϴ years͛ coŐnate edžƉerience Įve of ǁhich ŵust ďe at the ůeveů of ǁith a ŐooĚ ǁorŬinŐ ŬnoǁůeĚŐe of coŵƉuterinjeĚ uiůĚinŐͬArchitecturaů ĚesiŐns for uiůĚers Ě.) ǁith E/Y^ Ɖůus ϭϴ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience, a consiĚeraďůe Ɖart of ǁhich ŵust ďe in a University systeŵ for YuanƟty ^urveyors e.) EiŐerian /nsƟtute of Toǁn Wůanners Ɖůus ϭϴ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience a consiĚeraďůe Ɖart of ǁhich ŵust ďe in the University systeŵ for Toǁn Wůanners.

Wart of the edžƉerience shouůĚ ďe consiĚeraďůe years in the University or coŵƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon.

vi.) eƉartŵent of WoůiƟcaů ^cience

ϰ. YUALIFICATIONS AND EyWERIENCE REYUIRED FOR THE ADVERTISED WOSITIONS

vii.) eƉartŵent of Wuďůic AĚŵinistraƟon

1. ACADEMIC STAFF WOSITIONS

a.) . ^c. /nĚustriaů ZeůaƟons anĚ Wersonneů DanaŐeŵent

i.) WroĨessors

ď.) . ^c. Wuďůic AĚŵinistraƟon E. UNIVERSITY LIBRARY i.) Senior Librarian

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G.) UNIVERSITY HEALTH SERVICES

ii.) eƉartŵent of anŬinŐ anĚ &inance

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i.) WrinciƉaů Architect

F.) DIRECTORATE OF ACADEMIC WLANNING

D. FACULTY OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

viii.) Graduate Assistant (Library)

CONUASS 05/04

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III.) IV.) Director oĨ Acadeŵic WůanninŐ

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anĚiĚates for WrofessorshiƉ in any of the &acuůƟes anĚ WroŐraŵŵes aĚverƟseĚ shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ ,onours eŐree anĚ a Wh in any area of the ĮeůĚ of stuĚy. /n aĚĚiƟon, a ŵiniŵuŵ of ten (ϭϬ) years teachinŐ anĚ research edžƉerience in a University or coŵƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon, eviĚence of schoůarůy ƉuďůicaƟons in reƉutaďůe ũournaůs anĚ aƩenĚance of ůearneĚ conferences are reƋuireĚ. The canĚiĚate ŵust aůso have a Ěeŵonstraďůe caƉacity for ƉroviĚinŐ acaĚeŵic ůeaĚershiƉ in the reůevant ĮeůĚ of stuĚy. The canĚiĚate ŵust ďe

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a. A Ɖrofessor ǁith coŐnate edžƉerience in a University seƫnŐ. A Ňair for ƋuanƟtaƟve anaůysis ŵay ďe an aĚvantaŐe. oŵƉuter ůiteracy is an aďsoůute necessity.

V.) ReŐistry i.) WrinciƉaů Assistant ReŐistrar

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25

T H I S D AY FRIDAY DECEMBER 1, 2017 anĚiĚates for the ƉosiƟon of a WrinciƉaů Assistant ZeŐistrar shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision froŵ a recoŐninjeĚ University ǁith creĚit Ɖass in nŐůish >anŐuaŐe at the ^^ Ɖůus at ůeast ϭϮ years Ɖost-ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience in the University systeŵ or in an /nsƟtuƟon of ,iŐher ĚucaƟon. ii.) Senior Assistant ReŐistrar

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i.) WrinciƉaů EnŐineer (Civiů)

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in iviů nŐineerinŐ anĚ eviĚence of reŐistraƟon ǁith the ounciů of ZeŐistereĚ nŐineers of EiŐeria ( OZ E) Ɖůus at ůeast ϵ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience.

anĚiĚates for these ƉosiƟon in the &acuůƟes of AŐricuůture anĚ ^ciences resƉecƟveůy must Ɖossess ,E in the reůevant ĮeůĚ, OZ a &uůů TechnoůoŐist erƟĮcate (&T ) Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ϰͬϮ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ a anĚ ' (&inaů) Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ϰͬϮ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ a &inaů iƉůoma Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ϰͬϮ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience. anĚiĚates for the ƉosiƟon of TechnoůoŐist / reƋuire the ϰ years͛ edžƉerience aĚverƟseĚ.

ii.) HiŐher Technicaů Oĸcer (BuiůdinŐ)

yII.) CoŵƉuter Resource Centre

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anĚiĚates for the ƉosiƟon of a ^enior Assistant ZeŐistrar shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision froŵ a recoŐninjeĚ University ǁith creĚit Ɖass in nŐůish >anŐuaŐe at the ^^ Ɖůus at ůeast ϵ years Ɖost-ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience in the University system.

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess E or eƋuivaůent in the uiůĚinŐ TechnoůoŐy Ɖůus ϲ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ ,E or eƋuivaůent in uiůĚinŐ.

i.) ChieĨ NetǁorŬ EnŐineer

iii.) Assistant ReŐistrar

iii.) Technicaů Oĸcer (Mechanicaů)

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anĚiĚates for the ƉosiƟon of an Assistant ZeŐistrar shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision from a recoŐninjeĚ University ǁith creĚit Ɖass in nŐůish >anŐuaŐe at the ^^ Ɖůus at ůeast ϲ years Ɖost-ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience in the University system or comƉaraďůe hiŐher eĚucaƟonaů insƟtuƟon.

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess E or eƋuivaůent ƋuaůiĮcaƟon in Dechanicaů nŐineerinŐ TechnoůoŐy Ɖůus ϯ years͛ edžƉerience.

anĚiĚates must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ University Įrst ĚeŐree (not ůoǁer than a seconĚ cůass ůoǁer ĚeŐree) in omƉuter nŐineerinŐͬ omƉuter ^cienceͬ ůectricaůͬ ůectronic nŐineerinŐͬ Whysicsͬ ůectronics or reůateĚ ĚisciƉůine from a recoŐninjeĚ University. Wossession of Wrofessionaů ƋuaůiĮcaƟon ǁith Ɖroven sŬiůůs in harĚǁare anĚ comƉuter enŐineerinŐ ƉracƟce Ɖůus ϭϮ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience.

iv.) Technicaů Oĸcer (Eůectricaů)

ii.) SoŌǁare EnŐineer I

iv.) AdŵinistraƟve Oĸcer I/II

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess E or eƋuivaůent ƋuaůiĮcaƟon in ůectricaů nŐineerinŐ TechnoůoŐy Ɖůus ϯ years͛ edžƉerience.

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anĚiĚates for the ƉosiƟon of an AĚministraƟve Oĸcer shouůĚ Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision from a recoŐninjeĚ University ǁith creĚit Ɖass in nŐůish >anŐuaŐe at the ^^ Ɖůus at ůeast ϯ years Ɖost-ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience in the University system or comƉaraďůe hiŐher eĚucaƟonaů insƟtuƟon for those seeŬinŐ for an AĚministraƟve Oĸcer / ƉosiƟon. v.) WrinciƉaů ConĮdenƟaů Secretary I/II

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anĚiĚates for these ƉosiƟons must Ɖossess tA^ or ^^ or ' O͛>, tA ͬE OͬEA T ǁith at ůeast ϱ Ɖasses incůuĚinŐ ϯcreĚits. The ϯcreĚits must incůuĚe a creĚit in nŐůish >anŐuaŐe, Ɖůus anĚ Z.^.A. or Witman or 'overnment TraininŐ ^chooů erƟĮcate or their eƋuivaůent for ϭϮϬͬϱϬ ǁ.Ɖ.m. in ^horthanĚ anĚ TyƉeǁriƟnŐ OZ E in ^ecretariaů ^tuĚies ǁith at ůeast ϭϮ years stenoŐraƉhicͬsecretariaů edžƉerience, for W ^ / anĚ ϵ zears for W ^ //͖ OZ ,E in ^ecretariaů, ^tuĚies Ɖůus ϵ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience for W ^ / anĚ ϲ zears for W ^ //. vi.) Senior ConĮdenƟaů Secretary

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess tA^ or ^^ or ' O͛>, tA ͬE Oͬ EA T ǁith at ůeast ϱ Ɖasses incůuĚinŐ ϯcreĚits. The ϯcreĚits must incůuĚe a creĚit in nŐůish >anŐuaŐe, Ɖůus anĚ Z.^.A. or Witman or 'overnment TraininŐ ^chooů erƟĮcate or their eƋuivaůent for ϭϮϬͬϱϬ ǁ.Ɖ.m. in ^horthanĚ anĚ TyƉeǁriƟnŐ ǁith at ůeast ϯ years stenoŐraƉhicͬsecretariaů edžƉerience, incůuĚinŐ ƉerioĚ of formaů traininŐ OZ E ^ecretariaů AĚministraƟon Ɖůus ϵ years͛ edžƉerience OZ E in ^ecretariaů ^tuĚies Ɖůus ϲ years coŐnate edžƉerience ,E in ^ecretariaů, ^tuĚies Ɖůus ϯ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience. vii.) ConĮdenƟaů Secretary I

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Iy.) DIRECTORATE OF WHYSICAL WLANNING AND DEVELOWMENT

anĚiĚates must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ University Įrst ĚeŐree (not ůoǁer than a seconĚ cůass ůoǁer ĚeŐree) in omƉuter ^cienceͬ/nformaƟcs, / T or reůateĚ ĚisciƉůine from a recoŐninjeĚ University ǁith ϰ years͛ coŐnate Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience. Wossession of Ɖrofessionaů ƋuaůiĮcaƟon anĚ Ɖroven sŬiůůs in soŌǁare ĚeveůoƉment ǁiůů ďe an aĚvantaŐe.

i.) WrinciƉaů Architect

iii.) WrinciƉaů IT Technicaů Oĸcer I

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in Architecture anĚ reŐistraƟon ǁith the Architect ZeŐistraƟon ounciů of EiŐeria (AZ OE) anĚ EiŐerian /nsƟtute of Architect (E/A) Ɖůus at ůeast ϵ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ D.^c. ĚeŐree in Architecture Ɖůus ϲ years͛ Ɖost-ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience ǁith eviĚence of ZeŐistraƟon ǁith AZ OE anĚ E/A. ii.) WrinciƉaů EnŐineer (Civiů)

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in ůectricaů nŐineerinŐ anĚ reŐisteraďůe ǁith the ounciů of ZeŐistereĚ nŐineers of EiŐeria ( OZ E), Ɖůus ϲ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience iv.) Senior EnŐineer (Mechanicaů)

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in Dechanicaů nŐineerinŐ anĚ reŐisteraďůe ǁith the ounciů of ZeŐistereĚ nŐineers of EiŐeria ( OZ E), Ɖůus ϲ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience. v.) YuanƟty Surveyor I

i.) Senior WůanninŐ Oĸcer

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VI.) Bursary

ii.) WůanninŐ Oĸcer I/II

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in Accountancy ǁith at ůeast ϵ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ a Ɖrofessionaůůy recoŐninjeĚ AuĚiƟnŐͬAccountancy ƋuaůiĮcaƟons - / AE, A DA, A A, A A, WA, AEAE ǁith at ůeast ϲ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience. Wart of the edžƉerience shouůĚ ďe consiĚeraďůe years in the University or comƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon, ǁith ŬnoǁůeĚŐe of comƉuteriseĚ accounƟnŐ soŌǁare ƉacŬaŐes. iii.) Senior Accountant

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a Ɖrofessionaůůy recoŐninjeĚ Accountancy ƋuaůiĮcaƟon e.Ő. / AE, A DA, A A, A A, WA, AEAE ǁith at ůeast ϯ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree in not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in Accountancy ǁith at ůeast ϲ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience. Wart of the edžƉerience shouůĚ ďe consiĚeraďůe years in the University or comƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon, ǁith ŬnoǁůeĚŐe of comƉuteriseĚ accounƟnŐ soŌǁare ƉacŬaŐes. iv.) Accountant I/II

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in Accountancy ǁith at ůeast ϯ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience for Accountant / OZ a Ɖrofessionaůůy recoŐninjeĚ Accountancy ƋuaůiĮcaƟon e.Ő. / AE, A DA, A A, A A, WA, AEAE. Wart of the edžƉerience shouůĚ ďe consiĚeraďůe years in the University or comƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon, ǁith ŬnoǁůeĚŐe of comƉuteriseĚ accounƟnŐ soŌǁare ƉacŬaŐes. v.) Senior Investŵent Oĸcer

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in conomics or ntreƉreneuriaů ^tuĚies ǁith at ůeast ϲ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience. vi.) Investŵent oĸcer I/II

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in conomics or ntreƉreneuriaů ^tuĚies ǁith at ůeast ϯ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience for those aƉƉůyinŐ for /nvestment Oĸcer /.

VII.) INTERNAL AUDIT i.) WrinciƉaů Internaů Auditor

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess the D ^ or D h. from a recoŐninjeĚ University ǁith a minimum of ϯ years͛ coŐnate Ɖost reŐistraƟon edžƉerience. ii.) Senior NursinŐ Oĸcers

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(The Įrst haůf to в ƉaŐe shouůĚ contain a summary of your ƉroĮůe) i.) &uůů Eame (^urname Įrst in caƉitaů ůeƩers).

iii.) ate anĚ Ɖůace of ďirth (aƩach ďirth cerƟĮcateͬsǁorn aĸĚavit). iv.) EaƟonaůity. v.) ^tate of OriŐin, anĚ >ocaů 'overnment Area (if a EiŐerian) vi.) ontact etaiůs (,ome AĚĚress, Wostaů AĚĚressͬ -maiů aĚĚress(es)ͬ Doďiůe Whone Eumďers). vii.) Daritaů ^tatus. viii.) Eumďer of hiůĚren anĚ their AŐes. idž.) Eedžt of <in

dži.) /nsƟtuƟons aƩenĚeĚ ǁith Ěates. džii.) AcaĚemicͬWrofessionaů ƋuaůiĮcaƟons anĚ ĚisƟncƟons oďtaineĚ ǁith Ěates (aƩach coƉies of creĚenƟaůs). džiii.) torŬ džƉerience ǁith Ěates.

iii.) NursinŐ Oĸcers I/II

džvi.) onferenceͬcourses aƩenĚeĚ (state Ɵtůes of ƉaƉers ƉresenteĚ if any).

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džv.) Zesearch interests anĚ acƟviƟes (&or aƉƉůicants for AcaĚemic WosiƟons).

anĚiĚates for these ƉosiƟons must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ .^c. ĚeŐree in EursinŐ or ^tate ZeŐistereĚ Eurse (^ZE) ǁith ϯ years͛ coŐnate Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience. anĚiĚates must ďe reŐistereĚ ǁith the EursinŐ anĚ DiĚǁifery ounciů of EiŐeria or in a comƉaraďůe Ɖrofessionaů ďoĚy.

džviii.) WuďůicaƟons ǁith Ěate.

yI.) FacuůƟes

džidž.) ^ervice to naƟonaů anĚ internaƟonaů ďoĚies.

i.) ChieĨ TechnoůoŐist

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon in the &acuůƟes of AŐricuůture anĚ ^ciences resƉecƟveůy must Ɖossess ,E in the reůevant ĮeůĚ, OZ a &uůů TechnoůoŐist erƟĮcate (&T ) Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ϭϮ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ a anĚ ' (&inaů) Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ϭϮ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ a &inaů iƉůoma Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ĮŌeen ϭϮ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ ,E in the reůevant ĮeůĚ. ii.) Assistant ChieĨ TechnoůoŐist

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džvii.) Wrofessionaů accomƉůishment.

dždž.) džtra- urricuůar AcƟviƟes. dždži.) Any Ɖhysicaů chaůůenŐe͍ dždžii.) Eames anĚ aĚĚress of three (ϯ) referees ǁho must have ďeen cůoseůy associateĚ ǁith canĚiĚate͛s acaĚemicͬǁorŬ edžƉerience.

Aůů canĚiĚates are aĚviseĚ to reƋuest their referees to forǁarĚ conĮĚenƟaů reƉorts on them Ěirectůy to the ZeŐistrar. The reƉorts shouůĚ ďe Ěuůy marŬeĚ ͞ OE&/ ET/A>͟. /f sent ďy Ɖost, enveůoƉes shouůĚ ďe marŬeĚ at the ďacŬ toƉ ůeŌ hanĚ corner ǁith: name of aƉƉůicant, ĚeƉartment anĚ ƉosiƟon of the aƉƉůicaƟon.

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon in the &acuůƟes of AŐricuůture anĚ ^ciences resƉecƟveůy must Ɖossess ,E in the reůevant ĮeůĚ, OZ a &uůů TechnoůoŐist erƟĮcate (&T ) Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ϭϬ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ a anĚ ' (&inaů) Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ϭϬ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ a &inaů iƉůoma Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ĮŌeen ϭϬ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience.

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ii.) Internaů Auditor I/II

iv.) Senior TechnoůoŐist

VIII.) WORKS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES

/nteresteĚ anĚ ƋuaůiĮeĚ canĚiĚates are reƋuireĚ to suďmit their aƉƉůicaƟons anĚ uƉ-toĚate curricuůum vitae ďy Ɖost (see aĚĚress ďeůoǁ), emaiů ƌĞŐŝƐƚƌĂƌΛƵĂƚ͘ĞĚƵ͘ŶŐ or onůine ǁǁǁ͘ƵĂƚ͘ŽƌŐ͘ŶŐͬƌĞĐƌƵŝƚŵĞŶƚ ŐivinŐ the foůůoǁinŐ informaƟon in the orĚer ůisteĚ ďeůoǁ:

dživ.) Wresent mƉůoyment, ^tatus anĚ ^aůary (if any).

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon in the &acuůƟes of AŐricuůture anĚ ^ciences resƉecƟveůy must Ɖossess a &uůů TechnoůoŐist erƟĮcate (&T ) Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ϴ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a Ɖrofessionaůůy recoŐninjeĚ AuĚiƟnŐͬAccountancy ƋuaůiĮcaƟons e.Ő. / AE, A DA, A A, A A, WA, AEAE OZ a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in Accountancy ǁith at ůeast ϯ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience for canĚiĚates for the ƉosiƟon of AuĚitor /. The canĚiĚate shouůĚ Ɖossess ŬnoǁůeĚŐe of accounƟnŐͬauĚiƟnŐ soŌǁare ƉacŬaŐes. džƉerience in a University or comƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon ǁiůů ďe an aĚvantaŐe.

5. METHOD OF AWWLICATION

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess ŐooĚ .^c. ĚeŐree in EursinŐ or ^tate ZeŐistereĚ Eurse (^ZE) ǁith ϲ years͛ coŐnate Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience. anĚiĚates must ďe reŐistereĚ ǁith the EursinŐ anĚ DiĚǁifery ounciů of EiŐeria or in a comƉaraďůe Ɖrofessionaů ďoĚy.

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a Ɖrofessionaůůy recoŐninjeĚ AuĚiƟnŐͬAccountancy ƋuaůiĮcaƟons - / AE, A DA, A A, A A, WA, AEAE ǁith at ůeast ϲ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in Accountancy ǁith at ůeast ϵ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience. The canĚiĚate shouůĚ Ɖossess ŬnoǁůeĚŐe of accounƟnŐͬauĚiƟnŐ soŌǁare ƉacŬaŐes. džƉerience in a University or comƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon ǁiůů ďe an aĚvantaŐe.

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ erƟĮcateͬ iƉůoma or E in Whysicaů anĚ ,eaůth ĚucaƟon or eƋuivaůent ƋuaůiĮcaƟon anĚ coachinŐ aďiůity in sƉeciĮc sƉort or Őame.

dž.) ontact etaiůs of nedžt of <in (,ome AĚĚress, Wostaů AĚĚressͬ -maiů aĚĚress(es)ͬ Doďiůe Whone Eumďers).

y.) University Heaůth Services

iii.) WrinciƉaů TechnoůoŐist

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anĚiĚates for these ƉosiƟons must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ acheůor͛s ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision Ɖreferaďůy ǁith ďias in DathemaƟcs, ^taƟsƟcs, conomics or ĚucaƟonaů DanaŐement ǁith Ez^ ĚischarŐe erƟĮcate. A minimum of ϯ years͛ coŐnate ǁorŬinŐ edžƉerience is reƋuireĚ for those aƉƉůyinŐ for WůanninŐ Oĸcer / ƉosiƟon. omƉuter ůiteracy is comƉuůsory ǁhiůe Ɖossession of a hiŐher ĚeŐree ǁiůů ďe an aĚvantaŐe.

i.) Senior Medicaů Oĸcer II

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ii.) Wost AƉƉůieĚ for.

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ acheůor͛s ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision Ɖreferaďůy ǁith ďias in DathemaƟcs, ^taƟsƟcs, conomics or ĚucaƟonaů DanaŐement ǁith Ez^ ĚischarŐe erƟĮcate. A minimum of ϲ years͛ coŐnate ǁorŬinŐ edžƉerience. omƉuter ůiteracy is comƉuůsory ǁhiůe Ɖossession of a ,iŐher ĚeŐree ǁiůů ďe an aĚvantaŐe.

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anĚiĚates for these ƉosiƟons must Ɖossess tA^ or ^^ or ' O͛>, tA ͬE Oͬ EA T ǁith at ůeast ϱ Ɖasses incůuĚinŐ ϯ creĚits. The ϯ creĚits must incůuĚe a creĚit in nŐůish >anŐuaŐe, Ɖůus Z.^.A. or Witman or 'overnment TraininŐ ^chooů erƟĮcate or their eƋuivaůent for ϭϬϬͬϱϬ ǁ.Ɖ.m. in ^horthanĚ anĚ TyƉeǁriƟnŐ ǁith at ůeast ϯ years͛ stenoŐraƉhicͬsecretariaů edžƉerience, incůuĚinŐ ƉerioĚ of formaů traininŐ OZ E ^ecretariaů AĚministraƟon Ɖůus ϯ years͛ edžƉerience. iƉůoma or erƟĮcate in omƉuter ^tuĚies ǁouůĚ ďe reƋuireĚ for canĚiĚates as from this ŐraĚe͖ OZ E in ^ecretariaů ^tuĚies.

ii.) WrinciƉaů Accountant

i.) Coach I

ii.) Assistant Coach

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Iy. DIRECTORATE OF ACADEMIC WLANNING

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in Accountancy from a recoŐninjeĚ University ǁith ϭϮ years͛ Ɖost-ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience Ɖůus ŬnoǁůeĚŐe of comƉuterinjeĚ accounƟnŐ soŌǁare ƉacŬaŐes. Wrofessionaů reŐistraƟon ǁith a recoŐninjeĚ accountancy ƋuaůiĮcaƟon (e.Ő.) / AE, A A, / DA AEAE is comƉuůsory. Wart of the edžƉerience shouůĚ ďe consiĚeraďůe years in the University or comƉaraďůe insƟtuƟon.

y///.) ^WOZT^ ETZ

iii.) Senior EnŐineer (Eůectricaů)

viii.) ConĮdenƟaů Secretary II

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anĚiĚates must Ɖossess an ,E in omƉuter ^cience, omƉuter enŐineerinŐ, ůectricaůͬ ůectronic enŐineerinŐ, or reůateĚ ĮeůĚs Ɖůus ϵ years of edžƉerience.

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision from a recoŐniseĚ University in Whysicaů anĚ ,eaůth ĚucaƟon Ɖůus ϯ years͛ coachinŐ edžƉerience OZ iƉůoma or E in Whysicaů Θ ,eaůth ĚucaƟon Ɖůus ϲ years͛ coachinŐ edžƉerience

anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in YuanƟty ^urveyinŐ from a recoŐninjeĚ university, reŐisteraďůe ǁith E/Y^ Ɖůus ϯ years͛ edžƉerience.

i.) ChieĨ Accountant

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon must Ɖossess a ŐooĚ Įrst ĚeŐree not ďeůoǁ ^econĚ ůass >oǁer Ěivision in iviů nŐineerinŐ anĚ eviĚence of reŐistraƟon ǁith the ounciů of ZeŐistereĚ nŐineers of EiŐeria ( OZ E) Ɖůus at ůeast ϵ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience

anĚiĚates for these ƉosiƟons must Ɖossess tA^ or ^^ or ' O͛>, tA ͬE OͬEA T ǁith at ůeast ϱ Ɖasses incůuĚinŐ ϯ creĚits. The ϯ creĚits must incůuĚe a creĚit in nŐůish >anŐuaŐe, Ɖůus anĚ Z.^.A. or Witman or 'overnment TraininŐ ^chooů erƟĮcate or their eƋuivaůent for ϭϮϬͬϱϬ ǁ.Ɖ.m. in ^horthanĚ anĚ TyƉeǁriƟnŐ ǁith at ůeast ϯ years͛ secretariaů edžƉerience, incůuĚinŐ ƉerioĚ of formaů traininŐ or Ϯ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience. OZ E in ^ecretariaů ^tuĚies Ɖůus ϯ years coŐnate edžƉerience OZ E ^ecretariaů AĚministraƟon Ɖůus ϲ years͛ edžƉerience. iƉůoma or erƟĮcate in omƉuter ^tuĚies ǁouůĚ ďe reƋuireĚ. OZ ,E in ^ecretariaů ^tuĚies - CONTISS 06

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a anĚ ' (&inaů) Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ϴ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ a &inaů iƉůoma Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ĮŌeen ϴ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience.

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anĚiĚates for this ƉosiƟon in the &acuůƟes of AŐricuůture anĚ ^ciences resƉecƟveůy must Ɖossess ,E in the reůevant ĮeůĚ, OZ a &uůů TechnoůoŐist erƟĮcate (&T ) Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ϲ years͛ Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ a anĚ ' (&inaů) Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ϲ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience OZ a &inaů iƉůoma Ɖůus A/^>T or DE/^>T ǁith ϲ years Ɖost ƋuaůiĮcaƟon edžƉerience. v.) TechnoůoŐist I/II

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The ZeŐistrar, University of Africa, Toru-Orua, ayeůsa ^tate OůĚ ^ecretariat omƉůedž, >iaison Oĸce, Zooms Ϯϯϳ-ϮϰϮ,DeůforĚ OŬiůo džƉressǁay,zenaŐoa, ayeůsa ^tate, EiŐeria. ƌĞŐŝƐƚƌĂƌΛƵĂƚ͘ĞĚƵ͘ŶŐ

6. CLOSING DATE Aůů aƉƉůicaƟons ǁith the curricuůum vitae of the canĚiĚates shouůĚ ďe receiveĚ not ůater than (ϯ) three ǁeeŬs from the Ěate of this aĚverƟsement.

^/'E

MR FRANCIS OWUSUͳMENSAH ZeŐistrar

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍŻË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍľ

26

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

JOE-EZIGBO: APPROPRIATE FISCAL FRAMEWORK WILL PROPEL INVESTMENT IN GAS SECTOR the few that have stand-alone gas operations, their operations have practically come to a halt, particularly where their gas is lean and they are unable to leverage on revenues from condensates or other bi-products of stripping the gas. It is an irrational expectation for any business that has such extensive receivables for two years and counting to still stand, and we are talking of millions of billions of naira that were largely originally contracted in dollars when the dollar was a fraction of what it is today whereas the loans are to be paid back in dollars at the current rate of exchange. Many players are facing bankruptcy arising from inability to service their loans, and a severe liquidity crunch that impacts their day to day operations. It is a very dire situation indeed.

Speaking to the currency mismatch between investments and returns, there is the fact that the Government had recently mandated that Gas producers should be paid in naira, whereas Gas is dollar-denominated commodity, and loans for gas development and infrastructure projects are contracted in dollars and expected to be repaid in dollars. Effectively therefore, we have been operating a situation whereby the Gas producers source investment funding in dollars, are paid in Naira at the Central Bank rate. These same companies have however had to obtain dollars to service their loans from the parallel market as they are not able to obtain funds from CBN at the official rate. There was a point at the peak of the dollar crises when parallel market rates peaked at an all-time high of over N500, that those who had dollar-contracted loans were losing almost N230 for each dollar. The situation has improved significantly this year resulting from the various interventions by the CBN. What still obtains however, is that for every N305million payment received for gas supplied, a producer/supplier remits the equivalent of N365million to its lenders. Now imagine, as is the case today, that even at this clear gross loss position, they also contend with upwards of twelve to eighteen months of unpaid invoices.

This is clearly unsustainable, and no one can reasonably be expected to continue or survive under such a harsh operating environment.

What is the impact of the N701b payment guarantee to Gas producers on your operations? Is it improving liquidity constraints at all?

This N701 billion intervention fund was set

several kilometers of Natural Gas Pipelines traversing the Ikorodu area. We found that it was imperative to engage the various stakeholders (TELCOS, GENCOS, DISCOS, LASIMRA and other relevant agencies of government at various levels, etc.) to work collaboratively and in unison to ensure safety remains the highest priority for continuous sustainable growth and development. We have observed companies building infrastructure, carrying out excavations and installations, etc without taking into cognizance the risk implications that can possibly cause colossal loss of lives and properties to our host communities and understand that this challenge is enabled largely by two factors: the existing multiplicity of government agencies (State and Federal) which means that in many cases, permits are given for such works to be done without companies being informed of our existing Gas infrastructure within the area; and secondly, the lack of composite data and mapping of the existing underground infrastructure within the area.

We had a successful outing and achieved our objective of engaging various stakeholders operating within Ikorodu in order to keep them abreast of the importance of the safety and security of our host communities, human lives, assets and investments.

Joe-Ezigbo

up by the CBN to provide a payment assurance guarantee to address the liquidity constraints along the gas-to-power value chain. Let me first say that the funds are no more than a drop in the ocean as the debt value is currently in the trillions of naira in debt. The intervention also does not address legacy debt so there remains the question of how to resolve the backlog. Moreover, this announcement was made in March and to date not a single naira has been disbursed, meaning another seven or eight monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of unpaid invoices have further accrued.

It is very troubling for us as a business because one way or the other, we are all feeding from the same gas supply pool and when certain factors have potential to upturn supply security, we must pay attention. Granted, the immediate

Edo Kick-starts RecertiďŹ cation Exercise in EDPA Estates As part of ongoing efforts to revamp the estate development and housing sector in the state, the Edo Development and Property Authority (EDPA) has commenced the recertification exercise for legal occupants of government-owned estates in Benin City, the state capital.

The recertification exercise, which commenced on Monday at the Andrew Wilson Housing Estate, Evbuoriaria, off Sapele Road in Benin City, will be carried out across all EDPA estates in the state.

The exercise will enable the state recover rents from the legal occupants of the estates and build a database for decision-making.

Executive Chairman, EDPA, Isoken Omo, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The exercise is important because the agency needs to update its records of legal occupants of the estates. It will provide up-to-date information that will help in planning and further development work in the estates. With this, we will identify occupants who have completed necessary payments to enable the agency give them documents that will

authenticate their ownership of the units they occupy.â&#x20AC;?

Omo commended residents of Andrew Wilson Housing Estate for their cooperation with officials of the EDPA, which made the recertification exercise easier, adding â&#x20AC;&#x153;Residents of the state were prepared for the exercise even before the commencement, which is a good sign.

This enabled EDPA achieve 60 percent compliance on the first day of the exercise.â&#x20AC;?

She, however, frowned on some residents who violated the original estate plan, noting7, â&#x20AC;&#x153;any property violating the original plan of the estates will be removed. Nobody will lose his original property in the ongoing exercise, but the additional attachment which is against the original plan must give way.

Owners of buildings that violate the original plan ought to have sought approvals before altering the original plan for the estate.â&#x20AC;?

An estate resident, Mrs Joy Sule commended the EDPA for the exercise, which she said was long overdue.

impact is not at the distribution end of the gas industry value chain, but it is a significant factor nonetheless because we can only distribute what is supplied and if supply is threatened, distribution is inadvertently then also threatened. Falcon is a company that keeps her eye on mid and long-term prospects, opportunities, and key risks to our business, so it is of concern because the gas aspects of our operations cannot continue to run smoothly or at optimal capacity outside of our assurance of sustained supply at the volume, pressures and flows which we require.

What is the idea behind the recent Falcon Corporationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; forum on Underground Infrastructure Safety?

We operate the Ikorodu Franchise for the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company and have

Do you see virtual pipelines as panacea to infrastructural challenges?

Virtual pipelines are but one of the available solutions to resolving infrastructural challenges, particularly the absence of pipelines and the ability to get gas to remotely located industries or plants. Virtual pipeline technology is however expensive, from the point of view of the equipment itself and then also the added costs of compression and/or regasification as in the case of mini-LNG, security, logistics and so on. It is thus better suited to bulk offtakers such as power plants and heavy industrial consumers, or in cases where there are industrial clusters that can absorb shared portions of the fixed costs.

In many instances there are limitations as to where and how efficiently you can deploy this technology and remain cost effective, particularly considering the state of our current road network and building patterns, and other challenges we face in the environment. It is an alternative yes, and it is commendable to see those investors who are making the first moves to deploy virtual technology to address the industry gaps.

Dell EMC Calls for Adoption of Digital Transformation

West African Cyber Security Summit Holds in Lagos

Emma Okonji

Emma Okonji

Dell EMC has reiterated the need for organisations to key into digital transformation in order to keep pace with todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business realities. This was stated at the Connected CIO event organised for CIOs of organisations in Nigeria, held in Lagos recently.

According to the Converged Chief Technology Officer, Dell EMC EMEA, Tom Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Reily, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Digital transformation is changing businesses in many unprecedented ways and has become a reality for many business leaders. In a recent study, 48 per cent of business leaders indicated that they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what their industry will look like three years from now. At the same time, 73 per cent admitted that digital transformation should be more prevalent across their organisations and that a centralised IT strategy needs to be a priority.â&#x20AC;?

He further explained that digital transformation is shaping human interactions, and has changed the way external customers interact with businesses. It has also changed the interactions and expectations between business and

IT; and IT and business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The way we interact has changed profoundly. This change has also altered us as individuals and it has also transformed businesses. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internal and external customer is a new breed, and businesses must find new and innovative ways to engage that customer.

Even more changes lie in wait for us as the generation of digital natives matures and technology breakthroughs accelerate. Business may not be able to prepare for the unknown, but they can learn from their customers and how to best serve them. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the age of the connected internal and external customer and businesses must adapt,â&#x20AC;? Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Reily said.

The Regional Sales Director, Dell EMC, Nazih Moufarrej, noted that the massive shift in the speed of businesses, the data they generate and readily accessible to technology in daily lives, constitute the hallmark of the fourth industrial revolution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For businesses, it is now a critical imperative to digitally transform without which they will fail to keep pace with the competition and meet their customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; demands.

The West African Cyber Security Summit (WACSS) has been scheduled to take place on the March 21, 2018 alongside Securex West Africa in Lagos.

Six of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fastest growing cybersecurity economies can be found in Africa, including Nigeria. Cybercrime is a rapidly growing problem affecting Africa, fuelled by the high levels of poverty as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relatively easy to carry out and the lack of legal policies to prevent and prosecute perpetrators if, and when, they are caught makes it all the more attractive to criminals.

This increase has driven the market demand for cybersecurity solutions in recent years, with Nigeria at the epicentre of it all.

According to recent reports, the federal government predicted the annual cost of cybercrime in Nigeria to be around 0.08 per cent of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overall GDP, which is an estimated N127 billion.

To best tackle this wave of

criminality, government officials and businesses alike need to be educated as to sophisticated solutions and how to implement them.

WACSS is the ultimate platform to learn about essential market developments, key trends, cutting-edge technology and to discuss strategies to address the latest risks and threats facing the industry.

2017â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inaugural edition of WACSS brought together key individuals from leading organisations and government agencies. Among those in attendance were KPMG, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ernst & Young, G3, CSEAN, Interpol and many more.

This invitation-only summit will welcome 150 senior cyber security representatives from both the private and public sector, all eager to be at the forefront of innovation in the industry. With the full interactive programme yet to be announced, organisers have divulged several key themes that this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summit will follow.

WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

LIVING | P31

COLLAGE | P36

THISLIFE | P37

FILE

‘HOW WE'VE TRANSFORMED OUR SOCIETY’

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

28/COVER

01.12.2017

‘How We've Transformed Our Society’ A group of Nigerians under the auspices of Stanford Seed Transformation Network, Nigeria, is making the country proud with break-taking innovations and creative ideas. Its President, Mrs. Nwamaka Okoye, who also doubles as the chief executive of Housessories Limited, in this interview with Mary Ekah, talks on how the network intends to establish Nigeria as a global economic powerhouse through empowerment and wealth creation Can you tell us what the Stanford Seed Transformation Network ((SSTN) is all about?

The Stanford Seed Transformation Network (SSTN) is a network of people that have attended the Stanford Feed programme. The Stanford Feed programme is a programme set up by the Stanford Feed Postgraduate School of Business, it was enabled by grant from a couple called Bob and Dottie King, they donated a hundred and fifty million dollars to Stanford University and the purpose was to alleviate poverty. To do that they decided that it was better to find entrepreneurs in developing economies that have set up the skills already and that they know that in five years, they are going to grow ten times bigger; find out what they are planning, take them through a programme, give them an enabling environment and then help them to scale. We started with a six months programme but now we have evolved to a one-year programme – sometime on site while others are not on site. Sometimes they bring people to your company and work with you. You have coaches that will work with you throughout the period. During the programme, we have professors from Stanford Feed Postgraduate School of Business fly into Ghana, which is where they train and teach unpractical aspects of business. After we are done with that, then they would come up with a transformational plan. You need this transformational plan to graduate from the programme. There is also additional support when you are done with the programme but you can only access the additional support when you become part of the network. And there is this popular African saying that “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” So to be able to grow and scale, we have to come together by joining the network.

The network gives you access to the offerings that Stanford Seed provides. One of them is access to interns. We have interns from Stanford University, both the graduates and undergraduates schools. Over the Summer, they come in and work at your business while Stanford pay them stipends while all you need to do is to provide them accommodation and transportation. In addition to having internes work in your company, you can also get consultants for free, so that if you have a problem with your business, the consultants will come and work on your project. Also we have access to coaches who work with you to enable you to scale and grow big. More so, there is access to finance, what that means is that they do not give you the money directly but kind of provide an enabling environment for you to access finance. Also as a network member, one of the things you benefit is practical workshop.

We do the practical workshop quarterly. We pick a topic that is potent and relevant to us and then get industry expects to come and talk on these topics. CEOs and other members of a company can come in and sometimes we open it up to the public also, when we do this, we make them to pay a token for it. We also have what we call “My Story so Far”, where we get one of us who has gone far ahead to come and talk to us about his entrepreneurial journey - the high and the low and from that candid kind of conversation, we take a cue from what they have gone through so that we learn from them while we also avoid the kind of mistakes they made.

How old is the network in Nigeria?

Although we just clocked one here in Nigeria, the network is really powerful. We were the first one launched in West Africa. Now we have the Nigeria chapter, Ghana chapter, Ivory Coast, Senegal amongst others. It is a global network and by second week of November, we were in Burkina Faso on the invitation of the president, so it is like a trade mission. We were there to look at opportunities available and all that. So being part of the network affords you these sorts of things. And also it becomes easier for you

Okoye

to break into other countries because you have inside information, access and sometimes, you can collaborate or partner with other foreign busnienssmen/women. Also the Stanford Seed office in Ghana too will help if you want to go into other countries; they would help you get information that would make things easier for you. The essence of all these is for us to scale and if we scale, then we are alleviating poverty because we are empowering the people that we affect. The network was launched last year but the programme itself started in 2013. So right now we have eight different cohorts groups.

How many Nigerians are member of this Network?

We have 60 cohorts from Nigeria. The Nigeria chapter has over 60 members right now and we represent a very wide body in terms of industries. Therefore membership cuts across various industries including manufacturing, ICT, financial services, supply chain, retail, agribusiness, real estate and construction companies, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, medical, fashion, and in fact media. So you find people like Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, Managing Director, Nordica Fertility, Lagos; Lanre Adesuyi – CEO/ Managing Director, Havilah Procurement and Library Services; Yetunde Oghomienor - Founder and Managing Director, Aframero Limited; Uche Onwudiwe, CEO, Coure Software and System Limited, amongst others.

How do you get into the Stanford Seed network?

The seed programme is specifically intended for founders/leaders of companies who want to grow their already established businesses in the West Africa sub-region, thereby creating

more jobs, products and services. So to be part of the Network, first of all your revenue should be between 150,000 dollars to about 15 million dollars, which is about 54 million in naira to about five billion naira.

Now, poverty is alleviated through SMEs and not by government and for business to go beyond the level of SMEs you have to scale but it usually not easy for business to scale from small to medium in Nigeria. Historically in Nigeria, many businesses fall at that point and you find that many companies do not go beyond the first generation because there are no structures in place. So this is a practical move that is able to train businesses that are on thresholds of achieving greatness and then give them the structure and support that they need to be able to scale and then affect many other people in the society.

The risk factors with start-ups are very high and so what we have done at Stanford Feed Transformational Network is to reach out to young businesses owners by giving them training on start-ups. So every month, they come in for free training where we teach them things we have passed through and also things that we have learned from this network, so that it makes it easier for them to start up without grappling about in the dark.

Are members of the network really generous with the information they share and are they really sharing their business secrets with these young entrepreneurs?

You would be surprised at how much people want to help. Nigeria is very big - we are like a hundred and fifty million people, so the market is big enough. And the truth is that if our predecessors did not share what we have

learned so far in the network, we may not have been where we are today. There is no way you would say that you have achieved all you have got by your own efforts. Somebody has to help you somewhere and somehow. Somebody has to make a phone call for you, someone has to connect you with another person and so on, so in same manner, the people at the Stanford Seed Transformational Network Nigeria are generously minded because I could remember when the idea came we got 23 volunteers on that day. And that means for those two years we were trainers and all it takes is one day in a month for them to train these young businesses owners. So you can imagine the value of the impact. Even when we talk about “My Story so Far”, the kind of stories that the speakers share are usually very insightful and inspiring and you glean so much from these stories. And many times in sharing, you find out that you gain. And the training is absolutely free because all we intend to do is to give back to the society and also make impact. And one of the things that we want to do as a network is that we would like to serve as a network of advocacy and to do that, we have to have impact and we also have to be very successful so that it becomes easy for us to influence governance and policies in a way that makes it easier for the entrepreneur to operate.

Apart from training,what other ways do you give back or impact on these young business owners?

We just launched what we call the Start-up Impact Training for Entrepreneurs (SUITE) programme, a Stanford Seed Transformation Network (SSTN) Nigeria initiative with a vision to equip and empower young business owners

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01.12.2017

A cross section of members during the Stanford Seed Transformation Network Nigeria launch

and aspiring entrepreneurs in Nigeria for success in business through high value training carried out by expects from a wide range of industries.

The trainers are all alumni of the Stanford Seed Transformation programme with years of experience in successfully running profitable businesses both within and outside Nigeria. We came up with this initiative when we thought about how to give back. We also realise that we are busy running our various organisations, and so we decided to meet once in a month to teach upcoming entrepreneurs, leveraging on our strength, and the impacts have been tremendous. So far we have trained over a hundred entrepreneurs and we do about 25 per section and we would like to increase the attendance because the content is so rich and valuable. The programme is once in a month on Saturdays from 9a.m. to about 2p.m. We take just one topic and we treat it in-depth.

It holds at the premises of the Housessories Limited in Isolo, Lagos, for now. We have a calendar for the year and the one for this month was held on November 25th.

What does it take to be part of the training?

You just have to be a business person or you could just have a business idea and you are welcome to be part of the training. You don’t actually need to have a business but you can make it happen and this is what this network believes in. In fact, it is not just what we believe in but that has been our experiences.

I know of people that started selling cloths in the boot of their cars and so today they are so massive and intimidating with over 10 branches of chains stores. The thing is just believe in you and work really hard. So SUITE is our way of giving back and also following up on these people so that at some point, they would also be able to apply for the Stanford Feed programme and hence, they would be able to gain the same knowledge that we have gained and also become part of the network.

From your experiences with the young people in business, what would you say has been the most challenging aspect?

Well, the challenges are not just for them because we also face the same challenges. But I think the most challenging for them is accessing funds. Another thing is lack of adequate credit information and lack of trust as well as getting useful information for developing businesses. So if you can access funds and also have a network like ours that would be supplying up-to-date information for developing your business, you would grow faster. So as a business person, if you don’t have good will and a network that can help you, yes, you will make it but not faster like when you have all these. So I think we should leverage on our strengths not minding the challenges surrounding us. So being a part of a network like this gives a lot of leverages and opportunity to become big.

For you to be a member of Stanford Seed Transformation Network, you must be a very successful businesswoman. Can you tell us

Stanford Seed Transformation Network Nigeria lmembers presenting gift to a visiting professor

Okoye

how you started out?

I run a furniture business. I am the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Housessories Limited. We are into manufacturing furniture and we are also an interior lifestyle organisation. Somehow from that age of 11, I actually knew this what I wanted to do.

My father runs a similar business called Ricco Furniture in Lagos. So I remember when I was still in the university, one day

he came home and I asked my father for pocket money. So he said get ready and let’s go out. I got ready and then my daddy took me to his furniture showroom and introduced me to his manager, saying, he has brought a new staff. And he said further that when I get my salary that would be my pocket money. And that was how I stated working on vacations. From this gesture, my father trained me not to have a sense of entitle-

ment. So, whatever plans you had for life, he would encourage you. So I decided I wanted to be an interior designer and also a furniture manufacturer but there was no school in Nigeria where I could study that.

So I went to University of Nigeria, Nsukka to study Architecture after which I went abroad to study interior décor. That was when the dotcom era started.

So later, I said let me find something that I can do that meets my desire and also gives me some money. So I went back to school and studied Illustration and Multimedia and then became a graphic designer. I did that for a couple of years and later returned to my interior design and architecture job. My husband is also into architecture and so we started our own business called Design Genre.

So in 2007, I came back to Nigeria and got a project, did the project and then went back.

When I went back, I got a call from someone who saw the job asking when I was coming back again. Another call came again and so I decided to return to Nigeria and started setting up basically and then a year later, my family joined me in Nigeria. As soon as we retuned, we entered a competition which was to design a 12 storey building and won the competition and that was a big deal. Then two years later, we decided to separate the interior design from the furniture, which we had always done together, so one would be consulting while the other would be manufacturing and that was how Housessories was born in 2010 and interestingly, the business has grown over and over again over the years till we were able to join Stanford Seed Transformation Network.

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01.12.2017

NYSC Contributes to Electoral Credibility, Says Ikpeazu Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu Thursday said that the involvement of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the conduct of elections has brought credibility to the nation’s electoral process.

He expressed this view at the NYSC permanent orientation camp at Umunna in Bende Local Government Area during the swearing ceremony of 2,182 corps members deployed to Abia State for the 2017 Batch ‘B’ Stream I orientation course.

The Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) has been engaging NYSC members as ad hoc staff in National elections, including the just concluded governorship poll in Anambra State which was generally applauded as credible.

“The success of the 2011 and 2015 general

Ikpeazu

elections was due in large part to the uncommon patriotism and diligence of NYSC members who participated in the exercise,” he said in

his address read by the Secretary to Abia State Government (SSG), Dr. Eme Okoro.

Ikpeazu stated that the NYSC scheme has not only lived up to the purpose of its establishment but has broken new grounds in the areas of skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development, health initiative for rural dwellers, environmental sanitation, agriculture and educational development.

He assured that his administration was “resolutely committed to providing the enabling environment to enable corps members perform, adding that he would soon commence rehabilitation work on the NYSC orientation camp.

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Ike Anyatonwu, who is the chairman of the NYSC state governing board, urged the corps members “to take every aspect and segment of

the camp activities very seriously.”

Earlier in her address the NYSC state coordinator, Mrs. Francesca Ifon, reiterated the commitment of the scheme to assist in the development of Abia especially in the areas of healthcare delivery, education, agriculture and rural development.

According to her, the NYSC in Abia “are serious” with skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development (SAED) hence it won first prize in cake making and artistry and second position in bag and shoe making during the maiden edition of the NYSC SAED Festival and competition held in Abuja recently.

She noted that by participating in SAED competition and winning the prizes the NYSC in Abia has not only showcased Abia State as ‘home of enterprise’ but also living up to such ranking.

Nestle Nutrition Institute and Boston University Partner to Boost Capacity of Healthcare Professionals in Nigeria Peter Uzoho In a bid to help improve the indicators related to nutrition and health in Nigeria, Nestlé partnered with the prestigious Boston University Medical School in the United States to deliver the Postgraduate Programme in Pediatric Nutrition (PGPN). This programme was first delivered to healthcare professionals across Nigeria in 2016.

The nutritional indices for Nigerian children remain alarming. Figures have shown that, each year an estimated one million Nigerian children die before their fifth birthday and malnutrition contributes to nearly half of these deaths. About 2 in 5 Nigerian children are stunted, with rates of stunting varying throughout the country.

Also, almost 30 per cent of Nigerian children are underweight.

The goal of PGPN, an online training delivered globally, is to improve the knowledge and competence of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the field of nutrition. The training of 300 HCPs was financed by Nestlé Nutrition Institute Africa (NNIA), which is committed to training health care professionals across the continent.

Speaking at the symposium and convocation to mark the end of the 2017 session, Nestlé Nutrition Institute Africa’s Manager for Anglophone speaking countries in West Africa, Mrs. Chioma Emma-Nwachukwu said, “Given the very positive feedback on the relevance of the PGPN training to their clinical practices from participants of the 2016 session, we were

L-R: Prof. Chinyere Ezeaka, keynote speaker, Pof. James Renner – Chairman, NNIA, Dr. Rizwan Yousuf, Category Business Manager Nestle Nutrition, Mr. Maurico Alarcon, MD, Nestle Nig. Plc., Mrs. Simidele Onabanjo, Rep the DG National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control NAFDAC, and Dr. Clifford Wayne Lo, keynote speaker, at the Postgraduate programme in paediatric nutrition symposium and convocation in Lagos..recently

encouraged to do more this year. The registration grew by over 50 per cent in 2017. We know that the nutrition investment made in the first 1000 days of a child’s life has a multiplier effect, producing more positive health outcomes later in life. This programme is aimed at equipping HCPs to contribute to the health outcomes of the child, in the course of their practice.”

Participants were trained on the role of nutri-

tion in optimal growth, immunity, micronutrients deficiencies, nutritional management of diarrhea in children, and pediatric obesity. The objective is to bring these courses to 10,000 more healthcare professionals over the next three years.

The programme which comprised three levels culminated in the symposia and convocation ceremonies held on the 6th and 7th of November 2017 in Lagos and Abuja respectively.

Nigeria-Centric Restaurant, Labule, Opens New Outlet in Lekki Jonathan Eze Labule, Nigeria-centric restaurant, operated by an indigenous company, Roots Foods Limited, offering real Nigerian local delicacies in a unique environment that combines the setting of a modern quick service restaurant with that of an African setting of a local ‘buka’, has opened a new outlet on Admiralty Road in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

The brand name, Labule, is coined from a Yoruba phrase, which means ‘In the village’. The Idea of the business was conceptualised with the sole aim of catering to Nigerians and lovers of Nigeria, especially those who take pride in their rich culture and identity of which food is a key component.

The new outlet was declared open by one of Nigeria’s Veteran Broadcasters, Bimbo Oloyede.

The formal opening event was attended by a large number of guests drawn from different walks of life with a good representation from the world of Arts and Entertainment.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the new outlet, the Managing Director/Chief Chef, Mrs. Binta Adisa, disclosed that the opening of the new outlet in Lekki is in response to the yearnings of Labule’s numerous customers living and working around the Lekki/Ikoyi axis of Lagos who have had the opportunity to eat at the main outlet in Ogudu GRA, Lagos.

Adisa stated that the new Lekki outlet is in line with the brand’s vision of promoting the best of food and culture. She also disclosed that since the Ogudu outlet opened in May 2014, customers have come from all parts of Lagos and beyond to savour the taste and unique experience that Labule offers.

“Apart from serving authentic Nigerian meals

L-R: Veteran broadcaster, Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede, Chief Chef/Managing Director, Roots Foods Limited, Mrs. Binta Adisa and Chairman of Roots Foods Limited, Mr. Lanre Adisa at the formal opening of Labule in Lekki in Lagos

with the touch of home cooking, we also provide an environment that makes you take pride in your culture. We will also be serving unique Nigerian snacks and fries. Beyond food, Labule is also collaborating with Bellaafricana, a key promoter of Afrocentric creative businesses, to sell quality products and accessories at the new Lekki outlet,” she said.

She declared that the company is delighted to add to the culinary and cultural landscape of Lekki and its suburbs. She promised to make every encounter with the restaurant an unforgettable food and cultural experience.

“We have received several requests from our customers demanding for Labule outlets in dif-

ferent parts of Lagos. But as a brand, we have carefully chosen Lekki Phase 1 at this moment as the destination of an extension of the restaurant,” she said.

Adisa noted that the outlet would be providing food offerings that transcend the regular Yoruba delicacies, stating that cuisines from the South-east, South-south and other parts of Nigeria would be available for customers.

Commenting further on what customers stand to gain from the outlet, Adisa explained that it would be open for other activities that include meetings, culturally themed events, art exhibitions as well as book readings among others.

Participants also included the PGPN faculty members, consisting of Professors from the Boston University School of Medicine, University of Lagos Teaching Hospital and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.

One of the graduands of the PGPN, Dr. Opeyemi Oshinowo of Lagos University Teaching Hospital said, “PGPN is very relevant, it has opened my eyes to certain things that I thought I knew about nutrition, but did not fully understand and appreciate. I want to say that I have learnt a lot in the last one year and it has made me approach my patients in a better way. I want to thank the organisers of this programme, Nestlé Nutrition Institute Africa and Boston University School of Medicine for putting together this wonderful program.”

In his presentation at the Lagos symposium and convocation titled, ‘Establishing healthy food habits in children’, Dr. Clifford Lo, an adjunct professor of paediatric nutrition at the Harvard Medical School, stressed the importance of developing healthy food habits and food preferences in infants and children. He also examined the role of maternal diet during pregnancy and lactation in establishing food preferences in children. He harped on the need to identify strategies to address challenges in food acceptance by young children.

“The dietary patterns learned during the early years of life usually track into later childhood and adulthood which contributes to form the basis for future eating patterns in children,” he said.

Hennessy Artistry 2017 Holds December 2 Nigeria’s Leading luxury cognac brand, Hennessy, is set to host the biggest concert in Lagos come December 2nd. Tagged ‘Hennessy Artistry’, a unique integrated global platform that brings the "art of blending" to life by creating exceptional consumer moments through a fusion of music, art, culture and creative talent, the invite-only concert scheduled to hold at Eko Atlantic, Lagos, will exceed all expectations with a spectacular line up of Nigeria's best artistes and world class production to deliver an unforgettable experience.

The Brand Manager, Hennessy and Spirits, Mr. Oluwole Awoleke, said Hennessy Artistry has always been the benchmark entertainment platform in Nigeria, adding, “This year, we intend to exceed all expectations: delivering the most unforgettable experience for consumers and lovers of the brand."

The headliners this year are King of Afro-Dance Hall-Timaya, versatile rapper/ songwriter- Falz, Voice of the street and legendary rapper, Olamide and New School King - YCEE. Red carpet for this year’s Hennessy Artistry 2017 kicks off at 7p.m. and it is proudly supported by Eko Atlantic, Taxify, EbonyLifeTV, Pulse NG, Guardian Life, Genevieve Magazine, Tush.com, 360Nobs, OnoBello.

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Only Surviving Sibling of Nigeria’s Foremost IG of Police Clocks 80 Ikenna Ekwerike It was a memorable day as family, friends and well-wishers of Mrs. Eno-Edet Traore, only surviving sister of Nigeria’s first indigenous Inspector General of Police, Louis Edet, converged on her Lagos residence to pay glowing tributes as she marked her 80th birthday on the exact date she was born, Sunday, November 26.

Among those present at the ceremony was one of the school classmates of the Octogenarian and past district governor of Lions Club International, Mr. Tony Adedoyin.

He told THISDAY that the celebrant was a brilliant student and a humanitarian, too.

“We were classmates in the College of Education, University of Lagos studying French before we had scholarships to study at the University of Toulouse, Southern France.

She was very friendly and humorous,” he said.

Extolling her virtues, Dr. Babatunde Dabiri, a former neighbour and friend of the celebrant described her as an industrious, straightforward and disciplined woman.

“People say what a man can do a woman can do better, but I tell you, what a dozen men can do, Mama will do it perfectly. She came from a disciplined family; her elder brother was the first IG from 1964 to 1966

Solomon Elusoji

Mrs Eno-Edet Traore (3rd left) cutting her birthday cake with children and grandchildren

and this is very evident in the way she raised her children. She’s an exemplary woman and her children behave well,” he noted.

Confirming what Dabiri said, Mrs. Chinelo Egbuna, another former neighbour of Traore said she is a role model, a professional and entrepreneur; of great strength and love adding that those were the secret ingredients of her longevity.

Speaking on behalf of his siblings, son of the celebrant, Mr. Tombe Traore, revealed that his mother is a disciplinarian and also

very supportive to her children, always ready to help them solve whatever problem was brought before her.

“She’s a great entrepreneur and knows how to balance work with social life. That is what I admire most about her,” he stated.

While appreciating all those who found time to come celebrate her, Taore attributed her healthy looks to a balanced lifestyle and ultimately to the care and support from her children for which she expressed sincere gratitude.

LOUIS XIII Announces a Pharrell Williams Song to be Released in 2117 Solomon Elusoji Earlier this month, LOUIS XIII Cognac premiered “100 Years”- The Song We'll Only Hear If We Care - a unique musical composition created by Pharrell Williams that will not be released until 2117.

According to a statement from makers of the luxury cognac, “LOUIS XIII partnered with Pharrell on this innovative project due to a shared dedication for environmental issues. The original song is a creative expression of the delicate relationship between nature and time, and the effect humans have on their environment. Each decanter of LOUIS XIII represents the life achievement of generations of cellar masters, so LOUIS XIII must always think a century ahead.”

Pharrell’s exclusive track was recorded onto a record made of clay from the chalky soil of the Cognac region, and stored in the cellars of LOUIS XIII in a state-of-the-art safe specially designed by Fichet-Bauche that is only destructible when submerged in water. If sea levels continue to rise at such an alarming rate due to climate change, scientists project that in 100 years, a significant portion of the world’s land might be underwater.

“The only way to guarantee this original piece of music will be heard again in 2117, one century from now, is if we address the tragic consequences of global warming - if we do not change our way of living, future

THISDAY Crime and Defence reporter, Chiemelie Ezeobi, has bagged the golden star award for investigative journalism in West Africa in the print category.

This would be the third time Ezeobi would be winning the award but this time, she bagged the West Africa category as against the other two times she won Nigerian category.

The award will be received in Kigali, Rwanda during the 15th Security Watch Africa (SWA) Awards, Conference and Exhibition, alongside other recipients from the security, governance, academic and industrial sector.

The event which is to be personally hosted by the President of Rwanda, Mr. Paul Kagame, will hold at Radisson Blu

Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria (TUCN), through its TOTALPreneur initiative, has graduated a second batch 60 youths in agriculture and vocational education at OFFERCentre Institute of Agriculture, Oluponna, in Osun State.

TOTALPreneur is TUCN’s flagship entrepreneurial capacity Managing Director and Chief development initiative.

Executive Officer of TUCN, Mr. Speaking at the gradu- Nicolas Terraz ation ceremony, which held on Tuesday in Osun State, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TUCN, Mr. Nicolas Terraz, said Total, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments, decided to partner with OFFERCentre to train the young students because it believes “building relationships with stakeholders ensures trust, transparency and sustainability. Sustainability drives efficiency and efficiency indeed, drives down costs. We recognise these linkages and indeed apply them to achieve our CSR goals.”

Under the TOTALPreneur-OFFERCentre partnership, 30 youths received training in agriculture (fish farming, animal husbandry, pottery and crop production), while another 30 youths received vocational education in Catering and Hotel Management, Event Management, Cakes and Pastries.

However, all 60 trainees also received skills training on Business Management, Computer Operation, Accounting and Marketing.

The training programme, which started on September 5, ran for three months, and came to an end yesterday.

This is the second batch sponsored by TUCN, after the first set of 60 students graduated in 2016.

The best student in Catering, Okpara Elizabeth, told THISDAY that the training did not just teach her new things, but taught her how to be an entrepreneur. “Here, I learnt how to go to the world and take it on,” she said.

Firm Launches Online Accommodation Platform Peter Uzoho

Ludovic du Plessis, Global Executive Director LOUIS XIII Cognac and Pharell Williams

generations will never be able to hear this song. “100 Years” by Pharrell Williams will be out in 2117, but only #Ifwecare,” the statement said.

“I love the fact that LOUIS XIII thinks a century ahead,” Pharrell Williams, an American singer, songwriter, record producer and film producer who has been honoured with ten Grammy Awards and two Academy Award nominations, has said. “We should all do the same for the planet. We have a

common interest in preserving nature for the future. Each bottle is the life achievement of generations of men and women. It's all about legacy and transmission."

“100 Years” premiered during a private listening party in Shanghai, where Pharrell presented the song one time only. The one hundred lucky guests in attendance were not allowed to record the once-in-a-lifetime experience, so the song remains a secret for the next century.

Again, THISDAY Reporter Bags SWA Awards in Rwanda Rebecca Ejifoma

Total Empowers Another 60 Young Entrepreneurs

Hotel and Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda from December 12 to 15, 2017.

Since the inception of the award in 2004, with Abuja, Nigeria, as its first host, the body has not looked back in tackling issues bordering on security in Africa and worldwide.

The event has grown over the years to incorporate other African, Middle East and American nations.

From inception in 2004, this event has held successfully in Nigeria, Ghana, The Gambia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.

According to the SWA CEO and International Coordinator, Mr. Patrick Agbambu, the event is expected to bring together African scholars across the world to discuss security and safety issues confronting Nigeria as a people.

He also said that they would celebrate outstanding and excellent performance by people across the continent.

He said: “Today more than ever before, there is urgent need for practical ideas that will help bring our continent, Africa out of the looming and palpable Armageddon.

"This year's event, which is in partnership with the Stellenbosch University, South Africa, promises to be credible, classy, glamorous and full of finesse.

"Already, we have confirmed attendance of dignitaries from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Liberia, Kenya, The Gambia, Senegal, Cote D'Ivoire, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Namibia and Mozambique."

The partnership with the Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University, was affirmed after the signing of an MoU in June 2016.

A new arrival in the property and hospitality industry, Instant Apartment, is launching an online platform that provides users within and outside Nigeria a short to medium term accommodation options and experience during short trip, vacation or get-away.

The platform provides users (customers) with good accommodation that give them unique homely experience and convenience in a reduced cost. It also offers property owners ample investment opportunity to monetise their homes and extra space. The property owner will, after a background check has been carried out, furnish and register their apartment that are not in use to the company’s platform and will be receiving an agreed per cent as returns on investment.

The company has currently on its platform about 27 properties of different categories spread across cities in Nigeria with over 300 waiting to be listed in the platform, and assures prospective customers and users of satisfactory service delivery. Its unique services include free Air pickup to the apartment, constant electricity, free meal on arrival and adequate security among others.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, Instant Apartment, Mr. Ubi Franklin, said the essence of the platform was to enable users pay less for more on accommodation.

“If you’re a family of five travelling and you intend to spend money booking three or four rooms in a hotel and the rent is maybe N100, 000 we’ll make it easier for you to book an apartment – three bed apartments or more at almost the same price you pay for one room in a hotel.

And you’re getting a three room with a sitting room, a dinning, a kitchen and other services.

“If you book an appointment with Instant Apartment, you get free Airport pick-up to the apartment; your first meal on arrival is free and we’ll ensure that you have real value for your money throughout your stay in our apartments,” Franklin said.

While pointing out that the location and the packaging of apartments on their platform determine their prices, Franklin also noted that the company has well trained customer care representatives who would be available 24-hours to attend to customers’ needs and complaints.

Explaining security measures put in place by the organisation to checkmate fraud in the system, the company’s Chief Technical Officer, Mr. Gbamgbala Rahman, said properties must undergo proper background security check before they could be listed on the platform.

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MMS Hall of Fame Unifies Nigerian Women for Next Phase in Leadership In what would be remembered as bedrock of the advancement of women in the Nigeria’s political and managerial space, the 2017 edition of MMS Plus Woman of Fortune Hall of Fame (WoFHoF) provided an ambiance for bonding among several leading women in various crucial sectors of the nation’s economy to enhance the contributions of women in leadership via mentoring.

At the grand event which was graced by notable women in maritime, mining, admiralty law, finance, amongst others, the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, highlighted the need to cultivate a crop of young women to replace the ones going away to ensure that there is always sufficient human capacity in every sector.

The minister who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello said, “The Ministry of Transportation will surely support such very important issue as mentorship and leadership. The minister is aware of the importance of this programme and its relevant theme but it is unfortunate that he couldn’t make it because of his tight schedule.

“The theme of this programme; ‘National Intergration: Women’s Role in Leadership and Mentoring’ is apt and we are pleased with MMS Plus for marrying the practice of journalism with the practice in maritime and other industries.

There is always the need to come together to evaluate things and to see how people should be mentored into this profession especially when there are some amazons fading away and aging rapidly. We already have women who have risen to the pinnacle in shipping, maritime or admiralty law. It is important that most of these women are here because they are the captains of several industries. We have them in terminal operations, maritime lawyers, organisational heads of several government agencies and parastatals,” he said.

Meanwhile, one of Nigeria’s leading women’s rights activist and President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, Dr. Joe Odumakin preached unity among women, noting that it was the major element that would take women to the next phase of relevance in governance in the country.

According to the dogged activist, women ought not to see themselves as enemies but lend their actions positively to inspire and affect others starting from their home fronts equipping

MMS Hall of Fame ... Kingsley, Promise and Asu Beks at the event

their children with solid moral standards, in the workplace and wherever they may find themselves.

Odumakin also admonished the women not to forget the ladder that brought them up even as she tasked them to serve as ladders through which other younger women climb to the find the path to the pinnacle of their various careers.

“We want our career women to know that people look at them consciously and unconsciously because through their acts, they came become good mentors.,” she noted.

She equally proposed effective and efficient leadership as a solution to curb the myriad of corrupt practices that have crippled various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Odumakin, stated that those in leadership positions should be passionate and eschew any form of corruption that would encourage the younger mentees to believe it is right to engage in such unwholesome practices.

However, the Chairperson, Board of Trustees of the MMS WoFHoF and Chairperson of the occasion, Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi said, “We are here today to celebrate excellence, distinction and to celebrate being a woman. We are not fighting to take over from the men; all we are saying is that we should look for quality. We should also give adequate representation to our women.”

Speaking further on mentorship, she said “we should always remember that because we all come from different backgrounds, one thing unites us, we all have villages where we come from, our mothers in the villages, even up to date mentor the young ones in the act of cooking, act of keeping home, act of really being a proper Nigerian woman. What they don’t have, we have! And that is the profession we hold in law, medicine, etc. We need to fill that gap; we need to use these areas of distinctions to mentor the young ones because they don’t teach them the practical in the universities. So, be generous with your time, be generous with your office and let’s groom the young ones,” she admonished.

Meanwhile, one of the inductees at the ceremony, Mrs. Janet Adeyemi said, “It is good news that women of this generation, championed by MMS Plus, are beginning to understand the essence of networking and working together. Irrespective of where we (women) are; we must realise that there is a need for us to come together. We equally want to thank all the men who are here and all those who continue to show support to women.”

Janet, who is also the President of Women in Mining in Nigeria, seized the opportunity to recall her mentor even as she stressed that every woman should look towards leaving a

legacy behind for the next generation rather than become obsessed with material possessions.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Convenor of the MMS WoFHoF, Mr. Kingsley Anaroke had posited that the event was a bold statement that the solution to the myriad of challenges the nation is facing with regards to leadership could be solved via exemplary leadership and mentorship.

Anaroke, who is also Chief Executive Officer of Kings Communications Limited, publishers of MMS Plus newspaper; said, “Over the years we have found partners and supporters in this course of adding value to life, womanhood and the society at large.

And collectively, we have become a voice for women and gender equitability. Against this background, it is imperative that the gradual drift of the nation towards disintegration needs the intervention of mothers who are usually victims and casualties of every war situation.

Today, a statement is about to be made that the solution lies on leadership and mentorship which is empowerment with bonding.”

He observed that in the last five years the event had grown to become a non-profit organisation with the preoccupation of seeking means to impact the younger generation of women through mentorship, career enhancement and celebration of women of substance.

Saint Obi Bombards Nollywood with Five New Blockbuster Movies After several months of painstaking productions on various locations across the country, superstar actor and multi-talented entertainer, Saint Obi famously known as Nollywood’s Mr. Quality, is poised to pamper movie buffs with five new blockbuster flicks commissioned by his company, Agwhyte international.

The explosive and thought provoking movies, which are expected to hit cinemas, pay TVs and online platforms soon are: After The Vow, Mrs. Brown, Big Shot, Invaders and My Yesterday. Amazingly, this first of its kind project in the annals of Nollywood, according to cerebral Saint Obi, is aimed at creating jobs and empowering talented and creative youths as well as helping to keep them off the streets through creative engagements.

“At Agwhyte International, we have decided to take the bull by the horns. This is our

modest contribution to the socio-economic growth of our great country. We have created jobs and empowered youths by bankrolling these five films that were shot simultaneously.

We look forward to doing more for Nollywood and Nigeria in general, but funding is a big challenge. We are truly committed to telling the Nigerian story and promoting Nollywood brand to the rest of the world,” disclosed the star of over 100 hit movies”, noted Saint Obi. Interestingly, the five blockbusters were professionally shot by independent producers who were carefully selected by Saint Obi’s Agwhyte International Limited solely for the big budget projects.

Giving more details, Saint Obi who disclosed that over N200m was spent lensing the blockbusters, added that some of the movies

also enjoyed a private screening session that was well attended and hugely applauded by pundits “The good news is that at Agwhyte, we are all about creating a better Nollywood and viewer experience through quality content but also, expand the distribution outlets for Nollywood independent producers.

Furthermore, though I have been quiet for many years, amongst others, Agwhyte is fully into Nollywood and strategic media content creation, production, acquisition, aggregation, distribution and steadily heading towards content broadcasting.

Surprisingly, Saint Obi who did not feature in any of the five blockbusters hinted that the reason was to give young and emerging talents the opportunity to harness their potentials in Nollywood.

Obi

African First Ever Tourism Mobile App for Launch December As part of her bid to foster economic growth through brand awareness and increased patronage of local businesses, Enjoy Lagos is set to launch Africa’s first ever tourism mobile application which will stimulate the local and national economy while offering attractive discounts to shoppers, organizing private tours, booking flights and honeymoon packages, nearest ATM, emergency points etc for tourists and indigenes of Lagos state.

The Mobile Application will be available for download officially in all play stores and Apple stores from the 1st of December, 2017 and would be launched officially on the 23rd of December,2017.

According to Iyadi Grizi, CEO/Founder, Enjoy Lagos, the mobile app would be downloaded by everyone who lives and visits Lagos state. He added that “it answers the frequently asked questions like where to find the nearest Restaurant, nearest ATM, nearest filling station, nearest police station, weather reports and lots more”.

Urging everyone to get a hold of the application, Iyadi said, “this is a pocket size friendly guide and Tourism app which is a must have for anyone in Lagos either tourist or indigene”.

The Enjoy Lagos Mobile Application has 4 categories: Deals and offers, Lagos Tours, Lagos State and Enjoy Lagos. The Application

will feature 100s of millions from retailers and businesses in Lagos and Africa. The app would be Location enabled to tell the users where and How much discount the retailers in that location are offering; the CEO informs.

According to Iyadi, there is an Enjoy Lagos Coupon Book which is a quarterly publication that helps businesses to increase brand loyalty and awareness while boosting retail sales.

The 2nd edition of the Enjoy Lagos Coupon Book (Christmas Special) is out and been distributed around Lagos. The coupon book is valid from the 1st of November 2017 till the 14th of February, 2018. The second edition of the Enjoy Lagos Coupon book is being

distributed at airports, by Airlines, embassies, from 300 plus merchants’ locations.

Iyadi also informed of partnerships with top banks and corporate bodies in the country such as The United Bank for Africa who has been with Enjoy Lagos since the preparation of the release of the 2nd edition to design a mobile app which can promote 10s of thousands of clients, with incentives like The automatic current account opening, the cheque book, QR reader and promotion of outstanding discounts on their digital platform.

He said, “With the help of the United Bank for Africa, Enjoy Lagos is taking the project from Lagos to Africa”.

T H I S D AY FRIDAY DECEMBER 1, 2017

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01.12.2017

Empowering Youths Via Peace Corps of Nigeria Gidado Yushau Shuaib Before the recent altercation between the Nigerian Police and the Peace Corps of Nigeria over the legality or constitutionality of the establishment of the latter as an organisation, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung, had granted me an interview at a function in London early this year during my studies.

Mr. Dalung told me that the Peace Corps, in different countries, is a globally recognised non-governmental and youth-based organisation which focuses on working with the youths in exploring and enhancing their potentials for greatness towards harnessing and redirecting their productive energies for national development.

The minister disclosed that since the law establishing the Peace Corps in Nigeria had been passed into law by the National Assembly, he anticipated a healthy collaboration and supervisory oversight of Ministry of Youth on its activities. He said Peace Corps scheme is fashioned around a volunteer corps in some countries where young people serve their country by acquiring experiences to be able to fit into the system.

One of the challenging job requirements in Nigeria is the demand for years of working experiences where some employers would insist on at least three to four years of working experience before hiring a graduate. Therefore, the youth, upon graduation, become unemployable due to the discriminatory requirements.

The Peace Corps intends to address the

Buhari

challenge of youth unemployment by engaging young graduates into working environments where they could gain the basic experiences. It is only through selected services that they can acquire the necessary skills and experiences

to fit into available jobs.

Dalung also raised his concern over those stringent and seeming impossible requirement.

He said: “I am a person not disposed to the requirement of experiences imposed on young people while seeking for jobs because the headmaster was once a school boy before becoming a teacher. There must be a take-off point in life.”

Surprisingly, the Peace Corps of Nigeria has been in existence for over a decade as a non-governmental organisation but ineffective due to stiff resistance and rejection from some security agencies who see PCN as a threat to their operations.

The constant attacks on Nigerian Peace Corps from other security agencies, notably the Police have affected the anticipated engagements of 500,000 teeming youths. Recently, the National Commandant of the Corps, Dickson Akoh, was almost stripped naked by the police in public glare.

The headquarters of the organisation in Abuja was also sealed by men of the Police Force after raiding the premises and arrested the commandant and 49 others. The action was despite a directive of Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, who declared the actions of the police as illegal, unconstitutional and ordered that the office be unsealed immediately.

Several interventions of spirited organisations for the police to see reason to allow the PCN be have not been successful. Recently some youth-based groups under the auspices of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) forced

open the headquarters of the corps, but yet the police men were adamant.

However, while the police are still harassing and intimidating members of PCN, the United Nations has granted seven slots to the Officers of the Peace Corps to attend and participate in major United Nations meetings and conferences, including that of the General Assembly.

Rather than addressing the security challenges of highway kidnappings, herdsmen attacks and armed robbery, the police force is chasing shadow by undermining the activities of an organisation that would address unemployment and insecurity. This impunity must stop.

It is necessary to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to assent the bill of the Peace Corps of Nigeria to enable the organisation to commence its operations in earnest. There are a lot of benefits derivable from the commencement of operation of the Nigerian version of Peace Corps if the bill becomes law.

Mr. Dalung had alluded to the fact that the law establishing the PCN would come to effect when he said that “I’m confident that being a father figure who is passionate about youth development, President Muhammadu Buhari will assent to the bill that will set the tone for another platform of engagement for young people into rendering services to the country through the Peace Corps of Nigeria..

Can Mr. President do the needful on the Peace Corps of Nigeria now? .Shuaib is a corps member serving with the Niger State Government House

Nigerian Firms Honoured at Top Employers Awards For creating and maintaining conducive workplace for employees, some Nigerian firms were honoured with the prestigious Top Employer Award in South Africa recently, writes Peter Uzoho A heightened understanding of the correlation between the work environment and productivity could not be more important at any other time than now. Globalisation, the rapid pace of technological advancement and an increasingly turbulent environment, among other critical factors, have compelled the need for organisations to focus more attention on the management of their employees’ performances.

In strengthening the brand equity, a conversation around excellence in employee productivity has aroused considerable consciousness among organisations and employers about creating a conducive workplace for employees to enhance output and efficiency.

However, it was against this background that a leading global certification company, Top Employer Institute, established the internationally acclaimed ‘Top Employer Award’, an initiative that recognises and celebrates world-class employers for entrenching enviable working conditions for their employees.

The awards, usually given during the Top Employer Certification dinners held at various times in the year across continents, are arguably the most prestigious Human Resources awards and one of the most trusted by leading employers around the world. The ceremony hails excellence in employees’ working conditions.

The formal presentation of the 2018 country and continental awards was made at a gala night held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on October 12, 2017.

According to the Institute, “164 organisations from across Africa were certified as Top Employers for 2018 after individually participating in a rigorous research programme covering 100 questions and 600 practice areas based on an HR Best Practices Survey.” Interestingly, eight Nigerian companies operating in various industries, ranging from consumer goods and services, financial services and insurance to professional services, were decorated with the Top Employer certification. They included BASF West Africa Ltd., British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), DHL International Nigeria Ltd., Old Mutual Nigeria, Dow Industrial Chemical Products Nigeria Ltd., Philip Morris, EY Nigeria, and G4S Nigeria.

Stating its reason for according the companies the honour, the Institute noted, “Our

A cross-section of participants at the employers' award in South Africa...recently

comprehensive independent research revealed that the awardees provide exceptional employee conditions, nurture and develop talent throughout all levels of their organisations and have demonstrated leadership status in the HR environment, always striving to optimise their employment practices and to develop their employees.”

Speaking on the importance of the award, Managing Director, BASF West Africa, Dr. Jean-Marc Ricca, described the certification as a testament and consolidation of the fact that the firm operates at optimum standards.

Ricca noted: “Our focus is on fostering the individual’s unique talents and meeting that person’s development objectives in the best possible manner, thereby allowing BASF’s corporate objectives to be fulfilled at the same time. Considering that we are getting this recognition for the third consecutive time in the five years of our existence as a legal entity is a great reinforcement that we are doing well with our people management. As we continue

to expand our operations, we will optimise our employee conditions, and continue to recruit, retain and attract the best employees.”

In a similar vein, BATN Head of Human Resources, West Africa , Tope Akinsanya, remarked: “In Nigeria and West Africa, we consciously invest in and celebrate our employees and, for this reason, we are very proud of this certification. This success is driven by our people who bring their difference every day and this award confirms that we have all the necessary tools for our people to develop and succeed.

It is indeed a great delight to be recognised at the most prestigious HR awards event on the African continent and to get this at our very first entry.”

For the decorated Nigerian companies, the award recognises commitment to people and their professional and personal development. It also confirms the companies’ leadership position in the various HR practice areas of Talent Management, Workforce Planning, Learning

and Performance Management, Leadership Development, Career and Succession Management, Reward and Culture.

The Top Employer award ceremony creates an opportunity for organisations to showcase to the world that they are exceptional employers. On the benefits that accrue to employers interested in enlisting in the award, the Top Employer Institute notes that “You will get access to a comprehensive range of easy-to use tools and exclusive communication channels to strengthen your employer brand.” It notes further that “The evaluation process is stringent as it includes a critical review of answers and documents provided; a third-party audit on processes and data and the rating of participants’ performance scores against an international standard.”

It is hoped that this illustrious platform that the Top Employer Institute provides will enable many other companies in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, to benchmark their HR practices and reinforce their employer brands.

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01.12.2017

‘We Want to Use Art to Empower the Girl-child’ The CEO of Platinum Entertainment Nigeria Limited and author of the book, ‘Madame Efunroye Tinubu: Heroine in the Midst of Heroes’, Olayinka Fatima Edu, in this exclusive interview with Ehime Alex, gives insight on how she intends to use the story of Madame Efunroye Tinubu through photo exhibition to empower the girl-child, among others What is the photo exhibition project all about?

Humanity Awards and Exhibition, is about celebrating exceptional women from all walks of life, and also empowering the girl-child through our scholarship initiative. Last year, I published a book titled, ’Madame Efunroye Tinubu: Heroine in the Midst of Heroes’. After that publication, we came up with an initiative called MET for the girl-child. The MET is an acronym of ‘Madame Efunroye Tinubu’ for every girl-child. So, what we did last year was that, we distributed free copies of the book to some schools; we met with some students and briefed them about Madame Efunroye Tinubu: her story, her exploits and what they could learn from it. And, we gave them the book for free to read. This year, what we are doing is MET for the girl-child, the scholarship initiative. It is an exhibition whereby we are using the girl-child to illustrate the story of Madame Efunroye Tinubu.

The story is quite an interesting one. During the course of my research, I found out that she was one person in so many things. She was an aristocrat, warrior, queen, to name just a few. All those attributes of hers, are what we are now using the girl-child to portray. We want them to reenact the attributes of Madame Efunroye Tinubu through photo exhibition. We have all those attributes listed. So, what we are using the girls to do, is to reenact those attributes. Each girl is to represent Madame Efunroye Tinubu in each character with costume, markup, and we take their photos, frame them and put them up for exhibition. And of course, each of them has to understand what they are representing her for. They must have read the book; and we must have told them about her story for them to really understand what they are doing. So, we put up the pictures for sale at the Exhibition Ground for Humanity event which is coming up December 17, 2017 at Oriental Hotel, Lagos. December 17, is a very significant day for us because it will mark the 130 years remembrance of Madame Efunroye Tinubu. As I have said, we put up the pictures for sale, and the monies realised from that will be used to open an account for each girl-child that has a picture. In addition to that, we will do a mini-photo of those photo frames and place them at Madame Tinubu Square at the Island for tourism purposes. For every time the picture is in demand, the girl-child gets money into her account.

Why did you embark on such project?

Humanity is an award to celebrate and honour exceptional women, like I said, from all walks of life; from Nollywood, governance, politicswomen doing great things. We came up with Humanity Awards for International Women Day actually. As we all know, International Women Day is being celebrated March 8 all over the world which we started observing here in Nigeria of recent. But basically, what I found out that we do most times in this part of the world is, we do summit, we do walk against this and against that. There are women who had taken bold steps to affect societies positively that need to be honoured and celebrated; and also, their stories need to be used to encourage and empower the girl-child. That is the part we are looking at to celebrate them and not just talking or organising a summit or conference and complaining about our problems. So we decided let’s celebrate and honour those who are doing well and use their stories to encourage the young girl. On the Madame Efunroye Tinubu initiative, it is an historical figure of the 19th Century, a very important woman whose story has inspired some of us that studied history and others who have done research in that line.

Regrettably, history is no longer being taught in our schools of recent. Every time the discussion is on gender equality, women empowerment and the likes; when we compare now and what it was in the past centuries where women had lesser opportunities, we will be shocked at what great things those women had done to affect their societies. Is like saying, they have everything at their beck and call. With lots of opportunities these days, women are complaining. Complaining about how to take their place in the society

long-run people are going to appreciate what we are doing. I believe that is how people can benefit: tourism, arts, culture, history, and at the same time educating them about historical events.

What makes the project prime at this time?

Like I said earlier, it is going to be 130 years tribute for Madame Efunroye Tinubu, and we are trying to make MET a brand. She was an important figure in the 19th Century, and we are trying to make a brand out of that. That is part of our history and historical event. So, we have those women too who had done great things and their lives have impacted positively on the societies. It’s a starting point! It’s not going to be a one-off thing!

How sustainable is the project?

Well, like I said, it is not a one-off thing. We give the scholarship to these girls, we put their pictures for sale, we will also have the documentary of Madame Efunroye Tinubu premiere on that day; and we intend to take it international. Aside from auctioning the pictures on the day of the event, the pictures are also there on sale. We will put them on gallery in partnership with other galleries for people who might be interested, also on online for people to buy. Every time the picture is in demand, the girl gets money into her account. We will do that for a period of three years, we have a target to raise certain amount for a particular girl-child for that period.

Then, after three years, we will give other girls the opportunity. So, it is sustainable. It is not an annual thing.

Edu...empowering the girl-child

and not being given the opportunities. We don’t think that you need anybody’s permission to get the opportunity to where you belong in the society. So, we are just using the stories of those exceptional women to say, you can get to where you wanted and make impact with little or no opportunities.

There are so many exceptional women in the past whose lives have impacted on the societies.

Tell us, how did you arrive at your selection of Madame Efunroye Tinubu?

We have a project, which is Belle of African Nations. The Belle of African Nations is to use pageant to tell the stories of African heroines.

Our first edition of that project was Madame Efunroye Tinubu. Actually, the Belle of African Nations is a pan-African project. And because we are Nigerians, we decided to start from home. Starting from home means starting with Madame Efunroye Tinubu, from Lagos where we belong and operate. Like the saying goes, charity begins at home.

How will this be of benefit to Africa and the world at large?

As a nation, we have been talking about economic diversification and how to empower the girl-child every now and then. So, this is like using arts to empower the girl-child where people less focus on. When we talk of empowerment, people think straight on setting people up for a business and giving them money to do this or that. But, what we are doing basically is, one, we are making them see potentials in themselves.

Yes, some of these girls that we are going to use to do this exhibition, their dreams might be to become engineers, doctors. But, if we show them this way, that through your history, arts, culture, you could actually become something or earn something rewarding. Two, in the history of tourism like I said, we will be donating mini-photos to Madame Tinubu Square for as long as it could be there. And, I am sure that every girl-child that will be represented there, that have her photo there will be happy, the parents too will be happy. I’m also sure that, the girls will be eager to tell their friends and love ones about it and for them to go and see it. That for us is promoting tourism which I feel in the

What is the condition for qualification for the scholarship initiative?

Our focus is on secondary schools, and it is for girls who are between the ages of 12 to 17.

And the opportunity is open for students both in private and public schools across Nigeria.

But we have a fixed account that we will be giving out yearly.

So, how much is that?

The maximum is N300,000 for every girl-child yearly through the sale of their photo. And we will do that for a period of three years.

What challenges are you currently facing on this project?

Basically, the challenge we are facing is paucity of funds. I mean sponsorship. When an idea is new, selling it poses a little difficult. People are somehow skeptical in buying into a new idea in this part of the world. However, when you have such an idea that you are very passionate about, especially one that has the potential of impacting the society, you don’t give up easily. Lately, the much talk about our arts and culture, tourism and how we can make money out of it are steps to be taken. I believe this is a step in the right direction we have taken at Platinum Entertainment to do things by using it as an empowerment for the girl-child, and by extension contributing to the growth of tourism in the country. So, we are doing our bits, what we can. Although, we are yet to start receiving the support we envisage financially and in other areas. It is costing us a lot: cost of photography, selecting the girls, framing of the pictures, the venue of the event and other things. What we have done so far is from personal purse with supports from few friends, families who share in the dream. It has not been easy anyway, but I believe we will get there. It is always and sometimes a struggle to start something new.

Are you looking for sponsorship or partnership?

Yes, off course. We have been on that, and we are doing just that. We are hopeful and awaiting responses.

Are you are optimistic they will buy into the idea?

Yes, we are very positive. Nigeria is just a country that you must have your money to push your idea through. It is when that is done that people can now begin to see the value and listen to you the more. But for us, we are very

determined.

How many sponsors are you looking at altogether?

We are hopeful for at least to have seven sponsors. But, if we get more than that, it is all well and good.

Tell us about the launch coming up on 17th of December?

That is Humanity; we will be giving awards and celebrating exceptional women from all walks of life, like I said earlier.We have people voting already. We have different categories of awards.

We have some new categories that we coined out of our own. We have the Girl-child Award too, that is, the Golden Girl. We have the Humanity Soldier Award, for that woman who has been selfless in service to humanity. We have awards for corporate, Nollywood, music, and so on. We have the Exceptional Woman Award, that one is none category.We have the Exceptional African Woman, which is for an African woman who has affected other peoples’ lives positively and had taken bold steps at encouraging other young ladies with her story. There is also going to be photo exhibition. The photo exhibition is a new one; I’m sure people will enjoy it. Also, we will have the girls stand by their photos, auction their photos themselves, have them come up with their own tagline on their photo, on each photo. That will be like a nugget for everyone to take home. It promises to be an amazing show.

We will also have exhibition book stands for people who want to market their books to do so.

How long did it take you to birth this idea?

Wow! I have been at it for long. Like I said, I published the book on Madame Efunroye Tinubu last year. It took me close to two year to publish the book because the reason for the book itself was as a result of another project that brought about the book. So, this is another project that is bringing about the MET for the girl-child, but altogether, three years or so.

Can you expatiate more on the pan-African project?

Humanity is a pan-African project somehow because it has a bit of pan-Africanism in it. But the Belle of African Nations, which is now Kiburi La Afrika, is a pure pan-African project. It is a pageant where we are redefining the contemporary pageantry by using pageant to tell the story of African heroines. So, for every edition, we have different heroine to talk about while making our selection from across Africa countries.

Do you think you have a grip of patronage on this Kiburi La Afrika project?

Off course, we do! The first edition we did about Madame Efunroye Tinubu, we already had 14 countries signed up for it. But, like I said the problem of starting a project like this is sponsorship, people buying into your fresh idea.

How do you see your project in five years?

Oh! A big thing, a real deal, something, that will be in the lips of everybody. I am so passionate about the photo exhibition thing. I like it, it is unique. Everyone will share the idea of who has come or who we have approach for supports and all that. People like the idea of the scholarship, the MET for the girl-child initiative, and the exhibition. They like it that we are not just making money for the girls but using and making them models, making them see potentials in the things they can do while also appreciating our efforts. So that is the beauty of it. I’m sure by the time their contracts expire in three years’ time, most of them will be keen to come back. But then, we have to give opportunities to others. I see the project as being big, accepted and getting supports all over the world. I’m yet to hear of any auctioning event here, so by the time we auction our photos and put them up for online auction, people can buy from all over the world. They could see the girls they are supporting and all that. In a way, that may help to reduce the rate of child marriage and all of that. And also help to empower the girls at their tender age.

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01.12.2017

Orji

A Pro-people Lawmaker Senator Theodore Orji representing Abia Central senatorial district at the National Assembly has continued to offer effective representation to Nigerians, writes Emmanuel Ugwu Nigerian citizens are well familiar with such constitutionally guaranteed freedoms such as freedom of association, freedom of worship, among others. They are also very much at home with their fundamental human rights such as right to life, right to live in any part of the country, among other rights.

But imagine a situation where the freedom is extended to include how we are taking into consideration the quantity and quality of food on the table of every Nigerian. How possible?

Senator Theodore Orji strongly believes it is possible to legislate on what the people of Nigeria eat and as a matter of fact the government should be held accountable if Nigerians are not well fed. That was why the senator representing Abia Central came up with the SB.71: ‘A Bill For An Act To Make Provision for Freedom From Hunger And The Right To Adequate Food Of Acceptable Quality, Right Of Every Child To Basic Nutrition and for Connected Purposes’. Happily the possibility of achieving this goal is now very high as this pro-people Bill has already become an Act following its passage on the floor of the Senate on Thursday, October 13, 2016. It is waiting Presidential assent and once President Muhammadu Buhari appends his signature and seal to the Bill a new vista would be opened on how Nigeria manages the food and nutritional needs of its citizens.

The food security bill is just one out of the nine bills that Senator Orji has sponsored in his highly productive legislative work in the Senate. This output was achieved in just two years of taking his seat as the representative of Abia Central zone in the upper legislative chamber. Though only the food bill has been passed into law out of the nine bills others are in various stages of passing through the legislative process. But one common thread that runs through all the bills sponsored by Orji is that they are all pro-people. They are tailored to have direct positive impact on the people of Nigeria just as any good legislation should be. To further make the issue of food security a sustainable reality Orji, who is the Vice-Chairman of Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development sponsored (SB.259) ‘A Bill For An Act To Regulate the Manufacture, Importation, Distribution And Quality Control of Fertiliser in Nigeria And For Related Matters’. The bill which is for second reading would not only enhance food

production but also help to preserve soil fertility by checking the use of inappropriate and dangerous brands of fertiliser by Nigerian farmers.

The Senator representing Abia Central is also keen to the revival of palm produce which was the bedrock of the economy of the Eastern Region in the First Republic. Indeed palm produce was fully exploited by the regional government led by the late Premier, Michael Okpara, who used the proceeds from this valued product to build Nigeria’s first indigenous university, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, several industries and infrastructure across the region. To bring back the good old days, Orji is proposing ‘A Bill for the Nigerian Palm Oil Research And Development Board’.

Take for instance SB.72 ‘A Bill For An Act to Repeal The Nigerian investment Promotion Commission Act, Cap 117 Laws Of The Federation Of Nigeria and Re-Enact The Nigerian Investment Commission To Provide For The Creation of An Attractive Incentives Framework And A Transparent Predictable And Facilitating Environment For Investment in Nigeria And Related Matters’. Expectedly if this bill becomes law it would open the way for influx of direct foreign investments in the country and also motivate local investors to expand their investments thereby creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths of Nigeria.

Another interesting bill from Senator Orji’s legislative portfolio is the SB.78 ‘Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Bill 2016’.

The motive for this bill is to make it part of the tools available to security agencies in combating crimes. The DNA, which is the major component of chromosomes and carries genetic information of every organism, is a major crime detecting channel. In developed societies DNA fingerprinting is widely used in fighting crime as criminals are easily nabbed through such device. It involves identifying somebody from DNA by using the analysis and use of DNA patterns from body tissues such as blood, saliva, or semen in order to establish somebody’s identity. Not only that, the DNA test and analysis is also employed in resolving paternity disputes. So the DNA Bill is sure going to make positive impact on the people in terms of security, fighting incidents of rape, murder, robbery, among other criminalities.

Orji has demonstrated his concern for the

preservation of the environment. He reasons that if the wanton destruction of the environment is left unchecked the people would eventually pay dearly for it because of the inter-dependence of living organisms whether big, small or microscopic. This accounts for the motive behind Orji’s sponsorship of SB.79: ‘A Bill For An Ac To provide for The management And Conservation Of Nigeria’s Biodiversity, The Protection Of Species And Ecosystems That Warrant National Protection, The Sustainable And Equitable Sharing Of Benefits Arising From Bioprospecting Involving Indigenous Biological resources, The Establishment And Function Of the National Biodiversity Institute And For Matters Connected Therewith’.

On the health of the people Orji wants a situation where preventive measures are enhanced to reduce to the barest minimum possible outbreak of diseases. He has therefore sponsored a bill (SB. 256) ‘A Bill For An Act To Provide For The Establishment Of The Nigerian Centre For Disease Control And Prevention (NCDC) And For Matters Connected Therewth’. Nigeria has in recent times had to grapple with outbreak of diseases that needed the urgent and effective response to avert a major catastrophe. The Ebola disease episode is still very fresh in the minds of Nigerians following the lives that were claimed after disease was brought into the country by a Liberian. There have also been national apprehension over indents of Lassa fever and most recently Monkey Pox. Perhaps with the passage of NCDC Bill into law the nation would be better sure footed at all times to tackle such health emergencies. That’s the pro-active thinking of Orji.

In the political front Orji is advocating for an end to the practice of sending names of commissioners or ministerial nominees to the legislature for confirmation without assigning portfolios. He should know better about the snag in this age long practice of the executive arm of government. Orji had presided over the affairs of Abia State as governor for two terms of eight years before he got the mandate to represent the people of Abia Central in the upper legislative chamber. So to straighten issues concerning the appointment of cabinet members Orji proposed SB. 129 ‘A Bill For An Act To Alter The Provision Of The Constitution Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) To Enable The President And the State Governors To

Designate And Assign Portfolios to Persons Nominated As Ministers Or commissioners Before Confirmation By The Senate Or the State House Of Assembly’. When this particular Bill was presented it was lumped with many other Bills on constitution amendment and all would be treated together. The prospect of having square pegs in square holes in the appointment of ministers and commissioners would greatly enhance good governance.

Orji’s legislative work in the Senate is not only centred on pro-people bills. He has sponsored motions that are weighty, relevant and pro-people. The motions generated resolutions of the Senate in response to the issues raised and the need to take prompt action. On January 1, 2016, the Senate passed a resolution mandating the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) to publish reports of its investigations into the causes of air accidents in Nigeria over the years. The Senate similarly acted on Orji’s motion and passed a resolution on January 13, 2016 calling on the federal government to immediately set up the Public Procurement Council in accordance with the Public Procurement Act 2008. After that, Orji expressed concern over the indiscriminate blasting of rocks at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other parts of the country. These activities posed danger not only to the environment but also to the health of residents of the areas where the rocks are blasted. To save the situation the Abia Central Senator moved a motion which resulted to a resolution on April 10, 2016 on the need to check indiscriminate rock blasting in the FCT and other parts of Nigeria in accordance with international best practices.

Having demonstrated high productivity within the first half of his four-year tenure Orji has continued to attract commendations from his constituents. At several town hall meetings with stakeholders, Orji has readily presented his score cards of his legislative accomplishments which were rated very high.

Indeed he has set an unprecedented record in representation at the National Assembly as far as Abia State is concerned. For his outstanding legislative achievements, Orji’s constituents are already clamouring for a repeat performance. Hence he has been adopted by stakeholders of Abia Central as well as youth groups across the senatorial zone as consensus candidate for 2019.

38/OPINION

01.12.2017

ADEOLAAKINREMI HOME TRUTHS

Email: adeola.akinremi@thisdaylive.com

Tel 08116759785(sms only)

Nigeria’s Broken Politics Nothing explains the fact that our political system is broken than the recent exit of the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and immediate association of his name with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Naturally, President Muhammadu Buhari must be happy with the exit of Abubakar. The president and the APC devotees knew the former Vice-President will end up in a landlocked PDP, making it an easy race for Buhari during the APC primaries. So the 2019 presidential election is the only thing Buhari will need to strategise about for a clear win.

Yes, Buhari cannot underestimate a man like Abubakar with money, influence and strong political base all over the country.

Perhaps there is no other person who made it clear with words than the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai that Abubakar’s exit will make the race easy for Buhari.

“I have heard about what the former VicePresident said about leaving the APC. We knew he was going to leave in December but he has left in November which is good because the earlier he leaves for where he belongs, the better,” el-rufai said in an interview published

by Premium Times.

Make no mistake, the political industry in Nigeria is thriving for high-stake players. It is the reason our democracy is not working for everyone, but fewer people or let me rephrase, fewer families.

Like a poker game the first round of betting has just begun, and we are yet to see the final act until 2018, when the PDP and APC will begin to change party constitutions as we have seen before to accommodate late comers. Of course, lawyers will generate revenue when court cases start to happen.

Sadly, the political conversation in Nigeria after two and half years of angst and frustration, when people felt so hopeless under the Buhari administration has now become Buhari vs. Atiku and APC vs. PDP. There’s no third party and there’s no chance that Nigerians will have the opportunity to elect a president outside

Buhari and Atiku at one of the 2015 presidential campaigns

the two-in-one political parties in 2019. So we are stuck with a broken politics cater to a few.

In summary, group of political hacks have made the parties their playground. So we are left with weak capacity for leadership, high political polarisation, and citizens that are distrusted.

Undeniably, the system is created by political merchants not to allow any third party. After all, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) lost its grip on South-east and the chance of becoming a third party, because of greed and inconsistency among its leaders. They sold their own porridge to PDP like Esau did to Jacob in the Bible. The story of Labour party under former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, is no different.

Rightly, power and wealth are the highest common factors in party politics and that is why Chief Raymond Dokpesi who registered Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) as a national political party is now seeking to become the chairman of the PDP. In fact, Dokpesi didn’t care much about moral to tell us that APDA is a deceit. According to him APDA was simply a back-up plan for the PDP during its crisis. So INEC was deceived to register APDA as a national party?

Like the PDP, so far the APC has made virtually no progress on any of the essential policy steps needed to restore prosperity and growth despite being in control of both legislative and executive

arms of government during this administration.

The poverty index, inequality, poor medical care, human rights abuse, and falling standards of education have not changed since APC came to power.

To be sure, people are falling into extreme poverty than escaping it, because the APC only carries the name on paper as progressives’ party and not in reality.

The World Poverty Clock, an organisation that relies on data collection from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, United Nations, and governments of more than 180 countries to track poverty index in the world released a report earlier that from February 2018 Nigeria will have more people in extreme poverty to take the place of India on the map of poverty-stricken nations. The benchmark is Nigeria’s population.

We are moving from the more the merrier to the more the wretched, yet there is no serious policy on the ground or implementation of an existing one to address our demographic debacle.

Frightening.

Nigeria’s population is growing faster than its economy. Currently, 82 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty, which expert broke down to 42.4 per cent of Nigeria’s population.

Now, we don’t really have a sense of what government did—in terms of planning—with the data from the National Bureau of Statistics

that projected the country’s population at an estimated 193 million plus, a big leap from UN projection in 2016. At least census did not take place this year as expected.

Those who did the research like UNICEF have equally said that Nigeria has around 10 million children who do not go to school under this government.

Indeed, we still have army of students finishing from our secondary schools and sitting at home for four years without admission, whereas their mates in Europe and America are moving directly from secondary school to the universities of their choice without unnecessary gap year.

These are worrisome issues, but the two government layers, the state and federal (because the local government is almost non-existent, except that the chairmen are yes-men to the governors) are doing little to tackle degeneration in educational system. They simply like to raise a few block of classrooms, name it after their benefactors, provide breakfast or lunch in schools with contract awarded to their cronies or fronts and pay millions of naira to buy primetime on television stations to show dodgy documentaries.

How will that make our students have necessary skills required to raise our economy?

Finally, I’m trying hard to understand this that some governors elected under the APC are rushing forward to endorse President Buhari for a second term and they are flaunting it in our face. Will Buhari become president for the second term just by the vote of 24 governors elected under the APC? Rightly, even el-Rufai puts party above the country when he said, “… we are confident that the way to preserve our party and preserve and advance the interest of Nigeria is for Mr. President to run for a second term.”

They want to preserve the party before they preserve the country. It is one thing: Get all you can, can all you get and sit on the can. That is the unwritten code of politicians in the two-in-one political parties in Nigeria.

Yes, I’m calling for new politics to fix the broken policies and promises. That is my message.

Follow me on twitter@adeolaakinremi1

The Gang-up Against Peter Obi Simon Ibe Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, is appreciated by people and organisations who desire the best for our country, Nigeria and for human society at large. On the contrary, he is rabidly disliked by those who crave a perpetuation of the old, sordid order of corruption, bad governance, illiteracy and profligacy in the conduct of public affairs.

Across the land, he is fondly called ‘Okwute’ -- the Igbo word for ‘Stone’ – because, besides the Greek origin of Peter (Stone), it depicts his strong character. Peter Obi is highly-disciplined and unyielding to all that is bad. Having been identified as a serious threat to advocates and perpetrators of evil, a motley gang-up has been initiated to check-mate his political ascendancy at all costs.

The Anambra State governorship election of November 18, 2017, was the opportunity for the conspirators to show their hands and even after dancing naked in the public, they are still going around thumbing their chests and boasting that they succeeded; when, indeed, they have done incalculable damage to the state and by extension the country.

Recently, one of the tin gods of Anambra State politics, Chief Chris Uba, was on national television boasting excitedly that he contributed in many ways to the loss suffered by his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship election – leaving the party’s candidate, Oseloka Obaze, in a distant third place. Interestingly, Chief Chris Uba is a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT). Talk about Trust!

As though that act of infamy was not enough, another money-bag member of the party, Chief Ifeanyi Uba also came on air to claim effusively that he too contributed significantly to PDP’s defeat. In what appeared to be an orchestrated confession to perfidy against Peter Obi, Ifeanyi

Obi

Uba’s and Chris Uba’s interviews were aired on the same day. Interestingly, Ifeanyi had contested the governorship ticket of the PDP with Obaze, and lost. Characteristically, he has now decamped to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The presumed reasons for the actions of both men plainly offend sensibilities. They claim, for instance, that they were financiers of the PDP in the state and were not carried along by Peter Obi and the national leadership of the party in the choice of the party’s flag-bearer and in the elections. Chris Uba moaned that Obi and Obaze are outsiders in the PDP who had come to hijack the party from them: the founders and financiers. He also gave an ultimatum that Peter Obi should publish an apology to him. On his part, Ifeanyi Uba grumbled that he did a lot for the PDP in the run-up to the last general election and should have been compensated with the party’s ticket to run for Governor.

A great shame and pity of the infamy of these two Chiefs are that they have consciously sacrificed the future of the state and its people on the altar of ego trips. In their inordinate desire to spite Peter Obi, they undermined the candidate of

their own party. They look at governance from the narrow prism “Chop-I-Chop”; and not from the broader point of view of selfless service to the community for sustainable development. To them, the governorship ticket should be compensation for what they have done for the party (purchase of vehicles, payment of rents for party offices, funding of operations of party chiefs, etcetera); and not a platform to ensure good governance for the state – through better schools, motorable roads, safe drinking water, good medicare, affordable housing, security and the like.

Discerning observers within and outside Anambra State by all standards of merit adjudged Oseloka Obaze a far better candidate than the candidate the two Ubas and their cohorts decided to support. Peter Obi himself is acknowledged as the apostle of good governance, crusader for prudence in public administration and advocate of mass literacy, among others. The gang-up of the two Ubas and their ilk would have rightly felt that if Obaze was voted in as Governor, he would continue with the management style of Obi which abhorred the sharing of state funds among power brokers; leaving little or nothing for sustainable development of the state Peter Obi refused resolutely to share public funds, but deployed same prudently and judiciously to develop every sector of the state during his eight years of meritorious service to the state as Governor. And, he achieved the incredible feats without borrowing from any source. At the end of his celebrated tenure, he not only left major legacies in form of an excellent network of roads, functional hospitals, an education system that became the envy of other states, water-tight security and so on, but also shocked the nation and indeed, the entire world with the unprecedented announcement, accompanied by documentary evidence of staggering sums of money in foreign exchange and local currency he left for his successor-administration. Rather

than consolidate on the savings, revelations from the last campaigns exposed the ugly fact that the savings had been frittered away without concrete evidence of what they were used for.

Peter Obi has been consistent in advocating governance that focuses on tackling the issues of the socio-economy. He insists that the economic challenges of the day require a Governor that is schooled in management of the economy, that is prudent in management of available resources and can save for tomorrow; and not one that panders to the whims and caprices of political power brokers who are only out to satisfy their selfish desires at the expense of the masses.

The same patriotic zeal and sense of urgency driving his desire for rapid development of Anambra State which guided his vigorously support for the candidacy of Obaze, a globally acclaimed administrator, is also responsible for the missionary zeal with which he is canvassing issues of national development The gang-up against him in Anambra State --involving even PDP members of the National Assembly from the State -- succeeded only to the extent that the conspirators have cut their noses to spite their faces. They are, indeed, the ultimate losers and Peter Obi, despite their nefarious schemes, can only continue to soar far higher than them all in the ranking of discerning and well-meaning Nigerians. This is especially so for those who treasure sanity and prudence in governance; those who prefer developmentdriven leadership to “chop-I-chop” conduct; and those who want the best for Anambra State and Nigeria at large.

Peter Obi has made the point that pro-people governance agenda can be pushed and the hope is that Nigerians can buy into the campaign as the 2019 elections draw closer by the day.

As always, the people are urged to make their choice to secure their future. .Ibe is the publisher of Global Patriot News

T H I S D AY FRIDAY DECEMBER 1, 2017

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CITYSTRINGS A Legacy that Diminishes Lugard

Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ë? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;ĂĄĂ&#x2039; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;ĂĄĂ&#x2039;ĚśĂ&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;

In the memory of Lord Lugard is a street perched in a corner in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital, Abuja.

But the federal government's attempt to immortalise the founder of modern Nigeria, falls way short of expectations, Olawale Ajimotokan and Cynthia Offor report

Lord Lugard Street, Abuja

T

he amalgamation of the two territories that became the entity known as Nigeria in 1914, by Frederick John Dealtry Lugard (Lord Lugard), remains an historical development firmly rooted in the consciousness of Nigerians.

For that individual accomplishment, the British colonial administrator, soldier and explorer, who in 1922, authored The Dual Mandate in British Tropical Africa, is ascribed as the founder of the modern Nigeria.

More than 100 years since the Southern and Northern Protectorates were amalgamated, the country of diverse ethnic nationalities has transformed into the biggest nation for the Black race, with a population of about 170 million people.

Not only did Lugard envision a nation that will flourish into an economic success story in Africa, his experiment also laid the foundation for his mistress, later wife, Flora Louise Shaw, (Lady Lugard) to name the new country as Nigeria, out of the initial mouthful, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Niger Areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; label.

Lugard remains a colossus in Nigeria, who brought the ethnic nationalities under one umbrella, even though the union is not without hiccups, defined by a lopsided regional composition and failure to adequately address the suspicion of the minority groups.

The historical and political essence of the first Governor-General of Nigeria and his wife were celebrated four years ago, when they were honoured among the 100 outstanding contributors to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s statehood during the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centenary Honours Awards.

The list, drawn by former President Goodluck Jonathan, had Lugard and Flora Shaw as number two and three respectively,

after the Queen, on the list of contributors to the making of Nigeria.

Although in existence are some landmarks in recognition of Lugardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role towards the creation of Nigeria, the street named after him in Abuja, the Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital, Lord Lugard Streetâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ironically does not dignify the towering profile projected about him in our history books.

The fact Lugardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memory is sustained in some parts of the country through several landmarks dedicated to his remembrance.

For instance, in Lokoja, the Lord Lugard Rest House that was built in 1900, on top of Mount Patti, served as his relaxation point.

It is one of the major tourist sites in the confluence town, which is the gateway to Northern and Southern parts of the country.

Legends claim that it was while on Mount

The Lord Lugard Street is set away from the consciousness of majority of FCT dwellers, leading to the frightening apathy even among the city inhabitants about its existence, while those familiar with the street, feel it does not correspond to Lugard's status in the nation's political glossary

Patti, that Flora Shaw, then a journalist, spontaneously imagined the name â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; after seeing the two great rivers, Niger and Benue converge at an intersection. Till this day on Mount Patti, are the statues of Lugard and his wife, watching over the confluence town and its surroundings.

There is also the Lugard House in Kaduna, where he served as the Governor of the Northern Region from 1912-14 in addition to the Lugard Avenue in Lagos, which became the colonial seat of power after the amalgamation and remained capital city for 77 years until the capital relocated to Abuja in 1991.

But literally, Lugard will be wincing in his grave, in objection to the avenue named after him in Abuja and clearly disproportionate to his contributions towards the emergence of the Nigerian state.

The Lord Lugard Street is set away from the consciousness of majority of FCT dwellers, leading to the frightening apathy even among the city inhabitants about its existence, while those familiar with the street, feel it does not correspond to Lugard's status in the nation's political glossary. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been living in Abuja for three years, and yet, I have not come across any monument or a major road, designated in honour of Lugard in the city. Government must know how to accord due recognition to our past heroes. The unity of the country was founded in 1914 and was established

by Lord Lugard through the amalgamation,â&#x20AC;?

Paul Inalegwu stated.

His views echoed the general apathy about the existence of any Lugard landmark in Abuja, in remembrance of the former British colonial administrator.

The Lord Lugard Street is a tarred road that runs laterally linking R.B Dikko Road and Jesse Jackson Street in Area 11, Garki, Abuja, which some people also at times prefer to regard as Asokoro extension.

The street is less than two kilometres in length and is a narrow track of road that is about 10 metres or even less in width.

But apart from obviously stunting the status of Lugard, this street is devoid of any real commercial activities and is deserted most of the time.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more of a residential layout that only bursts to live in the evening, when different revellers converge on the nearby Mahatma Gandhi Street, around the Nigeria Police Headquarters, for a bite of cheap, hot and spicy street foods.

One can walk the road from RB Dikko Road to Jesse Jackson Street back and forth without finding activities of interest.

Yet, on this short stretch are notable private and public concerns, including the umbrella body of itinerant Fulani herdsmen, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the Annex office of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Family Care Multi-clinics, Gloriana Apartment, Embassy of Slovakia and Sassy Bar and Grill Event Centre, where the residents can unwind and socialise at any time of the day.

There can also be found in the community some places of worship, such as the Deeper Life Bible Church by the junction of Mahatma Gandhi Close, and two mosques, with the most prominent located by the Azman Oil and Gas Filling Station.

The government agency that is saddled with street naming in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is the Abuja Metropolitan

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CITYSTRINGS

Another section of Lord Lugard Street

Late Lugard

Management Council (AMMC).

But it is either that officials of AMMC did not rate Lugard as a historical icon or they simply applied other political parametres in downgrading him by dedicating a narrow street path in his memory.

One official of the agency, who pleaded not to be quoted, told THISDAY that the agency would conduct a reassessment on the Lugard Street and make the necessary correction if it is determined that the street is indeed disproportionate to the contributions of Lugard to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political history and national unity.

The merit in this thinking can be evaluated given that virtually all the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national icons and former leaders have major roads and structures named after them in

FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello...should name a beďŹ tting structure after late Lord Lugard

the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital.

Unlike Lugard, whose legacy was limited

But it is either that ofďŹ cials of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council did not rate Lugard as a historical icon or they simply applied other political parametres in downgrading him by dedicating a narrow street path in his memory

to an alley that impact little human engagement, the latter day political and military leaders have in their memories boulevards, dual carriage ways and four-way, 10-lane expressways designed to international specifications and fitted with pedestrian bridges and several interchange passages.

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first president at independence, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and military leader, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed, who inspired the creation of Abuja are exceptions.

They both have some of the longest roads in Abuja named after them, while the International Airport is also named after Azikiwe.

The architects of independence, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Premier of Northern Nigeria; Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Premier of Western Nigeria; and Sir Tafawa Balewa, the first

Prime Minister have major roads in their names. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs building is also a monument dedicated to Balewa.

Ex-presidents Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Adua and Jonathan all have strategic roads to their names in choice parts of FCT. In addition, the Federal Secretariat Complex is named after Shagari while government is also fitting a trumpet interchange carved into rock outcrops to connect Shagari Road to Asokoro bound traffic.

All the other past head of states including Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha, current president Muhammadu Buhari and presumed winner of June 12, 1993 election, MKO Abiola, all have major and busy roads in the city named after them.

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BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Seven-Up Gets $60m Takeover Offer after Losses Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seven-Up bottling company has received an offer from its majority shareholder Affelka to buy out minorities for 19.33 billion naira ($60 million), in a takeover deal aimed at restructuring the struggling company. Privately-held Affelka, the investment firm of the Lebanese El-Khalil family, Reuters reported, has offered to acquire 171.5 million shares from minorities at 112.70 naira per share, an 18 percent premium to Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s share price of 95.50 naira. Affelka already owns 73.2 percent of Seven -Up, set up 57 years ago, and has the licence to bottle PepsiCoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pepsi and other products in Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most populous nation.

The soft drinks bottling industry has been hit by slow demand arising from weak economic growth in Nigeria, Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most populous nation, which has just emerged from a recession and

a currency crisis which stifled raw material imports. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As of now we have received an offer from the majority shareholder of the company.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a financial restructuring,â&#x20AC;?

Seven-Up vice chairman Sunil Sawhney told Reuters by phone.

He said the company has been making losses for some time and that the deal was aimed at restructuring the bottler, which distributes PepsiCoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 7up, Pepsi and Mirinda-branded drinks.

Shares in the soft drinks maker, which opened for trade at 92.50 naira, rose 5 percent on the news, valuing the company at 59.6 billion naira ($186.25 million). The Seven-Up takeover deal comes six years after main rival Coca-Cola delisted its local bottling unit in a buy out deal worth $136 million, to expand the business and fend off competition.

Sawhney, who joined the

company in a management change this year,said delisting Seven-Up from the stock exchange after the takeover would be â&#x20AC;&#x153;logicalâ&#x20AC;?. The takeover is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, he said.

Earlier Seven-Up said its board has received an offer from Affelka to acquire all outstanding shares that it does not currently own.

Profits at Seven-Up started to decline in the first three months of 2015 just before Nigeria, Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest economy, slipped into its first recession in a quarter of century triggered by low oil prices. Seven-Up then posted its first loss in half-year 2016 and since then losses have widened. It reported a 6.26 billion naira pretax loss in the first six months of 2017. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Affelka) will be injecting more capital into the business,â&#x20AC;? he told Reuters.

FG to Commence Implementation of Revised Export, Import Guidelines from January Obinna Chima The federal government yesterday disclosed that it would commence the enforcement of the revised export and import guidelines from January 1, 2018.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun stated this in her keynote address at a sensitisation workshop on â&#x20AC;&#x153;Understanding the Nigerian 2017 Revised Export and Import Guidelines, Procedures and Documentation Requirements,â&#x20AC;? that took place in Lagos.

The minister, who was represented by the Director, Home Finance, at the Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Olubunmi Siyanbola, however, pointed out that goods already loaded for shipment to Nigeria prior to the implementation date would not be affected by the palletisation policy â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let me also say that we have examined all concerns expressed by the trading public regarding the palletisation policy of the government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The list of categories of goods that may

be exempted from palletisation, where it is absolutely necessary will be placed on the website of the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Customs Service shortly,â&#x20AC;? she explained.

According to the minister, the workshop was essential because stakeholders, especially those directly involved in the export and import value chains, needed to have adequate understanding of the guidelines for ease of compliance.

She stressed that the present administration was assiduously working towards ensuring ease of business, saying governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts had started yielding fruit.

Adeosun cited the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s improvement in the recent World Bank Ease of Doing Business report where Nigeria moved up 24 points from 169th position in 2017, to 145th position in the 2018 World Bank report. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Finally, let me seize this opportunity to call on all stakeholders in the import and export trade value chains to

study the guidelines and play their respective roles effectively. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let us show mutual understanding as all hands are expected to be on deck to promote formal trading across the Nigerian borders. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The guidelines may be perfect to address all concerns, but government will monitor its implementation closely to address emerging hiccups and unforeseen situations,â&#x20AC;?

Adeosun said.

Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mamoud Isa-Dutse, said with respect to importation, the present government had taken steps towards ensuring 24-hours clearance of cargoes using cutting-edge technology.

To this end, Isa-Dutse, whose speech was read by the Director of Information, Minister of Finance, Salisu Naâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;inna Dambatta, said â&#x20AC;&#x153;efforts are ongoing to revive and upgrade the scanning system as a short-term measure, pending the acquisition of modern high definition scanners.â&#x20AC;?

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Manufacturing Index Expands for Eighth Consecutive Month The Manufacturing Purchasing Managersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Index (PMI) increased to 55.9 index points in November, indicating an expansion in the manufacturing sector for the eight consecutive months. According to the PMI for November posted on the Central Bank of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (CBN) website yesterday, 12 of the 16 sub-sectors reported growth in the review month in the following order: petroleum and coal products; printing and related support activities; computer and electronic products; textile, apparel, leather and footwear; plastics and rubber products; food, beverage and tobacco products; non-metallic mineral products; chemical and pharmaceutical products; furniture and related products; paper products; cement and primary metal. However, the electrical equipment sector remained unchanged, while the appliances and components;

fabricated metal products and transportation equipment sectors contracted in the review month.

Also, the report showed that at 59.3 points, the production level index for the manufacturing sector grew for the eighth consecutive month in November 2017 In addition, the index indicated an increase in production in the current month, when compared to its level in the preceding month. In all, 10 of the 16 manufacturing subsectors recorded increase in production level, four remained unchanged, while the remaining two recorded declines in production during the review month. The report added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;At 54.3 points, the new orders index grew for the eighth consecutive month. Nine sub-sectors reported growth, three remained unchanged while four contracted in the review month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The manufacturing supplier

delivery time index stood at 56 points in November 2017, indicating faster supplier delivery time for the sixth consecutive month. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eleven sub-sectors recorded improved suppliersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; delivery time, four remained unchanged while one sub-sector recorded delayed delivery time.â&#x20AC;? Also, the employment level index in November 2017 stood at 53.7 points, indicating growth in employment level for the seventh consecutive month.

According to the report, of the 16 sub-sectors, eight recorded growth, three remained unchanged while five sub-sectors reduced their employment level in the review month.

It also showed that the manufacturing sector inventories index grew for the eight consecutive months in November 2017, stating that at 57.1 points, the index grew at a faster rate when compared to its level in October 2017.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

AUGUST 2017 Broad Money (M2)

21,851,454.31

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,890,813.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,523,239.91

---- Demand Deposits

8,367,573.19

-- Quasi Money

11,960,641.22

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,732,990.89

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,118,463.42

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,821,446.81

---- Credit to Government (Net)

4,824,226.22

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

7,834,536.74

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

-3,010,310.52

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

21,997,220.59

--Other Assets Net

-14,702,983.39

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,486,804.65

--Currency in Circulation

1,868,735.07

--Banks Reserves

3,268,266.17 Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

MANAGED FUNDS 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&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, WED, NOV 29 2017 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $61.14 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $61.31 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

T H I S D AY Ëž , DECEMBER 1, 2017

43

MARKET NEWS

Stock Market Rallies Despite Suspension of SEC Director General Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie

of the allegations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We do not see the suspension as a surprise because the allegations, though yet to be proven, are weighty.

However, the commission has not been grounded and normal investing activities continue to take place,â&#x20AC;? a stockbroker said.

Gwarzo was suspended on Wednesday to allow for an unhindered investigation into

(SEC), Mounir Gwarzo on Wednesday by the federal government.

The market has maintained an upward trend for the three days. Yesterday, a total of 31 stocks appreciated, while 18 depreciated. It envisaged that investors will react negatively to the suspension of SEC DG. But some market operators said the suspension was expected given the enormity

The equity market continued with its gaining streak as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) appreciated by 0.62 per cent to close higher at 37,944.60.

The rally came despite the suspension of the Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission

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 commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legal department,

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, the 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 directorgeneral.

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

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF

A S AT 3 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 1 7

Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR PREMIUM BOARD SECURITIES FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N

BANKING

1 BANKING

ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC

S/N

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

2 FBN HOLDINGS PLC OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N

BUILDING MATERIALS

3 DANGOTE CEMENT PLC BUILDING MATERIALS INDUSTRIAL GOODS PREMIUM BOARD TOTALS Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR MAIN BOARD SECURITIES AGRICULTURE S/N 4 5 6 CROP PRODUCTION S/N 7 FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING S/N 8 LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES AGRICULTURE CONGLOMERATES S/N 9 10 11 12 13 DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES CONGLOMERATES CONSTRUCTION/ REAL ESTATE S/N 14 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION S/N 15 16 INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION

CROP PRODUCTION FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC

FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING ELLAH LAKES PLC.

LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC.

DIVERSIFIED INDUSTRIES A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. S C O A NIG. PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ARBICO PLC.

17

UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED

18 19 20 REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) CONSTRUCTION/ REAL ESTATE CONSUMER GOODS S/N 21 AUTOMOBILES/ AUTO PARTS S/N 22 23 24 25 26 BEVERAGES-BREWERS/DISTILLERS S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm) 3,919,316.70

TRADES

VOLUME

S/N

FOOD PRODUCTS

25.00 1.83

743 743

90,289,874 90,289,874

28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 FOOD PRODUCTS

DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC. HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC UNION DICON SALT PLC.

S/N

FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED

PRICE

%CHANGE

6.95 0.72

PRICE %CHANGE 230.00 0.01

TRADES 372

VOLUME 18,399,501

372

18,399,501

1,115

108,689,375

TRADES

VOLUME

22

197,826

22

197,826

22

197,826

1,137

108,887,201

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/DISTILLERS CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC.

BEVERAGES--NON-ALCOHOLIC

27 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. BEVERAGES--NONALCOHOLIC

36 37 FOOD PRODUCTS-DIVERSIFIED S/N 38 39 HOUSEHOLD DURABLES S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,100.00 64,865.88 66,000.00 MARKET CAP(Nm) 511.20 MARKET CAP(Nm) 2,610.00

MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,853.10 194.58 2,111.93

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0.50 68.00 -0.29 66.00 -

3 26 16

3,200 164,218 90,397

45

257,815

TRADES

VOLUME

PRICE

%CHANGE

4.26 -

PRICE 0.87

PRICE

0

1.33

31,406.13

16.35

MARKET CAP(Nm) 711.32

4.79

MARKET CAP(Nm) 36,960.00 165.00

PRICE

165,900

44

11

165,900

56

423,715

TRADES

VOLUME 1,500 0 0

1.53

165

22,345,117

-

38

141,833

205

22,488,450 22,488,450

45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 BANKING S/N 54

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

57

-

0

0

58

%CHANGE

28.00 6.60 -

0 TRADES

59 VOLUME

14 0

27,215 0

14

27,215

60 61 62 63 64

MARKET CAP(Nm) 2,000.00

TRADES

VOLUME

65 66 67 68 69 70 71

100.00 -

0

0

72

11,305.89

45.22 -

0

0

26,682.70

10.00 -

0

0

0

0

22

85,364

TRADES

VOLUME

1

2,000

1

2,000

TRADES

VOLUME

29 0 28 22 267

519,150 0 48,436 1,245,915 1,758,251

346

3,571,752

MARKET CAP(Nm) 6,911.73

MARKET CAP(Nm) 2,386.33 MARKET CAP(Nm) 16,050.47 242.22 221,228.66 177,691.81 1,030,783.12

MARKET CAP(Nm) 59,254.61

PRICE %CHANGE 2.66 -

PRICE %CHANGE

PRICE %CHANGE 0.50 -

PRICE %CHANGE 2.05 0.89 101.00 53.94 130.00

-4.65 4.13 -0.38

P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.

VOLUME

11

55 56 PRICE

PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS

ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. JAIZ BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC. UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC.

TRADES

0 0

NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC.

42 43

3.57

2

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES

BANKING

%CHANGE

%CHANGE

40 41 PERSONAL/ HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONSUMER GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES

CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC.

S/N

0

0.70 0.50 3.25 -

54,061.83

0 0

0 INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC.

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm) 249,472.28

PRICE %CHANGE

205

S/N

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

MARKET CAP(Nm) 784,912.34

TRADES

VOLUME

8

58,149

8

58,149

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

92.50 2.78

13

339,032

13

339,032

73 74 75 76 77 78 79 INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES S/N 80 81 MICRO-FINANCE BANKS S/N 82 83 84 85 86 MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES S/N

INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC AIICO INSURANCE PLC. AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC. EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GREAT NIGERIAN INSURANCE PLC GUINEA INSURANCE PLC. INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE CO. PLC. REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COMPANY PLC SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. STANDARD TRUST ASSURANCE PLC UNIC DIVERSIFIED HOLDINGS PLC. UNITY KAPITAL ASSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC WAPIC INSURANCE PLC

MICRO-FINANCE BANKS FORTIS MICROFINANCE BANK PLC NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC MORTGAGE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES ABBEY MORTGAGE BANK PLC ASO SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE BANK PLC RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC.

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

MARKET CAP(Nm) 46,200.00 189,600.00 84,238.01 15,860.40 1,861.25 1,028.21 41,861.13 3,676.41 MARKET CAP(Nm) 22,125.22 1,031,959.17 MARKET CAP(Nm) 1,766.22 2,814.40 MARKET CAP(Nm) 92,988.57 229,915.12

MARKET CAP(Nm) 289,279.72 27,329.26 302,767.60 47,228.92 1,236,109.53 17,383.91 6,940.15 28,790.42 105,002.00 336,864.30 5,844.67 19,287.23 MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

9.24 15.80 32.10 2.00 0.50 5.77 15.80 13.45

71 118 43 17 1 0 150 0 400

1,598,382 3,204,507 393,626 1,379,040 2,000 0 7,107,226 0 13,684,781

-0.65 2.46 1.90 -3.00 -0.57 -

PRICE %CHANGE 11.78 3.33 1,301.90 0.15

TRADES

VOLUME

35 59

500,933 115,833

94

616,766

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

23.23 2.70 -

0 20

0 37,164

20

37,164

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

23.42 -4.99 40.02 0.18

54 99

712,231 1,562,309

153

2,274,540

1,027

20,526,035

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

10.00 2.46 1.18 1.72

212 47

98,336,273 5,498,380

16.50 -

43

559,873

1.63 42.00 0.59 0.50 1.00 6.20 9.85 0.50 0.50

76 261 2 5 8 82 207 30 22 995

36,963,834 13,195,623 113,140 171,560 183,131 1,047,321 116,630,865 5,184,236 144,170 278,028,406

1.88 -0.14 3.51 0.16 1.03 -1.96 -

TRADES

VOLUME

10,292.50

PRICE %CHANGE 0.50 -

0

0

3,742.31 21,525.00

0.54 2.05 1.49

10 4

148,884 124,000

3,000.00

0.50 -

2

3,000

14,314.39

1.38 -

4

31,000

7,364.75

0.50 -

1

100

7,000.00 2,411.47 1,913.74 3,070.00

0.50 0.53 0.50 0.50

0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0

642.04 3,661.72 2,620.76 5,120.00 4,000.00 7,392.70 3,869.74 2,759.15

-

0.50 -

1

50

0.50 0.61 0.64 0.50 1.40 0.50 0.50

0 3 11 0 9 0 0

0 103,000 132,694 0 111,332 0 0

3.39 0.72 -

3,334.38

0.50 -

0

0

4,170.41 6,455.52 4,670.54 1,291.15 6,933.33 8,000.00 6,691.37

0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50

0 0 0 0 0 0 5

0 0 0 0 0 0 705,409

50

1,359,469

TRADES

VOLUME

0 5

0 123,000

5

123,000

MARKET CAP(Nm) 11,799.67 2,995.50 MARKET CAP(Nm) 5,460.00 7,370.87 6,005.46 5,664.87 2,949.22

MARKET CAP(Nm)

-3.85

PRICE %CHANGE 2.58 1.31 0.77

PRICE %CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

-

1 0 0 0

500 0 0 0

3.02 -

0

0

1

500

TRADES

VOLUME

1.30 0.50 1.44 0.50

PRICE %CHANGE

44

NEWS

News Editor Davidson Iriekpen Email davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

Jonathan was Not Prepared for Presidency, Says Saraki Shettima: former president wanted me removed Jonathan challenges Borno gov to publish his results to determine the real simpleton Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said former President Goodluck Jonathan, was not ready for the presidency job when fate bestowed on him the leadership of the country.

On his part, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, while narrating his ordeal during the last regime, said the ex-president sought to remove him as governor but was advised against it by some of his aides.

He said Jonathan and others in his administration actually thought he (Shettima) kidnapped over 200 abducted Chibok girls.

Saraki who yesterday in Abuja at the book launch titled: ‘On a platter of gold’ written by the former Minister of Sport and the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said despite what people said about the former president, he did not see him as a person desperate for power.

“I don’t think he was someone who was desperate for power, he was not someone that was prepared for leadership, yes by misfortune or fortune, he got there,” he said.

While recounting some of his experiences with Jonathan, Saraki said in 2011 he mustered courage to go and inform him about his intention to run for presidency against him.

According to Saraki, what he got in reply totally put him off, because rather than frown at the idea, Jonathan shook his hands and wished him luck.

“What I will recollect was the day I decided I was going to contest presidency. I felt that I didn’t want Jonathan to hear it as news, I booked an appointment to go and see him- I didn’t know what I was thinking that day. I went to the Villa, he said ‘come in, come in, how can I help you?

“I looked at the president of

a third world country and said Mr. President I came to tell you that I am going to be contesting for your seat. Jonathan looked at me and said ‘oh, okay, good luck, good luck.’ If it were any other person may be I would not have left the Villa but that again sums up Jonathan.”

Saraki also painted another picture of Jonathan’s attitude to the fight against corruption, saying he once went to the former president to tell him about his discovery concerning the level of scam going on in petroleum product import business but was unsettled at his apparent nonchalant response.

He said: “I booked an appointment to see the president, I went with my paper, I started with the background of how people brought in petroleum products.

I said Mr. President, in the past, people used to get award letters from NNPC to bring in petrol, kerosene, and make 10, 20 per cent profit.

“I said sir, they’ve taken it to another level; now, they get an order to bring in products they don’t want to make 10, 20 per cent any more. They will get an offer to bring in a cargo of 20,000 litres they will bring in 5,000 to be stamped for 20,000 and instead of making 10 per cent, they make ten times the amount.

“I was telling the president thinking he will get very agitated, he said, ‘Senator Saraki, you know this oil business is very oily,” he said.

On his assessment of the book on Jonathan, Saraki described the author as a man with great intellect, adding that the book is a very intelligent narration of events that took place in the last administration.

While speaking at the book launch, Shettima described Jonathan’s era as one of the most turbulent period in our national life.

Though he said Jonathan is an honest man, he said he lacked

We’ll Not Take Lightly Maltreatment of Our Citizens, ECOWAS Warns North African Countries The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has said it will not take lightly the maltreatment of its citizens across countries in northern Africa.

The president of the ECOWAS Commission, MarcelAlain de Souza, said this while presenting the Status Report on the state of the community to the Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.

De Souza was represented by the commission’s Vice President, Edward Singhatey.

Following the presentation of the report, parliamentarians raised concerns over efforts made by the sub-regional bloc to investigate reports on African migrants being maltreated and sold into slavery in some North African countries, notably Libya.

Some members of parliament also expressed concerns over the requests made by Tunisia to be an observer country and Morocco to be a member of ECOWAS respectively, in spite of reported abuse against African

migrants in those countries.

The commission’s president, however, called for thorough investigation of such reports and judicial enquiries to be made to ensure that perpetrators of acts of abuse are brought to justice.

“The problem is that at this point in time, we do not have anything official from Morocco or Tunisia. We hear about it but there is no proper or thorough investigation and there is nothing documented.

“With regard to their inclusion in ECOWAS, they will be bound to ensure that they look after our citizens within their shores; but at the end of the day, there is no guarantee with regards to that.

“Through engagement we will be able to put our interests forward to ensure that these states know that we do not take likely the maltreatment of any of our community citizens and what is happening across North Africa right now is unacceptable.”

depth in leadership as against his mentor, former. President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“This is the second book I am reading on the Jonathan saga. I think President Jonathan is essentially a decent person, an unsophisticated country politician caught up in the vortex of power politics in Nigeria.”

“If you look at Obasanjo, hate him or love him, you have to respect Obasanjo for not only believing in the Nigerian project but by surrounding himself with men of quality The governor who also shared his thoughts on the Chibok girls’ abduction, accused the former president of wanting to remove him at all costs on the grounds that

he was behind the girls’ abduction.

“There was a time he wanted to remove me at all costs. In the Federal Executive Council, they were all speaking in the same tone that this Borno State governor must be removed for embarrassing the government; that I was the problem.

Two Nigerians stood up.

“He sought the opinion of Mohammed Adoke Bello, the then Attorney General. Adoke told him that ‘Mr President, you have no power to remove even an elected councillor’.

Then he sought the opinion of other Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN in his team, the Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki.

And Turaki also told him that ‘Mr

President, you have no power to remove a sitting governor’. And that was how the matter died.”

While commenting on the agitation for restructuring, Shettima, said focus should be on delivering good governance instead of the clamour for restructuring.

In his remarks, the author of the book, and the APC spokesman said the motive behind his decision to venture into writing his experience on what transpired during the Jonathan’s administration was essentially to try and set the records straight on some of the perceptions built around his personality.

Many personalities graced the book launch including the national chairman of the APC, Chief John

Odigie Oyegun, members of the National Working Committee as well as other top politicians from all political shades.

But responding to Shettima’s allegation, Jonathan challenged him to publish his WAEC results so that Nigerians would know the real simpleton between him and the former president.

In a statement issued on his behalf by his aide, Mr. Reno Omokri, the ex-president described Shettima as a typical sycophant, who was saying what he could not say before 2015, adding that when the current set of actors quit the scene, Shettima would likewise direct his lying tongue at them.

DOUBLE PRIDE FOR UNN

Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN and 2017 University if Nigeria (UNN) Convocation Lecturer, Godwin Emefiele (left), with former Governor of the bank and Chairman of the 2017 Convocation Lecture, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, at the university in Nsukka... yesterday

Buhari Returns from Côte d’Ivoire, Leaves for Jordan Today Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari returned to the country yesterday afternoon from his three-day trip to Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire, where he participated in the fifth EU-AU Summit. The president will again leave the country today for Alqaba, the Jordanian capital, to participate in a two-day security summit on West Africa.

A senior presidential source who confided in THISDAY yesterday said Jordanian King, Abdullah II, is hosting the West African security summit because of his concern for security in West African sub-region.

According to him, the summit will hold tomorrow and Sunday, December 2 and 3. He added that though the president is scheduled to leave Abuja for Jordan today, he might as well opt to leave tomorrow morning and return to the country on Monday.

The Jordanian king’s decision to host a security summit for Africa had earlier been disclosed in New

York on September 20 this year, when Abdulah donated military hardware to Nigeria with additional pledge to further supply helicopters to the country to enhance its fight against terrorism during the 72nd session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The king had handed the donation to the president at the event.

A statement issued by the president’s chief spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, in New York at the time, said Buhari thanked Abdullah for the gifts, describing the donation of 200 armoured fighting vehicles to Nigeria as a reflection of Jordan kingdom’s “true concern for Nigeria’s security situation and genuine goodwill towards a friendly nation.”

Adesina added that Buhari reassured the Jordan king of Nigeria’s commitment towards the “proposed Aqaba Process with countries in the region as well as Nigeria’s willingness to play a leading role in bringing together countries in the West African subregion into this collective security

arrangement.”

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

According to him, the Jordanian king had earlier informed the Nigerian president that his kingdom would open an embassy in Abuja in the next few months, and expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for its support.

“It would be recalled that soon after President Buhari took office in 2015, the Jordanian King had offered a hand of friendship, cooperation and support for Nigeria in its fight against terrorism and insurgency. This resulted in the NSA undertaking two visits to Jordan to follow up on issues previously discussed with the king, and the donation of military hardware and pledge of further support.

“These gestures are aimed at

enhancing Nigeria’s operational capabilities in the fight against terror both within the country and the Lake Chad Basin which affects neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger where the Multinational Joint Task Force is engaging the Boko Haram terrorists.

“The National Security Adviser’s second trip to Jordan on the invitation of the king in January 2016 to attend the 3rd Aqaba Process, also resulted in a renewed commitment between the two countries to consider multilateral action in confronting the menace of terrorism by replicating the Aqaba arrangement which the Kingdom of Jordan has with East African countries battling protracted terrorist menace.

“Nigeria has agreed to work with countries in the region on a similar arrangement with Jordan.

It is anticipated that the first Aqaba Process for Nigeria and sister countries within the sub-region with Jordan will be held in late November or early December 2017,” the statement added.

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Adeosun, AGF Insist Maina Not on FG’s Payroll Interior ministry’s perm sec accepts blame for reinstatement Magu refutes claims Maina handed over recoveries to EFCC DG DSS admits providing security for former pension boss Francis Ndubuisi and James Emejo in Abuja The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, and the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Ahmed Idris, yesterday clarified that the embattled former Chairman, Pensions Reform Task Team (PRTT), Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina, is not currently on the federal government payroll as earlier claimed by his lawyers.

Maina, who is currently in the eye of the storm was sacked and declared wanted by the previous administration for alleged corruption but reinstated and promoted by the present government recently.

According to Idris, Maina had been removed from government payroll since March 2013, adding that “I don’t know where Maina was receiving salary as claimed.

Payment of salary is not made in the air, there should be a payslip.

Let evidence be provided.”

Similarly, Adeosun submitted that there had been no trace of any payment made to the former pension chairman, adding that he couldn’t have been receiving salary as his biometric data had not been captured at any point in time.

Both spoke at the resumed investigative hearing by the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on the disappearance and re-appearance, re-instatement and promotion of the former pension chairman.

But, Maina’s lawyer, Mr. Muhammed Sani Katu, in his submission, maintained that his client is still a civil servant by virtue of a court judgment which ordered that he be reinstated as he was not duly dismissed from service.

According to him, the Federal Civil Service Commission had

queried Maina following the bench warrant issued against him by the Senate in 2013; but at the same time, Maina was said to have gone to court to challenge his arrest and had the court quash the arrest warrant.

While in court, he further challenged his dismissal by his employer, and the Attorney General of the Federation was joined in the suit.

However, despite the fact that the matter was still in court, coupled with the fact that the court had quashed the warrant for his arrest, which was the basis for his dismissal, the federal government went ahead and dismissed him from service.

According to Katu, Maina, also at the industrial arbitration court, entered into plea bargain with the federal government, represented by the then Head of Civil Service of the Federal. Part of the terms of the agreement was that he will drop a N2.1 billion judgment cost against the federal government while the latter will reinstate him into the service.

Essentially, these were the basis for Maina’s recourse to the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, for his reinstatement as a result of the judgments in his favour and that actually kick-started a process which had now gone awry.

Nevertheless, the acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Mustapha Magu, who also appeared before the ad-hoc committee to make presentation regarding the agency’s role in the issue said there had been no record of collaboration between his agency and Maina throughout the developments.

He said contrary to claims, Maina never handed-over a

single asset which he purportedly recovered to the commission, and challenged anyone with contrary evidence to step out and show it or even name the EFCC officials involved in the handover.

Magusaid all proceeds of fraud ever recovered by the commission are products of independent investigation.

He said Maina remained a wanted person from its records and was even placed on the Interpol red notice.

Magu also denied a submission by the Director General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mohammed Babandede that the Commission had at one time written to the service to demand that Maina be removed from its stop list. But the acting EFCC boss said he had never seen that letter all his life.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior, Mr. Abubakar Magaji, has taken responsibility for the obvious administrative

oversights in the conveyance of the controversial letter of reinstatement and apologised for the shortcomings.

The ministry reportedly acted on the correspondence without the consent of the Head of Service (HoS), a clear breach of civil service procedure.

However, Magaji said while the body which reinstated Maina was constitutionally constituted, was never assigned duties or documented, stressing that the HoS, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, was wrong to have said Maina was documented. The HoS maintained her earlier position on the issue, noting that the reinstatment was never activated, and that the letter was not even delivered to Maina.

She said Maina “stands dismissed”, and directed that the purported, letter be returned to the civil service commission.

Oyo-Ita added: “I the Head of Service, will never have released the letter to him.”

According to her, the letter of

reinstatement was not from HoS but Attorney General through Federal Civil Service Commission, adding that the Ministry of Interiors didn’t wait to get a posting letter from HoS before reinstatement.

She emphasised that she didn’t endorse the reinstatement letter while the ministry of Interior only acted on an advanced copy.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General of the Federation, Malami, said he refused to assent to the final copy of the controversial letter of reinstatement because he had his reservations and only asked that it be ‘kept in view’ (KIV) pending further investigation.

According to him, upon advice by his Line staff, one Kehinde Ogoni, that the reinstatement be considered based on evidence of court injunctions, he (Malami) insisted on sighting the relevant court document so he could be well informed to take further action of the request. He said his reservations didn’t allow him sign off on the final copy.

He maintained that the purported reinstatement request was still work in progress as at October 5. He further took exception to insinuations that the controversial letter emanated from his office when ongoing investigation to that regard is yet to be concluded.

The committee chairman, however, asked that Kehinde be made to appear before it subsequently.

Further speaking at the hearing, Director General, Directorate of State Security (DSS), Mr. Lawal Daura, said the agency had nothing to do with the reinstatement issue.

He said though DSS had representation in the Maina pension task team, the dissolution of the body by the Senate ended the DSS connection to its embattled former chairman.

He, however admitted that his agency provided security to protect the former pension boss

Ayade Presents N1.3tn Budget for 2018, Highest Ever by a State The Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, has presented a budget of N1.3 trillion for the 2018 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.

The budget, according to The Cable, is the largest for a single state in Nigeria’s history.

Lagos State held the record with its N812 billion budget for 2017, although the state has indicated its 2018 budget may also hit N1 trillion.

Presenting the proposed budget to the assembly yesterday, Ayade said it was designed to add value to the socio-economic development and well being of the people of the state.

He also said the budget was meant to ‘crystallise’ what the state has achieved in the past two years of his administration.

The governor said 70 per cent of the budget was for capital expenditure and 30 per cent, recurrent expenditure.

“The 2018 budget of N1.3 trillion, tagged `Kinetic Crystallisations’, is meant to drive the economy

of the state to an enviable height.

“The sum of N126 billion was budgeted for the Ministry of Infrastructure. This is to help us develop critical assets in the state.

“N7 billion was also budgeted for the state job centre with a view to helping us train our unemployed youths with marketable job skills.

“Also, we have budgeted N2 billion for our school feeding programme. In addition to that, we also budgeted N52 billion for social welfare to care for the aged.

“My administration is humanfriendly and my desire is to ensure that every family has what to eat before going to bed.”

The 2018 budget is far higher than the 2017 budget of N301 billion.

Responding, John GaulLebo, Speaker of the assembly, commended the governor for commencing work on the deep sea port and the super highway.

Gaul-Lebo said the two projects, when completed, would attract more investors to the state and improve its revenue profile.

APC CHIEFTAINS

L-R: Governor of Borno State and Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Kassim Shettima; National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; and National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abudullahi, during the public presentation of a book titled: ‘On A Platter of Gold: How Jonathan Won and Lost Nigeria, authored by Abudullahi in Abuja.... yesterday.

Ortom Backs Buhari for 2019, Says Atiku is on His Own Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said the defection of former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) will not affect the party anyway even as he declared his strong backing for President Muhammadu Buhari to run for a second term in office.

He said the president’s integrity, discipline and courage to fight corruption in the country stood him out as the right man for the country till 2023.

The governor said Atiku’s decision to leave the APC is his personal decision which he is entitled to but however said it would not affect

the fortune of the party in the state.

“Atiku is a politician and politics is about interest but his decision will not in anyway affect the APC. Just as he is leaving the party, others are coming in.”

Ortom who spoke in Makurdi, condemned those calling on the president to stop from nursing a second term ambition on health grounds, saying those behind the call were enemies of the country.

He said: “If you recall, we in Benue State were the first in the country to initiate prayers for President Buhari when he took ill early in the year.

“We thank God that he is back on his feet and getting better and

stronger by the day. Today, he is up and doing, moving from one place to the other and carrying out his official duties.

“He is truly a gallant retired military man because he is still very strong.

Beyond that, he is a man of integrity, discipline and with so much courage to fight the cankerworm called corruption.

“He is a selfless leader who has instilled discipline in our people. That is the kind of person we need at this particular time of our development and history as a country.

“You may have an alternative, but for me, and as far as I am concerned I have not seen an

alternative to President Buhari at this our very trying time.

“It is interesting to note that despite all the challenges he met on ground on assumption of office, a period when the country went into a deep recession, he took far reaching decisions that got us out of the recession, that is no mean achievement.

“I believe that we will get there someday as a nation, challenges may abound but I believe that we will overcome them. So I still remain committed to my believe that President Buhari remains the leader that we need at this particular time of our history and development as a nation.”

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WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Social Manners With the Elderly - 1 Shaykh Abdul-Fattaah Abu Ghuddah (RA)/HaqIslam

Respect And Favour the Elderly

W

ecognize the status of the elderly and give them due respect. When walking with them, walk slightly behind, to their right. Let them enter and exit first. If you meet them, greet them properly and respectfully. If you discuss something with them, let them speak first, and listen to them attentively and graciously. If the conversation involves debate, you should remain polite, calm, and kind-hearted and you should lower your voice. Never forget to remain respectful.

Let me review with you some of the Prophet’s sayings and traditions that uphold these polite manners. Imam Bukhari and Muslim reported that Abdullah bin Sahl made a trip with Mahisa bin Masoud in Zayed to Khaibar. When they were to about to return, Mahisa found Abdullah had been murdered. He went to the Prophet with his older brother, Howaisa and the victim’s brother, Abdul Rahman bin Sahl.

Mahisa who witnessed the incident started to talk, but the Prophet said, ‘the elder, the elder.’ At that, Howaisa spoke and then Mahisa.

Another story emphasizes this behaviour further. When he was young, Abdullah bin Omar was at a gathering of the Prophet and his senior companions like Abu Bakr and his father. The Prophet asked his companions, ‘Tell what is the tree that does not shed its leaves and which is like the Muslim.’ The companions started suggesting names of desert trees. Abdullah bin Omar thought it was the date-palm. Since he was the youngest, and seeing Abu Bakr and Omar silent, he shied away and said nothing.

The Prophet told his companions: ‘It is the palm tree’. Later, Abdullah told his father that he knew the right answer but shied away. Omar said to his son ‘For you to have said it right then, would have been worth a lot to me.’

Imam Ahmad, Al-Hakim and Al-Tabarani reported that ‘Ubada bin Al-Samit stated that the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Whoever does not respect our elders is not one of us.’

Another version reported: ‘Whoever does not respect our elders, is not compassionate to our youth, and does not give our scholars due honour, he is not one of us.’

This should not be taken to belittle the youth or look down on them. Imam Bukhari reported that Ibn Abbas narrated that Omar was allowing him to attend his court with seniors who attended Badr.

Some of them felt uneasy and asked, ‘Why are you permitting him to attend when he is as young as our children?’ Omar replied, ‘He is [knowledgeable] as you well know.’ Another version elaborates that Omar asked the seniors to explain Sura Al-Fatiha and only Abdullah in Abbas explained it correctly. Ibn Abbas said, ‘I thought he asked the question just to demonstrate my knowledge to them.’

The Elderly Are to Lead Prayers The Messenger of Allah taught the youth the manners of companionship and the custom of giving precedence to elders.

Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported that the honoured companion Malik bin Al-Hwaireth (RA) said: ‘I was with a youth group that visited the Messenger of Allah in Madina for twenty nights. The Messenger of Allah was very kind and compassionate. He sensed that we might have missed our families back home and he asked us about whom we had left behind. When we informed him, he said: ‘Go back to your families, live with them, teach them Islam and tell them of the good deeds. At the times of prayer, let one of you call the Azan, and have your eldest lead the prayer.’ ‘ The Prophet specified in this particular case that the eldest should lead the prayers since they were equal in their knowledge and learning. Being older in such a case

merits leading the prayers. If a person is more knowledgeable, then he should lead the prayer since knowledge is an honor higher than age as could be seen in the Hadiths on this subject.

If the prayers were offered at a house, the host is entitled to lead it. Out of respect, he may request a person who is more knowledgeable, older or more prominent.

If the guest declines, the host should not hesitate to lead the prayers. Imam Ahmad reported in his Musnad that Abdullah ibn Masoud visited Abu Musa Al-Ashari. When it was time to pray, Abu Musa asked Ibn Masoud, ‘Please lead the prayers since you are older and have more knowledge.’ Ibn Masoud said, ‘ No, you lead the prayer.

This is your house and praying area. You should lead the prayer.’ Abu Musa did lead the prayer then.

Walking With the Elderly To illustrate this point, I will cite jurist ‘Ali bin Mubarak Al-Karkhi ( -487H), who studied under Imam, Abi Y’ala Al-Hanbali, himself a jurist and judge and the chief Shaikh of the Hanbali School of Law: ‘One day, Judge Abu ‘Yala said to me, while walking with him: ‘If you walked with someone you honour, where would you walk?’ I said: ‘I do not know.’ He said, ‘Walk to his right. Place him at the position of Imam in the prayer. Leave his left side clear in case he needs to spit or to get rid of dirt.’

An interesting story in this regard happened among three Muslim scholars.

They were Judge Ahmad bin Omar bin Suriah (249-306 A.H.), Faqih Mohammad bin Dawood Al-Zaheri (255 – 297 A.H. ), and Linguist Naftawih (244-323 A.H.).

They were walking along together when they came to a very narrow passageway, and each wanted the other to go ahead.

Ibn Suraih said, ‘A narrow street brings ill manners.’ Ibn Dawood responded, ‘Though it points out status.’ Naftawih said, ‘When friendship prevails, formalities disappear.’

The story does not tell who went ahead of the others, but it is likely that it was Ahmad bin Suriah since he was a judge and a prominent Imam at the time and ranked above his two companions. He may have said ‘A narrow street rings ill manners’ apologizing out of politeness for going ahead. He could not have said it if any of the two moved ahead since that would have been impolite. There is a possibility that Naftawih went ahead since his words could be an apology for doing that since he is the least ranked.

It is just wonderful to see such perfect behaviour and nice apologies.

The Elderly Are to Be Served First Give precedence to the elderly or to dignitaries, ahead of anyone else. After that, you may proceed with those on their right if you want to follow the practice of the Prophet. The evidence supporting this manner in addition to the two Hadiths mentioned above, is illustrated in many Hadiths, some of which are cited below: Imam Muslim reported in his Sahih in the Chapter on the Manners and Rules of Eating and Drinking, that Huzaifa bin Al-Yaman (RA) said: ‘Whenever we were invited to a meal with the Messenger of Allah, we would not reach the food with our hands before he reached for it.’

To emphasize the importance of these manners, Imam Al-Nawawi, in his book Riyad Al-Salihîn, cited a large collection of Hadith and devoted a whole chapter to the subject of ‘Respecting Scholars, the Elderly and the Dignitaries. Giving them Precedence and the Best Seat.

Acknowledging their Preeminence.’ In the following paragraphs, I will reiterate some of these.

Allah said in the Quran: ‘Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who possess understanding that receive admonition.’

Strictůy by InvitaƟon onůy CONFIRMATION OF NAME:

I, formerly known and addressed as UKATA JULIANA IFEYINWA, now wish to be known and address as GANGS JULANA IFEYINWA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I CHIMAOBI EMMANUEL VITUS is the same person as EZECHUKWU VITUS OBI. Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as EZECHUKWU VITUS OBI. All former documents remain the same.

The general public take note.

I OLAYIWOLA CHARLOTTE ADEKEMI name was wrongly quoted as OYELADUN CHARLOTTE ADEKEMI instead of OLAYIWOLA CHARLOTTE ADEKEMI . I wish to be known and addressed as OLAYIWOLA CHARLOTTE ADEKEMI. All former documents remain the same. The general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS SILVER CHINWENDU OBIOHA, now wish to be known and address as MISS SILVER CHINWENDU IBEJIAKO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS FADINA OMOLOLA OMOWUNMI, now wish to be known and address as MRS AKINBO OMOLOLA OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OSINAIKE ESTHER YETUNDE, now wish to be known and address as MRS ARIGBE ESTHER YETUNDE. All former documents remain valid. Mapoly and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MUKAILA VIVIAN CHIKA, now wish to be known and address as CHIKA VIVIAN USELU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OKE IDOWU, now wish to be known and address as ALFA ABIGAIL IDOWU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ACHUGBU CHINYERE PEACE, now wish to be known and address as MRS IKE CHINYERE PEACE. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADENE MICHAEL, now wish to be known and address as MICHAEL CHIDOKWE ADENE . All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS FADINA OMOLOLA OMOWUNMI, now wish to be known and address as MRS AKINBO OMOLOLA OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I OKPALA ANTHONY EMEKA is the same person as OKPALANNADILI ANTHONY .E., OKPALA CHUKUWUEMEKA and OKPALA TONY .E. All former documents remain the same.

The general public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME:

I formerly known as MR HARSON KELLY S. (SOMIARI) now wish to be known and addressed as MR HARSON KELLY IKEMESIT. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EJUAYE IGBENE, now wish to be known and address as EJUAYE ADEPOJU. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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Kachikwu: Oil Revenue May Not Fund Nigeria’s Budget in 20 Years Time OPEC favours institutionalising re-balancing pact with non-member Chineme Okafor in Vienna Nigeria may not be able to fund the expenditure proposals in its national budget majorly with monies earned from sale of its crude oil in about 20 years from now, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has warned.

Kachikwu, said in an early Thursday morning conversation he had with journalists including THISDAY before the 173rd meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) conference commenced in Vienna, the capital of Austria, that emerging developments in the global oil market indicated that member countries of OPEC who still rely on just sale of crude oil in the next two years to support their economies would find it very difficult to cope.

He noted that beyond the threats that cyclical movements in oil prices portend to economies of oil producing countries in the OPEC group, the race at which technology develops alternative energy sources and their efficiencies, was also alarming and thus represented a credible threat to oil producers.

In this regards, Kachikwu, said price alone was not a challenge to oil producers like Nigeria but technological advancement in energy sources which he said

Nigeria has failed to appreciate and move alongside.

“What can go wrong is that suddenly we hit a plateau of number that will really again incentive shale producers. I get very edgy once we begin to approach the $65 per barrel mark. Sweet crude right now is about $65/b, so, it gets very edgy, but then the only thing that is keeping it calm is how predictable and long lasting are these numbers, there is still a bit of uncertainty.

“What other thing can go wrong, technology can move so fast that the demand for oil may basically deep faster than before. Already, inventories are going down, demand curves are reasonably okay but you have seen a lot of technology race, and that is usually what happens when there is price uncertainty,” said Kachikwu, in his response to a question on potential dangers for the oil market.

He further stated: “People begin to look at other alternatives – the solars, and electric vehicles.

Countries that do not move fast enough to sell off hydrocarbon stocks laying in their backyards very soon – best predictions between 10 to 15 or maybe 20 years (will find it difficult), and certainly for Nigeria, we need to begin to run this race and I’m not exactly sure we’ve gotten the momentum and

Senate Postpones MTEF Passage over Fears on OPEC Oil Cuts

how this race is being run.”

The minister said on Nigeria’s situation: “We believe that every year, we are going to have budgets and oil planted in it and we are going to have oil fund it and life just continues but the bad news here is that this is not going to last for too long.”

He further explained that the market was moving very fast and some producers thinking along its movements to checkmate potential dangers for their economies, and warned Nigeria would have to likewise act fast to avoid these potential dangers to its economy.

“2018 for Nigeria is a very critical year, there are lots of things we started but we haven’t moved as fast as we should. We need to drive policies as fast as we should, we need to have cost of production hit its bottoms because we are still massaging it but we need to force it down otherwise if prices hit below $40 per barrel again, we are going to have major problems.

“We need to move into refining and get the best value added. We need to cut through the chase of modernising our refineries and move on, sometimes I think people in the industry don’t get it or maybe those of us in the policy space don’t get it. In my times in these meetings, I realise how much the Gulfs are doing to move themselves away from dependence

on the traditional models of oil production and sales and Nigeria has got to cut the chase.

“Anybody in the OPEC platform who is quite frankly still importing refined products in the next one or two years is going to be in some difficulties,” added Kachikwu.

Kachikwu, stated that a lot of international investment funds looking towards Nigeria were left hanging because the country was slow in deciding what it wanted with its oil industry.

According to him: “There is a lot of competition for international investment money and we need to make sure that we capture some of ours before the interest in Nigeria lapses.”

Meanwhile, OPEC has proposed to formally institutionalise the partnership it struck in December 2016 with non-OPEC members led

by Russia, to stabilise oil prices and rebalance the market, saying it had resulted in a lot of positives for the market.

OPEC’s President and Saudi Arabia’s energy minister, Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, said in his opening remarks at the 173rd OPEC conference that the partnership had led to drops in oil stock overhang by 50 per cent to 140 million barrels (mb) in October 2017, from 280mb that it was in May. He also stated that the market structure was flipping into

backwardation for Brent and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for the first time since 2014, thus indicating the market was gradually moving towards a more balanced condition.

Based on this, he called on the two groups to institutionalise the partnership to ensure they achieve results that would be long lasting and sustainable.

“In May, the OECD stock overhand was about 280 million barrels above the moving five-year average, but it has since fallen by almost 50 per cent to 140 million barrels as for the month of October.

Crude in floating storage is also down by an estimated 50 million barrels since June, and the drawdown applies to all regions including both crude and products.

We have also witnessed the market structure flipping into backwardation for both Brent and WPI for the first time since 2014, indicating the market’s gradual move towards more balanced conditions. All in all, market stability has improved and the sentiment is generally upbeat. The rebalancing trend has accelerated and inventories are on a generally declining trend,” said Al-Falih.

He further explained: “This gratifying outcome has resulted primarily from a near 100 per cent or more compliance to the production target by the combined OPEC 12. OPEC’s credibility has also

been enhanced, although a couple of members have lagged behind and we hope they will pick up in months to come, all producers have benefitted from this improving situation.”

“History tells us that as we get closer to the goals, sometimes commitments can start to waver. So, to achieve our goals on a sustainable basis, I call on all of you to stay on course with each member country taking responsibility for its own contribution and not relying on others.

That’s the only way to succeed.

“To succeed going forward, it is essential that we continue to maintain unity within OPEC. But let me hasten to add that without the support of our non-OPEC partners, the encouraging situation we see today would not have been achieved. So, we should seek to institutionalise the OPEC and non-OPEC cooperation framework as very well built by the healthy foundation we had laid in 2017.

“We need to continue to foster a secured and stable market in the interests of both producers and consumers. And, to protect the long term interest of consumers, we must invest in capacity. To do that, trillions of dollars must be invested in addition of oil capacity and infrastructure over the next couple of decades. These staggering investment will not be forthcoming unless there is sufficient market certainty,” he added.

Senators caution against rising debt profile Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The Senate yesterday postponed the consideration and passage of the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Frame work/Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) to next Tuesday, to await the outcome of the meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna, Austria.

There are fears that the organisation might cut Nigeria’s oil output to 1.8 million barrels per day. The MTEF, which forms the basis of the 2018 N8.612 trillion budget proposal, projects 2.3mbpd oil output.

The 2018 Appropriation bill can pass only through second reading and be committed to committees after MTEF has been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.

Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, urged lawmakers to be patient for the outcome of the meeting.

“We need to know what the production quota for Nigeria will be so that we will take a very informed and enlightened decision on the daily production for our crude. I believe that this is strong and enough ground for us to stand down the consideration of this report until next Tuesday,” he said.

Lawan on Wednesday afternoon had however argued for the consideration of the documents even though two of his colleagues had maintained that most lawmakers had already left the chamber, and that such a ‘critical document” required a full house.

“We are racing against time,” he had said.

Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided

briefly over the plenary, said awaiting the outcome from OPEC is very important.

“It is important that we wait and see the outcome of the OPEC meeting today regarding production quota. That (volume of) export will determine what will be the benchmark ultimately. I just want to appeal that we support the prayer that we step down the consideration of this report so that by the time we come back on Tuesday, we will be able to have all the necessary information that will enable an informed decision on the matter,” Ekweremadu said.

The lawmakers subsequently voted to postpone the consideration of the document.

Speaking during the continuation of debate on the details of the budget, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano APC) indicated that the oil benchmark may be adjusted.

Kwankwaso, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs, said he is in talk with the Chairmen of the Committees on Finance (Senator John Enoh) and Appropriation (Senator Danjuma Goje) on the benchmark of $45pb.

The lawmaker also expressed his opposition to borrowing, whether locally or internationally, unless it is extremely important.

“It is necessary to avoid death trap, which is possible to get into if care is not taken,” he said.

Similarly Senator Ali Wakili (Bauchi APC) also called for caution regarding borrowing and urged the government to look inwards.

Wakili said over N1.2trillion from the collection of stamp duties is lying idle at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

KEEP THE AWARDS COMING

L_R: Former British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) correspondent, Mr. Michael Buerk; Chief Executive, UBA Capital (Europe) Limited, representing UBA Group, Mr. Andrew Martin; and Editor, Middle East and Africa, The Banker. Mr. James King, during The Banker Awards 2017 organised by The Banker Magazine, a publication of Financial Times (FT), where UBA Group coveted five awards, including the prestigious A ‘ frican Bank of the Year 2017’, at a ceremony in London....Wednesday

Wigwe Emerges 2017 African Business Leader The All Africa Business Leader Awards (AABLA) in partnership with CNBC has named the Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, as the 2017 African Business Leader of the Year.

This award is coming two weeks after he won the West African Business Leader of the year at the regional level as well as the 2017 SERAS ‘Sustainability Champion of the Year.’

The announcement was made at the AABLA award finale dinner, held last night at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa and attended by CEOs, government officials and top business executives from all over the continent.

Other nominees for the prestigious award include Khalid Abdulla from Southern Africa and Joshua Nyamweya Oigara representing Eastern Africa.

The award recognises business quality and leaders who have made substantial impact on the industry in which they play as well as the community in which they operate.

According to the organisers, this award aims to promote and encourage business excellence across the continent.

It also honours individuals who exemplify the best in African leadership as well as outstanding business leaders who epitomise the core values of a successful leader, strength, innovation, ingenuity, knowledge

and foresight – values that are imperative to carving out a powerful business in a panAfrican and global economy.

Receiving the award, Wigwe said: “I am deeply humbled by the decision of the All Africa Business Leaders Award (AABLA), in partnership with CNBC Africa, to be recognised as the African Business Leader of the Year. I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of the will, resilience, innovation and drive of our team at Access Bank to excel, and a recognition of the bank to become the gateway for African businesses to the world.

“It is also an honor to share this moment with other business leaders, entrepreneurs, institutions,

men and women who have excelled in their own space, and have contributed to the growth and quality of life in Africa through their respective ventures. This is a very humbling experience for me, being put side by side with such strong personalities like Khalid Abdulla and Joshua Oigara. This esteemed award means a lot to me and is dedicated to every employee of Access Bank Plc,” he added.

Wigwe stressed that Access Bank remains committed to delivering banking excellence and ensuring its services are in line with sustainable banking principles.

The seventh Annual AABLA hosted three regional awards in Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya where Wigwe, Abdulla and Oigara emerged winners respectively.

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Marketers Threaten to Shut Down Filling Stations in Lagos, Ogun NNPC assures of steady fuel supply Ejiofor Alike The Independent Petroleum Markers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has threatened to shut down over 900 filling stations in Lagos and Ogun States by December 11, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) continues to undersupply petrol to its members.

IPMAN accused the NNPC of supplying petrol to private depot owners and under-supplying the corporation’s Ejigbo Depot, which serves more than 900 filling stations in Lagos.

But in a swift response, the spokesman of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said in a statement yesterday that the corporation would remain committed to ensuring copious supply of petroleum products across the country to aid hitch-free movement of motorists during and beyond the Festive Season.

Ughamadu further clarified that the Ejigbo Satellite Depot was

fully stocked and carrying out regular loading services, contrary to the claims by the marketers.

However, Lagos State Chapter’s Chapter of IPMAN, Mr. Alanamu Balogun; Vice Chairman, Pastor Gbenga Ilupeju, and Secretary, Prince Kunle Oyenuga, alleged in a statement yesterday that the NNPC was undersupplying its members and also frustrating them by reneging on the bulk purchase agreement it signed with its members to supply the product to them at ex-depot price of N133.28k per litre.

IPMAN argued that with undersupply from the NNPC, its members source for products from the Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association (DAPMA), which allegedly buys at N117 per litre from the NNPC and resells to IPMAN members at N141 per litre.

The marketers said at that price it would be unrealistic for them to continue to sell to the end users at the regulated

price of N145 and break even in business.

IPMAN called for the quick intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR); National Assembly, and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to avert an imminent fuel crisis in the nation’s commercial nerve centre.

“We have endured enough and are set for a showdown with the NNPC for irregular supply at Ejigbo satellite depot, Lagos. We have held many meetings with both the NNPC

and DAPMAN, questioning why should the NNPC supplies fuel to DAPMAN at N117 per litre and DAPMAN will turn around to sell the same fuel to IPMAN members at N141 and the NNPC wants marketers to sell to the public at N145 per litre,” IPMAN said.

“The NNPC made it as a condition that we must renew our agreement with it or we will not get fuel supply. This agreement has been renewed yet, the NNPC has refused to supply us with fuel. The same agreement the NNPC signed with us is what it signed with DAPMAN. While DAPMAN gets

supplies, IPMAN members are being denied fuel supply, which means the NNPC officials are into a game. The Federal Government should step into this matter between now and December 11 to avoid fuel crisis,” IPMAN added.

Reacting to the threat by the marketers to withdraw its services in Lagos and its environs sequel to alleged discrepancies in exdepot prices, among others, the NNPC’s spokesman explained that the Ejigbo Satellite Depot had consistently dispensed petrol at the approved price of N133.28 per litre contrary to allegations that it was sold at a higher price.

Ughamadu said there was enough petroleum products in the country to last till the end of the year and that 25 vessels laden with petroleum products were also being expected to berth between now and January 2018 to further boost supplies.

He urged members of the public not to entertain any fear or engage in panic buying of petroleum products as there was enough to keep the country well supplied.

According to him, appropriate government agencies have been contacted to settle the rift between IPMAN and DAPPMA.

NAPTIP Boss Calls For Crippling of Human Traffickers Economically Alex Enumah in Abuja The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has called for the crippling economically of human traffickers by destination countries and international law enforcement agencies in order to win the fight against the menace.

According to a statement from an official of the Press and Public Relations Department, Vincent Adekoye, the DG made the call while playing host to the new Ambassador and Head of the European Union delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Ketil Karslsen. ‘’We must cripple traffickers economically by tracing and freezing their accounts for the benefit of victims of human trafficking. We must take their money and render them impotent,’’ she said.

Okah-Donli however, stressed the need for destination countries to work closely with the Nigerian embassies in the areas of victims’ identification; language barriers and assistance to victims.

She urged the European Union

and her members to consciously deal with issues of pornographic sites, massage parlours and farms scattered all over Europe and where victims of human trafficking from Nigeria and Africa are daily exploited. ‘’What are the destination countries doing about the pornographic sites, massage parlours, and escort services? You have the factories, farms, restaurants and you can see them and the exploitations that go on in such places. Do more investigations in the destination countries and clamp down on those businesses. Look into yours as we are looking into ours,’’ she stated.

In his remarks, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria who stated that defeating the cartel of human traffickers require concerted efforts by all reiterated Europe’s commitment in the eradication of all forms of trafficking and irregular migration.

He, however, called for a change in the method of fighting the menace, saying that human traffickers are criminal opportunists.

150 Nigerians Return from Libya The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday received 150 Nigerians who voluntarily returned from Libya at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

They were brought back on their expression of interest to return to Nigeria through the assistance of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Union.

The Boeing B737-800 aircraft with registration number: 6A-DMG, landed at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 9.15p.m.

They comprised 13 female adults and one teenage girl while the male adults were 133, two teenage boys and one baby boy.

The returnees were received by

the South-west Zonal coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Suleiman Yakubu .

Also on ground to welcome the returnees back home were officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the police.

President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered for the evacuation of Nigerians from Libya following reports that they were being sold as slaves in the country for about $400.

It was gathered that the federal government would in the next few weeks intensify efforts towards bringing them back while the ongoing repatriation by the IOM and the EU is expected to also continue.

NETWORKING

L-R: Keynote Speaker, Oladele Oyelola; Adesoji Solanke; Paris Petgrave; CEO, Rare Seed Capital, Raphael Ani, Wayra-Telefonica, at European Network of Africa Business Clubs Forum, held at the London Business School...recently

IPOB to Open Headquarters in Germany David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said it would on December 8 and 9 launch its headquarters in Langenfeld, Germany.

The group said it became necessary to open a headquarters so as to be able to coordinate its activities from across the world, which it said has risen to a high height as a result of the massive sensitisation of Biafrans all over the world.

Emma Powerful, the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary in a statement to THISDAY in Awka, said that public opening of the headquarters would be done by the Deputy Leader, Uche Mefor, and all

members of the ruling Directorate of State (DoS) on December 8 and 9, 2017 in Langenfeld Germany.

The statement reads: “Due to increased global awareness generated by the activities of the lPOB and the need to effectively harness the positive attention this has brought on the activities of our movement, we the family members of IPOB and it’s leadership worldwide wish to proudly announce the public opening of our brand new official world administrative headquarters.”

Powerful said the ceremony would demonstrate the commitment and zeal of IPOB to meet the administrative challenges of its renewed diplomatic offensive and demands of the upcoming mid-2018 independence referendum

of the territory of Biafra.

He said: “It will also serve as notice to all friends and well wishers of Biafra that Langenfel, Germany is now the one and only officially recognised world headquarters of IPOB from which every authentic information regarding the agitation for Biafra liberation will emanate from.

“The public is hereby warned to desist from corresponding with any other office except the one in Langenfeld, Germany.

“We however must point out that IPOB have official regional liaison offices in London in United Kingdom, Tel Aviv in Israel, Ankara in Turkey, New Delhi in India, Los Angeles, California in USA with many more expected to open in major countries of the world before

the last quarter of 2018.

“These offices will continue to serve as regional points of contact but are not authorised to issue any diplomatic directive.

That prerogative is the exclusive preserve of the world headquarters in Langenfeld, Germany under the direct supervision of Mazi Chika Edoziem the Head of the Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

“Any correspondence from any other quarter not sanctioned by Langenfeld, Germany and signed

by Mazi Edoziem should be regarded as fake and unauthentic,” Powerful said.

IPOB said the move was in preparation of an expected referendum, which it said would be conducted next year.

Union Bank Asks Court toVacate Forfeiture Order on Ikoyi Flat Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has asked Justice Saliu Saidu of a Federal High Court in Lagos to vacate an interim order of forfeiture placed on Flat 7B Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos where the sums of $43,449,947, £27,800 and N23, 218,000 (about N13billion) were discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 12, in iron cabinets and “Ghana-must-go” bags.

The judge had on November

9, made the order while granting an ex-parte application filed by the anti-graft agency.

A firm, Chobe Ventures Limited, was joined as the respondent in the suit.

Granting the ex-parte order, Justice Saidu directed the EFCC to notify the respondent in whose possession the property was found to appear before him in a fortnight to show cause why it should not be permanently forfeited to the

federal government.

The anti-graft agency was also directed to publicise the interim order in a national daily for the respondent or anyone interested in the property to show cause within two weeks why a final forfeiture order should not be made on the property.

However, at the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Union Bank through its lawyer, A. A. Aribisala (SAN), drew the court’s attention to an application seeking to vacate

the interim order of forfeiture.

In an affidavit in support of the application deposed to by one, Alfred Olukayode Edun, the bank argued that the forfeited flat was part of the property situated at 16 Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, belonging to one, Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Muazu, by virtue of a certificate of occupancy dated September 27, 2009 and registered as 97/97/2009 in the Lands Registry Office, Alausa, Lagos.

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FG to Begin Implementation of 2017 Revised ImportExport Guidelines January Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The federal government is to commence the implementation of the 2017 Revised Import and Export Guidelines in January 2018, as part of its policy of enhancing the ease of doing business in the Nigerian economy.

Henceforth, it is mandatory for both imports and exports to be palletized in containers as done globally.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, at a sensitisation workshop on the 2017 Revised Import and Export Guidelines in Lagos, explained that the date was fixed after due consultations with relevant stakeholders.

She assured that imports already prepared for shipment into the country were not affected.

According to a statement released by the Director of Information in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Salisu Na’inna Dambatta, the minister, in a speech delivered on her behalf by the Director of Home Finance Department, Mrs. Olubunmi Siyanbola, said that the federal government had considered all concerns expressed by the trading

public regarding the palletisation policy.

She explained that the review of the Nigerian Export and Import Guidelines was motivated by the desire of the present administration to deepen ease of doing business in Nigeria, in line with the Executive Order 1.

Adeosun said attention has been focused principally on measures to ensure drastic reduction in time spent on processing of exports, ensure 24 hours clearance of imported cargoes and block leakages of revenue accruable to the government.

The minister said Nigeria has moved to the 45th position out of the 190 countries in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index for 2018.

She said the government has adopted a number of measures to improve trading across the country’s border. The measures include reduction of documentation requirements from ten to seven days for exports; and from fourteen to eight days for imports. She said additional responsibilities have also been given to the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Ports Authority and

Ganduje Presents N234bn Budget for 2018 KASCO gets N1bn to increase fertiliser production Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, yesterday presented a total sum of N233,828,855.598 to the state House of Assembly as the budget for the 2018 fiscal year.

Presenting the budget which he tagged ‘Budget of Reality,’ Ganduje assued the assembly that the 2018 fiscal year would be more pleasing to the people of the state than the out-going fiscal year.

According to him, this year’s capital allocation is greater with over N13 billion, while the whole budget is over last year’s budget with 9.2 per cent increase.

According to the presentation, in the area of capital expenditure, the sum of over N65 billion would be financed from the recurrent revenue surplus.

“The capital expenditure will take the sum of N151,902,438,095.

While the recurrent expenditure will take the total amount of N81,926,428,507,” he said.

Ministries for Works and Housing, Water Resources and Education took the largest share of the fiscal document, while Works and Housing took N40 billion, Water Resources was allocated the sum of N35 billion and Education has N21 billion respectively.

Agriculture sector got N10.4 billion, under which the sum of N1 billion was earmarked to the state Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO) for increasing fertilizer production to encourage farmers in the state.

Another sum of N100 million was earmarked for the state-owned Triumph Publishing Company, publishers of Triumph Newspaper in an effort for the paper to fully bounce back.

Man Suspected to be Mentally Ill Butchers Two Students, Injures Three in Borno School Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri A suspected mentally-ill man yesterday attacked a school in Borno State with a machete, killing two persons and injuring two others.

The police spokesman in the state, Victor Isuku, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, in a statement said: “Today (Thursday) at about 0930 hours, one Gaji Adamu ‘male’ of Kubu village of Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area, suspected to be of unsound mind, armed with machete, entered into Jafi Primary School, Kwaya Kusar town, and killed two male

pupils while a teacher and a female pupil were wounded in the attack.

As a result, irate youths mobbed the suspect who is now unconscious and admitted in hospital under protective custody.”

Isuku added that “the corpses and injured have been evacuated to Gombe General Hospital.”

He said the state Commissioner of Police, CP Damian Chukwu, had directed the Divisional Police Officer of Kwaya Kusar Division to transfer the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) for a discreet investigation as well as to determine the mental state of the suspect.

sanctions have been introduced to enforce compliance.

Adeosun said the sensitisation workshop was, “an auspicious start to interaction with trading public and is tailored to enlighten the relevant stakeholders on the major provisions of the 2017 revised Import and Export Guidelines.”

Speaking earlier, the Permanent

Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse noted that until the recent review, the Export and Import Guidelines had become obsolete and had constituted a huge administrative impediment to smooth export and import operations in Nigeria. He said the export guidelines came into effect in 2007, while the Import

Guidelines had been in existence since 2013.

Isa-Dutse, who was represented by the Director of Information in the Ministry, Salisu Na’inna Dambatta, expressed optimism that the revised guidelines will eliminate the bottlenecks that have militated against efficient conduct of trade across the country’s

borders, which had contributed to the declining ranking of the country in this regard.

The one-day sensitisation workshop featured presentation of papers, panel discussions, and questions and answers session. A communiqué was issued at the end of the workshop, which is attached for your attention.

LUCKY WINNER

Wife of the Governor of Delta State, Mrs. Edith Okowa, presenting an award to Mr. Azubuike Oba, a visually impaired student at the maiden edition of the state Award of Excellence in Asaba, while the Commissioner, Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Chiedu Ebie looks on.

Dogara Tasks Buhari to Lead Efforts against Modern Slavery House assures on passage of MTEF on Tuesday James Emejo in Abuja The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the struggle for total and unconditional emancipation of the unfortunate victims of slavery in Libya and other places where slave trade is happening by deploying Nigeria’s diplomatic and military clout to put an end to it.

He further challenged the stand of the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the issue, stressing that their voices on the ongoing inhuman trade had been feeble.

Dogara made the clarion call in a speech delivered in plenary titled, “Confronting the Scourge of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery.”

He said history would remember President Buhari as one of Africa’s great statesman if he successfully leads the campaign to eradicate modern slavery.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the House, Hon. Abdulrasak Namdas yesterday said the lower chamber will ensure that the the 2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) is passed next Tuesday.

The National Assembly is expected to adjourn plenary for two weeks effective Tuesday to enable members embark on oversight functions to ministries, departments and agencies of

government (MDAs) to ascertain the level of capital implementation of the 2017 budget.

The adjournment of plenary actitives is also to enable it attend to MDAs which are expected to commence their 2018 budget defence.

Speaking during the routine media briefing, Namdas allayed concerns that the ongoing debate of the 2018 budget could have grave implications in view of the fact that the MTEF is yet to be passed.

He said the House has not committed any offence by simply opening debate on the budget adding that the MTEF will be passed before the budget is considered and passed in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act. But, some members had declined comments on the budget on grounds that it was out of order to debate it when the MTEF which ought to serve as a guide has not been passed.

He said though there’s been pressure from Nigerians to pass the budget, the National Assembly will nevertheless, take its time to do a thorough job before passage.

He said it’s expected that the executive will also play its part by ensuring that the budget is well implemented when passed by the parliament.

However, on the fight against slavery, the speaker said:”Permit me to use this opportunity to call on Mr President and Commander in Chief to lead this struggle

for total and unconditional emancipation of the unfortunate victims of this scourge.

“History beckons on our President with a gold pen and a page reserved for only Africa’s great Statesmen if he successfully leads the campaign to eradicate modern slavery. Mr President should, if necessary, deploy Nigeria’s diplomatic and military clout on this matter. We would like to see an immediate convening of emergency session of the ECOWAS and AU to launch a rescue operation as soon as possible. As it is, the voices of ECOWAS and AU are unacceptably too feeble on this devastating issue.”

He commended the French President, Mr Emmanuel Macron, for taking a principled position on the matter and applying pressure on the United Nations (UN) to take urgent steps in dealing with this scourge and appealed to other nations who value freedom and the dignity of the human person to join France in working out a permanent solution to the resurgent evil.

He stressed that the time for the world to take responsibility and act is now, and echoed the words of His Holiness, Pope Francis who said: “Human trafficking is a scourge, a crime against the whole of humanity. It is time to join forces and work together to free its victims and to eradicate this crime that affects all of us, from individual families to the

worldwide community.”

He said:”If you thought the horrific events that led to the deaths of our girls were appalling just as we prepared to leave Italy last Friday, we received the terrifying news that another set of 30 migrants had died in the Mediterranean Sea while 200 were rescued.

To our collective shame, these kinds of deaths have become a recurring decimal on account of which the Mediterranean Sea has become the cemetery where Africa’s future, which our young represent, is buried. Our findings reveal that the deaths are underreported as the figures more often than not do not take into account those deaths for which the corpses are not recovered.

It must be noted that in most cases some of the immigrants are deliberately dumped into the sea like bags of weed.

“To add salt to injury, humanity’s conscience was recently jolted by the CNN report of auctioning of black African migrants as salves in Libya where these migrants are normally held in servitude in human cargo holding facilities. I believe most of us have seen the atrocious pictures of black Africans in such overcrowded holding facilities were they are packed like sardines and often mercilessly beaten and terrorized by their captors in order to keep them subjugated. These pictures which the social media is replete with have moved even the brute and the cruel to tears.

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Appeal Court Dismisses Suit Seeking Tambuwal’s Removal The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal by an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Senator Umar Dahiru, challenging the election of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as the Governor of Sokoto State.

In a ruling read by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, the court also awarded a cost of N100,000 against the appellants.

Dahiru had filed the appeal challenging the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja which in June dismissed his suit and that of another APC governorship aspirant, Aliyu Abubakar Sanyinna, on the ground that they could not prove the allegations of irregularities in the primary election conducted on December 2014.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole had ruled that even if the applicants had succeeded in proving that there were irregularities in the December 4, 2014 primary, the court could not grant the reliefs because it was not an election petitions tribunal and therefore lacked jurisdiction.

Counsel to the appellants Chief Roland Otaru (SAN), while making his final submissions few weeks ago asked the Appeal Court to remove governor Tambuwal on the grounds that he was not lawfully and validly elected as the APC gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 governorship elections.

He submitted that the APC constitution, primary election guidelines and the Electoral Act were grossly violated during the conduct of the December 2014 primary election.

The senior counsel argued that the disregard for the observance of due process got to the climax with the swapping of the delegate’s list by the governor to circumvent the rules provided for the conduct of the primary by the national secretariat of the APC. He then urged the appellate court to set aside the judgment of Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court which on June 22, 2017 upheld the primary election.

Otaru claimed that the judge erred in law and engaged in mis-carriage of justice by going out of the counter claims of the respondents to arrive at his conclusion.

Specifically, the senior lawyer canvassed that the principal appellant, Senator Umaru Dahiru be declared the candidate of the APC in the 2015 governorship election.

However, the APC represented

by Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) canvassed that the suit be dismissed for being vexatious and lacking in merit.

He submitted that the appellants were inconsistent in their pleadings having allegedly claimed that there was no primary election conducted and in another averment established that not all the authentic delegates were accredited for the primary election.

Besides, Okutepa claimed that the appellants changed the character of their case when in the originating summon they canvassed cancellation of the primary election for a fresh one but came back to seek that they be declared the winner of the same faulted primary poll.

“From the totality of the case

of the appellants and from the list they submitted on their own, they admitted that 1,620 delegates from the 23 local government areas of the state were accredited and in their inconsistent claim, came out to allege again that delegates were not accredited as required by law.

“In the face of this glaring inconsistence, the case of the plaintiffs is liable to be dismissed, and I urge this court to do so and uphold the findings of the High Court on the issue,” he said.

Counsel to Tambuwal, Ibrahim Sunday Ameh (SAN), canvassed the dismissal of the suit for lacking in merit.

Ameh claimed that the fulcrum of the case of the appellants was non-accreditation of delegates, adding that they did not establish their allegation as required by law in court.

In a ruling which lasted for more than two hours, Justice Agim held that on the contentious claims by the appellants that accreditation of voters did not take place on the day of the primary election, making wild allegations would not stand the test of evidence if it is not backed by enough proof.

He said the appellants made contradictory claims in the affidavits filed at the trial court having allegedly claimed that there was no primary election conducted and in another averment established that not all the authentic delegates were accredited for the primary election.

He said for the case to stand the test of proof, it must be consistent with consistent evidence.

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FRIDAYSPORTS

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

WORLD CUP 2018

Will Luck Smile on Eagles as Draw Holds in Russia?

Duro Ikhazuagbe Starting from 4pm Nigerian time this evening, three-time African champions, the Super Eagles and Nigerians, will begin to have a whiff of the fortune that awaits their darling team at the FIFA World Cup 2018 Draw in Russia. The State Kremlin Palace is the venue where the race to the ultimate trophy will begin in earnest.

Eagles who qualified first as one of Africa’s five representatives at Russia 2018

will watch with anxiety, just like all the other 31 countries, which group they are going to be paired in.

Will mother luck smile on Nigeria to get a soft group?

Will they be unfortunate to get tough pairing like it happened in the African qualifiers when they drew reigning champions Cameroon, past AFCON winner Zambia and Algeria that stretched eventual winner of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Germany, to the limit before being subdued? Nigeria survived and even finished the

THE 32 TEAMS

series unbeaten and first to pick a ticket in the continent.

But the World Cup is a different ball game. It is the summit of the global football. Any country that made it to this stage cannot be called a minnow. Algeria proved it against the German Machines. Way back, Nigeria even as debutants in 1994, almost upset the apple chart, stretching Italy into the dying minutes of regulation time.

Four years later, Spain with legendary Zubizaretta in goal fell to Nigeria in France. There are countless upsets in the history of the Mundial way back to the early days in the

1930s.

It is against this backdrop that Gernot Rohr’s tough talk of not scared of any of the teams may not be empty sound.

Speaking from the Crowne Plaza World Trade Centre, Moscow yesterday morning after he landed in the Russian capital for the showpiece event, Rohr insisted that there is no weak squad in the 32-team field, and anyone hoping to play so-called ‘average teams’ in the group phase is only guilty of wishful thinking.

“All the teams that are in the Final Draw, except the

host nation Russia, played qualifying matches. They all emerged from tough encounters and therefore, none can be tagged ‘weak.’

Friday evening, we will enter the State Kremlin Palace for the Final Draw and a couple of hours later, everyone will know their opponents.

There is no apprehension. If you have to be listed among the best, you have to conquer the better teams and even beat some of the best,” observed the Franco-German gaffer who was recently rewarded with a fresh two-year deal in-charge of the emerging powerhouse in global football.

The Russians who battled image problems due to dope infractions involving their top stars in other sports, have promised to make tonight’s show a memorable one. Russia is determined to topple whatever has been done previously in the final draws in the past 20 editions.

To start with, the Draw Ceremony is being held inside the State Kremlin Palace – the Parliament of the Russian Federation, which served the same purpose when the country was a much bigger, more intimidating Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

Russia (Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov) Nigeria (Coach: Gernot Rohr) Egypt (Coach: Hector Cuper) Iran (Coach: Carlos Queiroz) Japan (Coach: Vahid Halilhodzic) Korea Republic (Coach: Shin Tae-yong) Saudi Arabia (Coach: TBA) Tunisia (Coach: Nabil Maaloul) Morocco (Coach: Herve Renard) Senegal (Aliou Cisse) Belgium (Coach: Roberto Martinez) Iceland (Coach: Heimir Hallgrimsson) Serbia (Coach: Slavoljub Muslin) England (Coach: Gareth Southgate) Poland (Coach: Adam Nawalka) Spain (Coach: Julen Lopetegui) France (Coach: Didier Deschamps) Portugal (Coach: Fernando Santos) Germany (Coach: Joachim Low) Costa Rica (Coach: Oscar Ramirez) Mexico (Coach: Juan Carlos Osorio) Panama (Coach: Hernan Dario Gomez) Argentina (Coach: Jorge Sampaoli) Brazil (Coach: Tite) Colombia (Coach: Jose Pekerman) Uruguay (Coach: Oscar Tabarez) Peru (Coach: Ricardo Gareca) Australia (Coach: TBA) Croatia (Coach: Zlatko Dalic) Sweden (Coach: Janne Andersson) Denmark (Coach: Age Hareide) Switzerland (Coach: Vladimir Petkovic) POT 1: Russia; Germany; Brazil; Portugal; Argentina; Belgium; Poland; France POT 2: Spain; Peru; Switzerland; England; Colombia; Mexico; Uruguay; Croatia POT 3: Denmark; Iceland; Costa Rica; Sweden; Tunisia; Egypt; Senegal; Iran POT 4: Serbia; Nigeria; Australia; Japan; Morocco; Panama; Korea Republic; Saudi Arabia Host Cities: Moscow; Ekaterinburg; Saransk; Rostov-On-Don; Kazan; Kaliningrad; Sochi; Samara; Saint Petersburg; Volgograd; Nizhny Novgorod

Super Eagles and Chinese Changchun Yatai F.C forward, Odion Ighalo (left) presenting his club jersey to Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, during his visit to the governor to solicit support for the establishment of an orphanage in Benin City…yesterday

Ikoyi Club Dominates as 26th Monimichelle Returns to Enyimba Stadium Site, Commends Ikpeazu contractor handling he commended Abia State that the bureaucracy that Cup next year has been Quadrangular Games End The Enyimba Stadium project, Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu had before now slowed us playing away from home After 34 games completed out of 50 events at the ongoing 26th Quadrangular Games holding at Ikoyi Club 1938, the host may have won the games going by the number of medals it has won so far.

As at yesterday evening, Ikoyi Club was leading the medals table with 16 gold, 16 silver and eight bronze with a total of 136 points.

Second on the table was Lagos Country Club with 14 gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze medals with a total of 111 points. The Apapa Club was third with two gold and one silver with a total of 13 points. Lagos Lawn Tennis Club was third silver and two bronze with a total of 11 points to seat at the bottom of the table.

In the game of Ayo, Lagos Country Club captured gold leaving the silver to Ikoyi Club. Lagos Lawn Tennis

Club and The Apapa Club did not show up.

In swimming, the host Ikoyi club captured seven Gold five Silver two Bronze to gather 52 points, while Lagos Country Club got five gold, four silver and four bronze with a total of 41 points.

In badminton, Ikoyi Club won gold and silver in Group A leaving the bronze for Lagos Country Club. In Group B, it was also Ikoyi Club capturing the gold and silver, while the bronze went to Lagos Country Club. In Draught, Lagos Country Club got the gold, Lagos Lawn Tennis Club silver and Ikoyi Club bronze.

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.

Monimichelle, has returned to site as efforts to get the arena completed is stepped up.

CEO of the stadium facilities construction outfit, Ebi Egbe confirmed yesterday that his workers have moved in, even as

for releasing funds and personally taking charge.

“We are back to site and as we speak work is going on.

I want to thank the governor for releasing funds to us and the special interest he has shown in seeing that the project is completed. I pray

down won’t rear its ugly head again,” Egbe said.

The governor last week released N100million to fund the project which was started way back on January 1, 2015.

Enyimba that will be flying Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Confederation

since re-construction works started at the stadium.

Monimichelle has assured stakeholders that the arena would be ready for Enyimba to stage a return home if enough funds are made available to enable the firm complete the project.

Eunisell Sparkle at 2017 League Bloggers Awards Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Front-of-Shirt Sponsor of Port Harcourt side Rivers United, Eunisell on Tuesday received the influential League Bloggers Awards Special Recognition Award at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Eunisell was recognised for its contribution to the Rivers United.

Interestingly, Eunisell holds

the record as the longest Front-of-Shirt Sponsor in the NPFL after its initial deal with defunct Sharks in 2015.

With the merger of the Rivers State duo of Sharks and Dolphins into Rivers United, in 2016, Eunisell continued the sponsorship deal.

“Eunisell consistently supports local football,” the

company tweeted from its official Twitter account, @ eunisell.

Mr Kalu Uma, represented Eunisell Group Managing Director, Mr. Chika Ikenga, during the League Bloggers Awards, on Tuesday.

Eunisell Chemicals is a leading global chemical and specialty fluid management company, supplying key products and solutions to

a wide base of customers operating in Africa.

The LBA is Nigeria’s foremost League Awards which celebrates outstanding footballers, coaches and sponsoring brands in Nigeria’s domestic leagues namely Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL) and Nigeria Women’s Premier League (NWPL).

54

T H I S D AY FRIDAY DECEMBER 1, 2017

55

T H I S D AY FRIDAY DECEMBER 1, 2017

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Price: N250

MISSILE Leyii to Wike

â&#x20AC;&#x153;If His Excellency (Nyessom Wike) is telling us that he cares about the Ogoni man, then he should accede the 2019 governorship ticket to an Ogoni man. That is the test of his love for our peopleâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Former Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Leyii Kwanee chastising Governor Nyessom Wike of politicizing the Ogoni clean up initiative, challenging him to accede his second term quest to an ogoni indigene as a show of love to Ogoni people.

AKINOSUNTOKUN From Nnangagwa to Atiku Abubakar DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

I

n a sense, this past fortnight has been the story of two vice presidents, in Nigeria and Zimbabwe. First Zimbabwe This is a teachable moment for us all especially Africans. For days on end in recent weeks no one could come up with a precise definition of the political situation in Zimbabwe. The countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s military set the ball of half-communication rolling with a carefully worded announcement of an intervention targeted (it claims) at purging Robert Mugabeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closest political circles of the liability of the rotten eggs (cleverly evading attribution of governance failure to the man at whose desk the buck stops)-while confining the President himself to house arrest. Was it a coup or a coup in the making? Was it correct to assume that Mugabe had been deposed-as near unanimously wished by Zimbabwe citizens and non-citizens alike?

The deliberate stonewall of the Zimbabwe military on the interpretation of its intervention must, firstly, be understood against the backdrop of a hostile global disposition towards military takeover of government.

The confusion deepened, days later, when the embattled President, Robert Mugabe emerged, deferentially flanked by the Military hierarchy, to host a press conference where the most significant message he conveyed was a conspicuous omission-silence on an anxiously awaited statement of resignation.

Yet he had been roundly repudiated by friends and foes alike.

The political party he founded, the ZANUPF, had demanded his outright resignation failing which its parliamentary members were instructed to commence impeachment proceedings against him. The streets of Harare had complementarily erupted in pervasive and widespread scenes of popular revolt. Confronted with such massive and overwhelming rejection, the reality must have dawned on the hero turned villain that the days of reckoning had arrived. It has turned out a tragic sunset and anticlimax of an otherwise illustrious political career. In the unfolding drama and cast of political actors Mugabe featured as the villain being vanquished by the heroic exertions of the Zimbabwe generals.

The puzzle remains, that in situations like this, why is it invariably the case that behind every political villain is the dark shadow of a devious and manipulative consort? Given the over four decades age differential between Robert and Grace Mugabe, the union had looked somewhat incongruous right from the onset of the office romance-that was consummated on the ashes of the first marriage of the power besotted lady. It is apposite that the coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hold on power was ultimately truncated by a power play directed at crowning her the successor to the Mugabe dynasty. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Grace Mugabe was called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gucci Graceâ&#x20AC;? in Zimbabwe for her lavish spending. The former secretary, who married the president in 1996, recently bought millions of dollarsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of property and luxury cars in South Africa. Her eldest son, 25-year-old Bellarmine Chatunga, recently enraged Zimbabweans by posting a clip on social media taken in a well-known Johannesburg nightclub showing him pouring a ÂŁ200 bottle of champagne over a ÂŁ45,000 watch on a night out in South Africa,

Mugabe

boasting that â&#x20AC;&#x153;daddy runs the whole countryâ&#x20AC;?.

We can sum up the totality of the military intervention in Zimbabwe as, in effect, nothing more than a palace coup but it is no less heroic for that. The fine-tuned orchestration, choreography and the ultimate transfer of power to Vice President Emerson Managawa is a class act in political self-containment. It was an outcome that served as a conflict resolution mechanism in which the winner did not win all and the loser did not lose all. Nonetheless, the intervention raises the problematic specter of the legitimacy of military coup arbitration in constitutional democracies.

In content and substance it is beyond contention that Mugabe had long crossed the threshold of constitutional democracy into the realms of unaccountable dictatorship but who makes this determination and assigns responsibility for the resolution of the problem?

Zimbabwe courts have retroactively answered this question by ruling the intervention a constitutional takeover. In light of the de facto, fait accompli nature of the popular revolt (tantamount to a referendum), any other judicial pronouncement would have amounted to an academic exercise anyway. The uniqueness of the interventionist Zimbabwe statecraft is however liable to exaggeration.

Hence the extravagant claim that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;No military in human history has managed to

Grace Mugabe was called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gucci Graceâ&#x20AC;?in Zimbabwe for her lavish spending. The former secretary, who married the president in 1996, recently bought millions of dollarsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of property and luxury cars in South Africa

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

ensure the facilitation of the removal of an incumbent President without any spill of blood, whilst respecting all democratic processes and institutions. General Constantino Chiwenga, the man at the helm of this operation, holds the following qualifications: He holds the following qualifications-B.Sc. Defense and Security Studies, University of Zimbabwe; M.Sc. Security Studies, Oxford University; and Ph.D. Cyber Security, UNISA. This demonstrates that when you have educated and experienced people in critical positions, they can manage chaos better than uneducated cadresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

It is of course not true that there is no historical precedent for the Zimbabwe style intervention and restoration of constitutional rule. There is the widely heralded precedent of Turkey where, until 2001, the military interventionist role was an institutionalized feature of the constitution. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The military has deep roots in society, and its influence predates the founding of the republic. But rather than hinder democratization, Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s military remains an important component in the checks and balances that protect Turkish democracyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; In Nigeria, the story has been about the long mooted departure of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the All Progressives Congress, APC. The perennial pursuit of his presidential ambition is replete with uniquely positive and negative attributes.

There is the attribute of a happy go lucky longevity to his political career (going now on three decades)-which attained a climax with his election as vice president 18 years ago.

There is the quality of the liberal broadminded cosmopolitan disposition to his social and political personality and he has played a significant role in bridging the North/South; Old breed/ New breed cleavages of Nigerian politics. He has been instrumental to the cultivation and deepening of constitutional democracy in Nigeria. But he is also crucially flawed in the propensity to take one step forward only to reverse his advance with two steps backward.

He seems to have ignited the vicious cycle again and significant headwinds await him on the horizon. Arising from the notorious pedigree of relentless cross carpeting from one party to another, his latest revolving door entry and exit from the APC was always guaranteed to further damage his dented reputation. Yet he could still have contrived a better managed exit than employ the services of a hostile witness (with whom he has a cold case history of bad relationship) to make his case-and thereby lay himself open to a predictable backlash. He ventured â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Only last year, a governor produced by the party wrote a secret memorandum to the president which ended up being leaked.

In that memo, he admitted that the All Progressives Congress had â&#x20AC;&#x153;not only failed to manage expectations of a populace that expected overnight â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;changeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; but has failed to deliver even mundane matters of governance.â&#x20AC;?

Of the party itself, that same governor said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mr. President, Sir Your relationship with the national leadership of the party, both the formal (NWC) and informal (Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso), and former Governors of ANPP, PDP (that

joined us) and ACN, is perceived by most observers to be at best frosty. Many of them are aggrieved due to what they consider a total absence of consultations with them on your part and those you have assigned such duties.â&#x20AC;?

Beyond speculation, I cannot presume to know the intended purpose of the controversial memo much less fathom whether such purpose was achieved. I am hard put to see how the said memo, a hard hitting takedown of the APC government, could serve the cause of chummy relationship between the author, Governor Nasir El Rufai and his mentor, President Mohammadu Buhari. The rekindling of this albatross, least of all by a conspicuous political foe was a left handed salute to El Rufai. On being thus incriminated, the pugilist governor responded with the ferocity of a wounded lion and went for Abubakarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jugular.

And this tendency of thinking himself smart while shooting himself in the foot, of not appreciating the cautionary note of making haste slowly, of being wired to the belief that conspiracy can supplant the boon of providence, that muscular financial wherewithal renders perseverance and forbearance irrelevant, has remained the Achillesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; heel of Abubakarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political career. This is the story of the mismanagement of the best opportunity he had to fulfill his legitimate ambition of becoming President. It is the story of a proclivity towards the illusion of grandeur, of self-abnegating inability to appreciate and manage his principal who rode roughshod over party caucuses and pressure groups, to personally seek him out, of playing the victim whilst waging a covert and overt campaign of subversion and humiliation of his benefactor.

If at all President Olusegun Obasanjo entertained a third term agenda, it was certainly not the cause of the estrangement between Abubakar and the former President-as the former would have the world believe.

Abubakar had long before shattered their bond of goodwill and mutual confidence.

It would require more than the hostility of Obasanjo or any other escapism to explain a disabling character trait of inconstancy and lack of reliability. Under what pressure, for instance, did he abandon the defunct Action Congress, AC, and scurried back to the Peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Democratic Party, PDP?-only for him to jump ship and clambered aboard the APC train?

Introspection and hindsight would reveal how his lack of perseverance and opportunistic restiveness turned his potential asset of PDP and AC into liabilities. His journey through PDP, AC and APC, has, thus mostly amounted to the misadventure of incurring the formidable spoiler opposition of game changers like Obasanjo, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and whatever remains of Buhari and the APC. The overriding lesson he should learn from this rich and eventful repertoire is the limitation of human contrivance in the realization of destiny. In the drama of our earthly existence, the simple admonition that man proposes and God disposes holds true eternally. He may yet not realize his burning ambition but to the extent that the step he has taken will energize the opposition platform, the net effect of his gambit is good for Nigerian democracy.

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