Friday 12th JANUARY 2018

Adeola Retires as Sterling Bank CEO, Abubakar to Take Over Obinna Chima Sterling Bank Plc yesterday announced that its founding Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yemi Adeola, has notified the board of directors of his retirement with effect from April 1, after

over 14 years of service on the board.

The bank in a statement also disclosed that Adeola would be succeeded by Mr. Abubakar Suleiman (Abu), who is currently the Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, a position he has held since

May 2012.

Adeola’s banking career started with the then Nigeria International Bank Limited, now Citibank Nigeria Limited, in 1988, where he served in various capacities and rose to the position of Executive Director in 1998, a position

which made him one of the youngest officers and one of the first Nigerian nationals to be appointed in that capacity.

In July 2003, he became the Deputy Managing Director of the legacy Trust Bank of Africa Limited and was instrumental, in 2006, in the formation of

Sterling Bank during the banking consolidation exercise.

He served as Integration Director in the immediate post-merger phase and up until 2007 as Executive Director covering Commercial & Institutional Banking and later Corporate Banking prior

to becoming CEO. Commenting on his retirement, the Chairman, Board of Directors of Sterling Bank, Mr. Asue Ighodalo said: “In 2008, Yemi was appointed to the role of substantive CEO. Continued on page 9

Another Explosion Recorded on Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System… Page 46 Friday 12 January, 2018 Vol 22. No 8303. Price: N250

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Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Insist on Restructuring, Resolute About Nigeria’s Unity Want killer herdsmen declared terrorists Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

DAY OF TEARS AND SORROW IN BENUE...

Caskets bearing the dead victims of the despicable new year day attacks in Benue State, when the bodies were brought to the state capital, Makurdi, for mass burial… yesterday

Prominent elder statesmen and political leaders from the South-east, South-west, South-south, and Middle Belt regions of the country rose from a one-day parley in Enugu yesterday insisting that for the nation to achieve lasting peace, unity, justice and prosperity, restructuring of the polity has become not only imperative but sacrosanct.

The parley tagged, “Handshake Across the Niger - A Celebration of Igbo/Yoruba Friendship Beyond Brotherhood,” put together by Nzuko Umunna, in collaboration with Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere, also frowned at the wanton destruction of lives and property in Benue State and some other parts of the country by suspected herders and called for the declaration Continued on page 10

Thousands Pay Last Respect as Benue Buries 73 Victims of New Year Day Attacks Ishaku, Lalong disagree on anti-open grazing law Stop politicising herdsmen/farmers’ conflict, Miyetti Allah appeals to Nigerians Kogi, Plateau offer land for cattle colonies Omololu Ogunmade, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja, George Okoh in Makurdi and David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka It was a moment of agonising grief and heart-rending

emotions yesterday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, when the bodies of 73 persons killed by suspected herdsmen on new year day were laid to rest.

Before the mass burial organised by the Benue State

Government, thousands of people had trooped out as early as 6 a.m. to the IBB Square to participate in the highly emotional requiem mass.

Reflecting the sadness of the occasion, several elders

and politicians from the state expressed their bitterness over the slaughter of their people and decried the federal government’s inaction in nipping the herdsmen menace in the bud.

The governor of the state,

Samuel Ortom, lamented that the state was looking forward to a better year when the herdsmen invaded and murdered in cold blood pregnant women, children and the elderly.

He said the state lost 73

persons to the attack, with many others sustaining various degree of injuries.

“For several years these attackers have turned our beautiful and endowed land Continued on page 9

NLC Defies Threat by Police, El-Rufai, Holds Mass Protest in Kaduna… Page 47

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PAGE NINE THOUSANDS PAY LAST RESPECT AS BENUE BURIES 73 VICTIMS OF NEW YEAR DAY ATTACKS into their killing fields and the main reason has been the clashes between herdsmen and farmers, but these attacks have intensified with alarming devastation since 2011,� he said.

He disclosed that since the attacks started in 2011, 13 out of the 23 local government areas in the state had borne the onslaught of the cattle herders, adding that several lives had been lost over the years.

He also used the occasion to reiterate his opposition to the cattle colonies being proposed by the federal government, saying the ranches proposed under the Anti-Open Grazing Act enacted by his state had provided the right incentives to end the conflicts between herders and farmers in the state.

He said the herdsmen had failed woefully if they thought that by killing innocent citizens, his administration would be forced to repeal the law and again called on the federal government to arrest the leaders of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, a faction of the main cattle dealers’ association.

He maintained that since the state does not have adequate land for farmers, there was insufficient land for colonies that map out grazing routes.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Northern Elders’ Forum, Wantaregh Paul Unongo, said if the federal government continues to fail in its responsibility in protecting the lives and property of Benue citizens, Benue people will be left with no option than to train its own army in the state to defend themselves. “Benue people have sacrificed enough blood for the unity of this country and would not allow a section of terrorists to come and kill our people in cold blood. “I am begging Nigerians that my people cannot continue to be the canon fodder of this country. If government can’t protect us, we will mobilise and train our people into an army to defend us. “We are 100 per cent in support of what Governor Ortom has done. I am the spiritual leader and from the ancestry of the Tiv nation, enough is enough,� he said.

Unongo stressed that the entire people of the state were watching President Muhammadu Buhari and

have joined in the persistent calls by the governor that the federal government should take drastic steps to urgently address the killings and also arrest the leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who had openly threatened mayhem over the enactment of the Anti-Open Grazing Law in the state.

Another prominent Benue indigene, General Lawrence Onoja (rtd.), who described the killings in the state as a genocidal conspiracy against the Benue people, stressed that the killings must not continue. “Some of us in 1966 fought the Nigerian civil war. Benue has contributed to the unity of this country. Therefore if the federal government refuses to address the killings in Benue, we would have to defend ourselves,� he said.

He appeal to the federal government to replicate “Operation Python Dance� or “Fulani Dance� and urged the people of the state to rally round the governor for the successful enforcement of the Anti-Open Grazing Law. A former member of the National Assembly, Senator J.K.N Waku also said that the Benue people were known to be peace loving, saying that they had endured enough.

According to him, “It is unfortunate that someone would oppose a law that is legally enacted and begin to kill people and the federal government refuses to wade in order to end the carnage.

This is enough provocation; nobody has a monopoly on killing. Enough is enough,� he said.

The former governor of the state, Sen. George Akume stated that the primary aim of government is to protect lives of the citizenry and urged the federal government to proscribe the Miyietti Allah faction and declare them terrorists, saying that their actions were treasonable.

He appealed to the Benue communities not to take the law into their hands, but to follow the path of peace and reconciliation, and continue to pray together as one indivisible family, in order to overcome the conflict.

In his remarks, the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, Prof. Jame Ayatse, decried the fact that his people who are residing in Nasarawa and Taraba States were being murdered by the herdsmen on a daily basis since the Benue killings started.

“There is ethnic cleansing agenda going on. We must bring an end to these killings.

This is the 47th time that herdsmen have attacked Benue people and killed them mercilessly,� he charged.

He said Buhari must rise as a man of integrity to arrest the situation, adding that the people of Benue voted massively for him and so he must not allow them to be eliminated before his tenure ends.

He thanked those who came from other states to condole with the Benue people and prayed that such mindless and heinous killings should never happen again in the state.

The Tor Tiv enjoined the governor not to be weighed down by the herders’ attacks, counselling that he must continue to do the needful in his bid to bring peace and tranquility to the state.

He assured Ortom that the Benue traditional rulers were solidly behind him.

Also, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Akpe Leva commended the governor for his charisma and love, adding that the spirit of the departed ones and the God of Benue will rise up to torment the “suspected terrorists� who had brought tears and sorrows to the state.

Narrating his ordeal, one of the survivors of the attacks, Akaatenger Azinga, said he was in his house sleeping with his wife when the attackers came and knocked on his door and his wife went to open it, only for her to be captured and slaughtered by the attackers. “I heard my wife scream because they came in the dead of the night and when I went to try and rescue my wife, I discovered that they had slaughtered her. “The next thing, they started chasing me with machetes but I escaped narrowly to a nearby bush,� he said.

Ishaku, Lalong Disagree Just as the dead in Benue were being laid to rest, the governors of two neighbouring states – Darius Ishaku (Taraba) and Simon Lalong (Plateau) – held divergent views on the propriety of the Anti-Open Grazing Law enacted in Benue and Taraba States.

While the Plateau

governor felt vindicated by the gruesome killings in Logo and Guma Local Government Areas of Benue State by herdsmen, saying that he had forewarned Ortom against enacting the law, the Taraba governor maintained that the state’s anti-open grazing law was not targeted at any ethnic group or religious group.

Lalong who made his remarks when he spoke to State House correspondents in Abuja after meeting with the president, said he told Ortom when the law was being enacted that he should consult widely and secure the opinions of stakeholders before going ahead.

According to Lalong, he deliberately ignored suggestions on enacting the same law in his own state because he knew it would be counter-productive to enact a law banning open grazing without preparing land for ranching.

He also said ranching involved certain policies which would require the federal government’s interventions, hence, enacting any law on grazing would require stakeholders’ consent.

He also said he warned Ortom while enacting the law to be cautious and ensure that he explored every option before proceeding to implement it. “To be frank, I told them.

Even the governor of Benue State, I told him when he was doing the law. I said he should just be careful and take other steps before implementing the law. “But he said his own concept was different and for us in Plateau, our concept was different. “I informed him that I would not have a law before consultations. If l stopped them (cattle herders), what is the alternative for them? You need to have consultations and allow people to buy into the concept,� he said.

Speaking on how he achieved peace in his once volatile state, Lalong said whereas he inherited an endemic farmersherdsmen crisis, he gave all stakeholders in Plateau a sense of belonging and in the end, both the herdsmen and the people of Plateau State resolved to embrace peace.

According to him, he carried out extensive consultations which lasted for three months. The byeproduct of the meetings, he said, was the relative peace

in Plateau State today as well as improved relations between the herdsmen and farmers. “You take everybody as your own. In Plateau State, I did that because l inherited a protracted crisis when I came to office. Most of the lingering crises were between the farmers and herdsmen, we took three months to do consultations and the Plateau people agreed that we must embrace ranching even with the Fulanis. “Today, you see a good relationship between farmers and herdsmen,� he boasted.

Unlike Ortom who had distanced himself from the idea of cattle colonies being proposed by the federal government, Lalong described it as a welcome development, explaining that the colonies were broader than ranches because they will accommodate rearing of all manner of livestock farmers.

He also said having cultivated the habit of investigating any proposal before making a decision, he opted to visit the Federal Ministry of Agriculture along with his team on agriculture, including the Commissioner of Agriculture on Wednesday, to investigate what the colony concept entailed.

According to him, at the end of the meeting, he found that the proposals on the cattle colonies were worthwhile and desirable. “When I got the briefing from them, I was convinced about the colonies. They said the difference between colonies and ranching is that one is bigger than the other. “You get a big field, get investors and demarcate it.

Somebody will ranch sheep, somebody will ranch cattle.

Government will develop the place, put grass there and anybody coming in must pay and you can’t force any land on anybody. It’s voluntary land,� he explained.

Lalong also disclosed that the herders that lead the cattle were not the actually owners of the cattle and that most of the cattle belong to those he described as “big men�. “Nobody says that the idea of the colonies is only for Fulani herdsmen. It is everybody’s business, either you are tending cattle, sheep, goat or even chicken. If a Fulani man is grazing 100 cattle, I’m definitely sure you’ll find out that he is not the owner. You would find out that he owns only four

ADEOLA RETIRES AS STERLING BANK CEO, ABUBAKAR TO TAKE OVER Since that appointment, he has overseen a period of strong growth in market share and profitability with the institution moving from the 23rd ranked bank measured by assets to the top half of the domestic banking market. “Additionally, Yemi and his team have navigated multiple economic and banking credit cycles with great skill, sound judgment and outstanding professionalism, often thriving in the most difficult conditions evidenced by the emergence of the bank as a consolidator in the 2009-2011 cycle despite its modest capital base and distribution footprint at the time, and its continuing success in growing organically thereafter.

“More than anything else, Yemi’s legacy is reflected in the excellent professional reputation of the bank; the stability of its board and management – something rarely seen in merged institutions; and the overall strength of its institutional governance, all of which are achievements that I have no doubt that the new leadership team will build upon and extend even further.�

Equally, Ighodalo welcomed the appointment of Suleiman as the new CEO, saying over the years, he had developed an outstanding strategic and operational track record across all business areas in the bank as well as great relationships with customers and other

stakeholders in key areas of the institution. “Abu is a seasoned executive with exceptional abilities and his emergence underscores the quality of our leadership pipeline at executive level. “His appointment is a result of a rigorous and widereaching process conducted as part of our succession planning and we look forward to him leading our bank through the next stage of its development.

Abu’s appointment has already received all mandatory regulatory approvals,� he added.

On his part, Suleiman expressed delight with the appointment.

According to the incoming

CEO, over the past decade under Adeola, the bank’s market share has grown significantly. “And our brand has become established in the marketplace.

I look forward to working with the board and my colleagues in management towards building on the excellent foundation already in place to deliver superior value for the benefit of all our stakeholders.�

Also, Adeola said: “Our bank has grown materially in all respects over the past decade moving from being a marginal player on the fringes, to an established operator trusted by millions of people today. “The achievements

highlighted by the chairman in his remarks have required huge personal sacrifice on the part of many people. “I am extremely grateful to all of them for their support and know that Abu and his team can continue to count on this support in the months and years to come. “Sterling Bank is well set for the future and I believe that now is the right time for me to step down and pass on the baton to Abu. As a bank, we have done well, are doing well and have great prospects for the future. “Our institution has the resources both human and material to look forward and write a new chapter in its history.�

or five cows while the rest belong to somebody else - a big man,� he stated.

However, in a statement issued yesterday by the Taraba governor’s media aide, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, Ishaku was quoted as saying that the state’s Anti-Open Grazing Law was not targeted at any ethnic group or religious group.

The Taraba governor also said that the ownership of cattle was not the exclusive right of any religion or ethnic group.

The governor added that the “ancient method of nomadic voyages� had failed to produce good milk and beef, and called on herders to practice ranching as it was “nothing new�. “This is a step towards modernisation of cattle rearing and it is in keeping with the best traditions of cow production all over the world. Agriculture is undergoing a revolution,� the statement read. “Antiquated means of agriculture production is giving way to better methods with the use of tractors and better seedlings, among other things. “This can happen to cattle rearing too. The ancient method of nomadic voyages has failed to give better milk production or even beef. “Cows are leaner and less productive when made to go through the rigours of long distant treks. Elsewhere, ranching has since become the best form of attending to the need of cattle in the world. “Even here in Nigeria, top cow owners have seen the wisdom in ranching.

In Taraba, cow owners on the Mambilla (plateau) have been doing a form of ranching, dating to the past.

It’s nothing new to us and I enjoin all to key into it,� he added.

Taraba State’s Anti-Open Grazing Law was enacted in June and is expected to come into effect on January 24.

Continued on page 51

TOP GAINERS HONEYWELL CCNN CHAMPBREW NPFMFB FIDELITY TOP LOSERS UNIPRESS MEYER LEARNAFRICA

NGN NGN 0.29 3.20 1.09 12.03 0.25 2.77 0.14 1.59 0.28 3.20 NGN NGN 0.29 2.63 0.03 0.64 0.04 0.95 NEM 0.05 1.55 BERGPAINTS 0.25 9.10 HPE Nestle Nig Plc â‚Ś1,450.00 Volume: 1.162 billion shares Value: N17.375 billion Deals: 8,968 As at yesterday 11/01/18 See details on Page 43

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NEWS

Buoyed by Rising Stocks, Commodity Prices, Dangote’s Fortune Rises to $12.2bn Obinna Chima with agency report Buoyed by rising stocks and commodity prices, Africa’s richest man and President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has seen his net worth rise to $12.2 billion, the list of Africa’s billionaires compiled by Forbes magazine which was released yesterday has shown.

The latest list indicated that Dangote’s net worth increased by $100 million, compared to $12.1 billion a year ago.

Based on his net worth, the cement and commodities tycoon has maintained the position of Africa’s richest man for the seventh year in a row.

According to Forbes, Dangote is looking beyond cement –his most valuable asset – and has been investing in a fertilizer production company and a large oil refinery.

The Dangote Fertilizer plant is expected to start operations in the second quarter of this year.

Also, Forbes, in the ranking, stated that Africa’s billionaires were collectively wealthier than a year ago as a result of the rebound in commodity prices and rising stock prices on the continent.

The 23 billionaires on the continent – up from 21

billionaires last year -- were worth a combined $75.4 billion, compared to $70 billion in January 2017.

Number two on the list was diamond mining heir Nicky Oppenheimer of South Africa, with a net worth of $7.7 billion, up $700 million from last year. Oppenheimer is one of eight South Africans on the list, making it the African country with the most billionaires.

Last year, South Africa and Egypt tied with six billionaires a piece.

Boosting the South African ranks this year was newcomer - Michiel Le Roux, who is the founder and former chairman of Johannesburg-listed Capitec Bank Holdings, whose stock has climbed more than 50 per cent in the past year, making Le Roux a new billionaire worth $1.2 billion.

South African mining tycoon- Desmond Sacco, who is the chairman of listed Assore Group, returned to the list following a stock price surge of some 60 per cent in the past 12 months. Sacco last appeared as a billionaire on the Africa’s Richest List in 2012 with a $1.4 billion fortune.

He also appeared on the 2014 Forbes list of the World’s Billionaires, worth $1.3 billion. “One South African list member wouldn’t have made the cut a month ago.

Dangote In December 2017, the share price of retailer Steinhoff International plunged after the company divulged accounting irregularities. That pushed the net worth of Steinhoff’s then-chairman Christoffel Wiese below $1 billion on December 7. (Wiese resigned as chairman in December.) “In early January, the company said it would restate its financial results as far back as 2015 and the share price rebounded enough to put Wiese back in billionaire territory, at least for the moment,� said the magazine.

Forbes calculated his net worth on January 5 (the day

all the billionaires’ fortunes were measure) at $1.1 billion, down substantially from $5.5 billion a year ago. (As of Jan. 10, Steinhoff stock dropped again, knocking Wiese’s net worth below $1 billion.), it explained.

Zimbabwe got its first billionaire this year – telecoms magnate – Strive Masiyiwa, who chairs the Econet Group.

According to the Forbes report, shares of the Zimbabwe-listed mobile phone network Econet Wireless Zimbabwe have surged in value over the past year - Masiyiwa owns more than half of that company.

He also has a majority stake

in fiber optic firm Liquid Telecom, which raised $700 million in a bond offering in July 2017. Forbes estimates Masiyiwa’s net worth at $1.7 billion.

However, the report stated that just two of the members of the list were women, unchanged from last year. “Isabel dos Santos, the daughter of Angola’s longtime former president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, is worth an estimated $2.7 billion this year, down from $3.2 billion a year ago. Her net worth dropped in part due to a lower value for Banco BCI, an Angolan bank; its book value plunged in 2016 amid a tough year for the oil producing country. “The other woman is Nigeria’s Folorunsho Alakija, whose estimated $1.6 billion fortune lies in oil exploration firm Famfa Oil, which is partnered with Chevron and Petrobras in a lucrative offshore oil field,� it said.

Also, Mohammed Dewji of Tanzania was the youngest on the list, at age 42. He was said to have inherited a textile and edible oils group from his father and has expanded its operations. Forbes put his net worth at $1.5 billion.

The oldest list member was Onsi Sawiris of Egypt, age 88. He started Orascom Construction in 1950. It was nationalised by the

government of Abdel Nasser and Sawiris created another construction firm from scratch.

Two of his three sons are also billionaires, including Nassef Sawiris, who at $6.8 billion is Egypt’s richest man.

That’s an increase from $5.3 billion a year ago thanks to upticks in the share price of several of his holdings: shoemaker Adidas, cement giant LaFargeHolcim, and fertilizer maker OCI. “One person dropped off since last year’s list: Anas Sefrioui of Morocco. The share price of his homebuilder, Douja Promotion Groupe Addoha, fell about 30 per cent in the past year, pushing his net worth down to $950 million. “Fortunes rose since last year for 13 of the 23 list members, fell for four people and stayed the same for three people. The list members hail from a total of eight countries: Eight from South Africa, six from Egypt, three from Nigeria, two from Morocco and one list member each from Algeria, Angola, Tanzania and Zimbabwe,� it added.

The other Nigerian on the list was oil and telecoms magnate, Chief Michael Adenuga with an estimated net worth of $5.3 billion. He was number five on the Forbes Africa’s Billionaires List for 2018.

SOUTHERN, MIDDLE BELT LEADERS INSIST ON RESTRUCTURING, RESOLUTE ABOUT NIGERIA’S UNITY of the killer herdsmen as terrorists.

Delegates to the parley included the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo who led the South-east; Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who led the Yoruba delegation on behalf of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti; Chief Edwin Clerk, represented by Idongesit Nkagha on behalf of South-south; and former governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang and the leader of Middle Belt Forum, Mr. Timothy Gwandu who led the delegation from Middle Belt.

The late military Head of State, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi and former military governor of the old Western region, Col. Francis Fajuyi, who were both killed during the counter-coup of July 29, 1966, were also posthumously honoured.

In a communique issued at the end of the parley and signed by Nwodo and Adebanjo, the leaders declared unflinching support for a truly federal union of Nigeria that is democratic, stable, secure, peaceful, just and fair to all its citizens.

They also committed to work in close partnership and through peaceful means to restructure Nigeria, reducing and restricting the duties of the federal government to only matters of national importance on the Exclusive List of the Constitution, while granting the federating units the right to take full responsibility for local, developmental and residual matters.

They said this will lead

to healthy competition and co-operation among the federating units, in place of the present dysfunctional arrangement that merely superintends over the sharing and consumption of rents, and holds some states and zones down for others to play the elusive game of catch-up.

They also expressed commitment to the peaceful devolution of power, fiscal federalism, land/resource ownership/control, and the reform of component structural and systemic institutions to radically reduce the escalating cost of governance.

The delegates further resolved to collaborate closely to create mutually beneficial opportunities, build a strong alliance to advance their ever growing mutual interests, while striving together to meet the common responsibilities of building a united, coherent and prosperous nation – a state of free peoples, freely relating to one another across the dividing lines of tribe, religion, region and politics. “We are committed to working tirelessly towards joining the economicallyperforming nations – China, India, Brazil, Israel, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand etc. – not as a dependent state, but as a competitive producer and exporter of knowledgebased goods and services; committed to the immediate implementation of profederalism recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, in particular those affecting the efficiency

of governance. “We believe that the foregoing measures will reposition Nigeria to reach credible nationhood, attain its full potential and respect in the community of nations, thereby enabling us to effectively lead the campaign for the political and economic renaissance of Africa and the black race – the very goals for which the Zik of Africa and the sage, Chief Awolowo, and a host of other founding nationalists lived and sacrificed so much for,â€? they said in the communiquĂŠ They noted the immense strength of Igbo-Yoruba close affinities of kinship and brotherhood, shared origins and cultural/ethical values, a common worldview and inherent love of freedom and justice.

According to them, the Hand Shake Across the Niger (HSAN) parley was anchored on the heroism of Major-General Ironsi and Lt.-Col. Fajuyi, which they observed was though long overdue, and has finally burst the myth of Igbo-Yoruba irreconcilable differences and spiteful rivalry.

This, according to them, has provided a new impetus for the resurgence of the same bold, patriotic and nationalist solidarity of the two ethnic groups from the 1930s to the 1950s that earned independence for Nigeria in 1960.

The conferees also resolved that the parley will not be a one-off event, but only the first of a progressive and continuous re-socialisation project that will, in short

order, reach out to embrace other compatriots in the South-south, Middle Belt, North-central, North-east and North-west zones of the country.

They therefore agreed to establish a standing Joint Action Committee to drive this process, and to continuously articulate fresh ideas and strategies to sustain the current zeal and momentum of the mutual understanding and collaborative actions aimed at resuscitating Nigeria politically and economically, in order to position her to earn her rightful place among the contending nations in the world.

Earlier during the session, the elder statesmen had noted that anybody who is against restructuring is an enemy of the unity of Nigeria, insisting that the nation also needed a new Constitution before 2019 general election.

While observing a minute’s silence for the Benue victims who were killed recently by suspected cattle herders, as well as for Ironsi and Fajuyi, they agreed to rely on the supreme sacrifice paid by the two late military leaders to let bygones be bygones and forge a new union that will ultimately lead to national unity, emphasising that the unity between the South-east and South-west remains a catalyst for Nigeria’s unity.

Nwodo, in his remarks, said arrangements were being made to bring back the remains of two Igbos killed alongside Benue indigenes by the herdsmen in the recent

attacks for proper burial in line with Igbo tradition. “Our irrevocable stand that Nigeria must be restructured is non-negotiable. To abandon restructuring is to self-destruct Nigeria. “Every credible analysis shows that unless we devolve powers to the states and allow them control of their natural resources and basic utilities of powers, environment, education and infrastructure development, Nigeria will collapse. “Anyone opposed to restructuring is a proponent of the liquidation of Nigeria,� he said.

Adebanjo on his part said the re-union gathering was a catalyst for the unity of Nigeria. “As long as the Igbos and Yorubas are squabbling, we will be destroying ourselves.

The coming together of both groups will strengthen the unity of Nigeria and that is the handshake across the Niger. Those who are against this unity are sowing seeds of discord. “We have not come here as a gang up or alliance, we have come here to fight a common oppressor. If you go into the (2019) election without restructuring and a new Constitution, you are deceiving yourself. We must go into the election with a new Constitution. “(President) Buhari is the problem of Nigeria by opposing restructuring.

Dividing Igbos and Yorubas is a thing of the past, we are already looking forward into the future, not the past.

“I want to warn you, Mr. President will not do restructuring in peace because his people are the beneficiaries of the lopsided structure. What is happening in Benue is an example and if you don’t nip it in the bud, the country is gone,� the Afenifere leader said.

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, in his contribution, called for the proscription and categorisation of the herdsmen as terrorists.

Others at the parley included former Governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo, Chief C. O. Adebanjo of Kwara, Chief Yinka Odumakin, Chief Olu Falae, Prof. Banji Akintoye, Senator Femi Okurunmu, Mrs. Bucknor Akerele, as well as members of the late Col. Fajuyi’s family led by Donald Fajuyi and Mrs. Sholape Fajuyi, among others.

On the Igbo flank were Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, Prof. Anya O. Anya, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Ikedi Ohakim, Prof. Joe Irukwu, Ifeanyi Ubah, Dr. Alex Otti, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Chris Anyanwu, and the deputy governors of Abia and Imo, Ude Oko-Chukwu and Eze Madumere, respectively.

Enugu governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was also represented by the son of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Mr. Uwakwe, while the Anambra governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Solo Chukwudebelu.

Also in attendance were Prof Pat Utomi and the widow of the late Ironsi, Victoria.

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2018

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COMMENT

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

A MACABRE SENSE OF VENGEANCE President Buhari must act decisively to secure the nation, writes Sufuyan Ojeifo

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ometimes in 1985, before he was killed on October 19, 1986 via a parcel bomb, inimitable journalist, prose stylist and glamorous founding editor-in-chief of the Newswatch magazine, the late Dele Giwa, wrote that “one life taken in cold blood is as gruesome as millions lost in a pogrom.�

Indeed, Giwa was only being his own prophet even if he was also reinforcing, in a much more poignant, short and prickly fashion, the assertion by 17th century English metaphysical poet and cleric, John Donne, in his Meditation XVII, that “any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.�

I am sure these humanistic writers, more especially Giwa, for reasons that are quite understandable, would shudder in their graves at the genocide that the Fulani herdsmen have unleashed, particularly on hapless Nigerians in Christian-dominated states of Benue and Plateau in the north central zone of the country in recent times; and the insensitivity of officialdom in Nigeria to our collective sense of pains and anguish.

If a composite picture of the genocide in Christian-populated Southern Kaduna and pockets of dastardly killings in other states scattered across the southeast and south-south zones perpetrated by these herdsmen is presented in much bolder relief, there is no doubt that the humanism in God-fearing people would be more than profoundly assaulted, tattooed, battered and shattered.

Yet, President Muhammadu Buhari, himself a Fulani cattle owner and acclaimed life patron of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria, as well as the elements, especially the ones the Yoruba call “awon oni ijekuje�, meaning “unprincipled, sustenance-seeking individuals� from the south and north central zones that he assembled into his government, does not see these marauding Fulani herdsmen as terrorists.

What a screaming aberration to shield the killer-Fulani herdsmen from the negative stereotype of terrorism whereas Buhari’s administration gleefully and unconscionably classified the intellectually-engaging and non-arms-bearing Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has not shed the blood of anybody, as a terrorist group!

To have the presence of mind, at all, to give the Fulani herdsmen any iota of consideration and to move against IPOB in such a derogating and denigrating manner is not only ungodly but also wicked and indicative of Buhari and his government’s complicity in the crystalisation of the killing fields into which the Fulani herdsmen have confidently and unrestrainedly turned parts of the nation.

Is it not the height of ethnic bigotry that Buhari, in particular, has found it difficult to classify and declare the Fulani herdsmen as terrorists?

Is it not a shame that our president could somewhat justify the wickedness of his stock through his silence and reluctance to move against them? Buhari has never condemned the activities of Fulani herdsmen in his official statements and speeches. Checkout his most recent 2018 New Year speech: he did not mention Fulani herdsmen as terrorists.

By his act of mollycoddling the Fulani herdsmen, Buhari has unravelled as an ethnic jingoist, yes, and a provincial leader who is touched only by the feelings of infirmity of his Fulani stock. His much-celebrated, even if faulted on the grounds of plagiarism, inauguration speech’s quotation: “I belong to everybody, and I belong to nobody� has been confirmed to be mere verbal political exhortations to appeal to the bogus feelings of disparate Nigerians on account of plurality of ethnicities in quest of a united nationhood.

It is a sad reality that in the recent history of this country, the Buhari administration has been the most tolerant of the excesses of the Fulani

I SUBMIT THAT WHATEVER THE OFFENCE(S) THAT THE OTHER STOCKS MIGHT HAVE COMMITTED OR THE PREJUDICES AGAINST THE REST OF US IN NIGERIA, MORE THAN ENOUGH BLOOD HAD BEEN SHED BY THE HERDSMEN IN NEEDLESS HUMAN VENGEANCE AND PROFANE ATONEMENT

herdsmen who have taken the laws into their hands, operated freely, and killed innocent Nigerians of other ethnic stocks in a writ large fashion and have so far gone away with the aggravating rash of unacceptable and episodic instances of genocide.

If I may ask, what offence(s) have the other ethnic stocks committed to warrant this kind of ethnic macabre sense of vengeance? Is it all about religious intolerance? Is it about ethnic cleansing? Is it about expansionism of the Fulani Empire as created by the Fulani mystic, philosopher, and revolutionary reformer, Usman dan Fodio, who, in a jihad (holy war) between 1804 and 1808, created a new Muslim state, the Fulani empire, in what is now northern Nigeria?

I submit that whatever the offence(s) that the other stocks might have committed or the prejudices against the rest of us in Nigeria, more than enough blood had been shed by the herdsmen in needless human vengeance and profane atonement; whereas, vengeance is God’s, according to the Bible, the holy book of the Christians.

It is regrettable that Fulani herdsmen, enjoying the robust backing of their influential leaders in government, royalty and corporate world, have decided to resort to self-help by going on fiendish rampage to the consternation of the civilised world. It is equally lugubrious to imagine that fingers of guilt and complicity could be pointed to President Buhari on account of his Fulani ethnic and cattle-rearing pecuniary connection; and, yet, the president would not, as much, act to deflect the commonplace insinuations.

And a few days ago, I received a whatsapp post of five powerful emirs who are members of the Board of Trustees of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria allegedly lifted from the website of the association before it was purportedly taken down for obvious reasons. If the emirs mentioned as trustees indeed occupy the positions and Fulani herdsmen, who are believed to be helping them to graze their cattle, are shedding the blood of innocent Nigerians of other stocks, then the country is doomed.

One may, therefore, not be off the curve to contemplate a renegotiation of the bases of our nationhood in the face of this lingering bugaboo that sticks out as a sore thumb in the tempestuous relationship between the Fulani herdsmen and the rest of the nation. My position finds anchorage in the eternal submission of the courageous, irrepressible and highly fecund former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode in his series of coordinated and articulated treatises on the state of our nation with particular reference to his two-part series on the “The Sons of Futa Jalon� widely published in the print and online media in March 2016 or thereabout.

I still shudder with righteous indignation at the excerpts of an October 2, 2014 interview by Pointblanknews online news portal with a prominent Fulani leader from Kano which Fani-Kayode referenced in part two of “The Sons of Futa Jalon�. I advise you read the interview to be able to appreciate the import of Fani-Kayode’s point that “it is time for us to do whatever it is that we must do to save our country and if those that believe that they own it refuse to be reasonable and fair to the rest of us, perhaps we should consider the possibility of redefining her.�

But this madness must stop. President Buhari must act decisively to show fidelity to his oath of office by securing all sections of the country. It behoves him to put a stop to this ethnic macabre sense of vengeance and it is high time he did so for posterity.

Ojeifo, editor-in-chief of The Congresswatch magazine, sent this piece via ojwonderngr@yahoo.com

AS THE KIDS RETURN TO SCHOOL Rasak Musbau urges parents and government to invest more in education

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he vacations are over and children are back in school for the commencement of second term academic session. As usual, this development, especially considering the closeness of the resumption date with the just concluded Yuletide season, is eliciting challenges and excitement among parents, guardians, teachers and of course, pupils.

For parents whose wards particularly attend private schools, the fear of school fees is always the beginning of wisdom. Agonisingly, in most private schools, school fees continue to soar high while most parents and wards’ take homes remain poor. For those whom for one reason or the other the wards have to change school, the situation becomes more complicated.

School resumption can actually fill the parents with dread and anxiety because of its huge financial implications. This is why some have cultivated the habit of paying ahead of the school resumption to forestall embarrassment. Sadly, many cannot really help the situation because their income is just too low.

Consequently, most parents are forced to go cap in hand, begging from friends and relations that are considered better off financially for assistance towards tackling this perennial problem.

Parents and guardians alike apply for all forms

of loans, overdraft and so on from banks and other financial institutions in order to meet up with their huge financial demands of educating their wards. The advice is that parents and guardians should not be engrossed in this problem to the extent of contributing to out- of –school children phenomenon. If private schools are not affordable, public schools are to a large extent free in most states in Nigeria. In Lagos State, for instance, the government runs an inclusive educational system aimed at ensuring all children complete nine years of basic education.

No doubt, many kids will find it difficult to get back to the school routine, notwithstanding, it’s just a three weeks holiday. They’ve been accustomed to watching late movies, playing computer games and the social media. Yes, it’s easy for kids to become night owls when they can sleep in the next morning. These habits can make the first week of resumption quite challenging, even for the most motivated student. With holiday festivities over, the kids need help to get back-to-school mode. We have to give them the tools they need to have a “ready, set, go� attitude in the New Year and academic term.

Before sending him/her back to the classroom, cut on screen time and ease back to a reasonable bedtime. Take inventory of your child’s school supplies. Does he/she need refills on exercise

books or pencils? Help him/her return to school with pencils sharpened and notebooks organised.

Parents should not send their children to school like a farmer going to farm without farming tools.

It is not just right.

While it is true that you may have had a PTA meeting just before the break, but then if not, you need to take a moment this month to check in with your ward’s teacher about your child’s progress. It is still early enough in the year to work on behaviour or skills that could hold your child back from reaching his/her full potential in his current grades. In achieving this, there is a need to constantly keep the line of communication open. Just like at the start of the year, your child will have to get back into the habit of regular homework. The more often you can make yourself available to help your child, the better.

If we have done our part, then questions can now be asked about what governments and school proprietors have done in preparing for the resumption. We can ask questions like: what has been done regarding problem of inadequate teachers, water and sanitation challenges where they exist? In the area of security, have they cut the overgrown grasses and also do something about collapsed or collapsing school fences? Has anything been done to improve on the quality of public education? How much are governments

across the nation concentrating on improving schools until they meet the ideal in the current budget and in the long run?

Despite the overwhelming challenge of school resumption to many parents, it is painful to note that the transporters will usually see this time as a period to add to the pains. It is not a wild assertion. The reality is that transport fares are often hiked throughout the early weeks of resumption. It is another unwelcome tradition.

The ‘Okada’ and ‘Danfo’ bus business will boom but it is a time everyone must be ready to caution unruly behaviour of transporters in the aspect of zebra crossing, over speeding especially along school roads.

For the philanthropists and few politicians that have made provision of free school bus a project, it is a legacy that will definitely live after them.

It’s time for more people to come into the fold because every investment in our children is a sure venture into the future of our dear nation.

Meanwhile, parents and guardians alike should continue to do the best they could to ensure that their children are well educated while governments across the country should continue to invest more in education. This is where the future lies.

Musbau is of Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Lagos

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EDITORIAL THE JUDICIARY MUST PURGE ITSELF

The NJC needs to go beyond sermonising and come down heavily on judicial officers bent on darkening our temple of justice

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day to the court-ordered rerun election for Anambra Central Senatorial District, uncertainties have been created around its conduct. This cloud of uncertainty is unfortunate because of its likely negative impact on the credibility and legitimacy of the outcome of the exercise. But this morning, Justice John Tsoho of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court is expected to break the ice and we hope reason will eventually prevail.

However, to the extent that the prevailing situation speaks to the deepening crisis of indiscipline that manifests in the growing incidences of conict of judgments and disrespect for hierarchy of courts, it is our view that the National Judicial Council (NJC), the constitutional regulator of the judicial arm of government, needs to intervene decisively and stamp out this menace that threatens to undermine public conďŹ dence in the judiciary and erode its legitimacy.

The uncertainty over tomorrow’s rerun poll in Anambra Central WE COMMEND INEC FOR Senatorial District ITS DECISION TO RETURN arose principally TO THE LOWER COURT from the conict in FOR A VARIATION OF ITS the judgments of the RULING SO THAT THE Federal High Court ELECTION CAN GO ON and the Court of WITHOUT ANY LEGAL Appeal over a legal INHIBITIONS challenge to the candidacy of Senator Uche Ekwunife, who was declared the winner of the 2015 senatorial district election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). DissatisďŹ ed with the outcome of the poll, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Chief Victor Umeh, had submitted his grievances to the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, which ruled in his favour and voided Ekwunife’s candidacy, ordering a rerun election within 90 days, to the exclusion of the PDP. An appeal to the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division

by Ekwunife was disallowed and the lower court’s

Letters to the Editor

decision upheld. Her further appeal to the Supreme Court also failed as the apex court struck it out on February 10, 2016 on grounds that the Court of Appeal was by law the ďŹ nal court on National Assembly election litigation. However, days after the apex court’s decision, a federal high court in Abuja, in a suit ďŹ led by PDP, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include the party in the rerun poll. This ruling was successfully challenged by Umeh at the Court of Appeal, which set aside the judgment of the lower court on November 21, 2017 and again, ordered INEC to comply with its Enugu Division’s earlier order.

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eanwhile, as INEC prepared to conduct the rerun election, a High Court in Abuja, ruling on a pre-election matter, declared on December 13, 2017 that Dr. Obiora Okonkwo was the lawful candidate of the PDP in the 2015 election and ordered INEC to issue him a certiďŹ cate of return to enable him be sworn in as senator representing the senatorial district. This effectively put the commission in a dilemma as the judgment contradicted the Court of Appeal’s decision ordering it to conduct a rerun election for the senatorial district.

We ďŹ nd this Federal High Court judgment difďŹ cult to understand because the law is clear on the hierarchy of courts and the principles guiding court-ordered rerun elections in the country. But all factors considered, we commend INEC for its decision to return to the lower court for a variation of its ruling so that the election can go on without any legal/judicial inhibitions. But there are issues that the judiciary will have to resolve within itself.

We are aware of the several charges by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, to our judicial ofďŹ cers to take their oath of ofďŹ ce more seriously and be minded to do justice at all times.

Given what has transpired on this matter, it is our considered view that the CJN and the NJC need to go beyond sermonising by coming down heavily on those ofďŹ cers apparently bent on darkening our temple of justice.

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.

OSUN 2018: THE FORCEPS OF VICTORY

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n recent times, public debates and arguments on the governorship election in Osun State has assumed focal attention. Among issues that have formed basis of most of the arguments, is zoning– an arrangement that guaranteed equity and fairness among the various segments/zones that formed the state.

Just as it is almost impossible for medical practitioners to conduct a successful surgery without the application of forceps, this principle applies to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State who must give a serious consideration to equity and fairness for it to reclaim the state when the governorship election holds later this year.

Undoubtedly, the party is well placed to retake power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but respecting the issue of zoning, which favoured the emergence of a candidate from the Western part of the state, is the masterstroke that would conveniently sealed its victory on September 24.

This sentiment, which tallied with several others across the state, considered that of all the three zones in Osun, only the Western zone have had a lesser period to lead the state since the creation of the state.

Even when democracy returned in 1999, the story remained unchanged, as the two other zones shared the governorship seat among themselves. While Osun Central

zone had produced two governors who administered the state for close to 12 years, its counterpart from the East zone will have had eight years when Governor Rauf Aregbesola tenure lapse on November 26 later this year.

Consequently, this aggravated agitations for Osun West to produce the next governor of the state. Interestingly, the consensus of views which considered the glaring disparity in the pattern of the helmsmen produced in the past and canvassed the concession of the top seat to Osun West stretched beyond the zone.

Even more, there is a theory which pointed to the conclusion that Governor Aregbesola secured his reelection to maintain the zoning arrangement, otherwise, the emergence of then PDP candidate, Otunba Iyiola Omisore will disrupt it.

Experiences abound on how much setbacks the inability to abide to zoning has dwindled the PDP electoral fortunes. Though, other factors may have led to PDP failure to retain Ondo State in 2016 but the indifference of the party to zoning which saw its candidate emerged from the same zone as Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who had led the state for eight years, seemed too fatal to ignore.

In fact, there are sentiments which advanced that PDP may have retained control of the federal government if it had fielded a northern candidate against then candidate of

APC, Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election. So, it is not surprising that PDP was quick to remedy the perceived gaffe by conceding its 2019 presidential ticket to the north.

This is not different in Ekiti State, where Governor Ayodele Fayose is favoured to a successor from the Southern zone of the state – faced with similar fate as Osun West. The refusal to conform with this new reality which zoning presents, will draw the ire of many Osun West citizens who consider PDP as an option to ease the ruling APC out of power in the state in 2018. PDP should be cautious not to throw away its chance of returning to power in Osun State– a situation that will blur its rating for the 2019 general poll.

As to the argument of competence, that is most vital considering the uninspiring outlook that pervades Osun State. But it must be noted that no zone in the state is bereft of people who possesses such quality in abundance.

So, it sound defeatist to use that characteristic to downplay the agitation for Osun West district producing the next governor of the state in 2018. Like forceps is an important tool in carrying out surgery, so is respecting zoning arrangement critical to PDP victory in 2018.

Ibrahim Sarafa, Neyoclass09@gmail.com

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

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

POLITICS

NEWS PERSONALITY

Restructuring Remains the Issue If President Muhammadu Buhari’s intention was to kill the restructuring debate with his January 1st broadcast, he succeeded in doing the opposite as more and more people joined the discourse after the broadcast, writes Christopher Isiguzo

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ecently, restructuring which used to exist within the exclusivity of notable elder statesmen led by renowned constitutional lawyer, Prof Ben Nwabueze SAN, became a mantra in the political landscape with politicians and nonpoliticians advancing different definitions of the word.

However, even at a point, the ruling party somewhat embraced it after realising that making it an anathema might result in colossal political damage especially with the then towering influence of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who vowed to continue his agitation until his main goal of the rebirth of the Biafran Republic was realised. The ruling class saw restructuring as an alternative for the Biafran project and as such it became a buzz word. Apart from the three geopolitical zones of South-East, South-South and South-West embracing it, the North Central also embraced it. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) even went as far as constituting a committee to examine the concept. The Northern Governors’ Forum also began serious discussion on restructuring.

But, all those efforts somehow fizzled out in the aftermath of the operation Python Dance in the south east which culminated in the routing of Kanu and members of his IPOB. But, in his new year message to Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari uncharacteristically reintroduced the topic in a veiled plan to possibly end the discussion but that appeared to have boomeranged as that has reignited the almost death topic.

The president had said: “I have kept a close watch on the on-going debate about restructurig. No human law or edifice is perfect.

“Whatever structure we develop must periodically be perfected according to changing circumstances and the country’s socio-economic developments. We Nigerians can be very impatient and want to improve our conditions faster than may be possible considering our resources and capabilities.

When all the aggregates of nationwide opinions are considered, my firm view is that our problems are more to do with process than structure.

“We tried the parliamentary system: we jettisoned it. Now there are shrill cries for a return to the parliamentary structure. In older democracies, these systems took centuries to evolve so we cannot expect a copied system to fit neatly our purposes. We must give a long period of trial and improvement before the system we have adopted is anywhere near fit for purpose.

“However, there is a strong case for a closer look at the cost of government and for the public services long used to extravagance, waste and corruption to change for the better. I assure you that government is ever receptive to ideas which will improve governance and contribute to the country’s peace and stability,” But, beyond the president’s position on restructuring, a known advocate of restructuring and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu had while delivering the Third Adada Lecture titled “Restructuring and the Nigerian Youth” at the University of Nigeria Nsukka insisted that time was fast running out for the country and as such the nation must quickly restructure or face the consequences.

Ekweremadu

At the event organized by the Association of Nsukka Professors, Ekweremadu said the continued resistance to restructuring was as a result of fear of the unknown, especially that of survival in the absence of free oil money.

He however described this as ironical as, according to him, the same product was fast losing its value in global economy as many nations were already phasing out petrol and diesel-powered cars.

He said: “There is a gross misunderstanding of restructuring. There is the problem of political and ethno-sectional interests and sentiments. There is the fear of abuse of a decentralised police system. There is the fear of losing perceived advantages.

“Above all, there is the fear of survival under fiscal federalism. Some feel they are better off with free monies from Abuja, which could actually be pittances compared to what they could generate if they begin to access the bountiful wealth, such as solid minerals buried in their soils.

“Ironically, oil is fast going out of fashion.

Many countries have found oil in large quantities, including those that used to

We are not running a federation, we are running a unitary government and we cannot escape this

patronise our oil.

“Importantly, it should worry us that many countries are already phasing out petrol and diesel engines. In July 2017, the United Kingdom announced plans to stop the production of petrol and gas-powered cars from 2040. As a champion of the efforts to preserve the earth, France has also unveiled plans to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2040. Norway has what its former Minister of Climate and environment, Vidar Helgeson, called strong policy actions to ensure that zero fossil fuel cars is sold in the Nordic country by 2025.

“With the second highest concentration of electric cars in Europe, Netherlands is already targeting an emissions-free environment by 2030, which automatically rules out petrol and diesel-powered cars. In fact, it wants at least 200,000 electric cars on her roads by year 2020, which is only two years from now.

“The German Parliament, the Bundesrat, passed a resolution in 2016 seeking a ban on such engines starting from 2030. Although the resolution is not legally binding, Germany already had a policy to put at least 1million electric cars on her roads by year 2020. India plans to sell only electric cars by 2030, which is about the next 13 years.”

He noted that air pollution causes about 1.2 million deaths annually in the Asian country and cost the economy about 3% of GDP. Denmark, Spain, South Korea, Ireland, Austria, and Japan, he noted were also in the race to phase-out petrol and diesel cars.

Ekweremadu urged the youth not to al-

low themselves to be divided on the subject of restructuring, but instead deploy their energies and social media skills to fight for their future by promoting a restructure of the country, which he said would promote good governance, employment opportunities, among others.

He said: “The youth should have a patriotic mind of their own to fix a broken federal system. The hardship, poverty, and retrogression, which our disjointed federal system imposes on Nigerians, have no tribal or regional marks. The man from Jigawa bears the brunt of the failures of the past 50 years just like his counterparts from Enugu, Oyo, Bayelsa, and Gombe.

According to him, unless Nigeria does something drastic and substantial to address its problems, the ensuing damage may be generational”.

The President General, Association of Nsukka Professors (ANP), Denchris Nnabuike Onah, said Nigeria was at a crossroads and standing on a precipice currently.

He said: “There is insurgency everywhere, crime rate has assumed frightening proportions and insecurity is pervasive. Pocket groups of various ethnic nationalities have metamorphosed, some armed, and others not armed or not so armed, clamouring for self-determination and/or resource control.

Sections of the country were annexed and declared a Caliphate by a group and in other cases, war songs reached a crescendo, resulting in various dances of either the python or the crocodile.

“Divergent potential solutions to the Nigerian malady have been advanced by equally divergent persons and opinions: disintegration to the component ethnic nationalities, sovereign national conference, constitutional review, jettisoning of the military imposed constitution, return to parliamentary government, restructuring etc etc. Of these, none has been so recurrent, and perhaps more generally accepted, although interpreted differently by different people and sections, than restructuring.”

Also, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum as well as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. John Nwodo, disagreed with the president’s stance on the restructuring of the country, saying that the only way to go is for the federal government to restructure the federation and devolve powers to the states.

In a statement signed by Yinka Odumakin for the South-west, Senator Bassey Henshaw for the South-south, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu for the South-east and Mr. Isuwa Dogo for the Middle Belt, the forum insisted that powers must be devolved to the states.

The group said: “We cannot become a productive country under a 1999 Constitution which keeps 68 items on the Exclusive List including mineral resources which abound all over the country but which the states whose governors are constitutionally vested with authority over land cannot touch.

“We need to give authority to the federating units over their resources for self-sustenance and paying all necessary dues to the federation to sustain common services. We must devolve more powers and authorities to them to have effective state administrations. The federal police has shown it lacks the capacity to deal with crimes in a multi-ethnic society like ours, the imperative of state police has never been more urgent than now.

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

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POLITICS

How Yobe Survived the Recession in 2017 Yobe State governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, had to fall back on his experience as an auditor to pull his state through the 2017 economic meltdown, writes Abdullahi Bego

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s 2018 rolled in – and the Gaidam administration positions itself to turbo-charge Yobe’s economy for even more service delivery – the people of the state can look back at the preceding year as one in which the prospects for a brighter future have been firmed up.

With a record 82 percent budget implementation rate by the Yobe State Government – and more in the reality of the people’s lives - 2017 will go down as a tipping-point in the annals of Yobe’s socio-economic recovery.

First, the economic recession in which the country was stuck for most of the year was a pivotal, defining moment. The recession depleted the nation’s revenue earning. This meant that many states across the country, at some point, were unable to meet certain basic obligations to their people, including obligation to pay workers who are at the core of every service delivery effort. With less going into workers’ pockets, local businesses took a hit. This resulted in many of them finding it hard to replenish their inventories.

How Governor Ibrahim Gaidam successfully navigated Yobe State through that difficult period still puzzles many keen observers of the state’s socio-economic development. The governor, for instance, did not take any bank loans to finance expenditures, such as salary payments, yet he was able to make visible impact in the lives of the people while never slowing down on the projects he was executing.

Projects in healthcare, road construction, school renovation and expansions, waters supply in communities across state, etc., were carried on with unbelievable consistency.

Part of this has to do with his background as an accountant and auditor who knows what it takes to maintain a balanced sheet but most of it is about his commitment to the values of transparency and accountability in the conduct of government business. All this ensured that the governor remained faithful in the implementation of the 2017 budget and the budgets before that. This prudent management of resources ensured that the governor did not go out of the budget to insure avoidable expenses. He did not embark on any expenditure single unless he was sure the government could properly finance it.

As a consequence of these measures, Yobe emerged stronger because of the governor’s leadership.

In healthcare, for example, 2017 marked the formal opening to the public of the brand new Yobe State University Teaching Hospital (SUTH) built by the governor.

The government recruited more than 500 doctors, nurses and other professionals

The governor did not take any loans to finance any project such as salary payments, yet he was able to make visible impact in the lives of the people

Gaidam

to work in the hospital well ahead of the commencement of medical services.

The year also marked the completion of most of the rehabilitation and expansion works carried out in major government hospitals across the state. It marked the procurement and installation of new and badly needed equipment that hospitals in Gashu’a, Gaidam, Potiskum and Damaturu needed to provide quality services to the people in those areas. It marked the start and completion of the construction of a new College of Medical Sciences complex at the Yobe State University campus in Damaturu.

More significantly, the year marked the expansion of Yobe’s drive in maternal and child care, topping the third straight year in which no case of polio was reported throughout the state because of the measures being taken to prevent its resurgence and those of other child-killer diseases. Indices for maternal and child health also improved significantly. In short, in 2017, Yobe’s healthcare sector got better than in the previous year.

Professionals wowed by the governor’s

effort to transform a sector so vital to the lives of everyday people expectedly took notice. First, the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) conferred its honorary membership on the governor for his effort at improving the health of women and children in the state.

Then, two weeks later, the umbrella body of all medical and dental practitioners in the country, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) through its Yobe State branch, followed suit by honouring the governor at a well-attended ceremony in Damaturu.

Outside of the health sector, 2017 was also historic for Yobe’s education sector.

It’s the sector that was the hardest hit by Boko Haram violence. So much of Yobe’s educational infrastructure was destroyed by a ragtag army of crazy fanatics holding fundamentally distorted and demonstrably wrong - notions about the place of western education in Islam.

As a result of these setbacks, primary and secondary education, for the most part, had to be rebuilt across the state from the ground up. Progress, of course, wasn’t easy. But because of Gaidam’s

determination, many primary schools have been rebuilt and expanded and provided with the basic learning tools and supplies that the pupils needed.

In secondary education, five secondary schools were selected and worked upon by the Gaidam administration. The schools were totally rebuilt, expanded and furnished with new classroom, staffroom, hostel and staff quarter furniture, laboratory equipment and chemicals and other vital supplies at over N2.8 billion.

Six more secondary schools are slated for total rehabilitation and will also be equipped this year. This means that by the end of 2018, an environment more conducive and more amenable to teaching and learning would be fully secured for a lot of Yobe’s secondary school students.

The preceding year also marked the start of Yobe’s International Cargo Airport project. When completed in November this year, the airport will not only be Yobe’s first, it will be the first of its kind to be wholly dedicated to cargo and freight services in the Norrtheast, a move likely to accelerate business and other economic activities in a region now recovering from severe devastation from Boko Haram attacks.

Governor Gaidam will surely build on these and other milestones of his administration in this ‘legacy’ year. As he nears the end of his eventful two-terms in office and the start of the rest that he so aptly deserves, the governor will seek to make even more impact in the lives of the people by, amongst others, completing ongoing projects and starting new ones. He will consolidate on his feats in security, healthcare, education, water supply, agriculture and the civil service, amongst others, and make the All Progressives Congress (APC), his political party, a stronger political platform around which to rally the people.

He’s already started the year strong with a donation of vehicles worth N350 million to the military as they make their final push to defeat Boko Haram. He’s paid N1.1 billion as gratuities to retired workers. He’s saying, by these actions, that 2018 will be as action-packed as the preceding year and the years before that.

Bego wrote in from Damaturu, Yobe State

RESTRUCTURING REMAINS THE ISSUE “Restructuring means nothing else than the above. It is a call for the return to a Nigeria that worked under federalism as against the failing state we are becoming under a unitary structure. Nigerians must organise, mobilise and work towards building an inclusive andproductive country in 2018 using all democratic and peaceful means.

“It is a year to battle for the soul of the country by the forces of federalism and upholders of a suffocating unitary system.”

The forum said the president could not resolve Nigeria’s problems by either running away from it or ascribing it to the wrong source.

It said: “Unfortunately that is what we

are doing as a country by playing down our crisis of ‘structure’ while on a wild goose chase about ‘process’.

“This is akin to a man going to Benin City while driving towards Benin Republic. The faster he runs the farther he is away from his destination.

“The truth of the matter is that our nationhood crisis has peaked and there are no further opportunities to guarantee opportunities for our citizens no matter the good intentions of leaders or even unrealistic promises packaged to offer them false hope.

“In 1983, when the Shehu Shagari administration was overthrown, its budget for a country of 80 million people was $25 billion. Thirty-five

years after, the Buhari government has just proposed a $23 billion budget for about 180 million people! “The above clearly shows that there is no way out of our systemic crisis except we resume productivity which was our hallmark in the years that we practised federalism as an entity.

“We have exhausted all possibilities of a rentier and sharing economy and all that is left is unemployment, hunger, gnashing of teeth and conflicts among nationalities over shrinking opportunities,” the forum added.

On his part, the Ohanaeze President-General, Nwodo warned that the world’s demand for oil was receding and that it might even

further decline substantially in the next seven years, with implications as the main stay of the nation’s economy.

“Unless we begin to develop alternative sources of revenue our country will cease to exist. The only way to avoid this is to release our potential by devolution of powers.

Until the government is nearer to the people and the people take their destiny into their hands the country cannot progress. We never agreed to be a country where the federal government will be a united policeman for the whole country.

We are not running a federation, we are running a unitary government and we cannot escape this,” Nwodo said.

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

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Quick Takes Boeing Sets Airplane Delivery Record

CONGRATULATIONS

L-R: Regional Director, Lagos of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), winner of star prize of N2million at the grand finale of the FCMB Millionaire Promo Season 4 in the region, Mr. Oliver Opara; Mrs. Mary Adelagun; Zonal Head, Lekki of FCMB, Mrs. Violet Odu and Retail

‘Why Nigerian Airlines Face Threats of Extinction’ Chinedu Eze Industry experts and airline operators have said the challenging operating environment characterised by high interest rates, unstable foreign exchange and poor infrastructure are some of the factors threatening the existence of airlines in the country.

Currently there are only seven commercial operators in the country compared with 13 seven years ago, while there about 42 aircraft as against 92 years back.

In the last 10 years Nigeria had active airlines such as Virgin Nigeria Airways, Bellview, Chanchangi, IRS, Al Barka Airlines, Sosoliso, Discovery Air,

AVIATION ADC. But all these have gone under leaving only Arik Air, Air Peace, Overland Airways, Medview Airline, Aero Contractors, First Nation Airways and Azman Airline operating.

However, in the last four years Discovery Air, Virgin Nigeria Airways, Chanchangi and IRS have gone under.

Speaking on this development, former Managing Director of Bellview and the President of Aviation Round Table (ART), Elder Gabriel Gbenga Olowo observed recently that all the commercial airlines have about 42 aircraft and noted that the airlines are weak and threatened

by extinction because they are insolvent. “Insolvency simply put is when an individual or organisation can no longer meet its financial obligations. Do an x-ray of our airlines today, this is precariously what you find.

All the airlines owe huge debts to fuellers, workers, government and trade partners,� he said.

Olowo suggested that for Nigerian airlines to thrive and operate profitably for the long term they most come together and pull their resources together in order to have economy of scale. “Airline operator that has five to 10 aircraft in its fleet cannot be described as a strong global player. Moving from two aircraft

airline to five aircraft airline will be scratching the problem on the surface. There should regulation which will encourage pooling of aircraft and resources, harmonised schedule, eliminate current unhealthy price war, avail more destinations with enhanced schedule and ample down time for maintenance,� he suggested.

Olowo also observed that single digit interest rate for airlines by Nigerian banks is doubtful under this dispensation given the present economic reality, noting that government could guarantee airlines for offshore funding, insurance cover, which should be seen as government’s support for airlines with proven Continued on page 20

Customs to Leverage on ICT to Boost Revenue Collection in 2018 (rtd) was at the Command on Eromosele Abiodun

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Tincan Island Port Command, has stated that it plans to leverage on information technology to boost revenue collection in the New Year.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Uche Ejesieme, in a statement highlighting its activities, said it will seek to create proactive measures leveraging on its comparative advantage in the application of ICT for best practices.

He said the command is optimistic that the recent deployment of NICIS II platform will further enhance our capacity in the area of revenue collection,

MARITIME

and in ensuring extracting the commitment of officers/ men, promoting transparency, integrity and professionalism.

According to him, “Our operational template is projected in such a way to align with the change ideology of the comptroller-general and his management, as we don’t envisage to lose grounds but rather consolidate on the achievements already recorded in 2015 to 2017.�

He revealed that the command realised 92.7 per cent of its 2017 revenue target N310.24 billion with a total collection/ generation N287.63 billion, a

difference of N22.61 billion Highlighting some of the positive restructuring which took place at the Command last year, he noted that the Customs Area Controller instituted several reforms in the entire administrative and operational value chain which resulted in remarkable seizures. “Part of the strategy was on the issue of due diligence and professionalism in documentations and examination of cargo.

It was therefore, on the basis of the foregoing that the command recorded a total of 2,010 Pump Action Riffles during the period under reference. Following these the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali

those three occasions with some members of his management to address the media,�he said.

He added: “On other special projects in view of the importance which the Command attached to capacity building, as a critical element in 21st Century Customs Operations, the Customs Area Controller embarked on a construction of an ICT training centre, with a 30 workstations fully connected, to serve the training needs of officers and men as well as other critical Stakeholders. The training facility has been used to train over 958 officers and stakeholders in areas relevant Continued on page 20

United States aircraft manufacturing company, Boeing has delivered more commercial airplanes than any manufacturer for the sixth consecutive year and set an industry record with 763 deliveries in 2017, driven by high output of the market-leading 737 and 787 jets.

At the same time, the company grew its backlog with 912 net orders, reecting healthy demand for its single-aisle and twinaisle airplanes.

Boeing said it reached a new high on the 737 programme as it raised production to 47 airplanes a month during the year and began delivering the new 737 MAX, contributing to a record 529 deliveries, including 74 of the MAX variety. On the 787 Dreamliner program, Boeing continued building at the highest production rate for a twin-aisle jet, leading to 136 deliveries for the year. “The record-setting performance is a testament to our employees and supplier partners who continue to innovate new ways to design, build and deliver the most fuel-eďŹƒcient airplanes to customers around the world,â€? said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Kevin McAllister.

On the orders front, 71 customers placed the 912 net orders, valued at $134.8 billion at list prices. The total extends Boeing’s backlog to a record 5,864 airplanes – at year end – which is equal to about seven years of production. “The strong sales activity reects continuing strong demand for the 737 MAX family, including the ultra-eďŹƒcient MAX 10 variant that we launched last year, and the market’s increasing preference for Boeing’s family of twin-aisle jets,â€? said McAllister. “Our planned production increases over the coming years are designed to satisfy this robust demand,â€? he said, In 2017, the 787 Dreamliner family racked up nearly 100 net orders and the 777 family captured 60 net orders, as shown in the table below. A detailed report is available on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website.

Emirates, Etihad Sign Security Pact

Emirates and Etihad Airways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on aviation security.

The agreement, between Emirates Group Security and Etihad Aviation Group, is for the sharing of information and intelligence between the United Arab Emirates’ two largest airlines.

Under the MoU Emirates will provide security and training to Etihad, with the groups working “together on operational areas both within and outside the UAE,â€? the Dubai airline said in a statement. “It signals the importance of closer collaboration in aviation security to eectively exploit joint synergies to enhance eďŹƒciency and security for the beneďŹ t of both groups’ customers.â€?

The agreement was signed by Emirates President Tim Clark and Etihad Group Chief Executive Tony Douglas.

Delta Wins Most On-Time Award

Delta Air Lines was named the world’s Most On-Time Airline among mainline carriers by the aviation data and analytics company FlightGlobal, incorporating FlightStats.

It is the ďŹ rst US airline to earn the industry-leading distinction in the nine years FlightGlobal’s FlightStats has presented its OPS Awards, according to a release by the company Tuesday.

In 2017, Delta’s mainline operation saw 85.94 per cent of ights arrive within 14 minutes of the scheduled arrival time; the industry’s widely used deďŹ nition of on-time, according to FlightStats. “We are extremely proud of what Delta employees have been able to accomplish in service to our customers to drive a safe and reliable global operation,â€? said Delta’s Executive Senior Vice President and Chief Operating OďŹƒcer, Gil West. “The results reported by FlightStats are humbling and yet another proof point that Delta employees worldwide are redeďŹ ning operational excellence. Hats o to all Delta employees who come to work every day looking for ways to make meaningful improvements to the airline and continue to dierentiate ourselves from our competitors.â€?

“Aviation is certainly the way to go and the only way for our country to develop�

Minister of State, Aviation,

Senator Hadi Sirika

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BUSINESSWORLD ‘WHY NIGERIAN AIRLINES FACE THREATS OF EXTINCTION’ capacity and integrity.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi explained that the airlines are operating in a very harsh environment “and these include double taxation, difficulty in the stability of the naira, costly overseas aircraft maintenance and high cost of aircraft spares.�

He noted that there is general decline in the economy which has affected the finances of the citizens so not many can afford to travel by air anymore. “To control costs every operating airline should be able to conduct its maintenance locally and as Nigerian airlines earn their revenues in naira, they pay hugely for the maintenance of their aircraft overseas. If you earn tickets in naira you have to change it to dollar to maintain your aircraft overseas. With the current exchange rate the airline pay substantial amount of its revenue for maintenance and that is why they should patronise the local maintenance facility we now have in Nigeria.

This will save them a lot of money,� he said.

CUSTOMS TO LEVERAGE ON ICT TO BOOST REVENUE COLLECTION IN 2018 to their operations. “In the same vein, a state-ofthe-art clinic was constructed to take care of the medical needs of both officers and other publics. The clinic is fully equipped with male and female wards with a mini pharmacy. These facilities were eventually commissioned by the Ali, who eulogized the Customs Area Controller for demonstrating exceptional leadership quality,� he said.

He added that the command during the period under review also sustained and strengthened its relationship with other key agencies of government both within and outside the Port.

The Command, he stated, strongly believes that mutual understanding for peaceful co-existence is key in the actualisation of our mandate.

th Group Business Editor

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FOU Customs Nets N5.9bn in 12 Months Eromosele Abiodun The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, has announced that it intercepted various contraband with a duty paid value (DPV) of N4.004 billion between January to December 2017.

Similarly, the unit through its interventions recovered N1.95 billion from duty payments and demand notices on general goods that tried to beat the system from seaports, airport and border stations through wrong classification, transfer of value, and short-change in duty payment that are meant for the federal government, making a cumulative N5.96 billion in the year 2017 During the year under review, the FOU said 179 suspects were arrested in connection to these 1,046 different seizures comprising foreign parboiled rice, frozen poultry products, vegetable oil, smuggled vehicles, Indian hemp, arms, fake pharmaceutical/medicaments and various general merchandise.

The Controller, FOU, Mohammed Uba Garba said despite the challenges in 2017 recorded the highest seizures and revenue so far in the history of the FOU. He attributed this feat to leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) and the entire management team of the NCS for their efforts in recognising hard work and putting square begs in square holes. Without the management motivation and necessary logistic support, we won’t have achieved this feat

within this period.

Garba, while commending the commitment and diligence of the officers and men of the FOU for thwarting the antics of some dare devil smugglers, who used different methods to deceive the service, further charged his officers to be professional and diligent in performing their statutory responsibilities in the year 2018, most especially in the area of anti-smuggling operations by making sure all revenue linkages are blocked.

Garba said all hands should be on deck in the fight against these economic saboteurs who mean no good for the economy.

He added that smuggling is a global phenomenon, which cannot be curbed entirely but can be brought to its barest minimum. He appreciated all security and sister agencies (Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, NDLEA,NAFDAC, SON,) that rendered logistics support and cooperation towards winning the war against smuggling within the southwest zone.

He further warned all would be smugglers and their accomplices to desist from such illegality and invest their money in legitimate business, as the Unit has devised other operational modalities that give them a run for their money and count their losses, if not jailed.

For the avoidance of doubt, the federal government policy banning the importation of vehicles and rice through the land borders is still in force

and we are ever ready and equipped to enforce these polices to the latter.

Garba while thanking members of the forth estate of the realm for their support/ reportage in 2017, called for their continuous partnership with Nigeria Customs Service in the advocacy campaign against the evil of smuggling to the nation’s economy and provides necessary intelligence that could also assist the NCS do their job better in 2018 and beyond.

ACCEPT MY SYMPATHY

R-L: The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, Port Manager, Tin Can Island Port (TCIP), Emmanuel Akporherhe during a visit to the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) OďŹƒces recently engulfed by ďŹ re in Lagos‌recently

Radisson Blu Opens Second Hotel in Lagos Radisson Blu has announced the opening of its third hotel to open in Nigeria and its second in the country’s largest city, Lagos. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world’s fastest growing hotel companies now has a portfolio in Africa of 85 hotels and over 17,800+ rooms in operation and under development.

Area Senior Vice President, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Tim Cordon, said: “We are thrilled to be expanding our presence in Nigeria, one of Africa’s economic powerhouses, with the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel Lagos Ikeja. We have identified Nigeria as

a key country for scaled growth and the addition of our second Radisson Blu in the megacity of Lagos perfectly complements our development strategy. We are confident the appeal of the international upper upscale Radisson Blu brand and the excellent location of the hotel will attract strong business from both international and domestic travellers.�

Also speaking, General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos Ikeja, George Balassis, said: “We are excited and ready to welcome the local community and international guests to Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos Ikeja. We are sure that the team’s passion to

deliver the brand’s renowned Yes I Can!SM service will lead us to become the preferred hotel in Ikeja for all guests.�

The company explained in a statement that the hotel is centrally located in Ikeja, the capital of the Lagos State, home to many corporate headquarters, government offices and large manufacturers. It is situated on Mobolaji Bank Anthony way, a main highway linking Ikeja with the rest of Lagos.

The location of Radisson Blu Hotel Lagos Ikeja is also just a few km away from Murtala Muhammed International Airport and close to the suburb’s cultural and tourist attractions.

“The 155 room Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos Ikeja offers a choice of contemporary standard, deluxe and executive rooms and a range of ultrastylish 1,2 and 3 bedroom suites. All rooms carry a fresh and modern design with free High-Speed Wireless Internet.

The hotel has an extensive food and drinks offering with six different outlets. Guests can enjoy dining at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant serving international and local cuisine, a steak house restaurant ready to calm a carnivorous craving, as well as a destination rooftop terrace and stylish lobby cafÊ,� it said.

It added that guests can

also bask in the views from the pool terrace while sipping on a refreshing drink at the adjoining bar or play a game of pool in the afropolitan business class lounge. “The hotel has impressive meeting and events facilities encompassing an area of 2,047m2 and including a ballroom, expansive conference room capable of hosting over 400 guests and six meeting rooms with an adjoining business centre. All meetings rooms are equipped with modern meeting technology and break-out area.

Leisure facilities include a wellness spa, fully-equipped gym and swimming pool for travellers seeking to

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EEDC Clinches First Position in 2017 NEMSA Safety Ranking The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has emerged first position in the 2017 Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) Safety ranking, a remarkable leap from its fifth position in the 2016 ranking.

This was released by NEMSA in its Disco & TCN ranking trend for the year 2017 at the just concluded monthly power sector meeting held at Mararaba Akunza, Nasarawa

State.

In the year under review, EEDC consistently maintained first position in eight out of twelve months, this underscored the passion and conscious effort put in by management of the company in ensuring that safety rules are strictly adhered to, and safe environment are consistently maintained.

The criteria used for the ranking are: fatalities (that is

the number of deaths within the network), major injuries as well as network resolved.

The acting Managing Director/CEO of EEDC, Mr. Paul Okeke, attributed this feat to the commitment and conscious effort made by the management of EEDC in ensuring strict adherence to safety rules and regulations.

This was partly due to the consistent public safety awareness campaign we embarked

on via interactive radio shows across the South-East states, as well as town hall meetings held in various local government councils to educate and sensitise the general public on the need to be safety conscious.

While commending his staff for this achievement, Okeke encouraged them not to rest on their oars, but to work hard in sustaining the attained position.

In his own reaction, the

Head, Health, Safety & Environment, EEDC, Francis Iwu, attributed this achievement to the seriousness the organisation has been giving to safety, and the continuous investment in qualified safety personnel and equipment.

He, however, appealled to members of the public to be safety conscious and desist from engaging in acts that would put their lives or that of their loved ones at risk.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2018

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BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

AIB Hosts Training for W/Africa Accident Investigation Agency Chinedu Eze The Nigeria’s Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has concluded plans to host a meeting of the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) on a fourday aircraft accident/incident report writing course slated for January 16-19, 2018.

The Bureau said the training is an offshoot of the second meeting of the BAGAIA Commission which was recently held between December 13 to 15, 2017 in Praia, Cabo Verde where the Commissioner of AIB, Akin Olateru proposed to the BAGAIA Commission to host the Air Accident/ Serious Incident Report Writing Training.

AIB said the training would also cover fire investigation, managing large-scale accident and incident investigation, emergency response and record investigation among others.

The proposal, according to the commissioner, was a way to ensure that AIB’s safety

investigators benefit greatly.

Nigeria, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are members of the BAGAIA accord group.

As the host, Commissioner, AIB, Akin Olateru, an aircraft engineer, disclosed that it would seize the opportunity to have 20 of AIB’s safety investigators to be part of the training.

In addition, Olateru has invited the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Presidential Air Fleet, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Air Force to be part of the training as such institutions also investigate its own incidents/accidents to be part of the training.

Olateru said this was part of his cooperative and collaborative initiative in ensuring that sisters/related agencies are not left behind in the numerous capacity development programs of AIB-N. “Capacity development, infrastructural improvement, system and process re-engineering remain our focus in making sure

that AIB contributes meaningfully to aviation safety for the common good of all. We are very pleased to be hosting the BAGAIA training as accident and incident report writing is a very important aspect to investigation,� Olateru said.

He further stated that the agency values the cooperation and technical assistance they have been receiving from several of the organisations which he stated would greatly complement, “our efforts to make AIB formidable�. “Capacity development, infrastructural improvement, system and process re-engineering remain our focus in making sure AIB contributes meaningfully to aviation safety for the common good of all. “Capacity building is so vital to the AIB’s job functions. This guarantee that all reports and safety recommendations issued out by the AIB are hoisted on the certainty that they do miss out any vital subject matter in their investigations that impact safety,� Olateru said.

Dana Listed as Top 50 Brands in 2017 Nigerian domestic carrier, Dana Air has been listed as one of the top 50 brands in 2017. The airline was chosen for its innovations, corporate social responsibility, inimitable customer service and online engagement.

Spokesman of the airline, Kingsley Ezenwa said Dana Air, which is a subsidiary of the Dana Group of companies, has made the list for the third time consecutively.

The listing was announced at the Brands Nigeria Leadership Forum held recently in Lagos.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, of Top 50 Brands Nigeria, Mr. Taiwo Oluboyede, Nigeria is becoming more attractive to investors across the world despite the country’s many challenges. “More people are coming to invest and there is need

to provide information about corporate Nigeria. The brands that have made it today are homegrown brands that have shown resilience, contributed to the economy of Nigeria, have good national spread, innovative and have good online engagement and popularity,’’ he said.

Ezenwa in response said: “We are highly honored to have been listed among the top 50 brands in Nigeria. We are a responsible corporate citizen and giving back to the society, contributing positively to the economy of the country, and churning quality products are the ways we have shown commitment to the Nigerian dream. Our investment across Nigeria and in various sectors of the economy, speaks volume of our commitment to continue to provide jobs for our people

and assist the government to achieve a positive growth trajectory in the economy.’’ “We are nine years plus in the aviation industry and we have shown massive resilience in spite of the multiple challenges, providing value added services at all times and our guests should expect an all-round improvement in 2018.’’ Having flown over 2.7 million passengers in the last nine years of its operation and received multiple awards for aviation excellence and corporate social responsibility, Dana Air was also unveiled as one of Nigeria’s 100 Most Respected Companies by Business Day Newspaper’s Research Unit.

The airline is reputed for its innovative online products, world-class in-flight service and unrivaled on time performance.

Turkish Airlines Introduces New Inight Toys for Travellers Turkish Airlines has introduced new and innovative toys on international flights to help young travelers pass the time while flying.

As from January 2018, the airline would completely revamp its selection of inflight toys now made from all-natural materials.

This is in line with the airline’s recognition of the possible harmful effects of plastic on both children and the environment. Turkish Airlines is committed to making certain that every aspect of its operation is consistent with its goal of sustainable development

and eco-friendly operations.

The new toys, especially designed for Turkish Airlines, recognise the need to provide young travelers between three and 12 with additional entertainment while inflight. The toy set gives children this opportunity while simultaneously introducing them to the concept of endangered species.

Through play, Turkish Airlines, in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund of Turkey, hopes to instill an appreciation of animal protection among our children—those who will

inherit the world and will be responsible for its care.

The stuffed toys are created from cotton and the wooden parts are manufactured according to the sustainability rules set by the Forest Stewardship Council.

By developing eco-friendly products and packaging, Turkish Airlines said it would continue to make innovations. In this case, the global carrier has worked with the toy industry to develop items that promote sustainability and better health while at the same time increasing wildlife awareness for its youngest guests.

AIR WATCH Gains of Reduced Minimum Visibility for Flights Last week the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in conjunction with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) reviewed downwards the aerodrome operating weather minima, which is the reduction of minimum visibility for flights at airports in response to the advancement made in the provision of navigational aids.

Before the review, which took effect since January 4, 2018, most airports operate at average of 800 meters. This means that flights will not take place in any airport which visibility is below 800 meters. So if a flight is leaving Lagos to Port Harcourt and weather report indicated that by the time the flight will arrive Port Harcourt airspace the visibility minima will be below 800 meters at the airport, the flight would be cancelled or delayed, waiting for improvement in visibility.

This explains why many flights are delayed and canceled during the Harmattan period, which brings dry, dusty wind from the Sahara desert that envelops Nigeria’s airspace. This happens mostly in December and January, the period of Christmas and New Year holiday, when many Nigerians travel to celebrate the Yuletide.

Harmattan haze usually lowers visibility and reduced it below 800 meters, the acceptable visibility minimum before the review. Flight cancellations leave passengers stranded and frustrated and airlines lose money and goodwill. It also distorts airlines scheduling. So with the reduction in the visibility minima, more opportunities have been given to airlines to operate in visibility minima lower than what used to be obtained. It means that most flights hitherto cancelled due to low visibility would not be cancelled henceforth.

This will save airlines huge amount of money running into millions of Naira which is lost when fights are cancelled due to adverse weather, including operation costs and logistics.

The review allows for takeoff as low as 150 metres Runway Visual Range (RVR) while some airports in the country with Category Two Instrument Landing Systems (ILS Cat II) can permit landing with 300 metres RVR. Before the review, the lowest visibility with Category Two ILS in the nation’s airports was 800 metres/550 RVR implying that aircraft would not be able to take off and land in weather minimum lower than the 800/550. But now this has changed.

It has to be noted also that the last time the visibility was reviewed was in 1983 and was reevaluated in 1993.

In a statement released by NCAA to announce the review, the regulatory authority said 18 airports of the country would be affected and that it is in cognizance of improvements in navigational aids in these airports. “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority in conjunction with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has carried out a review of Aerodrome Operating Weather Minima for 18 airports in Nigeria. “This is in compliance with the provision of Part 8 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs Part 8), and in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Doc.9365.

In this review, the regulatory authority took cognisance of improvements in visual and navigational aids within the affected

Tracon

airports. “The reviewed Aerodrome Operating Minima would serve to enhance the operating capacity of the aerodromes. This is due to the fact that it will avail the operators with improved minima for low visibility operations,� the statement said.

NCAA said the 18 “aerodromes where the operating minima and takeoff minima has been reviewed are Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Dutse, Eket and Enugu.

Others are Gombe, Ilorin, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Owerri, Sokoto, Uyo, Yola and Zaria.�

THISDAY learnt that the downward review of the weather minima was enhanced by the fact that NAMA has installed Performance Based Navigation (PBN) at 18 airports. PBN when supported by the appropriate navigation infrastructure defines accuracy, integrity, clarity and functionality of the airspace to enable aircraft land at very low visibility. And according to the Managing Director of NAMA, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, 18 airports have benefited from this enhanced navigational aid.

The Executive Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison told THISDAY that airlines would benefit a lot from the weather review because it means that many flights would not be cancelled anymore and during the time of Harmattan haze flights would operate normally, except on extreme cases.

However, airlines seem to be holding back their jubilation over this improvement because there are things they must have to do. They must have to install corresponding on-board equipment in their airplanes and they must have to train their pilots to operate under the new navigational aid regime.

Spokesman of Air Peace, Chris Iwarah told THISDAY that the airline would have to train its pilots and equip its aircraft to benefit from PBN and other improved navigational aids.

Other airlines also said they would meet requirements to benefit from the weather minima review.

Captain Akinkuotu told THISDAY that the navigational equipment installed by NAMA would not be of any use if airlines do not install corresponding equipment onboard their aircraft. “On the side of the airlines, the airplanes must have to meet certain requirements.

They will need to have dual autopilot. This is because when you are flying zero visibility it is machines that will be doing the landing and takeoff. So there should be dual autopilot functioning in the airplane. The pilot has to be trained so that he will be able to fly in the dark and rely on the machines. The pilot has to be trained regularly for it. This can be done with simulator training. The onboard equipment has to meet the requirement. Those are the things that have to be put in place by the airline,� Akinkuotu said.

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AVIATION

Akinkuotu: There are No Permanent Solution to Weather Challenges The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, has said flight cancellations and delays can be overcome with modern navigational aids, but there is no permanent solution to weather challenges in the airspace. He spoke to Chinedu Eze. Excerpts: This Christmas like the December of other years, Harmattan haze disrupted flights, which led to cancellations and delays. What is the permanent solution to this problem?

You see, weather is in God’s hand. We intend to localise our issues. It is true that we have bad weather here but that does not preclude why we should proffer solutions, but when you say, how we can solve the problem permanently. I doubt if that is possible. On December 11 and 12, 2017 weather paralysed air activities in Europe.

A lot of flights were cancelled. The same thing happened in the United States and these are supposed to be such advanced countries. What happened over there was not attributed to computer glitch; no. It was attributed to weather. I am putting this in perspective so that we should continue to try hard to enhance our navigation and approach facilities, but we cannot get to the stage we can totally eradicate adverse weather. We can even have a slow blizzard.

We can have, God forbid, a hurricane or even a typhoon. We can have a weather situation that can make an airport inaccessible. The solution to Harmattan haze is not so difficult. The problem is how a flight can make approach to the airport in all weather and all situations; so how will the pilot go? So we should put the facilities there.

There are different categories of facilities.

Technology in the past put us at Instrument Landing System (ILS) Category 3 but also technology has also put in Performance Based Navigation (PBN). So these are the options that we have. Of course, PBN is a bit more recent. In the paper I delivered recently in Canada, we looked at the issue of leapfrogging. Leapfrogging is to skip intermediate positions from where you are in terms of technology advancement and embrace the latest technology to solve your problem. For example, let us just say that the level of navigation at the airports is still at the stage of VOR (Voice Omni directional Radio Range, which is a type of short-range radio navigation system to enable aircraft determine its position and stay on course) and at the Benin airport you said, let us just put ILS Category one there and then later I put category two and later I put category three, but you can circumvent all these by putting Performance Based Navigation there. Category three ILS and PBN will enhance our ability to overcome current weather challenges; we require certain things to put these in order.

We have to meet certain requirements both infrastructural as well as installation of equipment and what the customer, that is the airlines will have to install. One of the equipment that has been preached a lot is for us to have Category three (Cat 3) ILS. We have approval to install Category 3 ILS in some airports. If we had been able to be cleared by the Due Process Office, we would have installed ILS Category three at the Lagos airport by now. If we had ILS Cat 3 it will bring the given visibility minimum lower, but that also depends on the kind of Category three ILS you have, aircraft can land at zero visibility.

There will be other requirements for this to work. One is power. There must be uninterrupted power supply or if there could be power failure, within seconds it is restored. You have to be able to protect the environment such that the signals cannot be affected by any wayward interference, so the airport needs perimeter fencing. So it requires light. The approach light for ILS Category One is different from Category three. So those things are what you have

Akinkuotu

to put in place in terms of infrastructure.

It is okay for NAMA to just install ILS but there are things that have to go with it.

Also on the side of the airlines, the airplanes must have to meet certain requirements.

They will need to have dual autopilot.

This is because when you are flying zero visibility in Category three ILS, the pilot is

The solution to Harmattan haze is not so difďŹ cult. The problem is how a ight can make approach to the airport in all weather and all situations. So we should put the facilities there

not handling the situation; it is machines that will be doing the landing and takeoff.

So there should be dual autopilot functioning in the airplane. The pilot has to be trained so that he will be able to fly in the dark and rely on the machines. The pilot has to be trained regularly for it. This can be done with simulator training. The onboard equipment has to meet the requirement.

Those are the things that have to be put in place by the airline. These include the issues of onboard equipment, the training required. One of the technology innovations that have come up are things like the Performance Based Navigation. This has also lowered the visibility minimums.

We have it in 18 of our airports but as we speak only the foreign carriers utilise it because of the kind of corresponding equipment that they have onboard their airplanes. We have PBN at least in 18 of our airports. Arik Air is the only indigenous carrier that benefits from it. They can fly to lower minimums so long as their pilots are trained. But they have approval to utilise their onboard equipment and use PBN.

Can’t NAMA give timeline under which the indigenous airlines should be made to install corresponding PBN equipment in their aircraft so that they could utilise the facility and benefit from low visibility landing and takeoff and can’t the federal government involve the state governments in funding facilities at airports located in those st ates?

Giving timeline to airlines will help, but NAMA is not the regulator. So we cannot give directives. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is aware and it is only the agency that can give such directive. So whether or not that is the way to go will be decided by the regulator. Pertaining to power, we had reported earlier that we are putting solar panels in a lot of our airports; not only because of outages but also because of the cost of generating power from generators. There are some navigational aids in some stations that run on generators for 24/7. There are certain remote sites of navigational aids that we have to power all the time by generators. So to lower CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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AKINKUOTU: THERE ARE NO PERMANENT SOLUTION TO WEATHER CHALLENGES the cost of operations for us, we started installing solar panels in 2017. Of course if we have power from the grid the solar panel will complement public power supply.

But then we have to make sure we perfect the system. Solar technology is good and it would be cheaper for us but we have to understand the underlying technology. To take power from the sun we have to energise the panels and store energy in batteries to supply the power when they are required.

Because sometime the sun may not be up in the sky it becomes necessary to store solar power in batteries so that it can be utilised at anytime. The power demand by the equipment is 24/7. So solar can serve as effective alternative. Also involving the states in funding navigational aids is good.

In fact, some states have talked to us. Edo state, for example, has talked to us and we are now working with the state to enhance navigational and approach facilities at the Benin airport. But another challenge in the state’s support to airport development could be thwarted by the indigenes of the state, as we experienced in one southern state where the state government wanted to dedicate land for installation of navigational aids but the host community refused, insisting they must be compensated with outrageous amount of money. The amount mentioned for the compensation was so large that it would be difficult for the state to pay it.

I have been having discussions recently with some of the states where part of the land that NAMA has is being encroached on and we are telling the people not to do that because the land has been acquired so that we can put navigational aids (NAVAIDS) there to improve flight safety.

But the people are defiant and continue to encroach on the land. In some cases they encroach on the land and compromise our ability to enhance and improve on safety.

In some cases also you have a situation where because of the compensation they may be demanding from government, the state government would find itself in a difficult situation to do anything. Yes, we are interacting with some state governments.

Talking with them is a good idea because you will have to be in a situation where we have to synergise so that we can fix this problem as quickly as possible.

The recent allegation that some people are stealing from aircraft taxiing on the runway at the Lagos, is there any possibility that the control tower can collaborate with aviation security (AVSEC) to identify such movement on the runway?

Yes, we can work with AVSEC and we do work with them. We are not a standalone we all work together. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and NAMA are all service providers and we work together to enhance safety, but sometimes it is a matter of the area. The airport area is quite large. In the dark, yes you can see an aircraft on the runway taxiing because you know they have lights, both navigation light and position light so you will be able to see them; but you may not see men of the underworld around. If we do see them, of course we would alert the authorities. If we have CCTV it would be possible to see all the angles of the airport or the controller has binoculars and once a pilot notices that people are milling round his airplane he will tell control tower and control tower will inform AVSEC immediately.

In addition to PBN what are other installations NAMA has made to improve safety in the airspace and enhance flights operation?

We have achieved much in terms of providing power. We have been able to power the NAVAIDS and now we want to use solar panels to lower the cost of providing electricity to these installations.

Some of the other things we have done include trying to improve on our radar systems such that we are able to give vectors to safe flight time for airlines. If an airline

Akinkuotu

can save 10 litres of Jet A1 per flight, it is something. If you multiply that with 100 flights; that is huge fuel saved. We are also improving our radio systems to make sure that communications is improved. We are also working on digital communications between the cockpit and the control tower.

When completed it is going to be pure data and the airplanes have to have the equipment to be able to get the Controller- Pilot Data Link Communication ( CPDLC )system. These are things we are putting in place. We are expecting that the Aeronautical Information Management System (AIMS) we are putting in place will hopefully be completed by 2018. This will make operations easier and more efficient for the airlines. These are the things we

It is okay for NAMA to just install ILS but there are things that have to go with it. Also on the side of the airlines, the airplanes must have to meet certain requirements

are trying to do; however, we cannot tell airlines which equipment thy will have in their aircraft for economic reasons.

The newer generation airplanes come at a cost. The airlines have to plan ahead and realise that what they invest today they will reap the reward in years to come. If on the other hand you buy a less costly model you may not put up much upfront but you may not get the benefits of emerging technologies.

There was an effort to remap the airspace to shorten flight time for airlines. Did NAMA continue with the project or did it discontinue?

It is our responsibility to continue to improve on air navigation. Air navigation, number one, is not static and as we put more NAVAIDS into place there would be an improvement; of course, with additional costs.

You know, we have to prioritise and right now the focus is to improve on approach aids like ILSs and then the next phase is to go to ground based navigational aids.

But do not forget that we have put a lot of development in PBN navigation which shortens the route. PBN and RNAV (Area Navigation) shortened the route. They also shortened the approaches but the airlines ought to have onboard equipment to benefit from that.

There was a time NAMA was talking about mapping the Niger Delta airspace

for security reasons and revenue generation. How far is the project now?

We just got approval to do wild area multilateration. We have approval for it now and it has been budgeted for and we are supposed to commence the project.

NAMA has made a lot of progress but what is the support you need now to continue to improve the system and enhance safety?

NAMA needs a lot of funding. I think one also have to look at it from the area of national policy and strategy. Should we place our navigational aids in the hand of private investors or do we want to keep it with NAMA? How do we source funds; should we commercialise NAMA? But the point is, there is a lot of financial need in NAMA at this time. In other words, equipment needs to be replaced; a lot of new equipment needs to be put in place because there is need to play catch up with emerging technologies. So as far as funds are concerned, we need a whole lot of it.

During the IWAF conference, I had brief interaction with the President of African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adeshina and he has promised that they are willing to help us. I have made a second contact so when we progress into this and we come up with blueprint for government approval we will look at how to structure such changes to achieve our goals in terms of funding.

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MARITIME

Exploiting INTELS’ Capacity for Development Eromosele Abiodun writes Nigeria’s effort to diversify the economy and make the maritime sector a major contributor can be better achieved if its collaborates with stakeholders like INTELS that has the needed capacity, expertise and financial strength Prior to the concessioning of ports to private operators in 2006, doing business in Nigeria’s ports was a hellish experience laced with a myriad of problems. One of the major problems was turnaround time for ships, which took too long making businesses to brace themselves for weeks, if not months, of endless waiting before their cargo could be loaded or discharged.

Also, most of the few cargo-handling facilities owned by the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) were moribund, so shipping companies had to hire such facilities from private sector sources, leading to extra costs.

Dwell time for goods in port was so long that overtime cargo filled the most active seaports and led to massive port congestion. Labour for ship work was controlled by a mafia that was not n charge of dockworker unions and had no scruples supplying less than the manpower paid for. Many port premises that could have been put to good use were abandoned, giving maritime businesses less options.

Concession has, however, reduced most of the problems in the ports to the barest minimum with the help of terminal operators and free trade zones investment in the sector.

Economic DiversiďŹ cation Today, following massive investment by private operators and the bid by the federal government to diversify the economy, greater attention is now been paid to the maritime sector as a possible replacement for crude oil as Nigeria’s economic mainstay. Recently, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside charged Nigerians to key into the opportunities afforded by the Blue economy stating that it is the fastest growing sector in the world with enormous business potentials.

He said it was high time Nigerians began to tap into the opportunities embedded in our maritime sector adding that economies of the likes of Singapore, Ukraine and South Korea thrive on the activities of their maritime sector. “Developing the blue economy is paramount across the globe now, and the public and private sector have to collaborate to sustainably harness the potentials of our maritime sector for the benefit of the Nigerian economy especially as the federal government continues the economic diversification drive, �he said.

Experts believe this is achievable if the federal government collaborates with key operators in the sector who has the capacity, expertise and financial strength to carry out big ticket projects in the sector. One of such operators is INTELS Nigeria Limited. In 2006, the federal government awarded the company concession to operate Terminal A (Federal Ocean Terminal) and Terminal B (Federal Lighter Terminal) at the Onne Port Complex, which houses the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone. It also operates terminals in Warri, Calabar and Apapa ports. Established in 1982 at the OnnePort Complex, INTELS, the oil and gas logistics services giant has, over time, become a major participant in the development of the Oil and Gas Free Zone (OGFZ) located in the area. It operates the Onne, Warri and Calabar Oil and Gas Free Zones strategically located in the heart of the Niger Delta to offer the best platform for the provision of logistics solutions to the oil and gas industry.

The company has created an integrated logistics solution that offers a complete array of facilities and services for oil and gas industry operators in the sub-Saharan West African region.

The company provides agency services, cargo services, port management and support services to its clients and also manages its clients’ operations in the areas of pipe racks, stacking areas, ware-housing, enclosed areas, jetties, offices, water tanks, fuel storages, generators, compressors, and other services.

Integrated Logistics Vision INTELS drives her integrated logistics vision in cooperation with the respective government authorities, national oil companies, major oil

producing companies and related services companies. With additional support from APPA (African Petroleum Producers Association) and AIP (African Institute of Petroleum), a common philosophy has evolved for managing oil and gas activities on a regional basis.

Also, INTELS has created over 20,000 direct and 200,000 indirect employment opportunities together with substantial transfer of technology with a strict adherence to Nigerian content policy.

With over 30 years of experience in ports management and terminal logistics support services in shore bases across Nigeria, INTELS has become famous for applying the “One Stop Shop� solution under its Oil Services Centre Concept. The company has invested several billions of dollars in port development and is committed to working with relevant agencies of the federal government to derive full benefits of oil and gas logistics services in the country.

Stakeholders told THISDAY that INTELS has been a trusted partner to major oil and gas producing companies in Nigeria and a highly significant logistic partner to NPA in the development of ports infrastructure and service in Nigeria. “In over 30 years, we have added substantial value to the Nigerian oil and gas service industry and the operators have found our services strategic to their operations. In the maritime sector, INTELS’ operation as a port infrastructure developer and maritime service provider reinvigorated and brought the needed momentum and life to Nigerian ports and the maritime industry with improved capacity to serve the nation. These efforts by INTELS have in turn boosted earnings and contributions by these sectors to the Nigerian economy while generating much-needed employment for Nigerians. “To achieve our vision of providing an integrated, efficient, reliable and cost-effective logistics solution to the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, we introduced an innovative onestop-shop oil service centre concept designed to meet the growing specialized needs of oil producing companies in one location to provide an integrated, efficient, reliable and cost effective logistics solution to operators in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. This innovative concept has enhanced service delivery and turnaround time for oil and gas industry projects and thus endeared INTELS to its partners, �said a stakeholder.

INTELS’s Competitive Edge Regulators attest to the fact that the company has what it takes to lead the charge for Nigeria’s quest for a vibrant maritime sector.

Recently, the Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman, said that INTELS Nigeria

Limited has competitive advantage over other terminal operators in the handling of oil and gas logistics in the country.

Speaking in Lagos on Television Continental (TVC) Business Prgramme, Usman said INTELS is already a well-established terminal operator having been in the business for more than 30 years. According to her, �I don’t think they (INTELS) should shy away from competing with other terminals. They should welcome the fact that having really established that business, they should be able to compete and get all the cargo to themselves, and, indeed, if you have been operating and doing this service for years and now someone else is coming, you should have a favorable edge.�

The NPA boss had expressed similar sentiment for INTELS in October 2016 during her maiden visit to the expansive port facility and the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone. Shortly after being conducted round the multimillion dollars facility, Usman said she was impressed by the high quality, “efficient and effective� facilities and services provided by INTELS. She described the facility as “very tidy� and the infrastructure as being “deployed efficiently and effectively.�

Dakuku Commends INTELS Also recently, the DG of NIMASA, Peterside lauded INTELS Nigeria Limited for its investments and for full compliance with provisions of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) and the Nigerian Local Content Law. He also commended the oil and gas logistics giant for having faith in Nigeria, stating that despite the challenging operating environment and some policy inconsistencies, the company had continued to invest in the country. “It takes faith to have this kind of investment.

You believe you can invest in Nigeria, grow with Nigeria, prosper with Nigeria, face challenges with Nigeria, and you have done that for 30 years and still counting. You deserve nothing but commendation, �Peterside said.

He noted that the achievements recorded by INTELS in three decades show that there are lots of possibilities where there is will and vision.

He noted that the transformation that has taken place in Onne Port and the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone over the years “is a source of encouragement for most of us who are playing one role or the other in government.�

According to Peterside, “It means if we create the right environment, we will have so many other INTELS flourishing within our territory and will create employment for our people, create limitless wealth for our people.�

He said it is the responsibility of government to create the enabling environment for businesses

to thrive and thereby create jobs for the citizens. “I am particularly happy that INTELS is complying with the ISPS Code. When we talk about oil and gas industry, safety is paramount to us. In all its dimensions, if you flourish in the industry at the risk of lives, it is not worth it. “Ours is safety administration. And safety is our number one priority. Whether you are in core shipping or shipping related functions, our emphasis is to make you workplace safety as your number one priority. If it will cost lives, it is not worth doing. The ISPS code as you know, is an international rule. It is not just a Nigerian rule. “Before now we were assessed by the US Coast Guard, as being 13 percent compliant.

But because of the cooperation we enjoy from INTELS and other terminal operators, at the last rating, the US Coast Guard rated us above 80 percent compliance. In addition to being compliant to the ISPS code, I am also impressed from the reports I have read about your compliance with the Nigerian Content Development Act. I believe that is the way for sustainable businesses to go. “It is not enough that we make profit for our shareholders, that is not enough to make our firms sustainable; what can make our firms sustainable is collaboration with our communities.

Without that collaboration, you will not have the requisite social license to operate. You could just operate for a season, but when our interest is intertwined with that of the community, we can run sustainable business because we will of course have the social license to operate, �he said.

Speaking further, he said: “Whatever happens to INTELS today happens to Onne community.

Their existence will be threatened and when INTELS flourishes, the Onne Community will flourish and by extension Nigeria. And so I am happy that you are compliant with the Local Content Act.�

He said the present administration in the country believes in the rule of law, consistency and the sanctity of the contractual relationships or agreements, “and so whatever relationships or agreements that you have with us will be respected and that I can confirm to you and so I have absolutely no doubt that if all grey areas are looked at, eventually we will all be on the same page and you continue to do business.�

BeneďŹ ts of Oil and Gas Free Zone In a chat with newsmen recently, the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of INTELS Nigeria Limited, Mr. Patrick Bird has declared that the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone offers enormous advantages and incentives to foreign companies to invest in Nigeria.

According to him, the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone creates the environment necessary to support Nigeria’s economic and industrial development.

He said INTEL, along with the the government of Nigeria, developed the zone to provide an oil service centre for onshore and offshore operations while providing the West African and greater sub-Saharan oil and gas industry easy access and duty-free distribution facilities.

The INTELS CCO enumerated some of the benefits of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, which houses 170 companies, to include 100 per cent repatriation of capital investment, full remittance of profits and dividends, zero Customs tariffs on exports and non-requirement of import or export licenses. He also said that all goods manufactured in the Free Zone can be sold in the Nigerian market. “The Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone helps Nigeria maximize its natural resources to attract foreign investments and create employment, enhance the welfare of the people, aid technology transfer and the overall economic development of the country,� he said.

He said the success of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone has led to the creation of similar zones in Warri and Lagos.

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WEEKLY PULLOUT

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

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FILE

THE ACCIDENTAL THESPIAN

28/COVER

12.01.2018

The Accidental Thespian Bayo Awala is one of Nigeria's most accomplished thespians at home and abroad. In this interview with Solomon Elusoji, the 75-year-old, who worked alongside broadcast legend, Segun Olusola in the 70s, goes down memory lane How was growing up like for you?

Well, I grew up in what I call a backwater, Ondo State. Ilaje precisely. My parents are from Delta, Itsekiri. My father migrated. His mother is from Ilaje, after his father died she came back to Ilaje and brought my father and then settled there and had all of us. I had my primary education there. In my village we have primary schools running up to Infant 1 and 2. For standards, we had to move into another location. My father was a preacher.

I grew up as a boy of a preacher. They call me “Omo Alufa” (The son of a Priest) Your father as priest, how many children did he have?

No, no…um (brief pause) I think I was the fifth. We are many. My father was a polygamist.

He had 17 children.

Can you describe your training as a Thespian?

Did you study theatre arts in school?

Very funny. No. After I went to secondary school in Delta, a famous economist, Professor Aluko, inspired me to want to become an economist.

So, after secondary school, I was offered opportunity to go to the UK for further studies.

I declined. I declined because by this time my father had died and my mother had eight of the 17 children. She was the only one catering for them. I decided that I wanted to be of help. I came to Lagos and immediately I started studying for GCE. I guess I wasn’t serious. I have never flunked any examination all my life, but I did this one. I was a very brilliant student. I was quite surprised and of course I made up my mind I was going to do well next time. I had two papers, so I bought all the books and enrolled in what was called Rapid Result College UK in the UK where they take people for A levels.

I enrolled and started studying for the GCE A levels, confident that this time, no matter what happens I am going to make it. The exam used to be in January but by October I was struck down by a savage illness that left me almost paralysed.

For six months, I couldn’t do anything, couldn’t study. I was totally useless. So, I gave up trying to take the exam in January. Then, something else happened. In March of 1966, a friend came to me. I was still sick and walking with crutches at the time. He said ‘Let’s go and see another friend of ours’, who lived in Surulere. I used to stay in Bamgbose, Central Lagos. It was behind the Christ Church Cathedral before inner Marina. I went with him. We got there just as when they were having their break. Apparently, he was in a drama school organised for secondary school teachers in Lagos State by the Federal Ministry of Education. As soon as I entered, the principal of the school, one Chief Olude saw me and said, ‘you ought to be a dramatist’. ‘Come and join this class’. I thought he was joking. ‘Give him papers let him sign!’ I said to myself, just like that?

Believe me, that was how I became a student of the Drama Class. It was organised by the Federal Ministry of Education for teachers to enable them teach drama in schools. I enrolled and it turned out that it was supposed to be a two year stint and while we were there, Chief Olude started making connections with the University of Ibadan. They too had a two year drama course and wanted to get us to take the drama exams with their students.

I don’t know whether it was to keep our interest alive. What the teachers needed was certification to have the knowledge imparted.

There were many of us who were not teachers just like me. There was one Thomas and Bidemi who were not teachers but just had interest in drama. After two years in the school, we were told that the University of Ibadan rejected the idea. All of us just left. We left the school, all of us. Those of us who weren’t teachers. Then four of us formed a theatre group “Neighbourhood Players”. This was in 1968. That was how I started my trip into drama.

That is very interesting. Neighbourhood Players, did you have stage plays?

Oh yes we did! We did it from 1968 until 1974.

Particularly during the war years. There were two groups involved. Neighbourhood Players and Festival Players. Festival Players was the drama group of white men in Lagos. I remembered that their director used to work with Frank Knight.

Awala directing with actors, Ihria Enakimio and Femi Jarrett onthe set of the 1985 TV serial, Turning Wheel

Awala and Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, at the premiere of Gidi Blues in 2016

People like Segun Olushola, Christopher Korede belonged to that group. In my group we were just young men who just left a training school and we did have a very swell time producing drama. Basically we were on for about six years.

What do you consider a successful career as a thespian?

Well, it is unfortunate that Nigeria has no place for thespians. That is the truth. The same situation persists today. In our days, the gain takings were very meagre. We were sustaining productions with our own funds. We would fund it, produce it. I did not consider that I really was very successful.

I had to abandon it to go into television. Actually when Village Headmaster started in 1968, I was one of those contacted to come take part in the production. I refused because one, I had just started my theatre business and I didn’t see myself going into television. As a matter of fact, I had a disdain for the box. The television box compared to the large cinema. I turned it down. But in 1970, the then Controller of Programmes, Segun Olushola sent for me. He asked me to come see him. He sent a friend Olu Obaseki. I went to his office and he asked me point blank “Would you be interested working in television”. I was confused because to begin with, I had no idea what television is. I guess he called me because he knew my antecedents in the theatre. I guess he thought it wouldn’t matter much. I said to him, I had no idea what television is all about. He said to me ‘Would you be interested?’. I answered “Yes, why not?”. He said Ok. Then I was working for the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) of which the then television was a part. It set the machinery in motion to have me transferred. They had me transferred to NBC TV, it was so called then in 1970. The people at NBC didn’t want to release me. As a matter of fact, in the process they got me transferred to Benin. I went to Chief Olushola and complained that this people have transferred me to Benin. He said I should go and not worry.

I went to Benin on transfer with just one small box. I got there and everyone was speaking Edo to me. Coming from Lagos, it sounded strange.

The following week I picked my bag and came to Lagos. On getting to Lagos, the people in Lagos were furious. I told them I cannot exist in Benin. I don’t understand Edo now. Isn’t English

the communication language in Nigeria? Chief Olushola came and said to them ‘We are organising a training for new entrants into television. Please let him stay for the training.’ They were pacified.

They allowed me to stay and we had a three months training in television broadcast. When I finished, the GM came to me and said “Please, don’t go back to NBC in Ikoyi, come straight to television”. I went straight to television. That is where I started from.

In comparing theatre with television and film, how do you rate their developmental status in Nigeria?

All three are in a sorry state, seriously. I don’t even know how to attack it. I think the fundamental issue is that we didn’t allow stage performances to permeate our lives. Film and television need “Fit Stock” and stage should be the fit stock. The people who started Hollywood were stage people.

They came from the stage. Ditto in Britain. Film came before television. It was a combination of stage and film that flourished into television. There is really not much difference except for the mode of transmitting. In stage, you are physically there with live audiences. They are really almost the same. Television is just that small box. Very little is expected. Film is as expensive as the word. The three have a lot in common but it is just their mode of transmission that is different. In Nigeria, those who lead us, our leaders are bohemians. They just don’t have interest in anything where they cannot take bribe, where they cannot see the future if they could support or not. They are not interested. I tell you the truth. I was talking to someone a few days ago. I said, Film business is the fastest growing business in the world today and every country is embracing it. Look at Nigeria, we don’t have more than 40 theatres or cinema halls in Nigeria.

We have only National Theatre in Lagos. Show me where we have another theatre. I just pity those of us who could have been accountants, doctors or anything they wanted to be drifting into this apparent cul del sac. Thank God many of us still show some interest in it. Fortunately, there are starry eyed young men and women who think all the world about the theatre, film and television. Unless the game changes, there is no hope.

Do you think that in the coming years that the film industry would surpass the present state of the theatre in areas such as production quality, profit and talent produced?

Talent is not an issue. After successful movies, actors go back to the theatre to renew their theatrical skills. They do. There is a cross movement amongst the artistes. We don’t have stage performances. I am serious about this. We don’t. What we have are occasional films by interested parties. We do not have any standing group in Nigeria as we speak. It is usually an Ad hoc. I have an idea, I have a story, gather people and we perform. We have the Shakespeare in the UK and it has been there for ages. Look at our National Theatre?

When was the last time you saw a performance by the National theatre? When was the last time?

To answer your question, I don’t think these three arms are in competition. They are not. In fact, there should be cross movement within them.

Look at some successful Nollywood actors. Many of them are back to television. That is the way it should be. Even whilst you are there, you are thinking about where you started from. There should be enough competition. I know some of them don’t have any idea on theatre, they just got there by accident. We all got there somehow, who the hell cares how. We don’t have enough competition to sharpen ourselves. The Bible says iron sharpeneth iron. I am deeply interested in us having infrastructure for cinema, for stage.

Television is not an issue because we just have too many of them doing nothing or rather doing very little.

Have you always had a passion for arts and do you have any regrets delving into the theatre?

I call myself a thespian by accident and I just told you the background. Beyond the drama society in school, I had no idea of going into theatre. But I actually have no regrets. Apparently, my idea of wanting to become an economist was because I knew someone who was an economist and very good, so I got hooked on that. I think in my next world, if there is such, I would want to be a theatre practitioner because I so love it. There is a lot you can accomplish. There was a French writer, Molia. Molia was a comic writer but all his works were embedded with messages. As at the time we watched his plays the people would be roaring with laughter. After they got home, the message would dawn on them. The message was very informative. But these are things that we missed on. We have writers. Serious writers. Nigeria is crawling with writers. They don’t have outlet for their output. In the U.S., before a book is written, there is either a film producer or directors ready to take it up. That encourages people to do more.

When you are patronised, you are encouraged to do more.

Do you have any upcoming projects or plays that have been written by you?

I have just shot a movie titled ‘E si jo wunmi’.

It is an adaptation of a play Behold My Redeemer written by Rasheed Gbadamosi. Right now it is in editing. It was shot this year (2017). We just finished two weeks ago. We just came out of location two weeks ago.

You are called Reverend, Are you ordained?

Yes, almost all my brothers are ministers of the gospel. It runs in the family.

Would you want to produce a movie that ministers the gospel since you are concerned about messages that the film industry portrays?

Maybe I shouldn’t be complaining about this but there is a serious issue about funding projects in Nigeria. I have three stories that should minister to people and used for evangelism but where is the money? This project I just finished started in 2015. Truly, I commend Nigerian filmmakers and those working on stage. Unless you have a lion heart, the issues are daunting. In our days, we get on the stage with little or nothing our salaries and produce a stage play. Nowadays, it is practically impossible because of the economic situation of the country now. You need hundreds of thousands even millions of naira. You are not even sure of adequate return on investment. I think that the Nigerian entertainer should be highly commended.

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Periscoping Qadiriyya’s Tete-a-tete With PMB Sulaiman M. Ayagi Penultimate week of the New Year, a historic visit by the leadership of Qadiriyya Movement of Africa under its revered spiritual head, Sheikh (Dr.) Qaribullahi Nasiru Kabara to President Muhammadu Buhari has opened yet another vista in the annals of history for discourse amongst political pundits and academic intelligentsia; moreso, the visit has, in the course of further analysis identify its significance vis-a-vis the continued search for viable nationhood, nurturing and sustainability of our fledgling democracy not limited to the role of the Ulamah as the light of purposeful society.

Qadiriyya Movement of Africa being an Islamic organisation founded by the teachings of the Holy book and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was brought to fore by its notable leader, Sheikh Abdulqadir Al-Jilani for the propagation of Creator’s monotheism and Sufism has, undoubtedly remain the core preoccupation and submission of its millions adherents.

However, this brief cause of Qadiriyya symbolises its leadership commitment and devotion – hence successive leaders at Nigeria’s corridors of power found, in addition to spiritual purpose, the uniqueness of the Movement; thus paving way for genuine national interface between the lead and the led, synergy and collaboration as a veritable consultation tool capable of exploring the needed cooperation and understanding of government policies which emanates from direct or indirect exchange of ideas, a development that foster tolerance amongst various religious faithful.

Whereas for centuries, the Movement founding father and its consolidator in Africa and other sub-continent, prominent Islamic

Buhari

scholars like the late Sheikh (Dr.) Muhammad Nasiru Kabara has been a leading light in this regard – having preached the gospel of Islam and other tenets of Sufism and God’s monotheism throughout his over seven decades sojourn on this earth!

While Nigeria continues to search for its indivisibility through good governance, the marriage between Qadiriyya’s leadership and the PMB is not only on a right track but observed to be strategically relevant for an emerging and culturally but religiously reoriented society! Present but notable societal

ills bedeviling the nation were not unconnected with seemingly poor attention accorded religious bodies (identified to preach the gospel of peaceful co-existence) over the years.

Having noted the triangular nature of President Muhammadu Buhari as a teetotaler; nothing short of these commendable attributes but to tap from the wisdom the Almighty endows religious leaders in the course of offering counsel as panacea to the nation’s ills!

It is worth noting that for close to a century (now); the Qadiriyya Movement of Africa whose leadership is based in Kano consistently holds its annual Maukibi, known mostly in local parlance as “Waliyyai” or Moulud. Its maiden debut was with a negligible odd number but sprang and blossom to hosting millions participants annually! A replica of Prophet’s initial calling to his immediate household to embrace Islam.

Whereas the audience between Nigeria’s No. 1 citizen and Qadiriyya Movement of Africa leadership in company of its sister Sudanese arm held a no-bar discussion and exchange of other mutual relationship. It is quite gratifying that government as publicly admitted by PMB that history and cause has vindicated the Movement of being peaceful.

Furthermore, its capacity of hosting millions of followers free of any violence, in addition to continued presence of important dignitaries from within and outside has undoubtedly made pessimists wagging in disbelief!

A clear picture of the visit as vividly narrated by a member of the delegation, Engr.

Muhd Yasin Maisikeli states interalia that “Qadiriyya Movement of Africa was in the State House to pray for the improved health and continued recuperation of PMB and by extension a family re-union.”

President Muhammadu Buhari who was, unlike other leaders of claiming holier-than-thou demonstrated his intimacy to the Movement

by the warm reception accorded Sheikh (Dr.) Qaribullahi Kabara and other august guests! In spite of his position as father of the nation, PMB wouldn’t have accorded this unprecedented reception for not knowing well the peaceful nature upon which the Qadiriyya’s leadership and multitude of its members conduct themselves worldwide.

Unlike other hostile religious bodies whose penchant conducts exhibit erosion of regard to the sovereign status of Nigeria, Qadiriyya Movement has frontally remained prominent in the good books of the nation’s security apparatus – an indisputable testimony!

In spite of the affront made by authors of Nigeria’s constitution under the guise of “so called phrase of secularism;” climes consisting of large diversity like us needs religious infusion and re-orientation to drive the needed mechanism of addressing human-created societal ills not limited to herders/farmers clash, kidnapping, armed robbery, unabated and numerous forms of corruptions spanning in stocking of needed developmental funds in personal “sockaways, hardened iron-cabinets” at the expense of good governance which is the hallmark of leadership responsibility to the led.

While religious bodies like the Qadiriyya Movement of Africa and others are expected not to distance selves from the nation’s corridors of power for fear of being partisan; however, spiritual counselling, collaboration, synergy in terms of attracting public understanding of government policies shall remain one of the raison d’tre for sustainable interface.

Nevertheless, their godly-given wisdom and advice to our leaders will further boost their capacity and strengthen the political will to address the nation’s woes squarely.

Ayagi, is Communication and Strategy Aide to Leader of Qadiriyya Movement of Africa Email: smayagi@gmail.com

Prime Witness: Change and Policy Challenges in Buhari's Nigeria Izu J. Okoye Recently, a trending analysis attributed to the Economist magazine, categorised President Muhammadu Buhari's leadership and tenure as being "plagued with failures across every single sector in the economy, the like as has never been seen before." This synoptic evaluation its veracity notwithstanding, correlates with the extensive chronicle and exposé by Oseloka H. Obaze in his just released book, titled: 'Prime Witness: Change and Policy Challenges in Buhari’s Nigeria’.

Coincidentally, Mr. Obaze, for whom Prime Witness is his fourth book, was the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the recently concluded Anambra State governorship election. The retired Senior United Nations official known for paying attention to details and being a stickler for policymaking driven by public interest didn't disappoint in laying bare those attributes.

Nonetheless, he chronicles in an unbiased way and clinically too, the policy challenges confronting Nigeria under President Buhari, despite the President's acclaimed change mantra and promises. The challenges documented are fact-based and as expressed by Nigerians.

The 38-chapter and 448-page book, arranged in a six-part thematic clusters, is on sale online internationally, on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. According to the author, the book is "a product of his observations, exchanges with his interlocutors in and out of government, Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike during Buhari’s first year in office." The foreward to the book states that the book "represents a first draft of detailed analytical history of the administration’s performance in the first two years.”

Appreciating the value and balance of the book warrants starting from Obaze's concluding thoughts and lines: "...in order to seek a new

Obaze

beginning and attempt to foster the illusive change Nigerians yearn for, Buhari must undergo personal remediation and transmute; but Buhari has proven in over thirty years since he left office as Head of State that he is near immutable and thus unmasked the hypocrisy of political rhetoric of those who did and still consider him a change agent"(p.383).

Obaze, given his political leanings, did

well to post a disclaimer by asserting early in the book, the following: "This author is a five-percenter. I did not vote for Buhari, despite my very high personal regards for his integrity, discipline, frugality, and honesty.

These were the values I cherished in him, but could not ascribe to his cohorts in APC. Many Nigerians, including the national elite, as members of the attentive public toed a similar line and reasoning (p.lvii). To Obaze's credit, this book is on balance, and not jaundiced by partisan consideration and politics.

Obaze draws on his vast public policy experience and indeed, on prevailing published works on governance and public policy, to evaluate the challenges confronting Nigeria and thus Buhari. Such challenges, most of them inherited, include some imponderables.

As he asserts, "the fallacy of Buhari's 'change' mantra was that it casually overlooked Nigeria's complexity and sought to solve rather than manage the nation's many and often times humongous and incongruous challenges (p.lvii). He documents how Buhari's first year in office was spent not on governance, but in making excuses and blaming the previous government.

Most of the issues dealt with in this volume relate to policy somersaults and related matters Nigerians grapple with and debate daily.

However, Obaze has added a comparative and analytical dimension to the salient policy topics covering areas such as governance and politics, foreign policy, security concerns, constitutional questions, economic and fiscal policies, and change mantra in retrospect.

Four chapters in the book relate to issues that continue to trouble Nigerians deeply.

These include the diminution of due process and ordered liberties, fuel subsidy, herdsmen conflict, restructuring and national security.

Nigeria's stagnated economy and development are also dealt with extensively.

The value of Obaze's book is that each chapter while evaluating a specific policy challenge, also include policy prescriptions and solutions.

In a Chapter 19, Obaze showed considerable concern about the incremental evisceration of national security agencies and their exposure to public ridicule. Some of his concerns have now manifested.

As many Nigerians have come to acknowledge, the emergence of Buhari and the APC-led government was contingent on the failings of the preceding PDP government, led by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Obaze asserts that such contingency was not a guarantee of a better performance, more so, since the APC government either did not expect to win, or was ill-prepared to govern. He draws on other sources to confirm, that Jonathan's broad failings made Buhari's emergence possible.

Obaze asserts that Buhari was perhaps largely a misunderstood man, considering that not much biographical notes had been written about him over the past three decades, and that some of the published materials were not always in good light. He gives credit to Buhari for his international engagements and for deciding to be his own foreign policy 'Vicar'.

He offers a glimpse into the possible origin of Buhari's exclusionary "I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody" mantra, and hints on some of his erstwhile military colleagues who might have opposed his emergence.

Prime Witness is analytically written with lucidity and engaging prose and its references well-documented. It's possessive title is a loss-leader that could be misinterpreted and indeed, misunderstood. Nevertheless, the book is a good reference book and addition to public policy books on Nigeria and thus belongs rightly to any worthy library.

Okoye, is an Economic Policy Research Associate at Selonnes Consult Ltd

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UNFPA, YEDI Storms Lagos with Free HIV Tests Mary Ekah In line with the United Nation’s 90-90-90 goal to ensure that by 2020, 90 per cent of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status, 90 per cent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 90 per cent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression, the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) and Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), with support from Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) have provided free HIV Testing and Counselling to residents of Adeniji-Adele community in Lagos Island.

The event which also had a mini-clinic for biomedical services like check-up, malaria testing and distribution of insecticidal bed nets, held at the Oba Palace Junction, Iga Idugaran, with over 200 people including many adolescents, market women and Iyaloja of Iga Idugaran Market in attendance.

According to the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme Analyst, UNFPA, Dr. Esther Somefun, adolescents are most vulnerable to the HIV epidemic, noting that government must go the extra mile in creating awareness on the prevention of HIV/AIDS digitally, and providing free access to medical services to young people across the country.

Somefun stated that a zero prevalence rate could be reached if all people knew their HIV/AIDS status and abstained from

UNFPA, YEDI HIV awareness campaign - A medical offical attending to a child during the exercise

the media of transmission.

She said: "In order to fully curb HIV/ AIDS, there is need for effective sensitization among adolescents, because when they don't have the right information and medical attention needed to know their status, they become more prone due to their practice of risky sexual behaviour, such as not using condoms when they have sexual intercourse, going into prostitution to earn a living, and also designing tattoos on their bodies with the use of sharp objects which can result to the spread HIV/AIDS among them.

"Since this is a digital world, we must also go digital in telling them the need to know their HIV/AIDS status, and also counsel them, and provide health friendly services for them. By doing this, people

become more aware of the epidemic and have easy access to treatment, so that their quality of life is improved.

"Adolescents should also understand that abstinence is the best form of protection against HIV, but if they find it hard to abstain, they should have a mutually faithful partner and practice safe sex by using condoms."

On her part, the Head of Programmes, YEDI, Mrs. Oluwatomisin Adeoye urged both private and government organisations not to relent in their efforts in eradicating the epidemic in Nigeria, adding that more attention should be paid to the rural communities across the country. She called for the collaboration of all stakeholders in the health sector to achieve the United Nations global strategy of 90:90:90 by 2020.

Suru Group Boss Predicts Better Economy Ayodeji Ake A business mogul, Mr. Edward Akinlade, the Group Managing Director of Suru Worldwide Ventures, as part of his 2018 New Year resolution has predicted economy boost as he urged Nigerians to exercise more patience with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Akinlade noted that the year 2017 was a bitter experience in all sectors of the economy but restates his believe in the present administration before the end of the tenure in the next one and half year, while addressing the journalists at the family party organised recently to celebrate the New Year.

He said: "My New Year resolution is to work more for God. I'm using this opportunity to appreciate those who have supported us in 2017 which was a very tough year. We have fought great wars but I believe that after war there is a blessing which we will all capture this year.

“My goodwill message to Nigerians is that we should exercise patience with President Buhari. He has promised us many changes, let’s see what we can do in the next one and half years to finish his term.

I’m very confident that by this time next year, Nigeria would have been better."

As another way of combating unemployment and a tactic of giving back to the community, Zikel Cosmetics has pledged to empower over 900 Nigerian youths with make-up skills through its monthly empowerment and annual scholarship programmes.

At the official brand launch of Zikel Cosmetics held recently in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kelvin Ezike Chinedu told the journalists that the organisation will be assisting in its capacity to produce all kinds of cosmetic brands and impacting the youths with necessary skills in make-up artistry to rescue them from unemployment.

His said: “We have empowered close to nine people and today we awarded a scholarship worth 300,000 and we are also giving them a full make-up kit. That’s our own way of giving back to the society. We empower every month and give out scholarship every year. Another reason why we are doing that is that we want to raise young talent in the make-up industry through Zikel Cosmetics which we are really working on. We want to grow in giving back to the society as we are also not looking at empowering nine but about 900 in the nearest future.”

Narrating the birth of Zikel Cosmetics, Ezike explained how he got married to a make-up artist and exhausted his saving on make-up kits until he decided to go fully into production and distribution of cosmetics.

“I got married to a make-up artist so I found out I spend almost all my saving on make-up, my wife love it, and then I thought venturing into it and it’s been a rough journey, the financial bottle-neck and all that. When I did the first product, I exhausted all my savings. And luckily when I did it, it really gained acceptance which drove me to move ahead and now we have about 14 items and we are expecting more, we want to get the entire range. The whole idea is formulated in U.S.A and we produce them in China. So far we have been going for the best product, we don’t compromise quantity which is the selling point,” he said.

Speaking on piracy, Ezike kicked against piracy as he assured consumers of quality products of Zikel Cosmetics across the country, stating the organisation is taking drastic measures in ensuring there is illegal replica of Zikel Cosmetic products.

“We found that in one year we have major brands admiring us and in the next three years we want to be the major brand. We are taking a giant stride in fighting piracy.

Our products are coming with scratch card to confirm their quality, we have also registered with the task force so that when piracy comes up” he said.

Access Bank Partners NGO on Disability-friendly Tech Hub Suru Group of Companies GMD, Mr. Edward Akinlade (left); Foluke Daramola Salako and Mr. Kayode Salako at the event

Speaking on the event, Akinlade said God spoke to him that he is ignoring Him which is why he has promised to every first day of the year celebrate Him with friends and family anywhere he lives.

"The Lord said to me I must celebrate Him once a year , He said I have been ignoring Him, so for me to prove that everything I own belongs to God is why we are here. Being the first day of the

year, I chose to celebrate him with family and friends. He promised me great things and I also promised Him that so long that I live, anywhere I live, I will do this kind of party once a year. So that’s why I have put this together," he said.

He further stated that his companies have been committed to serve its customers and working tirelessly to serve them better this year.

Group Put Smile on Faces of Soldiers In order to inspire, motivate, encourage and support the military elements while alive to put their very best, the Ziploc Appeal Project, a children led initiative, pioneered

by Volt Club formed by a group of good spirited students of Children International School, Lekki, Lagos, has been put in place.

Two years ago, it took off its reach out initiative with the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Borno State, where a battalion of soldiers in the battle fronts smiled back to their tents. The club members returned happier and strongly encouraged to do more.

This later informed the 2017 Ziploc Appeal for 2000 soldiers in the battle fronts.

In the count down to the Armed Forces Remembrance Day 2018, recently in Lagos, the Volt Club, supported by Penya Barca De Lagos Club, called on governmental authorities, groups - civil or military, religious bodies, institutions corporate bodies and individuals to do something positive in order to put a smile on the faces of living soldiers who in their own are staking their lives so that national unity, peace and progress is

Zikel Cosmetics Set to Empower Over 900 Nigerian Youths

L-r: Immediate past President, The Volt Club, Kofoworola Jolaoso; Actor/ The Volt Club Ambassador, Mr. Paul Obazele; President, The Volt Club, Angelo Sayannwo and Business Development Manager, Blaugrana Sports International, Alvaro Suarez-Coalla, during a press conference

achieved. This, the group believed, will fuel the zeal of the military personnel to conquer more grounds and happily.

The group intention is to reach out to 2000 soldiers in the North-east, who are putting their lives at the highest risk to protect the citizenry. The children are

strongly convinced that the Ziploc Bags Appeal project would provoke the good spirit of true brotherhood and peace, unity and generosity in the citizenry and inspire and encourage those who had been giving for the benefit of the society to do more.

Mary Ekah Access Bank Plc has stepped up its commitment to support people living with disabilities by partnering Project Enable Africa along with HACEY Health Initiative and other organisatons in providing ICT-friendly hub for persons living with disability.

In other to achieve this, Access Bank championed the launching of the Project Enable Fellowship Programme which enrolled 20 persons living with disabilities to acquire ICT related skills and create opportunities for them to earn a living.

The enablement of the 20 PWD’s was backed up by the official launch of the first ever disability friendly hub which took place last December at the headquarters of Access Bank, Victoria Island. The hub is estimated to serve 1,000 PWDs in its first year.

During the launch of the programme, the Head, Corporate Communications, Access Bank Plc, Mr Amaechi Okobi, reaffirmed the bank’s stand on the course and assures the public of the bank’s commitment to helping people with disabilities.

“As the leading financial institution on sustainability in Africa, we remain committed to promoting social inclusion and rights of people living with disabilities”, he said.

He also assured that neglect is not an option as he said, “We believe that social inclusion is non-negotiable” As such, the 20 persons living with disabilities will have the opportunity for employment in corporate organisations after completing their training in various ICT courses amongst which is graphics design, web development and so on.

In addition to Access Bank Plc’s relentless efforts to this course, the bank has moved to engage top level stake holders together to advance the productivity of PWD’s.

The project, which is also supported by the United States government through the Alumni Engagement Innovation Funds and the US Consulate Small Grant, is aimed at promoting the access of young persons with disabilities to ICT skills and opportunities.

Project Enable Africa, a community development initiative that advocates for the rights and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Africa, has launched a disability-friendly digital hub.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2018

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The Evil of Drug of Addiction Chinedu Eze who investigated the lives of a group of five young ladies who indulge in various forms of drugs, writes about the ugly trend among youths, especially girls in Lagos who are bequeathing the obnoxious tradition to their younger ones The use of marijuana, its verities and other types of drugs have been in the upswing.

These days drug use has become part of life among the Nigerian youth, bequeathed to them by the older generation. Now, the youths are taking over drug use and it is making negative impact in their lives and in society.

Recently THISDAY investigated the lives of a group of five young ladies who indulge in various forms of drugs, the impact in their lives and how they are infecting the lives of the young ones around them with the loathsome habit.

Somewhere in Surulere, a suburb in Lagos State, a group of young girls live in one apartment without definite line of work.

They earn money sleeping with men they meet in night clubs and other rendezvous.

That is how they sustain their lives in the city. Back home where they come from in the state located in the Niger Delta, their families believe they are working so hard in Lagos and sent their younger siblings to them to train in school.

In their village, there is no doubt to their source of livelihood as some of them return home, driving posh cars, creating the impression they are doing well in Lagos. Besides their line of work as strumpets, another thing they have in common is that they are drug addicts.

They indulge in all kinds of drugs and hard liquor even as they live together with their young ones averaging 13 to eight years. The five women have six younger siblings living with them.

They send them to school, pay their fees and cook together like in a commune. They also smoke together before the young ones who over the years have accepted inhaling marijuana smoke and its hard aroma as part of life.

“You know, weed is just vegetable. Sometimes we cook with it; sometimes we just smoke it. I came to Lagos in 2014 but I have been smoking weed for years so it is not new to me. When I smoke I am happy. Anytime I am down in spirit I smoke and become happy. Sometimes we just smoke together, exchanging it among ourselves and after we are happy and play and sing and dance.

"There was a man that had a large farm of Indian hemp near my place in the village.

He was also smoking it and he was always happy, so even as a young girl then, I smoked weed because I wanted to be happy.

“When I came to Lagos I had a boyfriend who is in Immigration. He started a restaurant for me but I couldn’t cope because people who come there were always looking at my bom-bom (buttocks) and wanted to sleep with me. After some time I close the business,” intoned one of the girls who spoke to THISDAY. Refusing to speak on what she does now for a living, she talked about the different clubs in Lagos and her capacity to stand alcohol.

“I can down half of the content of Black Label at a sitting. That is my favourite. In the club I can take many shots of tequila and still be okay. Some of my friends can take much more,” she said.

She said that it is God that would save the young siblings who are living with them because they are exposed to drug use daily.

“Right now I am living with my immediate elder sister. We have two older sisters. One is late now. When I came to Lagos I came with the daughter of my elder sister who is still alive but lives in the village. My sister that is living with me also brought the daughter of my late sister. So two of us are living with two of our nieces and I am directly in charge of one of them.

“The other girls have their relations with them. The little ones are six and we are just five adults. The niece my sister is looking after is the child of our second sister who died, leaving four children for her husband. But that man has become useless. He is always smoking weed so he was not taking care of them. He will go mad soon because he does nothing but smoke weed. He does not even eat. So he was happy when my mother came to take the children away from him,”

Girls smoking

she explained.

When asked how the kids react when the adults indulge in drugs, she responded, “They are used to it. It is God that will help them. I don’t smoke when they are around. I smoke when they go to school and I don’t smoke always. But there is one of us that cannot eat unless she smoked and she smokes when the children are there. And she doesn’t even know how to wrap weed (laughs); she will beg somebody to wrap for her. After smoking she will become hungry and eat very, very well. Without smoking she cannot eat.”

As club girls, they usually lazy about during the day, smoking marijuana and hard drugs while waiting for nightfall. The one that spoke to THISDAY however claims to be learning how to sew clothes; while another said she is a graduate and had just recently passed from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The young ones have learnt how to cook food and cook for the adults. They contribute money to cook for all and do so when they pay the bills, but everyone takes care of the young ones she brought to Lagos in terms of clothing and pay their school fees. Sometimes when they get charged after smoking they fight before the children and talk about sex and vent all kinds of vulgarity. The major platform for fighting is when one snatches another’s boyfriend (customer) in the club.

Former spokesman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mitchell Ofoyeju, told THISDAY that drug abuse has numerous negative effects on the health of the user, the family and the society at large.

“Nobody is immune from the devastating consequences of drug production, trafficking,

and abuse. Drugs affect the body in various ways. Alcohol-related problems include liver cirrhosis, pancreatic, peptic ulcer, tuberculosis, hypertension and neurological disorder. It can also cause mental retardation for the fetus in the womb, growth, deficiency, delayed motor development when taken by pregnant mothers. There are equally psychiatric effects like pathological drunkenness and suicidal behaviour.

“Tobacco causes stimulation of heart and narrowing of blood vessels, producing hypertension, headache, loss of appetite, nausea and delayed growth of the fetus. It also aggravates or causes sinusitis, bronchitis, cancer, strokes, and heart attack. Abuse of stimulants can lead to lethargy, irritability, exaggerated self-confidence, damage nose linings, sleeplessness, and psychiatric complications,” he said.

Ofoyeju noted that inhalants like fuel, rubber solution, insecticides among others can cause anemia, damage to kidney and stomach bleeding, adding that narcotics cause poor perception, constipation, cough, suppression, vomiting, drowsiness, prolong sleep, unconsciousness and sudden death.

“Apart from the health effects, drug trafficking and abuse also have social consequences like broken homes, increased crime rate, sexual offenses, homicide and sexually transmitted diseases. When a trafficker is arrested and sentenced to imprisonment, the family members suffer. In most cases, they will not meet their family in peace when they complete their jail terms. Those who use drugs, on the other hand, may be involved in spouse battering.

Many marriages have broken due to domestic

violence induced by drug use. Most rape cases are committed under the influence of drugs.

“Dropping out of school and work is also common among people who use drugs because drug use takes pre-eminence over any other activity of value to them. Similarly, they can sell any valuable property to purchase drugs.

Where there is nothing to sell, they can resort to begging, stealing and even robbery. Besides, female drug users can easily exchange sex for drugs. In the process, sexually transmitted diseases can be contracted. Terminal ailments such as HIV and hepatitis can also be spread through injecting drug use,” he said.

Ofoyeju remarked that most criminals also rely on stimulant drugs to embolden them in perpetrating their atrocious acts, stating that armed robbers, kidnappers, and terrorists at one point or another depend on drugs to function.

“In Nigeria, most youths have been caught in the web of drug abuse. The prevalent drug of abuse is cannabis also called hemp. Cannabis use is widespread because it is locally grown. Apart from cannabis, the abuse of psychoactive drugs like tramadol, cough syrups with codeine, Rohypnol, and diazepam is also common among youths who add it to soft drinks to deceive their parents from suspecting they are into drugs,” he noted.

For the six kids in the commune of the club ladies, what will be their future? Will they be able to attend university, come out and become responsible citizens, after they have been so exposed to drugs and prostitution at such early age? The answer lies in the uncertainly of tomorrow, but for the present, those young ones need to be saved.

33/XTRA

12.01.2018

Dangote Sets up Job Centre to Fight Unemployment in Abia Emmanuel Ugwu in Umuahia Africa’s richest man and chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has partnered the Government of Abia State to fight the scourge of unemployment and enhance human capital development in God’s own state.

To achieve the set objectives the chairman of Dangote Group has made available N18.5 million seed money for the establishment of a job centre at Okpuala the headquarters of Isiala Ngwa North Local Government.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony for the Dangote Education for Employment (E4E) Job Centre, the renowned industrialist said that the job centre was a demonstration of his interest in human capital development, especially in Abia State.

Dangote, who was represented by the head compensation and benefits of the Dangote Group, Mr. Charles Obera, said that it was high time all well-meaning people, corporate organisations, development partners and Abians in Diaspora to join hands in fighting unemployment.

He said that the job centre should be extended to all the local governments of Abia, adding that

Dangote

it was achievable if individuals and organisations could sponsor the establishment of job centres in the remaining councils.

“The collective effort will enable us to engage the hands and minds of youths of Abia State for productive work,” he said, adding, “if we engage them through these initiative, chances are that the population of those willing hands of miscreants will be depopulated.”

According to him, if fewer miscreants are available on the streets governments at all levels and the private sector would be better for it as

skilled manpower would be readily available to work for the development of Abia and Nigeria in general.

Dangote took interest in solving the problem of unemployment in Abia following his attraction to the Education for Employment (E4E) programme of Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, which is aimed at providing employment for unemployed youths and manpower for the various industrial concerns in the state.

Deputy governor of Abia, Ude Oko Chukwu, who represented Governor Ikpeazu, said that right from inception the present administration has shown its commitment to drastically reduce unemployment in God’s own state.

He said that Ikpeazu has set a target of providing technical and vocational education training to 100,000 unemployed Abia youths “to enable them acquire the necessary skills for self-reliance and wealth creation.”

The deputy governor said that it was government’s emphasis on technical and vocational education that gave birth to E4E programme launched on September 16, 2015 and which “is currently receiving adequate government attention with the establishment of three pilot schools for training.”

He lauded Dangote for providing the seed money of N18.5 million for the establishment of the first job centre named after him, pledging that government “will leave no stone unturned in her efforts to ensure the replication of the job centre in each of the remaining 16 local governments areas in the state.”

The coordinator of E4E, Mr. Endi Ezengwa said that for a serious minded businessman of international repute like Dangote to key into the E4E and support the programme has shown that it has attained international standard.

He said that the job centre is a legacy that would outlive the administration of Ikpeazu, adding that the centre would fill the gap between the job seekers and the employers since it would serve as a resource centre.

He explained that every kind of skill would be recorded and matched with available jobs at any point in time so that information on the job market would be easily accessible for both the unemployed and would be employer.

Ezengwa further stated that the job centre would also help in training youths on the proper way of writing their curriculum vitae, interview techniques including dressing and speaking well before a panel of interviewers.

Bestman Games Unveils New Bible Board Game Solomon Elusoji Bestman Games, one of Nigeria’s top family entertainment brand and the African distributor of customised editions of Hasbro’s iconic Monopoly Board Game, has unveiled its first proprietary board game, The Bible Game.

According to a press release from the company, the "Bible Game exudes the same high-quality aesthetics and fun game play that will ensure that it too is well received by generations of families."

During the launch of the game in Lagos, Founder and CEO of Bestman Games, and one of Nigeria’s best-known entrepreneurs, Nimi Akinkugbe, talked about her company's creative and entrepreneurial journey, and the bold steps the company undertook in producing its first proprietary board game.

"Bestman Games first came into our collective pop-culture consciousness, with the first African city version of Hasbro’s world famous Monopoly board game five years ago, but now the time had come to showcase what was

possible from a wholly Nigerian perspective," she said.

She explained that the board game had been entirely manufactured in Nigeria. "The token pieces themselves are a highlight, as each piece is created using a unique and cutting-edge 3D Printing technology."

During his welcome address at the launch, Chairman of Bestman Games, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, spoke about society’s need to rebuild strong values and the value of games in providing quality time as well as unmatched fun and excitement.

Oluseye Soyode-Johnson, a gaming and entertainment consultant took the narrative further, drawing a parallel between the current global evolution of the family entertainment industry, and Nigeria’s gaming opportunities. He also gave insights into technologies transforming the nature of ‘play’, such as robotics, artificial intelligence and augmented reality.

The launch event was rough fed up with a walk-through of the board game’s gameplay; a

L-R Akin Akinpelu CEO Stampar 3D, Adeyinka Ashaolu,Nimi Akinkugbe, posing with a copy of the Bible board game

humorous role-play by three actors, displayed the game-dynamics, as well as, the interesting character of the mischievous Challenger, who

players must be prepared to face and be quizzed on the bible; they must know the bible in order to save souls.

Senate C'ttee on Defence Pledges Support for Armed Force Retirees Chiemelie Ezeobi To ensure a smooth transition into civil life for the retirees of the Armed Forces, the Senate Committee on Defence, has pledged more support for the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC).

The chairman of the committee, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made this disclosure during an oversight visit to the centre in Oshodi, Lagos.

According to him, both the Committee on Defence and Appropration should be commended because prior to 2017, NAFRC was not getting this kind of support it has now.

He said: "Whatever they bring forward will be supported because we have seen what they have done. The committee is impressed with the development seen in NAFRC in terms of physical structures.

"We are collaborators and supporters and whatever legislative backing that they require,

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai

they should approach the National Assembly for support."

In his remarks, Kyari further noted that the committee regretted its inability to conduct on-the-spot assessment of the programmes and

projects of NAFRC for about 10 years.

"It is for this reason that this committee resolved to commence 2017 monitoring and evaluation exercise with this centre.

"I am satisfied that this centre has evolved from the role of rehabilitating and demobilising soldiers of war to that of resettling able-bodied soldiers who are about to leave service."

Kyari who clarified that the oversight was neither a witch-hunt nor an attempt by parliament to intimidate ministries of government, added that they were not on a fault finding mission.

"Instead, we are equally committed to the vision of developing a world class training institution capable of repositioning ex-service men to cope with the challenges of re-integrating into civilian life.

"As the elected representative of the people, it is our mandate to hold government to account by ensuring value for money in public expenditure as well as transparency and openness.

Our visit to NAFRC is aimed at advancing these principles."

He restated that the Senate Committee on Defence, and by extension the National Assembly were partners and stakeholders with military establishment.

He added that the two could achieve more in terms of ensuring peace and safety for Nigerian citizens with greater cooperation and synergy.

The NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Austine Jekennu, during his welcome address, said NAFRC had been a major beneficiary of the 'Change Agenda' of the federal government.

"It can be seen that overtime, the centre has evolved from a rehabilitation centre for wounded demobilised soldiers, to a resettlement facility for retiring able bodied servicemen.

"As we speak, there are plans to once again expand the mandate to include officers and personnel of other para-military organisations in our curricular."

Young Nollywood Actress Floats Autism Foundation Ikenna Ekwerike Efe Irele, a young Nollywood star has recently, unveiled her autism foundation called Efe Irele Autism Foundation in Lagos, with the aim to create greater awareness about autism disorder and support families with autistic children.

Irele said the initiative to set up the foundation was, first and foremost, an expression of love for her immediate younger brother who is autistic.

She felt that awareness about the disorder was very low and regretted how much of injustice and agony persons living with the condition had had to suffer as a result.

“Growing up, I saw how it kind of put a

stigma on me and the family as a whole; people would look at him in a funny way because they didn’t understand what autism was all about. There are a lot of families that actually have autistic kids, but because of the shame and the stigma that come with it, they hide the children: they lock them up in the house.

“People will come and say its witchcraft but at the end of the day you’ll find out that most of these people have autistic kids. And the truth is after locking them up and all that, it actually makes them worse,” she noted.

She noted, with experience, that autism was nothing to be ashamed of adding that her foundation would bring families with autistic

persons together, to make them know they are not alone.

The Nollywood star further assured that beyond pushing for autism awareness, her foundation would stir up support for poor families with autistic children economically and otherwise.

In a speech at the event, a certified autism specialist, Mr. Bidemi Yinusa, said autism was a neuro developmental disorder that impairs the normal socio-psychological skills development of a child that has it. He noted that a child with autism will typically lack the social interaction skills, lack speech clarity, isolates self, easily gets angry and throws things away.

While emphasising that autism was not a disease, Yinusa explained that early intervention with appropriate therapy would help to manage persons living with autism to become socially conscious and be integrated into society.

Some mothers with autistic children who shared their experiences at the event, including Mrs. Margaret Irele, the mother of Efe, said love and understanding were most essential in raising a child with autism.

Highpoints of the event were the official launching of the foundation and distribution of gift hampers to parents with autistic kids as well as some supporters of the foundation.

34/INTERVIEW

12.01.2018

Asobie: Excess Crude Account is Illegal Prof. Assisi Asobie is the former Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, former head of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities, a renowned campaigner for oil sector transparency in country, and Nigeria Natural Resource Charter Co-chair and acts on the social development group of the expert panel. In this interview with journalists, he spoke about systemic corruption in Nigeria, Boko Haram insurgency, economy, oil and gas sector, among other issues. Peter Uzoho presents excerpts You once described former President Goodluck Jonathan as Nero. Today, the government in power blames him for virtually every ill in society. Do you feel vindicated?

I wouldn’t change the description. That was in 2013 and what was happening at that time was that while the criminal activities of Boko Haram were raging, series of parties were being held in the Villa and it was in that context that I made the description. I just didn’t think that the country was in the mood for celebration while people were dying in all parts of the country, including Abuja.

I had worked with Jonathan as President, too.

My term as Chairman of NEITI (Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative) began when he and President Yar’Adua took office and I continued with him even after Mr. President (Yar'Adua) died. So, I also had an opportunity of face-to-face, one-to-one interaction with him. I think that basically, he was not prepared for office.

But fortunately for him, there was a programme; the Vision 2020 plan derived from the ECOWAS Vision 2020. It wasn’t just a Nigerian thing. He extracted a visual component and called it the transformation agenda. I didn’t like that because it was a distortion of the vision itself. Let me give you an example.

Going by the vision, if we were to develop and become one of the 20 most industrialised and developed nations in 2020, we would have to grow at 13.8 per cent and they were talking about achieving half of that as their target and it really made sense. Secondly, Vision 2020 emphasises industrialisation and that was not a major plank of their policy. He had a lot of information about what was going on in the oil and gas sector at that time, in terms of reports by NEITI, and I remember having a crucial meeting with him in July 2011 where he promised to implement the reports, but that he would first have me come and brief the entire cabinet, but it never happened.

Virtually everything wrong in the society is blamed on the immediate past government?

Is that the right attitude?

It is for us to correct that now as observers, analysts, and the people. We should correct that.

The way you assess a government is not the extent to which it inherited problems or not.

You evaluate a government through documents because I believe in documents. There are two official development programmes: one is still the Vision 2020 which is to run till 2020, and the present government has departed completely from it.

You can also assess the government based on its own manifesto. The APC has a manifesto and that manifesto, in terms of the economy, is built around creating jobs, and that’s the most important item on that manifesto. And those jobs would be created by the state, not the private sector. More importantly, it will be done through industrialisation, not agriculture. There are many roadmaps. Let me give you examples of few of the roadmaps, and you will see how they have departed from that policy. One of their promises was that each state of the federation would generate about 20,000 jobs per annum, and for each job that is created by a state, the federal government would create two more. It is a big thing all together, because according to them, 100 million Nigerians are living on N60 per day. Therefore, in order to solve that problem, the government would focus on job creation and industrialisation. But that is not what is going on now. The item in the manifesto they are implementing is the N5,000 stipend and that is a very small matter. With regards to anti-corruption, the major point they made was that they were going to change the strategies for fighting corruption; that those arrested for alleged corruption would be given the opportunity

catch them first and deal with them. Then, their supporters will take flight. But, the big fishes are crawling; I mean are swimming freely. So, there is nothing really systematic about this.

In other words, you are not satisfied with the way the war against corruption is being prosecuted?

Certainly not. It’s not being prosecuted systematically and strategically.

Asobie

to prove their innocence. How would they do that? They would use your means of lifestyle to determine whether what you are displaying is commensurate with your earnings and you will be arrested and questioned to prove how you made the wealth. That’s one of the things they said they would do. Significantly, too, they promised to be transparent in the award of contracts; it would be opened to the public. And in his 100 days in office, he still talked about transparency in the award of contracts and to put transparency on a priority list, he said he was going to declare his assets to show personal example and that all his ministers would do the same. Of course, that never happened. More importantly, he also promised to abide by the Procurement Act of 2007, which provides that neither the cabinet nor the Federal Executive Council should award contracts and that there should be a national council for procurement. He promised he was going to do that immediately, and so on and so forth. If you look at the entire policy, you will discover that they have departed from it.

What I’m saying is, analysts should not allow government to tell us the criteria for assessing them. The criteria are documented and these documents are the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, their manifesto and whatever policy they have in the office. All these will give us criteria for assessing them.

You were once quoted as saying that nothing much will be achieved in the fight against corruption using EFCC and ICPC. Do you still hold that view?

I was not only chairman of NEITI. People didn’t really know this because it wasn’t published. I had in NEITI a unit called TUGA Transparency Unit on Accountability and Governance and part of what it did was to bring scientific method into fighting corruption. But one of the things that it did, with I as chairman, was to create a network or rather, a coordinating team made up of chairmen of all the anti-corruption agencies.

Working with the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) in Kaduna, we actually brought out a strategic document for fighting corruption in Nigeria because it is a requirement of the United Nations that all UNCAC (United Nations Convention Against Corruption) member-states must have such a document that is approved by the people through their participation. So, we produced such a document and I personally led the team to present it to Mohammed Adoke, who was the Attorney General in 2011. I left in January 2012 and I did that in 2011. Before the press and so on, he thanked us and said he was going to make sure that it was approved

by the executive council. But, I haven’t seen or heard any reference to that document since then. However, there was a time I read in the papers where the chairman of the Presidential Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay was quoted to have said that they do have such a document. I think they have it on the websites of the anti-corruption agencies and we ought to participate in implementing it. It is not a federal document; it is a national document. In other words, is he fighting corruption as required by the United Nations Organisation? So, I think that is the major problem he has. Talking about detailed promises, he said he was going to ensure that the ICPC, which is the real anti-corruption outfit and the EFCC which is the financial crime agency and all such organisations, has, first, autonomy, independence from his interference.

Secondly, he promised the agencies would be thoroughly funded. Do you know how the EFCC used to get its own funding? By bribing civil servants. The EFCC used to bribe civil servants to increase their budget; they bribe the National Assembly to increase their budget. When an agency like that bribes civil servants, how can it fight corruption? They are poorly funded.

So, what I am saying about this fight against corruption is that it is not systematic and the whole strategy is wrong. What is that strategy?

The EFCC is making noise about enforcement, but Buhari’s main strategy is not really enforcement.

If you look at it very closely, it is what is called on-conviction-based- assets recovery. That is what he is doing. In other words, try and get some of the money stolen or recovered without going to court. That is what he is doing. He does not usually put them in jail; he treats it more or less like a civil case rather than a criminal one. That is what he is doing and it is not going to work because the nature of corruption in Nigeria is systematic; it is not endemic. To be endemic means it is peculiar to Nigeria, but by being systematic, it means that it has eaten into all the fabrics and institutions, such that there is now confusion between what corruption is and what is not and virtually everybody is tempted in the process. If you are not directly involved, then you are supporting or benefiting from it.

Corruption in Nigeria is systematic and there is a theoretical basis for dealing with systematic corruption. Corruption that occurs episodically with few people involved is what they call the theory of principal agent. But systematic corruption is dealt with by corrective action. It is assumed that you have to use corrective action and the beginning of that corrective action is what is called the ‘Big Bang Theory’, which means you target the ones everybody thinks are untouchable. You

On a scale of 1-10, how would you assess the present administration?

Well, you can assess it from 1-10 generally.

In terms of corruption, there is an organisation that does it year after year. I think in 2016, what they scored was 2.8 over 10; or going by the index they use now, .28 over 100. That’s what they scored and that’s the highest they have ever scored. 2.8 over 10 is very low because the minimum you can score in the TICPI index is 3 and 3 is still below the accepted benchmark, which is 5. If you score 5 over 10, then you have moved over to the clean bar; you are no longer unclean. As far as I know, only Botswana has achieved that. Other countries close to that are South Africa and Ghana. Nigeria has never passed 2.8; they have never reached 3, not to talk of 5 and that is very low.

Now, apart from corruption, the government also promised to fix the economy and tackle security. How well has it done in these areas?

Let’s take security first. The government thinks that the greatest security challenge in Nigeria is Boko Haram insurgency, right? If the government thinks that they can kill off the Boko Haram militants, it only means that Buhari and his people are thinking in terms of conventional warfare in combating the insurgents who are involved in guerrilla warfare. So, what does that mean? When they have arms and people, they do confrontational warfare but that is not their main strategy. Their main strategy is ‘hit and run’ and in the theory of guerrilla warfare, time is of the essence. In other words, it is a protracted war; it’s a war of attrition. So, the longer it lasts, the better for them, so the government’s strategy does not fit the tactic being used by the enemy.

Secondly, it is not just a war to be won on the battle field. It is also a war of ideology; a war of ideas. But it is not being fought rightly, as far as I know. It is also a war that you can only win by involving the people to deny them sanctuary and any sympathy. So, I don’t think they are fighting it rightly and I don’t see an end to it very soon.

But the impression Nigerians have is that Boko Haram has been degraded?

Degraded doesn’t mean defeated. If you have a group of people who use time as their main weapon, what it means is that whenever they are not acting, they are reorganising; they are getting more funds and recruits; that’s what they are doing. So, when they reinforce and come back, the circle of killings begins again. So, I think they have not understood what is going on, and therefore not going about it properly.

They think all you have to do is pour arms and money, and you know, there is an incentive for pouring arms and money too. There are people who benefit from that and for them, that is what is more important. It is actually an ideological fight, which is not being dealt with rightly. So, I don’t think they are doing it.

On the economy, I thought they got it right when they put in their manifesto that industrialisation is key. It is not just diversification. In fact, diversification into agriculture and solid minerals is important. Also in their manifesto, they promised to work with the legislature to put solid minerals under the control of states; CONT’D ON PAGE 38

35/ENTREPRENEUR

12.01.2018

‘Sahara Group and I Have a Mission to Empower the African Girl-child’ With 28 million girls between the ages of about six and 15 out of school in Africa, a wind of empowerment would do girls on the continent a world of good. Leading African and energy conglomerate, Sahara Group is partnering with Zuriel Oduwole, a young film maker and avowed girl-child empowerment advocate to promote girlchild education and gender equality. This partnership is being implemented under Sahara Group’s Grooming Film Extrapreneurs initiative; the target being to empower 90 girls in three African countries- Nigeria, Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire in the art of film making. Peter Uzoho was there What would you say are the most pressing issues the girl-child of today has to contend with particularly with respect to what you have discovered from your trips to various African nations?

Okay, first, their society doesn’t think they are equal to boys, or can do what boys do, so it means they have to fight every day once they wake up till they go to bed, just from that alone. If that is already a fight, then everything else is a struggle. That’s so sad, and unfair.

How would you rate the progress made with respect to the SDGs that speak to the girl-child?

For me, I think a lot of work needs to be done. Just like the example I gave above. It would mean the SDG’s have to change the mind set of people, and that is very hard to do. I met President Salva Kiir because South Sudan has one of the highest rates of Girls Marriage in Africa. Eventually, he said he would speak to the Elders once he gets back home. It’s hard to change peoples’ mindsets.

Who are your role models and how have they influenced your work?

My mom first, because she is a very strong woman, and she works full time, and still has time to do some of our home school work with us. That’s so cool.

What is the focus of your partnership with Sahara Foundation?

I like that they see some value in what I am doing with Girls Education all across the world, and just like the African proverb, if you want to go fast, go alone, and if you want to go far, go together. I think I have gone very fast in the last five years, since I started my project at age 10. Sahara has shown they are serious about Girls Education, so it’s easy for me to create a partnership, so we can do more together, for Girls Education in Africa, and also around the world. That would be so cool to do. Through the partnership with Sahara Foundation, we will be empowering young ladies in Nigeria, Ghana and Cote d’ Ivoire who will be guided and mentored to create replicas of themselves for greater impact.

Ultimately, the goal is to give these girls who are mostly from underserved communities the power, skills and platform to tell their stories and make a living through film making.

The training sessions are scheduled to run from January 5-17 across the three locations.

How would you describe the importance of the project for the girl-child especially in Africa?

They are running in a race with one leg, when the boys are running with two legs. So, I really think it is important that we create opportunities so girls can run with both legs too. That’s how important the project is. It is expected that the Grooming Film Extrapreneurs Season II themed ‘Empowering the Girl-child in Africa’ will be provide a unique opportunity for the 90 girls in the three selected African countries and more importantly equip them with film making skills which have been partly responsible for thrusting me into global limelight.

Oduwole

What outcomes are you looking forward to achieving with Sahara Foundation on this project?

For us to reach more people and let them, especially girls, know that they can do and achieve anything, and I mean anything they want to do or achieve. It is so possible. I am doing some cool stuff, and I am only 15.

At least all those magazines and TV shows think I am. I believe so too. People believe more when they see things, instead of when people just tell them.

Sustainability of any project is vital for continued impact. What is the plan for ensuring the girls empowered by the project are monitored and mentored for long-term impact?

Firstly, the progress of the beneficiaries and conversations will be driven through the through the Sahara Hub via a dedicated #saharazuriel which will be synonymous to SDGS 4 and 5. This will also allow them to continue learning a little more about film making. Secondly, we will encourage them

to form a small support group for each other on social media, and I can reach out to them on specific times and schedules, to see how they are doing, and share ideas and solutions to any challenges they have.

If there was one outcome you could achieve from this partnership with Sahara Foundation, what would it be?

It would be to encourage more corporations around the world to create partnerships with small groups, so many more people can be reached to empower people to be self employed, instead of waiting for people to employ them, especially in this new economy of e-commerce and digital media and the green economy happening from now too.

You have interviewed over 24 presidents and other distinguished personalities. How has this shaped your opinion about the world?

Does this give you hopes for girls around the world?

First, it lets me know how difficult it is to be President of any country. So like Nigeria, there are 180 million opinions, so that’s a

difficult start already for the President.

Sadly, Girls have never been priority for many governments, so me talking to the Presidents is making a difference in places like Tanzania and Namibia and Cape Verde, and hopefully, Nigeria soon too.

Your work with the United Nations is somewhat demanding for a young teen. Are there times when you feel like giving up?

No way. Instead, I want people in the UN to decide faster so I can do more. They take too long, but I’m glad they listen to my ideas, and take me very seriously. I really like that.

How do you cope with managing your foundation, school and growing up?

By praying a lot and asking for wisdom, and by surrounding myself with people who believe in me, starting with my parents. I am so grateful.

What are your targets for the New Year?

Doing a little bit more, than I did last year, and asking the Lord for the wisdom to accomplish it.

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L-R: Chairman, Church Management Committee, Senior Evangelist Nosa Giwa-Osagie; acting Shepherd-in-Charge, Asst Sup. Evangelist. Lawrence Oshinaike; and Parish Patron, Mot Snr Evangelist Soye Oluremi Oniagba, during the 10th Anniversaryof the Cathedral, Celestial Church of Christ, Covenant Parish, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos... recently

L-R: Managing Director, Development Bank of Nigeria , Mr Tony Okpanachi; Mother of the Bride, Mrs Shehu Jafiya; Couple, Mr and Mrs. David Chida; Father of the bride Mr. Shehu Jafiya;and Mrs Tony Okanachi at the wedding ceremony held at Church of the Assumption, Asokoro Abuja... recently

L-R: The Leader of the Liberal Democrats Party, Sir Vince Cable MP; The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V. and Sir Edward Davey MP, during the courtesy visit to Hazrat Mirza Masroor by the British Member of Parliament at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London....recently

L-R; LAGOS STATE CHIEF JUDGE, HON. JUSTICE OPEYEMI OLUFUNMILAYO OKE AND LAGOS STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE , IMOHIMI OLUWOLE EDGAL DURING A COURTESY VISIT BY THE COMMISSIONER TO CHIEF JUDGE IN LAGOS...RECENTLY

L-R; Children of the late Justice Adebayo Adeniji; Mrs Bola Benson; her husband, Mr. Hewitt Benson; Dr. Tayo Adeniji; her husband, Mr. Bayo Adeniji; Mrs Yemisi Wada; her husband, Mr. Dahiru Wada at the funeral service/ ceremony of the late Justice Adeniji at the Church of the Nativity, Parkview , lkoyi, Lagos..recently Abiodun Ajala

L-R:Mrs lheanacho and her husband, Emmanuel Iheanacho; Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Chief (Mrs) Olufunsho Amosun; Founder/Group Managing Director, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Dr Stella C. Okoli; Wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo; Wife of the former President of Nigeria, Chief Mrs Bola Obasanjo; Wife of the Governor of Ondo State, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu; and Wife of the former Governor of Lagos Sate, Mrs Ndubuisi Kanu, at thel Emzor annual thanksgiving dinner, held in Lagos... recently

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‘I Read Law to Offer Free Services to Indigent Nigerians Nnamdi Ebo, a political scientist, author, online newspaper publisher and columnist was called to bar December 13, 2017. In this interview with Alex Enumah, he talked about his dream for the law profession and other issues confronting the nation

Ebo

You are a political scientist, an author, social commentator amongst others, what is your attraction to the legal profession and how do you feel being called to the bar?

Actually when I applied to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, I applied for Law but they gave me the second choice which was Political Science, so my uncle advised that I take it and afterwards go and read Law. However, when I graduated Nigeria was not bad as it is today. I got a job, bought a car, had a house, so I forgot to go back to school.

But after several years of working and doing business, I said no, no, no, I must go back to school. So, I applied at the University of Abuja to read Law, which was my first love and do my primary assignment.

How do you feel today not just being a Law graduate but being called to the bar to practice your dream profession?

I graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1980, did my youth service in 1981 and I got into University of Abuja 2010 to read Law, so between 1980 to 2010 is 30 years. I remember having classmates old enough to be my children but, today, I feel so great because I have fulfilled my long dream which started immediately after the civil war. Though, it took 30 years, but everything has gone now, I am now a lawyer, a practicing one, so I am very happy now.

Now that you have your dream of becoming a lawyer fulfilled, what areas of change you expect to see or make as part of your contribution to the growth of the profession?

One of the areas the judiciary needs help is in the area of information technology. I remember when I did my court attachment in one of the courts in Area 3, Garki, FCT, the judge was still writing by hand. In advanced world they have gone beyond those things.

Judges should have stenographers taking word for word what is happening which the judge can review later. So, in the area of keeping records during litigations I don’t think judges should be writing, that delays justice as far as I am concerned because as a lawyer, if you are talking and you are too fast for the judge he would ask you to stop.

Another area is infrastructure. It is only in Abuja, that you see air conditioned courtrooms and maybe a few places in Lagos, if you go to some high courts in some states you would be shocked to see some of them sitting on benches, I mean wooden benches for that matter.

Also the Nigerian judiciary doesn’t have enough online presence. For example, if I need information on judicial matters I will have to go to the Supreme Court library or other library belonging to the judiciary. People should be able to go online and access any information on the judiciary. It is high time they put everything online so that people don’t have to go to court library before they can access information on the judiciary. Court records should be online to facilitate the job of lawyers and even judicial staff.

And as for my dream for the profession, I intend to be very active on human rights law and in the area of Pro-bono. If you go to the prisons in Nigeria today, you will see a lot of people languishing there. A lot of them have spent 10 years, eight years no trial because they are from poor families and they don’t know anybody so they are there. You will also be surprised that a lot of them are caught for just wondering and other petty crimes but they end up staying there for years. So, I intend to go to the Nigerian Legal Aid Council, liaise with them to know what to do in order to offer my legal services through them. I will also go to those prisons find out some of those in need, pick a few cases and have them on Pro-bono without charging the defendants. I want to leave a mark for humanity by offering Pro-bono services to poor Nigerians. I may even establish a foundation in this regard in the future, though the cost is high.

What is your assessment of Nigeria’s judiciary in relation to fight against corruption?

Corruption has always existed, it didn’t start with this administration, and it’s been there. Why it appears as if it is more prevalent now, is that this administration decided to fight it. It was a cardinal campaign promise of President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption, so it is as if corruption started now, no it is because he is fighting it and

corruption is fighting back.

Unfortunately, one area that corruption has been very endemic is the judiciary, which everybody knows as judicial corruption, a situation where judges compromise their judicial decision on the bench for lucre, it is very unfortunate.

Some judges even give judgment that leaves even the layman amazed. An example is the one given on December 12 by the Lagos division of the Court of Appeal which is currently the most controversial judgment, where the court held that the EFCC has no right either to investigate or prosecute judges. That is a judgment that is controversial and a wrong judgment in the sense that the court’s decision runs contrary to the principle of separation of power, the executive, legislature and the judiciary all have their individual powers and there are checks and balances enabling the three of them to work in unison. So, if EFCC which has statutory powers to investigate cannot investigate or prosecute judges then there is a problem. Though the judgment is not saying judges are immune but that before the EFCC can do anything, the NJC must try the judge and recommend his or her crime to the EFCC for prosecution or dismiss him, or that the NJC must finish before EFCC can prosecute.

I do not agree with the judgment because even though the judgment says there is no immunity on the judges, they are inadvertently bringing immunity from another side that is unconstitutional, the kind of immunity the constitution does not envisage. Judges have immunity when they are sitting in their courts but as soon as a judge steps out of his court room and commits a crime he will be tried like any other Nigerian. But any action he takes as a judge sitting in the courtroom he is covered by immunity. That judgment is an infringement on separation of powers, you cannot say the EFCC cannot prosecute until you finish, are you going to recommend the crime to EFCC, it is EFCC that will determine the crime through investigation.

The judgment is not good for judges to start with, because there may be situation where the NJC finds a judge guilty and dismisses him but the court found him innocent through their investigation. Now, he is already been

sacked by the NJC, but the court now frees him from the alleged crimes and let him go, what then happens to him, considering that he has already been dismissed by the NJC on a crime he did not commit?

What is your perspective on President Buhari’s fight against corruption and the controversy surrounding the approval given to the executive by the governors to withdraw $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account to fight insurgency?

President Buhari means well for this country, unfortunately he is surrounded by corrupt people.

A lot of people feel the corruption fight so far is one sided and that the government is fighting perceived enemies, in the opposition and it seemed so because there are some persons in the corridors of powers that people know to be corrupt but they are walking free. While the approval to withdraw monies to fight terrorism can be seen as justified it becomes more confusing if such huge amount is needed to prosecute the war against insurgency when the government keeps claiming that Boko Haram has been decimated.

The problem of this country is corruption.

There is no area in this country that corruption has not permeated. In the previous administration a lot of money meant for procurement of arms were diverted into politics. Nigerian politicians are dubious, the government should need less money going by the claim by the military that Boko Haram has been defeated.

What is your take on the dress code for lawyers in the wake of the Hijab controversy generated by your colleague whom the Law School refused to call to bar?

Wearing of wig and gown is a convention, there is no law in the constitution that says lawyers should wear wig and gown, it is a convention and many countries including U.S. and Britain have done away with the tradition.

With regards to the Hijab, the Law School has their own regulations and the affected student was aware of it, she just wanted to make a point. To me, if you know your religious belief would affect you in a profession, then don’t go into that profession, but again, I see nothing wrong with her decision.

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ASOBIE: EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT IS ILLEGAL not the federal government because you know that solid minerals are found in almost all the states of the federation, and if you allow them to take control of it and deal in it, do you know what is going to happen? There is going to be competition among the states. But, if you maintain the status quo where the solid minerals are under the control of the federal government, the northern states — Nassarawa, Plateau — name it, even Borno and so on, where you have a lot of solid minerals, will now begin to demand for derivation.

When the money accruing from solid minerals is paid it into federation account, they will want 50/50 sharing formula. This means indirectly, they will be supporting the Niger Delta on 50 per cent derivation and thus, indirectly solving that problem. What I am saying is that our path to economic development is not diversification; what is critical is industrialisation. Do you know why? If you industrialise, you are likely to create more jobs than if you focus on agriculture and solid minerals. More importantly, if you industrialise, you are going to get Nigerians more involved in the economy than foreigners. Why? Foreign investors will not be very enthusiastic about industrialisation because that is being in competition with them; but Nigerians will be interested. One of the things industrialisation will do is to expand your base of participation, which is one of the things they are looking at. Foreign investors will also not support industrialisation because the maturity time of their investments is long-term before you begin to make gains and you don’t want to tie your capital down in one country, because the kind of money we have under globalisation is called virtual or speculative money, rather than money that is invested for a long time. That is the nature of globalisation. So, industrialisation therefore, is naturalistic. Do you know that the ECOWAS was created on the basis of industrialisation? That Nigeria will be the centre of industrialisation in West Africa and the whole of West Africa will be the market? That was the original idea and that has also been abandoned. So, what I am really saying is, they haven’t also got it, with respect to the economy, they haven’t also got it.

How will you appraise the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector?

Well, I don’t know what reforms you are talking about. When Kachikwu became Minister of State (Petroluem), one of the things he did, which was good, was to abolish the oil-for-product swaps and went on to direct the selling process. He also started a process of transparency by publishing monthly financial reports and that was good, too. But you know, the major thing about the oil industry is PIB, the Petroleum Industry Bill.

That’s the major problem and that’s where the reform lies. I don’t know how to put it into their heads that the best thing to do is to split the bill into parts, so you can have a petroleum industry governance bill, which is the very first one they touched, to make it easy. But if you read what they did there, you will discover that they toned down the principles of the idea. Let me give an example. The very first principle for the oil industry is that the majority of the people must get the greatest benefits, social and economic. The clauses of that first part of the bill have it that the people’s benefits come first, before the interest of the investors. In other words, fiscal regimes; how much you pay and start operations, and so on comes first before the investors. But, this has been reversed. It looks like a minor issue, but it is a serious matter. Secondly, they are avoiding the most difficult part of it thinking that eventually, gradually they will get there and it will be easy.

No! What killed PAB during Yar’Adua, to the end of Jonathan’s regime was fiscal regime; how much tax, particularly the production sharing contract tax. That is what killed it. Why? Because oil companies were insisting that the present fiscal regime, tax regime and so on, was done through bilateral contract and that any country that tries to change that without legislation is breaking an agreement. That was the original agreement. The major problem was he wanted to revive, for the benefit of Nigerians, the fiscal regime. So, it was the oil companies that killed the regime. So, I’m saying you should get there because avoiding it does not solve any problem.

My stand is that if the PIB is not passed, there will be no true reform.

The way it is now, you don’t feel that PIB would actually achieve its objective?

I am not saying the PIB is not going to be passed. I’m not talking about the contents of the objective. I am saying that they have truncated it by taking it bit by bit. By that, they have

it is very important. But what I am saying is that if you do that when the economy is still centralised, when oil is still the main source of revenue, it will not work, politically. People will not agree and that was why I mentioned earlier on that if you develop the solid minerals sector, and a new group of beneficiaries come up, who would now say they will not benefit from this derivation? They will now build support for the Niger Delta and the South-east in terms of derivation. So, it will be easy to restructure by first restructuring the economy. That’s actually the argument I am making; that once oil is the main source of government revenue, nobody above River Niger and Benue will be willing to agree to restructuring.

Asobie

watered it down and that’s the point I am really making. I am saying that they will not even achieve passing it in the first place and trouble will start when they now want to co-ordinate and produce it in a day.

You are a member of the panel of experts of the NNRC. How do the activities of the organisation impact on Nigeria and Nigerians?

The NNRC (Nigeria Natural Resource Charter) is a state of precepts. There are two precepts.

They constitute a framework for assessing the performance of a country in the management of oil and gas. Let me take one or two precepts.

The first one, which I have already mentioned here, is to determine whether the oil extracted is managed to the benefit of the greatest number of people, economic and social. What that really means is, when you decide to take the oil from the ground, and sell and make money, you should calculate the net benefits. It is not just how much you are getting from it; it is how much you are getting minus how much it is costing you, including environmental costs. It is not compulsory that you must extract. There may be occasions when you would say, “now, I don’t want to extract”. After all, America did that for some time. Why not? When you think that the overall benefits are not really positive.

That’s the first thing. The second precept is about transparency and accountability, and so on. There are about two. The last precept is about the private sector. There is also a precept about the way the oil money is being managed, and also about the quality of spending and so on. So, that’s what the NNRC does. In this respect, I have a criticism of Nigeria. The criticism I have is the same I have for NEITI, which I was also part of. If Nigeria implemented all the two precepts perfectly, Nigeria and Nigerians will benefit from oil extraction. As it is, Nigerians aren’t also benefitting because the assumption of the precept was that we will be selling the oil raw; the assumption is that you will get oil from the ground and sell it as a raw material for others to buy, refine and benefit. Those who buy the crude benefit far higher than those who own it. It is assumed that we will remain producers of oil, rather than people who developed industrial chemical complexes. So, I am saying that implementing it to the full will not in the long-term benefit a country. You must, therefore, revise it in such a way that you encourage them to actually keep much of it within the country and use it for industrialisation. I am a member of the NNRC. In fact, I am the co-chair while (Odein) Ajumogobia is the chair. What I am saying is that unfortunately, we have not been able to get the government to use it as a benchmark to assess itself. But that has been achieved in two countries: Tanzania and Sierra Leone.

Is there a possibility you would?

Yes, we are working on it. We are trying to do the latest benchmark now for 2017.

Do you subscribe to the call to abolish the excess crude account?

The excess crude account is illegal. It is a public policy that didn’t get the buy-in- of the legislature, so, it will be replaced by the Sovereign Wealth Fund. The SWF has a legal backing but the problem I have with what is going on is that Nigeria is not managing it in accordance with the international best practices.

One of the countries that manages it well is

Norway; another is Azerbaijan. Take Norway for instance. They also call it Sovereign Wealth Fund. How do they manage it?

Whatever money they get from the oil sector, they invest it 100 per cent, and invest mostly abroad. The interest on it they put in their annual budget and in fact, used for deficit budgeting; deliberate deficit budgeting. The deficit budget is funded by that investment and this strengthens the Krone, which is the national currency. But more importantly, it accumulates a lot of savings such that the country is unlikely to be in any difficulty anytime. When it was started here, it was used for new Onitsha, new Niger Bridge, etc. So, we are not investing it, as it should be.

I am not saying we should invest 100 per cent, because Norway’s population is small in relation to their GDP. Our population is large, but we should not invest for a few months and then clear it. By the time Jonathan was leaving, they claimed they had about US$3 billion left. That of Norway is about $198 billion or more. So, the excess crude account is no longer necessary when you have the Sovereign Wealth Fund. I think the National Assembly is right.

Accountability and transparency is a huge problem in Nigeria. How has the NNPC fared in that light?

You know, there is a real consensus on the formula for transparency and accountability.

Generally, it also applies to oil and gas. Monopoly breeds corruption and if you need a clean NNPC, you must do away with monopoly and bring in competition; and remove the discretionary powers of the minister or head of state. So, for me, it is simple enough. That is the basic principle and we were able to get them to agree that one of the basic principles guiding the NNPC reform is that the reforms should align itself with the principles of NEITI. You can summarise it as TADPAC —Transparency, Accountability, Due Process and Anti-Corruption. These are the principles on which NEITI operates. So, if you apply this, plus the formula I read out earlier, you are likely to have a good result in whatever you produce as the reform package.

Restructuring is one topic that has been generating reactions lately. Where do you stand on this debate?

I wrote an article in 1995 and the article was titled ‘Centralising Trends in Nigeria’s Federalism’.

In it, I tried to establish what has happened to the Nigerian federation over the years and I argued against the popular view that the tendency to centralise authority in Nigeria was due to military rule.

I argued that it was a direct and almost automatic response to the changing structure in the Nigerian economy; that it was oil and the desire to control oil that actually led to a centralised structure. So, one of the problems of the Nigerian federation is that it is too centralised; power is allocated to the centre. Secondly, a lot of power is in the hands of the president, one man. So, that’s the major problem.

Therefore, you have to reverse that by giving more powers to states than they presently control.

About 68 items were taken from the concurrent and residual list and passed onto the exclusive list gradually. So, you have to look back there and if you transfer functions, then you have to transfer funds, in terms of revenue allocation formula. If that is what they mean by restructuring,

As it is, the South-west is leading the call but it does appear the North is not as enthusiastic as the rest of the country. What’s responsible for that?

It is because oil is found now in the West or South-west; and there is oil in the South-south and in the South-east. But, there is gold in Sokoto, uranium in Borno; there are also minerals in Nassarawa and Plateau and so on. In other words, you should begin by making sure that you change the arrangement. Even if you don’t make it residual but it is concurrent, this will generate demand for restructuring. I am saying that there is a linkage between the political and economic structures. To tackle the political structure, we must deal with the economic structure. That’s the point I am making and you can do it simply by changing the control of solid minerals; once you begin with that, then it becomes easier to deal with oil. That’s actually the point I made.

As a former president of ASUU and renowned scholar, how would you describe the state of education in Nigeria?

It is very sad. It is very sad, indeed. The primary level is very weak. It has been neglected. Firstly, the funding has been very low, extremely low.

When you allot 6 or 7 per cent of the budget to education, it will not work at all. That is one way they destroyed it. Another way they ruined education was by centralising it and allowing a lot of activities to go on at the local government level. Teachers’ salaries began to come from the local governments, which have little or no funds at their disposal. So, central to the issue of education is funding. But you know that funding also has an ideological kind of origin, because there was a time in the nation’s history, between the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, when the federal government agreed with the World Bank that Nigeria does not need university education, but that it should rather concentrate on primary education. Do you know what that means? Because those who teach in primary schools are trained in colleges of education, and those who teach in the colleges of education are trained in the universities. If you now weigh down on university education, you are indirectly killing the secondary and the primary education, by starving them of personnel.

In other words, there was external intervention in Nigeria’s education policy and ASUU fought tooth and nail over the matter and many people went to prison for it.

Let me tell you the truth about what is going on. First, the amount of money budgeted for education in the national budget every year is too small for a country like ours. UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Training and Development) prescribes that if you want to develop at the rate of double digits, you must at least budget 25 per cent of your GDP into education; you must mobilise 25 per cent of your GDP, annually, into the education budget.

So, every year when you prepare the budget, you must ensure that the total value of the budget for education is equivalent to 25 per cent of your GDP. How do you do that? It’s mainly through taxation. But in Nigeria, personnel income tax and corporate tax is low. We give tax holidays and all manner of waivers and at the end, what comes in is not enough to run the country. So, the total pod is small and human capital development gets little. That’s what is adversely affecting education in the country and it has to be reversed. That also affects the issue of manpower development. Most important of all, Nigeria is yet to accept that there is an organic link between university education and development. China has understood that and has classified their universities. Universities are not just producers of high manpower; they are basically research organisations. It’s called Triple Helix Model. Nigeria is not following that model yet and that is why the education sector is still undeveloped.

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CITYSTRINGS

Dupsy performing at the concert

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

The energetic Victoria Orenze electrying the stage

How Far Can Gospel Artistes Go? Following the growing transition from gospel to secular music, Ikenna Ekwerike examines the reasons behind the trend

M

any have wondered why a lot of musicians who started out singing the praises of God around the altar soon divert to proclaiming the beauty of women or men, money and fame; to songs that brazenly idolise certain female body parts and most frequently, romantic songs which are oddly referred to as ‘love’ songs.

There seems to be general consensus that money and fame are the biblical Jacob’s porridge that swindles once gospel artistes into secular music. But a deeper probe into the matter reveals there is more to it than meets the eyes.

This was the quest that took the reporter to the 2017 edition of the annual Foretaste Worship Concert that was held November in Lagos tagged: ‘An experience with Dupsy and friends’ that brought together an array of fine gospel music artistes from within and outside Nigeria.

The concert which is better described as worship unleashed became a foretaste of celestial bliss for participants. It was a rare kind of God’s kingdom investment, tastefully packaged and freely served to all and sundry,

free of charge at the prestigious Muson Centre.

Interestingly, this was the generous initiative of just one woman, Dupsy Oyeneyin, who some participants at the concert described

Coming from a family background of Church music lovers, Dupsy Oyeneyin feels that the core motivation for adventure into gospel music should not be material gains. She noted that some venture into gospel music because God has called them and some other people are doing it because they strictly want to make money out of it

Asata Allwell Brown on stage

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CITYSTRINGS

Ife-Worships worshipping the Lord

as God’s instrument of blessings to souls.

Dupsy Oyeneyin is a wife and mother and a career woman. Above all, she’s been a professional gospel singer for over 17 years and more specifically, a worship minister.

She counted it a privilege to be a gospel singer and of having the opportunity to bless the world and lead people to worship God. Thus, the Foretaste Concert was her way of showing appreciation to God.“Foretaste itself wasn’t my idea, it wasn’t something that I just thought up; it was something the Holy Spirit gave me the idea to start doing.

I remember when I first had the inspiration to do it and I was like, maybe it’s somebody else God is referring to because am not a good planner naturally. But with the Holy Spirit, with God bringing people my way, I mean, we’re doing it for the fourth time and it’s getting better and better,” she said.

Coming from a family background of Church music lovers, Dupsy feels that the core motivation for adventure into gospel music should not be material gains. She noted that some venture into gospel music because God has called them and some other people are doing it because they strictly want to make money out of it.

She is convinced that a handful of people are already investing massively in gospel music in Nigeria like she is doing but regrets that “people want to put their money where it will bring something immediately.”

One may then wonder why Dupsy was carrying on with this mandate despite being a not-for-profit enterprise. Well, beside this successful woman, is a man called Otunba Gbemi Oyeneyin, to whom she has been married for 20 years after they met in the University of Lagos’ school fellowship choir.

Aside being a music lover, Oyeneyin represents a true helper of destiny to his wife and a challenge to every husband to help their wives realise their dreams. He said: “I understand what it takes; I understand what it means to go for rehearsals every weekend; rehearsals for this concert actually started in January. So we actually spent almost 11 months to plan. I know my own responsibility is to support her, push her, encourage her in this one thing that she loves to do for God.” In addition to these, Oyeneyin is the brand promoter of his wife. “I handle the social media and promote the project both online and otherwise,” he revealed.

However, contrary to what seems to have become the norm for most gospel artistes, Dupsy maintained that she had been called

Faces at the event

strictly to do gospel music. She said Nigerian gospel music was gaining wide acceptance both in Nigeria and in the diaspora.

But beyond the wide acceptance, what other prospects are there for those who might be considering a full time career in gospel music unlike Dupsy and her husband who

One artiste at the event who had swam in the waters of both gospel and secular music was Asata Allwell Brown, a gospel singer from Liberia. She revealed that she began as a gospel artiste but at some point had to bow to the pressure from friends and fans to do secular music

hold other careers?

Ifeoluwa Akinpelu, alias Ife-Worships, a music director, producer and praise-worship leader and a regular artiste at the previous editions of the concert said there were no restrictions on the path of any convinced gospel singer towards getting rich. “After all, the giver of everything is our Father, so we should be the first beneficiaries of all those things,” he argued.

Similarly, Allwell Brown, producer of Foretaste Concert added that doing gospel music was the easiest way to be blessed. “So for all those producers that are not involved in gospel music please key into it; gospel music pays. There’s money in music everywhere.

The question is: are you doing good music that people will accept?” he queried.

Unfortunately, while music artistes assert that gospel music pays, the same may not be said of gospel poetry. Damola Adesina, a biblical poet who chants eulogies of God in poems and has done so for the past 20 years said that although she was doing it as a form of evangelisation, the art had not been lucrative.

But regardless of the huge prospects that

gospel music holds, it is very rampant for many to veer off into secular music or combine both. Ife-Worships calls this identity crisis but blames it on event hosts and fans alike who often make requests for songs that are not gospel.

One artiste at the event who had swam in the waters of both gospel and secular music was Asata Allwell Brown, a gospel singer from Liberia. She revealed that she began as a gospel artiste but at some point had to bow to the pressure from friends and fans to do secular music.

“It’s clear that gospel is gospel and secular is secular. I’d swerved from God’s plan before, I tried it and I knew that this wasn’t where I belonged so I had to come back. I now face gospel,” she stated.

On the whole, gospel music in Nigeria is “getting better, the quality is improving; that is sound quality, better voice, better production and good videos. Maybe in terms of spiritual content in terms of the impartation for people to be healed or be delivered or be blessed or be saved, just by listening to a song, that’s a different thing,” Oyeneyin observed.

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42

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

CBN to Reduce Percentage of Adults Excluded from Financial Services ‌Partners Edo on financial inclusion Ndubuisi Francis, Udora Orizu in Abuja and Adibe Emenyonu Ă“Ă˜ Ă?Ă˜Ă“Ă˜ The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), through its Financial Inclusion State Steering Committee (FISSCO), has said that its target is to reduce the percentage of adult Nigerians excluded from access to financial services from 46.3 per cent in 2010 to 20 per cent in 2020.

Branch Controller, Elizabeth Agu, disclosed this on Thursday during her inaugural speech at a meeting of the FISSCO in Abuja. Agu explained that the Nigerian National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) was launched in 2012, adding that the overall target is to reduce the percentage of adult Nigerians, excluded from access to financial services from 46.3 percent in 2010 to 20 percent in 2020.

According to her, “The broader aim of the target therefore, is that 80 per cent or more of our adults population should have access to and make use of financial services, with at least 70 per cent of that number in the formal sector. “The cross cutting and diverse nature of the targeted services require collaborative efforts by stakeholders in the financial sector especially at the grassroots.

In particular, financial service providers at the state level are pertinent to achieving at least 80 percent inclusion of adult population by the year 2020.�

She added: “Three years to the 2020 target, Nigeria was still at 41.6 per cent exclusion rate as revealed by the Access to financial services survey 2016 conducted by Efina. This

underscores the need to work extra hard on the exclusion rate from now till year 2020. “The CBN strongly believes that the 2020 target is attainable. The Bank is working on initiatives that are targeted at north east, north west and north central zones of the country where the exclusion rates are still very high. We intend to hold stakeholder’s workshops in those parts of the country to drill doe on strategic measures that will give us quick results.

We are conceptualizing ways and means to reach out to women whose culture and religion require specialized products and channels.�

She added that the committee has devolved an appropriate governance arrangement for the implementation of the NFIS at the state level. “We are therefore today inaugurating the financial inclusion state steering committee to be chaired by the branch controller of the central bank if Nigeria while the head of development finance office will serve as technical officer in the state in the state/committee. “It is interesting to note that targets have been set for each state/FCT in Nigeria and FISSCO would now take the responsibility for achieving those targets at the grassroots.

Responding to questions regarding bank charges, she explained that the CBN consumer protection department, which ensures that customers do not have superior charges and when such charges occurs, “CBN ensures the money are paid back to them except for those that are excluded, so we

are going to create awareness to reach out to more adults to be financially included and also be aware of the benefits.�

Also speaking at event, the Permanent Secretary FCTA, Mr. Christian Ohaa, represented by Saani Abukakar, applauded the laudable initiative by the CBN to reduce national adult financial exclusion rate in Nigeria to 20 percent by the year 2020.

He hinted that one of the ways to assist the masses to attain economic independence especially those at the bottom of the pyramid was to provide them adequate access to financial services in a convenient and affordable manner.

In a related development, Edo State government has said it would partner with the CBN to ease access to financial services for residents in the state especially the rural populace with an 80 percent target set for financial inclusion.

This move was disclosed yesterday by stakeholders in the financial services sector in the state during the inaugural meeting of the FISSCO, held in Benin City. Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie , while speaking at the occasion, stressed that the state was committed to reducing the exclusion rate by bringing financial services to the unbanked population as well as the rural poor.

He added that targeting those in semi-urban and rural communities would ensure inclusive growth, noting that such services will ultimately impact on livelihoods of Edo people and residents in far-flung rural areas

UBA Introduces Chat Banking on Social Media Platforms Nume Ekeghe The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has taken steps to change the face of e-banking with the introduction of Leo, a chat banking personality that enables its customers make use of their social media accounts to carry out key banking transactions.

At the official launch of the banking solution, which took place in Lagos yesterday, customers of the bank were given a step by step demonstration on how to make use of Facebook chat function to enjoy banking services through chat sessions, thus representing a way of delivering lifestyle banking.

With the launch of the chat banking, which has already taken-off in the Facebook Messenger, the bank explained that it customers would be able to open new accounts, receive instant transaction notifications, check their balances on the go, transfers and airtime top up.

Also, users would be able to perform other transactions using the chat banking; including payments of bills, data top-up, mini-statements, loan applications; cheque confirmation, account freezing, among others.

The Group Managing Director, UBA, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, who spoke at the event, said as part of initiatives aimed at putting the customer first,

the bank was continuously developing strategies aimed at easing transactions for the bank’s numerous users, while ensuring utmost safety of their transactions.

He said: “The formulation of this product, is consistent with the bank’s customer first philosophy, where we are doing things not the way we like, but exactly what the customers want, where they want it, and in the exact platform they want. “And so, we have been working with technology giants from around the world because for UBA with so many customers, we have to deal with those who have the global capacity. “Therefore, we at UBA, have collaborated with facebook to come up with this. In future, Leo will show up with other platforms. All you need to do is to have an account with facebook.�

While Uzoka argued that this was the first time this kind of solution would be coming up in the continent, he expressed believe that with the huge number of customers the bank has as well as its growing customer base in all the 19 countries of operation, customers would be served using technology, and not just traditional technology, but modern and forward looking technology. “Leo being an intelligent personality will give you

feedback instantaneously as you transact your business on the platform. A solution that is from the customer’s standpoint which is easy to use by anyone regardless of your career,� he said.

On his part, the bank’s Group Head, Online Banking, Mr. Austine Abolusoro, who took participants on a step by step procedure of the process for working with Leo, explained that Leo is be a chat machine, but is an artificial intelligence service as well a personality meant to address any type of banking concern. “Leo is ready and waiting to help with most transactions and to deliver any form of banking services. Leo is operating a lifestyle banking platform on facebook messenger to assist with your transactions while chatting with your friends and business partners. The security with this platform is that for every transaction, an OTP (One Time Password) is generated to the phone number that is registered on the account.�

He explained that the UBA chat banking with Leo was not just the typical products that we see, it comes with the product that anybody will understand to ease transactions and help to keep up the lifestyle of individuals, adding that it is designed from the customer’s standpoint.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

Ě™

Ěš

AUGUST 2017 Broad Money (M2)

21,851,454.31

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă‹ĂœĂœĂ™ĂĄ Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ě™ ÍŻĚš

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 26,821,446.81

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ăž Ù×Ă?Ă?ÞÓĂ? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž Ě™ Ěš Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ Ùà Ă?ĂœĂ˜Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ě™ Ă?Þ̚

4,824,226.22

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ă—Ă™Ë? ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ Ùà Þ˛ Ě™ Ă?Þ̚ Ă–Ă?Ă?Ă?

7,834,536.74

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ Ă?Ă—Ă™Ë? Ă?ĂŽË› Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ Ă“ĂœĂœĂ™Ăœ Ă?Ă?Ă™Ă&#x;Ă˜ĂžĂ? Ě™ Ěš

-3,010,310.52

Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹Ě‹ ĂœĂ?ĂŽĂ“Ăž ÞÙ ĂœĂ“Ă Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ă?Ă?ĂžĂ™Ăœ Ě™ Ěš

21,997,220.59

--Other Assets Net

-14,702,983.39

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,486,804.65

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă&#x;ĂœĂœĂ?Ă˜Ă?ĂŁ Ă“Ă˜ Ă“ĂœĂ?Ă&#x;Ă–Ă‹ĂžĂ“Ă™Ă˜

1,868,735.07

Ě‹Ě‹ Ă‹Ă˜Ă•Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă?ĂœĂ Ă?Ă?

3,268,266.17 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

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™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT, WED, JAN 10,2018 The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $67.24 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $66.39 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 ˾ , JANUARY 12, 2018

43

MARKET NEWS

Equities Market Capitalisation Hits Record N15trn on Continuing Rally Goddy Egene and Nosa Alekhuogie

contrary to expectation of profit taking.

By the close of trading yesterday the Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE) All-Share Index (NSE ASI) has jumped by 8.1 per cent in four days to close at 42,041.54, while market capitalisation added N1.467 trillion to hit a record N15.317 trillion.

Specifically, the ASI appreciated by 2.93 per cent yesterday

The Nigerian equities market has continued to record an unprecedented rally since the beginning of the week, lifting the market capitalisation to an all-time high of N15.317 trillion yesterday. The market, which had recovered from a three-year decline to gain 42.3 per cent in 2017, has remained bullish

as bellwether stocks such as FBN Holdings, UBA, Zenith Bank, Dangote Cement, and Nigerian Breweries rallied.

A total of 56 stocks added value, while 10 depreciated.

Honeywell Flour Mills Plc led the led the gainers’ chart, rising by 9.97 per cent. It was trailed by Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc with 9.96 per cent, while Champion Breweries Plc, Fidelity Bank

Plc and Wema Bank Plc garnered 9.92 per cent, 9.92 per cent and 9.6 per cent in that order.

Conversely, University Press Plc led the price losers with 4.7 per cent, trailed by Meyer Plc with 4.4 per cent. Learn Africa Plc, NEM Insurance Plc and Berger Paints Nigeria Plc shed 4.0 per cent, 3.1 per cent and 2.6 per cent respectively.

Also, volume of trading ap-

PRICES FOR SECURITIES TRADED AS OF

preciated as investors traded 1.162 billion shares worth N17.375 billion, up from 1.089 billion shares valued at N13.296 billion the previous day.

The three most actively traded stocks were Transcorp (208.77 million shares), Diamond Bank (149.70 million shares) and Zenith Bank (129.43 million shares).

Performance across sectors was bullish as all indices closed

in the green. The NSE Banking Index was the top performer, rising 4.4 per cent on the back of buying interest across board.

The NSE Industrial Goods Index trailed with 3.3 per cent growth, while the NSE Consumer Goods Index rose 2.3 per cent.

The NSE Oil & Gas Index went up by 2.7 per cent, while the NSE Insurance Index ended 1.7 per cent higher.

A S AT 1 1 / 0 1 / 2 0 1 8

Price List (Equities) PRICES FOR PREMIUM BOARD SECURITIES FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N 1

BANKING ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1,036,398.26

33.01

3.09

700

129,432,070

32

700

129,432,070

33

BANKING S/N 2 OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRIAL GOODS S/N 3 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 S/N 17 REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT S/N 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 27 BEVERAGES--NON-ALCOHOLIC S/N 28 29 30

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FBN HOLDINGS PLC

MARKET CAP(Nm) 413,872.73

MARKET CAP(Nm) DANGOTE CEMENT PLC 4,294,207.87

BUILDING MATERIALS

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

11.53

8.47

591

93,161,942

591

93,161,942

1,291

222,594,012

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

252.00

2.02

116 116 116 1,407

10,557,389 10,557,389 10,557,389 233,151,401

31

34 35 FOOD PRODUCTS S/N 36 37 FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED S/N 38 39 HOUSEHOLD DURABLES

CROP PRODUCTION

S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

40

FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC

1,100.00

0.50

-

0

0

68,824.61 71,400.00

72.15 71.40

6.59 5.00

33 36 69

367,164 2,568,958 2,936,122

FISHING/HUNTING/TRAPPING ELLAH LAKES PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 511.20

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

4.26

-

0

0

0

0

42 43

LIVESTOCK/ANIMAL SPECIALTIES LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 3,360.00

TRADES

VOLUME

44

49

2,869,772

49

2,869,772

118

5,805,894

45 46 47 48 49 50

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.

PRICE 1.12

%CHANGE 4.67

41 PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS CONSUMER GOODS FINANCIAL SERVICES S/N

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1,932.52

0.73

4.29

13

142,748

194.58 2,111.93

0.50 3.25

-

2 0

22,467 0

86,580.22

2.13

7.58

642

208,776,011

S/N

37,303.19

19.42

5.03

116 773 773

6,116,314 215,057,540 215,057,540

54

51 52 53 BANKING

55 56

ARBICO PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 711.32

INFRASTRUCTURE/HEAVY CONSTRUCTION JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. ROADS NIG PLC.

MARKET CAP(Nm) 38,808.00 165.00

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

57

4.79

-

0 0

0 0

58

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

59

29.40 6.60

-

3 0

1,510 0

60 61

3

1,510

62 63

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

8,184.95

3.15

5.00

24

284,865

65

24

284,865

66

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS (REITS) SKYE SHELTER FUND PLC UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST (REIT) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST

MARKET CAP(Nm) 2,000.00

67

AUTOMOBILES/AUTO PARTS DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC

FOOD PRODUCTS DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG. PLC.

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

-

0

0

68 69

11,305.89

45.22

-

0

0

26,682.70

10.00

-

1

800

71

1

800

72

28

287,175

70

MARKET CAP(Nm) 2,386.33

BEVERAGES--BREWERS/ MARKET DISTILLERS CAP(Nm) CHAMPION BREW. PLC. 21,687.71 GOLDEN GUINEA BREW. PLC. 242.22 GUINNESS NIG PLC 230,450.18 INTERNATIONAL BREWER532,943.44 IES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. 1,210,615.12 BEVERAGES--NONALCOHOLIC 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC.

PRICE 100.00

64

MARKET CAP(Nm) 65,321.00 MARKET CAP(Nm) 84,500.00

73 74

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

0.50

-

1

30,000

75 76

1

30,000

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

77

2.77 0.89 105.21

9.92 5.00

19 0 36

246,148 0 359,799

78

62.00

3.33

49

16,818,761

152.68

4.58

216

13,412,694

79 INSURANCE CARRIERS, BROKERS AND SERVICES S/N

320

30,837,402

80 81

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

101.97

-

27

30,629

MICRO-FINANCE BANKS

27

30,629

S/N

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

16.90

0.60

328

8,069,894

258,000.00

21.50

-1.38

201

10,272,799

86,599.83

33.00

-1.20

184

11,667,959

82 83 84

HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC UNION DICON SALT PLC. FOOD PRODUCTS--DIVERSIFIED CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC.

HOUSEHOLD DURABLES NIGERIAN ENAMELWARE PLC. VITAFOAM NIG PLC. PERSONAL/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC.

25,376.63

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

9.97

24

2,060,351

1,861.25

0.50

-

0

0

1,015.74

5.70

-

0

0

58,791.04

22.19

2.45

59

968,650

3,676.41

13.45

-

0 796

0 33,039,653

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

-1.18 -

104 25

5,580,110 25,186

MARKET PRICE CAP(Nm) 31,553.79 16.80 1,149,716.19 1,450.46

129

5,605,296

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

1,766.22

23.23

-

0

0

3,512.79

3.37

4.01

78 78

3,794,624 3,794,624

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

92,551.82

23.31

5.00

42

391,779

270,015.25

47.00

1.95

90

914,803

132

1,306,582

1,483

74,644,186

MARKET BANKING CAP(Nm) ACCESS BANK PLC. 350,028.46 DIAMOND BANK PLC 58,364.18 ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL 367,541.51 INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC 92,719.35 GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. 1,460,080.80 JAIZ BANK PLC 26,223.18 SKYE BANK PLC 10,687.83 STERLING BANK PLC. 50,095.33 UNION BANK NIG.PLC. 143,541.04 UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA 415,522.97 PLC UNITY BANK PLC 9,000.79 WEMA BANK PLC. 28,159.36 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

3.20

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

12.10 2.52

4.31 8.62

515 547

89,463,332 149,702,186

20.03

4.98

99

5,027,925

3.20 49.61 0.89 0.77 1.74 8.45

9.59 4.99 4.71 5.48 4.82 4.97

433 218 9 227 36 156

71,173,017 13,017,460 772,500 55,671,901 9,721,770 5,131,378

12.15

2.79

493

52,242,790

0.77 0.73

4.05 8.96

22 79 2,834

4,302,401 16,263,661 472,490,321

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

10,292.50

0.50

-

0

0

4,088.82

0.59

3.51

59

5,109,413

27,090.00

2.58

8.40

23

4,568,125

3,000.00

0.50

-

1

3,000

15,662.84

1.51

-0.66

16

441,995

7,364.75

0.50

-

0

0

7,000.00 2,411.47

0.50 0.53

-

0 0

0 0

1,913.74

0.50

-

0

0

3,070.00

0.50

-

2

6,247

642.04

0.50

-

0

0

3,661.72

0.50

-

1

25,000

3,437.06

0.80

1.27

9

456,000

6,640.00

0.83

-1.19

11

871,997

4,000.00

0.50

-

0

0

8,184.78

1.55

-3.12

20

474,855

3,869.74

0.50

-

0

0

2,759.15

0.50

-

9

2,195,719

3,334.38

0.50

-

0

0

4,170.41

0.50

-

0

0

6,455.52

0.50

-

0

0

4,670.54

0.50

-

0

0

1,291.15

0.50

-

0

0

6,933.33

0.50

-

0

0

8,000.00

0.50

-

0

0

8,029.64

0.60

1.67

60

1,501,486

211

15,653,837

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

TRADES

VOLUME

11,799.67

2.58

-

0

0

3,635.75

1.59

9.66

27

1,418,193

27

1,418,193

TRADES

VOLUME

MARKET CAP(Nm)

PRICE

%CHANGE

5,460.00

1.30

-

0

0

7,370.87

0.50

-

0

0

6,005.46

1.44

-

1

4,980

FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

44

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

EU Backs Iran Nuclear Deal As Trump Decision Looms European powers on Thursday insisted the 2015 deal to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions was working, as US President Donald Trump mulls reimposing sanctions on Tehran, AFP reports.

The European Union and the foreign ministers of Britain, Germany and France put on a united front to defend the accord after talks in Brussels with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Trump, who has repeatedly condemned the deal and in

October refused to certify Iran was complying with it, is expected to decide on Friday whether or not to reimpose sanctions against Tehran that were suspended under the deal.

“The deal is working, it is delivering on its main goal which means keeping the Iranian nuclear programme in check,” Mogherini said, stressing the importance of preserving an agreement she said is “making the world safer and... preventing a

potential nuclear arms race in the region”.

Senior officials have told AFP they “expect” Trump to extend waivers on nuclearrelated sanctions on Iran Friday to keep the US in line

erupted in 2014 and sparked a major global push against generous deals handed to multinational companies, which grew even stronger with new revelations such as the Panama Papers and Paradise Papers Leaks.

“Today is a victory,” Deltour said as he left the courtroom.

The court “has clearly indicated towards a favourable outcome here in Luxembourg”, he added.

The tiny EU country’s highest appeal court said Deltour was wrongly accused

Tunisian protesters burned down a regional national security headquarters near the Algerian border, prompting authorities to send in troops after police retreated,

as he should have been fully recognised as a whistleblower as defined by the European Court of Human Rights.

However, the sentence against Deltour’s colleague Raphael Halet, who received a 1,000-euro fine after an appeal, was upheld as the court said he did not fit the whistleblower definition.

Halet said he will be taking his case to the Strasbourg-based rights court, adding: “It will really be up to the judges of the ECHR to decide if I am a whistleblower or not.”

Reuters reported witnesses as saying, as unrest over prices and taxes continued nationwide.

Over 300 protesters were arrested overnight and the army was deployed in several cities to help quell violent protests in Tunisia seven years after the overthrow of autocrat Zine ElAbidine Ben Ali in the first of the Arab Spring revolts.

In Thala, near the Algerian border, soldiers deployed after crowds torched the region’s national security building, forcing police to retreat from the town, witnesses told Reuters.

Tunisia’s unity government which includes Islamists, secular parties and independents - has

He said “the percentage that would vote to leave next time would be very much bigger than it was last time round”.

Pro-EU campaigners welcomed his comment, claiming “support is growing” for another referendum.

And co-founder of the Leave.

EU referendum campaign group, Arron Banks, said that

to avoid sleepwalking “into a faux Brexit” people should “go back the polls and let the people shout from the rooftops their support of a true Brexit”.

But Mr Farage’s former UKIP colleagues dismissed his suggestion.

And Downing Street said: “We will not be having a second referendum.”

Merkel Warns of ‘Big Obstacles’ in Final Push for New Govt Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany’s top parties still had “big obstacles” to surmount before reaching a new coalition deal, ahead of a last-ditch round of negotiations Thursday, AFP reports.

The veteran leader, who is battling to form a new government to salvage her political future, warned it would be a “tough day” of talks, which were expected to stretch well into the night.

She said her conservative Christian Democrats would “work constructively to find the necessary compromises but we are also aware that we need to execute the right policies for

our country”.

September’s inconclusive elections left Merkel without a majority and struggling to find partners to govern Europe’s biggest economy.

After her earlier attempt at forging a coalition with two smaller parties collapsed, she is now pinning her hopes on renewing an alliance with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD).

SPD leader Martin Schulz also spoke of “big obstacles” on the last day of preliminary talks in which the parties were sounding each other out over whether

to move on to formal coalition negotiations.

He said his party wanted to ensure that the new government committed “above all to working toward renewal of the European Union”.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier reminded all sides that they “have a responsibility towards Europe and for reliability, partnership and engagement in international politics”.

Merkel badly needs the talks to succeed, as do Schulz and the leader of her Bavarian allies, Horst Seehofer, said political analyst Karl-Rudolf Korte of Duisburg-Essen University.

Chinese Boy with Frozen Hair Reignites Poverty Debate An eight-year-old Chinese pupil, dubbed “Ice Boy” by social media users after images emerged of him arriving at school with swollen hands and frost on his hair and eyebrows, has sparked renewed discussion online about child poverty, according to BBC.

Many users say the pictures of “Little Wang”, who went viral on Monday, highlight that not enough is being done to help children from poor, rural families in China.

They sympathise with the harsh journeys that Little Wang endures in order to get

Iran’s compliance with the deal nine times, most recently in November, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said there was “no indication” Tehran was not keeping its side of the bargain

to his school in Ludian County, south-west Yunnan province.

State-run China News Service agency says the boy walks 4.5 km (2.8 miles) to get to school, a journey that takes him an hour. On the day the picture was taken, the temperature was -9C, the agency says.

portrayed the unrest as driven by criminal elements, and Prime Minister Youssef Chahed has accused the opposition of fuelling dissent.

Rejecting that accusation, Tunisia’s main opposition bloc, the Popular Front, called for a major protest in Tunis on Sunday to coincide with the seventh anniversary of Ben Ali’s fall.

Tunisia’s Football Association said it was postponing all weekend matches because of the disturbances.

Anti-government protests have flared in a number of Tunisian cities and towns - including the tourist resort of Sousse, since Monday against price and tax rises imposed to cut a ballooning deficit and satisfy international lenders.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS CHIGBO UCHENNA OGECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ONWORDI UCHENNA OGECHI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADAJI BENJAMIN, now wish to be known and addressed as ADAJI BENNY PETERS. All former documents remain valid.

UBA PLC, ZENITH BANK PLC STERLING BANK AND GTBANK. as well as the general public should take note.

Nigel Farage Warming to Second EU Referendum Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage says he is close to backing a second EU referendum to end the “whinging and whining” of anti-Brexit campaigners, according to BBC. Mr Farage told Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff a fresh vote could “kill off” the Remain campaign for a generation.

powers have repeatedly warned it would be a mistake for anyone to abandon the deal, thrashed out with Iran over 12 years by the US, Britain, France, China, Germany and Russia.

UN inspectors have certified

Tunisia Deploys Army, Makes 300 Arrests AsViolent Unrest Continues

LuxLeaks Whistleblower’s Conviction Quashed A Luxembourg court on Thursday overturned the verdict against a “LuxLeaks” whistleblower who was convicted of leaking thousands of documents that revealed tax breaks for multinational firms, according to AFP. Luxembourg’s highest court rejected the conviction against former PricewaterhouseCoopers employee Antoine Deltour, who in March was handed a reduced six-month suspended jail sentence with a 1,500-euro fine.

The LuxLeaks scandal

with the agreement, though he is also expected to impose fresh measures against Iran over human rights abuses and support for foreign extremist groups.

The EU and other world

I, formerly known and addressed as TITILOPE KAFAYAT SOYEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as TITILOPE KAFAYAT THOMAS. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGBONNA CHIDINMA CHRISTIANA, now wish to be known and addressed as ASUQUO CHIDINMA CHRISTIANA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ABUNENE OTA MARIA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABHULIMHEN OTA MARIA. All former documents remain valid.

Banks and general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ISMAILA OLASUNKANMI, now wish to be known and addressed as ABOULAZEEZ ISMAILA OLASUNKANMI. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as TIJANI OLAMIDE ADEBUKOLA, now wish to be known and addressed as OLADEJI OLAMIDE ADEBUKOLA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ODILI KELECHUKWU SEUN, now wish to be known and addressed as ADEYEMI KELECHUKWU DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AADUM MACAULEY NDANAAPE NWINEEDAM now wish to be known and addressed as ACACIA AADUM NAAPE BARIZOMA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OLAIYA SUSAN OMOWUNMI, now wish to be known and addressed as BANJO SUSAN OMOWUNMI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as VIVIAN EJAYE, now wish to be known and addressed as VIVIAN AJAKAIYE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OKI DEBORAH BISONG, now wish to be known and addressed as OKI DEBORAH ESEZOBOR. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ADELOYE SAMUEL TAIWO, now wish to be known and addressed as ADELOYE PRINCE TAIWO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I OLADEJI MUYIDEEN ADESINA is one and same person as OLADEJI MUYIDEEN BABATUNDE. All former documents remain the same. The general Public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as AHMED OMOTARA AKEEM now wish to be known and addressed as USMAN AKEEM ADEBAYO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OLUCHUKWU FIDELIA NJIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLUCHUKWU FIDELIA IYABI. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as WARDAY JENNIFER JOHN, now wish to be known and addressed as EKONG VICTORIA JENNIFER. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as OGUNNOWO OLUWASEGUN AKOREDE, now wish to be known and addressed as OLATUNJI OLUWASEGUN AKOREDE OMOTAYO. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UDUKU BOSE TERESA, now wish to be known and addressed as AMIATOR BOSE TERESA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLASUMBO YEWANDE SOTAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLASUMBO YEWANDE LAWANSON. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as JOSEPHINE OBEHI OJEKHEBHOLO, now wish to be known and addressed as JOSEPHINE OBEHI LGOLIMAH. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IDIO COMFORT IKETA, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS ESSIET ESTHER EKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to inform the general public that MISS. DEBORAH EBERE ARUEGBE and MISS. EBERE ARUEGBE is one and the same person, and now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. DEBORAH EBERE BAZUAYE. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

45

NEWS

News Editor Davidson Iriekpen Email davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

Hopes of Early Budget Passage Fades as House C’ttees Turn Down Agencies Declines audience with Niger Delta minister, others James Emejo in Abuja

There were further indications that expectation for the early passage of the 2018 budget by the National Assembly would not come to pass, having missed the December date which President Muhammadu Buhari had appealed for its approval.

This was reinforced when the committees of the House of Representatives separately declined audience with the federal government agencies they oversight, either on the grounds that the latter had deliberately withheld useful information required to vet the performances of the 2017 budget or that they deliberately submitted information a few hours to their budget defence sessions with lawmakers, thereby denying them ample time to properly scrutinise the proposals.

Last Tuesday, the Presidential

Amnesty Office was reportedly turned down from defending its budget because of insufficient information submitted to the lawmakers.

Also, at a recent budget defence session of the Federal Ministry of Health, a sub-committee had to be set up as things got knotty- to properly scrutinise the ministry’s budget performance in 2017 as well as how it had spent funds generated during the period.

Nevertheless, the lawmakers saw such delay tactics by agencies to withhold information as a deliberate ambush against them, and had repeatedly restated their resolve not to be stampeded by the executive.

Only yesterday, the Chairman, House Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Ayi Essien Ekpenyong, declined audience with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Usani, and his management team who had come to defend the

Benue Killings: Senate C’ttee Urges FG to Explore Libya, Boko Haram Link

ministry’s 2018 budget proposal before the committee.

Among other things, the ministry was being accused of failing to provide necessary documents and answers which would be handy in guiding the committee to properly interrogate the proposals.

Ekpenyong said the committee is particularly interested in the completion of all capital projects and programmes already in existence.

He added thatthe ministry had not been co-operating with the committee and by extension, the National Assembly.

The chairman said the ministry even tried to frustrate its efforts and evaded answers during a recent oversight visit to Niger Delta.

The committee said the ministry appeared not ready for budget defence.

Ekpenyong, however, ruled, following a motion by a member of the committee, to discharge the agency, giving it till next Monday to furnish it with all relevant details- as well as apprear on Thursday for

the defence.

Members who expressed displeasure that the budget was filled with new projects when a plethora of old and existing ones had not been completed.

They further chided the minister for dishonouring many invitations extended to him to interface with them on sensitive issues of the ministry.

The chairman noted that the committee in the course of its oversight functions to the ministry discovered abandoned projects, saying it was the priority of the committee to ensure that ongoing projects were completed before new ones would be introduced, and criticised the ministry for not releasing funds to pay contractors handling various projects.

He said:”In reviewing the budget, the committee is not unmindful of the federal government thrust towards ensuring that a greater percentage of the budget is dedicated to capital projects.

The committee is interested in the

completion of all capital projects and programmes already in existence.”

He said: “During the oversight visit to the Niger Delta region, the committee saw very many uncompleted projects littering the whole place. Most of the uncompleted projects belong to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. Some of the projects though budgeted for in 2015 and 2016, t the Ministry deliberately refused to release funds to the contractors for reasons best known to the ministry.

“This committee seriously frowns at the attitude of the minister towards the committee. On July 4, 2017, the House of Representatives passed a resolution mandating all Standing Committees to request all Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) under their supervision to supply information on all movable assets in their ministries for the purpose of verification.

“The committee wrote to the ministry dated July 26, 2017, ref: NASS/8HR/CT.069/190, this letter was ignored by the minister and

up till now, we have not gotten the reply to the letter not to talk of supplying the needed information.

“Again, on February 22, 2017, a letter ref: NASS/8HR/CT.069/183 was sent to the Hon. Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs requesting for the number of the houses built in each state of the Niger Delta indicating unit cost, location and stages of completion. If they have been completed and allocated, he should state the beneficiaries and qualifications of the beneficiaries.

The ministry refused to provide the needed information.

“A reminder to this letter was sent via a letter dated May 17, 2017 ref: NASS/8HR/CT.069/185, again, it was ignored by the ministry. Lastly, on November 13, 2017, a letter was sent to the Minister-(Attention) Director of Procurement requesting for the list of contracts awarded from the 2016 Appropriation Act and the location of such projects in the Niger

Cont’d on page 52

Ekweremadu commiserates with state government Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The Senate Committee on Police Affairs has urged the federal government to investigate the possibility that those responsible for the killings in Benue State and other parts of the country, may be fleeing Boko Haram insurgents and displaced soldiers from Libya.

The Committee Chairman, Senator Abu Ibrahim, speaking with select journalists yesterday said the investigation is necessary considering that normal Fulani herdsmen are not known to possess sophisticated weapons.

He added that it is also possible that the killings are being perpetrated by Boko Haram members who are being displaced by the bombardment of their camps in the North-east by Nigerian military forces.

“We have to seriously investigate this. A normal Fulani man is not known to carry AK47. The security agencies should probe whether the defeated Boko Haram insurgents were involved; whether the Gaddafi phenomenon has spilled over to Nigeria. It should be considered whether displaced Libyan soldiers had a hand in what happened because it is not easy to acquire AK47,” the senator said.

He also noted that whatever the reasons are, it is necessary that the security agencies get a hold of the situation and stop the killings, before other variables cause further complications and escalate the crises.

“The police officers are doing their best, and with the deployment of soldiers and heavy police presence, they should be able to be on top of the situation to ensure that normalcy returns to the state,” Ibrahim said.

The lawmaker also dismissed insinuations that the executive, under President Muhammadu Buhari is not committed to stopping

the attacks because he is a Fulani man like the herdsmen.

“It is not true because the president has taken steps to bring the situation under control. He has deployed soldiers to Benue State, he ordered the Inspector General of Police to relocate to Benue. He as taken other measures that may not be for public consumption.

“It is therefore wrong for anybody to say that the president is not interested in what happened in the state. When the president saw that the police effort was not bring effected result, he promptly deployed soldiers,” the lawmaker added.

In another development, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has expressed condolences to the people and government of Benue State over the killings of over 80 persons.

In a statement issued on occasion of the mass burial of the victims, he described the murders as a preventable loss of lives, and reiterated his call for decentralised policing.

“This is a black Thursday, not only for the people of Benue State, but also for the entire nation. My heartfelt condolences go to the government and people of Benue State as the victims of the suspected herdsmen attacks are committed to mother earth.

“While I join fellow Nigerians to pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of the victims and for fortitude to those who lost their loved ones, let me reiterate that we must avert such future occurrences by urgently rethinking our security system,” Ekweremadu said.

He added that decentralising the police would enable every federating unit take its fate in its own hands, in effectively protecting the lives and property of its citizens and residents.

This is the primary object of government, Ekweremadu noted.

COMPASSIONATE MOTHER

Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed (left), carrying a baby delivered by a displaced woman, and Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, when the Un envoy undertook an assessment tour of humanitarian needs, and reconstruction efforts in Bama in Borno State....Wednesday

Appeal Court Refuses to Stop Anambra Central Rerun Election Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Court of Appeal in Abuja yesterday refused an application seeking to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting the rerun election into the Anambra Central senatorial district.

The court said the earlier order made on November 20, 2017, directing the commission to conduct election for the senatorial seat within 90 days cannot be reversed so as not to make mockery of the judiciary.

Justice Abubakar Datti Yahaya refused to grant the request for the postponement of the election already scheduled for tomorrow brought before it by a senatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Chief Annie Okonkwo.

Okonkwo had through his counsel, Chief Solomon Umoh

(SAN), approached the appellate court for leave to appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal which had on November 20 last year ordered INEC to conduct fresh election into the vacant Anambra Central senatorial district within 90 days.

In the application, Okonkwo claimed that he was interested in challenging the judgment of November 20, last year as a senatorial aspirant.

However, the application could not be entertained because most the parties joined in the application were not served with the court processes by Okonkwo.

Apparently cut in the web, Okonkwo then applied for an adjournment on the application to enable him serve court processes on the respondents.

Mindful of the fact that the senatorial election had been fixed by INEC for tomorrow, Okonkwo applied to the threeman panel of the Appeal Court for an order compelling the electoral body not to conduct the election until his application has been duly determined.

He urged the court to compel INEC counsel, Tanimu Inuwa, to make an undertaken in the open court that INEC will not go ahead with the election having been aware of his pending application and so as not to render the application useless.

At this stage, INEC counsel objected to the request for an order to put the election on hold on the grounds that huge public fund has been expended in preparing for the poll by INEC.

The counsel vehemently insisted that INEC would not make any undertaken to postpone the poll because of the subsisting appeal court judgment of November 20 which ordered INEC to conduct the poll within 90 days.

In his brief ruling, Justice Yahaya said the court cannot compel INEC to make any undertaken to postpone the election because of an application that was not ripe for hearing.

Justice Yahaya further said the Appeal Court, having made an order on November 20 last year, cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we have not restrained INEC from conducting the election as ordered by this court on November 20, 2017,” the court said.

46

FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Another Explosion Recorded on Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System Pockets of petrol queues resurface in Abuja Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday said a fresh rupture had been recorded on the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS), when an explosion occurred on its section in the Egbokodo-Omadino in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

It explained that its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, had directed that repair works should be executed immediately on this part of the ELPS, and gas supply to customers hooked on to it be augmented from other supply sources like Oben, Oredo, Sapele, Ughelli and Utorogu.

NNPC noted that the repair works had commenced and would be completed within the day (yesterday).

According to it, ELPS supplies gas to power plants in the country and the West Africa Gas Pipeline System. It was recently affected by a bush fire at Abakila in Ondo State, and supply to power plants were cut off on January 2, 2018.

This also resulted to a collapse of Nigeria’s national electricity grid following the unavailability of the affected power plants with a combined generating capacity of 1,143 megawatts (MW).

Meanwhile, pockets of vehicular queues for petrol were on Thursday seen to be building up again at service stations across the city centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, thus raising fears that the scarcity of petrol which residents of the city suffered towards the end of 2017, may have returned.

Though the queues which were noticed to have started building

up as from Tuesday night were not as long as what were seen in November and December 2017, when the city was completely locked down, THISDAY however observed that stations within the Wuse, Central Business District (CBD), Kubwa Expressway, and Garki areas of Abuja, had vehicles lined up before them with some lines extending well beyond their entry gates.

As at Wednesday night, the Conoil and Total stations opposite the corporate headquarters of the

NNPC had extended queues at their entry gates, while the retail outlet of the NNPC located on the Kashim Ibrahim Way in Wuse 2, had lines of vehicles. All of the stations were busy selling to customers.

Attendants at the Conoil station told our reporter on Wednesday that the queues were usual, especially during the close of work when people made their ways home. But, this continued even on Thursday with the NNPC quickly coming out to state that it has sufficient petrol in its stock to last the country up

to 30 days.

The corporation’s Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in a statement he sent out, called on Nigerians to shun the practice of panic purchase of petrol.

Ughamadu, explained that his plea was on the heels of the queues noticed in stations in the city.

He said: “The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) wishes to enjoin motorists in Abuja, its environs and other parts of the country not to engage in any panic

buying of petroleum products.

“NNPC assures motorists that the corporation has robust stock of PMS, otherwise called petrol, which is sufficient to serve the nation for more than 30 days.”

He also asked motorists to report any marketer selling above N145 per litre of petrol or hoarding the product to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) which is statutorily empowered to deal with such issues, adding that the DPR has its offices located in all parts of the country.

9mobile Sale: Jan 16 is Deadline for Bidders to Submit Final Bids, NCC Clarifies Emma Okonji The telecoms industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), yesterday gave further clarification on the true position of 9mobile sale by Barclays Africa, in relation to the January 16 date earlier announced.

Contrary to expectations that all the shortlistedfiveinvestorsthatarecurrently biddingtoacquire9mobilewouldknow their fate on January 16 when Barclays Africa would announce the winner, NCC said January 16 date is the deadline for the submission of final bids by the five contenders and not the date to announce the winner.

NCC also made it clear that none of the bidders has been favoured to win the 9mobile acquisition as speculated by some online publications.

In a statement issued by NCC yesterday and signed by its Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, it said: “Our attention has been drawn to newspaper publications alleging that a preferred bidder has been anointed to acquire 9mobile and otherwise speculating on the outcome of the ownership transfer process. For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to clarify that Barclays Africa remains in full control of the process leading to the emergence of a new owner for the company. Barclays has not authorised any publication on the matter and is obliged to maintain full confidentiality thereon.”

The statement further said that an approval for the request for extension of time by the 9mobile interim board was given by the two regulators - NCC and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This sets the deadline for the receipt of binding offers from the prospective bidders till January 16, 2018.

Contrary to speculations that a “winner” will be announced on the same day (January 16, 2018), we wish to clarify that Barclays is expected to review the bids received by the deadline and to make recommendations to the 9mobile interim board thereafter.

The NCC and CBN will be duly notified once the 9mobile interim board accepts Barclays’

recommendations and a winning bid is determined in accordance with the terms of the exercise.

The winner will now apply to NCC in order to commence the processes for securing the regulatory approvals from the board of the NCC necessary to give full effect to the transfer.

Giving further insight, NCC said the winner would only be announced after Barclays Africa has submitted its report and recommendation to the interim board of 9mobile, subject to acceptance of the recommendation of Barclays Africa, by the interim board.

Barclays Africa is expected to submit its recommendation to the board after it must have reviewed the final bid submission, whose deadline is January 16.

It will definitely take the board members some more time to meet and either give their consent or disapprove the recommendation of Barclays Africa, an indication that the winner might not likely be announced before the end of January this year.

THISDAY investigation showed that the interim board members of 9mobile include the representative of CBN as the chairman of the board, three representatives from the lending banks, and three members from 9mobile shareholders. NCC, it was gathered, is not part of the board members because of its regulatory functions, and will not be part of those that will determine the winner.

A source close to NCC, however told THISDAY that NCC’s interest in intervening in the 9mobile indebtedness issue to the 13 local banks was purely in the interest of the telecoms sector to save the over 2,000 employees of 9mobile from losing their jobs, to protect the over 20 million subscribers of 9mobile, to protect telecoms investment and to assist the 13 banks recover the $1.2 million loan given to 9mobile in 2013, which it was unable to repay, citing economic downturn of 2015-2016 and naira devaluation, which negatively impacted on the dollar-denominated component of the loan.

SHOW DOWN

Labour leaders leading Kaduna workers in a mass protest against the sacking of workers along the Independence Way to Government House, Kaduna... yesterday

Herdsmen/Farmers’ Conflict: What We’re Having is a ‘Communal Situation’, IG Maintains Emmanuel Ukumba in Lafia

The Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, has maintained that the crisis between herdsmen and farmers on the border of Nasarawa and Benue States is a communal situation.

The IG stuck to his earlier pronouncement over the crisis which had generated a lot of criticism from several Nigerians during a stakeholders’ meeting he convened yesterday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, to bring to an end the ongoing crisis between the two groups on the border of the two states.

His position was a departure from what he said in Benue State last Wednesday when he was forced to apologise to the residents of the state for describing the killings by suspected herdsmen as a communal crisis.

Yesterday, Idris said he was in Nasarawa State based on a directive on him by President Muhammadu Buhari to reconcile the aggrieved communities.

“I am still referring to communities because we are dealing with human beings, and when you are dealing with human beings, you have to consult the dialogue between those various parties in the community before you can arrive at a very amiable solution,” he added.

He said: “I still want to maintain that what we are having is a communal situation. These are people that have lived together for years and I think we should be our brother’s keeper. We should tolerate one another as Nigerians.

“The fact is that there is nobody that can wish away any Nigerian where he is, and that is why the issue of tolerance is what Nigerians must take very seriously. I was a commissioner of police in this state and I encountered what you people are experiencing today,” he continued.

He therefore called on Nigerians, where ever they are, to try to relate with one another in order to have peace and harmony in the Nigerian society.

Speaking about the ongoing attacks on Tiv communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the political leader of Tiv community in Nasarawa State, Mr. Gabriel Akaaka, told the IG that many Tiv people have lost their lives and property in Nasarawa State as a result of the implementation of the Benue State anti-open grazing law.

“What could be done to usher in normalcy in Tiv settlements to pave the way for the return of the displaced Tiv farmers is to identify where the alleged militias are said to be hiding by strengthening surveillance across the border line of the two states,” he said.

Akaaka, who is the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, told the stakeholders’ meeting that the attacks being carried out on the Tiv communities in the state was not done by the indigenous Fulani herdsmen but those transversing Nasarawa State from other places, hence Akaaka appealed on the authorities concerned on the need to identify where the problem was coming from.

In his submission, the Emir of Tunga, Alhaji Bala Galadima, denied reports that militias are camped in Tunga to attack Benue State, even as he claimed that both Tivs and Fulanis have been living peacefully until the implementation of the anti-open grazing law by the government of Benue State.

Galadima said: “Tiv people in my domain had envisaged a possible spill over of the Benue State anti-open grazing crisis to Nasarawa State. We are troubled by the statement credited to Governor Samuel Ortom that my domain (Tunga) is habouring militias that attack Benue State.”

Also, the leaders of both Fulani herdsmen and Tiv community in Tunga, Ardo Maishanu and Zaki Gaso respectively, said during the meeting that nobody has asked the Tiv people to leave Tunga because

of the conflict in Benue State.

The two community leaders consequently called for the presence of more security operatives to enable the farmers go back to their abodes and continue with the harvest of their crops.

Meanwhile, the senator representing Nasarawa South senatorial district at the National Assembly, Suleiman Adokwe, has donated relief materials to Tiv farmers who were displaced as a result of attacks on their communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Adokwe, who is the Senate Committee Chairman on information and Culture, made the donation yesterday at Awe internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Awe Local Government Area of the Nasarawa State.

The senator, who was represented

by Mr. James Agbo, described the attacked on the Tiv communities on the border of Nasarawa and Benue States by the suspected herders as barbaric and condemnable in all its ramifications.

He said: “It is very sad that the issue of farmers and herdsmen crisis should not only be localised, but a national issue. I wish that the federal government would take a measure quickly in order to find a way of stopping this incessant crisis in the interest of peace and development.

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NLC Defies Threat by Police, El-Rufai, Holds Mass Protest in Kaduna John Shiklam in Kaduna The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday staged a mass protest against the sacking of teachers and local government workers in Kaduna State, despite threats by the police and the state government.

President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, alongside other labour leaders from the 36 states of the federation led the protest in spite of attempts by the police and the state government to stop them.

Also in attendance were presidents and general secretaries of various industrial unions across the country.

Thousands of workers across the state converged on the state secretariat of the NLC located at Lafia Road by Independence Way, Kaduna, as early as 7a.m.

Also, in a desperate attempt to stop the protest, massive security comprising military and police personnel were deployed in strategic points within the metropolis, including the vicinity of the state secretariat of the NLC, where the protest took off at about 10a.m.

Wabba said 8,000 security personnel were deployed to stop the protest.

“I’m aware that about 8,000

forces, including the military, police and civil defense corps were deployed this morning to intimidate us and use maximum force against us. I am also aware that a lot of workers were also intimidated while others were shot.

“Our leader in ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities), Dipo Fashina, who is leading the intellectual angle of our discussion, on his entry into Kaduna was manhandled,” the NLC president told workers before commencement of the procession.

He commended the workers “for coming out in large numbers despite the intimidation, despite all obstacles, despite the use of maximum force, including bullets that were used today at the entry from Abuja to Kaduna.

“This is to say that democracy has come to stay; this is to say that citizens have their rights to freedom of association. It is a fundamental human right that no force on earth can stop.”

Decrying the sacking of the workers, the NLC president said: “This is not the democracy we bargained for. Democracy is about the rule of law and respecting human beings.

“In the history of our movement, this is where workers fighting for their rights have been intimidated

with maximum force. We are fighting for the rights of 36,000 workers and their families who were disengaged from Kaduna State civil service.

“The last time we were here, we were talking about 21,000 teachers. But as we speak, over 4,000 local government workers have been issued sack letters. Over 8,000 workers from ministries, departments and agencies including tertiary institutions have been served letters.

“We cannot keep quiet; this is not the democracy we bargained for. Let me assure you comrades that this is just the beginning. We have now tested the waters and the struggle would be carried to every state in Nigeria and Abuja to tell the powers that be where the problem is.”

Wabba said the NLC would continue to strategise even if it has to come to Kaduna every month until the right thing is done.

“Evil cannot succeed over goodness and truth. Nigerians must know the story of Kaduna workers.

“The competency test is false because government had a predetermined number of workers they want to sack. So we know it is a work in progress and no worker in the state is safe.

Police Parade Gang Member Linked to Omoku Killings Paul Obi in Abuja The Nigerian Police yesterday paraded a senior gang member of the deadly kidnap-for-ransom group, Desmond Okotubo.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said: “Concerned by the Gruesome Murder of Innocent people in Omoku Rivers State on the January 1, 2018 by the vicious and notorious kidnap for ransom and cult syndicate leader, Don Waney and his gang.

“The Inspector General of Police, (IG), Ibrahim K. Idris, set-up a special police jointinvestigation team, comprising the IG-Intelligence Response Team, the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Force Department of Operations and the Rivers State Police Command to immediately unravel those behind the killings and bring them to justice.

“The IG Intelligence Response Team attached to the Joint Police Special Investigation Team engaged

some of the suspects in their hideouts in Awara Forest boundary between Imo and Rivers State, the shoot out lasting several hours and resulted in the death of six of the suspects while others escaped with bullet wounds to other locations in Rivers, Delta, Imo and Bayelsa States and the police teams are currently on their trail.”

He explained that “the IG Intelligence Response Team working on an actionable intelligence further identified Desmond Okotubo who escaped on the January, 3, 2018 to Abuja after a shoot out with the Police Team in a location in Imo State, he was trailed to Mpape in Abuja where he was arrested after serious resistance on the January 9, 2018.

“This principal suspect, Desmond Okotubo 32, is a native of Egbenma from Unelga council area, Rivers State confessed to be one of the masterminds of the gang and actively participated in the killings of innocent people in Omoku on the New Year day.

“He further gave details of

how they planned the operation in Awara Town, Imo State, before they carried out the act.

“The suspect, Desmond Okotubo also revealed to the police how their gang leader Waney gathered them and briefed them on the night of December 31, 2017, on the mission to attack and kill the residents of Omoku town.

Moshood added that “30 of them armed with over 20 AK47 rifles crossed the river from Awara to Omoku forest and proceeded to Omoku town and opened fire on innocent citizens celebrating the new year.

“Investigation is being intensified to arrest other members of the gang still at large to get to the root of the matter. The suspect will be arraigned on completion of the investigation.

“The renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to guarantee adequate protection of lives and property across the country remains unequivocal and unwavering,” Moshood said.

Traffic Robbers Attack THISDAY Director Chiemelie Ezeobi ADirector in THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Emmanuel Efeni, was yesterday attacked by traffic robbers at the Ijora area of Lagos.

The incident occurred at about 8 a.m while he was on his way to the office.

The hoodlums who took advantage of the perennial traffic snarl at the Apapa area of the state, unleashed mayhem on him, dispossessing them of his mobile phone and smashing his vehicle glass.

The robbery incident happened barely 20 metres from the Area B Police Command and the Apapa Police Division.

Recounting his experience

he said: “I was attacked and dispossessed of my phone on the Ijora bridge at about 6.10a.m. on my way to the office this morning (Thursday).

“The hoodlum smashed the side glass of my car and dived into my car to remove my phones but succeeded in taking only one as I struggled to get out of the gridlock.

“I thank God that apart from slight cuts from flying pieces of glass, I was not hurt, although shaken by the experience.”

THISDAY gathered that in the last two weeks, over 12 persons have been robbed on the Apapa-Ijora bridge, with many losing valuable and getting injured

Armed with axes and machetes, the gang in gestapo style, share themselves to cars stuck in the traffic and rob them of their valuables.

Sometimes, the robbers usually hold sway at the entire axis for minutes before escaping unhindered with their getaway motorbikes, which are stationed at the other side of the road facing the National Theatre.

The smashed car

“But we are confident that we cannot be defeated; they can use force but we can use our number.

Injury to one must be injury to all,” Wabba said.

He explained that “before our protest, we wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IG) because it is our constitutional rights. What the law says is that they need to give us security, and so we wrote to them, the law did not say we should seek permission because it is a fundamental human rights.

“The same rights Kaduna State Government has used to bring thugs on two occasions to demonstrate in support of his policies. So why should it be different for Nigerian workers, why should Nigerian workers be prevented, including using security operatives who are supposed to be in Benue, Adamawa, Rivers States where we have killings going on...?

He alleged that all entry points to Kaduna State were blocked, maintaining that the NLC will not rest until the issue is sorted out.

The labour leader alleged that the state government was sacking workers “because it is a condition for assessing the World Bank loan.”

The state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) is currently on an indefinite strike to protest against the sacking of

its members.

The state government has declared that no amount of blackmail can force it to rescind its decision.

Prior to the NLC protest, the state police command had warned that it would not tolerate any form of protest or procession in the state as such protests have been banned.

The state’s commissioner of police, Mr. Agyole Abe, at news conference last Wednesday said anyone or group intending to carry our any public protest or procession should, in the interest of the public peace, shelve such plan as the Nigeria Police Force will not stand by idly and watch the peace being enjoyed by citizens of the state truncated.

“Those who might be contemplating to come to Kaduna to foment trouble are strictly advised to stay away from the state as the command is prepared to deal decisively with such person or group,” the police commissioner had warned.

The state government on its part had threatened to arrest persons which, according to Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, destroyed government property in November last year when the NLC protested

against the sacking of teachers.

Aruwan had disclosed at a news conference last Wednesday that the state government had obtained a warrant for the arrest of those who caused the destruction.

It could not be established whether such arrests were made during the protest.

An armoured tank and patrol vehicles loaded with armed soldiers and policemen were stationed along Independence Way directly opposite the state secretariat of the NLC. A second lane of the dual carriage way was barricaded by the security personnel who kept watch at the NLC secretariat.

By 10 am, thousands of workers had gathered for the peaceful march to the Government House.

However, the security personnel were said to have been overwhelmed by the bold posture of the labour leaders and thousands of workers that had gathered.

Instead of stopping the protest, they ended up providing security to the protesting workers who marched from Independence Way through Waff road to Ahmadu Bello Way to Government House.

Also, about 10 armed thugs were arrested for planning to cause confusion during the procession.

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Ambode Drops Three Commissioners, Appoints Five New Ones Puts budget performance at 82% in 2017 Says Lagos raked in N503.7bn IGR last year Gboyega Akinsanmi Almost 15 months after he removed three commissioners from the State Executive Council, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday announced a major cabinet reshuffle, which completely edged out three commissioners and heralded five new ones into the council.

Before announcing the cabinet reshuffle, the governor provided insight into the implementation of the state budget under the 2017 fiscal year, noting that he put the 2017 budget performance at 82 per cent while the state raked in N503.7

billion as the internally generated revenue (IGR).

The decision to reshuffle the cabinet was conveyed in a statement the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello, issued yesterday, noting that major deployment “has equally been effected in the state executive council” alongside the removal of three members and the appointment of five new ones As detailed in the statement, three commissioners removed from the council are Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, who was the Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mr. Femi Odubiyi of the

Police Recover Head of Slain Colleague in C’River

Parade robbery suspects, others Bassey Inyang in Calabar The Cross River State Police Command has disclosed that it has recovered the head of a slain inspector of police who was killed on Christmas Day in Uyanga, Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.

However, the police command said the body of the slain policeman was yet to be recovered.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Inuwa, who announced this during a press conference in Calabar yesterday said many suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of the policeman whose severed head, he said was recovered from a shrine.

Aside from the suspected killers of the policeman who were paraded at the state police headquarters at Diamond Hill, no fewer than 51 robbery suspects, and other crime suspects were paraded.

The commissioner said they were arrested for allegedly engaging in various criminal activities among which are, armed robbery, murder, kidnappings, vandalisation of public facilities, murder, arson, defilement among others.

The weapons allegedly recovered from the suspects were also displayed.

The weapons included assorted guns, pump action riffles, baretta pistols, English pump action riffles, double abbrel guns and ammunition.

“The year 2018 has come with another success story as a landmark in the command’s efforts to maintain peace and order, protection of lives and property and prevention of crime in the state.

“A huge success has been recorded within the period in the run up to the Christmas celebration and first few days of this month of this year with a lot of persons arrested for various offences and lots of evidence recovered from them,” Inuwa said.

He said three pump action riffles, one AK 47riffles, four locally made revolvers, one Enllish double barrel gun and, seven locally made single barrel guns, three locally made shot guns, thirty seven locally made pistols, four locally made baretta pistols, 37 live cartridges,

seventeen empty cartridges and one dagger were recovered from the suspects.

“We also recovered twenty three plasma television set, three ATM cards, three air conditioners, fourteen refrigerators, one dry human skull, four machetes, charms, Indian hemp, ash colour Toyota, one DAF truck, a trailer load of text books.”

Giving detail on the killing of the policeman, Inuwa said on December 25, 2017, one Inspector Michael Umoh attached to the Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS), in Enugu who was on a visit with his family to his in-laws in the village of Ojor went to Uyangha in Akamkpa Local Government Area which is a neighbouring village to Ojor to buy fuel but was attacked by youths of Uyangha without provocation, killed and beheaded and the head taken to a shrine in the village of Uyangha.

“His AK 47, riffle with double magazine was taken by his assailants and his Sienna car set ablaze. His body is yet to be seen but his head was recovered at a shrine and investigation into the case led to arrest of Ophot Valentine Ebani, 54 years, (the village head of Uyangha), Isaac James Akpan, Benjamin Phiilp, Patrick Effiong, Famous Mfon, Effiong Peter, Ndifon Arong, and Wisdom Bassey Inok,” the commissioner said.

The police boss said five persons were arrested for breaking into the hotel of a former Senator, Greg Ngaji at the GRA Ogoja and destroying 21 foreign doors and making away with six refrigerators, three plasma television sets, 21, rug carpets and several other items, He said the suspects arrested for the stealing include Francis Mowang, Taiwo Abang, and Fredrick Aleji.

He warned that the command would not rest until all those who took part in the killing of the policeman are arrested, while others who have any intention or plans to engage in cultism would be arrested and brought to book.

The commissioner said in 2017, 186 persons were nabbed for armed robbery, 83 for murder, 60 for cultism, 80 for illegal possession of firearms, 29 for stealing and conspiracy, and four were arrested for defiling underage girls.

Ministry of Science and Technology and Mr. Anifowoshe Abiola, of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

He, however, appointed Mr. Hakeem Fahm to man the Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Ladi Lawanson to serve in the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Segun Banjo to oversee the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye to be in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Hakeem Sulaiman as the Special Adviser on Communities and Communications.

He, also, deployed Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye from Commerce and Industry to Physical Planning and Urban Development; Mr. Steve Ayorinde from Information & Strategy to Tourism, Arts and Culture and Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan from Communities and Communication to Information and Strategy.

The governor, equally, deployed

Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi Etti from Wealth Creation to the Environment; Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf from Youth and Social Development to Wealth Creation; Mr. Agboola Dabiri from Central Business District to Youth and Social Development.

The deployment, also, affected Dr. Samuel Adejare, who had been moved from the Environment to Waterfront Infrastructure Development as well as Mr. Ade Akinsanya from Waterfront Infrastructure Development to Works and Infrastructure, among others.

He, therefore, explained his decision to reshuffle the cabinet, noting that the exercise became imperative “to create a new vigour and vitality for service delivery which has been the hallmark of the Ambode administration.”

At the tenth townhall meeting held at the LTV complex, Agidingbi yesterday, the governor

disclosed that that the State generated a total of N503.7 billion revenue in 2017 despite the harsh economic climate in the country.

Consequent upon what the state generated internally and revenue accrued from the Federation Account, he revealed that under the 2017 fiscal year, his administration was able to record a composite budget performance of 82 per cent.

Despite the harsh economy, Ambode explained that the state budget “performed at 82 per cent. Likewise, the state’s total revenue generated was N503.7 billion representing a performance of 78 per cent; total recurrent expenditure was N281.33bn representing a performance of 92 per cent and total capital expenditure was N387.60bn or 76 per cent performance.”

He listed key projects his administration fully implemented under the fiscal year to include the

new Tafawa Balewa Square Bus Terminal, new Ojota Pedestrian bridge, Aboru – Abesan link Bridge and adjoining inner roads, Ojodu Berger Slip Road and Pedestrian Bridge, Jubilee Bridges in Ajah and Abule Egba, Freedom and Admiralty Road in Lekki, new Lands Registry, newly upgraded Jubilee Chalet in Epe, among others.

Ambode said as at December 2017, the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (ETF) had disbursed a total of N4.5billion to 5,500 beneficiaries who were trained in financial literacy and business management.

He added that keys were presented to beneficiaries of the first set of allottees of Lagos State Rent-to-Own Housing Scheme; the State Neighbourhood Safety Corps was created and beautification of the state with the erection of monuments, parks and gardens had started in earnest.

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ADP Rejects Order of Elections Approved by INEC PDP to meet over timetable Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has rejected the schedule for 2019 elections approved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the idea of fixing the presidential election first is a plot by the ruling

All Progressives Congress (APC) to unfairly outwit the opposition.

The party alleged that APC had perfected a rigging plan ahead of the 2019 general election to ensure that it deploys all its machineries to win the presidential election and then to railroad all subsequent ones.

ADP’s position came just as

Wike Proposes N510bn Budget for 2018 Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has presented the 2018 Appropriation Bill of N510 billion to the state House of Assembly for consideration and subsequent approval.

The 2018 budget of N510 billion is an increase of N40 billion (8.51 per cent) over the N470 billion budgeted in 2017.

Christened: ‘Budget of Consolidation, advancement and empowerment,’ Wike said the budget would consolidate and advance the state’s investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security, as well as in growing the economy to create jobs and empower the people.

Presenting the budget proposal to the assembly yesterday, the governor said the proposed budget has N379, 997, 687, 404.00 as capital expenditure, while N132 billion would be for recurrent expenditure.

He said: “This gives a capital to recurrent expenditure ratio of 75 to 25 per cent respectively.

The substantial increase in capital over recurrent expenditure, once again, underscores our commitment to direct substantial resources to the critical growth sectors of our economy.”

Wike said the 2018 budget would be funded from allocations from the federation Account: N40 billion; 13 per cent oil minerals fund: N120 billion; VAT: N6 billion, internally generated revenue: N132 billion; reimbursements: N70 billion; domestic/international credits N70 billion; and capital receipts N20 billion.

He stated that a total portfolio of N90 billion and N35 billion have been allocated to the Ministry of Works and

the Special Projects Bureau respectively to fund the delivery of capital projects in the 2018 budget.

He said the administration was committed to the completion of key projects in different parts of the state, while some of the projects earmarked for delivery in 2018 include Bonny – Bile Waterside jetty; Mile one market, Phase 2; Reclamation works in Abalama in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Ogu town in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Bakana in Degema Local Government Area, and Ogbumnuabali in Port Harcourt Local Government Area; Constituency projects; Real Madrid Football Academy; Luxury living quarters for Judicial Officers from the State, among other projects; and the cinema and restaurant project in the Pleasure Park, among other projects.

The governor added: “We shall also start some new projects, including the Women Development Centre the new world-class international conference centre, and roads.”

On education, Wike said: “We are devoting N50 billion to fund the education sector for the 2018 fiscal year. This sum is N20 billion more than that of 2017. In addition, we have proposed a capital grant of N500 million to each of our tertiary institutions to bolster infrastructural development and improve quality.

“Apart from proposing the sum of N2 billion for the provision of scholarships for critical areas of the State’s manpower needs, we have also proposed to set aside another N2 billion to partner, encourage and support the development of private universities and improve access to tertiary education for Rivers indigenes in the state.”

StarTimes Reloads Classic Bouquet with Five New Channels In fulfillment of its promise to deliver quality entertainment at affordable rates to every Nigerian home, StarTimes has said it has upgraded its classic bouquet with the addition of five new and exciting channels at no extra cost for subscribers.

The new channels now available on classic include Fox, ST Movie Plus, St Kung Fu, ST Novella Plus and Star Plus, all entertainment and movie focused channels.

Commenting on the development, Brand and Marketing Director, StarTimes Nigeria, Qasim Elegbede, said: “Our subscribers can consider this a new year gift from StarTimes. All these channels were previously exclusive to Unique Bouquet subscribers which cost about N3,800 monthly but can

now be accessed by Classic the Bouquet for just N2,600 monthly.”

He added: “StarTimes has recently engaged in an aggressive upgraded its channel list on the digital terrestrial platform, allowing customers who use the antenna to watch as much as much as 80 exciting channels cutting across movies, news, sports, series, kiddies, animal documentary, religious channels and lots more.”

Recently, in an expansion drive, the company announced its commencement of broadcasting in Maiduguri, Borno State.

StarTimes is the leading digital-TV operator inAfrica, covering the entire continent’s population with a massive distribution network of 200 branded halls, 3,000 convenience stores and more than 5,000 distributors.

the leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said it would summon a meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) to deliberate on the timetable of activities for the 2019 general election as released by INEC. The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, who spoke with THISDAY yesterday, said the party leadership was presently studying the timetable with a view to responding appropriately to it.

However, ADP in its objection, specifically charged the electoral empire to reverse the order of the election and to conduct the election beginning from the state Houses of Assembly instead of presidential election.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Abuja, the National Chairman of the ADP, Mr. Yabaji Sani, alleged that the ruling APC must have perfected a rigging plans for INEC to schedule presidential election first.

Yabaji said: “The order of the elections is something that we are

not comfortable with because it will mean that APC must have perfected some arrangements to rig the elections, that is why we are having presidential election before any other election, so that they will have all the powers to now interfere with the normal free and fair election that we are demanding.

“So the order of the elections as released by INEC is one thing we are not comfortable with because once you have a president sitting there then he cut the shots, he can have his ways against the wishes of the people of the country. So, this is one area we are not comfortable with and I think that area can be looked into.

On what ADP would have proposed, the national chairman said: “What we would have proposed is to have these massesbased elections to take place first, beginning with the state Houses of Assembly and so on, then going forward we can have the presidential election later.

“So, we are saying that we

want the arrangement to be the other way round instead of the way we have it today because the way we have it today it is against what tne democracy is all about.

Democracy does not accommodate might because that is what tbey are trying to do. They want to say might is right. So, once that is rearranged I am sure the other will take care of themselves.”

While calling on Nigerians to reject APC and President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, the ADP chief said: “The ADP is set to lead the nation out of the woods and the frightening security situation in the country.

As I speak to you today, the APC led government, in the last three years has demonstrated their unwillingness to unite the Nigerian people.

“The nauseating protocols of this government show that it does appear that Mr. President understands that we are one nation of different tendencies, different ethnicities and different religion.

“It does appear to APC that they

must re-work every structure in this country to suit parochial ethnic tendencies and religious tendencies.

“ADP is poised to reverse these dangerous tendencies and promote the innate desire of every Nigerian for a united Nigeria and provide a credible and vibrant political platform to accommodate the youths of this country who are organising and determined to salvage their country for a better future.”

According to Yabaji, ADP has put in place an effective machinery to produce credible and focused State Assembly, Governorship and Presidential Candidates for the 2019 general elections.

“The need for total socio –economic and political reforms has become stronger now than ever. The APC – led federal government has failed to meet the aspirations of Nigerians in all sectors. There is a serious decline in education, Health care, Security and infrastructural development.

Regrettably, the economy has also collapsed.”

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Fayose: NIA DG’s Appointment Confirms Buhari’s Preference for Northerners Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has upbraided President Muhammadu Buhari for replacing the sacked National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director General, Ambassador Ayo Oke with Ahmed

Rufai Abubakar, a northerner.

Fayose said this has further confirmed the president as a northern irredentist, adding: “The president has further demonstrated to Nigerians that he is an unrepentant sectional leader, who does not care about

Kaduna Traditional Ruler Regains Freedom After 10 Days in Captivity John Shiklam in Kaduna The paramount ruler of Ikulu chiefdom, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Chief Yohanna Sidi Kukah, has regained his freedom after spending 10 days in captivity.

The traditional ruler who is the younger brother of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese was released yesterday afternoon.

A member of the Ikulu Traditional Council, Allahmagani Yohanna, who announced the release of the monarch in a statement on behalf of the chiefdom yesterday evening, said Kukah was hale and hearty and had since joined his family.

“With gratitude to God, we the entire Ikulu nation wish to announce the release of our royal father, Mr. Yohanna Sidi Kukah, the Agwam Akulu, this afternoon.

“He is hale and hearty. We

will like to thank the security agencies, various religious and traditional rulers, the media and the public for their support, prayers and solidarity,” the statement said.

Kukah was abducted in his private residence in Anchuna village on January 2, 2018 by unknown gunmen.

The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N100 million but later reduced it to N20 million.

The statement did not say whether the ransom was paid, but sources said a ransom was paid for the release of the traditional ruler.

According to the source, the Ikulu Development Association (IDA) approached some prominent and wealthy sons of the chiefdom to contributed money for the payment of the ransom.

The source did not however, say how much was raised or how much was paid to the kidnappers.

Fuel Scarcity: IPMAN Demands Expedited Action on PIB Says 50 vessels currently in Nigerian waters Damilola Oyedele in Abuja The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to ensure full deregulation of the sector as a way of addressing the perennial fuel scarcity being experienced in Nigeria.

This is as the association disclosed that over 50 vessels bearing petrol have recently arrived in Nigerian waters and would help to ease the pockets of fuel scarcity still being experienced in different parts of the country.

The President of IPMAN, Mr. Chiedu Okoronkwo, while briefing journalists at the National Assembly yesterday, said the passage of the PIB would encourage private sector participation.

“It would open up the system,” he said adding that several capable individuals are afraid to invest in the sector due to uncertainty.

Full deregulation of the sector would also help create more stable jobs for young Nigerians, he explained.

Okoronkwo reiterated the need for the federal government to prevail on the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to stop collecting their charges

contained in the pricing template in dollars.

This, he said, is necessary as the charges frustrate the marketers who have to resort to the black market to access foreign exchange to effect the payments.

The IPMAN President said while the N305 approved for oil imports is easily accessed at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the apex bank does not immediately approve requests for forex for the pricing template charges.

The marketer therefore has to find alternative means to get forex to pay the charges to avoid demurrage penalties which run into as much as $25,000 daily, he disclosed.

Okoronkwo also addressed the leadership crises in the association where three persons are claiming to be the president.

He disclosed that he has been pronounced president of the association by an Appeal Court and added that the crises has affected the activities of the body.

“When products are allocated, it is the executive that normally ensures it goes to those who have the capacity,” he said.

He addedsome of those who get the products are not even our members,” Okoronkwo said.

the feelings of people from other parts of the country.”

“With the appointment of Ahmed Rufai Abubakar as the NIA Director General, all heads of security agencies are now northerners and the question is, is this what those who enshrined federal character in our constitution envisaged?”

The governor’s Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, quoted him as saying in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti yesterday, that “seeing what President Buhari has turned the country to, the forefathers of Nigeria, who laid the foundation of the country on equity, justice and fairness will be lamenting wherever they are now.”

He said: “Ambassador Ayo Oke was removed from office the same

day Babachir Lawal was removed as Secretary to the Government of the Federation. While Lawal’s replacement came from his home state, Oke’s replacement came from the North. That is unacceptable.”

Fayose, who reminded Nigerians of the President Buhari’s directive that the World Bank should shift its focus to the northern region of Nigeria, maintained that “because of the president’s nepotism, religious bigotry and favouritism, Nigeria is now more divided than ever before.

He said it remained on record that President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, reportedly said that in his very first meeting with President Buhari, he (Buhari) said specifically that he would like the World Bank to shift its focus

to the northern region of Nigeria.

The governor said: “President Buhari has consistently demonstrated that he is an ethnic champion, a religious bigot and the number one promoter of disunity in Nigeria. This he has done again with the appointment of yet another northerner as the NIA Director General.

“Even at a point, the National Chairman of the President’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun had to openly fault the appointments made by the President, saying that as many as three people were appointed from one ward in a local government in the North.

“The implication of what the president has done is that, when security council meeting is held today, apart from one or two

insignificant people, those in the meeting will be people from one section of the country.

“Even para-military agencies are headed by people from president Buhari’s section of the country. This is unfair.”

Reminding Nigerians of his earlier warnings that President Buhari was operating as a president of the Northern Nigeria only and the appointments made by the President negated the principle of federal character, Governor Fayose said: “Those who argued then that the president made the appointments on merit should come to the open to tell Nigerians, especially those from the South that there is no one that merited appointment as Director General of NIA.”

GDPN: Solution Nigerians are Looking for Lies with Us Party unveils manifesto, offers 33% of youth involvement The Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN) has said the solution to the myriads of problems confronting the country lies with the party.

It said while the party is not promising change like the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), it would bring hope to Nigerians and proffer solutions to the various problems in the country without apportioning blame. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Yelwa Abubakar, made this known yesterday in Abuja at the unveiling of the party

manifestos where she also noted that the party was the only party free of godfatherism.

She stressed that the party is meant for the grassroots, because the people of the grassroots have been misled by politicians.

Abubakar stated: “We are their hope now. We are not offering them any change because change is nothing but pain to the common man in Nigeria. We are not changers but we are people who will offer solution to them.

We will ease their pains through our own solutions.

“The motto of this our own party is peace, industry, and progress.

You can all bear me witness that any nation without peace, there will be no industry, any nation without industry, there won’t be any progress as we can witness in the present regime “This present regime promised the Nigerian populace that they are bringing change, everybody was clamouring for the change but they deceived us, there was no change, they brought hardship.

We will stand tall and brave in our campaign to see that the masses

are rescued from the hands of the APC. They have nothing to offer us, let us not deceive ourselves.

She lamented that the way the APC administration under President Muhammadu Buhari is piloting the affairs of the nation is to bring division to the country.

Abubakar said the ideology of the party is to reduce the mass movement of people from the rural area to the urban area.

The party offers 40 per cent provision for women participation in politics and also offers 35 per cent for the youths.

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Jonathan Dealt Decisively with Fulani Herdsmen Crisis Obinna Chima The statement by the presidency that 756 Nigerians were killed by Fulani herdsmen in two years during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan has been described as mischievous and callous.

Jonathan’s former aide, Reno Omokri, in a statement yesterday, stressed that the figure of 756 was wrong, adding that the former president dealt decisively with the Fulani herdsmen crisis.

He expressed disappointment that the presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adeshina, was trivialising the issue.

The statement read in part: “Former President Jonathan wishes to express his condolences to the government and people of Benue, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa and Nasarawa States, over the recent spate of killings occasioned by herdsmen/farmers clashes.

“His heart bleeds for the sufferings of Nigerians and he calls on the authorities to do everything in their power to put an end to these needless killings.

“Having said that, let it be known that we find the statement by the presidency stating that 756 Nigerians were killed by Fulani herdsmen in two years under the government of former President Jonathan as a mischievous assertion by a callous presidential spokesman who thinks that death is something to be trivialised.”

According to Omokri, while in office, the former president knew that the capacity of the Nigerian police would be challenged by the

sophistication of arms available to the herdsmen and so after he was elected president and sworn in on May 29, 2011, he then summoned a National Security Council meeting and ordered that Fulani herdsmen attack must be decisively dealt with.

“In July 2012, the Plateau State government reported that herdsmen killings had reached a head in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area leading to tens of deaths of Nigerian citizens by Fulani herdsmen, many of whom were not even Nigerian citizens.

“Then President Jonathan, when briefed about the situation insisted that there would not be such impunity under his leadership and immediately ordered the army and the air force to go to the affected communities and fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book.

“The military immediately obeyed the then president’s orders and sent troops and helicopters to Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

“They ordered all residents to leave their residence for temporary accommodation provided for them so they could conduct a joint air and ground operation to flush out the armed herdsmen who had been suspected of killing innocent Nigerians.

“The residents complied and the soldiers went in and not only did they clear the area, they made arrests which led to trials and convictions.”

Continuing, he said: “We wish to remind Nigerians that when this episode was being carried out, it was precisely members of the opposition who later became

PETROL IMPORTATION: OIL MARKETERS LOBBY FG FOR TAX INCENTIVES TO OFFSET COSTS Delta, this was equally ignored.

“Honourable members, this has been the attitude of the Ministry of Niger Delta towards this committee and I have to bring it to the attention of all. The Ministry was established to take care of the development of the Niger Delta region and the committee was equally put in place to help facilitate this development through appropriate legislative instrument but the ministry has decided not to cooperate with the committee and by extension the National Assembly. In light of the above development, what do you advice?”

Ekpenyong, while acknowledging the importance of early passage of the budget in the fiscal year to help reflate the economy however stated that the committee was committed to doing a thorough job.

He said lawmakers would not be pressured to pass the budget since it wasn’t submitted on time by the executive.

According to him: “If the government wants the budget to be passed early enough, they would bring the budget early enough too. We are not rubber stamp. You cannot stampede us.

We will do a thorough thing. We have a timeline. The leadership will give us a timeline.

“Plenary will resume on Tuesday but we are all back here because the leadership said come and look at the budget but when you come here and you are not giving us the necessary information, what do you want us do? We cannot just sit down and pass a budget

like that.

“We have to look at it, dissect and look at areas of needs and we will frown at new projects very seriously. The already existing ones are suffering. Some have been there for 12 years and then we have a N52 billion project and how much is being given to complete it.”

He said:”Niger Delta is a volatile area. What comes from the area sustains the economy of this country. Anything you do in the Niger Delta, you have to be very careful. If not, it will affect the whole country. We are having a smooth production because of the way they have been able to handle the issues in the Niger Delta including militancy. And we need to sustain it.

“A lot of people are frowning, saying why should we be producing all the money and we cannot have roads to pass? What’s wrong with the East-West road? This time around, the correct thing has to be done.

“Appropriation is dead on arrival.

We will look at the areas of needs and then we get the approval of the leadership to fund those areas of needs particularly as it concerns those areas of needs. I have seen an electrification project of N750 million and about three hundred and something million has been paid.

“The last time it was paid was in 2013 and it is not even in this budget. So, we have to look at it. We have to prioritise certain things. We were elected here to come and see how we can make Nigeria move forward.”

the All Progressive Congress (APC) that heavily criticised then President Jonathan’s orders.

“In fact, a prominent member of the APC and now the Governor of Kaduna State and a known confidante of the President, Malam Nasir El-Rufai tweeted his now infamous tweet on July 15, 2012 threatening that ‘We will write this

for all to read. Anyone, soldier or not that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes.” (his exact words).

“So the question Nigerians need to ask instead of allowing themselves to be distracted by the statement from the presidency is this: Are Nigerians now repaying the ‘loan’ that El-Rufai threatened

to make Nigeria repay?

“If the then president was not active in decisively sending the military after herdsmen, why would El-Rufai have been so pained to have made such a statement?

Let it be known that the former president views herdsmen who kill unprovoked and with the intention of advancing their own economic

and other interests as terrorists, pure and simple. Not only did he treat them as terrorists, he also put the military on high alert to protect Nigerian lives.

“In conclusion, we state that any groupwhokillstoadvancetheiragenda is a terror group and failure to address them as such is a disservice to the Nigerian people.”

CONSULTATIVE SUMMIT

L-R: Coordinator of Nzuko Umunna, Chief Ngozi Joseph Odumuko; former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; President, General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnaia Nwodo; Guest Speaker, Mr. Ofili Okownkwo; and former Governor of Imo State, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim, after the Across the Niger Summit in Enugu....yesterday THOUSANDS PAY LAST RESPECT AS BENUE BURIES 73 VICTIMS OF NEW YEAR DAY ATTACKS

Land for Cattle Colonies But even in the absence of a consensus among some governors on ranching versus cattle colonies, the Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello and his Plateau counterpart yesterday accepted to pioneer the cattle colony policy in order to stem the perennial conflicts between farmers and herdsmen across the country.

The two governors made the offer after they met with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh in Abuja.

They offered to make available large portions of land in support of the initiative that will allow cattle owners and farmers to co-exist peacefully.

Ogbeh said though 16 states had agreed to back the cattle colony concept, Kogi and Plateau had offered to provide land for the purpose.

Bello described Kogi as an agrarian state, noting that his government recently had a peace and security meeting with some herdsmen in the state and communities, traditional rulers, youths and farmers all agreed to live in peace.

He said the cattle colonies would provide a permanent solution to the crisis, adding that his state has resolved to pilot the cattle colonies programme initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture.

He expressed confidence in the ability of Kogi to drive the policy and make it a model that other states and even other countries will come and copy.

On his part, Lalong said after consultations with the people of his state, he decided to make land

available for cattle ranching and the colonies.

He said more than two portions of land had been offered for the cattle colony policy.

Elaborating on the concept, Ogbeh said a colony is an area carved out for any species of animals, whether by nature or by human design.

He added that between 20 and 40 ranchers could share the same colony capable of holding more than 30,000 cows belonging to different individuals.

“The reason we are designing the colony is that we want to prepare on a large scale, take advantage of economies of scale, a place where many owners of cattle can co-exist, and the animals will be fed well, because we can make their feed.

“They can get good water to drink. Cows drink a lot of water. We can give them green fodder. Now, (the Plateau State governor) has started and the smaller ranches are working in Plateau. So, we intend to lend a hand to Plateau and 16 other states which have expressed interest by helping them to develop their colonies,” Ogbeh said.

He said government would also embark on large-scale artificial insemination to improve the breed of cattle in the country, so that the yield of milk can increase once the colonies begin, adding that the proposal on the colonies was not premised on the appropriation of anyone’s land.

“Cattle colony is not about using herdsmen to colonise any state. It is going to be done in partnership with state governments that will like to volunteer land for it.

“The federal government will fund the project and those wishing to benefit from it will pay some fees.

“While ranching is more of an individual venture for the herdsmen and those wishing to invest in the livestock sector, cattle colonies are larger projects where up to 40 ranchers can share the same facility that will be provided by the government at a reduced rate.

“Already, 16 states have volunteered land,” he said.

The minister said the federal government will soon hold a stakeholders’ forum with the herdsmen and other stakeholders on the implementation of the new policy.

‘Stop Politicising Conflict’ Meanwhile, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, the umbrella body for cattle breeders in the country, has called on Nigerians to stop politicising the conflicts between herdsmen and farmers in most communities.

A leader of the group in the South-east, Alhaji Gidado Saddikie, yesterday said the issue of herdsmen/farmers’ feud should be addressed with all sincerity, devoid of sentiment, politics or religion.

Saddikie, who was probably reacting to the allegation by the Chairman of the Northern Elders’ Forum, Mr. Unongo, that a former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar was the chief financier and most influential member of the cattle breeders association, said the matter had assumed a political dimension.

He said politicising the issue was no way to find a solution to the problem, but would instead stir bad blood among those involved.

Saddikie identified the wrong government approach and lack of

sensitisation as some of the major causes of herdsmen/farmers’ conflict in most communities.

He said: “People play politics with this issue. Former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar is a Fulani, but he is not a member of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association. He has not attended our meeting before, so how can he be a financier of the association?

“Let me tell you, it is the wrong government approach and negligence that is causing these conflicts. How can somebody say Atiku is our financier?

“Most state governments think that herdsmen and farmers are commoners that should not be heard. But you must hear them because they are human beings who are contributing to the economic growth of our country at their own level.”

He said a synergy exists between the herdsmen and farmers in the South-east because governors in the zone have been proactive.

“We have this understanding and synergy in the South-east on how to handle this issue because the governors here and other leaders are proactive.

“We have agreed that any herdsman that destroys the crops of farmers should pay for such damage, and if any farmer kills any herdsman’s cow, he must pay for the cow. We understand ourselves here in the south-east, but in some other places, it is not so.

“We have told our people that they should not consider their cows more important than any human life. If they kill your cow, report to us. We’ll know how to handle it amicably. Don’t take the law into your hands,” he said.

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108 Health Ministry Workers Groan over Omission from Payroll System Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja There is a poser at the Federal Ministry of Health where 108 civil servants have raised the alarm over their exclusion from the Integrated

Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

The workers alleged that their exclusion from the payroll by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation has resulted in the non-payment of their salaries

Four Nigerians Hospitalised, Shops Burnt in Fresh South African Attacks The Nigerian Community in South Africa has again cried out that four of its members are in critical condition in the hospital while some shops have been burnt in renewed attacks by South Africans.

The Chairman, Nigerian Union, North West Province chapter, Paul Nwanedo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the telephone from Rustenburg that the attacks against Nigerians began last Sunday.

He said taxi drivers in Rustenburg alleged that a Nigerian abducted and raped a 16-year-old South African girl and also alleged that Nigerians sold drugs to a local gang that attacked their members.

“This is absolutely untrue. We have investigated and found out that the allegations are false. The union is worried about the safety of our members in Rustenburg,” he said.

Nwanedo said four Nigerians caught by the taxi drivers were beaten and are in critical condition in the hospital while some shops belonging to Nigerians had been torched.

“As I speak to you, we are afraid because the attacks have continued and our members are still in hiding.

“We have reported to the police and our national secretariat. We

want the safety of lives and property of our people,” he said.

Adetola Olubajo, President of the union, said that the national secretariat had been informed about the incident at Rustenburg.

“Investigation by the union shows that no Nigerians abducted or raped a South African girl.

Indeed, no Nigerian has been arrested for the offence and we are worried about the turn of events.

“The lives and property of our citizens in Rustenburg are in danger and there is an urgent need for intervention. We appeal to our mission and Federal government to intervene urgently and save the situation,” Olubajo said.

The spokesman of the police in Rustenburg, Sabata Mokgwabone, said the reason for the violent protest was unclear but confirmed that “the burnt houses are those occupied by foreign nationals,” North West Provincial Commissioner of Police, Baile Motswenyane, called on the public to work with law enforcement officials.

“Those who are doing this must know that they are committing a crime and drastic action will be taken, including against our own members who are involved in criminal activities,” he said.

The workers, who pleaded for their identities not to be disclosed, shifted the blame to the Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), FCSC and Ministry of Health for not ensuring their enrollment into the IPPIS even when there was evidence they were posted to the Health Ministry after authentication.

In particular, they said it was the HoSF that advertised for the positions and gave waiver to the FCSC to recruit the fresh candidates.

THISDAY however obtained a memo yesterday where the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Osarenoma Uwaifo, made a case for the biometric enrollment of the workers into the payroll system.

The memo dated December 18, 2017, was addressed to the FCSC Chairman, Chief Joseph Remi Akande.

Uwaifo, a former Director of Finance at the Office of the

for 26 months.

They were among the 166 persons employed and posted by the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) towards the end of 2014 following a recruitment exercise to fill vacancies in the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Of the number, 39 persons categorised as National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) awardees were captured and subsequently enrolled into the payroll.

However, some were dropped while the vast majority, numbering 108 were documented and posted to the Ministry of Heath, which accepted, authenticated their documents and issued them identity cards.

The disturbing coincidence is that the workers, including medical doctors, pharmacists and laboratory attendants among others, have been working for almost four years without salaries and other entitlements.

HoSF before he was promoted to permanent secretary, pleaded that the workers should be captured having been authenticated by FCSC. “You may wish to know that a total number of 166 officers were recruited and deployed to the ministry. These officers were all authenticated by the Federal Civil Service Commission (Annex ii).

“Out of the number quoted above, a total number of 147 were sent to the commission for biometric capturing, leaving a balance of 108 officers not captured since 2014. It is pertinent to state that these officers have not received salaries since they were employed in 2014.

“It would therefore be appreciated if these officers whose appointments the commission had authenticated are captured to enable Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to commence the process

of enrollment and payment of the salaries,” Uwaifo stated.

The workers traced the genesis of the payroll palaver to when Mrs. Joan Ayo was the Chairman of FCSC and Alhaji Sulaiman Mustapha was the Permanent Secretary.

They also said the authentication was done by FCSC state commissioners who verified their states of origin.

However, they agreed that they became pawns in the politicisation that dogged the recruitment exercise carried out during the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The exercise was said to be skewed to favour a particular section of the country and in violation of the principle of federal character.

“That was eventually resolved

by FCSC, which reviewed the list of 166 names to correct the lopsidedness. We have also been screened by the civil service commission,’’ they said.

Group Berates Ortom for Allegedly Arming Civilian JTF Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja A group, the Foundation for Truth and Justice, has condemned Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom, for allegedly arming militias following the recent attacks carried out

by Fulani herdsmen.

It said that several persons operating as Civilian JTF in Benue states arrested by the military have confessed that they are answerable to the governor and some of his senior officials.

The Coordinator of the group, Martins Nwaiwu, at a press conference yesterday in Abuja stressed that the existence of the Civilian JTF has worsened the mutual suspicion between farmers and herders.

Nwaiwu stated: “Nigerians need to know all the truth about the role of the Benue State Governor in the Herdsmen/ Farmers’ crisis in the State. What we found out has been corroborated by the confessions of the members of the (Benue State) Civilian JTF on national television.

“Members of the Civilian JTF received weapons from the state governor Governor Ortom and his

aides replenish ammunitions for these firearms whenever they are depleted “Members of the Civilian JTF had no prior training in the use of firearms but have been promised training by the state government. While members operate under the name Civilian JTF their actual modus operandi is that of an ethnic militia,” he noted.

The group also demanded that the federal government orders a full investigation into the activities of Benue State Sponsored Civillian Joint Task Force (CJTF) identified to be in the middle of recent crisis between herdsmen and Farmers in Benue State.

“Furthrmore, in the face of this mutual suspicion and considering the sanctity of lives of the citizens of the State, we are calling for deployment of the military to the affected communities to maintain law and order.

“We also demand that a state of emergency be immediately declared in Benue State and any other states where crisis between herders and farmers may break out in the nearest future so as to forestall any further deterioration of the crisis anywhere in the country.

CAUGHT AT LAST

L-R: Force Police Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Jimoh Moshood, and suspected killer of the New Year day worshipers in Rivers State, Mr. Desmond Okotupo, during his parade by the FPRO at the Force Headquarters in Abuja....yesterday Kingsley Adeboye

NCAA Threatens to Close Airports That Do Not Meet Regulatory Standards Chinedu Eze The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman, has said airports which did not meet given regulatory standards would be closed for flight operations.

Usman said all the airports, both federal and state-owned, must abide by the given standards in accordance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR), which is the domestication of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations.

The DG said every airport must meet safety, security standards and must be able to enhance passenger facilitation.

“We will not allow any airport to continue to exist if it does not meet that given international standard.

That is our own position. We would encourage the states to ensure that whatever they do they must make

sure that their airport conforms with international standards, which include international security standard, international safety standard and every other thing that efficiently facilitates passengers’ movement,” the Director-General said.

Usman however noted that some airports that want to conduct daylight operation could be allowed to do so and would be given approval for basic requirements; while those that would want to operate night operation must need airfield lighting.

“There is what we call visual flight rule (which means flying only in the day) so we must not insist the airports must have airfield lighting if they don’t need to fly in the night. The only thing is that when we are certifying them we will certify them with restriction based on the operation they can carry out.

“It will be better for airports, whether owned by the federal government, state or local government, to have all the facilities but, of course, the facilities cost a lot of money. You know, if you have to operate in the night, you certainly need light and that will be at extra cost. That is why some airports want to operate daily flights. Some even want to operate one flight a day; some will like to operate three times a week. So such airports don’t need to have non-essential facilities but the basic facilities must be there to enhance safety, security and facilitation,” he said.

On the reported theft on the runway of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, the Director-General said government has made significant move to check any kind of security infraction at the airports, adding that security has been beefed up at the airports.

“We have set up a committee to investigate if indeed there was the possibility that theft happened.

Along the line, there is suspicion that there was stealing but it has not been established where it happened.

This is because stealing can happen either at the point of departure or probably at the point of arrival or somewhere else.

“We have not been able to establish that and just as people speculated, even though we don’t speculate; the aircraft is designed in a way that it is difficult, I am not saying it is impossible to somebody to have access of the aircraft and take whatever unless it is a person that knows everything about the aircraft and knows exactly what to pick and in the right time, so it is very tricky. In the process of the investigation, all the areas that need to be beefed up have been beefed up,” he said.

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

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FRIDAYSPORTS

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

CHAN 2018… CHAN 2018…

Fashanu Dubs Eagles, Libya Clash Battle against Slavery Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Former football star, John Fashanu, has likened the forthcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) match between Libya and Nigeria as a battle against slavery.

The Group C fixture comes up in Tangier, Morocco on January 23.

Libya has been plunged into political instability since the overthrow of the regime of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Recently, the country has got the sticks for the enslavement of African migrants seeking to reach Europe via the Mediterranean corridor.

The match against the Home-based Eagles will have a political dimension given Nigerians were among the black African people enslaved in the north African country.

Nigerians in batches have continued to be repatriated from the unstable country through the intervention of the federal government.

Fashanu, an ex England international striker, slammed Libya, saying the country should almost be rated a terrorist country for violating the dignity of Black Africans.

“Nigeria match against Libya will be a bombshell.

I hope we get to do well and in fact win the match against Libya,” Fashanu said.

The former Wimbledon player further suggested that the high profile fixture be used as platform for a campaign against slavery and to expose the horrible and ridiculous things going on in the country at the moment. “ I know our players will play three times better than they always do because everybody has been affected one way or the other. The abuse of Black African people is annoying. What we see on TV on Libya is just a little scratch of the top of the mountain. Everyday more people are being abused in Libya- and there are thousands of Nigerians going through that hellhole,” stressed Fashanu.

Nigeria, coached by Salisu Yusuf will aspire to better the third position they finished in South Africa in 2014 in their maiden appearance in the competition.

Meanwhile, Eagles have rated last Wednesday’s friendly against Cameroon as a good test and will now depart to Tangier by road today.

Eagles drew 0-0 with Cameroon ahead of their opening Group C clash against Rwanda in Tangier on Monday night.

Spokesman of the team, Toyin Ibitoye, said on telephone from Morocco yesterday that the test game with Cameroon was not all about winning but to gauge the readiness of the team for the tournament.

“The good practice game, it

was not about the result but how the players performed,” said Ibitoye.

“It was a very physical game as both teams went for it, good for us, this was more than just a friendly. So far, no injury to worry about for our boys.

“The game showed that this tournament won’t be a stroll in the park.

“The boys are hungry to do well; they are motivated to deliver with the World Cup on the horizon.”

Eagles did their last training yesterday evening

before the planned departure for Rabat enroute Tangier today. The trip to Tangier is two hours by road.

They will meet Libya in between fixtures against Rwanda on January 15 and Equatorial Guinea on January 23.

Plateau United players and officials in a group photograph with Gov Simon Lalong when the team won the 2016/2017 NPFL trophy last September. They will begin the defence of the trophy on Sunday against Nasarawa United in Lafia as the new season begins

2017/2018 NPFL... 2017/2018 NPFL... 2017/2018 NPFL...

Rivers Utd Captain, Austine, Holds High Hope for New Season

Big Guns Return in Delicate Opening Games

Rivers United Captain, Festus Austine, has made a bold call that his club “will compete” for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title when the new season gets underway this Sunday.

The centre half explained that the club got a real learning curve from their outing last season when they competed on three fronts in the NPFL, the CAF Champions League and later the Confederation Cup and the Aiteo Cup. He stated that playing on the continent took out a lot of sting in their venom and meant their performance in the domestic championship was watered down.

Austine added that some of the new players also found it difficult to settle down in the team and that brought about some challenges in their campaign last term.

“Yes Rivers United will compete for the NPFL title this season,” Austine told npfl.ng.

“Last season was a difficult time for us, as players and for the club too, in terms of results on the pitch. We, the players, have talked to ourselves this time and have worked hard

The wait for the 2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) seemed like an eternity but the kickoff is now upon us and the opening day has served up tantalising fixtures including touch-and-go games for the big guns.

Title holders Plateau United will make a 206 kilometres trip to Lafia where they will face neighbours Nasarawa United. The Solid Miners have failed to win a game against the champions in their last three league meetings.

Nasarawa United have also failed to score in all those three games.

Last season’s runners-up MFM FC will have their hands full on the first matchday when they go up against Abia Warriors now managed by Brazilian coach Rafael Everton. MFM have had some big departures in the off-season and last term including strikers Stephen Odey and Austine Ogunye as well as Oladele Oshobe.

MFM head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu will turn to Adegboyega Adekunle or

Austine... hopes for a better season for Rivers United

for the new season and we know the pain that the results of last season caused the club and especially our fans.

“We have worked hard enough in pre-season and we believe that we will be in the haunt for trophies in the season.

“What I want is for the new players to gel into the team because last season, some of them, very good players too, found it hard to fit into the team, and that affected the team.”

George Akpayen

Waheed Adebayo to lead the lines with Olatunbosun Sikiru and Onuwa Chukwuka expected to provide guile and width against Abia Warriors who they have met just four times in the NPFL, and beaten only once.

Former champions Enyimba, Kano Pillars and Rangers are also up for very intricate contests on the road at Lobi Stars, Katsina United and Akwa United respectively.

Katsina United versus Kano Pillars will open the first north west regional derby while Rangers who won the title two seasons ago are up against Akwa United at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in a very tricky game.

Akwa United have failed to put a win on the board against the Flying Antelopes in their last five league meetings including a 3-2 win in Uyo

by Rangers in 2016 when they won a first league title in 32 years.

Enyimba go to a venue - the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi - where they have managed to take just a win in their last eight visits against Lobi Stars. The People’s Elephant have won only twice in their

15 visits to Lobi, and Paul Aigbogun will hope his men will hit the ground running as he begins his third stint with the Aba club.

However another top side Rivers United (formerly Dolphins FC) will face the same opponent in their opening game of last season in El-Kanemi Warriors this Sunday. This time, El-Kanemi are under a new coach Imama Amapakabo who will be unavailable for this game owing to international assignment with the Super Eagles in Morocco for the African Championship Nations (CHAN).

El-Kanemi’s record at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt is nothing to write home about - nine visits have ended in nine defeats.

They have conceded 20 goals and scored just once which was last season when Bello Kofarmata netted a late goal in their 1-2 loss after Guy Keumian Venance and Emeka Ogbugh had given the home team a two-goal lead.

Surely this does not look like a finely-balanced contest in the offing as Rivers United hold the advantage on paper.

Talking of advantage, the promoted clubs - Go Round, Heartland, Kwara United and Yobe Desert Stars - cannot just lay claim to such just yet despite sterling outings in the second tier, the Nigeria National League (NNL) last season.

Heartland make a return to the big time after they were relegated in 2016 for the first time in their history. This time they start at home inside the Dan Anyiam Stadium against Sunshine Stars. The Naze Millionaires of course will be wary of the Akure Gunners who stunned them in this same fixture three-nil in May 2015 - an episode a lot of Heartland faithful will not want to remember.

But it will be the 21st meeting between both sides since 2003. Naze Millionaires have won seven of the past 20 head-to-head contests, two more than Sunshine Stars’ win.

The last time Yobe Desert Stars played top-flight football was 15 years ago, and they lost their opening day fixture to Plateau United (3-1). Now they face FC Ifeanyiubah in Nnewi on Matchday 1.

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2018

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Friday, January 12, 2018

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Price: N250

MISSILE Soyinka to FG

“Such are the monstrous beginnings of the culture of impunity. We are reaping, yet again, the consequences of such tolerance of the intolerable.

Yes, there indeed the government is culpable, deďŹ nitely guilty of ‘looking the other way’. Indeed, it must be held complicitâ€? – Nobel laureate, Prof., Wole Soyinka accusing the Muhammadu Buhari’s administration of complicity in its inaction as marauding herdsmen kill and maim across the country.

AKINOSUNTOKUN DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA

akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

Buhari Is Not Synonymous With The North

F

irst, my sympathies to Yusuf Buhari of whom I learnt from unimpeachable sources, is a sober and level headed guy contrary to the impression given by the circumstances of his unfortunate accident.

I pride myself in having a wide ranging circle of friends and family from the North. Among the publicly identified ones are Dangiwa Umar, Mahmud Tukur, Nuhu Ribadu, Nasir El Rufai, Aliko Dangote, Ibrahim Babangida, Kashim Imam, Awwal Tukur, Chubadu Modibbo, Mohammad Jibrin and the Emir of Kano.

One of them is the closest confidante I have anywhere in the world. By inclination and intellectual persuasion I consider myself a Nigerian nationalist. In my considered opinion, anyone identified as a genuine Nigerian nationalist would and should have problems with President Mohammadu Buhari. So far as I can see, he has the richest credentials as a career and vocational Northern (or to be more exact) Fulani irredentist. It is quite difficult to separate the deepening ethnic division and hostility in contemporary Nigeria from the predilections of his incumbency. It has gotten to a stage where divisive politics has become so second nature to him that he has grown incapable of recognizing the obvious-where a divisive omission or commission stares every objective Nigerian in the face.

As the assault on Nigeria nationhood gathers pace it has become necessary to salvage whatever remains of our national bond with the disclaimer that there is a yawning distinction between opposition to Buhari and ethnicity spurred antagonism towards the North. On the template of the perennial ethnicity laden characteristic of Nigerian politics, I rate him the cleverest Nigerian politician. Like Donald Trump, the way his we versus them politics puts many Nigerian off is precisely the same measure with which he secures his blind followership. Addressing Nigeria in Hausa language during his prolonged hospitalization, for instance, is a calculated ploy to pander to his base and rouse their already overflowing defensive and clannish sympathy.

It is with extreme reluctance and concern that I criticize him-ever worrying lest such habitual criticism be misconstrued for antipathy towards the North. All it takes for the so called Fulani herdsmen reign of terror to subside is to borrow from a cultural virtue that was in conspicuous display during the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. It is called tough love.

If a member of your family is engaged in an unseemly altercation with an outsider, you prioritize the admonition and rebuke of the former as a preferred and community ennobling strategy of conflict resolution. It did not endear him to the Yoruba and the Christian community but Nigerians would remember the overboard public display of Obasanjo’s red eye towards the Oodua Peoples Congress OPC and the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN in plateau state re-‘anyone who calls himself OPC should be shot on sight’ and ‘CAN my foot’ to the latter in Jos. The disappointment with Buhari is beyond measure. Emerging from the criminally weak leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria gave a messianic latitude to the incoming Buhari to exercise his famed strong moral leadership and he made a fiasco of it.

Buhari

His presidency would be remembered as a comprehensive exercise in self-demystification.

Which other Nigerian President would be so obdurate and inciting (as) to appoint Dan Alli, Lawan Danbazzau, Babagana Monguno, Tukur Buratai, Ibrahim Idris, Lawal Daura and now Ahmed Abubakar as Minister of defence, Minister of interior, National security adviser, chief of Army staff, Inspector general of Police, Director general of the State security services and Director general of Nigeria intelligence agency? Regardless, I am by no means implying that he is without virtue. Even in the face of his brazen parochial nepotism and relative to the abysmal standard of public probity in Nigeria, his battered reputation for integrity is not without redeeming feature.

Wither The Yoruba Party One abiding marker of Nigerian politics is the penchant for going round in circles. At independence in 1960, Nigeria started out with a multi-party political system comprising, in the main, three major political parties, namely the Action Group, AG, Northern Peoples’ Congress, NPC and the National Council of Nigerian citizens, NCNC. Individually they were the embodiment of the ethno regional

All it takes for the so called Fulani herdsmen reign of terror to subside is to borrow from a cultural virtue that was in conspicuous display during the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo. It is called tough love

nationalism of the three major ethnic groups of Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani and Ndigbo-within which territory they were the dominant parties.

Unlike the other two, the NCNC was distinguished by its Nigeria wide nationalistic origins. Until 1963 (when the Northern Cameroons in the Adamawa province, voted in a referendum to opt out of the Nigerian federation), the NCNC used to be the acronym for the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons. The party was specifically established as an instrument of prosecuting Nigerian nationalist struggle against British colonialism and was a competitive rival (against the AG) for political dominance in the Western region. Whereas the NPC and the AG originated and evolved as the political party arms of the Arewa and Yoruba ethno national unions.

The history of the Nigerian political party system is the chronology of the mutations of these parties in the second, third and fourth republics. In 1979, they transmuted into the National Party of Nigeria, NPN; Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, and the Nigerian Peoples Party, NPP corresponding to the defunct Northern, Western and Eastern regions. This recurring tendency for the political parties to overlap regional identity is the political reality of Nigeria and constituted the premise for the prescription of the regionalist model of Nigerian federalism.

As argued by Chief Obafemi Awolowo “First, in any country where there are divergences of language and of nationalityparticularly of language- a unitary constitution is always a source of bitterness and hostility on the part of linguistic or national minority groups. On the other hand, as soon as a federal constitution is introduced in which each linguistic or national group is recognized and accorded regional autonomy, any bitterness and hostility against the constitutional arrangement must disappear’.

How to reconcile this reality with the aspiration for Nigerian national integration is the crucial challenge of Nigerian politics.

Since 1966, the tendency of the protracted rule of military dictatorship to seek to recreate Nigeria in its own image has resulted in the trend towards centralization and unification and the mismanagement of this challenge.

As we have come to learn, the divergence from federalism has served many purposes other than the socio economic development of Nigeria. At the outbreak of the Nigerian civil war (and mistaking the symptom for the disease), starry eyed pan Africanist Nigerian intellectuals formulated the political problem of Nigeria as arising from the regional autonomy model of Nigerian federalism. They argued that the ample sizes and semi-autonomous status of the regions constituted a threat and disincentive to national integration-and thus provided the intellectual legitimation for the unification disposition of the military lawgivers.

Buyers beware, the road to hell is oftentimes paved with good intentions. The Nigerian nationalist ideology was germane to the successful prosecution of the civil war and the legitimation of the extra constitutional rule of military dictatorship. But the civil war and the allied military dictatorship are aberrations by definition and the political culture it spawned is not meant for adoption

and perpetuation as a constitutional norm.

In their origins, there is a discernable echo of the NCNC of yore in the PDP. They both originated as pan Nigerian nationalist rally-the former against the British colonialists and the latter against the perpetuation of military dictatorship. Owing largely to circumstances beyond its control, the NCNC eventually ended as little more than the dominant party in the Igbo writ large Eastern region and the PDP has followed suit. The reduction of the two parties followed from a retreat from the South West-with the qualifier that whereas the NCNC was compelled to so retreat, the reduction of the PDP was the deliberate choice of the contemporary movers and shakers in the PDP. Following from its ouster from power in 2015, the PDP has consistently suffered diminution-commensurate with its hobbled capacity to spread largesse. Borrowing a leaf from the playbook of how the APC mastered the politics of brinkmanship to outmaneuver former President Goodluck Jonathan, there was the fleeting hope that maybe the PDP can endure long enough to pay back the APC in its own coin in 2019. Any such hope was dashed by the coronation of Prince Uche Secondus as the new PDP king at its last national convention.

In order for there to be national balance inclusive of fostering a sense of belonging for the south west zone in the party, the chairmanship had been ceded to the zone.

The contrary decision to so deprive the zone of the chairmanship amounted to the effective belittling of the party to the demarcations of the defunct Eastern region. The significance of this development resides in how it is complemented and enhanced by the equivalent decline in the fortunes of the south west in the ruling national coalition. On account of the casual relegation of the south west and a corresponding overcompensation and ascendance of the Moslem North in the APC, the party has been reshaped to effectively become the Hausa Fulani dominant party.

This development has logically prompted political introspection among the Yoruba on how best to chart a course going forward.

Coincidentally there is new found opportunity in the pervasive dissatisfaction with the APC controlled federal government-opening up the party to a successful challenge in the forthcoming 2019 elections. A beckoning vacuum has thereby emerged both at the level of forging a credible SPV for challenging the APC and at the level of securing a political sanctuary for the south west.

This political market forces of demand and supply has precipitated a flurry of activities directed at floating a third party. Following from the tradition of the three pronged regional party default mode, any realistic prospect for the emergence of a third party will be predicated on its utility to provide political sanctuary for a stranded Yoruba electorate. The most important personality in the APC, President Buhari has already issued a persona non grata to the advocacy of restructuring-effectively ruling out his party as a sanctuary for the topmost priority of the Yoruba. By this happenstance, Nigeria has all but reverted to its regional party system default mode.

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