Tuesday 3rd April 2018

ARISE Fashion Week Ends With a Bang, Nigerians Yearn for More Vanessa Obioha The Arise Fashion Week came to an exciting end yesterday with international models drawn from across the globe and a cross-section of Nigerians who religiously followed every minute of the show explicitly betraying their nostalgic emotions and wishing the three-day show

never ended.

They relished every moment and the fun they had, particularly meeting the headline act top model Naomi Campbell and New York-based Nigerian model, Oluchi Orlandi.

As the show drew the

curtain yesterday, the organisers intent on closing on a high, introduced head turning designers who included Odion Mimonet, Re, House of Nwocha, Dzyn, Maxivive, Sunny Rose.

Also among the major models that headlined the

show were new international catwalk modelling sensation Imaan, Nigeria’s export, Oluchi and scores of other male and female models who kept the audience engaged and glued to their seats throughout the show.

The major dignitaries who

graced the show were the wife of Ogun state governor, Amosun, Tein George, George Hotel, Ikoyi, Helen Prest, Dbang, Albert Okunagba and Nigerians from all walks of life.

Reactions were very positive and with some describing it

Winnie Mandela, Anti-apartheid Icon, Dies at 81... Page 33

as the biggest fashion show in Africa.

"It's been an amazing journey for me," gushed 19 year-old Michael Chima. "Last night I had the opportunity to walk the runway with Naomi Campbell for Ozwald Boateng.

The female model in front of me was dazed and nearly Continued on page 6

Tuesday 3 April, 2018 Vol 23. No 8384. Price: N250

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29 Killed, 83 Injured in Fresh Suicide Bomb Attacks ‌ Page 35

PDP Seeks APC’s Proscription, Looters’ List Gets Knocks

Tobi Soniyi, Ejiofor Alike in Lagos, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja, Laleye Dipo in Minna and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately proscribe the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations that it financed President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 campaign with looted funds.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Monday, also gave the Buhari-led Presidency a threeday ultimatum to respond to allegations that it was elected with looted funds or find itself top of the list of confirmed looters.

The party said instead of the Presidency and the APC to come out with a response on how President Buhari’s 2015 campaign was funded with Continued on page 6

Again, Obasanjo Scores Buhari Low, Says He’s Failed Nigerians Femi Ogbonnikan In Abeokuta In his usual characteristic manner, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, again picked holes in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, stressing that, it reeks of failure and engaged in a needless blame game.

In addition, Obasanjo issued a warning signal to Nigerians not to reinforce failure as the country inches towards 2019 general elections, while stressing that the two major political parties, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), cannot take the nation Continued on page 6

APC to Inaugurate Committee on Oyegun's Tenure Extension Plan ... Page 35

GOOD BYE...

Creative Director of the Odio Mimonet, Odion Oseni (m) with models during the last day of ARISE Fashion Week held at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos kunle ogunfuyi

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PAGE SIX PDP SEEKS APC’S PROSCRIPTION, LOOTERS’ LIST GETS KNOCKS looted sums, they are busy hallucinating about names of individuals whose matters are before the courts of competent jurisdiction.

In the meantime, an aide to former president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, former PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, erstwhile governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu and Fani Kayode, including a senior lawyer have reacted separately to the newly released list by the APC-led government with some of them threatening to take legal action to put the records straight.

In the same vein, the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has told President Muhammadu Buhari to stop castigating the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as being corrupt, saying the president is superintending over the most corrupt government in the history of Nigeria.

He said Buhari has been busy shielding looters of the treasury in his government, saying: “Nigerians have seen through their deceit and will no longer buy that fake image of integrity they are trying to sell.”

The governor said; “With the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, saying that corruption has become more endemic in Nigeria than it was in the last 16 years, with the country moving 12 places below its rating, a honourable government would have stopped using the fight against corruption as its major achievement and releasing names of people that

are still under trial as looters just to cover up its failure.”

He said the first list of alleged looters released by the government was politically motivated and the second one was an afterthought that was done to cover the shame of the government because Nigerians questioned the first list.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Monday, also gave the Buhari-led Presidency a threeday ultimatum to respond to allegations that it was elected with looted funds or find itself top of the list of confirmed looters.

The party said instead of the Presidency and the APC to come out with a response on how President Buhari’s 2015 campaign was funded with looted sums, they are busy hallucinating about names of individuals whose matters are before the courts of competent jurisdiction.

"It is evidently clear that the APC, Federal Government and the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, are running away from the issue of how they raised money to install Buhari as President.

"They have pressed the panic button and resorted to unfounded allegations against PDP members just to divert the attention of Nigerians and the international community from their atrocious government and its manifold failures of leadership.

"The PDP will not join the panicky APC and the Federal Government in their resort to engage in matters that are subjudiced because we believe and respect the Rule of Law,

particularly, as it concerns the rights of every citizen.

"We know those in the APC and Buhari’s cabinet, who as champions of looting, plundered the resources of their various states and handed same over for the very expensive electioneering campaign of President Buhari, who had earlier confessed of his insolvency.

"We have challenged the APC and the Presidency to declare the sources of these funds and how they were used since they have been proven to come from public coffers.

"Now that the APC, the Federal Government, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Buhari Presidency have chosen a loud silence rather than accepting that looted funds were used to install Buhari as President in 2015, we charge INEC to do the needful by commencing the process for the proscription of the APC as a political party," he said.

In a statement on Monday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose reiterated that Nigerians were more interested in their welfare, security of their lives and physical development of the country than tales of concocted lists of corrupt Nigerians, who are only corrupt in the estimation of the government because they do not belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) never pretended to Nigerians that it had corrupt people in its fold and the party never protected them. Today, the party has gone ahead to offload the corrupt elements

into the APC and they were not only accepted gladly into the party, they were given prominent appointments by the President.”

The governor, who likened President Buhari to a father who is protecting his children that are armed robbers but calling on security agents to arrest children of his neighbour for stealing meats from their mother’s pot said; “For any lists of alleged looters to be credible, the President, who is protecting looters should be number one while those looters in his government should follow.

“His nomination form was bought with proceeds of corruption and those who bought the form and financed his election were paid back with the return of all their seized properties, ministerial appointments and even disappearance of prosecution witnesses in EFCC cases,” the governor said.

Speaking further, Governor Fayose said; “A government that reinstated and promoted Abdullahi Maina, who was declared wanted for corrupt practices by the International Police Organisation, (INTERPOL) and dismissed in 2013 for alleged N2.1 billion pension fraud and used APC broom to sweep the $25 billion contracts scam in the NNPC under the carpet is nothing but a government of plunderers and that is the clear definition of Buhari’s government.

“It was in this same government that the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole suspended the National Health Insurance Scheme Executive Secretary, Professor Usman

Yusuf for alleged corruption and the President recalled him even without the knowledge of the Minister.

“Up till today, nothing has happened to the probe panel on the alleged N500 million bribery said to have been paid to the President’s Chief of Staff (COS), Abba Kyari by officials of MTN to influence government to discontinue its heavy stance on the $5 billion fine imposed on the company.

“Therefore, no matter how hard they try now, they can no longer hoodwink Nigerians with their deceit of fight against corruption. Even APC Senator, Shehu Sani once said that the President uses insecticide to fight corruption involving his perceived political opponents, but use deodorant when it comes it affects his own men.”

Omokri Disagrees, Releases Own List A former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media, Mr. Reno Omokri has faulted the list of looters released by the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, saying the list did not contain even one member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Omokri, who has also released a list of alleged looters in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet, said in a statement yesterday that the list released by Mohammed has proved that Buhari, the Information Minister and the APC are not fighting corruption but fighting the opposition.

Similarly, a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode

has said that the release of a purported looters list by the federal government is an attempt to intimidate the judiciary to convict at all costs those facing trial in various courts.

In his reaction to the list which included him and 22 others, Fani-Kayode described as nonsensical and utterly shameful the looters' list released last Sunday by the Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

In his reaction, Omokri said he took the pains to produce a ‘teaser’ looters list of APC members who are collectively alleged to have looted over $2 billion and challenged President Buhari and the Information Minister to explain why these men did not feature on their list.

The former presidential aide also sought to know these alleged looters have continued to remain in the APC government where they wield immense powers and influence, even over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that is meant to prosecute them Omokri, who threatened to release more names, depending on the reaction of the President Buhari- led government, listed the alleged looters in APC to include: Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, whom he said was indicted by the Justice George Omeregi-led Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry of looting N97 billion along with co-indictees, including a former army general.

He also named Saminu Turaki, whom he alleged to Continued on page 33

AGAIN, OBASANJO SCORES BUHARI LOW, SAYS HE’S FAILED NIGERIANS to the promised land.

To avoid falling into the booby trap of deceit and dishonesty ahead the next general elections to elect new leaders, the former president cautioned Nigerians not to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by the reforms promised by the ruling APC or accept the recent apology being tendered by the opposition PDP. In his first public statement on Buhari, Obasanjo had last January issued a 13-page treatise criticising President Buhari’s performance and calling for a new movement to salvage the country from its challenges.

He had also warned the President against seeking re-election, alleging that the present government has failed in one of the areas it pitched as its ‘key point of action’ when it assumed office – the anti-corruption fight.

He made the disclosure at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, while receiving the audience, a joint delegation of Nigeria Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) and New Nigeria 2019 who paid him a courtesy call.

The two groups, led by Moses Siasia and China Anyaso, had visited the ex-President, to consult him on the state of the nation and assure him of their preparedness to respond to his clarion call for a popular movement to rescue Nigeria from the present doldrums While Obasanjo canvassed for the need for the citizens to actively participate in the nation's affairs by making

informed choices about leadership, he said the citizens would always be victims if an ineffective and incompetent government gets to power.

Making a veiled reference to the Buhari-led government, the former president noted that the administration was indulging in giving flimsy excuses.

He argued that the current administration would not have been voted into power if there were no challenges to address as a result of the lapses in the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

According to him, he said he wondered why the president was scheming for re-election, having allegedly failed to deliver on his electioneering promises to Nigerians.

"What those I call power addicts would want to do is to divide you based on gender, age, tribe, religion and region.

You have one commonality - interest of Nigeria. And it doesn't matter where you come from. We had that interest.

"The truth is this: when you have an ineffective and incompetent government, we are all victims. And don't let anybody deceive you. Those of you who are in business, your business could have been better today if we have a competent and effective and performing government.

"As I said, stop giving excuses; we met challenges.

If there were no challenges, then we wouldn't need you to come. You came in because you know there are challenges and then giving us excuse that you have many challenges, that is why you haven't achieved results. And then you still want

to go back.

"The first lesson I learnt in my military training has never reinforced failure. What we have now is a failure. Never you reinforce failure. Let failure be a failure.

"And if you do not see what you should see, you will then be a victim of what you don't like because it is only when you see what you should see and you do what you should do that you put away what you do not like. And if you don't see what you should see and you don't do what you should do, you will be a victim of what you don't like", averred Obasanjo.

While admonishing youths to come out and participate in active politics, Obasanjo enjoined them not to allow themselves to be divided by the powers that be.

"What those I call power addicts would want to do is to divide you based on gender, age, tribe, religion and region. You have one commonality - interest of Nigeria," he added.

The former President, however, noted that the country required a popular grassroots movement to bring about the change, sustainability and stability needed in its democracy and development.

And he stressed the imperativeness of bringing and forging together all the movements seeking a better Nigeria in the interest of the citizenry.

"This time, for us to make it, we need all hands on deck.

You see, I have publicly said and I mean it, that as a party, neither PDP nor APC can get us there, as they have been.

Never mind about reforms and apology and all that. And yet we have to get there.

"I asked one of the foundation members of PDP, that when we started, was it a grassroots party? He said it was an elitist party. Really, we have never had the so-called grassroots party. Even NEPU which we could say is the nearest was not grassroots enough.

"And I believe strongly that we must have a strong popular grassroots movement to bring about the change, sustainability and stability that we need in our democracy and development."

"But let us bring together all these movements because we are pursuing the same thing.

If we allow ourselves to be taken piecemeal, it is finished.

"Yes, I said you cannot take PDP as it is and APC as it is; but they are not all made of evil people. There are good people among them. I said PDP is leprous hand, APC is leprous hand, but there are some clean fingers in them.

"So, let's take those clean fingers in them and graft the clean fingers in our own. That is the way to go and if we go that way, we will get there, we will move together, and we will move fast and we will move far", added Obasanjo.

Last January, former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday, in a 13-page statement, blasted President Muhammadu Buhari and advised him not to seek re-election in 2019.

In the special press statement titled, “The Way Out: A Clarion Call for Coalition for Nigeria Movement” Obasanjo said

Buhari has performed far below expectation and should honourably join the league of the country’s former leaders.

He said Buhari should not toy with the patience of Nigerians but should in a dignified way dismount from the horse (seat of power).

“We all thanked God for President Buhari for coming back reasonably hale and hearty and progressing well in his recovery. But whatever may be the state of President Buhari’s health today, he should neither over-push his luck nor over-tax the patience and tolerance of Nigerians for him, no matter what his self-serving, so-called advisers,

who would claim that they love him more than God loves him and that without him, there would be no Nigeria say.

“President Buhari needs a dignified and honourable dismount from the horse. He needs to have time to reflect, refurbish physically and recoup and after appropriate rest, once again, join the stock of Nigerian leaders whose experience, influence, wisdom and outreach can be deployed on the sideline for the good of the country. His place in history is already assured.

Without impaired health and strain of age, running the affairs of Nigeria is a 25/7 affair, not 24/7.”

ARISE FASHION WEEK ENDS WITH A BANG, NIGERIANS YEARN FOR MORE broke down when she saw the top model. But Naomi noticed how overwhelmed she was and hugged her. The designers too have been very expressive with their pieces.

Some of them are so nice like Tinnie Tempah who gave us the shoes we wore. I will generally miss the ambience."

18-year-old Beth model, Glory Egwede, however, expressed her happiness and stressing that "I'm so happy the show is coming to an end.

It's been very exhilarating with the rehearsals, fittings, photo sessions. Yes, I'm excited about today but in a way not too excited because of the great moments I have had."

For some of them, it was also the last opportunity to pitch to the different modelling agencies like Beth Modelling and Storm Modelling Agencies

present at the show for a possible contract.

The fifth edition of the Arise Fashion week since it kicked-off over the weekend at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, has paraded top designers in the continent as well as in The Diaspora. From Ozwald Boateng to Taryor Gabriels, the runway saw the showcasing of interesting and iconic pieces from over 40 designers from 14 countries. It also featured celebrities like Richard MofeDamijo who modelled for Taryor Gabriels and ex-Big Brother Naija housemate Leo for Kimono Kollection. Last night, designers who walked down the runway included House of Irawo which is making its debut on the runway, Mai Atafo, Moofa, Kola Kuddus and Sunny Rose.

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RC 611238

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF TRANS1$7,21$/ &25325$7,21 2) 1,*(5,$ PLC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Twelfth Annual General Meeting (â&#x20AC;&#x153;AGMâ&#x20AC;?) of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (â&#x20AC;&#x153;the Companyâ&#x20AC;?) will hold at the %DOOURRP 2ULHQWDO +RWHO /HNNL (SH ([SUHVVZD\ 9LFWRULD ,VODQG /DJRV 6WDWH on 0RQGD\ $SULO at 00 D.m. to transact the following businesses:

2. DIVIDEND If the dividend recommended by the Directors is approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, dividend will be paid by :HGQHVday, 0D\ , 2018 to the shareholders whose names appear in the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Register of Members at the close of business on 7XHVGD\, $SULO ,

ORDINARY BUSINESS

3. CLOSURE OF REGISTER The Register of Members of the Company will be closed from :HGQHVday, $SULO , 2018 to 7XHVday, $SULO , 2018 ERWK GDWHV LQFOXVLYH for the purpose of updating the Register of Members.

1.

To lay before the members, the Audited Financial Statements of the Company for the year

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

ended December 2017 and the Reports of the Directors, Auditors and Audit Committee thereon To declare a Dividend To approve the appointment of D Director To re-elect retiring Directors To appoint Ernst & Young as AuditorV to the Company To authorise Directors to fix the remuneration of the AuditorV To elect/re-elect members of the Statutory Audit Committee

SPECIAL BUSINESS 8.

4. AUDIT COMMITTEE In accordance with Section 359(5) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap C20, LFN, 2004, any member may nominate a shareholder for election as a member of the Audit Committee by giving notice in writing of such nomination to the Company Secretary at least 21 days before the AGM. The Securities and Exchange Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Code of Corporate Governance for Public Companies provides that members of the Audit Committee should have basic financial literacy and should be able to read financial statements.

5. E-DIVIDEND Notice is hereby given to all shareholders to open bank accounts, stockbroking accounts and CSCS accounts for the purpose of e-dividend. Detachable application forms for e-dividend are attached to the Annual Report to enable all shareholders furnish particulars of their accounts to the Registrar as soon as possible.

To fix the remuneration of Directors

Dated this 2 WK da\ RI 0DUFK 2018

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

6. UNCLAIMED DIVIDEND WARRANTS AND SHARE CERTIFICATES Shareholders are hereby informed that a number of share certificates and dividend warrants have been returned to the Registrars as unclaimed. Any shareholder affected by this notice is advised to contact the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Registrars, Africa Prudential Plc, 220B Ikorodu Road, Palmgrove, Lagos, to lay claim.

â&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;Ś

7. BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF DIRECTORS FOR RE-ELECTION The biographical details of the Directors standing for re-election are provided in the Annual Report for 2017 and the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.transcorpnigeria.com.

Mrs. Helen Iwuchukwu GROUP COMPANY SECRETARY FRC No. FRC/2015/NBA/00000012716 Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc 38, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos

8. E- ANNUAL REPORT PUBLISHED ON THE WEBSITE In order to improve delivery of our Annual Report, we have inserted a detachable form in the Annual Report and hereby request shareholders to complete the form by providing their details and thereafter return same to the Registrars for further processing.

NOTES 1. PROXY

In addition, an electronic version of the Annual Report for 2017 is available on the Company's website at www.transcorpnigeria.com

Any member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at this meeting is also entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his/her stead. $ proxy need not be a member of the Company )RU WKH DSSRLQWPHQW RI WKH SUR[\ WR EH YDOLG D proxy form must be completed and deposited at the office of the Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Registrar, Africa Prudential Plc, 220B Ikorodu Road, Palmgrove, Lagos, not later than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting. A blank proxy form is attached to the Annual Report.

9. RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS TO ASK QUESTIONS Shareholders have a right to ask questions not only at the Meeting, but also in writing prior to the Meeting, and such written questions must be submitted to the Company on or before 0RQGD\ $SULO 2018.

PROXY FORM TWELFTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON 021DAY, $35,/ , 2018 AT THE %$//5220, 25,(17$/ +27(/ /(.., (3( (;35(66:$< 9,&725,$ ,6/$1' /$*2667$7( $7 $0

RESOLUTIONS 1.

To lay before the members, the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31 2017, together with the Report of the Directors, Auditors and Audit Committee thereon.

2.

To declare a dividend RI 1 NRER SHU VKDUH

3.

To approve the appointment of Mr. Adim Jibunoh as a Director of the Company.

4.

To re-elect a retiring Director, Dr. Stanley Inye Lawson

5.

To re-elect a retiring Director, Mr. Kayode Fasola

6.

To appoint Ernst & Young as AuditorV to the Company.

7.

To authorize Directors to fix the remuneration of the AuditorV.

8.

To elect/re-elect members of the Audit Committee.

9.

To fix the remuneration of Directors.

I/WE ___________________________________________________________________________ being a member/members of TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC, hereby appoint: _______________________________________________or failing him, the Chairman of the meeting as my/our proxy to act and vote for me/us and on my/our behalf at the Twelfth Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on 0RQday, $SULO , 2018 at the %DOOURRP 2ULHQWDO +RWHO /HNNL (SH ([SUHVVZD\ 9LFWRULD ,VODQG /DJRV 6WDWH at .00 Dm and at any adjournment thereof.

A member (Shareholder) who is unable to attend an Annual General Meeting is allowed by law to vote by proxy. This proxy form has been prepared to enable you exercise your right to vote, in case you cannot personally attend the meeting.

NOTES: Please sign this proxy form and forward it, so as to reach the registered office of the Registrar, Africa Prudential Plc, 220B Ikorodu Road, Palmgrove, Lagos, not later than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting. If executed by a Corporation, the Proxy Form must be under its common seal or under the hand of a duly authorized officer or attorney.

It is a requirement of the law under the Stamp Duties Act, Cap S8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 that any instrument of proxy to be used for the purpose of voting by any person entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders must be stamped by the Commissioner for Stamp Duties

FOR

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RC 611238

12th Annual General Meeting

_____________________________________________________________________ Name of Shareholder

ADMISSION CARD

_____________________________________________________ Address of Shareholder

Please admit the Shareholder named on this Card or his duly appointed proxy to the Twelfth Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on 0RQday, $SULO , 2018 at the %DOOURRP 2ULHQWDO +RWHO /HNNL (SH ([SUHVVZD\ 9LFWRULD

___________________________________________________ Number of Shares Held

,VODQG /DJRV 6WDWH at .00 Dm. This admission card must be produced by the Shareholder in order to gain entrance into the Annual General Meeting.

___________________________________________________ Signature

www.transcorpnigeria.com

13

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY APRIL 3, 2018

STATEMENT TO THE NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE AND SHAREHOLDERS ON THE AUDITED RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2017 Statement of Financial Position Group

Company

31 December 31 December 31 December 31 December 2017 2016 2017 2016 N'000 N'000 N'000 N'000 Assets Non-current assets 3URSHUW\ SODQW DQG HTXLSPHQW ,QWDQJLEOH DVVHWV Investment property Investment in subsidiaries 'HEW DQG HTXLW\ VHFXULWLHV Deferred tax Prepaid lease rental Current assets Inventories Trade and other receivables Prepaid lease rental &DVK DQG FDVK HTXLYDOHQWV Total assets Liabilities Current liabilities Trade and other payables Taxation %RUURZLQJV Advance deposits Non-current liabilities %RUURZLQJV Deposit for shares Deferred tax Total liabilities (TXLW\ Ordinary share capital 6KDUH SUHPLXP Treasury shares Other reserves 5HWDLQHG HDUQLQJV Equity attributable to owners of the parent 1RQ FRQWUROOLQJ LQWHUHVW 7RWDO HTXLW\ 1HW HTXLW\ DQG OLDELOLWLHV

Tony O. Elumelu CON Chairman Board of Directors FRC/2013/CIBN/00000002590

Independent auditorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report

To the Members of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc

285,522,304

232,160,731

63,102,770

57,913,703

189,814,507

145,712,134

27,495,624

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14

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͱ˜ 2018

COMMENT

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

THEYOUNG OLD MAN

‘Sina Kawonise pays tribute to Ayo Adebanjo, nationalist and an elder statesman, at age 90

A

ttaining age 90 in a country where life expectancy is 55 years is a monumental achievement. Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the great Awoist, nationalist, patriot, democrat, leader, ideologue, and Afenifere chieftain, has, by the mercies of God that he serves with single-minded devotion, made that rare achievement.

Since I got close to him about a decade ago, it has never ceased to amaze me how someone could be so single-minded, dogged and self-sacrificing in matters that concern ordinary Nigerians, legacies of his leader - our leader - the sage, Obafemi Awolowo, the wellbeing of our country, as well as transcendental issues of personal principles, justice, equity and fairness. No one spends just 30 minutes with Chief Adebanjo without noticing his passion on these issues.

Before meeting him in person and getting close to him to the point of being admitted into his bedroom on so many of my visits to his residence, I had read, heard and watched his countless interventions on matters that concerned Nigeria in general and his Yoruba nation specifically. So lofty and elevated were his positions on issues of politics, law, economy and society that I, somewhere in the inner recesses of my mind, thought them mere ripostes and precepts higher than the personal and private life conducts of Adebanjo himself. With the critical disposition of a probing intellectual and skeptic, I started my interaction with him on a cautionary note and expectation of discovering in him the hypocrisy and duplicity of many of Nigeria’s social critics who run with the hares and hunt with the hounds.

Alas, in vain did I get to spot the expected gaps between Adebanjo’s public postures and private conduct. With him, what you’ve heard and seen is precisely what you get on close contact and scrutiny. What a joy!

Besides his unimpeachable integrity and honour, Adebanjo is a compendium of Nigeria’s history. He effortlessly recounts the country’s history of constitutional and political development, not just as a scholar but, more, as a participant observer. He is Nigeria’s history ‘come alive’. The free lectures we get whenever we’re with him on how our beleaguered country got to where she is and the historical personalities that played key roles in her affairs are priceless. As he is ‘historical’, so much more is he contemporaneous on matters that affect our collective welfare as a people. Adebanjo consumes news voraciously and digest them efficiently.

But Baba Adebanjo is not a tepid intellectual. He is light-hearted and full of life. He relishes jokes and he’s quite ‘social’. He is always there in our moments of celebration. I had the honour of my life when Chief Adebanjo wrote and delivered the lecture to mark my 50th birthday six years ago. In every good and joyful cause, he is there in his dignity and sartorial elegance. Oh my, Baba is fashionable and dignified!

JUST AS HE IS CONTEMPORARY AND UP- TODATE ON SOCIO-POLITICAL MATTERS, CHIEF ADEBANJO IS A DIGITAL OLD MAN. WITH THE LATEST IPAD AND IPHONE, HE’S RIGHT THERE WITH YOU ON WHATSAPP, EMAIL AND ONLINE NEWS CHANNELS. IN WORDS AND IN DEEDS, THIS OLD MAN IS YOUTHFUL

Just as he is contemporary and up to date on socio-political matters, Chief Adebanjo is a digital old man. With the latest iPad and iPhone, he’s right there with you on WhatsApp, email and online news channels. In words and in deeds, this old man is youthful. Adebanjo courts, encourages and promotes the young and youthful. He connects with them like no other elder that I know. All the foregoing and more are our joy in having Adebanjo with us now, in times past and, prayerfully, for many more years to come.

But Chief Adebanjo is yet a man of sorrow. He is quite unhappy that the vast majority of Nigerian political leaders are selfish, incompetent, unprincipled, unpatriotic and anti-people. He expresses his regrets that majority of those who mouth Awolowo’s ideals and principles do so mainly for political gains and self-aggrandisement. He is miffed that quite a sizable number of those he fathered politically have strayed from the narrow and straight path of serving the people with honesty, dedication, integrity and credibility. Baba is anxious that there seems not to be available enough of the few that’ll take the baton from him and his surviving contemporaries and colleagues in the struggle to enthrone true federalism, democracy, equity and fairness in our country. He is absolutely sorrowful that very many of those who should know often sacrifice principles for short-term gains.

For these sorrows, Chief Adebanjo works himself to the bone, in his old age, searching for and encouraging those who show commitment to the good of Nigeria and her suffering people.

I’m seized with trepidation over the sometimes intruding thought of what would happen to this country when this passionate and committed patriot and inspirational leader and his colleagues go to where all mortals go. Who will remain as the consistent voice of truth and of the voiceless? Who else will inspire and admonish us to be principled and selfless in our socio-economic and political pursuits? To whom will we go for direction in the maze and labyrinth of Nigeria’s political system and disorder? Who else will be our true moral compass as he has consistently been?

Whenever these nagging questions crop up in my consciousness, I’m comforted and assured by the admonition of our Lord Jesus Christ in that we shouldn’t be anxious for tomorrow. It is enough and gratifying that we still have Chief Adebanjo with us today in his full physical, mental and moral strength.

Here’s, therefore, wishing this inimitable, tireless leader and inspiring father and role model, our dearly beloved Chief Ayo Adebanjo, happy 90th birthday.

Kawonise, former Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Ogun State, is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of NewsScroll newspaper

REPOSSESSING POWER PLANTS AS LEARNING INFRASTRUCTURE Reliable infrastructure and adequate electric power are fruits of industrialisation, argues Francis E. Ogbimi

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hereas when Nigeria unbundled the Power Holden Company of Nigeria (PHCN) into 18 successor companies and sold them to the rich and powerful people/groups in 2013, whereas the newspapers claimed that Nigeria recorded the biggest privatisation transaction in global history, indeed it was not a wise thing for a nation to do. Why? That is because the action does not make sense when examined with respect to the demands for industrialisation and establishing adequate and reliable infrastructural framework, including that of electricity. Adequate and reliable infrastructural system is a fruit or aftermath of industrialisation. Mere unbundling of the PHCN and importation of hardware or erecting more plants will not promote industrialisation or establish a reliable electric power infrastructure and adequate power supply.

Industrialisation is a state of knowledge, skills and competences. Competence – the ability to do things including manufacturing, is not a commodity that can be bought instantaneously when a critical shortage is a fact as in the case of Nigeria. Competence being the sum of knowledge, the ability to learn and experience, is uniquely related to persons (Brautaset, 1990). You may invest and erect power plants but you cannot buy the science for establishing adequate and reliable infrastructure through mere capital investment. Capital investments in infrastructure merely assemble capital assets which are Depreciating Assets (DAs) because they begin to depreciate in intrinsic value with time and usage immediately they are acquire or erected. On the other hand the learning-man and learning-woman are Appreciating Assets (AAs) because their intrinsic values appreciate as they learn and work. Whereas the production strength of a capital asset is modeled by a decreasing function, that of the learning-person is modeled by a growing function.

All persons are born as crying babies. The baby soon begins to babble (learns how to talk), acquires

the competences to talk and talks. The baby who could not babble grows up to be a dumb adult.

Talking or speaking is a skill. The child must also learn how to read and write, otherwise, it grows up to be an illiterate. No one is born with the skills to produce. Virtually all knowledge, skills and competences are acquired through learning. One who wishes to be a good dancer must learn how to dance. A nation which hopes to manufacture many products must develop the people to manufacture them. Learning and acquiring new knowledge, skills and competences and applying these in solving problems including production, are the primary sources of achieving sustainable economic growth and industrialisation. Industrialised nations enjoy the fruits or aftermath of industrialisation.

These fruits encompass all the good things the West and industrialised nations of Asia enjoy which African nations yearn to have: high productivity, true diversification – many sectors functioning efficiently and effectively, wealth, low interest rates, good and reliable infrastructure, etc.

The intrinsic value of the learning-man or learning-woman appreciates in a compound fashion with learning intensity and time. Thus, when a person commences an educational or apprenticeship scheme, he or she begins from the lowest level or the novice position. Usually, at the end of the first year of learning, the learning-person is promoted to the second level, having learnt the things scheduled for level one. At the end of the second year, the learning-person again, is moved to level three. The growth achieved this way is sustainable. The learning person builds-up capabilities or competences, that is, the ability to do things increases as long as he or she continues to learn. The intrinsic value of the learning-person can be expressed in a quantitative manner. In a nation where learning – education and training, is emphasised, there is continuous build-up of knowledge, skills and competences (KSCs). As the learning process continues, a point is reached where each type of KSCs begins to enjoy the supportive impact of all others and all of them

form an invisible KSCs-network, a sort of problemattacking front. The nation at that point achieves Industrial Revolution (IR) – a technological puberty.

Productivity improves dramatically, the nation achieves economic diversification – various sectors of the economy begin to perform efficiently and effectively. The economic transformation described as IR, may be likened to that which the spider achieves when it combines many of its silk-threads to make its web. The single silk-thread the spider spins is a relatively weak structural material which fails readily under any stress regime. However, the web which is made from the combination of many of the weak silk-threads catches the small creatures on which the spider feeds. In a like manner, no individual solves the problems of a nation, but a combination of many millions of knowledgeable, skilled and competent people transforms an agricultural nation into an industrialised one.

Learning transforms an individual or nation from an undesirable status (characterised by mass unemployment, low productivity and poverty) into a desirable status (characterised by low unemployment, high productivity and affluence).

Our quantitative analyses showed that the five variables for planning for industrialisation are: one) N – the number of people involved in productive work or employment in a nation; two) M - the level of education/training of those involved in productive activities in the economy and of the people of the nation; three) L – the linkages among the knowledge, skills, competences and sectors of an economy; four) – the learning rates or intensity in the economy and especially among the workforce; and n – the experience of the workforce and the learning history of the society.

All the variables are related to the learning-man and learning-woman and the higher are the values of the variables, the better is the economy. These are the variables Nigeria should promote for rapid development.

The origin of Japan dates back to the third century B. C. The nation was ruled by kings and

existed in isolation till 1854 when America entered the nation through force. This led to a subtle military coup which brought the nation to the period known in Japanese history as Meiji Restoration in 1868. Meiji Japan, following her interactions with the United States of America and some European nations, decided to learn from the West, realising that learning and rapid industrialisation is the sure route to living in affluence and enjoying military power and respectable political status.

Japan expanded educational and research systems speedily. Japan built very many public industrial plants to enable citizens to learn and acquire the capabilities to promote rapid industrialisation. Thus public enterprises in Japan were not built to make profit and provide jobs and service but as learning infrastructure. Japan built thousands of public enterprises. Most of the industries built by Meiji Japan lost money but because they were not built for profit, they could not be sold till the primary objective was achieved. Japan achieved rapid industrialisation in the 20-year period 1886-1905 because of high intensity learning. That was after stagnating over the period 300 B.C.- 1868, 2168 years.

No private company is established to promote learning – education (E) + training (T). The private enterprise is established to make profit. That is why the Nigerian GENCOs, DISCOs and Transmission Company being operated as private enterprises cannot promote rapid industrialisation and establish a reliable power infrastructure and an adequate and reliable power supply system for Nigeria for a very long time. It was a wrong step unbundling PHCN and selling the 18 units as private enterprises.

The wise thing to do today is for the Nigerian government to repossess the sold plants, build more and different plants as learning infrastructure and promote rapid industrialisation. Reliable infrastructure and adequate electric power are fruits of industrialisation.

Professor Ogbimi wrote from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

15

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍąË&#x153; 2018

EDITORIAL WINNIE MADIKIZELA-MANDELA (1936â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018) Winnie Mandela, ex-wife of Nelson Mandela, dies at age 81

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ost truly great men of history almost always have the rare gift of being supported by strong but often complicated women. The late South African icon and one of the greatest men of the last century, Mr Nelson Mandela, was no exception. His former wife, Winnie MadikizelaMandela, who passed away yesterday, was one of such women. Her stoic allegiance to Mandela was perhaps the strongest bond that kept his own commitment alive and provided that stubborn hope that at the end of his sacriďŹ ce, waiting for him would be a symbol of love and abiding solidarity.

Throughout the 27 years the late Mandela remained in incarceration, his longing for his beloved Winnie also became symbolic of his longing for the beloved motherland. Thus in his celebrated collection, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letters to Winnieâ&#x20AC;?, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very clear that she was for Mandela both an emotional anchor and an embodiment of patriotic hope.

Being human, Mandelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long absence tested Winnieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strength to its limits HER ROLE AS ONE OF THE and the system did LEADERS OF THE AFRICAN much to damage her.

NATIONAL CONGRESS It is instructive to WAS NOT RESTRICTED TO underline that Winnie THE ROLE OF WOMEN. SHE was not just another LED AND SUPPORTED THE woman waiting idly for FIERY YOUTH WING SUCH an imprisoned husTHAT AT THE END, SHE band. She embraced WAS MUCH MORE THAN and embodied the MANDELAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WIFE anti-apartheid struggle with full strength. She remained in the forefront of the ďŹ ght against the regime that oppressed the black people in their own country.

Her role as one of the leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) was not restricted to the role of women.

She also led and supported the ďŹ ery youth wing such that at the end, she was much more than Mandelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife.

As to be expected, the evil machinations of the

apartheid regime fought back against Winnie in equal measure. Trumped up charges, including for murder were levelled against her. Even where the law of raw evidence compelled a guilty verdict, the political context of her alleged crimes was never lost on her followers and the rest of the world. Her political gravitas was weightier than the technicalities of legal contrivance.

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t remains historically signiďŹ cant that when Mandela was released from custody on February 11, 1990, he was hand-in-hand with Winnie; the love of his life and eternal comrade in the struggle against apartheid and racist impunity. But by then the damage had been done to their marriage. Tried as both did to paper over the crack, the long years of separation and the pressures of struggle had taken their toll. Eventually, they had to go their separate ways. But the separation and divorce that naturally followed pale into insigniďŹ cance against the backdrop of the titanic struggles they had endured and survived together. What followed were entries in a mere human footnote.

For sure, Winnie had her faults and she never got away with them since she was under constant searchlight. The post-apartheid government headed by her former husband established a Truth and Reconciliation Committee to investigate past human rights abuses and there were several violent activities credited to her during the 1980s. But she retained the affection of many of her supporters within the ANC who dubbed her the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mother of the Nationâ&#x20AC;?. As a senior ANC ďŹ gure, she also held several positions in government, including being Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology before she was dismissed over allegations of corruption. Yet that did not even diminish her in the eyes of her supporters.

As the world therefore mourns the passing of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, it is her role as a historic personage and the sacriďŹ ces that she made for her country and indeed the black race that she bequeaths as legacies. As Shakespeare says in King Lear: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Upon such sacriďŹ ces, the gods themselves throw incenseâ&#x20AC;?.

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INNOSON AS NIGERIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AUTOMOBILE BRAND

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nnoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company has been acknowledged as Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first indigenous automobile manufacturer and the recognition did not come by happenstance. It was based on the company having attained an enviable height in the way it carries out its businesses.

At the last count, almost all Nigerian media organisations have honoured Chief Innocent Chukwuma, founder of Innoson Group for his patriotism, entrepreneurial skills and adherence to the rule of law.

Similarly, the federal government has in recognition of his achievements feted Chief Chukwuma with some of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most revered national honours. Several foreign countries and organisations have also honoured him for the innovation that has made the Innoson brand a reality.

The company as a responsible corporate organisation had also undertaken to relieve the federal government of the burden of training thousands of repentant Niger Delta militants abroad, by offering them training in their factories at Nnewi and Enugu. This approach ensured that the repentant militants acquired relevant skills with which to fend for themselves in the larger society.

The policy of training the repentant militants at Innoson companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facilities rather than abroad has also ensured that the scarce foreign exchange which would have been lost to foreigners is saved, as Innoson provided the same service to the country at minimal cost.

Suffice it to say that the enormous resources saved by training the numerous repentant militants locally can be deployed in other areas of need. The trainees on graduation will also utilise the acquired skills to earn decent living and contribute to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

growth and development.

It is also on record that Innoson has always resorted to the courts in resolving matters related to business transactions. This is a proof of the absolute faith they repose in the Nigerian judicial system.

Going by the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s track record, it is obvious that they are focused on projecting Nigeria positively in the area of automobile manufacturing and technological development. It has remained consistent in carrying out its activities as an automobile manufacturer, and in doing this they have made the progress of Nigeria paramount. In short, it can be said that they have been able to strike a balance between profit-making and national interest.

It therefore behoves all Nigerians to appreciate Innoson as Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s automobile brand. We can take examples from Germany which is known with Mercedes and BMW; Ford which is an American brand name, Volvo well known as Swedish brand and Rolls Royce which is associated with Great Britain. It is also a thing of national pride that Innoson is adopted as the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand.

Such a move will also create jobs and stimulate the economy of the country as the company will earn foreign exchange from their sales abroad and repatriate same to Nigeria.

Therefore, it is imperative to give Innoson all the necessary incentives to thrive as their contributions to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic and social development are innumerable. The company has also demonstrated its commitment towards supporting governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts at job creation, as well as making Nigeria a productive rather than a consumptive economy. Time has come for the federal government to grant the company tax reliefs and duty waivers to enable it operate without hitches.

Chukwudi Enekwechi, Abuja

WHAT SEEKEST THOU, OSINBAJO?

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he politics of VicePresident Yemi Osinbajo is truly confusing and getting murkier by the day. Unwittingly or so, Prof. Osinbajo has become headline-provider for Jonathan-cynic newspapers.

The way Nigerian politics is laid out, like in Lebanon, the two top offices are necessarily shared by a Christian-Muslim, MuslimChristian arrangement in Nigeria or a Muslim-Christian arrangement in Lebanon. The Christian top dog therein is expected to provide tenable counter-measures to the Muslim top dog, in a marriage-ofconvenience mode of things, as it were. It is not so that the Christian top dog go over the top and holler that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christians and Southerners are the beneficiaries of this Buhari governmentâ&#x20AC;? or that â&#x20AC;&#x153;a Christian called Goodluck Jonathan divviedup so much billions of naira just before the 2015 general elections

so this All Progressives Congress government cannot build roads and bridges before 2019.â&#x20AC;? What does Yemi Osinbajo want? Why is he ingratiating himself so much to the Northern establishment? Prof.

Osinbajo should know that Nigeria of today is a hellhole for Christians: Boko Haram lashes Christians, Fulani terrorists lash Christians, and now this APC government lashes out at Christians (just imagine the fake $9 million Paul Boroh storyline that got this retired army officer into EFCC custody and the fact that the Christian Chibok girls are still rotting in Boko Haram custody plus the fact of their forced Islamisation but the Muslim Dapchi girls were released quite unharmed). Nigeria is bad for Christians as it is without Prof.

Osinbajo making it any worse.

Sunday Adole Jonah, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018

16

POLITICS

Group Politics Editor Tobi Soniyi Email tobi.soniyi@thisdaylive.com 07054786260 SMS ONLY

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING

As Ekiti APC Contenders Square Up Victor Ogunje examines the electability of the All Progressives Congress’ contenders for the Ekiti State’s government house.

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n Monday March 19, 2018, a team of members of the National Executive of the All Progressive Congress (APC) led by the National Chairman, Chief (Dr) John Odigie-Oyegun stormed Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital city to launch the nationwide APC Members’ Continuous Registration programme.

Aside from this, the party leaders were also at hand to show solidarity as the party gears towards the July 14 governorship polls considered to be a must –win, prelude to the 2019 presidential poll.

It was a colourful occasion where governorship aspirants numbering over 30 displayed their popularity.

Aspirants at the occasion were: Former Governor Segun Oni, Dr. Oluyede, Kola Alabi, former Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Gbenga Aluko, former Member of House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, Chief Diran Adesua, Dr. Makanju Owolabi among others.

The significance of Oyegun’s presence was that it was a moment where the contentious imposition fear was laid to rest. Oyegun in his speech allayed the fears that there was a clandestine plot to lord a certain aspirant on the party. This calmed frayed nerves and aspirants are now approaching the much awaited primary with open minds and enthusiasm, believing that true democracy will prevail over jackboot politics.

However, as timely as Oyegun’s visit was, it hasn’t resolved the nagging issue of zoning that has gained tremendous traction among Ekiti electorate and aspirants from the south senatorial district. Though, Ekiti is seemingly homogeneous , there has been a groundswell of demands by majority of Ekiti people that the next governor should come from the Ekiti South senatorial district for equity and fairplay.

Since the advent of democratic rule in 1999, Ekiti North, where both former governors Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi are from, has ruled for seven and half years. In the same vein, ex-governors Niyi Adebayo and Ayo Fayose from the Central Senatorial District have superintended over the state for eleven and half years.

However, succour seems underway for the alienated southern people as the opposition PDP buoyed by Fayose has chosen Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola, who is from the south. It could have been more dignified if the moves have come from the APC, because Ekiti people expect much more from the APC. As dicey as the APC primary seems to be, pundits have however realised one thing, which is that there are contenders and pretenders among the numerous aspirants. Here is a peep into how the main contenders stand: Chief Segun Oni He was governor of Ekiti State between 2007 and 2011 under the banner of the PDP. He became the PDP candidate via contentious circumstances in 2007 as he came third in the PDP primaries , but was imposed on the PDP by former President Olusegun Obasanjo . He was removed abruptly after a long drawn legal battle by the Appeal Court in Ilorin, giving way for Dr Kayode Fayemi to mount the saddle.

He left PDP and joined APC and was given the position of National Deputy Chairman (South ).

Oni has a wide network of political friends across party divides and he is widely respected for his humility, which had endeared him to many. But the snag to his candidature has been that he is from the northern district. Another serious encumbrance to his candidature is that, the bulk of the delegates are of the ACN stock and this group has vehemently opposed his emergence.

rated as possessing the financial war-chest to finance the campaign. It was gathered that he is the most favoured for the south agenda and other aspirants from the zone may queue behind him to deal a fatal blow on the bigwigs at the last minute. Aluko has succeeded in getting tacit support of a sizable percentage of the known delegates who will vote at the primaries and he is expected to have tremendous supports in about 12 of the 16 local government areas comfortably, according to party sources. He has been a player in the politics of Ekiti State since 1991 when he first contested for the House of Representatives under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

He has been dubbed as an enigma in politics since 1999 when he was the only Senator that won on the platform of the highly vilified and hated PDP in the entire South-west region. He has a good chance in this election unless the unexpected happens.

Gbenga Aluko

Oni is supposedly in firm control of Ido/ Osi Local Government Area delegates. He may also win in Ekiti West Local Government, suggesting that he may only win delegates from one or two local governments, which will not be enough to secure the APC ticket.

Hon. Bimbo Daramola This vociferous party man and well groomed grassroots politician , was the Director General of Campaign for Fayemi in the 2014 second term election in Ekiti which the APC lost abysmally . In the election, Fayemi lost in all the 16 local government areas, which had had a ripple effect on Daramola and diminished his political status.

To boost his political profile back to the former status, Daramola has been giving free JAMB forms to students and empowering the youths.

He is also popular among the youth delegates and this seems to put him in a good stead.

But Daramola seems to be oiling the same structures he managed as the Director General of Fayemi’s campaign and this may be seriously eroded if Fayemi himself throws his hat into the ring as being rumoured.

Whatever strategy the party adopts to win the election is welcomed, but it has to put into consideration the zoning issue and guard against unnecessary imposition

Dr Wole Oluyede A new entrant and neophyte in the game of politics but he has done a lot of legwork in his campaign, helped by his exposure and deep purse to reach out to party members.The Australian based medical doctor has covered thousands of miles superintending over his campaign, and trying to build his own structure.

He is from the South Senatorial District. He initially leveraged on his friendship with Fayemi, but the romance seems to have gone sour.

However, the effectiveness of his political machinery was greatly hampered by Fayemi’s interest to return to the government house. A number of core members of Oluyede’s team, still loyal to Fayemi, had started disembarking from his train , making his structure to gradually roll into a hitch.

He has been adopted as Ikere candidate for APC, but other Ikere aspirants have rejected such proposal. He is likely to win Ikere Local Government Area.

Senator Gbenga Aluko A smart, intelligent, unassuming, bold and energetic politician. He is the son of the renowned economist, Late Professor Sam Aluko. He was Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate 1999-2003 and retired as Director of Government Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Mid Africa Strategic Business Unit in January 2018 to pursue his governorship ambition.

He has enormous connections within political and business circles. He has traversed the 177 wards in the state to woo delegates. He is reputed to be the only political leader in the state that has invested in manufacturing in Ekiti State, a sprawling industry on five hectares of land producing luxury toilet rolls and bathing soap. This has added to his popularity and acceptability in the state.

He was said to have been drafted into the 2018 electoral battle by the trio of former governors Niyi Adebayo, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi to run as governor of the state, to help reinvigorate the APC after the abysmal loss to PDP in 2014 . The aim was to realize the southern agenda, having been

Senator Femi Ojudu Senator Babafemi Ojudu, is the Political Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari. Ojudu has been identified as the proponent and leader of a group called the APC Action Group. His previous stance that the state APC executives should be dissolved from state to the ward level had pitted him against the delegates.

Ojudu has an advantage working for him , he is from Ado Ekiti, the most populous town in terms of electoral strength in Ekiti. However, he is alleged to be at loggerheads with his people in Ado Ekiti Local Government and even up to the state level. The chess game he has up his sleeves to be able to win under this circumstance still remains a puzzle.

Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele Bamidele is not a neophyte in the game of politics. He cut his teeth under the tutelage of former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He served in Lagos as commissioner for ten years and later was elected into the House of Representatives in Ekiti. He was an ardent member of the Action Congress of Nigeria before the misunderstanding he had with Fayemi in 2014 pushed him out to contest on the platform of Labour Party.

Bamidele has at various fora claimed he has settled his differences with Fayemi, but the latter’s supporters are yet to forgive him on the disastrous loss they suffered in 2014.

One thing that may be working for him is that he is a free spender. He was also rumoured to have the backing of some moneybags in Lagos. But his great impediment has been the 2014 election, which has made the delegates who have passion for him to slip off his fingers. They are no longer loyal to him. Some delegates say it will be a miracle for him to win the primaries.

However, the parameters for winning might be altered when Fayemi officially declares . This notion becomes imperative because there may bea last minute horse trading that will change the statistics in terms of delegate structures within the party.

The aspirants are daily being rattled by the claim that President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC National Working Committee have endorsed Fayemi to return as governor. This the National Chairman himself openly debunked unequivocally. The aspirants expect Fayemi to resign as required by law and join the fray accordingly.

However Fayemi declaring his interest in the election may be counterproductive to the APC owing to his criminal indictment through a white paper by a judicial commission of inquiry set up by Fayose to comb the financial dealings during his reign.

The fear is that the judicial indictment may be sanctioned by a competent court of law and

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018

POLITICS

Much Ado about Rivers’Neighbourhood Watch The bickering between the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress over the enactment of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law in Rivers State is unnecessary, writes Davidson Iriekpen

V

irtually everything in Rivers State is viewed with cynicism no matter how well conceived.

This is perhaps the situation with the new Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law in the state.

The law, which was recently enacted by the state’s house of assembly and signed by Governor Nyesom Wike, is patterned after the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law. The main objective of the law, according to its framers, is to enhance security, foster community policing and crime control and ensure security of lives and property. Despite the good intention, the law is currently causing disaffection between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The law created the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency with responsibility to “gather of information about crime, crime in progress, every suspicious activity and crime suspect” and “make available any relevant information on crime, crime in progress, every suspicious activity and crime suspect to the police or any other security agency that requires it”.

Officials of the agency are to make timely report of any suspicious activity or crime in progress to the police; provide the police with relevant information that will enhance their understanding of how to effectively police the disparate communities in the state; improve the relationship between the police and the disparate communities in Rivers State as it concerns law enforcement; and contribute to maintaining community peace.

The law provides that the agency will totally and completely be subservient to the Nigeria Police Force in that no person can be employed by the agency without clearance by the police. The agency is also duty bound to assist, compliment and collaborate with the Nigerian Police Force and every other security agency to ensure law and order.

Apart from Lagos which recently enacted a similar law, other states have equally established laws to tackle their peculiar security concerns.

For instance, last year, Cross River State set up Forest Guard to tackle illegal logging in the state. In the north, most states have Hisba whose duty is to enforce Sharia laws and tackle petty crimes. In Benue and Taraba states, there are laws establishing vigilantes to assist the police to stop herdsmen attacks.

However, since the enactment of the law in Rivers State members of the APC have been raising the alarm and calling on the federal government and its agencies to ensure that the agency is not allowed to operate. They fear that the state government will use the agency to oppress them. For instance, the senator representing Rivers East senatorial district, Magnus Abe, Director General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMSA), Dakuku Peterside and other members of the party have at various times, called on the federal government and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to ensure that the neighbourhood corps is not allowed to take off.

In his reaction to the law, APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr. Chris Finebone, said: “The APC is against the Neighbourhood Safety Corps because of several reasons. Principally, the Neighbourhood Safety Corps bill, which the governor recently signed into law, is fraught with several noxious, obnoxious and toxic clauses that will turn Rivers State into a killing field. For example, the law empowers the members of the corps to carry arms and this is in conflict with the powers given to the police and other federal security agencies.

In other words, the Neighbourhood Safety Corps is a state police established through the backdoor without the necessary safeguards.

There are other provisions of the law which make it a time bomb that will incinerate the state. The control of the agency is totally in the hands of the PDP, making it an armed wing of the party.”

Right of Reply Re: A’Court Raises Hope against Graft Former Head of Legal, Rural Electrification Agency, Kayode Oyedeji contends that the cases of Yakubu Yusuf who was convicted for stealing pension funds and that of former directors of the agency are not the same

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike

Before the state passed the new law, the governor had been assisting security agencies in Rivers with logistics. So far, the governor has provided over 250 Hilux pick up vehicles fitted with communication equipment and eight armoured personnel carriers at the cost of N200,000,000 each. He gave financial support to the army, the navy, the air force and Department of State Security (DSS), on monthly basis. Despite efforts by the state to assist security agencies, crimes remained high in Rivers. The new law is therefore aimed at complementing efforts being made by security agencies.

Despite the opposition to the law, Governor Wike has said it has come to stay, noting that opponents of the corps should approach the courts for redress. He added that he would not be moved by the negative propaganda, blackmail and politicisation of security by the APC. The governor said the state went to Lagos to understudy the neighbourhood safety corps and then replicated it in the state. He added that when Lagos State enacted the law and set up the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the federal government did not say anything against the move. The governor contended that under the presidential system, the legislature passes a law, while it is the constitutional responsibility of the governor to assent.

He said: “I assented to a law constitutionally

The governor said the state went to Lagos to understudy the neighbourhood safety corps and then replicated it in the state

passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and they say I must be punished for carrying out my constitutional responsibility. I prefer that I have done my work, so I can die than not doing it and still die. What are they afraid of that they are telling people that they will carry arms? Look at what the law says. If you are giving out information, criminals will come after you. They will not carry arms without the approval of the security agencies. They are now trying to politicise the whole outfit.

He said: “When criminal activities became so much in the state, everyone focused on prayers and did everything humanly possible to support security agencies. When I took over in 2015, they repeatedly changed Commissioners of Police.

I bemoaned the incessant changes that disorganised the security architecture of the state. That was how they planned to declare state of emergency in Rivers State.

They claimed there was so much crime. I cried for help, but they refused to help. I told them that God sees their refusal to help and it will lead to national crisis.

“What is happening today? We are no longer talking of kidnapping, we are confronted with killings everyday in different parts of the country. Whether you call it Fulani versus farmers, community versus community, whether you call it terrorists or whatever colouration you want to give it, killings everywhere. They thought they want to paint Rivers State black, now Nigeria is black. If they had come to our rescue to support us then, if they had not played politics with the security of Rivers State, maybe God may have forgiven. But because they thought we have nobody, they shot their eyes.

“Today, security has gone beyond carrying of guns. We have to get intelligence. We must be proactive. We don’t have the number of security men that can cover all the communities. We adopted what Lagos State. We are employing men and women who are committed to make sure that this state is safe. These young men and women will give intelligence to security agencies and work in synergy with them.”

One of the major objectives of any reportage is to educate members of the public.

However, the information dished out to the public must be based on truth and accuracy.

It is regrettable that you compared the case involving the convicted “pension thief” (Yakubu Yusuf) with the case involving the former Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency and other directors of the Agency.

It is also disturbing that you tried to cast aspersion on the learned trial judge by stating that “whether deliberately or otherwise, the same mistake that Justice Talba made in 2013 was also repeated recently when Justice Adebukola Banjoko also of the same court delivered a similar judgment when she convicted a former Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency, Samuel Ibi Gekpe”.

For the avoidance of doubt and for record purposes, it must be stated that the case of the “convicted pension thief” is different from Rural Electrification Agency’s case.

They are never similar and can never be.

First, there was evidence before the court that one naira was not missing or stolen by any of the accused persons in Rural Electrification case. Second, there was evidence before the trial court that all the rural electrification projects were executed and completed by all the contractors.

Third, there was evidence that the accused persons secured the 15% and 85% payments to the contractors with advance payments guarantee certificates (APGs) obtained from Banks.

Fourth, there was evidence that the Federal Government did not lose one naira.

Fifth, there was evidence that none of the accused persons benefitted from the contracts. The major complaint of the prosecution in Rural Electrification case was that the mode of the award of the contract was contrary to laid down procedure.

The court believed the evidence of the prosecution that the accused persons ought to have employed competitive bidding process (which includes advertisements etc) and rejected the arguments of the accused persons that they employed different method because of time constraints as the Amended 2008 Budget was passed on 16th November 2008 and there may not be enough time to advertise and engage in competitive bidding process before 31st December 2008.

Finally, it is very wrong to cast aspersions on judges because they cannot talk in public considering the nature of their work.

Oyedeji was former Head (Legal) Rural Electrification Agency

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TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Empowering the Needy A number of orphans and widows were empowered at the 2018 Rose of Sharon Foundation’s Youth Empowerment Programme, writes Peter Uzoho

The Founder Mrs. Folorunso Alakija (2nd left) inspecting wig making with the facilitators as they impact skills on the youths at the 2018 Rose of Sharon Foundation’s Youth Empowerment Programme

I

nside the spacious Yaba College of Technology’s Multi-purpose Hall, about a 100 under-privileged young men and women comprising orphans and the fatherless, as well as helpless widows, received unique life-changing inspirational words from great speakers. They were also taught different life skills which they could use to improve their economic and social lives.

The programme this year was largely focused on getting the beneficiaries empowered to tackle unemployment in Nigeria through entrepreneurship, hence the topic: Youth Entrepreneurship: A solution to Unemployment.

Speakers realised the over-dependence on white collar jobs and the entitlement mentality among the youths of Nigeria and, in their separate presentations, urged them to drop such unhelpful thinking and feeling. They were charged to discover their callings and follow it so as to become what they can be.

First to speak into their lives was a woman of many parts, the billionaire oil magnate and Group Managing Director of Famfa Oil, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija – the Founder of Rose of Sharon Foundation. With her years of experience in life struggles, Alakija in her keynote message, did not romance words as she broke the bread of what it takes to be successful in life to them. She relayed real life lessons to them and made them understand that what they would be was dependent on their decisions. “Your future is in your hands,” Alakija would tell them. Dazzling in a sparkling red top, over a black trouser, with her customised lenses, the billionaire businesswoman in her confident posture, said: “Don’t let anybody decide for you what you will be. You have to strive to succeed.

Work hard, be diligent, be determined, and

be focused on your dream.”

She noted that entrepreneurship was the order of the day and that the world was looking in that direction, calling on the youths to embrace entrepreneurship.

“Being a successful entrepreneur does not happen so easily: you have to work for it.

I’m not going to tell you that it will be easy; nothing comes easy. Look at the light at the end of the tunnel.

Success is not about luck, so don’t let anybody deceive you. “Dangote did not make it so easily; he doesn’t rest. So you must work hard and then pray. Life is full of competition. You have to prepare yourself in order to be able to compete in your entrepreneurship journey,” she noted.

Your future is in your hands. Don’t let anybody decide for you what you will be.You have to strive to succeed. Work hard, be diligent, be determined, and be focused on your dream

The philanthropist extraordinaire urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the programme to make a change in their lives. “So let today be a life-changing beginning for you.”

To further challenge them, Alakija brought out some foreign-made items: deodorants, shoes and the likes, made by Nigerians in the U.S. which were given to her as gifts, encouraging the youths to emulate such result-oriented entrepreneurs. “This should be the minimum standard you should be aiming for. From time to time, I will be going online to see what competition is going on among you; to see what you’reproducing after this programme,” she noted.

She disclosed that since the inception of the foundation, a total of 88 orphans, 1,366 widows’ children, and about 950 widows had been empowered.

“The youths that you see here today are a combination of those who are alumni of the Rose of Sharon Scholarship programme, about 129 of them; a combination of those who are still in the university, and those who are trying to get into university.

“And, also, those who have come out and are working, which is one of the reasons we have to talk about entrepreneurship because Africa has to look towards that direction now.”

She stated that about 11 widows had also graduated from universities under the foundation’s scholarship programme.

Alakija, however, announced that the 10 years anniversary of the foundation would be held on June 23, being the date for the 2018 International Widows Day, revealing that more widows would be empowered at the occasion. In her presentation, Chief Executive, Sheroes Global and Founder, Yemi Adenuga Foundation, Mrs. Yemi Adenuga, who spoke on the topic: ‘Own

Your Future, Be Your Own Boss’, encouraged the beneficiaries to be smart as they deal with life challenges. She advised them to always determine the purpose of whatever they want to do and urged them to ensure that such reason was genuine.

“The reason you want to be an entrepreneur must be right. Your desiremust be to solve a problem, “Adenuga said. According to her, Africa is one of the best places to be an entrepreneur. She told them that the best way to be rich was to transfer wealth, a model she explained is peculiar to the Igbos who she said understand and apply it better.

She also encouraged her audience to be excited about their business ideas and the problem they want to solve.

Adenuga said, “And then be careful with the people you’re going to be sharing the idea with. Make sure these people are those that understand what you’re talking about.

Never rely on one source of income. Make sure you have something that is subsidising something else. Your challenges today should be the reason you must excel.”

She however, enjoined them to use their social media platforms to build their business contacts, adding that they should learn and apply the skill of eye contact. Adenuga concluded her presentation by handing over copies of her book: ‘Exploring Options: A Guide to Making Career Choices’ to Alakija, who promised to ensure every participant at the programme gets a copy.

Speaking on the topic: ‘Youth Entrepreneurship: Solution to the Problem of Unemployment in Nigeria’, Project Director, National Youth Summit and Founder, Stage Africa Foundation, Mr. Utchay Odims, advised the youths not to allow anybody define their destiny, saying only God can define it for them.

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FEATURES Odims who said he got financial independence from his parents at a young age of 19 in his second year in the university, told his audience to be careful of ‘3Gs’ (glory, girls/ guys, and greed), noting that they can make or mar them as entrepreneurs.

“Glory (pride) comes before fall. For you to be a successful entrepreneur you must humble yourself,” he said.

“You must forget girls and guys and focus on your career and your calling. Don’t be somebody who has love for money (greed).

You have to be transparent; you need to be someone that functions with integrity; you need to be open enough to share your business idea with somebody – an investor or a partner. You need to be somebody that loves and believes in yourself,” Odims advised.

He urged them to research about their areas of business and look for mentors and role models in order to fast-track their entrepreneurial journey.

Having got them inspired with such powerful words, the beneficiaries were later broken into three different skills acquisition training sessions where they learnt wig making, slippers, and perfume making from facilitators. To ensure effective teaching and learning in all the sessions, Alakija went from one class to the other, inspecting what was being done.

However, rounding up the programme, some of the beneficiaries who spoke to THISDAY said they had learnt so much from the programme and expressed their appreciation to Alakija for her continuous sacrifice on their lives.

One of them is Miss Victoria Okere, an undergraduate student of Mechanical Engineering at the Yaba College of Technology.

Okere is one of the fatherless youths and one of the Rose of Sharon Foundation scholars.

Okere said: “Mummy Alakija has been wonderful. She has been footing my bills in school since I was in Senior Secondary School. She gave me hope to continue because I doubted my mother would be able to carry the load. I lost my dad around 2008 and I know how tough it can be having younger siblings. But she gave me a reason to continue.

“Honestly, from the depth of my heart I say a very big thank you to Mummy Alakija for giving me hope. She gives me reason to dream big. I hope I will be able to sit by her side one day, not as a result of pity but as a result of merit and to make her know that her sacrifice is not in vain. I pray that God will continue to favour her and give her longer life.” Another beneficiary of the programme, Epaphras Obi, said: “I say God bless Mummy Alakija for empowering us and for sacrificing her resources and time to improve our lives. I pray God to keep her alive for us so that one day we can actually come out and say we were brought up by her.”

Wisdom Adatong is also one of the RoSF scholars and regular beneficiary of the youth empowerment programme. He is also one of the fatherless youths.

“Since I lost my dad they have been the ones taking care of me, my school fees and my other needs. A week before today’s programme, they organised a platform where

It takes an extraordinary person to do what Mrs. Alakija is doing. It takes somebody with a good heart to do this. She’s helping widows, helping their children and the orphans. So I think this platform is really worth commending. What she is doing is really good and encouraging to people like us that are looking up to her

Alakija at the perfume making session

A cross section of the participants at the 2018 Rose of Sharon Foundation’s Youth Empowerment Programme

Alakija flanked by participants at the empowerment programme

we were taught how to use what you have to improve yourself.

“I want to thank Mummy Alakija for being there for me and my family till today. I pray that God will keep her alive, and continue blessing her. She has been so marvelous to us.” One of the widows at the programme, Mrs. Agathar Ebere, in her appreciation, described Alakija as “one in a million.” “Mummy is really one in a million; she doesn’t want us to be idleneither

does she want us to feel bad in any way. So from time to time she will gather us here and empower us. And as we’re coming for this programme we’re benefitting so much.

“She is just a mother indeed and I thank God for her life. If we have other mothers like her I think things will change in this country because mothers are the home makers.

I believe that God in His infinite mercy will reward her for all these.”

On her part, one of the facilitators, Miss Elohor Sama, described the programme as worthy of commendation.

“It takes an extraordinary person to do what Mrs. Alakija is doing. It takes somebody with a good heart to do this. She’s helping widows, helping their children and the orphans. So I think this platform is really worth commending. What she is doing is really good and encouraging to people like us that are looking up to her.”

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Quick Takes Akiolu Decries Vandalism of Cables The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu has condemned vandalism and theft of power equipment by those he described as criminal elements within the society.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to his palace by the management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Adeoye Fadeyibi, the royal father said perpetrators of vandalism and theft of power equipment are enemies of the society and all well-meaning people should join hands to stop them.

The Lagos monarch said since improvement in power supply would trigger socio-economic development and create jobs for more people, protection of power equipment should be the concern of all lovers of development.

Akiolu also said he has been doing his best to enlighten his subjects that the Distribution Companies have been privatised and as such people should be ready to pay for the power they have consumed.

He advised EKEDC to look within and fish out bad eggs within its fold who, he said, were in the habit of colluding with people to engage in illegal connection and other vices against the company.

Bahrain Discovers Largest OilďŹ eld

PRODUCT LAUNCH

L-R: MD, Swift Network Limited, Charles Anudu; GM, Red Cheetah, Victoria Onwubiko; Managing Partner, AT3 Resources, Tosin Adefeko and Chief Operating OďŹ&#x192;cer, Swift Networks Limited, Chuma Okoye at a media brieďŹ ng on the launch of Cheetah product by Swift Networks Limited in Lagos...recently ABIODUN AJALA

NNPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Refineries Contributed Only 0.55% to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GDP in 2016, Says Report Stories by Chineme Okafor in Abuja A study commissioned by the Nigerian Natural Resource Charter (NNRC) and conducted by the Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL), University of Ibadan on the contributions of the four refineries owned and operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has showed that their average contribution was just about 0.55 per cent as at 2016.

The study also stated that the contribution of the refineries to the GDP of other sectors of

ENERGY the Nigerian economy as at that time was 0.18 per cent, in addition to a -1.69 per cent contribution of the refineries to the gross net output in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy.

Report of the study was presented at a stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; workshop on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;assessing petroleum sector wealth: NNPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contributions to the economy,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; recently in Lagos.

It focused on the contribution that NNPC refineries and pipelines have made to the Nigerian economy in 2016. Its estimations were done along the lines of direct contributions; indirect contributions and induced

contributions, as well as their contributions with respect to Gross Domestic Product (GDP); Gross Net Domestic Product (GNDP); value-added; indirect taxes; compensation in terms of wages and salaries for employees; as well as employment.

The report noted that its assessment of value-added was made up of wages and salaries; operating surplus and depreciation, while indirect taxes included value added tax (VAT); excise and custom duties.

According to it, the refineries contribution to value added in the economy was 0.35 per cent; contribution to indirect taxes in the economy was 0.19 per cent; contribution to

compensation of employees in the economy was 0.13 per cent; while NNPC refineries & pipelinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; contribution to employment in the economy was 0.05 per cent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The small contribution of NNPC refineries and pipelines across measures can be related to the sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low capacity utilisation â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18 per cent for quite some time now. This has led to an unprecedentedly high importation of its products at the expense of the economy as every item of import is a leakage in the system. The importation is making negative contribution to the economy,â&#x20AC;?

Continued on page 22

NNRC: NNPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Input to Economy Hampered by Operational Secrecy The capacity of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to contribute to Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic development is still being hampered by the level of operational secrecy it practices, the Nigerian Natural Resource Charter (NNRC) has said.

According to the NNRC, when truly assessed, the operational costs of the NNPC which, are deducted at source before payment into the Federation Account have not been transparent.

Speaking at a workshop titled: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Assessing petroleum

ENERGY sector wealth: NNPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contributions to the economy,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; in Lagos, the Chairman of the Expert Advisory Panel of NNRC, and a former Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia stated that when compared with other national oil companies such as Petronas of Malaysia, Sontrach of Algeria and Sonangol of Angola, the contributions of the NNPC to the economic growth of Nigeria was impacted by the lack of transparency in its operations.

Ajumogobia questioned the

authenticity of data provided in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil sector especially of production levels and reserves. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic growth and diversification in order to reduce our dependence on crude oil exports, is still however crucially dependent on the growth and efficiency of the oil and gas sector which is to partially fund and drive the diversification. We literally have to drill our way out of our current economic predicament. Thus NNPC if the existing structure remains, has a critical role to play in furthering a sustainable economic growth

trajectory for Nigeria,â&#x20AC;? said Ajumogobia.

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is therefore appropriate to inquire into how the corporationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stated vision of becoming a world-class oil and gas company is to be achieved if it is being undermined by external rather than internal factors of competence and commitment. Can such a vision indeed be achieved if NNPC is not insulated from political interference, as the NLNG incorporated joint venture appears to have been?â&#x20AC;?

Continued on page 22

Bahrain, the smallest energy producer in the Persian Gulf, said on Sunday it had discovered its biggest oil field since it started producing crude in 1932, according to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s official news agency.

The shale oil and natural gas discovered in a deposit off the island stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s west coast â&#x20AC;&#x153;is understood to dwarf Bahrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current reserves,â&#x20AC;? Bahrain News Agency reported, without giving figures. The country currently pumps about 45,000 barrels of oil a day from its Bahrain Field, and it shares income from a deposit with Saudi Arabia that produces about 300,000 barrels a day, according to figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Bloomberg reported that Bahrain discovered the offshore Khaleej Al Bahrain Basin as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seeking to expand output capacity at its wholly owned Bahrain Field to 100,000 barrels a day by the end of the decade. The island kingdom is now bound by the agreement among major oil producers to limit its production to reduce global inventories. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Initial analysis demonstrates the find is at substantial levels, capable of supporting the long-term extraction of tight oil and deep gas,â&#x20AC;? Bahrain Oil Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said in the BNA report.

US Withdraws from Energy Project The US Department of Energy on Friday withdrew from a 2016 agreement to partner with a private developer on a more than 700-mile transmission line that would have delivered wind power from blustery Oklahoma to Tennessee and beyond.

The termination of the deal between DOE and Houston-based Clean Line Energy Partners was mutual, both parties said in written statements.

Clean Lineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposed $2.2 billion Plains & Eastern transmission line was under development for eight years but faced substantial opposition from landowners in Arkansas, who objected to having power lines strung along 200-foot-high towers on their properties.

The project also failed to line up a contract with the Tennessee Valley Authority to buy the wind energy it would transmit.

Last year, TVA said it did not see a need for energy from the Clean Line project, noting its commercial customers were more interested in solar power generated locally, according to meeting minutes posted on its website.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Citizens acknowledge more power in dry weather, reduced hours of running their generators and reduction in fuel - diesel and petrol purchase to power generatorsâ&#x20AC;?

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola

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BUSINESSWORLD NNPC’S REFINERIES CONTRIBUTED ONLY 0.55% TO NIGERIA’S GDP IN 2016, SAYS REPORT

Agip, Allied Energy’s Legal Dispute over OML 120 Deepens Ejiofor Alike

said the report.

It added: “The sector has also been running at a huge loss thereby reducing its contribution to the economy. There is a need for concerted efforts to promote accountability in the management and turnaround-maintenance of the refineries.

“The existing refineries and pipelines at full capacities appear inadequate to fully satisfy domestic demand for petroleum products as a rigorous CGE modelling exercise reveals.”

NNRC: NNPC’S INPUT TO ECONOMY HAMPERED BY OPERATIONAL SECRECY

“As the NNRC benchmarking exercise recorded, the observed muddling of the corporations business roles with its non-commercial and auxiliary regulatory roles continues. Further, that ‘commercial decisions and operational activities are still subject to political interference.

It is in this context that we can properly question the extent of NNPC’s purposeful contribution to the nation’s economic growth as it is currently structured. Certainly no organisation can optimise its performance in contributing to a 21st century economy if its activities and decisions are not open and transparent,” Ajumogobia explained.

On the consistency and reliability of data in the industry, Ajumogobia stated that Nigeria had for a very long time bandied projected oil production figures that have never been attained.

He said: “In the meantime, is the existing uneconomic process even transparent? Can we rely on the figures we routinely reel out about reserves or about fuel consumption that once went from 30 million litres a day to 45 million litres a day within a period of one year between 2011 and 2012? As we speak another almost $2 billion is claimed to be owed to marketers.

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Linda Eroke (Labour) Eromosele Abiodun (Maritime) Ejiofor Alike (Energy) James Emejo (Nation’s Capital) Obinna Chima (Money Mkt) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Reporters

Nume Ekeghe (Money Market) Nosa Alekhuogie (Cap Mkt)

NEWS

The legal dispute between Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAE) and Allied Energy/Camac over Oyo oilfield in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 120 deepened as Allied Energy has dragged the matter to the High Court of Lagos State after the Federal High Courts in Lagos and Port Harcourt had entertained the case, in addition to the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).

Justice TAO OyekanAbdullai of the High Court of Lagos State, in Suit No LD/019FRJ/2017, has however, rejected an application by Allied Energy and Camac International Nigeria Limited for a mandatory injunction to compel NAE to discontinue the execution of the order of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos granted by Justice Hadiza R. Shagari on May 11, 2017 in Suit No. FHC/L/ CS/625/2017 and upheld by the court on January 16, 2018.

The position of the High Court of Lagos State relates to an order by the Federal High Court on January 31, 2018, which was executed against Allied Energy and Camac’s assets including seizure of the crude oil produced from Oyo oilfields, sequel to an earlier enforcement order of the Federal High Court Lagos granted by Justice Hadiza R. Shagari.

Justice Hadiza R. Shagari’s order was for the recognition and enforcement of a Final Award rendered at the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) on February 14, 2017 in favour of NAE against Allied Energy Plc, Camac

International (Nigeria) Ltd and their parent company, Camac International Ltd (CIL) in respect of a contractual debt of over $200 million allegedly owed by the two companies to NAE. Following the January 31, 2018 execution of the Writ of Attachment against their assets, Allied Energy and Camac filed an application at the Lagos State High Court praying for Mandatory Injunctions to compel NAE to take all steps to undo the process initiated at the Federal High Court, including but not limited to writing a

formal letter to the Deputy Chief Registrar (Sheriff) of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division and Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court to forthwith discontinue the execution carried out at the instance of NAE on the January 31, 2018.

Specifically, Allied Energy and Camac applied for the mandatory injunction to remove all locks, chains and restraints of whatsoever nature on the export valves aboard the vessel FPSO Armada Perdana located offshore within Nigeria territorial waters, off Onne Port, Rivers State of

Nigeria on OMLs 120 and 121, including all crude oil produced from Oyo fields discharged into the vessel FSPO Armada Perdana.

However, in a Ruling delivered on March 8, 2018 by Justice TA O Oyekan-Abdullai in Suit No. LD/019FRJ/2017, the Lagos State High Court refused Allied Energy and Camac’s application.

The arbitration award of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) which is being enforced by NAE arose from a dispute regarding a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) concluded in June 2012 between

NAE as Seller and Allied Energy as Purchaser.

Under the SPA, NAE had transferred to Allied Energy Plc the entirety of NAE’s interests and rights in the two Oil Mining Leases 120 and 121 in the deep offshore region of Nigeria.

Payment of part of the price for the transferred interests and rights was deferred to be paid

by Allied Energy to NAE. As a result of alleged nonpayment by Allied Energy Plc, NAE filed the arbitration at the London Court of International Arbitration in accordance with the arbitration terms provided in the SPA.

CELEBRATING WOMEN WITH DRIVE INITIATIVE

L-R: Tourism expert, Chiamaka Ntia; one of the winners of ‘Women With Drive Initiative’ by Taxify, Eziafa Esememe and Brand Manager, Taxify, Terver Bendega, during a cocktail party organised by Taxify in Lagos...recently

DPR Urged to Conduct Bid Rounds Every Two Local Content Law a Solution to Unemployment in Nigeria, Says Years to Stabilise Oil Output NCDMB

Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has been urged to undertake bid rounds for oil acreages in Nigeria at least once in every two years to help raise and keep production of oil and gas stable in the country. A former Deputy Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Mr. Egbert Imomoh, who stated this at a recent lecture he delivered in Abuja, noted that this was necessary to help Nigeria maximise its oil resources and get more returns from it.

Speaking during the first quarterly lecture series organised by the Nigerian Content and Industry Collaboration Department of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Imomoh stated that a high frequency of bid rounds would enable the DPR attract fresh investors into the oil sector Titled: “Nigerian oil and gas industry: the Quo Vadis,” the lecture series according to the PTDF, was initiated to create more linkages between it and the industry, and also keep its workers abreast of trends in the sector.

Imomoh disclosed that Nigeria’s oil sector has remained unstable for a long period of time due to unstable prices of crude in the international market, adding that regular conduct of the bid rounds would help it overcome such fluctuations.

“Our industry has been very unstable against the backdrop of unstable prices of crude and what we have to do to offset that instability is to have a continuous bid rounds, because the bid rounds will attract new players that will bring in new technology .You need to have that healthy, regular injection of new people and new technology by having bid rounds at least once every two years,” said Imomoh.

He further explained: “Issuance of bid rounds every two years would give every stakeholder the opportunity to participate in the exploration of more prolific areas particularly in the Niger Delta region.

“Two years will allow you to prepare and review and allow people to prepare themselves for the investments. If you look at it, the Niger Delta is full of opportunities, there are fields we have not worked on for a long time, I believe if you

make them available, new players and technology will come in, that is why I say we should do it every two years,” he added.

According to him, the future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry was dependent on an unrelenting and vigorous pace of exploration activities which could be made possible by regular bid rounds.

He noted that this will prevent a decline in reserves and enhance revenue generation, in addition to the country attracting new technologies and resources. He also called for more investments in gas which he stated has the potential to become very useful to the development of Nigeria’s economy.

“A governance framework is therefore required to promote and manage investment in gas development,” he stated.

On PTDF’s mandate, Imomoh, explained: “Much as PTDF is working and helping to solve problems, I suggest a meeting of minds to have a clear definition of the problems and agreement to what the solution is and then we begin to proffer that solution. I believe it is something you need to work on.”

Ejiofor Alike The adoption and implementation Local Content policies in key sectors of the Nigerian economy will address the high unemployment rate in Nigeria, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote has said. Speaking in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at an event organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD), Nigeria, where he made a presentation as the Guest Speaker, the Executive Secretary commended the current emphasis on agriculture and diversification by President Muhammad Buhari.

In his presentation titled, “Addressing Unemployment: Local Content Option”, Wabote noted that for many years, until lately, Nigeria had regarded crude oil as a commodity, instead of a resource - a situation which resulted in the loss of all in-country value adding activities and opportunity to capture the full benefits of the derivatives of crude oil.

He added that the enactment of Local Content Law in the oil and gas industry and its implementation has become a game changer, helping Nigeria

to claw back work, services and spend which used to leave the country to other parts of the world. He reiterated that the essence of local content policy is “domiciliation and domestication”.

He also lauded the federal government’s reinforcement of the Local Content Policy through the issuance of Executive Order 5, designed to boost local content practice in other critical sectors of the economy.

He argued that with the huge unemployment figure of about 16 million from the Bureau of Statistics (NBS), a staggering number equal to the total population of three West African countries of Sierra Leone, Togo and Liberia, Nigeria needs to extend Local Content practice to other critical sectors like Agriculture, ICT, Construction, Power and Manufacturing in order to tackle the scourge of unemployment in the country.

Wabote also argued that for Nigeria to derive full benefits from agriculture, it must look at the various derivatives across agricultural supply chain as to create jobs and boost the economy.

“We must not repeat the mistake of ‘commodity trading’ with agriculture,” he added.

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Ajetunmobi: Investors Eyeing Refineries Want the Easy Path

NNPC’s

A Lagos-based lawyer and former top executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mr. Paul Ajetunmobi, spoke to Ejiofor Alike on the state of the corporation’s refineries, insisting that NNPC has world-class professionals who can run the plants profitably if given adequate support by the federal government. Excerpts: You retired statutorily in November 2014 as Human Resources Manager of Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company after over 33 years of meritorious service in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. Could you please walk us briefly through your journey in NNPC? I worked in the oil and gas industry and having worked for 33 and half years, I retired in November 2014. Before I retired from NNPC, I had the opportunity of reading law. I was called to bar in 2005, that is, 13 years ago. I am presently practicing as a lawyer. To be sincere with you, I count myself to be very fortunate among the 180 million Nigerians. I was at a very tender age when I graduated and had my first degree in 1978. I had my interview in NNPC in 1979 but I did not start work in NNPC until early 1981. Since that time, NNPC has impacted positively and greatly in my life.

When we joined as junior officers in those days, I was fortunate to be sent to do my Masters Degree by the NNPC. I was also fortunate to be sent to study law by the NNPC and I moved round. So, I am very versatile in NNPC. My last 10 and half years of working career were mainly in the human resources department of Warri Refinery.

Ajetunmobi

In all honesty, the government should empower NNPC workers and give them the wherewithal to operate the refineries. The government should strengthen them.

There should be no element of frustration.

For instance, in the operational areas, there are certain things that are very critical and are needed urgently for them to work effectively. But when they make those requests, they are frustrated for one reason or the other. If they are not given what they need, they won’t put in their best.

If the government provides the enabling environment by giving them whatever they need to work well, they will perform well. NNPC workers are well-trained to perform

Since you retired from the NNPC, how are you making yourself available for the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, especially the NNPC, to benefit from your wealth of experience?

Like I told you, NNPC has impacted greatly to my life and they are still responsible for my upkeep till today by paying my pensions. So, I will also like to give back to NNPC. Presently, I am a consultant to them. I consult for them in human resources aspect. I want to ensure that I give back part of my knowledge and wealth of experience to the people I left behind in NNPC so that they can keep the flag flying. I don’t want any bad thing to happen in NNPC. You know that there are many negative information people are giving out about NNPC but all of them are perverted and not the true situation of things in NNPC. People give out false information about the NNPC. A lot of positive things are happening there, especially in the refineries. I was in Warri Refinery last week and they were operating at about 65 – 70 per cent capacity.

They were producing millions of litres of refined products. I can give you a run-down of the figures as of last week when I was there. As of last week when I was at Warri Refinery, they were producing 3.644 million litres of petrol daily, 1.86 million litres of kerosene, and 3.102 million litres of diesel on a daily basis. They were also producing 55,000 litres of liquefied petroleum gas daily and 2.144 million litres of low pour fuel oil (LPFO) or black oil daily.

But the information out there is that the refineries have collapsed as a result of poor maintenance?

Most of the information out there are not correct.

He who wears the shoes knows where it pinches.

If you go there, you will find out that they are producing very well. In all honesty, there are some challenges. For instance, refineries are supposed to work for 24 hours, if there are no problems throughout the year. The plants are not supposed to shut down. The easiest way of moving out the products is by pipelines but when there is vandalism, there will be challenges.

The machines have to be maintained properly for the plants to work 24 hours. Again, there are a lot of politics in Nigeria. Adequate funds are not being provided for the refineries. When these funds are not provided, they cannot replace bad equipment quickly.

What were the major challenges of the refineries when you were still in the system?

The major challenge was that the approval limit of the Managing Director of a refinery was very small, about N5 million as at that time. If you convert it to dollars, it was less than $50,000.

But some equipment in the refineries are very expensive. For instance, things like valves and seals can cost more than $50,000 and when the managing director cannot approve it, he has to go to the NNPC corporate headquarters. But even the approval limit of the Group Managing Director of NNPC as at then was very small. So, there was little the Group Managing Director could do. Another challenge was illegal bunkering.

Many youths were unemployed and they resorted to illegal bunkering to siphon products. When the refineries cannot pump directly through pipelines, tankers will come to load products.

If tankers are not able to load as fast as they should load, then it will affect the operation of the refineries.

The previous administration contemplated bringing in the original equipment manufacturers to rehabilitate the refineries. Does it mean the NNPC has not built local capacity since all these years?

In all honesty, NNPC has the technical know-how to run and operate the refineries. Although some of us have exited, but NNPC still has competent hands. Until I left NNPC, we kept on sending people for technical training in refineries overseas. When they come back, they are competent and knowledgeable. They have all it takes to run the refineries. But like I told you, there has not been any major recruitment in the last 10 years. The last major recruitment was done in 2007/2008 although there was one they did in 2010. People are leaving, when I got to Warri refinery last week, many of my colleagues had left. Even next year and next two years, many are retiring. These are very experienced hands.

What do you think the federal government should do to ensure smooth operations of the NNPC refineries?

In all honesty, the government should empower NNPC workers and give them the wherewithal to operate the refineries. The government should strengthen them. There should be no element of frustration. For instance, in the operational areas, there are certain things that are very critical and are needed urgently for them to work effectively. But when they make those requests, they are frustrated for one reason or the other. If they are not given what they need, they won’t put in their best. If the government provides the enabling environment by giving them whatever they need to work well, they will perform well. NNPC workers are well-trained to perform. Some of them are very experienced.

Some people are saying that we are ageing because there has been no recruitment in the last 10 years. As people are exiting, the government needs to replace these experienced hands.

We have four refineries and Warri is the most strategic. I will tell you the reason why Warri is the most strategic. Why I said that is that it is from Warri refinery that you pump crude to Kaduna refinery. Without Warri Refinery, the Kaduna Refinery cannot exist. It is also from Warri Refinery that you pump refined products to the north.

The federal government has come up with many options, including concessioning of the refineries and the private sector are showing interest. What is your take on this?

I am not in support of concessioning. Why should NNPC’s refineries be concessioned?

The federal government issued more than 20 licenses to private investors to build refineries 15 years ago but none of them has built any refinery. Why do they want to take over what other people have built? My understanding of the whole thing is that people want to reap where they did not sow. They want readymade food because the refineries are already there with all the structures and equipment in place. The private investors just want to come and take over just like they took over the EPCL – Eleme Petrochemical Company, where they are making millions of naira. The equipment were already there; so, they just took over and started reaping where they did not sow. Most of the investors want to reap where they did not sow. If they are genuinely interested in the oil and gas business; if they are genuinely interested in making money from refining, let them take the bull by the horns just like Dangote has done. Let them build their own refineries and operate them and leave NNPC’s refineries. Let them compete with the NNPC’s refineries.

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Olotu: How We Got States, LGs Support for NIPPs Mr. James Olotu, was the pioneer head of Niger Delta Power Holding Ltd, which built, operates and maintains the 10 National Integrated Power Plants. He spoke to Chineme Okafor on how the NIPPs were saved from falling apart. Excerpts: You’ve been out of office for about a year now sir, what have you been doing?

I left office suddenly, and one thing that happened to me when I left office was that I had time for myself. While in office, the volume of work that my office entailed, the kind of people that office need to interact with, the volume of stakeholders that you have to manage to achieve the results that we achieved were such that family was not one of the greatest commitments and secondly one didn’t have time for oneself.

So, the first thing I did was to enjoy sleep which I never had enough, I ate regularly, and I wanted to make sure I stayed at home with my family for a long time. But you know as a very active mind, after a few months of doing that, I became restless and joined an organisation called Skipper Seil, which is a group of companies based in India and Dubai, and involved in power business in Nigeria as well.

But, somehow I left and recently decided to set up a new outfit with some of the best brains in Nigeria’s power sector and very soon we will have Innovest Nigeria Solution Limited come up to provide solutions to Nigeria’s issues.

It is going to be a limited liability company and I will be its chairman. We will blaze the trail when it comes up it will begin to provide solutions to problems.

What will be the competence of Innovest in Nigeria’s power sector?

Innovest is not just about Nigeria’s power sector even though power is one its fundamentals, but it is about power and defining solutions to using the most modern solutions for deploying power solutions to Nigeria within a short time and they may be solar, wind, biomass and ethanol.

What is going to be the capital base of Innovest for it to take up such innovative market?

Innovest don’t necessarily need a lot of financial capital base but we need the brain. For instance a state government has invited us to be part of the work they are doing in power, airline, pharmaceutical, tire manufacturing, deep seaport and fertiliser.

The NIPPs which you were part of from inception stopped at a point, and then restarted, what happened and how did you get this through?

I wasn’t the one that started the NIPP, it was a baby of the three tiers of government with Chief Obasanjo as the lead. The minister of power then, Liyel Imoke, was operationally the technical support and NIPP was a bunch of people that were gathered together with different skillset to become like a taskforce and it was when I got in there that the idea of turning it into a company came to the fore and the reason was that NIPP could not award a contract as a taskforce and you are dealing with billions of dollars of projects and there was no way you can sign a contract when you are not a company.

So, the first thing I did was to make sure we were registered as a company, and then to take an inventory of what had happened before I came in and there was no office and my car was actually my office. NIPP was a very diverse programme and at a time we had about 1700 different projects taking place at the same time across the power sector value chain.

Then the National Assembly and a committee of the Fiscal Revenue Mobilisation Commission were the ones who raised the issues about the way NIPP was formed and that they were using the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to fund it.

Those issues were serious enough for it to stop so we looked at the issues they raised and found that many of them were valid issues.

We met with the leadership on it to mobilise the state and local governments to join the federal government in the project as their money was involved and it was done. All the state govern-

Olotu ments raised bills at their House of Assemblies and the federal government also raised a bill to the National Assembly which was passed and they became law. From these, everybody came on board and they now decided to give more money. Originally, the NIPP was six power plants and about 30 transmission projects before

I wasn’t the one that started the NIPP, it was a baby of the three tiers of government with Chief Obasanjo as the lead. The minister of power then, Liyel Imoke, was operationally the technical support and NIPP was a bunch of people that were gathered together with different skillset to become like a taskforce and it was when I got in there that the idea of turning it into a company came to the fore

it was expanded. We now realised that if we built these power plants, how will electricity get to our houses if we don’t build distribution and gas infrastructures. So, we solved that problem by expanding it to include the value chain, and so we involved all the sectors.

But financial commitments had been made before it was stalled?

Before the projects were stalled, they had already spent $2.8 billion and those who were trying to stop it did not understand. The contracts that were signed at that time were more than $6 billion but we had already put in $2.8 billion.

As at the time they were investigating what had been spent in the power sector then, and everyone was talking about $16 billion, the actual money spent was $3 billion in the entire sector.

The Accountant General of the Federation said it did not release any money, the CBN said it did not release any such money but the press was not well informed.

If you stall the project at that time, it meant the $2.8 billion spent as collateralised advanced payment guarantees, international and performance bonds will have been lost and those contractors could go to court and whatever was their perceived expectation of profit if the projects were finally completed, you will pay them. So, we decided that we should also challenge that area, we met with a lot of people and educated them until we finally convinced them that they were not wrong but that they were not well informed.

The power sector is a special kind of sector unlike in the works sector. If a contractor is asked to build a 100 kilometres road and he does 50 kilometres you will see it, but you won’t see anything in power until it is completed.

You can only see machines that are not doing anything until the last bolt is tightened.

What was the status of the projects when you left the NDPHC? By the time I left, generally the projects were like 85 per cent completed. Amongst the power

stations, six of them were completed and were already delivering power to the grid.

One was half completed, which is a hybrid power plant – the Alaoji power plant, where we commissioned the first phase, which is the single circuit. The second which is the steam turbine was not completed. So, that is why we say it was half completed.

So, these are the projects we handed over and by the time I was leaving, the transmission projects were like 90 per cent completed. We added more distribution projects and they were about 350 before I left, we had about 165 of them before. And by the time I was leaving the distribution projects were about 85 per cent completed. The generation projects were like 80 per cent completed in general terms, because six and half of the generation projects were completed, while the remaining three and half were about 80, 70, and 50 per cent completed.

Now the challenge is that all the contractors were not procured by us. They were procured before my team came in. So, we inherited people who ordinarily were not the best of contractors to handle the projects. The second challenge was that we had some contractors who got more projects, although they also bid for the projects. The reason was that most of the credible contractors didn’t bother to apply due to skepticism which they had about the Nigerian company calling for the multi-billion naira projects. You may know one of the contractors who had about five projects, which are the biggest projects, is the same contractor that is keeping the last three projects that have not been completed. Of course, you have violence in some areas.

Also in certain areas of the country, the rains were higher than what you get in other locations. So, in those areas where there is so much rain, during heavy rainfall periods, projects are not fast, especially when it has to do with the foundations.

Continued on page 25

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OLOTU: HOW WE GOT STATES, LGS SUPPORT FOR NIPPS

You also attempted to privatise these plants, how did you come up with the idea?

We took the 10 power plants to the open market because the idea was that we wanted to privatise them. And, the reason for wanting to privatise them was not because Nigerians are incapable of running them. It was because we wanted the private sector to run them NDPHC operates as a private firm, although the shareholding is by government. But we wanted to hand over the plants completely to the private sector for efficiency and effectiveness. Secondly, we wanted the private sector to provide the money that we used for the plant construction and use this money for the second phase of the NIPP which was already approved during the last regime. And the second phase of the NIPP involved Mambila, Gurara and several other hydro power plants, which all together were about 15 in number. The idea also included investing in some solar architecture, so, we thought of moving into solar, hydro and coal, and the money we plan to use for these projects would have come from the sale of the 10 initial plants.

So, we then put 80 per cent of the shares of those 10 plants in the market, finished and at the end of the transaction, we were able to rake in $5.7 billion for 80 per cent shares in those 10 power plants, finished and unfinished. For the unfinished ones, we agreed that we will finish them before we collect the money from the bidders, they can give us some assurance by paying certain percentage so that when we finish we hand over to them.

Now, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget we spent $4.4 billion for that and got $5.7 billion. Also, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget that I said it was 80 per cent. So, really if it was 100 per cent, which is what the bidders wanted, it will be $7.1 billion, and that is for only generation. Therefore we invested $4.4 billion and got $7.1 billion.

And for the transmission projects we are supposed to hand over to the TCN, which will then boost their capacity from taking like 5,000MW to taking about 7,000MW when our infrastructure is added to theirs. And, we need to get our money from them, which actually is the money of the three tiers of government who are the investors and they want to see their money growing. For distribution and gas, they will sit with us and agree that they will pay back the money in 10 years, which is the value of the assets in 10 years.

For transmission, we will give it to them at the value but what was the value. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen

cannot take all the power, that gas was not enough to fire all the power, that distribution will not take the power because distribution is looking at sending the power only to areas where they can get their money back quickly.

Because of these three problems, you may have a power plant that has five units or four units of and only one is working, how does that make it profitable for whoever is running it?

So, we said instead of selling 10 power plants letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sell them in phases, in those places where we have solved the gas problem, we have solved the transmission project, we solved the technical problems, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sell them.

Even those who bided at that time before now found that they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough money because they now have to buy the dollar which was $170 when they bided had suddenly become N307.

So, both the foreign exchange issues, security problems, and the fact that the equation did not balance for gas availability, transmission availability, distribution availability and because any investor was not investing because he was seeing a fine shinning machine.

So, today, for the first three power plants we are looking at solving those problems, then the foreign exchange problem is beyond NDPHC. Those are the issues, I told you that no investor, especially in this kind of huge investment would put his money down without ensuring that all these things are right.

Olotu the value for generation assets. For the value, we told them to take these assets at the contract prices that we awarded them, plus maybe 10 per cent administrative charges. For the gas projects, by the time we finished the valuation, which was actually done by an expert, the result was much higher.

We had to hold back our contract prices since they claimed that it was fraudulent.

So, we told them to come and pay whatever the value from their valuation results were, and if the value is less than what we spent in building it, you can now say we padded.

But if the value was more than what we spent in building it, then we are making a profit.

So, that is what happened for gas, but people in distribution ran away. They now said they will prefer to take the assets at our contract prices. Transmission also came to tell us that they will take the assets at the contract prices.

So, what went wrong with the privatisation efforts?

You see when we were going into the projects,

we went with everybody â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the National Assembly, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian Gas Company, PHCN, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NBET, Market Operator, and everybody went with us. We are just the builders of the power plants.

The power plants on their own will not work so, we needed somebody from transmission to say yes, it will work because we have a line that will take this power. We needed somebody from gas to come and say yes that power plant has a gas, the gas that is required in the quantum that is required to fire it.

Because what are the investors buying, they are not interested whether the power plants are brand new but that they have the ability to generate money for them over a period of time to recover their investments.

So, as soon as we finished the privatisation, the bidding, the due process and everything, we now told the bidders do a second round of due so that you are sure and they went. First, they started having complaints, that transmission

Commentators have repeatedly said you built the power plants in areas that have no gas supplies, and that they were politically influenced, is this true?

NIPP was a combination of experts from different organisations relevant to execute the project.

Now for petroleum, because the technology chosen for NIPP was gas, therefore the Group Managing Director of NNPC then was a member of the steering committee of the NIPP. You have the technical committee, you have the steering committee. The steering committee oversaw what the technical committee was doing.

In the steering committee you have the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Petroleum is there, and the GMD Petroleum is there.

The Attorney General of the Federation is there. The technical committee was made up of people, these people nominated from their various offices to be there. For identification of the projects, the gas people were there. The transmission people were there. The generation people were there. If these three people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say yes to a project location it will not be located.

SunTrust Bank, Others Sign Financing Agreement with ICD Jonathan Eze SunTrust Bank and two others have signed a financing memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

The ICD is a multilateral development financial institution and is part of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group.

Speaking to the journalists immediately after the signing ceremony, the SunTrust Chief Executive Officer, Muham-

mad Barde, said the deal has provided for the bank another line of funds to support the growth of small and medium size enterprises. He explained that non-interest loans are more supportive to businesses as there are no pressures of accumulated interests.

According to him, the bank embraced Islamic banking as part of its portfolio in order to provide adequate support to small and medium enterprises which are growth drivers in the economy. Profit and loss sharing which he said is a major pillar

of Islamic banking allows businesses enough time to thrive instead of been strangulated with interest payment burden.

Describing the benefits of non-interest financing, Jibrin said any financial institution that provides non-interest banking will be able to have favourable and cordial relationship with its customers, as they are now partners and stakeholders in the business. He said such partnership is good for the economy as businesses and enterprises suffering under

heavy interest burden will now have relief.

The Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank, Muhammad Jibrin signed for the bank while Regional Officer Director, ICD, Mr. Okan Altasli signed on behalf of the acting Chief Executive Officer & General manager, ICD, Mr. Mohammed Al Ammari.

The signing agreement was witnessed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Aliyu Ahmed, who represented the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun.

The signing ceremony was one of the events at the ongoing 3rd Africa Islamic Finance Forum holding in Lagos.

According to the terms of the MOU, SunTrust Bank will get a financing of $10 million for lending to small and medium scale business on profit sharing basis instead of the normal banking interest based system.

In his opening remarks, Regional Office Director, ICD, Mr. Altasli said African countries are embracing non-interest banking which qualifies them

for financing lines from the ICD. He reiterated ICDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support for infrastructure and small scale enterprises across Africa.

The Minister of Finance in her goodwill message said she considers the forum important because government is positioning the private sector as the key for growth. The minister represented by Aliyu Ahmed said government is exploring the benefits and capacities of Islamic financing to drive the desired growth in the domestic economy.

need for strong partnership among stakeholders to stamp out this social menace.

In a related development, the BEDCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s war against vandalism recorded a major boost recently when one John Joshua (25 years) and Yakubu Irish, also aged 28 years old, were apprehended by community members while vandalising a transformers at Idahagbon community, off Oko central Road, Benin city, Edo State.

The two vandals caught in the act by members of Idahagbon community in Oko central area of Benin

have been sentenced to six months of imprisonment after arraignment on a two count charge of â&#x20AC;&#x153;malicious damage and stealingâ&#x20AC;? at Oredo Magistrate Court before chief Magistrate I.U Iyoha (Mrs.), while Abdullai Usman, male aged 27 years was caught on the 28th September 2017, at Iguobazuwa while trying to cart away vandalized conductor cables from Iguobazuwa/ Okada 33kv line, an act punishable under the Miscellaneous Offences Act M17 Vol.9 laws of Nigeria bagged five years jail term.

Benin Disco Partners Nigerian Army to Tackle Vandalism Ejiofor Alike Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. (BEDC) has given a fillip to its fight against vandalism of power equipment across its network by partnering â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Operation Thunderstormâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a Nigerian Army outfit set up in Benin to support civil authorities in the maintenance of law and order in Edo State.

Executive Director in charge of Commercial at BEDC, Mr. Abu Ejoor said this at the presentation of some tyres to the Edo State Command of the Operation Thunderstorm

to support the operation of the squad.

He stated that vandalism of power equipment was a menace that disrupts power supply to the public causing customers unnecessary inconveniences due to prolonged blackout; while also depriving service providers the needed revenue which could be used in network expansion, rather than replacement of vandalized items from these power installations.

A statement by BEDC quoted the Executive Director as saying that the donation was

geared towards strengthening the operation of the squad to enable it fight power equipment vandals as a bold step towards the arrest and persecution of these miscreants.

In its response, the Edo State Command of Operation Thunderstorm, commended BEDC for the gesture saying it will enable it to patrol high risk areas where power installations can be exposed to the activities of miscreants who steal cables and other accessories from transformers.

It said that the donation was a way of strengthening

the collaboration between BEDC and security agencies across the franchise states with a view to assist in curbing power assets vandalism.

The donation is one of BEDC corporate social responsibility initiatives geared toward tackling the menace of vandalism as it affects quality service delivery.

It is will be recalled that most of the vandals arrested in recent times were made through the effort of vigilant members of the public.

This, itself is a testament to the sustained education and enlightenment of BEDC on the

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͱ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

A

03.04.2018

WEEKLY PULL-OUT

‘SAN RANK IS NOT WOMAN FRIENDLY’

Mrs. Funke Ade Adekoya, SAN

2/DASHBOARD

03.04.2018

Propriety of Conviction of Accused Person Based on Only the Confessional Statement PAGE 4

Lagos Judiciary Gets New Sentencing Guidelines PAGE 5

NBA-SLP 2018 Port Harcourt Conference PAGE 5

Kogi CJ Swears-in Two Appointed Notaries Public PAGE 5

QUOTABLES ‘The criminal looting of this country, cannot be allowed to continue, and those who did it, must be held to account.’

– Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Late Professor Jelili Omotola’s Enduring Legacy PAGE 6

‘I think that Nigerians might be feeling that it is a boring subject, to keep making reference to the past Administration....When you talk of PDP and 16 years of bad administration, recall that close to 50% of the people in APC, were once in PDP. I think that the APC should talk about N Power, the Treasury Single Account, the revenue it has generated, foreign reserves, the success of the anti-corruption war, and talk about a lot of other things they will do for the country.....’

– Daniel Bwala, Legal Practitioner, Abuja

‘Maturity Must Be Every Lawyer’s Work Tool’ PAGE 6

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE EDITOR JUDE IGBANOI DEPUTY EDITOR AKINWALE AKINTUNDE REPORTER TUNDE BUSARI GROUP HEAD OCHI OGBUAKU II ART DIRECTOR

/3

Fela’s Evergreen and Nigeria’s Situation

T

Fela Anikulapo Kuti he late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, believed that real Afrobeat could not be sung in proper Queen’s English. So, though he had an excellent command of the English Language, he chose to sing in pidgin English laced with Yoruba, his native tongue. Do you remember Fela’s song “Confusion Break Bone”? It was released in 1975, I believe during the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon. Fela sang “......My people dey say Nigeria don dey, but me, as I see am, I know say Nigeria go go down.

Our country dey make money, my people of country no see money....I see many wrong things in Nigeria....When I say confusion, everything out of control, go be say, it pafuka o – pafuka na quench....I sing about one street for Lagos called Ojuelegba....Old news be dat....

If I sing say water no dey....electric light no dey....inflation....mismanagement....corruption.... stealing by government....”.

If only Fela was here today! He would be shocked that, the confusion which he sang about over 40 years ago, is nothing compared to what we are experiencing today; confusion at its peak! So many of Fela’s songs, like ‘Shuffering and Shmiling’, ‘Army Arrangement’ refer to corruption, confusion and suffering of the common man in Nigeria. I can imagine that if Fela were to be alive today, he would have had a field day of pointing out the ineptitude of our successive governments, and though Fela was against the military totalitarian way, I am cork sure that he would have been just as disappointed to discover that the democratic governments, are not much better.

I wonder how Fela would have felt, or what music he would have released, when his “old friend”, General Olusegun Obasanjo - to whom he practically dedicated his song “Zombie” which he released in 1976 - became civilian President (1999-2007) – maybe “Soldier in Civilian Skin” or something like that (remember his song ‘Beasts of No Nation’ – “Animal in Human Skin” - though that song was dedicated to General Buhari for putting Fela in jail/ what Fela saw as the undemocratic nature of the United Nations). We would probably have heard outright abuses, during the time of the ‘third term’ saga. With Generals Obasanjo and Babangida metamorphosing into letter writing social critics, and the dire straits that Nigeria finds itself presently, there would certainly have been more of Fela’s musical tongue lashing in songs like “Coffin for Head of State”!

Fela had Vision and Foresight Fela, na true you talk sha, like say you dey see vision (Fela, you spoke the truth, as if you were clairvoyant)! We dey see many wrong things for Nigeria (we are seeing many wrong things occur in Nigeria). Everything don go down, e don pafuka (everything has gone down, it is spoilt), confusion no just dey

Ojuelegba, na for everywhere in this country o (there is confusion, not just in Ojuelegba, but everywhere in this country). Today na Herdsmen, tomorrow Boko Bumbum, next tomorrow, Land Use Charge Law, last week, recovery of loot wey public officials don steal, next month ‘Mainagate’, today, foreign exchange too cost, poor education and healthcare nko? unnecessarily high cost of governance, arrest of NBA Branch Chairman wey dey protest increase in land use charge; the list no fit finish o (today it is the Herdsmen, tomorrow Boko Haram, day after tomorrow, Land Use Charge Law, last week, recovery of loot stolen by public officials, next month, ’Mainagate’, today, weakening of the Naira against foreign currencies, what about poor education and healthcare? unnecessarily high cost of governance; arrest of an NBA Branch Chairman protesting the increase in the Lagos State land use charge; the list is endless).

Today, in the guise of keeping the peace, the State is using the Police to gag the people and curb their freedom of expression, instead of spending their time more usefully, like ensuring that people don’t escape from custody, as they did in Kogi State! These days, if you talk wetin Government no like, not only will their spokespeople ‘zage zage’ you for public, na EFCC, Tax, Police dem go take pursue you (These days, if you criticise the Government, not only will their spokespeople abuse you in public, you will be pursued by EFCC, Tax and Police)! However, I hope our present situation, will never escalate to the time during General Obasanjo’s regime, sometime after the release of Zombie, when ‘Kalakuta Republic’ (Fela’s home) was raided, and violence and mayhem were unleashed there by the soldiers, who launched the attack on the Kalakuta citizens. Fela ended up with broken bones during the attack, while his mother, Chief (Mrs) Olufunmilayo Ransome-Kuti, a Human Rights Activist, was said to have been thrown down from the balcony, as a result of which she subsequently died, from the injuries she sustained from the encounter.

Why? When I heard that Lagos State Government had declared Thursday, March 29th, 2018 as a public holiday (work free day) and several roads were closed because the President (and Vice President) chose to do a two-day visit, I really wasn’t surprised. Let me be brutally honest, we are a country, that seems to have lost proper focus; confused, with misplaced priorities. Firstly, during such an important time for Christians, at the end of their fasting season, you chose to come and disrupt their activities. Secondly, where people are struggling to make ends meet, and we were at the peak of the Easter season, in which there would be some opportunity for people to make a little money because of the festive season, people buying and selling, you blocked the roads and said that people should stay at home, when Good Friday and Easter Monday

are already worldwide public holidays for staying at home? I watched a video clip of people being forced to walk long distances, because of the road close; they were full of curses for the APC and the Government!

Many people have been killed in Benue State, the North East and so on, by Herdsmen and Boko Haram. There is “fire on the mountain”, in many parts of the country.

The President and other top government officials, only popped in to those danger zones for a few hours; yet they deemed it fit to come to Lagos for 2 days to attend Birthday lectures, commissioning of bus stops, and inspection of new estates, estates which are obviously the preserve of the rich and not for the common man. When those that have been adversely affected by the extreme violence which has been unleashed on their communities, lash out in bitterness and frustration about the seeming insensitivity and nonchalant attitude to their plights, Government Officials will then call it ‘hate Speech’!

Pray tell, what is the importance of these functions that held in Lagos on March 29th and 30th that warranted road close? The laying of the foundation stone of the Lekki Deep Sea Port by the Vice President, is even slightly more understandable than those other functions. Abi APC don dey use kuru kere to start their Presidential Campaign?

(Or is the APC surreptitiously starting their Presidential Campaign?).

State Declaration of Public Holiday Another source of confusion in Nigeria, is not even knowing which law is valid or not. Recently, a lot of what we have been witnessing on most issues, are contradictions or uncertainty about the position of the law on the issues, both trivial and crucial ones.

Does the Chairman of EFCC need Senate confirmation? Must the Controller General of Customs wear uniform? Can NASS amend the Electoral Act and change the sequence of the elections? With every step, there is confusion and debate. Now, can a Governor even declare a public holiday? Some have argued that a Governor cannot declare a public holiday in his/her State.

Section 4(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (the Constitution), empowers the National Assembly inter alia, to make laws for the country, with respect to any matter included on the Exclusive Legislative List set out in Part 1 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution. Public Holidays is Item 51 on that list. Section2 (2) of the Public Holidays Act 1979 (the Act), subject to Section 2(1) of the Act, empowers a Governor to declare public holidays within the State. Section 2(3) of the Act defines ‘public holiday’ as part of the day or any day declared as a work free day.

I believe that by virtue of the Act, a Governor can declare a public holiday. My dear colleagues, am I right?

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

THE ADVOCATE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com onikepob@yahoo.com

“I WONDER HOW FELA WOULD HAVE FELT, OR WHAT MUSIC HE WOULD HAVE RELEASED, WHEN HIS “OLD FRIEND”, GENERAL OLUSEGUN OBASANJO - TO WHOM HE PRACTICALLY DEDICATED HIS SONG “ZOMBIE” WHICH HE RELEASED IN 1976 - BECAME CIVILIAN PRESIDENT (19992007) – MAYBE “SOLDIER IN CIVILIAN SKIN” OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT...”

Anyway, as Fela would have said, my conclusion be say, na all of us dey dis Nigeria for the past how many years wey PDP dey miscaform. Na una, APC, say u go ‘change’ am. Nobody force una. We don tire for all this blame game. Una dey sound like broken record o. Cockroach die, na PDP. Snake swallow money, na PDP. Oyinbo say “na bad workman dey blame im tools o”. Una don fall our hand. A beg, make una sharpen up, do the right thing. This suffer dey too much for Nigerians.

Dear Editor Re: Dapchi and the Shame of Northern Elite Dear Editor, I read your article in THISDAY today, you are absolutely correct, Keep it up.

Hafiz R, Abuja.

Dear Editor, Your writeup was brilliant, well articulated.

This is an issue which we had debated in the past, that is, whether these girls can speak English or not. It is really sad, that the standard of education in our country has hit rock bottom.

I had all my education in Nigeria, and even if I say so myself, I have an excellent command of the English Language. Why should it be any different now? I agree that Government should declare a state of emergency, in the education sector.

TC, Lagos

Fela

Dear Editor, Excellent piece on education and Honourable Kazaure. Well done.

SO, Lagos

4/LAW REPORT

03.04.2018

Propriety of Conviction of Accused Person Based on Only the Confessional Statement

O Facts

n 9th December, 2000, the deceased, a certain Chief Layi Balogun, and his security detail, were accosted at his residence by five unknown armed men who fired gun shots. The deceased, his security aide and members of his family, were then taken hostage and at about ten minutes later, both the deceased and the security aide were shot, after which the gun-men carted away the deceased’s cell phone, omega wristwatch and the sum of N20,000.00. The deceased later died, at the hospital.

The Appellant, (1st accused person), was charged along with three other co- accused persons, for the offences of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, murder and receiving stolen goods contrary to Sections 403A, 402(2) (A), 319(1) and 420 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Cap 32, Vol. 2 Laws of Lagos State of 1994. During trial, the defence objected to the admissibility of the confessional statement made by the Appellant, on the ground that it was made involuntarily, owing to which the trial Court conducted a trial-within-trial to determine its voluntariness. The trial Court found that the statement was made voluntarily, and admitted it in evidence. Thereafter, the Court found that the Respondent had proved its case against the Appellant and his co-accused persons beyond reasonable doubt, and convicted them accordingly. The Appellant, being dissatisfied with the decision of the trial Court, unsuccessfully appealed to the Court of Appeal.

The Appellant further appealed to the Supreme Court.

Issues for Determination In deciding the appeal, the Supreme Court was guided by the encompassing issues distilled by the Respondent thus: (i) Whether the eminent justices of the Court of Appeal, were right in holding admissible Exhibit H, the purported confessional statement of the Appellant predominantly relied on in convicting him as charged, same having been established not to have been obtained under duress; and (ii) Whether apart from the Exhibit ‘H’, the Prosecution led cogent and credible evidence in proof of the guilt of the Appellant beyond reasonable doubt.

Arguments For the Appellant, it was contended that the confessional statement obtained was made involuntarily, and that where elements of oppression either by way of torture, inhumane or degrading treatment is established, the voluntariness of the statement is vitiated thereby. The Court was urged to expunge from the record, the legally inadmissible purported confessional statement attributed to the Appellant. Counsel submitted further that, the purported identification of the Appellant was vague and imprecise, as the identification of the Appellant on the television by PW1 and PW2 as one of the robbers, cannot take the place of lawfully conducted identification parade.

The Respondent on its part, argued that the Court below rightly considered the ratio decidenci adopted by the trial Court, in reaching the decision that the confessional statement was voluntarily obtained.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale In determining the appeal, the Court reiterated the renowned modes of proof of criminal cases which are: (i) by testimony of eye witness(es) who watched, heard or witnessed the commission of the crime by the accused person(s); (ii) through confessional statement voluntarily made by the accused person; and (iii) through circumstantial evidence, which clearly points to the sole fact that the accused and no other person, committed the offence charged. In this case, the prosecution sought to tender in evidence the confessional statement made by the Appellant, which was objected to on the ground that it was obtained through torture. The Court on this noted the settled law that, where there is a dispute on whether or not an accused person made the statement sought to be tendered, and if same was voluntary, it was the duty of the trial Court to try the voluntariness of such statement by conducting a trial-within-trial, otherwise known as a mini trial. OLAYINKA v THE STATE (2007) 9 NWLR (PT. 1040) 5. The trial Court having ascertained the voluntariness of the extra-judicial statement of the Appellant, it was duty bound to rely and act on the confessional statement.

The court noted the principle that, the free and voluntary confession of guilt alone by an accused person, provided it is direct and positive and was duly made

Amiru Sanusi, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday the 19th Day of January, 2018 Before Their Lordships Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili Musa Dattijo Muhammad Clara Bata Ogunbiyi Amiru Sanusi Ejembi Eko Justices, Supreme Court SC.488/2016 Between Lekan Olaoye .........Appellant And The State ......Respondent (Lead Judgement delivered by Hon. Amiru Sanusi, JSC)

voluntarily, is sufficient to ground a conviction, since a confession always remains the best proof of what he had done. ALABI v STATE (1993) 7 NWLR (PT. 307) 5. Looking at the statement of the accused person vis-à-vis the record of proceedings, the trial Court undoubtedly examined and evaluated the statement guided by the requirements set down by the Apex Court, which the lower Court duly considered before endorsing the decision of the trial that the statements were voluntarily made.

“....THE CONFESSION OF AN ACCUSED PERSON TO THE COMMISSION OF AN OFFENCE, PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN THE DETERMINATION OF HIS GUILT; A TRIAL COURT IS THEREBY, FREE TO CONVICT HIM, EVEN ON THE CONFESSIONAL STATEMENT ALONE, ONCE THAT TRIAL COURT IS CONVINCED THAT THE CONFESSION IS VOLUNTARY”

Noting that, the confession of an accused person to the commission of an offence, plays a vital role in the determination of his guilt; a trial Court is thereby, free to convict him, even on the confessional statement alone, once that trial Court is convinced that the confession is voluntary. It was also emphasised that a mere retraction of a voluntary statement by an accused person, as in this case, does not render such statement inadmissible, worthless, or untrue in considering his guilt. IDOWU v STATE (2000) 7 SC (PT.II) 50 On want of corroborative evidence, the Court noted that PW1 and PW2 were eye witnesses, who witnessed the criminal act perpetrated by the Appellant and his partners. They heard the sound of the gunshots fired at the deceased, and both gave uncontradicted and uncontroverted testimonies, which corroborated the statement. Similarly, some exhibits in the nature of goods that were robbed from the deceased, were tendered by the prosecution at the trial, in proof of the offences the Appellant was charged with, tried and convicted for by the trial Court.

Furthermore, the witnesses called by the prosecution, had given credible and reliable evidence, which fixed the Appellant at the scene of the crime. Thus, the pieces of evidence were neither contradicted nor challenged in any material respect at the trial, and the Appellant was pinned down in the commission of the offences charged.

Regarding the complaint by Counsel for the Appellant, that the Prosecution did not provide a witness to testify in the case during the trial-within-trial, the Supreme Court noted that the prosecution is not bound to call every person linked to the commission of the crime by physical presence or otherwise, to give evidence on what he perceived. Once persons who can testify to the actual commission of the crime and on the other ingredients have done so, such will suffice for the satisfaction of the principle of proof beyond reasonable doubt, as stipulated in Section 138(1) Evidence Act, 2011 as amended. THE STATE v OGBUBUOYO & ANOR (2001) 12 NWLR (PT. 678) 576. As a matter of fact, the evidence of a single witness who gives cogent eye witness account of the incident, can suffice. ODILI v STATE (1977) 4 SC 1.

On the requirement for identification parade as posited by the Appellant, their Lordships held that identification parade is not sine qua non for conviction. It is sufficient, if credible evidence is adduced to show that the person charged with an offence, is the same as the person who was seen committing the offence(s). Thus, when a trial Court is confronted with identification evidence, all it is required to do, is to be satisfied that the evidence of identification had established the guilt of the accused person beyond reasonable doubt.

UKPABI v STATE (2004) 6-7 SC 27. In this case, the two eye witnesses had interaction with the Appellant and the other co-accused persons, for a reasonable time during the commission of the offences. Also, the Appellant had fixed himself at the scene of the crime, on the day of the incident. Agreeing with the two lower Courts, the Apex Court held that, the requirement of formal identification parade was superfluous.

On the quality of evidence of the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), the Court disagreed with the Appellant that the evidence of the IPO was hearsay, because he narrated to the Court the outcome of his investigation, and in the course of his duty, he must have discovered some pieces of evidence vital to the commission of the crime, which the Court considered in arriving at a just decision, one way or the other. Hence, the lower court was right in refusing to discountenance the evidence adduced

by PW3. Finally, the Court noted the concurrent findings of two lower Courts, that the prosecution had proved it case against the Appellant beyond reasonable doubt; thus, as matter of practice, the Apex Court is usually hesitant in interfering with such findings, except in special circumstances, such as where the findings are perverse or where there is misapplication of law.

Based on the foregoing, the Court resolved the two issues against the Appellant, and accordingly, dismissed the appeal. The judgement of the Court of Appeal, which had earlier affirmed the judgement of the trial Court, was affirmed.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation: F.A. Dalley and O.A. Olude for the Appellant Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour (Mrs.) with Thomas Ojo, Ireti Banjo and Princess Obi for the Respondent.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited (Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR))

03.04.2018

NEWS/5

Kogi CJ Swears-in Two Appointed NotariesPublic Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja

L-R: Justice Josiah Majebi, Mr. Usman Joshua Enemali, the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasiru Ajanah and Mr. Babatunde Raphael Bello, after the swearing-in ceremony recently, in Lokoja

Lagos Judiciary Gets New Sentencing Guidelines Akinwale Akintunde Lagos State Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Opeyemi Oke, last Tuesday, unveiled new sentencing guidelines for Judges and Magistrates in the State.

Justice Oke said the guidelines, which were formally presented to the public during the inaugural meeting of the Justice Sector Reform Committee, would ensure uniformity of punishments imposed on convicts, by all the Judges and Magistrates handling criminal cases in the State.

She explained that the sentencing guidelines were part of the justice sector reforms, adding that, the vision of the Lagos State Judiciary under the present administration, is to make speedy dispensation of justice a hallmark of the Judiciary, and to improve on its reputation as a pace

setter.

According to Justice Oke, the economic prosperity of the State, was tied to an effective Judiciary.

The Chief Judge noted that, this can only be achieved, through inter-agency collaboration and cooperation of stakeholders.

“Any society with a sound criminal justice system, enjoys rapid economic growth.

“Going forward, the Lagos State Government is working towards building a ‘citizencentric’ criminal justice system for the purpose of ensuring efficient and effective justice delivery”, the Chief Judge added.

Justice Oke also said that, a Committee has been set up to proffer practice directions for the use of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, for the purpose of making the law more explicit for Judges, Magistrates and Prosecutors.

She said the Committee, aside from interventions in the pipeline, will evaluate initiatives such as adopting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in criminal trials, increase the use of plea bargain to drastically reduce the number of inmates awaiting trial, front loading of evidence, and restorative justice.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, said inter-agency collaboration, was sine qua non for building an efficient justice system.

Kazeem said the inaugural meeting of the Justice Sector Reform Committee, was in line with the plan to have periodic interagency discussions on the challenges facing the criminal justice system, and find practical solutions to them.

The AG added that Judges in the Criminal Division, Magistracy, the Police, Prisons, Ministry of Justice, among others, would participate in the discussion at the SubCommittee level.

“Lagos is the first to have a justice reform team, and the reforms that have been implemented, are being used by other State Justice reform teams all over the country. The State hosted the Conference of Justice Reform Team, with representation from 26 States across Nigeria.

“I thank the stakeholders, and encourage them to do more. The State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, is a man with a deep passion for reform, especially in the Justice sector, and is willing to support initiatives that will ensure that his vision for a crime - free State is achieved”, Kazeem said.

The Kogi State Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, recently swore-in two newly appointed Notaries Public, namely Mr. Babatunde Raphael Bello and Mr Usman Joshua Enamali, respectively.

The Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah after swearing them in at the State High Court in Lokoja, charged them to use the position to meet the challenges of the problems of justice, for the benefit of the people of Kogi State.

The Chief Judge, who pointed out that the appointments are an acknowledgement of the calibre of legal practitioners in the State, noted that the honesty, dedication to duty, candour and the belief in the rule of law exhibited

by Mr Bello and Mr Enamali,

N500m Fraud: Court Fixes April 10 for Arraignment of Badagry Prince Akinwale Akintunde Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has fixed April 10, 2018 for the arraignment of Mr. Semasa Kolade James, son of a late ruler of Kweme Kingdom, Oba Afolabi Ogungbe James.

The Special Fraud Unit of Police, accused Semasa Kolade James of stealing and forgery.

James was accused of fraudulently converting to his own use and personal benefit, the sum of N500 million, property of his late father's estate, between 2010 and 2017 in Lagos.

One of the counts read, “That you Semasa Kolade James, in 2011 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, know-

NBA-SLP 2018 Port Harcourt Conference The Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association – Section on Legal Practice is slated for the 12th – 13th of April, 2018.

The theme of the conference is “Re-thinking and Re-tooling Legal Practice for the Challenges of our Time”.

This theme is apt and expedient now more than ever, considering recent ethical issues and changes in substantive law that keep occurring. There are over Fifty Thousand Lawyers in Nigeria today, and increasingly, perhaps as a result of the number, there has been an increase in allegations of sharp practices, complaints and petitions against Lawyers.

Some have been disbarred or suspended. What can Lawyers do about their practice, and drive their increase in income?

How can we equip ourselves to be more relevant in these times?

This conference is intended to address these issues, and answer your questions on the way forward.

The conference will have as Chairman and Special Guest, the Honourable, The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter S. N. Onnoghen, GCON. Amongst others in attendance will also be The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, A. B. Mahmoud, SAN; The Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON; the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Judicial Division, other Justices of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, the Chief Judge of Anambra State, and other Judges from other courts and jurisdictions.

The first day, 12th April, 2018 will feature the first of three sessions. Session one will be chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, with the topic “Practicing Law in a Regulated Environment – What we need to know”.

“The law” as it is today will be considered and the Speaker will be Uwa Etigwe, SAN. “The reality of the law” will

also be considered by Yemi Candide Johnson, SAN as Speaker. Discussants to the topic in the first session will be a formidable team of Funke Adekoya, SAN; Charles Ajuyah, SAN; Folashade Alli, Esq.; Ayo Akintunde, SAN and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN. The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, A. B. Mahmoud, SAN, will reveal “The Future” which will culminate as an interactive session.

Session two will be chaired by the Honourable Attorney-General of Rivers State, Chinwe Aguma, SAN, with topic -“Economic and White-collar crimes- Is the Administration of Criminal Justice Act the right tool for effective justice delivery?”

Speakers will be Chile Okoroma Esq. Director Legal and Prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Mr. Mahmoud Magaji, SAN who

will give the perspective from the defence. Mr. Charles Adeogun- Philips Esq. who is a former Genocide and War Crimes Prosecutor will be the Discussant.

Session three will be chaired

by The Honourable Justice A. A. B. Gumel, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, with topic “The Bench & the Bar - Managing our Symbiotic Relationship” Speakers will be the nominee of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who will speak from the perspective of the Bench while Yakubu Maikyau, SAN will speak from the Bar’s perspective.

Discussants are eminent Senior Advocates Funke Aboyade and Arthur ObiOkafor.

To strike the right balance with work and pleasure, there will be a networking lunch and a reception at 6:00pm hosted by the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA. It promises to be a lot of fun.

Day Two which is the 13th

has brought the well merited appointment.

According to him "You will realise that acknowledgement of this nature, comes with concomitant obligations. You are constantly in the public glare.

"As an officer of the Supreme Court, and in accordance with the Notary Public Act, you are imbued with some powers and responsibilities. You are to exempt yourself from acting in matters which you have interest in, and in other cases, you are to perform your responsibilities with utmost good faith".

While charging them to comply with the provisions of the Second Schedule of Notary Public Act, the Chief Judge warned them not to use the appointment for the purpose of mischief or fanning the embers of political sentiment.

April, 2018 will feature the fourth and fifth sessions.

Session four will be chaired

by Hon. Okey Wali, SAN, with the topic “Problems Impeding our Fee Earning Capabilities as Legal Practitioners”. The Speaker will be Mark Mordi Esq. with Discussants as, Paul Usoro, SAN; Mrs. Ibioku J. Owugah and Elijah Briggs Esq. Session five will be chaired

by Hon. O. C. J Okocha SAN, MFR with the topic “Preparing for the 2019 Elections - Experiences under the Electoral Act No, 6 of 2010 - Any need for Amendments?” The Speaker will be Emmanuel C. Ukala, SAN with Discussanta as Donald Denwigwe, SAN; Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN and Ahmed Raji, SAN. All you need to know in election matters you will learn from them.

This conference which is accredited and will attract CLE points, promises to be revealing and rewarding.

ingly forged the Resolution of a company called CAJ Industrial Enterprises Limited, dated 28th November, 2011, by purporting that the said Resolution was signed by your father, as one of the directors of the company, whereas your your father died on 30th January, 2002, and you forged the said Resolution, with intent that it may in any way be used or acted upon as genuine, whether in Lagos State or elsewhere to the prejudice of any person”.

James was to be arraigned on March 26, 2018, but several legal arguments stalled his arraignment, which was later fixed for April 10.

At the proceeding, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Ekong Sunday, could not convince the Judge to put the accuse on trial.

He argued that, the arraignment should hold because the suspect who had been on administrative bail, had earlier jumped the bail.

But counsel to the defence, Mr. Martins Oyigu disagreed, stating that the arraignment was supposed to hold on April 10, as earlier agreed by both parties.

He further accused the Prosecutor of reneging on an earlier agreement, when he came to Court on 8th of March, without informing him that his client would be arraigned.

He added that, the Prosecutor only got in touch with him at the weekend (Friday), that the matter was coming up for arraignment.

When Justice Taiwo queried the motive behind the Prosecutor’s approach, he replied that the suspect jumped bail and evaded arrest several times, hence his current position.

After listening to arguments for and against the Defendant’s arraignment, the Judge ordered the Defendant’s counsel to undertake to produce his client in court, and adjourned the matter to April 10 for arraignment.

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Late Professor Jelili Omotola’s Enduring Legacy Akinwale Akintunde The Late Professor Jelili Adebisi Ajetumobi Omotola, SAN, was a man of true pedigree and fine distinction, whose scholarly and brilliant mind was evident through his vast achievements and contribution in the academia and far beyond, most especially concerning land law in Africa. The Late Professor straddled major citadels of learning with huge published works, conferences, court references, inventions, professional/academic distinctions, scholarships, fellowships, journal contributions and editorials.

True to his colossal status, he published 50 articles in various Law Journals from 1973-2004. His first article in 1973 in the Nigerian Law Journal Vol. 7, pp.38-47, was titled “Adverse Possession of Registered Land” and his 50th article in 2004, was titled “Primogeniture in African Customary Law: Survival of Culture: University of Indiana Law Review Vol. 15 (2004).

Professor Omotola who was also a prolific legal writer, wrote his first book “Essays on the Land Use Act” published by the UNILAG Press in 1980. In 1982, he wrote the “Report of a National Workshop on the Land Use Act” also published by UNILAG Press. In 1983, he offered “Cases on the Land Use Act” and in 1984, he became the Editor, Journal of Private and Property Law, UNILAG. The erudite Omotola invented the word “DEEMED GRANT”, in order to distinguish it from “ACTUAL GRANT’ in the Land Use Act (1978) first contested at the Court of Appeal, accepted as his invention in the Supreme Court. The term is now nationally adopted.

At a public presentation of the book “ABC of Contemporary Land Law in Nigeria”,

written by Honourable Justice Innocent Umezulike, former Chief Judge of Enugu State, former Deputy Governor, Delta State, Professor Amos Utuama, SAN, said that “the commitment and interest in the research and teaching of Property Law of the late Professor Jelili Omotola, was unparalleled.”

While commending Justice Umezulike for dedicating his work to Professor Omotola by bringing the memory of the legendary legal scholar back into reckoning, Utuama said “Professor Omotola’s seminal writings on the Land Use Act, were and remain of immense assistance to members of the legal profession, like the Judges, Lawyers who argue before the courts; these help students and bureaucrats in understanding its policy and principles. His works remain most authoritatively outstanding, cited and relied upon, by the very best in the legal profession”.

In his article “Reminisce on Omotola, Land Law” (The Guardian, Sunday, April 13, 2008), Kunle Sanyaolu avers that “although he was many things to many people, including being an Activist and National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the Nigerian Bar association (NBA), Omotola stood out distinctively, for his profundity for law relating to real property.

Two (now twelve – emphasis mine) years after his demise, Omotola’s life and times continue to be cherished by thousands of people, who had one opportunity or another to have come across him”.

Sanyaolu writes further that “as an Administrator, he would be remembered for being the architect of a millennium University of Lagos.

His tenure as VC featured an unprecedented pace of activities and development of the ivory tower, which would be difficult to match or surpass”.

The late Professor Jelili Omotola, SAN

For 24 years or so before his death, Omotola had advocated a review or repeal of the Land Use Act, enacted 40 years ago.

He dealt extensively with the law, in his UNILAG inaugural lecture in the late ‘80s, and came out with a resounding applause.

His comprehensive position and suggestions

on the Act, were then reduced to the “10 Commandments” by Professor Nurudeen Alao. It is instructive that, even after his death, his analysis of the Land Use Act remained so strong, as to elicit yet another round of lively debate on what should be the fate of the Act”.

Legal Personality of the Week Akinwunmi Salawu

‘Maturity Must Be Every Lawyer’s Work Tool’ I am Akinwunmi Salawu Esq. I graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife with LL.B (Hons) in 1991. I obtained my BL from the Nigerian Law School in 1992. I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK). I did my mandatory NYSC in Warri, Delta State and I served as the Legal Adviser to the Legislative Arm of Warri/ South Local Government. I was the Youth Corp liaison officer for the Warri/South Local Government, where I was saddled with the responsibility of managing and coordinating the affairs and welfare of all NYSC members in the local government.

Within that period, I practiced in the law firm of Eyewu Oritsejafor & Co. till 1993. Between 1993 and 2003, I have worked as legal Officer at Tropical Group of Companies (La Campagne Tropical and Corporate Guards) and as counsel in the law firm of Awokoya, Awokoya & Co. I joined Chris Ogunbanjo LP in 2003, and I am currently the Group Head, Dispute Resolution and Arbitration.

My core area of practice is commercial litigation and I have substantial expertise in civil litigation, Arbitration, Land matters, Insurance, Industrial Relations, ADR and Immigration matters generally.

I am a lover of sports. I also enjoy good music.

Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer and if so, what were the main challenges?

The greatest challenge in my career as a legal practitioner (litigator), is the delay in the administration and dispensation of justice. As a young Lawyer, I always imagined that the procedure of obtaining justice would be as fast as possible, given

was finally ready, the court read about a quarter of the judgement and stopped, on the grounds that mistakes not obvious to either counsel were observed, and the judgement was further adjourned without letting either of us know the position of the court on the judgement, in order to erase any doubt whenever it is eventually delivered. Judgement was eventually delivered, a week thereafter.

The incident generated a lot of anxiety in me, such that I had long sleepless nights, until the day judgement was eventually delivered.

Akinwunmi Salawu

the maxim - “justice delayed is justice denied”.

The one that touches me the most is the delay suffered at the Apex Court, where civil appeals may not be heard for upwards of 10 years, unlike criminal appeals. Today, I have an appeal filed in 2009 pending at the Supreme Court, with no indication of when the Hearing notice will be issued.

What was your worst day as a Lawyer?

I was involved in a matter where the delivery of judgement was adjourned three times, and when the judgement

What was your most memorable experience as a Lawyer?

I feel delighted at every opportunity to represent a litigant, whether corporate or individual, and I am able to present my clients’ case in such a way that their interest has been well protected, and I am able to improve on my skills at the same time. I consider it a “win-win” in such instances.

Who has been the most influential person in your life?

My parents and siblings, for the encouragement and full support they have given me, from the beginning to the end, without complaints.

Professionally, I would say Mr. and Mrs. Dele Awokoya (Awokoya, Awokoya & Co.), who taught me the basic rudiments of legal practice, with support and exposure throughout the geo-political zones of Nigeria, right from chambers attachment. My Managing Partner, Mr Abimbola Ogunbanjo, (President, Nigeria Stock Exchange), for giving me the opportunity to grow in strength, with robust

support where and when necessary.

My wife and children, for tolerating me and for giving me their unwavering support through my trials and tribulations.

Why did you become a Lawyer?

As a young boy growing up in Ibadan, Oyo State, we had a senior family friend who called me Ramoni Alao the Lawyer, a name he got from a drama series on NTV Ibadan back in the day. My late mum also always referred to me as “Lawyer”, because I always liked to be given the opportunity to explain myself.

I was very curious about who Lawyers were and what they do. I realised that my academic strength lay in the humanities, and coupled with my interest in a professional vocation, I chose the legal profession in fulfilment of my childhood perception of a Lawyer.

What would be your advice to anyone wanting a career in Law? The greatest tool of a lawyer is maturity, and once a lawyer possesses this quality, every other thing will follow. Once you have this attribute, it will be easy to grow in strength and practice.

If you had not become a Lawyer, what career would you have chosen?

Managerial work, either in business generally or in real estate.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

By His grace, to be recognised by my peers and clients, as one of the best in my profession, and to be blessed with enough resources to positively affect people around me and my community.

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‘SAN Rank Is Not Woman Friendly’ Despite the great advances the Nigerian legal profession has witnessed, female Lawyers have still not been accorded their rightful place. The situation is worse, at the Inner Bar. But the few women who have made it to the exalted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, did so not just by a dint of hard work, but by personal sacrifices and swimming against the strong tides in a male dominated profession. Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN, is one of them.

She graduated from the University of Ife in 1974, and was called to the Bar in 1975. She then obtained her LL.M from Harvard Law School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA in 1977. In 2001, Mrs. Adekoya became the fifth woman to be conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. A former 1st Vice President of the NBA, a consummate litigation Lawyer and seasoned Arbitrator, Mrs. Adekoya told Onikepo Braithwaite about her fortuitous but meritorious appointment, as a member of the exalted World Bank Sanctions Board, the first and only Nigerian who has had the rare privilege of that global recognition. She further spoke on a myriad of other complex issues, in the Nigerian legal profession.

I

n 2001, you were the 5th woman to be conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). To date, only 4% of SANs are female. Why is this so? What advice can you give to women who are aspiring to attain the rank? Do you think Lawyers who concentrate solely on Arbitration, should have their own criteria for attaining the rank of SAN? Women have not aspired to the rank of Senior Advocate in the same numbers as men, because the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is for Lawyers in litigation, and the litigation terrain is not woman friendly; as a result, many women have concentrated on the arbitration arena where they are more in control of their own time. However, since arbitration is a means of dispute resolution, I do not think that Lawyers who concentrate solely on arbitration should have their own criteria for attaining the rank. As arbitration counsel, they perform the same role before the arbitrator as Lawyers do before the judge; again arbitration awards are often appealed before the courts where they will appear.

The litigation terrain is tough, travelling all over the State or the country to handle cases, often conflicts with women’s societal obligations as nurturers to their husbands and children. Also, the time required to adequately prepare cases for trial, does not respect conventional 9-5 working hours. All these factors, mean that many women would have dropped out of the litigation circuit, by the time they should be acquiring the seniority and caseload required for a SAN application. For as long as we keep saying ‘there are no ladies at the Bar’, we will not address these issues which hinder many women from reaching their full potential as litigators. We women, need to fight to have our gender acknowledged in the profession, as a first step towards acknowledging that the playing field is not equal. That is why I always object, when referred to as ‘my brother silk’.

We must push for the changes that will ensure that, women can remain as litigators in private practice, while still maintaining proper work/life balance.

Again by our nature, we tend not to push ourselves into the limelight. We are content with doing our job well, and then, going home to the family. As a result, some women who could have applied for the rank many years ago, never turned their minds towards it.

Some people are advocating for the abolition of the rank of SAN completely, just like it was abolished in Ghana. One of the reasons for their stance, is that they believe that the rank gives the SANs unfair advantages over the general population of Lawyers, and signifies that SANs are better or more competent than Lawyers who are not SANs. Even the Presidency of the NBA now seems to be the exclusive preserve of SANs. Kindly, comment on this.

I do not support the abolition of the rank of Senior Advocate, it is meant to be an acknowledgment of excellence in advocacy, for those who have it. Those who speak of unfair advantages talk of 2 things; the ability to mention your cases in court ahead of other colleagues, and the belief that the rank entitles the holder to charge monstrously higher professional fees than Lawyers who do not hold the rank. The privilege of mentioning your case ahead of others, is meant to provide an opportunity for other colleagues to learn from the manner of case presentation and advocacy, which has earned the silk the rank. The privilege would not be a problem if the courts were efficiently run, such that the daily cause lists are not unduly long. Lawyers complain, because they say once a silk is in court, their cases will not be heard due to the long cause lists. As for

the increased fees that come with the rank, clients are generally quite savvy, and will price the legal services based on the importance of the matter and the innovative principles of law involved. I personally, have not been a recipient of the ‘jumbo’ fees being touted as earned by SANs; perhaps it is because I am a female silk!

The NBA national elections are here again.

What are your views on adoption of candidates for offices by regional fora? Is it still desirable at this point?

Personally, I do not support the adoption of candidates for NBA offices by ethnic/regional fora. Adoption says that, the forum prefers one of its members over another. Now that ‘rotation’ of candidature amongst the various geo-political zones has been put in the NBA Constitution, adoption has become unnecessary – a zone should allow all its candidates to contest, and give us the freedom of choice. It will seriously damage the influence and credibility of a zonal group, where the candidate that it has endorsed does not win the election; this has happened before, and is sure to happen more frequently, as we have abandoned the corruption prone delegates system, and returned to the universal suffrage voting system. My regional forum cannot dictate to me who I should vote for; and what sanction can they impose on me if I do not support or vote for their ‘adopted’ candidate?

I do not even like the idea of an ethnic/regional fora for Lawyers, as it is very divisive in a country in which we are still trying to mould a national identity.

Within the profession, it encourages us to first have our allegiance to an ethnic agenda, meaning we will never consider ourselves to be Nigerians first, and members of an ethnic group second.

What is your assessment of electronic voting vis-à-vis universal suffrage, since its introduction in the last election 2016?

I have contested NBA elections for the NBA Presidency twice before, and I can confidently say anywhere, that the previous delegates system was corruption ridden. Branch Chairmen needed to be ‘courted’, to ensure that their delegates voted en bloc for the candidate; meanwhile, there was no assurance that the same delegates were not being promised to each and every candidate! And who determines how the delegates would vote? Lawyers would struggle to become delegates, so they can make money from candidates. Branch Chairmen would approach identified candidates for assistance in paying practice fees and branch dues for branch members, since the number of delegates per branch was calculated based on branch membership strength. I could go on and on.

With universal suffrage, every Lawyer has the right to vote, once he or she is up to date with practice fees and branch dues. In 2016, Lawyers were able to vote from anywhere in the world, once they had completed the accreditation process. Although there were minor technical hiccups which always occur when a new system is being implemented, I am sure these will have been sorted out by the time of this year’s elections.

The issue of the appointment of the new Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Law School came to the fore recently, that is, that the Council of Legal Education allegedly failed to follow due process in its recommendation of him as the DG of Law School. Has the Body of Benchers waded into this matter? People are saying that, if we Lawyers and our governing bodies are not following due process, why should anyone expect Government to obey the rule of law?

I was not at the last meeting of the Body of Benchers, and so I cannot speak on this issue. I was not even aware of the complaint; however, due process must be followed at all times.

“I HAVE CONTESTED NBA ELECTIONS FOR THE NBA PRESIDENCY TWICE BEFORE, AND I CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY ANYWHERE, THAT THE PREVIOUS DELEGATES SYSTEM WAS CORRUPTION RIDDEN”

Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN PHOTOS: Kolawole Alli

“I DO NOT SUPPORT THE ABOLITION OF THE RANK OF SENIOR ADVOCATE, IT IS MEANT TO BE AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF EXCELLENCE IN ADVOCACY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE IT”

As a former 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), you may have heard NBA Members complaining that our umbrella body has lost its vibrancy and become rather lack lustre, not taking tough stands on issues when it should, except on the October 2016 raids on the Judiciary.

What is your opinion on this allegation?

I agree that the NBA has lost its vibrancy, and I put this down to three reasons: firstly, the structure of the association which does not allow for continuity in plans and policies; secondly, the association is not professionally managed and thirdly, the manner in which elections into national elections were conducted in the past. Because a new set of officers are elected to lead the association every 2 years, any policy or strategy which requires long term implementation is ‘dead on arrival’, more so, when we do not have the calibre of administrative support in the national secretariat, that will make the national officers purely titular, while the secretariat runs the organisation and

implements agreed long term policies and strategies. Then, the amount of time and effort required to contest NBA elections, resulted in the emergence of ‘professional Bar politicians’ who were interested in contesting purely for personal career development, and not with the best interests of the profession at heart. The resources required to contest NBA elections prior to 2016, meant that candidates were often surreptitiously bankrolled by State Governments and ‘godfathers’ within the profession, with their own vested interests. All this has resulted in the perceived lack of ‘vibrancy’. I honestly think it is the change to a universal suffrage, that has enabled the NBA to shed its shackles and regain its vibrancy. The current President of the Bar, can claim to ‘belong to everybody and belong to nobody’.

Do you think the October 2016 raids were necessary? Did they yield any positive results? In any event, it seems that those who were arrested and humiliated during the raids, have been let off the hook. What steps do you think must be taken, to stem judicial corruption?

In my personal view, I think the October raids on the Judiciary were necessary. Unless we want to continue to deceive ourselves, the perception was [and still remains to some extent], that the Judiciary was for sale to the highest bidder. One of the principles of the Rule of Law is that, no-one is above the law. In 2015, Brazilian police raided the homes of the former President and current Senator Fernando Collor and two other sitting congressmen, and in 2016, raided the home of its ex-President Lula da Silva. Based on my reading of the EFCC and DSS legislation, I do not think that the manner in which the raids were carried out breached the rule of law. Earlier this month, the Austrian police conducted raids targeting offices and staff of the main domestic intelligence service. I do not think the Judiciary should be exempt.

As to the fact that most of the Judges have been let off the hook: what I hear on the street is “the executive investigated corruption claims against some of its officials and cleared them, likewise the Senate, why should the judiciary be different?” If the profession really wants to stem judicial corruption, we as Lawyers, need to be courageous enough to stop soliciting favours from the Judges, stop offering them inducements, and then build a rock solid case against the few Judges who drag the name of the vast silent majority down into the mud. Corruption cases are caught with hidden cameras and microphones, marked money and investigative journalism, which produces an irrefutable mountain of circumstantial evidence.

You were recently reappointed as a member of the World Bank Group Sanctions Board. What

is the function of this body? To what extent can Nigeria leverage on that?

My membership of the World Bank Sanctions Board, has been a real eye-opener. I was appointed by the President of the World Bank in November 2014 for a 3 year term, shortly after losing the NBA Presidential elections. My tenure has since been renewed for a second 3 year term. The Sanctions Board, is a totally independent administrative tribunal comprising 7 ‘judges’ who handle cases involving ‘sanctionable’ practices associated with World Bank projects. The members of the Board are independent of the World Bank, and represent the major economic regions of the world. I am privileged to be the first Nigerian appointed to the Board.

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10/COVER ‘SAN RANK IS NOT WOMAN FRIENDLY’

A ‘sanctionable’ practice is defined in the Sanctions Board Statutes, as an act that involves fraudulent, corrupt, collusive, coercive or obstructive practices, in the context of a World Bank assisted project. The Respondent in the proceedings, is usually a World Bank contractor or consultant involved in a World Bank financed or supported project anywhere in the world, alleged to have engaged in a sanctionable practice.

What I find most interesting about the assignment, is the standard of proof ; once the case is put forward by the prosecutorial arm of the World Bank, we are required to determine whether it is ‘more likely than not’ that the Respondent engaged in a sanctionable practice. Of course, allegations of bribery, corruption and fraud may be difficult to prove ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, which is the criminal law standard. However the burden of proof, still starts with the prosecutorial arm, and then shifts to the Respondent. Perhaps, it is time for Nigeria to consider changing the burden of proof in financial crimes and corruption cases, to a ‘more likely than not’ burden, which is akin to the civil standard of ‘balance of probabilities’.

You are a seasoned Arbitrator, well known for Alternative Dispute Resolution, way beyond the shores of our country. Why does it seem that Arbitration has not caught on well in Nigeria?

Why do Nigerians, and indeed Africans, tend not to see Arbitration as a final dispute resolution mechanism, and usually proceed to court when they are dissatisfied with the award, resulting in spending longer periods of time resolving disputes, when part of the essence of Arbitration is to shorten dispute resolution?

I actually think that, arbitration has caught on quite well in Nigeria. What many of us have refused to accept is the finality of the award. We see it as an alternative to litigation, but forget that the review process is extremely limited. When arbitrators are appointed on a ‘patronage’ or ‘jobs for the boys’ basis, there is a tendency to want to appeal against an unsatisfactory award, on the ground that the arbitrator was wrong, forgetting that in arbitration, an arbitrator is allowed to ‘get it wrong’ as long as it does not amount to misconduct. Once we ensure that arbitrators are appointed on the basis of technical knowledge, merit and expertise, then the tendency to appeal the award will die down, as the arbitrator will fully explain in the award, why he or she has reached the decision made in the award. If we are honest with our clients, we will then advice them that the chances of successfully setting aside the award are very slim, or non- existent.

03.04.2018 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

You are always on the move for one arbitral assignment or the other. As one who has distinguished herself in litigation, up to the point of silk, why do you prefer Arbitration to Litigation?

The only difference between arbitration and litigation, is that the former is controlled by the parties. The amount of work required to prove your case in each instance, is the same. I just found it frustrating to have prepared the case for trial, and the court is not sitting, or unable to hear me because the other side has asked for an adjournment. If parties agree on a hearing date in arbitration proceedings and one party later asks for an adjournment, the arbitral tribunal may not automatically grant it; instead the claim may be thrown out, and the other party asked to proceed with its counterclaim if it has one. If granted, the costs of the adjournment are very heavy, and may include the costs of the venue for the day, the arbitrator’s fees for the day, and all costs incidental to the hearing [witness attendance and administrative costs]. If you will incur costs of N300,000 for an adjournment, it had better be with the approval of your client.

You have been quite prominent on the international legal scene. Nigeria is not only the most populous nation in Africa, we also pride ourselves with having the biggest and most vibrant Bar

“I AGREE THAT THE NBA HAS LOST ITS VIBRANCY, AND I PUT THIS DOWN TO THREE REASONS: FIRSTLY THE STRUCTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW FOR CONTINUITY IN PLANS AND POLICIES; SECONDLY, THE ASSOCIATION IS NOT PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED, AND THIRDLY, THE MANNER IN WHICH ELECTIONS INTO NATIONAL ELECTIONS WERE CONDUCTED IN THE PAST”

Association. How can the NBA be positioned to lead other Law Societies and Bar Associations in Africa, especially in this era of engaging other advanced jurisdictions in WTO agreements, etc?

The effectiveness of an association is not a function of its size, but how it is managed. Our current President, has commissioned professional studies and obtained reports which show how the NBA must be restructured, if we are to take the lead amongst other Bar Associations in Africa. The first thing is a professionally structured, staffed and managed Bar Secretariat, and an association in which our National Officers are honorary and titular, and not engaged in the day to day running of the association.

I believe this report was submitted to the last NEC meeting for approval; hopefully, it will be accepted and implemented.

The issue of sexual harassment of female Lawyers by their principals, has become a growing concern.

For a profession with such a noble background, how can this be addressed?

Sexual harassment should not be condoned anywhere, and especially not in the legal profession. I urge all female Lawyers who have been harassed in this way, to report to the relevant NBA Branch, as if proven, it amounts to professional misconduct. I would urge them, however, to obtain some sort of proof to support their claims, text messages, emails, covert camera surveillance. We need to build a case in the same manner as we would, if acting on behalf of a client.

Every year, over 7,000 lawyers are called to the Nigerian Bar. Aren’t we producing too many Lawyers? Is Nigeria Over-Lawyered?

Based on our population, I do not think that Nigeria is over-lawyered; however, the Bar Association needs to do more to create awareness of citizens’ rights, as well as the need for legal services. Lawyers are not just for going to court to file cases. How many villagers sell farmland in the village, or use them as security for a ‘friendly’ loan without using a Lawyer? How many of us, the elite have wills, or buy a property off-plan without consulting a Lawyer?

In the past few months, there have reports across the country, of Lawyers being physically assaulted by policemen in the course of their professional duties. Only a few weeks ago, NBA Ikeja Branch issued a notice for a protest over this worrisome trend. How can this trend be stemmed?

We are Lawyers, we should know the law, and we should know that the right of arrest, does not include the right to brutalise or assault anyone. Perhaps, the Lawyers concerned do not want to institute litigation to obtain redress for these breaches?

03.04.2018

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Court of Law or Court of Bills: When Courts are Without Standing Dr. Ali Ahmad, discusses the recent order made by Justice Mohammed, restraining the Senate from proceeding with the passing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. He insists that the Judiciary cannot adjudicate on any and every thing, as for instance, judicial powers are limited by the principle of separation of powers. He believes that this decision, is a threat to Nigeria’s democracy

A

Accord Party Case s far as one knows, no court in the United States of America, has ever issued an injunction against the Congress, restraining it from summoning any person or preventing it from concluding any proceedings before it. In the United Kingdom, this phenomenon is even unthinkable. Emeritus Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN has also cited numerous African and Commonwealth countries, where this practice of stopping parliament through court injunctions is also unheard of.

What Justice Ahmed Mohammed did on March 14, 2018, was to allow his court to be used to scrutinise constitutionality, not of a law but, of a pending Bill on election. If you are not alarmed by the peculiar pronouncement of Justice Mohammed purporting to restrain the Senate from proceeding on the passing of the Bill, then you have overlooked a dangerous precedent and a big threat to our democracy. We would all soon be alarmed when in the near future, I bet, a judge would try to stop the parliament from e.g. passing the budget, or from screening ministerial nominees, or from considering committee reports.

Apart from being the first Judge to allow interpretation of provisions of a Bill in a court of law, Justice Mohammed scored another first by restraining Mr. President from assenting to the Bill. The Judiciary has been restraining Parliament, but it has never restrained the Executive in the exercise of its constitutional powers. Undoubtedly, this would have opened doors for anybody, to seek to restrain a President from convening a Federal Executive Council meeting.

Perhaps, again, after unexpected leaders would have emerged during the Ninth Assembly in 2019, a Judge would issue an injunction stopping a Mr. President or Governor from exercising their powers under Sections 64 or 105 of the 1999 Constitution, to inaugurate a new Parliament!

Some Examples of Judicial Interference in Legislative Functions But consider a few more examples, of where the judiciary has unconstitutionally and undemocratically interfered with the exercise of legislative powers.

Last February, Justice Anwuli Chikere held that, the House of Representatives could not continue with an investigative hearing on the Law School hijab controversy with Miss Firdaus. Also, the court in Adeola v HOR (2015), prevented Legislators from casting votes to change their Majority Leader, during the dying days of the Jonathan Administration.

Again, Mr. Justice Gabriel Kolawole (now of Court of Appeal), stopped the Senate from inviting the former EFCC Chairman, to disclose the whereabouts of recovered looted assets and whether some of the assets, have not been illegally converted to personal use. The billions of Naira at stake are forever hanging: Ibrahim Lamorde v The Senate (2015). So, many more instances abound.

Indeed, an undemocratic precedent, is gradually being established in Nigeria,

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen

Senate President, Bukola Saraki

Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara

whereby when a public official is invited on investigative hearing that is of national interest, he rushes to court and a Judge will readily stop the Parliament, in what is couched as interim order, but in effect a permanent one.

“IF THESE JUDGES WERE TO BE CORRECT, IT WOULD MEAN EVERY SINGLE LEGISLATIVE POWER FROM BEGINNING TO THE END, IS EXERCISABLE AT THE BEHEST OF THE JUDICIARY.....IN FACT, IN LINE WITH THEIR REASONING, NOTHING STOPS A COURT FROM ISSUING AN ORDER RESTRAINING THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FROM SITTING, AND SHUTTING DOWN ITS GATES”

Act of Parliament. More strange, are orders like the ones cited above, that tend to prevent ongoing legislative proceedings by any guise. By virtue of the provisions of Sections 4(5), (8), (9) as well as Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, no one has ever argued, that the court cannot determine the propriety of anything and everything that the Parliament has completed doing. However, there is nothing unique in those provisions, that make the Nigerian Judiciary alone stretch its mandate to settling immature disputes.

To neutralise the power of the Legislature, some Judges find support in Section 4(8) of the Constitution which states, “Save as otherwise provided by this Constitution, the exercise of legislative powers by the National Assembly or by a House of Assembly shall be subject to the jurisdiction of courts of law”. If the courts are trying to discard the saving clause and give literal interpretation to Section 4(8) in disregard of other provisions, then they should clearly say so, and articulate the new concept of Separation of Powers.

If these judges were to be correct, it would mean every single legislative power from beginning to the end, is exercisable at the behest of the Judiciary.

Thus, when Mr. President or a Governor has to address the Parliament and the Standing Rules of Parliament have to be suspended to allow strangers into the hallowed chambers, a busy-body plaintiff, would be allowed to secure an injunctive order preventing that from happening.

In fact, in line with their reasoning, nothing stops a court from issuing an order restraining the National Assembly from sitting, and shutting down its gates.

Nothing at all. What a pretentious claim, to a presidential system of government.

Regrettably, it has been impossible for the Nigerian legislature to fully comply with some restraining orders of the court.

For instance, there have been many injunctive orders barring National or State Assemblies from suspending any member they deem errant. None has been obeyed to date, because they are impracticable to be obeyed. Parliament is a hotbed of politics, and many Judges may be unaware that the grundnorm is that there is the majority rule, every

Limit of Judicial Powers: Separation of Powers Many Nigerian Lawyers, and Judges, do not believe that there is a matter on the face of the earth, which the court system cannot or should not entertain.

And it is only in Nigeria. But I dare say, this Nigerian belief is erroneous. They cite copiously from the Constitution, as if we are the only one in the world that operates a written Constitution, or that the provisions of our Constitution originate from such locations as Daura, Ile Ife, or Benin, or are inspired by philosophies that are exclusively Nigerian. As with the other two arms of government, judicial power is limited by the principle of separation of powers. I am sure many Lawyers may not like it, but the reality is that, judicial activism stops where legislative powers begin. Judicial power in any system of government, democracy or autocracy, is not infinite and Nigerian courts should embrace their limit, and not arrogate to themselves the power to tell the Legislature how to exercise its own powers. Let me have the answer when you ask a typical Judge, “what is the adjudicatory limit of Nigerian courts?”

The fact is, Nigeria operates a presidential system of government, and it is the Constitution that has allocated governmental powers between the three arms. The Constitution can only codify so much of hundreds of years of democratic practice of the West, especially the USA. As a code, our Constitution, however longwinded, can only capture salient features of this system of government, leaving the day-to-day detailed practice to treatises, publications and exchange of ideas, and visits which Legislators do undertake. Separation of Powers, is an established tenet of this system. The Court of Appeal has since held Separation of Powers to mean, among others, that one branch of government should not exert control on another, in Hon. Abdullahi Ahmed v SOHA. Yet, the statement of Justice Mohammed, is symptomatic of a wider trend

of judiciary-induced roadblocks against the Parliament. I am one of those who share the notion that, the tendency is extremely high, for a negative judicial pronouncement on any parliamentary process and procedure. Whenever it has to exercise discretion in determining the propriety of the exercise of legislative power, it is unlikely that the Judiciary will not pothole exercise of that power, even if that decision is incongruous with established global legislative practice.

One further example, will suffice.

For centuries, courts in all democratic countries across the world, have been barred from reaching out against Legislators regarding whatever they say or do during legislative or committee proceedings. This is called freedom of debate or legislative immunity. Trust Nigerian courts, they nullified the privilege in Hon. Mike Balonwu v Obi (2007). Of course, this decision was jettisoned, when President Buhari recently signed the newly-passed Bill re-authorising legislative immunity.

But if Balonwu’s case was at variance with global parliamentary practice, by all standards of due process, it was a constitutionally appropriate judgement: it decided on the propriety of a concluded

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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03.04.2018

Implication of Acceptance of Naira as a Trade Currency by the UK This article by Obi Ugochukwu, explains the meaning and implications of the UK Export Finance, adding the Naira to its list of pre-approved currencies, not as a legal tender in the UK, but to facilitate trade finance between Nigeria and the UK

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ecently, UK Export Finance; the United Kingdom’s export credit agency, added the Naira to its list of pre-approved currencies. This development, brings Nigeria into the league of other African countries like who also enjoy this privilege.

This development, brings Nigeria into the league of other African countries like Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda, who also enjoy this priviledge. This development, comes about two years after the UK decided to exit the European Union.

It is important to understand what this development will mean for Nigerian businesses, as well as its overall implications for the Nigerian Economy.

Implications First, it should be noted that the acceptance of the Naira by the British Government, does not mean that the Naira now qualifies as a legal tender in the UK. This arrangement between the two countries, strictly relates to trade finance. Put differently, the arrangement is for importers only, and does not qualify for retail and debit card transactions. To be eligible under this program, the minimum transaction value for exports to Nigeria is £5 million (Five Million Pounds); in its Naira equivalent. This allows the Nigerian importer to approach a Nigerian bank, and, effectively, pay the Naira equivalent of goods purchased, directly to the UK exporters.

The big question since this deal was announced, has been what will be the exchange rate? This has not yet been finally resolved. It has however, been agreed, that both the UK and Nigerian governments, will come together and reach an agreement on the question of rate of exchange. It is also a part of the agreement between the countries, that any Nigerian importer who does not have the required (minimum) cash to pay for his import, can access a loan

of at least 85 percent of the contract sum, from a Nigerian bank. The importers are, however, expected to provide a cash advance for the initial 15%. The loans will be denominated in Naira, and will attract interest at the prevailing Nigeria Interbank Offered Rate (NIBOR) or Monetary Policy Rate (MPR). The loans, to be disbursed by Nigerian banks, will also be guaranteed by the UK Export Finance; in case the Nigerian importer defaults, thereby reducing their credit risks. The tenure of the loan will be for a maximum term of two years only.

This arrangement, put simply, is to the effect that, if for example, a Nigerian importer buys a 24 foot container laden with electrical equipment, he can pay in Naira at a Nigerian bank, and the foreign exchange risk will, in effect, be transferred to the Nigerian Government; who then bears the risk of ensuring that the foreign currency is available.

How the Process Works A simple illustration of how the process would work, is represented as thus; the Nigerian importer approaches a Nigerian bank for a trade finance loan, and a loan agreement is executed between the Nigerian importer and the bank. The UK Export Finance provides a guarantee to the bank that the loan will be repaid. Based on the Letters of Credit (LC) opened on behalf of the Nigerian importer, as well as the guarantee, the bank uses the loan to pay UK exporter for capital goods and/or services sold and delivered to the Nigerian importer.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

There are implications that this arrangement portends. One of its benefits, is that it would enhance the ability of Nigerian importers to import and buy British goods in Naira; rather than being saddled with the burden of sourcing for British Pounds Sterling.

The Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce has recently projected that trade volumes for UK - Nigeria trade, could exceed N7.7 trillion (£20 billion) by 2020. With this bilateral trade deal now existing between the UK and Nigerian Governments, this figure is expected to increase astronomically.

Under the present trade regime, the Nigerian manufacturer/ importer who intends to import goods or machinery from the UK, would

“FIRST, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE NAIRA BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE NAIRA NOW QUALIFIES AS A LEGAL TENDER IN THE UK. THIS ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, STRICTLY RELATES TO TRADE FINANCE”

COURT OF LAW OR COURT OF BILLS: WHEN COURTS ARE WITHOUT STANDING other thing is subservient. The earlier the courts accept this, the better for a legislative-judiciary relationship, and the better for our democracy. When courts give purported orders on matters that are moot, they are not orders, they are advisories and courts are not known to give advisories, they give orders backed with sanctions. Courts in developed democracies, are wiser, so they restrain themselves from granting restraining orders to uncompleted actions of Parliament.

To the credit of the Nigerian Legislature, it has bent over backwards to avoid any altercation with the Judiciary over the years, despite constant unfriendliness. All legislative houses in the country, have this similar provision: “Reference shall not be made to any matter on which a judicial decision is pending, in such a way as might in the Speaker’s opinion prejudice the interest of parties thereto”. If in a Speaker’s

opinion, a debate would not jeopardise interest of the parties, that opinion is final. Or, this provision can be totally suspended in a jiffy, so the House can fully debate a pending judicial matter.

And there is nothing anybody from outside, can do about it. However, based on the respect for the judicial arm, neither of these routes has been taken. I know many Nigerians did not appreciate the depth of his statement in reaction to Justice Chikere’s order on the Law School saga, when the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara said: “We have respected the Judiciary a lot, and we expect same from them. We would part ways with the Judiciary, if it continues to gag the National Assembly”. Thus, with a disappointed Senate, writing a letter and a saddened House sending a powerful delegation to the venerable Chief Justice of Nigeria, it seems the National Assembly has had enough and its back is now against the wall.

ordinarily approach Nigerian banks to open and fund LCs; either in US Dollars or British Pounds Sterling.

This process has been characterised by unnecessarily lengthy delays for Nigerian manufacturers and importers in funding their LCs, due to difficulties and challenges in securing foreign exchange denominated currencies from authorised dealer banks in Nigeria. However, with this new trade arrangement, Nigerian manufacturers and importers will easily avoid such delays, and finance their trade (i.e. fund their LCs) with the Naira. This is a milestone for Nigerian businesses, and will alleviate the economic burden of sourcing for foreign exchange. In sum, the unbridled demand for British Pounds Sterling as a source of foreign trade exchange, will be a thing of the past under this new trade deal.

This will remove some of the barriers to trade between the two countries, and greatly enhance capital inflow.

Furthermore, it will enable Nigerian businesses to manage foreign exchange risks and, more frequently, to negotiate better terms with Nigerian banks.

However, on the reverse side of what seems to be a win-win deal, it is possible, in the long term, that this arrangement might increase Nigeria’s forex liability overall. When the trades under this deal mature for settlement, the global exchange rate may not be favourable. The Nigerian government would be locked in to honour the forex obligations all the same, and may not be able to conclude better deals that will be in the overall best interest of the country.

In conclusion, while this development presents an open door for better and improved trade relations between the two countries, the Nigerian government may yet need to introduce some measures to monitor and control trade volumes, to ensure that the arrangement always tilts favourably for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Obi Ugochukwu, Legal Practitioner, Partner, Perchstone & Graeys, Lagos

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Ban Interim Orders Against Parliament My own conviction to ensure that Nigeria adheres to the universal values and principles of democracy, especially the principle of Separation of Powers, is that the Judiciary should immediately find a way to ban itself from issuing interim or injunctive orders against Parliament. It has done it before, when it reportedly banned issuance of such orders against the EFCC. Our electoral regime also bans such injunctions from issuing, in order to stop a federal election. In the United States, the Supreme Court granted the US Congress “inherent contempt power”, which Congress now uses to imprison anyone who flouts or challenges its summons or resolutions in its own jailhouse. Anderson v Dunn 19 US 204 (1821). Since then, the US courts have prevented themselves by themselves, from extending their own inherent powers of granting interim injunctions

against congressional proceedings. What is more, banning interim orders against the Legislature, will properly enthrone the principle of Separation of Powers as properly envisaged by the Nigerian Constitution and consistent with the 2007 African Charter on Democracy.

An extreme solution which should be avoided, would be to create another Constitutional Court to be manned by specialised Judges who are thoroughly schooled in nuances of liberal democratic practice, and conversant with threshold global standards. Currently, such courses are not taught in law faculties or the Law School, although the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, is fast becoming a household name in the area. Available data, indicate that democratic processes and gains are receding worldwide; Nigeria should not be a contributor to this disturbing trend.

Dr. Ali Ahmad, Lawyer, Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly

3.4.2018

/13

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF POWER, WORKS AND HOUSING HEADQUARTERS, MABUSHI, ABUJA, NIGERIA P.M.B 466, GARKI - ABUJA

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT RE-REQUEST FOR NOMINATION OF A REGISTERED ARCHITECT FOR THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA (ARCON)

The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing intends to reconstitute the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) pursuant to the provisions of sections 2 (1) and (2) of the Architects (Registration etc.) Act 2004.

The Ministry has, in the last 4 months, requested for nominations from all States of the Federation and relevant stakeholders. Regrettably, the following States and Institution are yet to forward their nominations; i.

Bayelsa State

ii.

Borno State

iii. Delta State iv. Katsina State v.

Kebbi State

vi. Kogi State vii. Niger State viii. University of Nigeria, Nsukka The Ministry wishes to notify the above listed States and Institution that should their nomination not be received by 17th April, 2018 being two weeks from the date of this publication, the Ministry will proceed with the inauguration of the Council without their representations.

Mohammed Bukar Permanent Secretary

14/COMMUNIQUE

03.04.2018

Social Media and Freedom of Expression Azinge & Azinge Law Firm, recently organised a Colloquium to discuss the concept of social media and freedom of expression. They looked at the pros and cons, made observations and recommendations, with a strict caveat that any further regulations of social media, must not seek to prevent the criticism of Government, as this would be tantamount to censorship

T Introduction

he discussion of the day, centred on the concept of social media and the freedom of expression, how this helps in building a society with the potential for sustaining social development.

The discussion also covered ways that extant legislation, has impacted on the ever-increasing social media space. Emphasis was also laid on the cross cultural and territorial issues associated with social media, and how they affect the regulation and management of the right of freedom of expression.

Perspectives 1. Social Media and National Security Challenges; 2. Freedom of Expression and Derogation Clauses: The Place of Social Media; 3. Social Media: Farewell to Libel, Defamation and Sedition; 4. Beyond Regulation: The Social Media Space; 5. Social Media, Cybercrime and Cyberspace; 6. Litigating Social Media Violations; 7. Jurisdictional Challenges for Litigating Social Media Disputes.

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disapproval by social media apologists who feel that their right to freedom of expression, is sought UP CF VOKVTUJĂ BCMZ MJNJUFE CZ HPWFSONFOU r $PVOUSJFT UIBU IFBWJMZ SFHVMBUF TPDJBM NFEJB tend to be the least democratic societies, such BT &SJUSFB /PSUI ,PSFB 4BVEJ "SBCJB &UIJPQJB "[FSCBJKBO 7JFUOBN FUD r 5IPTF BHBJOTU TPDJBM NFEJB SFHVMBUJPO conclude that social media spaces are a tool for ensuring governmental accountability, and should not be restricted in a free and democratic society. r 0O UIF PUIFS IBOE TVQQPSUFST PG TPDJBM NFEJB regulation, argue that the need for regulation has never been more necessary in light of cyberattacks, such as the Russian interference with the United State Election, which poses a treat to national security. r *U JT BMTP BSHVFE UIBU TPDJBM NFEJB IBT facilitated the dissemination of fake content, leading to the fracture of solidarity and threatening of social harmony. r *U JT BMTP BSHVFE UIBU TPDJBM NFEJB OFUXPSL is the perfect haven for radicalisation of young people and inciting violence and insurrection through hate speeches, which do not take place on mainstream media because of its regulations. r 5IF /BUJPOBM "TTFNCMZ UP UIJT FOE QBTTFE the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) "DU XIJDI JOEJSFDUMZ SFOEFST UIF BCVTF of social media space a crime, but does not target on social media or its medium, instead, if focuses on computer related offences such as cyber terrorism. r 5IJT IPXFWFS JT UIF POMZ MBX SPCVTUMZ touching on the use of social media in Nigeria, BOE JU ESBXT JU T CSFBUI GSPN UIF GSFFEPN PG FYQSFTTJPO BT JMMVTUSBUFE JO "SUJDMF 6OJWFSTBM %FDMBSBUJPO PG )VNBO 3JHIUT 6%)3 BOE UIF *OUFSOBUJPOBM $POWFOUJPO PO $JWJM BOE 1PMJUJDBM 3JHIUT *$$13 4FF BMTP TFDUJPO PG UIF

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which guarantees freedom of speech, and from whose phraseology, implies protection on social media also. r 4FDUJPO PG UIF $ZCFSDSJNF "DU BQQMJFT NPTU to the social media space, because it regulates hate speeches and racial or ethnic slurs r 5IF 4FOBUF BUUFNQUFE UP QBTT UIF 'SJWPMPVT 1FUJUJPO 1SPIJCJUJPO #JMM XIJDI XBT UIF Ă STU attempt to conspicuously, and directly regulate social media space. r %VF UP UIF PQQPTJUJPO PG UIF #JMM CZ UIF HFOFSBM public and civil rights societies, the Frivolous Petition Prohibition Bill was abandoned. r *O UIF i%JHJUBM 3JHIUT BOE 'SFFEPN Billâ&#x20AC;? which was introduced and at 19th December, IBT TVDDFTTGVMMZ TDBMFE UISPVHI UIF )PVTF of Representatives at its preliminary session. r 5IF i%JHJUBM 3JHIUT BOE 'SFFEPN #JMMu TFFLT UP HVJEF /JHFSJBO *OUFSOFU VTFST QSPUFDU IVNBO rights online, penalise hate speeches and at the same time, protect the right to privacy online. The Bill also provides that where this right is to be curtailed, such derogation must be published in a Gazette, and the subject of lawful interference is to CF OPUJĂ FE XJUIJO EBZT *U QSPIJCJUT HPWFSONFOU from undertaking censorship, without obtaining leave of court. r 5IF #JMM QSFWFOUT UIF BCVTF PG GSFFEPN PG expression, under the guise of protection of National security. r 5IF SJHIU UP GSFFEPN PG FYQSFTTJPO JT TP fundamental, that in certain instances, the courts IBWF BGĂ SNFE UIJT SJHIU FWFO XIFSF JU includes the use of false and unfair criticism to condemn the Government; following cases such as Derbyshire C.C. v Times Newspapers

"-- & 3 r *O UIF $BTF PG "SUIVS /XBOLXP W 5IF 4UBUF (1985) 6 NCLR 228, it was held that the law of sedition has no place in a democratic society.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;AS AT 2014, NIGERIA HAD 57.7 MILLION INTERNET USERS, WHICH HAS GROWN TO 83.2 MILLION AS AT 2018. 7.2 MILLION NIGERIANS VISIT FACEBOOK EACH DAY, AND 97% OF THEM ACCESS SOCIAL MEDIA SITES ON MOBILE DEVICES. FACEBOOK IN NIGERIA, HAS OVER 16 MILLION ACTIVE USERSâ&#x20AC;?

r 4FDUJPO BOE PG UIF $POTUJUVtion, allows the derogation of the freedom of expression in certain instances, which disparages other persons or threatens public safety, public morality, public order or public health. r *O /JHFSJB TPNF PG UIF MBXT XIJDI UFOE to limit freedom of expression include: The $POTUJUVUJPO 5IF 0GĂ DJBM 4FDSFUT "DU 5IF -BX PG $POUFNQU 0CTDFOF BOE )BSNGVM 1VCMJDBUJPOT -BXT $PQZSJHIU -BX "EWFSUJTJOH -BX BOE the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, ETC) "DU r -FHJTMBUJPO QMBDFT MFHBM SFTQPOTJCJMJUJFT on social media companies, to identify the lawfulness of content on their platforms, creating an overzealousness to err on the side of caution, resulting to censorship. This may amount to distrust among social media users, and creation of alternative platforms to express their opposition to government for example.

Recommendations r "OZ GVSUIFS SFHVMBUJPO JO BEEJUJPO UP UIF $ZCFSDSJNFT "DU NVTU OFJUIFS CSPBEMZ TUJĂĄF fundamental liberties nor prevent the criticism of government, otherwise it would be declared tantamount to censorship. r 3FHVMBUJPOT NVTU BJN TPMFMZ UP QSFTFSWF UIF rights and freedoms of persons in the society, public safety, public order, public morality and public health. r 3FHVMBUJPOT TIPVME TUSJLF B CBMBODF CFUXFFO advancing liberty on social media, and protecting public interest. r (PWFSONFOU NVTU BTTVNF JUT QPTJUJPO BT a driver of issues of public interest; therefore, government must go beyond regulation and adopt a collaborative, as opposed to, a confrontational approach in regulating the use of social media. To do otherwise, would be to risk the disruption of social harmony. r 4PNF PG UIF DPMMBCPSBUJWF BQQSPBDIFT include 1. Creation of inclusive mechanisms, to interprete contents on media space 2. Joint action restricting abuse of social media space, CZ NBLJOH VTFS ĂĄBHHJOH NPSF FGGFDUJWF r %FDJTJPOT GSPN FTUBCMJTIFE BOE UFTUFE KVSJTEJDUJPOT TVDI BT &VSPQF *OEJB BOE $BMJfornia, should be a guide in the interpretation PG /JHFSJBO TUBUVUFT F H $ZCFSDSJNFT "DU in relation to social media. r 4ZTUFNT TIPVME CF QVU JO QMBDF GPS FOGPSDFment of legislation in respect to social media and violations. r 4FDUJPO PG UIF $POTUJUVUJPO XIJDI provides for the right to privacy, must be taken into account in monitoring of social media accounts. r QFPQMF T UJNFMJOFT DBO CF NPOJUPSFE CVU security agencies do not have the right to hack into direct messages or emails that are not meant for the public, under the guise of National security. r 8IFO JU DPNFT UP TPDJBM NFEJB WJT B WJT UIF national security, the national security should be free from partisanship, otherwise freedom of expression would be in great danger.

Conclusion 4PDJBM NFEJB IBT OP CPVOEBSJFT *U JT B NBKPS source of social capital and vital for social EFWFMPQNFOU )PXFWFS JG NJTVTFE DBO CF very detrimental. Social media is good, but there is a need to manage the down sides, there is a need for regulation, but it should CF TVDI UIBU BMM NBZ CFOFĂ U GSPN JU XJUIPVU infringement of the constitutional rights of persons involved.

Colloquium Organised by Azinge & Azinge Law Firm,Abuja

03.04.2018

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The Use of Social Media Within the Legal Profession In this article, Adetola Ayanru discusses the use of social media within the legal profession, and the need for Lawyers to be professionally aware of what is expected of them, when they utilise this medium. She advices that the NBA and other regulatory bodies within the legal profession in Nigeria, ought to follow the example of the International Bar Association, in developing a set of principles to guide legal practitioners on their use of social media

S Introduction

ocial media are web-based and mobile technologies that turn text communication into active dialogue (International Bar Association Principles on Social Media Conduct for the Legal Profession).

The influx of several social media applications, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, as well as professional applications, such as LinkedIn, raises concerns on the need to be professionally aware of what is expected of legal practitioners.

This consideration is important, because the use of social media provides a platform where legal practitioners can promote the administration of justice, as a result of the opportunity to engage the public in legal practice and debate; and as professionals, we need to be mindful of our online activities, because they penetrate professional contexts and relationships, in addition to providing an access to a large audience and real time resources.

Guiding Principles The International Bar Association’s Legal Practice Committee and Bar Issues Committee, have developed a set of principles to guide practitioners of the legal profession on their use of social media, which are discussed as follows: Formulating Policies The Nigerian Bar Association and other regulatory bodies within the legal profession, should consider formulating and adopting principles/limitations on the use of social media, in a professional manner. Law firms are encouraged to participate, by submitting contributions for this purpose. Law firms are also encouraged, to develop guidelines for their employees on personal and professional use of social media, which may be included in letters of employment and also by consistent training to educate them on the risks that may be involved with the wrong use of social media.

Confidentiality One of the key principles within the practice of the legal profession, is the issue of confidentiality. It is taken for granted, that a Lawyer can be trusted

with private and confidential information. Therefore, a social media platform is not where a lawyer is expected to reveal a client’s data or information, expect when in accordance with professional, legal and ethical obligations.

An example is, when information which can temporarily locate a Lawyer geographically, can be used to link professional involvement with a client.

This may be disadvantageous, especially when the client does not seek to publicise his use of legal advice.

Maintaining Public Confidence In abiding by the Rules of Professional Conduct (Legal Practitioners Act, CAP 207, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria), legal practitioners are expected to ensure that their conduct offline, matches their conduct online. Offline, a person has a level of independence over their affairs.

However, the situation is not the same online, because activities are more likely to be exposed to a wider audience. It is important for this to be considered in the use of social media, because it has the tendency of portraying the key

“LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A VERY HIGH STANDARD OF INTEGRITY, IN ALL THEIR DEALINGS, INCLUDING ONLINE. THEY ARE ENJOINED TO CONSIDER THE IMPACT THE NEGATIVE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA COULD HAVE ON THEIR PROFESSIONAL REPUTATION, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE LITTLE OR LACK OF CONTROL OVER OTHER PEOPLE’S SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY”

characteristics of an individual, which may include both positives and negatives.

Legal practitioners ought to be aware of this risk, in the pursuit of their personal social lives online, in order to portray a legal practitioner that can be trusted by current and potential clients.

Integrity Legal Practitioners are expected to have a very high standard of integrity, in all their dealings, including online. They are enjoined to consider the impact the negative use of social media could have on their professional reputation, especially because of the little or lack of control over other people’s social media activity. An example is, when content goes “viral”.

If the content is fictitious and with malicious intentions, it will be difficult to repair the damage to the reputation such content may have caused. This also extends to comments or content made unprofessionally, which may damage public confidence.

Independence Legal practitioners must maintain a high level of professional independence, offline and online. Legal practitioners are expected to not be subjected to external pressures in maintaining their independence. Social media platforms where visible, links to clients, judges and other legal practitioners, should be considered before creation, to avoid professional implications of these public links under certain circumstances.

Responsibility Most social media websites/applications have privacy settings, which members of the legal profession are advised to access, in the use of their professional and private accounts with social media websites/applications. However, this

does not automatically mean that the information shared/accessed will be protected.

It is also possible that, members of the public may rely on information published by a practitioner on a particular topic as legal advice, thereby unintentionally creating a retainer and possibly, assuming liability to third parties. It is advisable therefore, to always clarify the capacity in which the content is being created, and whether or not it should be relied upon as professional advice.

Also, legal practitioners need to consider the propriety of a medium for the dissemination of certain types of information. Factors such as context, potential audience, and nature of the message contained in the information, should be considered by the practitioner before dissemination. As a standard, the type of information a legal practitioner cannot say in front of an offline audience, should not be disseminated online.

In addition, the Rules of Professional Conduct lists some rules on advertising, touting and publicity (Sections 33,34 and 35 of the Legal Practitioners Act, CAP, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria). These should also be adhered to, with regard to online content.

Conclusion With social media being deployed by legal professionals in different parts of the world in the administration of justice, it is important for the Nigerian Bar Association to ensure that structures are put in place to promote the use of social media in a professional and responsible manner, without impeding on the guaranteed freedom of expression.

Adetola Ayanru, Senior Associate, S. P. A. Ajibade & Co., Lagos

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Critical Land Degradation Cause of Mass Migration, Conflict, Says Report A landmark 3-year assessment report by over a hundred experts says worsening worldwide land degradation is now ‘critical’, undermining the well-being of 3.2 billion people. The experts believe it is the main cause of species loss and driver of the migration of millions of people by 2050. They outline costs, dangers and options. Bennett Oghifo reports

W

orsening land degradation caused by human activities is undermining the well-being of two fifths of humanity, driving species extinctions and intensifying climate change. It is also a major contributor to mass human migration and increased main cause of conflict, according to the world’s first comprehensive evidence-based assessment of land degradation and restoration.

The dangers of land degradation, which cost the equivalent of about 10% of the world’s annual gross product in 2010 through the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, are detailed for policymakers, together with a catalogue of corrective options, in the threeyear assessment report by more than 100 leading experts from 45 countries, launched recently.

Produced by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform

on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the report was approved at the 6th session of the IPBES Plenary in Medellín, Colombia. IPBES has 129 State Members.

Providing the best-available evidence for policymakers to make better-informed decisions, the report draws on more than 3,000 scientific, Government, indigenous and local knowledge sources. Extensively peerreviewed, it was improved by more than 7,300 comments, received from over 200 external reviewers.

Serious Danger to Human Well-being Rapid expansion and unsustainable management of croplands and grazing lands is the most extensive global direct driver of land degradation, causing significant loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services – food security, water purification, the provision of energy and other contributions of nature essential to people. This has reached

R-L: Chief Executive Officer Biocrops, Dr. Joseph Odusanya; Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe; Secretary, Department of Education, FCTA, Senator Issa Maina; Dep Dir. Projects, FMARD, Aisha Mohammed; and Director DST, FCTA, Mrs M. Ibrahim, during the minister’s visit to BIOCROPS laboratory in Abuja… recently

‘critical’ levels in many parts of the world, the report says.

“With negative impacts on the well-being of at least 3.2 billion people, the degradation of the Earth’s land surface through human activities is pushing the planet towards a sixth mass species extinction,” said Prof.

Robert Scholes (South Africa), co-chair of the assessment with Dr. Luca Montanarella (Italy). “Avoiding, reducing and reversing this problem, and restoring degraded land, is an urgent priority to protect the biodiversity and ecosystem services vital to all life on

Earth and to ensure human well-being.”

“Wetlands have been particularly hard hit,” said Dr. Montanarella. “We have seen losses of 87% in wetland areas since the start of the modern era – with 54% lost since 1900.”

According to the authors,

land degradation manifests in many ways: land abandonment, declining populations of wild species, loss of soil and soil health, rangelands and fresh water, as well as deforestation.

Underlying drivers of land degradation, says the report, are the high-consumption lifestyles in the most developed economies, combined with rising consumption in developing and emerging economies. High and rising per capita consumption, amplified by continued population growth in many parts of the world, can drive unsustainable levels of agricultural expansion, natural resource and mineral extraction, and urbanization – typically leading to greater levels of land degradation.

By 2014, more than 1.5 billion hectares of natural ecosystems had been converted to croplands. Less than 25% of the Earth’s land surface has escaped substantial impacts of human activity – and by 2050, the IPBES experts estimate this will have fallen to less than 10%.

Speakers Exude Strength at IWOW Networks’8th Global Possibilities Summit It was a period of rare candor at this year’s Inspired Women of Worth (IWOW) Global Possibilities Summit, hosted by Fine and Country West Africa, a premium real estate agency.

Fine and Country is a global real estate brand, specialising in providing a premium service through exceptional marketing and professionalism in the upper quartile of the market.

Fine & Country International W.A markets and sells hundreds of Nigeria’s most remarkable homes annually and provides real estate advisory services to blue chip companies, corporate organizations and institutional clients since joining the global network in 2008.

It was indeed three days of wow-mazing experience, at the just concluded annual IWOW Global Possibilities

Summit held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Lagos. Nigeria on the 23rd and 24th of March 2018.

The Inspired Women of Worth (IWOW) Network is a gender expression of Fine & Country West Africa. It has a strong vision to inspire, educate, empower and encourage women to stand out in their various spheres of influence It was conceived to create a platform to empower women to positively contribute to their environment and live their best lives. The IWOW Global Possibilities summit delivered on this mandate.

The summit started with a pre-event cocktail with exceptional women of worth in attendance. The Publisher of Genevieve Magazine, Betty Irabor, shared her deeply touching story about how she decided

Participants at IWOW Networks’ 8th Global Possibilities Summit

to pick herself up and turn her life around after a very difficult experience. Day 1 of the summit was a day of learning how to deliberately walk on water- in life, business, career and other spheres of life. The theme of the 2018 Global Possibilities Summit is “It’s Showtime” and all the speakers came out with their stories that affirmed the fact

that there is power in one’s authentic story.

The CEO/Vice Chair, Fine and Country WA and Founder of IWOW, Udo Okonjo shed more light on what the 2018 theme represented. Showtime, she said is a state of realization; The state of deliberately stepping out of the ordinary into the extraordinary through

Self-Discovery, Success and Sustainability. Mr. Leke Alder, Principal Partner, Alder Consulting, gave a powerful masterclass on branding; how to craft a niche market and using uniquely defined branding strategies that will resonate with the target audience. A panel discussion followed where Mrs. Udo Okonjo, Mr. Leke Alder & Ms. Ada Osakwe shared real-life experiences and strategies they have used in their various fields to present a strong and sustainable brand.

Following on from building great business structures and kicking off the second session on entrepreneurship- Prof.

Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), Founding Partner, Kenna Partners and Professor of Corporate Governance at Lagos Business School, talked through the legal

aspects of doing business in Nigeria.

Tara Fela Durotoye, CEO, House of Tara honed on the fact that your passion for your business needs to be backed with efficient working structures, processes & procedures.

The third and final session of the day was about Confidence and Power Negotiation which was anchored by Dr. Nneka Abulokwe who gave a straight from the heart intelligent treatise of her journey to the top of a fortune 500 company in the United Kingdom through the power of resilience, persistence and strategic Negotiation. Day 1 was capped up with another brilliant panel discussion by the speaker and renowned Media Entrepreneur Ms. Biola Alabi and Dr.Ola Brown- founder and CEO, Flying Doctors Nigeria

Obaseki Pegs Time for Building Approval at 48 Hours, Homework Plans Affordable Luxury with Units of Terraces Homework Development and architectural designs. “It will said subscribers could make CofO, 30 Days Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to ensure a 48-hour turn-around time for approval of building plans in the state within the next two months.

Gov. Obaseki also directed the Edo Geographical Information Agency to ensure that Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and Rights to Occupancy are issued to applicants within 30

days of application, demanding that this should take effect in the next 12 months.

He gave the directive while speaking at a two-day workshop organised by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, themed: ‘Strengthening the Institutional Framework for Physical Development Management in Edo State,’ held in Benin City, the Edo State capital, recently.

Obaseki said the two-day workshop was organised to develop the expertise of stakeholders and strengthen

the institutional framework for physical development and management. He said there was need to re-calibrate the management of the physical infrastructure to make room for well-coordinated urban development.

Noting that development had not been controlled for a long while in the state, he said, “This has contributed to raising a generation that lacks required knowledge on the importance of registering development plans. People need to be educated on the

Properties Limited, a real estate company, has commenced work on one of its new mini estates, dubbed Dunvale Court.

The mini estate is designed to have one bedroom and two bedroom flats, as well as three and four bed terraces, as part of efforts in ensuring the availability of affordable luxury properties in the country.

The Director, Homework Development and Properties Limited, Arc. Jide Adekola assured that the mini estate, which is currently ongoing and up for sale off plan, would feature innovative

be spacious, cozy and located on a land mass of over 7,133 square metres. It is tailored to cater for the upwardly-mobile family lifestyle fit for investment and features family-friendly facilities like a gym, garden, playground, swimming pool, central water supply and central sewage amongst others ,” he further said.

The mini estate will be secured with a three-gate security point, CCTV surveillance to boost security, treated water and a minimum of 18 hours guaranteed power supply.

For easy purchase, Adekola

40 percent advance payment with the balance spread over 12 months.

He emphasised that Homework is driven by the passion to create world class estates, which sets it apart in the industry. The company, Adekola also said, is passionate about delivering unmatched quality services to its clients through the provision of exciting architectural designs in serene environments.

Recently, Homework participated at the annual conference of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY APRIL 3, 2018

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TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Sierra Leone Claims Victory in Presidential Poll, Ruling Party Disputes The opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) said on Monday its candidate Julius Maada Bio had won a presidential run-off election according to its own compilation of results, while the ruling party said it held a “comfortable lead”, Reuters reported.

A spokesman for the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) told Reuters that its candidate Samura Kamara was ahead based on a tabulation of around

83 percent of the ballots cast in Saturday’s poll.

Maada Bio, who briefly ruled the West African country as head of a military junta in 1996, eked out a narrow victory in the first round on March 7 with 43.3 percent of the votes compared to 42.7 for Kamara.

According to the SLPP’s tabulation distributed at news conference in the capital Freetown, Maada Bio took 54.11 percent of votes in the run-off with

Kamara garnering 45.89 percent.

Sierra Leone’s National Elections Commission has not announced any results from the election, which was delayed several days due to a complaint of fraud lodged by a member of the APC. Maada Bio and Kamara are competing to replace outgoing President Ernest Bai Koroma, who was not allowed to run due to constitutional term limits.

Israel to Send African Migrants to West under New UN Deal Israel has cancelled plans to deport migrants en masse to Africa after reaching a deal with the United Nations refugee agency, according to a BBC report on Monday.

Some 16,250 African migrants, many seeking asylum, will instead be resettled in Western nations, including Canada, Italy and Germany, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The same amount will be given residency in Israel, he said.

Israel’s Supreme Court had blocked deportations

meant to begin on Sunday.

The plan to send male African migrants to third countries in Africa - reported to be Uganda and Rwanda - was condemned by Israeli activists and sparked protests.

The new plan will be implemented over a fiveyear period. Mr Netanyahu’s office described the agreement as “unprecedented”.

“These understandings will allow the removal of more migrants from Israel than in the previous plan, and under UN and the international community’s

auspices,” a statement said.

For each migrant resettled overseas, Israel will give “temporary residence” to a migrant in Israel, Mr Netanyahu told a news conference.

Canada, Italy and Germany are yet to officially confirm their participation in the agreement.

Most of the 42,000 African migrants in Israel are from Eritrea - a one-party state whose leaders have been accused of crimes a g a i n s t h u m a n i t y by a U N i n q u i ry - a n d wa rtorn Sudan.

Russian Spy: Sergei Lavrov Accuses West of ‘Children’s Games’ Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the UK and Western partners of playing “children’s games” in their response to the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, BBC reported on Monday.

He accused countries of “disregarding all accepted behaviour” and resorting to “open lies and disinformation”.

Twenty-nine nations have expelled diplomats over the poisoning, which the UK

holds Russia responsible for.

Mr Lavrov also issued fresh denials at the news conference on Monday.

He made the comments in response to a question by the BBC’s Steve Rosenberg about how dangerous growing tensions were between Russia and the West in comparison with the Cold War. “In the classic Cold War,” Sergei Lavrov said, “there were rules and accepted behaviour”.

“I think our Western

partners, I think firstly Great Britain and the USA and a few other countries that blindly follow them, have disregarded all the accepted behaviour.”

“We do not want to play children’s games, but so far our partners are doing precisely that,” he added, saying it was up to them to reduce tensions.

“When we were kids we used to say whoever started it should be the one to finish it.”

Dollar Slides as China Raises Tariffs, US Stock Slip U.S. stocks tumbled on Monday, weighed down

by Amazon.com after U.S. President Donald Trump again attacked the online retailer, while the dollar slid as China raised tariffs on U.S. products in an escalating spat between the world’s two biggest economies, according to Reuters.

China bumped tariffs by up to 25 percent on 128 U.S. products, from frozen pork and wine to certain fruits and nuts, in response to U.S. duties on imports of aluminum and steel.

Trading was light as major European markets were closed for the Easter Monday holiday.

Markets in Australia and Hong Kong also were shut.

Shares of Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook and Google parent Alphabet dominated trading on MSCI’s all-country world stock index, which fell 0.91 percent. The four companies were also the biggest drag on the benchmark S&P 500 index.

Trump’s comments on Amazon weighed on the equity market but further news on U.S.-China trade later

this week is drawing investor interest, said Jeffrey Kleintop, chief global investment strategist at Charles Schwab & Co Inc in Boston.

“Everybody is bracing for that,” Kleintop said of expected U.S. tariffs on $50 billion to $60 billion worth of annual imports from China that will likely intensify U.S.China tensions.

The Trump administration will unveil by Friday a list of advanced technology Chinese imports targeted for U.S. tariffs to punish Beijing over technology transfer policies.

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NEWS

Winnie Mandela, Anti-apartheid Icon, Dies at 81 FG says Africa has lost a great woman Okechukwu Uwaezuoke with agency reports and Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja Winnie Madikizela Mandela, the former wife of South Africa's first black president Nelson Mandela, died on Monday aged 81, according to Reuters news agency.

The death of the controversial anti-apartheid campaigner was announced by her personal assistant.

From Abuja, the federal capital, President Muhammadu Buhari last night described the passage of Mrs. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, ex-wife of South-African anti-apartheid leader and former president, Nelson Mandela, as the great loss of an African woman.

The president, in a statement by one of his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, described Winnie as a woman of uncommon determination, steadfastness and perseverance whom he said held aloft the torch of the struggle against institutionalised discrimination even while her ex-husband, Mandela, was incarcerated.

BBC on Monday quoted a family spokesman Victor Dlamini as saying in a statement: "She died after a long illness, for which she had been in and out of the hospital since the start of the year.

"She succumbed peacefully in the early hours of Monday afternoon surrounded by her family and loved ones."

She earned the moniker "the mother of the nation" thanks to her marriage to Mandela and her anti-apartheid activism.

Winnie Mandela, whose reputation became tainted legally and politically in later years, was regarded with her late former husband as icons of the anti-apartheid struggle, which lasted for nearly three decades. Indeed, both were pictured hand-in-hand as Mandela walked free from prison after 27 years.

But her legacy as an anti-apartheid heroine was soon washed-up after the veil was lifted on her activities, which revealed the ruthless side of her.

During the twilight years of apartheid, facts about the brutality of her Soweto enforcers, euphemistically called the "Mandela United Football Club" (MUFC), emerged to the dismay of her late former husband.

Her reputation earned her a new soubriquet, which became “Mugger of the Nation” from “Mother of the Nation”. She fingered in the gruesome murder of 14-year-old activist Stompie Seipei, whose body was found near her Soweto home with his throat cut. She was later convicted in 1991 of kidnapping and assaulting Stompie, because he was suspected of being an informer, and handed a six-year jail term, which was reduced on appeal to a fine.

She was routinely harassed, arrested, jailed and banished by the white apartheid during Mandela’s 27-year incarceration.

But her hard-line stance, which revealed her as unforgiving, contrasted with the reconciliatory posturing of her late former husband, who worked hard to forge a new South Africa free from the shadows of its past.

Before South Africa’s post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), she refused to show remorse for her abductions and murders carried out in her name and only conceded that “things went horribly wrong” after the pleadings of the TRC chairman Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

In its final report, the TRC held her “politically and morally accountable for the gross violations of human rights committed by the MUFC”.

She was back in court four years later on charges of fraud and theft in relation to an elaborate bank loan scheme. Reuters quoted the magistrate Peet Johnson as saying, while he sentenced her to five years in jail, which was later overturned on appeal: “Somewhere it seems that something went wrong," magistrate Peet Johnson said as he sentenced her to five years in jail, later overturned on appeal.

"You should set the example for all of us."

The irreconcilable differences were responsible for ending not only her marriage with Mandela but also for sullying the esteem in which she was held by many of her compatriots.

Indeed, it was her firebrand activism, which saw her retain the support of radical black nationalists to the end and ensured her steadfastness during the anti-apartheid struggle.

Late Winnie Mandela After her separation from Mandela in 1992, her reputation soon spiralled further downwards after he sacked her from his cabinet in 1995 on allegations of corruption.

The couple would formally divorce the following year, after which Winnie adopted the surname Madikizela-Mandela.

Born Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela on September 26, 1936, in Bizana, Eastern Cape province always known simply as "Winnie", she became politically committed at an early age while she worked as a hospital social worker.

"I started to realise the abject poverty under which most people were forced to live, the appalling conditions created by the inequalities of the system," Reuters quoted her as once saying.

She was spotted at a Soweto bus-stop in 1957

by Mandela when she was just 22 years old.

It was from there that a whirlwind romance, which eventually ended in a 38-year-long marriage, was first nurtured.

Their marriage experienced a period of turbulence thanks to the anti-apartheid struggle and was eventually dealt a heavy blow with Mandela’s arrest and long incarceration.

Madikizela-Mandela, according to Reuters, would later describe her marriage as a sham and the birth of their two daughters, Zindzi and Zenani, as "quite coincidental" to her one true love - the struggle against white rule.

"I was married to the ANC. It was the best marriage I ever had," the agency quoted her as often saying.

Graca Machel, who by virtue of her marriage with Mandela became South Africa's first lady in 1998, had kind words to say about

the woman who preceded her as Mandela's spouse.

"It's unfortunate that in our lives we don't interact very easily but I want to state very clearly that Winnie is my hero. Winnie is someone I respect highly," Machel was once quoted as saying.

Winnie's relationship with the ruling African National Congress soured, no thanks to her late arrival at rallies and haranguing comrades, including Thabo Mbeki, Mandela's successor as president.

In 2001, a television camera caught Mbeki brushing Madikizela-Mandela away and knocking off her hat after she arrived an hour late for a rally to commemorate a 1976 anti-apartheid uprising by Soweto schoolchildren and students, according to Reuters.

Then, there was her clash years later with the next president, Jacob Zuma, throwing her weight behind renegade ANC youth leader Julius Malema, who dumped the century-old movement to found his own ultra-leftist political party.

She would later confirm her support for Malema and his calls for seizure of whiteowned farms and banks, revealing her contempt in 2010 for the deal her ex-husband struck with South Africa's white minority nearly two decades before.

In a London newspaper interview, Reuters reported her she attacking Mandela, who died in December 2013, saying he had gone soft in prison and sold out the black cause.

"Mandela did go to prison and he went in there as a burning young revolutionary.

But look what came out," she was quoted

as saying. "Mandela let us down. He agreed to a bad deal for the blacks."

She also dismissed Tutu, post-apartheid South Africa's moral fulcrum, as a "cretin" and rubbished his attempts at national healing as a "religious circus".

"I told him a few home truths. I told him that he and his other like-minded cretins were only sitting here because of our struggle and me - because of the things I and people like me had done to get freedom," she said.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari last night in Abuja described the passage of Mrs. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, ex-wife of South-African anti-apartheid leader and former president, Nelson Mandela, as the great loss of an African woman.

The president, in a statement by one of his media aides, Malam Garba Shehu, described Winnie as a woman of uncommon determination, steadfastness and perseverance whom he said held aloft the torch of the struggle against institutionalised discrimination even while her ex-husband, Mandela, was incarcerated.

The statement added that Buhari, on behalf of the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, commiserated with the family of the deceased, the government and people of South Africa, urging them to be consoled by the knowledge that the late Winnie Mandela’s contributions to ending apartheid will not be forgotten.

Further stating that the deceased remained a pride not only to the African woman but to all Africans, Shehu said the president prayed God Almighty to comfort all those who mourn her and grant her soul eternal rest.

34

TUESDAY, ͻ˜ ͺ͸͹΀ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

29 Killed, 83 Injured in Fresh Suicide Bomb Attacks Atiku condoles with victims' families Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri Despite assurances of adequate security from the federal government to the internally displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes claiming to have decimated the Boko Haram sect, the extremists returned with vengeance Sunday unleashing strings of suicide bombers who killed no fewer than 25 persons and injuring 80 in Maiduguri the Borno State capital as confirmed by the state police command.

Reacting to news of the attacks, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed shock over the deaths of several persons with scores injured

following yet another attack by the suicide bombers in Maiduguri.

Atiku said he was concerned by senseless attacks on innocent citizens even after reports that government has opened the windows for talks on the prospects of a ceasefire with Boko Haram.

The Borno State Police Commissioner, Damian Chukwu, who briefed journalists on the incident on Monday, said the high number of casualties was as a result of the insurgents' strike at a social gathering, wedding ceremony, at the outskirts of Maiduguri.

He said 18 persons were lost on the spot as five male suicide bombers lounged at a

gathering of people attending a wedding ceremony.

He said the five suicide bombers were mangled beyond recognition and they were parked alongside 18 other corpses to the mortuary.

He said later on Monday two other persons died among the 86 persons injured as a result of the multiple explosion.

He said: On April 1, 2018, at about 2020 hours, Boko Haram terrorists in an attempt to infiltrate into Maiduguri through Bale Kura, Bale Shuwari, Jamine and Alikaramti villages of Jere local government area, outskirts of Maiduguri township detonated IEDs. “They were promptly

repelled by the military and police reinforcements.

In the process, about 84 persons were injured while 20 persons were killed in the attack.”

He added that another five mutilated corpses of male suicide bombers were discovered and that two undetonated suicide vests were recovered and rendered safe by Police EOD. He said policemen have been mobilized to the scenes of the attacks to sanitize the areas and return normalcy.

He, however, lamented that the attack would have been truncated had the members of the areas been alive to their civic responsibility of alerting security operatives of any

security threat.

He said the many of the society should be alive to security in their area.

“They should be able to apprehend anybody they feel is a security threat, they can also alert the security agents on any strange faces or anything you think might threaten the security of your area.”

Meanwhile, Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed shock over the deaths of several persons with scores injured following yet another attack by the suicide bombers in Maiduguri.

Atiku said he was concerned by senseless attacks on innocent citizens even after reports that

government has opened a window for talks on the prospects of a ceasefire with Boko Haram.

He said the continued violence especially in and around Maiduguri was mind-numbing.

While acknowledging the role of the military in averting even more deaths from the attack, the former vice president stressed that intelligence gathering and sharing by all security agencies is of the essence if we must stem the attacks with all its attendant loss to lives and property.

Atiku expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the bereaved even as he prayed for the repose of their souls.

that could be traced directly to the state governments of Rivers state, Lagos state, Kano state, Ogun state and a number of other key APC states.

He wondered why those involved or that governed those states at the time had not been questioned, arrested or prosecuted by either the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

He said: "It is also common knowledge that President Buhari himself was offered and received several benefits and received money from the office of the former National Security Advisor, Col. Sambo Dasuki, yet nothing has been done about this.

"From the foregoing, it is clear that the Buhari administration's so-called war against corruption is selective and punitive and it is nothing but a vicious media trial and politically-motivated witch hunt.

"It is nothing but a squalid and mafia-like attempt to muscle, discredit, demonise and silence key members of the opposition. It is slanderous, malicious and unjust.

"If not for the fact that the Buhari administration is an irresponsible, weak, desperate and corrupt government that has no confidence in itself and no sense of decency how can they declare people that have not been convicted by any court of law as 'looters'".

Fani-Kayode, a lawyer said it was a violation of the constitutional provision that an accused person was deemed innocent until he had been proved guilty by a duly constituted court of law.

He also alleged that persecuting people on the pages of newspapers was highly prejudicial to the criminal cases that they are facing.

He said: "It is a clear violation of the concept of separation of powers which gives the judiciary alone the power to determine the guilt or otherwise of an accused person.

"It is a trite law that only a court of law can declare a man guilty or declare him a thief or a looter and not Buhari and his government.

"How can anyone get a fair trial in a country when the government has already pronounced them guilty before the world?

"You cannot be the investigator, accuser, prosecutor

and judge in your own case.

This is a basic principle of criminal and constitutional law which appears to have been lost on President Buhari and his cohorts.

"I don't blame him: I blame Vice President Osinbajo who, as a Professor of Law and a learned SAN, should know better and who I am reliably informed is the co-ordinator of all these politically-motivated, baseless and malicious corruption cases which are being conducted against opposition members by the EFCC. "He is the one that has been saddled with the shameless responsibility of manipulating the prosecutors, emboldening false witnesses, attempting to pressure the judges and attempting to send innocent men and women who are members of the opposition to jail.

"One day, whether he believes it or not, there will be a reckoning for his wickedness just as there will be one for Buhari and his entire government. God will see to that and He will judge and punish them."

for the same alleged offence "This is to show that the government is hell-bent on bringing me down but they will not succeed".

He declared that " I served my people to the best of my ability, I have left a landmark for posterity, no amount of blackmail or character assassination can wipe me out from the minds of the people".

Dr Aliyu said he was already consulting his lawyers on the next line of action to take on the issue.

PDP SEEKS APC’S PROSCRIPTION, LOOTERS’ LIST GETS KNOCKS have looted N36 billion and was first charged before Justice Sabi’u Yahuza of the Federal High Court in Dutse, Jigawa State before his current trial before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba at the FCT High Court.

Omokri also identified Timipre Sylva as a well-known financier and supporter of the APC administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that he was also alleged to have looted N19.7 billion.

Omokri disclosed that Sylva was facing trial before Justice A. Y. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja until two days after President Buhari was sworn in, when the new APC government withdrew the charges on June 1, 2015, and on October 3, 2018, the EFCC returned to the former governor, 48 houses seized from him during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013.

Omokri also listed Murtala Nyako, who allegedly looted N29 billion and is currently facing trial before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, as well as Senator Danjuma Goje, who allegedly looted N25 billion and is facing trial before the Federal High Court, sitting in Jos. The former presidential aide also listed Senator Abdullahi Adamu, who was charged to court on March 3, 2010, for allegedly looting N15 billion with the help of 18 other accused persons and Mr. Orji Kalu, who allegedly looted N3.2 billion and is facing trial before Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

Omokri also named the Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, whom he said was indicted by the Ekiti Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by former Ekiti State chief judge and the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Ademola Ajakaiye, of sundry financial malfeasance totalling over N2 billion.

Other APC chieftains named

by Omokri include: Senator Joshua Dariye, who allegedly looted N1.2 billion and is currently facing trial before Justice Adebukola Banjoko at an FCT High Court and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, who allegedly gave a N200 million contract to his own company from monies meant to look

after Internally Displaced Persons.

Omokri noted that Lawal had been sacked after the protest by the opposition and civil society but still not been charged, instead, was replaced by his own cousin.

He challenged President Buhari and Mohammed to explain to Nigerians why they failed to reveal to Nigerians that President Buhari himself is a major beneficiary of the funds that the former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, received from the treasury for the security of Nigerians.

“I assure Nigerians that Sambo Dasuki is not in jail for a crime he committed in 2015.

He is rather being persecuted for a ‘crime’ he committed in 1985,” Omokri added.

Omokri argued that by the omission of the names of APC chieftain in the list of looters, the Buhari-led federal government has vindicated Transparency International.

“According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, Nigeria is more corrupt today under Buhari than at any other time since Transparency International started keeping records. We have moved 12 places backwards from 136 to 148. Yet this administration has the guts to accuse a government under whom Nigeria made her best ever progress on the Corruption Perception Index of corruption?

We moved from 144 to 136 in 2014 under President Jonathan because that government fought corruption in court and not through the media,” Omokri explained.

It's an Attempt to Intimidate Judges says Fani-Kayode In his own statement, FaniKayode said: "Apart from that it is a crude and sordid attempt to intimidate the judges and influence the outcome of the cases which are before them and also to compel them to give the judgement that the government wants. This is not only unacceptable but it is also shameful."

He said he did not collect any money from any government’s officials during the reign of Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

He said that rather than

persecuting innocent people, President Muhammadu Buhari should be bold enough to prosecute those who funded his campaign with public funds.

He said: "The fact of the matter is that no "looters list" is complete without the names of Muhammadu Buhari, Yemi Osinbajo, Rotimi Amaechi, Tunde Fashola, Bola Tinubu, Lai Mohammed, Adamu Abdullahi, Dambazau, Kayode Fayemi, Babachir Lawal, Maina, Maikanto Baru, Burutai, all APC Governors and other key members of the Buhari administration and the APC. " According to him, the claim that he looted N800,000,000 from government coffers was false.

He said: "I did not receive and neither was I ever given one kobo by any government official, government agency or government parastatal during President Goodluck Jonathan's tenure."

He said the money he received was given to him by the Director of Finance of the Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Mrs. Esther Nenadi Usman, before the election in 2015 and was specifically for the conduct of the presidential election.

"I was Director of Media and Publicity of the Campaign Organisation and it was used specifically and solely for the running and conducting of the media and publicity aspect of the election," he said.

He said that Mrs. Usman, who was Minister of Finance during the Obasanjo government, was neither a member of the Jonathan government and neither did she manage, handle or touch any government funds in her capacity as Director of Finance of the Jonathan campaign.

Fani-Kayode said the money Mrs Usman gave to him was from a private company's account which was used to house contributions made to the Jonathan campaign by party supporters after a series of fundraising events.

He said: "These were private funds and not public funds and neither can anyone expect us to have run an election in 2015 without any money. You do not run election campaigns with sand but with money."

The former minister alleged that the Buhari campaign in 2015 was funded by money

Aliyu heads to Court Also yesterday, former Niger State governor Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu said that he did not loot the treasury wondering why the federal government should include his name in the 24 man treasury looters list released again by the Minister of Information Lai Mohammed.

Aliyu said in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna the Niger state capital on Sunday night threatened to challenge his inclusion on the list to a logical conclusion.

The former governor explained that nobody had confronted him with any document(s) that he received N1.6billion from the former National Security Adviser, NSA saying "they have to prove it".

Aliyu said the APC government had embarked on "calculated blackmail against my person" because "I refused to join the APC" saying "we all have our minds and what we believe in politics is a thing of the mind".

The former governor said in the orchestrated plot " to tarnish my image I am currently before the federal high court and a Niger state high court

Lawyer Condemns listing of Persons on Trial A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Ferdinand Orbih has described the release of names of alleged looters, who are still on trial at different courts as totally irresponsible.

The senior lawyer said such people who are still undergoing trial over corruption allegations are presumed innocent until the cases against them are proven as enshrined in the constitution.

He said: “For the federal government to label as looters, persons who are undergoing trial over corruption allegations is totally irresponsible.

“Such persons are presumed innocent until proven otherwise, by the Constitution, which the president swore to uphold.”

According to him, it does appear that the federal government does not understand what the rule of law entails or the dynamics of the due process.

“The case against Nenadi Usman is still pending in court.

The federal government that has labelled her as a looter of public funds is yet to prove the allegations against her in court.

“The government by taking this matter to the court of public opinion is making a strong statement either that it has no confidence in the process it has initiated in court, or it is calculated to arm-twist the judiciary to convict at all costs.

“Either way, the publication by the government portends grave danger to democracy and the rule of law. Surely, there will be a legal response to this executive gross misbehaviour,” said Orbih.

35

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018Ëž T H I S D AY

NEWS

Ă?ĂĄĂ? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Davidson Iriekpen Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

APC to Inaugurate Committee on Oyegunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tenure Extension Plan Onyebuchi Ezigbo Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will constitute a committee to review its decision to extend the tenure of its national leadership and other party executives at all levels.

The party had agreed at its last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting

to reconsider the one year tenure extension granted to the party executives after President Muhammadu Buhari had opposed it, citing likely constitutional breach.

As a face-saving measure, and in order to douse the tension raised by the rejection of its tenure extension plan by President Buhari, a reliable source told THISDAY yesterday

Police Re-arrest Six Jailbreakers in Kogi Yekini Jimoh Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; Kabiru Seidu (aka Osama) and Nuhu Salisu (aka Small) who alleged that Senator Dino Melaye gave them arms were yesterday re-arrested by the police.

Seidu and Salisu who escaped from police custody in Lokoja alongside four other suspected criminals were re-arrested in different locations. The two suspect had earlier alleged that Melaye representing Kogi West senatorial district in the National Assembly gave them guns and some money to disrupt the 2019 general election. Their escape was allegedly planned and coordinated with the aid of some police officers at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Lokoja, according to the former Kogi State Commissioner of Police,  Ali Janga.  THISDAY yesterday reliably gathered that while Seidu was re-arrested in Bauchi State last Sunday, his partner, Salisu, was rearrested at Odu in Dekina

Local Government area of the state. The six suspects: Seidu, Salisu Aliyu Isa, Adams Suleiman, Emmanuel Audu and Musa Mohammed escaped from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Division of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) detention in Lokoja, Kogi State capital, where they were being held pending their arraignment in court with Melaye who had also been declared wanted by the police.  The escaped of the six criminals led to the removal of the state Commissioner of Police, Janga and was replaced

by Sunday Ogbu who took over last week Friday.  Thirteen other police officers were redeployed from the state and moved to Abuja for further interrogation.  Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations of Kogi State Police Command, Mr. William Ayah, in phone chat with THISDAY yesterday, confirmed the rearrest of the six suspected criminals.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Not Happy over Leahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Continued Captivity by Boko Haram, Catholic Bishops Tell FG Paul Obi Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039; The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) yesterday expressed great concern over the continued captivity of Leah Sharibu, the schoolgirl abducted by the Boko Haram terrorists from the Government Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State.

They said the inability of the federal government to ensure that Leah regains her freedom was worrisome and portends great danger. Leah was kidnapped by Boko Haram alongside 110 other schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State. The other schoolgirls were subsequently released by the sect, but refused to release Leah following her refusal to denounce Christianity and embrace Islam. Several groups have condemned the decision by the sect to hold on to Leah, with others accusing some state officials of masterminding the abduction of the Dapchi schoolgirls for political reasons.

But speaking with THISDAY, the CBCN President and Archbishop of Benin, Most Rev.

Augustine Akubueze frown at the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inability to effect the release of the Christian schoolgirl held by terrorists because of her Christian faith. Akubueze said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been praying for her release and that of the rest of Chibok girls; we are not happy about it. Let her be released, she was expressing her faith.â&#x20AC;?

He added that there was an urgency for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;government to work towards her release, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;that is what everybody is asking for. We want government to do all it can to ensure her release.â&#x20AC;?

The bishops had earlier warned of the excruciating suffering Nigerians now under go in the present administration.

The CBCN further stated that the current precarious situation in the country makes Nigeria, a nation with a â&#x20AC;&#x153;lots of our hopes shattered.â&#x20AC;?

They cautioned against the consequences of schools and other educational institutions becoming a safe haven for terrorists to kidnap schoolgirls.Â

that after due consultations, the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, had assembled a small committee of legal experts to study the whole issue and make recommendations to the NEC of the party.

THISDAY gathered that baring any last minute change of plans, the members of the committee would be inaugurated by 12noon today at the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national

headquarters in Abuja. According to the source, the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Working Committee (NWC) had met with some key party leaders last week on how to set up a task committee to review the situation.

The decision by the party to grant one year extension as their tenure expires in June 13 had caused disagreement among stakeholders in the party before President Buhari intervened

last Tuesday, asking the party not to go ahead with the plan.

The president cited constitutional constraints and the need to avoid a destructive legal tussle which might hamper APC chances in the 2019 elections.

THISDAY gathered from a reliable source that the committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s terms of reference would be to study the options before the party in view of the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice and court

action embarked upon by members.

The source said the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire, would be in the team that would consider the pros and cons of the issues in contention and advise the NEC accordingly.

He said members of the committee would be drawn from outside the NWC to ensure their neutrality.Â

ROYAL FATHERS

L-R: Lamido Adamawa, Dr. Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa; Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II; and former Vice President and Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, at the turbaning ceremony of Aliyu Wakili Boya as Sarkin Matasa Adamawa by the Lamido Fombina, at the Lamidoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Palace in Yola,....weekend.

Terragon Raises $5m from TLcom Capital to Scale Data Penetration in Africa Emma Okonji Nigerian-based Terragon Group, Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading mobile marketing company, has closed a $5 million funding deal led by Africa-focused TLcom Capital, to scale up internet data penetration in Africa.

The company announced that the funding would be used to develop further its proprietary marketing technology, which connects online and offline mobile channels to provide African brands and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with more customer reach, engagement and conversions with self-service access. Terragon is pioneering the platform with Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest telecoms company, MTN Nigeria. The Adrenaline platform from Terragon offers unprecedented reach and engagement channels for the African mobile customer

with associated data and intelligence as is available on mobile web. CEO, Terragon Group, Elo Umeh, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The new investment will enable the Lagosheadquartered company hire the best available talents to drive business development efforts across industry verticals and solve unique mobile challenges to unlock significant value for African businesses.â&#x20AC;? With African businesses in various industries struggling to reach and engage customers in the face of limited internet access and low literacy levels, Terragon is helping clients including FCMB and FBNQuest in financial services and Unilever and Samsung in the consumer goods space, connect with new and existing consumers across online and offline mobile channels providing the reach and targeting to deliver on their

marketing objectives.

Partner at TLcom who is joining Terragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Board, Ido Sum, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have followed Terragon closely for a while, seeing it developing into a world class marketing technology company targeting the unique African opportunity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Over recent years we led investments into Upstream (exited to Actis), as well as NYC based Persado and Cubiq who are among the leaders in the MarTech space in the US, and we are convinced that Terragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deep market understanding and platform quality can allow Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top brands as well as SMEs to finally reach, acquire and serve African consumers at scale like never before,â&#x20AC;? Sum added.

TLcomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment is the second from its $40 million TIDE Africa Fund for early and growth-stage digital companies.

Terragon has over 100 employees with offices in Lagos, Nairobi, and Accra, alongside technology hubs in Bangalore, India and Ife, Nigeria. It works closely with the largest mobile network operators in Africa, fast moving consumer goods brands, agencies, financial institutions, leading publishers, mobile device manufacturers and app developers on the continent giving brands access to over 100M consumers on mobile web and non-web channels.

The Terragon Group is a data and marketing technology business that unlocks value for businesses to reach the mobile audience in Africa. Terragon creates and strengthens the connections that bond people to brands by delivering services and solutions borne out of its core business capabilities.

Herdsmen Invade Benue Communities, Raze Houses Suspected Fulani herdsmen yesterday invaded some settlements in Tombo ward, Logo Local Government Area in Benue State.

The herdsmen, who arrived the communities in SUV, came with their cattle which grazed freely on farmlands.

The leader of the community,

Chief Job Tiza, told THISDAY that the herdsmen destroyed farm crops and razed houses in the affected communities.

Tiza said farmers in the area

have deserted their homes and are now taking refuge in Ayilamo, a community in the same local government area.

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018˾ T H I S D AY

36

NEWSXTRA

FG Targets Self-sufficiency in Paddy Rice Production by 2020 Says rice revolution is enough to guarantee Buhari’s re-election

Tobi Soniyi ËØÎ Eromosele Abiodun The federal government has announced its plans to achieve self-sufficiency in paddy production in two years by 2020.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos yesterday, said the agricultural revolution in general and the rice revolution in particular have taken millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

He said 60 per cent of rice eaten in Nigeria is produced locally, adding that the rice revolution alone is enough to guarantee the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari if he decides to run again!

Nigeria, the minister added, had never been closer to selfsufficiency in rice, a national staple food, than now.

He stressed that this has been

made possible by the purposeful leadership of President Buhari, “who has consistently said this country must produce what it consumes. Recall that President Buhari launched the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme on November 17, 2015. The programme aims to provide farm inputs in cash and kind to smallholder farmers in order to boost local production of commodities, including rice, stabilise inputs supply to agro-processors and address the country’s negative balance of payments on food.

“The result is the exponential growth in local rice production that has now moved us closer to ending rice importation. Within two years, rice importation from Thailand fell from 644,131 metric tons in September 2015 to 20,000 MT in September 2017. That’s over 90 per cent drop.

“Let me put things in

perspective. So far, less than N100 billion has been spent on the anchor borrowers’ programme that has achieved so much. Meanwhile, in April 2008, the federal government had to quickly release N80 billion from the Natural Resources Development Fund to import 500,000 MT of rice in order to cushion what it said was the effect of a global disaster.

Imagine that we had ploughed that money into rice production in 2008! We would have been exporting rice by now.”

On where Nigeria stands today in rice farming, milling and distribution, the minister said: “According to the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN), there are more than 11 million rice farmers in Nigeria today, up from five million in 2015. RIPAN’s total investment

in the Nigerian economy is in excess of N300 billion. Upcoming investments will amount to N250 billion. The new investments will add 5,000 jobs and additional 1,775,000MT of integrated rice milling capacity. It will save $300 million foreign exchange from import substitution through local processing. Nigeria’s rice paddy production has seen significant growth in the past three years from four million MT to seven million MT. Nigeria’s rice import bill, hitherto was at $1.65 billion annually, has dropped by over 90 per cent.”

Speaking on the challenge of rice smuggling, he said smuggling is the biggest obstacle facing rice production in Nigeria.

He said: “According to the Rice Millers Importers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (RIMIDAN), over two

million MT of parboiled rice were smuggled into Nigeria in 2017-smuggled rice is primarily sourced from Thailand and India and comes into Nigeria through the country’s borders with Benin Republic, Niger and Cameroon.

Let’s look at rice smuggling through Benin Republic. The total demand for white rice (white rice is consumed in Benin Republic against parboiled rice in Nigeria) is 400,000 MT. Yet the country, with a population of about 11million, imports between one million and 1.2 million MT of rice annually.”

While stressing that the federal government has achieve giant strides in fertilizer, he said fertilizer production in Nigeria today is a success story.

“Buhari set up the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) in December 2016 to deliver

commercially-significant quantities of affordable and high-quality fertilizer at the right time to the Nigerian farmers. The PFI has turned out to be a magic wand in fertilizer production.

Recall that the agriculture sector and the country’s food production were negatively impacted in 2016, as farmers became exposed to high and rising prices for key agricultural inputs. In 2017, PFI delivered 10 million 50-kilogramme bags (500,000MT) of NPK20:10:10 fertilizer at a price of N5,500 in time for the wet season.

That’s down from the price of N9, 000 per 50kg bag in 2016-a 40 per cent reduction in price. In 2018, PFI targets the delivery of 20 million 50kg bags (one million MT), double the figure for 2017,” he explained.

PDP House Caucus Wants FG to Address Gates’ Concerns on Weak Economic Policies James Emejo ÓØ ˿ ÌßÔË The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday took a swipe at the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government, challenging it to respond to the recent concerns raised by American billionaire, Bill Gates over the lack of human face in the administration’s economic policies.

It said rather than diverting public attention with its usual deceit and propaganda, the Buhari-led administration should seriously heed the advice by the American billionaire by making life more meaningful for Nigerians who had waited endlessly to see the actualisation of APC’s campaign promises.

House Minority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor, in a statement, noted that life had become “more unbearable” for even millions of those who voted for the ruling party in 2015.

The caucus said the federal government should gear up efforts and deliver on its numerous unfulfilled campaign promises to Nigerians.

The lawmakers, further berated the ruling party over its uncharitable use of the Chibok girls’ abduction during the 2015 political campaigns, adding that its current propaganda cannot help the party win the forthcoming 2019 general election.

The group also expressed regrets that Lagos residents were put into much discomfort during an APC jamboree for the commissioning of a bus terminal when the man they were celebrating had been responsible for truncating the $100 million modern metro line project started by the Jakande administration, and for which the state paid huge legal costs.

According to the caucus: “With fiendish mercilessness, APC’s 2015 campaign milked the unfortunate abduction of

Chibok girls for every available ounce of propaganda and disinformation against the preceding administration; its campaign rhetoric and official hoopla from the lying minister had included freeing of the Chibok girl and achieving total defeat of Boko Haram insurgents.”

He said: “Today, the APC government nurses palpable fear over any scrutiny of its errors in Dapchi or its unusual generosity towards Boko Haram which it promised to defeat but now almost sees as a partner with which to share deep and befuddling confidence.”

Continuing, it added: “Although the APC government is known not to be a listening one, last Thursday, the Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates emphatically stated that the federal government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan was not reflective of the people’s needs.

“It is an open secret that under APC, Nigerians have fared worse on the misery index; those who were rich before are no longer investing, the poor are becoming poorer while almost thirty million Nigerians are either unemployed or under- employed.

“According to Bill Gates, the APC government’s concentration on physical infrastructure (and fat contracts) to the detriment of human capital development exposes the undesirable inadequacies in the health and education sectors.”

The group, quoting Gates, said: “The Nigerian government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan identifies investing in the people as one of three strategic objectives. But the execution priorities don’t fully reflect people’s needs, prioritising physical capital over human capital.

BIGWIGS

L-R: Former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu; during the conferment of chieftaincy title on Chief Josephine Ada Kachikwu, in Issele-Uku, Delta State..... weekend.

Military Extend Operation in Taraba by Two Months CAS visits troops in North-east Paul Obi ÓØ ÌßÔË Amid the controversy trailing the comment by former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), urging Nigerians, particularly indigenes of Taraba State, to defend themselves from killer herdsmen, the Nigerian Army yesterday said it would extend its operation in Taraba State by two months.

Speaking on the extension, Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Texas Chukwu, said: “You will all recall that exercise Ayem Akpatuma was flagged off on February 20, 2018 to assist troops in North-central and parts of North-west on planning and conduct of ‘Military Operations Other Than War’.

“The exercise was also aimed at further sustaining Nigerian army’s constitutional roles of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as aiding the civil authority to maintain peace and security.”

Chukwu explained that

Exercise Ayem Akpatuma has recorded tremendous successes in spite of some challenges.

He noted that the exercise needed to be sustained in some areas in order to consolidate on the initial gains.

“In view of the development, the ongoing exercise Ayem Akpatuma in Taraba State has been extended by two months.

“The extension becomes necessary in order to further consolidate on the gains achieved so far and due to calls by well-meaning Nigerians.

“The extension would facilitate the Nigerian army’s effort of ridding the affected areas of militants and other criminal elements.

“The public, particularly residents of Taraba State, are therefore requested to cooperate with the troops by giving useful and timely information to enable them carry out their constitutional duties effectively,” he said.

Also, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has visited

troops on the frontline in the North-east as part of the Easter festivities.

The CAS, who was represented at the occasion by the Commander Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Idi Lubo, commended the contributions of personnel towards prosecuting the fight against insurgency in the country, and urged them not to rest on their oars.

He said although a lot of successes had been recorded in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists, the personnel needed to put more effort towards completely eradicating the menace.

The representative of the CAS later had lunch with the other NAF frontline personnel serving in Yola.

At Yola, Lubo thanked Air Marshal Abubakar for the kind gesture in facilitating the lunch.

Addressing the troops after the lunch, the representative of the CAS commended the troops for their relentless efforts and sacrifices, which had greatly

degraded the capability of the insurgents.

He equally tasked the troops to redouble their efforts to ensure that the entire country and the North-east region in particular, becomes a safer place for Nigerians.

Lubo later presented the award of the Best Officer of the Quarter to Group Captain Samuel Eyoma, who is the Head of the Data Collection and Analysis Team in the Tactical Operation Centre.

He encouraged the senior officer to remain focused and diligent in the discharge of his duties.

According NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, he also charged other personnel to emulate those qualities that won Group Captain Eyoma the award.

The CAS also seized the opportunity to inaugurate some projects at 103 Strike Group aimed at enhancing the protection of NAF critical assets in NAF Base Yola.

37

TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

NERC Seeks Foreign Trainer to Tackle Regulatory Shortcoming Chineme Okafor ÓØ ÌßÔË The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has reportedly solicited the support the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) of the United States, supports to educate or upgrade the knowledge levels of its six commissioners on current regulatory practices in the electricity market, THISDAY gathered yesterday.

Reliable sources which are aware of happenings in the commission have state that in response to NERC’s request, NARUC which was founded in 1889 as a non-profit organisation dedicated to representing the state public service commissions which regulate the utilities that provide essential services such as energy; telecommunications; power; water; and transportation in the United States, has sent a NigerianAmerican, Dr. Orjiakor Isiogu, a regulatory expert and one-time chairman of the Michigan Public Service Commission, to train the commissioners for one year on power sector regulation.

NARUC’s members include all 50 states in US including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The source explained that Isiogu would have to train and upgrade the regulatory capacities

of the commissioners who were appointed into the board of NERC in February 2017.

It was further gathered from the source that the request became necessary because the commissioners are allegedly finding it difficult to cope with the regulatory demands of the sector.

According to one of the sources, the knowledge gap between the commissioners and regular staff of the commission was wide and impeding the regulatory works of NERC being that it reportedly takes too long for the commissioners to respond to files sent to them by workers in the units they head.

The commissioners expected to benefit from the one year tutorial on regulatory practice from Isiogu include Mr. Sanusi Garba; Prof. Frank Okafor; Mr. Dafe Akpeneye; Mr. Nathan Rogers Shatti; Dr Moses Arigu; and Dr. Musiliu Oseni Olalekan.

NERC has had no substantive chairman for more than two years now.

“This precarious state of the NESI (Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry) shouldn’t have been left in the hands of a set of commissioners with almost no regulatory competency and proven track record.”

“The operators, especially the Discos are having a field day

violating NERC’s regulations with impunity, while the new NERC’s board is busy travelling all over the world to acquire basic regulatory competence which ought to have been a prequisite as spelt out in EPSR Act 2005 for any of them to be appointed as a commissioner aside from full understanding of the NESI. “Let us hope that the recently sent regulatory expert and ex-chairman of Michigan State Public Utility Commission, a Nigerian-American, Dr. Orjiakor Isiogu, currently on a one-year mentoring attachment with NERC would accelerate the ramping up of the regulatory competency of the commissioners,” the source added.

But when contacted for clarification on this development, the head of public affairs unit of

the NERC, Dr. Usman Arabi, told THISDAY that the commission has an existing collaboration with NARUC and that it was within this partnership that Isiogu has come.

Arabi noted that he was not aware of any specific training schedule for the commissioners of the NERC alone by Isiogu, adding that the NERC constantly turns to agencies like NARUC and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for capacity building.

He stated: “We’ve had this long-term partnership that has been on for 10 years. It is what you call an exchange programme where we send our staff to them and they send theirs here so that they can help us in the areas of international best practices as far as electricity regulation is concerned.

“You know they have been doing this for so many years, like in the last 300 years while ours is just 10 years. Whatever knowledge we can get from them is good, and especially that he (Isiogu) is a Nigerian and understands our terrain very well.

It is not like he is here specifically to train the commissioners, he is here as part of the exchange programme, and of course, he will advise us from time to time on one or two issues especially as we come up with some of new regulations. He is not exclusively here to train commissioners.”

When asked how long Isiogu will be in Nigeria, Arabi said: “He will come and go. Like it was said, this exchange has been on for long, and earlier in the year, they sent some people to come and help us. At the end of April, another group will also come in

and we will discuss the mini grid regulation. They will teach us how they’ve done it. It is all part of the Power Africa initiative that the federal government has signed up to.”

However, a biography of Isiogu from the Michigan Public Service Commission indicated that his public service experience is extensive. It explained that starting from 1989, he served as an assistant attorney general for Michigan in their special litigation division. Following that, he was the director of telecommunications for the Michigan Public Service Commission. During this, he was responsible for carrying out Michigan Children’s Protection Registry Act and the Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Act. He has also served as the chairman of the board of NARUC.

Soldiers Free Senator Held Hostage by Angry Youths in Gombe A detachment of soldiers have freed Senator Joshua Lidani, representing Gombe South, in the senate from youths who held him hostage.

Lidani was held hostage yesterday after he visited the headquarters of Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The youths accused the

senator of abandoning them since he got elected in 2015 and demanded that he account for his stewardship.

He was then forced to take refuge at the residence of the traditional ruler of Talasse.

According to Premium Times, soldiers were called to rescue the senator after the protesters forced the police to retreat to a distance.

One of the protesters simply identified as John said the soldiers shot into the air to disperse the protesters.

“Even the soldiers were at first confronted by the protesters when they arrived and sought to free the senator,” John reportedly said.

He added: “His car is still parked where he left it, and I

don’t know how he intends to pick it later, unless if he has given it to the emir.”

On Saturday, Garba Julde, member representing Bali/Gassol federal constituency of Taraba in the House of Representatives, was attacked.

His constituents reportedly hurled stones at the lawmaker for allegedly abandoning them.

38

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018

TUESDAYSPORTS

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

Rohr Plots ‘Plan B’ to Stop Messi at Russia 2019 Femi Solaja with agency report With barely 84 days to the clash between Nigeria and perennial World Cup group stage rival and one of the tournament’s favourites, Argentina, Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has revealed another possible way to ensure that FC Barcelona talisman, Lionel Messi, will not hurt his team in the match.

The Franco-German tactician knows the importance of the player’s influence in the Albeceleste and has insisted that the Argentine captain would not be man-marked during the match.

Rohr is also aware that the five-time world player of the year winner, is managing his playing time for both club and country in other to be injury- free in the final quarter of the ongoing football season.

Messi may not play against the three-time African

champions if things go on according to plans of the South American side.

“If Argentina wins its first two games, Messi may not want to play against us, that’s another possibility,” Rohr was quoted by www. fcbarcelonalive.com.

With this calculation, the Super Eagles coach hopes that Argentina will tame Iceland in their opening match and win again against Croatia in the second game before facing Nigeria in the last group tie which may not necessarily be a must win for the South American power house and thus parade a team without the their inspirational captain.

Messi who missed out in the two international friendly matches of Argentina in last week’s FIFA window due to injury, rescued his FC Barcelona side from the jaw of first Laliga defeat this season with a 2-2 draw at FC Sevilla.

Messi rescued Barca from

0-2 down to score a late minute goal outside the box and secured the Catalan side’s pride of 30 games unbeaten run in the league and only one time across

all completions including the UEFA Champions league.

“In the alternative that he plays against us, nothing is impossible. The only solution against Messi is a collective

and not an individual solution. We will have time to observe,” the Nigeria coach remarked.

The two teams will face each other at the World Cup

in summer at the Krestovsky Stadium in St Petersburg Russia at 7pm Nigerian time for the third consecutive time with Nigeria on the losing side.

Kanu Guns for Buhari’s Job Nigeria’s football legend, Nwankwo Kanu, has been inspired by Liberian icon George Weah’s feat.

The former Arsenal FC and Inter Milan forward has announced he will run for President of Nigeria in the 2019 election.

Weah, who had a very successful football career in Europe, was elected President of Liberia in the 2017 election, defeating the incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai, and sworn in on 22 January 2018.

“My presence here today is about the future of our country and the happiness of our people,” Kanu said on Goal.com yesterday.

“The last 18 years of leadership has witnessed a decline in all critical sectors of life in Nigeria, plus general

insecurity in the land.

“Also, I’ll do all it takes to wrestle corruption which has become blatant and widespread. The rest of the world looks at Nigeria as the home of corruption,” Kanu, who also had a successful career in Europe, added.

“If I get your mandate, I promise to do things differently and restore honour and integrity to public service by keeping the best and attracting the best.

“George Weah’s victory in Liberia is a pointer that this dream is very realistic with you all on my side.”

Kanu, 41, will be hoping to unseat incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2019 general elections which will be held in Nigeria on 16 February 2019.

GOTV BOXING NIGHT 14

Beninois Vows to Beat Baby Face to Pulp Djossou “Agoy” Basile, the Beninois opponent of Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde for the West African Boxing Union (WABU) welterweight title bout scheduled for GOtv Boxing Night 14, has vowed to reduce the Nigerian to pulp.

The fight, along with six others, will hold at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos, on 14 April.

Basile, whose fightinh record is impressive, said he is aware that Baby Face is unbeaten, a record he is coming to end.

“I will crush him like paper waste. I know he has not been defeated, but that is because he has been fighting his mates. I am not his mate. In terms of boxing, I am his father. A father can whip his son whenever the son is naughty,” Basile said through an interpreter at the weekend.

Similarly, scheduled to be in action at the event is Nigeria’s Waidi “Skoro” Usman, who is scheduled to take on Kenya’s Michael “Shaka” Nyawade for the African Boxing Union featherweight title.

In yet another title fight, Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu will attempt to win the national lightweight title when he takes on Kazeem “Ijoba” Badmus.

Also in the lightweight category, ABU champion, Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph will face Prince “Lion” Nwoye in a challenge bout.

In the cruiserweight division, Ramon “Hyena” Razak will clash with Abiodun “Finito” Afini, while Chukwuebuka “Wise King” Ezewudo will fight Semiu “ Jagaban” Olapade in the super middleweight category. The event will also see Majesty Maduka up against Sulaimon Adeosun.

Super Eagles’ Tyronne Ebuehi (right) and William Troost-Ekong (in background) during the international friendly with Serbia in London last week

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

Juventus Seeks Revenge against Real Madrid Tonight Italian champions, Juventus hopes to banish the memories of last season’s UEFA Champions League final when they clash with cup holders Real Madrid in the first leg quarter-finals match in Turin tonight.

Juventus were beaten 4-1 by Los Blancos at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff 10 months ago and will be hoping for a better outcome this year in the quest for a semi final berth for the third consecutive season of the competition.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side are flying high in Serie A, where they hold a four-point lead over Napoli at the top of the table with eight games left to play.

Indeed Juventus have not lost in any competition since November 11 when Sampdoria claimed a 3-2 win in the league. The Italian giants beat Tottenham 4-2 on aggregate in the last 16 to set up a rematch with the back-

to-back European champions.

Allegri has prepared his players meticulously for the two-legged tie against the defending champions and believes they have improved this term, but knows they have to be at their best to keep Ronaldo at bay.

“We are aware of facing the strongest team in the UEFA Champions League,” the Italian told the assembled media. “I have watched the Cardiff final several times. I think we have improved to handle the difficult moments of the game compared to last season.

“We have to always try to remain in the game, especially because this game is lasting 180 minutes.

“This is a gala night for us, and our fans must be proud of a team who reached the final twice in the last three years. We need their support tomorrow.”

Real Madrid appears to be

hitting form at the right time after a disappointing domestic campaign by their own high standards. After being dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Leganes in January, they have only lost once in their next 13 outings across all competitions.

The champions of Spain have won their last four La Liga matches to move up to third in the standings, four points behind Atletico Madrid but13 adrift of leaders FC Barcelona.

Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane is refusing to dwell on their success over his former club last year and believes that Juventus will provide a sterner test over two legs.

“We are here to play a good game, but certainly the final in Cardiff has nothing to do with tomorrow’s match and we will not think about that. It’s a completely different story,” the Frenchman said in his

pre-match press conference last night.

“This Juventus side have always been very strong and they are confirming it this season as well. They are a complete side and we will have to be very careful with their strong defence but also their dangerous attackers.

As I said, they are strong everywhere.

“The team has not changed much compared to the final in Cardiff but it will be a completely different game as 10 months have passed now. The season did not go as well as we expected but I’m happy because now we are in good form.”

TODAY Juventus Vs Real Madrid Sevilla Vs Bayern Munich

TOMORROW FC Barcelona Vs AS Roma Liverpool Vs Man City

Okowa to Perform Groundbreaking of Nigeria’s 1st Sports Varsity Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Prospects for effective takeoff of administrative and academic activities in the proposed premier sports university in Nigeria have brightened as all is set for the groundbreaking ceremony of Stars University, in Idumuje-Ugboko in Aniocha North Local Government area of Delta State.

The ceremony is expected to be performed by Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, today.

A statement by a former member of the House of Representatives, Prince Ned Nwoko in Idumuje-Ugboko, said that the groundbreaking ceremony will “signal the formal construction work on the takeoff site with the blocks

for administration, classrooms and hall of residence” of the proposed STARS University.

“The commencement of the project is coming on the heels of the approval granted to the premier university of sports in the sub-Saharan Africa by the National Universities Commission (NUC), on November 3, 2017.

“The approval has given us

the impetus to commence the development of the institution immediately with the aim of starting full academic and administrative operations in the 2018-2019 session.”

Aside the state governor who is the Chief Host, Capt. Hosa Okunbo, Chief Nwaukoni, the Iyase of Ogwashi-Uku are among the other dignitaries expected at the event.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY APRIL 3, 2018

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Price: N250

MISSILE SERAP to FG “This kind of action can only diminish the government’s ability to fight corruption, frustrate its oft-expressed goal of a transparent governance, allow suspected perpetrators— whether from the All Progressives Congress (APC) or the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)--to escape justice, and ultimately, deny victims of corruption justice and effective remedies” – Executive Director, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Adetokunbo Mumuni cautioning the federal government to do the right thing by releasing a comprehensive list of treasury looters regardless of party affiliation.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

Where is the Nigerian Opposition?

L

ess than a year to the next general elections in Nigeria, the biggest deficit in the political process leading to that moment is the absence of a robust, virile and effective opposition. The role of the opposition in a democracy is to question, criticize, challenge, and audit the governments of the day – local and national - and make them more transparent and accountable, and even if these twin-objectives may not be immediately achieved, the opposition exists nonetheless to put the people in power “on their toes” as it were in the people’s overall interest.

This is the underlying principle of a parliamentary system of government, and even in other forms of government including a Presidential system, the opposition provides checks and balances, it is a kind of alternative government, a counterweight, providing such balance that could safeguard the integrity of the political process. But of course, what is at stake is “the conquest of power”: the opposition provides the people with a choice and ultimately seeks to wrestle power from or out of the hands of the incumbent and present a different vision of social and economic progress.

In doing this, the opposition may be constructive - in this regard it could even work with the ruling party or government to promote the national interest.

This was the case under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao of India who once sent opposition leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva, as leader of the Indian delegation, to defend the government on its human rights record in response to allegations

by Pakistan.

Rao’s party members, who felt he had no business working with the opposition criticized him as loudly as they could, but the Prime Minister felt it was more important to be bi-partisan and project a picture of national unity. It is not a strategy that has endured in India’s divisive politics. But what is known is that in other jurisdictions, members of the opposition in parliament sometimes vote on a non-partisan basis on key issues before the parliament. This may occur when the rivalry among the political parties is peaceful and there is a broad consensus that the country is far more important than the boundaries imposed by partisan politics.

For the most part however, opposition politics can be disruptive, and apropos, the strategy of the opposition is not to construct anything or offer any value but to “oppose, oppose, oppose” by any means possible to wear down and pull down the incumbent government. Physical violence, blackmail, abusive words, post-truth imagery and fake news are part of the arsenal of the disruptive opposition.

In Nigeria at the moment, we neither have in my estimation a constructive or a disruptive opposition. Whatever we have that may look remotely as any form of opposition is weak, uncoordinated, and ineffective. Our political parties are internally polarized, politics has become evil, our political leaders do not know where to draw the line, the ruling government is having an upper hand, it is committed to an unrelenting, overzealous persecution of the opposition and progressive ideas. The last time we witnessed what looked like organized opposition, even if

PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus it was disruptive, was ironically through the All Progressives Congress (APC). In 2013, a number of political parties formed a synergy with civil society groups to become the All Progressives Congress, and adopting an “oppose, oppose, oppose” strategy, they managed by 2015 to get the ruling Peoples Democratic Party out of power.

It was a major turning point in Nigerian politics since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

But the PDP was not prepared for its new role as the leading opposition party, just as the new government led by the APC was equally unprepared for governance. This sudden reversal of roles caught Nigeria’s main political actors napping. The APC at the centre found it difficult to even appoint Ministers: it took six months to come up with a list.

In one or two states, the Governors acted as sole administrators for up to a year. There are about 80 registered political parties in the country, but these are at best relatively unknown parties. The main political party, the PDP has been largely in disarray since it lost power. Most of its members have defected to the new ruling party, many of its founding fathers now prefer to be known and addressed as statesmen, and the party’s strong mouthpieces have all been cowed into silence by a ruling party that is wielding power like a whip.

The PDP came out of power mired in a corrosive in-fighting and blame-sharing that robbed the party of its soul. It was later “kidnapped”, and then rescued, but it is not yet in strong enough shape to stand up to the ruling party, offer alternative views or organize itself properly. Who is even the national leader of the PDP? Close to the next general elections as we are, nobody is quite sure.

What exactly does the PDP want to do? It is not so clear either. Is the PDP still interested in power?

If it is, it is not showing the kind of determination that the APC projected in 2014.

There are PDP members in the legislature at the Federal and State levels, but their voices have not been loud enough. Nigerian politics has not been ideology-driven for a while, that is one explanation, but it is also possible that the remaining PDP members are hedging their bets and secretly planning to join the APC. This is the case because the ruling APC is now in charge of state resources – and that is a major attraction for Nigerian politicians, besides, the APC not knowing how to govern has been functioning more as an opposition party. It has spent the last three years hounding PDP members and the Jonathan administration, and making it difficult for anyone

to come up with progressive, opposition ideas.

It had to take Microsoft’s Bill Gates to criticize the Economic Recovery and Growth Programme (ERGP) of the Federal Government before the PDP realized that such a document existed. The new PDP, failing in its role as an opposition party, cedes the initiative to the APC and merely reacts through statements that do not even make much impact. In the states across the Federation, opposition members often forget what their role in the legislature is supposed to be as they join the queue of lawmakers trooping to the Government House to collect favours from imperial Governors.

At the Federal level, APC Senator Dino Melaye has functioned more as an opposition leader than any PDP Senator with his persistent interrogation of Executive policies and actions. One or two PDP Senators, along with some other APC members, in comparison, have since acquired a reputation for going to the Red Chamber to sleep during plenary sessions! There is no quality debate as such in our parliaments, more or less, and so the debate about Nigeria has shifted to morning shows on radio and television, oftentimes conducted by ill-equipped analysts and the hysterical crowd.

It is the country that pays the cost when the opposition is asleep, and one political party is allowed to ride roughshod over everyone just because it is in power and office. When members of the APC claim that there is no alternative to President Muhammadu Buhari, I guess they are not saying there are no persons who are better qualified than the President; rather they are saying they cannot see any organized opposition that could pose a threat to the continued stay of the Buhari government in power beyond May 2019.

And by conduct, they even make it clear that whoever challenges the APC should be prepared to face the consequences of doing so. The APC mastered bully tactics as an opposition party. It continues to rely on the same tactics as a ruling party.

The gap that has been created by the absence of an effective opposition in Nigerian politics since 2015 is gradually now being filled by thought leaders. Sometime in 2016, I wrote a piece titled “Where are the public intellectuals? in which I challenged the Nigerian intelligentsia generally to rouse from its slumber. That slumber is perhaps understandable. The Nigerian intelligentsia bought into the APC project in 2014 and 2015, and wanted the PDP out of the way by all means. Not too long ago, confronted with the failings of the APC as a ruling party, this special class has since recanted.

I dealt with that in “The season of recanting” (Jan.16) but since this other article, the political space has since become more interesting with the interventions of persons like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Ibrahim Babangida, General TY Danjuma, Professor Wole Soyinka and the emergence of groups like the Obasanjo-led Coalition for Nigeria, the Agbakoba-led Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM), the Ezekwesililed Red Card Movement, and the Concerned Nigerians Movement led by Charly Boy Oputa.

The main battle-ground in recent times however has been the Nigerian social media where young Nigerians have been quite loud in expressing their dissatisfaction with the Buhari administration.

The social media proved to be a strong weapon

of mobilization in the hands of the APC before 2015, now it is its main nemesis.

Useful as these interventions, this reawakening of the civil society, may seem, the value is limited except there is a formal opposition that is specifically organized for the “conquest of power” at the polls. There is a growing consensus among these groups that both the APC and the PDP are of no use, they have not yet identified an alternative political party that can engage the ruling party but I believe the point is not lost on the actors involved that elections are won or lost not on twitter but by political parties actively organized for political action. Opposition politics involves branding, strategy, organization and pro-active action. Nigerian Opposition parties seeking to dislodge the APC can work together to form a political coalition as the APC did in 2013, and even if they do not win in 2019, the country’s political process would be better enriched by a constructive and strong engagement from the opposition that any ruling government deserves.

The current infidelity of the average Nigerian politician is the biggest obstacle that I see. Most Nigerian politicians do not necessarily go into politics because of what they can contribute, but because of what they intend to take out of it. The APC would continue to insist on its self-ascribed invincibility if the best that other political parties can offer is to apologize. The PDP Chairman recently apologized to Nigerians for whatever the PDP did while in power for 16 years. I don’t know whether that is meant to be a strategy or a confession but the meaninglessness of it has been exposed by the vicious responses from the APC and how the PDP has found itself having to struggle to put in a word. The Nigerian Opposition when eventually it awakens and seeks to engage the APC must realize that the APC has a tested opposition machinery, which found itself out of depths in the context of governance, but which in an election season could assume its emotional memory state, and with the resources now at its disposal, including power, prove to be deadly.

Opposition politics is not rocket science and nobody has to travel to India, the UK or the United States to master it. In Nigeria’s First and Second Republics, whatever may have been the problems of that era, this country had a rich culture of opposition politics. Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the Action Group and later the Unity Party of Nigeria, as an opposition leader, confronted the ruling government with hard facts and figures and an alternative vision of how Nigeria could be rescued. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Malam Aminu Kano and Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri – opposition figures at various times – also stood for something.

Whoever wants to rule Nigeria or any part thereof should be prepared to tell us exactly what he or she wants to do and how and when. If we have not learnt any lesson, we should by now have realized that a politician wearing Nigerian clothes, taking fine photos, eating corn by the roadside, over-promising, pretending to respect women and children, distributing cash and food, claiming to be a democrat, dancing to impress, and sometimes projecting himself or herself as nationalistic may not be what we are made to see. Nigeria needs a different breed, new faces, new ideas, a new way of politics.

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