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US, UK Envoys Meet with Otedola, Discuss Investment Opportunities Obinna Chima United States Ambassador to Nigeria Stuart Symington and his UK counterpart Amb Paul Arkwright have paid separate visits to the Chairman of Forte Oil Plc Mr. Femi Otedola,

during which the parties held discussions on the Nigerian economy and the role of businesses in the country in exploring partnerships with international businesses to create more job opportunities for Nigerian youths.

At the breakfast meeting with Otedola at his Ikoyi, Lagos residence, the U.S. ambassador commended the Nigerian energy magnate for his continuing investments in the country and for being a role model for other

indigenous entrepreneurs.

The American envoy drew Otedola’s attention to Nigeria’s growing population, noting that the private sector has a critical role to play in creating opportunities for youths to be gainfully employed and

in nation building.

This, Symington added, would help to address poverty in the country and rising insecurity due to the high rate of unemployment.

He encouraged Otedola to explore partnerships with

U.S. companies interested in investing in solar power projects and exports.

Responding, Otedola, who in addition to being the majority shareholder in Forte Oil, is also an investor Continued on page 6

Buhari Okays Release of $1bn from ECA to Fight Insecurity… Page 6 Thursday 5 April, 2018 Vol 23. No 8386. Price: N250

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MPC Retains MPR at 14%, Urges Savings to Guard Against Oil Price Shocks Wants contractors’ debts paid to reduce NPLs Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja and Obinna Chima in Lagos The reconstituted Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria

(CBN) rose from its first meeting this year and retained key monetary policy rates, keeping the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 14 per cent, the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at

22.5 per cent, Liquidity Ratio (LR) at 30.0 per cent, and the asymmetric corridor at +200 and -500 basis points around the MPR. The committee also observed

the increasing monetisation of oil proceeds as evident in the recent growing Federation Account allocations to the three tiers of government, relative to disbursements in

2017, and urged the fiscal authorities to initiate strong stabilisation programmes and freeze the growth in its aggregate expenditure and FAAC distributions in order

to create savings.

This, the committee said, was needed to stabilise the Continued on page 8

APC Governors Close Ranks with Buhari, Ditch Oyegun, Exco Party prepares for congresses, convention, NEC to meet Monday Omololu Ogunmade and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja After a flurry of meetings spanning over 24 hours, the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday finally caved in to President Muhammadu Buhari’s rejection of the tenure elongation approved for the elected and appointed executives of the party at all levels, and resolved to go ahead with congresses and a convention for the election of new party executives Following the resolution reached by various stakeholders of the party on the tenure elongation, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC led by Continued on page 6

PULLING APC FROM THE BRINK… President Muhammadu Buhari (third left), flanked by Governors Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State (left), Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State (second left), Simon Lalong of Plateau State (third right), Rochas Okorocha of Imo State (second right) and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, when the five All Progressives Congress (APC) governors met with the president at the State House, Abuja, yesterday to resolve the tenure elongation quagmire of the ruling party

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Buhari Okays Release of $1bn from ECA to Fight Insecurity FG silent on approvals by state assemblies Fayose insists funds meant for president’s re-election bid Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has given approval for the release of $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to fight the rising spate of insecurity across the country.

The Minister of Defence, Col. Mansur Dan-Ali, who made the disclosure after a meeting of the president with security chiefs at the State House, Abuja yesterday, told journalists that the president recently approved the use of the money for the purchase of military equipment.

“What I can add, after all that I have said, is to inform you that of recent, President Muhammadu Buhari gave approval for the purchase of more equipment for the military, worth $1 billion,” he said.

The minister, who stressed that the money had earlier been approved by governors, described yesterday’s meeting as “a normal meeting of the security agencies in the country”, adding: “We discussed current activities that affect most of the states in the federation like Taraba, Zamfara and other states.”

At the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in December last year, the federal government

was given the nod to withdraw $1 billion from the $2.31 billion left in the ECA to fight the insurgency in the North-east.

The NEC decision, however, led to criticism from both the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some of the governors, notably Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose at the time.

The National Assembly also joined the fray, saying it must be consulted before the withdrawal could be made.

Since then, nothing was heard of the money until the defence minister disclosed yesterday that the president recently gave the approval for its use.

Dan-Ali was also silent on if the state Houses of Assemblies had given the federal government the green light to withdraw the funds from the ECA, even after the governors had given the approval at the NEC meeting for the $1 billion to be taken from the account.

Given that the funds in the ECA belong to the three tiers of government, the 36 state Houses of Assembly are required to give the federal government the go ahead to withdraw funds meant for projects for the federation.

In 2007, the governors had cried out after former President Olusegun Obasanjo unilaterally

gave approval for the withdrawal of between $3 billion and $5 billion from the ECA for the construction of the 10 National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) mostly located in the Niger Delta.

It took for his successor, the late Umaru Yar’Adua, to rectify the issue when he stopped the construction of the power plants and set up of a presidential committee headed by then VicePresident Goodluck Jonathan.

It was only after the committee, which included one governor representing each of the geopolitical zones in the country, got the approval of the state Houses of Assemblies to withdraw more funds for the NIPPs that construction on the power plants resumed.

Dan-Ali, who also said yesterday’s meeting resolved to deploy military operations in Zamfara and Katsina States, said another military division had taken off in Sokoto, adding that the strength of military personnel in the country was equally increased.

He also said efforts were being made to rescue Leah Sharibu, one of the abducted Dapchi girls who has remained in Boko Haram captivity because she refused to renounce her Christian faith and convert to Islam.

According to him, “We have operationalised a division in Sokoto. There will be a brigade in Katsina and another brigade in Zamfara that will take care of the security situation in that area.

“Of course, the strength of security personnel has been increased including the Nigerian Air Force for additional quick response. So they have added enough manpower in that area.”

On Leah Sharibu, he said: “Well, we are making all available efforts to see that the girl is returned safely.”

But reacting to the announcement on the withdrawal of the $1 billion from the ECA, Fayose aid yesterday questioned Buhari’s approval, describing it as the pooling of public funds for the purpose of funding the president’s re-election bid as well as the up coming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.

The governor demanded to know whether or not the $1 billion was from the ECA, noting that it will be illegal and against the principle of federalism that operates in Nigeria for the president, who is the head of just one of the federating units to approve spending of funds belonging to the three tiers of government without the consent of heads of other federating units.

In a statement issued in Ado

Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, the governor asked: “When did the National Assembly approve the spending of the $1 billion?

Or can the president spend $1 billion belonging to Nigerians without the approval of the National Assembly?”

He said Nigerians required explanations from the federal government as to where the $1 billion will be sourced because the president lacks the power to unilaterally spend money from the ECA. “Not even when there is a pending suit by Ekiti State local council chairmen challenging the powers of the 36 state governors to purportedly execute the constitutional duty of the federal government without their consent.

“Another question the federal government must answer is: which insurgency are they buying arms worth $1 billion (N370 billion) to fight? Is it the same Boko Haram that they told Nigerians they have completely defeated?

“Since they said they have defeated Boko Haram, and later told Nigerians that they had a ceasefire agreement with the insurgents, what else do they need a whopping $1 billion for, if not to fund the 2019 elections?

“Also, up till now, the government is yet to give satisfactory explanations as to the abduction and return of the Dapchi schoolgirls. With the hurried approval of $1 billion, is it not being reinforced that the Boko Haram insurgency has become a source of looting public funds by this government?

“It is on record that Transparency International (TI) once said in its report that some top military officials in the country were feeding fat from the war against Boko Haram by creating fake contracts and laundering the proceeds in the United States, United Kingdom and elsewhere,” Fayose said.

The governor reiterated his challenge to the federal government to make available to Nigerians how the money released by international donors for the fight against Boko Haram was spent.

He said: “Like I have maintained, they are building a very huge financial warchest towards the 2019 elections and our treasury is daily being looted to achieve this.

“One of such means is the $1 billion approved by the president purportedly for the procurement of arms to fight a Boko Haram insurgency they claimed to have defeated.”

on Tuesday to review the tenure elongation issue was a mere formality.

However, the committee headed by the Plateau State governor Simon Lalong, was asked to go ahead and conclude its assignment including a position paper that will be presented to the party’s next NEC meeting scheduled for

Monday.

Addressing reporters at the end of a four-hour meeting with the governors, Oyegun said all issues relating to the disagreement over tenure elongation had been resolved.

“Today, the governors and the National Working Committee of the party decided to sit and look at the issues

that are seemingly dividing us. I want to say to you with absolute satisfaction and pride that all the issues you have been commenting about in the last two days have been completely and totally resolved,” he said.

Oyegun, who was flanked by Governors Rochas Okorocha of

on the current ranking.

“We in the private sector continue to meet with government ministries and agencies and collaborate with them in areas where more improvement is needed so that we can attract more foreign direct investment into the country.

“And I am sure that with the support of the UK government

and businesses in some of these areas, we will continue to see improvements in all sectors of the economy,” Otedola said.

He thanked Arkwright for the visit and expressed his commitment to working with British businesses on exploring new ventures in Nigeria.

APC GOVERNORS CLOSE RANKS WITH BUHARI, DITCH OYEGUN, EXCO Chief John Odigie-Oyegun as well as executives at the state and local government levels will be expected to step down on June 13.

By siding with Buhari on the issue, it means that the National Leader of the APC Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had pushed for Oyegun’s ouster, has gotten his way.

At a meeting held yesterday between some governors of the APC and members of the NWC, the party agreed that it would adhere to Buhari’s advisory to drop the one-year extension granted to the executives at the February meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC. The decision was a follow up

to the meeting five governors of the party had with Buhari at the State House, Abuja yesterday, where it was agreed to hold the congresses and convention of the APC to pave the way for the election of new executives.

It was also agreed at the meeting with the NWC that the job of the technical committee set up by the party leadership

Continued on page 8

US, UK ENVOYS MEET WITH OTEDOLA, DISCUSS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES in the Geregu power plant in Ajaokuta, Kogi State and is expanding into solar power, thanked the U.S. ambassador for the visit and expressed his commitment to working with international businesses to expand his footprint in the country.

“Nigerians are very entrepreneurial and would latch on to any opportunity to start and grow a business. The problem, however, has been access to cheap and long-term capital which remains an impediment.

“That is where we would like the U.S. to come in by encouraging private equity firms, venture capitalists and using U.S. export guarantees, among others, to support Nigerian businesses to become competitive and make good returns on their investments,” he said.

He reminded Symington that despite the political and economic risks in the country, Nigeria remains one of the few countries in the world where the returns on investment are still high due to the infrastructure and technological gaps, making foreign investment a worthwhile venture.

Also, Otedola hosted the British ambassador Arkwright to dinner at his residence recently, where talks centred on improving business ties between local

businesses and British firms.

Like his U.S. counterpart, Arkwright congratulated Otedola for his investment drive in the country, saying businesses such as Forte Oil had become beacons for others to follow.

He assured Otedola that given the strong historic ties between Britain and Nigeria, the country remained an investment magnet

for UK companies seeking to do business on the African continent.

He charged Otedola to collaborate with other Nigerian entrepreneurs and businesses to encourage the federal government on creating a conducive environment for foreign and local businesses to thrive.

Otedola, in his response, assured the British envoy that

the Nigeria government has a policy in place and a council co-led by the private sector on the ease of doing business.

“As you know, Nigeria recently improved its ranking on the World Bank’s ease of doing business index by moving up 24 places. But the federal government is not resting on its oars because it wants to improve

TOP GAINERS LASACO FIDELITY ACCESS MAYBAKER AFRIALLIANCE TOP LOSERS DANGFLOUR MULTIVERSE SOVEREIGNTRUST

Chairman, Forte Oil Plc, Femi Otedola (left) and British Ambassador to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, when Otedola hosted the British envoy to dinner at his residence… recently

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NEWS APC GOVERNORS CLOSE RANKS WITH BUHARI, DITCH OYEGUN, EXCO Imo State Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Abubakar Badau of Jigawa State, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Jubril Bindow of Adamawa State, Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, however, appeared to contradict the governors when in one breath he said that with the resolution of the issue APC was now “back tougher as one big family”, but in another breath added that the technical committee headed by Lalong would take a decision on the tenure elongation quagmire and present its recommendations to NEC on Monday.

“We are back in business as one united and happy family. I want to say also that yesterday we set up a technical committee as ordered by NEC. “From the very first minute that we called them to action, they have worked non-stop because I emphasised when I was inaugurating them that their report was time sensitive.

“It is sensitive because we have already sent out notices for the meeting of NEC which will hold on Monday. I am glad to say that the chairman of the technical committee has reported that his report will be ready this evening or tomorrow morning.

“This report will be placed before NEC on Monday, April 9 and the appropriate decision will be taken. Thereafter, we will announce to you the further steps that we are going to take resulting from NEC consideration of the recommendations when we receive them.

“The bottom line is that the APC leadership is back as one

happy, united and focused party; strongly behind our president and strongly behind our governors in all the states,” he said.

Reinforcing Oyegun’s remarks, APC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi also said whatever option the party takes will be decided by the technical committee.

“It is left for the NEC to decide and if the committee recommends that the position of NEC should be maintained then there would be no need for an elective convention and then the president and those who are concerned that the decision we have taken is correct or not will have more confidence in the position of the party.

“But if the committee recommends that congresses should be held then NEC will consider the report and at the same time decide whether to reverse itself. However, as I speak with you there is no evidence whether the committee will recommend this way or the other way,” he said.

Bolaji said what the Zamfara governor, Abdulaziz Yari, had told journalists that there will be congresses and convention to replace the out-going executives was his personal opinion and not yet that of the party.

However, a party source dismissed the contradictory statements by Oyegun and Abdullahi, stating that they were face-saving remarks made to give the impression that the technical committee will reverse the decision to jettison the tenure elongation for the party executives.

According to him, the governors had met with Buhari in the morning and proceeded to meet with the NWC where

it was firmly decided that there will be no tenure elongation but congresses and the convention of the party.

He also revealed that governors committed to funding the elective convention to ensure its success.

The source added that governors had to go to Oyegun to appeal to him not to be obstinate on the extension of his tenures and that of other executives, and in return, he demanded that as long as he remains the chairman of the party, he should be allowed pick members of the convention committees in accordance with the APC constitution.

Before meeting with the NWC, five governors of the APC had met with the president yesterday, with a resolve to abide by the party’s constitution.

The five governors, who are also staunch supporters of the president and his call for fresh party elections were Yari, Lalong, Okorocha, Ganduje and Amosun.

The president had at the NEC of the party held on March 27, expressed his objection to the February approval given by same NEC for the extension of the tenure of the APC executives, saying the extension violated both the Nigerian constitution and that of the party.

But yesterday, the governors said following their meeting with the president on Tuesday at the State House, they resolved to hold another meeting later at night on the same day, during which they resolved to abide by the president’s admonition that the provisions of the party’s constitution on the party elections should be upheld.

According to the governors, the entire APC Governors’ Forum had resolved that in accordance with the president’s counsel, fresh congresses and convention should be conducted from the ward to the national level.

In his briefing after meeting with the president yesterday, Yari who admitted that they failed to brief journalists after the Tuesday meeting, claimed that there was no disagreement among them as widely reported.

On Tuesday, following the intensity of the argument among them, the governors emerged from the meeting wearing long faces and declining to answer questions from journalists.

But Yari said following consultations after the Tuesday meeting, they had all resolved to support the president’s position.

“Gentlemen of the press, you know yesterday (Tuesday) we left you in the dark after the meeting and today (Wednesday) we have seen so many headlines that there was a disagreement between the governors over the issue of party chairman or about the party leadership.

“No, we had a meeting with Mr. President yesterday (Tuesday), and we extended the meeting till last night and we followed up with the consultations with the president now.

“We consulted and all the 24 governors of the APC are on the same page with Mr. President that we are going to respect our party constitution.

“We are going to respect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So, we collectively agreed that we

will have congresses at all levels – local, state and national.

“And the committee set up by the national secretariat of our party headed by the governor of Plateau State is presenting its report later today (yesterday).

“The governors are also meeting with the National Working Committee of the party today (yesterday) so that we come up with convention committee names as well as the timetable for the congresses and the convention.

“So, there was no deadlock in our meeting. We have progressed and very soon, you will have the names of the convention committee members as well as the timetable.”

Also briefing, Okorocha said there was no crisis among the governors, noting that they only had to contend with the belief among some of them that there was insufficient time to conduct fresh party congresses, arguing that it was in the attempt to thrash out the matter, that it was insinuated that there was a rift among the governors.

Okorocha who echoed Yari that they again met with the president and resolved to proceed with Buhari’s suggestion to conduct fresh congresses leading to the election of new party leaders, added that their resolve on reversing the issue of tenure elongation did not translate to a no confidence vote on the current leaders of the APC. Okorocha, who said the outgoing party leaders were free to participate in the proposed fresh elections in their respective domains, added that an election timetable would soon be rolled out.

“I just want to let you know that there is no crisis in the APC at all. And we want to

use this opportunity to advise the media to stop spreading rumours of a crisis in the APC. There is no single crisis in APC. “The issue was that some people believed that we did not have enough time to organise party congresses and the convention. Some people felt that it was a good idea, but the most important thing is that if we do not go ahead (to organise fresh congresses/convention), we will be contravening both our party constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is the major issue that we had that they called a crisis. We do not have such a thing.

“This morning, we met with Mr. President to fine-tune issues. One, regarding the congresses and convention and we have resolved that the congresses at all levels will be held and the chairman is also fine-tuning the arrangement for the convention in that same light. To this effect, the convention committee will be set out. It will be announced.

“But let me correct one impression: the issue of congresses and convention does not mean that the previous people who have served the party have done badly. And it does not mean that they cannot come back or that they cannot re-contest. That is not the case.

“We are simply saying that their tenure has ended and those who wish to re-contest can re-contest and can be elected into our party structures.

So, we are all one as a family and we are set to go for 2019 elections in victory,” the Imo governor explained.

Echoing Yari and Okorocha, Lalong said: “I’m submitting my report today. There is no crisis in our party.”

an intense induction programme and were fully apprised of their responsibilities.

to allow the directional trends in both growth and inflation to continue to move towards desired levels.”

The Chief Economist for Africa at Standard Chartered Bank Razia Khan said it may be that the MPC decided to wait to confirm the deceleration in headline inflation before it cuts its policy rate.

According to her, the MPC remains concerned about the relative stickiness of food price inflation in Nigeria, notwithstanding weak demand, weak economic performance, and weak credit growth.

Khan, however, anticipated further MPR easing over the course of the year, noting that maintaining forex stability was paramount for now.

“The CBN will not do anything that is perceived to endanger this. The hope appears to be that the federal government steps up to deal with contractor arrears, which will help lessen NPLs in the banking system.

“Given that the 2018 budget is unlikely to be passed before May, and given that implementation of the budget may take even longer, weak money supply growth remains a key concern.

“Notwithstanding the improvement in oil earnings, downside risks to the outlook for the Nigerian economy still predominate. The CBN will try to counteract this through its targeted provision of subsidised credit to certain sectors, at below-inflation interest rates, in line with what it calls its ‘development objective’.

“We believe, however, that the longer-term strengthening of Nigeria’s monetary and banking framework would be better served by greater reliance on the MPR itself as a signal of monetary policy intent,” she said.

MPC RETAINS MPR AT 14%, URGES SAVINGS TO GUARD AGAINST OIL PRICE SHOCKS economy against future oil price-related shocks.

Briefing journalists at the end of the MPC meeting in Abuja yesterday, the CBN governor Mr. Godwin Emefiele said in reaching its decision to retain the rates, the committee appraised the potential policy options in terms of the balance of risks.

“The committee also took note of the gains made so far as a result of its earlier decisions, including the stability of the foreign exchange market, the moderation in inflation rate as well as the restoration of economic growth.

“The committee was, however, concerned about the fiscal distortions associated with absence of buoyancy between GDP growth and tax revenue, and urged the fiscal authorities to deploy appropriate corrective measures to address this phenomenon.

“The committee was of the view that further tightening would strengthen the impact of monetary policy on inflation with complementary positive effects on capital flows and exchange rate stability.

Nevertheless, it could potentially dampen the positive outlook for growth and financial stability,” Emefiele said.

However, the committee, he added, was of the view that loosening would strengthen the outlook for growth by stimulating domestic aggregate demand through reduced cost of borrowing. This may, however, lead to a rise in consumer prices, generating exchange rate pressures on the currency in the process.

“The committee also believes that loosening could worsen the current account balance through increased importation. On the argument to hold, the committee believes that key macroeconomic variables have continued to

evolve in a positive direction in line with the current stance of macroeconomic policy and should be allowed more time to fully manifest.

“In consideration of the foregoing, the committee decided unanimously by a vote of all members present to retain the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 14.0 per cent alongside all other policy parameters,” he said.

After its last meeting in November 2017, the MPC could not form a quorum to sit in January 2018 due to the refusal by the Senate to confirm new nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari after some member of the committee had completed their tenures and retired.

The MPC has retained the MPR at 14 per cent since July 2016 when it was increased by 200 basis points from 12 to 14 per cent, while also retaining the CRR at 22.50 per cent and LR at 30 per cent as well as the asymmetric window at +200 and -500 points around the MPR. Emefiele disclosed that the committee noted the continuous positive outlook of the economy based on the manufacturing and non-manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) which stood at 56.7 and 57.2 index points respectively in March, indicating expansions for the twelfth and eleventh consecutive months.

According to him, the committee was of the view that the effective implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) by the federal government and quick passage of the 2018 budget will continue to enhance aggregate demand and confidence in the Nigerian economy.

The committee, he added, also noted with satisfaction the gradual return to

macroeconomic stability as reflected in the third consecutive quarterly growth in real GDP in the fourth quarter of 2017.

“It also noted the continued moderation in all measures of inflation as well as sustained stability in the naira exchange rate and urged the central bank to sustain the stability to avoid a mission drift.

“In particular, the committee welcomed the narrowing of the exchange rate premium between the BDC (bureau de change) segment and the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I&E) window of the foreign exchange market.

“Overall, the committee noted that the recovery of the economy was strengthening, in view of the return to growth of the services sector. As the fiscal sector continues to settle its outstanding liabilities, it reduces its domestic debt profile, thus increasing the liquidity of the banking system,” he stated.

The CBN governor said notwithstanding the general improvement in macroeconomic conditions, the committee noted the rather slow pace of moderation in food inflation. It also took note of the potential risk of a pass-through from rising global inflation to domestic prices, he added.

“The launch of the Food Security Council by the federal government to improve food sustainability is a step in the right direction.

“Members, however, expressed confidence that the tight stance of monetary policy would continue to complement other policies of government in addressing some of the structural issues underlying the stickiness of food prices.

“The committee noted that at 14 per cent, the policy rate was tight enough to rein in current inflationary pressures. The committee, therefore, reaffirmed

its commitment to price stability conducive to sustainable and inclusive growth,” Emefiele said.

On non-performing loans (NPLs) in the banking sector, the MPC called on the government to pays off its huge contractor debts, adding that this would address a sizeable portion of the NPLs. Responding to questions from the media, Emefiele put the NPLs at between N2.7 trillion and N3 trillion.

“We have been very clear about this, with the size of contractor debts in the region of N2.7 trillion and because these debts are unpaid to the contractors, they are unable to service or pay back their loans at the banks and that is why we seized the opportunity of this communiqué to talk about it so that these debts can be paid.

“The central bank itself stands ready to accord some form of liquidity status to some of these debts and through that mechanism we believe the NPLs will recede and then the banks can now continue to play their role which is to catalyze growth and support credit delivery to the Nigerian economy,” he said.

On the reconstituted MPC, Emefiele thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating the new deputy governors of the central bank and members of the MPC, and also conveyed his appreciation the Senate for confirming them.

The CBN governor formally introduced the new deputy governors to journalists as Mrs. Aisha Ahmad and Mr. Edward Lametek Adamu and the trio of Prof. Adeola Festus Adenikinju, Dr. Robert Asogwa and Dr. Aliyu Rafindadi Sanusi as new members of the MPC. He said the retention of the policy rates had nothing to do with their being new on the job, explaining that they underwent

Market Analysts React Speaking on the decision by the MPC to hold the rates, a senior economist at London-based Exotix Capital Christopher Dielmann said he was not surprised by the action, saying a rate cut was unlikely to occur until the rate of inflation has declined close to 12 per cent.

“However, we suspect political considerations will play a major role in MPC decisionmaking, with the incumbent regime keen to lower the cost of borrowing and spur growth as we move nearer to the February 2019 general election.

“This view is strengthened by the high level of reserves and inflation falling faster than growth is rising,” he added.

Dielmann observed that the MPC’s decision to leave rates unchanged was clearly driven by the high and persistent inflation, which has plagued the country since 2016.

“It is clear that in the eyes of the MPC, inflation concerns outweigh the worries about the stagnant recovery of growth since the 2016-2017 recession.

“As we have written in the past, we do not envy the position that the Nigerian MPC is currently in, in that it is being tasked with fighting stagflation – high unemployment (perhaps as high as 20%), as a result of stagnant growth, and high inflation.

“Ultimately, these challenges will not be fixed through the MPC’s decisions alone and will require vast structural changes across the economy. Given the reality of this situation, it is not surprising that the MPC elected to hold rates constant

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

More Facts Emerge on How Cambridge Analytica Used Violent Video Before Nigeria’s Election Whistle-blower says firm directed AggregateIQ to target voters with Islamophobic video in 2015 Cambridge Analytica sought to influence the Nigerian presidential election in 2015 by using graphically violent imagery to portray a candidate as a supporter of Sharia law who would brutally suppress dissenters and negotiate with militant Islamists, a video passed to British MPs has revealed.

London-based newspaper The Guardian reported yesterday that it obtained the video, which has graphic scenes of violence from Nigeria’s past. In testimony to the digital, culture, media and sport (DCMS) select committee last week, the whistleblower Christopher Wylie told MPs: “[The video was distributed] in Nigeria with the sole intent of intimidating voters. “It included content where people were being dismembered, where people were having their throats cut and bled to death in a ditch.

They were being burned alive.

There was incredibly antiIslamic, threatening messages portraying Muslims as violent.�

Wylie also said Cambridge Analytica directed AggregateIQ (AIQ), the Canadian digital services firm that worked for Vote Leave during Britain’s EU referendum, to target voters with the video during the Nigerian presidential campaign.

Wylie, a former Cambridge Analytica employee, has now

handed the material to MPs. Giving testimony last week, he said: “Cambridge Analytica sent AggregateIQ the video after they [CA] got banned from several online ad networks because the graphic nature of the content violated the terms of service. “AIQ was quite freaked out about it. It’s a very disturbing video. They told Cambridge Analytica that. They called it ‘the murder video’.�

In his testimony Wylie said: “AIQ is the firm that’s right at the heart of the official Vote Leave campaign – one-third of all leave spending went through it – and this shows them working closely with Cambridge Analytica to distribute violent, divisive Islamophobic material that should be nowhere near an election campaign.� But there is no suggestion that AIQ was involved in the production of the video.

Cambridge Analytica was hired by a Nigerian billionaire to run a campaign in support of Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, and the video was targeted at his Muslim opponent, Muhammadu Buhari, who went on to win the election.

There is no suggestion that Jonathan was aware of the campaign.

The anti-Buhari video imagines a future in which he is president and the Sharia law

has been imposed. “Coming to Nigeria on February 15th 2015,� the voiceover says in the manner of a trailer for a Hollywood movie. “Dark.

Scary. And very uncertain.

Sharia for all.� It poses the question: “What would Nigeria look like if Sharia were imposed by Buhari?�

It suggests he would strike a deal with the Islamist militant group Boko Haram that would be “a pact with the devil�. The video also suggests “Buhari will punish all who speak against the regime� and that “women will be veiled�. It ends by saying: “You can stop this movie becoming real.�

Another former Cambridge Analytica employee who worked on the campaign said: “It was voter suppression of the most crude and basic kind. It was targeted at Buhari voters in Buhari regions to basically scare the shit out of them and stop them from voting. “People were working on

it in Cambridge Analytica’s office. They’d be sitting there eating their lunch and editing this incredibly graphic and disturbing material.�

The video will be seen as further evidence of the dirty tricks that Cambridge Analytica employed in the campaign.

Last month the Guardian revealed that during the Nigerian election campaign in 2015, Cambridge Analytica was offered material from Israeli hackers who had accessed private email accounts of two politicians there.

Former Cambridge Analytica employees described how the hackers passed a thumb drive of hacked material relating to Buhari to them in Cambridge Analytica’s offices and they were directed by Alexander Nix, its chief executive, and Brittany Kaiser, a senior director, to search Buhari’s personal emails for compromising material that could be used to smear him.

The material included private

medical information that employees say was leaked to the press.

The video separately demonstrates the ties between Cambridge Analytica and AggregateIQ, the firm that its parent company SCL Elections employed.

Last week the DCMS committee published documents that link Cambridge Analytica and SCL Elections with AIQ, including a contract, a service agreement and an intellectual property agreement that was first revealed in the Observer a year ago.

AggregateIQ is part of a current Electoral Commission investigation into a donation of ÂŁ625,000 that Vote Leave made to a youth outreach group, BeLeave, which was paid directly to the Canadian firm and it is the focus of allegations made by a second whistleblower, Shahmir Sanni.

AggregateIQ did not respond to previous Guardian

inquiries about the video, but said: “AIQ provides digital advertising, web and software development services to third parties. It is completely independent of Mr Wylie, CA and SCL.�

It added: “AIQ is and has always been 100% Canadian owned and operated ‌ the services it provided to Vote Leave were in accordance with instructions given by Vote Leave.â€? There is no suggestion that AggregateIQ unethically coordinated with Cambridge Analytica on the EU referendum campaign.

A Cambridge Analytica spokesman said: “You are referring to Chris Wylie’s comments before a select committee which included speculation and a serious misrepresentation of the facts.

We are, however, taking all allegations about possible unethical practices in the past very seriously and will investigate.�

Herdsmen Kill Four in Fresh Attack in Taraba Wole Ayodele Ă“Ă˜ Ă‹Ă–Ă“Ă˜Ă‘Ă™ Four members of a family were yesterday killed by herdsmen at Mbiya village in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of yesterday, left the entire village razed down by the herdsmen.

Confirming the incident to journalists in a telephone interview, the Chairman of the local government area, Shiban Tikari, said only the nine-month-old infant of the family of five survived the attack.

Shiban, who stated that the survival of the nine-month-old baby was mysterious, told journalists that the attackers stormed the village at about 2a.m. and slaughtered the four family members in their sleep. “We heard gunshots around 1a.m. on Takum -Ussa road and while we were making efforts to mobilise police men to the area, we heard sporadic gunshots at Mbiya Central, a community just at the outskirt of Takum town here. “By the time we got there, a family of five; a man, his wife and two children, were slaughtered like chickens. A baby mysteriously survived the attack. “The attackers whom we suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, also attacked Basam, a village close to Gen. T.Y. Danjuma’s

farm and set the whole village ablaze,� he said.

The chairman, who lamented the killings, wondered how the attackers were able to carry out their dastardly act in the area despite the extension of Exercise Ayem Akpatuma (Cat Race) in the area.

Expressing displeasure over the mode of operation of the army in the area, Tikari stated that rather than comb the bushes in the villages to flush out the attackers, they are busy brutalising his people in the town, saying the army exercise is not yielding the desired result.

Also confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), David Misal, said the casualty figure is still unclear but promised to make it available as soon as it is available.

In the same vein, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Darius Ishaku on Media and Publicity, Bala Dan Abu, who equally confirmed the attack, gave the name of the deceased head of the family as Sunday Sabo.

Abu in a statement made available to journalists said the attackers numbered over 20.

Takum is the home town of Danjuma who accused the army penultimate weekend of colluding with armed men to kill people, as well as Governor Darius Ishaku.

SIGNED AND SEALED

Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Adam Nuru (middle), flanked by the General Manager, Africa, Etihad Airways, Mr. George Mawadri (left), and Executive Director, Personal Banking of the bank, Mr. Olu Akanmu, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and launch of the partnership between FCMB and Etihad on discounted travel package for customers of the bank in Lagos‌yesterday

Port Congestion Looms over Planned Closure of Wharf Road, Marine Bridge in Apapa, Says STOAN The planned closure of the Marine Bridge and Wharf Road in Apapa, Lagos, concurrently from next week will spell doom for the country’s seaports.

Dangote A.S. recently announced plans to close both sides of the Wharf Road inward and outward Apapa while the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing also announced plans to shut the Marine Bridge in Apapa for permanent repairs.

The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Adedamola Kuti, while speaking in Lagos last Sunday, said Julius Berger Plc, the contractor handling the bridge repair was ready to move to site.’ But speaking in Lagos

yesterday, the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) said the simultaneous closure of the Wharf Road and the Marine Bridge would lead to a buildup of cargo inside the port and lead to port congestion. “While we commend the efforts of the federal government to address the issue of bad roads and the poor state of the bridge, the closure of both roads at the same time will cause serious problem to the ports especially the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa and the Tin Can Island Port. “The bridge and the Wharf Road are the two major entry points into Apapa, and shutting both down will mean cargoes will be trapped inside the port.

“The implication of this is that there will be buildup of cargoes at the various terminals and port congestion will inevitably set in. “In no time, vessel queues will return and Nigerian ports run the risk of returning to the point where they were prior to port concession. “Once vessel queues return, shipping lines congestion surcharge which could amount to as much as $100 million per month could be slammed on Nigerian ports and this cost will ultimately be borne by the market,� STOAN said in a statement signed by its spokesman, Bolaji Akinola.

Akinola said the repairs should be done one after the other and alternative routes should

be opened up by Dangote A.S. and Julius Berger before any of the routes is shut. “The road remains the major route by which cargoes are evacuated from the port. Failure to create alternative routes before the major repair works are embarked upon will create major crisis in the port,� the statement further said.

STOAN said already, the poor state of the roads, especially the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and ongoing repair works on a section of the Wharf Road has created major challenges for port operation leading to gridlock, which has led to a near paralysis of movement into and out of Apapa.

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018˾ T H I S D AY

10

NEWS

PDP Demands Full Disclosure on Buhari’s Trip to London Says APC having pre-election trauma Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that the presidency immediately make public all issues relating to the private visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United Kingdom.

The party, which queried the presidency for always shrouding issues around the president in secrecy, pointedly demanded a full disclosure on the scope, purpose, direct destination, duration as well as the cost and source of the funding for this undisclosed tourism.

The PDP, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan,

yesterday said President Buhari is not a private citizen and cannot embark on private trips and wrapped in secrecy, since his upkeep draws directly from national resources and taxpayers’ money.

According to him, “While the PDP has nothing against the president embarking on any trip, we insist that as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there must be full disclosures to Nigerians because the citizens deserve to know the purpose of the visit and the cost on the country.

“We know that the president is billed to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to take

Two Soldiers, Many Bandits Feared Killed in Zamfara Shootout Two soldiers were reported killed yesterday killed in a gun battle with bandits in a village in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The soldiers lost their lives in a fierce shoot-out between them and the bandits, Premium Times learnt.

The Chairman of Anka Local Government Area, Mustapha Gado, who confirmed the death of the two soldiers, said many bandits were also killed during the operation.

“Two soldiers have been killed, we have seen the bodies and l gathered that it was a captain and a lower ranking officer.

place between April 16 and 20, but Nigerians are wondering why he is taking off to an undisclosed destination in London two weeks ahead.

“We ask: ‘Is President Buhari and his handlers hiding anything from Nigerians so much that they cannot disclose the reason and duration of the so-called private visit?’

“Nigerians are invited to note that this secret visit has a departure date but silent on the purpose, date and place of arrival.

“Today, our economy is hemorrhaging and the citizens are languishing because of the continued lack of accountability and total incompetence of the Buhari-led administration.

“The PDP insists that public officers at all levels, particularly the occupier of the office of the president, must be

accountable, transparent and answerable in all their dealings at all times, especially under an administration that claims zero tolerance for corruption.”

Also yesterday, the opposition party in a statement, said the APC was passing through death throes and pre-election trauma as its leaders are now in a frenzy over the baggage of an extremely unpopular presidential candidate, ahead of the 2019 general election.

It added that the confusion, backstabbing and vicious scheming in the APC was a tragic testimony of a party that has become politically decapitated by the evident dishonesty, greed, selfishness and lust for power by its incompetent leaders.

The PDP noted that it was now clear that the ruling party is an ideologically empty

movement and a special purpose vehicle put together by egoistic strange bedfellows just for the purpose of winning political power and not for the good of Nigerians.

“The APC is stewing in its own venomous broth. The nation can now see why, even with a sitting President, the party is still finding it difficult to agree on simple issues, but always attempt to circumvent and violate the laws to push desperate agenda of their selfish leaders.

“We call on Nigerians not to be deceived by the sudden law-abiding stance of the APC, as it is merely cosmetic and meant to cloak their hidden but soon to be manifested plots to manipulate the laws to push a self-succession plan of their incompetent candidate.

“It is evident that APC has

never had anything to offer Nigerians other than confusion, disagreements, economic recession, bad national image and painful bloodletting.

“Nigerians must therefore remain alert and very wary of all activities of power mongers in the APC, who are so mortally afraid of elections that they are ready to destroy our democratic institution to achieve their selfish agenda of perpetuating themselves in power to the peril of our dear nation.

“On our own part, the repositioned PDP remains open with a level playing ground for all Nigerians to aspire for any position, without hindrances or manipulations, while ensuring strict observance to internal democracy at all level of our process.”

“I am also aware that with the recent deployment of security personnel especially the military, many of the insurgents have been killed,” he said.

Yesterday’s shootout occurs about a week after over 50 people were killed by bandits in Bawar Daji district of the local government.

Governor Abdul’Aziz Yari Abubakar on Friday led a delegation on a condolence visit to the Emir of Anka following the attacks.

The governor directed the military to shoot on sight anybody found with arms in the bush.

Ooni of Ife Urges Kaduna Senators to Support El-Rufai John Shiklam ÓØ ËÎßØË

leaders to put their political differences aside in the interest The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye of developing your state and Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has the people who elected you. appealed to Kaduna State “On the loan, I call on the senators to forget about their senators from Kaduna State political differences and support to join hands with el-Rufai Governor Nasir El-Rufai to and look at the future. They develop the state. should not allow their political The traditional ruler made the differences to allow the state appeal yesterday in Kaduna at loose the opportunity on the third edition of the Kaduna ground.

Investment Forum.

“Kaduna is the convergent He was speaking against the state for the entire northern backdrop of the recent rejection region, and the need to convert of the $350 million World Bank the huge potentials into reality loan which the three senators is imperative. from the state rejected.

“We should all look inward The monarch noted that and come together as alone Kaduna is a peculiar state big family in terms of our with huge potential and one comparative advantages,” the of the most blessed states in Ooni said. the federation, urging the He commended the state three senators to support the government for attracting governor by joining hands with investments to the state through him as a formidable force to the forum. make things work.

He also stressed the need for “Let us look for the partnership towards a better betterment of people we Nigeria. govern irrespective of political He described el-Rufai as differences. Don’t let your “the brightest, smartest and political differences affect the boldest governor in Nigeria,” good thing that should happen adding that the governor needs in Kaduna State. all the support to positively “I want to appeal to transform the state.

INVESTITURE OF PATRON

L-R: Former President, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Saidu Abubakar; President, SWAN, Mr. Honour Sirawoo; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; former SWAN President, Steve Alabi; and former SWAN President, Olu Amadasun, the revalidation of Rivers State Governor as Sole Patron of SWAN at the Government House Port Harcourt ....yesterday

OPEC’s March Oil Output Sinks to 11-month Low Ejiofor Alike áÓÞÒ ËÑÏØÍã ÜÏÚÙÜÞÝ Crude oil production by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) fell in March to an 11-month low as a result of declining Angolan exports, Libyan outages and a further slide in Venezuelan output, thus increasing compliance with a supply-cutting deal by the oil producers to another record.

OPEC pumped 32.19 million barrels per day last month, a Reuters’ survey found, down 90,000 bpd from February.

According to the survey, the March total is the lowest since April 2017.

Under a pact that started in January 2017 and runs until the end of 2018, OPEC is reducing output by about 1.2 million bpd as part of a deal with Russia and other non-OPEC producers

to get rid of excess supply.

Compliance by producers to the deal rose to 159 per cent of agreed cuts from 154 per cent in February, and there was no sign that other producers had boosted output to cash in on higher prices or to compensate for the Venezuelan decline.

Oil has topped $71 a barrel this year for the first time since 2014, and was trading above $67 yesterday.

But OPEC said supply restraints should be maintained to ensure the end of a glut that had built up since 2014.

In March, the biggest decrease in supply caused by natural declines at some oilfields, came from Angola, which exported 48 cargoes, two fewer than in the same month of 2017.

Production in Libya, which remains unstable due to unrest, slipped because of stoppages at two fields, El Feel and El

Sharara, setting back 2018’s partial recovery in output.

Reuters also reported that production fell further in Venezuela, where the oil industry is starved of funds because of an economic crisis.

Output dropped to 1.56 million bpd in March, the survey found, a new long-term low.

Output in OPEC’s largest producer, Saudi Arabia, dropped by 40,000 bpd from February’s revised level, even further below the kingdom’s target.

OPEC’s No. 2 producer, Iraq, pumped more, as exports from the south, the outlet for most of the country’s crude, rose despite maintenance at a loading terminal. Among others with higher output, the biggest rise came from the United Arab Emirates, where production had dropped in February due to maintenance.

Even so, the UAE is still pumping below its OPEC target and showing higher compliance than in 2017.

Output climbed in Qatar, after a dip in February that sources attributed to maintenance.

Nigeria also reportedly pumped at a higher level, extending a run of more stable supply from Africa’s top exporter.

Nigeria and Libya were originally exempt from cutting supply because their output had been curbed by conflict and unrest. For 2018, both told OPEC that output would not exceed 2017 levels.

OPEC has an implied production target for 2018 of 32.73 million bpd, based on cutbacks detailed in late 2016 and taking into account changes of membership since, plus Nigeria and Libya’s expectations of 2018 output.

THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018˾ T H I S D AY

11

NEWS

Okowa, Uduaghan Mull Revival of Warri, Koko Seaports Omon-Julius Onabu ÓØ Asaba Despite the huge financial outlay of making them functional, a comprehensive dredging of the Warri river to pave the way for the revitalisation of Koko and Warri Ports came to the fore at the town hall meetings held by the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, with the people of Warri North and Warri South Local Government Areas held in Koko and Warri respectively, yesterday.

Speaking during the meetings, Okowa revealed that his administration was working with relevant authorities to see that the seaports in Warri and Koko are properly dredged to make them optimally functional.

He noted that making the ports more active would bring a lot of economic benefits to the people of the state and Nigeria.

According to Okowa, “The cost of dredging the ports is alarming, but we are exploring different opportunities for the ports to be functional.”

Others who spoke during the town hall meetings also harped on the possible

economic regeneration the revival of the two of the apparently very strategic ports in the state could trigger.

Also, former governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, stated that it was important for the seaports to be made functional, noting that while Koko has free trade status, “the Koko Port is deep but the channel is shallow.”

Meanwhile, Okowa has said the health insurance scheme was designed for Deltans to have easy access to health facilities, assuring the people that the health centres in the areas would be made functional because of their importance to the people at the grassroots.

He also explained that his administration was constructing markets despite the fact that market construction falls within the purview of local government councils, and “because the local government councils do not have the capacity for some modern markets, “we construct the markets and hand over to the councils to manage.”

The governor also explained that due to high cost of scholarship

for Deltans who wants to carry out their post-graduate studies outside the country, his administration has worked out a model for such students to be given scholarship to study in the country as it was more cost-effective to do so.

During yesterday’s

town hall meetings with the people, the governor reiterated the efforts of his administration to spread development to every nook and cranny of the state through equitable distribution of physical communication and other infrastructure.

The governor, who was accompanied by his Deputy, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, and top government officials, assured the people of consistent efforts to make potable water available to more people and communities, urging the people to embrace the

compulsory health insurance scheme.

Among the projects inaugurated last Tuesday were the Iwere College road, access road to Awaritse Industrial Park, Obite-Ugbo and Korobe roads in Warri North Local Government Area, among others.

PEACE ADVOCACY VISIT

Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu (right), and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, during his peace advocacy Nigerian Embassy in Washington Former visit to the monarch in his palace in Ibadan...yesterday.

Explains Sack of 15 Staff Buhari, Saraki, Dogara, Others Mourn as Third The Nigerian Embassy in a decision to disengage some Washington, DC, has said of the local staff.

Lawmaker, Bukar Dies Within a Month the recent disengagement of “However, they pleaded to an some workers at the embassy followed due process.

Senior officials at the embassy told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the benefits of the 15 local workers, who were recently laid off, would be paid soon.

They said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, approved the disengagement of the workers due to some ongoing rationalisation of workers at the embassy.

The officials, however, said the ministry had also approved the payment of gratuities to the workers, some of whom had worked with the embassy for more than 30 years.

Some of the affected workers had alleged that the decision to lay them off was arbitrary.

They also alleged that the embassy had no plans to pay their gratuity and other severance benefits.

Further, the local staff, who were mostly Nigerians, had accused the Mission of retaining the non-Nigerian employees at the expense of those who are of Nigerian nationality.

However, the embassy officials denied that there was no prior notice to the disengaged workers, saying they actually agreed to the arrangement since February 2017.

They also assured the workers that the processes for the payment of their entitlements had reached an advanced stage.

One of the officials said: “In February 2017, there was

arrangement to be on contract for another one year, which lapsed in February 2018. The ministry from Abuja approved their disengagement.

“As I am talking to you, we have received approval from Abuja to pay their benefits and they would be paid very soon.

It is true that some of them have put in up to 30 years of service.

“They were engaged on contracts and it is the decision of the government to either continue to renew their contract or to terminate it if their services are no longer needed.

“Some whose contracts were terminated in 2013 were not paid in full but we are working out their benefits to make sure that those whose appointments were terminated receive their full benefits.

“It is also not true that they were arbitrarily disengaged; they were aware of the contract and they signed on to it since last year”.

The embassy in 2017 had several disagreements with the local workers over the nonpayment of salaries spanning several months, leading to protest at the embassy at the time.

Some of the workers also embarked on work to rule, which disrupted consular services at the embassy before they were paid following approval of three months’ salary by the ministry.

Omololu Ogunmade ËØÎ Damilola Oyedele ÓØ ÌßÔË

President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, have mourned the death of Senator Mustapha Bukar, who is the third lawmaker to die in the last three weeks.

Bukar, who was representing Katsina North, died in Abuja after a brief illness.

He was also the senator representing President Buhari, who is from Daura, Katsina State.

His death yesterday, came less than three weeks after that of Senator Ali Wakili (Bauchi APC) on March 17, 2018, and Deputy House Leader, Hon. Buba Jibrin (Kogi APC) on March 30, 2018.

Buhari commiserated with the government and people of Katsina State and the National Assembly on the passing away of Bukar.

The president described his death as a “great loss to Nigeria’s democracy and the engineering profession.’’

In a statement signed by his spokesman Garba Shehu, Buhari extended his condolences to the family members, friends and professional colleagues of the legislator, whom he said distinguished himself as an

engineer before vying for political office to serve his people.

He recalled that as a young engineer, the deceased used his ingenuity to proffer a lasting solution to the perennial water crisis in Katsina, working variously as a General Manager of the Water Board, Director of National Water Rehabilitation Project and Director, Water Supply at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

“Senator Bukar was so dedicated to his responsibilities and hardworking that he got an appointment with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, where he also demonstrated the same dedication and passion for service.

“I am always touched by the death of dedicated and creative public servants like Sen. Bukar. We should emulate such rare and hardworking Nigerians for the progress of our country,’’ he said.

The president prayed that Allah will bless and forgive the soul of the deceased.

On his part, Saraki, in a statement described the death as one too many.

“I am saddened to learn about the passing of another friend and colleague, Senator Bukar. When I and some of my colleagues visited Bukar in the hospital after Jummat prayers last Friday, we prayed with him and we were filled

with hope that he would soon recuperate and resume his normal life and legislative activities,” he said.

Saraki lauded the late lawmaker, who he noted, stood out for the quality of his contributions on the floor, his pragmatism and his work to strengthen the institution of the legislature.

“We shall sorely miss his vibrancy and progressive mindset. But now that he is no more, we cannot query Almighty Allah over the incident because He gives and takes as it pleases Him. The late Bukar was forthright and gentle in all his dealings,” “This is indeed another painful moment for the Senate, a sad moment for his immediate family, his constituents in Katsina North senatorial district and the people and government of Katsina State. As we mourn his passing, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, President Muhammadu Buhari and the government and people of Katsina State,”Saraki added.

Also, Ekweremadu expressed grief at Bukar’s death, and described it as a heavy blow to the Senate and the entire nation.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr. Uche Anichukwu, the Deputy Senate President said Bukar was a fine gentleman, diligent, perceptive and humble.

“He was a pan-Nigerian and a pro-masses lawmaker, who showed great interest in finding lasting solution to the nation’s perennial energy problem. He will be sorely missed. I send heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the government of Katsina State, and his constituents, particularly President Buhari,” he said.

Ekweremadu also prayed God to grant eternal rest to the soul of the departed and support the late senator’s family, the people of Katsina State, and the nation with the fortitude to bear the irreversible loss.

In the same vein, Dogara said he received with sadness and shock, the news of Bukar’s death.

He described Bukar as a fine gentleman who exhibited high moral disposition and earned respect from his colleagues and associates. “This is a great loss and painful one for that matter, especially coming at a time when we are still mourning the passing away of two of our colleagues, and distinguished lawmakers.

“Bukar was a respected lawmaker, a fine gentleman who carried himself with a lot of dignity and contributed immensely to the growth of the parliament and democracy in general. He was a patriotic politician whose exploits in the Senate were eventful.”

T H I S D AY ˾ ͳ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

12 ADVERTORIAL

Bala Mohammed and the Lies of Lai Mohammed

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE COALITION OF BAUCHI POLITICAL STAKEHOLDERS ON LAI MOHAMMED’S FALSE ALLEGATION OF N5 BILLION FRAUD AGAINST FORMER FCT MINISTER SENATOR BALA MOHAMMED, CON, KAURAN BAUCHI Since the emergence of the All Peoples Congress, APC-led Federal Government, it has engaged in a ďlame game of Ƶnprecedented proporƟons, all in an eīort to cover its failure to deliver on its electoral promises. With every passing day, Nigerians are regaled with hackneyed tales of how it would take eternity to rebuild the economy, a situaƟon that betrays the insincerity of the party while making promises that, to the trained eye and honest parƟcipants were either based on sheer ignorance or outright mischief. We always knew that, boxed into a corner by a hardly convinced populace, the APC government would, sooner than later, intensify the onslaught on the opposiƟon. ,owever, even as we recogninjed the penchant of the administraƟon͛s Goebbels for lie telling, never could we have imagined the descent into crude obfuscaƟon and disregard for the rule of law by >ai Dohammed, the government͛s informaƟon minister and propagandist. As it stands, with the recent release of his list of so-called ͚treasury looters͛ in which he included Senator Bala Mohammed, we want to state that not just has he run out of ideas, he has indeed taken this assault on civil liberƟes to a very dangerous and unacceptable high point. /n his second list, he accused Senator Bala Mohammed of looƟng the sum of N5 billion. But he does not disclose whether that is the cash recovered from him or the value of assets summarily forfeited to the Federal Government. As members of Senator Bala Mohammed͛s consƟtuency in Bauchi, we condemn the unguarded uƩerances of Alhaji >ai Mohammed in the strongest terms possible.

While we do not intend to throw civility to the winds as Lai Mohammed has consistently done, it is our considered view that, to allow his fabricaƟons and hallucinaƟons to go unchallenged will destroy the foundaƟons of our civil liberƟes and Senator Bala Mohammed͛s sterling reputaƟon as a patrioƟc and honest Nigerian. Lai Mohammed͛s recent gambit is seriously Ňawed on at least, four grounds: ϭ. ASSAhLd KN d, ZhL KF LAW Kur legal system presumes an accused innocent unƟl proved guilty by a court of competent jurisdicƟon. /t is a well known fact that there are ongoing cases brought up against Bala Mohammed by agents of the Federal Government, in at least two high courts. It is also a well known fact that the former minister denies all the allegaƟons and is vigorously defending his honour and reputaƟon in court. It is also a fact that, to the best of our knowledge, no court has found Bala Mohammed guilty. Pray, on what ground is Lai Mohammed describing him as a “treasury looter”? hnfortunately, we have a situaƟon where the Federal Government is the accuser, the prosecutor and the judge at the same Ɵme, choosing to inŇict incalculable damage on people by the now infamous process of “trial by media”. If this is not tyranny, we wonder what else could be. hnfortunately, the uƩerances of Lai Mohammed and the APC-led Federal Government amount to a most unprecedented assault on the judiciary. Nothing can be more ridiculous, nothing can be more ominous, and nothing can arouse fear of the onset of full tyranny than, a situaƟon where the uƩerances of a member of the execuƟve branch is tantamount to pronouncing judgement in a case to which the execuƟve is a party͊ It is either that Lai Mohammed has no regards whatsoever for the independence of the judiciary or he is trying to force the hands of judges who have already been demoninjed, harassed and humiliated unjustly. Ϯ. INCKNSISd NCz We ask the public to take note of the inconsistent facts and Įgures being dished out by agents of the Federal Government on Bala Mohammed. hnƟl Lai Mohammed͛s N5 billion bombshell, the Įgure being bandied by the FG was Nϴ5ϯ, ϬϬϬ, ϬϬϬ. Pray, what part of Lai Mohammed͛s confused brain manufactured this N5 billion mischief? Assuming we were to make provision for interest charges or inŇaƟon ;given the baƩering the Naira has received under this “change administraƟon”Ϳ, would Bala Mohammed͛s exposure have risen so astronomically? The truth, however, is that Bala Mohammed did not steal any money. We wonder if the temporary forfeiture of assets, pending conclusion of ongoing cases, would amount to either admission of guilt or convicƟon of the accused. Lai Mohammed lied͊ ϯ. C PTIKN Why would Lai Mohammed, against the facts, engage in this ridiculous manipulaƟon of the facts? Why? Why would a highly placed government minister show such branjen disregard for the truth and contempt for the legal system? Why has the APC adopted decepƟon as a governance mantra? Kr are we to believe that change and decepƟon go hand in hand? The answer is not far-fetched. The Ɵme of reckoning, when the electorate will interrogate the agents of dubious change, is near. Challenged on every electoral promise, the APC has resorted to how it started out: decepƟon. That explains the fact that, with just a year leŌ, the AdministraƟon is sƟll shouƟng the name of former President Goodluck :onathan as if he is sƟll in power͊ The greater pity is that they seem incapable of accepƟng that the strategy is not just working; that the people are not convinced. Do they have a conscience at all; can͛t they see that the people who “voted” them in are

hurƟng badly? The APC needs to be guided by hsman Dan Fodio͛s admoniƟon that, “conscience is like an open wound, only truth can heal it.” By extension, Lai Mohammed can conƟnue to toy with the plight of our people, he can conƟnue to play poliƟcs with the survival of Nigerians; he can deposit his conscience in the devil͛s house: one day, the truth will locate him and deal with him͊ ϰ. C,AZACT Z ASSASSINATIKN We recogninje that, as the ϮϬϭϵ elecƟon approaches, the APC governments, at the federal and state levels will strive to raƟonalinje the dismal performance which has thrown Nigerians into their worst economic nightmare. The fact that Bala Mohammed has graciously oīered himself to redeem Bauchi State from the groping and rudderless administraƟon of Governor M. A. Abubakar provides ready impetus for the intensiĮcaƟon of this character assassinaƟon. But that is sheer waste of Ɵme and resources. We wish to advise that no level of character assassinaƟon or threats will deter us, the patrioƟc people of Bauchi State, from democraƟcally installing Bala Mohammed as governor of the state in ϮϬϭϵ. AŌer all, it is accepted that the voice of man is the voice of God. 5. IN YhITz, IN:hSTIC By the list released by Lai Mohammed, we need no other evidence that the APC cannot be trusted to deliver jusƟce to Nigerians. The list makes no pretenƟon about the government͛s posiƟon that looters exist only in the PDP, in the opposiƟon. Given that what we have is a case of poliƟcal vicƟminjaƟon, we do not want to fall into the same mistake of naming people who are facing trial, who have not been convicted by any court of law; people who, in spite of the cases against them, are serving as elected representaƟves on the plaƞorm of the APC or are indeed leaders of the party͊ They are well known to the public. ,owever, the APC led FG should be worried that no less a person than the nononsense pioneer chairman of the ICPC, :usƟce Mustapha Akanbi, a globally recogninjed anƟ-corrupƟon icon and S ZAP have challenged the integrity of the list by admonishing the FG to include APC members who are also facing judicial and other administraƟve inƋuests. That says it all about Lai Mohammed͛s obnoxious and parƟsan sense of jusƟce. It is rather strange that Lai Mohammed is not bothered by the impression, worldwide, that membership of the APC has become a form of immunity against prosecuƟon or trial by media. But let it be stated, loud and clear that, despite Bala Mohammed͛s respect for President Buhari under whose leadership he was elected senator, in 2007, if jumping ship is all that is reƋuired to escape the present ordeal, Senator Mohammed would rather defend his honour and integrity, trusƟng that in the end, jusƟce will prevail. ϲ. ZIDIChL KF A NATIKN The list released by Lai Mohammed is an aīront to civil society; it is a disservice to the personal eīort and commitment of President Buhari to saniƟnje the Augean Stable, a stable that has existed from Ɵme immemorial; it ridicules Nigeria among the comity of civilinjed society; socieƟes that place a huge premium on the due process, where those in government see themselves as servants of the people, as partners with the electorate and not Kverlords. ,owever, we are conĮdent that this ordeal will pass, that the civil liberƟes of the people and all arms of government will be restored and that never again should our society be saddled with liabiliƟes like Lai Mohammed whose sycophancy, inepƟtude and personal survival traits carry the potenƟal of overheaƟng a polity on the precipice of selfdestrucƟng.

Bauchi 20ϭϵ If Lai, Mohammed wants to keep his job, he should look beyond Bala Mohammed. ,ere in Bauchi, we are Įrmly resolved that, by the grace of God, Bala Mohammed, CKN, <auran Bauchi, will be inaugurated as Governor of the state on 2ϵth May, 20ϭϵ. We repeat: No blackmail, no inƟmidaƟon, no character assassinaƟon, will shake or derail our resolve. This, we solemnly pledge, trusƟng, as always, in the grace of Allah, the most beneĮcent, the most compassionate and the most merciful.

We are not oblivious of the desperaƟon of poliƟcal misĮts in Bauchi who feel inƟmidated by Bala Mohammed͛s towering poliƟcal stature. Kn this, we warn that his posiƟon as a leader of the party cannot be diluted or demysƟĮed through blackmail, treachery or mischief as is constantly being orchestrated by a secƟon of the present leadership who are bent on stopping him at all costs.

The pedigree of Bala Mohammed as a poliƟcian who has come to symbolinje the dividends of democracy and who has carried his consƟtuents all along over the years cannot be obliterated by poliƟcal turncoats who have failed the people.

Bala Mohammed has stood tall among his peers as a sagacious poliƟcian who has deepened democracy; a compassionate and humane compatriot who has touched the lives of people and a social engineer who has empowered thousands of his consƟtuents across board, through astutely managed programs.

AdmiƩedly, Bala Mohammed has great respect for President Muhammadu Buhari as a leader who was an undeniable catalyst for his emergence as senator in 2007.

13

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 5, 2018 ADVERTORIAL

However, this does not detract from his undiluted and unequivocal loyalty to former President Goodluck :onathan through whose conĮdence and magnanimity he was able to touch lives in Bauchi State and beyond, for all of Įve years. We therefore advise that the selĮsh characters whose destabilinjing agenda have plunged the naƟon into its present crisis of survival, not to underesƟmate the extent that we, Bala Mohammed’s supporters, are prepared to go in defending our leader.

The people of Bauchi have great respect for President Buhari. zet those openly persecuƟng Bala Mohammed on the altar of poliƟcal convenience should retrace their steps otherwise they will deĮnitely reap the reward of their indiscreƟon in 20ϭϵ.

Meanwhile, we call on Senator Bala Mohammed’s lawyers to immediately insƟtute a case against Lai Mohammed for contempt. With tempers Ňaring up all over the country on account of sundry misgivings, Lai Mohammed’s hate speeches carry the risk of fanning the embers of distrust and poliƟcal instability.

As stakeholders who voted overwhelmingly for President Muhammadu Buhari in 20ϭ5, we call on him to call Lai Mohammed to order.

SIGNED:

ϰϯ.

Alh. hmar Dembo ; TͬBalewa LG ChairmanͿ

ϵϵ.

Alh. Samaila Maigonjo

ϰϰ.

Alh Shehu Makeri ;Toro LG ChairmanͿ

ϭ00.

Alh. Abdullahi Baje

ϰ5.

Hon. Babayo Madara ; <atagum LG ChairmanͿ

ϭ0ϭ.

Galadiman Piro

ϰϲ.

Babangida T. BangaraƟ ;Misau LG ChairmanͿ

ϭ02.

Alh. Garba Mundamiyo

ϰ7.

Alh. Magaji Nasaru ;Ningi LG ChairmanͿ

ϭ0ϯ.

Alh. Mu’anju <upai

ϰϴ.

Alh. Isa Dogo aki ; aki LG ChairmanͿ

ϭ0ϰ.

Alh. Abdullahi Danbanjali Dass

ϰϵ.

Alh. <orau Mohammed ;Ganjuwa LG ChairmanͿ

ϭ05.

Hassaini Abujakar

50.

Mrs. Hassana Arkila ;NaƟonal Ex-oĸcioͿ

ϭ0ϲ.

TaĮdan Galambi

5ϭ.

Hon. Bappa Haruna Disina ;North East onal TreasurerͿ

ϭ07.

Ali Gabarin

52.

Pharm. Samaila Adamu Burga ;North-East onal AuditorͿ

ϭ0ϴ.

Abdullahi Musa <onkiyal

ϭ0ϵ.

Alh. :uji Abba <olo

5ϯ.

Hon. Auwal :atau ;Fmr. Member NaƟonal AssemblyͿ

ϭϭ0.

Alh. Lawal Biringana

ϭϭϭ.

Alh. Idi <apinta

5ϰ.

Hon. Madaki A. Gololo ;Fmr. NASS MemberͿ

ϭϭ2.

Alh. Ahmadu Warji

55.

Hon. Hamisu Shira ;Fmr. NASS MemberͿ

ϭϭϯ.

Alh. Babayo Akuyam

5ϲ.

Hon. Tukur Adamu ;Fmr. NASS MemberͿ

ϭϭϰ.

Alh. Mato Bura

57.

Hon. Auwalu Sale ;Fmr. NASS MemberͿ

ϭϭ5.

Wamban aranda

5ϴ.

Hon. Abdulkadir Modibo ;Fmr. NASS MemberͿ

ϭϭϲ.

Bayye :ama’are

5ϵ.

Hon. Auwalu Madaki ; Fmr. State Assembly MemberͿ

ϭϭ7.

Alh. zusuf <igan

ϭϭϴ.

Alh. Audu Bara

ϲ0.

ZT. Hon. zahaya .M. Miya ;Fmr. Speaker State Assembly MemberͿ

ϭϭϵ.

Alh. Gambo zashi

ϲϭ.

Hon. Sale Dumba ;Fmr. Dep SpeakerͿ

ϭ20.

Alh. Adamu Barde ;Bunun DuguriͿ

ϲ2.

Hon Idi <unkar ;Fmr. Dep SpeakerͿ

ϭ2ϭ.

Alh. hmaru Aliyu Shayi ;<auran PaliͿ

ϲϯ.

Hon. Bakoji Aliyu Bobo ;Fmr. State Assembly MemberͿ

ϭ22.

Haj. ainab A.D. Zufai

ϭ2ϯ. ϭ2ϰ. ϭ25. ϭ2ϲ. ϭ27. ϭ2ϴ. ϭ2ϵ. ϭϯ0. ϭϯϭ. ϭϯ2. ϭϯϯ. ϭϯϰ. ϭϯ5. ϭϯϲ. ϭϯ7. ϭϯϴ. ϭϯϵ. ϭϰ0.

Hajiyah. Hauwa Galaje Gimbiyan Liman <atagum Hajiyah Gambo Idowu Anjare Alh. Bala Zambo Alh. Sule Maiposta Alin koko Galaji Danturawan Dass Nura Dan Maisharia Alh. Bille Lere Alh. Danyadikko Warji Buhari Batura Baba Sule Musa ango <abiru Danyarbawa Adamu Moh’d <undak :.I. Babu Girma Alh. Ali Baba Dass Alh. Dan Asabe Bununu

ϭϰϭ. ϭϰ2. ϭϰϯ. ϭϰϰ. ϭϰ5. ϭϰϲ. ϭϰ7. ϭϰϴ. ϭϰϵ. ϭ50. ϭ5ϭ. ϭ52. ϭ5ϯ. ϭ5ϰ. ϭ55. ϭ5ϲ. ϭ57. ϭ5ϴ. ϭ5ϵ. ϭϲ0. ϭϲϭ. ϭϲ2. ϭϲϯ. ϭϲϰ. ϭϲ5.

Alh. zusuf Dabo Alh. Garkuwa Alkaleri Mr. Lawi <ele Tela Bara Abdu Marshal Anjare Alh. Wada Wadanko Alh. M. Ghali Alh. hmaruji Anjare Balarabe Douglas Sarkin Lobel Magajin Garin Dull Alh. Garba Boto AbdurZahaman Gamawa Alh. Bappa Aliyu Alkaleri Alh. Mustapha A. Burga Faisal Muhammad Burga Hon. Ahijo Dull Abdulhadi Mailasule Alh. Adamu idanga Alh. Lamara Liman Alh. Buhari gentle Ningi Comrade :ibo Muhammed Danladi ;Gado da Masun BununuͿ Mr. Ishaya Sara Alh. AƟku Lim

ϭϲϲ.

Dogo Bakaro

ϭϲ7.

Hassan SAS

ϭϲϴ.

:ibrin aĮ

ϭϲϵ.

Tony WunƟ Bauchi

ϭ70.

hmar Gokaru

ϭ.

Alhaj Hamnja Akuyam ;PDP State ChairmanͿ

2.

Alh. Garba Dahiru ; Dep. ChairmanͿ

ϯ.

Alh. Sani Moh’d Madachi ;State SecretaryͿ

ϰ.

Hon. Musa Haruna Shitu ;sice Chairman - NorthͿ

5.

Hon. Sani Ahmed Toro ;sice Chairman - SouthͿ ;zariman ToroͿ

ϲϰ.

ϲ.

Hon. AbdurZanjak Nuhu aki ;sice Chairman CentralͿ

Hon. Adamu Manu Soro ;Fmr. State Assembly MemberͿ

ϲ5.

7.

Hon. Babayo <esa ;State Fin Sec.Ϳ

Hon. Sale Moh’d :ama’are ;Fmr. State Assembly MemberͿ

ϴ.

Alh. Abdullahi Bala Dan ;State TreasurerͿ

ϲϲ.

Hon. Bello .M. Mashema ;Fmr. State Assembly MemberͿ

ϵ.

Alh. zayanuwa ainabari ;State PZKͿ ; Sarkin Arewan <atagumͿ

ϲ7.

Hon. Abdullahi Tela Musa ;Fmr. State Assembly MemberͿ

ϭ0.

Bar. :idauna Tula Mbami ;State Legal Adv.Ϳ

ϲϴ.

ϭϭ.

Alh. Sabo Sade ;State Krganinjing Sec.Ϳ

Hon. Bello Gidado ;Fmr. State Assembly MemberͿ

ϭ2.

Alh. Nasiru <abara ;State AuditorͿ

ϲϵ.

Hon. Bello :adori ;Fmr. State Assembly MemberͿ

ϭϯ.

Alh. Murtala Abubakar ;State zouth LeaderͿ

70.

ϭϰ.

Hajiyah Aisha Dawood ;State Woman LeaderͿ

Hon. Isa Babayo Tilde ;Fmr. State Assembly MemberͿ

ϭ5.

Alh. Falalu AƩa

7ϭ.

Hon. zalmi Baraya ;Fmr. State House of Assembly MemberͿ

ϭϲ.

Hon. Imamu Adamu Itas

72.

ϭ7.

Alh. Hamnja Ahmed Dass ;Talban DassͿ

Hon. Ibrahim Papa ;Member State House of AssemblyͿ

7ϯ.

Hon. M.B Makama ;Member State House of AssemblyͿ

7ϰ.

Hon. Takubu hmar hdubo ;Member State House of AssemblyͿ

75.

Alh. Aminu zapeko ;Sarkin <udun <atagumͿ

ϭϴ.

Alh. Ahmadu Hanafani

ϭϵ.

Alh. Al Mustapha .M. Badara

20.

Alh. M. Apapata

2ϭ.

Hajiya Hauwa Fulani

22.

Alh. Maikudi :arman Cheledi

2ϯ.

Baba MͬBlock Dambam

2ϰ.

Alh. Adamu Ningi

25.

Alh. Abdullahi Baba

2ϲ.

Malanjo Moh’d

27.

Dansalla Muanju

2ϴ.

Abdullahi Baba ;SͬMalaman GalambiͿ

2ϵ.

Walin aranda

ϯ0.

Alh. Babayo Futuk ;Alkaleri LG ChairmanͿ

ϯϭ.

Alh. Abdulkadir Alin Bababa ; Bauchi LG ChairmanͿ

ϯ2.

Daniel < Musa ;Bogoro LG ChairmanͿ

ϯϯ.

Alh. hba Maihumo ; Dambam LG ChairmanͿ

ϯϰ.

Alh. Ladan <aĮnta ;Dass LG ChairmanͿ

ϯ5.

Alh. Ladan Makama ;Daranjo LG ChairmanͿ

ϯϲ.

Alh. Adamu Abunari ; Giade LG ChairmanͿ

ϯ7.

Alh. Adam A.A. ; Gamawa LG ChairmanͿ

ϯϴ.

Bakogi Magaji ; Warji LG ChairmanͿ

ϯϵ.

Alh. Bappa Makenja Shira ;Shira LG ChairmanͿ

ϰ0.

Alh. Samaila zusuf :arma ;:ama͚are LG ChairmanͿ

ϰϭ. ϰ2.

7ϲ.

Alh. Bala Hadith

77.

Alh. Muhammadu Sade

7ϴ.

Barrister Ahmed Ibrahim Dandija

7ϵ.

Baba Musa Bauchi

ϴ0.

Alh. Musa G. Gora

ϴϭ.

Alh. Bala Maigoro

ϴ2.

Alh. Garba Doya ;Sarkin zakin Ajiya

ϴϯ.

Alh. Abdullahi Fakurn

ϴϰ.

Alh. Daladi Danbaba ;Manja Wajen BauchiͿ

ϴ5.

Alh. Dandada Lere

ϴϲ.

Alh. Abdullahi Walakerol

ϴ7.

Alh. Sarki Aliyu :alam

ϴϴ.

Alh. <abiru Ladan Barwa ;Bauran BauchiͿ

ϴϵ.

Alh. Abdulkadir Ibrahim ;Cika Soron BauchiͿ

ϵ0.

Hon. Simon Balewa

ϵϭ.

Hon. Gayus Dauda

ϵ2.

Alh. Danladi Haruna

ϵϯ.

Alh. Abdullahi zari

ϵϰ.

Alh. zahunja aki

ϵ5.

Alh. Malami Barde

Alh. Sanusi A. Cheledi ;<irĮ LG ChairmanͿ

ϵϲ.

Alh. M. Sain Misau

Alh. Adamu Adiya zalwa ;ItasͬGadau LG Chairman Ϳ

ϵ7.

Alh. Abdulhamid ;Sain DassͿ

ϵϴ.

Sarkin Shanun Dass

14

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͳ˜ 2018

COMMENT

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

AFRICA AND ITS STOMACHS OF ELEPHANTS Botswana holds lessons for Africa, writes Okello Oculi

O

n March 30, 2018, news agencies reported three interesting events jumping out of Africa.

In Egypt an election in which only 40 per cent of potential voters cast their ballots, the incumbent military-civilian ruler, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, was re-elected with 92 per cent of those votes. A day before votes were cast, a massive bomb explosion hit Alexandria, a major city on the Mediterranean coast. The military were fighting ‘’terrorists’’ in the Sinai Peninsula. The election itself took place over the grave of an earlier election which had put Mohammed Morsi in power by a popular vote.

In Africa silence often feeds on blood.

In Ethiopia, Dr Abby Ahmed, of the Oromo Peoples Democratic Organisation faction of the ruling EPRDF coalition, was elected as the next Prime Minister. The symbolic value of a son of ‘’the wretched of the earth’’ in the country’s history assuming power is enormous for the legitimacy of the country’s democracy. The use of the gun to ‘’serve the people’’ –as Meles Zenawe once put it – has brought reward to sustained massive demonstrations as Oromia people demanded ‘’dividends of democracy’’. A key demand is protecting their land from being arbitrarily seized for the expansion of Addis Ababa, the country’’ s capital.

From Botswana came the delicious story of Ian Khama, son of the first president of the country, former head of the army and out-going president after serving two terms in office, was on a farewell tour of the country, was given various farewell gifts, including :‘’three cars worth $300,000’’, 1000 cattle, over 500 chickens and 200 sheep. Most strangely – for African politics – ‘’some especially generous members of the Opposition handed him shares in Botswana’s main telecoms company’’.

Of the three countries, Botswana has been noted for having a traditional ruling elite which is committed to Consensus electoral politics; and the use of power for serving the interests of people who are regarded as members of ‘’one family’’.

Consultation with local communities over policy issues has received utmost priority. President Khama’s father, Seretse Khama, had by his decision to marry a white English girl, sent shock waves across the British empire from West Africa to the Caribbean, from India to Southern Africa. Racist rulers in South Africa were threatened by an example of inter-racial marriage whose long term demographic consequences would diminish the white population.

It is probable that the desire to show that black people can govern with integrity, lack of greed, democratic virtues and service to the people, was regarded by Seretse Khama as the best weapon against the racist ideology in Namibia, Southern and Northern Rhodesia and South Africa; and it has continued to motivate political leaders in Botswana. Writing about ancient China, Martin Jacques notes that ‘’the state was resistant to excessive income, differentiation and marked

BOTSWANA HAS BEEN NOTED FOR HAVING A TRADITIONAL RULING ELITE WHICH IS COMMITTED TO CONSENSUS ELECTORAL POLITICS; AND THE USE OF POWER FOR SERVING THE INTERESTS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE REGARDED AS MEMBERS OF ‘ONE FAMILY’

display of extravagance, which were seen as inimical to Confucian values of harmony’’. There is no reason to doubt that ancient values of community welfare and harmony have been the primary indigenous beacons guiding governance in post-colonial Botswana.

In Britain, the regicide which chopped off the head of King Charles 1, tamed the commercial greed of the monarch and the aristocracy around him so that businessmen could thrive and drive local and maritime commerce. In China, the Communist Party under Mao Zedung slaughtered greedy rural feudal lords and used the Cultural Revolution to prevent Euro-American educated bureaucrats and their families from amassing wealth. In Japan, leaders of the 1868 Meiji Revolution, decimated the Tokugawa ruling class and built national power against Euro-American imposition of an unjust commercial treaty imposed by Americans and their European allies.

The Meiji rulers, however, adapted the cultural tenets of the SAMURAI warrior class to drive development. The notion of devotion to intensively trained skills was channelled into industrial production. The notion of Familyhood has guided branches of corporations to own ‘’shares of each other’’; while and their management teams met daily to review performances and set goals. Government, as the family’s ‘’guardian’’, collected savings from the public and gave them out as capital to companies to support their industrial or commercial success. The Bank of Japan ensured patriotic use of these funds.

The idea of always working to perfect one’s knowledge through scholarship and practical work; one’s relationship with other people in economic, social and political activities and humility were directed into public administration and politics. Despite vigorous efforts by American officials ‘- who ruled Japan after the 1938-1945 war – to destroy the use of these traditional values, Japanese elites succeeded in using them to achieve their ‘’economic miracle’’ and world power status.

It is not clear if elites ruling Botswana have travelled along this Japanese road of combining ideas borrowed from Euro-America yet insisting on creating Their Own peculiar ‘’Kiswana’’ road to development. For over 80 years, its male youth were compelled to work in gold and diamond mines of South Africa, thereby blocking the country’s normal population growth. Its wealth in diamonds, sunshine, territorial size, and wild life offer inducement for thinking big ideas. Muamar Gaddafi’s plan of mobilising the imagination of Traditional Rulers, all across Africa, to crown him as ’King of Kings Africana’, is one it could explore.

Botswana could broadcast to Africa’s Traditional Rulers/ Elders nutritious KISWANA – NIPON Intellectual juices for creative governance. That would replace empty regalia with countering foreign looters of Africa.

THE PATH OF CONSISTENCY AND INTEGRITY Olusegun Adeniyi pays tribute to Ayo Adebanjo, an elder statesman, at age 90

A

lthough the terminology, ‘elder statesman’ is being grossly abused in our country today, especially by the media, I doubt if anybody will contest the fact that Chief Ayo Adebanjo eminently qualifies to be so described.

As a young man in the last century, Adebanjo fought for the independence of our country along with other notable individuals.

He has also, for several decades, been a credible voice for the Yoruba people; right from 1951 when the Action Congress (AC) Youth Wing was formed. Today, he remains a strong advocate of a Nigeria that works for her people. And it is a testimony to Adebanjo’s personal integrity that even as he clocks 90, no scandal has ever been traced to his name despite his influence and political links.

However, if there is any word that adequately captures the person of Adebanjo, it is consistency. Any interested researcher can check anything he said or stood for 70 years ago and there is no difference to what he is saying today or stands for. He neither prevaricates on ideological positions nor changes positions to suit his audience. He does not sit on the fence nor tiptoe around issues. He says it as it is, brutally, frankly, without minding whose ox is gored. And he

is never afraid to rock the boat.

In an age when the only thing trending is politicians jumping from one party to another, recanting and retracting statements, Adebanjo has remained strong and dedicated to the ideals of his mentor, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. From the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the Second Republic to the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) during the General Sani Abacha era to the Alliance for Democracy (AD) of which he was Deputy National Chairman at the beginning of the current democratic dispensation, Adebanjo has remained consistent in his worldview.

Adebanjo is also a very courageous man. I saw this first-hand in 1997 during the Abacha era. A group of opposition figures led by what was then known as The Ijebu Mafia (a quartet of himself and three other compatriots, now of blessed memory—Solanke Onasanya, Olanihun Ajayi and Abraham Adesanya) had organised a farewell reception for the then outgoing American ambassador, Dr Walter Carrington. Determined to ensure the ceremony was disrupted, the Abacha regime sealed off the premises of Onasanya’s residence and deployed soldiers to all surrounding areas in Surulere. Undaunted, the organisers moved the event to Adebanjo’s residence about four kilometres away.

When soldiers eventually invaded his house to break up the party and throw out everybody, including Carrington and his wife, Arese, a furious Adebanjo confronted them without minding the risk to his life.

Throughout the military era, Adebanjo fought alongside others for the enthronement of civil rule and in the process he was at a point detained.

Another thing that stands Adebanjo out is that he is a very contented man, perhaps because he is one of the few politicians in the country with a daytime job. He is a lawyer by profession and he has always practiced.

Therefore, unlike many others, politics has been more of a vocation for him rather than a means of livelihood.

For the over three decades that I have known him, Adebanjo has been a passionate advocate for the restructuring of Nigeria and the establishment of a federalism that takes account of our diversity. For him, restructuring is not a mantra, neither is it confusing.

It is simply reverting to the constitution as agreed to by the founding fathers, especially Chief Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. He participated at the 2014 National Conference and has, on different occasions, called for the implementation of its report.

However, Adebanjo is not by any means

a perfect man. In fact, where some people disagree with him is that adhering to certain ideals should not foreclose looking at other viewpoints. A common charge against Adebanjo, which is not without foundation, is his rigidity on issues. As Zik Ziglar argued, people can be clear about their goals yet be flexible about the process of achieving them.

But once Adebanjo takes a position on an issue, it is almost impossible to move him to adapt his plans even while keeping the dreams and goals.

Rigidity is not always a virtue but Adebanjo can be forgiven because it is a disposition that is common with many members of his generation who believe they can solve the problem of a 2018 Nigeria with a 1950 formula!

Ever consistent, ever courageous, ever resourceful, passionately engaging, a reporter’s delight, a reservoir of experience and a great blessing to our country, I wish Chief Adebanjo a happy birthday as he joins the exclusive nonagenarian club while still looking young and strong. I pray the good Lord to give him many more years in good health not only to witness the Nigeria of his dreams but to continue to be of service to the country he loves so much.

Adeniyi is Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board

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

EDITORIAL THE MONKEYS IN GBAGADA

The authorities could do more to preserve the natural ecosystem and its wildlife

T

he reported invasion of some homes in Gbagada community in Lagos by monkeys is an ugly sign of manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities that have deprived the primates of their natural habitat. Like all living things, starvation must have compelled them to seek food, unmindful of the resulting conďŹ&#x201A;ict with humans. But it is important for both the authorities and the Gbagada residents to handle the issue with care.

Common in Nigeria and other African countries between Ghana and Cameroon, these â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;invadersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are called Mona Monkeys and are usually found in groups of about 12, with a single mature male, but larger aggregations also occur. The troop moves through the canopy foraging mainly for fruit, but also eating ďŹ&#x201A;owers, seeds and insects and other invertebrates.

The Mona monkey is an adaptable species. That they ended up in a residential area is because their natural forest habitat has been encroached upon. These Mona Monkeys have been in the wild in the area that stretches from Gbagada through Bariga to Akoka, behind the University of Lagos THE AUTHORITIES for a long time. This SHOULD EMULATE THE stretch is water catchNIGERIAN CONSERVATION ment area, known in FOUNDATION AND environmental cycles AFRICAN WILDLIFE as Wetlands, a very FOUNDATION TO fertile place for all DEVELOP COMMUNITY types of foods and the CONSERVATION RESERVES adjoining land is good for growing crops all year round. But because their population does not seem to be declining signiďŹ cantly, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the status of these monkeys as being of â&#x20AC;&#x153;least concernâ&#x20AC;?.

Ordinarily, Mona monkeys move around in areas hitherto uninhabited by man. However, in recent years, there has been an upsurge in human activities that is upsetting the livelihood of these monkeys and that accounts for the Gbagada challenge. The authorities should therefore emulate the Nigerian Conservation

Letters to the Editor

Foundation and African Wildlife Foundation to develop community conservation reserves that not only set aside habitat and protect wildlife from poachers, but also provide jobs for the locals to protect those areas and create opportunities for enterprises that can bring in additional money, such as from tourism.

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onkeys are social animals, meaning they exist as families, in the wild, with the old taking care of the young. They forage for food in their natural habitat but this space is shrinking daily with new housing development and because of other human activities. The truth is that these monkeys are becoming homeless and must ďŹ nd food elsewhere. Monkeys, like other wildlife, are an important part of our ecosystem which, unfortunately, is changing drastically due to human activities like natural resource exploration, agriculture, and industrial developments such as construction of pipelines, housing and roads. Yet, when the land can no longer support wildlife, it leads to the displacement of wildlife or worse, extinction.

These Mona Monkeys are in dire need of help, because they are now exposed to manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s predatory instincts.

Some would naturally be eaten by humans who consider them delicacies called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bush meatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and others would want to use them as pets or objects of entertainment for easy money. Whichever way, these animals will suffer untold cruelty if the government does nothing to protect them. To do this, ecological conservationists have recommended that the Lagos State government and the Federal Ministry of Environment should collaborate to create a conservatory in the Gbagada-Bariga-Akoka axis to preserve the natural ecosystem and its wildlife.

Ecological conservationists believe that humans, instead of the wildlife, should be relocated because the ecosystem cannot be relocated and besides, that a food chain exists in the area and this should not be broken because of its importance to human existence. Also, it is important to educate and sensitise the communities where these monkeys are found of the need to protect them as is done in other climes.

TO OUR READERS Letters in response to speciďŹ c publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-200 words) and straight to the point. Interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. We also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (9501000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive.com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer.

THE POLITICS OFYOBE STATE

A

fter the release of the Dapchi Schoolgirls by the Boko Haram insurgents, curiosity took me to Yobe State. I traversed Potiskum, Damaturu, Gashua and Geidam, with stops at some interesting villages and hamlets. Yobe State is a typical dry savannah region like most Northeastern states, except in the southern part of the state which has a milder climate. There are many interesting landscapes and places in Yobe State. The cattle market in Potiskum is attention-grabbing - herd of cows beyond what eyes can see.

It is one of the largest cattle markets in West Africa.

Yobe State is an agricultural state; it also has rich fishing grounds. The people are jovial and friendly. One cannot spend few hours with Yobe people in any community without getting gift of local chows and gist on the insurgency, agriculture, local and international politics. The scourge of the Boko Haram is visible in some areas, but the people are strong and resilient. I spent some few hours at Dapchi, Dapchi town is some 75 kilometres south of the border with Niger Republic, but it has many similarities with towns of northern Nigeria- people are mostly farmers using their vast land and living simple lives with strong community bond.

Yobe State has it fair share of development despite the challenges the state is facing from the Boko Haram war. The state governor, Ibrahim Geidam, has done fairly well in the

areas of healthcare, road construction, school renovation and expansion.

Like all states in Nigeria, the 2019 elections are topics and events that one sees and hears in most towns, villages, including statesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; capitals- peer to peer discussion, posters, billboards and the media. In my few days in the state, from discussions with locals and some events I attended, I observed that one manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name- Alhaji Umar Ali, featured prominently when it concerns who should be the next governor of Yobe State. Out of curiosity, I decided to dig further, who Umar Ali is? And why the strong support at the grassroots as well as among city dwellers, especially youths?

I found out that Umar Ali is a young philanthropist in his own class. The bulk of his support is from the youths.

Coincidentally, Umar is an advocate of youth empowerment, he was once quoted to have said â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;ŚYouths should also be gainfully engaged, and empowered with skills. My own idea of this is to provide the youths with enabling environment to engage in farming. Government can provide them with land and farm implements and then create a sort of marketing board to buy the produce which can be sold to consumers or even exported. This way the government will kill two birds with one stone; fighting joblessness and tendency for violence, and helping the agricultural sector to growâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;?

Throughout Yobe State, Umar is reputed for his humanitarian activities which range from supporting communities and individuals in need. One interesting thing about his silent philanthropic acts is, he assists community in the areas they need quick intervention. He has drilled scores of boreholes in communities suffering from shortage of potable water across Yobe State and assisted in several other community development initiatives in the areas of health, education and infrastructure.

The next phase of development the state needs is comprehensive human development programme and new initiative to complement achievement of the present and previous governments; this will stabilise the state and bring the peace, stability, socio-economic rehabilitation, and long term sustainable economic development.

Based on my observation from my visit, Umar Ali appears worthy of taking Yobe State to this desired new level.

He is young, urbane, educated and a professional with vast knowledge in both public private sectors. His giant philanthropic strides, even as a private citizen, guarantees he will turn the state around if he is allowed to steer the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s affairs. Yobe State will be lucky to have him as governor.

He will bring new approach and thinking to the present development in Yobe State.

Zayyad I. Muhammad Jimeta, Adamawa State

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 5 2018

POLITICS

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

PERSONALITY INTERVIEW

Mohammed: We’re Not Panicking Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has debunked claims that the Muhammadu Buhari-led government released the names of alleged looters under the previous administration out of desperation. He spoke with Politics Editors in Lagos. Tobi Soniyi presents the excerpts: Was it panic that forced you to release the list of alleged looters?

We were challenged to do so. Don’t forget that on their own, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said that they apologised to Nigerians for the way they ran Nigeria aground and we said, yes apology is accepted, but please return the funds. I think one of them challenged us to name those who had stolen money.

I think gradually it is becoming fashionable when you remind PDP that they brought us to this sorry path, they will say stop talking about what we did, please continue with your own. But we cannot move. It is important that Nigerians remember how we got here and the same people who have made no atonement say that they want to come back in 2019 to power.

So, it is important for us to remind them.

This government is not in any panic. We are so proud of our achievements that in less than three years I can stand up and say this is what we have achieved in the area of insecurity, this is what we have achieved in the economy, in the area of ease of doing business. There is no area we have not made our mark.

We lifted Nigeria from number 165 in the ease of doing business to 145. It is not a mean feat!

And we exited recession at a time when the price of crude was low, we were in recession when we implemented the diversification of the economy.

It is on record that despite all these challenges that we have not retrenched one person. So, why should we be afraid? Why should we panic?

I don’t see any reason why we should panic, I think it is the imagination of people that the government is panicky. No! Will you also release the names of looters in the All Progressives Congress (APC) There is a difference between allegations and established cases. All the cases I have mentioned (alleged PDP looters) are already in court.

How many times have people written that Lai Mohammed has billions of dollars. But these are allegations that are just ridiculous. I can assure you that of there is any allegation against any member of this government, this government will investigate it.

Nigerians are saying that there is no difference between PDP and APC that it is because those people who left PDP for APC are being protected?

That is what you are saying! It would be unfair to say that everybody that joined APC from PDP is a looter, it would be unfair. I am saying that whether you are of ACN stock or PDP stock or CPC stock and you are found to be corrupt, you will be investigated.

Are you not overreaching the courts by pronouncing them guilty while they are still in court?

They have said, name the looters, and we said these people took money But the courts can find otherwise.

That is the business of the court. They said name, and I said these are the people that were reported to have stolen money. So, what is prejudicial about it? Let them go and solve their matters in court, but if you challenge us to name names, we will name names!

You cite your achievement of taking this country out of recession, but by the time the PDP handed over, this country was not in recession.

Recession is when a country’s GDP slows in two consecutive quarters consecutively. It is a technical term.

But this happened under your government?

Yes, no doubt. But for a recession to happen

Lai Mohammed

you look at what preceded those two quarters.

Number one, we came in May 2015 by which time the major revenue for the country, petroleum had dropped in price by almost 50%. We came in and met virtually no savings at all.

What we inherited was $23 billion, we came at a time when at least 20 states could not pay salaries. We came in at a time when infrastructure was almost zero.

The vice-president gave an example that in 2015, the ministries of transport, power, works and housing combined had less than N100 billion released for that year. Whereas the year we came in, we had N565 billion invested in that same infrastructural sector.

It is a measure of the rightness of our approach that if you want to boost the economy, you must diversify the economy. So, we went into agriculture, went into mining, went into services and what actually brought us out of recession was agriculture, mining and the rest.

That we were able to come out of recession and continue to consolidate means that our Economic and Growth Plan is working.

But the projects the president is commissioning were projects done by the states?

You see when the president visits a state, he visits to reconnect with the people of the state, but of course the governors of the states would want to have the opportunity to have the president commission their projects. They are not doing it just because they want to honour Mr. President. They do it also because they want the attention of Mr. President in certain areas. This morning I was with Mr. President at the Eko Atlantic City. It was an extremely successful visit because Mr. President saw the enormity of the work going on at the Eko Atlantic City and the state government knows that you need this rapport with the federal government in order to achieve a lot.

Yesterday, (Thursday) I was with the president to commission the Ikeja Bus Terminal and the governor revealed there that Mr. President approved a waiver of customs duties payable for about 400 buses that are coming. This is because the president saw how that terminal is going to impact on the city. You can imagine what that waiver means to the Lagos State

Government. So, when Mr. President comes to commission projects in the states, it is not because the federal government has no project of its own to commission.

The APC Committee has submitted its report on true federalism. When is the president going to respond to the proposal?

It is a party matter. It is not a government matter. The party will still have to adopt it before they will make recommendations to government.

How will you score the president on a score of 1 to 100 on what his administration has been able to achieve It is not for me to score him, it is for me to reel out what we have achieved. It is for the pubic to now say this is 1%, this is 2%, this is 3%. Honestly, I can say without fear of equivocation that the government has done pretty well in the broad areas of economy, security and fighting corruption and the various social intervention.

I can start with the economy for instance, and I will tell you that with less than half of the revenue available to the previous government, we have been able to start a revolution in infrastructure by devoting N1.3 trillion to capital projects ranging from roads to railways to water ways to agriculture.

In the area of roads, we took a N100 billion sukkuk loan and with that loan we are undertaking 25 roads spread over the six geopolitical zones. Today, there is no area of government where you do not feel the impact of government on roads.

Railways, the Lagos -Ibadan standard gauge will become operational I think at the end of 2018 or next year, meanwhile, the Calabar – Lagos has been awarded also. In the area of agriculture which is one area I think we have done very well, we have been able to create more rice farmers all over the country.

From 5 million farmers, we have today about 11 million rice farmers. For you to see the rightness of our approach, so far, less than N100 billion has been invested in the anchor borrowers programme and we have this result.

Meanwhile, the federal government has paid

more than N1.2 trillion as bailout. I can imagine if just 10% of that were to have been invested in agriculture, probably today we would be talking of self-sufficiency not only in rice but probably in cassava and probably in wheat.

Our anchor borrowers programme has proven to be a success. In the area of the economy, you have heard me say that we inherited $23 billion in reserves, today we have $46 billion in foreign reserves.

On ease of doing business we have moved from 165 to 145, in mining the activities in local mining, today we have created thousands of jobs for people mining limestone and the rest.

In the area of the economy whether in terms of figures about employment or in terms of social infrastructure, we have done what no government has done. I don’t know of any government in Nigeria that has either fed 7.5 million pupils in one day. To many people it is not important, but can you imagine if you are feeding 7 million pupils and if it costs you just N70 to feed each pupil, it means in a day you are creating an economy of N490 million across the value chain of cooks, vendors and farmers. And this has led to an increase of school enrolment.

All these have been done under three years and I think we are going to embark on a road show to inspect roads that are being done in virtually every state of the federation.

We have been able to bring back many jobs by renewing these contracts and many of these contracts that this government is doing are contracts that were signed in 2007, 2009, 2012.

We have hardly awarded any new contract.

In the area of power, we inherited 2,900 MWs of power, today we are generating more than 7,000 MW of power. Of course we are unable to transmit all the power because of the state of the transmission line, and don’t forget that even that power had been largely privatised even before we came in and we had been able to give support. We guaranteed N702 billion revolving loan that if you produce, we pay and that is why you have seen this exponential increase in power supply.

So, I do not see any area where we cannot say we have not made progress.

But what of security, when you came in, there was not as much violence as we have today?

People were not dying like this?

I think you were not noticing. A week ago, I was in Zamfara, and I did not know that cattle rustling started since 2009 until then. Do you know that more lives have been lost in Zamfara than in Benue State? Of course it is no consolation. I think thousands of lives have been lost there. I didn’t know that cattle rustling has been that dangerous. It didn’t start in 2015 neither did the farmers, herders clash start in 2015. The Agatu killings didn’t take place under this government. It did not. It is unfortunate that what is largely an environmental, economic, social issue, we have made it assume an ethnic and religious one.

Is it not because your government didn’t manage it well?

How do you manage it?

The government has been saying that the former administration ran down the economy and that the former president doled out money ahead of the elections, so, why is the government not prosecuting him and others?

If you know how many cases are in court!

Are you going to release more names of alleged looters?

I have them.

Are you going to release them?

If they challenge us again.

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POLITICS

Adediran: We Need More Women in Politics A former Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ms. Adetoun Adediran has called on men to stop intimidating women in politics. She spoke with Segun James: Excerpts

W

of assembly have become rubber stamp of the executives?

Sometime people think like that, that the houses of assembly have been bought and that is because they want accountability and independence.

But there should be cooperation, they should work hand in hand; they should call the attention of government to issues. Thank God for the kind of governor we have here in Lagos state they don’t have much problem because the governor is much on ground and all-round the state project is going on, he is there for the people and there is no problem.

hat is your view on the performance of the All Progressives Congressled government and so far?

We know that Rome was not builil in a day; and we are talking about changing from one party to the other, changing from a party who ruled for 16 years, we have to know our onion; but so far, we are on the right track. You can’t say there has not been change in the country since the APC took over, but it has to be gradual and if you want to be sincere you would rightly admit that there has been progress.

Look at the Nigerians that returned from Libya, a lot of them left the country because it was in bad shape. They felt the country could not offer them opportunities to fulfil their dreams. They left in frustration, and now they are getting back because the country is moving forward. Even people in other places in the world are returning back to set up companies and businesses here.

But you know change is not easy. It is just like when you wash a cloth, you have to allow it dry before you put it on; Buhari is a man of dignity, he is respected all around the world, let’s give him a chance, he would bring the change he promised. We need more patience. What has been damaged for 16 years cannot suddenly change overnight.

Do you agree that the number of women in politics in Nigeria has dropped? Are you satisfied with the number of women in politics now?

No am not satisfied. The number has dropped in the assemblies and in politics; but we have them more in the judiciary. When you talk about elective positions, our people believe we don’t have money power to compete with the men, that is why when we say we have to spend, we are hoping things would change. We should not monetize our political system, because when you take money from a candidate to vote, it means your vote has been bought and he would not care about your interest.

Our women can’t stand hooliganism, but what I say is; if you want to be in politics you should be able to face it. They would threaten you with guns and others but you have to put your foot on the ground. The number of women in politics has dropped.

When I contested at that time this issue was not so pronounced I mean money, hooliganism and the rest, they are becoming too much and women are not that strong.

But people think the president is concentrating much effort in the fight against corruption and neglecting other sectors?

When things are like this, you would say because I don’t belong to his party that is why am being targeted; but you have to realize that fighting corruption was the promise he gave to Nigerians. So much of our national wealth was stolen. A lot of people stole money and people say he should not focus on corruption, look at the road and the state of infrastructure, we need to collect the money in the hand of the few and use it for the masses and I want to tell Nigerians that things would work.

From your answers, you are already endorsing him for a second term?

Buhari deserves a second term; things are working; it would be gradual, don’t forget that there was much damage done by the previous administrations, the country would soon be a better place for us, I believe the president has good intention for the country.

What is your reaction to the statements issued y former president Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida?

Everybody has his own mind. The letter was meant to do some check-up, and I think the president has accepted it in good faith.

I think Buhari would move up from there.

We know Obasanjo when he was there as the president, he did not listen to advice. People said he was stubborn and he always follows his ideas; I think Buhari would change for the better, we should give him a chance. The man at the helms of affairs understands the letter, he would pick the fact, they are close friends, he knows the reason for the letter, and he would pick things up.

What is your reaction to the Obasanjo coalition?

We now have many parties, I think about 67 in the country, and now you are talking about another coalition. The president has been performing, he is back in the country and he is healthy and he has been working for the people and the country. Let’s give him a chance. The people in the third force; When they were in office, what did they do?

Because they are no more in office, they want to form a group to fight the government. That is not good. We have a leader in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is working to change things and re-position the party. I believe in the president and Asiwaju to do the best for the country.

Are you in support of the affirmative action bill that was rejected by the national Assembly?

Am not in support of 35 percent affirmative action. Why can’t we get 50 percent? Let them give us the chance. At home we cook, wash, take care of the children, and do the rest things so why not give us the equal chance with the men.

Adetoun Adediran

How true is it that your party is in crisis?

There is no party without crisis. Because some people would be angry somehow with the state of things. Asiwaju would change things, we know people are angry, crisis is normal in party politics, but it would come and go, but I don’t see any crisis like the one we have in the former regime and party.

You were a former deputy speaker. Will you mind sharing your experience?

Well I was the deputy speaker. I thank God for the memorable time; we had our issues and we worked as a family in the house. It was not easy; we had 40 people from different background and we tried to be friends to ourselves. It was challenging, and I thank God for the grace.

My memorable occasions were during

We know Obasanjo when he was there as the president, he did not listen to advice

my attempt to pass a bill I initiated for the return of environmental sanitation exercise in Lagos state. When I moved round the state and realised that the state was dirty: I gave questionnaires round the state and got people’s opinions on the issue; we were still operating only the 20 local government areas then. When the bill was presented; on several occasions the speaker was not around, later I realised that this was deliberate; and I said no let this bill be presented when the speaker was around, and it was presented when the speaker came. I remember I met with the state governor and top government officers on the bill and they were happy about it, and later the government presented a bill on that same issue and both, including my motion were passed along with the bill into law.

As a woman, how did you feel presiding over a house dominated by men?

There is no gender when you talk about the assembly members. When I presided as the speaker they always responded with a sir.

The issue of gender did not arise, it was not an issue. Don t forget at that time we were just coming from the military regime and people were not sure if democracy would work; I did not allow my gender to control me when it was right time for me to talk I did, I presented my view the way it should be and I did not allow my colleagues to see me as weak because am a woman.

How do you react to the claim that houses

Why do you want to go to the House of Representative?

We need to give our people dividend of democracy. Am a grassroots person, I listen to my people I know what they want; I give thanks to the people; even when i was outside the country, when I came back I saw my posters everywhere, I thank them for that, I also thank them for believing in me, I would stand with them.

Surulere is a cosmopolitan city what is the need of the people here?

Do you think there is no problem there? No matter how developed a city is, thee will always be issue with roads, light and several others issues ; I can lobby my colleagues and get things for my constituency? When you know there are issues that are important for your people, you must lobby to get the job done, that is what legislative position is all about.

How confident are you that you would get the ticket, or are you thinking of decamping?

No. I would never do that: Even the leaders of the party would tell you this is a serious and loyal member of the party. I have been in the party from the inception. I have been showing my interest for the position for some time now, since 2007 and the party leaders said no, I should gave them time. In 2011, they said no. All this while I have been working for the candidate that the party presented and this is 16 years after, it is a long time.

We need the representative of the people; someone who would be there for us, whenever the people of your constituency need you. I want to serve my people because I understand their needs.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

Tackling Threat to Food Security At a time Nigeria is threatened by food insecurity, especially with the persistent farmer-herders’ clashes across the country, the Plateau State Government has received a presidential pat on the back for repositioning the state through mechanised farming.

Seriki Adinoyi writes

President Buhari test driving the newly acquired tractors by Plateau State Government

F

ood security is an aspect of government that no nation that is worth its salt can afford to take for granted. It is defined by the United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security, as the condition in which all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

It has been warned that in the near future, a changing climate, growing global population, rising food prices, and environmental stressors will have significantly yet highly uncertain impacts on food security.

Adaptation strategies and policy responses to the global change, including options for handling water allocation, land use patterns, food trade, post-harvest food processing, and food prices and safety are urgently needed.

These policy responses will be vital to improve the living conditions of farmers and rural populations across the globe.

It is therefore worrisome that while nations, including Nigeria are working seriously towards this, the recent persistent clashes between farmers and herders across the country and indeed the Middle Belt states have posed serious threat to this vital part of our living.

Benue State, the famed Food Basket of Nigeria, for instance has in recent times suffered unimaginable setbacks occasioned by frequent farmers/herders' clashes, so much that fears have been expressed that if not checked, we might be running a serious risk of famine in the near future.

The National Economic Council (NEC) at one of its meetings had said that there will be food crisis in Nigeria unless the displacement of farmers resulting from incessant conflicts between them and pastoralists is immediately addressed.

The Council after a closed door meeting at

the Presidential Villa reportedly said it was worried about the displacement of farmers and felt that unless it was immediately addressed, there would be shortage of food in the entire country in the near future.

The Council therefore resolved that an emergency meeting be held with all affected states to find an immediate solution to the crisis.

Also, Search for Common Ground (SCG) has revealed that Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau states are losing 47 per cent internally generated revenue annually to farmers and herdsmen conflicts.

The organisation’s Research Fellow, Dr. Chris Kwaja, recently stated this in Abuja while presenting a draft at a Technical Validation Meeting on ‘Implications of Open-Grazing Laws on Relations between Farmers and Herdsmen in the Middle Belt Region of Nigeria’.

In the year 2016, after negotiations between Hakar Engineering Ltd and PAFMCS, the state government was approached and accepted to facilitate the Tractor Ownership Scheme to enable interested farmers of the state to own tractors for efficient and effective farming operations across the three geo-political zones of the state

Kwaja said that the data was provided by a research that the group conducted in collaboration with the former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar’s Institute for Peace and Sustainable Development Studies (AAIPSDS) “In fact, challenges relating to access to and control of natural resources such as water, arable land, obstruction of traditional grazing routes, livestock theft and crop damage are the issues that trigger the conflicts.

The most affected states are in Nigeria’s Middle Belt – Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba. It was estimated that the Nigerian Government loses a large sum of 13.7 billion dollars annually as a result of conflicts between farmers and herders in these states,” Kwaja said.

According to him, the fragile relationships between farmers and herdsmen were having a direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of those involved, and that it had also disrupted and threatened the sustainability of food and livestock production in the country.

While saying that one of the profound responses to the lingering conflict was the enactment of a law against open grazing which Benue adopted on November 1, 2017, he said that the rationale for the law was to curb the menace of destruction of farmlands, attacks on farmers and threats against food security and development in a state.

He however noted that the passing of the law in Benue which was already having ripple effects in Nasarawa, Kaduna, Plateau and Taraba was met with resistance by herdsmen because they view it as discriminatory.

The aftermath was the January 1, 2018 devastating attack that claimed about 73 lives and the resultant distrust and inordinate politics that have followed, leading to more deaths.

Farmers have therefore fled their farms, while pastoralists have also vacated Benue and other troubled areas, thereby also posing threat to Nigeria’s dairy production.

It was against this backdrop that Plateau State Government recently took it upon itself to begin to work towards averting this imminent danger of food insecurity that stares Nigeria in the face.

The state has decided to make a mark by providing food for the citizenry, and as way of boosting its own economy.

The good weather, fine vegetation and fertile soil place Plateau State above other states in this regard. Plateau has an excellent soil and climate to grow all manners of fruits and vegetable. Also, in terms of potential for growing famous Irish Potatoes, Plateau is in the frontline.

The state governor, Simon Lalong, quickly identified this and decided to harness it by providing fertilisers at discounted rate to at least 57,000 to farmers in the state under the state’s Special Fertiliser Intervention Scheme, a new arrangement to make fertiliser easily accessible to farmers.

Lalong said at the flag-off of sales of the fertilisers for the 2017 farming season at the College of Agriculture Garkawa, that the scheme expected each state of the federation to blend a specified quantity of assorted fertilisers for its citizens, adding that Plateau had received approval to blend 20,000 metric tonnes for distribution in the farming season.

Also, at Bokkos, the state government distributed 24,000 metric tonnes of assorted fertilisers it acquired for onwards sale to farmers at a subsidised rate of N4,000 per bag.

Lalong, at the formal flag-off of the sale of fertilisers to farmers, said agriculture was very key in his leadership drive, adding that having realised that “the bulk of our farmers and peasants can hardly afford the exorbitantly priced fertilisers in the open market, government decided to subsidise the product by 50 per cent so that farmers can access it at N4,000 per bag.”

He said that government has adopted the

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FEATURES method recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which he tasked to develop a workable plan that would ensure accountability in getting the input to targeted small holder farmers within reasonable period, adding that the distribution would be done using a registered list of farmers who have been captured in the farmers' database.

According to him, “In this arrangement, the fertiliser supplier takes the commodity to one of the 100 designated selling points across the state, and uses the register of that selling point to sell the subsidised fertiliser at N4,000 per 50kg bag and maximum of three bags per farmer under the supervision of government officials.

“I urge farmers to be vigilant enough to ensure that this well thought out strategy formulated in their favour, works well in their communities.”

Lalong emphasised that his administration has placed a high premium on the development of agricultural sector, and that the sector has occupied the third point of the five point policy thrust of the administration and it presents itself as a key area of comparative advantage with great opportunities for all.

According to him, government has realised that it has only 400 functional tractors, which translates to a dismal ratio of 0.2 tractors to 1,000 hectares as against the global ratio of 42 tractors to 1,000 hectares.

He said: “Realising the importance of mechanisation, government has committed itself to a tripartite arrangement between farmers, banks and tractor suppliers. With the knowledge that issues of providing tractor services will better be handled and managed by farmers themselves. The government has graciously approved the provision of 40 per cent subsidy (30 per cent state and 10 per cent local governments) to capable farmers who desire to own tractors.”

Lalong advised farmers to key into the Anchor Borrowers Programme of the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In a bid to fulfilling his promise to turn around the fortunes of mechanised agriculture in the state and harness the huge agriculture potential, Lalong recently purchased over 400 new tractors.

He said that government was leveraging on the benefits of public and private sector investments through partnership to achieve the goal of diversifying its economy to agriculture.

The tractors, which were eventually inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari during his recent two-day working visit, brought a huge relief to farmers on the Plateau, who lauded the efforts of the governor on agriculture.

During the inauguration of the tractors by the President, Lalong said, “In the pursuit of our commitment to service delivery, the experiences from the economic misfortune occasioned by the fall of oil price in the global market necessitated our thinking out of the box under the new reality. In this regard, the administration identified three new normal or areas that the state has comparative advantages namely, Agriculture, Mineral Resources Development and Tourism.

These have been pursued within the context of strategic policy framework through the relevant MDAs.” He said that agriculture is one of his administration’s five policy thrusts, “and in our effort to key into agricultural produc-

While inaugurating the tractors, Buhari who test-ran one of them, also disclosed that the federal government will make use of the 90 per cent money saved as a result of the cut down from rice importation to improve agricultural infrastructure in the country

President Muhammadu Buhari and Simon Lalong at the townhall

The newly acquired tractors by Governor Simon Lalong

tion of the federal government, the state government evolved the policy of Tractor Ownership Scheme. It is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Scheme between Plateau State Government (PLSG), Hakar Engineering Ltd and Plateau All Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative Society (PAFMCS).

“The Farmers’ Cooperative Society identified the lack of modern farm tools as a major impediment towards productivity and returns on farmers’ income and improved livelihood.

Thus in the year 2016, after negotiations between Hakar Engineering Ltd and PAFMCS, the state government was approached and accepted to facilitate the Tractor Ownership Scheme to enable interested farmers of the state to own tractors for efficient and effective farming operations across the three geo-political zones of the state. Consequently, the funding scheme to support the farmers to achieve this economic goal is as follows: state government provided a 30 per cent subsidy; the 17 local government areas providesd10 per cent; Farmers’ Cooperative Society 10 per cent; Hakar Engineering Ltd 25 per cent and Bank loan 25 per cent at single digit interest rate.

“This arrangement enables farmers and/or farmers groups to own tractors for modern arable crop farming. Other objectives include; providing tractor hiring services across the state, increase farm productivity, raise farmers’ income and welfare, and ensure timely cultivation of arable land especially during the rainy season.

Lalong said that the scheme, which is

expected to last 36 months from flag off and commencement, will have the following benefits: “The vendor Hakar Engineering Ltd has procured 400 units of tractors (Deutsch Fehr Model 70HP) as requested by the PAFMCS. The Farmers’ Cooperative would eventually become the owners of the Tractors.

The State shall provide suitable locations that will serve as workshops one in each of the three geo-political zones of the State.

“Furthermore, the scheme will enlist and train 200 interested youth per LGC in basic farming skills for three years and empower them with tools and finances to embark on farming on successful completion of the training. Each LGC is expected to provide 2,000 hectares of land for this project. Farmers are also to provide farmlands in their communities of between 1 to 5 hectare per farmer for the community farming project for either maize or rice. This project will be funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) Anchor Borrower's Scheme to be accessed on their behalf by Hakar Engineering Ltd and utilised on 60,000 hectares of land.”

He said that each tractor unit cost is fourteen million Naira (N14,000,000.00) and administrative cost of N50,000.00. The scheme shall be jointly managed by the three parties especially in the Monitoring and Evaluation to ensure that milestones are achieved within the time and budget.

Meanwhile, the President, who was flanked

by Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was elated by the many efforts of the state government

towards food security.

While inaugurating the tractors, Buhari who test-ran one of them, also disclosed that the federal government will make use of the 90 per cent money saved as a result of the cut down from rice importation to improve agricultural infrastructure in the country.

The President said, “The federal government has cut down the importation of rice by 90 per cent and the money saved from this gesture will be used to improve agricultural infrastructure in the country."

Buhari described the tractors as machines of high quality, saying it can last for decades, but urged users to maintain them to enhance durability. He therefore urged the 442 Youths Intern Farmers beneficiaries of the tractors on adequate maintenance.

Buhari described the achievements of Lalong in agriculture as “quite laudable.”

He said, “I am glad that the state government has fully keyed into All Green Initiative and the Anchor Borrower Scheme of the federal government considering the strategic importance of agriculture to our national development. In particular, I must commend Plateau State for its commitment to the African Development Bank-funded Potato Value Chain Support project, which is targeted at wealth creation, employment generation and food security.”

It is hoped that Lalong’s efforts will get all the supports from all concerned quarters to make it succeed, as Nigeria will be the better for it when food is made available at everyone’s table.

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Etihad Begins VR Tech Trial

LAUNCH OF PAYATTITUDE BY ACCESS BANK

Executive Director IT and Operations, Access Bank Plc Ojini Olaghere; Executive Director, Personal Banking, Victor Etuokwu; GMD/ CEO Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe; Managing Director UniďŹ ed Payments and founder of PayAttitude, Agada Apochi and Country Manager, PayAttitude, Titilayo Olubiyi at the launch of PayAttitude by Access Bank in Lagos...recently

Seven Discos Fail to Pay NBET in January Chineme Okafor in Abuja The recalcitrant financial attitudes of electricity distribution companies (Discos) to statutory payments for electricity sold to them by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) every month seems to have persisted with just four of them â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Abuja; Enugu; Jos and Yola reported as the only Discos that paid parts of their monthly bills to the NBET in January.

A January 2018 market report on the monthly remittance of monies to the NBET by the Discos was released on Tuesday in Abuja by the NBET. It disclosed that for the second month running, the remittance standings of the Discos have not

ENERGY improved but rather dropped as the number of those that failed to remit monies in December 2018 rose from five to seven in January.

The report indicated that in January an average of 2,445.06 megawatts hour (MWh) of electricity was received by the Discos every day representing 92.93 per cent of the total electricity that the generation companies (Gencos) produced daily.

It explained that this amounted to an invoice of N44.85 billion which was sent to the Discos, and out of which only N6.08 billion was received by the NBET from the January invoice.

NEBT said this represented just 13.58 per cent of the invoice.

Going further, NBET explained that in fact, the Discosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; payments for the January invoice amounted to N2.70 billion, but that it got a N3.37 billion payment from them as late payment for December invoice, which brought the total payment it got from them to N6.08 billion in January.

According to it, Enugu Disco remitted about 29.24 per cent of its invoice; Abuja Disco did just 18.60 per cent; while Jos Discos paid 9.09 per cent. Yola Disco which is currently managed by the federal government paid 15.06 per cent of its invoice.

However, Kaduna; Kano; Port Harcourt; Benin; Eko; Ikeja; and

Ibadan Discos did not remit a dime to the NBET in January.

Last month, the NBET stated in its report that five Discos comprising Ikeja; Kano; Kaduna; Yola and Jos, did not remit any money to it for the December cycle.

It explained that the average energy sent out by the Gencos in January was 3584.55MWh, out of which international customers including the likes of the CommunautĂŠ Ă&#x2030;lectrique du BĂŠnin (CEB), and SociĂŠtĂŠ Nigerienne dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ElectricitĂŠ (NIGELEC), both of the Benin and Niger Republics, and other net electricity importers consumed 232.21MWh. Continued on page 24

Telcos Groan under Heavy Taxes, Seek FGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Intervention Telecoms operators (Telcos) have raised the alarm that the Amended Taxes and Levies Order of 2015 has engendered the multiplicity of taxes across different tiers of government, which they said are inimical to telecommunications operations in the country.

The telecoms operators under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), have therefore called on the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun to urgently intervene in the matter in order to save the telecoms industry from total collapse.

Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga

ICT Adebayo told THISDAY in Lagos that the Amended Order failed to fix the taxable rate resulting in the imposition of arbitrary levies and charges at the state government levels. The industry is also burdened with enactment of laws at the state government levels to legitimate spurious levies and charges on our members which negate the ease of doing business in Nigeria, Adebayo said.

According to him, item 3 (b) of the Amended Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, introduced new levies and taxes under

items 12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 25. Most of these taxes and levies were hitherto contested by our members on the grounds that they were not applicable to telecommunications operations justified by the previous Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act 1998.

It is therefore disturbing that the entire instrument has given the state governments authorisation to coerce and disrupt the operations of our members in order to compel the payment of sundry levies, charges and taxesâ&#x20AC;?, he stressed.

According to Adebayo, the Amended Order, rather than addressing the issue of multiple

taxation, has increased the tax burden of the telecom operators and adversely impacted the ease of doing business in Nigeria. He insisted that telecoms services as critical national security and economic infrastructure, and should therefore be handled with caution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our industry supports many other economic sectors of the economy. We are also the first layer of critical infrastructure for socio economic development and security. It is pertinent to state that unless telecoms facilities have first level of protection by government, it will be difficult to Continued on page 24

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teleology will drive a special program of rural internet coverage, focusing on 4G with broadband access planned for all of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 774 Local government areasâ&#x20AC;?

Head, Teleology Nigeria Limited, Adrian Wood

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍłË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

SEVEN DISCOS FAIL TO PAY NBET IN JANUARY

Teleology Clarifies on $50m Cash Deposit, Restates Commitment Stories by Emma Okonji

â&#x20AC;&#x153;NBET paid Gencos N6.08 billion for the January invoices of N48.23 billion which represents 12.62 per cent payment,â&#x20AC;? said the market report.

On payments to the Gencos, the report said Geregu NIPP plant submitted an invoice worth N1.622 billion but got paid N204 million; Calabar NIPP submitted invoice of N2.897 billion but got paid N365 million; Olorunsogo NIPP submitted N290 million and got paid N36 million; Omotosho NIPP submitted N1.344 billion and was paid N169 million; Sapele NIPP submitted N2.086 billion and paid N263 million; Ihovbor NIPP submitted N1.078 billion but paid N136 million; while Gbarain NIPP was paid N81.372 million from its N644 million invoice. Ibom Power submitted N681 million and was paid N86 million; just as Omoku submitted N167 million and paid N21 million.

Similarly, Rivers IPP submitted N721 million and was paid N91 million; Trans Amadi Power submitted N962 million and got N121 million; Azura submitted N66 million and got N8.398 million; Shell Afam VI submitted N2.656 billion and got N335 million; while Agip Okpai plant submitted N4.158 billion but paid N524 million.

TELCOS GROAN UNDER HEAVY TAXES, SEEK FGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INTERVENTION provide uninterrupted services to the citizenry,â&#x20AC;? Adebayo said.

ALTON respectfully requested for an Executive Order to be issued, designating telecoms infrastructure as critical national security and economic infrastructure as prescribed in the Cybercrime Act, 2015, Adebayo further said.

While commending the telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for being in the forefront of making sure that the ease of doing business is achieved by all stakeholders in the Industry, Adebayo said the Minister of Finance must act fast to review the Amended Taxes and Levies Order 2015 which he said, is widely adjudged to be inimical to the normal operations of the telecommunication sector.

Group Business Editor

Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;äĂ?Ě&#x2039; ĂĄĂ&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x; AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; äĂ?

Teleology Holdings Limited has come out bold to clarify doubts expressed over its payment of the $50 million non-refundable cash deposit for the acquisition of 9mobile.

Reacting to information making the rounds that members of the House of Reps might be compelled to stop the sale of 9mobile to Teleology because the said cash deposit could not be traced to any bank account, Teleology Holdings Limited insisted that the money had since been paid and confirmation of receipt of payment has also been sent out to the appropriate quarters.

Adrian Wood who is tipped to become the next CEO of 9mobile after Teleology Holdings must have concluded all payments pertaining the acquisition of 9mobile, told THISDAY in a telephone conversation that Teleology has successfully crossed the first huddle of payment of the $50 million non-refundable cash deposit and had since put that challenge behind it, while looking forward to paying the actual bid money for 9mobile, for which it has been given 90 days to complete.

I am rather committed to restructure 9mobile and drive it to profitability without any form of distraction, Wood said.

To clarify all doubts concerning the payment of the $50 million cash deposit, a confirmation document for the payment of the said amount was released to THIDAY, which clearly stated that the $50 million cash deposit was received on March 21, 2018.

The document, with reference number UCT/TB/ CO265/2018, which was signed

Capital Market Editor

Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x17D;ĂŁ Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?

Senior Correspondent

Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2022;Ă? (Labour) Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; (Maritime) Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă? (Energy) Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122; (Nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Capital) Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039; (Money Mkt) Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; (Energy) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă? (Money Market) Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă? (Cap Mkt)

by the Managing Director of United Capital Trustees, Mr. Tokunbo Ajayi and the Head of its Legal Services, Mr. Tadeni Balogun, read in part: We write to confirm receipt of the sum of $50 million into our United Capital Trustees Ltd/ EMTS Enforcement Proceeds account from Teleology Nigeria Limited, being payment of the non-refundable deposit as the preferred bidder for Project Nexus transaction.

THISDAY gathered that the terms of condition for the transaction leading to the sale of 9mobile is that all monies pertaining to the sale of

9mobile will be paid to United Capital Trustees, who is the receiver-manager appointed by the consortium of the 13 local banks that offered the $1.2 billion loan to the former Etisalat Nigeria. At the end of the transaction, Barclays Africa, the financial adviser handling the sale of 9mobile, will then inform the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on the conclusion of the transaction, to enable NCC begin the process for the transfer of 9mobile licence to Teleology, after a formal application must have been

transmitted from Teleology to NCC, asking for such transfer of licence. Before the crisis that hit Etisalat Nigeria, which compelled it to have a new brand identity called 9mobile, its shareholding arrangement was such that Emirate Telecommunications Group of United Arab Emirates (UAE), had 45 per cent shareholding in the former Etisalat Nigeria; Mubadala Development Company of UAE had 40 per cent shareholding, while Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services (EMTS) owned by a Nigerian, Bello Osagie, had 15 per cent shareholding.

At the peak of the Etisalat crisis, Mubadala Development Company and Emirate Telecommunications Group, both from UAE, pulled out of the shareholding arrangement. But at the time of leaving, Emirate Telecommunications Group transferred its 45 per cent stake in the former Etisalat Nigeria, and 25 per cent of its preference shares, to United Capital Trustees, the receiver-manager and the legal representative of the 13 local banks. Since then, United Capital Trustees has been managing 9mobile and has the authority to receive payment for the sale of 9mobile.

CYBERSECURITY ON THEIR MINDS

L-R: General Manager, Cisco Nigeria and English West Africa, Olakunle Oloruntimehin; Cisco Systems Engineer, Security, Nigeria and English West Africa, Tomi Amao and Systems Engineering Lead, Cisco West Africa, Abdelaziz Saidu, during the media presentation of Ciscoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2018 Annual Cybersecurity Report in Lagos...recently

ISPON Restates Commitment to Developing Software Strategy for Nigeria Emma Okonji The President of Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Olorogun James Emadoye has restated the instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to develop a national software strategy for Nigeria.

This, he said, is due to the importance of software innovation, which represents the mainstream of emerging economies and future businesses in Nigeria.

Emadoye, who stressed that the activities around software development are central to global trade and the generation of foreign exchange for Nigeria, said

such important activities would be further buttressed at the ISPON President Dinner 2018, which holds tomorrow Friday in Lagos. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ISPON President Dinner, which is credited as historic for many significant reasons, will also recognise Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, who will be having his first keynote outing in ICT industry, after his appointment as the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government. The dinner is also packaged to honour late Simeon Chijioke Agu, the founding president of ISPON,â&#x20AC;?

Emadoye said.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;As part of the preparation to celebrate

its 20th anniversary come 2019, the National Executive Council of ISPON at her recent NEC meeting rose with a unanimous decision to honour Senator Liyel Imoke, the immediate past Governor of Cross River State, with the conferment of distinguished Fellow of ISPON (FSP Honorary) in recognition of his unparallel achievement for the promotion of software engineering development in Nigeria.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Indeed, it is safe to state that more than any governor who served in the last two decades, none can match the visionary contributions of Senator Liyel Imoke in the information and communication technology

(ICT) domain,â&#x20AC;? Emadoye said.

Highlighting ISPONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategy for software development in Nigeria, Emadoye said body rolled out strategies for the establishment of software development clubs in Nigerian universities as a foundation for building the collaborative communities and connections to the larger stakeholder ecosystem that are pivotal to the emergence of a sustainable knowledge culture and capability for software development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the last count, more than 32 universities have either been registered or applied for registration. The ISPON national software develop-

ment mission is informed by the strategic imperative to anchor Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aspirations for global competitiveness in the knowledge economy on building capacity in knowledge industries such as software.

With 70 per cent of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population under 30 years of age, ISPON believes that the spirit of the vision of her founding fathers is realisable only by accelerated efforts to build and unlock the innovation capabilities of our youth, who have propelled Nigeria over just four years to becoming the 10th largest internet user base in the world,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Experts Call for People-Centred Infrastructure to Drive the Economy Raheem Akingbolu

Comms/e-Business Editor

Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C;

Economic drivers and experts, including the Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode and the Deputy High Commissioner of the Australian Government to Nigeria, Ms. Cleo Wilson, have called on government institutions to collaborate with the private sector and civil society groups through well-crafted, future proofed private public partnerships (PPPs), to bring the desired infrastructural development to the country.

The experts, who spoke at a three day colloquium, organised by the Center for Ethics and Sustainable Development (CESD), also argued that sustainable infrastructure delivery must be people-centred and environmentally friendly.

Wilson, in her opening speech emphasised the strong bilateral relationship between the Australian government and the Nigerian government, highlighting the various initiatives the Mission has been implementing to promote this strong tie.

Governor Ambode, who was the keynote speaker at the event, emphasised the need for government to work in partnership with players in the private sector to bring the desired development to the people. The governor, who was represented by the Mr. Babatunde Adeoye of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ministry of Environment, also pointed out the need for sustainable infrastructure planning that can drive development.

Speaking on the nexus between infrastructure and

development, using the CECD guideline for sustainable infrastructure planning, the Director General of Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Chidi Izuwah, stated that the three pillars of sustainability will help to structure the process of rational, transparent and consensus-based decisions on the infrastructure project and the necessary trade-offs.

He also added that the step would prevent the frictions and setbacks caused by neglecting

social and environmental sustainability aspects, thereby reducing uncertainty for policy makers and investors.

Earlier, the convener of the colloquium and the Executive Director of CESD, Dr. Olajumoke Akiode called on citizens to always be conscious of activities and situations around them both in the private and public spaces; and to question the status quo especially in governance as the infrastructure deficit plaguing Nigeria and Africa is a function of inefficient governance.

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BUSINESSWORLD

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FG Urged to Focus on South-east Devt, Employment Plan Stories by Emma Okonji Serial digital entrepreneur and Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh has called on the federal government to partner credible businessmen and entrepreneurs from the South-east to save the region from the looming effects of mass unemployment in the zone.

He made the call at a twoday convention organised by the Owerri Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Assembly (OPA), an apex socio-cultural organisation held in Owerri, Imo State recently.

Ekeh, who was the Chairman on the occasion, disclosed that the unemployment situation in the region is a ticking time bomb, describing it as a social problem of immense ramifications which may see all-inclusive peace elude the nation, if not urgently addressed.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The problem of massive unemployment facing the South-east region is one that requires concerted efforts from the federal government and other stakeholders. A situation in which thousands of qualified graduates, most of them with upper class degrees, are still looking for their first jobs 10 or 12 years after leaving school, is highly worrisome. It is a suicidal situation; one that will potentially explode in disastrous consequences, if not immediately addressed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you rely on statistics, there are over a million of such unemployed graduates in the South-east. Having such a huge number of active yet unengaged youths concentrated in the region is a serious cause for concern and the federal government has a role to play in nipping this situation in the bud.â&#x20AC;?

Ekeh While disclosing that a lot is being done by private individuals and entrepreneurs from the region to ameliorate the situation, Ekeh noted that this was grossly insufficient and urged the federal government to partner such well-meaning Nigerians to achieve more. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is required is a joint effort to save our youths. In reality, the state governments cannot do it alone. Also, a number of entrepreneurs, businessmen and other wellmeaning Nigerians from the region are equally doing their best but it is hardly enough.

Personally, I have been quietly supporting the Imo State government for many years in creating employment opportunities for youths in various communities in the state. These investments often exceed the sum of N1billion annually but it is like a drop of water in an ocean. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The federal government must come to the aid of these youths by partnering other well-meaning individuals from the state in creating platforms that will generate employment opportunities for the unemployed and equip them with the right mindset and confidence to take their place in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s knowledge economy,â&#x20AC;? Ekeh advised.

While commending the members of the OPA for their commitment in improving the lot of the people, he called for a united front in achieving the political ambitions of the zone.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am not a politician and not remotely interested in contesting any elective position. However, I identify with the wishes and aspirations of people of Owerri zone to have one of their own emerge the next governor. For this to be possible, however, the zone must forge a common front and put forward their best candidates for each elective position. I recently engaged the Governor, His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha on this matter and he has also declared his willingness to help actualise this dream, provided the zone provides a credible candidate. Only a fool will agree to hand over to an incompetent successor or someone who will come and destroy the legacies he has put in years of hard work to build,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Counselling the youths on the need to embrace humility as one of the core virtues to success, the Zinox chairman, whose tech conglomerate recently concluded the acquisition of e-commerce giant Konga, reiterated his determination to create more capacity-building avenues to support the youths through the creation of a finishing school and digital skills acquisition centre in the zone, pledging to use the facilities as a proof of concept for the 27 local governments in the state.

The forum was well attended by many dignitaries from the state. Some of them were:renowned politician and businessman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere; First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu; former Minister of Education, Prof. Chinwe Obaji and Senator Chris Anyanwu.

Cisco: Nigeria Lags Behind in Trained Cybersecurity Personnel It has been revealed that Nigeria is lagging behind in the area of trained personnel in cybersecurity matters, a situation that could escalate the effect of malicious cyberattacks on organisations, which include key government agencies.

The Country General Manager at Cisco, an information technology (IT) security and networking company, Mr. Olakunle Oloruntimehin, disclosed this in Lagos during an interview with THISDAY Newspapers.

He decried the shortfall of trained cybersecurity personnel in Nigeria, and called for a concerted effort on the part of private organisations and government agencies to begin to look inward and invest in people, processes and technology, especially in people that will help mitigate cyberattacks, which he said, is on the increase.

According to him, cyberattacks are inevitable and could be launched at a time any organisation list expected it.

Highlighting the economic effects of cyber attacks to include huge revenue loss

that will result in colossal economic loss, emanating from downtime, Oloruntimehin said organisations must begin to train cybersecurity experts that will help detect and mitigate cyberattacks whenever they are launched at their targeted audience.

Cisco Systems Engineer, Security, for Nigeria and English West Africa, Tomi Amao, also advised organisations to go beyond training of cybersecurity personnel in order to further fortify their online systems and protect their data from malicious attacks.

According to him, organisations must invest more in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and machine learning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We foresee more ransomware and phishing attacks on organisations in 2018, and we therefore expect more investments in cybersecurity solutions and innovations from organisations because of the expected increase in cyberattacks in 2018. Before there was nothing like cloud computing but today organ-

isations are investing in could computing and we expect more of such investments in IT security solutions,â&#x20AC;?

Amao said.

Aside all of these, there is need for organisations to embark on awareness creation and education of their entire staff members on cybersecurity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Again, we expect that organisations should have very robust cybersecurity policies. Many companies do not have policies around IT and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Organisations should also revive their cybersecurity policies regularly. This is so because the technology landscape keeps changing as technology evolves and organisations must continue to move along with the changes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Organistions also need to backup their systems regularly. They also need to review their third party integration as the company grows bigger. Regular review of infrastructure is also very key to mitigate cyberattacks,â&#x20AC;?

Amao said.

THE ENTREPRENEURâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BEST FRIEND DEBBIE LARRY-IZAMOJE

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Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă Ă?Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁ ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x152;ĂŁ Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019; ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;ĂŁĂ?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ë&#x203A;

Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁ Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;ĂĄĂ&#x2039;ĂŁĂ? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A;

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ABOUT DEBBIE LARRY-IZAMOJE Debbie Larry-Izamoje AKA The Entrepreneurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best-Friend holds a BSc in Information management from the University of SheďŹ&#x192;eld, United Kingdom, and MSc in management from University College London (UCL). She has also secured certiďŹ cates in user innovation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Innovation and strategy from Harvard University.

She is on a mission to raise a generation of young established or soon to be established professionals who are more vocal about business diďŹ&#x192;culties while providing solutions through public speaking, training, workshops and coaching.

She is the founder of the Image Boosters a full service agency with core services in digital marketing, PR, branding and more.

Website: www.imageboosters.com.ng Instagram: @dee_larry @imageboosters_ Email: contactus@ imageboosters.com.ng or debbie@imageboosters.com.ng, 08050464111 (text only)

26

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍłË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

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The Role of AI Robotics in Arbitration Emma Okonji examines the influence of artificial intelligence robotics on arbitration, vis-a-vis the views of experts on how emerging technologies will play the role of humans in mediation

Maxwell Before now discussions were focused on how technology like artificial intelligence (AI) robotics will take the roles of workers in organisations and cause job losses for millions of workers, given the rate at which organisations are adopting that technology. Although the perception of job losses has raised fears among workers across global organisations, technology experts are still battling to convince the world that the evolution of AI robotics will rather create additional jobs as against the general belief that it would cause job loss.

Just as the impact of AI robotics technology on company workers is being debated upon, some judicial experts who are arbitration specialist, have also raised some concerns that the same AI robotics technology could influence arbitration cases. Only recently, some members of International Court of Arbitration and Hogan Lovells Partners, Mr. Winston Maxwell, Mr. Laurent Gouiffès and Senior Associate, Gauthier Vannieuwenhuyse, met at the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Paris office to evaluate how AI blockchain, and other technologies are changing the process of arbitration. The experts discussed what new technologies meant for the future of arbitration, and whether humans or robots will play the primary roles.

Impact of AI technology on the legal matters At the recent Paris office debate which was monitored by THISDAY, Gouiffès was of the view that AI builds greater efficiency and accuracy into the legal system with capabilities that include natural language processing (NLP).

He said blockchainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly secure distributed ledger feature, could transfer information or property without third parties, and this has had an impact on contract law, with the development of smart contracts. Capabilities like these spawned the LegalTech trend, which started in the United States and is now a fixture in Europe, and supports services such as automated contracts and online case management. But new technologies also create new challenges such as compromised confidentiality, issues of due process, and more, Gouiffès said.

Technology and arbitration Looking at what type of technologies can be applied to arbitration and in what ways they can be useful, Maxwell, who viewed it from what AI could do in the area of natural language processing, said it could analyse and extract meaning from thousands, tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands of documents that may be relevant for litigation. This, he said, has been around for a long time, in terms of e-discovery. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But previously, AI was limited to looking for keywords, whereas now, it can actually extract meaning from written materials, e-mails, and voice conversations. So the most basic use of AI in arbitration or litigation is to help manage massive amounts of documentation that

Vannieuwenhuyse previously had to be reviewed and checked by junior lawyers,â&#x20AC;? Maxwell said.

Vannieuwenhuyse described the AI tools as â&#x20AC;&#x153;predictive justice,â&#x20AC;? where arbitrators could use AI to analyse arbitration or court decisions in order to statistically derive probabilities about how individual case is going to be decided.

According to Vannieuwenhuyse, â&#x20AC;&#x153;All these technologies may impact the key actors in arbitration proceedings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take the example of counsel, or even the arbitrators themselves. When they use digital tools such as document management tools or NLP, this can save a lot of time and money.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s especially relevant in the discovery phase.

Sometimes we, as counsel, receive thousands of pages of documents, which would take a whole team a number of hours to review.

But now we can have a tool or robot that can analyse the relevant data that is of crucial importance to our case,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Another example is the digitalisation of the arbitration process, where arbitrators can use electronic submissions instead of sending hard copies. In arbitration cases, it is not unusual to sometimes have 300 exhibits and a brief of 200 pages, multiplied by five examples, because arbitrators need to send them to the whole tribunal, whose members may be located in New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United States, and also to the other counsel â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of documents to print,â&#x20AC;?

Vannieuwenhuyse said.

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You could also have hearings take place via a video platform. So instead of having a hearing located in Paris, the arbitrators will stay in, to take the same example, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United States.

No one is traveling, everybody stays in his or her office and uses the online platform to conduct the hearing. Of course, that saves on costs.â&#x20AC;?

This, he said, is extremely interesting for arbitration institutions, because it also expands the arbitration market to lower-value disputes, which historically have not really been the subject of arbitration, because arbitration might sometimes be costly.

Faster arbitration with AI robotics In addressing how arbitrators could use AI robotics tools to make the discovery phase faster and more efficient, Maxwell said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the most fascinating aspect of all this is whether arbitrators themselves can be robots.

That gets into a philosophical question thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not as absurd as it first sounds.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the development of blockchain, you have what they call â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;smart contracts,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; which automatically perform themselves. It is quite possible that you could agree, in a smart contract between Vannieuwenhuyse and myself, that if we have a disagreement, it will be referred to an outside artificial intelligence robot to resolve.â&#x20AC;?

GouiďŹ&#x20AC;ès AI and the fear of job loss While looking at the fundamentals of AI robotics and whether arbitration is necessarily a human activity, Vannieuwenhuyse explained that the general view had been that it is extremely problematic from a legal standpoint. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can wonder whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s even lawful to have robots as arbitrators, first because there is no legislation that expressly addresses this possibility. It is not dealt with in the existing legislation because, of course, this issue was not envisaged as a possibility at the time of their drafting. And this raises a problem with the composition of the arbitral tribunal: in some legislations, the arbitrators are defined as persons, so by definition they cannot be robots. But in others, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a gray area, and as such the question remains unanswered,â&#x20AC;? he said.

During the discussion, the issue of whether a robot arbitrator that renders its decision in the form of a code, can be considered as an arbitral award, but it was argued that in France for instance, it would not be seen as a decision, because a decision needs to include legal reasons expressed in words to justify it.

Maxwell, however, explained that the overall limit, of course, is our constitutions and conventions on fundamental rights. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The U.S. Constitution provides for due process and we have similar rights in Europe. Due process currently means that you have a right to a fair trial, and a fair trial currently means that humans are considering your situation, because humans combine strict applications of the law with more subtle considerations of equity. And I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think anyone would accept the legitimacy of robots as judges or arbitrators because they are not human, they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a heart, and they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t apply equity. So as soon as your arbitration needs to be enforced outside of the blockchain, an arbitral award by a robot currently will be considered null and void, and therefore unenforceable,â&#x20AC;? Maxwell said.

According to him, the more interesting question right now is, what if I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to seek enforcement in these smart contracts? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because of the robot awards you 150 bitcoins, my account is automatically debited 150 bitcoins. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just done. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no court involved to enforce the award â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s completely disconnected from the judicial system and the constitution,â&#x20AC;? Maxwell said.

But according to Vannieuwenhuyse, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In that case, you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to enforce anything before any court because it will have been directly enforced. So itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a completely closed circuit.â&#x20AC;?

Still on the debate whether arbitration necessarily has to be human, Maxwell said the chairman of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, who attended Vannieuwenhuyseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Gouiffèsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; event in January, was fascinated by the question, does arbitration necessarily have to be human? He said we are all sitting comfortably in this room, but we have to think that, in 10 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time, people will be thinking

very differently and the idea of having robot arbitrators may be considered acceptable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are all conditioned by our own cultural and historic context, and those could evolve over time.â&#x20AC;?

Challenges of technology to arbitration process Looking at the challenges of new technology to the entire arbitration process, Vannieuwenhuyse said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The challenges are not only related to blockchain, but to all new technologies. First, there is a challenge with confidentiality. It is a generally accepted principle that arbitration is confidential. However, recourse to digital technologies or AI will involve, to some extent, human input at the end.â&#x20AC;? He explained that humans, who are completely external to the arbitral proceedings, will programme and handle these technologies, adding that it is an issue that needs to be addressed by an arbitral tribunal. He however insisted that a simple confidentiality agreement would be enough to protect the confidentiality of the proceedings. Then there was an issue on due process, especially with the predictive justice tools. At present, these tools are not perfect, because they usually put the facts of the case and the reasoning of past courts basically at the same level. It was argued that it might prejudice the fundamental right to be heard to some extent. They all said if the arbitrators blindly follow the results of the predictive justice tools, it will prejudice the right of the parties to be heard, because there is a risk that the arbitrators give too much weight to the precedents compared to the actual facts of the case.

In addressing this issue, Maxwell gave an example with a criminal case in the U.S.- Loomis, where the sentencing judge made use of AI algorithms to compare his own sentencing decision with a computer-generated probability score of whether a given person would be a repeat offender.

That was challenged before the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, which said that the judgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use of an AI tool was permitted, because he just used the tool for information, and he did not rely on the tool for his decision. So if it was just a tool to help a judge gather information and guide his decision, then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s okay, Maxwell said, but further explained that it obviously canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t replace his own decision, explaining that the Loomis decision is highly controversial.

According to Gouiffès, one of the big challenges is the question of the control of the proceedings.

Some authors have described the AI and these new technology tools as the extra arbitrator.

He said the question could be whether these tools just help to make a decision, or do they make the decision themselves and arbitrators just follow them because they trust them more than humans. In his response, Maxwell said as AI tools get better and better, the problems vis-Ă -vis humans will increase, because we as humans will give more and more weight to what the robot says, and the robot cannot be wrong.

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍłË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

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Ě&#x201C;

Oloruntimehin: Organisations Mitigate Ransomware Attacks

Must

Cisco Country General Manager, Mr. Olakunle Oloruntimehin, spoke with Emma Okonji about ransomware and malware attacks, their effect on businesses, the solutions and how best to guard against future attacks. Excerpts: businesses in the country. It also makes us fully prepared to serve our customers better when it comes to issues of cybersecurity.

Cisco recently released its 2018 Cybersecurity Report, which revealed how 94 per cent of companies surveyed around Middle East and Africa, suffered ransomware attacks in 2017. Can you share more details about the report?

The report is the outcome of a survey conducted on 3,600 Chief Information Officers (CIOs) around Middle East and Africa, Nigeria inclusive, which highlighted increase in ransomware attacks on businesses. The Cisco Cybersecurity Report identified the evolution of ransomware as one of the most significant threat developments over the past year. The report also highlighted that malware had become more vicious and harder to combat and that attackers are developing more skills in creating malware that can evade traditional sandboxing. It also revealed that adversaries are increasingly embracing encryption that is meant to enhance security, to conceal command-and-control activity and that nearly half of the security risk that organisations face stems from having multiple security vendors and products.

What are the common breaches faced by customers in terms of cybersecurity attacks?

Common security breaches are phishing, malware and ransomware attacks. We also have vulnerabilities in terms of operating the systems software. We also have direct attacks on the web, which most customers suffer from.

So how will you describe organisational downtime in relation to breaches emanating from cyberattacks?

Breaches are inevitable for organisations because hackers are developing new methods of attacks, even as IT security experts are trying to move ahead of the attackers. So it is important for businesses to invest in people, technology and processes in order to be on top of the game to mitigate online attacks of any form. All three must be combined together to fully address the challenges of online attackers. If an organisation has the best of technology solutions and refused to invest in its staff in terms of training and awareness creation, then such organisation will still get it wrong in the fight against malware and ransomware attacks.

As an IT networking company, what is the interest of Cisco in cybersecurity report, which it has consistently invested in for the last eleven years?

We have been involved in cybersecurity survey and report in the last eleven years and we are in it because it helps us manage our customers better and keep them abreast of latest development in the cybersecurity space.

What is your general view about the 2018 Cybersecurity Report?

The report has enabled us to see an increase in cybersecurity attacks, especially the ransomware attacks, malware attacks and phishing.

It was also discovered that although there had been an increase in encryption of data, there was also increase in the volume of malware transmitted from encrypted data.

For example in 2016, 38 per cent of data traffic was encrypted and 11 per cent was used to transmit malware, while in 2017, 50 per cent of data traffic was encrypted, but 70 per cent was used to transmit malware. So encryption is encouraging hackers to launch more attacks under cover, since the data traffic has been encrypted and people will not see what is going on inside it.

What are the impact of ransomware attacks on businesses?

The impact is in multiple folds. It leads to loss of revenue, unavailable services, reputation risk, damage of data, downtime in businesses, among others.

Having highlighted the impact of ransomware attacks, how are businesses responding in mitigating the attacks?

As a technology company, we have always advised our customers to look at mitigation from three ways: The first is to invest in people to ensure that workers are fully educated to manage crisis from such attacks; the second is to invest in processes, and ensure that sustainable processes are in place to address malware and ransomware attacks, and the third one is to invest in technology that will prevent such attacks.

From the Cisco global cybersecurity report, which of the attacks is more prevalent in Nigeria?

We have various forms of cybersecurity attacks like ransomware, malware and phishing, but the phishing is more prevalent in Nigeria.

Phishing comes through malicious emails that come from people purported to have good reputation. We have also seen growing cases of web attacks. Although some of our customers experienced malware and ransomware attacks,

Oloruntimehin but the frequency of attack is not as high as that of phishing and web attacks.

So how does Cisco protect its customers from any form of cybersecurity attacks?

Cisco is an IT Business to Business company and IT security is the key in the kind of business offerings we provide for our customers.

In terms of market share, Cisco remains the number one in IT security market share. But globally, security is still in its fragmented state. So we are playing as the market leader in a fragmented security space. But for us, security is the key and we will continue to invest in cybersecurity in order to keep out customers informed with the latest trend in cybersecurity. For us as Cisco, security is a prime focus for us and we have a partner called Talos that is an expert in cybersecurity matters, and it provides intelligent services not just to our products and services but also to our customers. Talos currently employs over 600 people and what they do is about cybersecurity intelligence and they provide intelligence statistics on an industry wide basis. They are reputable for blocking over 20 million cybersecurity threats on a daily basis. So in all ramifications, we are security a company that provides security tips and offer security solutions to customers.

What is the greatest challenge to cybersecurity in Nigeria?

The biggest challenge is the expanding threat landscape of cyberattacks. To address this, companies are beginning to move their data to the cloud, because we have security threats on premise and in the cloud and this has opened up a new frontier on how to deal with security issues.

Nigeria has cybersecurity law, which was signed into law in 2015. To what extent is the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cybersecurity law helping to address cybersecurity issues in the country?

The Nigerian Cybersecurity law is a good step in the right direction. Having had that document in place, the next thing is to create awareness about the existence of such laws as well as implement the policies of the cybersecurity law. We need to see the execution of the laws to serve as a deterrent to hackers who consistently launch cyberattacks like ransomware, malware and phishing.

Nigerians have, over time, criticised the Cybersecurity law, describing it as a draconian law that is punitive. What is your take on it?

As responsible partners to government, we are always delighted to present our feedbacks on matters of national interest like the issues with the cybersecurity law. What we do is to share perspective from various countries were we operate and have local presence. So I believe in feedbacks and the feedbacks we get from people will spur government to do the needful concerning amendment and implementation of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cybersecurity law.

As IT security company, what is Cisco doing to mitigate cyberattacks, especially malware and ransomware attacks?

Like I mentioned earlier, Cisco has a global IT security company called Talos that generates trusted security intelligence globally.

The cybersecurity information that we get from Talos, is used for planning purposes, as well as capacity building purposes. Such cybersecurity information we get from our partner, makes us to become fully prepared to address the challenges of cybersecurity across

What are the likely things that customers should look out for when trying to protect their data from malicious attacks?

Most organisations do not know when they are attacked. Some attacks must have been launched several months back before some organisations even know that they have been attacked. So it is always good for organisations to be sensitive to changes in their systems and there are some signs to watch out for to know if an attack has been launched. Organisations must be sensitive to behavioural change of their system. When systems fail to work the way they are programmed to work, there could be likely case of cyberattack.

What is your view about insider connivance in relation to cyberattacks and what must organisations do to avoid such situation?

Not all cyberattacks are generated from the outside. There are cases where there are insider connivance, where disgruntle staff will connive with outsiders to launch attacks from within. But in all of that, Cisco has solution to checkmate the excesses of organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff and we can monitor them using remote control to find out what exactly they do when they are online at work. We also help organisations to build and develop security operation centres. We have tools that prevent insiders from unathorised access to certain areas of the organisations system.

The impact of cyberattacks on enterprise companies and small businesses cannot be the same. Does Cisco has solutions tailored towards small businesses that will help mitigate malicious cyberattacks?

We have solutions for both enterprise businesses and small businesses, but the best way for small businesses to survive all of these, in terms of cost of purchasing IT security solutions, is for the small businesses to buy solutions on pay-as-you-use basis, which allows them to pay for only the security solutions that they actually needed. As they scale up, they can expand their security solution portfolio.

Do you see cloud computing as a solution for mitigating cyberattacks?

Cloud is a service and not a location. Just like every other service, the cloud as a service comes with its own opportunities and challenges in mitigating cyberattacks.

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NIMC Pledges Commitment to National Card Issuance Emma Okonji The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said registration and issuance of national identity card are in still in progress, urging Nigerians to ensure they get registered to obtain their National Identity Number (NIN).

Head, Corporate Communications Unit, NIMC, Loveday Chika Ogbonna, who the call in a statement made available to THISDAY, said Nigerians should discard rumors making the rounds that NIMC has suspended the national identity card issuance.

“The commission has not suspended the issuance of national identity cards to successful enrolees at any time.

Accordingly, all individuals who, upon completion of their enrolment, have received an SMS, are invited to proceed to

the NIMC Office where they enrolled to pick up their cards beginning from April 2018.

Persons who have not received an SMS can equally check the status of their cards on the NIMC website via www. nimc.gov.ng.

Citizens and legal residents who have also relocated from where they enrolled are advised to visit any NIMC office closest to them to request a card transfer form, which they would fill, and submit to the state coordinator for processing,” Ognonna said.

“However, Nigerians and legal residents are reminded that the NIN is the unique identifier and most important token issued by the Commission and not the physical e-ID Card,” Ogbonna added.

The NIN, which is fast gaining acceptance by Nigerians, is a set of 11 non-intelligent numbers randomly assigned to

an individual at the completion of enrolment into the National Identity Database (NIDB).

“The NIN is used to tie all records about an individual in the database and is verifiable via the NIMC Verification Service (NVS) portal which is made available to institutions and organisations upon request.

Section 27 (1) and (2) of the NIMC Act, 2007, states that transactions including, application for and issuance of an International Passport; opening of individual and/ or group bank accounts, all consumer credits; purchase of insurance policies, purchase, transfer and registration of land by any individual; National Health Insurance Scheme, and such transactions that have social security implications, registration of voters, payment of taxes, and pensions, will be done with the NIN,” Ogbonna said.

New Dell Technologies Research Reveals Divided Future Emma Okonji The globe is currently entering the next era of human-machine partnerships with a divided vision of the future, according to global research now available from Dell Technologies.

Half of the 3,800 global business leaders surveyed forecast that automated systems will free up their time, while the other 50 per cent believe otherwise. Similarly, 42 per cent believe they will have more job satisfaction in the future by offloading tasks to machines, while 58 per cent disagree.

The quantitative research conducted by Vanson Bourne, follows Dell Technologies’ seminal story, “Realising 2030: The Next Era of HumanMachine Partnerships.”

The study forecasted that by 2030, emerging technologies will forge human partnerships with machines that are richer and more immersive than ever before, helping us surpass

our limitations. Business leaders agree: 82 per cent of respondents expect humans and machines will work as integrated teams within their organisation inside of five years. Commenting on the research forecast, the Chief Marketing Officer at Dell Technologies, Jeremy Burton, said: “You can understand why the business community is so polarised. There tends to be two extreme perspectives about the future: The anxiety-driven issue of human obsolescence or the optimistic view that technology will solve our greatest social problems. These differing viewpoints could make it difficult for organisations to prepare for a future that’s in flux and would certainly hamper leaders’ efforts to push through necessary change.

Given the promise of monumental change, triggered by exponentially increasing data and the applications, processing power and connectivity to harness it, 56 per cent speculate

that schools will need to teach how to learn rather than what to learn to prepare students for jobs that don’t yet exist. This thinking corroborates IFTF’s forecast that 85 per cent of jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t been invented yet.

Furthermore, many businesses are not moving fast enough, and going deep enough, to overcome common barriers to operating as a successful digital business.

Only 27 per cent of businesses believe they are leading the way with digital technology. About 42 per cent do not know whether they will be able to compete over the next decade, and the majority, which is about 57 per cent of businesses are struggling to keep-up with the pace of change.

According to the researchers global leaders may be divided in their view of the future and facing barriers to change, but they are united in the need to transform.

TECNO Set to Unveil CAMON Smartphone in Nigeria Determined to make everything possible with technology in the 21st century, especially with smartphone technology, TECNO, will today, launch its CAMON Smartphone in the Nigerian market.

So, while we agree that antennas, monophonic ringtones and physical keyboards have long disappeared from mobile phones however, there is an extent to which we can assume new technological advancements per time, according to TECNO. The company said the smartphone was specially designed to meet the needs of mobile phone consumers in Nigeria and other countries.

Over the years, TECNO has released a couple of disruptive devices, however, these ones are just too good to be true.

Curved edges, sleek design and luxurious finishing, the images speak of a device that should be released in 2019, the

mobile phone company said.

The main highlight of the latest CAMON is expected to be its spectacular camera specs.

With this particular device, things have been spiced up really good. The device, according to TECNO, is going to be a phenomenal selfie making machine donning a massive 33M high pixel front camera with dual image processor that guarantees fast and clear images. It is meant to be a major leap from the 16MP which the last CAMON – the CX came with. The front camera is also said to have dual crystal-clear flashlights positioned beside it with the option of adjusting the brightness effect using gestures so as to ensure adequate quantity of light in every image depending on its environment per time.

Bringing it back home, several tech enthusiasts have pointed out the possibility

of TECNO introducing her own revolutionary Face ID technology which will hold that of the iPhone X in the jugular and leave it begging for an overhaul.

This new technology is said to include live monitoring and its functionality is believed to have been given an affirmative nod by a reputable global security body. If the new CAMON is anything close to what these leaked photos have revealed in terms of design and specifications, then customers can be rest assured that by the time they add the regulars of a standard 2.0GHz Octa-core processor, photos and videos enhancer, good battery life, stylish colours and a well packed accessories box then they can be rest assured that the new CAMON will be one of the best smartphones to sit in the palm of smartphone enthusiasts.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OLODU KEONYEDI

Leaving an Inheritance for Your Children A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children

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Education fund account inheritance: ÒÏ ÛßÏÝÞÓÙØ ÏàÏÜã ÚËÜÏØÞ ÝÒÙßÖÎ ËÝÕ ÞÒÏ×ÝÏÖàÏÝ Óݘˬ áÓÖÖ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ÌÏ ËÌÖÏ ÞÙ ÙÌÞËÓØ Ë ßØÓàÏÜÝÓÞã ÏÎßÍËÞÓÙØ ÓÐ ÞÒÏã ÖÙÝÏ ÙßÜ ÔÙÌ ÙÜ ÞÒÏã ËÜÏ ØÙ ÖÙØÑÏÜ áÓÞÒ ÞÒÏ× ÙØ ÏËÜÞÒˣ Ð ÞÒÏÓÜ ËØÝáÏÜ ÓÝ Ù˞ ÞÒÏØ ÞÒÏã ØÏÏÎ ÞÙ ÝÞËÜÞ ÚÖËØØÓØÑ ÙÐ ÖÏËàÓØÑ ËØ ÏÎßÍËÞÓÙØ ÐßØÎ ÓØÒÏÜÓÞËØÍÏ ÐÙÜ ãÙßÜ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ˛ Ùß ÍÙßÖÎ ÝÏÞ Ë ßØÓàÏÜÝÓÞã ÝËàÓØÑ ÚÖËØ ÐÙÜ ãÙßÜ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ËØÎ ÑÜËØÎÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ Ìã ßÝÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ×ÙØÏã ×ËÜÕÏÞ ÐßØÎ ËÍÍÙßØÞ˛ ÒÏ ÚÖËØ ãÙß ʨØËÖÖã ÍÒÙÙÝÏ ÝÒÙßÖÎ ÌÏ ÌËÝÏÎ ÙØ ÞÒÏ ÏÝÞÓ×ËÞÏ ÞßÓÞÓÙØ ÍÙÝÞ˜ ÞÒÏ ËÑÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÍÒÓÖÎ ËØÎ ÙÞÒÏÜ ÐËÍÞÙÜݲ ÏÞ˪Ý ËÝÝß×Ϙ ÞÒËÞ ãÙß ÎÏÝÓÜÏ ÞÙ ÝÏØÎ ãÙßÜ ÍÒÓÖÎ ÞÙ Ë ÓÑÏÜÓËØ ÚÜÓàËÞÏ ßØÓàÏÜÝÓÞ㘠ÝËã ÞÒÏ ÞßÓÞÓÙØ ÐÏÏÝ ÓÝ ÙØÏ ×ÓÖÖÓÙØ ØËÓÜË ̙͐͒˜͑​͑​͑˜͑​͑​͑̚ ÚÏÜ ÝÏÝÝÓÙØ ÞÒÏØ ÐÙÜ ÐÙßÜ ãÏËÜÝ ÓØ ÞÒËÞ ÝÍÒÙÙÖ ãÙß ÝÒÙßÖÎ ÌÏ ÚËãÓØÑ ÜÙßÑÒÖã ÐÙßÜ ×ÓÖÖÓÙØ ØËÓÜË ̙͕͐˜͑​͑​͑˜͑​͑​͑̚˛ ÏÚÏØÎ ÙØ ÞÒÏ ÍßÜÜÏØÞ ËÑÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÍÒÓÖÎ˞ ÝËã ÞÒÏ ÍÒÓÖÎ ÓÝ ÖÏÝÝ ÞÒËØ Ë ãÏËÜ ÙÖÎ ÞÒÏØ ãÙß ÒËàÏ ßÚ ÞÙ ÏÓÑÒÞÏÏØ ̙͙͒̚ ãÏËÜÝ ÞÙ ÚÖËØ ÐÙÜ ÒÓ×˹ÒÏÜ ÌßÞ ÓÐ ÞÒÏã ËÜÏ ËÖÜÏËÎã ÓØ ÝÏÍÙØÎËÜã

Landed properties/assets/investment: ÒÓÝ ÓÝ ÞÒÏ ÓØÒÏÜÓÞËØÍÏÝ ÏàÏÜã ÓÑÏÜÓËØ ÏâÚÏÍÞÝ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÚËÜÏØÞ ÞÙ ÖÏËàÏ ÞÒÏ× áÓÞÒ˜ ËØΘ ÒÙßÝϘ ËØÞÓÛßÏݘ ÐË×ÓÖã ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝÏݘ ÌÙÙÕÝ ËØÎ ÍÙÖÖÏÍÞÓÌÖÏÝ ËØÎ ÙÞÒÏÜ ÞÒÓØÑÝ ÍËØ ÌÏ ÖÏʰ ËÝ ÓØÒÏÜÓÞËØÍÏ ÞÙ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ËØÎ ÑÜËØÎÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ˛

Ð ÞÒÏ ×ËÓØ ËÝÝÏÞ ÓÝ Ë ÚÜÙÚÏÜÞ㘠ÞÒÏØ ÞÒÏ ÜÏØÞ ÓÝÝßÏ ÓÝ ÞËÕÏØ ÍËÜÏ ÙÐ ÐÙÜ ÞÒÏ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ËØÎ ÓÐ ÓÞ ÓÝ Ë ÐË×ÓÖã ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝ ÞÒÏØ ÞÒÏ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ÍËØ ÒËàÏ ÓØÓÞÓËÖ ÍËÚÓÞËÖ ÞÙ ÝÞËÜÞ ËØã ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝ ÙÐ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÍÒÙÓÍÏ˛ ÍÍÙÜÎÓØÑ ÞÙ ÝÙ×Ï ÜÏÝÏËÜÍÒ˜ ÓÞ ÓÝ ÌÏÖÓÏàÏÎ ÞÒËÞ ÚÏÙÚÖÏ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÍßÜÜÏØÞ ËÑÏ ÌÜËÍÕÏÞ ÙÐ ÞáÏØÞÓÏÝ ËØÎ ÞÒÓÜÞÓÏÝ ËÜÏ Ë ÝÏÞ ÙÐ ÑÏØÏÜËÞÓÙØ ÓØ ÒÓÝÞÙÜã ÞÙ ÌÏ ÖÏÝÝ áÏÖÖ̋Ùʥ ÞÒËØ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÚËÜÏØÞݲ Ð ÞÒÏã ÙáØ ØÙ ÚÜÙÚÏÜÞ㘠ÞÒÏÓÜ ÜÏØÞ ÓÝ ÖÓÕÏÖã ÞÙ ÞËÕÏ ßÚ ËÞ ÖÏËÝÞ ÒËÖÐ ÙÐ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÓØÍÙ×Ϙ ÖÏËàÓØÑ ÖÓʵÖÏ ÖÏʰ ÞÙ ÝËàÏ˛ ÏËàÓØÑ ËØ ÓØÒÏÜÓÞËØÍÏ ÐÙÜ ãÙßÜ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ÓÝ Ë ÑÜÏËÞ áËã ÞÙ ×ËÕÏ ÝßÜÏ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÏã ËÜÏ ÞËÕÏØ ÍËÜÏ ÙÐ áÒÏØ ãÙß ËÜÏ ØÙ ÖÙØÑÏÜ áÓÞÒ ÞÒÏ× ËØÎ ËÖÝÙ ÑÓàÏ ÞÒÏ× Ë ÐËÓÜ ÍÒËØÍÏ ÞÙ ÝßÍÍÏÏÎ ÓØ ÞÒÓÝ ÓØÍÜÏËÝÓØÑÖã ÒÓÑÒ ÍÙÝÞ ÝÙÍÓÏÞã˛

Financial education: ÒÓÝ ÓÝ ÙØÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ×ËÔÙÜ ÓØÒÏÜÓÞËØÍÏÝ ËØã ÚËÜÏØÞ ÍËØ ÑÓàÏ ÞÙ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ˞ ʨØËØÍÓËÖ ÏÎßÍËÞÓÙØ ÓÝ Ë ×ßÝÞ ÐÙÜ ÏàÏÜã ÚËÜÏØÞ ÞÙ ÑÓàÏ ÞÙ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ÌÏÐÙÜÏ ËØã ÙÞÒÏÜ ÓØÒÏÜÓÞËØÍÏÝ ÍËØ ÌÏ ÒËØÎÏÎ ÙàÏÜ ÞÙ ÞÒÏײ Ù×Ï ʨØËØÍÓËÖ ÏâÚÏÜÞÝ ÝËã ÞÒËÞ ×ÙÝÞ ÚÏÙÚÖÏ ÝÚÏØÎ ×ÙØÏã ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÏã ÒËàÏ ÓØÒÏÜÓÞÏÎ áÓÞÒÓØ ÙØÏ ãÏËܘ ÝÙ ÓØ ÙÜÎÏÜ ÐÙÜ ÞÒÏ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ×ßÝÞ ÞÙ ÝÚÏØÎ ËÖÖ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÓØÒÏÜÓÞÏÎ ×ÙØÏã ÞÒÏã ÒËàÏ ÞÙ ʨÜÝÞ ÞÏËÍÒ ÞÒÏ× ËÌÙßÞ ʨØËØÍÓËÖ ÏÎßÍËÞÓÙØ˛

Þ ÓÝ ÞÒÏ ÎßÞã ÙÐ ÏàÏÜã ÚËÜÏØÞ ÞÙ ÞÏËÍÒ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ËÌÙßÞ ʨØËØÍÓËÖ ÏÎßÍËÞÓÙؘ ÞÒËÞ ÓÝ ÞÒÏ ÍÒÓÖÎÜÏØ ÝÒÙßÖÎ ÌÏ ÞËßÑÒÞ ÞÙ ÒËàÏ ÞÒÏ ÒËÌÓÞ ÙÐ ÝËàÓØÑ ËÞ ÖÏËÝÞ ͒͑ϯ ÙÐ ÏàÏÜã ÙÐ ÞÒÏÓÜ ÓØÍÙ×Ϙ ÖÏËÜØ ÒÙá ÞÙ ÑÏØÏÜËÞÏ ÓØÍÙ×Ï ÐÜÙ× ×ßÖÞÓÚÖÏ ÝÞÜÏË×Ý ÙÐ ÓØÍÙ×Ϙ ÕØÙá ÒÙá ËØÎ áÒËÞ ÞÙ ÝÚÏØÎ ×ÙØÏã ÙØ˛

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

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

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍłË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

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Inside First Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Business Strategy The need to earn the trust of the banking public as well as maintain its position in the market place are responsible for the continuing investment in technology and training by the First Bank Group. Raheem Akingbolu reports Nothing kills a brand like complacency, after a huge breakthrough. Over the years, stories of many failed brands have been linked to overconfidence and the belief that they have conquered the market. But the smart brand never gives in â&#x20AC;&#x201C;it continues to reinvent and innovate.

Experts have often times reiterated that most organisations that continue to succeed and innovate have a culture poised for positive change and taking risk. The implication of this is that they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait for the ship to spring a leak. They proactively and constantly set aggressive goals. They sometimes even intentionally develop a sense of urgency.

As a local brand with eye on the global market, First Bank brand has over the years explored necessary marketing tools to remain relevant. Aside advertising, the brand has consistently leveraged on technology, sponsorship and training of employees to earn the trust of its customers.

Perhaps what gives the bank an edge in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market is the periodic leadership training it organises for its senior managers. Like many organisations that strongly believe there is no success and sustainability without succession, First Bank is determined to groom corporate leaders within its fold to avoid vacuum. The bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s management also believes that battle field and competition as witnessed today requires adequate preparation.

Top on the list of the most important strategies of the management of the bank is a succession plan and strategy for the bank, which has remained dominant in the competitive Nigerian banking sector. In this connection, therefore, the bank recently organised a six- month Senior Management Development Programme, SMDP, designed to equip senior managers for higher responsibilities and top leadership roles in the bank.

Succession strategy With the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Senior Management Development Programmeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; organised by the bank recently, its promoters are sending a strong signal that everybody within the organisation is a leader.

To them, the leadership culture that emanates from their Chief Operating Officer percolates down to the banking hall.

Besides, the bank has pointed out that the senior level managers are consistently being equipped for higher responsibility, to give customers the fulfillment they require.

At this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduation ceremony, held recently in Lagos, the bank pointed out that the five months course for middle level managers was designed to equip them for higher responsibilities and leadership roles in the bank.

According to the bank, the first set of staff members in this category (13 men and 10 women) were identified across the Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s departments/branches in the six geopolitical zones of the country and were made to undergo the unique learning experience that fosters the professional, intellectual and personal development.

The senior managers for the programme were also said to have been carefully selected along strategic business units of the Bank such as Retail, Corporate Banking, Information Technology, International Banking, Financial Control, Credit Risk, Human Capital Management and Development, Marketing and Corporate Communications, and Procurement.

At the end of the programme, these candidates were expected to have been exposed to various leadership developmental opportunities such as executive coaching by renowned career and coaches, strategic and executive job shadowing and handholding

by Bank executives as well as prioritisation for international assignments.

Objectives The managing director of the bank, Adesola Adeduntan underscored the objective of the programme when he said at the end of the course last week in Lagos that there is no

success without succession. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No matter what we do today, we must quit. Even if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to quit, the natural biological factors will force us to quit as we may not be able to run again in the near future as fast as we want to runâ&#x20AC;? and that is why it is important to prepare successors, he said.

Adetuntan, who recognised that competition is tough in the industry, also said that the bank is creating the next level of leaders who are adequately prepared for the challenges ahead. He said that it will be dangerous to go to the battle field without preparation.

According to him, the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transition will be incomplete without developing the

Perhaps what gives the bank an edge in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market is the periodic leadership training it organises for its senior managers. Like many organisations that strongly believe there is no success and sustainability without succession, First Bank is determined to groom corporate leaders within its fold to avoid vacuum

workforce for leadership roles. He therefore challenged the graduands to embark on continuous personal development, warning that any professional that fails to improve will become a dinosaur.

He said the concept of SMDP was to have an army of well trained, well groomed, very broad skill and capable middle level officers that are prepared to transition to the general management role. This will enable the bank to look inwards to fill very senior management positions.

The CEO also encouraged them to mentor those under them explaining that promotion comes to seniors when the management knows that there are capable people who can take over from the superiors. The CEO also encouraged them on networking in business saying that Strategy without execution is hallucination.

Also speaking, the chairman of the first academic governing council Ini Ebong, appreciated the CEO who has kept his promise to develop the people through courses seen as catalyst to the continuous growth and survival of the bank. This is because the people are the most important asset the institution has and the bank has to invest in them to become effective leaders.

He said that the plan was to develop leaders in the bank across different cadres. However the bank is on a journey on this but there was the need for immediate targeted programme intervention to look at existing crop of senior staff to prepare them for next level of most senior management.

He charged the graduands to unleash their potentials as the bank believes that they have something to offer. He was confident that the programme was a world class course.

He also told them that beyond what they were taught in the classrooms, the important aspect is how the graduands continued to develop themselves. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There would be executive mentoring and couching for you to develop furtherâ&#x20AC;?

Also speaking, a board member of First Bank, Malam Waziri, said that success today does not guarantee success tomorrow and that is why human capital is important to guaranteeing continuous success.

Appreciating the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s management, one of the participants, Yemi Adesanyan, who spoke on behalf of her colleagues said the SMDP prepared participants on what purpose of leadership is which she said is to mobilise others to genuinely want to struggle with you for shared aspiration.

According to her, the SMDP explored relevant subjects like how to manage growth and complexity, digital transformation, execution, discipline and customer focus, operational efficiency and effectiveness, corporate governance and sustainability.

The course also dwelt on different factors that will help a leader to succeed such as innovation, creativity and continuous learning and improvement, motivation and networking.

While congratulating her bank for being on the right path, and noting the fierce competition, constant organisational change and challenging regulatory regime, Adesanya promised that the graduands will live up to the expectations of higher responsibilities.

Relevance Key things that organisations crave for are profit and long term survival. While some companies take different approaches to these goals, others wish it. However, preparing for growth and long term survival is now more critical. Also, planning for organisational survival has become more dynamic especially in this constant changing world assisted by technology.

In fact, todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business environment is totally different from the past. Businesses are now competing globally, horizontal and vertically, staff movement across sectors has increased, ICT has brought new thinking and there is product and service revolution. It is simply a disruptive business environment.

Today, First Bank is demonstrating practically what has been its staying power in the last 124 years of operation. Above all approaches to long term survival and continuous growth, the bank is saying that quality and trained staff are important. It is believed that such approach will not only drive the systems, but will also align the workforce to long term-term objectives of the business.

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍłË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

Empowerment as Catalyst for Market Growth To retain and grow market share as well as the economy, business owners ride on various empowerment schemes to impact patrons of their brands, Raheem Akingbolu reports In a free market economy, which Nigeria operates, there is stiff competition among brands, and this has prompted the quest for proper positioning in order to attain and sustain market leadership.

The healthy competition is evident in the fast expanding manufacturing, financial, service, communications, technology and entertainment sectors. This has led to the introduction of marketing campaigns by different organisations to spur activities around their brands.

The deregulation of the telecoms sector in 2001 led to the collapse of the monopoly status of the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) which was moribund then.

This paved way for competition as Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operators like Airtel, MTN, Glo, 9mobile and ntel now offer telecom services to subscribers on their networks.

The same is evident in the FMCG industry with organisations struggling for supremacy in their areas of operation. In the brewing industry, Nigerian Breweries Plc has maintained market leadership despite stiff competition from Guinness Nigeria and International Breweries Plc. The competition between the brewing companies has prompted marketing campaigns with activities to drive penetration and to etch their products on the mind of consumers.

Competition in the beer sector In the beer industry, the approach appears stronger than other areas considering the competition among the players in the market.

At the moment, Guinness Nigeria, AbInBev Nigeria and Nigerian Breweries are at the forefront of the market, with each of them making effort to win customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; loyalty through empowerment. To this end, they have embarked on empowerment initiatives to drive sales and product awareness.

For instance, Nigerian Breweries Plc has, in the last few years, built affinity between Goldberg Lager Beer and consumers through what it tagged Excellency Tour, Ariya Repete and Isedowo, empowerment scheme.

The Excellency Tour, which recently went through five cities of Abeokuta, Ilorin, Ado Ekiti, Ikare Akoko, Oyo, and Benin City, was aimed at promoting the culture of the southwest people through traditional drummersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; competition. To empower participants, winners in the exercise were rewarded with cash prizes. This, according to a statement issued by the company at the beginning of the programme was in line with the Goldbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three-point agenda of culture, respect and enjoyment.

Impact The Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Funso Ayeni, said the initiative has helped to strengthened Goldbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s identification with the cultural values of the people of South West Nigeria.

The Excellency Tour also empowered the traditional drummers as the prizes won helped in expanding their band, enhance performance and thus improve their living standard. In each of the cities, first prize winners got N250, 000, second prize received N150, 000, while third winners had N100, 000, with the two finalists selected having N50, 000 each.

Before Ariya Repete musical contest, which was a fusion of both Fuji and Juju music, Goldberg had embarked on fuji music talent hunt competition christened Fuji tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;o Bam in the Southwest. Apart from Tope Ajani from Akure, Ondo State, who emerged the Wura1 for the 2016 contest, Fuji tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;o Bam has also brought to limelight young music acts like Akeem Okiki from Osogbo in Osun State after winning the 2015 title, Twinzobia Twins from Ibadan, Oyo State in 2014 and Antenna, winner of the first edition in 2013.

L-R; The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II; an auto mechanic and beneďŹ ciary of Isedowoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x201A;Ś300,000 business grant, Adeola Olajide and Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc Franco Maria Maggi, at the unveiling of Goldbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Isedowo, a youth empowerment initiative, at the Ooniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s palace...recently In the 2016 contest, Ajani clinched the first prize of N1,000,000, Saheed Ishola from Sango-Ota got N750,000 as the first runner up, while Mufutau Alabi from Ibadan went home with N500, 000 as the second runner up.

Since then, these musicians have improved on their talents and have been performing at various events, inspiring others and thereby creating job opportunities through fuji music.

On Ariya Repete expanded music talent hunt competition in 2017 which was an inclusion of Juju and Fuji music, Goldbereg brought to its consumers the best of both genres and an unparalleled experience with contestants from both categories winning N1 million each, plus a recording deal. This spurred commendation from ace artistes who described the initiative as ground-breaking.

Alhaji Ayinde Marshal Anifowose (KWAM 1), a renowned Fuji artiste, said Ariya Repete was a platform to showcase the musical culture that bind the Yoruba together. He stated that, if the initiative had been put in place before now, the state of Yoruba music industry would have been better than what it is presently.

At the grand finale of the competition in Ibadan on Friday, July 21, 2017, Onimama Fausiya and Leye Williams both emerged overall winners in the Fuji and Juju music category respectively, with the prize of N1, 000,000 each and a recording deal.

Commenting on Ariya Repete, the Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Agu affirmed that the role of music in nation building is monumental as it fuels the mind and the creativity of listeners. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In no time, the concept lived up to expectations as many budding Fuji artistes have been discovered through the platform. It will also led to revenue generation if the skills attained is put into practice,â&#x20AC;? Agu stated.

In Goldbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort to empower artisans in the Southwest, the brand came up with the Isedowo empowerment scheme which supported

businesses of 100 artisans in Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo and Ogun States with N300,000 each.

Through the scheme, the brand extended its affinity with the people of the region beyond culture and tradition to entrepreneurship.

Launched in August 2017 by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja I1, Isedowo received wide commendation from monarchs and other respected individuals in Yorubaland.

Oba Adeyeye commended Goldberg for supporting artisans in the Southwest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Goldberg Larger Beer and Nigerian Breweries have challenged other corporate bodies to give back to the society where they operate,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Feedbacks Speaking at the launch, the Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Franco Maria Maggi, said Goldberg through Isedowo would transform lives of its beneficiaries with spill over effects on the larger economy by increasing job and wealth creation.

The scheme commenced in each state with submission of business proposals that impact on the society, followed by collation and sorting of applications, audition and screening, trade visit and cheque presentation.

Beneficiaries include auto mechanics, caterers, fashion designers, carpenters, hair dressers, dry cleaners among others. They all commended Goldberg and affirmed that Isedowo was a relief from financial challenges faced in expanding their businesses.

Ojo Adeosun, a fashion designer, who was excited after receiving the grant, said the N300,000 was a huge upliftment from financial challenges as it helped him in the purchase of a new sewing machine he had always required to expand his business. He disclosed that he also started selling fabrics and now has three apprentices working with him.

Adeosun said he had been in dire need of capital and when he heard about Isedowo, he decided to send his business proposal for

the auditioning and screening processes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I commend Goldberg and Nigerian Breweries for boosting my business and the initiative is worth emulating,â&#x20AC;? Adeosun stated.

Kayode Tope Ogunro, a photo/videographer, disclosed that he had almost concluded arrangement to buy a camera and video lights from a friend in Lagos and intended to open a studio with the grant from Isedowo. He said he would also employ an assistant to further expand his business. Ogunro advised other entrepreneurs to come up with good business ideas with positive impacts on the society.

Ayodele Adebalogun, an aluminium fabricator, said Isedowo provided a relief from the daunting struggle to raise capital. He disclosed that he participated in the scheme with his wife, who is a caterer, but the judges did not deem her proposal fit enough for selection. He added that after buying a new cutting machine for his work, he supported his wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business with parts of the grant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My old cutting machine was faulty and Isedowo was there for me when l needed assistance to replace it. Now, my wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s catering business is also active again,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Alo Babatope, an auto mechanic, and Ade Akinyemi, a welder, both commended Goldberg, stating that the scheme was timely.

Babatope, who holds a certificate in automotive programme from the University of Ibadan, said he bought a launch diagnostic machine used for all brand of cars with the grant.

Akinyemi lauded Goldberg for creating wealth and job opportunities in the Southwest. He added that the grant helped him in expanding his business enterprise as he was able to purchase a welding machine he had longed to have. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Isedowo has taken that burden off me and I am now a happy man. Goldberg deserves the name â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Your Excellencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; because it has put smiles on faces of people in distress,â&#x20AC;?

Akinyemi affirmed.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 5, 2018

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BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

FMN Sugar Estate, an Economic Boost To boost the economy through agriculture, President Muhammadu Buhari recently inaugurated the N50 billion Sunti Golden Sugar Estate built by giant food and agro-allied company, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc in Mokwa, Niger State. Sunday Okobi, who witnessed the landmark event, writes

S

ugar is an essential household commodity and a vital raw material for production of other consumables by food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

However, despite the huge potential of sugar to the Nigerian economy and the availability of arable lands to cultivate sugarcane (sugar), experts believe that much needs to be done to improve sugar production as well as create employment opportunities in the sugar value chain.

In October 2017, the Director Policy, Planning, Research and Statistics, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Hezekiah Kolawole, said the country had lost at least $600 million foreign exchange annually to the importation of sugar for domestic consumption.

Kolawole argued that Nigeria, with its capacity, is well endowed with the resources in terms of land, water and human capital required to produce sugar in large quantities to not only satisfy its domestic and industrial requirement, but also for export to earn foreign exchange.

Therefore, to underline the current administration’s desire to address these teething challenges in the sub-sector, create employment opportunities and encourage local industries, President Muhammadu Buhari recently inaugurated the N50 billion Sunti Golden Sugar Estate built by a leading food and agro-allied company, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (FMN) in Mokwa, Niger State.

The sugar estate, which has 17,000 hectares of arable farmland, has a mill capacity to process 4,500 metric tonnes of sugarcane daily, and at full capacity, the estate is expected to produce one million tonnes of sugarcane.

It was also built to bring infrastructure benefits to surrounding communities, as 28 communities would take advantage of new 30-kilometres expansive road networks that provide a variety of access routes to the homes of the indigenes, with drainage system, culverts and flood-protection walls constructed in the areas to avoid flood and aid easy movement of people and agricultural produce.

Presidential Comments President Buhari, who was physically present at the inauguration of the FMN sugar project, remarked that the sugar estate was timely as Nigeria gathers economic momentum from the recent recession it just came out from. He expressed delight over the potential of the project, adding that it would boost the economy as well as the government focus on endowments in agriculture and other non-oil sectors for inclusive growth and development.

According to the president, “The level of work and magnitude of investment that we are witnessing here today is a clear demonstration that our policies on economic diversification are on the right path. On that note, I must

Harvesting sugarcane in Sunti, Niger State congratulate the entire members of board, the management and staff of this great company for such a laudable project that will undoubtedly reposition Nigeria as a leading player in the global food market.”

He lauded Flour Mills’ distinctive footprint in Nigerian history since 1960, adding that the agro-allied company and its Golden Penny food brand have become household names, “bringing good food and nourishment to millions of Nigerian families. For over 57 years, the company has repeatedly shown her unwavering commitment to doing business in Nigeria and contributing to the socio-economic development of our dear country.”

Buhari added that the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate is one of the largest agro-allied investments in Nigeria, with a capacity to produce 100,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually.

He admitted that “while we have had some challenges in the implementation of the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) in the past, I believe that our vision of attaining self-sufficiency in sugar in Nigeria is well within sight with the kind of investment that has been made here. I am told that the estate will engage up to 10,000 people directly once developed, including a network of over 3,000 small-scale out growers of sugarcane. This to my mind is central to this administration’s determination to create jobs and gainfully engage our people.

“I am happy that projects like the Sunti Sugar Estate are in tandem with the objectives that we set out to achieve when this administration instituted the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). While, our focus is steadfast on

delivering on our policy goals of tackling corruption, improving security and rebuilding the economy; more than ever, Government will work in close partnership with businesses to strengthen investments in agriculture, power, manufacturing, solid minerals, and the service sectors.”

Elated Chairman Describing the inauguration of the Sunti Golden Sugar Estate as a significant milestone in the history of the company, and indeed Nigeria, the Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, Mr. John Coumantaros, noted that the project is the realisation of a strategic investment designed to accelerate the production of sugar, locally, and for the development of the sugar value chain in Nigeria Coumantaros, who stated that FMN is poised as the frontrunner of Nigeria’s agricultural revolution, added that “at FMN, it is our belief that gone is the era where our country depends solely on crude oil for foreign exchange, and the importation of food and raw materials. If there ever was a time to shift focus back to agriculture, it is now. Sunti Golden Sugar Estates is a living example of this change.

“As some of you might be aware, FMN has a rich history in Nigeria that dates as far back as the late 50s, when my late father, George Stavros Coumantaros, visited Nigeria for the first time.

His love for the country, the passion of her people and the opportunity he saw, led him to stay, and subsequently led to the incorporation of Flour Mills of Nigeria in 1960.

“Today, many years later, FMN has grown

tremendously from being a single site flour milling business to a vast group with strategic investments that cover key sectors of the Nigerian economy across the country. Today, FMN is a fully integrated ‘Farm-to-table,’ entity that strategically covers five key food value chains: oils and fats, sweeteners, starches, proteins, and grains,” he added.

He insisted that the company’s sole business is to provide for the livelihoods of millions of Nigerian families “and as such it has become imperative to not just secure our supply chains but to build a business that safeguards our future and adequately covers the nutritional needs of our growing population.

“Our mantra, ‘Feeding the Nation, Everyday’, is at the heart of every strategic decision we make, and leads up to what we produce, how and where we source our raw materials and factories, the level of care we put into our products, how we interact with our consumers, with our host communities and the wider environment.

“Maize and Soybean provide raw material supply to our feeds milling operations in Ibadan, Kaduna, and Calabar; and soon in Gombe and Makurdi. Cassava that we source from Kwara, Edo and Ogun and many other states, provides critical mass for the production of high-quality cassava flour, starch, and our Golden Penny garri.”

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

RANDOM THOTS Income Disparity A wise old man from Ekiti State put it very succinctly. To him, the current income disparity between the average man and those at the helm of power in Nigeria is a sure recipe for looming revolution and anarchy.

To the agitated octogenarian, it is simply unjustifiable and inhuman for an average worker to be earning N18,000 monthly while a Senator in the National Assembly is reportedly smiling home with more than N14 million (in allowances and salaries) in the same

month. Such income disparity and obvious inequality, he lamented, is happening in a country where all human beings and citizens are born equal, but where some appear to be more equal than others, to quote from George Orwell’s famous novel ‘The Animal Farm’.

Recently, the Minister of Labour and Employment said a new national minimum wage would be implemented from the third quarter of 2018, while speaking at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Labour Congress

in Abuja.

The same NLC had made a request to the tripartite committee on minimum wage to increase the wage to N56,000 for the least paid worker, from the current N18,000. But even the new wage is grossly insufficient by present day standards and economic conditions.

The opening part of the Nigerian Constitution states that it was fashioned by “We, the people”, although many citizens find it hard to believe that the same document was drafted

to ensure an egalitarian society and equal opportunities for all Nigerians, in the face of existing corruption.

The fear now is that what happened to the favoured pigs in “Animal Farm” will not happen to the privileged class in Nigeria, especially to those rich citizens who acquired their stupendous wealth corruptly at the expense of better lives for the common man... negative omen -Abimbola Akosile

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍłË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

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A physical map of Nigeria as a whole entity

Is Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Unity, Devt in Danger?

Although, Nigeria, as earlier predicted by a foreign super-power, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t break up in 2015, some analysts believe the rising poverty, insecurity, killings, increasing inequality, unending corruption and public anger are real threats to this countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continued existence as an entity and to her development process. To you, is Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity and development in danger? What should be done to avert this?

Abimbola Akosile * Indeed, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity and development is in danger. The issues of poverty, insecurity, corruption, herdsmen killings, unemployment and political brick-brats are enough to create turbulence in this country. The present government is losing its grip and that is a bad omen for our unity.

- Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State * Yes, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity and development are in grave danger. The rising poverty, insecurity, killings, widening inequality, unending corruption and public anger etc are manifestation of a country in serious trouble. Drastic action should be taken to curb these obvious threats. There should be equal rights, equal opportunities, and justice for all citizens; and let all have a sense of belonging. God bless Nigeria.

- Mr. Odey Ochicha, Leadership Specialist, Abuja * First of all, let us stop praying for this country.

Now is the time for action. More Nigerians need to start demanding real change, with demonstrations if need be. Power, after all, is not given but taken. If we expect these politicians benefiting from this corrupt status quo to simply change their ways without being forced, we will be most foolish.

- Mr. John Ogunsemore, Lagos State * Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity has long been threatened and many past leaders have spoken, about political, religious bias, Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, ethnic cleansing etc. The only way out is for government to look inwards and amend her mistakes.

- Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State * Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity is in danger more than ever; l have never before experienced such disunity in this country as now. Instead of us to be known as Nigerians, the first identity is, are you a Muslim or a Christian; from North or South? This and other issues instigated by our leaders give rise to division among us.

Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity is in danger except our leaders embrace all to join in nation building. If not, I am afraid we will go down.

- Mr. Mark Clement Ushie, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja * God help us keep the unity. But the current situation is a threat to unity and development.

THE FEEDBACK Yes, it is in danger:

9

No, it is not:

1

Others:

7

Radical tip:

Stop praying!

Total no of respondents:

17

Male:

14

Female:

3

Highest location:

Lagos (7)

But I believe we will overcome our challenges.

Nigeria is one and we will always be.

- Mr. Adewumi Temitope Michael, CEO Sarmic Farms, Kwara State * Yes, Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prediction is misplaced but some mischievous gluttons have hijacked the opportunity to cause confusion, in collaboration with criminal arms peddlers abroad making blood money by annihilating lives nationwide.

What else can justify failure to check the increasing insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and wanton killings? Arms proliferation in Nigeria is worrisome. A stitch in time truly saves nine.

- Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State * Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity and development is in danger because government is not living up to expectation to address issue of insecurity that driving investors away. Resources should be invested on security before we are talking about unity and meaningful development.

Government has to put more effort to stop all these killings now for a better Nigeria.

- Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State * Yes; Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, Miyetti Allah movement, Niger Delta militants, OPC, Egbesu, NURTW hot-heads, Omo-onile, Obioakpo, various northern mafias, various secret cults in and outside schools, lethal small arm bearers, North versus South power tussle, religious bigotry, military versus politicians, crime sponsors, ethnic clashes, unemployment, poverty, corruption etc are responsible for these chaotic derails. We must love each other the natural African way. The apt time to retrace

our steps is now.

- Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State * As disheartening as the present Nigerian situation appears, the situation can be salvaged.

Our unity can only remain sacrosanct when we discard this master-servant relationship and allow our brightest to mount the leadership positions; then development will naturally occur.

- Mr. Paul A. Jideofor, Dept. of Languages, FCT COE, Zuba, Abuja * All these evil happenings have become embarrassing and something has to be done now. Our security agencies are not living up to our expectation to arrest these ugly acts affecting Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity and development.

Local and state governments need to help the federal government to fight insecurity lapses. Security agencies should ensure those sponsoring evil acts are arrested and brought to book to deter others.

- Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State * I agree the rising poverty, insecurity, killings, unending corruption e.t.c. can put the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development in danger. But nothing can stop our continued existence. We all love this country and those who want to opt out are just pretenders.

- Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna * There are signs that show Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity is at risk and are affecting her development, and unless there is a strong political will from our leaders to address the situation, these issues will cause a break. All leaders and stakeholders must help solve the various menaces that Nigeria is facing.

- Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder, Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja * Strict adherence to the rule of law as well as obeying the constitution can keep Nigeria one. We have some of the most unifying laws in our constitution and other laws, but a failure to enforce these laws is a genuine threat to our peaceful coexistence. One way to stem this ugly trend is to provide the states with greater allocations and responsibility, with a financially weaker central government.

- Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State * The problems threatening our unity are

man-made and can be reversed. It is time for Nigerians to acquit themselves as men and fight for that which unites us as a nation.

There are Nigerians home and abroad vested with the capacity to turn things around for us.

- Ms Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State * The current situation in the country is worrisome and unbearable. Killings are really digging into the foundation of Nigeria to the extent that the people from the middle belt or the north central donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even see themselves as the north again; that is the condition we find ourselves in Nigeria today.

- Mr. Nduanya Egbuna, Enugu State * To me, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity and development is not in danger, even though both have been under threat for a while. The political and economic elite are united by their love for power and lucre, cutting across all ethnic, religious and political divides. The people at the lowest rung of the ladder are united by their poverty; and their inability to do anything positive about the situation.

- Mr. Aiyegbusi Abiodun, Engineer, Lagos State

Next Week: Can Looting Ever End in Nigeria? Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁĂ?Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x152;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;äĂ?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă? Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁĚ&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122;ĂĄĂ?Ă Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ě&#x2039;äĂ?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2DC; ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂĄË&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; Ă?Ă Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2022;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;ĂĄ Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x161;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;ËŁ Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2022;Ă? ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x153; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x203A; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x17E;ĂĄĂ?Ă?Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁ Ě&#x2122; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; Í&#x2013; Ęś Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; Í&#x161;Ě&#x161; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; abimbolayi@ yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive. com. Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2122; Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17E; Ă&#x17E;Ă?âĂ&#x17E; Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă? Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; 08023117639 Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;ËšĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153; 08188361766 Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;ËšĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x153; 08114495306Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă?Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013; Ă&#x152;Ă? Ă&#x161;Ă&#x;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁË&#x153; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; Í&#x2019;Í&#x201C;

34

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ÍłË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Vital link road between Lagos and Ogun States in progress at Alagbole area

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

FG Strengthens Mines Surveillance Task Force, Others with 50 Vehicles ȹȹȹ Â&#x2019;Â&#x2014;Â&#x17D;Â&#x153;Čą Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2019;Â&#x152;Â&#x17D;ČąÂ&#x17D;Â&#x153;Â?Â&#x160;Â&#x2039;Â&#x2022;Â&#x2019;Â&#x153;Â&#x2018;Â&#x17D;Â?ČąÂ?Â&#x2DC;ČąÂ&#x153;Â&#x17E;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2122;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x203A;Â?Čą Č&#x201A;Â&#x153;ČąÂ?Â&#x2019;Â&#x;Â&#x17D;Â&#x203A;Â&#x153;Â&#x2019;Ä&#x2122;Â&#x152;Â&#x160;Â?Â&#x2019;Â&#x2DC;Â&#x2014;ČąÂ&#x2122;Â&#x2022;Â&#x160;Â&#x2014;Ç°ČąÂ&#x153;Â&#x160;¢Â&#x153;Čą

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja Determined to win the war against illegal mining activities in the country, the Federal Government recently unveiled 50 operation vehicles for use by the Special Mines Surveillance taskforce and the State Minerals Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO).

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who handed over the vehicles to the heads of the operation units, said strengthening the surveillance unit with operational vehicles and gadgets was part of governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategy to strengthen units in all the states of the federation.

The Minister spoke just as the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, represented

by AIG Taiwo Lakanu, said

the re-introduction of Mines Police was to support the economic diversification efforts of President Muhammadu Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration through effective security of the mines.

The unveiling of the vehicles was done at the Ministry in Abuja, witnessed by the Minister of State, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari; Permanent Secretary, Dr Abdulkadir Muazu; AIG Taiwo Lakanu; Deputy Commandant General, Nigerian Civil Defence Corp, Kelechi Madu; and Chairman MIREMCO, Edo State, Mr. Dan Inneh.

Fayemi said the special surveillance task force and the MIREMCO had not been able to deliver effectively on their mandate due to lack of required logistics, a situation, which according to him, has led to a surge in illegal mining

activities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Considering the alarming rate the illegal mining has posed against the present administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts in diversifying the economy, Government has decided to take a coordinated approach to curtail the menace, sanitise the mines-field and position the sector on the path of sustainable development, hence the resuscitation of the Special Mines Surveillance Taskforce (SMSTF) in 2017. The Task Force was established in 2012â&#x20AC;?, Fayemi said.

Speaking further, the Minister said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a strategy to strengthen the Taskforce in all the States of the Federation and the FCT, 40 Toyota Hilux vehicles have been procured. The vehicles will be unveiled today and their usage flagged-off. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am optimistic that with

the unveiling of these vehicles and the provision of necessary logistics for the operations of the Taskforce and MIREMCOs, the illegal activities would be reduced drastically and our relationship with our state governments would be strengthened. â&#x20AC;&#x153;MIREMCO is a statutory mechanism established by Section 19 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 to create synergy between Federal, State and Local Governments for the Sustainable Development of Solid Minerals Resources in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Committee is to operate in all the States of the Federation including the FCT and its functions, as stipulated in the extant Act, is to advise the Minister on all issues relating to the Mineral Resources Development, environmental protection, sustainable management of

mineral resources, conflict resolutions and other environmental and social issues. The Committee became operational with the inauguration of the 37 Committee chairmen on August 19, 2017 in Abuja. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Due to lack of required logistics, the Special Mines Surveillance Taskforce and MIREMCO could not deliver their mandates and this led to upsurge in the activities of illegal mining across the states of the Federation and strained relationship with states and local governments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The first 15 States with functional MIREMCOs have already received the sum of N5 million each, as mobilisation grants and ten Hilux pick-up vehicles were procured for the first ten statesâ&#x20AC;?.

The Police IG, who hailed the provision of surveillance vehicles, said the force approved

the setting up of the Mines Police following request from the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Fayemi He said the Mines Police, headed by a deputy Commissioner of Police Tunde Mobayo, is saddled with the responsibility of securing the mines against the scrounge of illegal mining.

He explained that for its operations at the states, the Mines Police would work with the Counter Terrorist Unit of the Nigerian Police.

The Deputy Commandant General Madu, who hailed the provision of operation vehicles for the mining surveillance, said it would enhance optimal performance of the sector.

Madu revealed that over 500 illegal miners had so far been apprehended. While 21 have been convicted, some were released at the discretion of the Mines Offices in the states.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;STEM Education Key Foundation for FG Trains 120 Professionals in Lagos Open Economic Successâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Data Boot Camp Funke Olaode The United States Consul General, John Bray has called on stakeholders at all levels in the country to accord women priority to ensure that their voices find representation in collaborative solutions that will have an impact on them.

This is because, according to Bray, without womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inclusive participation, any gains in economic growth and development as well as advances in science and technology would be lopsided and unsustainable.

Bray made the call recently while welcoming the 16-member delegation of senior tech executives and professionals from the Silicon Valley in the United States to Tech women Mentoring Programme for Nigerian Female STEM Leaders held at Lonadel Nigeria Limited, Yaba, Lagos.

Expressing gratitude to Cedar STEM and Entrepreneurship

Hub of Lonadek for hosting the gathering, Bray said the American consulate is pleased to sponsor this series of seminars and trainings by leading women technology leaders from Nigeria and the US who are actively advocating for women in science, engineering, and technology.

The reason is simple: STEM education is the key foundation for any countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic success, he said.

He noted that despite efforts in promoting STEM education, it is sad that many young women who pursue studies in STEM at tertiary institutions share stories of being grossly outnumbered by men. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In workplaces, women in STEM fields face discriminatory practices and behaviours from colleagues and supervisors including compensation at lower levels than male counterparts for their labour. They also generally lack opportunities

for coaching, mentoring, and growth compared to their male colleagues. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The U.S. government is convinced that when barriers to womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full participation in STEM fields are removed, women do better, families do better, countries do better, and the world does better. Whether at home or abroad, promoting women in STEM fields is a top priority of the US government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When Ambassador Symington opened the American Space in Yaba in 2017, co-hosted by Co-Creation Hub (CCHUB), he pledged the U.S. governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support for additional projects that might expand the use of technology in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have since funded a number of projects to increase STEM education in different parts of the country. In October 2017, we hosted RoboRAVE, a robotics education programme in Lagos and Abeokutaâ&#x20AC;?.

As part of effort to promote the Federal Government Open Data initiative, the Ministry of Communication recently concluded a two-day Open Data Boot Camp in Lagos for over 120 professionals.

The event was organised in collaboration with WOMZY Nigeria Ltd and participants included journalists, developers, students, government agencies and Civil Society Organisations.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication, Mr. A.M Abdullahi represented by Director Planning Research and Statistics, Mr. CJ Eweama noted that the essence of the boot camp is to introduce the Open Data Initiative and the Open Data Portal to those interested in working on Federal Government challenges with the help of data.

He noted that the ministry

decided to hold the first of the series of boot camps to be held across key locations in Nigeria, in Lagos since the city is the hub of ICT innovation.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This Open Data Boot Camp is aimed at introducing the Open Data Initiative and the Open Data Portal to the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Demand sideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of Open Data. That is, those interested in working on Federal Government challenges with the help of Data. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our aim is to bring together, people who are new to Open Data and experts in order to discuss how best to utilise Open Data. This event will also connect data enthusiasts and citizens together and will give them time to build apps that are aimed at improving the Nigerian society. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For people without programming experience, they will be taught programming, while those with such experience will

connect to others and be given opportunity to build things.â&#x20AC;?

Abdullahi also called on all stakeholders in the Open Data Initiatives to join hand in accelerating the tempo of implementation of Open Data Initiatives in Nigeria so as to leverage its socio-economic benefits. Topics considered at the camp included: an overview of Nigeria Open Data Initiative; presentation on innovative uses of open data (what government and the public can do with open data); overview of proposed open data processes and policies and training session on the use of online tools for creating chats and mapping data.

Facilitators of the boot camp include CJ Eweama; IT Consultant, Femi Sofoluwe; CEO Cymantic Limited, Emeka Okoye; and Managing Director Neulogic Nig. Ltd, Chiedu Okeleke.

35

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͳ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“WhatthoseIcallpoweraddictswouldwanttodoistodivideyoubasedongender,age,tribe, religionandregion.Youhaveonecommonality-interestofNigeria.Anditdoesn’tmatter whereyoucomefrom.Wehadthatinterest.Thetruthisthis:whenyouhaveanineffectiveand incompetentgovernment,weareallvictims.Anddon’tletanybodydeceiveyou” --FORMER PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO SPEAKING WHILE RECEIVING A JOINT DELEGATION OF NIGERIA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FORUM (NYPF) AND NEW NIGERIA 2019 IN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE

Plastic Bags: Environmental Hazard or ModernDay Convenience?

By Yinka Agidee

Oxfam to Double Efforts in Challenging Stereotypes Hindering Women Progress Echoes call for nature-based solutions to solve water crisis Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Oxfam in Nigeria has said it would double its efforts in challenging stereotypes and bias that limit women, through its first worldwide Enough Campaign to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG).

Its Country Director, Iftikhar Nizami, in a statement issued in Abuja recently said this year’s International Women’s Day came at a time of a worldwide conversation on the need for more respect for women in social, cultural and economic spaces.

He expressed Oxfam’s solidarity with women throughout the world as they #PressforProgress in the fight against inequality and said the organisation would continue to be a steadfast partner in this progress for women and minority populations around the world.

According to him, “Like people around the world, we at Oxfam have all followed the news from the #MeToo and time’s up movements, with a mix of awe at the strength of the many women who have taken a stand and refused to be silent; frustration at the slowness of change in institutions; and a renewed sense of optimism in the potential for change.”

Nizami reaffirmed Oxfam’s commitment to improving livelihoods and reducing poverty in a way that improves women’s lives around the world.

“Through our efforts and initiatives, like many institutions around the world, we are responding”, he said.

He stated: “We will #PressforProgress by doubling our efforts in challenging stereotypes and bias that limit women, through our first worldwide ENOUGH Campaign to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) which aims to challenge and change social norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls by replacing harmful norms with positive norms that promote gender equality

Nigerian women deserve respect also! and non-violence”.

“We will also #PressforProgress by committing to extending opportunities to women first, working with them as spokespersons and leaders from among the approximately 48,000 women benefiting from our Female Food Hero and Village Savings Loan Association platforms and connecting their voices to the global audience.

We will #PressforProgress by giving credit to and making visible women’s contributions and achievements in our communities and the country at large.

“We will continue to push for a responsible investment in agriculture in favour of Female small-scale farmers while striving for rural women empowerment. We will work with our Goodwill Ambassadors like Lami Phillips to put a spotlight on the #SOAMAZING things millions of women are doing despite numerous challenges they are facing.”

The country director however admitted that

THESHEET.NG the past few weeks have been difficult for Oxfam staff around the world, as reported in the news about condemnable conduct from one of its staff members’ conduct in Haiti and Chad, and the uproar that followed.

“Amidst this difficulty, we have had a front row seat to how even great institutions that have done great work can do much better in putting in place safeguarding measures that ensure the respect of the communities that we seek to serve through our work.

“Internally, we are reshaping the culture of Oxfam to shift the power to ensure women’s voices are listened to and respected. Team managers are working with culture change specialists to start to shift the culture of the organisation in order to stamp out exploitation, abuse and harassment in whatever form.

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

Plastic shopping bags popularly called “nylon” in Nigeria are a modern-day household convenience, handed out to us every time we buy goods from retailers and which, we probably believe we cannot do without. However, the danger posed to our society by the unregulated use of these bags, is undoubted.

Their harmful effect on the environment stem from the fact that they do not decompose easily because they are made out of non-biodegradable substance: polythene, which scientists believe could take up to 1,000 years to decompose on land and 450 years in water, during which time, they separate into smaller toxic particles and contaminate the soil, waterways and fill up landfill sites. Plastic bags are responsible for most of the litter on our streets, landfills, dumpsites, and beaches and oceans. Large buildups of plastic litter can clog drainage systems and exacerbate deadly floods. In water, they choke wildlife. In November 2013, the European Commission stated that the stomachs of 94 per cent of all birds in the North Sea were found to contain plastics. Incinerating or burning plastic litter, releases toxic substances into the atmosphere and pollutes the air. Plastic bags are not easy to recycle because there is virtually no commercial market for recycling them. It costs more to recycle a bag than to produce a new one, consequently, less than 1 per cent of bags are recycled because of the economics. They are made from petroleum, a scarce natural resource and add to our demand for oil and the consequent release of greenhouse gases (GHGs), responsible for global warming and climate change, into the atmosphere. The list could go on and on, yet there appears to be inadequate recognition of the potential cost of plastic litter and the environmental hazard they create, as the government has been slow to do anything about them, while they continue to accumulate at a staggering rate in our environment.

Most countries in the developed world recognise the environmental crisis created by plastic bags and are making concerted efforts to eliminate, reduce and/or regulate their use, through bans, recycling mandates and taxes or fees, particularly in light of the decision taken during the Climate Summit in Paris in November 2015, to keep the global temperature rise below the two degrees Celsius level.

In Australia, plastic bags have been totally banned. In Switzerland, Italy and Ireland, the use of plastic bags is discouraged through financial means such as tax or rebates for bag re - use. In November 2014, the EU unanimously approved a new law to slash the use of plastic bags, hoping to curb litter on land and spreading “plastic soup” in the world’s oceans.

Agidee of the Law firm of The Rock and Partners, Lagos, acknowledges the contribution of ELAW, Oregon USA NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

36

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, APRI L 5, 2018

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Addressing Nigeria’s Low Life Expectancy The launch of St. Racheal’s Pharma in Lagos recently has afforded experts the platform to shed light on why Nigeria’s life expectancy is still one of the lowest in the world despite its rich natural and human resources. Martins Ifijeh writes

L-R: Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, St. Racheal’s Pharma, Akinjide Adeosun, Guest Speaker. Prof Cecilia Igwilo, Guest, Dr Olayinka Ogunleye,Chairman of the ocassion, Mr Jimi Agbaje, and Commissioner of Health, Abia State, Dr John Ahukannah,at the launch of St. Racheal’s Pharma in Lagos recently

W

hile Nigeria continues to pride itself as the largest economy in Africa with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than $400 billion, its life expectancy ratio has continued to be at variance and an embarrassment to the status the country professes.

The May 2016 life expectancy data published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has shown that Nigeria, again, has one of the lowest life ratios in Africa and in the world; with 55 years for females and 54 years for males, standing at the 177th position globally, just above eight other countries of the world. On the average, the life expectancy ratio is 54.5 for the country.

Also, NOI Polls, a country-specific polling service in the West African region, said Nigeria’s life expectancy at birth as at 2015 stands at 53 for males and 56 for females.

The two publications by different organisations conducted within a year interval suggest that not much has been done by Nigeria to address its life expectancy ratio.

Surprisingly, disaster and war-torn countries like South Sudan, Rwanda, Haiti, Yemen, Afghanistan, and poorer nations like Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) all have higher life expectancy rates than Africa’s giant, Nigeria. Meaning citizens of these countries will, on the average, live longer than Nigerians.

For instance, in Yemen, an average person will live for 65 years, DRC citizens will, on the average, live up to 59 years, while those in Mozambique have a life expectancy of 57 years.

In Japan, an average person will live to as high as 83.7 years, those in United Kingdom will live up to 81 years, others in United States will live up to 79 years, while in Algeria, which is an African country, the life expectancy rate is 75 years.

The Commissioner for Health, Abia State, Dr. John Ahukannah during his presentation at the launch of St. Racheal’s Pharma in Lagos recently, tagged: ‘Improving Life Expectancy in Africa’ said global life expectancy is at 71.4 years, which has therefore made Nigeria’s indices

a far cry compared to the human and natural resources at the country’s disposal that could tackle factors collaborating against positive life expectancy rate.

He defined life expectancy as the reflection of the overall mortality level in a population.

According to WHO, its report shows that newborns in 29 countries – all of them high income - have an average life expectancy of 80 years or more, while newborns in 22 others – all of them in sub-Saharan Africa — have life expectancy of less than 60 years.

Ahukannah said globally, Africa has the lowest life expectancy with Sierra Leone taking the lead as their men is 49.3 and females 50.8. Whereas Switzerland has the highest point with their men having 81.3 and Japan has the highest point for female with 86.8.

“The various reasons why life expectancy has remained low in Nigeria have to do with sickness which has the highest point with 26 per cent and poverty with 24 per cent. Others include: motor accident 16 per cent, malnutrition seven per cent, natural death six per cent, stress five per cent, high blood pressure five per cent, poor medical care three per cent, bad lifestyle two per cent, high cost of living two per cent, sin against God two per cent, crime two per cent, negligence two per cent and others two per cent.

“45 per cent of the population has no access to clean water in Africa. It is not surprising that we have a lot of diarrheas and water-borne diseases.”

He said government’s poor economics seem to play quite a huge role in the low life expectancy of Africans, adding that clearly, many African countries, including Nigeria are poor and unable to build and maintain standard facilities that patients can access.

“In Nigeria, for example, we do have issues of salaries not being paid on time and if you don’t have money in your pocket, you probably will not be able to access quality medical care.

“Second point is the high corruption index in Africa. I’m not saying there is no corruption globally, but the index in Africa is quite high.

What this means is that financial aids do not get to those who need them, and money for development ends up in private hands.

“Unemployment rate is also high. A man, who has no job or money, when sick, will first of all go to a prayer house or chemist before approaching a pharmacy or hospital. All he’s trying to do is to cut cost because he has no money. Unemployment also affects the grade of hospital patronised,” he explained.

According to Ahukannah, who is an endocrinologist and a diabetes expert, he identified wide spread of Human Immuno-virus disease, famines, personal behaviours such as excessive smoking and lack of physical activity as factors limiting life expectancy in Nigeria and Africa in general.

“The level of education also seems to affect the life expectancy in any given region of the world. It is said that high literacy rate are associated with improved life expectancy.

Education obviously augments labour market productivity and income growth,” he added.

To increase life expectancy rate, the commissioner said government must provide qualitative healthcare policies, and think of sustainable healthcare financing. “Another thing is the strengthening of our Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) to be able to serve our population.

Then free and affordable education to at least secondary level (while government should), increase job creation, employment opportunities, minimum wage for workers, and then the stabilisation of the country’s micro and macro economy,” he proffered.

On his part, the Founder and Managing Director, JayKay Pharmaceutical and Chemical Company Limited, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, who was the chairman of the occasion, said life expectancy before year 2000 was really low but has improved post 2000 or more or less doubled, adding that efforts must be intensified to increase life expectancy for Nigeria, and Africa in general.

Lauding the Founder of St. Racheal’s Pharma for the bold initiative, he said, “at a stage in my life, I was an agent to some multinationals,

I learnt a very hard lesson that, as an agent, you continue to work for them, and when they are ready to move on, they will dump you. So when I see others coming behind who are setting up their brands, I try to be part and parcel of it,” he said.

He said brands like St. Racheal would help in its own way to reduce life expectancy for the continent, as it is affordable with quality products accessible all over Africa.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, St. Racheal’s Pharma, Mr. Akinjide Adeosun, who spoke on ’All Things Are Possible,’ said the company’s quest is to improve life expectancy through the availability of top-quality affordable pharmaceuticals in Africa, adding that this aligns with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) three-Good health and well-being and four-Quality education.

“All things are indeed possible, if we tune, align and believe. It is our desire to ensure Nigerians live long and businesses outlive their founders. My message to young Nigerians today is: There is no short cut to hard work,” he said.

In his presentation titled ‘Life is Beautiful’, the Product Manager, St. Rapheal Pharma, Mr. Oluseyi Adelaja assured of peace of mind to healthcare practitioners in Nigeria as they prescribe, dispense and administer high qualitative antibiotics.

He advised physicians to insist their patients receive high quality products, adding that when drugs are affordable, accessible and available, there would be improvements in the citizen’s life expectancy rates.

A major highlight of the event was the formal launch of the pharmaceutical firm into global pharmaceutical market and the simultaneous launch of the company’s collection of antibiotics.

The launch witnessed a fusion of Science, Entertainment and Art. An interactive, Turning Point Technology was deployed to enhance recall of key learning by healthcare practitioners during the event. Top Nigerian artists also displayed paintings on education, spots, health – key enablers to improve life expectancy.

37

T H I S D AY THURSDAY, APRI L 5, 2018

NEWS ‘Brain Drain, Funding Greatest Nigeria Loses N300b Annually to Prevention, Treatment of Malaria Threats to Health Sector’ Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Dr Kolawole Ogundipe, has said the institution’s great challenge has been how to block the menace of high labour mobility through efficient staff welfare package.

He said the institution was not immune from the economic recession pummeling the nation , which he said made it difficult to get the necessary infrastructure, equipment and personnel despite good subvention from Ekiti State government.

He also added that the hospital has delivered on the mandate of offering effective service delivery, research and training to ensure efficient healthcare delivery to the people of the state since its establishment in 2008.

Ogundipe said the infrastructural facelift being enjoyed by the institution has led to the approval for residency training by Medical and Dental Council Association of Nigeria(MDCAN) in eight areas of specialties, including : Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family medicine, psychiatry, surgery, internal medicine, Opthalmology, Community Medicine and Paediatrics .

The CMD said these in Ado Ekiti on recently during a press conference marking the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the tertiary institution.

Ogundipe said: “Mobility of

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

labour is high in this hospital even when salaries are paid regularly. Our challenge has always been to employ a medical doctor today and within few months he will move to another place”.

To arrest the situation, Ogundipe said: “We have improved our staff welfare.

A minimum of N1m is spent for staff training monthly.

Many seminars, conferences and ground rounds are organized to serve as in-house training to get the staff informed, educated and acquire latest skills in practice of Medicine.

“Our staff also enjoy 50 per cent discount on cost of treatment given to them in this hospital to cushion the effect of economic recession while promotion has been done up to 2017”.

Ogundipe stated that the institution has improved infrastructural facilities in Accident and Emergency Unit, built a new theatre unit and procure modern equipment for all the Laboratories to give quality service to the patients.

He said the hospital has built a dialysis and oncology centres to treat those afflicted with kidney infection and cancer, saying: “Patients now receive treatment here rather than traveling abroad for survival”.

Reports have shown that not less than 1, 500 doctors have left Nigeria in the last two years with fewer practising physicians and specialists to over 180 million citizens in the country.

Nigeria loses an estimated N300 billion annually to treatment and prevention, including loss of man-hours annually to malaria, the National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP) has stated.

It said Artemisinin-based Cobination Therapy (ACTs) remains the recommended medicine for malaria as stated by the World Health Organisation, as the use of monotherapy for treatment should be discouraged.

This was revealed by the National Coordinator of NMEP,

Dr. Audu Bala Mohammed, during the first quarter media chat organised by NMEP and wit the theme “Use of montherapy for the treatment of malaria: it’s implications for the elimination of malaria.”

He said malaria is preventable, treatable and curable, yet it remain a major public health concern in Africa and Nigeria, and is a major barrier to social and economic development as it is responsible for 11 per cent of maternal death and 30 per cent of child deaths.

He advised that the elimination of malaria requires a multi- pronged approach and

social behaviour communication change is key in achieving this goal.

He said “Malaria contributed to 60 per cent of out-patient visits to health facilities, 15 per cent of low birth weight, maternal anaemia, still births, miscarriage and other pregnancy-ralated complications.

“The disease is one of the reasons for poor school attendance in many settings because it accounts for 13 to 15 percent of medical reasons for absenteeism from school. The financial loss due to malaria is estimated to be about 300

billion naira annually in form of treatment costs, prevention costs of man-hours .

He added that “In 2017, NMEP and her partners distributed a total number of 24,519,371 Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets in seven states to prevent mosquito bites.

About 130 million of ACTs were dispensed in 2016 and 25.4 million dispensed October 2017 to treat positive cases”.

Other preventions include Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy, Integrated Community Case Management and the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprophylaxis.

WHARC Partners Community on Maternal, Infant Mortality NO TO MALARIA IN KEBBI

Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, cleaning up drainage as part of activities to launch use of mosquito nets donated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Birnin Kebbi recently

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City In order to check maternal and infant mortality in rural areas, the Women Health Action Research Centre (WHARC), says it is in partnership with Okpekpe Community in Etsako East Local Government Area.

Leader of the research centre, Prof. Friday Okonofua, stated this during the 10th Okpekpe Kingdom Day, adding that the partnership would see the body strengthening the primary health centre in the community.

He said through the partnership, doctors, drugs, as well as health facilities would be deployed to the area.

Okonofua, a professor of gynecology who regretted that lack of functional PHCs, have been largely responsible for the death of many pregnant women and children before the age of five, also said women and children in rural communities were mostly affected with this phenomenon.

He said this was unacceptable and thus, WHARC would work assiduously to see to the end of this in Okpekpe community.

“Our aim is to ensure that this community reaches its potential in terms of development. We will do all that is necessary to see to the end

of death of pregnant women and children before they reach the age of five.

“We want to be able to use our partnership with Okpekpe Kingdom as a launch pad to reach other community, not only in Edo but the country in general,” he said.

Also speaking, the clan head of Okpekpe Kingdom, Peter Osigbemeh, who expressed excitement over the partnership, said the community has already committed N2 million into the project.

He said his excitement over the partnership was its desire to stop the incident of death of pregnant women and that of children before they attain the age of five.

According to him, “Just before they came up with this idea of partnership, I lost a woman who delivered a quadruplet.

The woman and the four children died within just two hours.

“As I speak with you, we have committed N2 million to the partnership with N1.5 million going into the renovation of doctors’ quarters and the hall for the use of the Ward Committee that have been set up.

“We have also committed the sum of N500, 000 as fund for the revolving drug fund that would make drugs available to people in the community.

Empower 54, Promasidor HMO Launches Operations Align to Fight Malnutrition in with Affordable Insurance Africa Plans Martins Ifijeh Promasidor Nigeria Limited has boosted Modupe Ozolua’s “war on malnutrition in Africa” by donating cases of various products to Empower 54 Project in support of its programme aimed at eradicating malnutrition among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.

Promasidor’s support is in line with its corporate social responsibility policy, which has seen it contributed to worthy causes across the country.

Expressing delight at the gesture, Princess Modupe Ozolua, Founder and President of Empower 54, said the products were greatly appreciated and the donation worth emulating as malnutrition is a major concern among IDPs, refugees and underprivileged people not only in Nigeria but also across the African continent.

According to the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole, 33 per cent of Nigerian children under-five years suffer from chronic malnutrition, which

translates into very disturbing statistics and many innocent lives lost due to lack of sensitisation.

Ozolua commended the donor for supporting the programme in such an immeasurable manner, assuring that the products, which contain vital nutrients would be judiciously utilised.

Empower 54 is a United States non-profit organisation providing humanitarian assistance since 2003 through health, education, empowerment, and IDP/refugee programmes to underprivileged Africans.

The organisation evacuated the severely malnourished IDP children from Bama to Maiduguri for treatment two years ago, but realised more has to be done to save children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, is Empower 54’s global goodwill ambassador for its campaign to eradicate malnutrition in Africa, and it’s also supported by the Australian Government, IMF and other international partners.

In a bid to make health insurance more accessible and to a wider variety of people, Reliance HMO, an indigenous Health Management Organization, has announced its repertoire of affordable healthcare plans for individuals, families and companies.

Speaking at a press parley held at the company’s corporate office in Lagos recently, the Chief Executive Officer, Reliance HMO, Funlola Jide-Aribalouye said the firm understands that there is a valid need from the public for health insurance plans that really work, payment structures that don’t burn a hole in people’s pockets, and customer service that addresses their most pressing concerns,.

She said that was why the HMO has built tailor-made insurance plans that ensure that individuals, families and organisations stay healthy.

She said: “For as little as N3500 monthly, individuals can sign up to a health insurance plan that gives

them an awesome cover with really incredible benefits.

Furthermore, we are the first and only health insurer in Nigeria that gives enrolees the benefit and convenience of monthly payments.

With a good number of partner hospitals and more being signed up every day, we are committed to preserving the wellbeing and health of individuals, and the society as a whole.”

“Technology forms a crucial part of our business and operations,” said Dr. Femi Kuti and Opeyemi Olumekun, Co-Founders; Reliance HMO. We are a Health Insurance company that acts like a technology company. We’re using software, data science and telemedicine to make health insurance more affordable, easier to access and more of a delightful experience for our existing and prospective customers. Integrating technology into our operations also means that our entire customer experience support is top-notch and always available 24/7 via various channels.”

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY APRIL 5, 2018

39

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; APRIL 5, 2018

40

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Poor Infrastructure, Others May Hinder African Free Trade Dealâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Obinna Chima Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s under-developed infrastructure, non-tariff barriers and finance constraints will limit the potential benefits of a continental free trade agreement, Moodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Investors Service said in a report.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single African market for goods and services, could boost intra-regional trade, which remains far lower than in developing Asian countries, the rating agency stated in the report. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is significant potential for further trade integration in Africa, which the AfCFTA could stimulate,â&#x20AC;? Moodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Managing Director -- Credit Strategy and the reportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s co-author, Colin Ellis said.

Ellis added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This could improve the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s credit profiles, given the greater stability and sophistication that intra-regional trade could offer compared with traditional commodity exports to the rest of the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That said, countries with larger manufacturing bases and better infrastructure, such

as South Africa and Kenya, are most likely to benefit from further integration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For others, poor infrastructure and non-tariff barriers will continue to restrict the trade sectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development and long-term growth potential.â&#x20AC;?

Intra-African trade has increased in recent years to 15 per cent of total trade, from 11 per cent in 2008. However, overall levels remain lower than those recorded by other developing regions before the global financial crisis.

The report noted that African exports to the rest of the world are largely undiversified and are heavily oriented towards raw materials.

By contrast, exports between African countries contain more value-added products.

Manufactured goods accounted for 43 per cent of intra-Africa exports between 2012 and 2016, compared to only around 20 per cent of its exports to the rest of the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Continued growth in intra-regional trade could help to reduce growth volatility and develop the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s local

economies, which would in turn increase demand and investment in trading sectors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;During the recent commodity downturn, countries with improving intra-Africa trade generally fared relatively well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the key barriers to the growth in regional trade is the lack of quality infrastructure,â&#x20AC;? the report stated.

It showed that between 2007 and 2016, African countries that made the most improvements to their infrastructure also experienced the highest export growth.

In addition, it stated that non-tariff barriers, such as corruption, ineffective customs documentation and broader procedure, remain problematic in the continent.

The costs for intra-African trade are the highest among developing regions, and around 50 per cent higher than in East Asia, according to World Bank estimates.

A lack of trade finance also limits trade potential in Africa.

The continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trade finance gap continues to exceed $90 billion annually, the African Development Bank had estimated.

Broad Street

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

AUGUST 2017

Group Seeks Tax Incentive for CSR Projects Nume Ekeghe The Chairman of Strengthen Public Finance in Nigeria, (Strepfin), an international nongovernmental organisation, in collaboration with Oxfam, Mr. David Nwachukwu has called for tax incentives to corporations who carry out major corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects in communities they reside.

This call was made during a stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meeting on CSR, wages and tax issues held in Lagos recently.

He urged the federal government to reduce borrowing and focus on infrastructure development by encouraging CSR to embark develop their communities.

Nwachukwu said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Governments is to create an enabling environment for businesses, now if you have multiple taxation it discourages investments in your environment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If people have a choice to make investment and I know that when I go to Ghana to make an investment in a project the

government would provide basic infrastructure but in Nigeria, you have to provide everything for myself and run my own local government; water, light roads in addition to the cost of doing business and the government would not even allow me claim back some of those expenditures I have made in the community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, it makes Nigeria an unattractive environment for doing business.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the Niger Delta states for example, you would hear people talk about NDDC projects, then the legislatures would talk about constituency projects, the oil companies operating in those areas would also do their CSR projects as well as the state and federal governments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All these do not translate to an improved quality of life to those areas. Against that backdrop, we came up with a public finance roadmap that says a lot of effort should be put towards reforming public financing framework for Nigeria so that people can have access to information to interrogate

the statistics that we rail out on public financing in the country.â&#x20AC;?

Continuing, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a school of thought that people are reluctant to pay taxes in Nigeria because they do not have confidence in governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to utilise the taxes they pay. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In other climes, if you are sick and you go the hospital, you would get world class health service, the roads are good, etc, but in our own environment all these things government should provide to us are failing and there is a huge gap between the resources available and provision of those services. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In this specific case, we are saying that many companies because of governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s failings spend a lot of resources doing CSR, they build schools, roads, hospitals in the government they operate not because it is their responsibility, but because the government has failed and to manage restiveness in those communities, companies spend their resources doing those things.â&#x20AC;?

Eco-farming Can Solve Hunger, Climate Crises, Experts Say Asian farmers are growing rice and rearing fish in the same fields to increase their income and reduce weeds, while Ghanaians are using crop residues as compost to boost yields.

Such eco-farming techniques could deliver nutritious, environmentally friendly food for a growing world, increase farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; earnings and make farms more resilient to climate change, according to campaigners. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Agriculture is in transition,â&#x20AC;? the regional programme leader for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in the Middle East and North Africa,Pasquale Steduto,

told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Climate change is adding new uncertainty as well as increasing uncertainty. By introducing agroecology principles, you can reduce the risks of exposure to climate change.â&#x20AC;?

Global food production is currently based on extensive use of costly chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which damage the environment and human health, experts said at a three-day agroecology conference, which began Tuesday.

Yet less than 30 countries globally, and only two in

Africa - Ivory Coast and Mauritius - have laws and policies that support ecofarming, the FAO said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have three big challenges to manage - climate change, food security, and the connection between agriculture, forestry, economy and employment,â&#x20AC;? a French parliamentarian and former agriculture minister, Stephane Le Foll said.

The solution, he said, was ecological agriculture, which replaces chemical fertilisers with natural methods, such as planting trees amid crops and rotating foods grown to improve soils and deter pests.

Broad Money (M2)

21,851,454.31

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,890,813.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,523,239.91

---- Demand Deposits

8,367,573.19

-- Quasi Money

11,960,641.22

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,732,990.89

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,118,463.42

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,821,446.81

---- Credit to Government (Net)

4,824,226.22

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

7,834,536.74

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

--3,010,310.52

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

21,997,220.59

--Other Assets Net

--14,702,983.39

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,486,804.65

--Currency in Circulation

1,868,735.07

--Banks Reserves

3,268,266.17 Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

August 2017

Inter-Bank Call Rate

22.63

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.35

Savings Deposit Rate

4.08

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.86

3 Months Deposit Rate

10.14

6 Months Deposit Rate

11.51

12 Months Deposit Rate

11.40

Prime Lending rate

17.69

Maximum Lending Rate

31.20

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS ATTUESDAY MARCH 27, 2018

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $66.80 a barrel on Tuesday, same as the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations..

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela) SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

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MARKET NEWS

FCMB Group Records 34% Decline in Profit, Declares 10 Kobo Dividend Goddy Egene FCMB Group Plc yesterday released its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2017, reporting a gross revenue of N169.9 billion, compared with176.352 billion in 2016.

The Group recorded a profit before tax (PBT) of N11.5billion, showing a decline of 29 per cent from N16.251 billion in 2016.

Profit after tax (PAT) also fell by 34 per cent from N14.338 billion in 2016 to N9.410 billion in 2017.

Despite the decline in profit, the financial institution has recommended a dividend of 10 kobo per share to be paid to shareholders.

A further analysis of the results showed that net interest income increased to N70.525 billion, from N69.533 billion, while other income fell from

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

N33.559 billion to N15.895 billion in 2017. Net impairment loss on financial assets also reduced from N35.522 billion to N22.667 billion.

But in demonstration of the enhanced confidence of customers in FCMB, deposits grew to N689.9billion as at the end of December 2017, an increase of five per cent from N657.6billion in 2016. The Group’s capital adequacy ratio

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

also improved to 16.9 per cent from 16.7 per cent, just as asset base increased to N1.19trillion, compared to N1.17trillion at the end of 2016. Loans and advances stood at N649.8billion.

In a statement, FCMB Group said: “In spite of the reduction in the headline numbers, the group’s performance for the year 2017 witnessed an improvement in core operating performance over the previous year after

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

adjusting for the significant foreign exchange revaluation income enjoyed in 2016. In line with the repositioning strategy of the group for better performance, the key drivers of the performance include increase in income from our non-banking activities, lower impairment charges from the bank and its subsidiaries, and improved operating efficiencies through more pervasive use of

O F

technology’’.

The financial institution assured stakeholders that that, ‘’barring any unforeseen circumstances, we see improved operating performance in 2018 based on the improving macroeconomic and capital markets environment, declining cost of funds for the bank, and the growing contributions of asset and wealth management following last year’s acquisitions.’’

0 4 / 0 4 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͳ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

43

˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Law Union & Rock to Pay N172m Dividend as Profit Rises 67% to N910m Goddy Egene The Board of Directors of Law Union and Rock Insurance Plc has recommended a dividend of N172 million for approval by its shareholders at its next annual general meeting(AGM).

The dividend, which translates to four kobo per share followed an impressive performance for the year ended December 31, 2017.

The insurance firm posted a profit before tax (PBT) of N1.099 billion, representing

a 66.8 per cent growth from the PBT of N658.643 million recorded in 2016. Also, its profit after tax jumped by 62 per cent to N910million from N561.851million recorded in 2016 financial year.

According to the company, the growth in the bottom-line was mainly driven by its investment income, signposting the company’s improved liquidity.

A further analysis of the results showed that gross premium written stood at N4.252

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

billion representing, an eight per cent modest improvement from N3.936billion recorded in 2016. The company’s total assets also recorded 16.9 per cent growth to hit N10.031billion from N8.58billion reported in 2016 financial year. Similarly, the shareholders’ funds grew by 28.6 per cent from N5.03 billion to N6.47 billion.

Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc’s earning per share rose by 31 per cent to 21 kobo from 16 kobo in 2016. Hence, the company is to pay a dividend

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 03Apr-2018, unless otherwise stated.

for the 2017 financial year, as against none in the 2016.

Also, in demonstration of its commitment to reward its human capital for its invaluable contribution to the company’s performance, the board has set aside 7.5 per cent of the 2017 PAT as profit sharing pool for all members of its staff.

The company has consistently posted improved incremental growth within the last three financial years, with the 2017 performance recording the highest improvement.

Meanwhile, trading at the stock market yesterday remained bearish as the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index (NSE ASI) depreciated by 0.26 per cent to close at 40,749.86, while market capitalisation ended lower at N14.72 trillion.

The depreciation recorded in the share prices of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, FBN Holdings, Transcorp, and UAC of Nigeria were mainly responsible for the loss recorded in the index.

In all, 18 appreciated depreciated while 26 stocks depreciated.

LASACO Assurance Plc led the price gainers with 5.8 per cent trailed

by Fidelity Bank Plc with 5.7 per cent, just as Access Bank Plc and May & Baker Nigeria Plc chalked up 4.8 per cent apiece.

Conversely, Dangote Flour Mills Plc led the price losers with 9.5 per cent, followed

by Multiverse and Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc with 9.1 per cent each.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 186.63 187.47 5.03% Nigeria International Debt Fund 243.84 244.70 5.40% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.86 0.88 5.16% ACAP Income Funds 0.65 0.65 8.06% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.88% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.65 20.24 7.55% ARM Discovery Fund 414.97 427.49 6.66% ARM Ethical Fund 28.60 29.46 4.68% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 15.09% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 159.27 160.39 5.00% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 14.85% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.95% Paramount Equity Fund 12.54 13.07 10.39% Women's Investment Fund 103.52 106.20 2.68% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.83% CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 15.39% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.13 1.15 7.17% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.10 1.13 5.89% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,198.86 1,200.06 4.44% FBN Heritage Fund 147.87 149.22 6.09% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.10% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional $114.80 $115.32 1.66% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail $114.81 $115.32 1.76% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 181.45 184.26 12.67% FIRST CITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD fcamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcamltd.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Equity Fund 1.43 1.40 7.34% Legacy Debt Fund 2.98 2.98 3.51% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,149.04 3,182.18 5.49% Coral Income Fund 2,561.66 2,561.66 4.70% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 13.87% INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 14.83% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.18 2.20 3.23% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 16.37% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 118.70 119.12 3.23%

LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.17 1.19 1.99% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,068.42 1,068.42 3.34% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.31 1.33 10.05% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.51 11.55 4.19% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.38% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 143.23 145.85 11.25% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.54 1.54 3.95% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,358.22 2,378.93 5.16% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 181.18 181.18 2.68% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.07 1.09 6.93% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 231.21 231.30 5.00% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 190.87 193.00 6.57% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.73% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,269.87 10,408.33 6.20% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.09 1.09 2.44% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.39 1.40 4.08% United Capital Bond Fund 1.61 1.61 3.05% United Capital Equity Fund 1.01 1.03 10.35% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.41% United Capital Eurobond Fund 105.05 105.05 2.09% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.13 1.13 3.75% ZENITH ASSETS MANAGEMENT LTD info@zenith-funds.com Web: www.zenith-funds.com; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 13.37 13.57 7.05% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.13 14.30 7.92% Zenith Income Fund 19.80 19.80 4.64% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.50%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

10.00 134.23

-11.35% 1.34%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.40 159.20 116.91

12.50 162.61 119.10

2.29% 11.47% 7.01%

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

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

5.16 9.68 18.72 21.09 155.65

5.20 9.76 18.82 21.29 157.65

8.90% 1.17% 5.41% 7.17% 4.73%

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

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INTERNATIONAL

email:foreigndesk@thisdaylive.com

Putin Urges ‘Common Sense’ as Global Watchdog Meets on Spy Poisoning Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday urged “common sense” to prevail in the spy poisoning crisis as London and Moscow faced off in a tense meeting at the world’s chemical weapons watchdog., according to AFP. Putin’s plea came as Moscow expelled a Hungarian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move, just the latest escalation of tensions between Russia and the West since the nerve agent attack on a former Russian double agent a month ago.

“What we expect is that common sense will in the end prevail and there will not be this damage in international relations that we have seen recently,” Putin said after summit talks in Ankara.

But at the start of a meeting of the Organisation for

the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), London slammed as “perverse” a Russian proposal for a joint probe into the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

“We will not agree to Russia’s demand to conduct a joint investigation into the attack in Salisbury because the UK –- supported by many other countries -– has assessed that it is highly likely that the R u s s i a n s t a t e i s re s p o n s i b l e for this attack, and that there is no plausible alternative explanation,” British chemical arms expert John Foggo told the OPCW executive council in The Ha g u e .

OPCW experts have already taken samples at the site of

t h e M a r c h 4 attack in Salisbury, and they are being analysed in its labs in The Hague, as well as in four other certified laboratories.

Britain has said the Skripals and a British police officer were exposed to a Soviet-designed nerve agent called Novichok.

OPCW chief Ahmet Uzumcu told the meeting he expected the results by his team “by early next week.”

The OPCW team worked independently and is not involved in the national investigation by the UK authorities,” he insisted.

The crisis has sent the l o n g - d i f f i c u l t re l a t i o n s between Russia and the We s t plummeting to new lows. Both sides have already expelled scores of d i p l o mats.

Dollar, Shares Slide as China Retaliates in Trade Row The dollar weakened and global stock markets fell on Wednesday after China retaliated in an escalating trade war with the United States, unnerving investors who were reluctant to take positions in anything but the safest of assets, Reuters reported.

Oil dropped to a twoweek low as the speed with which Beijing responded 11 hours - to U.S. measures raised the prospect of a quickly spiraling trade war that could hurt the global economy and dent crude demand.

Gold hit a one-week high as the dollar dipped against the yen and Swiss franc, while prices of U.S. Treasury securities and German bunds gained on safe-haven buying.

Boeing and Caterpillar led a slide in big U.S. manufacturers and technology companies that bore the brunt of the deepening U.S.-China trade spat, while

Germany’s exporter-heavy DAX index fell more than its large European counterparts.

But stocks on Wall Street and in Europe pulled back from more than 1 percent declines, paring a chunk of their losses with the FTSE in London closing higher.

“The market is overreacting to this trade news,” said Michael Arone, chief investment strategist at State Street Global Advisors in Boston.

“These tariffs won’t be implemented for a little while. It gives both sides time to negotiate, which I think is the strategy for both the U.S. and China.”

China’s retaliation came after trading hours for Japan’s Nikkei, which added 0.2 percent in thin volume, while Chinese blue chips ended down 0.2 percent.

MSCI’s all-country world index of stock performance in 47 countries shed 0.45 percent, cutting about half earlier losses. The pan-

European FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading regional shares lost 0.43 percent.

The FTSE index closed up 0.05 percent, while the DAX closed down 0.39 percent and France’s CAC 40 index fell 0.18 percent.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 145.05 points, or 0.6 percent, to 23,888.31. The S&P 500 lost 8.86 points, or 0.34 percent, to 2,605.59 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 6.37 points, or 0.09 percent, to 6,934.92.

Shares of Boeing, the single largest U.S. exporter to China, tumbled 2.6 percent. Caterpillar fell 1.67 percent.

China and the United States are likely to hold prolonged negotiations on trade and lead investors to recognize equity fundamentals remain strong as the results of first-quarter corporate earnings will show in coming weeks, Arone said.

US Troops ‘to Stay in Syria until IS Defeated’ The White House has said the US military mission in Syria is coming to a “rapid end”, but not announced a timetable for a full troop withdrawal, according to BBC. A statement said the Islamic State (IS) group was almost completely destroyed, and that the US would consult its allies regarding future plans.

President Donald Trump declared last week that the

US would “be coming out of Syria very soon”.

But advisers reportedly persuaded him that would risk a jihadist resurgence.

A senior administration official told NBC News that the president had agreed at a meeting on Tuesday to keep troops in Syria for an undetermined period, but “wasn’t thrilled about it, to say the least”.

“The president made his displeasure clear about any

kind of long-term presence in Syria,” the official added.

The US has about 2,000 personnel on the ground in eastern Syria supporting an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

With the help of US-led coalition air strikes, SDF fighters have captured tens of thousands of square kilometres of territory from IS over the past three years.

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NEWSXTRA

Nigeria to Start Electricity Trading within W’African Region in June Report: Power sector loses N2.8bn to gas constraints, others Chineme Okafor ÓØ ÌßÔË Nigeria and its other West African neighbouring countries will begin formal trading in electricity generated within the region from June this year, the Chairman of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr. Usman Mohammed, has disclosed.

Mohammed explained yesterday in Abuja that the formalisation of the electricity trading arrangement would be done under WAPP and the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA).

He added that Nigeria would be able to sell and buy electricity from other West African countries within the arrangement.

At the moment, Nigeria sells electricity generated from her power stations to Benin Republic and Niger Republic. Mohammed however stated at a meeting of the WAPP executives that under this arrangement, the country would be able to sell and buy power from other ECOWAS countries like Ghana and Ivory Coast.

According to him, “WAPP in conjunction with ERERA, the regulatory body for West Africa is hoping to launch the regional electricity market by June 2018. Because of that, there are several sensitisation we are carrying out to sensitise member utilities firms on the plan to kick off the regional electricity market.

“There are several things that are involved in the regional electricity market and synchronisation is just one of them. It means that all the electricity that is generated across the sub region have to be synchronised so that from Nigeria to Cote D’Ivoire, can have the same power frequency and other places.

“As TCN, we anticipated this and that is why last year, we embarked on the frequency control which we achieved and attained at 39.5 and 30.5 frequency. In the last 20 years this has not been achieved and it enabled WAPP and the rest of the country to synchronise their power,” Mohammed added.

Asked if the launch of the regional market has taken care of payment for power generated and sold to utilities across the

region, and especially with regards to Nigeria’s challenges with payments for electricity, Mohammed said that a lot of mechanisms are being put in place to ensure prompt payment.

He said: “We have other mechanism we are putting in place to ensure payment in the market but even as it is, the payment in the international market is far better than the local market and we are still working to improve it. Whether it will gurantee 100 per cent payment, I cant tell you because even in the WAPP sub region like Benin and Niger, the distribution companies are still the weakest link as they are not collecting all the money.

“We are working with WAPP to improve the collection capacities of distribution firms by forming mechanisms that will guarantee payment like this synchronisation.”

Speaking further on how Nigeria could benefit from the regional power trading arrangement, Mohammed stated: “The WAPP is to enable trade between Nigeria and other countries. Trade create jobs; if there is a generation company in Nigeria that sells power to Benin, that company will create

job for Nigeria. It is also creating business for our country because the company that is selling energy in Benin will also be able to make profit.

“The vision of the regional electricity market is also to provide energy security so that if tomorrow, Nigeria has a problem of gas supply, Nigeria can import energy from Ghana or Burkina Faso depending on which has cheaper source of energy. We are not also building transmission lines for just five to 10 years, it is something that should last for 100 years to boost electricity trade.

“For the Nigerian electricity market, we are doing many things to ensure things work differently.

For transmission, we have put significant money to put enough capacity for transmission. We believe that in the next two to three years, we will have the N-1 international standard all over the country. We are making sure to optimise and implement our projects in the most effective way.

If you check, almost on weekly basis, we are commissioning transformers,” he added.

He also talked about the status of a couple of cross border transmission projects that are going on and should support

the launch of the regional market.

He said: “The north core (project) is the transmission line that four countries plan to build to connect Nigeria with Benin, Niger and Burkina Faso. It will run from Birnin Kebbi in Nigeria to the border and from Niamey in Niger, it will also tee off to go to Benin and from Niamey, it will move to Burkina Faso.

“That line is going to be financed by the African Development Bank and the French Development Agency.

The component of the AfDB is concentrated on the side of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Niamey in Niger. That component have been already approved by the board of AfDB and the agreements signed with those countries.

“The component that concerns Nigeria is about 62 kilometres from Birnin Kebbi to the border and we are discussing with World Bank to finance it. All the studies for it have been carried out including the environmental disclosure. For us to be able to supply energy on that line, we also have to build a 330kV double circuit line from Kainji hydropower plant to Birnin Kebbi which is part of the northern

corridor project of TCN. We have done the feasibility study and what AfDB is waitin for is the validation of the feasibility study which we have hired a consultant to do hat. We are at the final stage of completing the procurement of that contract,” Mohammed explained.

Meanwhile, operational reports from the power sector advisory team in the Office of the Vice-President for the first three days in April have shown that Nigeria’s electricity market lost a total of N2.877 billion to gas shortage and other constraints in the sector.

The reports also noted that the sector could not generate up to 5,993 megawatts (MW) of power into the national grid within the period, adding that both water, distribution and transmission constraints were responsible.

It said on April 1, the sector could not generate 1,946MW of electricity thereby losing N934 million; on April 2, it lost 1,942MW and N932 million; and then on April 3, it failed to earn N1.011 billion because it could not generate and sell 2105MW of power.

NDDC, Local Content Taxes Are Major Challenges of Oil Industry, Says Baru Chineme Okafor ÓØ ÌßÔË The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, has said the major complaints of operators in Nigeria’s oil industry were more about multiple taxes levied on them.

Baru said these taxations include payments made to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) otherwise called the Local Content Board.

A statement from the Group General Manager Public Affairs of the NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, yesterday in Abuja quoted Baru to have said this when he met with consultants to the National Assembly on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) He reportedly told the team of consultants led by the lead consultant and former Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Osteen Olorunsola, to take a comprehensive look at the issues in the oil and gas sector and make bold recommendations that could engender enduring reforms in the sector.

Baru said with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) which deals with the governance structure of the industry by the National Assembly, the remaining two segments of fiscal terms and host communities would require extensive consultation to aggregate views and opinions of industry

stakeholders in order to strike a balance that could attract investments while ensuring a decent government take in terms of oil and gas revenue.

He specifically said the major complaint by operators in the industry was that of multiple taxation which include statutory contributions to the NDDC and NCDMB, as well as sundry expenses on security.

According to him, “We have to be able to design a system that works. If the three per cent, 13 per cent or any other statutory allocation for development is not working, then you should not be afraid to recommend a percentage that could work to replace the present system where operators pay multiple taxes and yet have to pay much more extra to secure their investments.”

He said the NNPC was interested in the segment of the PIB that relates to the fiscal terms and was ready to spend considerable time and efforts to ensure that the National Assembly got it right in the interest of Nigeria.

He stated that the NNPC would work very closely with the consultants to arrive at models that can respond to future challenges in the industry.

The statement also quoted Olorunsola, to have told Baru that the essence of the team’s meeting with him was to get inputs that would help them come up with a comprehensive and balanced report to guide the National Assembly in its legislative work on the remaining parts of bill.

BRIEFING THE PRESS

L-R: Chairman, Organising Committee, 2018 Lagos State Security Summit, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje; Executive Secretary/C.E.O, Lagos State SecurityTrust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun; Special Adviser to the Governor on Lagos Global, Prof. Ademola Abass; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan; and Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Olatunji Disu, during a press conference on the 2018 state security summit in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos....yesterday

INEC Gives Election Notice for Ekiti Guber Poll Wants electoral offenders arrested Victor Ogunje ÓØ ÎÙ ÕÓÞÓ The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in Ekiti State yesterday gave notice of election for the July 14 governorship election in the state.

The commission said it carried out the action in consonance with Section 30 of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.

The body also directed the security agencies to monitor those who flout the rules and regulations for the conduct of the election, saying those

who go against it would be prosecuted by the security agency.

The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Prof. AbdulGaniyi Raji, who released the 90 days notice of election at the INEC headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, urged the people of the state who are yet to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to do so for the purpose of the governorship election.

Raji revealed that over 513,000 PVCs have been collected as at March, 2018,

noting that there were still about 221 PVCs yet to be collected in the state.

He said the figure, includes the remaining ones after the last general election held in the state.

The INEC boss said the campaign for political parties would starts in the state April 15, 2018, while the governorship election would be held on July 14, 2018.

He further stated that training of INEC staff has started for the election including the ad-hoc staff

to be used which includes the members of the NYSC. The INEC boss, called on the political parties to submit the lists of their party agents on the stipulated date, saying any political party who fails to do so would not have party agents for the election.

Raji further called on voters in the state to go to their wards and local government to register to vote at the election saying that the electoral commission would make the PVCs ready for the collection, by those who have registered.

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NEWSXTRA

Ex-Tanzanian President Lists Impediments to Investing in Africa John Shiklam ÓØ ËÎßØË Former Tanzanian President, Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, yesterday listed insecurity, poor infrastructure and lack of technical manpower as impediments militating against investment in Africa.

In his keynote address at the third Kaduna Investment Forum (KADINVEST) yesterday in Kaduna, Kikwete said African countries face very daunting challenges in investment due to

lack of basic infrastructures like electricity, efficient transportation system and skilled technical manpower that encourage foreign investments.

He said peace and stability are also key to investment, stressing that no investor would want to do business in an environment where his business would be threatened.

According to him, “A conducive investment environment is a very critical factor if you have a lot to offer,

Anyaoku Mourns Winnie Mandela Former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has described the death of Winnie MadikizelaMandela as the exit of a true champion of the struggle for the freedom and dignity of Africans against the inhuman policy of apartheid that existed in South Africa.

Anyaoku, in a statement issued yesterday, pointed out that Winnie was for many years, the soul and public face of the anti-apartheid struggle while her husband, Nelson Mandela, was in prison.

He said: “Her sacrifice to the struggle was immense.

For example, she suffered banishment by the apartheid regime to a solitary area in Brandfort for a number of years.

“I remember the iconic and unforgettable picture of Winnie and Nelson Mandela walking

hand in hand from Victor Verster prison on the day of Nelson’s release in February 1990 after 27 years as a prisoner.

“And I recall with nostalgia her grace and dignity at my very first official dinner as Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral which my wife and I hosted in London on July 5, 1990, in honour of Nelson and Winnie Mandela.

“Winnie’s passing is indeed an exit of a true champion of the struggle for the freedom and dignity of Africans against the inhuman policy of apartheid that existed in South Africa then.

“My wife and I join her two daughters, Zenani and Zindziwa, and all the people of South Africa in mourning the demise of a woman who, notwithstanding her human frailties, was indeed a great historic figure.”

but if the investments climate is not conducive, people will not come.

“I have learnt from experience of promoting investments for my country, Tanzania, that notwithstanding, a conducive investment environment is a very critical factor for investments’ opportunities “If you have a lot to offer, but the investments climate is not conducive, people will not come. Perhaps this is the most important factor that business people give closest attention to and very serious consideration when choosing where to direct their investment it is almost a make or break factor which is the ultimate.”

Emphasising on the key role of investments in the development of countries, he noted that “it takes investments to have a wellfunctioning government, defence and security establishment, parliament, courts of law to provide services to the people and ensure progress, security,

safety and justice in the society...”

He called for massive infrastructural development to boost investments opportunities and facilitate speedy development of African countries.

The ex-president commended the Nigerian Government for the steps taken to promote investments in the country.

Kikwete also commended the Kaduna State Government for creating the necessary environment for investments to thrive in the state.

“When they say we are going to Kaduna, the first question they ask is: ‘What is there? Why should we go there? What are we going to benefit from there?

“I am glad the state government appreciates this fact in the KADIPA document called ‘Invest in Kaduna State’ prepared for this forum. The investments opportunities that the state has to offer have been very well narrated in it.

“There is an enormous

investment opportunities; the governor has elaborated on that very important aspect, therefore it makes a lot of economic sense for investors to decide to invest in this state. They will not regret,” he said.

Also, in a goodwill he sent, President Muhammadu Buhari said the federal government is encouraging similar initiatives across the sub-national level to create jobs and prosperity for the people.

He said the implementation of the economic recovery and growth plan of his administration requires significant investment by the government and the private sector to build infrastructure and diversify the economy.

He said: “Consistent with this goal, the federal government is pushing forward an aggressive plan to make it easier to do business in Nigeria. Key agencies are committed to milestones and measures to reduce waiting times for government approval, and

remove as many impediments to business as we can safely and prudently do.”

Speaking earlier, the state Governor, Mallam Nasir ElRufai, said the state government would require about $ 65.5 billion to address the challenges of infrastructure in the next 30 years.

He said the long term infrastructure master plan summarised the infrastructure target of the state, aimed at providing job opportunities and making lives better for the people.

The governor said his administration had attracted investments into the state in the last two years with 79 per cent coming from outside the country.

He said in order to encourage domestic investment in the state, the government is focusing on building human capital by engaging in different activities where young people are willing to be employed in businesses.

Milan Nigeria Still under Receivership, Manager Insists Obinna Chima Kunle Ogunba & Associates yesterday urged members of the public to disregard the news making the rounds that Milan Industries Limited, owners of Lagos Continental Hotel, is no longer under receivership.

The law firm in a statement reiterated the fact that the huge outstanding indebtedness of Milan Nigeria Limited remains unpaid and that the receiver/manager appointed by the court remains firmly in control of the affairs of the hotel.

It explained: “Our attention has been drawn to a news report circulating to the effect that Milan Industries Limited is no longer in receivership. “We hereby urge the discerning members of the public to ignore such statements as it is clearly untrue. While we do not want to join issues with the peddlers of such untrue statements, are reiterate the fact that the huge outstanding indebtedness of Milan Nigeria Limited remains unpaid and the receiver/manager appointed out of court remains firmly in control of the affairs of the hotel as at this moment.

“Even though the court

affirmed the right of our bank to appoint a receiver/ manager and also held that the debt is due for payment contrary to the contention of Milan Industries Limited, it however struck out the suit for some perceived procedural irregularities.

“Our lawyers have been on top of the situation and have since filed requisite appellate and interlocutory processes to legally rectify this anomaly.

“We state that since the debt was secured out of court and the fact that the receiver/ manager was also appointed out of court, the proceedings which merely seeks protection prior to take over becomes otiose after the successful take over of the hotel in the circumstance.”

Kunle Ogunba & Associates pointed out that an entity that is a debtor is responsibly expected to own up to and pay up its debt “and not expected to play to the gallery by the empty victory which cannot under any guise obliterate its debts.

“We would be glad to countenance any evidence of the payment of the debt or any semblance of a genuine attempt to liquidate the debt for the benefit of the discerning public.

“Milan Industries Limited (Lagos Continental Hotel) remains in receivership, please.”

45 HEARTY CHEERS

The Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to President Muhammadu Buhari, Col. Mohammed Lawal Abubakar, receiving a birthday card from the Chairman, State House Press Corps, Alhaji Ubale Musa, as he turns 45 years at the State House in Abuja.....yesterday

Nigeria Begins Profiling of NGOs to Combat Terrorism Financing Alex Enumah ÓØ ÌßÔË As part of measures aimed at tackling illicit flow of funds in the country, the federal government disclosed yesterday in Abuja that it had begun the profiling of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country to determine their level of vulnerability as conduit for money laundering as well as terrorism financing.

The Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Francis Usani, who disclosed this at a workshop on ‘Development of Effective Frameworks and Structure to Fight against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing through Non Profit Organisations (NPOs)’, said the move was not to stifle the operations of NGOs but to make them less susceptible to criminals.

“Recently, the budget office was doing something to address

some deficient NGOs and also engaging the NFIU to profile some NGOs in the country.

“I think this is going to be a continuous exercise to profile and see the NGOs that are actually committed to their main cause and those not committed to any cause will probably be delisted and maybe their registrations removed.

“There has been this clamour and misunderstanding by some NGOs who had come out to oppose the regulations put in place by the government but these are for international best practices but we cannot just let NGOs to run around the streets of Nigeria unmonitored or uncoordinated otherwise this will lead to serious problems.

“The profiling has started; this is my office, and a few days ago, I received a list of NGOs to profile,” he said.

According to Usani, the enormous public trust the sector enjoys both locally and

internationally has made the sector a target by terrorists and other criminals in facilitating their illicit activities.

He, however, sought the collaboration and cooperation of the NGOs in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing within the sector.

“This workshop is for consistency to drive home the message; it is just very crucial that NPOs need to be sensitised because most of them do not really understand their obligations under the AML/ CFT regulations and laws.

“Like obligations to report transactions to the relevant authorities, to keep record of their transactions, as well as to conduct due diligence on their sponsors.

“These are necessary because they could ignorantly receive donor funds from people whose aims are basically to finance terrorism or maybe cause some kind of mayhem.

“They need to be sensitised and made conscious of their responsibilities to enable them report their transactions,” he said.

Similarly, the Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), Kimelabalou Aba, while stating that NPOs play a key role in the development of our countries, lamented that of late, they have been used by terrorists or terrorist organisations to raise funds.

The Director General said it was within that framework that GIABA organised the workshop.

“This workshop is directed towards reporting entities namely NPOs in order to help them to be better equipped so as not to be used for terrorist purposes.

“The FATF recommendations call for countries to put in place rigorous measures to ensure that NPOs are not used for terrorist financing purposes,” he said.

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Buhari Directs NEMA to Assess Damage Caused by Herdsmen-Farmers’ Clashes Omololu Ogunmade ÓØ Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday directed the National Emergency Management Agency

(NEMA) to commence an assessment of the extent of damage done in communities affected by herdsmen-farmers’ clashes in some parts of the country.

Making the disclosure in

DSS, Police Arrest Ekiti Assembly Minority Leader

Abuja during the inaugural meeting of the recently composed Governing Council of NEMA at the Presidential Villa, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said NEMA had a huge role to play in the assessment.

“Mr. President has directed that we do a survey and assessment on the damage done to towns cities, communities that have

been affected by violence in some parts of the country, including the farmersherders clashes. NEMA will play a leading role in this and the presidency will also provide direct support.

“We will involve the people in the affected communities, and not just bring people from outside these communities, in the

rebuilding efforts. We will involve people in these villages, artisans and other people in the communities, with required skills so that they can also benefit economically as we rebuild these communities.”

A statement by the vice-president’s spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande, listed members of the board to include the Director-General

of NEMA; Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Water Resources.

Other members include representatives of the armed forces and the Nigeria Police Force.

Victor Ogunje ÓØ ÎÙ ÕÓÞÓ

New Democrat.

He said the lawmaker For a yet-to-be known might have been arrested offence, the Minority to give clarification on the Leader of the Ekiti State stories.

According to him, the House of Assembly, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogan, has police orderly attached to been arrested by security his brother identified some of agents and immediately the policemen who effected the arrest. whisked to Abuja.

He said: “The security men According to a family source, Aribisogan, who came in a Toyota Hummer defected from the Peoples bus, they did not search the Democratic Party (PDP) to house but they only showed All Progressives Congress their identity cards.

“They left our compound (APC) last year, was arrested at about 6.30a.m. yesterday. around 7.35 a.m., they Aribisogan, who arrived at about 6a.m.”

Some of stories carried by is representing Ikole constituency 1, was New Democrat include the suspended by the lawmakers alleged plan to assassinate who accused him of some prominent figures both disloyalty to Governor in APC and PDP. The paper also reported Ayodele Fayose.

This forced him to defect that a group petitioned the Economic and Financial to APC. Confirming the arrest Crimes Commission (EFCC) to journalists in Ado Ekiti accusing Fayose of using yesterday, the lawmaker’s N1.5 billion belonging to younger brother, Sola, Ekiti State funds to purchase revealed that about 10 an aircraft to the tune of security men from the N1.5 billion.

APC Publicity Secretary, Police Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) and Taiwo Olatunbosun, said Department of State Service although he heard of the arrest but he had not been (DSS) effected the arrest.

Sola disclosed that the briefed.

Olatunbosun said: “I have lawmaker might have been arrested to give clarification not been briefed yet. When I on some “sensitive” stories am briefed, I will react. But carried by his newspaper, I have no reaction for now.”

Catholic Bishop Plans Meeting with Parents of Leah Sharibu David-Chyddy Eleke ÓØ Awka The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has revealed that he plans to meet with the parents of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, who refused to convert to Islam on the prompting of Boko Haram terrorists.

Leah was among 110 girls who were kidnapped by the terrorists from their school in Yobe State, but was not among the 104 freed by the sect for a reason that she refused to dump her Christian faith.

Ezeokafor who spoke at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Awka, said he hoped to see Leah and her family personally.

He described Leah as a living saint, who had done what most Christian adults would not do.

“She has shown that she is faithful. What she did is what many adult Christians would not do.”

The bishop charged the federal government and security agents to double their efforts in getting the young girl freed from her abductors.

“If they can release her colleagues, why can’t they release Leah?

“Nigeria is meant for us all. We should always remember that our country is a secular state where Christianity, Islam and other religious beliefs hold sway. Therefore, none should be given preferential treatment.

“We are appealing to those still holding this innocent girl to use this Easter period to reunite her with her family members.

It also shows that her parents trained her in the ways of God,” Bishop Ezeokafor said.

AGREEMENT SIGNING CEREMONY

L-R: Sustainable Development and Alcohol in Society Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Titilola Alabi; Corporate Relations Director, Viola Graham-Douglas; Chief Executive Officer, Wecyclers, Olawale Adebiyi; and Head, Brand Protection and Corporate Security, Kingsely Onyeoziri; at the signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guinness Nigeria Plc and Wecyclers in Lagos....yesterday

Fashola, Dangote, Ajumogobia, Others to Attend UNILAG Law Faculty Lecture The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN) are among dignitaries expected to grace the second public lecture of the Department of Commercial and Industrial Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The lecture, which will hold on Friday, April 6 at the J. F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium, UNILAG, will have Fashola and Dangote as special guests of honour while Ajumogobia will chair the event.

The lecture, with the theme: ‘Funding Governmental

Services in a Federation: The Inevitable Admixture of Law and Politics,’ will be delivered

by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Ade Ipaye.

Head of Department of the Commercial and Industrial Law, Prof. Ige Bolodeoku, said the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Babatunde Fowler, is also expected to speak at the event.

He said Ipaye, a former Lagos Attorney-General and renowned tax law expert, would examine sources of funding to government from the legal and political perspectives, as well as their adequacy and opportunities.

“The lecture will examine

the legal and political aspects of funding of governmental services. It will look at the challenges, and explore areas Nigeria is doing well and not doing well. Are we underutilising funding opportunities for government? If that is the case, what can be done?

“The lecture will look at policy and public expectations.

Are the people overtaxed? Is there is justification for paying more or less? We believe the lecture will open a fresh vista on what we should do going forward. It will also educate those in government on areas they could look at and how to be more efficient,” Bolodeoku said.

The professor of law said

there was the need to examine how the government can generate enough revenue to meet the country’s infrastructure gaps, as well as citizens role within the political and legal contexts.

He said the speakers and guests are expected to share their experiences from the private and public sectors, while the legal experts would dissect the relevant laws and map out the way forward.

“The lecture will help those in academics know where to intervene as researchers and be able to articulate properly how relevant laws can be made more effective. Without practical experiences, we’ll only be postulating,” he said.

Methodist Church Holds Its Annual Synod All is now set for the 12th annual synod of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos West.

The three-day event coming up at Methodist Cathedral, Palm – Avenue, Mushin, Lagos will kick off today with the ministerial and lay sessions.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, is expected to declare the synod open during the opening ceremony tomorrow while the synod programme

will be rounded off with a thanksgiving service on April 8 at the same venue during the 10 a.m. service.

The Public Relations Officer of the church, Abiona Babarinde, said the theme for this year’s synod: ‘Strive for peace and Holiness’ has been prayerfully selected to challenge the citizenry of this great country, Nigeria to turn to God, seek for peace and be holy.

According to the chief host of the synod, the Diocesan

Bishop, Rt. Revd. Oluyemisi Ogunlere, he said: “The promise of God to us as a nation and the whole world in general is to bring a total stoppage to all the calamities in our land, all natural disasters and self destructions around us and ultimately turn all our challenges to opportunities with the new things that God will do in our lives as his beloved children. As Methodist, we’ve challenged ourselves to take a position on how best we can

create and add value to our immediate societies by bringing it to the front burner at this year’s Synod of the Diocese and pray for peace and togetherness among nations all over the world especially in our dear country Nigeria.”

This year’s synod is expected to attract notable personalities within and outside the Methodist family to be led

by Dr. Samuel Uche, Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, amongs others.

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Sokoto to Repeal Obsolete Laws as IGR Jumps by 98% Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has said his administration has begun the process of repealing obsolete laws hampering effective revenue generation in Sokoto State.

To this end, a bill that would soon be sent to the state House of Assembly for passage into law is being perfected by legal and tax officers who are expected to complete their assignment in due course.

A statement issued in Sokoto yesterday by the governor’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said Tambuwal spoke after a

meeting with officials of the interim management committee of the state board of internal revenue.

“We have recorded modest achievements in revenue generation in the last year but I have to admit we have our sights set on far higher targets.

“In 2017, we achieved 98.40 per cent annual growth on our internally generated revenue (IGR) compared to previous year. This followed the intervention we put in place by appointing new officers to head the revenue generating agency in the state.

“We will continue to support

your work by giving you all the necessary tools to succeed. We will also institutionalise these achievements by passing relevant laws that will move revenue generation forward,” the governor added.

He said a situation where some of the state laws being in operation since the 70s cannot meet up with the requirement of modern governance.

Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that Sokoto State achieved a 98.40 per cent increase in its 2017 IGR, netting in a total of N9.02 billion into its coffer.

Edo Fertilizer Plant Begins Sales to Farmers Adibe Emenyonu ÓØ ÏØÓØ ÓÞã As the 2018 planting season commenced, the Edo State Government has said its Fertilizer and Chemical Company in Auchi has produced adequate fertilizer to serve farmers both within and neighbouring states In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Programme, Prince Joe Okogie, the state government said the plant, which is run in partnership with WACOT Limited, is currently selling NPK fertilizer to farmers in the state, calling on more farmers to patronise its products.

According to Okogie, “We are delighted to announce to farmers in the state that the Edo Fertilizer Plant in Auchi is not just up and running, but that its storehouse is filled with fertilizer ready for sale.

So, we are calling on farmers who are in need of fertilizer to head down to the plant in Auchi to make purchases.”

He said aside selling to farmers, the plant will also supply fertilizer to the various agricultural initiatives being championed by Obaseki’s administration in its quest to ensure food security and boost employment generation.

According to him, “We have maintained a steady narrative in our quest to drive socio-economic

growth through agricultural development. This is to ensure that we tap from the inherent job creating opportunities in agriculture to engage youths and attain food security. So, for the fertilizer plant in Auchi, some farmers are already visiting the facility to make purchases, and we are glad the revamp of that plant has been a success story till date.”

He added that the coming on stream of the plant would not only boost agricultural activities in the state, but also attract more investors in agribusiness to tap from the conducive climate and availability of essential inputs and other business-enablers for increased productivity and profitability.

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Bauchi Group Faults FG for Labelling Bala Mohammed Treasury Looter Chineme Okafor ÓØ ÌßÔË A Coalition of Bauchi Political Stakeholders yesterday condemned the federal government’s claim last week that a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, was one of the officials in the government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan that stole huge amount of money from treasury.

The coalition comprising 170 political players, in a statement they all signed, stated that the government’s recent disclosure in a list it released and containing people it said stole money from the government was part of attempt to deflect the failings of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and that of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi.

They equally stated that the list and its claims were derogatory, as well as an attempt to tarnish the person of Mohammed whom they advised to sue the government and its Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammed.

Some of those who signed the statement included the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hamza Akuyam, his deputy, Garba Dahiru; and the secretary of the party in the state, Sani Madachi, among others.

They said: “Since the emergence of the APC-led federal government, it has engaged in a blame game of unprecedented proportions, all in an effort to cover its failure to deliver on its electoral promises.

“With every passing day, Nigerians are regaled with hackneyed tales of how it would take eternity to rebuild the economy, a situation that betrays the insincerity of the party while making promises that, to the trained eye and honest participants were either based on sheer ignorance or outright mischief.”

According to them, “We always knew that, boxed into a corner by a hardly convinced populace, the APC government would, sooner than later, intensify the onslaught on the opposition. However, even as we recognised the penchant of the administration’s Goebbels for lie telling, never could we have imagined the descent into crude obfuscation and disregard for the rule of law by Lai Mohammed, the government’s information minister and propagandist.

“As it stands, with the recent release of his list of so-called ‘treasury looters’ in which he included Senator Bala Mohammed, we want to state that not just has he run out of ideas, he has indeed taken this assault on civil liberties to a very dangerous and unacceptable high point.”

They noted that, “In his second list, he accused Bala Mohammed of looting the sum of N5 billion. But he does not disclose whether that is the cash recovered from him or the value of

assets summarily forfeited to the federal government.

“As members of Bala Mohammed’s constituency in Bauchi, we condemn the unguarded utterances of Alhaji Lai Mohammed in the strongest terms possible.

“While we do not intend to throw civility to the winds as Lai Mohammed has consistently done, it is our considered view that, to allow his fabrications and hallucinations to go unchallenged will destroy the foundations of our civil liberties and Bala Mohammed’s sterling reputation as a patriotic and honest Nigerian.”

They explained that Lai Mohammed’s recent statement on the people that stole

government’s money was faulty on at least four grounds which included disregard for rule of law; inconsistencies; deception; and character assassination.

“Our legal system presumes an accused innocent until proved guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. It is a well known fact that there are ongoing cases brought up against Bala Mohammed by agents of the federal government, in at least two high courts.

“It is also a well known fact that the former minister denies all the allegations and is vigorously defending his honour and reputation in court.

It is also a fact that, to the best of our knowledge, no court has found Bala Mohammed

guilty. Pray, on what ground is Lai Mohammed describing him as a “treasury looter”?,” the group said.

They further stated: “We ask the public to take note of the inconsistent facts and figures being dished out by agents of the federal government on Bala Mohammed. Until Lai Mohammed’s N5 billion bombshell, the figure being bandied by the federal government was N853,000,000.”

“Why would Lai Mohammed, against the facts, engage in this ridiculous manipulation of the facts? Why would a highly placed government minister show such brazen disregard for the truth and contempt for the legal system? Why has the APC adopted deception as a

governance mantra? Or are we to believe that change and deception go hand in hand?

The answer is not far-fetched.

The time of reckoning, when the electorate will interrogate the agents of dubious change, is near.

“Challenged on every electoral promise, the APC has resorted to how it started out: deception. That explains the fact that, with just a year left, the administration is still shouting the name of former President Jonathan as if he is still in power! The greater pity is that they seem incapable of accepting that the strategy is not just working; that the people are not convinced,” they added.

According to the group, “The people of Bauchi have great

respect for President Buhari.

Yet those openly persecuting Bala Mohammed on the altar of political convenience should retrace their steps otherwise they will definitely reap the reward of their indiscretion in 2019.

“Meanwhile, we call on Senator Bala Mohammed’s lawyers to immediately institute a case against Lai Mohammed for contempt.

“With tempers flaring up all over the country on account of sundry misgivings, Lai Mohammed’s hate speeches carry the risk of fanning the embers of distrust and political instability. As stakeholders who voted overwhelmingly for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, we call on him to call Lai Mohammed to order.”

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 08111813083 SMS ONLY

Okocha Brought Magic to EPL, Says Phil Brown Femi Solaja with agency report Former Super Eagles Captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha has been described as an iconic star who brought magic to the English Premier League.

Okocha featured at three World Cups for Nigeria and played for PSG, Fenerbache and Bolton Wanderers.

Phil Brown, who signed Okocha at Hull City, made the declaration yesterday during a special interview monitored on SuperSport TV, showcasing the former Nigerian international and his nephew Alex Iwobi of Arsenal.

“He was one of the iconic footballers who hit the Premier League,” saluted Phil brown, who worked as assistant manager during the four seasons Okocha was at Bolton Wanderers.

“He brought magic to the Premier League.”

Kevin Nolan played alongside Okocha at Bolton and simply described him

as “a magician”.

Former Arsenal and Cameroon defender Lauren Etame-Mayer played against Okocha at the 2000 AFCON final in Lagos. He said of the one-time Eagles skipper: “He was one of the best-ever African players.”

Meanwhile, Okocha has opened up on his nephew Alex Iwobi, describing the rise of the Arsenal player as “amazing”.

He has been busting with pride for the son of his older sister so much so he is now an Arsenal fan.

“It is amazing what he has become and he’s enjoying what he is doing,” Okocha said in the special interview.

“It’s even beyond your wildest dreams.

“But I knew (he will make it big in the game) because he had so much interest in football.

“His favourite then was Alan Shearer because he scored a lot of goals.”

But Okocha insisted that despite the pressure Iwobi

has to face when he is often compared with him, the Arsenal star has to be himself.

“Let him be his own man,” stressed the mercurial former midfielder.

“He’s my son, I speak a lot with his parents about him,

it’s my duty to make sure he is successful,” Okocha insisted.

Alex Iwobi also revealed in that interview on SuperSport that he does not ask for advice from “Uncle Jay rather he gives me advice”.

Also speaking on the rise

of the junior Iwobi, Alex’s mother revealed she was close to tears when he made his Arsenal debut.

“It was very emotional because we have come a long way,” she recalled.

“I almost cried. It has been

unbelievable!”

She and her husband were in the crowd at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo last October when Iwobi scored the goal against Zambia that qualified Nigeria to this year’s World Cup in Russia.

Mo Salah (2nd left) scored the opening goal as Liverpool defeated Man City 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg clash last night

Champions League: Brilliant Reds Hammer City 3-0, Barca Beats Roma Okocha

SWAN Reappoints Wike as Sole Patron Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The National Executive Committee of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has re-validated Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike as the sole patron of the association.

This as the Rivers State Chapter of SWAN conferred on the governor the position of Grand Patron.

Performing the re-validation of Rivers State Governor as Sole Patron of SWAN yesterday at the Government House Port Harcourt, National President of SWAN, Mr Honour Sirawoo, said 19 out of the 22 members of the National Executive Committee voted in favour of the exercise.

He said that SWAN had to embark on the re-validation of Patrons, because many of her patrons are no longer functional.

“As at this moment, Governor Wike is the only authentic SWAN Patron. What Governor Wike has done for sports development is fantastic.

“This is a call for greater service to the association. We rely on our patrons to play our role in sports development,” he said.

Responding, Governor Wike stated that the honour is to Rivers State because he is a symbol of the state.

He pledged to continue to work for sports development, noting that sports is a national unifier.

He said: “One thing that unites the country is sports.

Anybody who believes in the unity of the country has no option but to support sports”.

He said the way SWAN has been promoting sports is commendable and urged the association to remain focused in sports development to the advantage of the country.

The governor assured sports body that the Rivers State Government would never betray the confidence of SWAN. Wike commended the National Executive Committee of SWAN for their role in the award of Power of Sports by the International Sports Press Association slated for Brussels on May 8, 2018.

Former SWAN National Presidents, Saidu Abubakar, Olu Amadasun and Steve Alabi in their separate remarks said Wike merits the honour by the National Executive Committee of SWAN. Earlier, the Rivers State SWAN Chairman, Mr Sopriala Bob-Manuel recounted the achievements of the Rivers State governor, which formed the premise upon which the association decided to make him their grand patron.

Liverpool took control of its Champions League quarterfinal tie with a stunning 3-0 first-leg victory over Manchester City at Anfield last night.

Mohamed Salah set the hosts on their way in an incredible opening half an hour with a cool close-range finish.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain then thumped home from outside the area before Sadio Mane headed in a third.

Manchester City dominated after the break and Gabriel Jesus had the ball in the net but it was ruled offside.

It means the Premier League leaders need a big win in the second leg, which takes place at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, April 10 where City won 5-0 in the Premier League in September.

Pep Guardiola’s men have swept aside so many teams this season, with very few finding a way to counter their dominance on the ball and their devastating quality in attack.

Most attempt to contain them but Liverpool got at Manchester City from the off and immediately had the

visitors rattled.

City did not manage a single attempt on target in a first half Liverpool completely controlled but came into it more as the hosts, who lost Salah to injury, tired in the second period.

A goal for the visitors would have given them real hope of overturning the deficit but for all their possession they found themselves continually frustrated by the Liverpool defence and the hosts celebrated a huge result at the final whistle.

Elsewhere on the night, Luis Suarez scored his first

Champions League goal in more than a year as Barcelona beat Roma 4-1 convincingly in the quarter-final first leg.

Barca benefitted from two own goals to take control of the tie.

RESULTS Liverpool 3-0 Man City Barca 4-1 Roma

EUROPA FIXTURES Arsenal Vs CSKA Atletico Vs Sporting Lazio Vs Salzburg Leipzig Vs Marseille

NPFL: Red Hot Lokosa Hits Goal Number 14 for Kano Pillars Junior Lokosa yesterday fired his 14th goal of the season as Kano Pillars trounced FC Ifeanyiubah 4-0 in continuation of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

However, Lobi Stars maintained top spot after they drew 1-1 at Abia Warriors.

Lobi Stars now have 27 points from 15 matches.

Pillars shot to second spot after they dispatched visiting FC Ifeanyiubah with the league leading scorer Lokosa netting a brace.

Lokosa first scored from the penalty spot after 66 minutes, before he completed his brace four minutes later. The other scorers for Pillars were Ali Mallam and Nwagua.

In Enugu, Rangers crushed Yobe Desert Stars 3-0 at the Cathedral while Rivers United were 2-0 winners at home to Heartland.

Nasarawa United stopped Katsina United 2-1 in Lafia, while Sunshine Stars were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom team Kwara United.

MATCH DAY 15 Sunshine 2-2 Kwara Utd Nasarawa 2-1 Katsina Utd K’Pillars 4-0 Ifeanyiubah Rangers 3-0 Yobe Stars Rivers Utd 2-0 Heartland Abia Warriors 1-1 Lobi

CAF Confed Cup: Enyimba Departs for Johannesburg Enyimba Football Club left Lagos yesterday for Johannesburg, South Africa to honour the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup Round of 16 tie with Bidvest Wits.

The two-time African champions were drawn against the reigning South African PSL champions in last month’s draw in Cairo, and will play the first leg at the Milpark Stadium in

Johannesburg on Friday, April 6.

The team comprised of 18 players and the technical crew departed the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos last night.

The contingent was in high spirit ahead of the game, with the players in particular, relishing the challenge of making names for themselves on the continent.

Nigeria’s Music Star, Flavour (left), cheered the Rangers to victory against Yobe Desert Stars during the NPFL Match-day 15 in Enugu… yesterday

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MISSILE Adebanwi to Adebanjo “There is a certain joy that politics brings to Adebanjo which triumphs over all the disappointments and the disabilities of the political system; there is a certain peace that his moral vision invests him with that is undisturbed by the perennial crises and political violence that he has lived through and that surround him” – Oxford University Professor, Wale Adebanwi at the 90th birthday book presentation of foremost Awoist, Chief Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos on Tuesday.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI Beyond The Banditry in Zamfara THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

I

n what can be described as a vote of no confidence in the capacity of the Nigerian authorities to protect his people, the Emir of Anka, Zamfara State, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, last week threatened to seek the intervention of the United Nations (UN) to end the ceaseless attacks on his domain by gunmen. And in an apparent response to that desperation, Governor Abdulazeez Yari has directed security agents in the state to shoot and kill anyone caught carrying firearms. “This is an order from the president and from the governor of the state,” said Yari who added, “We cannot continue to watch criminals as a parallel government, doing what they want and carrying sophisticated firearms, maiming and killing innocent citizens in the state.”

Since Yari spends most of his time in Abuja as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), it is no surprise that bandits have practically taken over his state. But his order means nothing given how badly things have degenerated in Zamfara in the last couple of months. Not only have hundreds of innocent villagers lost their lives to the activities of these gunmen, there is now a feeling of helplessness by majority of the people in the rural areas.

From cattle rustling to kidnappings and armed robbery, these gangsters roam the streets of Zamfara villages freely, carrying out deadly raids and forcing the dwellers to flee for their lives.

In trying to interrogate the Zamfara crisis, I have found out that there is a nexus between illegal mining for which the state is very notorious and the level of criminality. “It is the criminal gangs behind illegal mining that supply most of the arms and they have godfathers among prominent people in Zamfara”, said a prominent northern politician with whom I recently discussed the issue. He told me that when President Muhammadu Buhari visited the state a month ago, a man shared with him and his audience the story of what happened in Birani community where several people were killed execution-style by bandits who had sent message ahead that they were coming.

Incidentally, the mining communities are also not immune from the activities of these bandits. On 8th November 2016, no fewer than 45 illegal gold miners were killed in Bindim Village, in Maru Local Government Area of the state. According to a survivor of the afternoon attack, the bandits, numbering about 50, cordoned off the entire area before ransacking the mines, demanding for gold and other precious stones from the miners. There is nothing to suggest that the culprits were ever arrested despite the pledge made by the police.

The entrepreneurs of violence in Zamfara and environs feel emboldened because they see themselves above the law and in a way, they are. In September last year, military troops working with the Department of State Service (DSS) arrested two suspected illegal arms dealers along Funtua-Gusau road. According to Army spokesman, Brigadier-General Sani Usman,

Yari preliminary investigation confirmed that the suspects, who drove a Golf Volkswagen car containing 1,479 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, were on their way to deliver the weapons to armed bandits. Nothing was ever heard about the case again.

That perhaps explains why the bandits now thumb their noses at the security agencies. Early in February this year, the Zamfara State Police Command issued a two-week ultimatum to individuals in possession of fire arms, to surrender them. “The ultimatum will commence from today, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018; therefore the outlawed groups, especially herders, farmers, yansakai, repentant bandits, vigilante and militia groups, which activities are not in conformity with the laws of the land, should abide by this directives,” the police statement read yet the criminals are still in business, operating in broad daylight.

However, that the problem is not restricted to Zamfara can be glimpsed from what is happening in Kaduna State. When in February 2014, the Emir of Birnin Gwari spoke about criminality in his domain and the activities of cattle rustlers, he said: “They are in control of one village called Jan Birni. You can’t go there now if you are not a thief. If they don’t know you, they may kill you. These rustlers don’t care whether you put fire on your cattle, they will whisk them away. If your cattle are branded, they will slaughter them, cut them up and sell them in pieces. If you go to Birnin Gwari-Funtua axis, they are gradually taking over all villages and towns along the roads. They come out on market days and brandish their weapons without a care…”

Four years later in March 2018, just about three weeks ago at Kampanin Doka Village in the same Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area, 12 soldiers, deployed to protect expatriates and people working on a new road linking the state via Dansadau-Dangulbi and Birnin-Gwari to neighbouring Zamfara State, were brutally hacked to death by these

bandits. There is also nothing to suggest that the culprits have been apprehended.

That prompted the Emir of Birnin Gwari, to insist on self-defence by his people.

Indeed, what the emir told Daily Trust newspaper last weej sums up the state of our nation today: “A month ago, in one area called Anguwan Gajere, the bandits attacked a village, and the villagers fought back. In the process they killed more bandits than the people of the town. All of a sudden, we were told that the people who came were Fulani men, and Miyetti Allah was in the vanguard of protecting them. What we have been preaching to our people is that they should not sit down like fools and watch themselves and their families get killed. We can’t be fools to wait for somebody that will not come. Nobody can stop me from telling my people to protect themselves. And that is what we are doing now, because the policemen that are in Birnin Gwari cannot protect. The soldiers that are being brought sometimes make matters worse.”

That we have a serious national security challenge is an understatement but the situation is not hopeless if only President Buhari will rise to the occasion. First, he must recognize that many people, from a former Army Chief to respected emirs, have lost faith in the institutions that are meant to protect the people. Therefore, he must recognize that throwing $1 billion at them offers no real solution. He needs to do certain things. One, he has to revamp and reconstitute his entire national security team both for competence and inclusiveness so as to earn the trust of the Nigerian people. Two, he has to move the issue of recharging Lake Chad beyond rhetoric. It is both an economic and security challenge and he must lead the efforts for solution.

Three, he needs to show more commitment to the Great Green Wall Project while encouraging the governors in the region to embark on massive tree planting to combat desertification. Four, there should be serious investment in education, especially in the region and on this score, many of the governors need to be more serious.

Five, and this is a potentially explosive one: The authorities must work towards the safe return of Leah Sharibu, the lone Dapchi girl still with the insurgents on account of her Christian faith. Six, there is no way we can tackle the security challenge in the North without paying attention to cross-border activities.

Nigeria, I understand, has 149 borders with neighbouring countries but most of them are regarded as the easiest crossing points in the world, essentially due to corruption. That then explains why smuggling of contraband goods, human trafficking and mercenary activities are directly linked to these porous borders.

But it is also important that we put the issue in context, especially regarding the North. The vast expanse of land in the region makes the terrain more difficult to secure than the South. For instance, whereas the total landmass of Lagos State is 3,345 square kilometres, Niger State alone has

a landmass of 76,363 square kilometres!

In fact, the first 13 biggest states in the country in terms of landmass are from the North.

Aside Niger which comes first, the others are: Taraba State, 54,473 square kilometres; Kaduna State, 46,053 square kilometres; Bauchi State, 45,837 square kilometres; Yobe State, 45,502 square kilometres; Zamfara State, 39,762 square kilometres, Adamawa State, 39,917 square kilometres; Kwara State, 36,825 square kilometres; Kebbi State, 36,800 square kilometres; Benue State, 34,059 square kilometres; Plateau State, 30,913 square kilometres; Kogi State, 29,833 square kilometres. I must state here that this has nothing to do with population distribution which explains why Kano State ranks number 20, with a landmass of 20,131 square kilometres.

The vast land in the North which should be an asset as we seek to boost food security and get our young population gainfully employed in agriculture is now endangered.

And it should worry all critical stakeholders that millions of our people are being denied their means of livelihood and hundreds are being killed in cold blood almost on a daily basis. The challenge is that we have overstretched the military with a task of internal security while the police personnel are saddled with performing guard duties for our very-important-persons (VIPs) and unauthorized persons.

While the security challenge is national, the gravity of the northern situation was brought to the fore in 2014 by respected retired federal permanent secretary, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, who is currently the Chief of Staff to the Senate President.

While lamenting how rustlers carted away his herds, he also painted a pathetic picture of the security situation in many of the northern states: “For almost 400 square kilometers, from Abuja to Kaduna, Zaria and Birnin Gwari, there is hardly any farm with cattle [left]. It is the same in most parts of Katsina and Zamfara states.

The backbone of the northern economy is farming and husbandry. Not anymore. We cannot keep cattle on our farms. Large scale farming is becoming less and less attractive. A huge swathe of the north is now bandit territory…”

What the foregoing says, as I tried to explain last week, is that whether in the south or in the north, we have a serious crisis that is predicated on the fact that the security apparatus of state is fast losing its monopoly of violence to sundry criminal cartels. And to arrest the drift, it would take the collaboration of all the critical stakeholders, including the media and the civil society. But President Buhari has to lead the charge. He must understand that the culture of impunity which pervades all sections of our country today will not end until people with criminal tendencies realise that when they infringe on the law, there is certainty of punishment.

NOTE: My tribute to Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who clocked 90 on Tuesday, is on page 14.

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