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At $47.3bn, Nigeria’s Foreign Reserves Hit Five-year High Ndubuisi Francis, Obinna Chima and Nume Ekeghe in Uyo Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele yesterday said the country’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves had risen to

$47.3 billion as of April 5. The last time the country recorded FX reserves at this level was in July 2013. Speaking at a seminar for Finance Correspondents and Business Editors in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Emefiele, who was represented by the new

Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Mr. Edward Adamu, was also upbeat that the reserves would continue rise to about $50 billion “sometime later this year”. At $47.3 billion, the country’s reserves are still below that of South Africa’s

whose gross reserves currently stand at $50 billion. Accretion of the country’s reserves in recent months have been driven by its successful Eurobond offerings, coupled with higher oil production and prices. At the two-day seminar,

Emefiele was also optimistic that inflationary pressure would continue to ease, anticipating that it may return to very low double digit or high single digit levels during the year. He, however, called for more vigilance by policy makers to

ensure that the country does not slip again into a recession. The CBN governor said: “We expect a re-doubling of strong policy coordination, collaboration and cooperation which flourished during the Continued on page 6

Shell Paid $4.32bn to Nigerian Government in 2017, Says Oil Giant… Page 10 Tuesday 10 April, 2018 Vol 23. No 8391. Price: N250

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Taraba Killings: Army Sets up Panel to Probe Allegation by Danjuma on Soldiers’ Collusion. … Page 42

In a Surprise Announcement, Buhari Says He’ll Seek Re-election in 2019 Kano residents jubilant, stocks drop to three-month low APC reverses tenure extension, grants waivers to Exco members to re-contest He has not secured party’s ticket yet, says PDP Omololu Ogunmade, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja, Victor Ogunje in Ado-Ekiti and Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

re-election in the 2019 polls. Buhari, who made the declaration at the resumed meeting of the National

After months of speculation about his real intention, President Muhammadu Buhari surprised the leadership and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party’s secretariat in Abuja yesterday when he informed them of his intention to seek

See more reactions on page 43 Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC, took party members completely unawares as they were not expecting him to Continued on page 6

After Senate Rumble, Presidency Says Buhari Yet to Authorise $1bn Withdrawal from ECA

Says president is ready to present request for N’Assembly approval Omololu Ogunmade and Damilola Oyedele in Abuja Following the confirmation by the Senate yesterday that it was going to debate the approval given by President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for arms procurement to combat the insurgency and insecurity in the North-east

and other parts of the country, the presidency rushed to clarify that the president had not yet authorised the disbursement of the sum. The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at the weekend, had also revealed that his colleagues were angry that Buhari had given the green light on the Continued on page 6

BUHARI WANTS A SECOND CHANCE... President Muhammadu Buhari, announcing his re-election bid during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), held in Abuja… yesterday godwin omoigui

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PAGE SIX IN A SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT, BUHARI SAYS HE’LL SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2019 speak on his 2019 presidential bid. He informed them that his decision to make another bid for the presidency was in response to the clamour by Nigerians for him to re-contest in 2019. A brief statement by his Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, said using the platform of the NEC meeting to make the declaration was predicated on the president’s decision to give the committee the honour of first notification. Following the president’s announcement, residents in Kano celebrated, with many youths in the state expressing confidence that Buhari would now be able to complete the projects he had started. However, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it would refrain from commenting on the president’s declaration, saying he had not yet secured the ticket of the APC. Nigerian stocks also dropped to a three-month low after the president said he would seek reelection in 2019, ending months of speculation about his future after bouts of ill health. According to Reuters, the stock market, which opened on a losing streak after Lafarge Africa announced a surprise 2017 loss, worsened its decline. The equity market fell near 40,000 points. Yesterday’s NEC meeting, however, saw the ruling party reversing its earlier decision to extend the tenure of its executives by one year, and directing that the processes for the conduct of congresses and a convention should commence. But it wasn’t a winner takes

all for those opposed to the tenure elongation, as the NEC approved a waiver that would enable the current party leadership to seek re-election while retaining their various positions. The party also approved the aspect of the recommendations of the Governor Simon Lalongled technical committee, which advised that in the event that there is a problem and the congress becomes inconclusive, the party will ask the current leadership of the APC to remain in office, but in an acting capacity. Before his presidential declaration, Buhari had thanked the committee for a job well done within the limited timeframe given it for the assignment. He also encouraged party members to accept the report of the committee and prepare for congresses and a convention to elect new national executive committee members for the APC. According to him, the work of the technical committee had shown a great sense of commitment to the ideals of the APC, “with a view to consolidating and positioning the party to continue delivering good governance in the overall interest of Nigerians”. “With the present state of the party and based on the report submitted by the Technical Committee, it is important to focus on how to move the party forward by avoiding actions detrimental to the interest of the party. “Considering that politics is a game of numbers, we must not be a house divided against itself and must try to note,

appreciate and accommodate our differences as far as the law permits. “Upon my review of the report, my position is to ensure that the party tows the path of unity, legality and cohesion and not that of division. “Therefore, I am stressing that we should strengthen our internal democracy by organising the party’s congresses and convention where the election of National Executive Committee members would be held. “This will automatically end the cases filed by members seeking orders of the court compelling the party to hold its congresses. “I also believe that the current executives should be free to vie for elective positions in the party if they so wish as permitted by our party constitution,” he said. Buhari, however, drew the attention of party members at the NEC meeting to Article 31(1) (iii) of the APC constitution, which requires any serving officer desirous of seeking reelection to resign from office 30 days before the election, saying he was uncertain of the practicality of serving officers meeting this condition. On this basis, the president asked the APC to consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised from participating in the elections. “Considering the provision of Article 31(1)(iii) of the APC Constitution which requires any serving officer desirous of seeking re-election to resign from office 30 days before election, I am not sure of the practicality of present serving

officers’ ability to meet this condition. “Accordingly, the party may consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised from participating in the elections should they wish to do so, provided this does not violate our rules. “Necessary waiver(s) should also be extended to executives at the ward level whose tenures may have elapsed, and indeed to anyone knocking at our doors from other political parties. This is in the spirit of the Right to Freedom of Association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “In this circumstance, the party should officially issue a statement on the above waivers so that our house may be full. We all must not be ignorant of the times, and the journey that is ahead of us. “Just like our party symbol, ‘the Broom,’ which typifies strength in unity, let us strive to remain united in our purpose. Victory is sure by the Grace of God, and together we must continue to sanitise Nigeria’s political environment,” Buhari said. Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Lalong said Buhari formally informed the party of his intention to seek re-election in 2019. Lalong, who was joined during the briefing by the APC spokesman, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, also made reference to Article 31(1) of the APC constitution, which states: “Subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee may in

special circumstances grant a waiver to a person not otherwise qualified under if, in its opinion, such a waiver is in the best interest of the party.” He said on this basis, the NEC approved the waivers that would enable executives of the APC to re-contest at the congresses and convention without having to resign 30 days before the elections. Collaborating what the Plateau governor said, Abdullahi added that the report of the committee clarified the issue of having a caretaker party executive as opposed to the tenure elongation that had caused misgivings among members. According to him, the NEC also approved the timetable and modalities for the national convention of the APC, adding that the NWC will at the appropriate time release the details. He said contrary to predictions by naysayers that NEC meeting will end in turbulence, party stakeholders were happy at the decisions reached at the meeting, describing them as a “win-win situation”. Earlier, in his welcome speech, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun expressed displeasure at the events of the past few weeks, saying that some persons had taken advantage of the unfortunate situation to malign him. He said all the leadership of the party was looking for was for ways to minimise rancor in the party ahead of the next general election. Oyegun, however, commended the president for

showing respect for democratic ideals by not trying to impose his preferences on the party. “We were looking for ways to save the party from potential legal booby traps. These are both valid considerations. The challenge that we have faced has been how to reconcile the two in the best interest of the party. “On a personal note, I have had to endure virulent media attacks, malicious insinuations and outright character assassination. “However, the responsibility imposed on me by my position as the national chairman of the party, demands that I rise above my personal pains and refuse to yield to the temptation to react in a manner that potentially complicates the situation for our party. “However, I will like to urge everyone else to remember that regardless of our ambitions and personal interests, the party is greater than all of us,” he said. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, and all the governors elected on the platform of the APC with the exception of Edo, Katsina, Yobe, Niger States, which were represented by their deputies, attended the meeting.

Jubilation in Kano Upon getting the news that Buhari had formally declared his intention to seek a second term in office in 2019, many youths were jubilant in Nigeria’s largest northern state by population, Continued on page 9

AFTER SENATE RUMBLE, PRESIDENCY SAYS BUHARI YET TO AUTHORISE $1BN WITHDRAWAL FROM ECA $1 billion without recourse to the National Assembly. But the presidency said yesterday in Abuja that Buhari had not authorised the spending of the $1 billion as approved by the National Economic Council (NEC) last December. Senior Special Assistant to the President, National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, in a statement, said the president would not authorise the spending of such money without the approval of the National Assembly. Enang said the clarification had become compelling in view of “several misreadings”, which followed the announcement by the defence minister, Mansur Dan-Ali, after a security council meeting in

the State House last week, that the president had approved the release of the money to fight insecurity. Enang, who said the presidency was conversant with constitutional provisions, which prohibit spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) without the approval of the National Assembly, insisted that “the said sum has not and cannot be approved for spending by Mr. President”. According to Enang, what the president did, in accordance with best practices, was to call a meeting involving the Minister of Defence, service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police to collate the needs of each security service, following the NEC approval, but with a view

to presenting it to the National Assembly for appropriation. He added that following the collation of the needs of each security service, the president would now present the sum to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for consideration and communicate the figure to the National Assembly for appropriation. “This may be done as usual upon Mr. President consulting with the leadership of the National Assembly, before originating the communication to the National Assembly. “As of now, the process of approving the money for use is inchoate and still undergoing executive standard operating procedure before laying same before the National Assembly for appropriation.

“The processes now being worked on is to fast track these procedures so that it may be forwarded to the National Assembly while it is still considering the 2018 Appropriation Bill for incorporation as Mr. President’s supplementary request under the 2018 budget, or if completed after the 2018 budget, it may be forwarded as a Supplementary Appropriation Bill. “That stated, Mr. President has not approved the sum for release for procurement or application howsoever. “In any case, before any sum is released from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, there must be (a.) An Appropriation Act, (b.) vote of charge, and (c.) a warrant, which is legally predicated on

an appropriation authorisation sub-head under the Act,” Enang said. Prior to the presidency’s statement, however, the Senate stated yesterday that it planned to debate the president’s approval on the $1 billion once the National Assembly resumes from its Easter recess next Tuesday. Senate spokesman, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, in a text message to THISDAY, confirmed that the lawmakers would discuss the issue and take a position on it. Abdullahi further pointed out that it was necessary that such expenditure be subjected to the approval by the National Assembly. “Senate is yet to consider the matter. Perhaps when we

which aided our recovery simply because the metrics have improved. “At the CBN, we will continue to fine-tune our policies and strategies based on our understanding of evolving developments and supported by in-house technical analysis and simulations. “We will remain proactive in ensuring that the welfare of Nigerians is optimised at any point in time,” he said. He pointed out that at the last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the central bank had “signalled that we will sustain the tight policies that have helped rein-in inflationary pressures”. This, according to him, was the reason members of the committee decided to keep the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 14 per cent.

“We will also continue the transparency that has attracted inflows of FX into the country while keeping FX supply to the market adequate. “In the area of development finance, the Bank will continue to provide access to muchneeded credit to sectors with the potential to create jobs on a mass scale. “In this regard, we will explore opportunities to expand the highly-successful Anchor Borrowers’ Programme to other crops and states. “In order to continue our gains in local production and provide assistance to boost non-oil exports, we are in the process of finalising the creation of a N500 billion fund with the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) to assist local manufacturers interested in non-oil exports,” he added.

resume our position will be known,” the text message read. “But suffice it to say that all spending shall be done in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly,” it read further. Also, Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba (Sokoto APC) described the approval to withdraw the funds without the National Assembly’s approval as illegal. Danbaba, a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, speaking in a telephone interview, said the ECA was not supposed to exist in the first instance, as all funds accruing to the federation are supposed to be paid into the Federation Account.

AT $47.3BN, NIGERIA’S FOREIGN RESERVES HIT FIVE-YEAR HIGH very difficult times. “To sustain our recovery, the need is greater now than ever for a robust policy coordination between the key aspects of the economic policymaking space. “This would include fiscal, monetary, exchange, and trade policies, which must be targeted at protecting farmers to boost agricultural output, support local companies and enhance manufacturing and industrial capacities, with a view to diversifying the economy away from oil and fossil fuels. “Those of us who has been entrusted with leadership and policymaking responsibilities must neither become complacent nor over-confident. We must strive to improve and sustain the same policies that have gotten us this far.” Emefiele reiterated that the central bank has been able to

ensure exchange rate stability from over N525 to a dollar in February 2017, to about N360 to the dollar. Foreign exchange supply has also improved since the establishment of the Investors' and Exporters' Window, with autonomous inflows of over $20 billion through this window alone from April 2017 to date, he said. “As sentiments improve on the macroeconomy and supported by proactive monetary, trade, industrial and fiscal policies, we expect a continued uptick in GDP growth with a positive spill over to improved employment rate. “As policies to strengthen the agriculture and industrial sectors become more emergent, growth in these sectors will rise, further bolstering overall

economy. “As we entrench and sustain the transparency in the FX market, as FX reserves accretion continues, and market confidence and improved sentiments remain, we expect that the exchange rate will not only be stable but would begin to appreciate against major currencies. “The adverse competitiveness outcome which such appreciation may entail would be adequately mitigated by proactive policies to ensure that our balance of payments position is not undermined. “For one, our import bill may have fallen but our manufacturing and agriculture sectors still have a long way to go if we must attain selfsufficiency in those sectors. “We must not be quick to discard the restrictive measures

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Attempted Suicide Attack on UNIMAID Foiled Eight shot dead at local bar in Plateau village Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri and Seriki Adinoyi in Jos An attempted suicide attack on the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Borno State, was foiled on Sunday evening, the police said yesterday. The Nigeria Police, in a press statement by its spokesman in Borno, Mr. Okon Edet said: â€œAt about 2045hrs yesterday (Sunday), two suicide bombers (male and female), in an attempt to infiltrate the University of Maiduguri through the eastern end of the campus, were sighted and promptly shot.â€? He said they were shot by men of the Nigeria Police and Nigerian Air Force on patrol in the area, adding that the shooting of the suspected suicide bombers resulted in a big blast, but had no casualty other than the assailants who were killed. Edet added that the area had been sanitised and normalcy restored. In another statement by the air force on the incident, it claimed credit along with the Nigerian Army for foiling the suicide attack on the university. A statement yesterday by Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya said: â€œSpecial Forces of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in conjunction with some Nigerian Army (NA) troops, successfully foiled a suicide bombing by Boko Haram terrorists at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, on the night of April 8, 2018. â€œThe Boko Haram suicide bombers tried to gain access to the university but were quickly detected by the NAF Special Forces. â€œThe vest on one of the suicide bombers

Chief of Air StaďŹ€, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar detonated before they could gain access to the hostel, leading to commotion. However, there was no reported fatality except for the suicide bomber, whose counterparts immediately fled, when the NAF Special Forces and the NA troops opened fire on them. â€œThe NAF Agusta Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) then went in pursuit of the fleeing terrorists, following which an additional suicide bomber was identified and neutralised. â€œThe NAF Agusta LUH was still searching for the other fleeing terrorists at the time of this statement.â€? Adesanya advised the public and residents especially around the university premises to remain extra vigilant. But in another incident, at least eight persons were shot dead in Nding village, Fang district in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau state by

unknown gunmen. An eyewitness Mr. Barnabas Rwang who confirmed the attack to journalists, said it happened in the late hours of Sunday evening when some people were â€œrelaxing at a drinking spotâ€?. He said the attackers swooped on the local bar and opened fire on the people killing six on the spot, while another two died from their injuries at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos, yesterday morning. It was gathered that the bar usually plays host to miners, who on returning from their jobs stayed back to relax before retiring for the night. Rwang said the attackers took advantage of the open relaxation spot to open fire on their victims, adding that the community has been under threat of attacks in recent days. Also confirming the attack, the spokesman of the Special Task Force (STF) on security in Plateau State, Major Adam Umar said the attack took place at about 8 p.m. on Sunday. He, however, said seven persons were killed in the attack. He said on getting a distress call from the community, soldiers were quickly mobilised to the scene, but before they got there the attackers had fled. Assuring that the situation was now under control, Umar added that persons wounded in the attack were taken to the hospital. The remains of seven of the eight slain persons were immediately given a mass burial, while the family of the eighth victim opted for a separate burial their relative.

IN A SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT, BUHARI SAYS HEâ€™LL SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2019 Kano. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), some of the youths expressed optimism that Buhari would be able to complete the development projects that he had started. Usman Baba, a resident, told NAN that the past three years of the Buhari administration had been spent restoring security in the country and fighting corruption. â€œWe are happy and hoping that President Buhari should return to embark on infrastructure development since he has already retrieved a lot from looters,â€? he was quoted to have said. â€œWe donâ€™t want someone to come and embezzle the retrieved loot or divert it to some looters again. That is why we want him to serve another term.â€? Abduljalal Muâ€™azu, another resident, also expressed optimism that if Buhari wins a second term, the countryâ€™s situation might improve. A female respondent Malama Musa said the world had accepted the president as trustworthy and transparent. Kano is pivotal to Buhariâ€™s second term bid as the state gave him the highest number of votes in the 2015 election, just like in the elections of 2003, 2007 and 2011. Out of the 2,172,447 votes cast in Kano in 2015, Buhari won 1,903,999 votes. Also reacting to the development, the Kano State governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who bizarrely threatened to sue Buhari if he failed to re-contest the election, described the presidentâ€™s declaration as a patriotic response to the clarion call of Nigerians for him to put himself forward for re-election. Speaking through his information commissioner, Malam Muhammad Garba, Ganduje said Buhariâ€™s declaration to seek a second term in office would silence the opposition parties. According to him, â€œI have been in the forefront campaigning and even asking the president to make his decision open to Nigerians on the second term bid. â€œWe thank God that today the president answered the call of Nigerians,â€? the Kano governor was quoted to have said.

Ganduje also assured the public that the state government would put all the necessary machinery in place to ensure Buhariâ€™s success in the 2019 elections. According to him, the citizens of Kano welcomed the declaration of the president with wild jubilations, signifying their support for the president. Similarly, Katsina State governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari commended the president for his decision to seek re-election in 2019, saying this had reaffirmed the presidentâ€™s love for Nigeria. Masari, who spoke through his media aid, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, said it was now up to patriotic Nigerians to make sure that the presidentâ€™s re-election comes to pass. He said: â€œWe owe ourselves a duty to ensure that President Buhari continues beyond 2019, so that he could consolidate on the achievements so far recorded under his watch. â€œWe will pull out all the stops, leaving nothing to chance in our efforts to ensure that Katsina State gives the president the highest votes in 2019. â€œI congratulate ourselves (Nigerians) for this wonderful news of the presidentâ€™s declaration to go for re-election in 2019, because there is no one better than him for the office, for now,â€? he said. Masari noted that the declaration would rekindled investorsâ€™ confidence in the Nigerian economy, and appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the APC-led administration for its purposeful commitment to providing meaningful development in the country.

Not Yet Presidential Candidate The PDP, however, acted out of character yesterday when it decided not to comment on the declaration by the president until he secures the ticket of APC to contest 2019 presidential election. PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan said in a statement that it was an internal affair of the APC. PDP said the declaration had merely placed Buhari among the ranks of aspirants seeking to be president of Nigeria, effective

May 29, 2019. â€œUntil he becomes the candidate of the APC, we will not spend precious time on his mere show of interest,â€? the main opposition party said. Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, on the other hand, elected not to toe the path of his party, when he warned Nigerians not to embrace the re-election bid of the president in 2019. According to him, the declaration was dead on arrival. The Ekiti governor also warned that if Buhari was re-elected, he would kill the country. Fayose, through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, said if Buhari is unable to read the handwriting on the wall and does not know when to call it quits, Nigerians would show him the exit in 2019 by voting him out of office. Fayose opined that Buhari was not only too old to lead the country, he had bungled the opportunity given him by his woeful performance. â€œThat ambition is dead on arrival. We donâ€™t want grandpa as president anymore. Nigeria does not deserve a Buhari as president in 2019. Buhari is old and tired. â€œWhen people donâ€™t know when to take their leave and say bye, Nigerians will show them the exit. â€œHe has done more harm to this country. His ambition is a means by which Nigerians will tell him good riddance to bad rubbish when they boot him out of office. He is an easy candidate to defeat at the polls for he has failed woefully. â€œHe has failed on all fronts. He has failed in his so-called fight against corruption, he has failed on the economic front. He has not done well in terms of security. â€œPeople are being killed in large numbers daily and Nigerians have no confidence in him. â€œHis declaration today is a slap on Nigerians in the face of what Nigerians are passing through. His government is not only clueless, but in a shambles. He should go home and rest,â€? Fayose, a harsh critic of the president, said.

Two-Minute BrieďŹ ng NEWS Shell Paid $4.32bn to Nigerian

Government in 2017, Says Oil Giant Royal Dutch Shell Plc has said it paid $4.32 billion to theNigerianGovernmentin 2017, representing an increase of 19 per cent from the $3.64 billion the oil giant paid in 2016.The Shellâ€™s Sustainability Report 2017, which was released yesterday... Page 10

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billion was paid to the Royal Dutch Nigerian said it paid Shell Plc has CorporatiNational Petroleum Hydrocarbon Pollution and clean the Nigerian $4.32 billion to productio on (NNPC) for Remediation Project (HYPREP) up contamin Government a governme n entitleme ated sites 2017, representi Shell said in nt-led body , The payments nt. it had also International Union to developed of 19 per cent ng an increase production include Conserva for from the $3.64 with entitlements, billion the the (IUCN) tion of Nature for remediation of soil which are the oil giant paid groundwa and a new framewor 2016. in share of host governmentâ€™s k testing ter that it will begin productio n in 2018 The Shellâ€™s in the reporting period derived Report 2017, Sustainability from projects operated which was released yesterday Shell. by , showed that the $4.32 Producti on billion paid entitleme nts to Nigeria was the highest also include the governmentâ€™s paid by the share oil giant to as government any through a sovereign entity or in covered by the 29 countries or interestits participation as an equity the holder in projects By the report, report. within its sovereign government jurisdiction (home includes country). any national, regional or The local authoritie of a country, s include payments also taxes paid a departme and includes on by Shell its nt, agency entity that or productioincome, profits or is a governme a subsidiary of resource n, which include nt, which includes severance tax, a national petroleum oil company. resource rent and Shell said including those tax, it prepared report in settled by a accordance the government on behalf of Shell The Reports with under a tax-paid concessio to Governm on Payments The report n. ents also showed 2014 as enacted Regulations that crude oil in the UK in December theft from pipelines amended in 2014 and as Developmof Shell Petroleum December 2015. ent The oil giant (SPDC) increased Company report includes said the cent, to roughly by 50 per payments to governme per day (bpd) 9,000 barrels in 2017 from Royal Dutch nts made by 6,000 bpd in 2016. its subsidiary Shell plc and While sabotageundertakings. related oil R-L: President Muhamma The company spill incidents du Buhari; Vice however, rose to 62, from Oyegun; Senate President, added that payments made 48 in 2016, the report Executive Committee Dr. Bukola President Yemi Osinbajo; by entities however indicates that over which (NEC) meeting Saraki; and Speaker, HouseNational Chairman, All the volume Shell crude has joint control in Abuja....yesterday of Representatives, Progressives Congress of Hon. Yakubu Dogara, (APC), Chief John from this report.are excluded tones, oil spilled fell to 1,400 from 3,900 during the partyâ€™s Odigie According Also, Shellâ€™s tones in 2016 National to company, operational the spills payments in Nigeria made one to governme rose by to from activitiesnts arising volumenine in 2017, but the Omololu Ogunmad of oil involving the exploratio 100 tones fromspilled fell to e in Abuja n, prospectio contributes six 300 tones in discovery, developm n, 2016, according percent to gross ent and to the report. The federal governmen domestic product extraction of The report further t yesterday minerals, oil in (GDP). The extensively discussed the Abuja cheapest way natural gas said and that theft revealed price of issues food in the deposits of rearing cattle clashes might farmers-herdersâ€™ by roaming and sabotage impeding materials (extractive or other for 90 is food. The market, availability of worsen next account if around with per cent of and the fact agriculture growth year as you challenges ranches were activities) them some are disclosed the see now. are emergencie facing us, to become that agriculture has in this report. in the Niger Delta. oil spills cattle rearing. not created for the s, â€œIf The report, others are you go into However, the economy over mainstay of our a ranch, it is rather long term. We also Raising the not cheap and report excludes paymentshowever, that and above oil credit in agriculture discussed gas,â€? governmen the shutdown added journalists alarm while briefing subsidise and Ogbeh added. related to refining, in the Presidential which is a of the after cattle rearing like t cannot major challenge. natural gas Forcados export Also briefing, Villa a meeting of they do liquefaction terminal for much of â€œThe cost of the National in Europe, where they subsidise or gas-to -liquids Governor, Simon Plateau State Food activities. Lalong, appealed on agriculture borrowing funds to opportunities 2016 â€œreduced MinisterSecurity Council, the every cow with â‚Ź6 which President has been a bit is about high N2,400. We cannot of Agriculture The multinatio Muhammadu interferenceâ€? for third-party Developme too Buhari in this country and afford that. to hasten the said in its yearly nal oil firm and nt, Chief Audu Rural â€œSo The report training of Ogbeh, those the thing is, to create been one of the factors that has agro- rangers advocated the sustainabi further report that impeding in ranches, the return of cattle out of the lity that SPDC also added the old grazing incessant farmers order to curtail herdsmen are the growth of agriculture to prepared $4.32 billion paid - herdersâ€™ clashes â€œmade reserve. in the country to pay in 2017, $3.197 $10 million availableâ€? Ogbeh who the programm tax to support stopping and one of the factors in some states. said ranching 2017 to help in e. If we young people Also speaking, is it, next set up the the only viable option to especially, year will be donâ€™t do and women arrest the Governor, David Ebonyi State menace, disclosed worse than from Umahi, agriculture and participating in main that herders are this year. I assure you,â€? prepared to duty of the councilsaid the he said. making it. Ogbeh also pay tax to support â€œToday, was said increase productivity the project. we resolved to the federal government that we and must make in agriculture was targeting agriculture lending â€œWe have to create employme single interest Omololu Ogunmad nt. the good old move the cattle to intentionloans for farmers with the cheap and we are looking He added: â€œWe e in Abuja grazing reserves interest rate are looking at to force down at those The president we just have to and of foodstuffs at the prices will also meet create of one digit. the lower end to the elements that contribute the Chief Executive in the for them - clusters environments cost of production We donâ€™t have President Describing high market. Officer of . If we address those Muhammadu Royal Dutch Plc, Mr. interest rate as any figures yet but they have water of ranches where a major Buhari last elements hi we are i Ben van grass and challen i hopin th Beurd i h l h

I SERIOUSLY

COUNT ON YOUR SUPPORT

FG: Farmers-H erdersâ€™ Clas NextYear hes May Get

Out of Hand

Buhari Arriv es London

EDITORIAL Much Ado About the Lootersâ€™ List...2

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva last Saturday turned himself in to the police whose men immediately whisked him to prison in the southern city of Curitiba, where he will serve his 12year sentence for corruption. Lula was convicted of trading favours with a construction company in exchange for a beachfront... Page 15

POLITICS As House Probes Property

Ëœ ÍŻÍŽËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

EDITORIAL

MUCH ADO

ABOUT THE

Nigeria should

look up to Brazil

LOOTERSâ€™LIST â€Ś2

and South Africa ormer Brazilian in its anti-graft war Lula da Silva President Luiz Inacio last Saturday himself in to turned the police whose immediately men whisked him (as well as those the southern to not in any city of Curitiba, prison in next general will serve his elections is notcourt) barely a year to the 12-year sentencewhere he serious lack only suspect, ruption. Lula of commitm was convicted for corent to ďŹ ghting it betrays a while, the PDPâ€™s favours with of trading graft. Meanin exchange into a predictab response as a party falls for a beachfro a construction company nt apartmen investigation le pattern. It squarely speculative t after an and has released list four hours earlier, trial spanning several both lists fail of alleged looters. Taken an equally years. Twenty as a together, Park Geun-Hy former South Korean While we need diversionary tactic. President, Ms abuse of powere was sentenced to 24 years to address the in our public in prison for issue of corruptio life, South Africa, and corruption. On the n and legal manner;it must be done in a same day, in President Jacob non-partisan February, was tries where leaders just like it is being formally duckedZuma, who left ofďŹ ce in done in councorruption, take their on a 16-count As we have racketeer seen from the people very seriously Unfortunately, ing, fraud and money charge of . Korea example laundering. and South Africa, s of Brazil, South ing All Progress after three years in ofďŹ ce, corruption wars driven more the rulby institutio remained frozenives Congress (APC) ns rather than should be while the judiciary in personal former Presiden in its campaign rhetoricNigeria has remains ities such efforts. of blaming Therefore, muchvery critical to sustain that is wrong t Goodluck Jonathan to see the results for everythi as ng for â€˜looting thewith our country and speciďŹ ca of the anti-corr Nigerians are eager brought treasuryâ€™. Yet uption President Muhamm promise that no charge has lly the public is been not fooled by adu Buhari to power, WHILE WE NEED preferred against same set of the act of bandyin names ADDRESS THE TO g the the former presiden proven in court. with allegations that are yet to be OF CORRUP ISSUE t in any court of law PUBLIC LIFE,TION IN OUR beyond meaning t is evident from IT MUST BE DONE IN A NON-PA tales, including less three years that what has transpired in RTISAN AND LEGAL the past MANNER; JUST by Vice-President Buhari administthe anti-corruption war LIKE IT IS BEING of Yemi Osinbajo that was meant ration was just a populist the IN COUNTRIES DONE gambit to secure the who incidenta , rather than THI votes of a program EDITOR S DAY LEADERS TAKEWHERE DEPUTY EDITORS a Professor of lly is and media showma me of action. But Nigerians Law the PEOPLE VERY THEIR drama

Ëœ MANAGING nship that Nigerian almost on a DEPUTY MANAGINGDIRECTOR SERIOUSLY with specialty in daily basis can s now witness DIRECTOR the law of evidence CHAIRMAN the future. only worsen EDITORIAL BOARD corruption in . corruption a EDITOR NATIONâ€™S Rather than As we have crime to ďŹ ght, CAPITAL

make stated repeated has turned it the federal governm difference between into a propagan ly, there is hardly ent that it is yet da tool, an the weaknes some corrupt to s in dealing any ing of national come to any meaningful indication with dent Jonathanelements in his governm understandT H I S DAY ent and Presiden policies and problems let alone formulat EDITOR-IN-C N E W S PA P E R S L in similar circumst programmes t Buhariâ€™s total by PresiIMITED GROUP EXECUTIVE HIEF/CHAIRMAN to tackle them. e sensible inertia The publicati ances. While DIRECTORS shame for an

that remains administration Ëœ Minister, Alhaji on by the Information Ëœ DIVISIONAL Ëœ Ëœ power on the and Culture that was broughta big DIRECTORS pretext of coming names of some Lai Mohammed, of a

DEPUTY DIVISIONAL Ëœ to President Buhari list DIRECTOR to ďŹ ght corruptio politicians at Peoples Democratic Party containing SNR. ASSOCIATE must also rememb

n, responsi ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR different stages (PDP) DIRECTORS bility er that CONTROLLE of trial in various RS Ëœ ruled by law, to uphold the constitution. he has a Ëœ courts DIRECTOR, as PRINTING PRODUCTION ruled by unprovedistinct from some tribal In a society Ëœ

TO SEND EMAIL: domains n perceptio nobody should ďŹ rst name.surnam ns and assumpt e@thisdayliv be called a â€˜looterâ€™ ions, e.com tion by a compete nt court of law. except on convic-

Letters to the Editor SOWORE AND

have watched

Letters in response to speciďŹ c readers may TO OUR READERS send such letters publications in THISDAY opinions on topical along with their should be brief local, national (150-200 words) 1000 words). and internatiocontact details to They should and straight be sent to opinion@nal issues providedopinion@thisdaylive.com. to the point. Interested We thisdaylive.com they are well-writt en and shouldalso welcome comments along with the and emailaddressa also not belongert han(950 d h

HIS PRESIDENTI

AL QUES

POLITICS

T H I S D AY

Ëž TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018

Group Politic s Editor Tobi Email tobi.so Soniyi niyi@thisday live.com 0705478626 0 SMS ONLY

As House PrX E C U T I V E B R I E F I N G obes Propert y Recovery Pa nel

The decision of of public prope the House of Representatives rty will help to Tobi Soniyi clear some of to investigate the presidential the controversie s surroundin probe panel on the recovery n August 1st g the panelâ€™s emer 2017, the federal government gence, writes setting up announced the of the Mr. Okoi Obono-Ob

Recovery Panel O On August 1st 2017, the federal government announced the setting up of the Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla-led Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property. Page 16

la-led Special Presidential Investigat Public Property.Panel on the Recovery ion Then Vice of Osinbajo was President, Yemi Acting President. The Presidency said it relied conferred on on the powers it by the Recovery Property (Special of was originally Provisions) Act, 2004. Public The by the military Decree No 3, 1984 promulgatlaw regime of General ed Buhari, but Muhammadu with December 1983. a retroactive effect from 31st

recovery of the property The panel claimed that for public good.â€? to Mark at the cost of the house was sold N673,200, the market value was N748,000,0000, whereas letter was also 00. A similar served But while Mark on Senator Ekwerema du. has challenged action in court, the simply ignored Ekweremadu was said panelâ€™s to have the panel because law on his he had the side. Senate President A source close to the former said Obono-Ob the use of Legality of la resorted the the Panel to Markâ€™s team EFCC to harass Mark Many have, however, questioned of lawyers when fireworks against of the panel opened the the legality right from legal the panel. the outset. is said to have However, The panel declaration of it is the case of alleged from members solicited and received petitions nonthat has, no some assets against Ekwerema citizens to fill of the public and also doubt, accentuate invited asset du declaratio political witch-hun is a constitutio d the allegation n forms, which t against of In a letter to Conduct Bureaunal preserve of the President Buharithe panel the most. Code of (CBB). While 2018, the Human the 1999 Constituti dated Section 153 Rights Writers 16th March of of Nigeria (HURIWA federal executive on captures the Associatio CCB as a body, the â€œrabid partisansh ) accused Obono-Ob n the Constituti on provides 5th Schedule to la of into a governmen ip and constitutin the acts amounting greater details g of to a breach now made the t within a governmen himself conduct of of the code t, public officers. as politically fight against corruption which the Code of It also establisheof motivated fight appears Conduct Tribunal. d of the PDPâ€?. Also, since the against members Act came into Code of Conduct and HURIWA Tribunal panel was notparticularly wondered the Recovery effect some eight years why before of Public APC members also investigating membersthe Provisions) Act, the later Property (Special of close to the or why all these were law because is deemed coming 2019 the election. It president to to be performedfunctions specified by a spent called on the disband the the Act panel. by the president through panels establishe d AGF, Abubakar Itâ€™s 2019 politics Code of Conduct are now performed Malami stepped by the Ekweremadu, There are also Tribunal. in to stop the on his part, panelâ€™s excesses panel of â€œa including Your of the panelâ€™s complaints as to the well-oiled smearhas accused the propriety political witch-hun Independent existence side by side â€œRegrettably, lordship. campaign and Corrupt with the the said tâ€?. to establishe without the Offences Commissio Practices and Other He alleged due process notices were issued d Related n (ICPC) and Enugu State that the Probate Registry, and requisite protocols in administrative procedure and Financial the Economic hence I have the mandate the Federal High Court clearance, of the s and Crimes Commissi Civil Service his will taken was Minister of â€œIn view of the Honourab Furthermore, on (EFCC) structure. Justice to withdraw while only broken into and le the directivesof the foregoing, left behind. immediate effect. the establishm there is no gazette a photocopy coupled with backing wish contained was ent of the Your Lordship same with reference, also no provision He said: â€œThey panel. There to discounten may therefore you are hereby in the letter under copied the ance for the panel is the will and Appropriation in the 2017 to you in its entiretyâ€?. the said notice issued from any further action directed to refrain added many properties listed in Act. and started or taking any your capacity imaginary properties At a time, There have been churning out step in as the Chairman the Presidenc complaints over government baseless petitions of the panel. of the y became Investigation Panel on the activities uncomfortable with Obono-Ob agencies the Recovery Special and media Also addressin and officials against to For instance, la. His utterances Property with immediate of Public appearances meâ€?. a source at g the South meeting of otherwise by created Attorney General effect until were the Office of East zonal the directed His Excellency the terms several problems for the said to have of the Federation â€œAPC governmenPDP, Ekweremadu many serving , the Vice President. of public governme said the said that t believes that power by blackmail war and in perception in the anti-corrupnt in targeted and judges had complained â€œWhile you one can its relationsh harassed with of being are to await will never happenâ€?, and intimidation,capture over undisclose ip with other tion in respect of further instruction purported petitions of government. the panelâ€™s arms hereby d assets. They where a governme insisting that â€œa and it given fresh mandate, you s Consequen directed situation asset declaratio were, therefore are nt in power use establishe up-to-date reportto promptly provide His suspensiontly, Obono-Obla, was suspended One of such n can try to letter dated letters dated forms to fill. on the activities a detailed . to the undersign employ soft d anti-corruption agencies and and signed 5th of the tackles by Assistant 9th October 2017 read referenced HAGF/SH November 2017 to Panel ed for onwa or to harass the o Poli th Vi /2017/ C d â€œI h d M

FEATURES BBC Expands Its Footprint

FEATURES

"Nigeria is a very diverse country, and strength lies in that diversity. I am hopeful that the introduction of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News services in Igbo,Yoruba and Pidgin languages will further help in uniting this country rather â€œ that dividing us." Page 18

TUESDAY, APRIL 10,

BBC Expand s Its

2018 Ëž T H I

S D AY

Acting Featur es Editor Charle s Ajunwa Email charle s.ajunwa@this daylive.com

Footprint

The launch Corporationof the Pidgin, Yoruba in Lagos has and Igbo news writes broadened its reach amo services of the Briti sh Broadcas ng Nigerian ting listeners. Mar tins IďŹ jeh

Participant

s at the launch of the Pidgin,

Yoruba and

Igbo news services

Nigeria is a of the British very diverse Broadcasting our strength country, and Corporation Nigeria, the in Lagos...rece am hopeful lies in that diversity. largest of any ntly I The Bureau; country. the British that the introduction of which tion (BBC) Broadcasting Corpora- headquarters in West will act as the BBCâ€™s adding that it was News services time for the a television to tell their Africa â€“ comprise Yoruba and people to try in Igbo, own s Pidgin language further help and could studio and two radio out to launch While stating stories. the services, than dividingin uniting this country s will new local house up to 200 people. studios news services that the Igbo and done Its three rather broadcast language services Yoruba out for about a year anda pilot study was are offshoots These were us.â€? if people actually join BBC News service, he said a half s Hausa and BBC Hausa of the Hausa He said Assistant on the thoughts of the read and writeto figure country, giving about English Yoruba. Nigerians same across the because60-61 years ago as service started people the result was positive, President of Media and Publicity Special reportage a radio know there was no in diverse language Nigeria, Mr. quality of as lots of a chat with Shehu Garba, to the internet. â€œSo service I take myself how to read and write as a radio The Editor s. THISDAY service, but during it Yoruba. as BBC News at the launch Okwoche, who of the news service, have its own it has gone began â€œI am from an example. service noted that original online Peter on to thought Benue He said Nigerians in Lagos recently. of the in a local language me how to re State. Nobody ever journalism Twitter, Instagram It platform â€“ Facebook are tra l h d i E TV th l

BUSINESS NNPC Restores Normal Supply of

Petrol at Cost of N1.4tn Exactly six months after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) assumed the sole importer of petrol in October 2017 and struggled to meet the countryâ€™s need, the corporation has finally normalised the supply of the product, with depot owners now selling at official ex-depot price,THISDAYâ€™s investigation has revealed. Page 21

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BUSINESSW MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

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INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DAY QUARTER-TO-DAY YEAR-TO-DAY

21 Group Busines s Email: chika.am Editor ChikaAmanze-Nw achuku anzenwachukwu@ thisdaylive.com 08033294157, 08057161321

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Quick Takes

OGTAN, NCDMB

, PTDF Hold The Oil and Gas Trainers Summit in conjunctio Association n with the Nigerian of Nigeria (OGTAN) Monitoring Content Developm , Board (NCDMB) Development ent and Fund (PTDF) and the Petroleum Technolog Education Summit will hold y ing Local Content (NES)on April 16, witha one-day National the theme: through Quality Prospects and Education and â€œSustainChallengesâ€?. OGTANâ€™s President, Training:

PROMOTING INDIGENOUS SOFTWARE

L-R: Former Governor, Cross of Software Practitioners River State, Senator Liyel Lagos...recently of Nigeria (ISPON), Imoke; James Emadoye, Minister of Communic at the 2018 ISPON ations, Adebayo President Dinner Shittu and President, Institute held at the Oriental Hotels, Lekki,

NNPC Restore s Normal Sup of N1.4tn ply of Petrol at Cost ÂŽÂ™Â˜Â? Â˜Â Â—ÂŽÂ› Ejiofor Alike

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Â˜ÄœÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ• Â™Â›Â’ÂŒÂŽ

Exactly six ENERG Y months Despite the Nigerian National after the led low pump to fuel crisis, Petroleum which marred of N65 paid by Nigerians, price efforts, which Corporation (NNPC) assumed the Christmas celebration have ensured was allegation there the sole importer of massive cor- that the country and ruption is of petrol in lingered into the first October 2017 quarter when in the subsidy regime with petrol, some of flooded of 2018. the depot subsidy claims owners were to meet the and struggled However, NNPCâ€™s selling at N133 rose to countryâ€™s need, N1.1 the corporatio success billiontrillion, against the N286 per litre, against n has finally was achieved at a N160, they budgeted in were selling normalised great cost to the 2011 the product the early product, with supply of the of Statecountry as the Minister federal government. by the this year. depot owners for Petroleum But the recent Some marketers, now selling revelation by at official ex-depot Kachikwu had revealed, Dr. Ibe the petroleum who received the allocation price, THISDAYâ€™ that the minister is corporationâ€™s from the NNPC an under-recovery, indication that at a has revealed. s investigation which pump price were, however, still is of the N145, loss selling slightly the NNPC incurred by The corporatio selling incurs a ex-depot above the official bridge the sup nâ€™s inability to at officithe imported product loss of N1.4 trillion yea price l l l b

Dr. Mayowa the association had designed Afe said in a statement that would the event to that bridge proffer and the petroleum the yawning gap between the solution industry. He from Nigeriaâ€™s academia noted the opportuni tertiary institutions are that fresh graduates ill-equipped â€œThe oil and ties the oil industry offers. to grab gas trainers by bringing association aspires industry stake round table holders and to fix this defect in order to identify issues the academia to a capacity developme private-sector-drivennt in the industry and bedevilling human to proffer solutions that value addition,â€? would enhancesustainable, in-country The statement he added. added that Dr Oby Ezekwesil one-time Minister i shall lead a team of panellists. the deliberatio of Education, ns along with

Boeing Wins

Wideb

Boeing Co ody Jet has won a closely watched Order 47 new 787 Dreamliner European rival jets to Americancontest to supply Airbus for Airlines, beating widebody, long-haul the highly coveted order aircraft. â€œThis was a of difficult decision Airbus A350 and A330neo between the Boeing 787 ers for their and we thank and the aggressive both manufactu efforts to earn business. In rthe end, our 787 a more goal to simplifymore of Americanâ€™s compelling choice,â€? American our fleet made the Robert Isom said in a statement. Airlines President The deal, at a in a series of list price of more than $12 billion, heavy blows to the is the latest just weeks after Hawaiian AirlinesAirbus A330neo. It Airbus A330-800n comes dropped an order particular variant eo jets in favor of the 787, leavingfor six of long-haul â€œThis new order that is a powerful A330neo with no customers unique passenger endorsement of the 787 familyâ€™s. appeal and airlines open unmatched new ability to help Executive Kevin routes and grow profitably,â€? McAllister Boeing Chief said in a statement.

Apple Oppos

Repeal of US Apple Inc said Plan U.S. Environm at the weekend it opposes Plan, which ental Protection Agency any repeal by the is a priority of the Clean of Pruitt and would reverse the agencyâ€™s Administr Power greenhouse ator Scott an Obama-er gases. a program Repe li to b

PROPERTY Visionscape to Fast-track Infrastructure

Projects, Pay Absorbed WCOs PROPERTY & Existing Private Sector Participants Vis ENVIRONMEN ionscape T Fast-track Inf Ab sorbed WCto rastructure Pro (PSPs) in waste collection in Os jects, Pay Lagos State, willing to work with E Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, are being employed by the company. Also, there is an arrangement for them to work in their traditional locations.This is in addition to working their statutory commercial waste evacuation jobs. Page 28 T H I S D AY

Ëž TUESDAY, APRIL 10,

2018

Visionscape Sanitation Soluti by employing ons is strengthenin willing Privat g its mandate e one of them to collect and is welcome and Sector Participants (PSPs dispose dome ), now also, says Mr. the stic wastes in John Irvine, Chief WCOs will work in their rebranded Waste Collec Lagos State tion Operators traditional turf, Executive Office (WCOs). Every and they xisting Private r of Visionscape Sector by Visionscape Participants Sanitation Soluti will keep their commercial (PSPs) and they will in waste collection be monitored and ons. Bennett jobs managed Visionscap by in Lagos e.â€? Oghifo report State, Irvine said, willing to s work and â€œThe Board with Visionscap He said I approache

the whole Sanitation Solutions, d the state e governme project a was about nt are being middle ground change and employed by infrastructureto fast-track the â€œwe are trying that the company. to be met.â€? He said â€œa projects,â€? there is an arrangeme Also, to make the state better the of the WCOs vast majority nt for them facilities that are to for to work in accommodate the have the same and the people the residents aspiration their traditiona waste generated locations. This /ambition change/reform living here, but they is in additionl on daily basis. He as me â€“ to working said in last 10 to 12 the idea was takes time. So, for want to deliver a project their days they have the Lagos- that mercial waste statutory com- â€œtalking been is what we superstructure to fast-track the here evacuation to WCOs to are jobs. some Chief Executive come to projects, to takeand infrastructure the for. We are here to clean sort of agreement Officer of state, to give Visionscape, whereby Visionscape PSP collectors, up the existing waste Mr. John Irvine still delivers informed journalists now rebranded infrastructure a proper the mandate WCOs, to deliver on so in 20, about this of the residential development the door to 50 yearsâ€™ time, if another collection, door collection but fast-tracks 10 explaining thatat the weekend, actual while we have million people turned our the come, the infrastructure superstructure focus not working â€œthe WCOs are projects.â€? infrastructure and build the the He is methodology here and ment, they for the govern- waste compared the Lagos quicker. are not working â€œSo, what is here. So, situation to we have not for LAWMA that of New turned anybody York, USA, into today we are entering away â€“ it is basically should have regulatory body. and Iâ€™m not a 90 million which he said has in year three been turning going to start Irvine residents, will be doing So, all LAWMA 60 anybody away.â€? project. We of the 10-year waste stations, and 50 to is ensuring that He said are bringing as a client for we with a but Lagos forward; fast-tracki the governme it financially Visionscape would population are still appearing that is close ment,â€? he said. nt has only assist the existing ng that investment WCOs That was basically the conditions to have kept stations. about half a dozen hoods or jobs the WCOs to ensure that new if they want to purchase away, of the project. the negotiations that have the ability vehicles. â€œWe So, the best were concluded that the events of and I hope dispose â€œWhat we have canâ€™t way we can to a 21st the waste off over the last that is to immediate 10 to 15 days century servicedeliver do committed in the last 12 days, holder 20 and is done he said. â€œObviously, ly embrace to is, part of the brief, with century equipmen professionally all the new as a company have shown that segregated the WCOs were to build swifter, bigger WCOs and we want to a with and more concise bit upset with the and recycled and am not just talking t and I will be working they work and WCOsâ€™ about the when Visionscap government our everybody and not just is disposed in a profession directly for infrastructure, and while us; they will own group are doing manner.â€? e came on we al about vehicles, Iâ€™m talking of companie Visionscape, be contracted to complemethat, the WCOs will board. But as an internation the infrastruct and this s He said all they will be is being upgraded ure that al striven is the reason we have paid So, they nt the waste stream. company, as I have WCOs , that we are under our in the press/med said before make very hard to try and are welcome to work (PSPs) are buildingmanagefor them, this work ia, we are here to take purpose, so that is the whole along with adding that â€œWeâ€™ve reached in 10, 15 anybodyâ€™s not the state, the WCOs, to liveli- regulatory and the thatevery WCO; my stanceout we donâ€™t face the yearsâ€™ time, same issues bodies.â€? is that we nobody Oyebode away from is being turned buildingare facing now- we David Adediji, are the door. There fellow and resourcefu past president is 20 milliona future for another the Nigerian of leadershiplness and qualitative people.â€? . Estate SurveyorsInstitution of He holds a Bachelor and Valuers (NIESV), has Alumni hold degree of emerged president science in Estate of the Alumni Management consultancy top positions in project, emerging firms, Association maintenance the Faculty companies, banks, contracting infrastruct of student as the best graduating of existing of of the Departmen public service, ure, student The Design and Environmental University armed forces t in the intern- newly aims and objectives of and other notable ship, industrial experience Management of Ife (now Obafemi the (EDM), Obafemi inaugurated offices in and Awolowo University association outside Nigeria job placement, scholarship and includes Awolowo University, saying â€œIt serving as ) in 1979. He also and link Ile-Ife, is not by accident research grants between the the official are some of that the longest The association Osun State. in Estateholds a Masterâ€™s degree OAU and its the Alumni; was formally Managem building on numerous ways you inaugurated OAU campus to foster can add Land Appraisal ent (Urban is the Faculty value to the university vital informatio up-to-date and sidelines of last week at the University building of ), Reading â€?. n regarding Alumni He asserted professionals , United Kingdom the faculty under Reunion of in that with our Institution; to encourage the the built environm in collective 1984. the chairmanAlumni to retain efforts, we all entâ€?. The ship of the Faculty consists can take their interest He is a member Vice-Chancellor, of the follow- the Faculty and the University and loyalty Professor Eyitope ing of departmen to the university in many professiona large to an enviable at ts: Architectu at ably represented Ogunbodede, Nigerian l bodies such as: The Estate Manageme re, position in all times; to initiate and execute nt, Urban and the committee of schools programs and Vice-Chancellor by the Deputy Surveyors Institution of Estate Regional Planning, activities aimed of environment and Valuers and environmebuilt at accelerating tion), Professor (Administra- Estate Surveying, Building, Quantity design (NIESV); ntal the Surveyors and Chris Ajila. and managem overall growth and Fine Arts, Land Surveying Adediji, a man Valuers ent both locally and and the Universitydevelopment of destined to Registration Board of internationally. be a leader The Vice-Chan Geomatics. Nigeria Adediji (ESVARBON); and to provide The has necessary International being a distinguisgrown from Estate opening remark cellor in his cabinet newly inaugurat encouragement Real ed Federation hed scholar into a role vision to develop says in the ciation members of the asso- including financial (FIABCI); African model assistance In her welcome estate profession in the real (AFRES); Real Estate Society into the incubatorthe University Tunde; includes: - Bldr Lasabi to an effective leadership Esv Biyi Professor Olubola address, policy . He is well Nigerian-South the students for for positioned to of African research and national Akin Olawore; Adesanya; Esv Chamber of chart a new Babalola, Commerce(NSACC) Dean, Faculty of The associationthe university. developcourse for the EDM Tpl (Prof) Leke EDM, pointed ment, there are many Oduwaye; Faculty through and Institute of Directors out that at forging useful is also aimed Tpl Toyin Akpan; areas Tpl Nigeria, among (IoD) in the as the leading Faculty where the Alumni Wale Olaoye. students, parents,links between can assist. built environm others. He said â€œYour Qs Wasiu AkewusolaOthers are other teachers and ent discipline in Nigeria, contributi friends of the ; Qs Sesan most of the to the University endowmeon Obe; Qs Lekan university Adeosun and and its communit fund initiating nt y; and to developmental Olanrewaju Akintilo inaugurat Kola Akomole among branches e and/or revive others. de of the associatio all i

Adediji Electe d Obafemi Awo lowo

University EDM President

Land Use Decre e, 40 Years After

SPORTS Team Nigeria Opens Medals

Account with Two Silver After four days of fruitless hunt, TUESDAYSPO RTS Team Nigeria finally opened her Te am Nigeria O account for medals at the ongoing Account wit pens Medals XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold h Two Silver Coast, Australia yesterday with two silver medals from table tennis team event and shot put. The feat in both events came moments after Nigeria lost out completely in the much advertised menâ€™s 100m final in which the duo of Seye Ogunlewe and Enoch Adegoke placed fourth and seventh respectively. Page 47 UESDAY, APRIL

COMMON

10, 2018

W E A LT H

GAMES

47 Group Sports Editor Duro Email duro.ik hazuagbe@th Ikhazuagbe isdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

2018

Blake edges Ogu nlewe to claim 100m

Femi Solaja and Olajide After four days the Indian Omotayo allowed the important team a repeat Team Nigeria of fruitless hunt, Melbourn match against of the winner. e 2006 feat at her account finally opened Coast rested better than Gold us. We â€œWe were tired ongoing XXIfor medals at the Kamalwhen the trio of Sharath as we only our semi final and hardlyplayed explained that Games in GoldCommonwealth GnanasekAchanta, Sathiyan rested 40 minutes before rested before the final. he was under Coast, Australia That lack of the weather and decided the rest affected field medal aran and Harmeet commencement yesterday with of the skip the event. to the Shot finishing second in us badly,â€? Bello against India. two silver Desai race to the gold. medals from put event. He Segun Toriolafinal said at the secretariat Abiodun â€œI was not table tennis team a muscle had threw a Personal Best event and shot feeling fine. game with so started the first best. Theinjury but still gave his Nigeria at the Games.of Team decided to recuperate of 21.14m to I win the much hope Indians The feat in bothput. Team Nigeriaâ€™s silver events came romped into 11 â€“ 4 win as he semi final in the played their star, Aruna table tennis the singles,â€? Quadri and play With the medal. moments after stressed. morning and for the first set. But jinx Later it was the out completel Nigeria lost Sharath not play in Quadri, who did Chukwueon in the day, yesterday, Team Nigeria broken the team event y in the much who bounced Indian athletes are looking meka advertised menâ€™s forward to more back to won Nigeriaâ€™s Enekwechi, medals 100m final claim the three remaining in which the first track and as the paralympic at 11 -5, 11 sets events get underway 4, 11 - 9. Ogunlewe and duo of Seye from today. The placed fourth Enoch Adegoke hoped second set which many to be and seventh respectively. went to India. for Nigeria also Segun Toriola, Akani Simbine most the experience of claimed the sprint South Africa Africa d player from could not find of 10.03 while gold in a time to Indiaâ€™s answers his compatrio Gnanasekaran Henricho Bruintjies t, who settled for towed the line of his compatriot the silver. to beat Toriola 3 -1. Jamaican When the pair was tipped Johan Blake who and of Omotayo for the gold photo finish 10.19 ran a for Abiodun mounted the table Ogunlewe but with Nigerian wasthe third and last game, out gave the computer print for a huge mountain to climbit the Nigerians bronze to the Caribbean Sprinter. equally beaten . They were 3-0. However, But on the trackthe disappointment to the the defeat brought smiles an hour for lasted less than officialsfaces of Team Nigeria Nigerians who celebrated and Games as the at the countryâ€™s men welcomed the first table tennis players medal- a silver. after been trashedwon a silver In his post 3-0 in the team event Coach Nosirumatch interview, by Bello, blamed A power-pa India. his Segun Toriola, cked team of finalwardâ€™s loss to India in the match to fatigue Bode Abiodun and injury Commonw suffered by player en-route to celebratin ealth Games 100m gold medalist, Akani g South Africaâ€™s Simbine (right) resurgence in and his compatrio track and ďŹ eld t, Henricho Bruintjies, Nigeriaâ€™s Dâ€™Tigers at the ongoing 2018 edition UEFA CHAM (who won the lost their menâ€™s yesterday quarters in Gold Coast, silver) PIONS LEAG preliminary Australiaâ€Śyesterday 23-17, round pool A and 21-14. They 25-10, 28-14 final group game UE 97-55 to Australia had earlier lost in in the to Canada and New Zealand. basketball event Ike Diogu was 2018 Commonwof the ongoing performer the standout Manchester City ealth Games for in Australia. recorded 19 the team as he overturn a 3-0 deficit must task of progressi against Liverpoo points The former ng to the FIBA Africa rebounds while and six of their l in the second leg semifinals almost impossibl spells and champions Godsgift Guardiola Champions â€œOf course e. they have lost all four Achiuwa recording League you to go through quarterfinal to be readysaid is growing and points and eight tie have tonight and deal with adversity to make the will soon to be among eight rebounds Manager perfect game, the real elite . . â€œIf OKPE KPE insists thatPep Guardiola clinical, create chances, of be give upwe concede, donâ€™t European football. concede few RACE â€œthe perfect will require all â€œWe need titles - itâ€™s more chances, minutes. the gameâ€? than condition in 90 Europe his players. from perfect,â€? - itâ€™s complica s have to be We have very ted but created often said City goes â€œThe result the Spaniard. short a lot of chances in need nights that make you on the back into the match we period of time understand is tough but you have 90 minutes of a 3-2 defeat it,â€? and have in the Premier â€œBeating Barca he said. and in are to be clinical. And if we football (last season) we was so not clinical rivals Manchest League to What anything can happen. we are going on to the next then move know special because we er United on Saturday Adibe Emenyonu to do is theyâ€™re try. one,â€? he said. in Benin City was eliminate would have when a win one,We have to score the first the world butthe best team in City producers of secured the it will happen title. one. then make the second season in the last d last sooner or later.â€? Guardiolaâ€™s other key actorssouvenirs and 16 by Monaco and With less than in the tourism up a two goal side gave try toWeâ€™ll see the momentum sector it would be TODAY (7.45pm) 6th Okpekpe 40 days to the more so that we can record game and theylead in that weâ€™ll keep it longer and then, a disappointment for see,â€? gains Roma Internatio to know them fail to make he added. from the event,â€? even a single Vs Barcelona 10-kilometre that nal he said. the last four City conceded slip-up against Man City Vs Liverpool will the Governor Road Race, their six after such a dominant season Liverpool â€œWith a well-struc make their goals in the past two domestically. Mr Godwin of Edo State, sports games during a pair tured TOMORROW Obaseki, has sector, But the former of intense short challenged youths will most of our the manager believes Barcelona Bayern Vs Sevilla eventâ€™s and Organising be that his side the tourism engaged Real Madrid ensure that Committee to experienc sector will Vs Juventus e a major receipts accruemore tourism We boost. Two free kicks are committe Obaseki said to the state. d to the perfectly aimed and three goal for development goals scored Rangers in of the road race has the 10-kilometre our their 3-0 blueprint that sector with under pressure from defenders defeat of Yobe Desert The Ilorin side and the hostplaced the state 20 mini-stadia will deliver on Match-day Stars left first Enugu and a remodelled VAT Wonder 15 made the first singing fans at the Cathedral in Akure but had scored 2015/16 on the global communities Samuel season. Emmanuel Goal sporting map, Ogbemudia his praises. stepped forward attracting sports Stadium the 2017/18 Nigeria shortlist of Five minutes In Umuahia to hit the lovers and in the near future to ball hard into the se Profession l parti i Footb ll L qui k thi h lf d b l

bronze

Dâ€™Tigers in Third Straight Defea t

Guardiola Bank s on â€˜Perfect Game â€™ for Redemption against Liverpool

Obaseki Tasks Câ€™ttee on Highe Tourism Receip ts, Hitch-free Outinr g

VAT Wonder Goal

Award Shortlists Lokosa, Ogbugh, Zango, Others

TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

News Editor Davidson Iriekpen Email davidson.iriekpen@thisdaylive.com, 08111813081

Shell Paid $4.32bn to Nigerian Government in 2017, Says Oil Giant Ejiofor Alike Royal Dutch Shell Plc has said it paid $4.32 billion to the Nigerian Government in 2017, representing an increase of 19 per cent from the $3.64 billion the oil giant paid in 2016. The Shell’s Sustainability Report 2017, which was released yesterday, showed that the $4.32 billion paid to Nigeria was the highest paid by the oil giant to any government in the 29 countries covered by the report. By the report, government includes any national, regional or local authorities of a country, and includes a department, agency or entity that is a subsidiary of a government, which includes a national oil company. Shell said it prepared the report in accordance with The Reports on Payments to Governments Regulations 2014 as enacted in the UK in December 2014 and as amended in December 2015. The oil giant said the report includes payments to governments made by Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiary undertakings. The company however, added that payments made by entities over which Shell has joint control are excluded from this report. According to the company, payments made to governments arising from activities involving the exploration, prospection, discovery, development and extraction of minerals, oil and natural gas deposits or other materials (extractive activities) are disclosed in this report. The report, however, excludes payments related to refining, natural gas liquefaction or gas-to -liquids activities. The multinational oil firm said in its yearly sustainability report that out of the $4.32 billion paid in 2017, $3.197

billion was paid to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for production entitlement. The payments include production entitlements, which are the host government’s share of production in the reporting period derived from projects operated by Shell. Production entitlements also include the government’s share as a sovereign entity or through its participation as an equity or interest holder in projects within its sovereign jurisdiction (home country). The payments also include taxes paid by Shell on its income, profits or production, which include resource severance tax, and petroleum resource rent tax, including those settled by a government on behalf of Shell under a tax-paid concession. The report also showed that crude oil theft from pipelines of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) increased by 50 per cent, to roughly 9,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2017 from 6,000 bpd in 2016. While sabotage-related oil spill incidents rose to 62, from 48 in 2016, the report however indicates that the volume of crude oil spilled fell to 1,400 tones, from 3,900 tones in 2016 Also, Shell’s operational spills in Nigeria rose by one to nine in 2017, but the volume of oil spilled fell to 100 tones from 300 tones in 2016, according to the report. The report further revealed that theft and sabotage account for 90 per cent of the oil spills in the Niger Delta. However, the report added that the shutdown of the Forcados export terminal for much of 2016 “reduced opportunities for third-party interference” The report further added that SPDC also “made $10 million available” in 2017 to help set up the

Buhari Arrives London Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari last night arrived in London, the United Kingdom capital, where he is billed to hold discussions with Prime Minister Theresa May on Nigerian – British relations. The president who departed the shores of Nigeria from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 4p.m. yesterday, arrived in London at about 10p.m. later in the night. His arrival in London last night was coming a week ahead of the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGOM) scheduled for April18 to 20, where he is billed to present a speech. He will meet with May ahead of the meeting.

The president will also meet the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Plc, Mr. Ben van Beurden, in connection with Shell and other partners’ plan to invest $15billion in Nigeria’s oil industry. These investment ventures, according to presidency, will lay the foundation for the next 20 years production and domestic gas supply that will bring with it all the attendant benefits both to the economy and the wider society. Buhari will also renew discussions with the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, described by the presidency as a good friend of the president, on inter-religious harmony in Nigeria and world-wide. He will also meet some prominent British and Nigerians residing in Britain.

Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP), a government-led body to

clean up contaminated sites Shell said it had also developed with the

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) a new framework

for remediation of soil and groundwater that it will begin testing in 2018

I SERIOUSLY COUNT ON YOUR SUPPORT

R-L: President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie Oyegun; Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja....yesterday

FG: Farmers-Herders’ Clashes May Get Out of Hand NextYear Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja The federal government yesterday in Abuja said farmers-herders’ clashes might worsen next year if ranches were not created for cattle rearing. Raising the alarm while briefing journalists in the Presidential Villa after a meeting of the National Food Security Council, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, advocated the return of cattle to the old grazing reserve. Ogbeh who said ranching is the only viable option to arrest the menace, disclosed that herders are prepared to pay tax to support the project. “We have to move the cattle to the good old grazing reserves and we just have to create environments for them - clusters of ranches where they have water, grass and security against rustlers. “For nearly 40 years, we didn’t do much about cattle. We also forgot that cattle farming

contributes six percent to gross domestic product (GDP). The cheapest way of rearing cattle is by roaming around with them as you see now. “If you go into a ranch, it is not cheap and government cannot subsidise cattle rearing like they do in Europe, where they subsidise every cow with €6 which is about N2,400. We cannot afford that. “So the thing is, to create those ranches, the herdsmen are prepared to pay tax to support the programme. If we don’t do it, next year will be worse than this year. I assure you,” he said. Ogbeh also said the federal government was targeting single interest loans for farmers with the intention to force down the prices of foodstuffs in the market. Describing high interest rate as a major challenge in agriculture, Ogbeh said the government must make agricultural lending cheap to encourage farming. “We extensively discussed about food security in our country. We

extensively discussed the price of food in the market, availability of food. The challenges facing us, some are emergencies, others are rather long term. We also discussed credit in agriculture which is a major challenge. “The cost of borrowing funds on agriculture has been a bit too high in this country and that has been one of the factors impeding the growth of agriculture in the country and one of the factors stopping young people especially, and women from participating in agriculture and making it. “Today, we resolved that we must make agriculture lending cheap and we are looking at interest rate at the lower end of one digit. We don’t have any figures yet but we are hoping that by the time we meet again, we can announce that. “We also looked at the conflicts between farmers and herdsmen and what steps to take, possibilities of drought, security

issues impeding agriculture growth and the fact that agriculture has to become the mainstay of our economy over and above oil and gas,” Ogbeh added. Also briefing, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to hasten the training of agro- rangers in order to curtail incessant farmers - herders’ clashes in some states. Also speaking, Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, said the main duty of the council was to increase productivity in agriculture and create employment. He added: “We are looking at those elements that contribute to the cost of production. If we address those elements which include funding, grazing reserves and resolve the conflicts between the farmers and herdsmen, we believe that the prices will come down. Buhari had two weeks ago inaugurated the National Food Security Council chaired by him.

MTN Has Paid N165bn of Its Fine So Far, NCC Reveals Ogheneuvede Ohwovoriole in Abuja The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has lauded MTN Nigeria for paying N55 billion as the second tranche of the fine it incurred in 2015, bringing the total sum paid so far to N165 billion, representing over 50 per cent of the fine. The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Prof. Umar Danbata, disclosed this yesterday

when he received a delegation of MTN executives in his office. MTN Nigeria incurred the fine as a result of default on the directives of the commission for all mobile phone service providers to disconnect all unregistered SIM cards on their networks. After negotiating the initial record $5 billion fine to $1 billion, it made the first payment on March 31, 2017. MTN and NCC reached an agreement enabling the telecoms firm to pay at installments over a

period of three years and listing MTN shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The executive vice-chairman, while meeting with the executives, thanked telecoms company for not defaulting and keeping to the terms of agreement. “Part of the fine was paid not more than two weeks ago, we received a cheque of N55 billion. So far, MTN has paid more than 50 per cent of the fine, which translates to N165 billion and they have not defaulted.

“This payment they are making is consistent with the terms of the agreement reached,” he disclosed. Speaking earlier, the Chairman MTN Nigeria, Mr. Pascal Dozie, said the company was in the country to have a touch and feel relationship with Nigeria, as Nigeria is of great importance to their operations. He noted that a visit to NCC also offered the opportunity to pay the commission a courtesy call to discuss issues in the telecommunications sector.

T H I S D AY Ë¾ TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͮ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

T H I S D AY Ë¾ TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͮ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

COMMENT

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

A REBEL WITH A CAUSE

Adeyemi Adefulu pays tribute to Ayo Adebanjo, elder statesman and evergreen fighter, at age 90

oday, April 10, the ebony black, handsome, youthful and energetic Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo, one of the grandees of Nigerian politics turns 90. It is no exaggeration to say that he could be taken for 20 years younger than his age, maybe more. Nature has been so kind to this king of the boys who takes delight in being very friendly with young people the age of his grandchildren. While many of his age mates are on their wheel chairs or are bed-ridden, the spritely Chief Adebanjo is still to be seen on the Ikoyi Bridge regularly jogging and walking in the mornings! It is a rare privilege. Yet, this vigorous man, one of the oldies of Nigerian politics is, undoubtedly a moving encyclopedia. For him, politics is his first, second and third love. As a young man, he identified Awo, who probably, still under 40, as his mentor and enrolled very early in the Awolowo school of politics. He is still in that school today, may be as a professor emeritus. Chief Adebanjo was with Awo in the formative years of the Action Group, the most formidable political machine that this country has ever seen. He is a grassroot political organiser who in the 50s served as the organising secretary of the Action Group in Remo Division, Chief Awolowo’s home base where he cut his political teeth. As the organising secretary he was Chief Awo’s ear and nose, and obviously, a most trusted ally. At a stage, in the 50s, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, following the example of the sage, enlisted for law studies in the UK. That was with a view to sharpening his tools for the political career to which he had committed his life. It was at this time that he met and married his most amiable wife, Mrs.Christie Adebanjo from the notable Lawson family of Lagos and Togo. To this day, at nearly 87 years, she remains a paragon of beauty, a head turner! The duo makes quite a pair in good taste, an enduring family life and had been blessed with a beautiful family and accomplished children. When my class of activists joined the Awo political school during the days of the Committee of Friends, which was the precursor of the Unity Party of Nigeria, in the late 70s, he was one of our leaders. It was an awesome political grouping, well-oiled and disciplined. It prided itself in knowledge and dogged research of public issues and problems. Its lively and intellectual policy formulation sessions in its unending search for public good were a delight in social engineering. Along with Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Michael Ajasin, Alhaji L. K. Jakande, Mr. Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Prof. Ambrose Ali, MCK Ajuluchukwu, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Philip Umeadi, Ganiyu Dawodu, to name just a few, Chief Adebanjo was , unarguably, in the first eleven in the list of the very close associates of Chief Awo. Among Chief Awolowo’s close-knit circle, you will be right to call Chief Adebanjo and LKJ as the last men standing. He was with him in peace and in war, never flinching and never relenting in his loyalty and commitment. He was an Awo acolyte to the core, never ashamed to be called an extremist. He loved Awo with every atom of his being. He was the manFriday, available for sensitive missions 24 hours a day. He was the only close ally I knew of who had a room of his own in the Awo home in Ikenne. They were like father and son. We, the new recruits of the Committee of Friends days, were not with the team when it had its baptism of fire during

SO ADEBANJO, WHILE HIS COLLEAGUES WERE LANGUISHING IN BROAD STREET PRISON, THE CAT WITH MANY LIVES, WAS LUCKY TO HAVE SLIPPED INTO EXILE IN GHANA. AS FAR AS I AM AWARE, HE HAS NEVER REVEALED WHICH ROUTE HE TOOK THROUGH THE PRESENT DAY BENIN REPUBLIC TO GET OUT OF NIGERIA!

the treasonable felony trial and the events which led to it. We therefore do not know the real facts or if, indeed, the charges were concocted as the defence had vigorously alleged. Those old war lords kept certain things they will not reveal at gunpoint to their chests. But one man who will know the truth is Pa Adebanjo. When Chief Awo was charged to court for treasonable felony along with many of his supporters, Chief Adebanjo was in Ghana with the “fugitive offender” Chief Anthony Enahoro under the protection of the Osagyefo, foremost African pan- Africanist, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. So Chief Adebanjo, while his colleagues were languishing in Broad Street prison, the cat with many lives, was lucky to have slipped into exile in Ghana. As far as I am aware, he has never revealed which route he took through the present day Benin Republic to get out of Nigeria! But his luck was only for a while and was at a huge cost to his young family and fledgling legal practice. He was to live in exile from 1963-1966 until the coup d’etat which toppled the Osagyefo after which he lost his political cover and friend. Upon his return to Nigeria in 1966 he was clamped into detention by the new military government in Nigeria at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison and later at the Kaduna Prison till 1967. Many years later, when the Buhari coup d’etat of 1983 toppled the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari in 1983, I had the honour of sharing a cell with him and the late Dr. Tai Solarin at the Abeokuta Prison on the order of the then Colonel Oladipo Diya who was the governor of Ogun State and the successor of Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, Chief Adebanjo’s friend and fellow political traveller. Happily for him, his detention this time, unlike mine, was for a short spell. Chief Ayo Adebanjo, it can be said, has been a war lord, a controversial figure, fighting all his life for what he believed in. He is a most predictable person and a conviction politician. If you want his wahala all you needed to do was to criticise Chief Awo and thunder will fall! His faith in Awo, from the beginning to the end, was implicit. He is a general of many wars and he has his scars all over his body to show for it. Even if you don’t like the chief you cannot but respect his doggedness, commitment, bravery and his never-say-die spirit. He is well kitted with his arsenal day and night. To his eternal glory, he was part of Chief Abraham Adesanya’s war cabinet which stood for the actualisation of the MKO Abiola mandate which Babangida, recklessly annulled. It’s an infamy from which the general will never recover and for which history will be very hard on him. Barraged on all sides, Babangida had no choice but to “step aside” after installing Chief Ernest Shonekan, straight from the cushioned board room with which he was very familiar. Predictably, Chief Shonekan soon ran into the stormy waters of Nigeria’s uncharted political seas and was overthrown by Gen. Sani Abacha, who was waiting in the wings. MKO Abiola, an accomplished wheeler-dealer in the military circles, first mistakenly took Abacha for a friend but he soon saw the true colours of the ferocious general. Abiola was detained and charged to court and was to be incarcerated for a long time where he eventually died. The nation was in turmoil and on the verge of a volcanic eruption.

DOING MORE WITH LESS

Public sector organisations must find a way of providing new and better services at limited cost, writes Akintola Benson- Oke

t has been said that “since the onset of the great recession, doing more with less” has become a policy mantra. However, the mantra has not translated into actual implementable policies in most segments of the public service in Nigeria. Echoing this sentiment, Daniel Egbunu, in an online article published on March 12, 2017 noted that, the “impact of today’s rapidly changing economic and technological landscape has made government’s task of delivering public service more complex. More than ever before, governments all over the world have increasingly come under serious public scrutiny and fiscal pressure to deliver better outcomes to citizens, and to do so more efficiently. As is evident, Nigeria has not been spared from this in recent times. On the one hand, the dynamism presented by the impact of the interaction of economic, technological and other superintending elements in these scenarios have no doubt made governments’ public service delivery duties onerous. On the other, however, it has also opened up opportunities for the exploration of out-of-the-box strategies that governments can adopt if found to better the lot of their citizens.”

It is delightful to note, however, that the Lagos State Civil Service has come a long way - and has led the way-in reducing waste while increasing productivity. This is partly the result of the extensive investments in knowledge and skills by the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. For these investments, the Lagos State Civil Service remains grateful. The importance of eliminating waste cannot be over-emphasised. Countless studies have shown that with good and sound processes relating to management of time and resources, one finds that meagre resources can be extended to produce outstanding results. In other words, organisations and individuals can achieve more with less. The ultimate objective of this training is to identify and codify the methods, means, and strategies for ensuring that the Lagos State Civil Service is positioned to do more with less. At the end of this training, the Lagos State Civil Service and her officers should be able to produce even more outstanding results with less money, less personnel, and in less time. This, at the end of the day, is ultimate productivity. Furthermore, it frees up resources, both human and capital, for

investment in other competing fronts for the benefit of the good people of Lagos State. Explaining the rationale for such an objective as described above, an article by McKinsey & Company states as follows: “Governments around the world want to deliver better education, better health care, better pensions, and better transportation services. They know that impatient electorate expect to see change, and fast. But the funds required to meet such expectations are enormous—particularly in the many developed economies where populations are aging and the public sector’s productivity hasn’t kept pace with that of the private sector. The need to get value for money from governments at all levels is therefore under the spotlight as never before. But cost-cutting programmes that seek savings of one to three percent a year will not be enough and in some cases, may even weaken the quality of service.” The author of the article then stated that, in order to “address the problem, publicsector leaders are looking with growing interest at ‘lean’ techniques long used in private industry. From the repair of military vehicles to the processing of income tax returns, from surgery to urban planning,

lean is showing that it cannot only improve public services but also transform them for the better. Crucially for the public sector, a lean approach breaks with the prevailing view that there has to be a trade-off between the quality of public services and the cost of providing them.” I fully agree with the viewpoints expressed above. Indeed, it would be a great achievement if the Lagos State Civil Service is able to import the principles of lean operations from the private sector and apply them,mutatis mutandis, to the operations of the public sector. It has been rightly noted that the lean management and production techniques have their roots in the manufacturing sector. In this vein, the author earlier cited also stated that, “on a more pragmatic note, there are private-sectorinspired systems, strategies, know-how, processes and measures that can be learned and applied in ways that are adaptive to the public sector environment.” These models and principles are generic and adaptive to different scenarios that pursue an end of effective and efficient service delivery. This is a shift from the old style wherein one lone technocrat is plucked from the private sector and planted as head of a government project

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍŽËœ Í°ÍŽÍŻÍś

EDITORIAL MUCH ADO ABOUT THE LOOTERSâ€™LISTâ€Ś2 Nigeria should look up to Brazil and South Africa in its anti-graft war

ormer Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva last Saturday turned himself in to the police whose men immediately whisked him to prison in the southern city of Curitiba, where he will serve his 12-year sentence for corruption. Lula was convicted of trading favours with a construction company in exchange for a beachfront apartment after an investigation and trial spanning several years. Twenty four hours earlier, former South Korean President, Ms Park Geun-Hye was sentenced to 24 years in prison for abuse of power and corruption. On the same day, in South Africa, President Jacob Zuma, who left ofďŹ ce in February, was formally ducked on a 16-count charge of corruption, racketeering, fraud and money laundering. Unfortunately, after three years in ofďŹ ce, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria has remained frozen in its campaign rhetoric of blaming former President Goodluck Jonathan for everything that is wrong with our country and speciďŹ cally for â€˜looting the treasuryâ€™. Yet no charge has been preferred against WHILE WE NEED TO the former president ADDRESS THE ISSUE in any court of law OF CORRUPTION IN OUR beyond meaningless PUBLIC LIFE, IT MUST BE tales, including DONE IN A NON-PARTISAN by Vice-President AND LEGAL MANNER; JUST Yemi Osinbajo, LIKE IT IS BEING DONE who incidentally is IN COUNTRIES WHERE a Professor of Law LEADERS TAKE THEIR with specialty in PEOPLE VERY SERIOUSLY the law of evidence. Rather than make corruption a crime to ďŹ ght, the federal government has turned it into a propaganda tool, an indication that it is yet to come to any meaningful understanding of national problems let alone formulate sensible policies and programmes to tackle them. The publication by the Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, of a list containing names of some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) politicians at different stages of trial in various courts

Letters to the Editor

(as well as those not in any court) barely a year to the next general elections is not only suspect, it betrays a serious lack of commitment to ďŹ ghting graft. Meanwhile, the PDPâ€™s response as a party falls squarely into a predictable pattern. It has released an equally speculative list of alleged looters. Taken together, both lists fail as a diversionary tactic. While we need to address the issue of corruption in our public life, it must be done in a non-partisan and legal manner; just like it is being done in countries where leaders take their people very seriously. As we have seen from the examples of Brazil, South Korea and South Africa, corruption wars should be driven more by institutions rather than personalities while the judiciary remains very critical to sustain such efforts. Therefore, much as Nigerians are eager to see the results of the anti-corruption promise that brought President Muhammadu Buhari to power, the public is not fooled by the act of bandying the same set of names with allegations that are yet to be proven in court.

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SOWORE AND HIS PRESIDENTIAL QUEST

have watched the video of the verbal duel between Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, and Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications, five times now. I spent every second watching that recording in a theatre of pain and depression. Nigeriaâ€™s funeral is near with the ilk of Shittu in government. I have followed Soworeâ€™s town-hall meetings across the country with gusto, purely because of the novelty of the idea. I believe this is the first time an aspirant to the office of the president is actually holding intellectual discourses with citizens across the country. Even if he does not win, he has set a standard on which presidential candidates will be assessed in the future. I may not like Soworeâ€™s brand of journalism, but I will give it to him when it comes to being tenacious and daring. This is the reason I salute his quest to run for the highest office in the country against all odds. It is obvious he is ready to go the whole hog. I expected Sowore to be combative, virulent and caustic in speech during the radio interview in which he squared off against Shittu. Perhaps, he betrayed his antecedents as a ruthless

t is evident from what has transpired in the past three years that the anti-corruption war of the Buhari administration was just a populist gambit that was meant to secure the votes of Nigerians rather than a programme of action. But the drama and media showmanship that Nigerians now witness almost on a daily basis can only worsen corruption in the future. As we have stated repeatedly, there is hardly any difference between the weakness in dealing with some corrupt elements in his government by President Jonathan and President Buhariâ€™s total inertia in similar circumstances. While that remains a big shame for an administration that was brought to power on the pretext of coming to ďŹ ght corruption, President Buhari must also remember that he has a responsibility to uphold the constitution. In a society ruled by law, as distinct from some tribal domains ruled by unproven perceptions and assumptions, nobody should be called a â€˜looterâ€™ except on conviction by a competent court of law.

anti-establishment marshal. All through the interview, he addressed the minister as â€œSirâ€?, and even showed the â€œomoluwabi courtesyâ€? by lowering his head each time he responded to Shittuâ€™s insults. But the minister, who ought to have shown a modicum of decorum and restraint expected of a public officer, belched poison from his flatulent bowels. He called Sowore, â€œinconsequential, minionâ€?. He put up an acute display of arrogant power and delusive invincibility. He called a 47-year-old man, â€œboyâ€?. If Nigeria was a sane country, Shittu would be at a native madrasa breaking the chalk. That he is a critical part of this administration, says much of this government. Omobola Johnson, his predecessor, brought poise, finesse and technicality to the Ministry of communications. But what can be said of Shittuâ€™s stewardship? He is simply a product of catchment politics. In all, Shittuâ€™s outburst is just a window into the minds of the bastions of the old order. These owners of Nigeria will not let go without a fight. The Nigerian youth owe it a duty to themselves and the country to wrest power from this kraken. Fredrick Nwabufo, fredricknwabufo@yahoo. com

CRIME AS NEW CLASS LEVELLER

had a relapse of thought through the night over the armed robbery killings in OffĂ , Kwara State and my line of thought goes thus: all the participants in the robbery, in some few weeksâ€™ time would start buying new cars, new houses; they would have enough to settle the bills for the rent of their guns if it was rented, they now have access to more ladies especially those who define their class by money. Like I have said in the past that the societal deprivation of the African makes her see money as an end rather than a value and impact creating possession , because of this default mindset of the African and by extension the Nigerian, all the robbers in OffĂ are getting set to paint the town and the clubs red. However, my question is this: â€œHow do people who in the past had mocked some of these robbers for not being rich feel when the robbers now possess their former oppressorâ€™s object of pride?â€? You probably donâ€™t have an answer to the question and this in particular shows the limitations of our money-centric society, a society that defines every form of value, norms, humanity, success, achievement only by the exchange for money is indirectly preparing herself for doom. Before now, education was the class leveller, education was the last resort for the common man,

it ensures parity between the son of the peasant and the children of the high, but the political and elite class never liked the parity education produces, hence they went after education through criminal under-funding, substandard entry requirements, poor motivation and a capitalist endorsements of private institutions. Every time you hear a public school going on strike, do not assume the leadership is not happy about it, in fact all the news the media houses report about consultation between the staff unions and the leadership in government is a mere veneer to give the impression they actually donâ€™t like the fact that the students are on strike. Every rot you see in our public schools, every strike especially since the fourth republic began is deliberate, because the government needs such dilapidation to ensure your mass consent . Because the political and elite class took away the class levelling capacity of education ,crime and violence now became the new class leveller, for all the object of the rich manâ€™s pride, his shopping sprees in Dubai ,his many wasteful parties, his protruding belly ,his many mistresses and side chicks, are all the common man becomes accessible to after committing robbery and all other crimes. Kehinde Oluwatosin, Abeokuta, Ogun State

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018

POLITICS

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

EXECUTIVE BRIEFING

As House Probes Property Recovery Panel The decision of the House of Representatives to investigate the presidential probe panel on the recovery of public property will help to clear some of the controversies surrounding the panel’s emergence, writes Tobi Soniyi

recovery of the property for public good.” The panel claimed that the house was sold to Mark at the cost of N673,200,000, whereas the market value was N748,000,000. A similar letter was also served on Senator Ekweremadu. But while Mark has challenged the panel’s action in court, Ekweremadu was said to have simply ignored the panel because he had the law on his side. A source close to the former Senate President said Obono-Obla resorted to the use of the EFCC to harass Mark when Mark’s team of lawyers opened the legal fireworks against the panel. However, it is the case of alleged nondeclaration of some assets against Ekweremadu that has, no doubt, accentuated the allegation of political witch-hunt against the panel the most. In a letter to President Buhari dated 16th March 2018, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) accused Obono-Obla of “rabid partisanship and constituting himself into a government within a government, which now made the fight against corruption appears as politically motivated fight against members of the PDP”. HURIWA particularly wondered why the panel was not also investigating members of APC members or why all these were coming close to the 2019 election. It called on the president to disband the panel.

n August 1st 2017, the federal government announced the setting up of the Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla-led Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property. Then Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo was Acting President. The Presidency said it relied on the powers conferred on it by the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act, 2004. The law was originally Decree No 3, 1984 promulgated by the military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari, but with a retroactive effect from 31st December 1983. Legality of the Panel Many have, however, questioned the legality of the panel right from the outset. The panel is said to have solicited and received petitions from members of the public and also invited citizens to fill asset declaration forms, which is a constitutional preserve of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CBB). While Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution captures the CCB as a federal executive body, the 5th Schedule to the Constitution provides greater details of the acts amounting to a breach of the code of conduct of public officers. It also established the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Also, since the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act came into effect some eight years before the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act, the later is deemed a spent law because the functions specified by the Act to be performed through panels established by the president are now performed by the Code of Conduct Tribunal. There are also complaints as to the propriety of the panel’s existence side by side with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Furthermore, there is no gazette backing the establishment of the panel. There is also no provision for the panel in the 2017 Appropriation Act. There have been complaints over the activities of the panel. For instance, a source at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation said that many serving judges had complained of being targeted and harassed with purported petitions over undisclosed assets. They were, therefore given fresh asset declaration forms to fill. One of such letters dated 9th October 2017 and signed by Assistant Commissioner for Police, M Sulaiman M. Abdul on behalf of the chairman of the panel which was served on a serving judge of the Federal High Court It reads: “The Office of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property is in receipt of a petition against you bothering on abuse of office and thus investigating the allegations contained in the petition therein. “Consequently, in furtherance to our mandate made pursuant to Section 3 of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act, we request that you declare your assets as prescribed in Form attached”. However, no such petitions were attached. The affected judges smelt a rat over the whole affair. Some of them complained to the AGF, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN who immediately ordered the withdrawal of the offensive letters. One of such withdrawal the Solicitor-General of the Federation to one of the affected judges dated 1st November 2017 reads: “I am directed to refer Your Lordship to the above subject matter in relation to Notices issued by Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, acting in his capacity as the Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property to some Honourable Judges of the Federal High Court,

AGF, Abubakar Malami stepped in to stop the panel’s excesses

including Your lordship. “Regrettably, the said notices were issued without the due process and requisite clearance, hence I have the mandate of the Honourable Minister of Justice to withdraw same with immediate effect. Your Lordship may therefore wish to discountenance the said notice issued to you in its entirety”. At a time, the Presidency became uncomfortable with Obono-Obla. His utterances and media appearances were said to have created several problems for the government in terms of public perception in the anti-corruption war and in its relationship with other arms of government. Consequently, Obono-Obla, was suspended. His suspension letter dated 5th November 2017 and referenced HAGF/SH/2017/VOL/1/60 reads: “I have received a letter Ref. SH/OVP/ DCOS/FMJ/0424 dated October 20, 2017 in respect of the above subject from the Office of the Vice President. “In the said letter, the Vice President expressed his concerns on the activities of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property, which runs contrary to the enabling Act establishing it. He also noted that the activities of the Panel run foul or contrary

There is no gazette backing the establishment of the panel. There is also no provision for the panel in the 2017 Appropriation Act

to established administrative procedures and protocols in the Federal Civil Service structure. “In view of the foregoing, coupled with the directives contained in the letter under reference, you are hereby directed to refrain from any further action or taking any step in your capacity as the Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property with immediate effect until directed otherwise by His Excellency, the Vice President. “While you are to await further instructions in respect of the panel’s mandate, you are hereby directed to promptly provide a detailed up-to-date report on the activities of the Panel to the undersigned for onward transmission to the Vice President. “Furthermore, you are required to henceforth seek clearance from the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice before granting any media interview or making press releases on official matters”. Obono-Obla was later pardoned following extensive lobbying. Alleged Partisanship The Obono-Obla-led panel has also been accused of alleged partisanship and political witch-hunting of the opposition, especially members of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). For instance, whereas the official residences of the presiding officers of the National Assembly were monitised to former Senate President Senator David Mark (PDP) and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal (APC) at the same price while residences of presiding officers were monitised to Senator Ike Ekweremadu (PDP) and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator Usman Nafada (APC) at the same price, only Mark and Ekweremadu, who remained in the PDP are particularly being harassed by the panel. In September 2017, Obono-Obla issued Senator Mark a 21-day notice to quit the residence and also “show cause” why the federal government should not “enforce the

It’s 2019 politics Ekweremadu, on his part, has accused the panel of “a well-oiled smear campaign and political witch-hunt”. He alleged that the Probate Registry, of the Enugu State High Court was broken into and his will taken while only a photocopy was left behind. He said: “They copied the properties listed in the will and added many imaginary properties and started churning out baseless petitions to government agencies and officials against me”. Also addressing the South East zonal meeting of the PDP, Ekweremadu said the “APC government believes that one can capture power by blackmail and intimidation, and it will never happen”, insisting that “a situation where a government in power can try to use established anti-corruption agencies or employ soft tackles to harass and intimidate the opposition will never be accepted by anybody”. Ekweremadu declared that the fact that the panel rushed to court with inexistent properties or properties he had nothing to do with instead of carrying out an independent investigation had further exposed those, who stole, doctored his will and filed frivolous petitions against him. It was against this backdrop that the House of Representatives passed a resolution to probe the panel’s legality and mode of operation. This was sequel to a motion by the Hon. Kingsley Chinda. Already, the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Special Investigation Panel, Hon. Ahman Pategi, in a letter dated 28th March 2018 and referenced NASS/8HR/ DCD/016180/001 has demanded the chairman of the panel to submit the list, curriculum vitae, and certificates of its members. Also requested were documents showing the annual budgetary provisions for the panel since inception; list of investigations carried out from inception to date; list of all the seizures effected from inception till date, showing their location and names of persons from whom the seizures where made; details of bank account; and details of income & expenditure since inception. The hope is that the probe As the House Ad-Hoc Committee begins this probe, many hope that it will bring to an end some of the controversies trailing the establishment of the panel.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018

POLITICS

A Call Too Many The threat by the Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje to go to court if President Muhammadu Buhari refuses to heed the call to seek re-election in 2019 is hypocrisy taken too far, writes Davidson Iriekpen

new dimension has been added to the call for President Muhammadu Buhari to seek reelection in 2019 with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State threatening that his government would take legal action if he (Buhari) refuses to seek re-election. The governor, while addressing journalists in Abuja last Friday on the controversy surrounding tenure extension in the All Progressives Congress (APC) said in order for the president to continue with the good developments that he had started, he needed another four years to consolidate them. “In Kano, people are saying four plus four, that is they are urging me to contest again. But I too feel that in order to continue with the good development that we have started, development requires some time, and the constitution has given four years and another four years in order to consolidate what one has started. “I am convinced that I too will seek for second term and people are also urging me to do so. Eventually, it will be left to the people to decide whether I am qualified or not,” the governor said. On why President Muhammadu Buhari must re-contest in 2019, the governor said: “APC governors want Mr. President to continue. I am happy that it is not the president that said he wants to continue, it is the people that are saying continue, but Mr. President has not made up his mind yet. Kano State Government will take him to court any time he decides not to contest. So we are waiting for him. “In this country, we saw presidents who spent billions of naira for third term. So what is the ruse about a constitutional second term?” Recall that the same Ganduje had recently promised Buhari five million votes should he decide to re-contest in 2019 after the president visited Kano recently. Besides Ganduje, all the governors elected on the platform of the APC and presidential aides have been urging the president to seek another term in office. In their estimation, the president has done well and should run for another term. Even though the president has not made his intention known, the governors are unrelenting in their pressure. Recently, the Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, disclosed that president’s decision to keep Nigerians in suspense on his re-election bid was a deliberate move to avoid sabotage. He said the president would continue to keep his intention close to his chest because those who are opposed to his re-election can exploit the opportunity of his declaration to sabotage the country. According to him, declaring ambition about a year to the next election will only give such saboteurs a whole lot of time and period to sabotage the country economically, politically, among others. “You know the peculiarity of Nigeria particularly now. If the president speaks too early, it’s a problem. There is a lot of sabotage in the country. You have also heard so many have said ‘don’t run.’ So, they want to discourage him from running. Now, if he tells you, ‘I’m going to run,’ and elections are still one year away, it gives them one year to sabotage the entire country from all fronts - politically, socially, economically - they would throw everything at him just to dissuade him from running. So, when you know that, why then do you speak early? I think it makes a lot of sense for you then to keep things close to your chest till it is time for you to then say, ‘ok, I’m running’ by which time they can do less damage,” he said. Although the president’s body language has in recent times given indication that he may be interested in re-election in 2019, he has continued to keep Nigeria guessing. An instance was when he paid a presidential visit to Kano last year, he did not mince words to say that “Kano is in my pocket.” Also while on a visit to Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire last year, the president said he was coming late

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje

to the meeting with the Nigerian community because he had insisted on coming with two governors because doing so could be a vote for him in future. “First, I want to apologise for keeping you for too long seating. This is because I insisted on the governors attending this meeting. This is why I came along with them so that when we are going to meet you, when you are going to meet the rest of Nigerians, if you tell them that their governors were in the company of the president, I think that will be another vote for me in the future. I’m very pleased that they were able to turn up,” he had stated. While Buhari has the constitutional right to seek re-election in 2019, many Nigerians think that he should not seek a second term office due to his poor performance. Lately, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida and other prominent Nigerians and groups have joined those asking the president not to seek a re-election in 2019. Though many Nigerians did not expect the current level of sycophancy playing out in the Buhari’s administration and the level it is being taken to, they also feel that members of the APC are not telling the president the truth concerning the true state of affairs in the country. Besides, a cross section of Nigerians are not pleased with the way members of the APC are going with the re-election bid of the president. They think that the governors mounting pressure

Not only has Boko Haram not been defeated despite the billions of naira spent by the government, Fulani herdsmen and bandits are now on a killing spree

on Buhari to seek re-election are doing so for selfish reasons. The governors want to ride on president’s back to secure second term for themselves due to what they see as their poor performance. Secondly, a cross-section of Nigerians are wondering whether members of the APC are considering the health condition of the president. They wonder if he would be able to cope with the rigour of going to the states to campaign. They also wonder what he will he tell Nigerians that he has achieved on the economy, fight against corruption and fight against Boko Haram that he promised before he assumed power in 2015. Many Nigerians lost their jobs since Buhari assumed office. On the war against corruption, Nigerians may have seen that it is business as usual as nothing has changed as seen in the Mainagate, Osbornegate and many other scandals that came to light on the president’s watch. Above all, not only has Boko Haram not been defeated despite the billions of naira spent by the government, Fulani herdsmen and bandits are now on a killing spree. So far, statistics have it that over 12,000 people have been killed in Benue, Adamawa, Plateau, Taraba, Kogi, Edo, Zamfara since 2015 when the president came to power without any clear cut resistance from the government. Shortly after Buhari won the APC’s presidential ticket in 2015, reports emerged that the president was ill. This became a campaign issue. A majority of those in the opposition had maintained that Buhari was ill, and had been on medication for some time. But this narrative was vigorously contested and denied by Buhari’s handlers. His supporters believed and shared the view that he was as fit as a fiddle. But the concerns did not go away and shortly after his victory at the polls, Buhari had to travel to the United Kingdom for medical attention. In 2017, Buhari went on what was supposed to be a 10-day vacation to London, the United Kingdom and ended spending some 51 days. Again, the travelled to London on another medical vocation where he spent another 104 days. Since his return from these trips, not only has the president slowed down considerably, he carefully picks events to attend.

It is on this premise that many Nigerians are urging those pressuring the president to seek re-election to allow him jettison the idea and take care of his health. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has admonished Buhari and the APC to perish any thought of staying in power beyond May 29, 2019. The main opposition party alleged that the APC and the Presidency are desperately resorting to use of fifth columnists in a bid to destabilise its ranks having realised that Nigerians have rejected them. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP said the president already knew he had failed, adding that such accounted for why he was no longer confident on issues of 2019 general election. The party said Buhari’s media adviser, Femi Adesina, only confirmed the obvious when he announced the apprehensions being entertained by the president over the 2019 race, adding that he, (President Buhari) must have appropriately assessed and rated his administration as a failure. It said the president needed not bother about opponents if he had done well in office, warning the APC and the Presidency to end their current attempts to use paid fifth columnists in their failed bid to cause disharmony within the repositioned and rebranded PDP. “It is instructive to note that the Presidency’s comment is coming after the intimidating PDP mega rally in Dutse, Jigawa state, which sent a clear signal to President Buhari and the APC. If President Buhari had done well in office; if his government had not wrecked our economy; if his government had not damaged our national unity, resulting in the daily bloodletting in our country; if his administration had not betrayed the people and failed in delivering even the littlest of his campaign promises, President Buhari would not be afraid of any opponent ahead of elections as stated by his media aide. “From Mr. Adesina’s comment, it is clear that the President is fully aware that he has become grossly unpopular and cannot command any electoral value. Both the president and his party must therefore instruct themselves appropriately and completely bury the thought of staying in office beyond May 2019. “We therefore advise the Presidency and the APC to jettison any plot to force its way using intimidation, coercion and manipulations as such would be firmly resisted by Nigerians.”

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

UPDATE&TRENDING

Bickering over Edo Council Polls The plan by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission to hold local government elections on March 3, has reignited the rivalry between the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, writes Adibe Emenyonu

ince the announcement by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) that local government election will hold on March 3, 2018, the open rivalry between the two major parties in the state has once again been reignited. Before the inauguration of the Prof. Stanley Orobator-led Edo State Independent Electoral Commission recently, the state’s house assembly had on December 12, 2017 amended the state Local Government Electoral Law Law. Portion of the law amended the length of notice of polls as stated in section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, with regard to paragraph 11 and 12 of part two of second schedule of the nation’s constitution. The amendment, reduced the mandatory 90 days period of notice to all political parties and other stakeholders to prepare for election into the councils. It is this abridged period of time, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP] in Edo State has vowed to challenge in court. The PDP also said it would challenge the constitution of EDSIEC. Addressing a press conference on January 18 at the end of the PDP expanded stakeholders meeting, Chief Dan Orbih, Chairman of PDP in the state, said “the party cannot join the APC-led government to dwell on illegality over the amendment of the electoral law by the House of Assembly and the constitution of members of EDSIEC.” He said: “We have resolved that we are going to court to determine whether the Edo State House of Assembly can validly amend the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law to abridge the length of notice of polls as stated in section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, having regard to paragraphs 11 and 12 of part two of second schedule of the nation’s constitution. “We object and reject the composition of the Independent Electoral Commission in Edo state under the chairmanship of Professor Orobator; because we have observed that most of the members of the commission are card carrying members of registered political parties. We urge them on their part to disqualify themselves from participating in the process that will bring about the election of councilors and chairmen in all the local government councils.” Orbih stated that the party would ask the court to decide whether it was valid for the local government election to be conducted in Edo State without giving the PDP and other stakeholders the mandatory 90 days notice of polls as stated in section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended. “At the just concluded meeting held at the party secretariat today, 18th January 2018, we have resolved to go to court to challenge critical issues of law regarding the Edo State proposed local government election”, he said. He said the party leaders and members were of the opinion that the court must decide whether the amendment to the electoral law made by the state’s house of assembly on December 12th, 2017, was done in violation of the mandatory provisions of the rules of the house of assembly on law making process. According to Orbih, “Section 100 (2) of the 1999 constitution, these issues are critical and after a very thorough debate the party has come to the conclusion that we have the responsibility to protect and save democracy. We must put an end to impunity of the APC both at the state and the federal levels at this point.” The occasion afforded scores of APC members, led by Mr. Greg Osayi and Mrs Helen Orobor from Oredo ward 6 in Edo south Senatorial Dstrict to defect to PDP, saying they are dissatisfied with the guidelines for the council polls.

Obaseki. Defectors cited his performance for joining the APC

Mrs. Orobor who spoke on behalf of other defectors, said, they have been in politics for a very long time but from what they have seen so far, the APC has gone too far, hence their decision to leave APC and come to PDP. Reacting to the PDP’s threat to go to court, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Paul Ohonbamu, described the issues as irrelevant and unconvincing. He said the PDP was raising issues because the party had been too depleted and was afraid to face the APC in the election scheduled for March 3. He said PDP was afraid to to go into the election. On the claim by the Edo State Chairman of PDP, Dan Orbih, that the Edo State House of Assembly ould not validly amend the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law to abridge the length of notice of poll, Ohonbamu who was a former deputy speaker of the state assembly, said the PDP’s quarrel with the law making function of the Edo State House of Assembly as enshrined in the constitution, was a ploy to derail the process as the opposition knew that it was too weak to participate in the local council polls. “The PDP lacks a proper understanding of the law. The assembly has the rights to make laws for the running and well-being of local governments including local government elections. The house of assembly has performed its constitutional duties by amending the Electoral Law,” Ohonbamu said.

The PDP should not create tension where there is none. The house has the duty to amend laws

Ohonbamu recalled that under the administration of Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor in 2017, similar amendment was done which disfranchised certain people who were caretaker committee chairmen from contesting in the election and nothing was said about it then. He said: “The function of the Edo State House of Assembly is to make laws according to the rules of the house in the interest of all Edo people and this it has done. The PDP should approach the court of law for proper legal interpretations if it is confused and not engage in acts of rascality. The PDP should not create tension where there is none. The house has the duty to amend laws.” He said: “It is not the duty of PDP members to decide on legal issues dbecause they know they are finished and have attained the age of menopause and are merely brandishing expired talisman, advising the party to go to court and test the waters for proper interpretation of the law.” The two-time state lawmaker who challenged the PDP to prove its claim that some members of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission are card carrying members of the APC, said: “the PDP’s contention with the number of days of notice to claimant and other stakeholders before the election, are all polemics, and if they say it has to be 90 days, they should go to court. Their objection is nothing but an escapist route. The PDP can claim the sky and moon, but it is the duty of the judiciary to interpret the law. They are finished and down. When they were in power, they caused serious plundering of the economy. Today they are looking for how to come back to power to continue their plundering. “The Edo State House of Assembly will continue to make laws for the common good of all. The PDP cannot draw us back. Edo people are not ready for their faulty interjections. I enjoin them to go to court to test the veracity of their claim,” he stressed. The threat to challenge the power of the state’s assembly to amend the electoral law without recourse to the 90 days notice is not the only grouse of the Edo PDP. The mega rally organised by the APC last weekend, also drew the ire of PDP where two key members of

the opposition party, including their followers across the state, defected to APC. The two prominent members are Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, popularly called “EJ”; and a two time member of the Edo House of Assembly and also a former majority leader of the house. The other is a two-time commissioner at the NDDC board, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen. The two former PDP stalwarts, said that they decided to jump ship because the PDP refused to follow the rule of law. Speaking at the APC rally held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, they said that the Edo State government under Governor Godwin Obaseki was not only working but is worthy of emulation by other governors across the country. Agbonayinma said: “We have decided to join the APC and Governor Obaseki because PDP has refused to follow the rule of law. We are also here because the government under the APC and Obaseki is working. To be part of the work to make Edo great. I and Hon Mathew tried our best to make PDP straight, but they refused. “When a governor is working, you have no other option than to join him and not to oppose him. Obaseki is truly working. Everyone, including a blind man can see the work the governor is doing across the state. So, why oppose someone who is working in the interest of the people. Other governors in Nigeria should emulate what Edo State governor is doing for the people. “The governor is not a politician but a technocrat who has the interest of the people at heart. He believes in doing the right thing.” For Iduoriyekemwen, who was a former PDP gubernatorial candidate of the Alli-Modu Sheriff’s faction of the PDP which was not recognised by INEC, the move became necessary as they could not continue to oppose the progressive policies being implemented by Obaseki who has brought positive change to governance and the state’s economy. He said: “I am here today, with all my followers who are sons and daughters, to be part of a great movement in Edo State. We decided to join the Obaseki’s team and the APC as we can no longer continue to oppose the good things across the state. We believe that this will make Edo State better, to make the state become the best, we all need to unite to support the governor who is interested in making the state work. “The governor does not need any political distraction. All Obaseki needs to achieve his good intentions for the state is the support of progressives in the state. So, we are here to support his quest to develop our state for the benefit of the masses,” he added. He said one of the landmark achievements of the governor was restoring order in different parts of the state, which he said, has transformed Benin City. He said: “If you go through Ring Road, you will drive through easily, same with new Benin and Ekiosa. All the places we thought were impossible to clear, have been cleared today. The governor is making Edo State work and it is because of that we decided to join the governor and his team to make Edo great.” But PDP Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare described the rally as a tragic failure. He said to the ruling party, PDP is like an owl whose mere sight instils fear, its hoots make APC shiver in fear and if its quiet, make their fear consume them. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

PERSPECTIVE

Age of Can ouths, reckons Adebowale Adeniyi

“

Let us acknowledge and celebrate what youth can do to build a safer, more just world. Let us strengthen our efforts to include young people in policies, programmes and decision-making processes that benefit their futures and ours.” - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on International Youth Day, 12 August 2010. It was a renewed hope and excitement for the Nigerian youths on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, when the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill passed second reading at the House of Representatives. The bill was first introduced and sponsored by Hon. Tony Nwulu, Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency II of Lagos State on Wednesday May 26th, 2016. The Bill with

Nwulu...standing for the youth

The Nigerian youths constitute thin governance is a point of worry and needs urgent attention

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

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018

POLITICS

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje

Not only has Boko Haram not been defeated despite the billions of naira spent by the government, Fulani herdsmen and bandits are now on a killing spree

TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

FEATURES

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

BBC Expands Its Footprint The launch of the Pidgin, Yoruba and Igbo news services of the British Broadcasting Corporation in Lagos has broadened its reach among Nigerian listeners. Martins Iﬁjeh writes

Participants at the launch of the Pidgin, Yoruba and Igbo news services of the British Broadcasting Corporation in Lagos...recently

“

Nigeria is a very diverse country, and our strength lies in that diversity. I am hopeful that the introduction of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News services in Igbo, Yoruba and Pidgin languages will further help in uniting this country rather than dividing us.” These were the thoughts of the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President of Nigeria, Mr. Shehu Garba, during a chat with THISDAY at the launch of the BBC News service in Lagos recently. He said Nigerians are very accommodating people who are ready to embrace one another once the right messages are passed; noting that he has no doubt that the broadcasting giant will make that a reality. He said those from the North were very much aware of how BBC Hausa radio has become part of their lives, noting that the rich, the poor and those in rural communities have access to information through the BBC medium, as everyone connected because of the language. “Now the focus has moved towards the Southern part of the country with Yoruba, Igbo and Pidgin services. It will no doubt increase the level of information among Nigerians,” he added. Nigeria is a country of over 500 languages, but the three major ones are Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo. Nigerian Pidgin is an English-based Pidgin and the Creole language is spoken by over 75 million Nigerians. The BBC News officially opened its new bureau in Lagos with the introduction of the three languages, while its international news currently has an audience of 36 million in

Nigeria, the largest of any country. The Bureau; which will act as the BBC’s headquarters in West Africa – comprises a television studio and two radio studios and could house up to 200 people. Its three new local language services join BBC News broadcasts Hausa and English across the country, giving Nigerians same quality of reportage in diverse languages. The Editor of the news service, Peter Okwoche, who noted that original journalism in a local language travels even further than in English, said the platform was big on the African narrative and the Nigerian narrative,

adding that it was time for the people to try to tell their own stories. While stating that the Igbo and Yoruba news services are offshoots of the Hausa service, he said BBC Hausa service started about 60-61 years ago as a radio service because there was no internet. “So it began as a radio service, but it has gone on to have its own online platform – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. It has a news bulletin on TV now, which runs on Youtube. So, in that sense, the BBC Hausa service is very well established and very successful. “For the BBC Igbo and the BBC Yoruba, we are starting with online platforms first. Strictly because research has shown us that most people are beginning to consume their news on their mobile phones. “But that notwithstanding, the quality of stories on the Igbo and the Yoruba service will continue to maintain the highest standard of the BBC. For instance, BBC Igbo is launching an exclusive interview with Nnamdi Kanu’s wife, she talks about the whereabouts of her husband and what she knows about that.” On the Yoruba side, he said they have an exclusive interview with Professor Wole Soyinka. “Exclusive in the sense that it is one of the very few interviews, and that is what he has told us that he has ever given completely in Yoruba. And he talks about the Nigerian politics, leadership in the country and who he thinks should take over the leadership of the country, among other things. Very high-quality stories. We are bringing them to you in the indigenous languages of the Igbo and Yoruba people,” he noted. In an earlier interview with an online newspaper, he said before finally coming

out to launch the services, a pilot study was done for about a year and a half to figure out if people actually read and write Yoruba. He said the result was positive, as lots of people know how to read and write Yoruba. I take myself as an example. “I am from Benue State. Nobody ever thought me how to read my language. Because the Bible was printed in my Language in the early 1990s, I started reading it and learning. If there is a text, people will learn. If you are already speaking the language people will learn how to read it and then from there learn how to write it. I think people will engage with it and people will love it and come to see it for what it is – real impassioned news. People will appreciate it and begin to invite people to engage in it. “We have been piloting for the last two months and it has been a very interesting two months. Now, everybody who works in the Igbo Service is Igbo, but they are not from same part of Igboland. Everybody who works in the Yoruba Service is Yoruba, but they don’t come from the same part of Yorubaland. So what we have realised is that sometimes an accent might change, the spelling of a word might change. A lot of the time these things are not standardised. We are just trying to develop a formula where we make it as standard as possible realising that sometimes we might just have to change an accent or the way the word is spelt to reflect what part of Igboland we are talking about. “I give you a typical example. BBC Pidgin, for instance, the way we write Pidgin in Nigeria is not the way Pidgin is written in Ghana. So, when our reporter in Ghana is

˾ T H I S D AY TUESDAY˜ ͯͮ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

FEATURES

Garba

writing a story, obviously he writes it the way the Ghanaians write it. It would be very unfair for us in Nigeria to change it so that Nigerians will understand it. No. it is written primarily for a Ghanaian audience. So, we just let it go. So, if an Ogbomoso man and a Lagos man are saying one word in two different ways, if that story comes from Ogbomoso we would write it the way the Ogbomoso man will pronounce the word.” He said the service has a lot of stories about politics, technology, entrepreneurship, science, culture, traditions, women affairs, women in politics and business, among others. “Women actually do great things. A lot of people believe it is the women that keep the economy going outside of the oil industry. We want to cover all the great things that women are doing and bring them to the attention of our audience,” he added. The Director of the BBC World Service, Jamie Angus, during the announcement of the launch, said its investment in Nigeria has created over 100 new jobs in Lagos and that it was part of the biggest expansion of the BBC World Service since the 1940s. Not only that the news giant’s initiative will aid the country’s unity, it hopes to also help in providing job opportunities to Nigerians and empower next generation of journalists through its innovative approaches. “The BBC will also invest in the region further by launching a mentorship and internship scheme for the next generation of West African journalists,” the Director of the BBC World Service, announced. He said: “It’s wonderful to be here to open this bureau, which will be the headquarters for our operation across West Africa. It will be a beacon for our journalism and as such, I am delighted to announce our mentorship and internship scheme for up-and-coming journalists. This is part of BBC’s contribution to the growth of media best practice and professionalism in Nigeria and the fight against

It’s a great honour to be part of this expansion, and I’m so proud to be leading the teams in Nigeria. We will be big on original journalism that impacts the lives of Nigerians at home and abroad. We are expanding our editorial offer to cover politics, culture, business, health, investigations, among others

Ogunseye...delivering her address at the launch

Igbo dancers

The newly acquired tractors by Governor Simon Lalong

Hausa dancers

‘fake news’-and we’ll benefit from the young journalists’ insight into West Africa.” He said the BBC World Service delivers accurate, impartial and independent news to all countries. “We spot the stories, see the patterns and make sense of your world. We promise to remain your most trusted source of news in the years to come,” he added. On her part, the Head of BBC West Africa, Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye said: “It’s a great honour to be part of this expansion, and I’m so proud to be leading the teams in Nigeria. We will be big on original journalism that impacts the lives of Nigerians at home and abroad. We are expanding our editorial offer to cover politics, culture, business, health,

investigations, among others. “We will focus more on young people and women, ensuring that we cover Nigeria and the whole of West Africa like never before. We’ll remain true to our ideals and values of objectivity, truth and impartiality.” She said BBC news in Igbo, Pidgin and Yoruba reports on stories affecting the lives of audiences across the region would be available online and on social media, adding that there is also a 60-second audio round-up, BBC Minute twice daily. “The BBC is also joining forces with Channels Television on Connect Africa, a new weekly half-hour programme in English which will be launched later this year. This will be a

live current affairs focusing on the stories behind the news, with audience interaction via social media and from a studio audience. “The BBC will also launch more new television programmes for Africa later this year in English, Hausa, French and Swahili, and some of the TV teams will join the Lagos bureau. This will include programmes about sports, business, and entertainment, satire, women’s programme, a programme for 10 to 16 years old, and investigative documentaries,” she added. She noted that this will offer other local independent producers the chance to be involved in co-productions and BBC commissions.

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Group Business Editor ChikaAmanze-Nwachuku Email: chika.amanzenwachukwu@thisdaylive.com 08033294157, 08057161321

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Quick Takes OGTAN, NCDMB, PTDF Hold Summit The Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), in conjunction with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) will hold a one-day National Education Summit (NES)on April 16, with the theme: â€œSustaining Local Content through Quality Education and Training: Prospects and Challengesâ€?. OGTANâ€™s President, Dr. Mayowa Afe said in a statement that the association had designed the event to proffer solution that would bridge the yawning gap between the academia and the petroleum industry. He noted that fresh graduates from Nigeriaâ€™s tertiary institutions are ill-equipped to grab the opportunities the oil industry offers. â€œThe oil and gas trainers association aspires to fix this defect by bringing industry stake holders and the academia to a round table in order to identify issues bedevilling human capacity development in the industry and to proffer sustainable, private-sector-driven solutions that would enhance in-country value addition,â€? he added. The statement added that one-time Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili shall lead the deliberations along with a team of panellists.

Boeing Wins Widebody Jet Order

PROMOTING INDIGENOUS SOFTWARE

L-R: Former Governor, Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke; Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu and President, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), James Emadoye, at the 2018 ISPON President Dinner held at the Oriental Hotels, Lekki, Lagos...recently

NNPC Restores Normal Supply of Petrol at Cost of N1.4tn ÂŽÂ™Â˜Â? Â˜Â Â—ÂŽÂ›Âœ ÂœÂŽÂ•Â• ÂŠÂ? Ĺ—Ĺ™Ĺ™ Â˜ÄœÂŒÂ’ÂŠÂ• Â™Â›Â’ÂŒÂŽ Ejiofor Alike Exactly six months after the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) assumed the sole importer of petrol in October 2017 and struggled to meet the countryâ€™s need, the corporation has finally normalised the supply of the product, with depot owners now selling at official ex-depot price, THISDAYâ€™s investigation has revealed. The corporationâ€™s inability to bridge the supply gap created by the refusal of the private marketers to import petrol, had

ENERGY led to fuel crisis, which marred the Christmas celebration and lingered into the first quarter of 2018. However, NNPCâ€™s success was achieved at a great cost to the country as the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had revealed that the corporationâ€™s under-recovery, which is the loss incurred by selling the imported product at official prices of N133 per litre at the depots and N145 at the pumps, had hit N1.4 trillion yearly.

Despite the low pump price of N65 paid by Nigerians, there was allegation of massive corruption in the subsidy regime when subsidy claims rose to N1.1 trillion, against the N286 billion budgeted in 2011 by the federal government. But the recent revelation by the petroleum minister is an indication that at a pump price of N145, the NNPC incurs a loss of N1.4 trillion yearly to subsidise petrol and ensure that Nigerians get the product at the official N145 pump price. Investigation at the weekend revealed that with the NNPCâ€™s

efforts, which have ensured that the country is flooded with petrol, some of the depot owners were selling at N133 per litre, against N160, they were selling the product early this year. Some marketers, who received the allocation from the NNPC were, however, still selling slightly above the official ex-depot price. THISDAY also gathered that the slight increase was not significant to fuel a hike in the N145 pump price. Continued on page 22

Expert Seeks Deregulated Market for Prepaid Meters Chineme Okafor in Abuja An energy expert, Mr. Dan Kunle has called on the National Assembly to enact a legislation that will deregulate the market for prepaid meters. Sponsored by the Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Lagos), the proposed legislation seeks to criminalise the practice of estimated billings methodology, which many Nigerians consider as extortion It reportedly seeks to end the discretional powers of electricity distribution companies (Discos) to unilaterally determine the

ENERGY estimated amount to be charged electricity consumers that do not have prepaid consumer metres at their residences or places of work. The promoter of the bill, Gbajabiamila, said that the members of the house would irrespective of their party affiliations, push through the bill which he described as a masses-oriented bill until it is signed into law. He added that it would permanently address complaints by constituents across the country

against the Discos. These constituents, he noted have argued that the unfavourable technical manipulation of their consumptions by the Discos were unfair. He said an amendment would be done on the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005, to include new sections 68 to 72 which will prohibit estimated billing methodology in Nigeria. But Kunle told THISDAY that it was an overzealous proposal that would add no economic value to Nigeriaâ€™s electricity market. Kunle stated that in place of

such bill, members of the House of Representatives should rather pursue and create laws that would open up the electricity meter market in Nigeria to allow consumers of electricity buy meters from the open market for installation at their residences or business premises. He noted that a deregulated electricity meter market in the country would drive up new meter installations and subsequently cut down the practice of estimated billing across the distribution networks. Continued on page 22

Boeing Co has won a closely watched contest to supply 47 new 787 Dreamliner jets to American Airlines, beating European rival Airbus for the highly coveted order of widebody, long-haul aircraft. â€œThis was a difficult decision between the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350 and A330neo and we thank both manufacturers for their aggressive efforts to earn more of Americanâ€™s business. In the end, our goal to simplify our fleet made the 787 a more compelling choice,â€? American Airlines President Robert Isom said in a statement. The deal, at a list price of more than $12 billion, is the latest in a series of heavy blows to the Airbus A330neo. It comes just weeks after Hawaiian Airlines dropped an order for six Airbus A330-800neo jets in favor of the 787, leaving that particular variant of long-haul A330neo with no customers. â€œThis new order is a powerful endorsement of the 787 familyâ€™s unique passenger appeal and unmatched ability to help airlines open new routes and grow profitably,â€? Boeing Chief Executive Kevin McAllister said in a statement.

Apple Opposes Repeal of US Plan Apple Inc said at the weekend it opposes any repeal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of the Clean Power Plan, which is a priority of the agencyâ€™s Administrator Scott Pruitt and would reverse an Obama-era program to curb greenhouse gases. Repealing the plan would jeopardize the countryâ€™s position in the race for investments in clean energy, particularly its competition with China, Apple said. It was the first public comment by a company on the proposed repeal of the plan, which has never been implemented because of legal challenges. â€œRepealing the Clean Power Plan will subject consumers like Apple and our large manufacturing partners to increased investment uncertainty,â€? the California-based company said in a filing to the agency. Apple, which says it runs its U.S. operations fully on renewable energy such as wind and solar power, added that repeal of the plan would also threaten development and investments that have already been made in renewable power. Lisa Jackson, who was the EPAâ€™s chief from 2009 to 2013 under former President Barack Obama, runs Appleâ€™s programme to address climate change through renewable energy and energy efficiency.

â€œNNPC is concerned that continued cross-border smuggling of petrol will deny Nigerians the benefit of the federal governmentâ€™s benevolence of keeping a fixed retail price of N145 per litreâ€?

Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͮ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

BUSINESSWORLD NNPC RESTORES NORMAL SUPPLY OF PETROL AT COST OF N1.4TN

For instance, 15 depot owners and six major marketers had stock of petrol at the weekend. The 15 depots include, AA Rano, Aiteo, Bound Oil, Bovas, Chi-Pet, D-Jones, First Royal, Folawiyo, Gulf Treasure, Integrated Oil, MRS, Obat, Africa Tanker, Wosbas and NIPCO Plc. It was learnt that the major marketers dispense the product to only their dealers at N145 and pay them extra margins to enable the dealers sell at the same N145 at the filling stations. But some of the 15 depot owners sell at between N134 per litre and N136.50 per litre, against the N123.28 – N133.28 ex-depot price band recommended by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Authority (PPPRA) on May 11, 2016 when this current pricing regime took effect. The NNPC had on March 5, 2018 announced that it was spending N774 million daily as subsidy on the 50 million litres of PMS consumed across the country.

EXPERT SEEKS DEREGULATED MARKET FOR PREPAID METERS

“I believe that when the likes of MTN came into this country, they didn’t force phones on people. People bought phones and their sim cards separately. Today, no telecoms firm demands that you must get phones from them to be able to connect to their services, if that is the case, why is it different in the power sector,” Kunle asked. According to him: “The most sensible solution to the meter conundrum we face in the power sector today would be to open up the meter market so that people can freely buy their meters from the open market, take them to meter testing stations across the country for certification and then install at their residences instead of waiting for Discos and then having to deal with the challenges of estimated billing.”

Group Business Editor

Chika Amanze-Nwachuku AgriBusiness/Industry Editor

Jonathan Eze

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents

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

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

NEWS

FG’s Ministries to Meet over Non-taxation of Imported Cooking Gas Stories by Chineme Okafor in Abuja The ministries of petroleum resources and finance would soon meet to address the issue of the continued exemption from value added tax (VAT), imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), or cooking gas, while the product that is produced in Nigeria is taxed, Brenda Ataga, a Senior Special Adviser to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has said. Speaking to journalists at a stakeholders’ meeting on how to adequately deepen the role of LPG in Nigeria’s domestic energy sector, Ataga who advises the petroleum minister on downstream infrastructure, said in Abuja that the government would address the existing issues and controversies surrounding non-taxation of imported gas. According to her, government was also looking into how Nigeria’s gas sector could be restructured to become more competitive and help her economic diversification from oil to gas as a sustainable energy source and revenue earner. She explained that it was an anomaly that domestic LPG is consistently taxed by the country’s tax authorities, while imported gas come into the country free of tax. “LPG has zero import duties but there is VAT on domestic LPG and we are in discussions with the ministry of finance to balance that anomaly where

imported gas has no VAT while domestic LPG has VAT,” said Ataga. She further stated: “We are discussing that so that LPG can be a more competitive field and we are addressing the issue of pricing as well.” Ataga noted that a target had been set by the ministry of petroleum resources to ensure that Nigeria produce

and supply up to five million tonnes of LPG in 10 years as against the 700,000 tonnes that is currently being produced annually in-country. On the possibility of LPG becoming an alternative fuel source in Nigeria for energy security, Ataga added that LPG could be an essential alternative to petrol; kerosene; diesel;

auto-gas for transportation; as well as for cooking and power generation. “The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas is one of major producer of LPG in the world. Nigeria stands at second largest producer behind Algeria (in Africa). With volumes like that, I don’t know why LPG is not available to the locals, we will

be looking at the domestic supply obligations that frame how much LPG is being brought into the country,” Ataga stated. She also informed that the stakeholders’ meeting would look at the critical challenges of the domestic LPG market, especially its challenges with infrastructure and come up with workable solutions to them.

SHOWCASING WOMEN IN BUSINESS

L–R: CEO, Fashpa, Oyindamola Honey Ogundeyi; Managing Director, Flying Doctors, Ola Orekurin Brown; founder, Mamalet, Anike Lawal and Facebook’s SMB Sales Manager, Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Abi Williams, during a panel discussion at the ﬁrst subSaharan African launch of #SheMeansBusiness in Nigeria, held in Lagos...recently

NNPCBeginsIntegrityTeston5000kmPipeline Gombe Faults Goje on Social Investment Programme Network The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has stated that it will embark on a comprehensive audit of the over 5, 000 kilometres of its petroleum products and crude oil pipelines to ascertain their integrity levels. The corporation said this in a statement by the Managing Director of its subsidiary, Nigerian Pipeline and Storage Company (NPSC), Mr. Luke Anele. Anele, according to the statement, signed by the Group General Manager, Public Affairs of the NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said the integrity test plans had been approved by the corporation’s board and would be executed by the National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), an upstream subsidiary of the NNPC. “It covers the conduct of integrity test on crude pipelines, the products pipelines and our depots, with special emphasis on refinery attached depots and refinery evacuation lines,” said Anele in the statement. Anele noted that the outcome of the project would help the NPSC to take informed decisions on the appropriate strategies it would adopt in the planned Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement for the pipelines. In another development,

NNPC’s Chief Financial Officer and Group Executive Director, Finance and Accounts, Isiaka AbdulRazaq, also stated in the in-house publication that the corporation has successfully completed all outstanding audit exercises on its group financial statements from the years 2011 to 2016. He explained the audited backlog has since been formally approved by NNPC board in line with extant laws governing its operations, adding that its conclusion would foster better relations with its stakeholders, in addition to promoting transparency and accountability in its works. He noted that the current management at the corporation inherited 65 unaudited financial statements of the corporation, covering 2011 and 2014. “There were, undoubtedly, challenges that led to the backlog which may have been beyond the control of the previous managements. However, the important factor was not to look to the past. We saw an opportunity to challenge the problem and resolved to clear the arrears in the shortest possible time,” said AbdulRazaq. NNPC has also unveiled plans to partner Osun State to build a state-of-the-art retail filling station that could improve the supply and distribution of petroleum products in Osun and its environs.

NNPC quoted its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, as saying this when the Governor Rauf Aregbesola visited him in Abuja. “Our strategy for the NNPC Retail is to capture as much of the downstream retail market in the country as possible. A state like Osun is very central to our expansion drive. Having looked at the possibilities, we are committed to taking the discussions further. We have reached an advanced stage in our discussions. Next week, we are expected to further discussions on commercial terms of offer with the state government’s team,” Baru said. He said the partnership would expand the downstream fuel distribution and retail in the state and ensure adequate products availability in the state. Baru added that over the years, NNPC has enjoyed tremendous support from Osun State as a neighbouring state that hosts its System 2B pipeline segments which connects its Mosimi depot with Ibadan, Ore and Ilorin depots. “I am happy to inform you that over the years, we hardly record any incident of pipeline vandalism or security breach along our System 2B pipeline network that cuts across Osun state. This is attributable to the efforts of the state government and the law-abiding people of the state,” Baru added.

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Gombe State Government has described Senator Danjuma Goje’s claim that the state did not benefit from the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs) of the federal government as “baseless.” Goje, who doubles as Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, had threatened to cut down on the proposed National Social Investment Programmes’ (NSIP) N500 billion allocation in the 2018 budget over allegation that no single person from Gombe State had benefited from the N-Power programme. In a prompt response, the Gombe State Government described Goje’s claim as “untrue”, noting that the state currently enjoys the services of over 2,800 beneficiaries of N-Power programme who are presently providing services in the health, agro-allied and education sectors respectively. A press statement signed by Hajia M.I Mele, the Special Adviser to Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, on Social Investment Project, explained that an additional 7,000 people from the second batch of the NPower programme had been verified and are awaiting placement and postings. Her words: “It may interest the distinguished senators that 2,809 food vendors are currently providing highly nutritious

meals to about 286,000 pupils in the state. “In Senator Goje’s Senatorial District, 162 food vendors have being verified to provide meals for 14,342 pupils daily in the Senator’s local government which happens to have the highest number of vendors and pupils in the State. “ The statement posited that a total of 419 food vendors have been engaged by the NPower programme in Gombe state with more than 36,117 pupils fed at the grassroots. “Yamaltu Deba Local Government happens to be amongst the 3 pilot Local Government Areas for the conditional cash transfer program, a local government within the senators constituency. “More than 200 cooperative groups from Senator Goje’s constituency have so far applied for the government empowerment and entrepreneurship program (GEEP) and awaiting disbursements from bank of industry,” Mele added. The statement further commended Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) for the wonderful initiative aim at addressing the poor and vulnerable in the country. According to her, the State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo has provided unwavering support to the overwhelming success of the program in the state.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ENERGY

Curbing Sabotage-related Oil Spills in N’Delta With the increasing concerns raised by Amnesty International in its reports on the devastating effects of oil spills in Niger Delta, Ejiofor Alike suggests that the oil-producing communities should support the initiatives undertaken by Shell to prevent and minimise spills caused by theft and sabotage The issue of oil spills in the Niger Delta has been a major concern to the oil communities, operating companies, various tiers of government and international stakeholders. The environmental pollution of the region came to unprecedented international limelight when the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) conducted a study in the case of Ogoniland in 2011 and recommended the setting up of $1 billion fund to clean-up oil pollution and ensure the environmental remediation of the area. In line with his promise to implement the UNEP report, President Muhammadu’s administration has properly funded both the governing council and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Hydro-Carbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP), the two key elements of the governance structure required for the clean-up, according to the Chairman of the BoT of the HYPREP, Mr. Wale Edun, who had confirmed this in a programme anchored by the Editor and Executive Director of THISDAY Newspapers, Ijeoma Nwogwugwu, in Arise Television, a sister arm of THISDAY. As stakeholders are gearing up to implement the UNEP report, Amnesty International recently raised the alarm on the devastating effects of oil spills in the Niger Delta. In the latest report, the rights group accused Shell and Eni of serious negligence, citing what it described as its groundbreaking research project, which allegedly showed that the serious negligence by the two oil giants was exacerbating an environmental crisis in the region. According to the report, Amnesty International said it found that Shell and Eni were taking weeks to respond to reports of spills and publishing misleading information about the cause and severity of spills, which may result in communities not receiving compensation. “Shell and Eni claim they are doing everything they can to prevent oil spills but Decoders’ research suggests otherwise. They found that the companies often ignore reports of oil spills for months on end - on one occasion Eni took more than a year to respond. The Niger Delta is one of the most polluted places on earth and it beggars belief that the companies responsible are still displaying this level of negligence,” said Business and Human Rights Researcher at Amnesty International, Mark Dummett, Amnesty International urged the federal government to re-open investigations into 89 oil spills. The rights group said it collected information about the contents of the reports that Shell and Eni published each time they visited the site of an oil spill. According to AI, these reports detailed the likely cause, location and extent of the damage, and were often accompanied by photographs. According to AI, these reports were important because companies pay compensation to affected communities based on this information. Amnesty International further alleged that the previous reports it conducted had revealed that the information in these reports was often inaccurate.

Illegal reﬁnery operators at work in Niger Delta

accounts for rare cases as no company will deliberately inflict such huge losses on itself by deploying the wrong or obsolete equipment. The rights group also alleged that the oil giants under-estimate the spills to reduce the amount of compensation. It is, however, on records that Shell, for instance, has publicly reported oil spill statistics yearly since 1995 in the Shell Sustainability Report and has also created a website to further enhance transparency on spills in Nigeria from SPDC-Joint venture facilities. SPDC is the only oil and gas company in Nigeria to publish data on all spills in its areas of operation online. The oil spills website went live in 2011. The federal, state and local governments, as well as the regulators – Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) are in a position to access and analyse these reports and sanction the company if there is any infraction. If the Amnesty International’s researchers are better equipped technically to address the issue of oil spills in Niger Delta than the DPR and NOSDRA, the implication is that Nigeria’s oil and gas industry has collapsed and the federal government should declare emergency in the Major causes of spills One of the allegations by Amnesty International industry, was that Shell and Eni were taking weeks to Shell’s initiatives respond to reports of spills. The group also alleged that Shell and Eni A spokesperson for SPDC, Mr. Bamidele Odugclaimed that they were doing everything they besan has responded to Amnesty International’s could to prevent oil spills but the research it latest report. Odugbesan dismissed the allegations as false, conducted suggested otherwise. However, it would require further research and without merit, adding that Amnesty’s report work to find out if Shell, Eni and any oil and failed to recognise the complex environment in gas-producing company, with their profit motives which the company operates where security, a would deliberately allow their facilities to spill sole prerogative of the government,” remains a major concern with persisting incidents of and waste hydrocarbon. It is a common knowledge that majority of criminality, kidnapping, vandalism, threats from the spills suffered by the oil and gas producing self-described militant groups”. companies in the Niger Delta are caused by “As operator of a joint venture, where the crude oil thieves, who have the technology to government-owned Nigerian National Petroleum tamper with the pipelines and scoop oil but Corporation has a majority interest, SPDC lack the technical know-how to fix the lines to continues to work with federal and state government agencies, communities and civil society prevent oil spillage. There is no doubt that equipment failure to create a safe operating environment. SPDC,

in collaboration with government regulators, responds to spill incidents as quickly as it can and cleans up spills from its facilities regardless of the cause. We regularly test our emergency spill response procedures and capability to ensure staff and contractors can respond rapidly to an incident. However, response to spills, clean-up and remediation depend on access to the spill site and ultimately on the security of personnel and equipment while work is ongoing. SPDC reiterates its commitment to carrying out operations in line with best practice in a responsible and environment-friendly manner,” he added. With the high rate of criminality, kidnapping, vandalism, and other security threats, which have made every company to provide its own security in the Niger Delta, Nigeria has become a high-risk environment in the global oil industry. There is no doubt that oil spills due to crude oil theft and sabotage of facilities, as well as illegal refining cause the most environmental damage from oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta. Shell has insisted that “Irrespective of cause, the SPDC JV cleans up and remediates areas affected by spills originating from its facilities”. “A key priority for Shell is to achieve the goal of no spills from its operations. No spill is acceptable and we work hard to prevent them,” the company said. “When a leak is identified, production is suspended and efforts made to contain any spilled oil. We regularly test our emergency spill response procedures and capability to ensure staff and contractors can respond rapidly to an incident. In line with government regulations, a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) team visits the spill site to establish the cause and volume of oil spilled. The team is led by the SPDC staff and includes representatives of the regulatory bodies, police, the state government and impacted communities. The SPDC JV cleans and remediates the area impacted by spills from its facilities, irrespective of cause. In the case of operational spills, it also pays compensation to people and communities impacted by the spill. Once clean-up and remediation are completed, the work is

inspected, and once satisfactory, approved and certified by Federal Government of Nigeria regulators – the Department of Petroleum Resources and National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency,” the company explained. Since 2016, Shell has sustained on-ground surveillance efforts on its areas of operations, including its pipeline network, to mitigate incidences of third-party interference and ensure that spills are detected and responded to as quickly as possible. There are also daily over-flights of the pipeline network areas to identify any new spill incidents or activities. The company has also installed state-of-the-art high definition camera to a specialised helicopter that greatly improves the surveillance of our assets and have implemented anti-theft protection mechanisms on key infrastructure. SPDC’s remediation practices are compliant with the Environmental Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria (EGASPIN), Revised Edition 2002 as well as other relevant international standards. Since 2012, Shell has also worked with the International Union for Conservation of Nature to enhance remediation techniques and protect biodiversity at sites affected by oil spills in SPDC’s areas of operation in the Niger Delta. Based on this partnership, SPDC has launched remediation improvement initiatives to help strengthen its remediation and rehabilitation efforts. A major challenge facing Shell and other oil companies is that they are denied access to impacted sites by the communities and the various criminal groups who want to benefit from the spills. Aware that the more the severity of the spills, the bigger the compensation, communities are known to have denied the companies access to impacted sites to ensure maximum damage to the environment. To address this issue of oil spills, the federal government, oil communities, Amnesty International and all the stakeholders should collaborate with the companies, instead of this periodic bulk-passing.

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BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Connecting Women Entrepreneurs to the Global Market The International Trade Centre has launched the SheTrades initiative, which seeks to connect one million female entrepreneurs to the global market by 2020. Jonathan Eze writes on how the Nigerian Export Promotion Council is facilitating the project Recently, thousands of advocates, policymakers and business leaders from and civil society organisations gathered in Copenhagen, the capital and most populous city of Denmark for Women Deliver, the world’s largest global meeting focused on the health, rights and well-being of girls and women. The private sector is already widely recognised as a key partner in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the strong representation of business among attendees was particularly notable. During the event, a new framework for accelerating private-sector action on women’s empowerment in global value chains was unveiled. The framework identified the main business drivers, key principles for action and three primary roles that can be taken to drive their investments in women — and discussions throughout the event underlined that leading companies already are putting into practice the core components of the framework. Women’s economic empowerment is not a matter for government policy, the private sector, or civil society alone. All have critical roles to play. That is why having more women in the marketplace has a positive impact on businesses in all sectors and the women themselves benefit from a larger workforce, more competition, and as a result more choices between better products. In fact, the McKinsey Global Institute estimates that advancing women’s equality could add US $28 trillion to global GDP by 2025, enabling economies to unlock their full potential –and SheTrades is the key. SheTrades initiative was launched in July 2016 with commitment to bringing 200,000 women to the global market as part of the broader UN–Goal of connecting one million women to the international market place by 2020. Towards realising this, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) organised stakeholder’s forum in some states in liaison with a steering committee inaugurated to further drive the SheTrades initiative. At the programme, NEPC Executive Secretary and Chairman, Segun Awolowo, said: “The council, in partnership with ITC, brought together women entrepreneurs to increase their awareness on the SheTrades platform, thereby improving their visibility and the use of trade intelligence as well as strengthening the Trade and Investment Support Institutions (TISIs) to enhance policies for the benefit of the exporting entrepreneurs.” Awolowo also underlined that research shows that women has largely being the driving force behind the global economy, controlling over 65% of global consumer spending. However, he pointed out that globally, women businesses are outperformed in less productive sectors, as owners often lack adequate access to capital in addition to the myriad of bottlenecks and complications plaguing their businesses as same as applies with all Nigerian entrepreneurs. “Therefore, the ITC Call to Action offers a platform to rally and engage stakeholders across governments and the private sector, to address previous shortcomings and advance women’s economic empowerment. Gender equality and the empowerment of women is a prerequisite in achieving the Global Development Goals on Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations, setting forth an ambitious development agenda to 2030,” he added. Awolowo noted that the ITC SheTrades Initiative was an opportunity to accelerate economic growth through increased participation of Nigerian women in global trade stressing that such an opportunity was long overdue to unlock the potentials of the captive ability of women who dominate the non-oil export sectors. While women’s economic empowerment has been on the global development agenda for almost two decades, knowledge about female entrepreneurship has been fragmentary, and

Awolowo the business and economic cases have not been fully articulated. Stakeholders ranging from financial institutions to research and multilateral organisations are called upon to collaborate with ITC to expand opportunities for women entrepreneurs by making specific, actionable pledges. Since the fourth world conference on women in Beijing, China in 1995, the desire of women to get involved in national and global affairs by way of contribution to trade, investment and economic development has reached an unprecedented height. Indeed, a report by Mckinsey Global Institute reveals that $28 trillion could be added to global Gross Domestic Product by 2025 by advancing women equality therefore laying credence to the fact that economic development and gender equality go hand-in-hand. “Today we are focusing on partnership for better integration of women into the economic fabric of Nigeria through connecting them to global trade. Women are the backbone of practically all economies, especially the informal economy. Therefore, we must join other countries by working together to boldly make women business enterprises a significant contributor to the country’s economy and revenue”, said Awolowo To drive the process, the national secretariat for SheTrades in Nigeria is currently domiciled in the Council. And as part of initiatives to achieve the SheTrades mandate, the Council created the “Women in Export Desk” at the Head-office and in all the Regional and Smart Offices where issues relating to gender activities in trade are being handled. A bold and dynamic effort by the Council to achieve the 200, 000 target has started yielding result as the Council and International Trade Centre (ITC) are presently training over 15, 000 women entrepreneurs as part of measures to increase their awareness on the SheTrades platform, improving their visibility and the use of trade intelligence as well as strengthening Trade and Investment support Institutions (TISIs) to enhance policies for benefits of exporting entrepreneurs. While this strategic effort by the NEPC and ITC is commendable, lowering the

barriers faced by women entrepreneurs at home and internationally, and helping more businesswomen to connect to international value chains, would bolster growth and gender inclusiveness in economic growth. It is for this reason that taking gender into account matters when developing and implementing trade policy as placing women at the heart of global policymaking will go a long way towards realising the United Nations 2030 Agenda goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. The Empowering Women to Trade Programme seeks to increase the economic benefits of business women in developing countries derive from their participation in international trade with a focus on the following key objectives: Increase the demand for goods and services supplied by women entrepreneurs; Build women entrepreneurs ‘capacity; Build the capacity of Trade & Investment Support Institutions to better service women clients; Increase policy makers’ awareness of the potential, represented by women entrepreneurs and raise awareness of related barriers hampering women entrepreneurs’ participation in international trade. The She Trades is an ITC initiative, launched in September, 2015 at São Paulo, Brazil. The NEPC along with other thought leaders in government and businesses from across the world signed up to ITC “Call to Action” aimed at connecting one million women to market by 2020, thus, growing the global economy through women participation to trade. In 2016, precisely on the 13th July 2016, NEPC in collaboration with ITC launched the She Trades initiative in Nigeria with Council working to connect 200,000 Nigerian women entrepreneurs to the global market by 2020. Under the “Call to Action” the ITC/NEPC seeks to champion quality data, enact fair policies, secure government contracts, strike business deals, enable market access, unlock financial services and grant ownership rights to women. The programme continues to record appreciable successes globally as it has generated over US$ 70 million of export opportunities for almost 300 women entrepreneurs, built the

capacity of more than 13,500 women entrepreneurs from more than 80 countries, sectors and company sizes; leveraged technology for better business opportunities, established partnerships with the private sectors to provide markets, knowledge and technical expertise to women entrepreneurs; The main sectors for promotion of women in export are Textiles and apparel, agribusiness, handicrafts, computer data storage units, beauty, make-up & skin-care preparations, information services, telecommunications, computer, and information services, accounting (professional services). If Nigeria and indeed African women hope to maximise the huge opportunities in international trade, there is need for governments at all levels to recognise women as key players in the economy and therefore accord them all the necessary support to succeed. This much was highlighted by World Bank in its report. According to the study titled “Women and Trade in Africa: Realising the potential”, “Women play a key role in trade in Africa and will be essential to Africa’s success in exploiting its trade potential. Women make a major contribution to trade in most African countries through their involvement in the production of tradable goods as cross-border traders and as managers and owners of firms involved in trade”. However, the Report observed that Africa’s trade potential is undermined by constraints that women face adding that such conditions prevent women from taking full advantage of the opportunities created by trade and thus undermine the aspirations of countries in Africa. Buttressing this, Awolowo pointed out that over the years, there have been international discuss on the need to mainstream women in economic activities to curtail dysfunction that could degrade family incomes and wellbeing. Economic pundits are of the view that given the role women plays in the society; government agencies like NEPC using strategic platforms like the SheTrades Initiative would help reposition the activities of women in business as well as lift millions of Nigerians out-of-poverty by the year 2020.

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THISDAY and the Journey to Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria Universal Health Coverage enshrined in the Nigerian constitution gives the government the statutory role of ensuring all citizens have access to affordable and qualitative healthcare. But 73 percent of Nigerians still pay out of pocket for their healthcare. The launch of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund by the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole and the Director General of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the 2nd THISDAY Healthcare Policy Dialogue holding this Thursday, April 12th in Abuja, hopes to change the narrative. Martins IďŹ jeh writes In Nigeria, when a citizen falls ill, he either walks straight to the hospital to purchase treatment out of his pocket, or prays to his creator for healing. If none of these happen and he is broke, or having a delayed salary, or is unemployed, or no one to lend him money, or the ailment cost more than the money he has, he simply dies. It is that simple in this part of the continent. About 73 per cent of Nigerians are presently taking this risk on their health, especially poor Nigerians who comprise of the major chunk of the countryâ€™s population. This therefore has in no small measure increased the countryâ€™s mortality rate, reduce life expectancy, and the myriads of poor healthcare statistics which the country is known for. No wonder when health indices are discussed on global stages on a country-by-country basis, Nigeria often emerges one of the countries with the worst indices among key global health issues. The country sits comfortably among the 10 worst countries in the world with disease burdens. On specifics, Nigeria has the highest burden of malaria globally, with about 40 per cent of global malaria deaths occurring in the country and Democratic Republic of Congo alone. Not only that 90 per cent of Nigerians are at risk of it, it kills over 300,000 of them yearly, with 11 per cent of maternal deaths linked to it. Also, Nigeria is rated as the second worst country with maternal and child deaths globally, just second to India. About 15 per cent of global maternal deaths occur in Nigeria alone, and the deaths of newborn babies in the country represent a quarter of the total number of deaths of children under five worldwide. In fact, a womanâ€™s chance of dying from pregnancy or childbirth in Nigeria stands at one ratio 13, if indices from the World Health Organisation (WHO) are referenced. Among other areas, Nigeria is the second worst recipient of malnutrition burden globally, just second to India. Several countries with similar poor health indices decades ago have prioritised their healthcare financing through implementations of universal health coverage for their citizens. For instance, countries like Turkey, Mexico, Thailand, Kenya, Ghana, among others are currently doing well in healthcare coverage for their citizens. Turkey successfully introduced health system changes and provided its citizens with the right to health to achieve universal health coverage, which helped to address inequities in financing, health service access, and health outcomes. With what it has achieved in the last two decades, it is almost unbelievable that Turkey began its journey in 2003 with the implementation of the Health Transformation Program (HTP) designed around the Basic Health Law. This led to changes in health system functions which were implemented systematically over a 10-year period. Needless to mention that fifteen years after it has achieved UHC through the HTP, improved population health and wellbeing now provides remarkable possibilities for increases in economic growth. The Nigerian government, as part of efforts to address its own healthcare issues, enacted the National Health Act in 2014, which the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari is now ready to operationalize through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). The BHCPF is a fund allocation to cater for the basic health needs of all Nigerians, with a minimum of one per cent provision by government as stipulated in the 2014 National Health Act. If included in the 2018 national budget,

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole the BHCPF will amount to at least N45 billion for the year. It is also in tackling the universal health coverage issue in the country that THISDAY Newspapers is holding the second edition of its Healthcare Policy Dialogue series, tagged: â€˜Journey to Universal Health Coverage in Nigeriaâ€™, where stakeholders in the health sector and policy makers will chat a way forward for a UHC model for the country. The Federal Government, through the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who is the Chief Host of the policy dialogue, will use the occasion to launch the logo of the BHCPF and the beneficiary identification card as stipulated in the National Health Act. This could not be happening at a better time with news emerging from the National Assembly that it has appropriated a minimum of forty five billion naira appropriation for the implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund in the 2018 appropriation act. With this quantum of resources by the National Assembly, Nigeria may as well be on its way to join other countries that have made giant strides in achieving UHC. In a chat with THISDAY, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso said the National Assembly is about concluding the passage of the 2018 national budget, but that if it doesnâ€™t reflect the one per cent of the consolidated revenue fund for health, the country would be sending a wrong signal to development partners. â€œIf we donâ€™t do this, it means we are not encouraging development partners that have spent more than that over the past years. We cannot surrender our health financing to foreign friends,â€? he added.

He said the implementation for 2018 would mean a minimum of about N45 billion would be set aside in this yearâ€™s national budget for BHCPF. According to him, this is why the health summit, organised by THISDAY Newspapers is coming at the right time since the passage of the national budget is around the corner, adding that the event would afford policy makers and healthcare stakeholders the opportunity to chat a way forward for universal health coverage for the citizens. Tejuoso said the leadership of the National Assembly led by Senate President Bukola Saraki who is a medical doctor, has insisted that the committees on Appropriation protect the budget line for the BHCPF in the 2018 budget. This will be a game-changer for Nigeria since the government has invested so little resources in health over the last two decades compared to countries of similar economic status. Benjamin Loevinsohn of the World Bank told THISDAY that only 10 per cent of the poorest Nigerian children are immunized using Penta3 as compared to 28 per cent in Chad and 52 per cent in Niger. Remarkably, despite having a lower Gross Domestic Product per capita than Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya spend considerably more on publicly funded healthcare. The THISDAY high level policy dialogue will hold Thursday 12th April at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja by 10am. It will be headlined by the Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghabreyaesus and Prof. Adewole The first edition, with the theme: â€˜Healthcare Financing in Nigeriaâ€™, was held Tuesday March 6th 2018 in Abuja, and it recorded a huge success as it drew quality participation and came up

with some far reaching conclusions that are currently being discussed at the highest level of government in the country. This second edition, which draws on the success of the first, is particularly relevant as Nigeria sets into motion its Universal Health Coverage aspirations with the launch of the BHCPF under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. This high level policy dialogue will bring together policy makers, including members of the Federal Executive Council, parliamentarians, development partners, including bi-and multilateral institutions, entire senior leadership of the WHO, healthcare practitioners, civil society organisations, private sector leaders, media think-tanks, academia, institutions involved in financing and delivering healthcare â€“banks, HMOs, MFIs & insurance companies, and members of the public. The WHO DG will be accompanied to the event by the entire senior leadership of the WHO, including the African Regional Director of WHO, Dr. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti (the first woman to hold such position). Ghabreyaesus will use the occasion to launch the logo and beneficiary identification card for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund of the National Health Act. He will also be hosted at a high-level experience sharing event by the Nigerian government as the country has set in motion its universal health coverage aspirations with the launching of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund of the National Health Act under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Other speakers at the THISDAY Summit include Country Director, World Bank Nigeria, Rachid Benmassoud, Chairman, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire, Representative of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Paulin Basinga, Representative of United Nations Childrenâ€™s Fund (UNICEF), Mohammed Malick Fall, Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, Representative of United Nations Populations Fund, (UNFPA), Diene Kieta, and Senior Rep & Mission Chief, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Amine Mati. According to a statement to announce the policy dialogue, THISDAY Board of Directors said the theme was carefully chosen because Nigerians were in dire need of Universal Health Coverage. â€œUniversal Health Coverage (UHC) is about ensuring that people have access to the healthcare they need without suffering financial hardship. It also helps drive better health and development outcomes. The best investment for a safer, fairer and healthier Nigeria is one where the attainment of UHC is made a moral imperative,â€? the Board noted. Federal Ministry of Health has earlier noted that Nigeria is fully committed to the ideals espoused by the principles of universal health coverage, adding that a National Health Act signed into law in 2014 guarantees a Basic Minimum Package of Health Services for all Nigerians and also assures additional financing for the sector through the implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund. Nigeria had earlier hosted a Presidential Summit in March 2014 which ended with a Declaration on Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria. Co-organisers of the Summit are the Federal Ministry of Health, World Bank, World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, UNFPA, and the United States Agency for International Development.

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T H I S D AY Ë¾ TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Visionscape to Fast-track Infrastructure Projects, Pay Absorbed WCOs Visionscape Sanitation Solutions is strengthening its mandate to collect and dispose domestic wastes in Lagos State by employing willing Private Sector Participants (PSPs), now rebranded Waste Collection Operators (WCOs). Every one of them is welcome and the WCOs will work in their traditional turf, and they will keep their commercial jobs also, says Mr. John Irvine, Chief Executive Officer of Visionscape Sanitation Solutions. Bennett Oghifo reports

xisting Private Sector Participants (PSPs) in waste collection in Lagos State, willing to work with Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, are being employed by the company. Also, there is an arrangement for them to work in their traditional locations. This is in addition to working their statutory commercial waste evacuation jobs. Chief Executive Officer of Visionscape, Mr. John Irvine informed journalists about this development at the weekend, explaining that “the WCOs are not working for the government, they are not working for LAWMA – it is basically a regulatory body. So, all LAWMA will be doing is ensuring that we as a client for the government are still appearing to have kept the conditions of the project. So, the best way we can do that is to immediately embrace all the new WCOs and they will be working directly for us; they will be contracted to Visionscape, they will be paid

by Visionscape and they will be monitored and managed by Visionscape.” Irvine said, “The Board and I approached the state government to fast-track the infrastructure projects,” the facilities that are to accommodate the waste generated on daily basis. He said in the last 10 to 12 days they have been “talking to WCOs to come to some sort of agreement whereby Visionscape still delivers on the mandate of the residential collection, but fast-tracks the actual infrastructure projects.” He compared the Lagos waste situation to that of New York, USA, which he said has 90 million residents, and 50 to 60 waste stations, but Lagos with a population that is close has only about half a dozen stations. “What we have committed to is, part of the brief, to build swifter, bigger and more concise infrastructure, and while we are doing that, the WCOs will complement the waste stream. So, they are under our manage-

Irvine

ment,” he said. That was basically the negotiations that were concluded in the last 12 days, he said. “Obviously, the WCOs were a bit upset with the government when Visionscape came on board. But as an international company, as I have said before in the press/media, we are not here to take anybody’s liveli-

hoods or jobs away, and I hope that the events of over the last 10 to 15 days have shown that as a company we want to work with everybody and not just our own group of companies and this is the reason we have striven very hard to try and make this work along with the state, the WCOs, and the regulatory bodies.”

He said the whole project was about change and that “we are trying to make the state better for the residents and the people living here, but change/reform takes time. So, the idea was to fast-track the superstructure and infrastructure projects, to take up the existing PSP collectors, now rebranded WCOs, to deliver the door to door collection while we have turned our focus and build the infrastructure quicker. “So, what we are entering into today should have been in year three of the 10-year project. We are bringing it forward; fast-tracking that investment to ensure that the WCOs have the ability to dispose the waste off holder and is done professionally and segregated and recycled and is disposed in a professional manner.” He said all WCOs (PSPs) are welcome to work for them, adding that “We’ve reached out to every WCO; my stance is that nobody is being turned away from the door. There is

a middle ground to be met.” He said “a vast majority of the WCOs have the same aspiration/ambition as me – they want to deliver a project for Lagos- that is what we are here for. We are here to clean the state, to give a proper waste infrastructure so in 20, 50 years’ time, if another 10 million people come, the superstructure is here and the methodology is here. So, we have not turned anybody away and I’m not going to start turning anybody away.” He said Visionscape would financially assist the existing WCOs if they want to purchase new vehicles. “We can’t deliver a 21st century service with 20 century equipment and I am not just talking about the WCOs’ vehicles, I’m talking about the infrastructure that is being upgraded, that we are building- that is the whole purpose, so in 10, 15 years’ time, we don’t face the same issues that we are facing now- we are building a future for another 20 million people.”

project, maintenance of existing infrastructure, student internship, industrial experience and job placement, scholarship and research grants are some of the numerous ways you can add value to the university”. He asserted that with our collective efforts, we can take the Faculty and the University at large to an enviable position in the committee of schools of built environment and environmental design and management both locally and internationally. The newly inaugurated cabinet members of the association includes: - Bldr Lasabi Tunde; Esv Biyi Adesanya; Esv Akin Olawore; Tpl (Prof) Leke Oduwaye; Tpl Toyin Akpan; Tpl Wale Olaoye. Others are Qs Wasiu Akewusola; Qs Sesan Obe; Qs Lekan Adeosun and Olanrewaju Akintilo among others.

The aims and objectives of the newly inaugurated association includes serving as the official link between the OAU and its Alumni; to foster up-to-date and vital information regarding the Institution; to encourage all Alumni to retain their interest in and loyalty to the university at all times; to initiate and execute programs and activities aimed at accelerating the overall growth and development of the University and to provide necessary encouragement including financial assistance to an effective leadership for the students of the university. The association is also aimed at forging useful links between students, parents, teachers and other friends of the university and its community; and to inaugurate and/or revive branches of the association in all parts of Nigeria and beyond.

Adediji Elected Obafemi Awolowo University EDM President Oyebode David Adediji, fellow and past president of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), has emerged president of the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management (EDM), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. The association was formally inaugurated last week at the sidelines of Alumni Reunion of the faculty under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Chris Ajila. Adediji, a man destined to be a leader has grown from being a distinguished scholar into a role model in the real estate profession. He is well positioned to chart a new course for the EDM Faculty through

resourcefulness and qualitative leadership. He holds a Bachelor degree of science in Estate Management emerging as the best graduating student of the Department in the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1979. He also holds a Master’s degree in Estate Management (Urban Land Appraisal), Reading University, United Kingdom in 1984. He is a member of many professional bodies such as: The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV); Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON); International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI); African Real Estate Society (AFRES); Nigerian-South African Chamber of Commerce(NSACC) and Institute of Directors (IoD) Nigeria, among others.

Adediji

In her welcome address, Professor Olubola Babalola, Dean, Faculty of EDM, pointed out that as the leading Faculty in the built environment discipline in Nigeria, most of the

Alumni hold top positions in consultancy firms, contracting companies, banks, public service, armed forces and other notable offices in and outside Nigeria saying “It is not by accident that the longest building on OAU campus is the Faculty building of professionals in the built environment”. The Faculty consists of the following departments: Architecture, Estate Management, Urban and Regional Planning, Quantity Surveying, Building, Fine Arts, Land Surveying and Geomatics. The Vice-Chancellor in his opening remark says in the vision to develop the University into the incubator for national policy research and development, there are many areas where the Alumni can assist. He said “Your contribution to the University endowment fund initiating developmental

Land Use Decree, 40 Years After Kola Akomolede It was forty years on the 29th of March 2018 that the Land Use Decree known as Decree 6 of 1978 was promulgated by the General Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime. Barely a year later, the decree was made part of the Nigerian constitution before the hand over to the civilian Government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari and therefore became an Act. As a student of the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), I wrote an article on the decree which was published by the Nigerian Tribune on May 12th and 13th 1978. I had expressed my reservations on the new law then pointing out several areas of concern. In subsequent articles thereafter I continued to call for a review of the law in order to correct some areas of concern. On

April 27th 1998, I wrote a particular article in The Guardian where I highlighted ten (10) areas that needed examination and review. Today, 40 years after no part of the law has ever been reviewed because of the intricacies involved in constitutional amendment! Calls for the removal of the Act from the constitution have all fallen on deaf ears! For the umpteenth time, I am again drawing the attention of the National Assembly (NASS) to this law which affects the generality of Nigerians more than the order of election, which had become a matter of do or die for some of our “Honorable” members of recent. Imagine a law made forty years ago which vested all lands in the state in the “MILITARY GOVERNOR” of the state! There is the need to amend this sentence to simply read “GOVERNOR” since we are no

longer under a military junta. I wonder why nobody has gone to court to challenge any of the civilian governors for operating under a law that allows only military governors to operate it. The law vested all land in any state in the Military Governor of the state without giving the Federal Government power to acquire land in the states. Before the law, the power of “eminent domain” existed for the Federal Government to invoke if it needed to acquire land in any part of the Federation for overriding public purposes. Under the Land Use Act, the Federal Government must go and beg the states for land in order to do anything in the state no matter how important it is to National affair. I think the Federal Government should have an unfettered access to land in any part of the Federation for public uses.

The law only allows a person to own a maximum of half a hectare of undeveloped land at any particular time. This is not good for estate developers who need several hectares to develop houses which they sell to the public. All allocations that have been done to developers or industrialist which exceed half a hectare is a violation of the law. There is therefore the need to distinguish between individuals and corporate bodies who should be allowed to acquire large parcels of land for industrial or estate development. Chief Akomolede NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

2/DASHBOARD

10.04.2018

Duty of Court to Hear Parties on Issue Raised Suo Motu Before Deciding Same PAGE 4

NBA Ikorodu Holds Discourse on Law and Economic Development Today PAGE 5

Make Chapter 2 of Constitution Justiciable, Says Lawyer PAGE 5

QUOTABLES ‘Nigeria as a State, with all due respect, does not seem to be serious about fighting corruption, because corruption is the most thriving business enterprise you can think of in Nigeria. It is everywhere. It does not know any region. It is not of any ethnic colouration. It cuts across both political parties.’ – Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, Abuja

‘The setting up of the Reconciliation Committee is late. It ought to have been done before. Niccolo Machiavelli said, when you leave a problem unattended to at an early stage, it becomes like a wasting disease. Whereas, it is easy to detect, but difficult to kill, like Cancer.’ – Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Legal Practitioner, Human Rights Activist

Kogi NBA Welcomes Area Court Reforms, Bemoans Infrastructural Decay in Courts PAGE 6

‘Hard Work, Diligence and Perseverance Make a Successful Lawyer’ PAGE 6

MICHAEL JONATHAN NUMA The word “Canvass” in legal parlance means to discuss thoroughly, to advance an issue, to examine a question in detail. This column attempts to critically analyse trending legal issues across several jurisdictions bordering on topics making the rounds at the material time, ranging from judicial decisions, to policy statements, guided political simulations, and socio-economic matters to statutory interpretations by commentators within and outside the legal profession, proffering constructive criticism based on different well thought out perspectives. The writer, Michael Numa obtained his LL.B (Hons) and LL.M (Hons) from Delta State University and Queen Mary College, University of London respectively. He is a member of the School of International Arbitration London, Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration UK, Member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys U.K. He is the Managing Associate of Messrs Karina Tunyan (SAN) & Co in the FCT, Abuja, Nigeria. He is an Intellectual Property and Private International Law Practitioner.

Making Legal Aid and Pro Bono Count in Administration of Justice in Nigeria PAGE 12

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

The Pains of Disability in Nigeria

Rest in Peace, ‘uMama’ irst, I must bid goodbye to “uMama” – Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe MadikizelaMandela (Winnie Mandela), a strong woman, a foremost South African anti-Apartheid Activist and Politician, the former wife of Madiba, the unique and special Nelson Mandela, a beautiful, elegant ‘fashionista’, who joined the saints triumphant on April 2nd, 2018 at the age of 81. Even though people have criticised some of her tactics, we cannot forget or rubbish the pivotal role which she played, and the sacrifices which she made, to win the fight against apartheid. Between 1969 and 1970, she spent 491 days in solitary confinement. After her release in October 1970, Nelson Mandela had written to her and referred to her as his ‘hero’. In her reply to him, she wrote that her experience of living in the same type of conditions that he had been living for the past 6 years, eating similar types of food, sleeping on what her husband slept on, gave her “psychological satisfaction of being with you” (him). May her feisty soul rest in peace. Amen. My Accident at Yetunde’s Father’s Funeral Reception Sometime in December, 2015, a month after my beloved Father, High Chief Omowale Kuye, OFR died, I attended the funeral reception of my friend, Yetunde’s Father. He had died on the day of my Father’s 8th Day Prayer, which took place in Ibadan. Yetunde had been with us in Ibadan, when her Father breathed his last. Naturally, I attended the function for her Father. At some point, I went to the bathroom to ‘spend a penny’, and on my way back to my table, I slipped, fell and broke my ankle. The pain was excruciating. Let us not discuss the tortious liability, of that particular establishment that hosted the Reception, about the fact that a lot of establishments (even our Murtala Muhammed Airport too), do not have good quality floor tiles, or they place the wrong type of tiles on the floor, and the tiles can be so slippery, especially with incessant mopping! However, being a typical Nigerian, I did not bother to pursue any legal claims against that events centre. My Experience The next few months were hell! My leg was put in a ‘Plaster of Paris’ for over two months. I was on crutches for longer, hobbling all over the place. In short, I was a disabled person during that time. It was then, that I realised how discriminated against disabled people are, contrary to Sections 42(1)(a) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

I discovered that there were many places that I simply could not go to, because they did not have adequate facilities for those who cannot walk. If I had to visit a place, I would have to make enquiries about the configuration of the place. If it sounded unsuitable, I would not go. However, if it was maybe work related or somewhere that I was constrained to visit, my driver would practically have to physically carry me into those places! Many had no elevators or functioning elevators or ramps, only stairs, which were too difficult to climb. A person who is totally unable to walk and is wheelchair bound, would not be able to go to such places, unless they are carried, which could be humiliating. I had to depend a lot on people, to get around. The calamity occurred a few days to Christmas, and broken ankle or not, I had to prepare Christmas lunch for my family. I needed to get some supplies, so off I went to the supermarket in Victoria Island, with another member of my household in tow, as I could not cope alone. Yes, the supermarket had a ramp at the entrance, so that wheelchairs could also be manoeuvred into the store, but the ramp was so steep and awkward, that I felt that if I attempted to mount it on crutches, I would somersault. My staff had to lift me over the 2 or 3 steps. When I entered the Store, it was full and extremely busy. At some point, I got tired and needed to sit down to rest for a few minutes. Alas, there was no chair to sit on. Ah ah! When I was almost collapsing, the staff of the supermarket, kindly, offered me the only thing available to try to sit on – a mini-ladder/step contraption, which I was only too glad to accept. At the point of payment, the queue was endless. I also realised that day, that we, Nigerians, are compassionate people. Thankfully, all the people on the queue, allowed me to hobble to the front of it, to enable me make my payment quickly and go. I was grateful. Nigeria Needs to do More for Disabled Persons “The United Nations and the World Bank’s research, indicates that Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) constitute not less than 10 per cent of the world’s population.” According to the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, today, there are over 25 million people living with different forms of disability in Nigeria. So much more needs to be done for them, in order to make them more independent and live more comfortable, normal, productive lives. I saw a shocking story on the internet, of a young man who walks with the aid of crutches. He finds it difficult to conduct his banking transactions, as he is not allowed to enter the banking hall with his crutches! I guess

Governor Ambode with Members of the Board of LASODA

the crutches may probably set off the metal detector at the bank’s entrance. But, is that not cruel and the height of discrimination? When it is obvious to the naked eye, that he is physically challenged? He is therefore, forced to stay outside the banking hall, and conduct his transactions with the assistance of third parties who are seemingly sympathetic strangers, but cannot always be trusted. A person in a wheelchair, cannot get through the small bullet proof entrances of any bank. I don’t think a blind person can use an ATM. What about the plight of a student who is wheelchair bound, and some of her lectures take place on the top floor of the building. There is no elevator, so she has to depend on the kindness of fellow students, to carry her upstairs to the lecture room. In 2018? This is so backward, insensitive and unfair. I was happy to see that on a visit to Abuja a few years ago, for the Nigerian Economic Summit Group Conference, some of the rooms at the Transcorp Hilton, had been configured to fit the needs of those who cannot walk. The Receptionist had cunningly tried to check me into one of those rooms, because the hotel was full. The toilet was set at a height lower than normal, and the bath tub was also low (for easier access), with some type of contraption hanging from above, to hold on to. Abroad, the parking spaces closest to the establishments, are reserved for disabled persons, and not for the Chief Executives, as we do here in Nigeria. Disabled persons have stickers on their vehicles to show their status, so that the system is not abused. This system should be adopted throughout Nigeria. In terms of employment, in our country, disabled persons do not have the same opportunities as the able. Why? Look at the talent and brilliance of the late Professor Stephen Hawkings, and all the contributions he made in his complex field of Physics. Had he been Nigerian living in Nigeria, I cringe to imagine what his fate would have been. First, we need to learn that, the fact that a person cannot see or cannot walk, does not mean that such a person cannot be more brilliant than all of us put together, and perform better than us in the same role. Second, the fact that a person is living with some form of disability, does not necessarily make the person unhealthy, or mean that the person will take more sick days off from work, than an able person. Statutes There is the United Nations ‘Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ and it’s Optional Protocol, which entered into force in 2008, the purpose of which is to “promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE

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

“I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE MANY PLACES THAT I SIMPLY COULD NOT GO TO, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT WALK” with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity”. Nigeria has ratified the Convention and its Optional Protocol, meaning we consent to be bound by its provisions. In 2016, the National Assembly passed the ‘Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill 2014’, sponsored by Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman from Kogi State, which “seeks to integrate disabled persons into the society and establish a commission for persons with disability”. By virtue of the law, all future public buildings and structures should be constructed in such a way, that they are accessible to disabled persons, while the existing ones have a transitory period to be adapted; Organisations that employ 50 people and above, are mandated to reserve 5% of their job slots for disabled persons. The law makes provision for the right to education and health services, for people living with disabilities, and prescribes a N1 million fine for corporate bodies and N100,00 fine or 6 months imprisonment for individuals, who discriminate against disabled persons. How many States in Nigeria, have domesticated this Law? Our people, in this day and age, still look at disabled persons as if they are less than whole, and treat them badly. Why? Why must disabled persons be given lesser opportunities, while a lot of them, especially the uneducated ones, are constrained to beg on the streets? Now that some States have banned street begging, without providing alternative sources of means of livelihood for such disabled persons, how are they expected to survive? In 2011, Lagos State passed the Lagos State Special People’s Law which established the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA). “The law seeks to uphold the rights of all persons living with any form of disability in Lagos State, by safeguarding them against all forms of discrimination and giving them equal rights and opportunities.” There is also a N500 million Disability Trust Fund managed by LASODA, to help people living with disabilities in Lagos, lead more comfortable lives. This is a step in the right direction. However, the country as a whole, needs to do so much more. I was just wondering, are there any Law Reports done in Braille, for blind Lawyers to make use of? This may not be the end of my writing on this topic....it may just be the introduction. There is still a lot more to say....

4/LAW REPORT

10.04.2018

Duty of Court to Hear Parties on Issue Raised Suo Motu Before Deciding Same

S Facts

ometime in 1998, the Appellant was awarded an Oil Prospecting Lease (OPL 246), covering an area of 1000 square miles for a statutory 5-year tenure, and it was later extended for a final 5-year statutory tenure, which was to expire on 28/3/2008. The said OPL 246, entitled the Appellant to an exclusive right to explore and prospect for petroleum in the license area, and if during the exploration and prospecting, commercial quantities of crude oil are found, to apply for the conversion of the OPL 246 to an Oil Mining Lease (OML) for a renewable statutory term of 20 years. Upon discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity, the Appellant applied to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for the conversion of OPL 246 into an OML, and was granted OML 130 covering an area of 500 square miles. Since by law, the maximum size of an OML is 500 square miles, and the policy of the Federal Government is that, upon the grant of an Oil Mining Lease to the grantee or holder of an Oil Prospecting Lease, the grantee or holder is taken to have relinquished the uncontroverted residue to the Federal Government. When the Appellant applied for the conversion of the remaining 500 square miles of OPL 246 into an additional OML, the application was turned down. The DPR also indicated that the said uncontroverted portion/residue would revert to the Government, in line with existing Petroleum Regulations. Thereafter, the DPR offered the said uncontroverted portion of OPL 246 for sale to other third parties, including the 2nd and 3rd Respondents. Aggrieved, the Appellant filed an ex-parte application at the Federal High Court for leave to apply for Judicial Review, and same was granted. Further to this, the Appellant on 10/5/2006, filed an Originating Motion seeking Declaratory and Injunctive Reliefs, to the effect that its rights and interests in OPL 246 remained extant until March 2008 notwithstanding the grant of OML 130 out of OPL 246, and that the letters conveying the refusal to grant the additional OML and the mandatory relinquishment of the uncontroverted portion of OPL 246, were unlawful, null and void. The 1st Respondent, filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection to the competence of the suit, on the ground that the relief being sought by the Appellant in the suit was for an order of Certiorari to quash the decisions of the Minister complained of in the said letters; thus, the action ought to have been commenced within 3 (three) months of the accrual of the cause of action, as required by Order 47 Rule 4(2) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules. The trial Court, in its judgement, upheld the Preliminary Objection, and held that the time within which the Appellant ought to apply for Judicial Review had lapsed. The trial Court also considered the main question in the suit, and found that there was nothing unlawful in the letters, the residue of OPL 246 having been automatically relinquished by the Appellant by operation of the law. Dissatisfied, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal in its judgement delivered on 29/4/2008, held that the grant of OPL 246 expired on 28/3/2008; therefore, since the term granted to the Appellant under OPL 246 had been exhausted through effluxion of time, there was no live issue left for determination in the appeal. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed. The Appellant further appealed to the Supreme Court, and formulated four issues for determination in its amended brief of argument. The 1st Respondent in its Respondent’s brief also formulated four issues for determination. The 2nd and 3rd Respondents who were not parties at the lower Court, also sought and obtained leave to be joined as interested parties in the appeal. Upon being joined, the 2nd and 3rd Respondents filed a Notice of Preliminary Objection praying that the Appeal be dismissed for being a nullity, on the ground inter alia, that the suit which culminated in the appeal was already statute barred at the time it was commenced. The 2nd and 3rd Respondents adopted the four issues distilled by the Appellant in respect of the main appeal. Issue for determination In the determination of the appeal, the Supreme Court considered only the first issue formulated by the Appellant as follows: Whether or not the lower Court was right, when it dismissed the appeal based on the ground that the appeal has become academic, without giving the

Appellant an opportunity to be heard on it.

Hon. Amina Adama Augie, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday the 12th Day of January, 2018 Before Their Lordships Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad Olukayode Ariwoola Kumai Bayang Aka’ahs Amina Adamu Augie Paul Adamu Galinje Justices, Supreme Court SC.143/2008 Between South Atlantic Petroleum Limited .........Appellant And 1. The Minister of Petroleum Resources 2. Emo Exploration and Production Limited 3. ONGC/Mittal Energy Limited ......Respondents (Lead Judgement delivered by Hon. Amina Adamu Augie, JSC)

“IN THIS CASE, THE “ALLEGED ERROR” AS THE FIRST RESPONDENT PUT IT, IS A VIOLATION OF THE APPELLANT’S RIGHT TO FAIR HEARING, WHICH IS ENOUGH TO GRANT HIM A REMEDY. IT DOES NOT NEED TO SHOW THAT THE DECISION WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT, IF PARTIES HAD BEEN HEARD ON THE ISSUE. THEY WERE NOT HEARD; PARTICULARLY ON THE ISSUE THAT PUT THE LAST NAIL ON THE APPEAL’S COFFIN”

Arguments The Appellant argued that the approach adopted by the Court of Appeal, was fundamentally flawed, because while a Court is permitted to raise an issue suo motu, it is under an obligation to invite parties to address it on the point raised suo motu. The Appellant relied on OJE v BABALOLA (1991) 4 NWLR (Pt. 185) 267 at 280. Also citing IROM v OKIMBA (1998) 3 NWLR (Pt. 540) 19, the Appellant argued that the proper approach, would have been for the Court below to defer judgement, and recall parties to address it on the issue of the effect of the expiration of the OPL on the appeal. The Appellant submitted that the failure of the Court below to give the parties an opportunity to address it on the said issue raised suo motu before delivering its judgement which was based on this issue so raised, amounted to a case of mis-trial and a breach of its right to fair hearing. Conversely, the 1st Respondent contended that, the Appellant failed to show that the decision would have been different if the Court of Appeal had invited the parties to address it on the effect of the expiration of OPL 246. Counsel argued further that, the Appellant failed to show that the alleged error by the Court of Appeal had occasioned a miscarriage of justice. The 2nd and 3rd Respondent, on the other hand, argued that the expiration of OPL 246 on 28/3/2008 had never been in controversy nor raised by the Court below suo motu, and that the said expiration, had in fact been intricately knitted to the substance of the suit, particularly as the Appellant had, in its appeal, urged the Court of Appeal to extend time on the expired OPL 246, which expiration the Appellant admitted in its brief of argument. Court’s Judgement and Rationale The Apex Court, relying on its decisions in SALU v EGEIBON (1994) 6 NWLR (PT. 348) 23, held that if a principle of natural justice is violated, it does not matter whether if the proper thing was done, the decision would have been the same, the proceeding will still be null and void; therefore, “decision must be declared to be no decision”. The Court also held that once an Appellant shows an infringement of the principle of natural justice against him, he need not show anything more, and the finding that there is such an infringement is sufficient to grant him a remedy. Reliance was also placed on ADIGUN v A-G OYO STATE (1987) 1 NWLR (Pt. 53) 678 at 721. The Court held that, the alleged error in the instant case, is the violation of the Appellant’s right to fair hearing, which is enough to grant him a remedy, and the Appellant did not need to show that the decision would have been different if parties had been heard on the issue. Their Lordships held further that, the Court of Appeal ought to have recalled the parties, especially the Appellant who would be adversely affected by the dismissal of the appeal, after it had reserved judgement and discovered that OPL 246 had expired, to address it on the deleterious effect of the expiration of the OPL 246 on the Appeal. By the provision of Section 36(6) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), no matter how obvious the answer would appear to be, since the lower Court was going to base its decision on the appeal becoming spent and consequently academic, it was incumbent on the lower Court to address it on the effect of the appeal becoming stale. Based on the foregoing conclusion, the Supreme Court held that the rule of fair hearing had been breached, and the appeal per force succeeded. The appeal was thereby allowed, and the matter sent back to the Court of Appeal for hearing and determination on the issues between the parties, and any other issue(s) raised suo motu. Appeal Allowed. Representation Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN with Olabisi O. Soyebo, SAN, Adewale Atake Esq., Mabruk Kunmi-Olayiwola Esq. and Victor Okpara Esq. for the Appellant. Fidelis Oditah, QC, SAN, Robert Clarke, SAN, and Miss Onyeka Enunwa for the 1st Respondent. Ahmed Raji, SAN, with Adeola Adedipe Esq., Victor Okwudiri Esq., O.C. Ogunyemi Miss and Idongesit Antai Esq. for the 2nd and 3rd Respondents. Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited (Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR))

10.04.2018

NEWS/5

Make Chapter 2 of Constitution Justiciable, Says Lawyer

L-R: Executive Secretary, Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), Fabia Ogunmekan; Partner, Primera Africa Legal (PAL), Boma Ozobia; Partner, PAL, Lemea Abina; Ogun State Former Attorney-General, Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu, SAN; Mr. Eyo Ekpo; Managing Counsel, PAL; Udoka Amah; Afoma Ofodile, GE, and Bina Idonije, GE, during the Mentoring Programme for Students of Nigerian School, Lagos Campus Photo: Kolawole Alli

Primera Africa Legal Mentors Law School Students Students of the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, last Wednesday had the rare privilege of being mentored by Judges, Senior Advocates and leading In-house Counsel, at the annual mentoring lectures of Primera Africa Legal (PAL) in the school’s Main Auditorium. The event which is the 6th in its series, had as Main Speakers, Honourable Justice Toyin Ipaye of the Lagos State High Court, former Attorney-General of Ogun State Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu, SAN, Mr. Eyo Ita and Ms. Bina Idornijie of General Electric (GE). In her opening remarks, Senior Partner of PAL, Mrs. Boma Ozobia, said the programme is part of the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility, and the Lagos Campus of the Nigeria is privileged to have so benefited in

these past years since its inception. Justice Ipaye spoke on ‘A Day in the Life of a Judge.’ Her Lordship told the students that the life of a Judge involves a lot of hard work, leaving very little time for family or leisure. She said a Judge must be impartial and objective, at the same time. That the modern day Judge, is not just an impartial arbiter, but also a managerial Judge. For those looking forward to a career on the Bench, she said they have to possess good organisational skills to manage precious judicial time. According to her, a career on the Bench, is a sacred calling and a solemn duty, saying ‘The Bench is all about hard work’. She noted that, despite the fact that Lagos has 56 Judges and 199 Magistrates, more are still required, to reduce the workload. Former Ogun State Attorney-

General, Abimbola Akeredolu, SAN, told the students of her momentous rise in legal practice, which culminated in her appointment as the first female A-G of Ogun State. Speaking on her topic ‘A Day in the Life of a Litigator,’ she said a litigation Lawyer should always keep his or her mind open for opportunities in legal practice, while making career choices. She told the students that litigation requires a lot of hard work, including working late hours to meet deadlines. That although this impacts negatively on the family life of female Lawyers, they shouldn’t be discouraged, as it will eventually pay off when the children get older. Mr. Eyo Ita and Ms. Bina Idonije, spoke on ‘A Day in the Life of an In-house Counsel’.

Ms. Idonije shared her experience as Labour and Employment Counsel at General Electric. This she said also includes responsibilities as a ‘legal risk thermometer’ of the Africa Region of the conglomerate. Her duties, she said, also include litigation oversight and overseeing mergers and acquisition agreements. Mr. Eyo Ita, spoke on what it takes to transit from litigation into the corporate world. He told the students that, if they desire a career in corporate legal practice, they must ensure that they build an ethical foundation, and make reading second nature. At the end of the programme, Mrs. Boma Ozobia, shared useful tips with the students, which she called ‘Tips for Passing a Job interview’.

NBA Ikorodu Holds Discourse on Law and Economic Development Today Akinwale Akintunde As part of activities marking the 2018 Law Week, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch, will today hold the Asiwaju Babatunde Olusola Benson, SAN Annual Lecture. The theme for this Year’s Lecture, which will be held at the Ikorodu Town Hall, is “Law and Economic Development: Moving Nigeria from Recession to Prosperity”. The Chairman of the Branch, Mr. Levi Adikwaone, disclosed this during a press conference held last Friday to announce activities for the Law Week. Adikwaone said a professor of Economics and Lecturer at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOD), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Sheriffdeen Adewale Tella, will deliver the main lecture, while discussants will include Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Redbricks Homes Limited and Amen Estate Ibeju-Lekki, Mr. Babatunde Gbadamasi. According to him, the theme for this year’s Lecture, was chosen because in spite of

claims of the Federal Government that the country was out of recession, experiences have however, revealed a contradiction in the matter. The NBA Chairman, explained that the Law Week is usually a week set aside by the Branches of the NBA in Nigeria, to celebrate the Legal Profession. Meanwhile, activities for the Law Week commenced last Friday with a Jumat service at the Majolape Mosque, Ebute, Ikorodu, and a Health Talk/ Free medical screening at the Branch Secretariat in Ikorodu. Members of the Branch also attended a Thanksgiving Church service last Sunday at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Overcomers Parish, Pashoku, Ikorodu. Also as part of the activities lined up for the week, members of the NBA Branch, last Monday, held the Bar and Police Forum, during which they visited the Area N Police Command and other Police formations under the command, and offered legal assistance to those in custody. During the exercise, the Lawyers

also interfaced with staff of the Command, to look at challenges facing them and how to redress them. The Bar and Bench Forum is also expected to take place tomorrow, April 11, at the Lagos High Court, Ita-Elewa, Ikorodu, while the grand finale of the one week program is the Annual Bar Dinner scheduled to hold on Thursday at Ikorodu Muscical Village, along Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikorodu. According to Adikwaone, in spite of challenges, the Association made a lot of impact, and made improvements on the welfare of its members. He noted that the Branch Pro Bono and Human Rights Committee led by the Vice Chairman, Prince Adetayo Ladega, has successfully prosecuted to conviction, three fake Lawyers who were caught plying their trade, while trial of two others is ongoing. Also answering questions on the new Land Use Charge (LUC), Adikwaone said that all the Branches of the NBA in the State, are unanimously

opposed to the new tax regime introduced by the Lagos State Government. According to him, while NBA Ikeja chose to stage a walk to protest the new tax regime, he said other Branches, because they are autonomous of each other, but that majorly, the Branch decided to engage the authorities in dialogue over the matter. He said on the day of the protest walk, all the five branches of the NBA met with the State Attorney-General and some senior Lawyers, including Femi Falana, SAN, Dele Adesina, SAN and Olaleke Yussuf, SAN among others, and they all condemned the circumstances that brought the LUC and applauded the right of Ikeja NBA to protest. He said they agreed on the need to hold on on the implementation of the LUC, and suggested palliatives to cushion the effect of the harsh environment. He said the State Government was also advised, to key into recovery of looted funds.

A legal practitioner, Mack Ogbamosa , has advocated the justiciability of Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution, in order to ensure a responsible government in the county. He said Chapter 2, under Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, the government is supposed to provide education and social welfare to the citizens, but instead of making the obligations compulsory, the Constitution went ahead in Section 6(c) to deny Nigerians such rights, by stating that government cannot be taken to court to answer questions as to why thy did not comply with the constitutional provisions. Speaking in Lagos at a twoday Marketing Communications Summit organised by

the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Lagos State Chapter, the Lawyer said that most successive Nigerian governments, were not responsible to their citizens, because there was nothing constitutional, compelling them to do so. He said this was not only one sure way to improve public governance in the country, but also to reduce corruption and poverty. For the Judiciary to be efficient, there was need to make it independent, and enhance the welfare of judicial officials, he added. He commended the Federal Government for its current war against corruption, but advised that due process must be followed, in the course of doing so.

COSON Crisis: Police Arraigns Now Muzik Boss, Other for Alleged Forgery Akinwale Akintunde The founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Now Muzik Limited, Mr. Efe Omorogbe, was arraigned last Thursday before an Igbosere Magistrates' Court, Lagos for alleged forgery. The Zone II Police Command Headquarters, Obalende arraigned Omorogbe, 47 alongside Mr. Joel Ajayi, 61, before Chief Magistrate O. O. Oshin on a three-count charge of forgery, use of a false document, and breach of peace. Ajayi is listed on the Copyright Society of Nigeria Ltd (COSON) website, as a Board of Directors Member and "the Managing Director, Gospel Choral Records Ltd.”. Prosecuting Sergeant Friday Mameh, told the court that the Defendants and others at large, committed the offences on December 7, 2017, at No. 41, Oluwaleyimu Street, Ikeja, Lagos. Mameh alleged that, they forged the COSON letterhead, "with intent that it may be acted upon or used as genuine, to the prejudice of COSON. "The offence is contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 376 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015."

Mameh said, the Defendants, "with intent to defraud, knowingly used the forged COSON letterhead, with intent that it may in anyway be used or acted upon as genuine, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere, to the prejudice of COSON. "The offence is contrary to Section 366(1) and punishable under Section 376 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015." He alleged that, the Defendants also "conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace, by storming the meeting venue of Chief Tony Okoroji with thugs, and disrupted the meeting proceedings”. The offence, according to him, contravened Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. Omorogbe and Ajayi pleaded not guilty. Their counsel, S. Ehiwelele and Chibuzor Nwankobi, prayed the court to admit them to bail on liberal terms. Chief Magistrate Oshin, granted each Defendant N250,000 bail with one surety in the like sum. "Each surety must have a sustainable means of livelihood, show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have a verifiable address", Oshin added.

Judge Warns Lawyer Facing Trial to Abide by His Bail Conditions Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Lokoja, yesterday warned a Lawyer, Mr Julius Elukpo, who is facing a one count charge of forgery before the Court, to abide by his bail conditions or face the full wrath of the law. The Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Seidu Hussein, gave the warning in Lokoja, while reacting

to a submission made by the counsel to the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Theophilus Oteme, against Elukpo who is facing a one count charge of forgery before the court. When the case came up for mention yesterday, Oteme called the attention of the Court to a publication made by the accused on the social media, in which he CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

10.04.2018

Kogi NBA Welcomes Area Court Reforms, Bemoans Infrastructural Decay in Courts Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja The leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Kogi State Chapter, has commended the Chief Judge of the Kogi State, Hon. Justice Nasiru Ajanah, for initiating the process for the gradual replacement of non-Lawyers presiding at the level of Area Courts in the State, as Judges. The Association has also also berated the decaying infrastructure in the State’s courts, and the seeming lack of attention. The commendation and observation were contained in a message delivered by Mr. Siaka Odege, the newly elected Chairman of the Okene branch, the Premier branch of the Association in Kogi State. Mr. Odege, who was on a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge along with his other newly constituted Exco members, commended the Justice Ajanah for ensuring that the quality of the Bench in the State was being raised, through reforms aimed at further ennobling the Bench, and showing gratitude to those who had served in that capacity in the past. “The replacement of non-Lawyer Judges in the Area Courts with Lawyers, has undoubtedly improved immensely the quality of the justice delivery system at that level. "The method of gradual phasing out of non-Lawyer Judges which is humane and just, in effect, is also a way of saying thank you for your services to that crop of Judges.” While expressing confidence that those appointed would not disappoint the Judiciary, based on the yardsticks used in bringing them to the State’s Bench, the Chairman noted that the judicial officers in Kogi State, occupied an enviable position in the country, due to their integrity. “The level of honesty, discipline and diligence among the Judiciary staff, and the level of honesty and decency in the relationship of your Judges with the members of the public, is unequalled, and that is why the Kogi State Judiciary is untouched by incidents of various

degrees and kinds of scandals rocking some other jurisdictions in the country”, he noted. On the infrastructural situation of the courts in the State, he however, bemoaned the state of their dilapidation, while lamenting that the Kogi State judicial system would not be better served, without the right courts infrastructure in place. While stating that the observation was premised on the difficulties the situation had posed to litigants and members of the Bar, he disclosed that the cause of justice was being gravely affected, as the delay sometimes caused by the untimely accessibility of relevant information and documents, was hindering and delaying the course of justice delivery in the State. According to him, some courts “do not have typing machines or facilities, which accounts for delay in the production of records of proceedings in such courts. We have said this would not have been an issue, but for the financial handicap of the State Judiciary by reason of non-implementation of the self-accounting provision of the Constitution of the country by majority of State Governments in Nigeria.” While commending the efforts of the Chief Judge, for the steps so far taken to address some of the needs of the courts in the State in general, the Chairman specially hinted that the Bar was not optimally discharging its duties in Okene, due to the snag caused by lack of facilities. In his estimation, both the Bench and the Bar, were being negatively affected by the situation which he said needed urgent attention. He particularly wondered why courts in the State, were still using manual typewriters in this present age of ICT deployment, which could hasten information transactions between the Bench and the Bar, while lamenting the negative effect of the situation on the public perception of State’s Judiciary. He posited that “Judicial office in which judicial officers decide the fate of people in the area of disputes, including right to life in an

appropriate circumstance, based on evidence before them, goes with it, both respect and envy from some members of the society”. On this note, he called on the Chief Judge to expedite action towards ensuring compliance with the sections of the Constitution that guarantee the financial independence of the Judiciary, if the problem was being caused by lack of funds. He also commended the Chief Judge, for his efforts at providing a conducive working environment at the courts, which he said had improved since he became the Chief Judge of the State, and has earned him recognition. According to him, the number of courts have tremendously increased in the State, saying that he was baffled that such facilities that would further improve services by the courts in the State could be lacking, despite the Chief Judge’s known disposition to development. “My Lord, you are being referred to rightly by some discernable watchers of Kogi State Judiciary from within and without, as the ‘Digital Chief Judge’ of Kogi State, by reason of your steering the Judiciary of Kogi State to keep the pace with modern trends in all ramifications, and the high degree of the attainment of the imperative of robust dispensation of justice in the State. “Thank you for all that you have been able to do for the Judiciary of Kogi State, in furtherance of attainment of the quest for justice for the citizenry, for the purpose of order, peace and good governance in the land”, he said. In his response, the Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, appreciated the Branch and its Exco, and stated that the intention of the State Judiciary, was to upgrade all the facilities in the courts across the State. He said bringing the justice delivery system up to modern standards, in line with global best practices, was the bedrock of his stewardship. According to him, this has accounted for his injecting innovative ideas fashioned after already established and flourishing judiciaries, around the world.

Making reference to the construction of courts and installation of infrastructure, he said the architecture of the newly constructed family court, was borrowed from China, while the new ICT Center at the Judiciary headquarters, was not only streamlined along the provisions of Nigeria’s Judiciary Information Technology Policy (JITPO) intended to facilitate ease of information dissemination and management in Nigerian courts, its deployment in Kogi State, was structured around what was obtainable in Singapore. He therefore, disclosed that the seeming slow pace of development noticed in Kogi State courts, was traceable to paucity of funds. While noting that the NJC was trying its best at repositioning the courts in the country, a lot was still dependent on the funds made available to the heads of courts in each State of the Federation. He was therefore, in agreement with the Chairman, that the Judiciary would continue to be in want, until the sections that guarantee the financial autonomy of the Judiciary, is completely adhered to. Notwithstanding, the Chief Judge assured all branches of the Bar Association in the State, that the Judiciary would not shy away from its responsibility of dispensing justice in the State within the confines of available resources, bearing in mind the comfort of the Bench, the Bar, its staff and litigants. He finally urged the branch executives, to maintain the integrity of the premier Bar in the State, by eschewing acts capable of derailing the intentions of its founding members, as he commended the smooth transition process that produced its new crop of leadership. In the Chairman’s entourage, was the immediate past Chairman of the Branch and a representative of the National Executive Committee, Mr. Ameachi Obiechinna. Others were Kingsley C. Wisdom, Secretary; Ebenezer Aimola, Tresaurer; Rahamatu Owuda, Financial Secretary; Vinning Deji Akpata, Director of Socials, and Moses Bayeri, Legal Adviser.

Legal Personality of the Week Ife Ajayi

‘Hard Work, Diligence and Perseverance Make a Successful Lawyer’ My name is Ife Ajayi, I am a Legal Practitioner, a proud Nigerian and the convener of the Innocent Citizens Initiatives.

knowledge of the case, even without the case file right in front of me. I came out feeling really good.

with Johnnie Cochran’s performance, that I was inspired to study Law as I grew up in life.

Have you had any challenges in your career as a Lawyer, and if so, what were the main challenges? Just as every other profession has its challenges, the legal profession isn’t exempted. However, with steadfastness, hard work, and total commitment to the profession, any smart Lawyer can overcome any form of challenges.

Who has been most inﬂuential person in your life? I have a list of people who have greatly influenced me one way or the other, some I have met and spoken to, while some I have not met, but I have read a great deal about them. The first on that list, will certainly and definitely be my father, although he is not a Lawyer, he taught me a great deal about life, about being a gentleman, humility, decency, hard work and total submission and faith in God. Also in no particular order, I have also been influenced by the likes of Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Mr. Oyekachi Ubani, Dr Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN, Mr. Olufemi Banwo, Mr. Wole Olufon, and Funso Olukoga.

What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in Law? Anyone wanting a career in Law, must understand that they need to work hard, study diligently, perseverance is key, inculcate a habit of honesty, integrity, ethics, mingle with minds that can propel your career, and above all, repose absolute trust and faith in God.

What was your worst day as a Lawyer? My worst day has a Lawyer, was the day I lost a case which I felt very strongly I should have won, because I felt I had the facts and the law on my side. However, the Honourable Court, differed and felt otherwise. I have therefore. appealed against that decision, and I am quite hopeful that the Court of Appeal will uphold my appeal, and enter judgement my favour.

Ife Ajayi

What was your most memorable experience as a Lawyer? My most memorable experience as a Lawyer, was appearing before the Justices of the Court of Appeal unprepared. I was at the Lagos High Court Igbosere, for a different matter. I was to appear with a junior colleague, when I received a call around 8.45am, that a matter which I was handling for my firm was coming up for hearing at 9am that same morning at the Court of Appeal. Without hesitation, I asked

my colleague to enter appearance alone at the lower court, while I went for the matter at the Court of Appeal, without the case file or brief with me. You can imagine the brilliance of the Justices at that level, so you can understand there was no fooling around with them. When you appearing before such Justices, you have to really understand your brief and know what you doing. That day, I was able to manoeuvre my way, having informed them about my predicament and impressed them with my

Why did you become a Lawyer? I honestly got inspired to become a Lawyer, when I read about Johnnie Cochran of blessed memory, a very brilliant American Criminal Defence Attorney, who successfully defended OJ Simpson in the mid 1990s. I was a young lad studying at Loyola College, Ibadan at the time. I was so impressed with his ‘if the gloves don’t fit, you must acquit’ phrase in his final argument in court in the OJ case. Of course, you know that he eventually got a not guilty verdict for OJ. I was so impressed

If you had not become a Lawyer, what career would you have chosen? I would have been an Investment Banker. I love Otunba Subomi Balogun, who is also a Lawyer. Many may not know that the founder of the FCMB Group, the first indigenous, privately funded and established bank in Nigeria, is a Lawyer by training. I am always inspired by him, and if I were not a Lawyer, I would have been the new Otunba Balogun. Although, while I was in secondary school, I struggled with numeric courses, but I would have studied and worked so hard to achieve it. Where do you see yourself in ten years? Honestly, ‘man proposes but God disposes’, but I know that with hard work, diligence, good health, and with God on my side, I intend to attain commanding heights in this profession, just like those that have attained it before me.

10.04.2018

THE CANVASS MICHAEL NUMA

michaelnuma@thecanvasscolumn.com

Crypto-Currency Anarchy: A Comparative Overview

ver the last 7years, crypto-currencies have evolved tremendously, and increasingly established itself as a payment system globally. Today, crypto- currencies are a Multibilliondollar venture, with dual potential as both an investment and an electronic medium of exchange. Increasingly, mainstream retailers are announcing plans to accept bit-coins. Bit-coin ATMs are growing in prominence; the first bit-coin debit cards, were launched by a Hong Kong domiciled company called Xapo in 2014, and the first Bit-coin derivative transactions, have been executed on a US-regulated exchange. Yet, there remain numerous risks and challenges associated with crypto- currencies. In addition to experiencing significant volatility in exchange rate and susceptibility to attacks from illicit users and cybercriminals; the crypto- currency marketplace, remains largely unregulated. Governments around the globe are taking widely divergent actions- or taking no action at all- to define and regulate crypto-currencies. This article, is an attempt to provide some context for the crypto-currency landscape, including regulatory and law enforcement developments. What are Crypto-Currencies? Crypto-currencies are decentralised peer-to-peer payment systems that are digital representations of value, and can be transferred, stored and traded electronically. At their core, they are distinct from other digital payments (e.g PayPal, Facebook Credits, airline and hotel miles), because they provide intermediate party. They do not have legal tender status; they operate with no central authority or banks, and their issue is carried out collectively by a distributed network. While the transaction between buyer and seller is direct, the identities of the parties are encrypted, and therefore, no personal information is transferred. However, crypto-currency transactions such as bit-coin transactions, are not fully anonymous. A transaction record of every bit-coin and every bit-coin user’s encrypted identity, is recorded on a public ledger. As a result, it is most appropriate to characterise bit-coin and many other crypto-currencies as pseudonymous, as opposed to being anonymous. This pseudonymity, combined with its efficient and decentralised nature, makes it appealing to both consumers and criminals alike. Today, there are several hundred (if not thousands) of cryptocurrencies in existence, with a current market capitalisation as at April 2018 of over $200bn. The bit-coin system is the most prominent, and perhaps, the most dominant crypto-currency. Other mineable crypto-currencies with sizeable market capitalisation include ButsharesX, Peercoin and Dogecoin. While these descriptions provide a helpful understanding of what crypto- currency is, they do clarify the role of crypto-currencies in the modern financial system. Are they a commodity, a currency? Policy makers and regulators, are still trying to answer these questions. The Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCen), has defined crypto-currency as a medium of exchange that operates like currency in some environments, but does not have all the attributes of real currency, does not have legal tender status in any jurisdiction. In its recent ruling, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) held that crypto- currency would be treated as property, not currency, for tax purposes. And a Former Acting Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), stated his belief in May 2013, that bit-coins would be likely to be considered a commodity under the Commodity Exchange Act. In March 2018, the Bank of England’s Head of Finance Stability Board, Mr. Mark Carney, while in agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to classify crypto-currencies as securities subject to laws governing how they are issued and traded, stated inter alia thus “For many reasons the crypto-assets in your digital wallets are unlikely to be the future of money, but that is not meant to dismiss them. Their core technology, is already having an impact. Bringing crypto-assets into the regulatory tent, could potentially catalyse innovations to serve the public better”. Carney posited that, the crypto ecosystem, should be held to the same standards as the rest of financial system, which will bring great privileges, but also greater responsibility. Legal and Regulatory Frameworks of Crypto-Currency Crypto-currency and workings of its respective platforms, have all the semblance of a Ponzi scheme, this similarity will be treated anon. Owing to the fact that Crypto-currencies transcend traditional Sovereign jurisdictions, financial regulators globally, have diverse opinions and approaches on the phenomenon, and are struggling to agree on market standards, amid fears of crypto-currency bubble.

China In December, 2013, the Chinese Central Bank and four other regulatory bodies, jointly issued the Notice on Precautions against the Risks of Bit- coins (the Joint Chinese Notice). In an Echo of the IRS ruling, the Joint Chinese Notice, defined Bitcoin as a virtual commodity, and found that it was not a currency, and therefore should not be circulated and used in the Market as such. Banks and payment institutions in China may not deal in bit-coin, but the Central Bank clarified that it was not prohibiting trading in crypto-currencies. However, it is apparent that the Chinese investor interest in Bit-coin has been tempered. In September, 2017, the Chinese government quickly moved to ban Initial Coin Offering (ICO), viewing them as illegal means of financing. It also launched an investigation, into 60 local platforms dedicated to managing them; South Korea Followed suit, introducing an ICO ban later that month. It is however, an entirely different story in many other developed economies with strong legal frameworks, including Australia, Canada, the European Union, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. Regulators in these jurisdictions, are now looking to treat a coin that functions like a security in a similar way, as it would be under their existing domestic securities laws. Japan, an early adopter of ICOs, has more than ten regulated bit-coin exchanges, controlling a large chunk of the global market. A key topic in various jurisdictions, is to try to put ICOs under the umbrella of the Local Securities laws, but there is no best practice yet globally. Recent survey has revealed that, ICOs are looking to avoid being defined as a security, so trying to regulate them seems to conflict with the purpose of ICOs and Crypto-currencies. Such inconsistency, is breeding uncertainty among marketers. USA In the United States, the SEC has taken actions in two forms: various enforcement actions, and the issue of investor advisory notices. Recent actions indicate that, even in the absence of new regulations specifically addressing crypto-currency, the SEC has significant existing authorities to regulate a wide range of matters involving bit-coin. The first SEC enforcement action relating to crypto-currency occurred in July 2013, when the SEC charged Trendon Shavers of Texas with defrauding investors in Bit- coin-denominated Ponzi scheme. Shavers, the founder and the operator of Bit-coin Savings and Trust, offered and sold bit-coin-denominated investments online, raising at

“TODAY, THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED (IF NOT THOUSANDS) OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES IN EXISTENCE, WITH A CURRENT MARKET CAPITALISATION AS AT APRIL 2018, OF OVER $200BN. THE BIT-COIN SYSTEM IS THE MOST PROMINENT, AND PERHAPS, THE MOST DOMINANT CRYPTO-CURRENCY”

least 700,000 Bit-coins, in what was allegedly a Ponzi Scheme. In September, 2014, a US Federal Judge found that the SEC established that the Company was a Ponzi Scheme, and ordered Bit- coin Savings and Trust and Shavers to pay a combined $40.7m. In so finding, the court held that the Bit-coin investments at issue qualified as investment contracts and securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The finding that Bit- coins are properly treated as securities, is likely to have broad implications in the future. In conjunction with the civil enforcement action, SEC issued an investor alert at the same time, warning investors of the dangers of Ponzi schemes and other potential scams, using crypto-currencies. In the alert, SEC expressed its concern that heightened use of crypto-currencies, may entice fraudsters to lure investors into Ponzi and other schemes, in which these currencies are used to facilitate fraudulent or simply fabricated investments or transactions. Numerous other measures have been taken, including suspension of companies using mobile platforms to facilitate bit-coin trading. However, the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), has adopted one of the most aggressive stances when it comes to crypto-currencies, and it became the first State in the US, to propose a robust regulatory framework for crypto-currencies. In 2014, the NYDFS requested proposals from firms to set up regulated exchanges from crypto-currencies, all in a bid to strengthen oversight, including robust standards for consumer protection, cyber security and anti-money laundering compliance. Canada In 2014, the Canadian Parliament adopted an amendment to its Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, that will treat crypto-currency as Money service businesses for the purposes of the Canadian Anti-money laundering law. As a result, companies dealing in Crypto-currencies will be required to register with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, implement compliance programmes, maintain records, report suspicious or terrorist-related property transactions, and determine if any of the customers are politically exposed persons. Nigeria In Nigeria, there is no clear legal or regulatory framework (to the best of my knowledge), with respect of crypto-currency. Although during the MMM saga, the MPC issued a statements warning members of the public not to be vulnerable to Money-doubling Ponzi Schemes which are unapproved and unregulated by the CBN, this includes the numerous Bit-coin related investments, which are fast emerging in Nigeria, promoted by some Nigerian based platforms and some foreigners alike. In whole, there is a consensus across the various jurisdictions, that crypto- currencies are susceptible to all manner of crimes, because Bit-coin transactions can be very difficult to trace, and often cross multiple legal jurisdictions. It is hard for law enforcement, to track or seize criminal profits. The FBI has published its concerns about Bit-coin, particularly the lack of regulation for offshore services, that may be used by criminals as a safe haven for criminal conduct. Albeit so, the attraction to the numerous investing public is not diminishing. This, perhaps, increases the conundrum associated to the subject-matter.

8/COVER

10.04.2018

Chief Ayo Adebanjo PHOTOS: Kolawole Alli

‘Buhari Should Sack Chief of Army Staff and Inspector General’ Expecting age to mellow down a die-hard ‘Awoist’, may be like expecting a leopard to change its spots. Chief Ayodele Adebanjo, a Lawyer by profession, cut his political teeth under the tutelage of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, SAN, and since 1951 when he ventured into politics and the ﬁght for the nation’s independence, he has not looked back. As this committed Federalist celebrates his 90th Birthday today, he granted a ‘no-holds barred’ interview, in which he told Onikepo Braithwaite about his struggle for the return to democratic rule in the trenches of NADECO, and why he has not stopped ﬁghting for a better Nigeria. He spoke bluntly on several issues plaguing the nation, including Fulani Herdsmen, Corruption, Tribalism, the 2014 National Conference, and Restructuring. He stands as one of the few Nigerian elder statesmen, who has spoken truth to the present administration, concerning how the nation can seek to halt this negative free fall, which it seems to be in

ir, ﬁrst of all we wish you a happy 90th birthday. Can you share some of the secrets of your good health and agility, especially as young Lawyers seem to be dropping dead more than occasionally these days? What are your dos and don’ts? What is your daily routine? Well, in fairness, the bottom-line is the

grace of God, whatever you do, whether you go on a good diet or not. I have also been doing exercises, even before I turned 70. I walked one hour every day. When I moved to Lekki, I became a regular attender of the Lekki Bridge, walking down to the Alexander end of it and back. You are what you eat, and I still keep to that. On top of it all, it is the grace of God! How did you get into Politics Sir? I have been in politics, right from school. I have been interested in politics, all my life. It may interest you to know that I have

“THE NORTH SHOULD NOT AND CANNOT, DICTATE THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT IN THIS COUNTRY”

been buying newspapers, since I was in primary 5. I used to buy the West African Pilot. In fact, my class teacher used to read my own copy first, because I always got my copy early in the morning, and they did not supply my teacher Baba, until about 10 or 11 am. He would say “Adebanjo, where is your own paper?” He would have read mine first, before his own copy arrived. My favourite column was ‘Inside Stuff’ by Zik. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, was arousing the youths at the time. Another popular

10.04.2018 column was Margaret William’s ‘Between Ourselves’. Those of you in journalism, must have done your research. These are the people, who fired the imagination of the youths, for independence. I was a Zikist to the core! He aroused all of us, that is, the youths at the time. I only parted ways with Zik, when Awolowo came with Federalism. When Awo gave the reasons for it, I felt it was more acceptable to me, and I said “That’s all”. But firing our political imagination against colonialism, Azikiwe paved the way. His West African Pilot’s motto was ‘show the light’, and we followed. This is what I am doing for your generation. But my own politics, you don’t know, you can’t do it. The youths of today, are not ready to follow our way. It’s too rigid for them. They are more interested in money and money politics; that is not our way. Could you tell us a bit about your autobiography, your new book ‘Telling It As It Is’. What in a nutshell, is book all about? To be candid, the autobiography talks about my background. It says a lot, as well as put straight some of the misconceptions about Chief Awolowo, and some of the events that took place within the Action Group, the crisis and all that. Some people have had different views, about what happened. I tried to state things, as somebody who was on the spot. I often challenged people that, ‘what you read there, is not what I heard, it’s not what I read in the newspapers’. I was a participant. I was there. That would add to the authenticity of the book. It’s like putting the record straight. That is why I titled it ‘Telling It As It Is’. There was no amendment or any distraction there. If you don’t agree with what I wrote, you have to go and write your own. You are one of the few Nigerian Elder Statesmen, who has always displayed an uncommon candour in speaking truth to power. Despite your efforts at drawing the attention of the powers that be to the sad plight of Nigerians, the Buhari administration doesn’t seem that bothered. What else do you think can be done, to bring the nation out of the multifarious problems the masses are currently facing? The moment people are less mercenary, not that they don’t understand what they are saying, the attitude of many, is ‘If you can’t beat them, join them’. Again, somehow a lot of Nigerians believe that if you don’t follow the North, you can’t get anything, and that has been our battle with the NPC (Northern Peoples Congress), ab initio. The North should not, and cannot, dictate the pace of development in this country. That is the difference between us, the Action Group, the NCNC and the NPC. The North has always been dragging us back, in this country. Except for a few radical organisations like NEPU under Aminu Kano, which was

COVER/9 not even friendly with the NPC. It was because of their own radicalism, that the Action Group supported NEPU against the NPC in 1959. So, when people talk about one party giving money to the other party, it has been done before, when you want to have a common enemy. When a party is giving aid to the other party, that other party will ask where you got the money from. And these people who are just asking the question, are just being hypocritical! Where did they get the money to fight their own election? Or was it Buhari, who said he couldn’t pay for his own nomination, that financed it? Who said he had to go to the bank to go and borrow money? You see, there is too much of hypocrisy and lack or candour! No vision! No focus! As for the Federal Government, what we have been saying, Buhari has not surprised me. When people say you tell him, and he won’t listen. He won’t! He hasn’t got the basic background for it. I said it before his election. By birth he is a Feudalist, by training he is a Dictator. So, there is nothing in his career, that shows that he has mellowed down. When a Feudalist went straight into the Military, with a one-line command, and then jumps into a civilian administration, saying he is a born-again Democrat, you cannot expect much from him. When he first ran for President and claimed he was a born-again Democrat, I asked ‘what evidence have you seen that shows that?’ ‘The leopard never changes its spots’! We saw the dictatorial tendencies, between him and Idiagbon. How they convicted somebody with retrospective effect. That is against the rule of law. All that I said before he was elected. It is not new. Go and refer to the Vanguard Newspaper, where I granted that interview. Everybody knows. So, it is those who voted for him, in spite of my warnings, that are to be blamed. And I said then, that I would not like to be vindicated. Why? Because it is the country that will suffer. That is what we are doing now. I am not happy to say ‘here you are’! At what cost? Is the standard of education going down? Are our roads bad? Does the country have an airline? Sea line? Don’t let us talk about other things. It is a pity, and people like me talk with such passion, because we had no reason to get to this position, if people regard us as being ‘dundies’ and as being ‘mumus’! But some are still canvassing for his second term. Some are still asking the President to run again. That shows how ‘mumuish’ this nation has become. It’s a pity. Those who are canvassing for his second term, let me tell you, they are not honest. I know many of them. They just want to be politically correct. What they tell you behind, is quite different. How can he desire a second term? For somebody to have a second term, what has he done in his first term? A man who cannot even protect the

“THOSE WHO ARE CANVASSING FOR HIS SECOND TERM, LET ME TELL YOU, THEY ARE NOT HONEST. I KNOW MANY OF THEM. THEY JUST WANT TO BE POLITICALLY CORRECT. WHAT THEY TELL YOU BEHIND, IS QUITE DIFFERENT”

lives and property of the citizens, should be asking for second term? A man who claims that he is Commander-in-Chief, and he is claiming that what the Army did, he does not know. What is he there for? He appointed an Inspector General of Police, and he said he gave him instructions in January, it was in March that he became aware that he did not obey the instructions. And the IGP is still in office! I don’t believe that. I believe that, they are siding the herdsmen. The Inspector General of Police and Police, they know the body language of the Commander-in-Chief. No Army, no Security Man will dare do anything against the instruction of the Commander-in-Chief. I said that Danjuma was still patting the back of the President, by saying it is the Army. Who is the Army without the Commander-in-Chief? When he was the Chief of Army Staff, could he dare disobey the Commander-in-Chief? If he did that, he knows that he has lost his job. For me to agree that it is not Buhari who is behind the collusion of the Army with the herdsmen, he should have dismissed those people. If he was not aware of their actions and did not approve of them, the moment he became aware, they should have lost their offices. By now, we should be asking questions why the Chief of Army has been dismissed, why the IG has been dismissed. You say you are not aware of the actions of the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police, and now that you are aware, and these people are still in the office, what type of Commander-in-Chief are you?! If you confess such negligence and dereliction of duty, then get out of office! Let’s go back to the times of the struggle for Nigeria’s Independence. What kind of Nigeria did you hope for? Is the

Nigeria today anything like what you envisaged? Not at all! Not at all! For instance, some are saying that Nigeria has never been so divided on the basis of ethnicity and tribe, as it is today. Do you agree? Very much! Because back then, all we were trying to say was that, we could live together on agreed terms. I want to repeat, those terms that were agreed to in 1954, after the constitutional crisis that took place in the Federal Parliament, following the motion of Chief Anthony Enahoro for self-government. It’s a long story, but the bottom line is that, as a result of that crisis, the Colonial Masters summoned the political leaders of the country to London, and that was what gave us that London Conference. That was where Azikiwe himself, was converted to Federalism. Do the research, especially in the Daily Times. It was on their return from London, at the airport that Dr. Azikiwe said ‘Federalism is imperative’. Before they left for the Conference, he was an Unitarist. It was because of that, that the Sardauna said ‘Araba! We don’t want to be in Nigeria’. But Chief Awolowo said ‘No, but you can be in Nigeria under clear conditions, where every ethnic national- ity will be in control of its own natural resources, and develop at its own pace’. You will notice that, it was after they returned from that Conference, that the post of Premier was included in the Constitution since 1954. Before then, it was Leader of Opposition, Leader of Government Business. And that carried on until independence. Nigeria had peace. We were competitive, East, North and West. Awolowo built Liberty Stadium, Sardauna built Ahmadu Bello Stadium, and all that competition was going on. All the development that Chief Awolowo did, there was no occasion that we went to Balewa for subsidy. Because the basis of sharing the revenue, had been agreed upon. Derivation! That is what you call Resource Control now. Awolowo fought for it since 1954, and won. So, there was no basis for anybody to say they wouldn’t develop their groundnut or something. But when the military came in 1966, to use the language of Chief Emeka Anyaoku, ‘they disfigured the country’. He used the word ‘disfigured’, but I use ‘destruction.’ Because we are now talking about restructuring. That was how restructuring came into existence. Restructuring entered our political lexi- con, as a result of military intervention. When the Military now said they want to go, we said ‘ok, you are going. You CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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‘BUHARI SHOULD SACK CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF AND INSPECTOR GENERAL’ introduced us to Unitary, send us back to Federalism. Restructure the country to Federalism. Restructure is not a philosophy. Because, if you must change that Constitution you have now, you must restructure to Federalism, where you met us.’ We remember that you were one of the ﬁrst people to speak your mind about the tribal slant on Government appointments, almost from the inception of the Buhari Administration, when they started making appointments. However, others say it is imagined, rather than real. Kindly, comment on this Sir, that there is no slant. No! except you are just trying to pretend. You want to tell me that the Vice President said ‘No! He should disprove the composition of the security agencies. That is why I am ashamed of the Vice President representing me in that cabinet, where on the face of it, they are cheating my ethnic group. And he is still saying that, there is no favouritism. How does he defend the composition of the security personnel in the country? It’s a simple thing, and you don’t need rocket science to know that. And when they they now made him the mouth piece, to defend the indefensible! A qualified Lawyer, from a noble family. A successful advocate, a brilliant fellow! A Lawyer now sitting down, watching where the rule of law being trampled upon. I don’t think it will give him any credit. For those of us who are from where he comes from, he is not doing us any credit at all. How would you rate the ﬁght against corruption Sir? Has it yielded positive results? What do you think about the allegations and counter-allegations of looters list between the APC and the PDP? Are they fighting corruption at all? My dear, I am not interested in the pot calling the kettle black. I want action. I am a supporter of Buhari, in respect of wiping out corruption. Where I disagree with him very seriously, is the partisan nature he has adopted in fighting corruption. He has not been holistic. How can you support yourself with corrupt people, and you say you are fighting corruption? Buhari should cover his face, in fighting corruption. Look at his appointment of the Secretary to the Federal Government, Babachir Lawal, and his indictment for fraud. But for the pressure mounted by Nigerians, Buhari pretended that he didn’t know. And when they found him guilty, Buhari set up another Enquiry under the Vice President. That Committee arrived at the same conclusion, and with reluctance he removed Babachir Lawal from office. But after removing him from office, what has happened? The man who came into office on the mantra of zero tolerance for corruption, corruption now stares you in the face, and the Secretary to the Government proves to be corrupt. From the promises Buhari made to us,

such a person should not have come near him, at all. The moment Babachir Lawal was smeared with corruption, he should sacked him even without any enquiry. That one is there. What about Maina? Here is somebody who was removed from office for corruption, the Attorney-General of the Federation, is now telling us that the security people advised him to go and meet with him in a strange land. They surreptitiously brought that criminal back to the country, put him back in his position, and even gave him promotion! And you are wiping out corruption. To be candid, it is only in a country like this, that these things can happen. In other countries, the Buhari government would not have lasted for more than two minutes, after that. Its only in this country. It’s such a painful thing. Then your Minister of Health said ‘here is a person who has been accused

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of corruption, go on suspension while I am conducting the enquiry.’ Of course, it’s part of the corruption in the country. What is Adewole still doing in that cabinet, with all the insults? A Professor, a former Vice Chancellor. I would have thought that Prof Adewole should be helping Buhari, like Osinbajo the Vice President, with their backgrounds, their knowledge. What does Adewole want? After such an insult, on his integrity! What does he still want in that cabinet? There is something in that Aso Rock, because when they get there, they become something otherwise. Sir, has Buhari Administration lived up to your expectations? Do you have to ask me that question, after all that I have said? This is the conclusion that you should have since drawn, as the Fourth Estate of the Realm. I have given you all the facts. Even when we are hesitant to say it, you journalists should have said ‘no!’ A man who said he has zero tolerance for corruption, sur- rounds himself with corrupt is only going to break the country. This people! You don’t fight corruption that way. country cannot stay together under this You don’t make yourself credible like that. Constitution, it will break. It is only those of us who are asking Do you believe that the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria is adequate? Or should for a reconstruction of the country under it be amended or totally rewritten. Some Federalism, that want the unity of the people have argued that we should revert country. I have said it before, and I want to the 1963 Constitution, while others say to repeat it again. If Buhari and the APC that would be taking a step backward. don’t want to do the right thing by giving us a Federal Constitution before the election, What is your opinion? My dear, I was a member of the 2014 they are the agents of destruction in this National Conference. If anybody loves this country. Some have expressed the fear that, country, that recommendation should be adopted with the appropriate or necessary Nigeria may break up if it doesn’t amendments. No more no less. Anything else, restructure. What does Restructuring would amount to postponing the evil day. mean to you? Others fear that, unless Every section of the country, was represented the issue of insecurity is addressed by there. The best of Lawyers, Judges, Medical curtailing Boko Haram and Fulani Practitioners, Muslims, Christians, Workers, Herdsmen, war is imminent. Is there any basis for these fears? What are Businessmen, Young and Old, name it! We worked there harmoniously, for how your worse fears for Nigeria? All those talking like that, have not read many months. We passed 600 resolutions, unanimously. And somebody now says, he the 2014 Constitution. All that they are doesn’t believe in it. I challenged them, “if asking for, are already contained in the you believe 2014 National Conference was 2014 Constitution. Even the question of not agreeable, point out what you don’t agree Presidency, we have constitutionalised it. with there and let us remove it and move Where each State, Region or Zone, will forward”. Anybody who says otherwise, is know when it will be their turn to produce an enemy of this country. They are the ones, the President. It makes it less controversial. What more can we do to keep the country who want to break this country. Anybody who wants to unite this country by force, it’s together? We have done all that, and you impossible. Anybody who is trying to keep this country together under this Constitution, CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

“THAT IS WHY I AM ASHAMED OF THE VICE PRESIDENT REPRESENTING ME IN THAT CABINET, WHERE ON THE FACE OF IT, THEY ARE CHEATING MY ETHNIC GROUP. AND HE IS STILL SAYING THAT, THERE IS NO FAVOURITISM”

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‘BUHARI SHOULD SACK CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF AND INSPECTOR GENERAL’

“I AM A SUPPORTER OF BUHARI WHEN IT COMES TO WIPING OUT CORRUPTION. WHERE I DISAGREE WITH HIM VERY SERIOUSLY, IS THE PARTISAN NATURE HE HAS ADOPTED IN FIGHTING CORRUPTION”

close your eyes to it, and say you must continue on a Constitution imposed on us by a section of the country? You think that one will last? We are not ‘mumus’ ! Do you believe that the Federal Government was right in law and in fact, in declaring IPOB to be a Terrorist Organisation and proscribing it? It was a wicked decision of Buhari! Very wicked and patently partisan. You declare them as a Terrorist Organisation, and you cannot mention one single soul that they killed. You cannot mention one single village that they destroyed. They are only located, within the area they said they want self-government. That is not illegal. But those who have been killing, maiming and assassinating people, nothing was done to them. A person like Olu Falae was kidnapped, not once, and his farm burnt by these Fulani marauders, and not a singe word from Buhari. He wants to claim that he does not know, or does not support these people. So, what is he there for me to respect as a protector of life and property? If he can’t protect the lives and property of Nigerians, what is he there for? If he continues to say that, I am not a ‘mumu’. I have said it earlier that, the 2016 killing of 800 Christians on Christmas Eve, is on record. No arrests, no prosecutions, nothing! Then Agatu, then Makurdi, then Adamawa, all over the country and the Commander-in-Chief sits comfortably. And when he was called, he said ‘go and learn to live with your neighbours’. If when the Southern Kaduna people were killed, about 200 people were arrested, it wouldn’t have happened in Agatu. They wouldn’t have gone to Makurdi. And you still want to tell me that he’s not aware? On top of it all, the instruments with which they commit this ravaging is arms, which is banned and can only be carried by people who are licensed. Are these people licensed to carry arms? Or do they need AK47 to rear their cattle? Or is it because he a Patron of the cattle rearers? But when we say, this, you say we are maligning the President. These are known facts. If you are not restrained as a matter of your own vested interest, can you claim to be ignorant of all this damage they are causing? Remember the Governor of Benue State, showed a letter written to them by these Herdsmen threatening them, that they will drive Benue people away from their State. That they are the owners of the place. They signed it, and the people who signed, are well known. The Governor took the letter to Mr. President, crying out, nothing was done. And you want to tell me that it is the Army that is colluding? Let us be frank and honest with ourselves, and tell Buhari that “this is what you are doing, we are not mumus”. The moment you are still giving it coverage, that it is the Army that is colluding; that it is the Inspector General of Police who is not obeying! I have never heard of a situation where a Chief of Army Staff and an IGP, will disobey the President, and still remain in office. If you say you don’t know. And you don’t approve of it, what punishment have they been given? You are often referred to, as one in the group of four known as the Ijebu Maﬁa within the Afenifere, along with the late Pa Abraham Adesanya, Pa Solanke Onasanya, and Pa Olaniwun Ajayi. Sadly, your group has been accused of not replicating itself. That you have

not groomed younger political activists, to take over from you. Was this an oversight or deliberate act on your part? Because Nigeria needs such Activists now, more than at any other time. The young ones don’t want to follow our footsteps! What we stand for is not acceptable to them. They want to join them because they can’t beat them. We defied the question of joining them, because they are in power. All those who are following them now, they have followed us before. But, because we are not in power, we can’t put them on Boards and in Corporations, we can’t give them Ministerial appointments, they won’t follow us. It is where they are sure that they will give them that, that they will go. That is how they decide which party to go to, not what the party stands for. I want to repeat once again, with hindsight, in my long years in the Awolowo group, a lot of the people who joined us in the past, did not understand what we believed in, talk less of believing in them. But, they found us to be an easy platform, to come into political prominence. The moment they have the slightest issue, they zoom away. That is why, once we were out of power, we have been dwindling in number. Only those of us, who they say are fanatics, like myself and a few others, have remained; and I will be a fanatic of Awolowo until I get to the grave, that is why they can’t work with us. We can never be role models to the young men you are talking of, because our path is clear, and they are not prepared to follow that. When I tell people this is the only house I have, and only one in my village, they are shocked. I am not regretting, and I am not complaining. I know I could have built four or five houses in Victoria Island, if I chose to, but I would not have the name, which I have today. Sir, at the age of 90, having seen Nigeria evolve, governments change, over the years, what advice can you give for the best future for Nigeria? The best advice, is for the coming generation to come together to fight the present leadership. We are where we are, because of bad leadership and bad followership. Note my words. Bad followership. Because these bad leaders we are talking about, if they don’t get the kind of support from their followers, they would not succeed. Because the followership are beneficiaries

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of the bad leaders, they keep quiet. Until they are affected. It’s like what happened recently, when some people were complaining that they imposed a Councillor on them. That is how bad it was. I often make a claim, I have no complaint about Tinubu personally. There is no favour I have ever asked of him, that he didn’t do for me. But his political tactics, I detest. A lot of things he knew that we would not allow him to do, that was the beginning of his separation from us. When they complain about some of us in Afenifere, I ask them, “what is our offence?” have we asked them for any favours? Have we asked them for contracts? Have we ever asked them to give our children appointments? Have we asked them to pay us any form of salaries? No! After getting into office, they want to take over the leadership of Afenifere and sideline us. And that is why we are where we are today, and we are comfortable with that. Was that the way Tinubu got into office? Can you say in all honesty, that today people can come out and say ‘this is the man we want?’ even for a small office like Councillor, you can’t do that without approval from Bourdillon! I witnessed an occasion, when one of the Local Government Chairmanships in Lagos, the people said they wanted a Chairman. He took his own Chairman there. The people told him “ah, we don’t know this man”. His answer was ‘did you know Fashola before I brought him as Governor?’ its on record. A similar thing that really shocked me, was when Tinubu was celebrating his 60th birthday or something. I was watching it on television. Fashola was praising him, how he had done this and done that. The only thing they want now, is to give them internal democracy. He replied on the floor that if there was internal democracy, he (Fashola) wouldn’t be Governor. Are you laughing? Such things are repugnant to me. These are the areas I don’t agree with Tinubu, but he is very liberal, very kind, and there is nothing I have ever asked him that he didn’t give me. Although, I have never asked him the impossible. But I cannot close my eyes to all these type of things. One of his (Tinubu’s) supporters came to me sometime ago and said “Baba, e dariji” (Baba, forgive him). I replied that “Tinubu

o se mi o” (Tinubu did not offend me). I have nothing against him at all. I don’t like his style of government. As he now dictates who will be Councillor and who will be everything, if that were the position, he wouldn’t be the Governor. I insisted that the primaries conducted that chose him, that is what we are going to follow. And he did not say that I got a kobo for that! Why doesn’t he follow that? Why should asking him to follow that be a problem? Just like I am telling Buhari now, the Constitution we are asking him to change to, is the Constitution agreed to by Sardauna and Azikiwe. Buhari can’t claim to be more of a Northerner than Sardauna. When we talk about restructuring, they say they don’t understand; if they don’t understand, we tell them, ‘go back to the 1963 Constitution’. My dear, we know our problems, only that we lack the courage to say it. So many things are wrong. A situation where those who staged a coup, they committed treason, they are now part of the civilian government. In other countries, these are the people who should be facing the Nuremberg Trials. People who know it, they have said it before, they are afraid to say it; they say they will kill you. But I am not too young to die, so I can say it, that it is wrong for them. Don’t stage a coup to be part of our Council of States. What for? They are still controlling our political diagram till today. In your constituency, as a Lawyer, there has been so much ado about judicial corruption and a general rot in the legal system. What do you have to say about that? In any society, there are bad eggs. I am not saying the Judiciary is clean. I am not saying that the Bar itself, is clean. But there is a system for purification.That is why I violently disagree with Prof Itse Sagay. We were together in fighting during the NADECO days. So, I know him. We are all against corruption, but any Lawyer in my own concept, that says that corruption should be fought against the rule of law, is not my friend. Because what we learnt in Law School is that, the moment you disregard the rule of law, nobody is safe anymore. I think Prof Sagay should know that. Why break into the houses of Judges? You can catch them. Do everything to get them to judgement, but don’t do the right thing, by doing the wrong thing. Prof Sagay is someone whom I respect quite a lot, and I have been trying to reconcile myself as to why he should take that position, and I haven’t been comfortable with that. I have not found a reason for it. The rule of law, is a fundamental principle of democracy. The moment you abandon that, they can get you in the street and say you are corrupt. You have set up the thing. Get your facts right. Take them to court. This media trial, I don’t believe it’s right. Do your diligent investigations, get your facts right, the moment you get anybody arrested, take him to court, prosecute him, punish him. There are so many cases there - 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, because when they get there, they know that they haven’t got enough evidence before the court to convict them. In the meantime, you have maligned the person. Look at the publication of the ‘Looters List’ they did. You published that - what about those in Buhari’s cabinet? They are all awaiting trial, all the names published. None of them have been convicted and punished. And even in that process, some favourable names, have been excluded. It is now the parlance that, ‘maybe Buhari does not know’, but he must know and pretends. The in- thing now, is, loot as much as you can, then join the APC. And we have numerous instances in their party today. I wonder how the APC can have the guts, to accuse the PDP of ruining the country for 16 years, when 70% of their government is made up of former PDP members. That is why I asked, ‘do you think we are ‘mumus’? Some of us are educated, and we have our certificates to show for it.’ Sir, this has been one of the most interesting interviews which we have conducted so far. We are very grateful. Thank you very much for your time Sir. We wish you longer life, in good health, peace, and joy. We hope that you will still see a better Nigeria, in your lifetime. Once again, happy 90th Birthday.

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Making Legal Aid and Pro Bono Count in Administration of Justice in Nigeria In this article, Adetola Ayanru, discusses Legal Aid and Pro Bono Services, the purpose of which is to attain justice for those in need of it, regardless of their ďŹ nancial capacity. She proffers solutions for making the delivery of these services by the various bodies in Nigeria, better

Legal Aid Differs from Pro Bono egal Aid as defined by The United Nations Principles and Guidelines, is legal advice, assistance and representation, for persons detained, arrested or imprisoned, suspected or accused of, or charged with a criminal offence, and for victims and witnesses in the criminal justice process, that is provided at no cost for those without sufficient means, or when the interest of justice so requires. It also refers to, those services provided under government funded legal aid programs. Such is not considered as Pro Bono but â€˜legal aidâ€™, because the government pays for the services rendered by the Lawyer, as against that of pro bono service, which is uncompensated. Pro Bono is a term used to describe the act of provision of free legal services by Lawyers to people in need of legal services, but are unable to afford it as a result of their economic and financial status. The purpose of legal aid is to attain justice for those that are in need of it, regardless of their financial capacity. The reason for this, is to prevent justice from being rendered only to the rich and middle class, and not to the low income earners or the poor. Legal Aid in Nigeria In Nigeria, there are quite a number of organisations that provide legal aid/ pro bono services. They include; a. Public Institutions: The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, is the national government agency mandated to provide legal aid in Nigeria. Also, some state Ministries of Justice have established specialised units to provide legal aid services such as the Office of Public Defender (OPD) and the Citizens Rights and Mediation Centres. The National Human Rights Institution also provides legal services, under certain circumstances. b. Civil Sector Organisations: These include professional bodies such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Faith Based Organisations (FBOs), etc. c. Private Sector Institutions: Attempts are being made, to encourage some private firms to contribute towards the provisions of pro bono services. This is currently the case in Lagos State. d. Educational Institutions: Some Law Faculties have set up Law clinics, which are designed to advice indigent members of the public on their rights and obligations concerning the law, and also provide pro bono legal services by way of referrals to the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria. BeneďŹ ts of Pro Bono Services A number of benefits accrue when pro bono legal services are supported, and such benefits include the following: r "O JNQSPWFNFOU JO UIF BDDFTT UP KVTUJDF r " QSPNPUJPO PG UIF SVMF PG MBX r 1SPWJTJPO PG MFHBM BTTJTUBODF BOE BEWJDF even to the societyâ€™s most vulnerable persons. r *U TFSWFT BT BO PQQPSUVOJUZ UP HJWF CBDL UP UIF society, which is a form of personal gratification for the Lawyer involved. r *U QSPWJEFT BO PQQPSUVOJUZ GPS -BXZFST UP XPSL PO JOUFSFTUJOH JTTVFT UIBU NJHIU OPU JOWPMWF UIFJS SPVUJOF XPSL BOE PQFOT EPPST UP PUIFS areas of paid employment outside their usual business. r *OWPMWFNFOU JO QSP CPOP TFSWJDFT BMTP contributes to a Lawyerâ€™s or a firmâ€™s positive image or reputation, and can provide an edge over competitors. r *U JT BO PQQPSUVOJUZ UP EFWFMPQ TLJMMT BOE gain additional experience.

r *U JT BO JOFYQFOTJWF BOE FGĂ DJFOU XBZ GPS a firm to professionally develop its young Associates/Lawyers. In addition to the above, the Legal Aid Act 2011, in Section 18(1), provides that a legal practitioner who institutes or conducts pro bono cases on behalf of persons entitled to legal aid under this Act, shall register such cases with the Council, XIJDI TIBMM LFFQ SFDPSE PG BOE NPOJUPS UIF progress of such matters. It also provides for a legal practitioner who applies to be appointed UP UIF SBOL PG 4FOJPS "EWPDBUF PG /JHFSJB TIBMM be required to show evidence of diligent conduct of not less than three pro bono cases in the legal year immediately preceding his application, whilst mandating that it shall be a professional misconduct for any legal practitioner to abandon or otherwise neglect such cases. The challenge of providing legal assistance to ordinary people, requires the participation of a variety of legal service providers and partnerTIJQ XJUI B XJEF SBOHF PG TUBLFIPMEFST GPS UIF actualisation of a just and fair criminal justice system. Free legal services by Lawyers, will not solve all the problems of access to justice, as justice entails more than just access to a Lawyer. Access to a Lawyer, is an aspect of the wider justice delivery process. Making Legal Aid Impactful For provision of legal aid and pro bono legal services to impact on the speed and quality of justice delivery, the investigating, adjudicating and prosecutorial agencies, need to play their roles as well. To assist the Legal Aid Council and other private Lawyers to effectively discharge their NBOEBUF BSF UIF GPMMPXJOH TUBLFIPMEFST r 5IF /JHFSJB 1PMJDF 'PSDF r .JOJTUSZ PG +VTUJDF r 5IF +VEJDJBSZ r /JHFSJBO 1SJTPO 4FSWJDF In order for the mandate of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON) to be fully implemented, LACON must ensure to monitor the activities of the legal aid providers, as well as NBLF QSPWJTJPOT GPS XBZT UP BDDFTT UIF MFHBM aid services. Section 17 of the Legal Aid Act, 2011 has made provisions for ways to fulfil the above requirements. It states thus: 17. (1) The Council shall maintain a register of non- governmental organisations and law clinics that are engaged in the provision of legal aid or assistance to persons who are entitled to legal aid under this Act. (2) The Council may partner with or otherwise engage the services of such organisations in a manner consistent with the mandate of the Council. (3) The Council may grant licenses to persons who have undergone a prescribed course in paralegal services to render such services in appropriate situations. In order to achieve the above, the Legal Aid Council must do the following: I. Strengthen the already established National

database on legal aid Lawyers and the Clearing House System at all the State Offices of Legal Aid Council of Nigeria. II. Ensure the effective utilisation of the National Database on Legal Aid and the Clearing House System to: a) Assess Legal Aid needs across the country b) Identify Legal Aid Providers across the country c) Match those requiring legal aid to available legal aid providers d) Identify existing gaps where there are no or inadequate legal aid providers to address existing legal aid needs, or where there are legal aid providers for fewer persons requiring such services. e) Monitor the progress made on cases assigned to LACON Lawyers and other legal aid providers. f) Advocate for support and funding of legal aid to locations and beneficiaries with clear evidence of unmet needs, based on empirical data from the National Database and the Clearing House System. III. Establish a Directory of Service Providers, BOE NBLF UIJT BDDFTTJCMF UP UIF HFOFSBM QVCMJD IV. Map and regularly assess the current legal aid needs and available legal aid services, and assign legal aid services to address the observed needs/gaps. V. Produce and disseminate annual reports on the National Database and Clearing System to WBSJPVT TUBLFIPMEFST BOE VUJMJTF UIFTF SFQPSUT JO a) Providing incentives to legal aid providers. b) Encouraging synergy building, coordination and partnership with and amongst legal aid providers. c) Show case organisations and individuals who have assisted or collaborated with LACON in the discharge of its mandate, and hopefully create more recognition and visibility for these to lead hopefully to their attracting increased funding and other support from development partners, philanthropists, government agencies and individuals. Another method of implementing the mandate

â€œTHE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE LEGAL AID COUNCIL GOVERNING BOARD, CHIEF BOLAJI AYORINDE, SAN, HAS APTLY EXPRESSED THE VIEW THAT: â€œTHE POLICY DIRECTION MUST ELEVATE LEGAL AID, TO THE LEVEL OF A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF DESERVING CITIZENS. IT MUST NOT BE SEEN AS CHARITY FOR THE POOR, BUT A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTâ€? â€?

of LACON, is by monitoring the pro bono cases instituted by legal practitioners and also providing BT B SFRVJSFNFOU GPS UIF SBOL PG B 4FOJPS "EWPDBUF of Nigeria, the need to have diligently conducted not less than three pro bono cases in the legal year immediately preceding his/her application, as well as sanction for neglect of pro bono cases instituted as provided in Section 18 of the Legal aid Act. The section states thus: 18. (1) A legal practitioner who institutes or conducts pro bono cases on behalf of persons entitled to legal aid under this Act shall register TVDI DBTFT XJUI UIF $PVODJM XIJDI TIBMM LFFQ record of and monitor the progress of such matters. (2) A legal practitioner who applies to be BQQPJOUFE UP UIF SBOL PG 4FOJPS "EWPDBUF PG Nigeria shall be required to show evidence of diligent conduct of not less than three pro bono cases in the legal year immediately preceding his application. (3) It shall be a professional misconduct for any legal practitioner to abandon or otherwise neglect such cases. Conclusion It is paramount for justice to be served to all and sundry, notwithstanding the financial status of persons requiring justice. Legal Aid/ Pro Bono TFSWJDFT TFFL UP FOTVSF UIBU MFHBM TFSWJDFT BSF provided at no cost for those without sufficient means, or when the interest of justice so requires. The world is evolving and technological innovation, solutions, and automation, are also being deployed in facilitating the development of access to Justice. There are strides being made globally and locally, to facilitate access to legal BJE "O FYBNQMF JT UIF (MPCBM -FHBM )BDLBUIPO Event which is hosted worldwide. "U UIF KVTU DPODMVEFE -FHBM )BDLBUIPO XIJDI was hosted by the law firm of S. P. A. Ajibade & Co, the winning team designed an application which is intended to create a database, aimed at uniting Lawyers and other active players in the criminal justice system, to synergise the provision of legal representation/services to inmates yet to face trial, with the aim of decongesting the prison system. All that is required is for Lawyers to register on the application, to gain access to an already existing database of accused persons/ suspects and information regarding resolution of issues for such accused persons/suspects. The application may also be utilised by members of the public, such as loved ones/interested parties to access information regarding persons in detention. The sponsorship of the development of such automated systems, will go a long way in facilitating access to justice, not just locally but also globally. It is paramount for justice to be served to all, notwithstanding the financial status of persons requiring justice. Legal Aid/ Pro Bono services, TFFL UP FOTVSF UIBU MFHBM TFSWJDFT BSF QSPWJEFE at no cost for those without sufficient means or when the interest of justice so requires. The support of all government, voluntary and private sector organisations (NBA, Non-governmental organisations, faith-based organisations, and educational institutions and Law clinics in Law GBDVMUJFT BSF SFRVJSFE UP NBLF UIF EFMJWFSZ PG effective legal aid service in Nigeria a reality. The former Chairman of the Legal Aid Council Governing Board, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, has aptly expressed the view that: â€œThe policy direction must elevate legal aid, to the level of a fundamental right of deserving citizens. It must not be seen as charity for the poor, but a fundamental rightâ€?. The support of the Government and all voluntary and private sector organisations, are required to NBLF UIF EFMJWFSZ PG FGGFDUJWF MFHBM BJE TFSWJDF in Nigeria a reality. Adetola Ayanru, Senior Associate, S. P. A. Ajibade & Co., Lagos

10.04.2018

THE LIGHTER SIDE/13

LEGAL HUMOUR

We Hold Your Brief TOBI SONIYI

Dear Counsel, I will appreciate it, if you can shed more light on this issue of cults and secret societies. We are currently faced with a situation where the Police and Civil Defence Corps go about arresting people on the allegation that they belong to a cult or secret society. Perceived enemies of the Government or Traditional Rulers, are nor spared. Most of the people they arrest, either belong to a local religious body or age grade meetings. But the Police label all of them secret cults. Recently, it took the intervention of the Bishop of my Diocese, to release nine young men who were only carrying out traditional age grade assignments in our village. Please, what is the position of the law on cults or secret societies? E.K., Yenagoa, Bayelsa State Dear E.K., One has observed with great concern, the way and manner the Police have carried out arrests in some parts of the country, on allegations of cultism and other related offences. While one would readily concede that cultism has become a worrisome

security issue, because of the activities of some nefarious members of the public, indiscriminate arrests in the guise of combating cultism, must be discouraged. It has come to light that, these arrests and trumped charges, are at the instance of unscrupulous politicians. However, the Criminal Code in Chapter 9, Sections 62 (1) and (2) clearly define what a secret society is. And what constitutes breaches of the provisions. S.62 (2)(b), (c), (d), (f) and (g) more specifically itemise acts that could constitute a breach. These include killing, injuring or encouraging the killing of any person by a group or persons who belong to an organisation. Destruction of property, subverting or promoting the subversion of government or its officials, committing or inciting acts of violence or intimidation, interfering in the administration of law, and disturbance of peace and order in any part of Nigeria. Except where there are clear violations of these provisions in the Criminal Code, the Police, oftentimes, act outside of their powers.

JUDGE WARNS LAWYER FACING TRIAL TO ABIDE BY HIS BAIL CONDITIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 cast aspersions on the integrity of the Police and some individuals, who are connected with the case. The counsel to the Commissioner of Police, told the Court that Elukpo’s action was a clear breach of his bail conditions, asking the Court to call him to order. Oteme also implored the Court, to prevail on the accused to honour police invitation anytime he is called upon to come shed some light on the allegation of bribery he leveled against Police, and other issues he raised in the online publication. The counsel later told the Court, that he will be seeking for an amendment to an earlier application already submitted before the Court.

Lawyer to the accused , Mr Muizdeen Abdulahi, did not object to the move, but insisted that the amendment be made formally. Elukpo who is the Chairman of Kogi State Elders Forum, is being charged with forgery before the Court by the State Commissioner of Police. He was alleged to have forged signatures of three persons, to write a petition to the Minister of Health on March 22, 2017. While adjourning the matter for hearing till April 4, Chief Magistrate Hussein warned Elukpo against infringing his bail conditions, so that he will be not be forced to revoke the bail.

Arguing effectively How to Argue Effectively I argue very well. Ask any of my remaining friends. I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don't even invite me. You too can win arguments. Simply follow these rules: ˾˾˾ Make things up. Suppose, in the Peruvian economy argument, you are trying to prove that Peruvians are underpaid, a position you base solely on the fact that YOU are underpaid, and you are not going to let a bunch of Peruvians be better off. DON'T say: "I think Peruvians are underpaid." Say instead: "The average Peruvian's salary in 1981 dollars adjusted for the revised tax base is $1,452.81 per annum, which is $836.07 before the mean gross poverty level." NOTE: Always make up exact figures. ˾˾˾ If an opponent asks you where you got your information, make THAT up too. Say: "This information comes from Dr. Hovel T. Moon's study for the Buford Commission published on May 9, 1982. Didn't you read it?" Say this in the same tone of voice you would use to say, "You left your soiled underwear in my bathroom." Use meaningless but weighty-sounding words and phrases. Memorise this list: Let me put it this way In terms of Vis-a-vis Per se As it were Qua So to speak You should also memorise some Latin abbreviations such as "Q.E.D.", "e.g.", and "i.e." These are all short for "I speak Latin, and you don't." Here's how to use these words and phrases. Suppose you want to say, "Peruvians would like to order appetisers more often, but they don't have enough money”. You never win arguments talking like that. But you WILL win if you say, "Let me put it this way. In terms of appetisers vis-a-vis Peruvians qua Peruvians, they would like to order them more often, so to speak, but they do not have enough money per se, as it were. Q.E.D." Only a fool would challenge that statement. Use snappy and irrelevant comebacks. You need an arsenal of all-purpose irrelevant phrases, to fire back at your opponents when they make valid points. The best are: You're begging the question. You're being defensive. Don't compare apples to oranges. What are your parameters? This last one is especially valuable. Nobody (other than engineers and policy wonks) has the vaguest idea what "parameters" means. Don't forget the classic: YOU'RE SO LINEAR. Here's how to use your comebacks: You say: As Abraham Lincoln said in 1873... Your opponent says: Lincoln died in 1865. You say: You're begging the question. You say: Liberians, like most Asians... Your opponent says: Liberia is in Africa. You say: You're being defensive. Compare your opponent to Adolf Hitler. This is your heavy artillery, for when your opponent is obviously right and you are spectacularly wrong. Bring Hitler up subtly. Say, "That sounds suspiciously like something Adolf Hitler might say," or "You certainly do remind me of Adolf Hitler."

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10.04.2018

Inadmissibility of Extra Judicial Statements in Criminal Trials and Ignorance of Prosecuting Agencies In this article, Olumide Babalola decries what he refers to as, the unsupported practice of the use of witnesses’ extra judicial statements by Prosecutors, to buttress their testimonies at trial, using judicial decisions to show the limited circumstances in which this practice may be permitted

Deﬁnition of Extra Judicial Statement t has surprisingly, become common practice for some Prosecutors to tender witnesses’ statements (extra judicial statements), recorded during criminal investigation to “buttress” their witnesses’ testimonies at the trial, and such unsupported practice, has come to be accepted by most trial courts, especially where there is no resistance from the defence counsel. For the avoidance of doubt on what an “extra judicial statement” is; at page 148 of Babalola’s Law Dictionary, it is defined as: “A statement written or made outside the court.” See also AJUDUA v FRN (2017) 2 NWLR (Pt. 1548) 1. Judicial Decisions Recently and emphatically in 2016, the Court of Appeal in AFAM OKEKE v THE STATE (2016) LPELR-40024(CA), held per Helen Ogunwumiju, JCA in her leading judgement thus: “The extra judicial statement of a witness in a criminal trial, is inadmissible as evidence for either side. The admissible evidence, is the evidence on oath in open court by the witness, which is subject to cross-examination by the adverse party. The only time when an extra judicial statement of a witness is admissible, is where a party seeks to use it to contradict the evidence of a witness already given on oath. I must quickly stress that, Okeke’s decision on the principle does not stand alone; for as far back as 1989, the Supreme Court had in the case of ESANGBEDO v STATE (1989) 4 NWLR (Pt.113) 57 at 66 para, F, held per Nnaemeka-Agu, JSC (of blessed memory) as follows: “We cannot look at the extra-judicial statements of the PW1, PW2 PW4 and PW9, which were not tendered as exhibits during trial, because those statements cannot be legal evidence... Even in the court of trial, the only proper use that could have been made of those extra-judicial statements of witnesses was to have used them for cross- examination of those witnesses, in order to discredit their

testimony. In January 2001, the same court in THE STATE v OGBUBUNJO (2001) LPELR -3223(SC) held thus: “Extra judicial statements, which remain in that category however credible they may appear, cannot be used as evidence in a trial. Learned Counsel for the Appellant has contended, and this is conceded by Counsel to Respondents, that the statements of PW2 and PW6 relied upon by the Court below, are extra-judicial statements, which are inadmissible as evidence in the proceedings.” The Court of Appeal has consistently reiterated the principle theough the years in the following line of cases: IGENTI v STATE (2013) LPELR - 20861(CA), OKECHUKWU CHUKWU v THE STATE (2010) LPELR -15360(CA), Ojo v FRN (2008) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1099) and interestingly, in the case of DANIEL PETER v THE STATE (2013) LPELR-20302(CA), when a Counsel castigated the Prosecution for not tendering the extra judicial statement at the trial, the Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, had this to say: “We must understand that, the argument of learned Appellant's counsel, is essentially that it is the duty of the Prosecution, to tender extra judicial statements made by its witnesses, as exhibits during the trial. It is my humble view that, that is not the position of the law. The position of the law, is that before the court can admit and make use of an extra judicial statement made by the Prosecution witnesses, the witnesses must have been confronted with the statement under cross-examination. The only use the statement of a Prosecution witness who gave evidence in court, can be made of, is for discrediting him in cross- examination by the Defence.” From the foregoing cases, contrary to the regular and seemingly acceptable practice of some prosecuting agencies, who seek to rely on extra judicial statements in criminal trials, it thus appears that, they only enure only to the benefit of the defence in the process of cross- examination, but such statements ought to remain untendered where the defence does

not find them useful to its case, and the court ought not rely on them, as held in the case of OKECHUKWU CHUKWU v THE STATE (supra): Indeed, it is not in doubt that the PW1 had made two statements to the Police. “The PW1 had also admitted making two statements to the Police, one at the Owerri Urban Police Station and the order at the State C.I.D. Owerri. The Appellant's counsel questioned the PW1 during cross-examination, and she confirmed making those statements. However, none of those statements was either tendered or admitted in evidence... In the instant case, the extra-judicial statements of Nnena Duru who testified as the PW1, were never tendered in evidence. If the Appellant wanted to utilise those statements in his defence, he ought to have drawn the attention of the Court to it by crossexamining the PW1 on the contents of those statements, vis-a-vis her testimony in Court, and tender same in evidence. He cannot now complain, that the learned trial Judge erred in not utilising those statements, which were not evidence before the Court. The fact that they were annexed to the proofs of evidence, is of no moment. “ It must however, be emphasised that, the defence’s right to use the extra judicial statement is not automatic, but upon fulfilling the following procedure as restated in IGENTI v STATE (supra) as follows: “Let me restate the inconsistency rule. Where a witness in a criminal trial made a prior extra judicial statement materially inconsistent with his evidence on oath, the trial judge, not being permitted to pick and choose which evidence to believe, is obliged to disbelieve both and put no probative value on them. For the rule to be activated by the defence, during cross-examination of the witness, the defence counsel is obliged to demand from the prosecution a copy of the said extra judicial statement of the witness, which ordinarily should be in the prosecution's file and part of the proofs of evidence. The portion of

“THE POSITION OF THE LAW, IS THAT BEFORE THE COURT CAN ADMIT AND MAKE USE OF AN EXTRA JUDICIAL STATEMENT MADE BY THE PROSECUTION WITNESSES, THE WITNESSES MUST HAVE BEEN CONFRONTED WITH THE STATEMENT UNDER CROSSEXAMINATION”

the extra judicial statement materially different from the witness's evidence on oath, would be put to him to give him opportunity to explain. Thereafter, the extra judicial statement should be tendered and admitted as evidence. The point would then be made an issue, during address by defence counsel.” From this realisation, one may then ask why should the police obtain statements from witnesses, if they cannot utilise same at the trial. To the author’s mind, same is to ensure consistency in the prosecution’s case beyond reasonable doubt, such that, an entirely different charge is not made out at the trial, which is inconsistent with the contents of the proof of evidence upon which a Defendant is charged to court in the first place. See GLENCORE ENERGY UK LTD v FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (2018) LPELR- 43860(CA) thus: “The conviction of an accused person, must be supported and founded on credible evidence which must be cogent, and must not create room for speculation or doubt, and if it does as in the instant appeal, it is liable to be set aside on Appeal... This is why it has always been the law from antiquity till present day, that any reasonable doubt raised as a result of inconsistencies in the evidence presented by the prosecution, must necessarily be resolved in favour of the accused, for it is better for 99 guilty persons to be set free, than for one innocent person to be convicted and sentenced for an offence he did not commit. “ Also in OGISUGO v STATE 2015) ALL FWLR (Pt. 792) 1602 it was held thus: “The burden on the Prosecution of proving a charge beyond reasonable doubt, does not mean or import beyond any degree of certainty... Evidence which is susceptible to doubt, discrepancy, inconsistency and contradiction, as in the instant case, cannot be said to have attained the standard of proof that is beyond reasonable doubt. Proof beyond reasonable doubt, should be a proof that excludes all reasonable inference or assumption, except that which it seeks to support. It must have clarity of proof that is readily consistent with the guilt of the accused person.” Conclusion Conclusively, since the aim of our criminal justice system is to avoid punishing an innocent person, then the evidence of Prosecution (part of which, extra judicial statements are), must align with the testimony given on oath at the trial by the prosecution witness, if same is to be relied on by the court. Olumide Babalola, Managing Partner, Olumide Babalola LP., Lagos

10.04.2018

COVER/15

16/COVER

10.04.2018

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ APRIL , 2018

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Fintechs RedeďŹ ning Global Banking Industry, Says CIBN Boss Peter Uzoho The President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Professor Segun Ajibola, has stated that the global banking industry witnessed fundamental changes in 2017 with financial technology companies (fintechs), redefining activities and operations in the industry. He also said the emergence of Bitcoin, and other forms of cryptocurrencies was continually being debated among stakeholders in the Fintech ecosystem and traditional financial institutions, with focus on the legality of the virtual currency, the regulatory challenges it posed. Presenting the instituteâ€™s financial performance and achievements for 2017 at the the 2018 annual general meeting (AGM) of theCIBN in Lagos at the weekend, Ajibola disclosed that the institute posted an Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) of N910.76 million for 2017. He pointed out that the figure

was an improvement from N646.24 million recorded in 2016 and, represented a growth of 40.93 per cent. He noted that the Institute equally closed the year with a net operating surplus of N385.12 million in 2017, reflecting 66.12 percent over N231.83 million for 2016. â€œIt is imperative for me to inform you that the modest achievement of the financial numbers stated above was the result of a relentless focus on implementing agreed measures and policies aimed at ensuring that the journey towards the full realisation of the Instituteâ€™s vision is not hampered or hobbled by a lack of financial capacity,â€? Ajibola said. He announced that the full implementation of the Computer-Based Testing for the Instituteâ€™s professional examinations would commence in the April 2018 Diet Examination. He also disclosed the establishment of CIBN Examination Centres in Liberia and Sierra Leone, noting that arrange-

ments had been concluded to commence examinations in the two countries. Meanwhile, the current 1st Vice President of the CIBN, Dr Uche Messiah Olowu was at the meeting announced the President-elect of the institute. Olowu who becomes the 20th President and Chairman of Council of the institute will take over from Ajibola at his investiture coming up in May. Other new office holders of the institute include: Mr. BayoOlugbemi, first Vice President; Mr. Ken Opara, second Vice President; and Professor Olarewaju Pius Oladeji, National Treasurer, amongst others. In his remarks, Olowu thanked members of the Institute for trusting and honouring him with their votes and promised to consolidate on the achievements recorded by the out-going officers. â€œYou have made a statement with your votes and I shall honour that with every fibre of my vein,â€? Olowu said.

Ajibola

MARKET INDICATORS

Access Bank Introduces USSD Code for â€˜PayDayâ€™ Loan Access Bank Plc has launched a special USSD code *901*11#, a strategic tool for its recentlylaunched PayDay loan product by the bank. The bank said the initiative was introduced to provide quicker and instant access to loans for its customers. Unveiled in partnership with Remita, PayDay Loan requires no collateral or guarantor, enabling customers to obtain loans instantly without visiting the bank â€“ thereby enabling customers to meet their urgent financial needs before receiving their salaries.

In a statement released by the bank yesterday, its Executive Director, Personal Banking, Victor Etuokwu said: â€œAcquiring loans in Nigeria has always been known to be limiting - either due to access, collateral issues, including the duration of the approval process. With our obligations to our customers especially during difficult economic periods, we are emphasising Access Bankâ€™s position in offering lifestyle products and services that meets their financial needs.â€? Access Bankâ€™s PayDay Loan product offers customers and

non-customers easy access to a unique platform that gives them access to loans against their next salary payment and enables customers to obtain a loan instantly by simply dialing a USSD Code *901*11# on their mobile phones. The PayDay loan can also be obtained to fulfill any financial and personal requirement to enhance their quality of life. The product is unique as recipients only must be diligent salary earners who will now be able to obtain instant loans without stress or involving a guarantor.

Heritage Bank Restates Commitment to Growth Heritage Bank Plc has restated its commitment to sustainable growth and profitability despite the prevailing adverse macroeconomic environment. The bank said in statement by its Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Fela Ibidapo that, â€œits ambition to emerge as a systemic important bank in the Nigerian banking industry remains its underlying corporate growth strategy.â€? According to Ibidapo, the foundational element of its growth strategy: People, Partnership and Process have been recalibrated to match the rapidly

changing needs of its customers especially as it deploys full steam retail banking franchise. He said the bank was on a growth track and was not unmindful of the headwinds facing the domestic economy, adding that it was very optimistic that the Heritage Brand will continue to soar over the current economic tide through its collective efforts to remain an enduring institution. Ibidapo said the bank would continue to grow by appealing to key client segments especially in the retail space and also focus on under-penetrated banking

segments while building loyalty amongst the bankâ€™s existing customer base. The statement said the bank was committed to building an enduring and resilient banking franchise in the country, remarking that in the midst of the seemingly stormy realities presented by events within the political and economic environments, the bank will continue to pursue its strategic aspiration of not only being stable but also being sustainable in earnings and profitability in its growth plan.

Moyanga Joins Africa Franchise Center Board A former Chairman of the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) Mr. Peter Sipho Moyanga, has joined the Advisory Board of Africa Franchise Center (AFC). AFC is a private sector-led initiative to increase prosperity and support the growing businesses by promoting franchising as a business development model. The Africa-wide initiative was launched in Lagos in November 2017 at a ceremony attended

by franchise business leaders and commercial diplomats from US Embassy and many African countries. According to a statement, Moyanga is known to have done pioneering work in the development of franchising across Africa, leading workshops and training sessions in partnership with African Development Bank and other development agencies. Moyanga has been involved with McDonalds Corporation in South Africa

since 1995 having been one of their first employees when the corporation entered that market. He served as multi-department head, responsible for Information and Technology department, Operations Development, Field Service and Franchising. In 20103 he left corporate life to become an owner operator (franchisee) and he currently own many McDonaldâ€™s outlets in South Africa, through his company, Moyanga Family Foods.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

AUGUST 2017 Broad Money (M2)

21,851,454.31

-- Narrow Money (M1)

9,890,813.10

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,523,239.91

---- Demand Deposits

8,367,573.19

-- Quasi Money

11,960,641.22

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

9,732,990.89

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

12,118,463.42

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

26,821,446.81

---- Credit to Government (Net)

4,824,226.22

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

7,834,536.74

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

--3,010,310.52

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

21,997,220.59

--Other Assets Net

--14,702,983.39

Reserve Money (Base Money)

5,486,804.65

--Currency in Circulation

1,868,735.07

--Banks Reserves

3,268,266.17 Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

August 2017

Inter-Bank Call Rate

22.63

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

13.35

Savings Deposit Rate

4.08

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.86

3 Months Deposit Rate

10.14

6 Months Deposit Rate

11.51

12 Months Deposit Rate

11.40

Prime Lending rate

17.69

Maximum Lending Rate

31.20

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ Ă™Ă–Ă“Ă?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ÍŻÍąĎą

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT FRIDAY APRIL 6, 2018

The price of OPEC basket of fourteen crudes stood at $64.82 a barrel on Friday, compared with $65.18 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela) SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͮ˜ ͰͮͯͶ

MARKET NEWS

Lafarge Africa Reports N35bn Loss in Full Year 2017 Goddy Egene Lafarge Africa Plc, a sub-Saharan African building materials company, yesterday announced a loss after tax of N34.601 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with a profit after tax of N16.898 billion in 2016. The audited results showed that Lafarge recorded revenue of N299.153 billion, up 36 per cent from N219.714 billion

in 2016. Gross profit stood at N50.759 billion in 2017, compared with N40.662 billion in 2016. Administrative expenses jumped from N23.737 billion to N41.595 billion in 2017, while finance cost rose from N38.216 billion to N43.216 billion due to high charges on over draft and bank borrowings. Lafarge Africa’s total loans and advances increased to N256.546

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

billion, from N104.709 billion in 2016. The company ended the year with a loss of N34.601 billion as against a profit of N16.898 billion. Despite the loss, the directors have recommended a dividend of N13.010 billion, which translates to 150 kobo per share, up from 105 kobo paid the previous year. According to the company, a detailed review of key projects

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

in Nigeria such as the Road in Calabar and of mothballed assets in South Africa led to an impairment of N19.1 billion. “The combination of these impairments and the net loss in South Africa of N187b billion led to a group net loss of N34.6 billion compared to a profit of N16.8 billion N in 2016,” the company said. However, the Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Africa Plc, Michel Puchercos attributed the strong margins in the Nigerian business to cost initiatives and more favorable pricing. According to Puchercos, Lafarge Africa Plc’s industrial operations in 2017 were stable with plants operating at high reliability levels. He also noted that the energy optimisation plan for the company has been

O F

successful with increased use of Alternative Fuel and Coal to offset gas shortages in operations in the West while plant operations in the eastern and northern part of the country relied mainly on gas and coal. He said these logistic, commercial and operational initiatives helped to sustain market share in the year under review.

0 4 / 0 4 / 2 0 1 8 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

Ë¾ TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018

Nigeria Daily Stock Market Report:

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

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Afrinvest Securities Limited (RC 603 315) (A Dealing Member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange)

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Ticker

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

Previous Current Current Price Price Weighting Change

1,651.76

-0.91% -1.4%

Price Change YTD

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

7.1%

65.2%

26.0%

8.3%

7.9x

1.0x

Divinden Earnings d Yield Yield

53.6%

12.0%

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

43.50

21.4%

6.7%

7.3%

30.6%

5.2%

7.2x

2.1x

6.2%

13.9%

Zenith Bank PLC

26.90

-1.5%

12.8%

4.9%

3.7%

23.3%

3.4%

4.7x

1.0x

10.0%

21.1%

Nigerian Brew eries PLC

128.90

-0.1%

8.1%

-4.4%

-4.6%

19.2%

8.8%

31.1x

5.8x

3.2%

Nestle Nigeria PLC

1,385.00

0.0%

6.7%

-11.0%

89.0%

21.3%

32.6x

24.5x

3.1%

Dangote Cement PLC

252.00

-1.1%

6.4%

9.6%

26.3%

12.4%

21.7x

5.6x

4.2%

4.6%

FBN Holdings Plc

12.10

-0.4%

7.1%

37.5%

37.7%

2.6%

0.3%

19.7x

0.7x

1.7%

5.1%

Access Bank PLC

12.00

0.0%

4.8%

14.8%

13.2%

13.0%

1.6%

5.5x

0.7x

5.4%

18.1%

United Bank for Africa PLC

11.85

-0.4%

4.7%

15.0%

13.8%

16.1%

2.0%

5.3x

0.8x

7.2%

18.8%

Ecobank Transnational Inc

17.05

0.3%

3.1%

0.3%

4.8%

10.3%

0.8%

6.4x

0.6x

3.6%

SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

665.10

0.0%

3.1%

6.2%

19.4%

11.1%

3.9x

0.7x

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

Guinness Nigeria PLC

Lafarge Africa PLC

15.5% 26.0%

48.00

0.0%

3.1%

15.7%

17.4%

28.7%

3.4%

11.1x

2.9x

1.0%

103.00

-1.0%

2.4%

9.6%

14.6%

5.6%

19.3x

2.7x

0.6%

5.2%

41.00

-7.2%

1.4%

-8.7%

47.1%

9.8%

6.2x

2.4%

-12.4%

Fidelity Bank PLC

2.54

-2.3%

1.2%

3.3%

-1.6%

8.0%

1.1%

2.2x

0.4x

5.5%

45.1%

Oando PLC

5.99

0.0%

1.2%

0.0%

40.7%

4.2%

2.7x

0.6x

Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

21.45

0.0%

1.2%

7.3%

5.4%

43.2%

19.8%

8.4x

3.2x

2.3%

12.0%

9.0%

37.0%

Okomu Oil Palm PLC

72.70

0.0%

1.1%

7.4%

44.1%

32.7%

7.6x

2.8x

4.1%

13.2%

Unilever Nigeria PLC

55.00

-8.0%

1.4%

34.1%

36.8%

50.3%

8.4%

33.9x

12.9x

0.2%

3.0%

International Brew eries PLC

49.15

0.0%

0.7%

-9.8%

-10.6%

24.6%

7.4%

51.5x

11.7x

36.50

0.0%

0.8%

25.9%

13.1%

3.0%

7.6x

0.9x

2.5%

1.70

-4.5%

0.6%

16.4%

14.9%

8.3%

1.8%

14.5x

1.1x

117.6%

6.9%

17.00

-1.7%

0.5%

0.6%

2.2%

0.8%

23.0x

0.6x

3.8%

4.3%

Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

Transnational Corp of Nigeria

UAC of Nigeria PLC

Diamond Bank PLC

Total Nigeria PLC

FCMB Group Plc

11 PLC

1.9% 13.1%

1.92

0.0%

0.6%

28.0%

22.3%

2.5%

0.3%

7.7x

0.2x

236.60

0.0%

0.5%

2.9%

31.0%

6.5%

10.0x

2.8x

7.2%

10.0%

2.38

1.3%

0.7%

50.6%

5.1%

0.8%

4.9x

0.2x

1514.7%

20.3%

4.7%

11.9%

170.00

0.0%

0.4%

-12.6%

30.8%

11.0%

8.4x

2.2x

0.0%

0.4%

-8.0%

-4.8%

19.6%

1.8%

20.2x

3.5x

12.9%

Forte Oil PLC

40.00

PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

23.45

0.0%

0.4%

13.8%

10.9%

10.7%

5.0%

22.2x

2.3x

2.1%

Cadbury Nigeria PLC

14.50

0.0%

0.3%

-7.5%

-7.1%

2.6%

1.1%

57.1x

2.3x

1.1%

1.8%

Presco PLC

72.00

0.0%

0.4%

5.1%

42.9%

25.9%

3.5x

1.3x

2.1%

28.2%

NASCON Allied Industries PLC

21.20

0.0%

0.4%

14.6%

10.3%

54.6%

19.5%

10.5x

4.9x

7.1%

9.5%

UPDC Real Estate Investment Tr

10.00

0.0%

0.3%

0.0%

0.8x

7.2%

Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

6.65

0.0%

0.3%

-14.7%

-11.5%

5.6%

1.2%

8.5x

0.4x

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

24.15

-2.2%

0.3%

-13.8%

17.3%

1.8%

6.7x

1.1x

Sterling Bank PLC

1.60

1.3%

0.4%

48.1%

41.6%

6.1%

0.6%

8.4x

0.5x

Dangote Flour Mills Plc

13.15

-4.7%

0.3%

8.2%

61.6%

15.8%

4.3x

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Niger

30.00

3.4%

0.3%

38.8%

61.2%

23.6%

Chemical and Allied Products P

38.75

0.0%

0.2%

14.0%

8.5%

66.2%

Beta Glass PLC

75.70

0.0%

0.2%

47.5%

18.4%

Transcorp Hotels Plc

7.45

0.0%

0.1%

3.3%

4.7%

2.8%

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

5.0% 4.5%

11.8% 4.1%

14.9%

1.8x

1.5%

23.5%

6.2x

2.2x

25.0%

16.1%

30.2%

18.1x

12.1x

5.6%

5.5%

11.9%

10.7x

1.8x

1.4%

9.4%

21.2x

1.0x

1.8%

4.7%

11.9%

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

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

T ic k er

Vo lum e

LEA R N A F R C A

1.06

9.3%

FB NH

29.6

-0.4%

J A P A ULOIL

0.49

8.9%

SKYEB A N K

23.1

-8.5%

P ric e C hg %

C H A M P ION

2.48

8.8%

FCM B

22.9

1.3%

M A N SA R D

2.52

5.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

22.5

-1.5%

C A VER T ON

2.90

3.9%

20.6

-0.1%

C ON T IN SUR E

1.86

3.9%

LA SA C O

19.4

2.5%

GLA XOSM IT H

30.00

3.4%

UB A

18.4

-0.4%

R OYA LEX

0.31

3.3%

M A N SA R D

14.5

5.0%

A IIC O

0.70

2.9%

SOVR EN IN S

14.3

0.0%

LA SA C O

0.41

2.5%

GUA R A N T Y

10.2

-1.4%

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

T o p 10 L o s e r s

Value

P ric e C hg %

2582.8

-0.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

606.9

-1.5%

-8.0%

GUA R A N T Y

448.9

-1.4%

41.00

-7.2%

FB NH

359.1

-0.4%

M A YB A KER

3.04

-5.0%

UB A

219.0

-0.4%

UN IT YB N K

0.96

-5.0%

GUIN N ESS

139.1

-1.0%

D A N GF LOUR

13.15

-4.7%

A C C ESS

61.7

0.0% -7.2%

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

C ILEA SIN G

1.56

-9.3%

SKYEB A N K

0.65

-8.5%

UN ILEVER

55.00

WA P C O

WEM A B A N K

0.81

-4.7%

WA P C O

57.7

T R A N SC OR P

1.70

-4.5%

FCM B

53.9

1.3%

A GLEVEN T

0.64

-4.5%

N EST LE

44.4

0.0%

Investment Research

Brokerage Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com

Bolaji Fajenyo | bfajenyo@afrinvest.com

Omotola Abimbola | oabimbola@afrinvest.com

˾ TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018

MARKET NEWS

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance to Pay N120m Dividend as Profit Hits N406m Goddy Egene Shareholders of Consolidated Hallmark Insurance (CHI) Plc are to receive a dividend of N120 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, following positive performance recorded for the year. Despite the challenging operating environment, CHI Plc posted net premium income of N3.683 billion, up from N3.508 billion in 2016. Net underwriting income grew from N3.712

billion to N4.054 billion, while underwriting profit hit N1.246 billion, up from N1.069 billion in 2016. Profit after tax grew by 108 per cent from N194.9 million to N406.2 million in 2017. The board of directors of the insurance firm, has therefore set aside N120 million as dividend, which translates into two kobo per share. In his comments, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CHI Plc, Mr. Eddie Efekoha said the company’s performance for the year 2017

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

was a show of tenacity. “Business retention was good, giving us room to focus on our new business initiatives. While our revenue diversification plans are still at its preliminary stages, we are recording good progress in deepening our footprints in the retail market segments which we believe holds significant untapped potential for revenue growth,” he said. According to him, the company was able to grow its net premium Income by five per cent to N3.683 billion and

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 06Apr-2018, unless otherwise stated.

was also able to fulfill its claims payment obligations as at when due, successfully settling claims to the tune of N3.354 billion an increase of 93 per cent over the N1.731 billion paid in 2016. “This increase was due to a combination of large oneoff losses and the persistent inflationary pressures in the economy. We ended the 2017 financial year with an underwriting expense ratio of 24 per cent and an operating expense ratio of 26 per cent. Total assets grew

by 27 per cent to N9.490 billion from N7.442 billion in 2016. Our capacity to undertake larger and more technical transactions have also continued to improve, evidenced in the growth of insurance liabilities from N2.41 billion in 2016 to N3.53 billion in 2017,” he said. Efekoha explained that in 2018, the company shall continue the implementation of its corporate strategic plan which will enable it to reposition as leaders in the insurance industry.

“Emphasis shall also be placed on stringent cost monitoring measures to improve our efficiency levels. We shall invest in new product development to adequately exploit the opportunities in the retail market segment. We are at advanced stages in the setting up of a microinsurance subsidiary called CHI Microinsurance Limited to cater to the retail Life insurance markets. This we believe will improve our margins in the near future,” he said.

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 1 270 1680 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 187.00 187.87 5.25% Nigeria International Debt Fund 243.97 244.86 5.46% 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 0.85 0.86 3.76% 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 14.75% 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 N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 159.23 160.35 4.97% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 14.64% 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 12.44 12.76 12.20% Women's Investment Fund 103.49 106.13 2.84% 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 14.77% 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 15.02% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.13 1.15 7.17% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.10 1.13 6.37% 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 1,200.64 1,201.84 4.60% FBN Heritage Fund 147.12 148.46 5.55% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.30% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 114.74 115.25 1.60% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 114.75 115.26 1.71% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 180.18 182.96 11.93% 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 1.39 1.42 6.64% Legacy Debt Fund 2.99 2.99 3.62% 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 3,147.70 3,180.16 5.43% Coral Income Fund 2,565.60 2,565.60 4.86% 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 13.99% 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 2.17 2.19 2.83% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 16.38% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 118.41 118.81 2.96%

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 2.12% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,069.22 1,069.22 3.42% 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 16.16 16.25 14.45% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 13.79% 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 10.20% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.52 11.57 4.33% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 14.15% 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 140.44 142.97 9.07% 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 1.55 1.55 4.30% 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 2,344.25 2,364.80 4.54% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 181.07 181.07 2.62% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.06 1.07 5.45% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 230.68 230.77 4.76% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 190.71 192.86 6.49% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 14.42% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,104.43 10,242.38 4.50% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.08 1.08 2.08% 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 1.33 1.34 -0.37% United Capital Bond Fund 1.62 1.62 3.55% United Capital Equity Fund 1.00 1.02 9.04% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.41% United Capital Eurobond Fund 105.16 105.16 2.19% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.12 1.13 3.34% 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 6.63% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.13 14.30 7.16% Zenith Income Fund 19.80 19.80 4.68% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 13.50%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

10.00 134.56

-11.35% 1.59%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.40 158.49 116.61

12.50 161.90 118.80

2.29% 10.98% 6.74%

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

5.12 9.64 18.86 21.36 155.16

5.16 9.72 18.96 21.56 157.16

7.91% 0.69% 6.20% 8.56% 4.40%

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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TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Taraba Killings: Army Sets up Panel to Probe Allegation by Danjuma on Soldiers’ Collusion IG deploys surveillance aircraft in state as killings escalate Paul Obi in Abuja and Wole Ayodele in Jalingo The Nigerian Army yesterday constituted a panel to investigate the allegations of abuse and collusion by its troops in Taraba and other states with suspected

Fulani herdsmen and other criminal groups to perpetuate heinous crimes, including killings. The panel is in reaction to the accusation by the former Minister of Defence and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen. Theophilus Y. Damjuma (rtd), who had

Buhari: l Declined Signing Regional Economic Pact to Protect Local Industries,Youths

FG, AU to resume AfCFTA negotiations in May Omololu Ogunmade and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja said he declined signing Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) involving the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) because of his commitment to secure the future of youths and to keep local industries alive. The president made this disclosure while receiving a letter of credence from the Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Nigeria, Ketil Iversen Karlsen, at the State House. He said his insistence on probity, transparency and accountability in the public and private sectors was dictated by his commitment to secure the future of the country for all Nigerians, especially the youths. According to his Special Adviser, Media, Mr. Femi Adesina, the president said his administration would always promote the culture of honesty and integrity in service, with a view to guaranteeing a better future for the youth. “Our insistence on probity is to encourage people to be accountable, and accept honesty as a lifestyle so as to secure the future of our youths,’’ he reportedly said. Adesina also said the president observed that more than 60 per cent of Nigerians are youths and deserve to inherit a stable and prosperous country that they can be proud of, adding that the government would work assiduously to prevent waste and the depletion of resources by corrupt Nigerians. He also said Buhari told the Head of Delegation of the EU that Nigeria had been reluctant to sign the EPA among ECOWAS countries because of the need to protect the economy, especially the industries and small businesses which currently provide jobs for most Nigerians. Adesina said the president noted that signing the agreement would expose the industries and small businesses to external pressures and competitions, which could lead to closures and job losses. “We are not enthusiastic about signing the EPA because of our largely youthful population. We are still struggling to provide jobs for them, and we want our youths to be kept busy. “Presently, our industries cannot compete with the more efficient and highly technologically driven industries in Europe. We have to protect our industries and our youths,’’ he was quoted as saying. Buhari, he added, commended

the EU for its support for the rehabilitation of the North-east, noting that the Nigerian economy was already being repositioned to attract more investments that can create jobs. Adesina added: “In his remarks, Karlsen said the EU will continue to support Buhari’s administration in the key priorities it listed including security, economy and the fight against corruption. “He said the EPA was designed to accommodate and protect some economies that would find it difficult to compete. “President Buhari also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Italy, Dr. Stefano Pontesilli and the Ambassador of Spain, Mr. Marcelino Cabanas Ansorena.” However, the federal government and the African Union (AU) will reopen discussions next month on the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) pact by Nigeria, THISDAY gathered exclusively yesterday. It is expected that the negotiations would facilitate Nigeria’s adoption of the pact before the 31st Summit of the AU in Nouakchott, Mauritania in July. Nigeria was one of the eight African countries that rejected the framework of agreement at the extraordinary meeting of the AU leaders in Kigali, Rwanda on March 21. President Buhari opted out of the deal to establish a thriving free trade bloc after the Nigeria Labour Council (NLC) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said the deal was detrimental to national interest. Labour’s ground for objection was that removal of 90 per cent tariffs on goods would result in local job losses and dumping of goods, while MAN declined support unless the issues of market access and enforcement of rules of origin, among other concerns, were addressed. The AfCTA deal would liberalise services, remove tariffs on 90 per cent of goods and create a trade bloc of 1.2 billion people with a combined GDP of more than $2 trillion To consider the grounds for opposition, Buhari set up the Presidential Committee to widen consultations with stakeholders on the framework establishing AfCFTA. The committee’s mandate expired on April 5 and the inter ministerial body, headed by Minister

Cont’d on page 46

accused the military, particularly the Nigerian Army, of colluding with herdsmen to commit atrocities in Taraba State. Danjuma in his speech at the Taraba State University convocation ceremony recently, had charged indigenes of the state to defend themselves against killers, given the spate of herdsmen killings in the North-central region and other parts of the country and the inability of the armed forces to protect them. The army had since 2015 conducted Operation MESA and Operation Ayem Akpetuma, among other military exercises in various states to stop the killings, which have continued unabated. Inaugurating the committee, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai, observed that Danjuma’s allegations among other accusations against the army, were grievous and could have deep consequences on the armed forces. According to Buratai, “The Nigerian army has over the years conducted operations in line with its constitutional responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria and providing aid to civil authority whenever it is called upon for such a task. “However, the actions of the army in recent military operations,

particularly in Taraba State, have been criticised by individuals and interest groups from different sectors of the society. “Some of these concerns have come from the state government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and very senior citizens from the state.” Buratai further stated that most recently, Danjuma had alleged that the armed forces of Nigeria were colluding with bandits and other criminal elements. “Statements of this nature could damage the reputation of the AFN and thus cannot be ignored if the Nigerian army (NA) is to continue to earn the trust and respect of the Nigerian populace. “Thus it became imperative for the NA to set up this panel to confirm the veracity or otherwise of these allegations. As members you were carefully selected based on your proven record of integrity and meticulousness. “I have no doubt that you will do a great job. The terms of reference given to you is robust and has been articulated to enable you focus on the crux of the matter and expedite your actions towards unravelling the true situation of things. “I have directed AHQ DAPP and the various formations to provide

you with all the necessary logistics required for the completion of your assigned tasks. “You are enjoined to visit all flash points and interact with various stakeholders and interest groups in Taraba State in order to come up with a comprehensive report,” he said. Continuing, he added: “Let me hasten to add that the task at hand is a burning national issue, hence you are to treat this assignment with the seriousness it deserves. “To this end, by the powers conferred on me as the Chief of Army Staff, I hereby officially inaugurate the constituted panel to investigate the allegations made against the NA in the course of operations in Taraba State.” Speaking on behalf of the committee members, the Chairman, Major General Joseph Nimmyel (rtd), assured Buratai of the readiness of the committee to deliver on their mandate and terms of reference. Nimmyel also commended the army for showing its commitment to be accountable to the people, by setting good example, specifically, by constituting a panel to investigate alleged abuses by the army in Taraba State. The committee’s terms of

reference include to ascertain and record the timeline of clashes and security breaches in Taraba State from 2015; to find out and document all military responses to the identified clashes in the state within the stipulated time. The mandate also included ascertaining the role and actions of the commanders during the said clashes and security breaches in Taraba State, to ascertain and verify claims by Danjuma and to also verify all other claims by other groups and persons. Other members of the committee are Brig Gen Saka Abubakar (rtd) Brig Gen. S. Muhammed, Brig Gen. R.K. Alexander, Brig Gen S.N. Eze, Brig Gen. K. Olajide, Abdul Atadoga Ibrahim (SAN), Mrs. Comfort Dawut and Col. MJ Gambo. The committee is expected to submit its report on the April 19, 2018, in Abuja. Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris, has deployed a surveillance aircraft to Taraba State as killings escalate in the state. Six people were again killed yesterday by herdsmen at Tati village in Takum Local Government

Cont’d on page 45

GATHERING FOR SECURITY MATTERS

L-R: Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Overseas Affairs, Prof. Demola Abbass; Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Abdurrasaq Balogun; and Secretary to Lagos State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, during the Lagos State Security summit 2018 in Lagos...yesterday.

Again, Suspected Herdsmen Kill Six in Nasarawa Emmanuel Ukumba in Laﬁa Six Tiv farmers were reportedly killed by suspected herdsmen in separate attacks on Jimin Nyaku village of Aloshi Chiefdom and Gidan Ayua in Kadarko district both in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The attack on Jimin Nyaku village was reported to have occurred at the early hours of last Saturday where a father and his son were brutally murdered by the attackers. Similarly, four other persons were yesterday reported to have been killed at Gidan Ayua; an outskirt of Kadarko town on the Nasarawa/ Benue border.

One of the villagers, Terwase Adagher, who narrowly escaped from one of the attacks, explained that the gunmen who were said to be on a reprisal mission, appeared from a nearby bush and opened fire on their victims and consequently killing four on a spot. “We were sitting in our compound at Gidan Ayua yesterday (Sunday) at about 7p.m. when some herdsmen, armed with sophisticated weapons in their large numbers suddenly appeared from a nearby bush and started shooting sporadically. I narrowly escaped by God’s grace but four of my relations were killed by the attackers,” Adagher narrated. President of Tiv Youth

Organisation in Nasarawa State, Peter Ahemba, who confirmed the incident to journalists, said the bodies of the victims had been deposited at the mortuary unit of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia. He, however, condemned the incessant attacks on members of Tiv community of the state by suspected herdsmen hence calling on the police and other security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators for the sake of justice. Ahemba regretted that the Tiv community in Nasarawa State has lost over 87 persons in similar attacks by armed herdsmen including the destruction of property

worth billions of naira between January this year to date because of the implementation of the antiopen grazing law by the Benue State government which the Tiv people of Nasarawa State have no hand in its initiation and implementation. “Those attacking and killing our people because of a law in Benue State are not being fair to us. We are citizens of Nasarawa state, so why killing us because of what we don’t know?,” Ahemba lamented. But the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Nasarawa State Police Command, Idirisu Kennedy, confirmed that only three persons were killed during the attacks.

TUESDAY APRIL 10, 2018 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUHARI’S RE-ELECTION BID..

Okorocha, Bello, Shettima Hail Buhari’s Decision to Seek Re-election Our Correspondents Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, and Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettimate, have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring his intention to contest for a second term in office, describing the decision as a patriotic response to the clarion call of Nigerians of goodwill for him to lead the country for another four years. Okorocha, who is also the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, added that the announcement by the president himself would go a long way in reducing the noise of the opposition and take care of the idiosyncrasies of certain elements in the system. He said the president has done well to deserve second tenure, stating that those who had wanted to blackmail him out of going for another term can now find other meaningful things to keep themselves busy. He expressed optimism that the president would largely garner more votes in 2019 than he had done in 2015 because most Nigerians, including people of the South-east have seen that he meant well for the country. The governor said the APC has no apology to make because it has done wonderfully well considering the magnitude of the rot it met on ground in 2015 and noted that the antenna of the opposition in the country will finally be lowered when the campaigns begin and the party will be showing Nigerians its achievements in the states under its control and at the federal level. The governor said when a political party had admitted that the government it ran was a huge failure and then apologised, such scenario should go with restitution and not with reward. He urged APC members across the country to close ranks for the victory of the party at all levels in 2019. On his part, Niger State Governor, Bello, said the decision by President Buhari to seek re-election in 2019 has rekindled hope and reassured Nigerians that the restoration agenda, the war against corruption and enthronement of good governance for the country will sail safely to coast. “It was so heartwarming when President Buhari told members of the national executive committee (NEC) of our great party of his intention to seek for re-election. This is the brightest moment for our country. “A moment that has rekindled the hope of our people. A moment that has reaffirmed that all the good works, the good initiatives of the president that saw us out of economic recession the country was plunged into by mismanagement of past administration will now be sustained to take us to the desired enviable position among the comity of nations”. The governor’s remarks were contained in a statement signed on his behalf by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Jide Orintunsin, and made available to journalists in Minna yesterday. According to Governor Bello “by this pronouncement, President Buhari has exhibited high sense of good leadership. He has shown that he listens to the yearnings of millions of Nigerians who called on him to continue the good work he started since 2015. “He would have dashed the hope of teeming Nigerians, especially the younger ones who are looking up to him, if he has turned down this call to serve. “The onus is now on all good and well -meaning Nigerians to rally round our president and ensure that the reactionary forces of the opposition and agents of doom are not allowed to dash the much cherished hope we all have in the new emerging Nigeria by doing the needful during the next general election”. He said Nigeria could not afford to go back to the “dark days of extravagancy and impunity. President Buhari has changed the game, he has brought sanity to governance, the war against insurgency is nearing logical conclusion and our economy is improving” Posterity he said would not forgive us as a people if we allowed this golden opportunity to slip off our hands. The president has declared, we have to do the needful as a people by supporting him.” Also, Borno State Governor, Shettima, has challenged supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to continue to sensitise their families, friends, neighbours and colleagues through personal interactions, to educate them about the challenges inherited by the president and what he is achieving in his ongoing efforts to rescue the country. Shettima threw the challenge on his facebook page and twitter account yesterday shortly after granting interview to journalists at the State House in Abuja. “As I told my friends, State House journalists, it is a traditional practice all over the world, that a popular sitting president gets his political party’s right of first refusal in seeking reelection. As Nigerians can testify, silence on the part of the President creates uncertainty in the polity with all sorts of assumptions. I believe that Mr. President’s notice of intention will not only calm the polity but will indeed, give the APC a better sense of direction. Insha’Allah, as governors, we will give the president and our party, all that is in us to once again, win the election in 2019. We have strong faith, that citizens of our States who overwhelmingly support the president and the APC will continue to, in their personal interactions, sensitise their family members, friends, colleagues in work places and neighbours far and near to remind them of the unimaginable challenges President Buhari and the APC inherited in 2015- to make them appreciate the bold efforts that are still works in progress. God willing, Nigeria will regain peace and it will be a better.”

APGA: Buhari Has Right to Second Term

L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Yari; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; and their Kaduna State counterpart, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, during the All Progressives Congress National Executive Committee meeting, in Abuja... yesterday. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has said President Muhammadu Buhari is merely exercising his constitutional right by declaring his intention to run for presidency in 2019. Reacting to the president’s formal declaration of interest, the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Ike Oye, said: “It is his right to contest. The constitution confers on him that inalienable right.”

President Going against Popular will, Says SDP

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) said the president would be going against popular feelings by Nigerians that he should not offer himself for the office again. In a statement issued yesterday by the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Alfa Mohammed, SDP said: “President Buhari’s declaration of intent to contest the forthcoming 2019 presidential election is a good news to us in the-- SDP because it will avail us the advantage of having to contest against a seating but unpopular president who over the past three years has not been able provide the much desired change for he was overwhelmingly elected. “But be that as it may, the insistence of president Buhari to contest the election despite all persuasions by eminent Nigerians that leaves the scene younger and vibrant leaders in the face of the rising cases of insecurity, excruciating poverty, unemployment attested by even the international community amounts to insensitivity to the horrific conditions of the citizenry. “Finally, we insist that Mr. President rethinks his position on the matter in the interest of Nigerians, particularly the younger generation and the women who are the most affected.”

CNPP: Why President Shouldn’t Run For Second Term

The Conference of Nigeria Political Party (CNPP) has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has nothing to show Nigerians in terms of concrete achievements that would make him seek re-election beyond the fact that re-contesting is a legal right. While reacting to the president’s declaration, the CNPP in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, maintained that Nigeria should be thinking of electing a patriotic politician who understands economic dynamics and inclusive governance. According to the group, “It is disappointing that the president will choose to declare for a second term at a time when the security of lives and property of Nigerians cannot be guaranteed. “The president’s declaration of intention to run at this time is the height of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians who are suffering under his administration as he has nothing concrete in terms of achievement to show Nigerians. “Today, we can count businesses that have either collapsed or are operating under the worst economic condition in history

of our dear country, with no single high profile conviction in his so-called anti-corruption war in three years.” CNPP added that the anti-corruption campaign by Buhariled government had obviously turned into a blackmailing tool aimed at painting one political party black, while anyone accused of corruption that joins the All Progressives Congress (APC) automatically becomes a saint and must be protected to enjoy his loot, saying that is not war against corruption. It added that Nigerians at this time should be moving with the global tide by thinking of electing a successful patriotic man or woman as president. “Re-electing the incumbent is to vote for continuity of failure as the first term in the office is usually the time to win the confidence of the electorate but the president has performed so woefully in security, nation building, provision of infrastructure, employment generation, among others for him to seek re-election. His government has failed all-round”, the group further stated. “We, as Nigerians, have experimented enough in the last three years. The hungry and jobless citizens can no longer endure, and cannot afford to see another four years of this failed administration after 2019.”

Group Lauds Re-election Bid

A pro-Buhari group, Initiatives for Demonstrating Change in Nigeria, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring interest to seek another term in office. The National Coordinator of the group, Chinedu Ogah, noted that Buhari’s decision would stabilise the economy and further stem the tides of corruption and insecurity in the country. The APC chieftain in Ebonyi also described the reelection as a “welcome development” for the country and the people of the South-east zone for the actualisation of Igbo presidency in 2023. Ogah, who is an aspirant for Ikwo/Ezza South Federal constituency in Ebonyi State, noted that his group would soon embark on aggressive campaigns for the reelection of the president. He further commended the president for taking such bold step which would definitely consolidate his efforts in fighting corruption and insecurity. He said: “It was cheerful news to us that President Buhari has accepted to run for a second term in office. This is a welcome development for the country and Ndigbo. His decision signals a new vista of national cohesion and development. The anti- corruption war and fights against insecurity will be consolidated. It is a new hope for Nigeria”. “We shall support him and campaign for him vigorously to actualise his ambition. We will mobilize our women, youths in Ebonyi State to support the President. We will reciprocate his love for Ebonyi people by voting for him massively, Ogah stressed. The youth leader further urged the people of the South-east to reposition themselves to support the ruling party to avoid the repeat of the 2011 “ political miscalculation “ that almost schemed out the zone from national politics.

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INEC Worried over Technology Intercepts in Electoral Process Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over the growing incidence of interference in the electoral process as a result of the deployment of counter-technology devices. The commission said given the high stakes involved in conducting elections in developing countries, electoral management bodies should be worried about the twin issues of communications and security. The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who shared the concern at a conference on the use of technology in elections in the West and Southern African sub regions in Abuja yesterday, observed that the concern is more

in situations where data is indirectly transmitted to the tallying centres through offshore vendors rather than exclusively controlled within national boundaries by the election management bodies. “In addition, we have to contend with the disturbing but rapidly evolving incidence of election meddling through the deployment of counter-technology on a global scale by state and non-state actors,” Yakubu said. Also, Yakubu said given the deficit of infrastructure and expertise in many countries in this sub-regions and the regularity with which elections are conducted, concerns have been raised about cost, choice and effectiveness of technology. However, the INEC boss said

although there are some challenges associated with use of technology, adding that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. According to Yakubu, the deployment of technology has empowered citizens now more than before; to organise, mobilise and protect their mandates through the use of various social media platforms. He said there was no going back in the deployment of technology in the conduct of elections in the country. The commission boss noted that by coming together of election managers and experts from West and Southern African countries to share experiences, it would enable

them come out with appropriate and cost-effective technology that would increase public confidence in the electoral process and further protect the sanctity and integrity of the ballot. President of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), Ms. Monica Frassoni, however, noted that the introduction of technology in the electoral and democratic process were not given, adding that there are pros and cons associated with it. ”The perception of an impartial and competent electoral management body is a precondition for technology to be perceived as an aid to the perfection of the electoral

process,” Frassoni stated. She told the conference that the use of other technologies and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in elections have been seen both as a facilitator and a spoiler to the process. According to her, “All too often, in Africa, Europe and the Americas, we hear about how ICTs have been used to influence the election results.” The representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Francis Oke, advised that the deployment of technology in elections should be scrutinised, however, called for confidence building. Oke, who noted that elections

create tension in Africa, disclosed that this problem led to the formation of ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commission (ECONEC) to assist in information sharing by EMBs in the sub-region. The Executive Committee Chairperson of South African Development Community (SADC), Advocate Notemba Tjipueja, numerated the benefits of the deployment of technology in the conduct of elections. Tjipueja, who is also the chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia, noted that most electoral management bodies around the world use new technologies in the conduct of elections.

Lufthansa to Cancel 800 Flights Due to Strikes German mega carrier, Lufthansa (Deutsche Lufthansa AG (LHA. XE), announced yesterday that it expects to cancel more than 800 flights today due to the strike called for by Germany’s Verdi union. Verdi, one of Germany’s biggest unions, called for the strike by ground staff at airports in Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne and Bremen, forcing Lufthansa to cancel more than half of the initially scheduled 1,600 flights, the German airline said. Verdi is demanding a six per

cent pay rise for about 2.3 million public sector employees and a third round of negotiations will take place on April 15 and 16. Verdi’s call for strike is “completely unacceptable,” Lufthansa said. “Lufthansa is not even a party to this collective-bargaining conflict, but our customers and we are particularly affected by the consequences of the dispute,” said executive board member for human resources and legal affairs, Bettina Volkens.

Eko Disco Denies Report of Nonremittance to NBET, Explains Power Outage in Ikoyi, Others Ejiofor Alike The Eko Electricity Distribution Company has denied that it was one of the distribution companies that failed to remit payment in respect of the bulk energy invoice presented by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) for the month of January, 2018. The company has also explained that the power outage being experienced in some parts of Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Park view estate, Obalende, Idumagbo and other adjoining areas was due to the breakdown of some facilities at the Alagbon Transmission injection sub-station, which is a major source of bulk power supply to the company from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). The company’s Chief Legal Officer, Wola Joseph-Ojoye, said in a statement yesterday that the company has been consistent in the settlement of energy invoices from NBET from month to month. Joseph-Ojoye stated that an energy invoice for the previous month usually comes towards the end of the following month with the invoice bearing a due date for payment. “The bill for the month of January 2018, said the statement, was received on February 26, 2018 and payment was made by the company on March 6, 2018 which was before the payment due date,” said the chief legal officer. The EKEDC legal officer urged stakeholders to always cross check their facts with the company.

According to Joseph-Ojoye, being a customer-centric utility company, EKEDC owes its customers and members of the public the duty to communicate the true position of the company on the matter. In another development, the company has given the reason behind the current power outage being experienced in some parts of Lagos Island. A statement signed by the company’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr. Godwin Idemuida, said the outage was due to the breakdown of some facilities at the Alagbon Transmission injection sub-station which is a major source of bulk power supply to the company from the Transmission Company of Nigeria. Idemudia said the fault at Alagbon Transmission station has put the company’s distribution injection sub-stations in Adetokunbo Ademola way, Berkeley, Anifowose, Fowler and Idumagbo totally out of circuit. According to him, areas being affected by the outage include Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Parkview Estate, Obalende, Idumagbo and other adjoining areas. While appealing to its customers to please bear with the situation, Idemudia further said that the company had gotten an assurance from the Transmission Company of Nigeria that the fault on the facilities at Alagbon Transmission Station would soon be cleared for normal supply to be restored soon.

ELECTORAL MATTERS

L-R: Ambassador of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and West Africa, Mr. Ketil Karlsen; Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and President, ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commission (ECONET), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu; and President, European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), Ms. Monica Frassoni, at an International Conference with theme: ‘Opportunities And Challenges in the Use of Technology in Elections’ in Abuja...yesterday J ulius Atoi

Ministry Calls for Inclusion of 1% from Consolidated Revenue Fund in Health Sector Senator Iroegbu in Abuja The Ministry of Health has called on the National Assembly to include the one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund as was provided by the National Health Act in the 2018 budget. This, the ministry urged, is to enable the government fund projects, programmes and policies geared towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria by 2025. The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, made this call in Abuja yesterday during a briefing in commemoration of the World Health Day 2018 themed: “UHC: Everyone, Everywhere” by the World Health Organisation (WHO) while Nigeria’s slogan is “Health for All.” Ehanire said the present administration recognises the importance of UHC in the National Health System, as part of the social protection architecture to ensure that Nigerian citizens get quality health service, when and where they need it, without suffering financial hardship. To this end, he said the government is working to provide physical access to health care with the revitalisation of one functional Primary Health Care

(PHC) Centre in every political ward to serve citizens, even when they do not immediately have money to pay. According to him, this helps to preserve the human capital and contributes to productivity and socio-economic development, while supporting equity, especially among rural dwellers and the urban poor, leaving no one behind. He said the target is to ensure that school children, the elderly and childbearing women would also enjoy healthcare access, without risk of financial ruin to their families. To achieve this, the minister stressed that the “National Health Act, enacted in 2014 to provide a framework for regulation, development and management of a National Health System and lay down standards for rendering health services and related matters in the Federation, set aside one per cent of Consolidated Revenue Fund as Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, of which 50 per cent enters the NHIS gateway and 45 per cent the NPHCDA gateway, leaving five per cent as Emergency Fund to utilise via the FMOH gateway. “Operationalisation of the Act, as a step towards

UHC, is expected to support physical and financial access to healthcare by aiding revamping of neighborhood PHC Centres and solving Human Resource for Health challenges, for a basic healthcare package that includes free antenatal and postnatal care, free immunisation service and free treatment of children under the age of 5.Healthcare delivery quality is expected to improve significantly with more Value for Money, Transparency and Accountability. Appropriate payment exemption schemes are to be determined by the National Council on Health to provide access to the vulnerable.” The minister also expressed the desire for a “more purposeful cooperation and collaboration between the Ministry of Health, Legislative Network for UHC, other Civil Society Advocates and all the National Assembly Committees to include the one per cent Consolidated Revenue Fund in the 2018 budget.” As a partner in the movement to accelerate global attainment of UHC, Ehanire said Nigeria in its National Health Act is to provide

a minimum of social (healthcare) benefits to its citizens through the purchase of a set of preventive, promotive and curative services from accredited private and public facilities. “The government so recognises PHC Centers as the platform for UHC and is pursuing the rehabilitation of almost 10,000 PHC Centers in Nigeria between now and the end of 2019, the operational design of which shall be the Ward Health System (WHS),” he added. Speaking further, Ehanire said the Ministry of Health through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has the mandate to achieve UHC by 2025 and demonstrated leadership by committing to institute mandatory contributory health insurance scheme for all persons who earn an income, whether formal or informal, and a fund to cover the vulnerable. He assured that various states are committed to this and are at various stages of implementation. This reassuring gesture, he added, would be appreciated by Nigerians as the foundation for ensuring a minimum package of healthcare for all citizens.

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How Malami Saved Judges from Harassment Asked them to ignore panel on recovered property Tobi Soniyi in Lagos The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, has asked judges to discountenance letters sent to them by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) Some judges of the Federal High Court had come under harassment by the panel and took the timely intervention by the AGF to rescue them. A judge of the Federal High Court who confided in THISDAY, said the panel wrote to him and his colleagues that there were petitions against them bordering on alleged undisclosed properties. A copy of the letter shown to THISDAY read: “The Office of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property is in receipt of a petition against you bordering on abuse of office and thus investigating the allegations contained in the petition therein. “Consequently, in furtherance to our mandate made pursuant to Section 3 of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act, we request that you declare your assets as prescribed in form attached.” The letter was dated October 9, 2017, and was signed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sulaiman M. Abdul, on behalf of the Chairman of the panel, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla. The judge said he was surprised when he received the letter having dully filed his asset declaration form with the Code of Conduct of Bureau. He also stated that no petition was attached to the letter. Eventually, some of the affected judges complained to the Malami, who eventually caused the Solicitor

General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, to write to the judges to discountenance the letters. One of such withdrawal letters the Solicitor-General of the Federation wrote to one of the affected judges dated November 1, 2017, read: “I am directed to refer Your Lordship to the above subject matter in relation to notices issued by Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, acting in his capacity as the chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property to some judges of the Federal High Court, including Your Lordship. “Regrettably, the said notices were issued without due process and requisite clearance, hence, I have the mandate of the Minister of Justice to withdraw same with immediate effect. Your Lordship may therefore wish to discountenance the said notice issued to you in its entirety.” For reasons a presidential source described as ‘excesses’, Obono-Obla was suspended in November last year. The suspension letter dated November 5, 2017, and referenced HAGF/SH/2017/VOL/1/60 which was issued by the Office of the AGF read: “I have received a letter Ref. SH/OVP/DCOS/FMJ/0424 dated October 20, 2017, in respect of the above subject from the Office of the Vice President. “In the said letter, the vice president expressed his concerns on the activities of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property, which runs contrary to the enabling Act establishing it. He also noted that the activities of the panel run foul or contrary to established administrative procedures and protocols in the federal civil service structure. “In view of the foregoing,

TARABA KILLINGS: ARMY SETS UP PANEL TO PROBE ALLEGATION BY DANJUMA ON SOLDIERS’ COLLUSION Area of the state, bringing the number of people killed in various communities from last Wednesday to 19. Besides the aircraft, three units of riot policemen have also been deployed to the state, bringing the total number of police units in the state to eight. The IG announced the deployments yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on the State Governor, Darius Ishaku, in Jalingo as part of his three-day working visit to the state. Idris noted that his visit to the state was in fulfilment of his promise to Ishaku when the governor paid him a visit in his office in Abuja last week to find a lasting solution to the incessant killings in the state. “I want to announce to you that the surveillance aircraft you requested for is already in the state and we have also deploy additional three mobile police units to be deployed to flashpoints in the state to ensure the total restoration of peace,” he stated. The IG equally disclosed that he would inaugurate a mobile squadron base in Takum today as part of efforts to boost manpower and police the state more effectively. “I can assure you that we will do everything to ensure that the inhabitants of the state are safe and

I would be inaugurating a mobile squadron base in Takum tomorrow (today) as part of our efforts in fighting criminality in the state” The IG later met with traditional rulers and religious leaders in the state including members of the police community relations committee and other stakeholders in the state. Welcoming the IG to the state, Governor Ishaku commended the police command in the state particularly the Commissioner of Police for working tirelessly and diligently to maintain peace in the state just as he commended the IG for his prompt response to his request for a surveillance aircraft and additional manpower. He decried the continuous killings in several parts of the state which he said have become very worrisome and a huge concern to all lovers of peace. “These killings have to stop. We cannot continue to live like this. Today at Tati in Takum, six people were again killed by these bandits. You have to do something urgently to wipe away our tears. “I want to commend the state Commissioner of Police, Mr David Akinremi, for his tireless efforts at achieving peace in the state. IG, I can tell you that the command in the state is doing very well to maintain peace in the state.”

coupled with the directives contained in the letter under reference, you are hereby directed to refrain from any further action or taking any step in your capacity as the chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on the Recovery

of Public Property with immediate effect until directed otherwise by the vice president. “While you are to await further instructions in respect of the panel’s mandate, you are hereby directed to promptly provide a detailed

up-to-date report on the activities of the panel to the undersigned for onward transmission to the vice president. “Furthermore, you are required to henceforth seek clearance from the Attorney General of

the Federation and Minister of Justice before granting any media interview or making press statement on official matters.” After intensive lobbying, ObonoObla was reinstated as chairman of the panel.

POWER PROJECT INAUGURATION

Traditional ruler of Ohiya, Eze Uhuegbu; former Abia State Commissioner for Works, Hon. Emeka Nwachukwu; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, during the inauguration of the 40MVA, 132/33kv Mobile Power Transformer at the Ohiya Transmission Substation, Umuahia, Abia State....yesterday

Kachikwu Clarifies Position on Under-recovery of Petrol Imports at NNPC Olawale Olaleye The Minster of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has clarified some alleged newspaper misrepresentations, which credited him with a statement that the current under recovery in imports of petrol was about N1.4 trillion till date, saying the story was heavily misrepresented. Speaking exclusively to THISDAY, Kachikwu said his statement, which was misreported was to the effect that given the fixed price regime of petrol, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation

(NNPC) was landing products at above the fixed price for the products at filling stations. With this understanding, therefore, he said: “under recovery does exist but the NNPC would be in the best position to provide the most authentic figure as that is the body currently importing most of the petrol retailed in Nigeria. I, therefore, did not state the under recovery amount.” Kachikwu last Thursday quoted as saying the country is currently recording an under-recovery of N1.4 trillion per annum on petrol. Kachikwu, who spoke at a

workshop on harmonisation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) regulatory requirements, was further quoted as saying the unnecessary cost incurred from petrol consumption, especially as majority of the commodity was imported, had further highlighted the need for the country to shift to alternative energy for our transportation needs. According to some of the reports, he was quoted thus: “We need to move away completely from the utilisation of only petrol in the transport

sector. It is creating a lot of under recovery – over N1.4 trillion per annum to the federal government. We need to begin to look into other components of cleaner fuels and rely less on petrol. It would be better for the country. It would eliminate fuel among others.” Under recovery means a situation whereby the NNPC is incurring the cost of the differential between the official pump price of petrol and the actual cost of the commodity. It is another term for subsidy, since the official price of petrol is lower than the actual market price.

Bayelsa Govt: Why We’re Embarking on Public Sector Reforms Eromosele Abiodun The Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Kemela Okara, yesterday debunked speculations that the ongoing public sector reforms in the state is meant to witch-hunt its indigenes, stressing that the desire of the state government is to deliver to Bayelsans both now and the future, a public sector that serves all the interest of its citizens to the best of its ability. Okara who disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Lagos yesterday, said the state government had embarked on some of the most ambitious policy initiatives to bring about long term transformation of the state. According to him, “One area that we have probably not talked about much is the public service reform. When the governor came in 2012, one of the things that was very dear to him was that for us to deliver to

Bayelsans, the state they deserve, we needed to look critically at the engine of implementation of public policy, which the public sector, including the civil service, parastatals, government agencies, public institutions and the like. This is the one policy where the governor has consistently been addressing from 2012 until now. “As secretary to government, it has been a privilege to be the deputy chairman of the public sector reform committee, which the governor set up looking at everything in the public sector. We looked at the civil service, how efficient it is, how we can better resource the civil service, how we can better resource it and deal with what we met like over bloated workforce, ghost workers unsustainable monthly wage bills and ensuring that people who are employed in various places met laid down criteria. “It has become imperative that we begin to put this message out

there that in addition to what government has been doing quite laudably in security, education, healthcare, we are also doing a lot of work in the area of public sector reform.” This area, he stated, is much more sensitive as sometimes it gets a push back because of entrenched interest who doesn’t want things to change. “But never the less we feel it is important to put things in proper context in the interest of all Bayelsans. The reason the governor has put up the public sector reform is not out of the desire to witch-hunt anybody or make somebody lose their job. It is because at the end of the day, all Bayelsans are key stakeholders in the project of governance and they deserve a public sector that delivers,” he said. He disclosed that when the government came on board in

2012, the monthly wage bill was N6.7 billion, adding that it has pruned it down to N2.9 billion. “Clearly if you consider the size of the state and if you look at other states with higher population, our wage bill was way above what was really acceptable. So we began to look at having our wage bill arrive at a sustainable figure and we had to look at this from many angles. Today, we have pruned that wage bill down to N2.9 billion, if you add what we give as subventions to tertiary institutions, which is another N630 million, it brings it to about N3.6 billion. We are still trying to get the citizens of the state, public sector worker, trade unions to understand that we must manage a public sector that is sustainable in the long term so that the state can develop in all frontiers; that state income is not just for paying of salaries of public sector workers,” he said.

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Fashola Urges Discos to Improve Remittances, Keep Power Sector Afloat Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday called on the 11 electricity

distribution companies (Discos) to improve their monthly remittances to the market and save it from collapsing. Fashola said this at the April

edition of the monthly meeting of power sector operators in Umuahia, Abia State. A text of his address at the meeting was sent to THISDAY in

Students Shut down Akure as Ondo Assembly Distances Self from Tuition Hike James Sowole in Akure For several hours yesterday, students of the Ondo State-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) shut down Akure, the state capital, protesting the increase in the tuition to be paid by both fresh and returning students of the institution. The protest came just as the state House of Assembly (ODHA) dissociated itself from the new fees announced by the Governing Council of the institution. The assembly at a news conference said the action of the AAUA Governing Council negated the agreement reached that all critical stakeholders particularly the assembly should be carried along before any increment is announced. Addressing journalists, the Chairman of the House Committee of Information, Hon Fatai Olotu, said the announcement would be revisited. “As representatives of the people, we dissociate the House from the proposed fee announced by the governing council because what was done was contrary to the agreement we reached. “We are urging all parents and students to remain calm as steps are being taken to ensure that fees to be paid are agreed upon by relevant stakeholders,” Olotu stated. The students, who were joined by the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOS), trooped out in their hundreds and locked down the major Oyemekun/ Adesida and A Division/ Hospital Roads. The action of the protesters caused traffic jam at all adjoining streets where traffic were diverted. Also, sequel to the protest by the placard carrying students, commuters were stranded and were forced to trek long distances while creating opportunities for commercial motorcycle operators to make brisk business due to their ability to maneuver in the situation. Some of the placards carried by

the visibly angry students read: No to Increase in school fees; Akeredolu, This Is Wickedness; We No Go Agree to Fee Hike; among others. The protesters were joined by some market women, who said many unprinted words against the government and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. One of the students who spoke passionately about the situation, said there was no way her mother who is the only one catering for her and her siblings could cope with the situation. “This hike in fees, will force many of us to drop out of the school. I am a 300 Level Law student. My sister just gained admission into AAUA, my mother is the only one that had been responsible for our upkeep on N80,000 salary per month. How can we cope if we add the cost of accommodation an .other things. This is unfair. I am finished,” she lamented. The AAUA had last week in a statement signed by its Head of Public Relations, Mr Sola Imoru, disclosed that fresh students in the Faculties of Arts and Education are to pay N150,000 while the returning students are to pay N120,000. For the Faculties of Science, Agriculture, Social and Management Sciences, fresh students are to pay N180,000 just as returning students are to pay N150,000. The statement also revealed that fresh students in the Faculty of Law are to pay N200,000 while returning students: are to pay N180,000. Before the current increase, students of the institution were paying between N25,000 and N35,000 per session. The president of the AAUA Students’ Union, Olawale Ijatuyi, said he had directed that no students must pay any money or register until a directive is given by the students body. On the contrary, students of the Ondo State owned University of Science and Technology (OSUTECH), Okitipupa rose stoutly against the action of their colleagues at AAUA, that protested

the hike in fees. The OSUTECH students at a press conference in Akure, said they and others at the University Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo had all these years been paying high fees without anybody raising highbrow and even leadership of NANS. “With the present economic situation, how is it feasible for students in a state-owned institution that want to compete with their peers in world class institutions think they can continue to pay between N23,000 and N37,000 per session.” The students led by Phillip Ifeoluwa, said if the government should revert to the old tuition at AAUA, their tuition at OSUTECH would have to be reduced to between N23,000 and N37,000 per session. Meanwhile, while defending the hike in fees, the Governing Council of the AAUA and the school management yesterday insisted that there was no going back on the implementation of the new fees. Briefing journalists over the development after a meeting with the leadership of the Students Union, the Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Mr. Tunji Abayomi, said the implementation of the new fees became imperative to save the school from collapsing. Abayomi stated that the increase in the fee became inevitable to save the institution and education in the state, saying lack of adequate funding from state government as a result of prevailing economic situations in the country was equally responsible for the hike. Speaking on the finances of the school, Abayomi said the income accrued to the school was lesser than the expenditure, saying the institution was being run at a loss. He added that the state government was spending about N5 billion yearly to finance the school. He said the time has come to save the university from total collapse but said the state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, still has the power to reduce the fees.

BUHARI: L DECLINED SIGNING REGIONAL ECONOMIC PACT TO PROTECT LOCAL INDUSTRIES, YOUTHS of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr Okechukwu Enelamah, has appealed Buhari to extend its mandate by another two weeks. Under its calendar to widen consultations with stakeholders, the committee held a meeting with the delegation of MAN on March 14 and has met with the labour union, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Poultry Association of Nigeria. It has also sought input from the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA)

and Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Immigration Service. It was gathered that at the last committee meeting, Nigerian Chief Negotiator, Office for Trade Negotiations, Chiedu Osakwe, said NLC still required more transitional period and protectionism on commodities such as sugar, rice and fertilizer which are still at the state of infancy. He said the committee also received a list from MAN but did not exceed the 10 percent the committee negotiated within the framework of protection. In addition, trade groups are prevailing on Nigeria to be aggressive on negotiations on

wide sectors that include aviation, service, banking, cement, where Nigeria has the market leadership in Africa. The trade negotiator also warned Nigeria it risks losing businesses from the country to other African markets, if it continues to play hardball against the AfCTA, adding the objective of CFTA is to use Nigeria as a route to other African markets. The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, who attended the meeting, said under the deal, said items which should be imported should not be the ones the country is capable of manufacturing.

Abuja by his Senior Adviser on Communication, Mr. Hakeem Bello. The minister explained that the Discos’ poor revenue payments to the market would eventually affect their businesses, adding that when the Gencos close shops for poor payments, they (Discos) would have no power to sell. Recently, the remittances of the Discos to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) have continued to drop with few of the Discos actually paying small parts of their monthly bills to the NBET. For example, in December, the NBET disclosed that the Discos paid only N4.47 billion for their invoices which came up to N50.21 billion, as well as N6.08 billion from the N44.85 billion January invoices they got. “The truth is that if NBET cannot pay her bills to the Gencos, the Discos will have no business because the bulk of their power comes from NBET. “Therefore, the Discos must, in their own very best interest see NBET as the goose that lays their golden egg, who must not die,” said Fashola. He further stated in the roles he expected the Discos to take up: “While NBET, TCN and NDPHC act for government to implement its enabling role, the immediate tasks of the Discos, in my view, are to: improve the quality and capacity of the distribution equipment to improve power supply and service

to stimulate consumer willingness to pay; improve collection of revenues without extortion through estimated bills or hostility; remit what they collect in accordance with the agreement with NBET; take ownership of the Meter Asset Provider regulations to improve supply of meters; and respond to consumer complaints and resolve them in a business-like manner.” Fashola also asked the NBET to step up its duties in the market. He said: “NBET, on its part, must also improve on the timelines it takes to process payment to the Discos and, in addition, adopt a business orientation of ensuring that it collects as much as it can from the Discos, who help her to retail the bulk power.” The minister also stated that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) would in a few weeks, inaugurate over 90 transmission projects as part of its ongoing expansion of the transmission network. Meanwhile, the Discos have through their umbrella association – the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), condemned a proposed bill by the House Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC Lagos) to criminalise estimated electricity billing in the country. ANED said the proposal was not in tune with the needs of the power sector and should be ignored. Its Director of Advocacy, Mr. Sunday Oduntan, said in a telephone

interview that estimated billing was not a bad practice but that its accuracy was in contention in Nigeria. He added that the new third-party meter regulation by the NERC could render Gbajabiamila’s bill irrelevant. “With due respect to Hon. Gbajabiamila, who was said to have moved for that amendment, if you criminalise estimated bills, it is as good as saying all Discos should pack and go. “Estimated billing is not strange even in developed countries, people who have no meters are estimated. The contention in Nigeria is the accuracy of the estimation, and we have had cases of overbilling otherwise known as crazy billing, as well as under billing. Either of the two are not good enough,” said Oduntan. He further stated: “The regulator established the guideline and calculations for estimated billing, when somebody wakes up and say it is now criminal to estimate bills, then it is as good as saying: “disconnect them permanently from the grid until they are metered. We don’t think that is the right way to go, we don’t think that will help the sector, we expect the honourable member to align with NERC, and also follow up with the latest MAP regulation which is a roadmap towards metering our customers. While not wait and let us see how it works instead of coming up with that proposal,” added Oduntan.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

C O M M O N W E A LT H G A M E S 2 0 1 8

Team Nigeria Opens Medals Account with Two Silver Blake edges Ogunlewe to claim 100m bronze

Femi Solaja After four days of fruitless hunt, Team Nigeria finally opened her account for medals at the ongoing XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia yesterday with two silver medals from table tennis team event and shot put. The feat in both events came moments after Nigeria lost out completely in the much advertised men’s 100m final in which the duo of Seye Ogunlewe and Enoch Adegoke placed fourth and seventh respectively. Akani Simbine of South Africa claimed the sprint gold in a time of 10.03 while his compatriot, Henricho Bruintjies settled for the silver. Jamaican Johan Blake who was tipped for the gold ran a photo finish 10.19 with Nigerian Ogunlewe but computer print out gave the bronze to the Caribbean Sprinter. However, the disappointment on the track lasted less than an hour for Nigerians at the Games as the country’s men table tennis players won a silver after been trashed 3-0 in the team event by India. A power-packed team of Segun Toriola, Bode Abiodun

and Olajide Omotayo allowed the Indian team a repeat of Melbourne 2006 feat at Gold Coast when the trio of Sharath Kamal Achanta, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Harmeet Desai race to the gold. Abiodun started the first game with so much hope as he romped into 11 – 4 win for the first set. But it was the Indian Sharath who bounced back to claim the three remaining sets at 11 -5, 11 - 4, 11 - 9. The second set which many hoped to be for Nigeria also went to India. Segun Toriola, the most experienced player from Africa could not find answers to India’s Gnanasekaran who towed the line of his compatriot to beat Toriola 3 -1. When the pair of Omotayo and Abiodun mounted the table for the third and last game, it was a huge mountain to climb for the Nigerians. They were equally beaten 3-0. But the defeat brought smiles to the faces of Team Nigeria officials who celebrated and welcomed the first medal- a silver. In his post match interview, Coach Nosiru Bello, blamed his ward’s loss to India in the final match to fatigue and injury suffered by player en-route to

D’Tigers in Third Straight Defeat Nigeria’s D’Tigers yesterday lost their men’s preliminary round pool A final group game 97-55 to Australia in in the basketball event of the ongoing 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. The former FIBA Africa champions lost all four

quarters 23-17, 25-10, 28-14 and 21-14. They had earlier lost to Canada and New Zealand. Ike Diogu was the standout performer for the team as he recorded 19 points and six rebounds while Godsgift Achiuwa recording eight points and eight rebounds.

OKPEKPE RACE

Obaseki Tasks C’ttee on Higher Tourism Receipts, Hitch-free Outing Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City With less than 40 days to the 6th Okpekpe International 10-kilometre Road Race, the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has challenged the event’s Organising Committee to ensure that more tourism receipts accrue to the state. Obaseki said the 10-kilometre road race has placed the state and the host communities on the global sporting map, attracting sports lovers and participants from various parts of the world to the state. “The growing popularity of Okpekpe Road Race is heartwarming and I urge the organising committee to strengthen the partnership with stakeholders such as hotel owners, transporters,

producers of souvenirs and other key actors in the tourism sector so that we can record more gains from the event,” he said. “With a well-structured sports sector, most of our youths will be engaged and the tourism sector will experience a major boost. We are committed to the development of the sector with our blueprint that will deliver 20 mini-stadia and a remodelled Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in the near future to serve as platforms for discovering and honing sporting talent,” the governor stressed. Chairman of the Organising Committee and Commissioner for Youths and Special Duties, Mr Mika Amonokha, assured the governor that the 6th edition of the race will build on past gains.

the important match against the winner. “We were tired as we only rested 40 minutes before the commencement of the final against India. Segun Toriola had a muscle injury but still gave his best. The Indians played their semi final in the morning and

rested better than us. We played our semi final and hardly rested before the final. That lack of rest affected us badly,” Bello said at the secretariat of Team Nigeria at the Games. Team Nigeria’s table tennis star, Aruna Quadri, who did not play in the team event

explained that he was under the weather and decided to skip the event. “I was not feeling fine. I decided to recuperate and play the singles,” Quadri stressed. Later on in the day, Chukwuemeka Enekwechi, won Nigeria’s first track and

field medal finishing second in the Shot put event. He threw a Personal Best of 21.14m to win the silver medal. With the jinx broken yesterday, Team Nigeria athletes are looking forward to more medals as the paralympic events get underway from today.

Commonwealth Games 100m gold medalist, Akani Simbine (right) and his compatriot, Henricho Bruintjies, (who won the silver) celebrating South Africa’s resurgence in track and ﬁeld at the ongoing 2018 edition in Gold Coast, Australia…yesterday

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Guardiola Banks on ‘Perfect Game’ for Redemption against Liverpool Manchester City must overturn a 3-0 deficit against Liverpool in the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal tie tonight and Manager Pep Guardiola insists that will require “the perfect game” from his players. City goes into the match on the back of a 3-2 defeat in the Premier League to rivals Manchester United on Saturday when a win would have secured the title. Guardiola’s side gave up a two goal lead in that game and they know that even a single slip-up against Liverpool will make their

task of progressing to the semifinals almost impossible. “Of course to go through you have to make the perfect game, create chances, be clinical, concede few chances, all the conditions have to be perfect,” said the Spaniard. “The result is tough but we have 90 minutes and in football anything can happen. What we are going to do is try. We have to score the first one, then make the second one. We’ll see the momentum, try to keep it longer and then we’ll see,” he added. City conceded their six goals in the past two games during a pair of intense short

spells and Guardiola said they have to be ready to deal with adversity. “If we concede, don’t give up - it’s more than 90 minutes. We have very often created a lot of chances in short period of time and we have to be clinical. And if we are not clinical then move on to the next one,” he said. City was eliminated last season in the last 16 by Monaco and it would be a disappointment for them to fail to make the last four after such a dominant season domestically. But the former Barcelona manager believes that his side

is growing and will soon be among the real elite of European football. “We need titles in Europe - it’s complicated but you need nights that make you understand it,” he said. “Beating Barca (last season) was so special because we know they’re the best team in the world but it will happen sooner or later.”

TODAY (7.45pm) Roma Vs Barcelona Man City Vs Liverpool TOMORROW Bayern Vs Sevilla Real Madrid Vs Juventus

VAT Wonder Goal Award Shortlists Lokosa, Ogbugh, Zango, Others Two free kicks and three perfectly aimed goals scored under pressure from defenders on Match-day 15 made the first VAT Wonder Goal shortlist of the 2017/18 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season. Shortlisted for voting are free kicks by Umar Zango of Lobi Stars and Sunday Emmanuel of Sunshine Stars which are all up against sublime efforts of Rivers United’s Emeka Ogbugh, Ajani Ibrahim of Rangers and NPFL top marksman, Junior Lokosa of Kano Pillars. Ibrahim Ajani’s left footed perfect curl and his second

goal for Rangers in their 3-0 defeat of Yobe Desert Stars left Enugu fans at the Cathedral singing his praises. In Umuahia, quick thinking by Umar Zango saw him lift a free kick from over 30 meters above a badly positioned Abia Warriors goalkeeper to earn the league leaders a valuable point in Umuahia. Sunday Emmanuel struck twice from dead ball situations to bring added pressure on a resurgent Kwara United which let go their head coach, John Obuh for Abubakar Bala after unimpressive results.

The Ilorin side had scored first in Akure but Emmanuel stepped forward to hit the ball hard past the defensive wall and beyond the reach of Kwara United goalkeeper for his second goal which was to be cancelled out late in the game by Sunday Chinedu’s frantic header for the 2-2 draw. In Port Harcourt, while his goal roused the stands at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Emeka Ogbugh did not partake in the celebrations. Ogbugh had joined Rivers United from Heartland after the Owerri club was relegated at the end of the

2015/16 season. Five minutes into the second half, Ogbugh received a pass from half way into the opponent’s side, and in a deft move, swerved away from two defenders to unleash a rasping shot that beat goalkeeper Japhet Opubo. He refused to celebrate as his team mates crowded him and offered back slaps. The fifth goal on the shortlist came off the boots of NPFL’s new hit man, Junior Lokossa who netted a brace in Kano Pillars 4-0 thrashing of FC IfeanyiUbah.

Tuesday April 10, 2018

UT H

& RE A S O

Price: N250

MISSILE Nwabueze to FG

“IPOB is only agitating for Biafra and self determination; they have killed nobody. On the contrary, IPOB members have been killed and are still being killed by the Federal Government’s troops” – Renowned constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, while giving conditions for peace talks with the Federal Government.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI Ayo Adebanjo: The Man and His Politics abati1990@gmail.com

hen friends, family and political associates gather in Ijebu-Ogbo, Ogun state today, to celebrate the 90th birthday of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, they will be honouring a radical and progressive politician, a lawyer, elder statesman, a patriot, and a nationalist of Yoruba extraction, who is without doubt, one of the most remarkable politicians of his generation and a voice of reason in the Nigerian politics of the 20th century and early 21st century. In a country where life expectancy is 53, “one of the most dangerous places to give birth” according to Bill Gates, a house which Karl Maier describes as “fallen”, the attainment of the nonagenarian grade is no mean feat. Born on April 10, 1928, barely six years after the Clifford Constitution and the first legislative elections in Nigeria, Adebanjo has lived through the finest and ugliest moments of Nigerian history: the constitutional processes, the struggle for independence, party politics leading to independence and after, the civil war, military rule, return to democracy, the struggle for the protection of democracy and civilian rule, and the bigger struggle of ensuring the survival and development of Nigeria. He joined the struggle early in 1943, as a Zikist, as a follower of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe but in 1951, he became a member of the youth wing of the Action Group, and a mentee and political disciple of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. This became the defining moment of his life and 67 years later, he has remained faithful to the ideals of that political party and the ideology/political philosophy of his mentor - that is Awoism. As Adebanjo turns 90, what is to be celebrated is not necessarily his longevity, even if there may be lessons to be learnt from his life habits – he maintains a rigorous exercise regimen, a daily routine we are told includes aerobic sessions, he neither smokes nor drinks, and for more than 60 years he has remained married to the same woman- but there are no hard and fast rules about longevity perhaps – some alcoholics live up to hundred, and some chronic womanisers outlive their own hubris- longevity, if I may essay a religious tone, is a matter of grace. Adebanjo has lived a true life of blessing and amazing grace. In 1962, during the travails of the Action Group and Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s trial for treasonable felony, Adebanjo was charged for felony, along with 30 others. He had to flee to Ghana. He has been detained more than once for his political beliefs, but this has not altered his resolve. Following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, which was won by Chief MKO Abiola of the then Social Democratic Party, Adebanjo was one of the chieftains of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). He joined protests, stood at the barricades and made his voice heard. Members of the democratic coalition and other groups in civil society were shot at, harassed, humiliated and their family members were intimidated. Used to the dangers of a political life in a dangerous society, Adebanjo’s resolve remains unshaken, even in the winter season of his life. When he fled into exile in 1962, his father was arrested, detained and rough-handled by the state. Many of Adebanjo’s colleagues have died in the course of the struggle. Some moved to the other side of the fence. Others adjusted in later life. The very essence of Chief Adebanjo’s politics lies in his consistency, his unwavering commitment to ideas rather than opportunism, his courage in the face of fire and intimidation, the life of sacrifice that he has lived, and his loyalty to Awo and Awoism. On this

Adebanjo last score, he may in fact be described as the last of the original Awoists. This emphasis on ideology, party politics, and Awosim is important, as an entry point into the interrogation of Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s politics. The kind of post-politics reality that has developed in Nigeria since the early 2000s has been a politics that is not driven by any ideology or principles or core beliefs, but by the desperate search for power by any vehicle possible. For this reason, there are many politicians in Nigeria today who cannot effectively articulate what exactly they believe in or stand for, and there are many of them who in less than a decade have used up to about five political platforms of disconcertingly contradictory impressions. This is probably the reason Chief Ayo Adebanjo has stayed away in the last few years from direct party politics. In 1951, he joined the Action Group, in the Second Republic, he was a member of the Unity Party of Nigeria, in the 90s, he was a member of the progressive democratic coalition; with the return to party politics in 1998, he was a member of the Alliance for Democracy which was more or less an Awoist party. When the AD seemed to have transmuted, or well, to have been compromised and something called the ACN emerged, Adebanjo kept his distance and functioned more as a leader of the Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, which till date seems more committed to the Awoist ideology. What is this ideology? The Action Group, the Unity Party of Nigeria, the Alliance for Democracy had consistently preached the same ideology of public good: free education, health, and prosperity for all, rural development and welfarism. It was on this platform that Chief Obafemi Awolowo transformed the Western region as leader in the First and Second Republics and it is these same principles that have continued to guide those who profess to be Awoists. But Awoism in a real sense is not just about service delivery, it is also a mode of engagement with the rest of Nigeria by a group of political actors in the Western region. These actors are committed to federalism, a restructuring of Nigeria, regional autonomy, and a re-negotiation of the mandate of 1914. In real terms, these are the same issues that have caused much political difference in Nigeria. Awoists naturally align with minorities across Nigeria, historical circumstances, particularly the civil war pitched them against Igbos, and hegemonic politics pitted them against the mainstream Northern political establishment. When this is disaggregated, the researcher will find in-between, much that relates to the ethnic, regional and religious politics in Nigeria. I will return to this shortly. Chief Ayo Adebanjo has been one of the most vocal, most unrelenting apostles of Awoism in Nigeria. His loyalty and religious devotion should be a worthy

study. He believes that Nigeria should, no, must be, restructured, and that Nigeria’s unity is indeed negotiable, the basis for that having been established in 1954 and the subsequent Lancaster House conferences. As a member of the 1978 Constituent Assembly, and the 2014 National Political Conference, Adebanjo has been consistent in demanding a restructuring of Nigeria through the vehicle of a Sovereign National Conference. He believes almost with thuggish resolve in federalism, as he continually makes the point that Nigeria as presently arranged is doomed to fail. In his more recent interventions, he argues almost with Papal magisterialism, that Nigeria can only move beyond 2019, if the country is restructured. It is however this kind of talk that exposes the contradictions at the heart of Awoism and Adebanjo’s own politics. Amitai Etzioni has written about “The Moral Dimension” in a book of the same title: The Moral Dimension: Toward A New Economics, but what he examines is not necessarily economics, but the whole range of social relations. When people assume an absolute, “They and We”, “Them and Us”, “They and I’, “We and Them” deontological ethics, they create a narratology of “I-s” and “We-s”. This is precisely what the original Awoists did and what Adebanjo does with his politics. They assume a superior moral position over everyone else, and whoever does not agree with them or deviates from their own definition of morality or duty is a villain. From Awo to Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Bola Ige to Chief Abraham Adesanya to Sir Olaniwun Ajayi, Bishop Gbonigi, Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Alfred Rewane, and Ayo Adebanjo, this very hubris has led to a situation whereby other Nigerians dismiss the principles that this group holds so much dear as nothing more than sheer arrogance, or at best Yoruba irridentism. And yet the label of irredentism is most unfair because the values and principles that Adebanjo has championed in particular are patriotic ideas about the common good. He is not a nihilist. He is not an anarchist. In his entre career, he has only argued for a better Nigeria. What he and his colleagues want is nothing but a better Nigeria and they have demonstrated a capacity and a willingness to work with other Nigerians who share the same progressive ideas. Beyond this politics, Adebanjo, originally a journalist before he went to study law in England, has proven to be media-savvy. He is not shy in expressing his views. He understands the power of the media. He is brutally frank. He is an engaging conversationalist. He enjoys public engagement. He is intellectually gifted and confident enough to hold his own in any argument. He actually enjoys engaging professional intellectuals and calling them out for duty. You can’t intimidate Chief Adebanjo. You can’t bully him. Journalists like to interview him, knowing that he will speak his mind, truthfully and forthrightly, and thus help to sell the newspaper. But when he dismisses Igbos collectively as he has done, on more than occasion, or he calls those who disagree with him, ideologically, names as he is wont to do, he reinforces his persona as a professional opposition figure and as a self-styled superior moral force; at the same time, though, he plays up certain contradictions even at his own local, ethnic, base. Awoists by nature and choice are professional opposition politicians. There also seems to be a consensus among them that anyone disagrees or falls out of line with them is to be vilified. Chief Adebanjo in and out of party politics has upheld and sustained this tradition: the same tradition

that blacklisted Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Adegoke Adelabu, Remi Fani-Kayode, Oduola Osuntokun, Meredith Akinloye, Richard Akinjide or anyone at all who dared to play “national politics” or question the core beliefs of the Awoist group. Hence, today, in his autobiography: Telling it as it is, Chief Adebanjo flagellates Olusegun Obasanjo whom he accuses of not being a Yoruba man or not being Yoruba enough, and so on. Obasanjo can defend himself, so I would leave that task to him. Bola Ige is similarly portrayed as a traitor because he chose to join national politics and work for Obasanjo. In various interviews, Chief Adebanjo is on record as having criticized Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and others for daring to work with either Obasanjo or Muhammadu Buhari, who in his view is nothing but a confirmed “disappointment.” The argument about either joining national politics or remaining in the opposition or acting as a moral compass has remained at the centre of Yoruba politics in Nigeria and it may never disappear so soon. Whether it is also right or wrong for a class of ideologues to constitute themselves into dictators of a regional, political ideology is a matter for interrogation. I do not intend to make any final evaluation, not yet. But just to say that the good news about Chief Ayo Adebanjo is indeed his honesty, his commitment to the tradition of opposition politics, his loyalty and ability to go on record for his beliefs and convictions, his joie de vivre, his objection to dictatorship – military or civilian, his agelessness and the capacity to remain relevant with both the old and the young in all seasons. With him, and the likes of Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Alfred Rewane, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Senator Abraham Adesanya, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Olu Falae, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, Chief Bola Ige, Rev. Emmanuel Alayande … and their mentor, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, you never had to second-guess. You could always be sure of where they stood. We can confidently say that they don’t really make them like that anymore in this age and time when prominent politicians in Nigeria are better known for their dancing, fibbing, and singing skills, the number of women in their harems, and certainly not for the quality of their ideas or principles. Adebanjo belongs to and represents a different tradition of the politics of character and dignity and truthfulness. In recent times, he has projected a lot more of his nationalism, seeing how Yoruba politics has turned out perhaps in the hands of new stakeholders - with his support of “the handshake across the Niger” and his focus on more nationalistic issues about Nigeria’s future. At 90, with all his faculties in place, Ayo Adebanjo cannot however, be under any illusion that the battle for the soul of Nigeria has been won, or that Muhammadu Buhari would preside over the restructuring of Nigeria, or that Obasanjo would suddenly be as Yoruba as he wishes him to be, but he can look back with satisfaction at the meaningful life that he has lived, the struggles that he has been part of, the legacy that he has championed, and that he has lived long enough to tell his story by himself, read his own story as told by others, and enjoy the pleasure of poking a finger or two, in the eyes of his critics. They may not give him a national honour, which he more than deserves, or name a university after him in his lifetime, but he would be respected always, most certainly, for his special service as someone who selflessly wants the very best for his own people and for all Nigerians and stands by what he believes in. Enjoy your 90th birthday sir. Have fun.

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